Orick Elementary makes CA headlines for 9 students with a cost of $118,000 per child

 

(Orick School instagram)

You didn't see this CAL Matters column reprinted in the local liberal media. Nobig deal. It will get more views from the California Post  who regurgitated the CAL Matters article with their spin. If you pay attention; very few media have original content. Those with big bucks are lazy.

"School closures are an incendiary issue in nearly every corner of California, as enrollment declines and expenses climb. The topic has sparked parent revolts, teacher strikes and school boards’ desperate attempts to keep districts financially afloat.

And then there’s Orick.The picturesque town in northern Humboldt County has a historic school with five classrooms, a gym, a vegetable garden and an expansive play field. Its current enrollment: nine. Its expenses: $118,000 per student per year, more than five times the state average." --CAL Matters

Fighting back tears, the Hoopa community reads victim impact statements regarding Preston Ruiz disposition

While other local media went to the Richard Toledo arraignment as predicted; I made a choice to cover the Preston Ruiz case today which has concluded.

I chose to see if the courtroom would be open for Preston Ruiz' juvenile case. It was this afternoon. There are no court minutes or access to this case so live coverage and being in the courtroom is the only way to get information.

The courtroom was packed to capacity. In addition to the regular courtroom 7 bailiff HCSO Deputy Leslie Borges; HCSO Sgt. Tony Gomes was present.

Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel allowed people to sit in the front row where usually attorneys or law enforcement sit.

It has been a hectic day . Senior Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees who is prosecuting William Warren and Tselin Lincoln was in Courtroom 7 this afternoon until there was a verdict in the trial he has been busy with in Courtroom 5. It is my understanding that he is the lead prosecutor and presented evidence for a previous hearing against Ruiz.

Deputy DA Alison Herson is assisting with this case and today she appeared in court making arguments and reading additional victim impact statements.

Gregory Kreis is Ruiz' attorney.  Ruiz was in court in a green t shirt and black pants. A juvenile hall officer was seated in front of me holding cuffs and a belt. Probation, CWS and other juvenile attorneys were in court. 

I have the charge, the disposition and details that were mentioned today in court.I am not going to rush this post. I made a choice to cover 2 hours of this case while several other cases were going on and checking on cases from Friday continued to Monday.

Check back later for more details Judge Neel's remarks, attorneys remarks and some quotes from victim impact statements. It will take me some time to update this post with all the Friday and Monday cases to update and cover Tuesday and rest of this week's cases and news.

I am sure there be social media posts from the Moon family members and those related to four other survivors who were in that car. If you want what was stated in court, then come back and read my post. It is your choice to wait or not. Those who appreciate hard work and facts stated in court will check back. There was some misinformation addressed on record in court today.

Ruiz pleaded guilty and admitted to being a member of a criminal organization. He turned himself in, he helped with the investigation. He did not shoot and was not aware that William Warren and Tselin Lincoln had guns. He spoke today. Today, Judge Neel declared Ruiz was a ward of the state, he is going to the New Horizons program , he is leaving Humboldt County, going through mental health and alcohol treatment. He will be confined aka "house arrest" for 1 year 8 months and 19 days.

The DA requested 6 months instead of 4 months as agreed in the disposition at New Horizons and a ban on social media. That was not granted. Judge Neel followed the recommendations by Probation.

There are stay away orders and juvenile restraining orders the Humboldt County DA requested and there was no objection by defense.

Dylan Moon's father, Grandma "Robin", several aunts of the juvenile survivors made victim impact statements.

Fear of retaliation, the word broken was used by many and the impact on the community. The defendants and survivors and families know each other. Some requested anonymity. Others stated their names on record and I recognize those names from my Facebook news page and people who have messaged me. 

I want to remind all those affected by this tragedy that I took time to be there today. The other media made a choice to cover two arraignments. I already reported on the charges in the Richard Toledo and Ashley Pearce-Pifferini case previously so attorney and dates can be added later. Toledo is a misdemeanor case. 

The other local media picked a white woman and a white man and arraignment which is no big deal over covering the pain of the local Native American community. I chose to listen to your words despite the behavior of some people involved towards me and who wrote victim impact statements. 

Of course, maybe I was there because I pay attention to all cases on calendar and know when it might be possible to cover a juvenile case. Some community members walked out in reaction to the disposition today and some left at the same time I did when the hearing had concluded.

I am no longer providing links to prior coverage for every post. For free, you can use the search feature or subscribe for convenience and benefits.

Cal Poly protestor Richard Toledo dressed in black suit here with supporters carrying cardboard signs

Cal Poly Humboldt protestor Richard Toledo is here dressed in a black suit with supporters carrying Free Ricky, drop the charges cardboard signs. Let's see how that works with Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Joyce Hinrichs . 

I was going to add an update to the previous post since I already reported on charges but decided to do a new post which will be updated later with dates and attorney information. 

The screenshots are of previous coverage on Toledo. 

Defense files motion to continue William Warren and Tselin Lincoln preliminary hearing

There is a motion to continue the preliminary  hearing for William Warren filed by Ms. Rebecca Linkous which is scheduled for a hearing on 4/22. Ms. Linkous had already indicated this at previous court hearings.

Tselin Lincoln's case does not have a motion to continue. His attorney is Ms. Andrea Sullivan.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is currently in trial.

The preliminary hearing scheduled for 4/28 will most likely be continued.

Previous coverage on this case can be accessed for free via the search feature or on the blog or sign up for a subscription for individual updates and other benefits. I am no longer providing links to all previous coverage for every post.

Jorden Sterling filed for a name change before he was arrested for child abduction

 

This Saturday, I did a post on Jorden Sterling's arrest. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/04/jorden-sterling-arrested-again-this.html?m=1

This afternoon, there is arraignment scheduled for both Jorden and Melissa Sterling. There are a lot of cases today and these are arraignments so dates and attorney information will be added later. This also applies to the Richard Toledo arraignment where I have already included charges and unlike the Sterlings, that update will be added to the previous post unless there is a reason. I have other new posts of more interest to serious readers.

Jorden Sterling is charged with Count 1 PC 278.5 (a) child custody deprivation of Jane Doe with special allegation PC 667 (b) - (i) prior conviction of a serious felony. Melissa Sterling his co-defendant is charged with PC 278.6 (a).

Jorden Matthew Jay Sterling filed a petition in March 2026 for name change and his new proposed name is Jorden J. Place. There is a hearing on the petition on 4/27/26 when Judge Timothy Canning will decide. The proof of publication looks okay but will the pending criminal case delay or impact the name change?

I also did a related post. If you did not read it or don't, that is on you. I won't answer any questions or inquiries today or in the future.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/04/cami-since-you-have-lot-of-free-time.html?m=1

Michael Nilsson arrested by Cal Poly Humboldt police for false imprisonment, attempted kidnapping and being drunk

53 year old Michael Kjell Nilsson was arrested by Cal Poly Humboldt Police yesterday for PC 236 false imprisonment, PC664/207(a) attempted kidnapping and PC 647 (f) public intoxication.

Not the first arrest for Nilsson being drunk in public. A Facebook profile for Michael Nilsson with no recent photos to compare viewable in a public profile but lists he studied at Cal Poly Humboldt.

I reached out to Cal Poly Humboldt Police Chief Greg Allen. He responded," Good morning John, our Marketing and Communications Department is working on a press release as we speak."

I have exclusive information posted here first that the alleged victim is a current student.

Michael Kjell Nilsson already has one open 2026 case for an Arcata Police Department arrest for petty theft from CVS, public intoxication and resisting an officer. On 3/5/26, instead of arraignment it was referred to the DA for affadavit. A conviction in a 2022 CHP traffic case with a plea, a conviction in a 2021 HCSO case, a conviction in a 2022 CHP DUI case and a conviction in a 2020 CHP DI case. He has other cases and if you want more details subscribe or look it up yourself.

The CPH press release was added to the post. It confirms what I already posted this morning with a few more details about the alleged interaction.

20 years in federal prison if convicted of this charge is the real crime

 

Photos and information this morning from Bill Essayli who is First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.

"Last night, Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran. She is charged with a violation of 50 U.S.C. § 1705 for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan.

If convicted, she faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Mafi is an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016.

She is expected to make her initial appearance on Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown L.A. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court."

Nathan Leithner arrested for indecent exposure by State Parks and Recreation

 

Nathan David Leithner was arrested by State Parks and Recreation yesterday for PC 314 (1) indecent exposure. He was released from jail on O.R. 

It is a misdemeanor charge which means it could be months before charges are filed and even if they are, he will get a slap on the wrist in Humboldt County and be one of the thousands of arrests that forgotten in the cogs of the criminal justice system.

"The biggest challenge from public perpective is that this is important work but not sexy work."

 

(Photo: John Chiv)

I have been wanting to interview Humboldt County Auditor Mychal Evenson for a while. Due to our schedules, the interview kept getting postponed.

 Today, before leaving for a conference, Mychal was kind enough to meet me for coffee. I also decided to take the time out from my weekend.

I wanted to feature Mychal because just like Humboldt County County Clerk, Recorder and Registrar of Voters Juan Cervantes, he is part of Humboldt County leadership from a younger generation and just like Juan, I have received positive feedback from County and community members about their professionalism and kudos from people from a range of political views. 

The adage, no news is good news, certainly applies to the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller since Mychal has been in charge and that is a positive development.

Most local people who read and keep informed know that the external auditors' 2024 report was better than previous years. 

"We are getting things caught up and improving more incrementally," said Mychal. 

"This is what I see myself doing for the rest of the career;  serving the people of Humboldt County."

Mychal grew up in Eureka and except for one year in Portland, home for Mychal has always been Humboldt County.

He has the financial skills, so why public service? "There are times I have been in private sector that I was put in a position where my personal ethics went against profit motive." Mychal said he was not going to name or call out any of his former employers. 

"Public service is ethics first. I protect 600 million dollars in taxpayer money. I am the last line of defense to make sure taxpayer money is used appropriately."

"The biggest challenge from public perpective is that this is important work but not sexy work."

While we have a secure office, people can come in the lobby. People don't have reason to come see the auditor controller, especially when we are doing our job well."

"I would have liked someone to run against me for democracy, but running unopposed is great."

This response was to my observation that Juan, Mychal, Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo and Treasurer Tax Collector Amy Christensen are all incumbents running unopposed. This was a similar response I got from Juan. It is refreshing to see elected officials believe in the democratic process and not be entitled about their position.

The Auditor Controller's Office "interacts with every County Department but spend more time with DHHS and HCSO because they are larger departments. We train every department on how things work."

"My role, which I jokingly call an elected bureaucrat, is that leadership shields people from individual exposure. I have a phenomenal team. They are great."

Another similarity between Mychal and Juan is that Juan also praises his team. We need more bosses like Mychal and Juan. This is also the perfect opportunity to commend Open Door's Tony Starr and Kathleen Moxon for top down leadership which is reflected in their employees and customer service. 

Cami, since you have a lot of free time and know so much, start your own site

 

Since some people in Humboldt have a listening problem, no boundaries, plenty of time to sit on Facebook and continue to interrupt my weekend, my work and attempts to try and do one day of positive posts, think they are so smart because they can check a repost of a jail log which wasn't even done for years until the other lame local media figured out that court coverage was something people were interested in after they saw the following I have. The other media can't even be bothered to check for  inaccuracies or incomplete listings their so called tool regurgitates. Some of you come here after you figured out I check Vinelink and the jail log and have the nerve to lecture me how to do by job.

Over three decades in journalism, worked all over the country, published in national magazines, been on journalism panels but Humboldt mouthy trolls with no life and a Facebook account think they can message and question me about reporting?

Some of you who know every repeat offender in Humboldt County and their business should start your own site. Fund it and we will see how you deal with laws, standards media faces and you can commiserate with all the other drama queens in Humboldt who waste my time when I should be getting out information to my intelligent, educated and informed readers, making money or resting.

Of course to actually do start a site, Cami and others would need to do the daily work I do they think is easy instead of regurgitating jail log information and gossip. Consequence of a welfare county where jobs are scarce, too many people made and make money off pot andbooze directly or indirectly, too many people stoned, high or drunk most of the time, too many people who have a lot of unverified tea, too many people obviously don't work because they have all day and night to comment on Facebook since it is free app on whatever crap phone they have and the only life some people have is to snark on law enforcement and media pages. Even if they work, obviously they have no respect for others who do. Randos who think a social media account grants them access to behavior worse than a toddler.

Cami, easy to sit behind a screen and look up a jail log report and mouth off. Cover 30 to 40 cases a day, do live updates, summarize complex legal coverage while covering multiple courtrooms with unpredictable changes, do research and all this while simultaneously covering other news. And do it accurately. Do it while dealing with bored, gossipy, cackling smart mouth fools like you constantly  distracting because your own life is so dull that you have to create drama. Oh, also do it for free for decades for ingrates like you in Humboldt to cheap to pay for my hard work and a public service no one else is providing.

Cami, also unlike you and all the gossipmongers, I saw Melissa's name on the jail log the day before Jorden's arrest. I am not psychic and I don't jump to conclusions based on random Humboldt gossipers. You did not provide any evidence that Melussa's arrest is connected to Jorden's. If it is, I will wait for official documents. I doubt you have the Ramey warrant and unless any of you mouthy trolls are involved, you don't have any knowledge. If you are, even less reason for me to believe your hearsay. Stick to your gossip online on your own Facebook page and leave reporting to someone who has done it for a career. I don't have the luxury to chew gum, sit on my behind in front of a screen commenting on one career criminal. You and all the other trolls swarming on this post have a lot of time on your hands.

So many people and my readers are no longer on Facebook because it attracts a certain element and the hassle isn't worth it. It is the worst app for media and unlike Humboldt, other places aren't so addicted to Facebook.

Cami, go ahead and put out verified content I do from official sources and court records for 12 years and take on the powers to be in Humboldt for free. Deal with the "Camis" on Humboldt for 22 years. We will see how you do. Talk is cheap. And do this on your own, without using one of the other entrenched local media outlets; some who are responsible for the attitude and disrespect of locals like you who wouldn't know real news or reporting if it was spelled out for you in toddlerspeak.

Cami, you left some clues unintentionally. I don't need your "help." You can't even look up the official HCSO jail log and are obviously confused that arrest = guilty. 

Are you related to the Brian McKnight arrested by HCSO in 2024? Are you the Cami McKnight with the two court convictions in Humboldt Superior Court? Do you have a job Cami or is acting like a entitled spoiled 12 year old messaging strangers and being rude your full time occupation?

I do my research on trolls who surface on my fb page, which coincidentally happens especially after I call out certain people, including media and expose some good ole boys in Humboldt. If I noticed; so do other readers who are smart. You are not the kind of reader I want; go frequent other online Humboldt, unmoderated forums and sites who make Humboldtians like you think a social media account, gossip and unverified information with agenda is news.

Sadly, the views show posts like this do well in Humboldt.

Humboldt has an empty mall, restaurants and businesses closing and anyone who can afford to move run from this place as fast they can because of the "Camis" and the other Darwins I deal with constantly. No one with any business sense is going to invest where most of the customer base is broke, cheap, boomers who won't spend money or on welfare. Investment needs to result in profit. Humboldt is a black hole.

Keep posting Cami, people outside Humboldt need to be warned what to expect if they move here or want to spend money or buy a business.

Had I and many others been told the reality of this place, we would not have moved here and got stuck here.

I will vote for any supervisor or Eureka City Council member whose slogan is GHOFMHWA Get Humboldt Off Facebook Make Humboldt Work Again. 

Instead of being grateful and thanking me for 12 years plus of covering, documenting courts and crime in Humboldt County as well as nationally that are a resource for the public, law enforcement, attorneys and other media and providing details that I have yet to see in other court coverage locally, regionally or nationally; Cami and her fellow trolls disturbed me all weekend by whining and attacking me. I don't get grants, tax payer dollars and all the good ole boy and gal advertisers. For free, what I do get is abuse from all the Humboldt whiners who sit on Facebook all day and zero support from the people with money and in positions of "power" who keep Humboldt stagnant and broke and won't step down to allow actual talent and leadership. They can't deal with competition because other than making money off dope, welfare or nepotism; most have no clue how to build or run a business. Same fools who. run businesses into the ground and blame others. Their nepo babies are dumb. Many sitting on Facebook all day commenting and living off what daddy and mommy built. The business being run by their workers.

There is no amount of money or support from those who do appreciate me that is worth the constant crap of dealing with the toxicity of Humboldt and the "Camis" but recovering money I lose daily which isn't easy to make, getting the credit I deserve from petty, pouting fragile egos and being able to sit a meal for 15 minutes without having to moderate and babysit immature miscreants because I don't allow a free for all like other Humboldt comment sections would be a start.

Saw some of the family at the Roy's estate sale; keep them in your prayers

 

An estate sale started yesterday and is going on at Roy's. For those of you who knew the family of the original owners, you know this is a difficult time for  them. I saw some of them who I know. They know I am doing this post. Keep them in your prayers. As I told the family, when Roy's closed, my only option for good Italian food would be to fly to the East Coast.

Once again, both lawsuits on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors agenda for the April 21 meeting have only been covered by me

 

Once again, both lawsuits on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors agenda for the April 21 meeting have only been covered by me.

The hearing  on the preliminary injunction is on 4/20. Depending on what happens, most likely an update will be added to the April 9 post.

This is the post on the Kyra Kelly lawsuit.

Jorden Sterling arrested again, this time by HCSO for child abduction

 

Jorden Allen Sterling was arrested by HCSO yesterday on a Ramey Warrant for PC 278.5(a) child abduction by depriving another adult of their legal right to custody of a child or visitation with a child.

I covered Sterling and I am not linking all my posts. I have provided three screenshots of my coverage from 2019. Repeat offenders are clogging up the system and courts. I already cover too many of those cases and Sterling is another waste of time who knows how to drag out and manipulate the CA criminal justice system.

In my June 7, 2019 post, I wrote, "A lot of people have given his mother a hard time on my Facebook page, she messaged me, she understands her son had to be held accountable. Which is more than I can say for many people locally who are involved in court cases."

I have covered other molestation cases involving Humboldt foster youth, yet Tristan Mitchell's Ramey warrant was difficult to read

 

(Mitchell's 12 year old Facebook photo)

I was the first one to report on alleged molestor Tristan Mitchell's arrest. In that post, I explained why I did not include a 12 year old Facebook profile photo and my google search of multiple agencies and anything about Mitchell's former employees. I like to verify through official information.

Even though the booking photo which cannot be released until there is a conviction due to the Ninth Circuit ruling was similar; I prefer to do things properly.

I had put in a request for Mitchell's file, I had to wait until certain procedures were followed to get that file. There were more delays because the Public Defender declared a conflict and the file was pulled and then stayed a few days with the judge until Ms. Sullivan was appointed. Then today, there was the outage. I was still able to get some documents.

I am now comfortable posting his photo and my 

On April 7, I posted on Mitchell's charges. That involved going to the courthouse, spending time. I cover 20 to 30 cases a day, I do live coverage, I research each case, I get exclusive information. I do other news. And then post complex information live. Readers get access

Once I posted about my research anyone could follow up on Facebook and google. Another media outlet whose idea of court coverage is once in a blue moon did a disservice to both Mitchell and the three John Does by throwing together something from social media posts and lazy reporting.

I have been following the case regularly, posted about the change in attorneys and rescheduling of the hearing.

I am comfortable now to post the Facebook photo and my research that I did on April 4 which was before any other mention of his arrest. I was correct about Mitchell's foster care connection.

I chose to be careful about what I post because this involves three minor male victims who have suffered enough. 

I have a copy of the Ramey warrant from 4/2/26 which was signed by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kelly Neel.

The Ramey warrant is documents I obtained. It is not included so other local media can rip me off and people who take me for granted can get exclusive information like this for free. Getting documents like the Ramey warrant which isn' easy to access is effort I put in addition to a lot of extras you don't get anywhere else. Some people appreciate the unique, time consuming court coverage I provide. 

The Ramey warrant gives you a preview to the DA's presentation; if there is even a preliminary hearing. Currently, Mitchell's preliminary hearing is scheduled for 5/19.

Humboldt DA Investigator Kyla Baxley did a great job of writing the Ramey warrant because there is no identifying information the warrant for me to redact, each victim and John Doe and their dobs are the same as in the complaint. The copy I have redacted some information about Mitchell.

"Doe 1 described Mitchell as a fat, sweaty, and a full-grown man."

DA Investigator Baxley's last line in the Ramey warrant states, "He poses a significant ongoing risk to the safety of children and the public."

Fortunately, Mitchell is on no bail.

I have worked for Humboldt CWS. I have also covered lawsuits involving foster youth and alleged sexual abuse of minors in Humboldt County.

**I have included an official law enforcement document to this post. It is your choice to read beyond this point given the nature of this case and charges after this warning note**

“This campaign is about listening first, building trust, and making sure the people of Ward 1 feel seen, supported, and represented.”

 

Ward 1 candidate Audra Sisson included a personal note with the photo and press release announcing her candidacy. She describes herself as a Eureka native and includes specifics about her experience. 

Will media be banned from the courtroom, is Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing delayed?

 

Utah Fourth District Judge Tony Tony Graf heard arguments from prosecution & defense about banning media from the courtroom and delaying the preliminary hearing. These photos are courtesy Salt Lake Tribune.

Judge Graf issue a ruling on May 8. I have covered all the court hearings live except the last two hearings on media access which were longer like today's all day hearing. The Utah media does a great job and most of the arguments are accessible via the filed motions and from previous hearings I covered.

There are restrictions in place about what media can film and take photos of in murder suspect Tyler Robinson's case. He is charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk. 

Ashley Pearce-Pifferini arraignment continued to Monday

 

Ashley Pearce-Pifferini arraignment on information was continued from this morning to 4/20. An order was issued due to power outage rescheduling cases from this morning. While court minutes say DA not present and Public Defender not present; obviously there was a reason.

For the jury trial, Pearce-Pifferini is charged with Count 1 murder PC 187 (a), Count 2 PC 273 ab (a) assault upon a child causing death and Count 3 PC 273a (a) child abuse. 

This is a 2024 case. Phoenix Jayden Asti was born in September 2019. The dates in the three counts are October and November 2021. While 2 Count says "a child under 8 years" because that is Penal Code language; Phoenix was 2 years old.

The screenshots are of the three posts on this case which you can access via the search feature on the blog. Some of the posts have updates of certain hearings.

Monday's update will be added to this post.

Austin Medeiros court trial starts this afternoon

 

(2022 booking photo)

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum's sentencing of convicted murderer Austin Medeiros was overturned on appeal.

His competency court trial is go and starts this afternoon in Courtroom 1. 

The Nov 1, 2025 post has links to prior coverage.

Use the search feature for previous posts. This is a 2022 court case and I have done several posts on his conviction being overturned and the current trial. 

This would not have been possible without the help of court administration and court staff. This is where 12 years of  doing daily court coverage helps you.

4/17/26: Judge Kaleb Cockrum will issue ruling on 4/30.