Nov 14, 2026

Three Humboldt Deputy Public Defenders were out "ill" on Friday


Besides Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kanada who has been out for medical reasons two days in the middle of a trial; Markus Evans and Sarah Ballou's preliminary hearings were continued because two other assigned Deputy Public Defenders were out "ill."

Those are just two of the several criminal cases I have to update with minor continuances as well as civil cases to the previous posts that I am working on this weekend. Due to all the reasons you have heard, some court minutes were not done by 4:30 on Friday. It isn't the fault of the court clerks. Now access to the online portal for Humboldt Superior Court has been down since last evening so that option is not available. 


Nov 13, 2026

Reader saw Coroner leave Humboldt jail last night before midnight

Just got this tip a minute ago.

Before midnight yesterday, a reader saw the Coroner leaving the Humboldt County jail 5th entrance.

Have reached out to HCSO PIO Erin Inskip and HCSO Lt. Jesse Taylor.

Lt. Taylor responded, "I can confirm there was an in-custody death last night in our correctional facility. This is not believed to be a criminal case, but the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRTl) was called out and is investigating.  This is normal protocol for any death in the correctional facility.  The identity of the decedent will be withheld until next of kin notification can be made."

I learned more after this post, not from HCSO. The incident started earlier, possibly around 8 p.m. yesterday. Correctional officers had to put people being booked into holding cells to secure the area. Anyone posting bail took longer due to the incident.

Unlike Fox News, it took me less than 15 seconds to check Secretary Sean Duffy account for the reason

 


Unlike Fox News, it took me less than 15 seconds to check Secretary Sean Duffy account for the reason. All this while I am at the  Courthouse, checking, following up simultaneously on 40 + court cases and posting live.

5:30 p.m. Anyone can watch and get information directly.


6:40 p.m. :



County of Humboldt continues losing streak in Redwood Oil lawsuit

 




Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning took the demurrer file by County of Humboldt under submission on 8/14 in the lawsuit filed by Redwood Oil. His 11/4 ruling was not entered in the system until now. County of Humboldt demurrer overruled. 

This is the last time I am providing information on prior coverage for a court case only I have covered  regularly since April 2026.

"There is nothing that requires the Court to release the defendant over and over again."

 




Yesterday was a busy afternoon with several high profile cases. I was in the courtroom posting live and adding detailed information on late arraignments.

Rufus Cooke's cases were on calendar. Deputy DA Frankie Olivares appeared on the case for the People. Some of Cooke's cases were on November 9; the OR bail hearing was continued to November 12 so all his cases were on calendar.

After sitting through and watching repeat offenders and other defendants charged with violent crimes being released on OR or granted supervised release; I was not expecting yesterday's outcome.

It was worth watching Cooke's face and Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian who goes on and on in court with complete disregard to other cases and attorneys citing the same California case laws and trying to get every criminal and repeat offender released. It is onerous when you have such a long calendar that arraignments take up most of the afternoon and OR bail does not start until 3 p.m.

Orbelian said he had not received a report about Cooke's recent arrest. Maybe, if your client wouldn't keep getting arrested every few days after being granted supervised release repeatedly; the system would not be so overwhelmed. Cooke has 7 cases; get over the fact that you don't have a report for his one arrest for driving under the influence of drugs. 

Thanks to the Humboldt Public Defenders who get repeat criminals released daily and asking for mental health diversion for almost every defendant; the system is clogged and it is impossible to catch up. I  experience it so imagine what law enforcement and the DA's office goes through.

Orbelian asked for supervised release.

"I respectfully disagree," said Judge Durand. "I am familiar with this defendant. " Citing case law that Orbelian stated in asking for release, Judge Durand said. "There is nothing that requires the Court to release the defendant over and over again. He has had every chance." Citing risk to public safety, Cooke's custody status was changed to no bail.

Judge Durand stated on record what I have covered in previous posts which is Cooke repeatedly getting arrested every time he is granted supervised release.

Rufus Cooke has 7 open cases.

Later, that afternoon, HCSO Deputy Max Soeth had to go over and tell Orbelian that an out of custody Public Defender client was before the judge speaking when he shouldn't and clearly needing help. Orbelian was busy on his phone did not apologize to the client or Judge Durand. 

Mr or Ms is reserved for attorneys who deserve respect and conduct themselves with decorum and are professional. Prior to this post, Orbelian got referred as "Mr." 


Nov 12, 2026

"Mendes is laying low these days."

 


"Mendes is laying low these days. "That Chiv did an article" was a conversation at the Humboldt Auction Yard. 

People including Justin Mora at the Humboldt Auction Yard are pissed with former HCSO livestock deputy, part time HCSO bailiff, CALFire employee Travis Mendes. In a public place like the Auction Yard, you never know who overhears a conversation between other people. 

Wannabe cowboy Travis thought hanging out with the Fortuna, Ferndale, Orick ranchers and farmers clique who hob nob with Humboldt Supervisors Rex Bohn and Michelle Bushnell meant he was Humboldt immune. 

Biggest mistake is thinking the good ole boy and gal Humboldt cabal has your back or you are in the inner circle. Zirconia is more real than the fakes of Humboldt. 

Alleged victims in Colegrove and Hansen case are Ricardo HubbardGranados and 16 year old Jane Doe




Tyler Colegrove and Alyssa Hansen are on the must go list today. If they are not arraigned, they will be released from custody. No charges yet for their latest arrest but Tyler Colegrove has amended VOP arraignment in CR2601772 and VOP arraignment in CR2600975A . He also has an existing open 2026 case CR2602739A which has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 1/8/27. I will be updating first on Facebook if new charges are filed.

Charges were filed for Colegrove and Hansen at 2:02, I posted on Facebook first. Charges just filed for Alyssa Hansen and Peter Colegrove. Senior Deputy DA Roger Rees is here for arraignment as well as HCSO Det Jennifer Taylor and Shane Steele. Alleged victim in Colegrove and Hansen case is Ricardo HubbardGranados and 16 year old Jane Doe. 3407 Harwill Court is the address.

Update: No bail request made by Senior Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees for Colegrove and Hansen granted by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Heather Durand. Conflict Counsel appointed for Colegrove. Public Defender's Office for Hansen. Before that OR bail waived for Colegrove by defense. Hansen no supervised release report requested but OR bail on 11/16.  Preliminary hearing is on 11/24.

Court took so long Det. Steele left. Det. Brian Buihner, Det. Julian Aguilera and others were in court this afternoon.

You are in Humboldt. There is no where you need to be where you can't follow the law for a minute


Just saw one EPD patrol vehicle with light and sirens on H street heading towards Henderson. I hear other sirens. As usual, there are some moron drivers cause law enforcement and Humboldt Bay Fire to stop. I have seen this more than once and it is always in this area. Same area where with a green light, pedestrian walk signal, certain drivers just speed and turn, often on their cell phones. You are in Humboldt. There is no where you need to be where you can't follow the law for a minute. Decency would prevent majority of the collisi9ns in Eureka.


Minutes later, right on front of the 5th and H post office, for the second time this guy walks past me cussing at me, being verbally abusive to me and almost went to hit me until I picked up my phone and told him to smile for the police. He also saw a witness step out of a car. I recognize him from around town. I have no idea why he is so pissed and I don't give a damn. I am not going to waste EPD's time but if he approaches me again; I will contact EPD. This is the fault of the California Democrats, the local courts, the County of Humboldt and City of Eureka who don't even bother to monitor or hold miscreants who wander mostly downtown going off on people.
 

County at Shannon Miranda's this morning?

I have been told County Building and Planning Director John Ford and others were supposed to be at Shannon Miranda's to conduct an inspection at 9:30. 

I have contacted both Director Ford and Shannon's  attorney, Ms. Allison Jackson.

"Yes I was at Miranda's yesterday morning." Director Ford confirmed on November 13. 

I did a post on October 28 about the suspended permit.

Around 1:40 HCSO posted this no nothing statement on Facebook about the Miranda's Rescue investigation. 

A press release should have been sent out to local media but considering this is the same bs we have heard for months, BFD. Some of us are covering courts and other news on a busy day today and this afternoon is a very impacted calendar with 4 high profile suspects and other defendants only I have reported on. We will be in court all afternoon. We don't have time to sit and scroll through Facebook about the same nothingburger from HCSO.

Let me translate Sheriff Billybob speak in the HCSO update. This is a skill I have learned from 22 years of observation, working with and knowing how things work in Humboldt politically, in the legal system and every area of Humboldt.

  "Extremely complex case" = I don't want to piss off Jenna Moore, Jennifer Raymond and the rabid anti Miranda crowd. Rest of the blah blah = I, Sheriff Billybob have time to speak to national media and for photo ops but you local peasants are not worth my time. Jenna and Jennifer have tainted this case with trespass, I opened my big mouth at the press conference and I cannot deliver. I am going to drag this out, then let DA Stacey Eads take the fall because I am a cowardly man who does not have the guts to end the charade started by Jenna and Jennifer. The photo ops are good for my next campaign and as long as my buddy Rex is in charge; I am safe. Shannon is connected to some powerful local people and I Sheriff BillyBob don't want to upset them. I also screwed up the Ray Christie case and am being sued and am trying to save face.

November 10 fire at Lazy J Ranch appears to be accidental

 

(Arcata Fire District)

November 10 fire at Lazy J Ranch appears to be accidental. Arcata Fire District press release issued just now has details.

There are many extras I provide, so does law enforcement in our area that you should not take for granted

For those who check the jail log like I do, today's report is not online. Usually, I just follow up with the proper channels at HCSO and you see it later in the day or a day later. Always a tech issue. Not something I need to do as many things I do regularly you don't know or see because not everything makes it to a post. And when the jail report is fixed, the person to thank is HCSO Correctional Captain Duane Christian. He is one of several people at HCSO just like people at EPD who do many things that are beneficial for the community and they are responsive. They do so because of years of relationship I have cultivated with them. There are many extras I provide, so does law enforcement in our area that you should not take for granted.

Minutes after I contacted HCSO, the jail report is online and the site was inaccessible for a few minutes. After all that effort, yesterday's arrests include the usual drunks and repeat offenders including convicted sex offender Robert Munts arrested for the nth time by EPD and out on the street; again.

This often happens after a holiday and because the County of Humboldt has neglected improvements in tech like everything else crumbling in that building. Ever used the public computers in the Assessor's office? 1980 desktop computers that take forever to load, if they work on a given day.

Yet, there is always money for the Supervisors and the CAO and certain department heads salaries. The fat cats at 825 5th street and let them eat cake attitude continues with no accountability. 

Nov 11, 2026

Second post election report shows Mario Fernandez increase lead over Janelle Jackson




Second post election report shows Janelle Jackson at 45.66 and Mario Fernandez at 54.34.
Outside the Ming Tree office at 5th and J, someone tossed your sign over the bushes.

Trial in lawsuit involving Renners, Diamond R Ranch against Tom Noll and Lynn Marks to proceed as scheduled next summer

 




On 11/9, I noticed a 2026 lawsuit filed by Thomas A Noll and Lynn Marks against Diamond R Ranch and several members of the Renner family. A cross complaint was filed by Diamond R Ranch and the Renners.

Noll and Marks are represented by Ukiah law firm Carter Rich PC. This is Noll and Marks' fourth attorney.

Diamond Ranch and Renner defendants by Harland Law Partner Allison Jackson. 

The motion to continue trial by Noll and Marks was denied by Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning.

The reason for continuance was so Noll and Marks could volunteer at an endurance ride  two days before the trial starts and not miss the bbq on the 18th. Ms. Jackson argued that is not good cause for a continuance. Judge Canning agreed.

This dispute has been going on for 4 years. Trial assignment on 7/16/27 and jury trial on 7/19/27 remains as scheduled.

Anil, the election is over. You lost bigly. Pick up your signs.

 Anil, the election is over. You lost bigly. Pick up your signs.

Jorden, I have no reason to be nice to you but here are some free Humboldt "justice" 101 tips



Saw Jorden Sterling aka Place earlier on Monday on the second floor. He was alone and did not approach me. Later, I found out Courtney Zanone and Jordo are no longer a couple. Hopefully, she is back in Oregon. Courtney was the one who always instigated contact with me. Now, she is off filing cases with some of the same parties.

Jorden should read the tea leaves with the losses in his civil cases and move on with his life. However, Jordo is still filing useless motions in his criminal cases and some civil cases.

Jorden has one pending criminal case. He has done well with the result in three cases and we will see what happens in the 4th criminal case. He got a lucky break because another prosecutor could have gotten a different result. And he missed conviction because of one juror.

I doubt Jordo will listen. I have included court  minutes with updates on those two cases.

On 10/30, in CV2601720 Jorden Place vs Pacific Towing, Mr. Dustin Owens' motion to declare Jorden a vexatious litigant  entry was denied without prejudice. Jordo, that wasn't a win. You got handed slack because you are pro per. Your  entry of default was denied.

Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning explained his ruling and the statute on vexatious litigants. While Jordo was not declared one at that hearing; he was warned he is on the path to that outcome. There is a CMC on 2/1/27 in that case.

Jordo, I have no reason to be nice to you and you know why. My readers know why. You are no match for most attorneys and you certainly do not chance against Mr. Owens. You can listen to my Humboldt "justice" 101 tips or keep doing what you are doing.

On 11/9 in CV2601716, Jorden Place vs Elyssa Zuniga et al which from court documents is more drama and fallout from his family law case which is the basis for all of Jordo's sturm und drang. Jorden's motion for failure to answer was denied. Jorden, you have custody of your daughter. Get over your obsession with every slight and your exes and stop innundating the civil department with your nonsensical filings. That delays justice and paperwork for others.

Jorden, people with legit claims they can prove in court do not get justice in Humboldt Superior Court. You and all the other pro per litigants mad at rulings in family law cases or pissed at HCSO or the world clogging the court system hurts valid claims. The court system is weaponized by those in power and it works for them. Especially in Humboldt. You think your claims which you have yet to prove in any civil case stand a chance?

People who have provable claims and the law on their side get screwed everyday on the second floor of 825 Fifth Street depending on what judge hears their case, what that day looks like and who they are and you can be randomly sacrificed in the name of Humboldt injustice stats and getting through the burdensome daily calendar. Just because you feel persecuted does not mean you are. I have read what you filed and your alleged claims in all your cases. 

There is a part of me that understands your frustration and need to be heard. Why I am even doing that for you after what you did to me in one of the most stressful, abusive, hateful periods in Humboldtia where I am.being attacked and retaliated endlessly and fighting for my own survival. You are selfish and self absorbed like 99% of Humboldt.

The problem with you is that you are not looking at your choices and how much of your situation is your fault.  You don't just get to say and claim what you want in court. You have to prove it with evidence. You have to be credible.

Your civil cases are being heard by Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning. You are on the radar.

You should have taken the "win" in your three criminal cases. Instead you filed every boiler plate motion on a daily basis for months in several cases because you are under the delusion the courts are a vehicle for your personal vendettas.

Even now so many uneccessary motions that do not make any sense. In addition to all your civil cases, you have a writ of habeas. You are out of custody!

Those interested in what is happening with Jorden's several cases have read my ongoing coverage and the background. I am not linking posts, providing screenshots or background.

Former court clerk's son with two cases, arrested for the third time in 2026

 





Vincent Nelson was arrested by Rio Dell Police Department yesterday. 

I have covered two of his cases including the preliminary hearing in CR2601723 which is scheduled for jury trial on 11/16 and CR2600393 which is trailing. The only two new charges are the ones with a Ramey warrant PC 459/461(a) and VC 10851(a) driving or taking a vehicle without consent.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum reduced Count 1 in CR2601723 to attempted voluntary manslaughter.

Nelson's attorney is Ken Bareilles. I have reported what Humboldt County court staff and attorneys know that his mother is former Humboldt Superior Court clerk Brenda Nelson.

Another Humboldt mother in denial and coddling her son which benefits Ken Bareilles because he gets paid. Brenda should know better. Three cases in one year. 25 search results in Humboldt Superior Court when I checked last June.

Supervised release backfired as usual. This is not a shocker to anyone who pays attention to my regular court coverage of As the Humboldt Injustice Turns daily soap opera of bad Democrat laws and lax consequences for criminals.

11/12/26: Defense motion to continue granted; jury trial rescheduled to 11/23.

11/13/26: Humboldt Superior Court Judge Heather Durand reinstates supervised release.

Nov 10, 2026

Attempted murder Dustarta Sanchez has more names than the felonies she is charged with from last week's arrest




I reported on attempted murder Dustarta Serene Sanchez's arrest by EPD last week. The DA filed a complaint today which was her must go date. Alleged victim is John Doe. A handgun is the weapon used in the alleged crimes. She is on a no bail status. Public Defender's Office appointed;  criminal protective order served, OR bail hearing on  11/13; preliminary hearing on 11/20.

Tenant protections will be on the City of Eureka agenda for first meeting in December


I had two separate conversations just while I was out and about with Ward 1 Eureka Councilmember Leslie Castellano and then unexpectedly saw Eureka City Manager  Miles Slattery a few minutes ago. Both of them have been working on a presentation that will be on the first meeting in December about tenant protections.

The City of Eureka efforts towards housing are commendable but I know from talking to various people daily that the need for people who are without a roof over their head has quadrupled. It is due to several reasons including the Humboldt declining economy and local slumlords and greedy landlords. This includes working people just being outpriced by traveling nurses or generational progeny living off daddy's properties and landlords who retaliate against tenants who speak up about habitability.

One major change that needs to happen is the attitude of certain employees of City of Eureka Building, more help and citations from City of Eureka Code Enforcement and Legal Services of Northern California doing more than discouraging people from going to court. Most Humboldt judges have been and are very pro landlord. But we have some new judges and a new Commissioner who is fair and doesn't rule predictably. 

Laws don't do any good when money and greed dictate what happens in courts.