28 restaurants in the North Coast just received $5K grants from PG & E to support their needs. Three Arcata, one Eureka, one Fortuna and one Trinidad eatery made the list. PG & E spokesperson said, "We started this program during COVID and have continued for the past five years. Restaurants apply in the spring and can use the grants for everything from new ovens to staff bonuses."
More details from the PG & E press release.
Today's outcome in Analia Martinez's cases surprises no one who has followed my coverage from the beginning or the various people who will be affected by her release from custody on mental health diversion, including me.
Deputy DA Carolyn Schaffer tried but there is nothing that can be done against the useless California Democrats and another failed law and policy which is mental health diversion. California liberals do not give a damn about public safety or who gets hurt. The stats are headlines and 12 years of more than evidence of daily coverage of court and crime that I have done, just in Humboldt.
If Analia fails; if she contacts anyone of the people she should not; that is because of private attorney, Mark Pelta whose words are part of court record and Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum and like most defendants; her enabling family.
CR2301505 + CR2402981 +CR2303506 + CR2600943
Motion to terminate diversipn waswithdrawn by DA,. Modified mental health diversion granted for 1 year.
I have included three screenshots of recent posts of my extensive coverage of Martinez.
CHP impounded three cars in reckless driving investigation. Humboldt CHP issued this press release just now with details.
" On Friday, August 21, 2026, Officers with the California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area office in conjunction with Officers from the California Highway Patrol Northern Division Investigative Services Unit, served a warrant at a residence on Highway 36, within the unincorporated town of Alton.
The warrant was related to a reckless driving investigation. Pursuant to the warrant, three vehicles were impounded, per California Vehicle Code 14602.7(a). The impounded vehicles are believed to have been utilized during multiple reckless driving incidents. "
Jessica Engle was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for embezzling more than $550,000 from the Yurok Tribe. . U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney handed down the sentence.
Press release from U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of California just issued is included below.
Arraignment is scheduled on 9/8 for Cindy Nylander who is charged with EC48293 (a) (1) truancy in a complaint filed by the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office on 8/24/26.
On April 2020, a civil restraining order was granted against Cindy Nylander which was requested by Brooke Changeleon. The documents in e court do not list a middle name or documents where I can compare any information. There is a 2020 case where Ryan Nylander was granted $108,600 in a judgement against Richard Nylander and Cindy Nylander. I have included the 7/23/26 order from CV2000700.
Around 1:58 p.m. Naz from Kathleen Bryson's office and Kate from Dustin Owen's office were by the entrance to the law library near the jury room. I heard my name, looked inside and caught them by surprise. Through the muffled walls, I did not catch what they said but both left quietly as they saw me. Naz avoided me and went to the second floor. I heard Naz say my name. I did not hear Kate say anything.
If it was something nice, they would not have gone silent. I have been nice and respectful to both. I have often written about two faced, behind my back, insiders which includes those at the Courthouse and anons online. I have also often called out liberal women because in Humboldt, these attacks are 90% from liberals and women.
The worst are those on or associated with the second floor of 825 5th street.
If you want to believe unsubstantiated gossip, smears, lies about me online or out in the community; that shows your lack of judgement and character.
After my post, a message was conveyed to me on behalf of Kate.
"Kate saw your blog post. She doesn't know Naz or who that is and did not even see you when she went to check our court box. She doesn't even remember anyone else being in there when she checked it and has no idea what you are talking about on the blog post."
Naz could have been talking to someone else. By the time I looked from the jury room through the door to the foyer which has mail for attorneys, I saw Kate leaving the building; Naz walked into the jury room, saw me there and left.
After the constant retaliation, the gossip, the smears and fighting daily for myself to survive in mean Humboldt and doing the thankless job of informing the public daily under stressful conditions, challenges created by Humboldt to making money and having to watch my back constantly which is due to a 90% failure of Humboldt Superior Court and the toxic environment at 825 Fifth Street; I am not apologizing for sharing with my readers what I go through.
It is not just this instance. Most of my energy and time is wasted because no one in Humboldt faces consequences and miserable people lash out at others and misdirect anger. There are constant attacks to the coverage and work I do of Humboldt Superior Court. Try coming in daily and being positive despite the glares, the whispers, the stressful, chaotic environment that is the Humboldt Courthouse. A weaker person would have caved in by now. There are people at 825 Fifth Street and in Humboldt who want that for me and anyone who stands up to the injustice and evil in Humboldt. People who wouldn't make it anywhere else nor would their nonsense be tolerated outside Humboldt.
There are people with issues including mental health issues emailing, coming up to me at the doctor's, doing an errand, just walking because every system, agency and elected official in Humboldt who get paid to deal with the issues is a failure. They collect paychecks for doing nothing about what people suffer.
It is exhausting, it is draining and I don't get paid to deal with the worst of Humboldt.
The decency and compassion shown to me is from less than a handful.
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Levi Jones looks the same as the 2022 booking photo except his hair is slightly longer.
You heard it here first.
The 8/26/26 order signed by Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning granting City of Arcata's request to renew the Workplace Violence Restraining Order was entered into e court today with the ruling. The WVRO was extended for three years and expires on March 17, 2029. I covered the arguments.
Those who want complete facts should read it to see what Judge Canning took into consideration and why he found insufficient evidence connecting Watson to two emails sent to Nancy Diamond.
Just saw Eureka Police and K9 vehicle on 5th with sirens on 5th turn on M or N ? and now two more vehicles. Don't know where they went but it is not 4th or anywhere near 5th. EPD Police Operations Analyst Rachel Sollom told me, "They are serving a search warrant."
EPD was at the former Quality Inn which has gone through a few names including the current Bayside Inn Suites and also has a Ramada Wyndham sign.
EPD is expected to issue a press release tomorrow.
8/27/26: There is a Ramey warrant for Brian Andrew Coffman on the jail log and from the time and charges this seems to be the suspect EPD was looking for at the 4th street motel. EPD Police Operations confirmed it is Coffman.
Jail log lists EPD Officer Jack Cole as the arresting officer and who took Coffman to jail to be booked
EPD press release issued at 8:38 a.m, minutes after I confirmed the arrest has been added to the post.
Just today, a report was released on the consequences of Prop 47 and reduced drug penalties. Until California voters get serious about pressuring their legislators to change laws about public safety, thank EPD for temporary relief from another repeat offender.
Another confidential federal warrant booked into Humboldt jail. This time for David Craig Bourland. This one is from Homeland Security.
Whether this is the Rio Dell convicted David Bourland cannot be confirmed at this time by official sources because 2016 and 2026 press releases do not list a middle name. A reader left this comment on my Facebook news page.
I have contacted Homeland Security to see if any information can be released.
4:24 p.m.: I got a response from Homeland Security. "HSI does not comment on the existence or status of specific on-going investigations. HSI refers all media inquiries for the US Attorney’s office for the Northern District of California."
I contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office in Northern California on 8/27/26 and update the post with any response.
The local David Craig Bourland from Rio Dell has two 2026 open cases and is represented by Gregory Kreis in those two cases.
These are all the cases in Humboldt Superior Court for the local David Craig Bourland.
Today, arson suspect Stephen Paiment's preliminary hearing was continued by defense to 10/7/26. Paiment says he is having an adverse reaction to medication being administered.
I have been the only one to regularly cover this case for months and to do in person court coverage. Today, I briefly looked inside Courtroom 1.
Future updates until something significant happens will be added to this post.
I have been the only one regularly covering the four lawsuits against local landlord and candidate for Eureka mayor, Anil Dwivedi.
I have provided the order. Will Dwivedi settle before the election? There is a Case Management Conference on 10/12/26.
With the number of Humboldt criminal and civil cases I cover daily and several defendants with multiple cases as well as other news, I do not have time to provide previous links and most of my readers read me daily and regularly.
When I have time, I may add links or screenshots to recent posts.
If you don't, several paid options are available for customized updates and conveniences such as links or individual questions.
All prior coverage is accessible for free via the search feature on the blog or Google.
27 year old Matthew Sonny Kapono was arrested by Fortuna Police Department yesterday for PC 288 (a) lewd or lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14.
Kapono is charged with PC 288 (a). Alleged victim is John Doe. The DA filed a complaint on 8/26, Kapono wa arraigned the same day. Senior Deputy DA Whitney Timm appeared on the case for the People. Public Defender's office was appointed by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran; bail is $75,000; criminal protective order filed and served at arraignment.
8/28 OR bail
9/8 prelim
54 year old Michael Carlisle Rider was arrested by Eureka Police Department last night on a warrant for PC 422 criminal threats and PC 243.4(a) sexual battery. He posted bond.
This is for the third 2026 case CR2603172 filed 8/12/26 with the two charges he was booked for and the warrant was filed 8/14/26. Rider is scheduled to be arraigned on the recent 2026 case this morning. Alleged victim Kathlene Crystal Jackson.
He has two previous 2026 cases.
CR2601540 filed 4/17/26 PC 653m (b) annoying telephone calls with intent to annoy and harass, alleged victim Roberta Robin Nolan, which is trailing. EPD is the law enforcement agency.
CR2601474 filed 4/15/26 for PC 646.9 (a) stalking, PC 422 criminal threats and PC wilful disobedience of court order. Alleged victim Kathlene Crystal Jackson. Preliminary hearing scheduled this morning. EPD is the law enforcement agency.
Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims is Rider's attorney. Deputy DA Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor for all three 2026 cases.
He was remanded today but is going to be released on electronic monitoring.
There were several developments this morning in all three criminal cases. There is also a civil case CV2502845 which was a petition for civil harassment against Rider. A temporary restraining order was granted by Humboldt Commissioner Sarah Kaber on 2/11/2026.
The petition alleges that Rider sent "pornographic materials with salacious commentary" to property managers and employees of Humboldt Property Management.
That was brought up in court today.
You can read the court documents and court minutes yourself. Future dates are in the court minutes but I have also added them in the post . The civil case is calendared with the criminal cases so I am not adding what was previously scheduled.
CR2603172 OR bail 8/28; preliminary hearing 9/4
There is a 10/20 arraignment date which has not been vacated from the system by the end of the day on 8/25/26.
CR2601540 OR bail on 8/28; pre trial on 9/4.
CR2601474 OR bail on 8/28; preliminary hearing on 9/4.
The U.S Attorney's Office, Central District of California released details today about the arrest and federal charges against an employee of a LAX service provider for possession of 11 kilograms of fentanyl in a bag men’s bathroom at airport to be transported to Minnesota.
You read it here first.
Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Heather Durand has been appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom for the vacancy after Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge Joyce Hinrichs retired. I was the only one to reported on her and other potential candidates for months and years.
I reached out to Humboldt Superior Court CEO Meara Hattan and Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel on 8/25/26 with a question and will be adding any response I receive.
Ms. Hattan responded, "Good morning John- we expect that she will start before January. We are pleased to have Ms. Durand join the bench."
Judge Neel responded, "Good morning,
We are all very happy and excited to welcome Ms. Durand to our Bench; we rec’d the announcement the same time everyone else did, so we do have some planning to do.
I do anticipate her joining us before January but that’s one of the details we will be working out with Ms. Durand as she wraps up things with her current employer."
From California Governor Gavin Newsom's Press Office:
Heather Durand, of Humboldt County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Humboldt County Superior Court. Durand has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Humboldt County Counsel’s Office since 2018. She worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Heather Durand Cooper from 2005 to 2018. Durand worked as an Associate Attorney at Dalton & Bicknell from 2000 to 2005. Durand received a Juris Doctor degree from Empire College School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Durand is a Democrat.