The Humboldt Builders Exchange announced the recipients of its 2026 scholarship awards this week, recognizing outstanding local students pursuing careers in the construction trades and related industries.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
• AvaJane Harlow of Fortuna High School, who plans to attend Butte College’s welding program and pursue a career as a welder.
• Tristan Titus of Ferndale High School, who will attend Butte College’s heavy equipment program with plans to return to Humboldt County and work in the heavy equipment and trucking industries.
• Travis Way of South Fork High School, who plans to attend Sacramento State for construction management and hopes to return home to Southern Humboldt to work alongside his brother in the construction industry.
• Blake Santos of McKinleyville High School, who plans to attend Butte College to study project management and continue a family tradition in construction.
“The $4,000 scholarship is hopefully enough to be of real service,” said Jada Brotman, the executive director of the Builders Exchange, in a news release. “The board had a very tough decision this year with 24 amazing applicants. Last year, they awarded three, but this year there were too many great choices, so they had to up it to four! We really are honored to help these young people on the path to a successful career in the trades. Our mission is Building the trades of tomorrow, and these kids are excellent examples.”
Civil grand jury seeks members for 2026-27
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury is still looking for members and alternates for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The primary work of the civil grand jury is to investigate and review citizen complaints concerning the operations of city and county government as well as other tax-supported and nonprofit agencies and districts. Based on these reviews, the civil grand jury publishes its findings and reports recommending constructive actions to improve the quality and effectiveness of our local government. The civil grand jury does not consider criminal indictments.
The court accepts applications from citizens representing a broad cross-section of the Humboldt County community. The Civil Grand Jury is currently meeting in-person one day a week and via Zoom one day a week, but the meeting schedule varies and the time commitment can vary from 10 to 30 hours per week.
For more information and the application process, go to https://www.humboldt.courts.ca.gov/general-information/jury-services/civil-grand-jury or call 707-269-1204. Interested individuals can download, complete, and email a Civil Grand Jury Questionnaire to GrandJuryApps@humboldtcourt.ca.gov.
Compass members support local nonprofits
Compass Community Credit Union members recently helped two local nonprofits. The Compass staff came together and donated an assortment of dog and cat treats, toys, and chew items to support the Humboldt Animal Shelter.
Compass also organized efforts to collect supplies, including several basketballs, notebooks, coloring pens and sidewalk chalk for the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods.
“Credit unions are committed not only to serving their members, but also to supporting the communities they call home,” said Ray Litchfield, president and CEO of Compass, in a prepared statement.
Sustainable forest management workshops planned
The Institute for Sustainable Forestry (ISF), a nonprofit promoting sustainable forest management in the Pacific Northwest, this week announced a schedule of community events for spring and summer. From hands-on workshops to field tours of active restoration projects, the series offers opportunities for forest professionals, landowners, and community members to engage directly with working forests across Humboldt and Mendocino counties.
“These events reflect ISF’s core mission — connecting people with forests and with each other,” said Chip Tittmann, president of ISF, in a prepared statement. “Whether you’re a seasoned forester or just curious about how sustainable timber operations work, there’s something here for you.”
Upcoming events include:
• Red Mountain Forest Health Project Tour — May 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: An on-the-ground tour of the Red Mountain Forest Health Project, led by planner Jeff Hedin, who will walk participants through his planning and implementation process.
• Round Pole Processing Workshop — May 29-June 1: A multi-day workshop at Wanosh Forest Gardens in Willits covering techniques for peeling and processing poles from the forest, including tool safety and curing strategies. A practicum runs June 1–3.
• Kelly Paine Custom Milling Tour — June 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: A rare look inside a working small-to-medium scale second-growth redwood mill in Piercy. Kelly Paine’s operation employs 10 people and ships fence boards and custom orders to Bay Area builders.
• Timber Frame Joinery Workshop — June 5-11: Taught by ISF board member Eric Lassotovitch at Wanosh Forest Gardens in Willits, this week-long workshop covers mortise and tenon joinery, timber frame tools, and traditional and modern techniques.
• August Complex Fire Campout at Ruth Lake — June 13–14: A two-day field trip to explore the lingering effects of the 2020 August Complex Fire — still the largest wildfire in California history at over one million acres — led by Susan Nolan and ISF members. Limited to 20 participants.
• Anderson Creek Restoration Work Tour — July 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: A tour of restoration work along Anderson Creek on RFFI’s Usal Redwood Forest lands. Richard Gienger, Karen Youngblood, Tom Leroy, and RFFI forester Steve Severi will present the history and progress of years of creek restoration. Limited to 20 participants.
Registration for most events is required and space is limited. Find more event details and registration links at instituteforsustainableforestry.com/upcoming-events.
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