SpongeBob creator and HSU graduate Stephen Hillenburg has been diagnosed with ALS. Comments from Stephen about his experiences in Humboldt are shared. Also: An airport update, a Humboldt-born TV dog, lighthouse leeway, the Sheriff on immigration, a puppy dropped from a bridge, court cases, school lock-downs, and much more.

State survey results show Humboldt kids might have more access to unhealthy products than the California average. But Humboldt also has a community that embraces healthy options. Also: Cannabis and canines, an Iranian HSU student’s experiences, the future of Humboldt healthcare coverage, iTunes gift cons, PG&Easy on my bill, donate to a family after a tragedy north of Orleans, county unable to rip fart joke, body image, avoiding DIY braces, and much more.

“A River’s Last Chance” will explore if our Eel River and the fish within will hold up against droughts, floods, a restrictive dam, and thirsty weed and wine industries. Also: Eureka cops will host a gun buy-back and security expo, a Humboldt solar sinsemilla organization gets a nod in the Sac Bee, legal fees were paid to a widow, less flights at the airport, a life-saving opiate overdose drug is available via HACHR, a cannabis business park in Rio Dell, the Weott Fire Department disbands, more adoptable pups, we can play some soccer, the Skunk Train is offering their ‘local discount’ to Humboldt residents now, and much more.

The Eureka Police Chief is boycotting a business for hosting a band with a disputed name. Also: A potential new program in Eureka to keep rentals maintained, a contested fart joke in an election booklet, a tree-mendous quake, the closing of a seminal Eureka restaurant, recreational weed permit analysis, the sentencing of an HSU student for vehicular manslaughter, places to ditch unwanted medications, Mills responds to calls to not work with federal immigration agents, and much more.

Around 230 locals were given background and small parts in the indie comedy movie “An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn.” Production wrapped after 22 days of filming. Also: Arcata’s pillow fight, STDs, ditched dogs, Uber is now available, that school district dilemma in Eureka, Guy Fieri’s thank you, crime, getting dam straight, possible PG&E savings, houses for sale in Scotia, and much more.

The number of people here dying from overdoses keeps getting higher and the Times Standard penned an editorial calling for more treatment access. The ‘paper fears a repeal of the Affordable Care Act and no replacement could make things worse. Also: Eureka’s Wine and Swine benefit for Make-A-Wish brought in a big piggy bank and a cop maybe saved a life there, some jerk in Fortuna ruined the grass at the park again, a couple Eureka businesses are worried the cannabis industry will kick ‘em out, local musician Berel Alexander is trying to #FindDwayne, federal immigration agents have scared some in the immigrant community, that El Pueblo Market fire, the new Public Defender hire that has been criticized by some, local standouts winning awards, this wine must be really good, and much more.

Humboldt Petroleum confirmed Dairy Queen pulled out of a potential deal that would have added a location in Fortuna. Also: New allegations for a former Humboldt con man, the man that inspired Jeff Bridges’ Dude character set for Blue Lake, the shutdown of a Eureka bar, Arcata’s new bicycle library, “American Pickers” possibly headed back to Humboldt, that naked guy who climbed on top of his baby momma’s car in Eureka, and much more.

Kym Kemp’s coverage on an insurance salesman accused of swindling non-profits possibly prevented quite a few locals from being financially bullied. Also: The failed thieves who rammed a truck through a wall at College of the Redwoods trying to steal an ATM, that new brewery mostly for South Korea but a little bit for us, the shouldn’t-have-done-that moment of the week at the North Jetty, a politician trying to protect Humboldt’s cannabis brand, and more.

The lawyer who aided the return of a child’s ashes and sentimental belonging to a family that was burglarized responds to criticism. The family thanks the community for support. Also: Eureka’s Carl’s Jr. sign losing it’s Carl’s tenure, Ferndale and NORML bud [sic] heads over the Humboldt County Cup, that teenager-punching dad’s arrest warrant, and more.

Three HSU alums made Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list. Also: Lake Ferndale and the bus blunder, national recognition of local beauty, celebrity sightings, bypassing black cats, and more. Humboldt’s last seven days of news.