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It’s Flash Fiction Season 2026
Here’s the story in 99 words: NCJ’s 99-word Flash Fiction Contest is on. Send up to three entries in the body of an email (no attachments or links) to fiction@northcoastjournal.com with your name and contact information (no pen names) by midnight Oct. 31.
Dainty dramas, bite-sized adventures, flits of fantasy, micro-mysteries, half-pint hauntings, brief romances and scraps of science fiction are all welcome in 99 words or fewer (title not included). We’ll read your original fiction and run the winner and top tales in the Dec. 3 issue.
No poetry and — sorry, robots — no AI-generated copy. Get typing, Humboldt.
The Latest
Elections Office Releases New Numbers
The Humboldt County Elections Office today released its first post election report, which added 3,900 votes for a total of 25,409 ballots counted, representing just under 30 percent of registered voters. Results will continue to…
Gavin Newsom Seeks to Clear Death Row, Commutes Sentences for Hundreds of Prisoners
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom is commuting the death sentences of 548 people, clearing the California death row for the first time since the state…
Events
Winter Fair Ice Skating Rink
Nov. 13-Jan. 10
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Weekly news & events, and periodic special publications.
Music Tonight: Friday, Nov. 6
There’s a songwriter jamberoo at the Arcata Playhouse tonight at 7 p.m. featuring Ruby Ruth George and Mike Frazier. Expect country and folk-adjacent tunes full of esprit de corps for the local scene, both audience…
Music Tonight: Thursday, Nov. 5
Daniel Nickerson from Makenu and the Cowtown Sound is playing a free solo set at the Redwood Curtain Brewery in Myrtletown at 6 p.m. Expect oldies, goldies, covers for lovers and original tunes for the…
Caring for Trans Youth
Standing before dozens of community members at the Labor Temple in Eureka, Alexis Villegas said he tries not to remember last summer because of how painful it was. He couldn’t decide if he was angrier…
Seeking a Solution
Finding that elevating and shoring up the road accessing Centerville Beach is “not a prudent use of public funds,” Humboldt County is instead aiming to move it inland. Centerville Road’s erosion and flooding issues are…
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Music + Entertainment
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In Print
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Drama and Danger Make Omakase at Tanuki’s Den Sizzle
On an October evening, service at Arcata’s Tanuki’s Den (1021 I St.) starts with a gong. The metallic resonance hushed the cozy, 15-seat dining room and prefaced an announcement from the meal’s maestro, chef Jacob…
First Saturday Arts Alive
Enjoy a lively evening in Downtown and Old Town Eureka as galleries, museums, theaters, bars and restaurants stay open late. Explore art, catch live performances and soak in the vibrant energy of our creative community. …
“Wicker” Weaves its Magic
WICKER. It should come as no surprise that I am not easily charmed by fables, magical realism, period dramas, romance — charming things, really. I could defend my proclivities with the notion that there is…
Former Humboldt Crabs Help Brewers Capture World Series Championship
From the Arcata ballpark to baseball’s biggest stage, the Humboldt Crabs’ connection to the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2026 World Series championship runs across 36 years and two generations of baseball. Pat Casey, a 1980 Crab now…
Election Night Final Report, Update Expected Thursday
With the dust still settling on an historic and stunning midterm election night on the national front, here’s a look at the local seats that were up for grabs on Nov. 3. According to the…
Eat + Drink
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Michelle Dawn Rector
Michelle Dawn Rector (Shelly), age 74, of Humboldt County, California, and Yamhill County, Oregon, passed away on August 24, 2026. Shelly was born on June 10, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka, California to…
Janet Stock
Janet Stock was a lover of nature and healer of women. In 1997, she helped establish the massage practice at the Women’s Health Resource Center at a major San Francisco hospital, an innovative program for…
Safety Corridor Speed Limit Goes to 60
The signs they are a-changing — along U.S. Highway 101 between Eureka and Arcata, that is. Say goodbye to the 50 mph posts and hello to the ones placed to reflect the new speed limit…
Beware the ‘Red Mirage’ if California Republicans Have an Election Night Lead
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. It happens in close races in almost every major election. Early California returns show Republicans winning or at least faring better than expected.…
Michael Kevin Robinson
Michael Kevin Robinson was born on June 28, 1954 in Long Beach, CA to Bette and Russell Robinson. He grew up as the younger brother of sister Shari, and lived a privileged life as the…
Nicholas (Nick) Grant Robinson
Nicholas (Nick) Grant Robinson was born on December 21, 1984 in Fortuna, CA. He was the son of Michelle and Michael Robinson of Eureka, CA, and a graduate of Eureka High School class of 2003.…
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Letters & Opinion
‘How Big is Your Tribe?’
Editor: It may be too late to respond to the opinion piece “The Good Ones”…
Community Connection
Editor: Please join us for a Centro del Pueblo fund raising event on Wednesday, Nov.…
The Bears
Editor: I benefited from university instruction from wildlife specialists. I love black bears, from a…
‘Grateful’
Editor: OK, I’m a little slow, or maybe just busy, but definitely behind in my…
‘A Lot to Unpack’
Editor: I’m looking forward to seeing the 2026 documentary NAZA at the Minor on Wednesday,…
Choices for Eureka
Editor: I attended the Humboldt Association of Realtors on Oct. 1 for the Eureka mayoral…
Firefighting Improvements in Shelter Cove
CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit announces a newly installed auxiliary helicopter dip site at the Willow Glenn Landing Zone in Shelter Cove. The 2,000-gallon heli-tank, installed by the Shelter Cove Fire Department, provides an additional…
Music Tonight: Thursday, Oct. 29
Here’s something for the whole family: The Theatre Arts Program at Cal Poly Humboldt’s Curious Company presents A Silly Spooky Halloween at the Arcata branch of the Humboldt Library at 5:50 p.m. This is a…
5 Tax Measures are on the California Ballot. Here’s How to Make Sense of Them All.
This story was originally published by CalMatters. California voters are being asked whether they want to keep taxing the incomes of the rich. And they’ll be asked whether to start taxing the accumulated wealth of…
Bohn Investigation
For the second time in a year, Supervisor Rex Bohn has outed himself as being the subject of a county investigation involving his conduct with employees, following much of the same approach to address the…
Crash Course
Happy Halloween, Humboldt. Last year we introduced you to the sweetly spooky work of comic artist Liz Valasco on our cover (“The Seeker,” Oct. 30, 2025). After seeing what she and the Journal’s Setlist columnist…
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The Best of Humboldt
Feeling Lucky?
Granted, choosing — or winning — the Best of Humboldt isn’t a game of chance.…
Best of Food and Drink
Best Farmers Market VendorFocaccia by the PietrinisWhen in Rome … make a colorful Roman hand…
Best of Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Best Night Club and Best Place to Shake Your BootyThe BasementLots of night clubs are…
Best of Services
Best FloristPocket of PosiesThis pocket-sized shop holds big things — you’d be forgiven for zipping…
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