Humboldt Sentinel

And It’s Only Midweek

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

The Arcata and Fortuna Police Departments have had their hands full lately, as have the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Task Force, and the District Attorney’s Office.

We imagine the Eureka Police Department has been equally busy.  But you wouldn’t know it through their releases.  There haven’t been any.

EPD hasn’t released information, updates, or news for the public concerning safety issues in several weeks.  They still haven’t reported on the vicious assault of a female juvenile by a large group of teens that took place at Highland Park two weeks ago.

Technology and communication can be useful tools– when you use them.

As the weather warms up, so do the scoundrels and skullduggery running amok in the Humboldt community.  Here’s the news and the wild week in crime for our small corner of the world– with a small surprise at the end of the column.

SOTTED TEEN THRASHES FORTUNA HIGH SCHOOL

On May 16, 2012, at about 2:00 a.m, officers responded to the 100 block of 12th Street in Fortuna for a report of a physical fight. Upon arrival, the involved subjects had fled the area.  While checking the area for the involved subjects, officers observed extensive damage to buildings on the Fortuna High School Campus. Shortly after, officers located a 17 year old male in a nearby field.

Using evidence collected at the scene and video surveillance from the High School, officers were able to establish that the 17 year old was the suspect in the vandalism.

“With the ongoing cuts to our schools’ budgets, it is simply appalling that this teen decided to engage in such behavior” said Sgt. Charles Ellebrecht. “Unfortunately, our entire community will have to bear the cost of this minor’s behavior”.

The 17 year old was arrested for Felony Vandalism and Public Intoxication. He was then booked into the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall.

The boozy misguided lad allegedly smashed windows, threw paint about, ripped a vent and electrical box off the wall, and performed other acts of wanton mayhem.  Fortunately, he was arrested in lieu of being tasered and shot, and is unlikely to remember what sort of fun he had or what he was even thinking about at the time, if anything.

EVERYTHING– AND THE KITCHEN SINK– FOUND IN BUST NEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On May 15, 2012, at about 0845 hours the Humboldt County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at a residence located in the 800 block of Herrick Avenue, Eureka, near the Pine Hill Elementary School.

DTF Agents located a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation in the residence. Agents detained two subjects who they identified as Christopher Edwin Roman, age 32, and his girlfriend, Christinia Michelle Senzig, age 22.

Agents seized 863 growing marijuana plants from the residence that ranged in size from 4 inches to 3 feet in height. Agents seized 53 pounds of dried marijuana.

Agents located LSD in the residence along with what appeared to be psilocybin mushrooms. Agents located evidence for a butane hash lab in the residence. Agents located two composite knuckles, which are commonly referred to as ‘brass knuckles’ for fighting.

Agents located two explosive type devices in the bedroom. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Unit responded to the residence to investigate those two devices. Agents and the two subjects that were detained left the residence until the Bomb Disposal Unit responded. At no time were the surrounding neighbors in any danger. The Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Unit took custody of the two devices and transported them out of the area to be destroyed at a later time.

Agents noticed a possible fire hazard with electrical wiring associated with the indoor marijuana growing operation. Agents then contacted Humboldt County Building and Planning Department, who then responded to the residence. After Humboldt County Building and Planning Department inspected the electrical wiring, they determined that it was a possible fire hazard. Humboldt County Building and Planning Department then contacted PG&E to have the electrical power shut off to the residence.

Roman was arrested for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of LSD, possession of psilocybin mushrooms, possession of destruction devices and for the manufacturing of a hash lab. Roman’s bail was set at $500,000 dollars.

Senzig was arrested for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana her bail was set at $25,000 dollars.

Perhaps these are the nudnik twins.  No single person can possibly be that stupid.

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN SOHUM

On Sunday, May 13, approximately 4 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding threats being made from Shawn Hass. Deputies responded to the Brass Rail Motel, 3400 Block of Redway Drive, Redway to meet with Hass.

When the deputies arrived they saw two males standing in the motel parking lot. One of the males, who was later identified as Shawn Patrick Hass, 35 years old, a transient, spontaneously told the deputies, “I just stabbed him,” while pointing to another male who was sitting in a lawn chair being attended to by a female. Deputies saw Hass’ shirt had blood covering the front of it.

Hass was immediately detained while the deputies called for medical assistance for the injured male in the lawn chair. Deputies saw the injured 22-year-old male from Redway had a deep neck wound.  They  later learned he had approximately 15 stab wounds to his chest, shoulder, neck, throat, cheek, back and thigh. The victim was unable to give a statement due to the extent of his injuries.

When deputies interviewed Hass he told them he called the Sheriff’s Office because he was sleeping in his van on Empire Street in Redway when someone verbally threatened him regarding where he parked his van. At one point during the confrontation he and the person threatening him got into a brief struggle. He told the deputies he, (Hass) had a knife in his van which he used to fend the attacker off.

Hass drove his van a short distance away, but the person kept coming after him. He drove to the Brass Rail Motel and exited his van to use the telephone at the motel to call law enforcement. While at the motel, the victim was standing upstairs in a hallway and leaned over the railing and asked Hass if he was stalking his female friend. Words were exchanged and they got into a physical fight. Hass admitted to stabbing the victim during the fight and claimed it was self-defense. Hass was uninjured.

Deputies recovered a throwing type knife, approximately nine inches long at the scene, which was believed to be the assault weapon. The victim was airlifted to an out-of-area hospital for treatment. He is currently in “fair condition” and still hospitalized.

Hass was arrested for attempted murder and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. His bail was set at $500,000. The case is still under investigation by Sheriff’s Detectives.

When you’re the victim in your own head claiming self-defense, what’s a little knife-play anyway.

CHILD KILLER BIGLEGGINS PLEADS GUILTY

On Monday, May 14, 2012, Leon Alyious Bigleggins, 27, of Willow Creek, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and felony child abuse resulting in the death of Dylan Blount-Chambers, according to the District Attorney’s Office.  Both counts included great bodily injury enhancements inflicted on a child under five years of age.

Bigleggins’ testimony at his preliminary hearing revealed his abusive mistreatment of the small 4-year old child. He was accused of routinely hitting Dylan with a broken coat hanger, kicking him in the chest, and forcing him him to do squats and sit ups.

The autopsy report submitted by forensic pathologist, Mark Super, detailed the horrific injuries to the small child. Dr. Super determined that the young boy died of either blunt force trauma to the head or abdomen. The pathologist also noted that there was evidence of bruising covering most of the boy’s body including: the groin, abdomen, buttocks, palms of his hands, and the tops of his feet.

Mr. Bigleggins is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8, 2012 for the stipulated term of 18 years in prison by the Honorable Judge Timothy Cissna.

Bye-bye, Mr. Bigleggins.  Have a good trip.  See you in a few.

HSU RESIDENT HALL ASSAILANT GOES DOWN ON MULIPLE FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CHARGES

On May 14, 2012, Martin Salvador Alvarado, 30, of Pico Rivera, California, pleaded guilty to a series of assaults perpetrated on the Humboldt State University Campus nearly two years ago, the District Attorney’s Office reported.

In the early morning hours of October 24, 2010, Alvarado entered a Humboldt State University residence hall and sexually assaulted a female victim. Another resident  assisted the victim and the defendant fled the building. Shortly thereafter, the defendant physically assaulted two additional residents before entering another residence hall where he assaulted additional victims before being subdued by law enforcement.

According to District Attorney Paul Gallegos, who acted as prosecutor in the case, Alvarado pleaded guilty to each assault of which he was accused, which included sexual penetration with a foreign object, false imprisonment committed against a second victim, and assault with a deadly weapon (a wooden board) involving a third victim, all felonies. Alvarado also pleaded guilty to eight counts of misdemeanor battery involving multiple victims.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2012 and faces up to six years in state prison. Upon his release, Alvarado will also be required to register as a sex offender.

This is why we have prisons– for those who can’t peacefully live with others or the rules of society.  But we’re not sure why it took two years to go down for six by the DA.

FORTUNA PD ASSIST IN ARREST OF ARCATA ASSAULT SUSPECT

On May 13th, 2012, at 1:40 am, officers from the Arcata Police Department responded to a physical fight in progress in the 900 block of H St.

Upon the officers’ arrival, the fight was over and the participants had fled the area. The officers located a twenty-two year old male adult injured at the scene.  The man had substantial facial injuries as a result of the fight and was transported to Mad River Community Hospital for treatment.

The investigation resulted in the identification of twenty-three year old Donny Duane McCoy of Fortuna, as the perpetrator of the assault. 

On May 13th, 2012, at 4:00 pm, officers from the Fortuna Police Department located McCoy at his residence in Fortuna. He was taken into custody without incident. McCoy was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for a violation of 245(a)(1) PC, Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

APD has been busy as of late …and Sgt. Jaynie Goodwin rocks there, we hear.

SUSPICIOUS MALE LURES STUDENTS AT JACOBY CREEK SCHOOL

On May 11, at about 9:45 am, Officers from the Arcata Police Department were dispatched to the Jacoby Creek School on the report that a male subject had entered the school grounds and was trying to lure children into the bushes by saying he needed help.

The subject fled the area on foot when a teacher was summoned. Officers searched the area upon arrival but were unable to locate the subject

At about 11:00am, Officers were dispatched back to the scene on the report that the subject had returned to the school grounds and was last seen jumping over a fence. Officers arrived on scene and with the help of an Arcata Police K-9 they searched the area. As a safety precaution the school was locked down during the search. Due to the dense wooded and marsh terrain Officers were again unable to locate him.

Jacoby Creek School students and staff described the subject as a white male adult in his early 30′s, clean shaven; short brown buzz cut hair, brown eyes, about 5’10″, 160 lbs, with a long face. He was further described as wearing a black t-shirt under an olive green windbreaker, and dark blue jeans. The subject never made physical contact with the students.

The Arcata Police Department is continuing its investigation and is asking for the help of the public to identify the male subject. Anyone with information on his identity or whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Arcata Police Department.

The predatory school perp is reminiscent of another creepster sighted two weeks ago at Eureka’s Zane Junior High.

A FEW SCREWS LOOSE IN MCKINLEYVILLE

On May 12, 2012, approximately 8:00 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a homeowner who reported a burglary in progress occurring in the 2400 block of McKinleyville Avenue, McKinleyville.

Deputies responded to the residence and met with the homeowner outside her home. The homeowner told the deputies she had been away from her residence and when she came home she found her window screens removed and a window open. Deputies entered the residence and found a female inside the house. The female was identified as Lise Eileen Kaufman. 58 years old from Eureka.

Deputies detained Kaufman who admitted prying open the windows with a screwdriver.  Kaufman was arrested for residential burglary. She was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Her bail is set at $75,000.00.

Sorry to note, but the county pokey uses special star hex security screws for their doors and windows, Ms. Kaufman.  Good luck.

PAROLEE ARLEN BROWN NABBED AGAIN

On May 12, 2012, approximately 2:30 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen advising they just witnessed a vehicle broken into in the area of Ma’Lel Dunes, Manila. The citizen who wished to remain anonymous, was able to provide a description of the vehicle to responding deputies. The suspect vehicle was described as a, “Reddish/Pink” Dodge Neon with two white males in the vehicle.

A responding deputy saw a vehicle matching that description pass him on the Samoa Bridge near Woodley Island exit, Eureka. The deputy turned around on the vehicle, but lost sight of it near 4th and R Street, Eureka. The deputy searched the vicinity and saw the vehicle parked at gas station at 4th and R Street. When the deputy approached the vehicle, the passenger exited the car and took off running. The deputy gave chase and caught the passenger who was identified as Arlen Troy Brown, 28 years old from Eureka. Brown had an outstanding no bail felony warrant for probation violation. Brown was taken into custody on that warrant. Deputies located a stolen credit card in Brown’s pocket. 

Deputies searched the Neon and located several backpacks, camping gear, a cell phone, and an ice chest. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle the items were stolen from at the beach and its owner, who identified the stolen property. Deputies located at least one other vehicle that was broken into at the same location. The suspects broke into the vehicles by smashing the windows.

Deputies arrested Brown for burglary, possession of stolen property, probation violations and resisting arrest, besides the warrant. The driver of the Neon was identified as Jedediah Charles Hiller, 32 years old from McKinleyville. He was arrested for burglary and possession of stolen property.

Both Brown and Hiller were booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Brown is being held without bail, Hiller’s bail was set at $50,000.00.

Mr. Brown was a parolee wanted on a felony warrant for violation of his parole with a history of weapons, drugs and assault. You may remember Mr. Brown from his previous escapades:  crashing into a parked vehicle and fleeing the scene following his brief car chase near Sequoia Park in March, and hiding in a Harris Street attic resulting in the evacuation of the apartment complex as it was surrounded by police and parole agents in September.

Mr. Brown has just about worn out his Groundhog Day welcome in the community.  Every day is identical to the one before. Got Rehab? Prison? Warm milk and cookies?

PAROLEE KELLY BYRNS GRABBED, SPUN, AND BURNED

On May 9, 2012,  at about 0845 hours, a Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the area of Scenic Drive and Bakers Beach, Trinidad, observed an occupied vehicle stopped in a turn out. As the deputy stopped to check the vehicle and occupant, the vehicle drove away. The deputy observed the vehicles registration appeared expired and requested a check on the license. From that the deputy learned the vehicle had been reported as stolen out of the Hoopa area.

The deputy attempted to stop the driver however, the driver did not yield and a short vehicle pursuit ensued from Scenic Drive to the end of Old Wagon Wheel Road, Westhaven. The vehicles speeds ranged from 20-50 MPH. 

The pursuit traveled a distance of about 4.0 miles. At the end of Old Wagon Wheel Road the driver exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle collided with an unoccupied parked vehicle at the location.

Deputies chased the driver on foot for less than fifty yards before he was arrested without incident. The driver initially gave deputies a false name however he was later identified as Kelly J. Byrns age 44 of Hoopa. Deputies learned Byrns was a wanted parolee at large and reported to be armed and dangerous.

Byrns was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for 2800.2 VC – Reckless Evading, 148 PC – Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, 148.9 PC – Providing False I.D. to a Peace Officer, 4060 HS – Possession of a Controlled Substance and parole violations.

The party’s over and it’s time to go home now, Mr. Burns.  It’s past your bedtime.

BABY BOTTLE HIDES METH STASH

On Tuesday, May 8, at about 7:30 a.m, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force assisted by the Arcata Police Department served a search warrant at an apartment located in the 180 block of South H St., Arcata. When officers arrived on scene they saw Nicholas Dwayne Cretsinger, 29, look at them through the front room window. Crestsinger then disappeared inside of the apartment. Agents then made forcible entry through the front door to the apartment.

Agents located Cretsinger in the bath room attempting to flush a hypodermic syringe and a small amount of methamphetamine down the toilet. Agents were able to recover both items out of the toilet. Cretsinger and his girlfriend Heather Elaine Cook, 22, were then both detained in the apartment.

When agents searched the apartment they located a small amount of methamphetamine hidden inside of a baby bottle. Agents located methamphetamine smoking pipes in the apartment. Both Cretsinger and Cook were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine smoking pipes. Both subjects were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and their bail was set at $25,000 each.

Tweakers and junkies can be very resourceful when need to be.  What will they think of next?  Poopy diapers?

TOP TEN MOST DANGEROUS CITIES FOR WOMEN

No, Humboldt didn’t make the list.  Our municipalities were too small in population for comparison purposes.

But it was surprising that the city of Redding recently earned the title of Fifth Most Dangerous City in the United States for women, as ranked by the internationally known Forbes magazine using 2010-11 FBI crime statistics.

Forbes noted:

“At No. 5 on the 2012 list of the most dangerous cities for women is Redding, California, where there were 797 incidences of violent crime and 65 rapes for every 100,000 citizens.

“For a metro area whose population is just over that number at 182,000, a total of 120 rapes occurred over 12 months.”

120 rapes?  Egads. That’s bad.  And we thought the hot weather was uncomfortable and the water slides were scary. 

What were the other cities ranked the worst by Forbes magazine? 

 1) Saginaw, Mich.

 2) Anchorage, Alaska

3) Fairbanks, Alaska

4) Springfield, Ill.

5) Redding, Calif.

6) Flint, Mich.

7) Pine Bluff, Ark.

8)Lawton, Okla.

9) Battle Creek, Mich. 

10) Memphis, Tenn.

 …But wait.  Hold on to your hat, folks.  Eureka was worse in crime overall than Redding– when adjusted for population using side-by-side comparisons in 2006– when figures were last available for this ranking graph.

California in Fiscal Crisis: Half a Billion Dollars Removed From State Judiciary On Monday

‘Day of Reckoning’ for California Courts

By Maria Dinzeo
Courthouse News Service

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) – In what he termed a “day of reckoning” for California, Governor Jerry Brown slashed the state’s court budget by more than a half-billion dollars on Monday. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye reacted, “The proposed cuts to the judicial branch are both devastating and disheartening.”

An immediate target for the ax was the central administrative office for the California courts which has been criticized as wasteful, bloated and arrogant.

“The Administrative Office of the Courts must immediately slash its own budget to free up any available monies for the trial courts,” said Sacramento trial judge Steve White.

Governor Brown’s May revised budget cuts a total of $544 million from the state court budget but also comes on top of huge, cumulative cuts over the last two years.

Brown calls for the courts to use $300 million of their reserves instead of getting money from the state. The rest of the $544 million will be offset by taking $240 million out of the courts’ construction fund and $4 million will be gained by increasing court employees’ retirement contributions.

In addressing reporters Monday, Brown indicated that funding for the courts is not the state’s top priority.

“The money is not in a piggy bank,” said Brown. “It comes from the people. Just like everybody else, nothing in government is an absolute, unconditioned good. Every good is relative to all the other goods, in the context of what’s available.”

“As the courts make their arguments,” he added, “the Legislature will listen and weigh that against childcare, against CalWORKs, against a lot of other things. We’ve got three branches of government and they’re all going to have some of their branches trimmed.”

California Department of Finance Director Ana Matosantos said Monday that a fundamental reorganization of the court structure carried out under former chief justice Ron George had exacerbated the financial difficulty for the courts.

“Before, we used to have local funding for the courts,” said Matosantos. “The state has now transitioned it to a state-funded court system. The May revision is asking should the state be making reductions to child care, to CalWORKs?  It basically changes the structure and uses those available reserves to avoid cuts to other areas.”

“The state will direct the Judicial Council to offset the allocation that the courts would otherwise receive with the available reserves,” she said with authority.

“The general fund share for the courts has gone down about 20 percent,” added Matosantos. “What’s happened in the past is the Legislature, the Governor and the Judicial Council have looked at other funds to backfill those reductions,” she said.

 ”Last year, trial courts had roughly $562 million in available reserves,” Matosantos explained. “The May revision says $300 million in reserves will be used to offset the allocation that the state would otherwise be providing for the courts. $240 million in additional savings come from delaying and suspending projects that were going to be moving forward next year.”

After the budget was unveiled, some trial judges said the courts’ reserves should not be used as the solution to the judiciary’s budget crisis, calling instead for severe cuts to the central bureaucracy of the Administrative Office of the Courts.

In the last nine years, the AOC lost a half-billion dollars on an IT project called the Court Case Management System, that was recently shut down. The project was widely criticized for its lack of cost controls.

 ”What the AOC needs to do is cut its staff and spending. That is what the really significant cut has to be,” said Judge Susan Lopez-Giss in Los Angeles. “It’s been clear for a while that the Legislature wasn’t going to be giving us money, not because they don’t recognize the courts but because the AOC has misspent so much of the money.”

Lopez-Giss said Los Angeles still plans to cut 300 jobs in June, and its $27 million in reserves will not even keep the court open for a month.

In Sacramento, Judge White said the AOC should cut its own budget before looking to the courts’ reserves, and was not surprised by the staggering cuts to the judiciary in the May revised budget.

“There’s no question that the judicial branch performs a critical function, and it has to continue to function. At the same time, when budget straits are as desperate as they are overall, the branch itself has to make all conceivable cuts and reductions in non court functions that it can in order to keep the courts open,” said White.

White added that the courts’ reserves were not meant to backfill funding reductions from the state, but are intended to keep courts going.

“The reserves are what the courts are living on day to day right now,” he said. “When I was presiding judge, we set aside about $14 million in reserves that we were spending every single day to keep our courthouse open. It is part of the budget that supports the court. If the AOC were to reach into the reserves rather than shutting down its own marginal operations and reducing its own staffing, it would be doing a great disservice to the courts of California. Certainly the courts would fight any effort to take those funds.”     

The Chief Justice said the burden of the cuts will fall heaviest on people trying to use court services. “They will seriously compromise the public’s access to their courts and our ability to provide equal access to justice throughout the state.” She has called for an emergency Judicial Council meeting Thursday to deliberate over how to best implement them.

The Alliance of California Judges, a reform group calling for legislation to increase local court funding issued a statement Monday saying, “Quite frankly, the day of reckoning has come to the judiciary. Years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities by the Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts have caused not only a budget crisis, but a crisis in confidence.”

The Alliance is sponsoring a bill, AB 1208, that is intended to give a hundred percent of the money allocated for the courts by the Legislature, directly to the courts. It currently goes to the Judicial Council, which decides how the money is distributed among the courts.

“The money allocated to the courts should be spent on the courts,” said Lopez-Giss in Los Angeles. “Unfortunately I think AB 1208 was justified before the May revise, when we had furloughs, when they said there would be cuts initially to the courts.”

White said, “There isn’t a single court in California that isn’t suffering mightily. Courts have made cuts right and left. The Administrative Office of the Courts has not, and simply has to now.”

* * * * * * * * *

Article by Maria Dinzeo courtesy of the Courthouse News Service

‘Legislative Action on Courts Now Needed‘ by Kern County Superior Court Judge David R. Lampe details more about the fiscal reforms targeting the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

Additional news on the Governor’s proposed May revise budget cutbacks can be found in William Dotinga’s ‘California’s Revised Budget Confronts Grim Realities‘

(Posted by Skippy Massey for the Humboldt Sentinel)

Eureka Police Department K9 Assists Following Foot Chase

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

On May 11, 2012, at approximately Midnight, Officers from the Arcata Police Department were dispatched to the Healthsport facility at 300 Community Park Way, on the report of a burglary alarm sounding. 

The responding Officers checked the facility and located an unsecured door.  Additional Officers helped secure the exterior of the building and the interior was checked. 

A person could be heard inside.  An Arcata Police K9 Officer was not on duty and the Eureka Police Department was contacted to assist.

Before the EPD K9 Officer could arrive, a male was seen fleeing the rear of the building.  Officers chased him.  Following a short foot pursuit, 39 year old James Burke of Galt California was detained.

The building was searched with the EPD K9 Officer and no other suspects were located.  The investigation into the incident discovered that a theft was attempted in the business.  Interior video security camera images were reviewed and Burke was determined to be the suspect in that attempted theft.

Burke was arrested for Burglary and Probation Violation.  He was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and held in custody.

Links between Burke and other burglaries in the Arcata area are unknown.  The Arcata Police Department was assisted in this incident by the Humboldt State University Police Department and the Eureka Police Department.

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

Floyd Bowen was allegedly wrestling at home before using broken bottle

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A man is sitting in county jail with bail set at $50,000 after he allegedly stabbed his adult son in the chest with a beer bottle.

At about 1:45 a.m. on May 5, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a stabbing victim was under treatment at Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the 22-year-old victim, a resident of Loleta, who was being treated for a deep stab wound in his chest and a small laceration to his arm.

According to the victim’s statement, the man had been wrestling with his 46-year-old father at their Loleta residence when his father stabbed him with a broken bottle. The dad, Floyd Monroe Bowen, was being treated at the hospital at the same time for scratches to his face and was also complaining of throat pain.

After the elder Bowen was treated and released by hospital staff, he was arrested by the HCSO for assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

Gorden Graham of Gridley attacked wife on SoHum honeymoon

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Another wife-batterer will be doing years in state prison after verdicts were delivered in the court of Humboldt County Judge Bruce Watson yesterday.

The jury found 47-year old Gridley resident Gorden Curtis Graham guilty of felony corporal injury to a spouse and misdemeanor interfering with a cell phone call.

On Graham’s honeymoon with his wife in Southern Humboldt on June 2 of last year, he was determined to have kicked his spouse in the chest and grabbed her by her hair, pulling her off her feet and by doing so injuring her hip and back. He also stole her cellular phone as she tried to call for help.

“This case is a bit unusual in that this was a first-time victim and she took action right away,” Deputy District Attorney Jackie Pizzo, who prosecuted the case, stated in a release. “She called for help and decided immediately that she was not going to tolerate this kind of behavior.”

Graham is to be sentenced on June 8 by Watson and faces a maximum penalty of four-and-a-half years in custody.

“The victim also played an active and very important role in the prosecution of this case,” Pizzo stated. “Our office hopes more victims of domestic violence are inspired to do the same.”

Outraged mother: “I don’t think anybody’s youth is safe here”

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

An emotionally distraught mother is outraged after she says her 16-year old daughter was beaten, stripped of her clothes, and tormented by a group of teens at Eureka’s Highland Park on Sunday night, according to KIEM-NEWS TV.

The victim’s mother called 911 Sunday night, April 29, to report that her teenage daughter was missing.  Later that night she received a frantic call from her daughter who said she had been assaulted and stripped naked.

The daughter said she was carried by the teen youths after an underage drinking party and forcibly brought ‘around the corner’ from Highland Park to an adjacent children’s playground area where she was allegedly assaulted.

The victim had her clothes demanded of her and reportedly refused to do so.   She was told that unless she took off her clothes she “would be beaten to death,” according to her mother.

The victim said a group of juvenile girls assaulted and ultimately stripped her of clothing– while a larger group of 14-15 teen boys watched nearby.

The victim reportedly was beaten about the face, suffered swelling and bruises, and had her hand broken during the violent incident.

“My baby was found up here, naked and beaten,” the mother tearfully told KIEM-News TV reporter Kelly May on Monday, breaking into sobs.  “She doesn’t look the same.”

Clothes from the victim were retrieved at the park Monday morning.

Police said the victim is refusing to identify the teens involved because she is afraid and in ‘fear for her life.’

“She was too scared.  She had to give them her pants, so she gave them her pants and they took her shirt, too,” the mother said.

The victim’s mother believes an adult was hosting the underage drinking party.  She said that she wants to press charges against the unidentified juveniles who assaulted her daughter and the unnamed adult involved.

“It’s not safe here.  I don’t think anybody’s youth is safe here,” the victim’s mother tearfully added.

The Eureka Police Department has not commented on the alleged assault nor released any further details about the incident to the public.

(Note: Names have been omitted for privacy concerns.)

Posted by Skippy Massey

Zane Junior High School student approached on two different occasions

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Eureka police are on the lookout for an unidentified male who allegedly tried twice last week to lure a 13-year-old girl into his vehicle.

It started on Tuesday, Apr. 24 at about 4:45 p.m. when the juvenile was walking home from Zane Junior High; just up S Street from the school at the intersection with Buhne, the suspect was parked in his vehicle. According to the testimony of the girl, the man began circling the juvenile with his car and followed her to the vicinity of Harris and K Street where he asked her to get into his car.

The scenario re-occured on Friday at about 7:15 a.m. near S and Buhne Street while the girl was walking to school; the suspect was parked in his vehicle there again and asked the juvenile to get into his car. According to the story given to the Eureka Police Department, the male motioned and “smiled” for her to get into his vehicle on both occasions; the man was not known by the girl.

Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male adult in his early 20s with short black hair and a light complexion, shorter with a small build and without any visible tattoos or facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black tank top and driving a compact, black 4-door sedan. The vehicle was described as “newer and curvier” with a small dent near the passenger side headlight, but otherwise “very clean.” The girl also told police that the car had California license plates on Tuesday, but had no plates visible on Friday.

Extra patrol checks in the vicinity have been deployed, and the EPD school resource officer is investigating the incidents — members of the public with information about this incident are asked to call officer Chris Jenkins at (707) 476-1600.

The Eureka Police Department advises parents to talk to their children about stranger safety.  EPD offers the following safety tips for parents and children in regards to this incident:

“Children should be advised to NEVER approach or get into a vehicle with grownups they don’t know or only “kind of” know. They should never go anywhere with anyone unless they ask their parent/caretaker first.

Children should also not give out any personal information (name, age, school, address etc.) about him or herself without their parents’ permission

EPD also encourages all young children to be accompanied by a responsible adult when walking to school or to a friend’s house etc. Older youth not accompanied by adults should walk in pairs and/or small groups for added safety.

Children who are alone or isolated are more vulnerable to someone who means them harm.

Children should report any suspicious persons following or attempting to communicate with them to their teachers, parents, and local law enforcement agency.”

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

One arrest and little else to do for over a dozen cops

By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel

Clouds of smoke, whimsical drumbeats and the echo of playful laughter was absent this year at Redwood Park in Arcata.

In years past, the 4/20 celebration has regularly taken place in this spot. The annual celebration usually draws large crowds to the grassy knoll tucked between the trees in the Arcata Community Forest. But this year, the party was a bust.

“When it was sunny, there was like…the whole field was people, and they had like little barbeque pits,” one local woman said. “That was nice.”

A few people hung out underneath the trees, and some parents brought their children to play, but there was no one to pass the bowl to.

Despite the minimal stoner turnout, police officers were on hand, ready to make arrests if a crime was committed.

“Oppression” was one man’s reply when asked about the police presence.

The City of Arcata issued a press release four days prior informing the community that agencies would be increasing their enforcement of laws governing the park — especially pertaining to the ban on smoking.

Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman stated that previous gatherings had damaged the park, and that they intended to protect citizens and public property this year.

Although the turnout was skimpy at best, a minor was arrested for smoking pot just after 4:20 p.m. For this lone arrest, multiple agencies deployed over a dozen officers, along with roadblocks, traffic signs and even a mobile command center.

The Critical Incident Response Vehicle cost $370,000. The vehicle is to be used for public safety during natural disasters, emergencies and critical incidents — how the events at Redwood Park could be classified as a critical incident remain unclear (Chapman refused to answer questions from Sentinel).

Bayside resident Ryan Engebretson a repeated DUI offender

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A local man on probation for repeated driving under the influence convictions was apparently up to his old tricks again in a multi-car collision on Broadway last Tuesday.

On Tuesday, April 24 at about 3:15 p.m. EPD Officers were dispatched to a hit and run collision that just occurred in the vicinity of the 4200 block of Broadway. It was reported that a red station wagon collided with two cars, then fled the scene. The suspect and vehicle were last reported to be in the parking lot at the Bayshore Mall.

It was later determined that while the suspect vehicle was at the Bayshore Mall it collided into two more vehicles and ran over a parked motorcycle. The suspect, later identified as Ryan Engebretson, 34, of Bayside, left the mall and headed northbound on Broadway.

An officer saw a red station wagon with a left front flat tire traveling at about 70 MPH northbound on Broadway at Del Norte. The officer turned around and attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle slowed briefly but then accelerated away northbound on Broadway passing Wabash. Engebretson swerved in and out of traffic and eventually collided with a vehicle that was stopped in traffic southbound on Broadway near Grant Street.

Engebretson immediately got out of his vehicle with an open beer in hand. He refused to comply with officers’ commands and began approaching two District Attorney Office investigators who stopped to assist. While approaching the investigators, Engebretson dropped the beer and began to produce a pocket knife.

The investigators and officers tackled Engebretson in an attempt to disarm him and take him into custody. Engebretson actively resisted while making several bizarre statements. After an extensive struggle officers took Engebretson into custody. An ambulance was summoned to transport Engebretson to the hospital to be medically cleared before booking.

Engebretson was found to be driving with a suspended driver’s license (suspended for DUI), and on probation for DUI with the stipulation that he obey all laws, violate no criminal statutes, not drive after consuming alcohol, and not drive without a valid license and insurance. In total Engebretson collided into six vehicles.

Engebretson was cleared by the hospital and booked into jail on the following charges:

-Felony evading a peace officer

-Assault on a peace officer

-Threats to a peace officer

-Resisting arrest

-Possession of concentrated cannabis

-Driving under the influence of alcohol / drugs

-Hit and run (five counts)

-Driving while suspended

-Probation violation

Ted Lewis, in need of his keys, instead held on $50k bail

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A Eureka man was sent to jail yesterday after reportedly chasing his wife with an ax.

At about 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a domestic disturbance in progress occurring in the 3600 block of Union Street.

When deputies arrived on scene the suspect, identified as 76-year-old Ted Lewis, met with them at the driveway to the residence; deputies detained him without incident. The cops spoke with the victim and a witness who told them Lewis and his wife got into an argument over keys. Lewis pushed the wife to the ground twice, and then picked up a double bladed ax. He told the victim he was going to use it on her if she failed to give him keys and swung it at the victim towards the torso area nearly striking her. The victim was able to step back to avoid being struck by the ax.

Lewis then began striking the victims car parked in the driveway with the ax causing significant damage to the vehicle.

At one point during the assault the witness intervened and was punched by Lewis in the chest. The victim and witness were uninjured during the assault.

Deputies arrested Lewis for assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence. He was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. His bail was set at $50,000.00.

Robert Cree allegedly proceeds to piss in public and get arrested

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A man trying to give away Vicodin in downtown Garberville landed himself in jail yesterday afternoon after annoying several local residents.

At about 1:30 p.m. Monday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office heard from a Garberville woman that a man had just approached her, opened a pill bottle and tried to give her Vicodin. After she declined, he then allegedly walked away, urinated in the public hallway in front of several business entrances and made verbal threats towards her.

Responding to the scene near the 700 block of Redwood Drive, deputies found the man pounding on the door of a nearby residence. As the cops approached, the door opened and the suspect entered the residence, closing the door behind him. When the deputy knocked on the door, a teenage male opened it and said he had no idea who the suspect was, as the man had simply walked inside the residence when the door was opened.

According to lieutenant Steve Knight in a release, the deputy entered the home to find the suspect yelling and shouting in the living room of the residence. After taking him into custody, an adult female told the cops that she also didn’t know the man and did not understand why he would enter her home other than to escape the deputy.

Identified as 56-year-old Robert Scott Cree of Garberville, the suspect was arrested for sales or offering of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a prescribed drug and public intoxication — upon their search, deputies found Vicodin and another prescription drug in his possession. Cree was transported to county jail and held on $50,000 bail.

Nobody home when Drug Task Force arrived

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

In a change of pace, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force raided a suspected marijuana grow house in search of big, blooming cannabis plants — and found a bunch of little ones instead.

At about 11 a.m. this morning, DTF and the Community Response Unit of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office descended on a residence in the 800 block of Knowles Court in McKinleyville, only to find nobody was home. They served up their search warrant on the empty house and searched the place, finding a sophisticated cloning operation with 1,669 plants between two inches and two feet in height.

“Actual plants were being sold to other growers,” HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight alleged in a release.

An unnamed suspect was identified based on evidence located at the scene, and the cops will be seeking an arrest warrant for this person on charges of felony cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. Pacific Gas and Electric was called to the site to evaluate the electrical wiring for hazardous conditions, as was the Humboldt County Planning Department.

Members of the public with information regarding this case or related criminal activity are encouraged to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539. The DTF can be reached at (707) 444-8095.

Four addicts arrested, 3-year-old girl rescued

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The troubled neighborhood just east of the Humboldt County Library saw another drug house go down after Eureka Police Department personnel conducted a raid today.

At about 11:30 a.m. today, investigators with the EPD Problem Oriented Policing unit served a narcotic sales-related warrant at a house on the 1700 block of Third Street — according to sergeant Steve Watson in a press statement, POP was tipped off by reports of heroin dealing around the residence and at the nearby Patriot gas station.

Finding residents refusing to open the front door, the cops forced it open and detained four adults inside; additionally, the found a 3-year-old girl. Their search uncovered several grams of tar heroin along with the usual assortment of drug use paraphernalia and materials indicating drug sales such as multiple gram scales, packaging, hypodermic syringes and cooker spoons.

According to the reporting officers, several local persons called the house during their investigation, allegedly seeking to purchase heroin from the residents.

The primary tenant, 33-year-old Kiranseet Singh Saini of Mumbai, India (mistakenly called by its former name of “Bombay” by the EPD), was arrested and sent to county jail on drug house charges; he was also booked on child endangerment as it was his daughter in the home. The unnamed juvenile was placed with Child Welfare Services.

Also arrested and sent to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility were two unnamed adult females staying in the home, who were busted on a prior warrant and on possession of drug paraphernalia.

The fourth arrest, 47-year-old Larry Seminoff, was arrested on possession of heroin for sale, possession of paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a deadly weapon — an improvised slingshot.

The property owner was contacted and provided with the EPD version of events — eviction proceedings are expected to immediately follow.

Lawrence Olson, Jennifer McClaren hauled for jail after getting in fight

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A late-night cab fight led to the arrest of a Eureka couple too deep in their drinks.

At about 3 a.m. this morning, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office got word from a local cab company that one of their drivers kicked a man and a woman out of a company vehicle near Hoover and Myrtle Avenue; allegedly the cab had picked them up from a nearby bar (presumably the Myrtlewood Lounge), after which they had begun fighting in the back of the cab.

When HCSO personnel arrived, they located a man matching the description provided by the cabbie, who was identified as 26-year-old Lawrence Jay Olson of Eureka. The suspect appeared intoxicated, according to a press statement by lieutenant Steve Knight, but the man denied being in an altercation with a female, who wasn’t present during the initial encounter.

When the HCSO deputy offered Olson a ride and the man accepted, the cop patted down Olson for weapons prior to putting him in his patrol car — Olson then admitted that he had a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his back pocket.

After the weapon was seized and Olson placed in the back of the patrol car, a female arrived and began yelling at Olson. A second HCSO unit arrived and the female, also allegedly intoxicated, was instructed to step back. Instead, she stood in front of the patrol car as the first deputy attempted to drive Olson to jail.

At this point the woman, identified as 25-year-old Jennifer Cheri McClaren of Eureka, was arrested for public intoxication and interfering with a police officer. She was taken to jail in a separate patrol car, and after sobering up, she was booked and released on her own recognizance.

While Olson was on his way to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, he allegedly kicked out the back window of the patrol car; a charge of felony vandalism was tacked on to charges of carrying a concealed firearm and public intoxication. His bail was set at $25,000.

Todd Schlueter originally sought on Trinity warrant

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A Hoopa man is in Humboldt County jail tonight after local law enforcement sought him on a neighboring county’s warrant.

Todd Littlebear Schlueter, 28, was wanted in Trinity County on a felony drug warrant, and at about 11:45 p.m. last night, Hoopa Tribal Police personnel tracked him down to a residence on Pine Creek Road near Masten Flat.

Upon arriving, the Hoopa cops found Schlueter inside, along with his five-year-old child — but upon searching the home, they found a bucket with two improvised explosive devices in the bedroom, leading to the immediate evacuation of the home.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad immediately swung into action and sent in their robot to de-activate the bombs. According to lieutenant Steve Knight in a release, both devices were live; one was 10 inches long and three inches in diameter, while the other was four inches long and one inch in diameter. The contents of the explosives were not disclosed to the public; a further search of the home uncovered a loaded revolver, a rifle and what was described as a “possible” machine gun with the barrel missing.

Schleuter was arrested and transported to county jail on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a destructive device, manufacture of a constructive device and violation of the terms of his probation. He was also charged with his felony drug warrant, and is being held on $170,000 bail.

Warren Sloan wanted in slaying of 19-year-old woman

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The suspect in the brutal killing of a 19-year-old in Fairfield last month was nabbed today in Fortuna.

Warren Herman Sloan III, 40, was reportedly in the Fortuna area after skipping town following the alleged stabbing in his hometown on March 31. The Fortuna Police Department worked with law enforcement in Fairfield, as well as with the United States Marshall’s Office, to locate Sloan.

At about 5:30 p.m., a patrolman observed Sloan walking along the 500 block of South Fortuna Boulevard. After he began walking towards the Six Rivers Motel, the cop made contact with Sloan and arrested him without incident.

Sloan is accused of causing the death of Cheynah Watson, originally from Brookings, Ore. Hers was the sixth homicide in Fairfield this year.

POP rakes in nearly $7k, two adults to jail and one girl to juvie

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Another day, another big drug bust by the Problem Oriented Policing unit.

At 10:30 a.m. this morning, the Eureka Police Department raided a home on the 100 block of Harris Street just west of Henderson Center, forcing open the door and detaining three adults and one juvenile, a 17-year-old girl. Inside the home was a cornucopia of drugs, paraphernalia and cash.

Taken in the warrant search were nine grams of tar heroin, a digital gram scale and drug packaging materials, aluminum foil used to smoke heroin, about three ounces of bud and $6,933 in cash, the later of which was turned over to the Humboldt County Drug Task Force for asset forfeiture proceedings.

According to EPD sergeant Steve Watson in a release, the 17-year-old female admitted to having contraband on her person, and investigators recovered 4.5 grams of crystal meth and a dozen non-prescribed Suboxone pills. The girl was arrested on a charge of possession of controlled substance for sale and transported to Humboldt County Juvenile Hall. Her name was not released due to being a minor.

Also arrested was 19-year-old Tyler William Abbott, who was booked into county jail on drug possession for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to the delinquency of a minor charges. He was also booked on a previous outstanding warrant. Evidently Abbot had been dating the girl for over two years, and they co-habitated the Harris Street residence, leading EPD to request an additional charge of child endangerment be considered by the District Attorney.

Although not a resident, 20-year-old Markis Caprice Dewayne Shirley was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on two outstanding felony drug sales warrants; jail staff found a small quantity of heroin, marijuana, and several Suboxone pills concealed in Shirley’s undergarments, which will likely result in an additional felony charge of bringing a controlled substance into a correctional facility.

The fourth detainee, an adult female on active parole, was released after she was not found to be in possession of any contraband.

Fernbridge Cafe free of any further regulatory snafus

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A sad interlude of bureaucratic intransigence and red tape-slinging has come to an end as Humboldt County officials announced today the dismissal of all criminal charges against Steve Sterback, the owner of the Fernbridge Market and Cafe.

“Ultimately, the District Attorney’s Office determined that dismissal of the pending charges would be in the interest of justice, given the fact that the issues identified by the County have been addressed and the Café has been legally open and operating for some time,” Deputy District Attorney Kelly Neel stated in a release today.

It all started over a year ago, when the Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health suspended Sterback’s food facility permit due to water quality issues — despite the assurances of the owner that he was using bottled water during the period that a nearby water supply was temporarily contaminated by runoff. After the March suspension, the DA pressed charges in April 2011 on three counts of operating a food facility without a permit, which would constitute a violation of California Health and Safety Code section 114381.

Numerous attempts to set the case for trial, only to be frustrated by the lack of an available courtroom and unavailable witnesses; during this time, the county was under public pressure to allow Sterback to stay in business, and with the water quality issue cleared up, Sterback had re-obtained his permit and was legally open and operating for several months.

The case was set for trial numerous times, but each time was continued for reasons that included lack of an available courtroom and unavailable witnesses. In the meantime, the People and Mr. Sterback worked at trying to resolve the case. Ultimately, the District Attorney’s Office determined that dismissal of the pending charges would be in the interest of justice, given the fact that the issues identified by the County have been addressed and the Café has been legally open and operating for some time.

“At this point, the County is satisfied that Mr. Sterback is operating in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations and continues its oversight of the Cafe’s operations,” Deputy District Attorney Christa McKimmy, who handled the prosecution for the People, stated today.

Judge orders minimum term of 42 years in prison

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A McKinleyville man convicted of murder in the second degree this February will spend most of his remaining life behind bars.

Superior Court Judge Marilyn Miles laid down her sentence today against 24-year-old Jacob Steele, who was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the murder of Jerry George, who he shot with a handgun in his apartment. In addition to the 42-to-life sentence, two additional years were tacked on for an additional conviction on making criminal threats against a witness in the case.

“Jerry’s family endured the trial every day and showed such restraint, poise and determination to see justice done,” stated Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office  investigator Billy Honsal in a release.

The court proceedings laid bare Steele’s efforts to enlist others in disposing of George’s body, which was never recovered. His testimony was even contradicted by a relative who came forward.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to the family,” stated District Attorney Paul Gallegos, who had served as prosecutor in the case. “No sentence can bring back or make up for the loss of a loved one. Jerry was someone’s child, someone’s brother, someone’s father and can never be replaced, but we can take some comfort in the fact that justice was achieved.”

ABC, EPD team up to entrap random patrons with decoys

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The scourge of alcohol in the hands of the under-21 set was yet again combated by the Eureka Police Department last week.

In conjunction with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, two local men were cited on Friday for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

EPD and ABC once more utilized the controversial and possibly entrapping tactic of the ‘decoy shoulder tap’ where they set up random liquor or convenience store patrons for the fall, using a minor under police surveillance  to ask for the wicked booze.

“The minor indicates in some way that he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol,” EPD patrolman Ed Wilson stated in a release.

Nabbed in the sting were 39-year-old Damon Reed Stockton and 33-year-old Joshua Kurt Ward, both of Eureka. They face a minimum penalty of $1000 and 24 hours of community service.

The decoy ploy is part of a federally-funded program routed through the California Office of Traffic Safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — in other words, your gas tax at work.

‘Zero tolerance’ of open containers at city’s most popular event

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

According to Eureka Police Department sergeant Patrick O’Neill, Arts Alive! is a nuisance to be cracked down on.

Late last night, EPD put out word that a new policy would be inflicted on the city’s most successful public arts and music event, held the first Saturday of every month in Old Town — and the impetus was a couple of juvenile delinquents who were caught in an intoxicated state.

At about 8:38 p.m. last night, the cops were sweeping the Boardwalk when they came upon several juveniles, two of whom were taken into custody due to their apparent intoxication and possession of booze and pot. They were taken to EPD and cited before being released to related adults.

EPD claims there are rising complaints of such ‘nuisance complaints’ during Arts Alive! including vandalism and physical fights. Although they didn’t point to any direct evidence of this from prior events, the police claim that a single fight broken up Saturday night justified this characterization. At about 9:07 p.m., cops once more on the Boardwalk found several subjects brawling in front of a crowd of about 20 spectators — with zero arrests made.

“In an attempt to curb this increasing problem, the Eureka Police Department will be continuing its enforcement efforts and also taking a zero tolerance stance for alcohol related offences [sic] (open containers, possession of alcohol by juveniles, public intoxication, etc),” O’Neill stated in a release.

EPD also made sure to note that parents ought to know where their children are, what they’re doing, and why they shouldn’t drink.

Israel Bazan popped by Eureka’s POP unit

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story quoted an incorrect statement from the Eureka Police Department alleging that Nathan David Stancliff was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Stancliff was detained, posted bond, and was never incarcerated and is now free on his own recognizance. We apologize for the error.

A Mexican national is behind bars after a Eureka Police Department investigation led to a raid in a local trailer park.

It all started with a Problem Oriented Policing unit stakeout on a mobile home on the 700 block of Sea Avenue yesterday. According to EPD sergeant Steve Watson in a release, this was part of an on-going surveillance of 39-year-old Israel Chavez Bazan, originally of Michaocan, Mexico.

The POP detective said he saw a black 4-door Kia sedan leave the trailer, and upon following it, he conducted a traffic stop on the 3300 block of Broadway, supposedly due to a vehicle code violation.

According to the cop, he smelled the odor of processed pot while speaking with the driver, 35-year-old Nathan David Stancliff. Upon a search, police allegedly located about seven pounds of processed pot in individual one-pound bags. The driver was detained and later released on a posted bond without being incarcerated.

Using their amassed evidence, the EPD obtained a search warrant for Bazan’s trailer, and served it in tandem with deputies from the Community Response Unit of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. First securing the residence while Bazan was away, the cops later on Wednesday stopped and detained him when he drove up.

The police search of Bazan’s bedroom turned up 39 grams of methamphetamine, 12 grams of rock cocaine, five pounds of bud and other drug sales evidence such as drug packaging materials, a digital gram scale and two large MSM tubs — which the cops allege is a common meth cutting agent used to increase profits. They also found a nine millimeter Ruger semi-automatic pistol, along with ammunition and two magazines, hidden inside a stereo speaker in a storage shed. Approximately $1,600 in cash was taken from Bazan’s person and residence.

Bazan was booked into the HCCF on possession of controlled substances for sale, and being armed in the process, with bail set at $50,000.

James Rowe allegedly inflicted deep wounds to face, chest, neck and hands

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

UPDATE: At about midnight last night, the suspect was arrested without incident near Evergreen Road in Garberville. He was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on assault with a deadly weapon and murder charges, and is being held without bail.

A be-on-the-lookout notice has been issued for a Garberville area transient accused of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

At about 6:30 p.m. yesterday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a stabbing victim at Jerold Phelps Hospital in Garberville. The 50-year-old male victim had deep stab wounds to his face, chest, neck and hands, and when deputies arrived, he told them he didn’t know what happened.

Several witnesses say they did, however — the cops eventually determined that a fight had ensued between the unnamed victim and the suspect, 42-year old James Albert Rowe, a parolee who was considered to be homeless. He is described as a white male, 5 foot 11 inches in height, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

James Albert Rowe after his arrest last night.

According to HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight in a release, witness accounts describe a fight taking place at 5:30 p.m. near Calico Cafe and Rays Food Place on Redwood Drive in downtown Garberville. Evidence on the scene, police say, is consistent with the witness statements.

The victim is still under treatment in the hospital for the injuries he sustained.

If Rowe is sighted, the HCSO urges members of the public not to approach him — they are asked to call them at (707) 445-7251, the Garberville Station at (707) 923-2762 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Patricia Kanzler busted for hanging a sign

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Hang a sign, get booked into jail!

That’s the new law at the Humboldt County Courthouse, as enforced by Sheriff Mike Downey yesterday.

According to a release from his office, he met with protestors from Occupy Eureka in front of the courthouse at 10 a.m. on Mar. 28 to notify them of their peril if they continued to spread their message via sheets and cardboard affixed to the chain link fence — the same one cordoning off the long-since repaired vegetation of the courthouse lawn after the Occupy encampment was expelled late last year.

Downey’s actions were based on the now officially numbered Urgency Ordinance #2477, passed by a 4-1 vote of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday with only three days of public notice and without a second reading. A new section of county code makes it a crime “to secure any object to county property…including use of any weighted or self-stabilized object.” Not only would this appear to make camera tripods used by the media illegal, but this also specifically targets the use of signs at the moment that they aren’t being held up by a person.

After passing out copies of the ordinance Wednesday, Downey gave Occupy Eureka until 4 p.m. to remove their belongings from courthouse property, including the signs on the fence. After the deadline passed, HCSO deputies and investigators from the Humboldt County District Attorney’s office descended on the protestors.

When they arrived, however, they found a group of protestors who had mostly adjusted to the new rules by moving their table and chairs to the sidewalk, which is technically off of the courthouse property and thus not covered by Ordinance #2477. The signs, however, were still on the fence, and some tarps and other personal property items were still over the line. The cops proceeded to tell the group that the property would be confiscated as abandoned if left unclaimed.

Once the deputies started to remove signs, 59-year-old Patricia Ann Kanzler of Eureka (pictured at right, courtesy James Decker) allegedly put a sign back on the fence. After being told to remove the sign and refusing to do so, she was arrested and booked into county jail for violating the ordinance, a misdemeanor offense carrying a $5,000 bail levy. She was released later that evening.

Ordinance #2477 also bans camping at the courthouse and prohibits the storage of personal property on the grounds, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, construction materials, tools, lumber, paint, tarps, tables, luggage and clothing. Occupy Eureka participants and other demonstrators are also not allowed to have any awning or windbreak no matter what the weather conditions.

Deceased man identified as Jacob Newmaker

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

An early-morning phone call about a disturbance of the peace led to an altercation with police and the ultimate demise of a young Fortuna man today.

Jacob Robert Newmaker, 26, was pronounced dead at Redwood Memorial Hospital after he was transported there to be treated for a gunshot wound at the hands of an unnamed Fortuna Police Department officer.

It all started at about 6:10 a.m. when the FPD responded to the 1100 block of Angel Heights Drive on a call involving a male suspect who was allegedly under the influence  and banging on the reporting persons’ door and windows.

Upon responding, the cops were told that the subject had left the area on bicycle, and law enforcement caught up to the man in the area of Vista Drive and 11th Street. At first attempting to flee, the man supposedly became physically combative with the responding officer, who unsuccessfully tried to subdue him with a taser, according to a press statement by chief Bill Dobberstein.

The FPD side of the story concludes with the arrival of a second unit, who allegedly witnessed the subject continue to be physically combative. Verbal commands, control holds, pepper spray and baton strikes were all used, but were apparently ineffective, and in a violent struggle the subject grabbed one of the cops’ batons. When the subject was about to strike the officer with his own nightstick, the other cop fired his gun at the man, later identified as Newmaker.

Life saving measures were attempted and the subject succumbed to his injuries a short while later at the hospital.

Humboldt County’s Critical Incident Response Team was activated and an investigation is underway with assistance from FPD, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department and Arcata Police Department. Further assistance was provided by the Rio Dell Police Department, Cal Fire and Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department.

Child safely reunited; Rebecca Nelson booked into Big Island jail

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A child is safely back with their biological father after their mother was accused of violating a custody ruling and taking the child to Hawaii.

On Feb. 23, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the unnamed father regarding his ten-month-old child; he alleged that the child’s mother, 42-year-old Rebecca Judith Nelson of McKinleyville, had fled with the kid to an unknown location. The father had not seen his child since December of last year, despite being awarded physical custody by the Humboldt County Superior Court on Feb. 11.

Upon being provided with a copy of the court order and in the process of their investigation, deputies stumbled upon a possible location for Nelson in Kona, Hawaii. A local judge issued a felony warrant for her arrest with a bail amount of $50,000, and the HCSO sent this warrant to the Hawaii Police Department. According to a press statement by lieutenant Steve Knight, Hawaii Police Officers went to the suspect’s location and arrested her, booking into jail on the Big Island without incident.

The child was located and re-united with the father. It’s not known at this time when Nelson will be returned to Humboldt County.

Members of the public with information for the HCSO regarding this case or related criminal activity are encouraged to call them at (707) 445-7251 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Two men tie up, sexually assault and rob woman

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Local law enforcement are asking for the public’s assistance in response to a brutal home invasion robbery which took place this morning outside of Fortuna.

It all started at about 9 a.m. this morning, when a 38-year-old resident at her home on Drake Hill Road encountered an unknown man in her home.

According to her statement, he demanded money, drugs and knowledge of the location of an indoor marijuana grow — after which she was covered with a sheet by another unseen man. After tying her to a chair with electrical cord, the victim was sexually assaulted, then burned with a lit cigarette by the suspects who demanded to know where the money and drugs were. The woman continued to tell the men she had no drugs or marijuana grow operation.

In the course of the robbery, the victim’s husband called her; she was able to answer the telephone with her foot despite being tied up. When he answered, she began screaming into the phone to her husband about what was occurring. The suspects apparently heard the victim calling the husband, and fled the home prior to the arrival of police — they were able to make off with some of the victim’s cash and jewelry.

Although Fortuna Police fielded the initial call from the 3000 block of Drake Hill Road, they immediately notified the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, as the crime occurred in their jurisdiction. Upon their arrival, deputies found evidence consistent with the victim’s account; they also found no indication of any illegal drug activity or marijuana cultivation at the residence.

The victim refused medical treatment, and promptly provided descriptions of the two suspects, one of whom was described as a white man in his early 20s, approximately 5’10″ tall, 150 pounds with a slender runner’s build. He also had straight dark brown hair below the ears and was wearing black wranglers and black suede-type shoes with ‘E’ written on them. The other man was not seen clearly by the victim and was only described as another white male.

Members of the public with information for the HCSO regarding this case or related criminal activity are encouraged to call them at (707) 445-7251 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

For the curiously aware of Humboldt County…

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

NEWS, SNIPPETS, HEARSAY RUMORS, AND THE LINKS

SIGNS OF THE OCCUPY TIMES:   Humboldt County Sheriff Mike Downey was informed that District Attorney Paul Gallegos won’t prosecute Eureka’s Occupy protesters for hanging signs on the courthouse barrier fence.  Consequently, Eureka Police Department Interim Chief Murl  Harpham said that EPD officers will no longer be enforcing Penal Code section 602(f) per the DA’s suggestion, a misdemeanor offense that includes “putting up, affixing, fastening, printing or painting upon any property belonging to the state, or to any city, county, town, or village, or dedicated to the public.”

According to the Times-Standard, Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said the cited penal code doesn’t apply to Occupy signs because the code is meant to prevent commercial signs on government property. Gallegos said the focus needs to be on “the criminal conduct that takes place — such as smoking marijuana on the courthouse steps and disruptive behavior — instead of the signs.”

Chief Harpham said the courthouse is a mess and that his officers are responding only when there are emergency calls for assistance, which is about two or three times a day. He said his officers can’t easily enforce a law and cite a code that Gallegos doesn’t agree with.

Sheriff Downey said he hopes members of the public fed up with the activities in front of the courthouse will go to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors with their concerns.  Downey also took it a step further and raised the ante with his tersely worded letter directed to DA Paul Gallegos on the issue:

“So with this I am suspending all efforts to do anything with the continued assault on the courthouse, the employees and the general public due to the immunity given to them by your (the District Attorney’s) office,” Downey said.

Ouch. 

Ms. Kym files her own startling report in  ‘Bitch, Tie Your Shoes’.  Double ouch.

YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE from the long arm of the claw.  From the Eureka Police Nefarious Scoundrels and Skullduggery Press Release Department:

On 3/08/12, at around 11:00 AM, investigators with the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit responded to a residence in the 3300 block of G Street, Eureka to look for a wanted fugitive.  POP had received information that a parolee-at-large, Michael Wayne Brissette (age 37), was staying there.  Brissette had a felony warrant for his arrest alleging violation of his parole and considered to be a high risk offender.  He’d been on the run for approximately 10 months after cutting off his GPS ankle monitoring bracelet and has had a prior history of resisting officers.

Upon arrival at the house, Detectives contacted an adult female resident who was on searchable probation along with two small children and two adult male visitors.  The children and adult males were sent away while detectives searched the residence. Detectives found drug use paraphernalia along with a small quantity of methamphetamine in the residence.  However, initially they could not locate Brissette.  When the detectives started to check the attic they heard movement above the ceiling and someone tossed down a hypodermic syringe and other items through the closet attic access hole.

Detectives confirmed Brissette was hiding in the attic and attempted to talk him down.  However, Brissette refused to communicate with the detectives– or exit the attic.  Officers repeatedly deployed chemical agents into the attic with no effect.  At one point, Brissette broke a hole through the ceiling.  Additional EPD officers and detectives were called to the scene.  An approximately 4 hour stand-off ensued.  An EPD police K-9 team was also called, along with the Eureka Fire Department.  Apart from yelling “run mother f–ers run” at officers on one occasion, Brissette would not speak with negotiators.

Deputies deployed a small robot with a camera into the attic.  However, the robot was unable to locate Brissette who remained hidden in the insulation and rafters.  As the stand-off progressed, EFD shut off gas and power to the residence as a precaution.  City Ambulance paramedics were also staged nearby. At approximately 3:00 PM, officers breached another opening into the attic through the ceiling of an adjacent bedroom in preparation for deploying more significant chemical agents into the attic.

Prior to deploying the chemical agents, an EPD negotiator again attempted to communicate with Brissette and he agreed to surrender.  At approximately 3:12 PM, Brissette exited the attic through the breached hole in the ceiling.  He was taken into custody without further incident, booked on his felony warrant and on several fresh charges including possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and parole violation.

It appears Mr. Brissette’s belt doesn’t go through all the loops.  The North Coast Journal has the pictures of Mr. Brissette’s wild escapade and utter resignation.

WHY HIDE?  On 3/07/12, at about 2:50 p.m., investigators with the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) went to a residence on the 1900 block of Harrison Avenue, in response to neighbor complaints concerning loud music, parties, and suspected drug activity there, according to another EPD press release.

Detectives contacted resident Brandon James Phelps (age 23 of Eureka) and his 33-year-old brother at the front door.  Phelps’ 4-year-old son was also present in the home.  While detectives were speaking with Phelps about the complaints, they smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from inside the residence.

A records check confirmed both adult subjects were on searchable probation. Additionally, Phelps had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for possession of a controlled substance.  Phelps was taken into custody on his warrant.  With the assistance of EPD patrol officers, investigators then conducted a probation search of the residence.

Investigators located several large plastic bags and tubs containing untrimmed dried marijuana, marijuana “shake” (dried leaves and trimmings commonly saved for hash production), and manicured/processed marijuana “bud.”  There were also several open plastic trays containing dried marijuana in the process of being “trimmed” along with marijuana packaging materials (plastic baggies).  Additionally, officers found drug use paraphernalia (two meth pipes) and evidence of a past indoor marijuana grow in the residence.  In all, a total of approximately 45 pounds of dried marijuana was located and seized from within the residence.  Neither Phelps nor his brother possessed a current, valid medical marijuana (Prop 215) waiver.

Phelps was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on his warrant and for possession of marijuana for sale and probation violation.  His son was released into the care and custody of his mother.

Hmmm…  Mr. Phelps was living nearly next door to his supervising Probation Officer and the Humboldt County Probation Department located at 2002 Harrison Avenue.  We can only hope the Probation Department wasn’t snoozing, but  awake just enough to find that their absconded felon on an outstanding warrant had been under their noses for some time– as neighbor’s repeated complaints came in revealing Phelps’ noisy partying whereabouts to EPD’s POP unit, instead.  Why even hide when others can nap and nod off?

Mr. Phelps doesn’t appear to be the brightest crayon in the box making it an even pair.

FUNNY FUNDING:  Eureka’s Finance Director Paul Rodrigues presented the midyear budget review to the Eureka City Council at its Tuesday council meeting March 6.  His report shows an increased impact to the city’s funds, including a $157,413 expenditure increase “mostly due to projects that were not completed by the end of the 2010-2011 fiscal year,” he said.  The already-allotted funds for those projects will be rolled over to the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

Other expenditures for the 2011-2012 fiscal year include $228,000 for earthquake and flood insurance and $673,000 for a 2011 wastewater bond interest that wasn’t budgeted for in the past.

Revenue increased by $848,000 due to additional grant funding.

Mr. Rodrigues gave an update on Measure O funds—the .25% transaction and use tax safety measure approved by voters that increased Eureka’s state and city sales tax total to 9 percent.  Measure O has generated $3.8 million in revenue this fiscal year, Mr. Rodrigues explained.  Of that amount, $1.2 million will go towards bolstering the City’s reserves, $1.5 million will go to the police department, $700,000 goes to the fire department, and $300,000 is directed for public safety retirement plans, he said.

Mr. Rodrigues did not explain, however, why EPD’s four of five service vehicles purchased a year ago and costing over $100,000 are still sitting unused at the City’s Corporation yard.  The new Ford cruisers were mothballed so the department could buy some sexier Dodge Chargers instead.  No explanation we’re aware of has been given to the public by either the police department, the City Council, or City Manager David Tyson regarding this wasted expenditure.

Mr. Rodrigues’ presentation was enthusiastically received by the City Council.  They’re rolling in the easy tax money, even if there are some gaping holes and gaps left to fill.  Or smoothed over as if they never happened.  For example, not having citizens appointed to oversee Measure O’s spending as originally promised.  Or not mentioning the costs of defending the City against numerous lawsuits over the last several years.

Funny how money hides shortcomings like a confidence shell game.  Eureka’s streets are still a crumbling pot-holed mess.

NO LONGER OF SERVICE:  The North Coast Journal article by Heidi Walters, Fight at the Museum,  relates details of Director/Curator Pam Service’s abrupt dismissal from Eureka’s Clarke Museum after serving 12 years in the position.

Ms. Service’s resume includes an undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley and a master’s in history and archaeology from The University of London in England.  She worked as the director/curator of the Monroe County Historical Museum in Bloomington, Indiana, for 17 years before coming to Eureka.  Ms. Service reportedly found the museum in sad shape: much of museum’s exhibit space had been shut down, the records were still all on paper, and storage rooms were in poor condition, the NCJ says.  Tony Platt, professor emeritus at U.C. Berkeley and author of the book Grave Matters, said, “It wasn’t until Pam Service was hired that they really, under her leadership, began to make the museum an ethical and professional place. There’s been an economic crisis at the Clarke Historical Museum in Eureka for several years.  Now, there’s a crisis of leadership as well.”

The Humboldt Herald blog notes the issue of leadership hasn’t quietly gone away since the board unceremoniously fired longtime Curator Pam Service shortly before Christmas.

“While the Clarke Museum Board of Directors is entrusted with care-taking priceless artifacts of Humboldt County history — and receives money from the City of Eureka to do so — the public wasn’t welcome at its Thursday (March 8th) board meeting. When the public did attend its one annual public meeting in January, the process was anything but open according to some attendees,” the Herald opined.

According to the North Coast Journal, retired local bookseller Jere Bob Bowden said he went to the public meeting the Clarke board held in January after hearing Service had been dismissed — “a weird affair, he noted, in which the board followed no recognizable rules of order — and he let them have it.  They had been talking about how the fund-raising was down, and membership, and I said, ‘With all due respect, this board has failed. The board’s responsibility is to develop a broader membership base and to be more aggressive in raising money.’”

The Humboldt Herald noted, “Several members of the local heritage community sent a letter to the Clarke board on February 21st calling for them to reinstate Ms. Service and to be open about financial struggles facing the museum. But so far, the board is not open to being open about the storm that’s blowing at 240 E St.”

HOME-GROAN POT STOP:  Redwood Capital Bank Vice President Jennifer Budwig discussed the economic impact of Humboldt’s massive $1 billion marijuana industry to the County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Ms. Budwig estimates 26 percent of Humboldt’s economy is directly related to marijuana– and more than $400 million dollars is spent each year in the county because of it.

She said legalizing marijuana would have a negative impact on the local economy as revenues would decrease.  She added we should be using entities like the North Coast Small Business Development Center to support other trades– and reducing the economic hit should marijuana someday become legal.

Ms. Budwig examined the impact of marijuana on Humboldt County’s economy for her graduate thesis at the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Her results are a rare look into Humboldt County’s weed industry.  In December of last year, she wrote about the impact of cannabis legalization.  She noted that while marijuana has been a lucrative product with historically high margins, these margins have been decreasing over the last several years primarily due to an increase in supply, because of the following factors:

1. People who previously did not grow because of law enforcement fears obtained their 215 cards since they were approved in 1996 and now grow quasi-legally.

2. Since the passing of Proposition 215, 15 other states and Washington, D.C., have passed their own medicinal marijuana laws. These states have also followed suit of increased production, boosting overall supply nationally.

3. Since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, there has been a significant increase in border patrol. This resulted in the Mexican cartels relocating their grows directly into the United States on public lands, which has limited their risk and costs associated with transportation.

4. With Proposition 19 on the ballot in November 2010, producers were concerned that legalization would result in market saturation and further drive the prices down. Many growers felt it was their last opportunity to sell at the inflated prices, so they significantly increased their production.

5. In 2009, President Obama signed a directive to the U.S. Department of Justice for them to defer to state laws regarding medical marijuana use. This (supposedly) took the fear away that the DEA would enforce any laws as long as growers were compliant with state laws. This,coupled with the passage of Prop. 215, has resulted in little risk of being prosecuted for growing.

Ms. Budwig says that for these reasons, marijuana supply has escalated on a national level. Per numerous sources, this is her estimate as to how much prices per pound have dropped at the wholesale level over the last 10 years:

* 10 years ago: Indoor, $4,500 to $5,000; outdoor, $3,500 to $4,000

* 5 years ago: Indoor, approximately $4,000; outdoor, $2,800 to $3,500

* Current: Indoor, approximately $2,500; outdoor, $1,500 (some quoted as low as $700/pound)

This decrease in revenues has already led to an extraction of dollars in our economy, she notes, and the ‘general consensus’ is that if marijuana ever does become legalized, it would have serious economic impacts to Humboldt.  Please tell us something that we don’t know, Ms. Budwig.  Like the Feds are looking at legalization sometime in the next decade.  Not.

Ms. Budwig will be giving her presentation on the Economic Impact of Marijuana on Humboldt County on Tuesday March 27, 7-9:00p.m. at Mosgo’s Cafe,  180 Westwood Center in Arcata.

TAKING FLIGHT:  County Supervisors and Public Works Director Tom Mattson are hoping to lure American Airlines coming to Humboldt using public monies as a sweet enticement– again.  They don’t want to get burned for a second time after our previous carrier, Delta Airlines, abruptly flew the coop leaving town with half a million of our dollars last year.  County Supervisors are once again looking at Headwaters funds to secure the American Airlines contract, only this time the ante has been significantly raised.  The airline is considering starting twice-a-day service to Los Angeles from the Arcata-Eureka airport but has asked the County for an annual $500,000 revenue guarantee for two years. This means that Humboldt would be on the hook for up to $1 million if the airline doesn’t meet its capacity requirements.

This leaves us wondering why our tax monies are being considered at all for what should be a private and profitable enterprise.  It’s similar to municipalities building a sports stadium for private owners at the taxpayer’s expense, using the slush fund of the public’s piggy bank to grease the wheels.  Call it what you like:  public entitlement or corporate welfare.

We also wonder where Humboldt County Airport Manager Jacquelyn Hulsey has been in all of this mishmash.  Ms. Hulsey was on a paid leave of absence from September 2011 to January 2012, and nary has a peep been heard since returning to the job.  She was at the center of several controversial airport issues in the last few years, you’ll remember. After the county shut down the airport’s Instrument Landing System for construction work in September 2010, problems with flight delays caused frustrations for passengers. Shortly after that, two members of the citizen committee overseeing the airport resigned, saying Hulsey did not communicate with committee members.  Lately, she’s been as quiet as an Airport Manager church mouse on the pay-or-no-fly matter.

And our remaining carrier, United Airlines, seems to have come untied as of late.  United has been cancelling flights for any number of claimed reasons– and we suspect they’re doing so when all their given seats haven’t been filled.  HSU President Rollin Richmond recently directed an angry letter to United after being stiffed and miffed repeatedly by the carrier.

A RARE TOUR OPPORTUNITY:  The world famous St. George Reef Lighthouse will be relit as part of a weekend that includes restoration work and public helicopter tours of the lighthouse.

On Sunday, the St. George Reef Lighthouse will be open to the public by reservation only. Tours begin at 9 a.m. and leave from Crescent City airport. Visitors will be flown seven miles offshore in a Raven 44 helicopter, land on the light and spend over an hour touring the structure from bottom to top. According to the group’s website, the cost is $195 per person.

Sunday’s Tour guests can experience what it may have been like to live and work there during the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to close-up aerial views of the lighthouse, visitors may spot whales and sea lions, as well as panoramic views of the Del Norte coastline. All proceeds (after costs are covered) go to finance restoration of the lighthouse.

For reservations and details, call 464-7846 or visit their website.

Planning was begun to construct the lighthouse after the coastal steamer Brother Jonathan sank on St. George Reef in 1865 with the loss of over 225 lives. St. George was America’s most expensive lighthouse, costing in excess of $700,000 when constructed during1882-1892 in these treacherous waters.

Built on a small wave washed rock 6 miles off the coast of Crescent City, The lighthouse is composed of hundreds of individually cut granite blocks which were quarried 100 miles South from Humboldt County and transported to the site by steamer. Capped by a cast iron lantern room which housed a giant First Order lens with 500 facets, the structure rises 150 feet above the sea.

Over its years of service, St. George Lighthouse has withstood storms in which waves broke glass in the lantern room.  It was considered to be one of the most dangerous stations in the lighthouse service; during its history, 4 keepers have been killed while on duty. The rock on which the lighthouse was built is only 17 feet above sea level and affords no safe landing for boats.

And now you have the very rare chance to visit the remote rock outcropping by helicopter on Sunday.  Keep one eye on your footing– and another on those sneaker waves.

CANCEROUS SODA:  Coca-Cola and Pepsi are changing the way they make the caramel coloring used in their sodas as a result of a California law that mandates drinks containing a certain level of carcinogens bear a cancer warning label. The companies said the changes will be expanded nationally to streamline their manufacturing processes and they’re already in effect to comply with the California law. Company officials and the FDA insist the products are safe and the fears overblown, saying one has to drink a thousand cans a day to reach any carcinogen level found in test animals.

Apparently labeling laws do more than merely inform you what you’re eating and drinking.  They cause companies to do things properly and not kill you.  Let’s hope the Coca-Cola and Pepsi lawyers don’t find loopholes.  Dead consumers are bad consumers.

JOB OUTLOOK BRIGHTENING:  The Labor Department said employers in the U.S. boosted payrolls more than forecast in February, capping the best six- month streak of job growth since 2006 and sending stocks higher.  Unemployment held nationally at 8.3%. More jobs are helping fuel the wage gains that drive consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy.  California’s unemployment rate in January fell below 11% for the first time in nearly three years.

Shhh. Don’t tell Wall Street.  They’ll line their own pockets and ruin the economy again if given the opportunity.  That is, if the oil industry doesn’t beat them to it.

GOLDEN HOPES:  Warren Buffett is the third wealthiest person on the planet. He’s also regarded as one of the most successful investors in the world, and has an aversion to gold.  He won’t own it and feels irrational fears are spiking an unreasonable value for it.

Mr. Buffett said that if the world’s stock of gold were melded together, it would only form a  cube 68 feet square.  Valued at $1,750 an ounce, that cube would be worth about $9.6 trillion.  For the same amount of money, Mr. Buffett claims, an investor could acquire all the cropland in the U.S. and buy Exxon Mobil Corp. 16 times, while still having $1 trillion left over. “You can fondle the cube, but it will not respond,” Buffet said.

Gold has climbed nearly 500% since January of 2000, when it was then valued at $280 per ounce. In contrast, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway fund is up 105% for the same period.

We hope Mr. Buffett won’t be cornering the market on arable land anytime soon.  He knows all that glitters isn’t gold.  It’s food.

OUR BLOG FRIENDS:  So many folks weaving the Humboldt tapestry.  Where do we start?

The always adorable Kristabel is talking tuna and predictably giggling over petcocks as Ernie and Janis beat the heat having gone commando in Cozumel while Fred thinks cell phone car accidents are a bogus item.  Out of the goodness of their hearts, Tom and Bicoastal Media raised a ton of cash for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and John dropped a humorous load on KMUD’s unwitting doorstep.  Eric, as usual, gave his fair and equal treatment for both the 2nd district political candidates, Clif and Estelle.

We take gladness in knowing Lynette’s back in the saddle again and the Mirror’s given a home to Henchie only because the Herald banned HOJ’s misunderstood thoughts from its own progressive rank and file.  Richard kneads and pleads for more softball players and teams and Bill keeps us aware of disasters, pot gleanings, and evil fascist leanings. Dave finds many colorful snippets during his morning java break while  Kym  and Hank  are up to their eyes and ears with the blog ’n bog, host ‘n post business.  This makes it easier for Rose to Just Watch Paul.  Sigh.

Josephine weaves her words, music and teaching together. Bob, please, oh please, for the love of God, Bob, turn off Obama’s broken record of “I Promise You This” before we all go nuts. The wheel is still spinning but the hamster died a long time ago. Mr. Ross is keeping an eye out on Fortuna, Mark on Arcata, and testy Joe Blows his spout while Michael the K …Fronks. As Savage Henry, Da Crows Nest, and Mr. Chiv continually work their wordsworth, we’d also like to say hello to BrendaLou and Jendelicious, and enjoy our books bought and sold from Scott and Amy’s place. We wish Tad the best …wherever he went off to. Peace be with you all.

You know we love you, too, Times-Standard, North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye, Two Rivers Tribune, the Redwood and Rio Dell Times, the Lumberjack, McKinleyville Press, and the Humboldt Beacon. And, of course,  KMUD, KHUM, KHSU, Access Humboldt, KEET-TV, and the rest of our media sources.

Did we miss anyone?  We hope not.   Our sincere apologies if we did, but you know who you are. Thank you for making the Humboldt blogosphere a unique place to be. Be home before dark, y’all, and be sure to wear your helmets when you go out and play.

TWO DOGGIE TREATS FOR THE ROAD:  Denver the Guilty Dog and the Taunting Dog Tease.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 11.  Move your clocks ahead by an hour.  You only have so much time

THE WEEKEND CALENDAR:

WHO BOMBED JUDI BARI?  Saturday and Sunday presents an unusual 93-minute documentary produced by fellow activist and eco-cohort, Darryl Cherney.

Legendary Earth First! organizer and car-bomb victim Judi Bari may have passed away in 1997, but the documentary feature, Who Bombed Judi Bari? brings her back to life, Mr. Cherney says. The Humboldt County premiere is at the Arcata Playhouse Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11, and at the Garberville Theater, Tuesday through Thursday, March 13 through 15.  All shows commence at 7:30 pm and admission is a sliding scale donation for the movie’s upcoming festival expenses.

RUN A SUCCESSFUL MEDIA CAMPAIGN:  Access Humboldt is presenting a workshop with Adam Klugman, media strategist, campaign consultant and radio host of Mad as Hell in America. This workshop will be geared for political candidates, campaign managers, non profits, citizen journalists and others committed to public advocacy utilizing the media resources of the 21st century.  It will touch on differences and application of messaging, branding and advertising, how to frame the problem and then “selling” the solution.

It’s in the Access Humboldt Studio, from Noon – 1:30 on Saturday, March 10, and costs $25 dollars (or $15 if you’re an Access Humboldt member—join and save the $10 bucks).  Call #476-1798 for more information.

There’s also a Community Voices dinner benefitting Access Humboldt, too.

A PRE-FAB FOUR SATURDAY:  A Beatles knockoff plays at the Arkley.  The people in the cheaper seats can clap their hands and the rest can rattle their jewelry.

A DOG-CENTRIC SUNDAY:  HumDOG’s 25th annual Dog Expo is Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, 3750 Harris St., Eureka. Admission is free. It’s a hoot spent with our best friends.  Dogs.

The day starts with an arctic sled dog demonstration at 10:30 a.m. (and 3:15 p.m.), the agility demonstration at 11 a.m, and Eureka Police Department canine officers showing off their special skills at 12:15 p.m. A parade of canine breeds kicks off at 1 p.m. with well known breeds from Irish Setters, Doberman Pinschers, and Jack Russells to lesser known breeds such as Cane Corsos, Keeshonds, Swedish Vallhunds and Borzois. At 2:40 p.m., there’s a dance with dogs– then an obedience demonstration.

In between the organized events, there will be vendors selling most every dog-related merchandise imaginable and booths operated by local animal groups: guide dog puppy raisers, the 4-H dog activity/care group, Sequoia Humane Society, Bones Rescue, the Humboldt County Animal Shelter, Prescription RX (a reading program involving specially trained dogs and young readers), and more. The Marine Corps League will provide refreshments for purchase.

For more information about HumDOG or Sunday’s Dog Expo, call 444-3862 or visit humdog.org.

Happenings, Events, Groups, Walks, and Other Good Stuff:

Friday, March 9

Saturday, March 10

Sunday, March 11

Other entertainment can also be found here.

Movies, reviews, times and trailers are here.

WORD

What’s the use of you learning to do right, when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?

Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

For our readers: the Weekly Roundup will be taking a short hiatus.  Happy Trails to you and yours until we meet again.

Please note that the Sentinel is accepting article submissions.  We would welcome your help and contributions, and would like to see your work being published here.  Please contact the Editor at (707) 667-3302 or e-mail editor@humboldtsentinel.com.

Suspect allegedly made high speed getaway near Eureka Zoo

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The Eureka Police Department is on the lookout for a felony parolee at large who may be connected with a chase ‘n crash on the east side of town today.

On Monday near the intersection of Hodgson Street and G Street, EPD personnel responded to a reported collision between a stolen Honda Civic and a parked car. It was discovered that the unknown driver fled from California Highway Patrol troopers at high speed near the Eureka Zoo, a pursuit which was discontinued by CHP for safety reasons. Just a little later, the Honda crashed into an occupied parked car on G Street.

According to witnesses at the scene, the unknown driver fled on foot, and police were unable to determine his whereabouts. Upon searching the stole car, several items of interest were discovered, including a cell phone; forensic analysis of the phone led law enforcement to connect the incident with 28-year-old Arlen Troy Brown.

So far, no luck for the cops — Brown is not in contact with his supervising agent (as he is on active felony-supervised county parole) and is wanted on a felony warrant for absconding. He is described as a Native American male, 5’11 and 190 pounds.

Members of the public with information on Brown’s whereabouts are asked to call EPD senior traffic officer Gary Whitmer at (707) 441-4232 or the Problem Oriented Policing unit at (707) 441-4373.

 Six arrested and 46 consumer conveyances liberated

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Several dozen shopping carts will be sleeping safely back in their parking lot racks, thanks to a “citywide special operation” conducted by the Eureka Police Department today.

Various businesses, presumably of the supermarket and big box store variety, have complained about the continual theft of their carts. Multiple officers swept across town in an attempt to recover them, according to a press statement by EPD detective Terry Liles.

Their efforts netted 46 shopping carts which were allegedly purloined, and six subjects were taken into custody on possession of stolen property charges. The estimated value of the catch topped $9,200.

“The Eureka Police Department would like to remind citizens that the shopping carts are the property of the business providing them for their customers use and they should not be taken off the private property of the business, without the managements consent,” Liles stated.

Alleged swap deal leads to 300-pound & 49 gram find at home

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Two men spent a short time in county jail today after their attempt to buy a motorcycle with pounds of marijuana bud led to a big methamphetamine find at their home.

It all started at about 9:30 a.m. this morning, when a deputy sheriff working undercover met with two suspects at the corner of F Street and Harris Street in Eureka. In line with his duties as part of the Community Response Unit of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy arranged the meeting after 41-year-old Eureka resident Jason Cecil Bacon called an online ad for a used motorcycle.

It turned out that the seller, who was asked to accept $8,000 worth of cannabis bud for the motorcycle, was a non-sworn employee of the HCSO. The seller turned the case over to the CRU and they set up the exchange.

When the undercover cop met Jason Bacon in the parking lot, he was taken to a pickup truck driven by the suspect’s father, 57-year-old Raymond Edison Bacon. There he was allegedly shown approximately one-and-a-half pounds of bud, according to a press statement by HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight. Upon seeing the pot, the deputy signaled other law enforcement nearby, including the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing unit, who drove into the parking lot and arrested the suspects.

After they were popped by POP, deputies obtained a Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant for the Bacon home, located on the 3600 block of Williams Street in Eureka. The CRU and POP coordinated a raid on the residence, where they found over 300 pounds of dried marijuana, 11 firearms (one of which was allegedly stolen), 49 grams of methamphetamine, two-and-a-half pounds of hash and a stolen quadrunner.

The father and son were booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility without further incident, and charged with cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. Their bail was set at $25,000 — which they paid off, leaving the jail before additional charges could be filed in relation to the raid on their home. The case was sent to the District Attorney with a request to file additional charges of possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of methamphetamine for sale and possession of stolen property.

Members of the public with information for the HCSO regarding this case or related criminal activity are encouraged to call them at (707) 445-7251 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Jeffrey Dugan pulled over near Salt Lake City with 49 pounds of bud; Steele at home with 40 more

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Two Arcata cohabitants in different states were popped for industrial-scale cannabis distribution over the last few weeks.

On Feb. 2, the Utah Highway Patrol made a traffic stop in the Salt Lake City area and arrested 41-year-old Arcata resident Jeffrey Roland Dugan, who was accused of transporting 49 pounds of marijuana bud and two pounds of hash. The car he was driving was registered to 40-year-old Brian Wayne Steele, who lives with Dugan in Arcata.

When the Humboldt County Drug Task Force was notified by Utah law enforcement, they obtained a Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant on their residence, located on the 1400 block of West End Road in Arcata. Upon raiding the home yesterday at 12 p.m., the cops found Steele with 40 pounds of bud, two ounces of hash, 40 pounds of marijuana leaves, 19 growing plants approximately 4 feet high — as well as $33,780 in cash and the scales and paperwork consistent with drug sales.

Dugan and Steele were booked into county jail on felony charges of possession of marijuana for sale, with bail set at $75,000. A female suspect, Ashley Burkart, was issued a notice to appear in court on possession charges, but was not sent to jail so that she could care for her five-year-old daughter.

Members of the public with information for the Humboldt County Drug Task Force may call them at (707) 444-8095.

For the curiously aware of Humboldt County…

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

THE SPLIT PERSONALITY OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Red Tape and Analysis Paralysis

After nearly two hours of official wrangling, semantics, negotiating timelines, and deciding what should come first—the chicken or the egg–   the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday decided to split the Humboldt County Community Development Services Department into two separate departments. Director Kirk Girard wasn’t placed into one of the two department head positions and won’t oversee his former department when it’s restructured into the Planning and Building Department and the Economic Development and Natural Resources Department, the Times-Standard’s Megan Hansen reported.

Many of the Supervisor’s concerns during Tuesday’s session were about the desire to have the actual restructuring of the two new departments thought out more than it had been.  The back and forth conversation carried out ad nauseam between County Supervisors, County Administrative Officer Phillip Smith-Hanes, County Counsel Wendy Chaitin, Personnel Director Dan Fulks, and public comments by Planning Commissioner Ralph Faust and County Clerk Carolyn Crnich was akin to a dog chasing its tail.  Or watching a ping pong game between too many players.  It was truly an exercise in bureaucratic patience for everyone concerned.

Granted, it’s a sticky wicket.  Much of the discussion centered on what would happen to Girard if he were not appointed to the new job. Girard’s position in either department remains in question.  The agenda item was pulled for discussion and 5th District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg raised concerns about Girard’s appointment, saying he didn’t expect to see it happen automatically and without taking applications. Chairwoman and 4th District Supervisor Virginia Bass agreed. The board ultimately voted to allocate the two new positions effective May 13 and to go through with the recruitment process for both department head jobs.  Girard, who is out of the office until March 13, will keep his current position until the new positions are filled.  He may– or may not– have to apply for one of the new positions.

CAO Smith-Hanes said he received a number of questions and comments from the board prior to the meeting about Girard’s salary. The two new positions have lower monthly salaries than what Girard currently makes.  If Girard is appointed as the director of either department, he would continue to make the same amount of money as he does now– currently $9,611 a month, according to the Times-Standard.  Smith-Hanes said the County is treading new ground with the restructuring and he isn’t sure what to do if the Supervisors don’t wish to put Girard into a new position.  Just because the position goes away doesn’t mean the person goes away with it, he said.

5^th District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg said he’s concerned Girard would be making the same amount of money for half as much work if he’s appointed to one of the positions.

2^nd District Supervisor Clif Clendenen said the Humboldt Taxpayer’s League has questioned the practice of spending more money by employing two department heads. Clendenen said he acknowledges the extra cost, but believes the restructuring would provide better service to the community.

3^rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace emphasized repeatedly the move was not a ‘personnel’ matter but an ‘organizational’ one.  He motioned, but failed, to have the two new department head positions become effective July 1, aligning with the new fiscal year. He added the county will likely be working to figure out the exact organization of the new departments as appointments are discussed.

During public comment, none of the few speakers spoke out against Girard’s performance. In previous public comment sessions, numerous people have criticized Girard about his management of the department and the County’s general plan update.  During Tuesdays’ session, no one from the Humboldt Coalition for Property Rights (HumCPR), Humboldt Economic Land Plan (HELP), or the Humboldt Association of Realtors (HAR) gave public comment regarding Girard, his department, or reorganizational plans.

The Supervisors decided to clarify more details of the restructuring during their closed session, as well as discuss three pending lawsuits in Superior Court: Humboldt County vs. Robert McKee (Humboldt County Superior Court case # DR020825), Humboldt Sunshine vs. County of Humboldt and others (#CV070159), and Forster-Gill Inc. vs. County of Humboldt and others (#CV110550).

No details of these pending litigation items were made available to the public.

* * * * * * *

NEWS, SNIPPETS, HEARSAY RUMORS, AND THE LINKS:  “Plans and Planning”

MAYBE YOU CAN FLY IF YOU FLAP YOUR ARMS FAST ENOUGH:  Humboldt County is talking with American Airlines for a Los Angeles route while a smaller charter company, Boutique Air, is already scheduling March flights.  Don’t hold your breath.  Nothing’s been set in ink for American Airlines yet.  The County Supervisors are looking at funding guarantees by tapping the Headwaters Fund and using fee waivers to grease the wheels.

Boutique Air, meanwhile, employs smaller planes carrying four people at boutiquely high tariffs.  Offering four round-trip flights from the Arcata-Eureka Airport to Redding and Eugene, tickets for one-way flights will start around $220 to Redding and $400 to Eugene.

Given the present level of air service, even skateboards and pogo sticks would be an improvement for travellers.

ANOTHER CONTENDER EMERGES FOR THE 1^st DISTRICT RACE:  The Lost Coast Outpost and the Humboldt Herald confirm Cheryl Seidner of the Wiyot Tribe is stepping into the contest for First District Humboldt County Supervisor. Seidner will face Rex Bohn and the lesser known candidate, Annette De Modena in the June primary.

Hank Sims was the first in with the news:  “The Humboldt County Elections Office confirms that Cheryl Seidner — a former HSU employee and Wiyot Tribal Chair and still a very highly regarded figure in local political circles — has taken on the unenviable task of attempting to chase Rex Bohn in this season’s race to replace retiring First District Supervisor Jimmy Smith,” he said.

With three people in the running, we can plan on the race being decided in November– rather than a quick campaign ending at the June primary.  Outgoing Supervisor Jimmy Smith has yet to endorse any candidate.

THANK YOU FOR THE MONEY, NOW HERE’S YOUR PINK SLIP:  After $140 million dollars of donations, grants, loans and bonds went to complete St. Joseph’s Northeast tower project, CEO Joe Mark announced 50 local hospital employees will lose their jobs in the next two weeks.

“It’s all current economics,” Mark said. “It has nothing to do with the tower.  We’ve seen a double-digit drop in surgeries in the last six months and people are putting off operations like knee replacements because of the economy.”

One would think that after such a huge infusion of planning and capital, jobs would have been gained rather than lost.  That was their plan, you’ll remember.  In the old days, we remember when a CEO was removed from the position for making boneheaded miscalculations.  After all, that’s what a CEO is highly paid for.  We suspect, however, that Mr. Mark will not be one of those losing their job due to the ‘poor economy’ and the unforeseen lack of participants willing to be sliced and diced on the surgical table.

What folks also may not yet know is this:  Once St. Joe’s Tower opens up in June/July, they will be moving their Urgent Care services to the Emergency Room.   What does this mean for you and your family?

Their website currently says, “Because no appointment is necessary at the Urgent Care Clinic, fees may be higher than a visit to your primary care physician, but less than a visit to the Emergency Room.”  That will change.  After the proposed move, a simple visit for “minor illnesses and injuries” will cost 3-6 times more at the Emergency Room than it did in the Urgent Care Center.  Now, that’s what we call real planning.

LEAN, MEAN, AND ENERGY GREEN:  The Arcata Eye’s Daniel Mintz writes that ’energy aggregation’ could widen renewable energy choices for Arcata.  The Arcata City Council wants to expand renewable energy options and is considering joining a Marin-based Joint Powers Authority to do it. At its Feb. 15 meeting, the City Council considered the prospect of joining what’s known as a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) – a public agency made up of communities that procure electricity from a variety of sources, including renewable energy producers.

Arcata Mayor Michael Winkler advanced the plan of joining a CCA, noting that PG&E spent $50 million on a ballot measure that would have made forming CCAs harder. “Fortunately, they were unsuccessful with that and I hope that PG&E will restrain themselves and allow competition,” Winkler said to the audience — which included representatives from PG&E in attendance.

QUICK ACQUISITIONS:  “When the public effort in support of the Arcata Ridge Trail was launched just two years ago, the City of Arcata owned just two of the seven puzzle pieces required for the four-mile trail linking Sunny Brae with West End Road. Now it has an easement through, or outright ownership of, six of the seven parcels of land through which the trail passes,”  Kevin Hoover writes in the Arcata Eye.  That’s quick.

3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace and his opponent, candidate Karen Brooks, however, take different viewpoints regarding Arcata’s plan of securing six of seven ridge trail parcels.  With 10 years of experience handling these acquisitions, Mr. Lovelace seems to have the upper hand of insight and information from what we can see.

WEED AND GREED:  According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force and the Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement Unit assisted in serving a pair of search warrants Wednesday at two properties on Greenwood Heights Road near Kneeland. Acting on a tip from an informant, the warrants uncovered about $420,000 in cash, 3,800 plants and 110 one-pound bags of processed marijuana bud, worth an estimated $220,000. As a result of the warrants, officers cited John Eaton Cromwell, 46 and Elisabeth Nergaard Olsen, 42, and arrested Charles Bruzza, 34, on suspicion of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. Cromwell and Olsen were cited and released because small children reside in their residence.

During a search of the residence,in the closet of an upstairs bedroom, officers found a suitcase and a small safe containing approximately $387,000 in cash — primarily in $20, $50 and $100 bills — and another $10,000 in money orders.

Officers then turned their attention to a property in the 4500 block of Greenwood Heights Road — also owned by Olsen and Cromwell — and served a search warrant there, according to the press release. Officers found a “sophisticated” indoor cultivation operation, containing 3,880 marijuana plants growing under 20 1,000-watt lights. Also on the premises, officers reported finding 110 one-pound bags of processed marijuana buds and another $33,000 in cash. They arrested Charles Bruzza, 34, of Portland, at the scene and apparently living at the residence.

The Times-Standard’s Thadeus Greenson reported Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Garry Eagles confirmed that Cromwell is employed as a teacher at Maple Creek Elementary School, and served as the school’s principal for about a year on an interim basis in 2006.

The Department of Justice-led investigation is continuing, Sheriff’s Officer Sgt. Wayne Hanson said.

No weed, no cash, no job, and criminal charges pending.  This was a bad plan and a poor decision right from the start.  Funny how those qualities often go hand in hand leading to disastrous consequences.  See more below.

MORE WEED, GREED, AND MURDER:  A federal grand jury in San Francisco Thursday  indicted Mikal Xylon Wilde, of Humboldt County, with murder during narcotics offense, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 1000 or more marijuana plants, manufacture and possession with intent to distribute 1000 or more marijuana plants, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense and crime of violence, use of a firearm causing death in the form of murder, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Wilde is alleged to have operated a marijuana farm with approximately 1500 marijuana plants in Humboldt County.  He’s also charged with having used a firearm during the course of the narcotics offense to kill Mario Roberto Juarez-Madrid, originally from Guatemala, who was working on the marijuana farm at the time of the murder on Aug. 25, 2010. Mr. Wilde now faces a sentence of 20 years to life in federal prison or the death penalty as well as a fine of up to $10 million.

Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos thanked United States Attorney Melinda Haag and her office for “their commitment to the safety and security of the people of Humboldt County, and her partnership and collaboration in this and many other cases involving allegations of violence in our communities.”

If Humboldt County can’t clean up it’s weed ‘n greed problems, the Department of Justice and Feds will.  And the Utah Highway Patrol.

BOMBS AWAY:  The U.S. Navy invites you to participate in the Northwest Training and Testing Environmental Impact Statement and “Open House Information Session” happening on Thursday, March 22 from 5-6 p.m., at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka.  The information session is to assess environmental impacts from military readiness training and testing activities, including “those resulting from the development, testing, and introduction of new vessels, aircraft and weapon system(s)” in the Northwest Training Area.

We expect to see quite a large turnout from the different groups representing Humboldt County’s diverse interests, as there was the last time the Navy came to the Wharfinger.

Expect the best, plan for the worse, and prepare to be surprised.  We wonder if the Navy will mention their plans of developing a super-powerful electromagnetic railgun for warships that quickly shoots rounds more than 100 miles away– at several times the speed of sound.  Marine mammals and environmentalists are gonna love that one.

STAYING CONNECTED:  The Humboldt County Blue Lake branch library now has free, high-speed wireless Internet service, thanks to the combined efforts of Blue Lake Mayor Sherman Shapiro, County Supervisor Mark Lovelace, Library Director Victor Zazueta, and Access Humboldt Executive Director Sean McLaughlin.

Because the library hotspot has the capacity of up to 50 users, it should be more than adequate to serve everyone. Also, any community member with a device capable of connecting to wi-fi (laptop, smartphone, Nook, iPad and the like) can get online for free during business hours simply by requesting a password from branch staff. The connection was installed by Tsunami-Wireless, a wireless Internet service provider based in Eureka. Tsnumai-Wireless delivers broadband Internet to communities lacking significant broadband infrastructure along the Highway 299 corridor in the Blue Lake, Chezem Road, Berry Summit, Horse Mountain and Willow Creek areas.

We welcome these cooperative planning efforts making broadband internet accessible for Humboldt’s more rural communities.  They need it.

DON’T GO THE WAY OF STOCKTON: Thank goodness Humboldt County’s 7 incorporated municipalities are solvent. Or so we hope.   Stockton, facing a budget deficit of $20 million to $38 million for the fiscal year ending June 2013, is considering bankruptcy—while several other struggling California cities warn they could eventually face the same predicament, the Wall Street Journal reported.  Confronted by declining tax revenue and rising employee costs, Stockton officials voted Tuesday night to take the initial step toward bankruptcy.  Their decision launches the first test of a new state law that requires cities to negotiate with employees, creditors and others to try to stave off a filing before making the move.

Two other Northern California cities, Hercules and Lincoln, are also heading in that direction, attempting to restructure their debt and cut employee costs to forestall insolvency.  Last year, Hercules voted to lay off 37% of its work force, including three police officers, to close a $6 million shortfall for the current fiscal year. The city of Vallejo filed for bankruptcy in 2008.

Plan wisely, Humboldt County.  California’s treasurer, Bill Lockyer, said he is concerned the “reputational stain” from any further municipal bankruptcies in the state might harm the ability of other cities, and perhaps the state, to raise funds in the bond market.

HARD TIMES HIT WALL STREET:  Brother, can you spare a dime?  Securities industry workers who work on Wall Street can plan to see their financial bonuses for 2011 shrink by 14 percent from the previous year, according to a report by by New York state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.  New York securities firms will pay employees $19.7 billion in cash bonuses, down sharply from $22.8 billion in 2010.

The average salary (including cash bonuses) in New York City’s securities industry grew by 16 percent to $361,180 in 2010, 5.5 times higher than the average $66,110 salary in the rest of the private sector. The average cash bonus, though, declined by 13 percent– to only $121,150 in 2011—compared to nearly $139,000 a year earlier.  Sigh.  Even the best laid schemes of mice and men often go astray.

WARM AND FUZZY FRIDAY:  Have you rummaged around in your closet lately to see if there’s any clothing you don’t want?  If you haven’t worn it in a year you probably don’t need it.  Bring it down to the Eureka Co-op Friday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m., where Betty Chinn and KSLG radio have plans of putting to good use.  It’s the right thing to do.

SELF DRIVING CARS may be coming at you the very near future.  Using video cameras, radar sensors, a laser range-finder and detailed maps, Google is pioneering cars that don’t need drivers, Bloomberg reports.  They’re here, they’ve been tested, they work,and we need laws to accomodate them, company officials insist.  No, silly, they’re not testing them on race tracks.  They’ve been driving themselves on  regular streets and highways, right beside you, all this time.  Didn’t you know?

And you thought drivers using cell phones were innattentive?  Try not having a driver whatsoever.  Now Google Maps can provide us with every street view possibly available– without paying its drivers.  And taxi cabs could be the next thrill ride for adrenaline junkies.

THE WEEKEND CALENDAR:

The forecast calls for clear and mostly sunny days this weekend.

The Black and Red Ball is happening Friday, March 2, at The Mateel Community Center in Redway.  Expect J Boog (reggae from Hawaii), Hot Rain (reggae from Hawaii), and Bayonics (funk, hip-hop from SF) while digging out your finest and funkiest black and red attire. This all-ages event will also feature a Hawaiian dinner and a bar for patrons 21 and over.  Sounds like hella fun.

The 10th Annual Aleutian Goose Fly-off & Family Fun Weekend takes flight at the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Loleta Saturday and Sunday, March 3rd & 4th, whether it rains or shines doesn’t matter.  The refuge opens early at 6:00AM both days to witness 30,000 Aleutian Cackling Geese leaving at sunrise.  It’s quite  a sight to behold.  It’s free, there’s plenty of coffee and food, and there’ll be a few hundred folks just like you witnessing a spectacular party at the crack of dawn while most folks are still slumbering away in warm beds with sugar plum fairies dancing in their heads.  Come and see the real thing, instead.  You won’t be disappointed.  And dress very, very warmly.

Eureka’s Arts Alive is Saturday evening.  Art, food, music, wine, and the usual pleasant and eccentric arty folks will be there.  Kym Kemp, Sharon Letts, and Curtis Otto will also be there.  They’ll be throwing a party and showing their beautiful marijuana themed photographs and ”The 420 Quilt’ at the Hobart Galleries/Kinetic Sculpture Race Museum at 437 F St.  Ms. Kym says the evening will include St John’s Bossanova Baby entertaining from 6 to 9 p.m., Street Beats Dance Company having a break dance performance by the REGULATORS, Rocky and Dan the Man Valdez at 7:30. Stay for the Kinetic After-Party with rock band, Scotch Wiggly, performing from 9:30 to midnight, she says.  Nice.  But will they have the munchies?

On another note, tickets for Reggae on the River at Benbow will now be available April 1^st.  No, that’s not an April Fool’s joke.  It just turned out that way following last month’s delay.  Get off the bong, guys.  You know we love you.  Reggae on the River will be happening Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22, we believe.

Happenings, Events, Groups, Walks, and Other Good Stuff:

Friday, March 2

Saturday, March 3

Sunday, March 4

Other entertainment can also be found here.

Movies, reviews, times and trailers are here.

WORD

John Lennon gently said,

Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.

 

General George S. Patton bluntly said,

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.

Michael Campbell arrested, Cara Banducci life-flighted out

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A late night motorcycle ride along the bay ended in tragedy for both rider and passenger just as the new month began.

At about 1 a.m. this morning, Eureka Police Department, Eureka Fire Department and City Ambulance personnel responded to a reported solo motorcycle collision on Waterfront Drive near the public marina. They found two occupants down in the roadway.

Both the driver, 41-year-old Michael Campbell of Eureka, and his passenger, 30-year-old Cara Banducci of Eureka, were sent to a local hospital. The later’s injuries were life threatening and required a fly-out for further treatment at a larger medical facility; her condition is unknown as of press time.

According to a press statement by Gary Whitmer,  EPDs senior traffic officer, Campbell was treated for his injuries at the hospital, then hauled off to county jail and booked on felony drunk driving and unlicensed driving charges.

Members of the public who may have witnessed the collision are asked to call either Whitmer at (707) 441-4232 or EPD traffic officer Tim Jones at (707) 441-4109.

Three men arrested, 3000 plants seized, oil & diesel spills discovered

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The biggest Humboldt County pot bust thus far in 2012 went down yesterday morning in a far northwestern corner of the county just east of Redwood National Park.

Acting on a tip from an unnamed local citizen at about 9 a.m. Tuesday, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, along with the Community Response Unit of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, reconnoitered a large commercial indoor marijuana grow. The 40 by 80 foot wooden structure, powered by a commercial generator and located next to a residence, was found approximately 12 miles down Johnson Road off of Bald Hills Road in sparsely populated countryside.

Based on their observations, as reported by HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight in a press statement, the deputies obtained a search warrant from Humboldt County Superior Court and raided the property. There they arrested 27-year old Bradley Jon Hagen and his 30-year-old brother, Sean Thomas Hagen, both of whom hail from Chula Vista. Also arrested on scene was 35-year-old Steven Robert Columbo of Marysville.

Steven Robert Columbo

The cops found approximately 3000 growing marijuana plants between four inches and three feet in height, located underneath forty 1,000-watt bulbs. Upon searching the nearby residence, deputies found 146 one-pound bags of sealed marijuana bud packaged for sale, which they estimated to be worth $292,000; they also found several pounds of hash, 100 pounds of cannabis leaves, $8,000 in cash, three pistols, four rifles and a shotgun.

According to Knight, law enforcement officers were easily able to connect the grow to the residence, as the generator which powered the forty bulb scene also powered the house.

Bradley Jon Hagen

The generator was also leaking oil and diesel into the local environment; the area drains into the Klamath River basin. Personnel from California Fish and Game, Humboldt County Environmental Health and Humboldt County Code Enforcement were all notified and responded to the scene to try to contain the spill and determine the extent of pollution. Yurok Tribal Environmental Health was also notified, but did not respond to the scene.

Sean Thomas Hagen

The three suspects were transported to county jail without incident and charged with cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana, with bail set at $75,000 for each of the men.

Members of the public with information regarding this case or related criminal related activity are encouraged to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

 Casey Cooper accused of busting into Luzmila’s in McKinleyville

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A break-and-enter heist of several cases of alcoholic beverages ended badly for the alleged burglar.

At about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy to Luzmila’s Restaurant in McKinleyville, where the owner testified that they’d been broken into between 11 p.m. the night before and 10 a.m. that morning. Apparently the circuit breaker to the building had been turned off and the back door pried open by someone who scaled a six-foot fence. The only items reported missing were several cases of alcohol, including wine, tequila and triple sec.

Upon reviewing the surveillance footage at the restaurant, the deputy supposedly saw a suspect at approximately the 12:15 a.m. mark — apparently a man who was moving items around and stacking crates below the camera, which he used to stand on to begin smashing the camera.

According to a press statement by lieutenant Steve Knight, the deputy recognized the suspect from previous encounters as 28-year old Casey Jay Cooper of McKinleyville. Upon checking his record, Cooper was discovered to be on four separate summary probation conditions due to prior drug and weapons-related convictions — which allow for his person and property to be searched without cause.

The cops reported to Cooper’s residence on Park Road and discovered the man hiding under a tarp in his back yard, along with several of the absconded batches of liquor. He was arrested without further incident and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on burglary, possession of stolen property and probation violation charges, with $50,000 bail set.

Members of the public with information regarding this case or related criminal related activity are encouraged to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251 or their Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.