Humboldt Sentinel

Eureka Council votes 5-0 to rezone cemetery-side “weed-filled lot”

By Thomas Bradshaw
Humboldt Sentinel

Lost Coast Brewery may well continue brewing their craft ales in Eureka after all.

A packed house at Eureka City Hall tonight encouraged a unanimous vote by Councilmembers to approve a zoning change in LCBs favor.

The property on the south side of a cemetery along Highway 101 was zoned public, and a few of the neighbors wished to keep it that way — along with the ocean views they enjoyed over the fallow parcel.

Their views were overwhelmed by in-person appearances from a who’s who of local business people, economic development gurus and even a letter from Humboldt County Supervisors Jimmy Smith and Virginia Bass, all of whom were enthusiastic about the proposal.

“The cemetery properties have been in discussion for years,” Peter Oringer, Marketing Committee chair for the Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the Council. “Most of us know Barbara and know how much she invests her time and efforts in the community.”

Oringer was referring to Barbara Groom, the owner of LCB and applicant for the zone reclassification and General Plan amendment. She was in the audience for the vote, but let her project managers and numerous supporters do the talking; LACO Associates, the consulting firm leading the design for the project along with architect Julian Berg, re-drafted their plans after an earlier version was shot down by the Eureka Planning Commission last year.

While the LCB brewpup downtown will be unaffected by the project, the actual brewing facility on the west end of Third Street has outgrown its facility, and bureaucratic opposition from the Coastal Commission has precluded any expansion there. The new spot will grow from a simple industrial brewing plant to also include tours, a gift shop and a tasting room designed to appeal to out-of-county visitors.

Tim and Donna Dougherty pleaded with the Council to make the LCB move to the northern part of the parcel, which would dramatically increase the site design expenses due to the steep and hilly nature of the area. Tim Dougherty said he’d developed nearby affordable housing and would see “devastating” losses to his property values, even threatening legal action against the developer if the city moved forward.

“We are the ones who are totally affected by this,” he said. “They are getting the benefit and we are paying the entire cost.”

Yet this point was parried by Larry Doss, who is a neighboring land owner to the LCB parcel. He claimed that property values would stay level or even increase due to the infrastructure improvements brought about by the project, including increased connectivity to the sewer system.

“I am concerned about a few choices, but I’m more concerned about the jobs,” Doss said.

The new project promises to create 30 jobs directly, which would translate into the indirect creation of 100 more according to Humboldt County Economic Development Coordinator Jacqueline Debets. This point alone tipped the balance for most of the elected representatives on the dias.

“I’m convinced that the staff has done a tremendous and thorough job in reviewing his project,” Vice Mayor Melinda Ciarabellini said.

Councilmember Marian Brady went further, dismissing the complaints of neighbors having a view of a “weed-filled lot” taken away.

“I think some of those claims get a little bit exaggerated,” she said.

The Council voted 5-0 in favor of a motion made by Mike Newman and seconded by Linda Atkins to rezone the property, formerly belonging to the Catholic Church, from Public to Service Commercial.

The Planning Commission’s approval of a Conditional Use Permit for the actual construction of the brewery will not come to the Council unless appealed by a local resident. The LCB building will also have to undergo Design Review Commission hearings on the site specifics.

Increased bed tax might fund installation of facility near the Plaza

By Eric Black
Humboldt Sentinel

A public toilet could be coming to downtown Arcata in the near future. City staff is currently conducting a cost and logistic analysis for construction of the restroom.

At a city council meeting on March 24th, the council directed staff to perform the analysis for a number of locations, all within a block of the plaza. Rough estimates for toilet construction run between $100,000 and $125,000. The primary proposed location, 8th street between F and G, already hosts temporary ‘B and B’ toilets Saturday mornings during the Farmers’ Market season.

“We came to the conclusion that it’s for everyone,” said Arcata Vice Mayor Shane Brinton, who served on the public restroom subcommittee along with Council Member Susan Orenlas. “It needs to meet the needs of tourists in the downtown, visiting parents, and there will be homeless folks using it.”

The city council won’t vote on whether to go ahead with the project until it receives the report from city staff.

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.

Proposed county decree against Occupy Eureka incites resistance

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Recent moves by the Board of Supervisors towards an ordinance restricting protests on county property may end up forging a broad coalition on civil rights issues.

While the rest of Eureka boogies down at the 22nd annual Jazz Festival this Saturday, civil libertarian-minded folks are gathering at the Eureka Woman’s Club to ‘Stand Up & Shout Out’ at ‘A Forum to Protect and Restore Our First Amendment Rights.’

Featuring a panel discussion, along with some inspirational interludes from the Raging Grannies singers and distinguished local poet Jerry Martien, the event is organized by the Occupy Civil Liberties Working Group, a spin-off of Occupy Humboldt County. They claim that the emergency decree on public safety at the county courthouse proposed by Supervisor Jimmy Smith would be the latest attack on the free assembly rights of Occupy Eureka, as well as reflecting a chain of dangerous developments at the federal level.

“Bit-by-bit, piece-by-piece, our precious First Amendment rights are being whittled away,” reads the group’s manifesto, penned by spokespersons Jack Nounnan of Eureka, Janelle Egger of Fortuna and David Boyd of Arcata.

“The Patriot Act, the National Defense Authorization Act, the militarization of our police by the Department of Homeland Security, the coordinated nationwide crackdown on Occupy protests, the unrestrained excesses of local law enforcement, and much, much more: the cumulative effects of these actions has resulted in an America very different than the one we experienced a decade ago.”

Boyd, Egger and Nounnan further warn that the undermining of First Amendment rights on the local level would undercut the ability of the area’s progressive organizations to succeed.

“It is urgent that we form a broad coalition of local organizations who rely upon our First Amendment, and we need you at the table,” the manifesto states.

Moderating the forum is Dan Faulk, former Sacramento political insider and later-day activist rabble-rouser who serves as a lecturer at Humboldt State University. Notable locals speaking include Peter Martin, a former deputy district attorney who now runs his own private practice, which includes a lawsuit against the City of Arcata over their anti-panhandling ordinance which bans the holding of a sign on a street corner.

Other panelists include John Hockett of the Southern Humboldt-based Civil Liberties Monitoring Project, radio news producer Tom Sebourn, attorney and homeless advocate Tracy Rain, and Occupy Eureka activists James Decker and Kimberly “Verbena Lea” Starr.

Organizers have amassed a hefty list of co-sponsors of this event, including CLMP, Eureka Progressive Democratic Club, Humboldt Civil Liberties Defense Fund, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Social Action Committee and the local chapters of Veterans for Peace and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

Some late maneuvering has added the Redwood Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to the coalition of sponsors following a confusing interlude.

According to one participant in the meetings of the working group, the lack of organization, defined roles and tasks and the use of the consensus process resulted in a merry-go-round of panelists and co-sponsors added and removed. This included New Directions founder and former North Coast Resource Center director John Shelter, whose work to aid the poor and clean up homeless camp sites has been publicly assailed by Starr as that of a “poverty pimp.” When Shelter was disinvited by Verbena’s allies, the disinvitation apparently included Greg Allen, an Arcata lawyer who chairs the Redwood ACLU.

The working group’s Egger reached out to the ACLU and clarified that these moves were not an indication that the rest of the working group were looking to exclude anyone in the local civil rights movement.

“It was a scramble and obviously somewhere there was a miscommunication,” Egger stated on the Redwood ACLU Facebook page. “On behalf of the working group I apologize and invite all to attend next Saturday.”

As of the latest release this evening, the Redwood ACLU is on board as a co-sponsor of the forum, along with Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County, which is co-sponsoring another event, Wake Up Humboldt, taking place simultaneously in Arcata. Disappearing from the panel were Arcata power couple Jeffrey Schwartz, a civil rights attorney, and Marcy Burstiner, a journalism professor at HSU, and taking their place was Peter Martin, who also serves as treasurer of the Redwood ACLU.

This First Amendment Forum will start at 1 p.m. at the Eureka Woman’s Club, located at 1531 J Street in midtown Eureka.

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.

Humboldt County native Fred Van Vleck to be appointed Mar. 21

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

After nearly a year without a permanent leader, Eureka City Schools is set to bring in a new superintendent for Humboldt County’s largest school district.

Dr. Fred Van Vleck, the assistant superintendent of business services for Ceres Unified School District in Stanislaus County, has been identified as the finalist in a statement today by ECS school board president John Fullerton. Negotiations for a final contract are in progress and Fullerton anticipates that the appointment will be made at the next regular Eureka School Board meeting on Mar 21.

“I am honored that the Board of Trustees has selected me to be Superintendent, and I am excited to move my family of five back home,” Van Vleck stated in a release. “I am especially proud to be part of this district that has maintained a high quality of education for all students.”

As a Humboldt County native, Van Vleck is excited at the prospect of returning to his roots — and school board members were particularly interested in choosing a candidate who is familiar with the mission, vision and core values of ECS. In a split decision late last year, the board voted 3-2 to hire Leadership Associates to conduct a full search for Superintendent candidates; consultants Jim Brown and Don Iglesias worked with elected representatives, parents, staff and community members to garner input as to the qualities sought in the person who would succeed Gregg Haulk, who served for over four years in the position before leaving last summer for a new superintendent gig in Huntington Beach.

The release did not mention what would become of Lee Ann Lanning, who served as interim superintendent since Haulk’s departure. She was obviously considered as a candidate, along with other internal and external contenders, although the choice became clearer after a team from ECS visited Van Vleck in Ceres.

“Dr. Van Vleck is an innovative leader and a proven team builder who honors all members of the educational community,” screening team member and music teacher David Demant said in a release. “When making the tough decisions that the future will surely present, we can count on him to hold our children’s best interests as his compass. The teachers in Eureka are thrilled to welcome him into our educational family.”

In his time at Ceres, Van Vleck also served as the founding principal of a new high school and the director of curriculum and instruction; prior to that, he served as an assistant principal and a teacher.

“I look forward to working with Eureka City Schools’ students, staff, and community as we strive to provide a high level of instruction where each child can learn and achieve his or her fullest potential,” Van Vleck stated.

As part of it’s continuing series entering its second year next month, the Sentinel produced gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Eureka School Board meeting on Nov. 2 when the Board decided to enter into the superintendent search process.

The participants speak for themselves…

By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel

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.

American Airlines given clearance to bring services to Humboldt

By Gabriele Fellows and Charles Douglas
Humboldt Sentinel

Supervisors voted unanimously this morning to identify funding for a $1 million revenue guarantee over two years to establish direct flight service to Los Angeles.

The money will not come out of the county’s General Fund, and county staff will still have to provide assurances that this guarantee will be consistent with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Final adoption will still have to come back to the Board at a later date — and no money will be spent before then.

Third District Supervisor Mark Lovelace and Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg were directed by their colleagues this morning to form a subcommittee and coordinate efforts with Public Works and the county’s airport consultant to finalize negotiations with American Airlines; the carrier has expressed interest in sending its smaller-scale subsidiary, American Eagle, on two daily flights between Humboldt County and LAX. This revenue guarantee was required by American Airlines representatives, who said they were making decisions this week as to what new routes would be added to their summer schedule.

A monthly reconciliation of the carrier’s flight loads would be provided to county staff under the draft plan, and the flights were not filled to 80% capacity in each month of service, taxpayer dollars would be handed to the company to ensure the profitability of the new route.

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.

Nine candidates, only one seat

By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel

The spirit of democracy was alive and well Thursday night almost 300 miles from Sacramento.

A Congressional Candidate Forum was held at the Fortuna High School gym on March 1st where prospective office seekers spoke their peace to a zealious crowd of individuals.

A total of nine ambitious souls from all walks of life are vying for the freshly formed 2nd Congressional district which now includes Marin and parts of Sonoma County near the coast.

The California Redistricting Commission combined the 1st and 6th districts due to the retirement of Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey.

Properly aligned on stage facing a crowd of voters from all demographics, each candidate briefly introduced themselves and spoke about their diverse experience.

Four questions were posted to each candidate with a one minute window for response. Questions were provided ahead of time to help elicit succinct answers.

More than half of the candidates are from the Marin area and either hold political offices or are well healed elements of the private sector.

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.

 Morgan Wright accused of endangering underage girlfriend

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A young man from Ferndale is in the slammer after his attempt to evade a traffic stop went arye.

At about 9 p.m. last night, a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office patrol was headed north on Highway 101 near Thompkins Hill Road when he spotted a purple 2010 Hyundai Accent traveling at great speed. When the deputy caught up and activated his overhead lights, the sedan allegedly accelerated to over 100 miles per hour and exited the freeway at Herrick Road, skidding through the stop sign and back onto Broadway Avenue, entering the city limits of Eureka.

With sirens blaring, the patrolman pursued the vehicle north on Broadway, where they ran through several traffic lights before the driver headed up Harris Street and onto Central Avenue before skidding to a stop on a curb at the intersection of Soule Street and Allard Avenue.

According to a press statement by lieutenant Steve Knight, the driver, 20-year-old Morgan Donald Wright, jumped out of the car and ran on foot from the deputy, who caught up with him when he tripped and fell. Wright was taken into custody, and when his vehicle was searched, a 16-year-old girl was found, along with 11 grams of hash.

Wright was booked into county jail without further incident, and charged with felony evasion, resisting arrest, child endangerment, transportation of marijuana and possession of concentrated cannabis. His bail is $50,000.

The Eureka Police Department arrived on scene and contacted the passenger, who was eventually released to her mother.

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.

For the curiously aware of Humboldt County…

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

SNIPPETS, RUMORS, HEARSAY MURMURS, AND THE LINKS:

MISSING MONEY: After being alerted by the Yurok Tribe, the Del Norte District Attorney’s office issued warrants Thursday for two Eureka biologists and a former Yurok tribal forestry employee suspected of embezzling over $900,000. It’s alleged the trio submitted false invoices related to spotted owl research following the tribe’s discovery of missing items during an inventory search. 

The Times-Standard has updates by Megan Hansen and Thadeus Greenson this weekend:

Saturday, February 25: Court documents outline how three biologists allegedly used an elaborate system of fake invoices, false purchase requests and electronic bank transfers to embezzle more than $900,000 from the Yurok Tribe during a three-year period in ’Court Documents Outline Alleged Embezzlement from Yurok Tribe- Former Yurok Tribe Forestry Director Still Wanted on $1 Million Warrant’

Sunday, February 26: When news spread Thursday that a pair of respected Eureka biologists were arrested for their alleged roles in an elaborate embezzlement scheme, the reaction was stunned disbelief: ’Shock, Disbelief Follow Arrests- Biology Community Has Trouble Digesting Embezzlement Allegations’

Moral principle is a looser bond than a large stack of easy cash.

EPIC SETTLEMENT for attorneys and steelworkers. The California State Assembly approved a $5.5 million dollar payout Thursday to the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) settling legal fees for their 2008 landmark victory against the Pacific Lumber Company and the California Department of Forestry. $3.5 million will go to attorneys who worked on the case and $2 million goes to the United Steelworkers union as plaintiffs. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature.

Pacific Lumber, MAXXAM, and Charles Hurwitz were unavailable for comment.  They were nowhere to be found after skipping town, evidently.

LAND GRAB GRANTS: The North Coast Journal reports the state Wildlife Conservation Board approved two major grants of nearly $2 million acquiring lands protecting riparian habitat. The City of Arcata received a $650,000 grant to acquire 22 acres expanding the 793-acre Arcata Community Forest and the Northcoast Regional Land Trust nabbed $1,228,750 for 1,622 acres just east of Willow Creek.  They’re just not making land like they used to.

HUMBOLDT, WASHINGTON, AND WEED: Daniel Mintz of The Arcata Eye reports that County supervisors Lovelace and Sundberg met with federal Department of Justice (DOJ) officials on their recent trip to Washington DC.  No doubt tired of being stonewalled locally by Northern California’s U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag, Mr. Lovelace and Sundberg reportedly ‘established an ongoing dialogue’ with her Washington boss about the locally unpopular enforcement actions against medical marijuana.  If you haven’t noticed, Humboldt’s got a good business thing going on.  Mr. Mintz has more to say in his article, ‘Supes Give Cannabis Gripes to Feds’.

MORE CITY MONEY: The Eureka City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to direct staff to draft applications for $2 million in California Community Development block grants. The applications request funds for an east-to-west railroad feasibility study, formulation of a business-friendly plan for the City, a first-time home buyers program, and over a million dollars for the new Open Door Community Health Center on Tydd Street. The applications will be brought back to the council for final approval at a future meeting, the Times-Standard reports.  With redevelopment monies dead in the water, Community Development block grants are looking better all the time.

IN ‘N OUT: The Eureka Police Department is accepting applications for the Chief of Police position while interim Chief Murl Harpham considers retirement after 55 years of service. Egads. We’re not sure we’d want to do anything that even feels good for that long.  The City fired Police Chief Garr Nielsen after four years on the job in a controversial move that sparked a public outcry from some sectors. Since his firing, Nielsen has filed a claim against the city seeking damages in excess of $10,000, alleging it violated his contract by failing to give him annual performance reviews, merit pay increases and other benefits.

MEAN STREETS: Death and kidney damage by a thousand ruts, cracks, and crevices.  It may not be sexy or exciting or interesting, but we hope the City of Eureka finds the time and money in their busy day for a basic priority: repairing the deteriorating streets. Calked, cobbled, and patched over the years, they are a complete and disgusting mess, with potholes, chuckholes, sinkholes, crack holes and black holes abounding throughout the Fair City.  The roads are so poor the City can’t even pay attention.  Don’t defer any longer from properly fixing and maintaining them.  That’s what our taxes pay for.  Or so they say.

MEANER STREETS: “One hundred pounds soaking wet, Felix Omai (age 57) doesn’t strike terror into most people. But last fall during a solo Occupy Movement protest she frightened a CHP officer so badly, she says, that he ‘just about punched’ the camera she was trying to photograph him with back into her face.  She says her cheekbone was sore for weeks afterward. By the end of the encounter, Omai had broken ribs and was transported to Eureka jail,” writes Redheaded Blackbelt’s Kym Kemp.

While cooler heads could have prevailed on both sides, no one deserves to be treated or injured this way from what we read.  We can also appreciate the fact that Felix is refusing to be bruised and battered, shanghaied and fried any further by the legal wheels of justice that are turning.

Ms. Kemp asks what society is gaining by having law enforcement respond so forcefully to a 57 year old, 100 pound woman hanging bedsheets on a bridge in her article, ‘Bedsheets on a Bridge: Protests Meet Police in an Occupied America’. 

Ernie gives his take, too, in ’Omai, Felix, What Have You Wrought?’

THE GALL OF IT ALL: The Bayshore Mall has a new owner. After emerging from bankruptcy in 2010, General Growth Properties , the second-largest mall owner in the United States, announced it would “spin off” 30 of its malls under the ownership of a new company, Rouse Properties. Eureka’s Bayshore Mall made the list. General Growth chose the selected 30 properties because they have similar “opportunities,” company officials insist. A high vacancy rate has plagued the mall in recent years but the coming of Wal-Mart to Eureka is a marriage made in heaven, many believe.  When the going gets tough, the obese will go shopping for cheap stuff.

We still haven’t forgotten that City officials blatantly omitted the very existence of WalMart to citizens until the cat was finally let out of the bag, as first reported here in the Sentinel.  The City Manager and Council still haven’t explained why they were so silently mum on the matter, pretending it didn’t exist, they didn’t know, or you simply don’t need to know.  It sets a terrible precedent.  Public officials and city managers may be wise to keep a secret, but not half as wise as those with no secrets to keep.

Let’s run the People of WalMart one more time.  You know it’s got a catchy tune that rings home.

CR STANDS FOR  Continuously Reprimanded:   The problems at College of the Redwoods have been going on for years but the longstanding CR Board of Trustees doesn’t seem to get it. CR may lose its accreditation in January of next year. What does that mean? Ryan Burns cuts to the chase in his North Coast Journal article, ‘Edge of Oblivion’, saying that unless CR gets it’s act together:

“…Chaos would ensue. Class credits from CR would no longer be transferable to four-year universities; attendance would plummet; government funding would evaporate. It would be the doomsday scenario, and for a college that serves more than 9,000 students across a district the size of Maryland, the fallout would be devastating.”

Perhaps it’s better to have loafed and lost than never having loafed at all?

FLAKE AND BAKE:  The Arcata Eye reports 69 jobs and millions of dollars were lost with the recent closure of Arcata’s Humboldt Flakeboard manufacturing plant.  This leaves the City of Arcata with two challenges – recovering the money it loaned and preventing the plant from falling into prolonged disuse.

BENBOW LAKE ENDANGERED: California State Parks officials are considering the permanent removal of Benbow Dam because the cost of maintaining the aging structure and complying with environmental regulations has become prohibitive. The removal of the dam means the loss of Benbow Lake, a popular tourist attraction and recreational site for 80 years. To re-install the seasonal dam, State Parks must renew its permit every five years.  But the cost of the permit and required studies are estimated at $6 million dollars — and with no guarantee it would be approved.

At the same time, the Benbow Lake State Recreational Area is slated for closure July 1. The trick for finding solutions, we believe, is what Sacramento legislators have been telling us for years. Stop thinking of it as “your” money.

WE’RE IN THE MONEY: The U.S. Highway 101 bypass around Willits received its final permit last week, paving the way for construction of the $200 million bypass project on 1,670 acres of right-of-way– as soon as the California Transportation Commission designates funding. The project will ease Highway 101 traffic around the town of Willits avoiding congestion and stoplights, reducing delays, and improving safety. Merchants are looking forward to having Main Street return back to normal, according to the Willits Economic and Development Department.

Life is too short for traffic and the longest journey begins with a turn of the ignition key.

HOME SWEET HOME: Home prices fell to their lowest point in more than 10 years in January but that helped to lift the pace of home sales, according the National Association of Realtors report. Home sales jumped 4.3% in January. The median home price in January fell 2% from December to $154,700. That’s the lowest price reading since November 2001, before the run-up in home prices that became known as the housing bubble. New home starts by builders have been rising, according to an industry survey. A large inventory of home in foreclosure still hangs over the market, serving as a drag on the price of existing homes.

HOME SWEET CRUDE: Have you noticed the price of gas lately?  Bloomberg reports oil prices are fluctuating near a nine-month high, due in part to the geopolitical tensions with Iran that continue to simmer. In contrast, Wednesday’s Energy Department report shows that U.S. crude supplies rose 1.35 million barrels, or 0.4 percent, since Feb. 17. The addition would leave supplies at their highest level over the last 5 months.

Curiously enough, Humboldt County leads the way by sporting the highest gas prices in the nation, prompting County Supervisors sending a letter pleading for petroleum relief to none other than the President of the United States. Might as well start at the top, they believe. Some old-timers will remember officials and citizens asking the State Attorney General to investigate high gas prices 25 years ago– which went suspiciously nowhere and remain unanswered to this day.

Tom Sebourn opines in his blog,

They used to tell us that demand was too high and domestic refining capacity was too low, and that was what was driving the cost of gas and diesel fuel here in the US. The fact is, today’s domestic demand is at a 15 year low for gas and diesel, and due to expanded exploration during the Bush and Obama administrations the country has too much oil and too much refined fuels…

…There is no domestic shortage of oil, gas or diesel. There is no shortage of refinery capacity and there is no shortage of manipulation by the main stream media trying to manipulate the US public into thinking that we need to drill in sensitive coastal waters and national parks to avoid $5-dollar a gallon gas. If we stopped the exports, prices would go down– but we can’t because we are not a democracy, we are a republic that favors international free trade over our own financial and physical well being.

Tell that to the Renner Company.  With analysts believing we’ll hit $5 a gallon gas by summer, it will be cheaper to mail your car on vacation.

IF YOU THOUGHT 3-D MOVIES WERE THE COOLEST THING, wait until you see this demonstration:  3-D printers can replicate physical objects on demand. Future uses, aside from space tools, include medical applications making custom fitted artificial joints, teeth, and ears for your soon-to-be bionic body.

THE WEEKEND CALENDAR:

SATURDAY’S INDIAN ISLAND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL:  Please join members of Table Bluff Reservaton-Wiyot Tribe for the Annual Indian Island Candlelight Vigil held the last weekend every February to remember those who lost their lives in the 1860 Indian Island Massacre and help heal the community.

This event will be held rain or shine on Saturday, February 25 at 6 p.m., on the West End of Woodley Island. The first vigil was held on the last Saturday of February in 1992 and has been held each year since. A fire is lit, a Wiyot elder lights their candle from the fire and from that candle all candles are lighted. A moment of silence is observed, a prayer is given remembering all who have gone before us, songs are sung, poems are read, and one leaves with a feeling of accomplishment.

This may be the first memorial for the lives lost where the Wiyot, other Indian nations, and the non-Indian communities have come together to create a process that helps heal the whole community.

Indian Island was and is the center of the Wiyot world. On the island a ceremonial dance would be held to start the new year. The ceremony may have been called the World Renewal ceremony. All people were welcomed, no one was turned away. The ceremony would continue for at least seven to ten days. It was held at the village site of Tutulwat on the northern part of the island. Traditionally the men would leave the island and return the next day with the day’s supplies. The elders, women and children were left to rest on the island along with a few men.

The massacre took place at such a ceremony on February 26, 1860.

THE HISTORY OF INDIAN ISLAND:

Indian Island has always been a sacred site to the Wiyot people, given to them by the Creator as the center of our world. It is the resting place of centuries of Wiyot ancestors and where other Indians of the area were invited for the World Renewal Dance.

The 1860 massacre of Indian Island’s inhabitants and visitors abruptly ended Wiyot occupation and centuries of ceremonial dancing and celebration. Most of the men among the Wiyot celebrants had traveled to the mainland during the night in order to replenish supplies when, during the early morning hours, a group of settlers paddled their boats over to the island and massacred as many as 100 women, children and elders. Only one newborn child survived. This was coordinated with massacres at two other village sites around the bay and dealt a crushing blow to the Wiyot people.

Indian Island, with its ancient shell mounds and rich history, remains an important symbol for many Northern California Native Americans. The Wiyot Tribe returned to the Island in 2000 with the purchase of a 1.5-acre parcel. In May of 2004, The Eureka City Council made history when they unanimously approved a resolution to return 40 acres, comprising the northeastern tip of Indian Island to the Wiyot Tribe.

After 140 years, the tribe has begun clean up and restoration of the land, and are seeking to re-establish its cultural connection to the island by once again hosting the World Renewal Ceremony on original locations with plans to build a place where traditional ceremonies can be restored to the island.

The 500 enrolled Wiyot tribal members hold an annual Candelight Vigil of remembrance and healing, and the entire community is welcome.

DIRECTIONS:

Located in Humboldt Bay between Eureka and Samoa, the vigil is at the West end of Woodley Island. To reach the view point and historic marker, take the Samoa Bridge (Hwy. 255)  and exit at Woodley Island. Drive all the way and park at the west end, then walk a few yards north of the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue.

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

Friday, February 24

Saturday, February 25

Sunday, February 26

Other entertainment can also be found here.

Movies, reviews, times and trailers are here.

WORD

Americans are motivated by money, not ideals. Washington is the home of despicable trickery at elections, under-handed tamperings with public officers, and cowardly attacks upon opponents, with scurrilous newspapers for shields and hired pens for daggers. I am disappointed. This is not the republic of my imagination.

- Charles Dickens, 1842

Keith Carpentier’s traffic stop winds up exposing plants, pounds and nearly $20k

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

An unfortunate traffic stop during a local man’s out-of-state trip led the Humboldt County Drug Task Force straight to his grow house yesterday.

Task Force agents got the call Tuesday from the Oregon State Police Department, who said they’d taken down 39-year-old McKinleyville resident Keith T. Carpentier while he was allegedly committing a traffic violation on Interstate 5 near Eugene. Upon searching his vehicle, Oregon cops found 15 pounds of processed cannabis bud, promptly arresting Carpentier on marijuana sales and transportation charges.

DTF immediately obtained a search warrant for Carpentier’s house on the 2200 block of McKinleyville Avenue, where they found 49-year-old John Paul Krekeler as well as a “commercial indoor marijuana growing operation.”

The bust consisted of 102 growing marijuana plants (from four inches to three feet in height), 40 pounds of recently harvested plants, 15 individual pounds of processed bud, one shotgun, one pistol, and $19,73o in cash.

The county Building and Planning Department responded to the scene to make the pro forma determination that the electrical wiring for the indoor grow was a possible fire hazard, which was used as justification to force Pacific Gas and Electric to remove electricity service from the residence.

Krekeler was arrested on cultivation and sales charges and taken to county jail without incident; Carpentier’s extradition will be handled by the District Attorney’s office, again for cultivation and sales of marijuana.

This case is still under investigation by DTF, according to Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant Steve Knight.

For the curiously aware of Humboldt County…

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

SNIPPETS, RUMORS, HEARSAY MURMURS, AND THE LINKS:

THE MEDICAL POT BUSINESS CO-OP:  There have been so many marijuana busts lately one doesn’t know what to think. Does Humboldt County supply half the country in weed? It seems that way.  Having more than its fair share of problems with arrests, massive seizures, structure fires, diesel spills, rip-offs and home invasions, one wonders if the entire county is criminally going to pot.

Too many people, too many problems.  Which is why we can appreciate the Tea House marijuana growers collective. Originally called the Thanksgiving House, their name was shortened to T-House, and then to Tea House. What a long journey they’ve had from the past to the present day.

From the Tea House Collective history:

As The Back to the Land Movement of the late 1960s brought young idealistic people to Humboldt, they dug in to grow their own food, build their own shelters, and begin an experiment in self-sufficiency and sustainability. As part of their self-sufficiency they grew their own medicine, healing herbs that included cannabis as a medicine for both body and mind. Their challenge to themselves led to one of the longest lasting experiments in civil disobedience in American history. With the passage of Proposition 215, Humboldt’s persistence and creativity created the foundation for the emerging medical cannabis industry. What a long, strange trip it’s been!

Indeed. But we called it pot, not medicine, back then.

Using family farms, organic and sustainable methods, and a better than average business conscience, the Tea House grows medical marijuana the right way: legally. Complying with the law, filling out the forms, and paying their taxes, they’re bringing agricultural ‘farm revenues’ to Humboldt. Staying above the illicit fray, the Tea House Collective represents the new breed of American farmer toiling in the open sunshine and working the land.

A far cry from the moonshiners of yore and the clandestine black market growers of today, you can see for yourself the Tea House webpage and their astounding collective of 21 Humboldt farms producing an equal number of exotic strains for sale.  During the past 40 years Humboldt’s horticultural breeders and growers developed the region’s most notorious and famous export–marijuana–  that is known throughout the world. The Tea House represents a cooperatively unique and different way of doing that business today.

In the Collective’s own words,

Our cannabis is grown naturally and slowly in the sun, with a loving, conscious attention to our environment. It is never artificially manufactured in warehouses….

Sustainable cannabis is grown outdoors, strictly avoiding energy intensive, high carbon footprint methods. We care about the health of Humboldt’s precious watersheds, and avoid fertilization techniques that affect ground and stream water, and conserve every drop we can for salmon and wildlife.

We unite small family farmers of Humboldt’s best medical cannabis with patients concerned about the safety and purity of their medicine as well as the health of their environment. We actively support education and incentives for sustainable farming.

Humboldt is internationally famous for breeding and cultivating the finest herbal medicine in the world. Expert growers in our unique micro climate have created heirloom seed strains and innovative cross breeds, bred for potency and efficacy. As medical cannabis ‘comes out of the closet’, we are proud to say our growers represent the best of Humboldt’s long history of both cannabis and environmental activism.

The Tea House growers have chosen to do things properly by staying statutorily within California law while using environmentally sound methods.  Looking after business, the environment, and their families, the Tea House Collective may very well be Humboldt and the nation’s model for marijuana’s future. Just keep it away from the kids.

It has been a long, strange trip from 1969 to 2012. This is for you, Tea House families.

MORE WEED:  Now let’s take a journey to the Emerald Triangle seeing another side. When Humboldt County Sheriff Officer Hansen resignedly says marijuana should just be legalized, you know something’s got to give.

WHY WE LOVE HUMBOLDT: Hippie child Ben, strange people and their melodies, space cadets, and, of course, the outdoor scenery. Only 120 days until summer, folks.

AN AMAZING PLANET STILL HAS ITS DISCOVERIES:  A species of chameleon amazingly small enough to easily perch on a match head has recently been discovered on a tiny island off Madagascar.  It’s a beautiful planet and small wonders never cease to amaze us.

LOOSE NUKES AND MORE WAR?  John Hardin’s blog brings us some whacked out, far-fetched conclusions with a good dose of humor that only he can pull off. OK, Ketchup-flavored potato chips is one a few could stomach and ‘The Founding Fascists’ was a bit of a stretch.

But come on now, John. Pakistan carting around its nukes in unsecured Econoline delivery vans? To safeguard them from being stolen by… us? That’s quite a wild story, don’t you think? So, somewhere on a highway, around, say, Karachi, is the world’s most dangerous 1-800-FLOWERS delivery van filled with a nuclear bomb or two or three and driving merrily down the road, John?

Quit pulling our leg. You know we’re smarter than that.  What would you have us believe next?

Oops, uh-oh, and d’oh. There’s a problem. A big one, Dear Reader.

Looking into this nuke-doom wild flight of a fancy tale a bit more, we discovered Mr. Hardin was right. Not only once, but twice. Good Lord, it was even reported by the Atlantic Monthly. That’s it; we’re simply doomed as a species– there’s no hope. But, hey,  thanks for bringing the Ford ‘Econolines of Doom’ to our attention, John, and brightening our day as you usually do. We’re sure Harvey Harper and Henry Ford would have been amused. ‘Built Ford Tough’ brings on a whole new meaning for the nuclear age.

Now, let’s move on from Pakistan to… oh say,  bombing Iran. Iran has been a sore point lately, in case you hadn’t noticed.  Conservative war hawks, politicos, and presidential candidates have been hammering on us to bomb Iran for some time now. We’ll have to put that on our to-do list.  There’s just no end to the military and foreign interventions we can have when we put our mind and businesses to it.

All Along the Watchtower is for those who’ve forgotten our past.  We have this one, too,  if you really need to remember. Need more? Paint it Black, friends, and remember our not-so-long-ago history of such affairs.

BRIGHT LIGHTS AND APPS: Kids grow up fast and smart these days. We told you in our last piece on GMOs about 11-year old Birke Baehr’s presentation …and then we found another smart kid to tell you about.

Thomas Suarez is a 6th grade student at a middle school in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Fascinated by computers and technology since kindergarten, Thomas developed two applications for the iPhone and started his own company, Carrot Corporation. Don’t ask us why, we don’t know. We guess he really likes carrots.

When Apple released the Software Development Kit (SDK), Thomas began to create and sell his own applications. He pointed out it’s hard to learn how to make an app on your own.

“For soccer you could go to a soccer team … but what if you want to make an app?  How do you learn that?  Teachers only know so much, ” Thomas said. So he started a club at school for fellow students where he shares his knowledge of programming.  The students, in turn, teach the teachers.

Thomas explained that students are a valuable new technology resource for teachers– and students should be empowered not only to offer assistance in developing the technology curriculum but to help in delivering the lessons. Learning programming was good, his apps were kinda cool, but Thomas’s idea of developing apps for his school district to freely use– and then selling them to other districts– is brilliant, we believe, especially for an 11-year old.  After all, what were you doing when you were 11?

Can Thomas Suarez’s bright idea transfer over to Humboldt County schools? Decide for yourself after watching his short and articulate presentation here.

Check your kid. Sometimes they grow up just fine without problems, like Thomas. Sometimes they don’t.  Sometimes, like this video, The Kids Aren’t Alright.

HUMBOLDT HISTORY:  February marks the expulsion of the Chinese from Humboldt County in 1885. Eureka’s entire Chinese population of 300 men and 20 women were rounded up after a gunfight between rival Chinese gangs that resulted in the wounding of a 12 year old boy and the death of a Eureka City Councilman. After the shooting, an angry mob of 600 Eurekans met and then informed the Chinese that they were no longer wanted in Eureka and would be hanged if they were to stay in town longer than 3 p.m. the next day.

Chinese residents were told they had 24 hours to leave town and to assemble at a warehouse near the Eureka wharf for transport to San Francisco by steamship. A makeshift gallows was erected on Fourth Street at the edge of Eureka’s Chinatown.

Eureka’s Reverend C.A. Huntington gave this startling account of Charley Lum, one of his parishioners, on that infamous day:

In the afternoon about two o’clock Charley called at the parsonage on his way to the wharf. I was absent at the time but my wife and two daughters were there. Immediately our backyard was filled with an excited crowd of men and boys.

They gave a loud rap at the back door which was opened by Mrs. Huntington, and with a loud voice they inquired, “Where’s that Chinaman?” She said, “Charley is here on his way to the wharf; he barely called to say goodbye and ask the prayers of the family in his exile.”

“We want him now!” And they rushed in and seized him by his queue. Mrs. Huntington meanwhile pleading with them, “don’t hurt him; he’s a good boy and on his way to the warehouse.”

But they dragged him to the gallows, a hundred hoodlums following with jeers and insults.

Mr. Huntington continued:

They took him to the gallows and put the noose around his neck in the presence of hundreds of people without a word of remonstrance from the police or anybody else until Rev. Mr. Rich of the Methodist church approached the scaffold and with stentorian voice said, “Boys, take that rope off that boy’s neck! If you hang him you’ll hang him over my dead body!”

The effect was like a clap of thunder. They dropped the rope, seized him by his queue and hauled him five blocks to the warehouse and herded him with the rest of his countrymen under guard.

I set off for the warehouse. As I passed the crowd near the gallows, a loud voice out of the crowd said, “Any man that sympathizes with a Chinaman ought to be hung, and I would like to hold the rope and help draw him up.”

I went to the warehouse and after a long parley with the guard I was allowed to pass in. I found Charley in a remote corner of the room crying, with his classmates around him.

As I gave him his things, he said, “ They scared me almost to death, Mr. Huntington.” I comforted him as best as I could… and left him with my prayers and benedictions.

The next morning they all embarked to San Francisco.

And for nearly 70 years with few exceptions, Humboldt County and its white citizenry kept all Asians out of the county. 

The Chinese expulsion from Eureka occurred 25 years after the Indian Island massacre in 1860– also in the month of February– when a small group of men sailed into Humboldt Bay, landed on Indian Island, and attacked an encampment of Wiyots. Many were killed, mostly women and children, butchered with knives and axes within earshot of Eureka’s residents.  Later, citizens expressed outrage but did nothing; the Indian Island massacre and other massacres carried out in nearby communities virtually exterminated the Wiyot tribe in the space of 48 hours.

GIVE PEAS A CHANCE:  War is like love, it always finds a way.  Antoine De Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince, said, “War is not an adventure.  It is a disease.  It is like typhus.” On that final note, keep it away from the kids. We said back in the day that war is not healthy for children and other living things. It’s still true.

We have so much more to offer.

THE WEEKEND CALENDAR:

Happenings, events, groups, walks, hip or rad stuff

Friday, February 17

Saturday, February 18

Sunday, February 19

Other entertainment can also be found here.

Movies, reviews, times and trailers are here.

Mark Your Calendars and Help:

Southern and Northern Humboldt County organizers will be joining the statewide coalition of 150 groups gathering 800,000 signatures for the ‘Right to Know’ GMO labeling effort starting February 21. Community members are invited to join together, meet other volunteers, watch a short film about the importance of labeling GMO foods, and receive signature gathering training, instructions, and petitions.

The Southern Humboldt branch will have a signature gathering workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Calico’s restaurant in Garberville. Call Rosa Rashall at #986-7469 for more information.

The Northern Humboldt group is hosting their signature gathering orientation at the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) on the Humboldt State University campus, 1 Harpst Street, in Arcata on Friday, February 25, at 5 p.m. The Northern Humboldt group also holds campaign initiative meetings every Sunday at 4 p.m. at Sun Yi’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do in Arcata. Call #707-223-0424 for more information.

For more details on the local campaign and how to participate, visit http://www.labelgmos.org/humboldt or find them on Facebook.

WORD

Jon Stewart said,

“We spend so much money on the military, yet we’re slashing education budgets throughout the country. No wonder we’ve got smart bombs and stupid children.”

Lance Lorenzen allegedly ran operation out of Foster Avenue apartment

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

In the latest in a string of pot busts in Arcata, an apartment running what police called a “concentrated cannabis ‘has’ manufacturing operation” was taken down yesterday.

According to Arcata Police Department sergeant Todd Dokweiler’s press statement, law enforcement had received information over the past month about the home in question, located on the 1600 block of Foster Avenue. After a lengthy investigation, APD obtained a search warrant.

Upon their arrival, the cops located about two-and-a-half pounds of hash and six-and-a-half pounds of processed bud. They arrested resident Lance Christian Lorenzen, 27, on charges of hash possession, marijuana possession and marijuana sales. He was booked into county jail without incident.

Members of the public who want to snitch out their neighbors in Arcata are asked to call APD at (707) 822-2428.

Sheriff’s probation search hits jackpot of pot, meth, coke. weapons and more

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Three Arcata men are in the local lockup after a probation search on one of them turned up pounds of pot.

At about 11 a.m. today, the Community Response Unit of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office descended on a house on the 200 block of Alder Grove Road in Arcata. The man on probation, 31-year-old Colin Baldridge, was at home, along with cohabitants Paul Cohen, 56, and Jimi Suma, 37.

Upon conducting their warrantless search, deputies found 171 growing marijuana plants and 200 pounds of processed marijuana bud, which they valuated (improbably) at $400,000. The cops also found a half gram of cocaine, one-and-a-half grams of methamphetamine and 451 grams of hash, which they (more probably) estimated to be worth $3,000. Packaging materials, scales, pay and owe sheets and over $3,000 in cash were all found, suggesting a drug sales business.

In the process of their search, HCSO personnel discovered that Baldridge had another home on the 2400 block of Eye Street in the Sunset neighborhood of Arcata. Upon arriving at the house, the cops found another 20 pounds of processed bud, again improbably estimated at $40,000. Three large garbage bags of pot leaves and two handguns were also discovered — with one of those guns reported stolen, according to a press statement by HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight.

Charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, cultivation and possession for sale of pot, drug house and narcotics possession were all leveled on Baldridge; Suma was booked on an outstanding felony warrant for violating a probation issued by the Superior Court in Mendocino County; Cohen was popped for possession of meth. All three were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility without incident.

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.

Jury also finds McKinleyville man guilty of threatening witnesses

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A notorious murder trial ended today with the conviction of a McKinleyville man who killed his friend in a drunken rage last year.

The jury in the courtroom of Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Marilyn Miles issued a guilty verdict for second degree murder against 23-year-old Jacob Charles Steele. He was found to have intentionally killed Jerry George by shooting him with his handgun during an argument at Steele’s McKinleyville apartment on Jan. 22, 2011.

The convicted man was also found guilty of criminal threats, stemming from statements he made to a witness who testified against him in the case.

“I am grateful for the hard work of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office Investigative Bureau and the jury,” Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos stated in the release. “And I extend my deepest condolences to Jerry George’s family.”

The DA prosecuted the case personally, and will be on hand for Steele’s sentencing on Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Bartender, five patrons taken down; decoys pop two other establishments

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A local pool hall drawing complaints of disorderly conduct, fights and assaults received a visit from undercover cops this weekend.

At about 1:17 a.m. early Saturday, the Eureka Police Department teamed up with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to deploy “plain clothes enforcement” personnel to Ragg’s Rack Room on Fifth Street. Not surprisingly, the investigators saw drunk people — however in this case, the patrons were being served even while having difficulty navigating the barroom itself, a violation of state law.

After sitting around through last call to observe the “numerous extremely intoxicated individuals in and about the business,” EPD arrested five patrons for public intoxication. They also charged the bartender, Eureka resident Stormy Marinella, with suspicion of serving an obviously intoxicated individual, a violation of California Business and Professions Code 25602(a). During her arrest search, the cops found Marinella to be in possession of prescription narcotics which did not belong to her.

With all six arrestees transported to county jail, the administrative investigation into Ragg’s by ABC is ongoing, according to the EPDs Ed Wilson.

This late-night bust came on the heels of an ABC sweep on Friday where 29 local businesses were subjected to undercover stings; the “minor decoy” tested whether store clerks would sell to an underage customer, while the “shoulder tap” sought adults who purchased alcohol for a minor upon request. The sweep was funded by a grant project from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Only one “shoulder tap” turned up an arrest, where a Eureka resident was popped for furnishing the decoy with an alcoholic beverage after being approached outside an area establishment. The suspect was cited and released with a notice to appear in Superior Court.

At the Patriot Gasoline station on Highway 101 near the south end of Eureka, as well as at Babetta’s Restaurant on Myrtle Avenue, minors were able to purchase alcohol, leading to the citation of those businesses’ employees. They face a maximum of a $250 fine and/or 24-32 hours of community service, while the establishments may face administrative action against their liquor license from ABC.

These 27 businesses passed the test and did not furnish the decoy minor with alcohol:

1). Performance Fuels (1125 4th Street)
2). Shell Gasoline (1310 5th Street)
3). N&S Liquors (1505 5th Street)
4). Chevron (2806 Broadway)
5). Texaco (3505 Broadway)
6). Broadway Gas-N-Deli (4050 Broadway)
7). Performance Fuels (1007 Broadway)
8). Patriot Gasoline (1723 Broadway)
9). Stop and Shop Market (39 Wabash)
10). C&V Market (1634 F Street)
11). Handee Market (3500 F Street)
12). Harris and K Market (3103 K Street)
13). Harris Street Market (411 West Harris)
14). Shell Gasoline (1434 Myrtle Ave)
15). Gas-N-Go (1711 4th Street)
16). Courthouse Market (905 4th Street)
17). Fourth Street Shell (2111 4th Street)
18). Plaza 76 / Circle K (2480 6th Street)
19). 14th Street 76 (1411 Broadway)
20). California Market (2100 California)
21). Safeway (2555 Harris Street)
22). Walgreens (2525 Harris Street)
23). United Gas (1679 Myrtle Ave)
24). Three Corners Grocery (5945 Myrtle Ave)
25). Harris Street Shell (111 West Harris)
26). Round Table Pizza (2810 E Street)
27). Winco Foods (636 West Harris)

For the curiously aware of Humboldt County…

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

SNIPPETS, RUMORS, HEARSAY MURMURS, AND THE LINKS:

WARM AND DRY and the cotton is high.  The weather has been unusually pleasant.  Now is the time to prepare your garden soil for planting next month.  Don’t put your plants in too early.  You can give them all the care and love you want, but the garden simply won’t grow until conditions become warmer.  There’s still a few frost days left.

REEFER MADNESS HOME INVASION:  From the HCSO Press Release Bureau and Bad Karma Division:

On Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 5:53 AM, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call from a male victim reporting a home invasion robbery that just occurred at his residence, 3000 block of Thomas Road, Salmon Creek.

Deputies were dispatched to the residence and arrived at the remote home at about 6:15 AM. Deputies interviewed the victim and discovered the following: At about 4:30 AM, the male victim was sleeping in his bed beside his wife. They both were awaked when their dog began barking and noticed four (4) men had entered the residence. The men were all wearing combinations of ski masks and hoods, each wearing latex type gloves.

As the suspects entered the home, they were yelling, “It’s the police, get up!” One of the suspects removed the male victim from the bed and forced him to the floor. The suspect “zip tied” the male victim’s hands behind his back. The suspects then began demanding to know where the marijuana and money was located. The male victim led the suspects to approximately thirty (30) pounds of dried marijuana.

The suspects continued to demand money from the victim, who led them to a small security safe. When the victim could not remember the combination to the safe, he was struck in the face with an unknown object or fist, causing a moderate injury near his eye. Ultimately the safe was opened and no cash was found. During the entire event, the suspects threatened to kill the victims and/or burn down the house. The suspects were estimated to be in the home for about an hour. During that time, they rummaged the house and took an estimated $3,000 to $4,000 in cash.

Prior to leaving the residence, the suspects used duct tape to bind the female victim. They next used duct tape and bound the male victim. The two victims were then bound together (back to back) in a seated position on the floor with duct tape. The suspects then entered the victim’s newly purchased Subaru and drove approximately 1.5 miles to the locked gate on the victim’s property. The suspects were not able to get the stolen vehicle through the gate and left it abandoned in the roadway.

The male victim was able to unbind himself within minutes of the suspects leaving his home and call 911 for assistance. There is no description of the suspects or description of a vehicle that may have been used to travel to the victim’s residence.

At this time there are no evidentiary leads to the identity of the suspects, but the case remains under investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the residents of the Thomas Road area to contact the Sheriff’s Office with any information regarding this robbery (707-445-7251).

BUSTED IN RENO AGAIN.  At least you weren’t stuck in Lodi.  The HSU Lumberjack and Kaci Poor fills us in with their student  pot piece du jour. That bust paled in comparison, however, to the one in Mendo County. A hundred pounds and a hundred grand just doesn’t seem like very much nowadays.  Some people got to have it.  Some people really need it. What we do for the love of Money on the dark side of the moon. 

HOW LOW WOULD YOU GO?  Scoundrels and skullduggery know no limits, especially when it comes to stealing garbage,  Mr. Sims reports.  Share the love but take out the trash. Too many have become another brick in the wall,  Comfortably Numb and not giving a whit about others or themselves.

THE BIG LITTLE COMMUNITY we’re impressed with. The Willow Creek Community Services District tackled many issues in their first meeting of the year, as this extensive article by Kay Heitkamp shows. The complexity and issues taken on by the members was nothing less than astounding. One citizen remarked, “The WCCSD accomplished more in one meeting than Humboldt County planners do in three or four meetings.”

Many things caught our eye: notice that Redwood Region Economic Development Commission Director Gregg Foster is retiring; ambulance services from Hoopa to Mad River Hospital costing the Hoopa Valley $500,000 annually, resolving complaints of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s reportedly slow response times (or was it the lack of communication? Opinions vary), infrastructure upgrades and repair monies needed, and a wide variety of other issues. One trait consistently illustrated in Ms. Heitkamp’s article is that this community pulls together. Everyone chips in what they can offer.

Humboldt County 5th District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg should be proud of the Valley, the WCCSD, and the community’s efforts getting more things done with less. More self sufficiency and less bureaucracy, that is.

A CENTURY OF BUSINESS:  The Times-Standard articles by Donna Tam and Grant Scott-Goforth report that Harper Motors and the Minor Theatre have hit 100 years of being in business.  To curiously note, there are others who have done the same thing:  the hardworking dairy families of the Eel River Valley.  Why is Ferndale the second wealthiest region per capita in Humboldt County, behind Trinidad?  Their farms, houses, mortgages and herds were paid off long ago– and they’ve enjoyed 120 years of steady milk money coming in.

HELPING HOOPA: Two Rivers Tribune’s Allie Hostler penned a thoughtful memoriam for Dr. Karl Fisher, who passed away January 24. Well known in Humboldt County’s counseling and mental health circles, Dr. Fisher loved Hoopa Valley and everyone he met along the way.

Ms. Hostler wrote, “Because of the hundreds of lives he touched in the Hoopa community, the Human Services Division has arranged a remembrance get-together to be held on Friday, February 24 at noon at the Community Center (formerly Church of the Mountains) on Loop Road in Hoopa.”

Ms. Hostler also included a reprint of Dr. Fisher’s article, “12 Steps to Take If Your Child Has Problems at School, “ aside with her column regarding bullying issues.

ONE MODEL FOR ENDING HUNGER: Dr. Josh Strange, in his article for the Two Rivers Tribune, wrote:

Being able to keep food cheap and accessible for the poor while increasing the income of farmers, especially small scale family farmers, appears to be opposing goals.

But what if I told you that a city with over four million people had found answers and achieved these opposing goals? What if such a city made chronic hunger a thing of the past and allowed small family run farms to thrive like never before?

Hard to imagine right, especially when you can see lots of destitute people in modern, wealthy cities like San Francisco, or heck even here in Humboldt County. And yet it’s true—such a place really exists—it’s called Belo Horizonte, the fourth largest city in Brazil.

You can catch his story—and that of Belo Horizonte—in his article here. Ending hunger at a penny per day per resident seems like a good return and a worthy investment.

It’s a Beautiful Day and a Beautiful World if we make it so.  Don’t let it get away.

TIME TO START RUNNING: Eric Kirk’s SoHum Parlance II site reminds us that Yes, Rex Bohn Does have an Opponent for the race of 1st District Supervisor. Her name is Annette De Modena. She has a website.

Mr. Kirk suggests, “If she wants to win this race, she had better start running. Or walking. Kerrigan beat Rex by walking to every home in Eureka. If you don’t have the money, that’s a pretty good way to meet people.”

Well said, Mr. Kirk. And we thank you for adding the Sentinel to your site.

THIN MINTS, SAMOAS, AND TAGALONGS: Expect the Girl Scouts and their cookies coming by to a location near you, starting on February 13 and continuing through March.

ONE LOVE, ONE HEART: Let’s get together and feel all right.

Reggae on the River tickets go on sale March 1st.

The Mateel Community Center organizers say, “This year’s festival will take place on Saturday & Sunday July 21st and 22nd, 2012 at the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area. Advanced tickets go on sale March 1st, and prices and artists will be announced soon.

Set before a backdrop of ancient redwoods on the banks of the majestic Eel River, this 2-day celebration of the best in reggae and world music has been a favorite festival tradition for over a quarter century and offers attendees an opportunity to soak up the irie northern Cali vibes while enjoying a diverse array of top-class international artists, vendors, and kids activities in a family friendly environment. We look forward to seeing you at the 28th annual Reggae On The River!”

Right on. Yah Mon. We suggest reserving/making your lodging/camping accommodations now and getting your tickets March 1st while they last. Folks, we have two kinds of people: the quick and irie-less. One love and all. Peace, Humboldt.

ONE LOVE, AGAIN: Love has been showered by the Ambrosini School and the Cuddeback Kids Care Club. Nice. Sudents taking flight,  Learning to Fly with their own wings.

MORE LOVE AND NOTE TO SELF: don’t forget Valentine’s day like you almost did last year.  Get your garden ready, sign the GMO ballot initiative, don’t jeopardize your family or get ripped off, lock up your garbage if you must, buy girl scout cookies, look after your business, help the poor and your community, and remember your loved ones.

Yeah, that’s about it.  The moral of the story?  Easy.  One world, one love, and do the right thing.

You only have so much Time.
 

THE WEEKEND CALENDAR:

Happenings, events, groups, walks, other hip or rad stuff

Friday, February 10

Saturday, February 11

Sunday, February 12

Other entertainment can also be found here

Movies, reviews, times and trailers are here.

WORD

Woody Allen said,

“To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore to love is to suffer, not to love is to suffer. To suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy then is to suffer. But suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be unhappy one must love, or love to suffer, or suffer from too much happiness. I hope you’re getting this down.”

Five arrested, nearly 1,000 pounds of garbage removed

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Old Town got a bit cleaner today with the new Neighborhood Oriented Policing unit already swinging into action.

In cooperation with the Eureka Police Department’s Old Town Foot Patrol officer and others, NOP swept the greater business district in response to numerous complaints from residents and business owners. Primary targets on the hit list were public intoxication, prostitution, illegal dumping and unlawful camping.

Donavan Powers

By the end of the day, 15 suspects were cited on various code violations, with five arrests made, including one against a repeat offender that’s been arrested for causing mischief in Old Town before — Donavan Powers, 42, a Eureka transient whose prior convictions include child molestation. He also goes by the aliases of Donavan Anderson and Donavan Adairs.

Also arrested were 3o-year-old Robert Moon on an outstanding arrest warrant for resisting arrest and 34-year-old Jillian Burke on outstanding drug possession charges; 27-year-old Hamzah “Adam” Garay and 39-year-old Christopher Morgan were popped for violating the terms of their probation.

Just about 1,000 pounds of garbage were removed from an illegal campsite as well, according to a press statement by EPD sergeant Adam Laird.

Jillian Burke

Adam Garay

Christopher Morgan

Robert Moon

EPD position to focus on ‘quality of life’ complaints about growers, squatters and partiers

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Taking down meth dealers and escaped parolees apparently isn’t enough for one Problem Oriented Policing officer.

The Eureka Police Department announced today that they’ve kicked off a new Neighborhood Oriented Policing program to compliment the POP unit — a force which has landed a number of high-profile busts across the city leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects charged with serious or violent felonies. Interim Police Chief Murl Harpham stated in a release that the expansion was made possible by the transfer of a POP-assigned officer to become the new NOP investigator, along with a reserve officer also reassigned from POP to NOP.

Yet unlike the POP, the NOP doesn’t seem quite as interested in hard-core criminals.

POP served a search warrant on an Elizabeth Street house in 2010. Property was subsequently cleaned up with "problem tenants removed," according to EPD.

“Their primary focus will be on solving neighborhood nuisance, crime, and quality of life problems not sufficiently being addressed by standard patrol-based responses,” Harpham stated in a release today. “It is anticipated NOP will focus much of its attention on Eureka’s West Side, which has been the origin of many such complaints.”

Although complaints about Eureka’s “tweaker” problem, lack of pedestrian safety and a recent rash of robberies are ongoing, the NOP apparently looks to go after nonviolent, low-level violations such as loud parties with excessive noise, squatters in abandoned buildings, transient camps and “homeless issues,” not to mention the ubiquitous references to grow houses and medical cannabis.

Harpam also says the NOP will work as the enforcement arm of the City’s Community Improvement Team (which includes the City Attorney’s office and a building inspector from the Community Development Department), and will tackle all sorts of general “nuisance and quality of life problems.” They’ll even hold community-based meetings to “improve neighborhood health.”

The return of three EPD cops from overseas military deployment by the California Army National Guard was credited for freeing up the manpower needed for the NOP — as one of the returned officers has resumed his EPD duty as a POP unit member.

A NOP/POP investigator investigates a homeless camp behind the mall in December 2011.

Harpham anticipates that, given sufficient funding for increased staffing levels, the department will hire a full-time NOP investigator, and return the current NOP officer to his original duties in POP.

Charges mostly concern drug, probation and parole violations

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A total of 15 suspects were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday on various misdemeanor and felony warrants in an anti-gang sweep coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Part of their Safe Streets Violent Crime Initiative, the FBI North Bay Regional Gang Task Force descended on Humboldt County in coordination with the U.S. Marshall’s Office, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/Parole, the Humboldt County Probation Department, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Eureka Police Department — in all, 22 agents and investigators executed a series of parole and probation searches all around the county to target previously identified members of violent street and prison gangs.

“SSTFs focus primarily upon street gang and drug-related violence and address specific violent crime problems through the teaming of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors,” EPD sergeant Steve Watson stated in a release.

The SSVCI was established in 1992 by the FBI to allow its field offices to address street gangs and drug-related violence through long-term, proactive task forces. There are now 160 such task forces operating across the country, primarily focused on racketeering, drug conspiracy and firearms violations.

Of the 15 suspects, arrested on various controlled substance possession, drug paraphernalia and parole or probation violation charges, ten of them were documented gang members, allege law enforcement. Those arrested include:

Jeremy Dean Wildman (moniker: Looney”), age 35 of Eureka, was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale after investigators found nearly 5 pounds of processed marijuana and multiple digital scales in his apartment on the 100 block of West Del Norte Street, Eureka.

Scott Ryan Campbell (moniker: “Droopy”), age 35 of Eureka, was arrested for a felony warrant alleging violation of his post release community supervision.  Campbell was contacted with Wildman at his West Del Norte Street residence.

Anthony Manuel Burgess (moniker: “Creeper”), age 19, was arrested for violation of his probation at a cottage on the 2900 block of California Street, Eureka.

Corey Allen Cole (moniker: “Sinner”), age 29, was arrested for violation of his parole at the same cottage where investigators encountered Burgess.

Zachery Jacob Chapman, age 34, was arrested in McKinleyville for a violation of his parole.

Michael Thomas Meyers (moniker: “Flaco”), age 34, was arrested for violation of his parole at an apartment on the 700 block of 10th Street, Eureka.

Cessna reportedly stalled, then took a dive at Dinsmore Airport

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The pilot of a light aircraft was airlifted to the Central Valley for medical treatment after his plane crashed at Dinsmore Airport midday today.

At about 12:30 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a nose-first crash of a plane with two people aboard. Deputies and medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the remote rural airport, along with a Trinity County Sheriff’s deputy due to the proximity of the airport to the neighboring county.

Upon their arrival, HCSO personnel learned that the plane, a 1963-vintage Cessna Model 172 E, crashed as it was landing, possibly due to an in-flight stall. Two Caltrans workers on Highway 36 witnessed the crash, rushing to aid the injured pilot and passenger, pulling them both from the plane before it caught fire and burned.

The pilot, a 65-year-old flight instructor from Garberville, was airlifted to Redding Mercy Hospital for treatment of his broken bones; the 30-year-old passenger was a student pilot from Redway, and according to HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight, he received only minor injuries.

Short-lived success at Bear River Casino ends in assault, robbery

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

A local man’s successful night of gambling ended with a trip to the hospital yesterday, with several suspects involved in a vicious assault under Fernbridge.

At about 11:10 p.m. yesterday, emergency service personnel and a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Renner Fuel Station, where a 42-year-old man was found bleeding from his head and face and also had a swollen left eye.

According to the unnamed victim, he had enjoyed some cash winnings while gambling earlier at Bear River Casino, and called a friend named “Brodie” at 10:50 p.m. for a ride. When his supposed friend arrived, the victim got into Brodie’s grey 1980s Toyota Celica, which was also occupied by an unknown blond female. Although the victim asked to be driven to Fortuna, “Brodie” drove as far as Fernbridge and told the victim to get out of the car, after which “Brodie” drove off.

A short time later, according to the report disclosed by lieutenant Steve Knight in a press statement, an unknown male and two females contacted the victim and forced him to walk under Fernbridge. Once underneath the bridge, the male assailant struck the victim with a bat while the females kicked him repeatedly. After assaulting him, the assailants stole the victim’s wallet with his cash and cell phone — they also allegedly threatened to shoot the victim if he got up, although no firearm was displayed by the suspects.

Further descriptions of the attackers were not forthcoming due to the darkness, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Members of the public with information regarding this case or criminal related activity are encouraged to call the HCSO 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

THREE SIDES OF THE SAME COIN:

Investigators are continuing to investigate an explosion and fire Tuesday night that burned a Church Street apartment building in Eureka leaving an 18-year-old in critical condition with severe burns on 60 percent of his body and a female inhabitant suffering from inhalation burns, the Times-Standard reported. They were transported by helicopter to a medical burn unit at UC Davis Medical Center. Much of the building burned, leaving 8-10 individuals homeless and damages of nearly $500,000. Humboldt Bay Firefighters fighting the blaze came upon several butane canisters and a device for extracting concentrated THC from marijuana inside the residence.

Fire investigators don’t think the hashish extractor was the source of the actual fire but noted any spark or flame could have ignited exposed gas within the apartment. A hashish extractor device is filled with marijuana and butane is forced through it removing the THC. The substance that drips out of the device is the concentrated THC, or hashish. Individuals using these extraction devices often work in areas with poor ventilation, and the butane fumes can pose very dangerous hazards.

The source of the blaze is under investigation.

* * * * * * *

$2.9 million in drug asset seizures for the past three years has the Humboldt County Drug Task Force basking in some serious money. Where does all the confiscated drug dough go? Perhaps the $170 per night poolside hotel accommodations for Drug Task Force members and their families near the Happiest Place on Earth—Disneyland– was a reasonable bon voyage training venture. Or the $400 custom-made boots? How did the DTF spend the rest of the $1.5 million in seized funds over the past five years anyway?

The North Coast Journal’s Zach St. George looked into the spending records and the expensive highlife of Humboldt’s drug cops in his article, Drug Money. Humboldt County seized 12 times more money per capita in forfeiture than California does as a whole. Two-thirds of that money goes to local law enforcement agencies in the County, St. George says.

“Last year the Sheriff’s Office took home $200,000, the District Attorney’s office $100,000, and The Drug Task Force got $500,000,” St. George reported.  The North Coast Journal also kindly listed the names and amounts of Humboldt County’s 25 largest seizures  for you to know.

* * * * * * *

On a similar note, exactly how large is the impact of marijuana on Humboldt County’s economy? How much money does a marijuana grower make? What’s life like for “trimmers” – the itinerant farm workers of the marijuana world? A lot of figures have been bandied about.  Humboldt’s readers and listeners demand answers for their enquiring minds.

These questions and supposedly more are explored in “The Humboldt Chronicles,” a radio documentary series from Lost Coast Communications starting February 2. Hosted by Southern Humboldt journalist Kym Kemp and produced by Mike Dronkers and Chuck Rogers, the series explores how marijuana cultivation plays a role in Humboldt County life – as economic driver, a touchstone of culture, an environmental burden (or boon), a source of violent crime, and a medical cure-all, depending on your point of view.

If you missed the Humboldt Chronicles debut, you can catch the interviews with a banker, grower, business owner, and economist in the podcast replay here.

* * * * * * *

SNIPPETS, RUMORS, HEARSAY MURMURS, AND THE LINKS: “Money”

Money doesn’t talk. Talk is cheap. Money screams.

OCCUPY THE OCCUPY: Time for a counter-revolution? According to the Times-Standard, “A rally is being held Friday afternoon, February from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Humboldt County Courthouse by community members who want the front of the courthouse cleaned up and unfenced. Organizer Julie Salminen said the purpose of the rally is to show the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and Eureka City Council that people want the area restored. ‘We want it cleaned up over there,’ Salminen said.”

“More than 250 people are anticipated to attend the rally. Salminen said people are tired of the occupiers that have taken over the courthouse entrance. She said courthouse workers have been accosted and some have even been assaulted. She said people should be allowed to protest but that things have gotten out of control. ‘It’s costing a lot of money with everything that’s going on,’ Salminen said about the fencing and law enforcement patrols.”

We hope protesters and counter-protesters keep a safe distance from one another and cooler heads will prevail. Protesting, like politics, has become the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.

WHO KNOWS WHAT’S GOING ON: KINS radio’s Brian Papstein sat down and interviewed Eureka citizen and business magnate Robin Arkley. You can listen to it here . According to the Humboldt Herald’s take of the talk shop interview, Mr. Arkley says the Marina Center will see Coastal Commission progress by fall and Security National will be hiring 100 more employees over the next 18 months. He also offers his view on unions, the Keystone pipeline project, Mitt Romney, and liberals taking advantage (though the words ‘rape’ and ‘nailing’ were reportedly used) of today’s youth. We suggest listening to the interview and making up one’s own informed assumptions.

A big mountain of sugar is too much for one man. We can see now why God portions it out in those little packets for the rest of us.

ERNIE’S Place gives readers a brief progress report for restoring some portion of Southern Humboldt’s $450,000 in school bus transportation funding following last week’s road rage protest by residents, students, and staff at the State Capitol. Don’t mess with the SoHum parents. They’re not about to let schooling interfere with an education.

RAIL RECALL: Fred’s Humboldt Blog thinks “Governor Brown should face a recall over his continued fiscal support of the High Speed Rail project. The state has a continuing large deficit and supposedly can’t pay for what many consider essential government services, yet he steadfastly supports HSR,” Fred says. Originally voter approved to the tune of $9 billion, the High Speed Rail project could skyrocket upwards of $133 billion if it gathers traction. Meg Whitman will undoubtedly foist another media blitz of obnoxiously expensive radio and television ads upon us again should Fred’s recall efforts succeed. Thank you, Fred.

JUST SAY NO to unincorporated kids. The McKinleyville Community Services District voted Wednesday not to designate Pierson Park as the site of a skate park for kids, much to the consternation of supporters. The MCSD said it’s simply keeping all of its options available for a skate park site to be located anywhere the District deems worthy. Skate enthusiasts who raised almost $100,000 in donations are understandably confused by the adult’s setback. You can be young without money, but you can’t be old without it. Where’s major domo skate park politico Jeff Leonard when you need him most?

CO-OPTED: The North Coast Co-op General Manager David Lippmann reported the Eureka and Arcata stores have been experiencing annual losses of $275,000. He reports there’s still nearly $1 million in long-term debt from the construction of the Arcata store “ten or twelve years ago.” Payroll expenses, taxes, and benefits consume almost $4 million per year, or 26% of operating expenses. Profit margins on food are a slim 2 percent at best after the bills have been paid, Mr. Lippmann reports. The good news is the Co-op is a $30 million a year business. The bad news is sales are $600,000 below target. Their 2011-12 year-to-date earnings—profit—amounted to a paltry $59,000.

Relax, Co-op members, it’s much worse than you think. Given the consistently exorbitant price of the Co-op’s food and worker’s benefits, they’ll do what they’ve always reliably done:  stay cool, calm, …and collect. Money flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana.

OUCH, THAT SMARTS: Forgoing your PG&E smart meter may cost you up to $195. And that’s just for starters. The California Public Utilities Commission approved a proposal Wednesday to charge residential customers an initial fee of $75 plus $10 each month if they don’t want to have the wireless ‘smart meters’ installed in their homes. Low income customers would pay $70, an initial fee of $10 plus an extra $5 per month to avoid installation of the wireless devices.

Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, PG&E loves your money and their smart meters.

BETTER NEWS FOR JOB SEEKERS IN 2012:  Companies are saying the job market is getting better and workers are saying it’s already kicked into high gear.  Friday’s jobs report showed a national gain of 243,000 jobs and a separate survey using households to determine the unemployment rate showed far stronger job gains.  2 million jobs have been added in the past six months, the best job gain since August 2005 and preceding the Great Recession beginning in late 2007.  The unemployment rate has dropped for the past five consecutive months.  Friday’s Dow Jones Industrial Average roared to 12,862 making it the highest close since May of 2008.

When pressed, Newt Gingrinch begrudgingly told reporters, “If it makes you happy, give him (Obama) some credit.”  Misery loves company.

SPANK THE BANK AND STASH YOUR CA$H: In response to November’s call for a nationwide “Bank Transfer Day,” about 610,000 consumers switched from a big bank to a credit union or smaller community bank. According to a recent research survey, roughly 11 percent of the 5.6 million people switching banks during the three-month period cited “Bank Transfer Day” as their reason. While it certainly didn’t produce the mass exodus of customers that many banks may have feared, it was nonetheless significant. The number of “angry bank-switchers” leaving their bank was nearly triple for those walking out for similar reasons in 2010.

Although one credit union reporting the November publicity prompted a jump in inquiries and customers opening 1,500 new accounts– a 30 percent increase compared to 2010– it’s not clear exactly how big banks were affected by Bank Transfer Day. None are releasing figures. Wells Fargo reported a 3.2 percent net increase in consumer checking deposits for the fourth quarter last year, compared with 2010. Bank of America didn’t even bother to report transfer details for consumer checking accounts and declined to comment.

Analysts say banks are still set to raise fees increasing their bottom line. Banks will still loan you money if you can prove you don’t need it. Raises and bonuses for everyone– except you.

FOLLOW THE MONEY:  The City of Eureka was awarded a $26,000 judgement from notorious slumlords  Floyd and Betty Squires. We hope they don’t raise the rent.  From the City’s press release: 

The Humboldt County Superior Court has granted the City of Eureka’s motion for Attorneys’ Fees against Floyd and Betty Squires. The City was awarded the entire amount requested of $26,521.26. The City requested reimbursement of the fees it had incurred when it was forced to defend a lawsuit filed by the Squires against the City claiming that the City had no basis to enforce code violations for substandard housing at numerous properties owned by the Squires.

The City continues to move forward in its lawsuit against the Squires for substandard housing at numerous properties within the City of Eureka.

ABOVE IT ALL: Fortuna’s local blog, Above the Fold has come up with their ‘possible solution’ for dealing with the unsightly houseless issue in the Friendly City: “Send the building inspector out to the houseless camps on Fortuna Boulevard and levee fines for the many rule infractions–including improper tent installation and lack of plumbing.” Yup. Fees, fines, and money will certainly do the trick for those tentees not having any. We pine for the good old days when tar paper shacks and real wood shanties were in vogue.

A SLUMBER TO REMEMBER: Don’t snooze overnight in your vehicle in Arcata. Not only is it a crime, it’s a business, too.  An expensive proposition for snoring scofflaws who’ve had it too good for too long, it’s time to wake up, smell the coffee, and pay up for drowsy misdeeds and sleepytime misbehavior. Just ante up like these visitors did, posting their Humboldt forty-wink memories on the Ollie blog site. Their $35 fine—each—mushroomed to $155 after the gratuitous fees were tacked on shamelessly by the scales of justice:

The Criminal Justice Business

As we mentioned in a previous post, we recently got tickets (one each) for sleeping in our vehicle in Arcata. $155 each. We called the phone number on the ticket immediately, and were told that our information wouldn’t be uploaded into their computer system for at least two weeks — we’d have to stay in Arcata and try again. Two weeks passed, and we called back. We scheduled a date to appear in court, hoping to have the fine reduced.

We appeared at the Superior Court in Eureka yesterday, and the clerk (who was friendly, at least) informed us that we’d be able to meet with a court-appointed attorney before seeing a judge. Upon entering the courtroom, however, the judge told everyone– about 10 people with different infractions– that we did not have the right to a court-appointed attorney, and that we each had two, and only two, choices:

1) plead guilty and pay the fine in full, or,

2) plead not guilty and schedule another court appearance in a month or so.

We were, needless to say, really ready to leave Humboldt County, so we pled guilty and were charged $155 each.

Oddly, when we spoke with the judge, he told us that the fine for “camping in a vehicle- first offense” was no more than $50. Why are we being charged $155, then? Court fees. What court fees? Well the friendly clerk broke it down for us, and because I’m pissed, I’m going to type it all out for you:

$4.00 Surcharge

$1.76 County general fund

$3.92 DNA Add’l (?)

$3.92 St Crt Facility

$3.92 EMS Add’l

$1.96 DNA Add’l

$1.96 DNA Funding

$5.88 SB1732 Penalties

$13.72 State Penalty Fund

$5.88 County Penalty Assessment

$3.92 Courthouse Construction Fund

$5.88 Criminal Justice Facilities Fund

$3.92 Emergency Med Services

$17.84 Arcata General Fund

$1.52 State Automation Fund

$40.00 Court Security

$35.00 Criminal Infraction (the actual fine for sleeping in a vehicle)

I was last on the judge’s list, so by the time I was done speaking with him (which took about 30 seconds), the room had totally cleared out. As I joined Max and we walked toward the doors, the judge leaned over his desk and said cheerily to his staff, “Well, that went well!” Yeah, in about 10 minutes those jerks made several thousand dollars.

In case you are curious, we have never had this problem before. Ollie (the bus) was parked on a busy public street on Capitol Hill in Seattle for two weeks, and cops never bothered us; our only night-time callers in that spot were two drunk neighbors who thought Max and I were the coooolest people they’d ever met — they cooked up a whole dinner in their apartment across the street and delivered it to the bus, where we ate with them and drank wine and exchanged gifts and stories.

-Rachel

LET’S PUT MONEY ASIDE, FORGET OUR WORRIES, AND LEAVE YOU ON A HAPPIER NOTE

Proof positive that pets do love and  remember you.  Christian the lion does.  Whether you’re rich or poor, it doesn’t matter.

Outside of a dog, a book is probably Man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read anyway. The great pleasure of a dog is that you can make a fool of yourself and not only will he not scold you, he’ll make  a fool of himself, too.

THE WEEKEND CALENDAR:

Friday, February 3

Saturday, February 4

Sunday, February 5

Movies, reviews, times and trailers are here.

WORD

Reminiscing on his early Vaudeville days traveling with family, Groucho Marx said,

“We had a budget. That’s a way of going broke methodically. Because we were a kid act, we traveled at half-fare to save money, despite the fact that we were all around twenty. Minnie insisted we were thirteen. ‘That kid of yours is in the dining car smoking a cigar,’ the conductor told her. ‘One is in the washroom shaving. And another is drinking whiskey at the bar.’ Minnie shook her head sadly. ‘They grow up so fast.’”

Bayshore Mall branch’s cash grabbed by allegedly armed man

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The Criminal Investigative Services unit of the Eureka Police Department is on the lookout for a suspect who robbed a local credit union at the Bayshore Mall today.

At about 3:33 p.m. today, a suspect approached a teller at the Coast Central Credit Union branch with a note stating that he was armed — although the exact words used are being withheld from the public for investigative purposes, according to a press statement by detective Ron Harpham.

Despite the fact that no weapon was seen, the teller complied with the note’s instructions and the suspect fled with an unknown amount of cash north in the Bayshore Mall interior towards Sears, then east through the exit hallway between Sears and the bank.

Witnesses describe the suspect as a 30-year-old white male, 150 pounds and about 5’5″ in height. He was also described as clean shaven with medium-length brown hair and black rimmed, square glasses. He was wearing a black ball cap, black leather dress jacket, a bluish button up shirt with a black tie, dark slacks and dark running shoes.

Members of the public who know the suspect or witnessed him, either at the mall or around town, are asked to contact Harpham at (707) 441-4305.