North Coast Journal

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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

Seeking a Solution

Supes support relocating Centerville Beach access road amid erosion, flooding

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…

Caring for Trans Youth

As Open Door restricts gender-affirming care, organizations and healthcare professionals take action

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…


Winter Fair Ice Skating Rink



Weekly news & events, and periodic special publications.




Into the Void

It’s Election Day where I’m writing from, so I’ll make this brief and go back into hiding. All I keep thinking of is that while nature might abhor a vacuum, the feeling is mutual. This…

First Saturday Arts Alive

Nov. 7 — 6 to 9 p.m.

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…

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Music + Entertainment

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More from the NCJ Newsroom

Eat + Drink

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Michelle Dawn Rector

1952-2026

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

1953 — 2026

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…

Michael Kevin Robinson

June 28, 1954 – July 26, 2026

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

Dec. 21, 1984 – Jan. 30, 2022

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.…

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…

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Quick Local Stories
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Letters & Opinion

The Bears

Editor: I benefited from university instruction from wildlife specialists. I love black bears, from a…



Bohn Investigation

Supervisor shares email advising he may have violated county’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy

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…

Fitness for Birders

You might think of birding as a pursuit of pleasurable relaxation, a gentle, spiritual connection with nature that reduces stress and boosts feel-good hormones. It’s not. It’s a physically and emotionally challenging activity that demands…

Statewide Strike

Humboldt’s SEIU Local 1000 workers join in response to California’s alleged bad faith bargaining

Bundles of purple tinsel, purple inflatable wands and purple signs rose into the air as cars passed by a large group of Service Employees International Union members gathered on Fifth Street in Eureka last week. …

Tips for Recent Empty-Nesters

Greetings Villagers, I’m sure this missive must come as a surprise. No doubt you have heard the distant wails echoing from my cliffside castle laboratory and wondered if I, Professor Ballantine, was preparing to unleash…

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The Best of Humboldt

Best of Cannabis

Best Local Cannabis ProductSpace GemWhen you had to fly next to the weird man-spreader who…

Best of Weddings

Best Outdoor Wedding VenueMitchell GroveFormerly Arrington Apples, the orchard amid redwoods is secluded and lovely,…

Best of Bonus Round!

Best Local Radio StationKMUDLet’s hear it for Redwood Community Radio and the folks who support…

Best of – Retail

Retail Antique Store 4th Street Mercantile215 Fourth St., Eureka 4thstreetmercantile.com Appliance Store Poletski’s Appliance Center510…

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