"I had already expected that I would not receive the booking photos but I do appreciate that a policy further clarifying the criteria is being developed by HCSO.".

 

HCSO responded to my two remaining requests for booking photos. I had already expected that I would not receive the booking photos but I do appreciate that a policy further clarifying the criteria is being developed by HCSO. 

I hope EPD is taking notes. Instead of passing the buck to HCSO like they did for my last request, they need to develop a policy once and for all and decide whether they want to issue their own booking photos or like every other agency have HCSO handle those requests. If EPD in response to the Houston vs Maricopa County is going to chicken out and have HCSO do extra work, then HCSO should get extra funds and a staff member to handle those additional requests. The County can work that out with the City of Eureka.

Brian Gerving led the City of Eureka Shakeout drill

Passed by while City of Eureka was participating in the Great Shakeout Drill about 15 minutes ago.

"First I want to thank the DA’s office for providing support to my son and our family throughout this process. For the last three years our family has been on an emotional roller coaster preparing our child to testify against the man who sexually abused him."

(Google AI overview)

I met the mother of the victims in the Kevin Dikes case one day while covering the case. We were waiting until the case concluded so I could offer the opportunity to be heard on the ordeal her family has been through.

After the plea deal, I reached out to her this morning. She provided me this statement.

"First I want to thank the DA’s office for providing support to my son and our family throughout this process. For the last three years our family has been on an emotional roller coaster preparing our child to testify against the man who sexually abused him. He has had to meet weekly with a therapist to help him forget the horrible things that Mr. Dikes did to him, and then he had to prepare to remember every detail so that he could testify in a jury trial. With request after request from Mr. Dikes to delay the case, we have had to rearrange our life plans on numerous occasions, which has been a huge burden on our child and our extended family. I am glad that Mr. Dikes has taken this deal, sparing my son from having to ever see him again. And I am appalled that the defense team tried to isolate my son from his family and force him into the same room to testify in front of Mr. Dikes without either parent by his side." 

Convicted child molestor Kevin Dikes waives right to appeal, could be screened to see if he meets sexually violent predator requirements

 

This week started out with a defense motion to continue being denied for Kevin Dikes 2021 jury trial on 10/14/24 by Judge Steven Steward.

On the third day of his trial in his 2021 case, before jury selection had even started, on 10/16/24 Dikes resolved his 2021 case and the charges he pleaded guilty to make him a convicted child molestor. Dikes was advised that he maybe screened to see if he meets requirements for a sexually violent predator. Dikes waived his right to appeal. Sentencing is on 11/13. His 2023 case was dismissed on 10/16/24. Details of plea and court minutes from this week are included in the post.

Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor for this case. Ms. Rebecca Linkous is Dikes' attorney. 

Peter Thompson custody status changed to no bail

 

Peter Thompson had an OR bail hearing on 10/15. Visiting Judge Richard Kalustian denied release on OR and denied supervised release without prejudice.

Deputy Public Defender David Celli requested bail reduction. Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm argued for no bail and that request was granted by Judge Kalustian. Having watched Mr. Timm in court for years, especially when it comes to arguments on bail, it was fortunate that he appeared on this case. 

HCSO looking for domestic violence suspect Joseph Larue

(HCSO :Larue )

On Tuesday, October 15 at about 4 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded to the report of a domestic disturbance with possible shots fired at an apartment complex on Orchard Lane in Redway. 

FPPC case against former Humboldt auditor-controller still open "until it reaches its final adjudication."

 

(Facebook: Karen Paz Dominguez)

Did a post on September 13 with this brief response from former auditor-controller Karen Paz Dominguez about this FPPC agenda item. "The FPPC and I are in active negotiations. To maintain the good-faith tone of those negotiations, I am not making public comments at this time."

 

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sued by man arrested at Donald Trump's Coachella event for alleged defamation

 

(KESQ)

(KESQ)

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sued by man arrested at Donald Trump's Coachella event for alleged defamation. Vem Miller is a Trump supporter. 

KESQ posted a tweet from Miller, response from Bianco and a statement from Riverside County Sheriff's office. You can pick from a variety of coverage, just some examples posted below.

Starting Thursday, approximately 28,000 on the North Coast could be affected by a PSPS including Lake and Mendocino counties

PSPS information was sent out yesterday evening. PG & E issued a press release today.  Didnt see Humboldt on the list.

Rosado has been arrested for domestic battery multiple times; yet in his 2024 case he gets this plea deal?

 

Caleb Andrew Renton Rosado has a lot of cases and aliases. I have covered him before in 2022. I updated that post with the 2024 arrest. 

Rosado most recent 2024 case in which he was originally charged with domestic violence, battery and resisting an officer had trial confirmation on 9/12; jury trial scheduled for 9/23. Instead, Rosado resolved his case with a plea on 9/30 and was sentenced the same day by Retired Judge John Feeney. Plea deal included 3 counts dismissed, pleading guilty to Count 4 PC 148 which is still resisting but a different code than the original Count 4 but Rosado got to plead to it as a misdemeanor and custody credits covering time served.

Yes on F issues press release with more details than the recent mailer featuring Nancy Fleming and Frank Jager

 

(Image used with permission from Yes on F)

Today, Yes on F sent out a press release which has more details than the recent mailer featuring two former Eureka mayors Nancy Fleming and Frank Jager. Susan Santsche, owner of The Spa at Personal Choice is quoted in the press release.

Freshly baked pastries, self serve salad bar and rotating specials are just some of the options at The Grind courthouse location

 

(Aelfe and Chloe: photo by John Chiv)

(Courtesy The Grind)

Told you last Wednesday before the County press release on Friday when The Grind would be opening. Today, Aelfe and Chloe are getting prepped for the soft opening tomorrow. Rotating daily specials, pastries baked fresh on premises for now and a self serve bar are just some of the options. Now in addition to Taste of Bim, the airport cafe, regulars like me have another option to support owner Gabrielle Long.

17 year old from Covelo arrested by MCSO for criminal threats

On 10-12-2024 at approximately 3:52 P.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Round Valley Tribal Police Department. Sheriff’s Deputies were advised of possible threats made toward the Round Valley High School and Elementary School. 

Thanks to Det. Vickman, a 4 year old missing child was located and is safe

 

On October 10, I reported that Peter Thompson had been booked into jail on a Ramey warrant for child abduction. HCSO issued a press release after that post. I also have updates on Thomoson's court case in that initial post. This morning, HCSO issued a press release and update. HCSO Det. Danielle Vickman's conversation led to locating the child who has been returned to legal guardians until CWS and Family Court determine future placement.

I have known Det. Vickman as a deputy, court bailiff and now detective through covering Humboldt Superior Court and she is definitely an asset to HCSO and Humboldt. The photo above is from when she was recognized as Employee of the Month.