Single source of facts, community input and live coverage: these three criteria set John Chiv apart from other court media in Humboldt County and make his blog uniquely valuable."

"John Chiv’s blog at https://johnchiv.blogspot.com is of extraordinary value to the successful operation of the legal system in Humboldt County, California in three significant ways: he publishes facts that are not published elsewhere; he makes the community heard; and he provides live coverage.



In the first ever case of the placement of a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) in Humboldt County in August, 2018, John Chiv was the only source of information. As with many legal cases, citizen access to information is challenging and confusing. In the case of SVP Cooley, as in every other legal case in Humoldt Couty, John Chiv was present at all the court events, https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/06/over-objection-of-district-attorney.html?m=1, took photos of the original charges and posted the case file when no no other outlet did, https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-confidential-placement-has-been-found.html?m=1  and immediately responded to inquiries.  His coverage is focused, factual and authoritative.

In addition, community voices armed with informative facts can be heard.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/08/this-is-not-about-freshwater-or-eureka.html

Finally, at the hearing set for August 23, 2018 at 8:30 am for Judge Feeney to consider whether a proposed placement was appropriate for Cooley, John Chiv was present and published three posts including one at the time of the hearing,
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-people-showed-up-to-speak- at.html#, more when the overflow of community presence inspired the judge to relocate the hearing from courtroom #4 to the Board of Supervisors’ Chamber.

Single source of facts, community input and live coverage: these three criteria set John Chiv apart from other court media in Humboldt County and make his blog uniquely valuable."


Coincidentally, Nicole Riggs sent me this today as I was writing my post below.

This blog has always been about the community, the people. I have no desire to impress or "play the game." I have fought for a lot of people, stood up for a lot of people but how many have for me? In public; very few. Nicole and the few who do, thank you.

It means a lot to me that Nicole who came upon my first blog post on Joshua Cooley by chance, wrote this; it is the public that gets the value of independent reporting.

Getting to know community members like Nicole, building and maintaining connections beyond a post or article is what I am blessed with by doing this blog.

Thank you Nicole for your kindness, your dedication to this community.