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.
I did a post on October 28 about the suspended permit.
November 10 fire at Lazy J Ranch appears to be accidental. Arcata Fire District press release issued just now has details.
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? Yet, there is always money for the Supervisors and CAO and certain department heads salaries. The fat cats at 825 5th street and let them eat cake continues.
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.
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.
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 litigant. 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 and 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 is something you are too self absorbed to understand.
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 unnecessary cases because you are under the delusion the courts are a vehicle for your personal vendettas.
Even now so many 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.
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.
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.
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.
Just received this from Sharon Wolff. I have emailed the CAO's office. And one of my specific questions was, "Are Sheriff Honsal and DHHS Director Connie Beck or any department heads taking a pay cut ?"
I have added her statement to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and the letter she received.
Sharon clarified, "I am not a management employee – I am a confidential employee."
I have known Sharon for years, I previously worked at CWS, I know her from the Rio Dell Times and a court case I covered. I do know other County employees like Donna Becker before I started reporting.
The BOS has money for their raises and to pay the law firm of Liebert, Cassidy Whitmore but not their employees. This law firm threatened me over my coverage of Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell.
Sharon's email:
"The Humboldt County BOS meeting this morning included public comments from many long time county staffers who recently received letters notifying them of changes in their classification resulting in a loss of pay and benefits (aka demotion). This is a county wide initiative being done quietly by Human Resources – most if not all county departments are being impacted but HR has not provided any lists of impacted departments and staff so far. I would encourage you to review the video and all public comments – including right before they go into closed session about employment issues. We are in the middle of a years’ long staffing crisis and county staff members are covering multiple positions now due to the high vacancy rate because all of the state and federal mandates remain. This would seem to be a bad choice of timing for “unit modification” efforts that results in taking away pay and benefits to the mid-level staff simply because we are an unrepresented group. We have been told by county HR that there are no appeal rights or ability to fight this which is why they can do this. It is purely up to the BOS at this point but it will impact all county services to some degree."
Sharon's statement to the Humboldt BOS:
Good morning, Chair and Supervisors. My name is Sharon Wolff. I’ve worked for Humboldt County for 26 years, currently I am your legislative analyst in DHHS. I took time off today to speak as an individual.
Last week, a number of my coworkers and I received letters moving our positions out of the Management and Confidential group and into AFSCME. The letter calls it a unit modification, but when it takes away your pay and benefits, it’s a demotion. I’m the most senior person in DHHS affected.
For many of us it means a frozen salary — no step increases or cost-of-living adjustments until the new range catches up — and the loss of administrative leave, vacation conversion, and other benefits.
This comes in the middle of a long-term staffing crisis. You froze hiring in May 2023. As of January, the County’s vacancy rate was nearly 17 percent. The mandates haven’t gone away, so the remaining staff cover the gaps. I’m learning to process timecards along with my own work. I have been working on CARE Court implementation to help fill in the staffing gaps. Some of my coworkers were told they’re losing M&C status because they’re still doing work “substantially similar” to their old jobs — work they’re doing because we can’t fill the vacancies. They’re being penalized for covering for the freeze.
At last Thursday’s HR meeting, many questions went unanswered. We were told this is happening because it can — as an unrepresented group, we have no formal right to appeal the unit decision.
The letters also say this Board has already approved a grace period for some of our benefits. That means some of this has already come before you, but affected employees were never told when, or what was approved.
These designations were the County’s choice years ago, and changing them now is a choice, too. Many of us are the senior staff working out H.R. 1 implementation and how to minimize the harm to our community. These letters sucked the oxygen out of the room for all county employees — not just those who got one.
I understand the deficit. But there’s a better way. I’m asking you to:
First, grandfather current employees — move positions to AFSCME when they become vacant. You get the savings over time without driving out experienced staff during a hiring freeze.
Secondly, direct HR to communicate with the affected employees including how many positions are involved, the effective dates, and when this Board acted on the grace period.
Thank you.
3:57 p.m. update: County of Humboldt Public Information Manager Cati Gallardo sent me this response. "Hi John,This matter will be considered in open session by the Board of Supervisors at a future meeting. Since the County of Humboldt’s labor negotiations are ongoing, we must maintain the confidentiality of that process. For that reason, we are unable to provide further comment at this time."
Day 2 of the Humboldt Courthouse makeover continues...The Board of Supervisors finish a short meeting and then have the day off tomorrow, the government life for electeds subsidized by Humboldt County taxpayers.
Posted this on Facebook and other platforms earlier.
Exclusive and breaking news since the decision and order isn't even on the California Commission on Judicial Performance site yet. Incumbent LA Judge Robert Draper who decides to fight the CJP in court, lost his election and now was removed by the CJP this morning.
I posted this around the same time as the LA Daily Journal.
I am not adding over 70 pages of the decision and order. I have included some of the pages and two remarks. These don't include all the racist, sexist remarks and behavior. Touching an attorney's hair, telling secretaries, "You better be able to fuck better than you can type." It was Moonbeam that appointed him. Moonbeam also appointed Gregory Kreis, also investigated by the CJP and no longer a judge and can never seek judicial office in California.
Draper intends to ask for a review from the California Supreme Court.
Full text of Valerie's comment:
"Good word. Last year I spent 3 months in Humboldt County jail and actually yesterday marks one year of successfully completing my probation. But this isn't about me, I spent all 90 days incarcerated with this individual. She is not somebody that we can help because she does not think that she has any issues. She is in complete dilute denial of being mentally ill. While she is stabilized in the jail she is continuously given chances to stabilize and do well in programs and whatnot, which she's capable of doing. She maintained this air of superiority: she's not a criminal, she's not mentally ill, and she shouldn't be in there. Once she's stabilized they can let her out again. She could maybe go into a program again and maybe do well for a while but it won't last. The woman has to have the worst case of borderline personality disorder with some schizoaffective traits that I have ever seen in my life. Zero accountability and no acknowledgement of needing to get better. Two weeks prior to her second-to-last incarceration, LOL, she tried to hit me with her car in the alley by my house and I let the police know. She said I was working for Gregory Christ and plotting against her. We happen to have shared the same attorney, I think, for a little bit but she is so deranged. I really think the only thing that will improve her is to remove her from this county and away from all of her triggers."
Michael Meiser, 40, of Lancaster, and a former LASD deputy was sentenced to 5 ½ years in federal prison for possessing more than one pound of heroin – hidden inside Pringles potato chips cans – that he admitted to attempting to smuggle inside a county jail in the Santa Clarita Valley.
U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California released details.
Today was the first hearing, a Case Management Conference in a lawsuit filed by Sunbelt Rentals against Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation.
Sunbelt Rentals is represented by Palm Desert attorney Mr. John Guerrini. An entry of default filed on 10/13/26.
Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation's response was a cross complaint filed on 11/5/26 and they represented by local Mitchell Law Firm.
Sunbelt requested a 90 day continuance of the CMC to 2/8/27.
Attorneys have access to the documents online or the file. For everyone else,I have included some of the pertinent pages of the complaint and some exhibits by SunBelt.
Mechanics lien keyword in SunBelt's complaint. Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation breach of express contractual indemnity.
The real story is that can Sunbelt get a fair shake in uber progressive Humboldt where Cal Poly Humboldt has liberal politicians, the good ole boy left and the greedy right salivate over that Cal Poly Humboldt money, the rabid Cal Poly "students", "activists who will attack this post and descend on anyone who appreciates me reporting on a valid lawsuit as well as the liberal local media who will either ignore this or their "court coverage" will be a spin and fluff PR piece in favor of Cal Poly Humboldt.
On Friday, California Gavin Newsom's Press Office included this appointment. Other than giving the appointment to someone who worked for him, Gav who luvs criminals and his press office left out Ballard's criminal record.
