Fortuna Board honors Bill Hummel and Deputy Jim Mowery with community dedications

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on April 8, 2025, where they addressed several significant topics, including memorials for community members and proclamations recognizing local organizations.

The meeting began with a heartfelt tribute to Bill Hummel, a respected community member who passed away the previous week. Supervisors shared memories of Hummel's dedication to his family, country, and community, highlighting his involvement with the Fortuna Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and his business, Hummel Tire. His contributions to the community were acknowledged, and the board expressed condolences to his family.

Following this tribute, the board moved to honor Deputy Sheriff James "Jim" Mowery, who also passed away recently. A resolution was passed to name a portion of Highway 101 in Fortuna in his memory. Mowery's career was celebrated for its impact on the community and law enforcement, with supervisors and Sheriff Consul emphasizing the lasting legacy he left behind. The naming process will be forwarded to Senator McGuire for further action.

The meeting also included a proclamation declaring April 25, 2025, as Grange Month in Humboldt County. The Grange organization was recognized for its historical and ongoing contributions to rural America and community development. Members of the Grange attended the meeting to express their excitement about revitalizing local Grange activities and the upcoming 150th annual state Grange convention to be held in Humboldt County.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to honoring local heroes and fostering community engagement through organizations like the Grange. The next steps for the highway naming and continued support for the Grange were highlighted as important future actions.