County Conversations: Supervisor Michelle Bushnell 05 14 25
In this month’s County Conversations, KMUD News sat down with Humboldt County 2nd District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell for an update on local issues, from rebuilding the Garberville Veterans Memorial Hall to managing wildfire risks tied to homeless encampments.
Veterans Memorial Hall Rebuild Approved
The Board of Supervisors recently approved, by a 4–1 vote, the reconstruction of the John Haynes Veterans Memorial Hall in Garberville. “The veterans get their home back—and they won’t have to be displaced anymore,” said Bushnell. Construction is expected to begin within 60 days, with hopes of completing the exterior by December and full use within a year. The project is estimated to cost $3.6 million. While Bushnell acknowledged fiscal concerns, she said the county had a responsibility to rebuild: “The veterans didn’t want a new hall—they wanted their hall. The county is responsible for the destruction of that facility.”
Proposition 1 Brings Major Mental Health Investment
Humboldt County is set to receive over $43 million from Proposition 1 to build a new Sempervirens mental health facility in Eureka. Bushnell emphasized the importance of this funding: “If your loved one is experiencing mental health issues, there are not a lot of options… jail is not where they need to be. This new facility will make a huge difference.” The project is anticipated to be completed by 2030.
Fire Season and Homeless Encampments
With fire season nearing, Bushnell discussed efforts to address encampments tied to vegetation fires in Southern Humboldt. She cited collaborative cleanup operations near Redway and ongoing patrols by the Sheriff’s Office. While funding is limited, a $3.5 million grant to Southern Humboldt Housing Solutions for All is helping transition some unhoused residents into housing. “Our hope is to keep people out of high-risk fire areas. We’re working on it every week.”
Homelessness and Governor Newsom’s Memo
Bushnell commented on Governor Newsom’s recent directive pushing for stronger enforcement around homelessness. “It was abrupt… almost the opposite of what he’s said in the past,” she noted, but added that it may empower local departments to better address encampments. “We do have options for folks to go to Eureka for housing, but many refuse,” she said. “While the houseless have rights, so do community members who fear wildfires and mental health-related incidents.”
Highway 36 Update
Bushnell said closures on Highway 36 remain a challenge, with the mountain still moving and one-lane traffic continuing. A construction project using long-anticipated grant funding is also set to begin soon, with Caltrans aiming to minimize delays. “The two-hour waits are over, but we’re still seeing 15- to 30-minute delays,” she said.
New Ordinance to Ban Nitrous Oxide
Finally, Bushnell previewed a new ordinance expected to be adopted around June 3rd that would ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide in Humboldt County. “It’s a serious problem with young people, and it’s killing people,” she said, responding to concerns about access to whipped cream chargers. “There are other ways to make whipped cream. You can shake it in a jar.”
