By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

SOTTED TEEN THRASHES FORTUNA HIGH SCHOOL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN SOHUM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHILD KILLER BIGLEGGINS PLEADS GUILTY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FORTUNA PD ASSIST IN ARREST OF ARCATA ASSAULT SUSPECT

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

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

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

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

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

SUSPICIOUS MALE LURES STUDENTS AT JACOBY CREEK SCHOOL

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

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

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

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

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

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

A FEW SCREWS LOOSE IN MCKINLEYVILLE

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

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

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

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

PAROLEE ARLEN BROWN NABBED AGAIN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAROLEE KELLY BYRNS GRABBED, SPUN, AND BURNED

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

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

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

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

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

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

BABY BOTTLE HIDES METH STASH

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

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

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

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

TOP TEN MOST DANGEROUS CITIES FOR WOMEN

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

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

Forbes noted:

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

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

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

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

 1) Saginaw, Mich.

 2) Anchorage, Alaska

3) Fairbanks, Alaska

4) Springfield, Ill.

5) Redding, Calif.

6) Flint, Mich.

7) Pine Bluff, Ark.

8)Lawton, Okla.

9) Battle Creek, Mich. 

10) Memphis, Tenn.

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The Yurok Wellness Court is holding a “Community Honoring and Informational Gathering” on Friday, May 18th, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Yurok Administration Office in Klamath, California.

“We are inviting all who are interested in attending,” said Yurok Chief Judge Abby Abinanti.

“It will be a great opportunity to understand more about the Yurok Wellness Court and why we offer these services,” Abinanti said.

The Yurok Wellness Court is is rooted in traditional values and designed to provide a path to healing for Yurok individuals who are involved in the judicial system due to substance abuse. Representatives from the Wellness Court, including Chief Judge Abinanti, will be making presentations at the meeting which will offer attendees an in-depth view of how the Tribe’s Wellness Court and judicial system currently functions.

The Yurok Wellness Court is founded on the traditional moral principle of restorative justice– as opposed to punitive justice that is sometimes conflicting with Yurok values. The overall goal of restorative justice is to offer tribal members in crisis the means to rehabilitate and reengage in a positive fashion within their community. Alcohol and drug dependence are typically symptoms of bigger problems, relating to traumatic incidents such as, trauma, child abuse, domestic violence or intergenerational trauma.

One of the main functions of the Wellness Court is to assist tribal members in navigating negative experiences, in a positive and healthy way through the Yurok Wellness Program.

The one-year program takes a holistic approach to helping tribal members heal from the root problem and associated alcohol and drug abuse. The Wellness Program provides a multidisciplinary team approach to case staffing, ongoing judicial interaction, random and frequent drug testing, cultural intervention practices, appropriate sanctions and incentives, and a standardized regimen of substance abuse treatment and recovery supportive services.

These services are anchored in the authority and encouragement of the Yurok Tribal Judge who holds the participants personally accountable in a culturally responsive and respectful manner.

Yurok Tribal Members who have completed the Wellness Court Program will be giving testimonials about their personal experiences overcoming their crisis situations at the gathering. The graduates of the program will receive well-deserved recognition for overcoming their particular obstacles and making a commitment to be an active positive community member.

Community members are also encouraged to participate in providing their thoughts of the Wellness Program and will have an opportunity to learn about the Court’s criminal system. The “criminal” branch of the justice system is comprised of the tribal judge, staff attorney, case manager, advocate, and Yurok probation officer, to assist both the victims and the perpetrators.

Unlike a punitive justice system, the Wellness Court’s criminal department is rooted in the Yurok value of restorative justice, demanding that offenders pay their debt directly to the community and to those that have been perpetrated against, instead of solely using the ineffective act of imprisonment. For example, if one person steals from another, the court will help both parties agree on how the offender will pay their debt to society or “settle up”.  Once the offender pays retribution, which could come in the form of labor, legal tender, recovery or an alternative means, the issue is over– and balance is restored, according to Yurok values.

The Wellness Court’s family/civil branch deals with legal issues that occur among family members or between unrelated people. The family/civil arm of the Court seeks to help people settle or mediate disputes between unrelated people and families, and provides the legal framework for divorce and addressing justice for children.

The aim of the Court is not to solve people’s problems. The professional staff’s role is to offer the tools needed for people to come up with their own solutions. A self-help attorney is also available to aid people in sorting out and providing the proper paperwork for their case.

During the “Community Honoring and Informational Gathering”, the Wellness Court will be seeking input from the community and facilitating a discussion about how the Court can better serve the community.

To break up the seriousness of the event, the Wellness Court has planned a surprise guest guaranteed to lighten the mood and entertain attendees.

The “Community Honoring and Informational Gathering” is a potluck and the event organizers ask that people who wish to bring an item such as a main dish, salad, fruit, a vegetable dish, drinks or a dessert, to call Court Advocate, Lori Nesbitt. She can be reached at # (707) 482-1350.

Posted by Skippy Massey

‘Day of Reckoning’ for California Courts

By Maria Dinzeo
Courthouse News Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* * * * * * * * *

Article by Maria Dinzeo courtesy of the Courthouse News Service

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

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

(Posted by Skippy Massey for the Humboldt Sentinel)

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Please tell me you’re not sitting in front of your computer or lying on the couch today.   That would be a waste of a beautiful day.  There’s only so much time, you know.

Citizens of Humboldt County are being asked to “Stamp out Hunger” today during the 20th annual Letter Carriers Food Drive taking place now. Postal employees in Humboldt County are picking up donations of nonperishable foods and delivering it to our local Food Bank headquarters in Eureka, Saturday, May 12.

This is no easy task.  Postal employees are shouldering and hoisting the food from your doorstep, putting it in boxes, and delivering it to the Food for People location today.  About 20 tons worth.  In addition to completing their postal routes on time.  That’s a long day for our carriers.  Thank you, USPS employees.

You can help.  Yes, you can!  It’s easy to participate and your help is greatly needed and appreciated.  Deep down inside you know it’s the right thing to do. 

Here’s What You Can Do:

Show up today at the Food for People Food Bank– and simply volunteer for an hour or two.  The event will run until 8 p.m. tonight, at 307 W. 14th St. in Eureka.

Volunteers help unload the incoming postal carrier trucks, sort food, and package it properly for storage.   It’s easy to be involved and there’s different things for everyone to do depending upon what you like and want.  It’s a well-oiled operation of helping hands of all ages and abilities working side-by-side for our folks, families, children and seniors needing food stability and assistance in our community. 

It’s a fun gathering– with a good purpose and mission.  Over 100 folks, civic organizations, churches, families and students will be there today, Saturday, getting it done.  Come join them, meet your community, and help us work together.

It’s not too late.

The weather calls for a beautiful day to be outdoors in the sunshine.  Refreshments, food, pizza, and other goodies will be freely available for all the volunteers.  They put out a nice spread.

In Humboldt County, the food drive has collected an average of 40,000 pounds of food countywide for the past four years.  The food collected is used to supplement food boxes for low-income households. With both our local and national economies still facing significant challenges, major cuts looming at the state level and increasing numbers of people out of work or unable to earn enough to pay the bills, the success of this year’s drive is even more important.

Food Donations– Accepted Now or Later– Every Can Counts

Community members can also help through donations of nutritious food. Just leave a donation of nonperishable food by your mailbox on Saturday (or even afterwards) and your letter carrier will pick it up and take it to our local food bank or the neighborhood pantries located throughout Humboldt County.  If for some reason you miss your letter carrier, donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday at Food for People, 307 W. 14th St. in Eureka, or at a food pantry in your community.

The foods most needed include protein items (canned meats, tuna and beans), canned fruits and vegetables, low-sugar cereals, pasta, soup, chili, stew, peanut butter, juice and the like. These items are among some of the essentials needed for a well-balanced diet and are often the most difficult for food insecure families to afford.

Items that can’t be accepted include rusty or bulging cans and home-canned items, which have to be disposed of for health reasons. Also, please avoid donations in glass jars as they can easily break.

All food collected stays in the community in which it was donated to help local individuals and families in need. Many of the pantries have already used up donations gathered over the holidays, and the food collected during the Letter Carriers Drive is critical.  Every can counts.

Volunteering your Time and Service

Volunteers are also needed throughout the year.  Yes, everyone is welcome, it’s very flexible, and there’s a place and nearby location for you.  Please call Food for People’s Volunteer Coordinator Laura Hughes at 445-3166, ext. 310, for more information, or visit www.foodforpeople.org.

Produce needed from Gardens and Orchards

Do you have extra produce from your garden or fruit trees?  The Food for People Food Bank can certainly use your nutritious and fresh extras.

Money

Yes, cash is golden, too, and always helpful.  Monetary donations are put to good use leveraging large discounted food purchases bought in bulk.

Questions and Answers

Questions?  Contact the Food for People Food Bank at #445-3166, or come on by to their location at 307 W. 14th Street, Eureka.

Why?

It’s the right thing to do.

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Humboldt Bay Fire is holding badge a pinning ceremony Friday, May 11 at 2:00 p.m. to acknowledge new career firefighters and volunteers and recognize promotions occurring over the past 10 months.

This will be held at the Eureka Fire Department headquarters:  533 C Street, Eureka, at the Apparatus Floor. 

The public is invited to attend.

Career Firefighters

Firefighter Ryan Booth was born and raised in the Oregon countryside where he learned a wide variety of trade skills from his family. Over the last eight years, he has worked as a carpenter for a residential construction company in San Clemente, volunteered as a firefighter, and received a thorough education in fire technology.

Ryan’s hobbies include working on construction projects, surfing, and mountain biking. He looks forward to starting his career and learning the role of a Humboldt Bay Firefighter.

Firefighter Brett Egbert is originally from West Covina, where his parents still reside. His father, Jeff Egbert, is a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff of 27 years, and his mom, Shelly, is an Accounting Manager at Mt. San Antonio College. His older sister Roshel recently finished medical school at Keck School of Medicine – USC and will begin her first year of residency.

Brett made the goal to become a firefighter when he was fourteen years old after interviewing his Uncle Steve Egbert, an Engineer with the City of Glendale Fire Department, for a class project. When Brett was eighteen he moved to San Luis Obispo where he attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry and Natural Resources with a concentration in Wildland Fire and Fuels Management. While living in San Luis Obispo he gained firefighter experience working as a Paid Call Firefighter for Cal Fire/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.  An outdoors person enjoying hiking, fishing, and hunting, Brett is thrilled to have been hired with the Humboldt Bay Fire Department and looks forward to taking advantage of the many outdoor activities the area has to offer.

Firefighter Matt Dennis was born in Sacramento and raised in Eureka. He also attended the Sierra College Fire Academy, graduating in May of 2008. Matt worked at City Ambulance for three years and eight months, and earned his Paramedic license in August of 2010. He has garnered a reputation as an excellent Paramedic who exhibits true compassion to those he treats.

Matt joined HFD as a Volunteer Firefighter in August of 2008 and has served continuously in that role with a short leave of absence to concentrate on Medic school. With the Volunteers, he developed a reputation as a leader and mentor to younger personnel with a terrific attitude. Prior to joining the career staff, Matt was voted in as the President of the Humboldt Bay Fire Volunteers.

Volunteers

Volunteer Firefighter Brandon Amis is 24 years old and has been married for one year to his wife Paula. Brandon and Paula have a 14 month old daughter, Kaitlyn. He works at St. Joseph Hospital as the Lead Monitor Technician. Brandon thanks his wife and family for supporting his choice to pursue the fire service and standing by him during the academy.

Volunteer Firefighter Taylor Kennon was born and raised in Eureka. He works as an in-home care provider and is a college student at College of the Redwoods. Taylor will be transferring to HSU next year to pursue a degree in business. He is a nationally registered EMT. Taylor’s parents are Darcie Barone and Tim Kennon, both of whom work as nurses. His two older brothers, Thomas and Tim Kennon, are both college students. Taylor’s interests include working out, fishing, and doing his homework.

Volunteer Firefighter Eric Morris is 20 years old and married to Kimberly Morris. Growing up in South Carolina, Eric moved to California to fight fires. He works at John’s Auto Wreckers dismantling cars. Eventually, he plans to fight fires for Humboldt Bay Fire.

Volunteer Firefighter Eric Snipes is 19 years old and was born and raised in Eureka. His Grandfather, Retired Eureka Fire Department Captain Ralph Snipes, introduced him to the fire service. He attended the Shasta College Firefighter I Academy and is enrolled in the EMT class at College of the Redwoods. Eric serves as the Assistant Wrestling Coach for Eureka High School.

Volunteer Firefighter Jared Wattle was born and raised in Eureka, graduating from Eureka High School in 2005. Jared was first exposed to the municipal side of the fire service when he was a Eureka Fire Explorer from 2002 to 2005, later attending Butte College and receiving his degree in Fire Technology, studying for his EMT, and completing the California State Fire Marshal accredited firefighter career program. Jared currently works at Pacific Outfitters in Eureka. Known as the “Jack of all Trades” by family, friends, and co-workers, Jared’s hobbies are hunting, fishing, and firearms. Jared’s future goals are to have a long healthy and successful career in the Humboldt Bay Fire organization, become a licensed hunting and fishing guide, and sharing many adventures with his future wife Ashley.

Volunteer Firefighter Keith White works as a meat cutter at Ray’s Food Place. Keith is working on his fire technology degree at College of the Redwoods as well as working towards his EMT.

Fire Prevention and Education Volunteer Jenny Williamson comes to Humboldt Bay Fire Department with over 16 years of fire service experience. She started as a volunteer fire fighter with Wilton Volunteer Fire Protection District while going to California State University, Sacramento, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Management. After graduation Jenny became a Fire Prevention Officer with the Sacramento City Fire Department before moving on to the Eugene Fire & EMS and Redmond Fire and Rescue in Oregon as a Deputy Fire Marshal. Jenny currently works full time for her brother as a Client Associate at Williamson Financial Group. In her free time she enjoys teaching, spending time with her niece Lily, nephew Grant, and her bulldog Aerial– and learning how to fly fish.

Promotions – Fire Captain

Patrick Beyer, Jon Chambers, and Mitchell Mills received their promotions to the rank of Fire Captain, July 1, 2011.

Nick Launius received his promotion to the rank of Fire Captain, September 16, 2011.

Promotions – Fire Engineer

Chris Mitchell received his promotion to the rank of Fire Engineer, July 1, 2011

Tony Freeman and Kevin Stokes received their promotions to the rank of Fire Engineer, September 16, 2011

Russell Boham and Neil Butler received their promotions to the rank of Fire Engineer, March 1, 2012.

John Goodman receives his promotion as Fire Engineer, effective May 15, 2012

* * * * * * *

H/T to Anita Scarifa and the Lost Coast News. 

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Lowering drug prices isn’t likely the first thought that comes to mind when looking at county government, but thanks to a public-private partnership, Humboldt County has been reaping the benefits of a prescription discount card.

Today is the two year anniversary of the Coast2Coast Rx card, originally approved by the Board of Supervisors in April 2010. Local drug buyers have saved over $825,100 since the program’s inception — including more than $23,800 last month alone. It also generates $1.25 for county programs for each prescription filled using the card.

“The Coast2Coast Rx card program has helped residents save over 60 percent of the cost of their prescription drugs, a huge savings for something that can be a significant but necessary expense for many people,” Lovelace stated in a release. “The program also provides revenues that are reinvested to support other County health care programs.”

The card, run by the Ponte Verda, Florida-based Financial Marketing Concepts corporation, is now used in 18 California counties, and was endorsed late last year by the California State Association of Counties. It provides discounts on over 60,000 brand name and generic drugs. The company claims to save nationwide consumers an average of 55 percent and in some cases up to 75 percent of the cost of their prescriptions. A partner program also provides savings on health care services such as dental, vision and hearing care. The card is available to all county residents without regard to age, income or health status.

“With just a small percentage of residents using the card, the cumulative savings to date demonstrates the potential impact the program can have on constituents and the community at large,” FMC chief marking officer Marty Dettelbach stated. “Not only have consumers enjoyed significant savings on their prescription medications, they have generated revenue for Humboldt County programs.”

To start saving immediately on prescription drug prices, Humboldt County residents can download and print their free card at http://www.coast2coastrx.com/humboldt/.

Floyd Bowen was allegedly wrestling at home before using broken bottle

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Seven finalists want to be the next Chief of Police in Lebanon, Oregon—and one of the candidates is former Eureka Police Chief Garr Nielsen.

Nielsen, now a resident of Beaverton, Oregon, was in Lebanon last week for a tour, a meet and greet with community officials, and oral interviews for the city’s top cop position.

Nielsen was selected from a field of more than 25 applicants.  City leaders planned to narrow the field to two finalists early this week for the five and a half square mile city northwest of Salem pleasantly bearing the nickname “Land of Love” and the motto “It’s Easier From Here.”

Supervising 35 employees and serving a city of 16,400 residents, Lebanon’s Chief of Police position pays $6,000 to $7,900 per month, or $72,000 to $94,800 annually.  Lebanon Police Captain Mike Schulte has been filling in as Acting Chief for nearly a year until a permanent replacement is found.

Lebanon is also seeking to fill its vacant City Manager position, as well.

Nielsen holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and is an FBI National Academy graduate.  Before coming to head Eureka’s police department, Nielsen was previously employed at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department for 21 years, ending his employment there with the rank of Captain.

The Lebanon Express News reported on Nielsen’s recent interview:

His most recent job was as chief of police in Eureka, Calif., a city of 25,000 residents. He worked there from 2007 to 2011, leaving because he wanted a change, and he and his family wanted to return to Oregon.

Nielsen said he applied for the position in Lebanon because he is looking for a community to provide livability for the long term. He appreciates that the city and LPD are forward-looking.

Asked how he would approach a need for budget cuts, if that should be necessary, Nielsen said he would look first at administration and materials and supplies — areas without a direct impact on level of service. He also would seek out more efficient uses of technology.

Asked how he would handle a situation in which an officer was seriously injured and off the job for several months, Nielsen said he would support the officer and his or her family and encourage the City Council to hold the job open until a decision could be made about whether the officer could return to work.

Nielsen is married. He and his wife have a 20-year-old daughter.

Nielsen was abruptly terminated from Eureka’s Chief of Police position by Eureka City Manager David Tyson in June, 2011. At the time, Tyson said firing Nielsen was his own decision and that he wouldn’t discuss any details or identify the reasons saying it was “a personnel matter.”  The reason for Nielsen’s dismissal other than citing ‘different management styles’ still hasn’t been disclosed to the public. 

Tyson’s controversial decision for Nielsen’s termination was later upheld by the Eureka City Council.

“It’s completely out of the blue.  It caught me completely off guard,” Nielsen told the Times-Standard following his dismissal.

In September of 2011, Nielsen filed a claim against the City of Eureka for damages in excess of $10,000, saying the City breached its employment agreement with him by failing to evaluate his performance consistent with City personnel policies before terminating him, failing to grant his annual merit pay increase of 5% per year, failing to review his annual compensation pursuant to his contract, and not affording other benefits accorded to management employees.

The City of Eureka currently remains without a permanent Chief of Police.  50-year EPD veteran Murl Harpham has been acting interim chief until the City finds a replacement through its ongoing recruitment, a  process that was expected to be completed within six months of Nielsen’s termination under City Manager Tyson’s direction.

Eureka City Manager David Tyson, meanwhile, announced he will be resigning December 31, 2012, after working for the city for 23 years.  Mr. Tyson has been city manager since 2000.

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The Arcata Police Department was notified that a mountain lion had been seen in the area of Lower Fickle Hill Road and Hill Street on Thursday, May 3rd, at approximately 10:00pm.  Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the animal.  The mountain lion was last seen walking on a driveway into the forest.

This is the third incident of a mountain lion sighted in Arcata in the past two weeks.

Two prior sightings occurred in the area of West End Road and Spear Avenue on April 23.  Officers were unable to locate the animal on these occasions, as well.

In the previous incidents, Humboldt State University wildlife student Zack Yates notified police after he and friends saw a mountain lion cross the traffic circle at Spear Avenue and West End Road about 10:30 p.m. on April 23. The mountain lion was about the size of a golden retriever or a German shepherd and was carrying a black and white dog about the size of a Jack Russell terrier in its mouth, the Times-Standard news reported.

”It crossed the road right in front of us, stopped and dropped the dog,” Yates said, adding that it was on the side of the traffic circle closest to U.S. Highway 101. “There’s this metal fence that opened up to a big field. It just scaled the fence with the dog effortlessly.”

Speaking to Jessica Cejnar of the Times-Standard, HSU wildlife Professor Richard Golightly said the big cats have large home-ranges and while they do show up in local neighborhoods, it’s usually the young lions that have just left their mother that find their way close to people.  Golightly said these mountain lions often prey on raccoons which are attracted to trash bins and trash cans.

“Juvenile lions will show up if there’s an attraction, like a dumpster. If folks are feeding raccoons, it should be removed right away,” Golightly said.  If a mountain lion becomes a threat to people, dealing with the problem cat could include removing what it is attracted to or, in rare cases, having to kill it, he said.

Arcata police warn mountain lions may be attracted to pet foods left out– or the pets themselves.  They are also often attracted to domestic animals such as chickens and goats.

Arcata Police Officer Richard Bergstresser added that there are a number of sightings every year in the urban interface with the forest.  Many sightings occur near Redwood Park and the Arcata Community Forest.

The last mountain lion attack in Humboldt County occurred in 2007.  Fortuna residents Jim and Nell Hamm were hiking in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park when a young lion jumped Jim Hamm from behind. Nell Hamm was able to fight the lion off by stabbing the big cat in the eye with a pen and hitting it on the snout with a branch, leaving her husband with serious injuries to his scalp, neck, face and hands and requiring his hospitalization for weeks.

Also known as cougars, panthers or pumas, mountain lions are tawny colored with black tipped ears and tail. Generally smaller than the jaguar, it is one of North America’s largest cats.  Powerful animals that normally prey upon large game such as deer, sheep and elk, mountain lions will also survive by preying on small animals as well.  Usually hunting alone at night and preferring to ambush their prey from behind, a generally secretive, elusive, and solitary nature causes mountain lions to be rarely seen by humans– even as an adult male’s home range can often span over 100 square miles. Females, however, generally use smaller areas of about 20 to 60 square miles. Their natural life span is approximately 12 years in the wild.

The Arcata Police Department is warning residents of these repeated sightings and asking citizens to notify police at #822-2428 if a mountain lion is seen near its populated areas.

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The Worshipful Master is conducting a a Mystery for Eureka City Hall — with the full blessings of local government.

The official reason isn’t much of a mystery; the cornerstone of Eureka City Hall is being commemorated as part of a new monument to the legacy of the old Eureka City Hall building, which used to stand at the southwest corner of Third and G Street in Old Town.

The cornerstone bears the marking “A.D. 1904″ to memorialize the original dedication on Nov. 26, 1904 at the northeast corner of the building, which according to Masonic ritual is the proper place to begin the building of the “spiritual superstructure.”

Back then, as now, the ceremony was conducted by the local Masonic Lodge in a full ritual; the event coming up will be conducted by the Grand Lodge of California and its Grand Master, the “Most Worshipful” Frank Loui.

According to Eureka Mainstreet assistant director Amanda Robbins, the cornerstone of the now-torn down 1904 City Hall was only saved at the insistence of the Masons, and was preserved in the collection of the Clarke Historical Museum.

“This stone is Madera county granite, 30 inches square and 9 1/2 inches thick, bearing on one of its two dresses faces, cut deeply into the stone, the simply inscription ‘A.D., 1904.’” — Humboldt Standard, November 25, 1904.

Mainstreet is teaming up with the Eureka Heritage Society, the City of Eureka and the Masons to throw the rededication ceremony on Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of Third and G Street, where the groups also hope to install a historic landmark plaque.

Vice Mayor questions whether Mainstreet can feed on General Fund teet

By Charles Douglas
Humboldt Sentinel

The Eureka Chamber of Commerce will continue to be subsidized by the City of Eureka — but not necessarily so for Eureka Mainstreet.

In another in a long line of split decisions with Second Ward Councilmember Linda Atkins casting the lone ‘no,’ the City Council passed on a 4-1 vote the approximately $135,000 subsidy for the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce. Third Ward Councilmember Mike Newman, who made the prevailing motion, was the chair of the CoC when he ran for office in 2010.

The amount is equivalent to 7.5% of the transient occupancy tax charged on hotel room bills in Eureka — a standard level of funding, according to CoC executive director Jay Hockaday.

“Our primary function is to attract and engage visitors from our of the area and convince them to stay that one day longer,” he said.

Jeff Lamoree of the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation also spoke up for the Chamber’s work, but Atkins remained unconvinced due to conflict of interest concerns.

“I won’t be able to support this because of the political nature of the Chamber of Commerce, and I don’t believe public money should be used to support their programs,” she said.

When it came to the concept of subsidizing Eureka Mainstreet directly out of the General Fund, the Council sang a different tune — led once more by Vice Mayor and Fourth Ward Councilmember Melinda Ciarabellini, who cast the deciding vote to kill the Waterfront Drive extension project last month.

She said it made sense to fund the tourism and business improvement program for Old Town and Downtown out of Redevelopment funds; but with the state-mandated dissolution of the agency earlier this year, Ciarabellini suggested increasing the Mainstreet assessment on businesses within its district as a more appropriate funding source.

“Without Redevelopment funding, this program is now competing for General Fund dollars, and we have to pay for essential services,” she said. “I don’t think we should in our discussions just assume that we’re going to assume the full cost.”

Eureka Mainstreet sought the same $90,600 from the General Fund as used to be provided by the former Eureka Redevelopment Agency, which covers about 60% of their operating budget. While the Council technically voted 5-0 to allow their request to enter the 2012-13 budget cycle, the motion by Ciarabellini and Fifth Ward Councilmember Lance Madsen mandated that city staff and Mainstreet explore other funding sources such as grants and a hike in the Business Improvement District assessment. They also requested that Mainstreet executive director Charlotte McDonald submit a detailed budget for the program, which she promptly agreed to do.

“I think this is the finest program that we have ever had,” Eureka Mainstreet president Barbara Maxon said. “This would be a terrible thing that this would not be able to continue.”

First Ward Councilmember Marian Brady took exception to any attempt to restrict city funding to McDonald, who’s “almost doing five jobs,” and said Mainstreet was always on top of problems in Old Town.

“What’s going into the General Fund is millions of dollars in transient occupancy taxes…it’s kind of disingenuous to say we’re just taking it out of the General Fund,” Brady said.

Atkins retorted by recalling the days before the Measure O sales tax hike passed when the Council was cutting basic services.

“$90,000 is a huge amount of money when you don’t have any,” she said just before the vote.

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by Skippy Massey

CISPA decried by civil libertarians and White House for lacking limits on info sharing

By Charles Douglas
Humboldt Sentinel

After beating back threats to online privacy late last year such as SOPA and PIPA, Internet activists were appalled by a sudden vote in the House of Representatives to adopt the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act.

Passed on a 248-168 vote, CISPA — which amends the National Security Act to subject the private communications of every American to sharing with the military and the National Security Agency — sailed through the House with the support of 42 Democrats, including Congressman Mike Thompson (Dem. – St. Helena), who also co-sponsored HR 3523. Their vote ignored the signatures of over 1 million Americans rapidly collected by the American Civil Liberties Union, Avaaz.org, Demand Progress, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Free Press.

“CISPA is a dangerous piece of legislation and it’s worrisome that the House has passed such an overreaching bill,” Free Press Action Fund policy director Matt Wood stated. “The bill still lacks effective oversight and accountability for companies and government agencies collecting massive amounts of our personal data.”

President Barack Obama has already threatened to veto the bill due to its treatment of domestic cybersecurity as an intelligence matter and its lack of safeguards on personally identifying information. CISPA now heads to the United States Senate, where its companion legislation, S.2105, is spearheaded by Senator Joseph Lieberman (Ind. – Connecticut) and Susan Collins (Rep. – Maine).

“It would curtail Internet openness and freedom by stripping away crucial privacy protections, and without providing any guarantee of protection for critical infrastructure,” Woods went on to state. “If the Senate chooses to move forward with cybersecurity legislation, we urge senators to make the changes necessary to protect civil liberties and Internet freedom.”

The Washington-based Constitution Project was more blunt with its criticisms, characterizing CISPA as enabling the use of information completely unrelated to security concerns. A constellation of business interests are backing the bill, including AT&T, Facebook, IBM, Intel, Oracle, Verizon and corporate lobby groups like the United States Chamber of Commerce and the National Defense Industrial Association — leading Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul to call CISPA “an alarming form of corporatism, as it further intertwines government with companies…”

“It permits them to hand over your private communications to government officials without a warrant, circumventing well-established federal laws like the Wiretap Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act,” Rep. Paul went on to say. “It also grants them broad immunity from lawsuits for doing so, leaving you without recourse for invasions of privacy.  Simply put, CISPA encourages some of our most successful internet companies to act as government spies, sowing distrust of social media and chilling communication in one segment of the world economy where America still leads.”

The Electronic Frontier Foundation of San Francisco claimed CISPA would lead to the censorship of any speech presumed to degrade a network, not to mention provide private corporations and the feds with a powerful weapon to target whistleblowers.

“It is a long-held American value that the military doesn’t operate on U.S. soil against Americans, and allowing the NSA and [Department of Defense] to collect information on average Americans turns that value on its head,” ACLU legislative counsel Michelle Richardson stated. “All domestic programs must be run by civilian agencies. And finally, CISPA offers few limitations on what can be done with the information that the government ultimately collects.”

Thompson, the North Coast’s representative in the House for nearly 14 years, is running for Congress in the new 5th District, which stretches from southern Lake County to Vallejo and the northern tip of Contra Costa County. He has raised over $38,000 from proponents of CISPA in this election cycle, including $6,000 from Comcast. His office declined to comment on his support for CISPA, which he co-sponsored on Nov. 30 of last year.

The Senate version of CISPA is also co-sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein of California.

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Posted by Skippy Massey)

How long Humboldt County’s top administrator will stick around is anyone’s guess

By Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

Chosen as one of 11 semi-finalists from a pool of 80 applicants vying to be the next city manager of Florida’s Key West, Humboldt County Administrative Officer Phillip Smith-Hanes has decided to opt out of the running by withdrawing his name for the city’s top municipal position, according to the Florida Keys Keynoter on Saturday.

Current Key West City Manager Jim Scholl, who earns $180,000 annually, is leaving after five years.

Phillip Smith-Hanes notified Key West’s search consultant in an April 21 e-mail that he would no longer be continuing in the application process for the city’s top municipal position.  He was the second semi-finalist withdrawing from applying for the city manager position after the field narrowed down to the final 11 candidates for selection.

“After our conversation on Tuesday, conversations with other managers, additional research into the community, and review of the background materials, I have decided not to pursue the opportunity in Key West at this time. I am withdrawing from the process….” Smith-Hanes wrote.

Mr. Smith-Hanes earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University, a law degree from Washburn University Law School and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.  Following 13 years of experience in local government in both cities and counties of two states, he was appointed County Administrative Officer for Humboldt County in 2009.  Prior to that, Mr. Smith-Hanes served two years as Assistant County Administrative Officer.

The salary level for the Humboldt CAO is $14,083 monthly, or approximately $169,000 per year.

Regarded for his meticulous and thorough knowledge of County government and his calm and well prepared demeanor, Mr. Smith-Hanes has handled a myriad of complex issues and problems as Humboldt County’s CAO during the past two and a half years.

Mr. Smith-Hanes’ potential departure for positions elsewhere could represent a significant loss of both institutional experience and administrative guidance for the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors as they face continual challenges regarding land use, the General Plan Update, litigation and budgetary woes. The retirement of Jimmy Smith, the longest-serving Supervisor, along with the strong campaigns being waged against incumbents Clif Clendenen and Mark Lovelace, might also result in a new set of bosses for Smith-Hanes come 2013.

Humboldt County’s astounding beauty and apparent serenity disguise some truly disturbing health numbers

By Richard Kipling
California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting
University of Southern California

I don’t want to beat up on Humboldt County. I’ve driven through it a few times and it’s quintessential far northern California — beautiful, alluring, with Redwoods everywhere (the county motto is The Home of the Redwoods), a scenic coastline, pretty towns, friendly folk. The kind of place that sets an urban mind to wondering:  Could I live in this lush green paradise?

I’d like to spend more time there, for sure. But after a close look at the latest California Department of Public Health statistics, I might want to remain a visitor and not a resident. The county’s astounding beauty and apparent serenity disguise some truly disturbing health numbers.

The department recently released its County Health Status Profiles 2012, which provides a fascinating look at the leading causes of death for the years 2008-2010 for each of the state’s 58 counties. I just slalomed through 19 categories of death rates and Humboldt was a blinking neon sign. Let me take you on a tour.

In its overall death rate from all causes, Humboldt ranked next to worst, 57^th, with 865 deaths per 100,000 people. That compares to, say, Santa Clara County, with 509 deaths/100,000, or Marin County with 527. Quite a spread.

Or try the next category, deaths from all cancers. Humboldt ranked 56^th, with 185 per 100,000. I looked for another California county with a similar population number and poor, rural Imperial County fit the bill. Its numbers? 126 per 100,000, about a third lower.

Comb through the categories and there’s hardly any relief in the rankings for Humboldt County: deaths from colorectal cancer – 51^st; lung cancer – 40^th; female breast cancer – 51^st; prostate cancer – 52^nd; diabetes – 49^th; Alzheimer’s – 41^st; coronary heart disease – 39^th . Some of these constitute the county’s not-so-bad health outcomes – as if being ranked 41^st out of 58 is something to celebrate. I don’t pretend that they do.

But back to reality. For stroke, the county ranks dead last, 58^th, and is the only county in the state that failed to meet the “healthy people 2010 national objective” for that category.

The numbers are numbing. In deaths from chronic lower respiratory, it ranks 54^th; liver disease, 50^th; accidents, meaning unintentional injuries, 56^th; suicides, 55^th; firearm deaths, 52^nd; and drug-induced deaths, 57^th.

Overall, it ranks 50^th or lower in 13 of the 19 categories.

What could possibly explain this? Many of these categories line up with the characteristics explored in a 2008 study of suicide by the mental health branch of Humboldt County’s Department of Health and Human Services. It concluded that counties with high suicide rates “are largely rural, have lower median household income and 85 percent of counties had a higher proportion of people living in poverty as compared to the national percentage.”

A number of rural California counties fit this profile, Humboldt among them. The Census Bureau shows that Humboldt County’s poverty level is substantially higher than the state average, and its household income is one-third lower.  But other California counties have income and poverty profiles just as bad – in some cases considerably worse – without the widespread health problems.

Perhaps the mix of poverty and rural character is a factor, creating a physical and socio-cultural isolation that could be affecting health.  The physical isolation is made emphatically clear by Census figures: Humboldt’s density is 38 persons per square mile; the state’s average is 239.

In Humboldt County, the isolation we outsiders perceive as beauty may affect locals differently. Just think about the weather and the land. With rainfall averaging from 40 to 100 inches a year, perhaps there is a psychological dimension these statistics only hint at. The county encompasses 2.3 million acres, 80 percent of which, according to the county, “is forestlands, protected redwoods and recreation areas.” Eighty percent unsettled. Now that’s isolation.

* * * * * * *

Reprinted by permission of the author, Mr. Richard Kipling and the California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting, University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

The California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting partners with news organizations across the state to produce in-depth reporting on health-care issues of importance to consumers and policymakers.  Mr. Richard Kipling is Managing Editor.

Original article by Mr. Richard Kipling and information about the California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting can be found here.

(Posted by Skippy Massey for the Humboldt Sentinel)

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

By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Felony evading a peace officer

-Assault on a peace officer

-Threats to a peace officer

-Resisting arrest

-Possession of concentrated cannabis

-Driving under the influence of alcohol / drugs

-Hit and run (five counts)

-Driving while suspended

-Probation violation

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Robert Cree allegedly proceeds to piss in public and get arrested

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

Nobody home when Drug Task Force arrived

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

Redwood ACLU also to hear about state of the free press

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

Local civil rights leaders gather in Bayside tonight to celebrate the work of a longtime champion of the local homeless community.

John Shelter, formerly the Executive Director of the North Coast Resource Center and current director of New Directions, is the latest recipient of the Patriot Award, a recognition of local work done to defend and preserve the Constitutional rights and liberties of us all. The Redwood Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union gives out the Patriot Award every year during its annual meeting.

“It is said that a person’s home is her or his castle,” Redwood ACLU Vice Chair Jack Munsee stated in a release. “When you do not have a castle of your own, no matter how small it might be, you are at a significant disadvantage. John Shelter’s work is inspiring because he has assembled a diverse community of local organizations to help many homeless people overcome that disadvantage and better their own lives.”

Previous recipients of the Patriot Award include the librarians of Humboldt County for refusing to cooperate with the Feds in disclosing the reading habits of local residents, as well as political activist Jack Nounnan, Registrar of Voters Carolyn Crnich and the Critical Incident Response Team.

Shelter’s current work at New Directions, where homeless people are provided with employment opportunities and helped to clean up their campsites, grew out of his years-long work with the North Coast Resource Center, formerly known as the Arcata Endeavor, which provided basic services for poor and homeless people in Downtown Arcata before shutting down late last year.

“I believe it’s about making people whole, feeding their mind, their heart and their soul,” Shelter stated. “As people, we generally want to help homeless individuals. Sometimes we feel we have all the answers.However, people cannot be fixed from a case of homelessness, they need to be given the opportunity to honestly help themselves on their own terms.”

“Political climates change and community leaders move on. Community views on poverty and homelessness change whenever election time rolls around.  We will forever be required to continue community education on homelessness, and on possible solutions to address negative impacts associated with it.  It will also require positive communication and pressure on our community leaders to look at alternative emergency transitional housing options.  We cannot allow the continued criminalization of people that seem to be surviving in third world conditions without many options, without knowing who they are.”

His work with homeless issues is a personal one, as Shelter himself was homeless in Arcata and Eureka in the 1980s. Whether as a public speaker in front of the Arcata City Council or as a member of the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission, Shelter has sought to build bridges between the faith community, businesses and local governments to create pathways out of homelessness that respect individual rights.

“People who are homeless, whether for a day or for weeks or months, are at greater risk of having their rights and civil liberties violated,” Redwood ACLU Chair Greg Allen said. “Their personal safety, personal property, their ability to find work, to find places to sleep, to eat a nutritious diet, to maintain personal hygiene, to vote, their ability to navigate the criminal justice system should they run afoul of the law, all of these are impacted by their lack of a fixed, secure residence.”

The award will follow a keynote speech by Sean McLaughlin, the Executive Director of Access Humboldt, who will address local free speech and free press issues. Access Humboldt maintains four local cable television channels dedicated to local education, government and public access uses. McLaughlin has most recently called attention to California Senate Bill 1161, which would wipe out local and state government oversight over Internet Protocol-enabled communications services.

The Redwood Chapter ACLU represents over 600 dues-paying local residents in Del Norte, Humboldt, Western Trinity and Northern Mendocino Counties. Their annual meeting will also see an election of about half of their Board of Directors for new two-year terms and reflect on local civil liberties victories over the past year. Their meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Apr. 23 at the Unitarian Universalist Hall off of Jacoby Creek Road, preceded by a potluck at 6 p.m. For more information, visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.

Four addicts arrested, 3-year-old girl rescued

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Todd Schlueter originally sought on Trinity warrant

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

Celebration set for Friday at Eureka’s Jefferson School

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

From the Westside Community Improvement Association press release:

In August 2010 the Eureka City Council voted unanimously to pursue the conversion of Jefferson School into a Public Park and Community Recreation Facility as a Redevelopment project.  With the future of State Redevelopment Agencies so unsure, the City was not able to risk continuing with the plan.

In April of 2011, Westside Community Improvement Association, formally, the City’s Jefferson Committee became the successful bidder for the School site.

In June of 2011, Bill Rodstrom, Senior Planner for Redwood Community Action Agency contacted Heidi Benzonelli, President of WCIA and said “look at this funding opportunity, it looks like it was written for your project, I think we can write this.”  With less than 3 weeks ‘til deadline, Bill, Heidi and Richard Evans, Vice President of WCIA, pulled out all the stops and were able to utilize the City’s investment in planning, engineering, community scoping meetings, and develop the community’s wishes for this site into a proposal for the Jefferson Park and Community Recreation Facility.

In July 2011, escrow closed and Westside Community Improvement Association (formally the City’s Jefferson Committee) was able to secure the land.

Redwood Community Action Agency agreed to partner with the budding non-profit and help pursue the goals of preserving this 2 acre site for public use, revitalizing a neighborhood in blight and restoring common ground to the Westside.

A series of site visits and complicated grant and budget revisions ensued and once again the community came together. Songmi Sweet of Umpqua Bank, Praj White of Manhard Consulting, Marco Luna from the Humboldt County Sherriff office, Linda Atkins of Eureka City Council and actually, everyone who was asked, came to the school to show their support and offer their expertise to see this project to success. “Senator Noreen Evans and Assemblyman Wesly Chesbro both wrote letters supporting our efforts. The Office of Grants and Local Services was clearly  impressed and agreed with Bill Rodstrom, this funding was meant for projects just like this.”

And on March 28th, 2012 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program awarded Westside Community Improvement Association $3,305,560 to create the new Jefferson Park and Community Center in the City of Eureka through the acquisition and development of the 2 acre parcel. Plans include a playground, garden, walking paths, basketball courts, bocce courts, a public park, restrooms and parking and renovate the existing north building and portables for a community resource library, multi-purpose room, infant/toddler center, community recreation room, kitchen and restrooms.

The grant application states “parks are unique places where children can play, people can exercise, families can bond, seniors can socialize, youth can be mentored, cultures can share and celebrate their differences, and everyone can connect with nature. For these reasons, vibrant parks funded by this program will be a cost-effective means of creating humane, livable communities.”

We can not agree more!

Please join us for a press conference and community celebration beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday April 13th at Jefferson School, 1000 B Street, Eureka.

* * * * * * * *

History of the Jefferson School Project and the Westside Community Improvement Association

In 2005 due to declining citywide enrollment, Eureka City Schools closed Jefferson School, the heart of the Westside of Eureka.  Eureka’s Westside is the lowest income and highest ethnically diverse section of our city.  The Jefferson playground for over 70 years served as a place for the children to play, for families to meet, where cultural differences were shared, where conflicts were resolved and social development occurred.  When the school was closed the playground was locked. The school building fell into a state of disrepair and often vandalized. Without a park or play round the children of the Westside have only the streets and allies to play in.

The Westside holds an estimated 3,848 citizens within a half mile of Jefferson School. The number of youth is estimated at 860. It is the most densely populated neighborhood in Eureka.  Without Jefferson School and playground  there are no recreational activities or places to encourage healthy socializing. The lack of any common space can affect the heath and well-being of every resident from parents seeking a safe place to stroll with infants, young people craving recreation, to seniors and the handicapped needing exercise and companionship.

For 6 years, a group of concerned Westside residents now known as the Westside Community Improvement Association (WCIA) has held meetings and planning sessions to revitalize this neighborhood facility and convert the abandoned asphalt schoolyard into a project known as the Jefferson Park and Community Center. The  Redwood Community Action Agency ( RCAA) has supported this endeavor from the outset and the Department of Public Health has used our project as a model to present how health impact assessments can improve a projects design to benefit the community In 2011 our  group was able to raise enough money and secure financing to purchase the site.

The Westside Community Improvement Association  (WCIA) is  now in the phase of revitalizing the site, conducting  clean up parties , planning  meetings, and fundraising events. WCIA has been awarded several planning and scoping grants from local agencies and we are seeking support from California’s Pop 84 Grants for the creation of new parks.

We on the Westside are excited to be moving  forward with many committed community partners, and a well developed plan. The sense of community is growing as the realization of just how transformative a park, playground, and community center  will be to the children, elders, and families of this long neglected neighborhood.

To find out how you can help, please go to our How You Can Help page.

* * * * * * * *

Local community comments regarding the recent $3.3 million Jefferson Park and Community Center award can be found here.

(posted by Skippy Massey for the Humboldt Sentinel)

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

Willow Creek timberlands subdivision approved by Planning Commission

By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel

The Planning Commission “chopped” one parcel into two Thursday night at their regular monthly permits meeting.

The board cast  a 4-1 vote on Apr. 5 in favor of subdividing a 640-acre timberland parcel owned by the McLean Survivors’ Trust.

Located in the Willow Creek area, the two new parcels are surrounded by U.S. Forest Service timberlands, specifically fast growing Douglas-fir trees.

Commissioner Denver Nelson probed the applicants’ representative as to why the Forest Service wasn’t considered a potential buyer.

“The funding is not secure,” explained Chris Carroll.

Nelson also wanted to know why they were separating the land into two 320-acre parcels. Carroll claimed that it would be easier to sell the second parcel this way and that they “hope the new owner uses the second property for timber harvests.”

Helping prepare the groundwork to pass the land into new hands, proceeds from the sale would be put back into the McLean Trust. The McLean Trust is operated by the Fortuna-based McLean Foundation which donates money to projects of a humanitarian nature.

The zoning of the current parcel is Timber Production Zone. Under this zoning classification, trees can be harvested and one residential unit can be built for the caretaker of the land.

The Planning Commission waived the requirement that the property owner undertake a site suitability study to determine whether each parcel could sustain a dwelling. Vice Chair Ralph Faust was concerned that whomever bought the new parcel would use it solely for residential purposes.

The property is surrounded by a vast amount of trees and cannot be easily accessed by the outside world. The main road that winds up through the area is owned by the US Forest Service and is not maintained by the county. If the road snows over during a heavy blizzard or floods due to rain, property owners would be responsible for fixing their own road.

Faust was skeptical about the idea of the subdivision; using the example of characters in the story of Humpty Dumpty, he stressed that once it’s subdivided it won’t “come back together again.” He did not want future liability created for the county and cast the only dissenting vote.

In other business, the commission made a decision regarding ‘tie’ votes. In the event of future meetings with an odd number of absent Commissioners where votes might become deadlocked, the matter will be automatically forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.

The next meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for April 19 at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse. An introduction to the Environmental Impact Report on the General Plan Draft will take place and the public is invited to make comments.

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fernbridge Cafe free of any further regulatory snafus

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Judge orders minimum term of 42 years in prison

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

ABC, EPD team up to entrap random patrons with decoys

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unnamed 66-year-old gives up gun, transported to Sempervirens

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

An elderly man is lodged at Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility after he threatened to shoot himself in his own front yard last night.

At about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a man brandishing a handgun on the 3600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue just outside the city limits of Eureka. Upon arrival, the cops found the 66-year-old male, whose name was not released, standing in the front yard of his residence. According to HCSO lieutenant Steve Knight, the man was speaking on the phone with a family member, and when a deputy approached, the man pointed the gun at his own chest while making apparently suicidal statements.

Additional deputies, California Highway Patrol, City Ambulance, Humboldt Bay Fire and mental health crisis personnel all responded to the scene, along with HCSO hostage negotiators. One of these negotiators spoke with the male for approximately 45 minutes, during which time the man allegedly raised and lowered the firearm to his chest and stating that he wished to die.

At about 8:30 p.m., the man put the gun down and was transported without further incident to Sempervirens for a mental health evaluation. According to Knight, no charges are being sought, and no one was injured.