Bones were found in an old burned-down church
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/31/09
Loleta
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigators are on the case of an unidentified corpse discovered yesterday in Loleta.
A man reported to the HCSO at about 3:30 p.m. that he had discovered skeletal human remains in a church that had burned down about six years ago at the intersection of Old Indianola Road and Hookton Road.
HCSO deputies arriving on scene confirmed the remains were indeed human, and the Cornoer’s Office was called to assist.
Due to the length of time and degree of degradation, forensic tests will be necessary to determine the gender, age and cause of death, as well as to attempt to ascertain the identity of the deceased, according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
CAMP nets over 100,000 plants in Humboldt
Efforts focused thus far in tribal, timber and federal lands
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/30/09
Hoopa
The Campaign Against Marijuana Planting went on a rampage this week in the forestlands of the North Coast, eradicating 74,100 marijuana plants in just four days, and approximately 102,500 in total this summer in Humboldt County. Statewide, CAMP claims credit for eradicating over 3 million growing marijuana plants this year.
CAMP works with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshall’s Service and the U.S. Forest Service locally, targeting tribal, timber company and USFS lands primarily in their eradication efforts.
On Monday the CAMP teams eradicated 36,500 plants from USFS property near Waterman Ridge above Willow Creek. The next day, 2,000 plants were cut from timber company property near Shively. On Wednesday, teams took 17,000 plants on timber company and other private property in Redwood Valley. The next day the CAMP temas wound out the week with another 18,600 plants found on Hoopa tribal land near Supply Creek, where law enforcement also found ammunition for handguns and other evidence indicating the involvement of drug trafficking organizations according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey.
CAMP conducted its first sweep of Humboldt County in the last week of July, when they killed 28,400 plants in four days, including 13,000 from Hoopa Valley tribal land and timber company land, 1,000 on USFS land near Orleans, 8,200 plants from State Parks land and timber company land near Pepperwood, and 6,200 plants from timber lands near Blocksburg.
CAMP will continue operations in Humboldt County throughout the summer.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/30/09
Hoopa
The Campaign Against Marijuana Planting went on a rampage this week in the forestlands of the North Coast, eradicating 74,100 marijuana plants in just four days, and approximately 102,500 in total this summer in Humboldt County. Statewide, CAMP claims credit for eradicating over 3 million growing marijuana plants this year.
CAMP works with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshall’s Service and the U.S. Forest Service locally, targeting tribal, timber company and USFS lands primarily in their eradication efforts.
On Monday the CAMP teams eradicated 36,500 plants from USFS property near Waterman Ridge above Willow Creek. The next day, 2,000 plants were cut from timber company property near Shively. On Wednesday, teams took 17,000 plants on timber company and other private property in Redwood Valley. The next day the CAMP temas wound out the week with another 18,600 plants found on Hoopa tribal land near Supply Creek, where law enforcement also found ammunition for handguns and other evidence indicating the involvement of drug trafficking organizations according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey.
CAMP conducted its first sweep of Humboldt County in the last week of July, when they killed 28,400 plants in four days, including 13,000 from Hoopa Valley tribal land and timber company land, 1,000 on USFS land near Orleans, 8,200 plants from State Parks land and timber company land near Pepperwood, and 6,200 plants from timber lands near Blocksburg.
CAMP will continue operations in Humboldt County throughout the summer.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Robbery leads to car theft
Drive-up assault was at gunpoint; two assailants at large
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/29/09
Eureka
Police are looking for the men who stole a car at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 from two men at a Broadway motel.
Two men in a dark truck pulled up alongside one of the victims as he was walking north on N Street toward a gas station. Someone in the passenger seat aimed a gun at him and demanded his belongings before getting out and striking him with the gun.
The assailants, who spoke Spanish and English, took his wallet, cell phone and car keys.
After the assailants drove away the man returned to the motel and told his friend what had happened, the second man went to the parking lot to see if the first man's car had been stolen and found one of the assailants trying to start the engine. The second victim tried to stop the car thief, but the assailant was able to start the car and drive away.
During their scuffle the thief lost one of his shoes. Both victims had minor injuries but refused medical attention.
The stolen vehicle is a grey 2008 Nissan Sentra with Oregon license plate 657DYD.
Anyone with information in this matter is urged to contact Eureka Police Department detective sergeant O'Neill at (707) 441-4300.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/29/09
Eureka
Police are looking for the men who stole a car at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 from two men at a Broadway motel.
Two men in a dark truck pulled up alongside one of the victims as he was walking north on N Street toward a gas station. Someone in the passenger seat aimed a gun at him and demanded his belongings before getting out and striking him with the gun.
The assailants, who spoke Spanish and English, took his wallet, cell phone and car keys.
After the assailants drove away the man returned to the motel and told his friend what had happened, the second man went to the parking lot to see if the first man's car had been stolen and found one of the assailants trying to start the engine. The second victim tried to stop the car thief, but the assailant was able to start the car and drive away.
During their scuffle the thief lost one of his shoes. Both victims had minor injuries but refused medical attention.
The stolen vehicle is a grey 2008 Nissan Sentra with Oregon license plate 657DYD.
Anyone with information in this matter is urged to contact Eureka Police Department detective sergeant O'Neill at (707) 441-4300.
Friday, August 28, 2009
EPD catches three men soliciting prostitutes
Eureka Natural Foods owner also driving with suspended license
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/28/09
Eureka
Police have arrested three men for soliciting prostitutes in an Aug. 26 sting operation conducted in response to complaints from community members
The men, who were each booked into the Humboldt County jail and had their cars impounded, were:
Juan Jose Salazar, 33, of Arcata;
Richard William Littlefield, 58, of Eureka, who was also charged with driving while his license is suspended;
Eric C. Peterson, 58, of Phillipsville, who was also charged with possession of methamphetamine.
One the men busted by the Eureka Police Department plays a prominent role in the community: Rick Littlefield, as he is more commonly known, is the owner of Eureka Natural Foods and a local philanthropist, serving on the committee for the Trails Trust. ENF had no comment on the story.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/28/09
Eureka
Police have arrested three men for soliciting prostitutes in an Aug. 26 sting operation conducted in response to complaints from community members
The men, who were each booked into the Humboldt County jail and had their cars impounded, were:
Juan Jose Salazar, 33, of Arcata;
Richard William Littlefield, 58, of Eureka, who was also charged with driving while his license is suspended;
Eric C. Peterson, 58, of Phillipsville, who was also charged with possession of methamphetamine.
One the men busted by the Eureka Police Department plays a prominent role in the community: Rick Littlefield, as he is more commonly known, is the owner of Eureka Natural Foods and a local philanthropist, serving on the committee for the Trails Trust. ENF had no comment on the story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
HSU scores $1 million grant
Environmental Legacy Project to enhance public understanding
Paul Mann, Humboldt State University
8/27/09
Sacramento
The National Science Foundation has awarded $2 million to Sacramento State and $1 million to Humboldt State for their partnership in the California Environmental Legacy Project.
The project, which began several years ago, is a statewide initiative among scientists, educators and media professionals to enhance public understanding of California’s rapidly changing environment. The collaboration includes California State Parks, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Public Television Consortium, as well as higher education and science museum partners. NSF funding supports three major components of the Legacy Project:
* A two-hour television documentary, “Reinventing California,” will journey across 2 billion years of California’s history and explore the fundamental nature of our relationship to a changing environment. The target date for its PBS presentation throughout California is fall 2012.
* The Changing Places Initiative will use “place-based” programs to reach park, museum, science center, and school audiences at regional sites, including Lassen Volcano, Redwood Forest, Point Reyes, Los Angeles Basin/Baldwin Hills, and Anza Borrego Desert. Each will feature short films, video podcasts and print media.
* An Online Educational Portal will create new digital learning systems, giving users access to multimedia content, searchable databases, lesson plans, interactive maps and online learning communities.
“I applaud the faculty members involved in this project for their outstanding dedication to science education and environmental awareness. Their work is helping to keep the California State University at the forefront of the most important issues facing California,” says Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez.
Humboldt State President Rollin C. Richmond says: “For me, what’s most exciting about this project is that it provides a new way for scientists to share their knowledge. Californians care quite deeply about our natural environment. They want to understand it better and protect it, and this will help.”
Project Director Jim Baxter, a Sacramento State biology professor, says the three-year grant will create a novel integration of the three instructional components by combining new digital media with a place-based approach to learning. Sacramento State is the lead institution in the grant work. Humboldt State will develop the place-based programs.
“By creating high-quality educational programs and media resources that connect learning about environmental change to local places, the project will explore the fundamental nature of our relationship to a changing environment – where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going,” Baxter says.
Jeffrey White, project co-director and Humboldt State biology professor, adds: “The National Science Foundation is a primary supporter of the California Environmental Legacy Project, and this funding will allow us to carry out our goal of deepening public understanding of environmental change and our place in the environment.”
Kit Tyler, a Sacramento-based filmmaker and president of American Mercury, Inc., will produce and direct the public television program. David Scheerer, professor of film at Humboldt State, will produce the media for the Changing Places Initiative. Remote-Learner.net is the digital learning systems partner for the project.
More information is available on the Legacy Project website: http://www.csus.edu/celp.
Paul Mann, Humboldt State University
8/27/09
Sacramento
The National Science Foundation has awarded $2 million to Sacramento State and $1 million to Humboldt State for their partnership in the California Environmental Legacy Project.
The project, which began several years ago, is a statewide initiative among scientists, educators and media professionals to enhance public understanding of California’s rapidly changing environment. The collaboration includes California State Parks, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Public Television Consortium, as well as higher education and science museum partners. NSF funding supports three major components of the Legacy Project:
* A two-hour television documentary, “Reinventing California,” will journey across 2 billion years of California’s history and explore the fundamental nature of our relationship to a changing environment. The target date for its PBS presentation throughout California is fall 2012.
* The Changing Places Initiative will use “place-based” programs to reach park, museum, science center, and school audiences at regional sites, including Lassen Volcano, Redwood Forest, Point Reyes, Los Angeles Basin/Baldwin Hills, and Anza Borrego Desert. Each will feature short films, video podcasts and print media.
* An Online Educational Portal will create new digital learning systems, giving users access to multimedia content, searchable databases, lesson plans, interactive maps and online learning communities.
“I applaud the faculty members involved in this project for their outstanding dedication to science education and environmental awareness. Their work is helping to keep the California State University at the forefront of the most important issues facing California,” says Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez.
Humboldt State President Rollin C. Richmond says: “For me, what’s most exciting about this project is that it provides a new way for scientists to share their knowledge. Californians care quite deeply about our natural environment. They want to understand it better and protect it, and this will help.”
Project Director Jim Baxter, a Sacramento State biology professor, says the three-year grant will create a novel integration of the three instructional components by combining new digital media with a place-based approach to learning. Sacramento State is the lead institution in the grant work. Humboldt State will develop the place-based programs.
“By creating high-quality educational programs and media resources that connect learning about environmental change to local places, the project will explore the fundamental nature of our relationship to a changing environment – where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going,” Baxter says.
Jeffrey White, project co-director and Humboldt State biology professor, adds: “The National Science Foundation is a primary supporter of the California Environmental Legacy Project, and this funding will allow us to carry out our goal of deepening public understanding of environmental change and our place in the environment.”
Kit Tyler, a Sacramento-based filmmaker and president of American Mercury, Inc., will produce and direct the public television program. David Scheerer, professor of film at Humboldt State, will produce the media for the Changing Places Initiative. Remote-Learner.net is the digital learning systems partner for the project.
More information is available on the Legacy Project website: http://www.csus.edu/celp.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Two residential fires hit Eureka
Over $100,000 in estimated damages due to apparent accidents
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/26/09
Eureka
Two fires hit residential structures in the last week in Eureka, and the local Red Cross is asking for assistance in helping displaced fire victims.
The first, at 5:16 a.m. on Aug. 20, struck a home at 1131 Twelfth Street, where firefighters from the Eureka Fire Department and Humboldt Fire District No. 1 discovered smoke filling the house from a source in the basement.
The resident had fled the home previous to the arrival of fire crews, and additional crews called in to search the structure for occupants found no victims, while the first engine prosecuted fighting the burning flames coming out of the basement and starting to spread to wall spaces on the west side of the residence.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire using an inch and three quarter hand line, and no injuries were reported by the crew, who estimated initial fire damage at $70,000, and the property value saved at $240,000.
EFD assistant fire chief Bill Gillespie reminded local residents that with recently cooling temperatures during the night, heaters and floor furnaces may be activated even with thermostats set at their lowest setting, which could cause combustibles to catch fire if they are in contact or too close to the heating device.
Initial fire damage estimated at $70,000. Severe damage occurred in the basement area, with limited spread into two walls. Also damaged were a number of windows and a door during suppression activities. The living quarters suffered significant smoke damage, but very little heat damage.
The second fire was just two days later, at 1:46 p.m. on Aug. 22 when EFD and HFD firefighters teamed up again to respond to a structure fire, this time at 411 D Street downtown, where they found heavy smoke emerging from the first floor of a three story building.
Upon sending their first team in, the engine company found the fire burning in the furniture and clothing of a small first story apartment. Apparently the residents had attempted to extinguish the fire before exiting the structure, according to EFD fire captain Kent Hulbert.
Additional engine companies then arrived to attack the first floor area with the help of a nearby hydrant, while crews were also assigned to search the basement, second and third floors for additional occupants and for any signs of fire spread. Crews were successful in using their inch and three quarter line to extinguish the apartment fire, while Pacific Gas and Electric officials were summoned to remove power to the building so that fire inside the electrical conduit could be dealt with.
While no injuries were reported from residents or the firefighter crews, Red Cross volunteers arrived on scene to provide aid to 15 displaced occupants. Local officials are asking for concerned community members to help the Humboldt County Chapter’s efforts by donating to its Disaster Response Fund by calling them at (707) 445-4521.
EFD estimated initial fire damage at $35,000, while an estimated $1 million in property was saved due to the swift response time. Most damage occurred in the apartment area and the deck area above, with other living quarters on the first and second floors suffering smoke damage and broken windows, but very little heat damage.
The second fire is also being treated as an apparent accident.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/26/09
Eureka
Two fires hit residential structures in the last week in Eureka, and the local Red Cross is asking for assistance in helping displaced fire victims.
The first, at 5:16 a.m. on Aug. 20, struck a home at 1131 Twelfth Street, where firefighters from the Eureka Fire Department and Humboldt Fire District No. 1 discovered smoke filling the house from a source in the basement.
The resident had fled the home previous to the arrival of fire crews, and additional crews called in to search the structure for occupants found no victims, while the first engine prosecuted fighting the burning flames coming out of the basement and starting to spread to wall spaces on the west side of the residence.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire using an inch and three quarter hand line, and no injuries were reported by the crew, who estimated initial fire damage at $70,000, and the property value saved at $240,000.
EFD assistant fire chief Bill Gillespie reminded local residents that with recently cooling temperatures during the night, heaters and floor furnaces may be activated even with thermostats set at their lowest setting, which could cause combustibles to catch fire if they are in contact or too close to the heating device.
Initial fire damage estimated at $70,000. Severe damage occurred in the basement area, with limited spread into two walls. Also damaged were a number of windows and a door during suppression activities. The living quarters suffered significant smoke damage, but very little heat damage.
The second fire was just two days later, at 1:46 p.m. on Aug. 22 when EFD and HFD firefighters teamed up again to respond to a structure fire, this time at 411 D Street downtown, where they found heavy smoke emerging from the first floor of a three story building.
Upon sending their first team in, the engine company found the fire burning in the furniture and clothing of a small first story apartment. Apparently the residents had attempted to extinguish the fire before exiting the structure, according to EFD fire captain Kent Hulbert.
Additional engine companies then arrived to attack the first floor area with the help of a nearby hydrant, while crews were also assigned to search the basement, second and third floors for additional occupants and for any signs of fire spread. Crews were successful in using their inch and three quarter line to extinguish the apartment fire, while Pacific Gas and Electric officials were summoned to remove power to the building so that fire inside the electrical conduit could be dealt with.
While no injuries were reported from residents or the firefighter crews, Red Cross volunteers arrived on scene to provide aid to 15 displaced occupants. Local officials are asking for concerned community members to help the Humboldt County Chapter’s efforts by donating to its Disaster Response Fund by calling them at (707) 445-4521.
EFD estimated initial fire damage at $35,000, while an estimated $1 million in property was saved due to the swift response time. Most damage occurred in the apartment area and the deck area above, with other living quarters on the first and second floors suffering smoke damage and broken windows, but very little heat damage.
The second fire is also being treated as an apparent accident.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Rita’s on Harris Street robbed
Man in motorcycle helmet brandished revolver
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/25/09
Eureka
A man robbed a West Harris Street restaurant just before 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 with a short-barreled revolver, fleeing south on Albee then west on West Everding with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The man was described as white with a bushy blond-gray mustache and wore dark jeans and a white full-face motorcycle helmet with a clear visor. He was in his 30s or 40s, 5'10”, and appeared to weigh more than 200 pounds.
Eureka police are asking anyone who may have seen a motorcycle or other vehicle leave the neighborhood around Rita’s at about that time to call 441-4300 or 441-4044.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/25/09
Eureka
A man robbed a West Harris Street restaurant just before 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 with a short-barreled revolver, fleeing south on Albee then west on West Everding with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The man was described as white with a bushy blond-gray mustache and wore dark jeans and a white full-face motorcycle helmet with a clear visor. He was in his 30s or 40s, 5'10”, and appeared to weigh more than 200 pounds.
Eureka police are asking anyone who may have seen a motorcycle or other vehicle leave the neighborhood around Rita’s at about that time to call 441-4300 or 441-4044.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Stabbing reported in Loleta
Unknown man sought in attack at Fireman’s Pavillion
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/24/09
Loleta
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies are searching for an unidentified man accused of a stabbing late last night in Loleta.
At about 1:15 a.m. deputies arrived at the scene of a dance at the Loleta Fireman’s Pavillion and found a 28-year-old Eureka man lying on the steps and covered in blood. Deputies ascertained during first aid treatment that the man, who authorities declined to identify, had been stabbed several times.
While none of the bystanders provided any information about his injuries, the victim described his attacker as an adult Hispanic male, about 5 foot 4 inches tall and weighing between 160 and 180 pounds. The suspect was also described as having a shaved head and moustache and wearing earrings, along with a gray or dark blue “Ben Davis” work-shirt and black and white Nike Cortez shoes.
The victim was transported to a local hospital which authorities also declined to identify, where his injuries were treated.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/24/09
Loleta
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies are searching for an unidentified man accused of a stabbing late last night in Loleta.
At about 1:15 a.m. deputies arrived at the scene of a dance at the Loleta Fireman’s Pavillion and found a 28-year-old Eureka man lying on the steps and covered in blood. Deputies ascertained during first aid treatment that the man, who authorities declined to identify, had been stabbed several times.
While none of the bystanders provided any information about his injuries, the victim described his attacker as an adult Hispanic male, about 5 foot 4 inches tall and weighing between 160 and 180 pounds. The suspect was also described as having a shaved head and moustache and wearing earrings, along with a gray or dark blue “Ben Davis” work-shirt and black and white Nike Cortez shoes.
The victim was transported to a local hospital which authorities also declined to identify, where his injuries were treated.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Headbutting man shatters patrol car window
APD arrests Joshua Garrison on multiple charges
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/23/09
Arcata
A bar fight on the Arcata Plaza got out of hand early Saturday morning, with multiple police agencies called to control an unruly crowd while Arcata Police Department officers dealt with an alleged drunk who damaged their patrol car.
At about 1:30 a.m. an APD foot patrol responded to a fight at Everett's bar on Ninth Street, where they found bouncers separating several fighting men. One of them, 23-year-old Joshua Garrison of McKinleyville, was removed from the bar because he had been striking others with his head.
While police attempted to take him into custody for disorderly conduct and public intoxication, Garrison continued to behave in an aggressive manner, according to a release from APD sergeant Dave Brown. While he was escorted to a patrol car for transport to the county jail, he struggled with officers and in the melee he purposefully struck the patrol car's rear window with his head, shattering it. Garrison sustained injuries which required the assistance of Arcata Ambulance.
While the struggle continued, a crowd formed around the patrol car, and APD obtained backup from the Humboldt State University Police Department, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol to maintain crowd control.
Garrison was eventually subdued and, after first-aid medical treatment, he was transported to Eureka and booked on public intoxication, resisting arrest and felony vandalism charges. He remains in custody in county jail.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/23/09
Arcata
A bar fight on the Arcata Plaza got out of hand early Saturday morning, with multiple police agencies called to control an unruly crowd while Arcata Police Department officers dealt with an alleged drunk who damaged their patrol car.
At about 1:30 a.m. an APD foot patrol responded to a fight at Everett's bar on Ninth Street, where they found bouncers separating several fighting men. One of them, 23-year-old Joshua Garrison of McKinleyville, was removed from the bar because he had been striking others with his head.
While police attempted to take him into custody for disorderly conduct and public intoxication, Garrison continued to behave in an aggressive manner, according to a release from APD sergeant Dave Brown. While he was escorted to a patrol car for transport to the county jail, he struggled with officers and in the melee he purposefully struck the patrol car's rear window with his head, shattering it. Garrison sustained injuries which required the assistance of Arcata Ambulance.
While the struggle continued, a crowd formed around the patrol car, and APD obtained backup from the Humboldt State University Police Department, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol to maintain crowd control.
Garrison was eventually subdued and, after first-aid medical treatment, he was transported to Eureka and booked on public intoxication, resisting arrest and felony vandalism charges. He remains in custody in county jail.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Protestors rally against health care reform
Tea Party Patriots call on Congressman Thompson to attend town hall meeting
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/22/09
Eureka
A local grassroots group is sponsoring a town hall in Fortuna to give Humboldt County residents a forum for discussing healthcare reform legislation.
Members of the non-partisan Humboldt County Tea Party Patriots say they decided to organize the meeting, which will be in Fortuna's Veteran's Hall on Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m., after failing to get an interview with North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena).
"“Everyone in the country is going to be impacted by this legislation,”" Dorice Miranda, president of the Humboldt County Tea Party Patriots, said in a press release. "[Congressman] Thompson is one of the architects, so it is not unreasonable to ask for straight answers.”"
Thompson's office has confirmed he will not be attening the Fortuna meeting, but will hold his own a week later on Sept. 2 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Redwood Acres Home Economics Building.
About 60 people gathered at noon last Friday in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse, most of whom were allied with the conservative-leaning Tea Party movement -- although other more populist or libertarian-leaning locals appeared with Obama "Joker" posters and stickers advocating the candidacy of former Presidential contender and longtime Congressman, Ron Paul (R-Galveston, Tex.).
Filling the courthouse's front lawn as they held signs, banners and numerous American flags the Patriots drew honks and cheers from passing motorists for about an hour. Some of them dressed as Revolutionary War-era patriots to indicate their support for what they describe as traditional American values.
One lone dissenter, Suzanne Cook, held her own counter-prostest across the street from the courthouse.
“"People should be getting real information, not just blasting their views,"” said Cook, who said she favors a single payer healthcare system. "“A lot of the organizing is being done by people connected to the insurance industry, like Dick Armey.”"
At about 1 p.m the protestors marched from the courthouse to Congressman Mike Thompson's Third Street office in Eureka.
"We're firing Mike Thompson," explained Miranda, one of the protest coordinators, as the protestors filed into Thompson's office one by one to deliver symbolic pink slips.
Thompson is one of the House of Representatives' "blue dog" Democrats, who have generally supported one of the more fiscally conservative reform bills that have been introduced. The Blue Dog Coalition also opposes the single payer system advocated by the Progressive Caucus.
Some party members said they felt more able to express their views through the protest than at one of the town hall meetings held during Congress' summer break this month. For his part, Thompson was part of a panel discussion on healthcare reform in Napa last month that some said was carefully orchestrated to discourage protestors opposing healthcare reform.
While holding "telephone town hall" meetings with handpicked constituents across his district, Thompson had yet to hold an in-person and unscripted town hall meeting in Humboldt County this year, and on Monday his Washington, D.C. communications director said schedule for the rest of August is still being decided.
"The main thing I'd like to tell him is he needs to come to Humboldt County to have an honest to goodness town hall meeting, one where we're able to speak," said Margaret Stafford after dropping her pink slip off.
Miranda said the number of party members had doubled in the two weeks since she began organizing the protest as people who felt unable express their view joined.
The Tea Party Patriots will also have a protest rally at State Senator Patricia Wiggins' and Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro's Eureka offices on Aug. 28 as well as sending a contingent to Sacramento to join other protestors.
Miranda said that protest will be a show of support for farmers who have lost much of their water supply because of Endangered Species Act protections, specifically for the Delta smoot.
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/22/09
Eureka
A local grassroots group is sponsoring a town hall in Fortuna to give Humboldt County residents a forum for discussing healthcare reform legislation.
Members of the non-partisan Humboldt County Tea Party Patriots say they decided to organize the meeting, which will be in Fortuna's Veteran's Hall on Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m., after failing to get an interview with North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena).
"“Everyone in the country is going to be impacted by this legislation,”" Dorice Miranda, president of the Humboldt County Tea Party Patriots, said in a press release. "[Congressman] Thompson is one of the architects, so it is not unreasonable to ask for straight answers.”"
Thompson's office has confirmed he will not be attening the Fortuna meeting, but will hold his own a week later on Sept. 2 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Redwood Acres Home Economics Building.
About 60 people gathered at noon last Friday in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse, most of whom were allied with the conservative-leaning Tea Party movement -- although other more populist or libertarian-leaning locals appeared with Obama "Joker" posters and stickers advocating the candidacy of former Presidential contender and longtime Congressman, Ron Paul (R-Galveston, Tex.).
Filling the courthouse's front lawn as they held signs, banners and numerous American flags the Patriots drew honks and cheers from passing motorists for about an hour. Some of them dressed as Revolutionary War-era patriots to indicate their support for what they describe as traditional American values.
One lone dissenter, Suzanne Cook, held her own counter-prostest across the street from the courthouse.
“"People should be getting real information, not just blasting their views,"” said Cook, who said she favors a single payer healthcare system. "“A lot of the organizing is being done by people connected to the insurance industry, like Dick Armey.”"
At about 1 p.m the protestors marched from the courthouse to Congressman Mike Thompson's Third Street office in Eureka.
"We're firing Mike Thompson," explained Miranda, one of the protest coordinators, as the protestors filed into Thompson's office one by one to deliver symbolic pink slips.
Thompson is one of the House of Representatives' "blue dog" Democrats, who have generally supported one of the more fiscally conservative reform bills that have been introduced. The Blue Dog Coalition also opposes the single payer system advocated by the Progressive Caucus.
Some party members said they felt more able to express their views through the protest than at one of the town hall meetings held during Congress' summer break this month. For his part, Thompson was part of a panel discussion on healthcare reform in Napa last month that some said was carefully orchestrated to discourage protestors opposing healthcare reform.
While holding "telephone town hall" meetings with handpicked constituents across his district, Thompson had yet to hold an in-person and unscripted town hall meeting in Humboldt County this year, and on Monday his Washington, D.C. communications director said schedule for the rest of August is still being decided.
"The main thing I'd like to tell him is he needs to come to Humboldt County to have an honest to goodness town hall meeting, one where we're able to speak," said Margaret Stafford after dropping her pink slip off.
Miranda said the number of party members had doubled in the two weeks since she began organizing the protest as people who felt unable express their view joined.
The Tea Party Patriots will also have a protest rally at State Senator Patricia Wiggins' and Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro's Eureka offices on Aug. 28 as well as sending a contingent to Sacramento to join other protestors.
Miranda said that protest will be a show of support for farmers who have lost much of their water supply because of Endangered Species Act protections, specifically for the Delta smoot.
EPD searches for local woman
Trisha Thomas reported missing under suspicious circumstances
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/22/09
Eureka
The Eureka Police Department is asking the public's help in locating Trisha Thomas, who has also gone by the names Trisha Childers and Trisha Henderson. Her family has reported her missing under suspicious circumstances.
Trisha is 5'7", has dark brown shoulder-length hair, hazel eyes and weighs 175 to 200 lbs. She is driving a cream-colored 1994 Ford Infinity with an Oregon license plate, 357DYU.
Anyone with information about Trisha Thomas can call Public Service Officer Mary Anderson at 441-4300 during work hours or call a dispatcher at 441-4044 anytime.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/22/09
Eureka
The Eureka Police Department is asking the public's help in locating Trisha Thomas, who has also gone by the names Trisha Childers and Trisha Henderson. Her family has reported her missing under suspicious circumstances.
Trisha is 5'7", has dark brown shoulder-length hair, hazel eyes and weighs 175 to 200 lbs. She is driving a cream-colored 1994 Ford Infinity with an Oregon license plate, 357DYU.
Anyone with information about Trisha Thomas can call Public Service Officer Mary Anderson at 441-4300 during work hours or call a dispatcher at 441-4044 anytime.
Friday, August 21, 2009
City Clerk sworn in while police salaries are frozen
Eureka saves $250k holding back cop raises, then hires zookeepers
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/21/09
Eureka
Eureka's police officers have agreed to go without raises for the next two years, a cost-cutting move that will save the city $250,000, city officials said at a Tuesday council meeting dominated by cost-cutting measures.
The Council unanimously voted, with Mayor Virginia Bass absent, to amend the city's contract with the Eureka Police Officers Association after reaching an agreement with the union during labor discussions.
Dropping the raises that were supposed to go into effect in January saves the city $174,000 this fiscal year and $87,000 for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Officers' benefits will remain the same for the next two years.
Pam Powell was sworn in as Eureka's new city clerk by Mayor Pro Tem Mike Jones, a move that city officials claim will save money by eliminating an assistant to the city manager's job and giving some of those duties to the city clerk.
City Manager David Tyson said Powell will continue advising his office on risk management, one of her previous duties, as well as taking on administrative tasks.
The council voted unanimously to approve leasing the Cooper Gulch Recreational Building for $600 a month to the Redwood Coast Montessori School, which will share the cost of maintenance with the city.
Public safety and prosperity
The council also heard reports from Assistant Fire Chief Bill Gillespie on the fire department's July 24 special training drill with equipment used to pull people out of tangled vehicles, which was held in the parking lot of John's Used Cars and Auto Wreckers.
Gillespie noted that Eureka ranked second in traffic collision injuries and deaths and third in pedestrian injuries and deaths among 96 California cities in 2007. That year 392 motorists or their passengers and 23 pedestrians were killed or injured in collisions.
Police Chief Garr Nielsen told the council that in response to complaints, traffic officers Gary Whitmer and Greg Hill recently worked 20 extra hours to make 40 traffic stops, handing out 20 tickets to drivers in the neighborhood around the zoo.
City Councilmember Linda Atkins presented Nancy Only, Unity of the Redwoods' minister, with a proclamation declaring Aug. 20 a day to acknowledge Eureka's prosperity.
"“I have been a resident of Eureka for 20 years, I have absolutely felt like I was in paradise on earth,”" Only told the council. “"It really disturbs me when people talk about what we lack. Gratitude should come ahead of gripes.”"
In addition
Other actions the council took were:
Voted 3-1, with Larry Glass dissenting, to accept a $20,949 donation from the Sequoia Zoo Foundation to make the education coordinator position at the zoo full-time again. The position had been cut back to part-time earlier this year.
Glass said he preferred spending any money for the zoo on a study to form a zoo assessment district.
Voted unanimously to grant two hiring freeze exceptions for the zoo, letting it fill two vacant zookeeper positions.
Voted unanimously to grant waivers excluding four people from the garbage and recycling program. The four had all been eligible for exclusion but didn't file applications on time. City Attorney Sheryl Schaffner said 19 more appeals are pending.
Jones said the council decided in closed session to join the California Redevelopment Association's lawsuit against the state's redevelopment funds grab.
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/21/09
Eureka
Eureka's police officers have agreed to go without raises for the next two years, a cost-cutting move that will save the city $250,000, city officials said at a Tuesday council meeting dominated by cost-cutting measures.
The Council unanimously voted, with Mayor Virginia Bass absent, to amend the city's contract with the Eureka Police Officers Association after reaching an agreement with the union during labor discussions.
Dropping the raises that were supposed to go into effect in January saves the city $174,000 this fiscal year and $87,000 for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Officers' benefits will remain the same for the next two years.
Pam Powell was sworn in as Eureka's new city clerk by Mayor Pro Tem Mike Jones, a move that city officials claim will save money by eliminating an assistant to the city manager's job and giving some of those duties to the city clerk.
City Manager David Tyson said Powell will continue advising his office on risk management, one of her previous duties, as well as taking on administrative tasks.
The council voted unanimously to approve leasing the Cooper Gulch Recreational Building for $600 a month to the Redwood Coast Montessori School, which will share the cost of maintenance with the city.
Public safety and prosperity
The council also heard reports from Assistant Fire Chief Bill Gillespie on the fire department's July 24 special training drill with equipment used to pull people out of tangled vehicles, which was held in the parking lot of John's Used Cars and Auto Wreckers.
Gillespie noted that Eureka ranked second in traffic collision injuries and deaths and third in pedestrian injuries and deaths among 96 California cities in 2007. That year 392 motorists or their passengers and 23 pedestrians were killed or injured in collisions.
Police Chief Garr Nielsen told the council that in response to complaints, traffic officers Gary Whitmer and Greg Hill recently worked 20 extra hours to make 40 traffic stops, handing out 20 tickets to drivers in the neighborhood around the zoo.
City Councilmember Linda Atkins presented Nancy Only, Unity of the Redwoods' minister, with a proclamation declaring Aug. 20 a day to acknowledge Eureka's prosperity.
"“I have been a resident of Eureka for 20 years, I have absolutely felt like I was in paradise on earth,”" Only told the council. “"It really disturbs me when people talk about what we lack. Gratitude should come ahead of gripes.”"
In addition
Other actions the council took were:
Voted 3-1, with Larry Glass dissenting, to accept a $20,949 donation from the Sequoia Zoo Foundation to make the education coordinator position at the zoo full-time again. The position had been cut back to part-time earlier this year.
Glass said he preferred spending any money for the zoo on a study to form a zoo assessment district.
Voted unanimously to grant two hiring freeze exceptions for the zoo, letting it fill two vacant zookeeper positions.
Voted unanimously to grant waivers excluding four people from the garbage and recycling program. The four had all been eligible for exclusion but didn't file applications on time. City Attorney Sheryl Schaffner said 19 more appeals are pending.
Jones said the council decided in closed session to join the California Redevelopment Association's lawsuit against the state's redevelopment funds grab.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Driver arrested for striking vehicles, house
APD allege James Russell was under the influence during accident
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/20/09
Arcata
Arcata police arrested a driver this afternoon after he was found to have been involved in four separate collisions at the north end of J Street.
James Russell, 47 of Arcata, was detained by the APD while attempting to leave the scene of the collisions at the 1700 block of J Street, with Arcata officers assisted by a University Police Department unit. Officers determined Russell was under the influence of alcohol and possibly drugs, and he was arrested at that time for driving while intoxicated.
What was reported to dispatch as a single collision turned out to be several; Russell was driving his 1997 Jeep Cherokee south on J Street when he allegedly struck a parked vehicle, drove through a yard, and struck a house, causing significant structural damage. APD sergeant Dave Brown alleged in a release that Russell drove from that point back to the street, striking two more parked vehicles before his own jeep was disabled to the point where it could no longer be driven.
No injuries were reported as a result of the collisions, and Russell was booked into county jail without further incident.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/20/09
Arcata
Arcata police arrested a driver this afternoon after he was found to have been involved in four separate collisions at the north end of J Street.
James Russell, 47 of Arcata, was detained by the APD while attempting to leave the scene of the collisions at the 1700 block of J Street, with Arcata officers assisted by a University Police Department unit. Officers determined Russell was under the influence of alcohol and possibly drugs, and he was arrested at that time for driving while intoxicated.
What was reported to dispatch as a single collision turned out to be several; Russell was driving his 1997 Jeep Cherokee south on J Street when he allegedly struck a parked vehicle, drove through a yard, and struck a house, causing significant structural damage. APD sergeant Dave Brown alleged in a release that Russell drove from that point back to the street, striking two more parked vehicles before his own jeep was disabled to the point where it could no longer be driven.
No injuries were reported as a result of the collisions, and Russell was booked into county jail without further incident.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Parolee busted for multiple thefts
Zach Friedland was found hiding in the attic
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/19/09
Fairhaven
A local man on parole is back in jail after a search by Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered numerous stolen items in his Huntoon Street residence.
The suspect was allegedly spotted running from a parked vehicle aside Highway 255 on Monday evening by a witness who noted the license plate number of the vehicle he left in. The burglarized vehicle had a broken window, and a responding deputy arrived at the location of the Fairhaven burglary to confirm with the owner, who returned from the beach, that several items had been stolen from the vehicle.
Deputies ran the plate and discovered it belonged to Zachariah Friedland, 30 of Eureka. Deputies responded to his residence on the 200 block of Huntoon Street and attempted to contact him. As Friedland was on parole and was thus subject to warrantless searches, deputies intended to conduct a search of the home, despite claims by a woman at the house that Friedland had left.
In the course of their search deputies found Friedland in the attic, along with a set of keys on his person which opened the residence’s garage. Inside, deputies found numerous items reported stolen from other local burglary cases, according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey. These include digital cameras, DVD players and other small electronic devices, only some of which can be traced to an original owner.
Friedland was arrested and transported taken to county jail where he was booked for burglary, possession of stolen property and a parole violation -- which makes him ineligible to post bail. He is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, but meanwhile, the case is still under investigation and additional arrests are expected.
Victims of car burglaries, particularly in the Samoa area, are encouraged to contact the HCSO in an effort to return their property to them.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/19/09
Fairhaven
A local man on parole is back in jail after a search by Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered numerous stolen items in his Huntoon Street residence.
The suspect was allegedly spotted running from a parked vehicle aside Highway 255 on Monday evening by a witness who noted the license plate number of the vehicle he left in. The burglarized vehicle had a broken window, and a responding deputy arrived at the location of the Fairhaven burglary to confirm with the owner, who returned from the beach, that several items had been stolen from the vehicle.
Deputies ran the plate and discovered it belonged to Zachariah Friedland, 30 of Eureka. Deputies responded to his residence on the 200 block of Huntoon Street and attempted to contact him. As Friedland was on parole and was thus subject to warrantless searches, deputies intended to conduct a search of the home, despite claims by a woman at the house that Friedland had left.
In the course of their search deputies found Friedland in the attic, along with a set of keys on his person which opened the residence’s garage. Inside, deputies found numerous items reported stolen from other local burglary cases, according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey. These include digital cameras, DVD players and other small electronic devices, only some of which can be traced to an original owner.
Friedland was arrested and transported taken to county jail where he was booked for burglary, possession of stolen property and a parole violation -- which makes him ineligible to post bail. He is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, but meanwhile, the case is still under investigation and additional arrests are expected.
Victims of car burglaries, particularly in the Samoa area, are encouraged to contact the HCSO in an effort to return their property to them.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fire tips off Sheriffs to grow
Bradley Chrisler busted for cultivation, sales, needles and more
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/18/09
Cutten
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office put two and two together after a fire occurred last week at a residence just outside Eureka city limits.
Their suspicion of an indoor marijuana growing operation taking place there led deputies to pay a visit to the 6400 block of Eggert Road this morning, where they contacted 48-year-old resident Bradley John Chrisler. He is subject to a form of probation which requires him to submit to law enforcement searches upon request.
In their search, the HCSO located 535 growing marijuana plants, over 11 pounds of bud and three hypodermic syringes.
Chrisler was promptly arrested and transported to county jail without incident, where he was booked on charges of cultivating marijuana, possessing marijuana for sales, possessing a hypodermic syringe and violating his probation. He posted $20,000 bail, according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey, and will be arraigned on Sept. 1.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/18/09
Cutten
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office put two and two together after a fire occurred last week at a residence just outside Eureka city limits.
Their suspicion of an indoor marijuana growing operation taking place there led deputies to pay a visit to the 6400 block of Eggert Road this morning, where they contacted 48-year-old resident Bradley John Chrisler. He is subject to a form of probation which requires him to submit to law enforcement searches upon request.
In their search, the HCSO located 535 growing marijuana plants, over 11 pounds of bud and three hypodermic syringes.
Chrisler was promptly arrested and transported to county jail without incident, where he was booked on charges of cultivating marijuana, possessing marijuana for sales, possessing a hypodermic syringe and violating his probation. He posted $20,000 bail, according to HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey, and will be arraigned on Sept. 1.
Monday, August 17, 2009
APD canine Cody dies
Labrador retriever worked narcotic detection for six years
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/17/09
Arcata
Arcata Police Department employees were shaken this weekend by the unexpected death of Cody, their longest-serving K-9 unit, who worked the narcotic detection beat with his handler, APD sergeant Todd Dokweiler.
"Cody's passing comes as a shock to all of us at APD," APD captain Tom Chapman stated in a release. "Cody played an important role in our department, not only as a working dog, but also as an enthusiastic, high-energy companion that could instantly put a smile on your face when he came barreling down the office hallway at top speed."
Cody passed away Saturday afternoon after he had been taken to a local veterinarian that morning due to stomach problems. He was not on duty when he became ill, according to the APD.
Otherwise known as Wilson Maximum Code Red, Cody was a seven-year-old AKC Labrador retriever who joined the APD in 2003 after his drug-sniffing training. During his career he made nearly 300 narcotic finds ranging from trace amounts of cocaine to over three pounds of heroin and two pounds of methamphetamine. He worked around the region on the Humboldt County Drug Task Force with most local law enforcement agencies, as well as with the California Department of Corrections, the United States Postal Service and the US Forest Service.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/17/09
Arcata
Arcata Police Department employees were shaken this weekend by the unexpected death of Cody, their longest-serving K-9 unit, who worked the narcotic detection beat with his handler, APD sergeant Todd Dokweiler.
"Cody's passing comes as a shock to all of us at APD," APD captain Tom Chapman stated in a release. "Cody played an important role in our department, not only as a working dog, but also as an enthusiastic, high-energy companion that could instantly put a smile on your face when he came barreling down the office hallway at top speed."
Cody passed away Saturday afternoon after he had been taken to a local veterinarian that morning due to stomach problems. He was not on duty when he became ill, according to the APD.
Otherwise known as Wilson Maximum Code Red, Cody was a seven-year-old AKC Labrador retriever who joined the APD in 2003 after his drug-sniffing training. During his career he made nearly 300 narcotic finds ranging from trace amounts of cocaine to over three pounds of heroin and two pounds of methamphetamine. He worked around the region on the Humboldt County Drug Task Force with most local law enforcement agencies, as well as with the California Department of Corrections, the United States Postal Service and the US Forest Service.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Nodded-out drug offender arrested
APD finds man unconscious and allegedly heroin-addled
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/16/09
Arcata
Arcata Police Department officers arrested an allegedly intoxicated parolee on Friday who was apparently in possession of a number of illicit substances.
APD conducted a welfare check at about 11:30 p.m. on Trevor Dowdy, who appeared unconscious while sitting in the driver seat of a vehicle parked on the 600 block of Tenth Street. He was evaluated and determined to be under the influence of an illegal drug, according to an APD release.
Officers proceeded to arrest Dowdy and search his vehicle; they found about 9.1 grams of heroin in plain view, several types of prescription medication not prescribed to Dowdy, as well as a syringe containing heroin and other heroin related paraphernalia.
In addition to his arrest for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Dowdy was booked at the county jail for possession of a narcotic, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a needle and illegal possession of medication. He also has an arrest warrant out of Sunnyvale for drug possession and another arrest warrant out of Michigan for violating his parole from prior drug convictions.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/16/09
Arcata
Arcata Police Department officers arrested an allegedly intoxicated parolee on Friday who was apparently in possession of a number of illicit substances.
APD conducted a welfare check at about 11:30 p.m. on Trevor Dowdy, who appeared unconscious while sitting in the driver seat of a vehicle parked on the 600 block of Tenth Street. He was evaluated and determined to be under the influence of an illegal drug, according to an APD release.
Officers proceeded to arrest Dowdy and search his vehicle; they found about 9.1 grams of heroin in plain view, several types of prescription medication not prescribed to Dowdy, as well as a syringe containing heroin and other heroin related paraphernalia.
In addition to his arrest for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Dowdy was booked at the county jail for possession of a narcotic, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a needle and illegal possession of medication. He also has an arrest warrant out of Sunnyvale for drug possession and another arrest warrant out of Michigan for violating his parole from prior drug convictions.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Armed robber on motorcycle at large
Man brandished handgun and swiped cash at Loleta smoke shop
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/15/09
Loleta
Humboldt County Sheriff's deputies are on the lookout for an unidentified man who held up the Huber Enterprises Smoke Shop on the Table Bluff Rancheria.
At about 11:30 a.m. yesterday, deputies responded to a report of a white male in his 30s who arrived at the shop on a loud motorcycle, brandished a small handgun at the clerk and demanded that she give him the shop's money. He then took the money, some of which was in bank deposit bags, and left on his motorcycle.
Deputies found the empty deposit bags a short time later at the intersection of Table Bluff Road and Eel River Drive, according to the release by HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey.
While no plate number for the motorcycle has been released at this time, the suspect is described as wearing a black leather jacket, a black helmet, and sunglasses. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/15/09
Loleta
Humboldt County Sheriff's deputies are on the lookout for an unidentified man who held up the Huber Enterprises Smoke Shop on the Table Bluff Rancheria.
At about 11:30 a.m. yesterday, deputies responded to a report of a white male in his 30s who arrived at the shop on a loud motorcycle, brandished a small handgun at the clerk and demanded that she give him the shop's money. He then took the money, some of which was in bank deposit bags, and left on his motorcycle.
Deputies found the empty deposit bags a short time later at the intersection of Table Bluff Road and Eel River Drive, according to the release by HCSO public information officer Brenda Godsey.
While no plate number for the motorcycle has been released at this time, the suspect is described as wearing a black leather jacket, a black helmet, and sunglasses. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Eureka to host full-time federal judge
Nandor Vadas to be assigned all new federal cases in region
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/13/09
San Francisco
A five-year part-time veteran of the federal bench has been elevated to a new full-time position to cover all new civil and criminal federal actions on the North Coast.
Nandor Vadas, who served as the part-time United States magistrate judge in Eureka since July 2004, has taken a lead role in expanding the services offered by the local federal court, including an innovative early settlement program for prisoner civil rights cases brought by unrepresented prisoners at Pelican Bay State Prison. The success of the prisoner civil rights early settlement program at Pelican Bay led to its expansion to all state prisons in the Northern District of California and to some prisons in the Eastern District of California, according to a release from Rich Wieking, Clerk of Court for the US District Court for Northern California.
As the first full-time magistrate to be seated in Eureka, Vadas will be directly assigned all new civil and criminal actions arising in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte and Trinity Counties.
Vadas previously served as a Deputy District Attorney for Humboldt County, concurrently serving as Special Assistant US Attorney for the region. In this role he prosecuted all federal misdemeanor cases and also investigated federal drug and money laundering crimes. He has also taught criminal justice courses at the Redwood Police Academy of College of the Redwoods.
Magistrate Judge Vadas graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz and Hastings College of the Law and served as a Deputy DA for San Francisco County from 1983‐1989, after which he moved to the federal system and began a lengthy period of service as an Assistant US Attorney in San Francisco from 1989‐1998.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/13/09
San Francisco
A five-year part-time veteran of the federal bench has been elevated to a new full-time position to cover all new civil and criminal federal actions on the North Coast.
Nandor Vadas, who served as the part-time United States magistrate judge in Eureka since July 2004, has taken a lead role in expanding the services offered by the local federal court, including an innovative early settlement program for prisoner civil rights cases brought by unrepresented prisoners at Pelican Bay State Prison. The success of the prisoner civil rights early settlement program at Pelican Bay led to its expansion to all state prisons in the Northern District of California and to some prisons in the Eastern District of California, according to a release from Rich Wieking, Clerk of Court for the US District Court for Northern California.
As the first full-time magistrate to be seated in Eureka, Vadas will be directly assigned all new civil and criminal actions arising in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte and Trinity Counties.
Vadas previously served as a Deputy District Attorney for Humboldt County, concurrently serving as Special Assistant US Attorney for the region. In this role he prosecuted all federal misdemeanor cases and also investigated federal drug and money laundering crimes. He has also taught criminal justice courses at the Redwood Police Academy of College of the Redwoods.
Magistrate Judge Vadas graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz and Hastings College of the Law and served as a Deputy DA for San Francisco County from 1983‐1989, after which he moved to the federal system and began a lengthy period of service as an Assistant US Attorney in San Francisco from 1989‐1998.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Opposition grows against Eureka inspection scheme
Laughter, jeers greet pols as task force backs off fast-track approval
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/12/09
Eureka
Local property owners continued giving an earful to proponents of a neglected rental ordinance Tuesday night in the Wharfinger Building, complaining the proposed law only duplicates ones already in place.
Councilmember Larry Glass and ad hoc task force members Lisa Ollivier, Virginia Hill and Lance Madsen took notes and answered questions as several dozen people, most of them landlords, lined up at a podium to vent their frustration with proposed inspections prompted by renters and neighbors.
"It looks like we're just trying to generate money, it's not going to help tenants, it's just going to help the city,” said Charlie Day, adding it seems the ordinance is going to be “crammed down our throats” whether anyone liked it or not. “I don't think that's right, I think it's a bad law, I don't think we ought to enact it.”
In response to those comments at last week's city council meeting, a section that excluded mobile homes and recreational vehicles used as rental units was dropped. The phrase “related to alleged criminal activity” was added to a section regarding the types of phone calls that could trigger civil liability for landlords -- although this would still leave in place what local attorney and Redwood ACLU chair Greg Allen called a “conclusive presumption” that lacked adequate safeguards against malicious calls or “calls by crazy people.”
None of the other attendees seemed mollified by the changes either, and City Attorney Cheryl Schaffner's frank admission that the ordinance is largely just a funding mechanism to pay for someone to coordinate inspections following complaints didn't sit well with the audience.
Schaffner -- whose estimate of 3,000 affected units doubled to 6,000 since the city council meeting -- suggested a $35 per unit per year fee that property owners say amounts to a tax or assessment. Her assurances the fee will probably go down as more properties are brought into compliance drew laughter, as did Glass' suggestion a sunset clause ending the policy after “maybe 50 years” could be added.
Skeptical landlords asked about the appeal process for complaints -- Schaffner said they are provided for by another municipal law -- and repeatedly complained the law would duplicate existing health and safety codes.
Another repeated complaint was that responsible landlords would be unfairly forced to pay for getting rid of a handful of irresponsible ones. Some said the law will hurt low-income tenants, and Schaffner acknowledged the fee is going to cause rent increases.
“We're being penalized because of bad landlords,” said Cheryl Clayton. “But I'm not a bad landlord and my tenant's not a bad tenant. She's going to have to move because I'm going to have to raise the rent and she can't afford it.”
Property manager Don Davenport pointed out renters on fixed incomes will have difficulty with higher rents and said the ordinance would make an already difficult situation even worse.
“My point is, people are just getting by, we need to recognize we're in a poor community,” said Davenport. “You want to go after somebody, go after the slumlords --we all know who they are.”
This point was echoed by local landlord Kelly Martin, who called for the formation of a citizen task force to go after “drug houses,” including their landlords.
Towards the end of the nearly four-hour hearing, Glass promised attendees that he would convene another town hall-style workshop prior to bringing the ordinance to the City Council for possible adoption.
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/12/09
Eureka
Local property owners continued giving an earful to proponents of a neglected rental ordinance Tuesday night in the Wharfinger Building, complaining the proposed law only duplicates ones already in place.
Councilmember Larry Glass and ad hoc task force members Lisa Ollivier, Virginia Hill and Lance Madsen took notes and answered questions as several dozen people, most of them landlords, lined up at a podium to vent their frustration with proposed inspections prompted by renters and neighbors.
"It looks like we're just trying to generate money, it's not going to help tenants, it's just going to help the city,” said Charlie Day, adding it seems the ordinance is going to be “crammed down our throats” whether anyone liked it or not. “I don't think that's right, I think it's a bad law, I don't think we ought to enact it.”
In response to those comments at last week's city council meeting, a section that excluded mobile homes and recreational vehicles used as rental units was dropped. The phrase “related to alleged criminal activity” was added to a section regarding the types of phone calls that could trigger civil liability for landlords -- although this would still leave in place what local attorney and Redwood ACLU chair Greg Allen called a “conclusive presumption” that lacked adequate safeguards against malicious calls or “calls by crazy people.”
None of the other attendees seemed mollified by the changes either, and City Attorney Cheryl Schaffner's frank admission that the ordinance is largely just a funding mechanism to pay for someone to coordinate inspections following complaints didn't sit well with the audience.
Schaffner -- whose estimate of 3,000 affected units doubled to 6,000 since the city council meeting -- suggested a $35 per unit per year fee that property owners say amounts to a tax or assessment. Her assurances the fee will probably go down as more properties are brought into compliance drew laughter, as did Glass' suggestion a sunset clause ending the policy after “maybe 50 years” could be added.
Skeptical landlords asked about the appeal process for complaints -- Schaffner said they are provided for by another municipal law -- and repeatedly complained the law would duplicate existing health and safety codes.
Another repeated complaint was that responsible landlords would be unfairly forced to pay for getting rid of a handful of irresponsible ones. Some said the law will hurt low-income tenants, and Schaffner acknowledged the fee is going to cause rent increases.
“We're being penalized because of bad landlords,” said Cheryl Clayton. “But I'm not a bad landlord and my tenant's not a bad tenant. She's going to have to move because I'm going to have to raise the rent and she can't afford it.”
Property manager Don Davenport pointed out renters on fixed incomes will have difficulty with higher rents and said the ordinance would make an already difficult situation even worse.
“My point is, people are just getting by, we need to recognize we're in a poor community,” said Davenport. “You want to go after somebody, go after the slumlords --we all know who they are.”
This point was echoed by local landlord Kelly Martin, who called for the formation of a citizen task force to go after “drug houses,” including their landlords.
Towards the end of the nearly four-hour hearing, Glass promised attendees that he would convene another town hall-style workshop prior to bringing the ordinance to the City Council for possible adoption.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fake police charity calls reported
APD advises locals to never give personal info to unsolicited callers
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/11/09
Arcata
Local law enforcement warned residents today of an attempted fundraising scam, involving unsolicited calls from the fictitious Northern California Police Officer’s League.
Arcata Police Department officers received a report from a resident who received such a call, wherein she was asked to provide her credit card information to make a charitable donation to local law enforcement. While the unnamed resident was smart enough to spot the suspicious call and decline the offer, the APD is concerned with the attempted scam.
Locals are advised that unsolicited phone calls are a common method used by criminals to obtain personal and financial information, and that personal information should not be given out to unknown persons making unsolicited calls to them.
For more information, call the APD at (707) 822-2428.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/11/09
Arcata
Local law enforcement warned residents today of an attempted fundraising scam, involving unsolicited calls from the fictitious Northern California Police Officer’s League.
Arcata Police Department officers received a report from a resident who received such a call, wherein she was asked to provide her credit card information to make a charitable donation to local law enforcement. While the unnamed resident was smart enough to spot the suspicious call and decline the offer, the APD is concerned with the attempted scam.
Locals are advised that unsolicited phone calls are a common method used by criminals to obtain personal and financial information, and that personal information should not be given out to unknown persons making unsolicited calls to them.
For more information, call the APD at (707) 822-2428.
Monday, August 10, 2009
California unemployment debt tops $2.6 billion
State's insurance trust fund the most indebted in the nation
Olga Pierce, ProPublica
8/10/09
Sacramento
Seventeen states have been forced to borrow federal money because their unemployment insurance trust funds have run dry — but even among this group one state stands out from the rest.
California, which now owes $2.6 billion, has the most indebted trust fund in the nation. For the last month, the state has been borrowing at a rate of about $30 million per day.
State workforce department officials estimate that by the end of 2010, the state’s fund will owe a jaw-dropping $18 billion.
A historical compromise left the U.S. with a patchwork system of 53 different trust funds operated by states and territories, which are able to decide their levels of financing and benefits provided they comply with federal guidelines that have not been updated for more than 25 years. The result is a system where some states have ample funds for unemployment insurance, and some run out. Workers in the most generous states get benefits twice as high as those in the stingiest states.
As is the case with most of the other states whose trust funds are empty, the funds coming into California’s trust fund have barely kept pace with the money being paid out in benefits. In times of recession, unemployment benefits function both as a helping hand for workers in need and an automatic form of economic stimulus by keeping people spending and businesses open.
When the unemployment insurance system was created, the intent was for states to accumulate reserves during good years and then let that money flow into the economy to ease economic rough patches.
Instead, as we reported earlier this year, many states let their reserves dwindle to nothing and have been forced to either cut benefits or raise taxes at the worst possible time—the middle of a deep recession.
California’s recent problems date back to 2001 when Democrats in the state legislature had the simple majority required to increase benefits, but not the two-thirds majority required to raise taxes to a rate that would make those benefits sustainable.
Ever since then, the state has barely been able to break even, let alone accumulate trust fund reserves required to weather a recession like the current one. Even in 2004, a relatively good year, the state found itself borrowing federal funds.
The stimulus bill provides for interest-free loans to states until 2011, but if California can’t pay off the bulk of its loans before then, it faces interest bills of more than $500 million per year. And according to federal borrowing rules, that money must come out of the state’s general fund, which means less money for other priorities.
The legislature is debating several proposals to stop the bleeding, including a provision similar to other states’ that would automatically adjust tax revenue upward as wages increase, thus ensuring sufficient funding each year with no need for the legislature to take action.
But all of the proposals yield to harsh economic reality: For the trust fund to regain solvency, businesses will have to pay higher tax rates, and benefits may have to be cut.
Olga Pierce, ProPublica
8/10/09
Sacramento
Seventeen states have been forced to borrow federal money because their unemployment insurance trust funds have run dry — but even among this group one state stands out from the rest.
California, which now owes $2.6 billion, has the most indebted trust fund in the nation. For the last month, the state has been borrowing at a rate of about $30 million per day.
State workforce department officials estimate that by the end of 2010, the state’s fund will owe a jaw-dropping $18 billion.
A historical compromise left the U.S. with a patchwork system of 53 different trust funds operated by states and territories, which are able to decide their levels of financing and benefits provided they comply with federal guidelines that have not been updated for more than 25 years. The result is a system where some states have ample funds for unemployment insurance, and some run out. Workers in the most generous states get benefits twice as high as those in the stingiest states.
As is the case with most of the other states whose trust funds are empty, the funds coming into California’s trust fund have barely kept pace with the money being paid out in benefits. In times of recession, unemployment benefits function both as a helping hand for workers in need and an automatic form of economic stimulus by keeping people spending and businesses open.
When the unemployment insurance system was created, the intent was for states to accumulate reserves during good years and then let that money flow into the economy to ease economic rough patches.
Instead, as we reported earlier this year, many states let their reserves dwindle to nothing and have been forced to either cut benefits or raise taxes at the worst possible time—the middle of a deep recession.
California’s recent problems date back to 2001 when Democrats in the state legislature had the simple majority required to increase benefits, but not the two-thirds majority required to raise taxes to a rate that would make those benefits sustainable.
Ever since then, the state has barely been able to break even, let alone accumulate trust fund reserves required to weather a recession like the current one. Even in 2004, a relatively good year, the state found itself borrowing federal funds.
The stimulus bill provides for interest-free loans to states until 2011, but if California can’t pay off the bulk of its loans before then, it faces interest bills of more than $500 million per year. And according to federal borrowing rules, that money must come out of the state’s general fund, which means less money for other priorities.
The legislature is debating several proposals to stop the bleeding, including a provision similar to other states’ that would automatically adjust tax revenue upward as wages increase, thus ensuring sufficient funding each year with no need for the legislature to take action.
But all of the proposals yield to harsh economic reality: For the trust fund to regain solvency, businesses will have to pay higher tax rates, and benefits may have to be cut.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Blasting the right is not a policy
Democrat schemes hopelessly complex; expansion of Medicare enjoys support
Sam Smith, Progressive Review
8/9/09
Liberalism has been long been trapped by the notion that its virtues are defined by the evils of the political right. In fact, while opposing the right may be a necessity, it's not a policy.
The dangers of MSNBC style liberalism - i.e. behaving like Bill O'Reilly but just flipping the issues - has been well demonstrated during the healthcare debate. By obsessing on things like the conservative protests at Democratic town meetings, there has been little interest in looking at the Democratic health plans and seeing why so many are so easily worried by them.
For example, the Democratic plans don't build on what's working now i.e. lowering the age of Medicare or otherwise expanding its approach.
They are hopelessly complex, an open invitation to political disaster.
They contains a lot of cutesy provisions that may appeal to health industry lobbies but make what's going in the bills seem opaque.
They treat health too much as a budget issue without dealing adequately with people's medical concerns.
They are far too friendly with the health industry and the bills show it.
If the Democrats bomb on healthcare, the primary blame rests with them. The right's opposition was a given from the start. What wasn't a given was that the Democrats would mess things up so badly.
Sam Smith, Progressive Review
8/9/09
Liberalism has been long been trapped by the notion that its virtues are defined by the evils of the political right. In fact, while opposing the right may be a necessity, it's not a policy.
The dangers of MSNBC style liberalism - i.e. behaving like Bill O'Reilly but just flipping the issues - has been well demonstrated during the healthcare debate. By obsessing on things like the conservative protests at Democratic town meetings, there has been little interest in looking at the Democratic health plans and seeing why so many are so easily worried by them.
For example, the Democratic plans don't build on what's working now i.e. lowering the age of Medicare or otherwise expanding its approach.
They are hopelessly complex, an open invitation to political disaster.
They contains a lot of cutesy provisions that may appeal to health industry lobbies but make what's going in the bills seem opaque.
They treat health too much as a budget issue without dealing adequately with people's medical concerns.
They are far too friendly with the health industry and the bills show it.
If the Democrats bomb on healthcare, the primary blame rests with them. The right's opposition was a given from the start. What wasn't a given was that the Democrats would mess things up so badly.
It didn't have to be like this. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 53% of Americans strongly support lowering Medicare to 55. Another 26% support it some what. That's 79% of Americans favorable to a plan the Democrats wouldn't even consider.
HSU creates Wellington Endowment for music
Fondly remembered KHSU host leaves $185,000 for scholarships
Paul Mann, Humboldt State University
8/9/09
Arcata
Humboldt State University has established the Jean Wellington Endowment through a nearly $185,000 bequest from the late Jean Wellington, one of the Redwood Coast’s foremost proponents of classical music and an on-air mainstay of Humboldt State’s KHSU/KHSR for nearly two decades.
Income earned from the endowment will be split evenly between the C. Leland Barlow Music Scholarship, begun in 1983 and awarded to the Department of Music’s incoming majors, and the Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop, launched in 1971, which provides young musicians with total immersion in chamber music.
The Barlow scholarship takes its name from a former faculty member who taught in HSU’s Department of Music for 36 years. The Sequoia workshop, sponsored by the Office of Extended Education, provides each participant with the opportunity to perform four times during each of two six-day summer sessions. Sequoia alumni have attended every major music school in the country and performed with ensembles ranging from Baltimore and Detroit to Utah and San Francisco.
Professor Eugene Novotney, chair of the Music Department Scholarship Committee and a collaborator with Wellington, said, “Our department is thrilled to be a recipient of this generous endowment. These funds will be used to assist talented young musicians realize their dreams of becoming music majors at Humboldt State.”
Multiple Barlow scholarships are awarded annually, usually five to eight, in amounts up to $1,000 per student.
David Filner, director of the Sequoia program, said the endowment will enable his organization “to continue to serve talented young musicians who travel from Humboldt County and the rest of the country to attend our workshop. This program provides a unique opportunity for students to experience chamber music in an intense, yet supportive environment. It has helped to inspire countless young musicians.”
Wellington, who died in mid-2007, was a former elementary school teacher and the host for close to two decades of a classical program, “A World of Music,” on KHSU-FM. He had many years of training and education in classical genres and hosted a big band program for many years. He also anchored a public affairs broadcast for seniors called “Sharetime.”
Afflicted with blindness, Wellington was a member of the Low Vision Support Group and wrote a monthly column titled “Insight” for the McKinleyville Press. He resided in McKinleyville.
Paul Mann, Humboldt State University
8/9/09
Arcata
Humboldt State University has established the Jean Wellington Endowment through a nearly $185,000 bequest from the late Jean Wellington, one of the Redwood Coast’s foremost proponents of classical music and an on-air mainstay of Humboldt State’s KHSU/KHSR for nearly two decades.
Income earned from the endowment will be split evenly between the C. Leland Barlow Music Scholarship, begun in 1983 and awarded to the Department of Music’s incoming majors, and the Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop, launched in 1971, which provides young musicians with total immersion in chamber music.
The Barlow scholarship takes its name from a former faculty member who taught in HSU’s Department of Music for 36 years. The Sequoia workshop, sponsored by the Office of Extended Education, provides each participant with the opportunity to perform four times during each of two six-day summer sessions. Sequoia alumni have attended every major music school in the country and performed with ensembles ranging from Baltimore and Detroit to Utah and San Francisco.
Professor Eugene Novotney, chair of the Music Department Scholarship Committee and a collaborator with Wellington, said, “Our department is thrilled to be a recipient of this generous endowment. These funds will be used to assist talented young musicians realize their dreams of becoming music majors at Humboldt State.”
Multiple Barlow scholarships are awarded annually, usually five to eight, in amounts up to $1,000 per student.
David Filner, director of the Sequoia program, said the endowment will enable his organization “to continue to serve talented young musicians who travel from Humboldt County and the rest of the country to attend our workshop. This program provides a unique opportunity for students to experience chamber music in an intense, yet supportive environment. It has helped to inspire countless young musicians.”
Wellington, who died in mid-2007, was a former elementary school teacher and the host for close to two decades of a classical program, “A World of Music,” on KHSU-FM. He had many years of training and education in classical genres and hosted a big band program for many years. He also anchored a public affairs broadcast for seniors called “Sharetime.”
Afflicted with blindness, Wellington was a member of the Low Vision Support Group and wrote a monthly column titled “Insight” for the McKinleyville Press. He resided in McKinleyville.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Chase Bank in Arcata reports attempted forgery
Pair of Eureka men attempted to cash stolen checks from closed account
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/8/09
Arcata
A pair of young men from Eureka are in the county jail after attempting to pass stolen and forged checks at the Arcata branch of Chase Bank on Thursday.
Arcata Police Department officers responded to the bank, formerly a branch of Washington Mutual, after employees reported that Christopher Barto, 26, and Jeremiah Jones, 29, were in possession of checks which had been stolen in Arcata.
APD officers contacted the men, who bank tellers alleged had forged the checks. Bank officials also determined that at least one other check had been passed at the Chase branch in Eureka, originating from a WaMu account which had been closed.
According to the APD release, the owner of the account has been contact and has reported the theft, while officers continue to work with other local agencies in the investigation to seek other suspects.
In addition to the forgery and possession of stolen property charges against both men, Barto was also found to be in possession of heroin, according to APD sergeant Dave Brown. They were transported to county jail and booked without incident.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/8/09
Arcata
A pair of young men from Eureka are in the county jail after attempting to pass stolen and forged checks at the Arcata branch of Chase Bank on Thursday.
Arcata Police Department officers responded to the bank, formerly a branch of Washington Mutual, after employees reported that Christopher Barto, 26, and Jeremiah Jones, 29, were in possession of checks which had been stolen in Arcata.
APD officers contacted the men, who bank tellers alleged had forged the checks. Bank officials also determined that at least one other check had been passed at the Chase branch in Eureka, originating from a WaMu account which had been closed.
According to the APD release, the owner of the account has been contact and has reported the theft, while officers continue to work with other local agencies in the investigation to seek other suspects.
In addition to the forgery and possession of stolen property charges against both men, Barto was also found to be in possession of heroin, according to APD sergeant Dave Brown. They were transported to county jail and booked without incident.
Fire department burglary suspect nabbed
Briceland Fire Company temporarily lost $5,000 of equipment
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/8/09
Dutyville
A suspect was arrested Wednesday on charges of burglary and possession of property stolen from the Crooked Prairie Fire Station in Southern Humboldt.
Sheriff’s deputies were deployed on Tuesday to the station, part of the Briceland Fire Company, after the fire crew discovered a burglary. Deputies determined that the station had been broken into and multiple pieces of fire equipment worth more than $5,000 had been stolen. They also reviewed footage from a security camera, which showed a suspect entering the station on two separate occasions.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office followed up on this evidence and contacted several people in the area, showing them pictures of the suspect, who was identified as 49-year-old Salinas resident James Bruce McDonnell. He was arrested without incident and booked into the county jail, and is being held on $50,000 bail.
McDonnell will be arraigned on Friday, while the stolen equipment was successfully recovered and returned to the fire station.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/8/09
Dutyville
A suspect was arrested Wednesday on charges of burglary and possession of property stolen from the Crooked Prairie Fire Station in Southern Humboldt.
Sheriff’s deputies were deployed on Tuesday to the station, part of the Briceland Fire Company, after the fire crew discovered a burglary. Deputies determined that the station had been broken into and multiple pieces of fire equipment worth more than $5,000 had been stolen. They also reviewed footage from a security camera, which showed a suspect entering the station on two separate occasions.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office followed up on this evidence and contacted several people in the area, showing them pictures of the suspect, who was identified as 49-year-old Salinas resident James Bruce McDonnell. He was arrested without incident and booked into the county jail, and is being held on $50,000 bail.
McDonnell will be arraigned on Friday, while the stolen equipment was successfully recovered and returned to the fire station.
Friday, August 7, 2009
State cuts force HSU to close Natural History Museum
Curtain falls on 20-year educational programs; fate of collections unknown
Paul Mann, Humboldt State University
8/7/09
Arcata
Humboldt State University will be forced to close its Natural History Museum permanently by the end of August. The closure is due to this year’s severe and unprecedented state budget cuts to the California State University system.
Museum staff were informed of the decision beforehand and volunteers and supporters were being contacted by the campus. A plan for the museum’s orderly closing, which will likely extend well beyond the last day of being open to the public, is being finalized.
The decision was made after many months of difficult discussions about the museum’s finances and the ability of the university to adequately fund it. It had been perennially underfunded even before the most recent budget cuts. The museum staff had estimated a year ago that an additional $200,000 annually was needed to finance the operation on a sustaining basis.
In a year when major cuts are being made across campus, that type of new funding is not available.
“This is really a shame. Even with all the budget limitations, they’ve been doing very good work, and have been an important asset for the community.” said Steve Smith, Associate Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Sciences, which oversees the museum.
“There were many staff, donors, volunteers and community organizations that strongly supported and partnered with the museum,” Smith said. “We really appreciate all they have done. But unfortunately, we are confronted with the most serious budget crisis in the CSU’s history, and cuts like this are unavoidable.”
He thanked the museum’s long-time Director, Melissa Zielinski, as well as the staff, volunteers and donors “for their earnest and unstinting support across many years.”
Located in a university-owned building in downtown Arcata, the museum opened to the public in 1989. It offers exhibits and programs to teach community members of all ages about the natural world, and serves as a learning laboratory for Humboldt State students. Decisions about the future use of its building, the museum’s collections and related issues are pending.
Estimated savings from the closure are relatively small, about $26,000 annually. The overriding issue was future viability and the challenge of remaining open with inadequate funding. A detailed internal analysis conducted a year ago concluded that the museum “was barely solvent” and could not continue to function as it had in the past. Pending staff departures made the challenge even greater.
The closure of the museum comes as Humboldt State struggles to absorb its share of recent state budget cuts to the California State University system.
The system’s state funding has been reduced to $1.6 billion this year. That’s nearly $600 million lower than a decade ago, and creates a funding shortfall of $564 million even after the receipt of significant federal stimulus funds.
For Humboldt State, that means a reduction of about $12 million in a $102 million general fund budget. Actions already taken at the system and campus levels to address some of the shortfall include student fee increases, eliminating spring admissions, unpaid employee furloughs, hiring freezes, administrative salary freezes and reductions in equipment purchases.
Additional cuts will be necessary, and students will face elimination of many classes as well as reduced services this fall.
More information about Humboldt State’s current fiscal emergency is available at its Budget Office website, http://www.humboldt.edu/~budget.
Paul Mann, Humboldt State University
8/7/09
Arcata
Humboldt State University will be forced to close its Natural History Museum permanently by the end of August. The closure is due to this year’s severe and unprecedented state budget cuts to the California State University system.
Museum staff were informed of the decision beforehand and volunteers and supporters were being contacted by the campus. A plan for the museum’s orderly closing, which will likely extend well beyond the last day of being open to the public, is being finalized.
The decision was made after many months of difficult discussions about the museum’s finances and the ability of the university to adequately fund it. It had been perennially underfunded even before the most recent budget cuts. The museum staff had estimated a year ago that an additional $200,000 annually was needed to finance the operation on a sustaining basis.
In a year when major cuts are being made across campus, that type of new funding is not available.
“This is really a shame. Even with all the budget limitations, they’ve been doing very good work, and have been an important asset for the community.” said Steve Smith, Associate Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Sciences, which oversees the museum.
“There were many staff, donors, volunteers and community organizations that strongly supported and partnered with the museum,” Smith said. “We really appreciate all they have done. But unfortunately, we are confronted with the most serious budget crisis in the CSU’s history, and cuts like this are unavoidable.”
He thanked the museum’s long-time Director, Melissa Zielinski, as well as the staff, volunteers and donors “for their earnest and unstinting support across many years.”
Located in a university-owned building in downtown Arcata, the museum opened to the public in 1989. It offers exhibits and programs to teach community members of all ages about the natural world, and serves as a learning laboratory for Humboldt State students. Decisions about the future use of its building, the museum’s collections and related issues are pending.
Estimated savings from the closure are relatively small, about $26,000 annually. The overriding issue was future viability and the challenge of remaining open with inadequate funding. A detailed internal analysis conducted a year ago concluded that the museum “was barely solvent” and could not continue to function as it had in the past. Pending staff departures made the challenge even greater.
The closure of the museum comes as Humboldt State struggles to absorb its share of recent state budget cuts to the California State University system.
The system’s state funding has been reduced to $1.6 billion this year. That’s nearly $600 million lower than a decade ago, and creates a funding shortfall of $564 million even after the receipt of significant federal stimulus funds.
For Humboldt State, that means a reduction of about $12 million in a $102 million general fund budget. Actions already taken at the system and campus levels to address some of the shortfall include student fee increases, eliminating spring admissions, unpaid employee furloughs, hiring freezes, administrative salary freezes and reductions in equipment purchases.
Additional cuts will be necessary, and students will face elimination of many classes as well as reduced services this fall.
More information about Humboldt State’s current fiscal emergency is available at its Budget Office website, http://www.humboldt.edu/~budget.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fortuna cops seize pot, guns on May Street
Thomas Meahle arrested for cultivation, possession for sales
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/6/09
Fortuna
A search warrant for a home on the 2500 block of May Street led police to a mid-sized marijuana growing operation and the arrest of the alleged cultivator on Tuesday.
Fortuna Police Department officers arrested Thomas Luther Meahle, 26, for marijuana cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. He was transported to the county jail and booked without incident.
During the course of their search, the FPD seized approximately 250 marijuana plants ranging from three inches to four feet in height and in various stages of growth. Officers also seized several firearms and items known to be associated with marijuana cultivation and possible sales, according to detective Aaron Starcher.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/6/09
Fortuna
A search warrant for a home on the 2500 block of May Street led police to a mid-sized marijuana growing operation and the arrest of the alleged cultivator on Tuesday.
Fortuna Police Department officers arrested Thomas Luther Meahle, 26, for marijuana cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. He was transported to the county jail and booked without incident.
During the course of their search, the FPD seized approximately 250 marijuana plants ranging from three inches to four feet in height and in various stages of growth. Officers also seized several firearms and items known to be associated with marijuana cultivation and possible sales, according to detective Aaron Starcher.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Citizens condemn rental inspection scheme
Eureka City Council to hold special hearing next week on proposal
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/5/09
Eureka
Landlords unhappy with a proposed rental inspection law dominated Tuesday's City Council meeting, asking councilmembers to overhaul or drop the bill.
Most of the several dozen people who packed council chambers opposed the measure, which would charge owners of five or more units annually for the cost of inspections prompted by complaints by tenants or neighbors.
The overall theme of comments was that responsible property owners would be getting being penalized for the negligence of a handful of irresponsible ones.
"I really think more thought needs to go into this proposal, it doesn't seem right," said property owner Charlie Day. "I hate to see a new bureaucracy started in Eureka, I think we have enough city staff to maintain inspections and take care of it in a timely fashion."
Harley Smith noted landlords are already paying for state mandated inspections by local fire departments for properties of three or more units.
"So we're paying one inspection fee on top of another inspection fee," said Smith. "I think that's double dipping."
Landlords' comments followed a presentation by city attorney Sheryl Shaffner, who explained the reasoning behind the proposed ordinance.
Shaffner said the proposed law--modeled after similar ones in Los Angeles and other California cities--is designed to stop neglected properties from causing whole neighborhoods to go downhill.
"There is this downward spiral affect," said Shaffner. "If you have one neglected property, there's more neglect, property values go down and there's increased criminal activity."
Property owner Ann White said she knows from experience how frustrating it can be to have blighted properties with negligent owners in a neighborhood.
"I'm a landlord, and I also live in a multi-family zone, unlike these other landlords, so I can tell you what it's like to be called by tenants saying, 'What are we going to do?'" said White, who was on the committee that drafted the proposal with city staff.
"It's overwhelming, quality of life has gone down because of these problem rentals," said White. "I think this is the beginning of turning Eureka away from becoming a slum, I'm glad something is finally being done about this problem."
Shaffner said the prospective $35 fee per unit would probably go down as it became clearer how many neglected properties there were.
The local civil rights community also spoke out with their concerns over the equal treatment of renters and homeowners, and whether city staff would engage in fishing expeditions to create complaints.
"The ordinance, really as a matter of definition, creates two classes of citizens in the City of Eureka as regards the expectation of privacy in their residences," Redwood ACLU chair Greg Allen said.
While not taking an outright position against the ordinance, the local American Civil Liberties Union questioned why such an expansion of police powers wouldn't go hand in hand with the establishment of the long-awaited police review commission to provide independent oversight and policy review for law enforcement in Eureka.
Councilmembers refrained from responding to the comments, indicating they would rather wait for next week's workshop on the bill.
The workshop, where the public will be able to dialog with councilmembers and staff on the proposed law, will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wharfinger Building on the Eureka waterfront.
In addition
With Councilmember Mike Jones absent, the remaining representatives voted 4-0 to approve:
A four-way stop at Dolbeer and Chester streets;
An exception to the city's hiring freeze to let city employees apply for an open Parks & Recreation Dept. position;
Acceptance of a state grant to let the police chief hire two new police officers for the Problem Oriented Policing initiative.
Councilmembers also recognized a moment of silence dedicated to former Eureka Police Chief Arnie Milsap, who died recently of a heart attack. His friends and co-workers on the dais also took time to share recollections of his service to the city.
"He treated everybody fair, but you didn't want to mess with Arnie," said Councilmember Frank Jager, who worked with Milsap when both were patrol officers. "If you needed to go to jail, he was the one to take you there, being the former Marine that he was."
Mayor Virginia Bass said Milsap was a "wonderful role model" and recalled he was the reason she didn't join in cruising with other teenagers.
"Arnie was the one who would stop at the restaurant, that's why I never that," said Bass, referring to her family's business. "He was real supportive and a great person to talk to."
David Courtland, Humboldt Sentinel
8/5/09
Eureka
Landlords unhappy with a proposed rental inspection law dominated Tuesday's City Council meeting, asking councilmembers to overhaul or drop the bill.
Most of the several dozen people who packed council chambers opposed the measure, which would charge owners of five or more units annually for the cost of inspections prompted by complaints by tenants or neighbors.
The overall theme of comments was that responsible property owners would be getting being penalized for the negligence of a handful of irresponsible ones.
"I really think more thought needs to go into this proposal, it doesn't seem right," said property owner Charlie Day. "I hate to see a new bureaucracy started in Eureka, I think we have enough city staff to maintain inspections and take care of it in a timely fashion."
Harley Smith noted landlords are already paying for state mandated inspections by local fire departments for properties of three or more units.
"So we're paying one inspection fee on top of another inspection fee," said Smith. "I think that's double dipping."
Landlords' comments followed a presentation by city attorney Sheryl Shaffner, who explained the reasoning behind the proposed ordinance.
Shaffner said the proposed law--modeled after similar ones in Los Angeles and other California cities--is designed to stop neglected properties from causing whole neighborhoods to go downhill.
"There is this downward spiral affect," said Shaffner. "If you have one neglected property, there's more neglect, property values go down and there's increased criminal activity."
Property owner Ann White said she knows from experience how frustrating it can be to have blighted properties with negligent owners in a neighborhood.
"I'm a landlord, and I also live in a multi-family zone, unlike these other landlords, so I can tell you what it's like to be called by tenants saying, 'What are we going to do?'" said White, who was on the committee that drafted the proposal with city staff.
"It's overwhelming, quality of life has gone down because of these problem rentals," said White. "I think this is the beginning of turning Eureka away from becoming a slum, I'm glad something is finally being done about this problem."
Shaffner said the prospective $35 fee per unit would probably go down as it became clearer how many neglected properties there were.
The local civil rights community also spoke out with their concerns over the equal treatment of renters and homeowners, and whether city staff would engage in fishing expeditions to create complaints.
"The ordinance, really as a matter of definition, creates two classes of citizens in the City of Eureka as regards the expectation of privacy in their residences," Redwood ACLU chair Greg Allen said.
While not taking an outright position against the ordinance, the local American Civil Liberties Union questioned why such an expansion of police powers wouldn't go hand in hand with the establishment of the long-awaited police review commission to provide independent oversight and policy review for law enforcement in Eureka.
Councilmembers refrained from responding to the comments, indicating they would rather wait for next week's workshop on the bill.
The workshop, where the public will be able to dialog with councilmembers and staff on the proposed law, will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wharfinger Building on the Eureka waterfront.
In addition
With Councilmember Mike Jones absent, the remaining representatives voted 4-0 to approve:
A four-way stop at Dolbeer and Chester streets;
An exception to the city's hiring freeze to let city employees apply for an open Parks & Recreation Dept. position;
Acceptance of a state grant to let the police chief hire two new police officers for the Problem Oriented Policing initiative.
Councilmembers also recognized a moment of silence dedicated to former Eureka Police Chief Arnie Milsap, who died recently of a heart attack. His friends and co-workers on the dais also took time to share recollections of his service to the city.
"He treated everybody fair, but you didn't want to mess with Arnie," said Councilmember Frank Jager, who worked with Milsap when both were patrol officers. "If you needed to go to jail, he was the one to take you there, being the former Marine that he was."
Mayor Virginia Bass said Milsap was a "wonderful role model" and recalled he was the reason she didn't join in cruising with other teenagers.
"Arnie was the one who would stop at the restaurant, that's why I never that," said Bass, referring to her family's business. "He was real supportive and a great person to talk to."
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Ousted Arcata city manager succumbs to cancer
Michael Hackett passes away just two months after contract termination
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/4/09
Arcata
Flags are flying at half-staff at City Hall this week to honor the passing of Michael Hackett, who served for three years as City Manager before the Council terminated his contract in May.
Hackett, who had been battling for several months with cancer, succumbed to the disease last Friday. His family will hold a celebration in remembrance of him later this year, according to a release by police chief Randy Mendosa, who is doubly serving as Interim City Manager since Hackett’s ouster.
Michael was described as a “wise person” by a senior Arcata official, and an outpouring of support and caring has come forth from other city staff and the community.
Hackett served for 18 years as city manager in Alamosa, Colorado before coming to Arcata in 2006. His old bosses on the Alamosa City Council recently voted to place a large plaque on a ranch property purchased by the city to recognize those responsible for obtaining the ranch, with Michael Hackett's name to be listed at the top to honor his vision and leadership in that effort.
Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/4/09
Arcata
Flags are flying at half-staff at City Hall this week to honor the passing of Michael Hackett, who served for three years as City Manager before the Council terminated his contract in May.
Hackett, who had been battling for several months with cancer, succumbed to the disease last Friday. His family will hold a celebration in remembrance of him later this year, according to a release by police chief Randy Mendosa, who is doubly serving as Interim City Manager since Hackett’s ouster.
Michael was described as a “wise person” by a senior Arcata official, and an outpouring of support and caring has come forth from other city staff and the community.
Hackett served for 18 years as city manager in Alamosa, Colorado before coming to Arcata in 2006. His old bosses on the Alamosa City Council recently voted to place a large plaque on a ranch property purchased by the city to recognize those responsible for obtaining the ranch, with Michael Hackett's name to be listed at the top to honor his vision and leadership in that effort.
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