EPD investigation results in E street and F blocked with CSET, EPD vehicles and crime scene tape

CSET and EPD and crime scene tapes on E between 4th and 5th. Humboldt Bay Fire parked on Charlie Moon Alley between North Coast Dance with the trunk of that white vehicle closer to E. EPD Sgt. Raymond Nunez and Commander Wayne Rabang on scene. Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery just using ATM walked by me at 10:20. This is being updated live. HCSO on scene.

10:28 City  Ambulance is on scene now. There are two white cars they are searching. I may update the blog first and then Facebook or vice versa. 

More photos on the blog. Two videos on Facebook.

10:42 Sgt. Nunez just walked by. He is going to let Commander Rabang know I am here. 

10:54 Times Standard Robert Schaulis just walked up. Sgt. Nunez said EPD called at 9.a.m. welfare check turned into suicidal, crisis team negotiating, trying to talk her down. The two vehicles are not associated.

Person on top of building 4th and E.

Eureka Police did not identify the person or the building  but you can see her on the top of the building on Eureka Central Residence.

While Sgt. Nunez was telling what he could, he had just told a guy not to walk in the alley. The guy turns around and attempts to go through minutes later.

11:45 This is not through official sources but I was at Starbucks on 5th street and heard a neighbor called the police.

People walking by are filming and photographing the woman in Old Town so her identity is known whether I or other media post it or not. This isn't a minor or sexual assault incident where identity needs to be protected.

The woman is just sitting there for the past 15 minutes.

Some of us are busy reporting live with facts that EPD can release. Unlike the peanut gallery and Humboldt commenters online on other sites short on content and live coverage on a regular basis who don't seem to have a job other than to virtue signal, some of us actually have been working for almost two hours to provide information on scene and live.

12:20 The woman is sitting there and has not moved for the past 20 minutes. Keeps looking down at something in her hand. At this point, while I may check on what is happening, I am going on with my day as planned. I am sure EPD will release more information when they can.

Pacific Legal Foundation files lawsuit alleging California’s mandatory participation in Section 8 violates Fourth Amendment

Pacific Legal Foundation issued a press release this Friday after the lawsuit was filed.

"A California property owner filed a Fourth Amendment lawsuit today challenging California’s mandate that all property owners participate in the Section 8 Housing Program. Thomas Manning argues that this mandate violates property owners’ constitutional rights by forcing them to submit to warrantless searches of their property in order to participate in the rental market.

“California is using civil rights laws to dragoon property owners into surrendering their own rights — like the right to be secure against warrantless searches,” said Austin Waisanen, an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. “But no state can force residents to surrender their constitutional rights merely because they participate in the rental market. This lawsuit aims to hold California accountable for trying.”

In 2019, the State of California amended its Fair Employment and Housing Act to prohibit landlords from declining an otherwise qualified potential renter’s application because they use Section 8 housing vouchers — effectively, requiring participation in the Section 8 program. To participate, however, landlords must grant the local housing authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Comptroller General “full and free access” to the assisted rental unit and to their own facilities, equipment, and records containing information related to the unit. Recurring inspections are conducted without a warrant, probable cause, or opportunity for pre-compliance review.

Thomas Manning, a Sacramento-based property manager and the founder of Tower Bridge Property Management, filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the amended law. Manning argues that, by mandating participation in Section 8, California effectively compels landlords to participate in a federal program that Congress designed to be voluntary. He argues that this also violates the Fourth Amendment by subjecting landlords to warrantless, suspicionless searches. His lawsuit asks the court to strike down the participation requirement and protect Californians’ constitutional rights.

Pacific Legal Foundation represents Manning free of charge. The case is Thomas Manning v. Kevin Kish."

Thanks to two local civil attorneys, nitrous oxide lawsuit involving convicted felon Maria Cuevas results in a chunk of change for victims in criminal case

 

I was in the courtroom when the motion was granted for the good faith settlement for most defendants in this nitrous oxide case for more than one hearing extensively. As with most Humboldt court coverage I have done regularly over 12 plus years; I was the first to report on both cases.

These two posts are sufficient for new readers and anyone who does not read me regularly. I covered convicted felon Maria Cuevas' criminal and civil case. To access all posts, use the search feature on the blog or Google. Photos of the accident scene are in previous coverage.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/06/good-faith-settlements-reached-with.html

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/this-lawsuit-involves-stateforward.html?m=1

There are court documents, court minutes and attorneys for parties listed. For regular readers, the names which are important include Jessica Sprague represented by Janssen Malloy's William Stein and local attorney Ms. Jennifer Dixon represented by Ms. Heidi Wells.

Usually settlements are confidential. In this case, the amounts are in the pleadings which I have included. Sprague got $733, 333.34; Ms. Dixon 266,666.66.

As previously reported, Cuevas has still not settled. The Australian Company was able to assert jurisdiction but that is being appealed. I have included that document as well.

It was extremely difficult to get computer access last week. Let's see how the online portal works starting next week. There are more documents. Subscribers, contributors and advertisers will get more exclusive content first, then I will add to this post.

I did pass this development and information to some regional and national media mentioning that this was positive California and Humboldt news they could cover. We have good local lawyers and they deserve recognition.

Shadoe Forrest Randazzo booked into jail for alleged molestation and possession of child pornography

Shadoe Forrest Randazzo was booked into the Humboldt County jail yesterday on a 2026 case for PC 288.5(a) continuous sexual abuse of a child, PC 288.4(a)(1) arranging a meeting with a minor with the intent of engaging in sexual conduct, PC 288.2(a)(1) lewd or lascivious act with a child and PC 311.1(a)(1) possession of child pornography.

Records show a previous jail booking in March 2026.

First week when City of Eureka candidates coukd drop off nomination papers has been 💤

 

Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel running for re-election is not news. July 13 was the first day for City of Eureka candidates  could submit the nomination papers. As, of 3:32 p.m. Mayor Bergel is the only one to submit signatures to City of Eureka Assistant Manager and Clerk Pam Powell. 

Former Eureka City Councilmember Jeff Leonard has  not filed any paperwork so his announcement and intention to run for Ward 5 means bupkis. I was told by someone plans to challenge Bergel and will run as an independent. This is the first time this person has given me a tip so I have no idea how credible it is; usually I hear from people involved in the business and political community who have provided me credible tips in the past. 

No one has heard of this mystery candidate for Mayor which usually means it is a Daniel Smith type that no one takes seriously or has any real support or endorsement. 

501 forms from Audra Sisson, Victor Garcia and Jason McCutcheon, all candidates for Ward 1, who have announced intentions means nothing.

This case presents an important question of first impression under California law: is the necessity defense available in cases in which the defendant breaks the law to rescue an animal from suffering?”

 

People in the legal community need no introduction to the Daily Journal. In the past, I have highlighted some opinions and columns from attorney Allan Dollison who is well known in Humboldt.

My Miranda's Rescue investigation resulted in someone sending me an opinion by staff writer John Roemer published in the Daily Journal mentioned in the screenshot.

At the end of the article, the editor has this footnote.

AI overview of the op-ed is " CA Supreme Court case People v. Hsiung. Case concerns trespassing to save distressed poultry using necessity defense. Court must rule if necessity defense applies to rescue animals from suffering."

Daily Journal has a paywall. I am making an exception and reprinting the entire opinion. The staff writer's bias and activism is obvious and while he is entitled to his opinion; when the State of California and the Attorney General side with animal activists just as they have in the Miranda's Rescue investigation; when they embolden animal activist lawyers such as the Ryther Law Group; justice is not blind and it is one sided. 

If you did not read this related post; you should.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/07/one-guess-on-who-may-have-threatened.html?m=1

Jennifer Raymond and Jenna Moore have admitted to trespassing on Shannon Miranda's property.  

If California writers and lawyers want to be activists they can; they do not get to use journalism and the courts to skirt the law for their misguided agenda. California one party rule and wokeness has permeated and compromised every level of government, the media and the courts.

The California Supreme Court does need to protect animals from suffering. They can start by sending a message to zealots that the court system is not here to side with their opinions, interpretations and that laws apply to everyone.

If these animal activists feel they are being ignored by law enforcement, welcome to reality. Who gets prosecuted, what calls get responded to is life. Should I call  Eureka Police Department or Humboldt County Sheriff every time I see an animal hoarder? To me 7 dogs including puppies barking in a van on a hot Humboldt day without the windows open because some old lady thinks she is "saving them" when they look exhausted and are suffering from heat exhausation is animal cruelty. People who do not bathe, brush and keep animals clean are cruel. Homeless men kicking their dogs, dragging them on the streets, not allowing the dog to pee or take a shit and dragging the animal because they need to get over to get their drug fix on 3rd or 4th and 5th street in Eureka and the animal finally loses control and defecates. Then the animal is yelled at by the miscreant and dragged away is animal abuse.

I doubt the Ryther Law Group would represent me pro bono. I have not seen Jennifer Raymond or Jenna Moore rescue any of these helpless animals.

It did not take long for one of the deranged animal activist stalkers after this post to misuse my email, title it donation which was deceptive and go off on an angry, abusive  rant because they cannot stand being exposed. The woman is not Jenna Moore or Jennifer Raymond. Proving my point that hatred and silencing anyone who stands in their way is their agenda. Another entitled, woke white activist who thinks she can attack without consequences and is above the law. It was in my spam folder. I recognized the name. The email is now in the trash bin where it belongs. 

At least, some animal activists in LA are calling out animal abuse on Skid row.

Effective July 21st, 2026, members of the public will be able to search for public cases filed in Humboldt County Superior Court

I have done so many posts on this, my constant calling out resulted in two more public computers and now my keeping on about the online access, including a post I recently did this week, finally the Humboldt online portal is here.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/07/want-to-know-what-happened-with.html?m=1

Humboldt Superior Court CEO Mera Hattan sent me this email. "Hi John- we just sent out a press release to our media contacts regarding our public portal which will be going live on Tuesday July 21st.  I am sending this to you separately in hopes that you will post this for your readers.   Please review the California Rules of Court that outline what a court can provide via remote access to the public, specifically Rule of Court 2.503(b).  The public portal will allow the ability to search by name or case number and view a register of actions.  A calendar search is also available via the portal. Thank you"

I thanked Ms. Hattan for the option.

Members of the public. Attorneys and staff will benefit from this and many may individually thank me. Others including the other local media who once again benefit from my work, my being the "bad guy" calling out and getting results will not thank me or give me credit.

As I previously reported from Humboldt Superior Court Operations Manager Scott Anderson, when this portal is rolled out, it takes time to work out any glitches and for Court admin and tech to make sure they are complying with the law.

If you are grateful for this and you should be, please write to the California Judicial Council, our state representatives and California Governor Gavin Newsom whose budget will make it tougher on who gets CA Judicial Council funds. Our community is rural and does not have lobbyists. The least you all can do to thank Humboldt Superior Court and me for this convenience is write an email or letter that funds are provided to the local courts. Everything costs money.

Even before the portal, I have made some changes. Now that the portal is available, there are basic details you can check yourself. I am going to continue to streamline, focus my court and other coverage to provide exclusives, scoops and the benefit of decades of experience covering courts and news nationwide. My advertisers, subscribers and contributors will continue to get live and updates first.

Humboldt Superior Court issued a press release just now with some details.

Judge Steward should have remanded him, Judge Cockrum had no choice to but as usual the Public Defender is going to waste more court hearings and taxpayer dollars

 

Scott Joachim recent charges take up three pages of the booking log. When I covered his original arrest, I listed the number of his cases in Humboldt Superior Court. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward was wrong to deny the Humboldt County DA's request to remand him. On 7/16, Joachim was finally remanded in court by Judge Kaleb Cockrum but only because that was the recommendation by Dr. Brunetto. Joachim also had a bench warrant which was recalled. Public Defender is now going to waste another hearing on OR bail on 7/20. The second report by Dr. Rassti is due 8/18 when Readiness Conference is scheduled. Jury trial is on 9/8.

Of course, the Public Defender requested a second opinion and will waste taxpayer dollars on every allegedly crazy defendant and according to arrests and court records violent repeat offender.

I have included court minutes from one of Joachim's court cases.

The County cannot fix roads, whine about money but they can enrich an out of area law firm and fight a decision so they can screw over a hardworking employee who gave them everything for 40 years

 

If you have not been following my coverage on the lawsuit filed by former Humboldt Superior Court reporter Kay Gibbs, here is a summary and I wrote this in my May 13, 2026 post.

In April 2024, I was the first one to report on a lawsuit filed by former court reporter. No one has covered that lawsuit. I did several posts on that case and my last post was on March 2025.

Kay Gibbs sued the County of Humboldt. I recognized the name because Kay was one of the best Humboldt Superior Court reporters. She worked for the local courts for almost 40 years.

Del Norte Superior Judge Darren McElfresh was assigned to the case. Mr. Patrik Griego represented Gibbs pro bono. Mr. Griego is senior partner at local law firm Janssen Malloy. 

The County of Humboldt was represented by Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a Fresno law firm.

Judge McElfresh consistently ruled against Gibbs and Mr. Griego. I like Kay, I knew her and was very disappointed by the ruling. 

In May,, Mr. Griego told me, "The court of Appeal just reversed the trial court and held that the trial court should not have granted the County’s demurrer to our complaint.The Court of Appeal remanded the case back to the trial court and awarded us and awarded us our costs on appeal."

I followed up on what was happening with the case. 

The County asked the California Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals decision in Gibbs. 

Just like arrogant Humboldt County who cannot admit a mistake and if they lose; they double down.

The County of Humboldt does not fix the roads; has millions to get another building they don't need or can afford to maintain, constantly whine about the budget but are willing to go to the effort and expense at cost borne by taxpayers to enrich the most useless out of area law firm and avoid accountability for someone those of us know was a very loyal and hard working employee. She did everything right but gets screwed by the good ole boy and gal Humboldt cabal.

I did this related post on an agenda item that directly impacts cases like Kay. Crickets from the other media.

Search warrant served in the 200 block of Ware Ranch Road in Alderpoint

 

On July 16, 2026, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a search warrant as a part of an investigation into illegal cannabis cultivation in the 200 block for Ware Ranch Road in the Alderpoint area. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife and the California Department of Cannabis Control assisted in the service of the warrants.

Oakland man faces life in federal prison and $250,000 for conspiracy to commit human trafficking by force, fraud or coercion

Michael Simon, 37, of Oakland, pleaded guilty in federal court today to Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion.

When I left, community members were still walking in for Russell Albers sentencing

 

Courtroom 7 opened at 2:12 p.m. for the 1:30 sentencing scheduled for convicted murderer Russell Albers before Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel. There were several community members still entering the courtroom when I left. I covered this 2022 case regularly and in detail for years including the plea. 

Deputy DA Candace Myers is the prosecutor. Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims is Alber's attorney. 

Once again, Lost Coast Outpost cannot get basic facts correct even being in the courtroom. Russell Albers was sentenced to 136 years, 4 months. Redheaded Blackbelt also got the prison sentence incorrect and again, was in the courtroom. 

I took these screenshots at 8:42 a.m. on 7/17/26.

8:44 a.m LOCO's Sage Alexander is here on the second floor right now after my post checking e court including this case so if his post is updated with correct information, you know why.

I added the court minutes.

The hearing on 7/21 is for the service of a criminal protective order. There is no reason for an update.

Looks like convicted child molestor John Beideman was paroled early and is back in Humboldt ?

Convicted child molestor John Beideman was expected to be paroled in August 2026. Looks like he has been released early. There is no record for him in the CDCR inmate locator. 

I saw John Beideman in the Target parking lot  with a woman today at 11:08 a.m. He was walking out as I was walking to the store. He was a few feet away but looked at me and kept walking. Unless he has a doppelganger I am not aware of; it is Carpathian.

At 1:51 p.m. I received an email. I will not state the identity for obvious resons. It was in my spam folder which I just happened to check at 3:30 p.m.

"If you are correct, and you saw him, then he will be arrested immediately for parole violation

He was released early for various stupid reasons

But he was released to Citrus Heights

Is that what he looked like?

Please let me know as soon as possible so I can report it."

The sender included a thumbnail of Megans Law profile.

I responded, "I was not right next to him so I cannot say for sure but the face yes. The person I saw had glasses and hair was shorter."

We exchanged more emails and I am not going to share that content. I hope I am wrong for Jane Doe and her mother's sake. 

Follow up is being done. If it is him and if I learn what happened. Humboldt DA Kyla Baxley checked and according to GPS monitoring, he is not in Humboldt County.

This is why the Humboldt County District Attorney wanted a protective order. The Public Defender's Office once again defended a predator over the victim. I was in that courtroom for every hearing and the trial and I saw Jane Doe and her mother testify. I remember every case that I cover; especially those involving survivors.

(Megans Law)