Feb 28, 2019

Woman named Meth supplied fatal amount of meth to inmate; she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter





A visitor who supplied a fatal amount of methamphetamine to an inmate has been sentenced to two years of incarceration, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) investigators said today.

Yet, another delay and continuance in Patrick McTigue's case



Intervention was scheduled yesterday for former building and planning department employee Patrick McTigue. His preliminary hearing for March 5 was vacated at the request of his attorney, Mr. Neal Sanders. Setting of preliminary hearing is scheduled on March 15.

Attorneys request help from the court to see if they can resolve Patrick Holt's 8 cases


Intervention for Patrick Holt's eight cases was scheduled for February 26. Preliminary hearing for February 28 remained "set."

The eight cases are a small portion of his lengthy record in Humboldt Superior Court.

Future date in May set for Kathleen Bryson's DUI case


Arraignment in local attorney Kathleen Bryson's DUI case was scheduled this morning.
Mr. Benjamin Okin appeared in court for her today. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for May 23.

Fortuna's newest police officer Josh Rosenfeld sworn in by City Clerk Siana Emmons


EPD identifies driver involved in hit and run that led to Michael Pohl's death



The  Eureka  Police  Department has identified the driver  involved in the  December  2018 hit  and run collision that  killed  29  year old Michael Kenneth Pohl.   An  arrest has not been made.   The  case  is being  sent to the  Humboldt  County  District Attorney’s  Office  for criminal complaint.      Additional  information  will  be  released  as appropriate.

Northcoast Preparatory Academy's Alex Riggs named Youth of the Year for her work with Teen Court



Northcoast Preparatory Academy (NPA) is proud to announce that Freshman student Alex Riggs was named Humboldt County Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods. On March 8, Alex will represent Humboldt County at the Twitter Headquarters in San Francisco for the regional finals.

Lorna Leen's preliminary hearing rescheduled to March 20


Lorna Leen's preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 28. She is charged with the murder of Brandon Brocius.

In yesterday's post, I mentioned this possibility. Today due to no court being available and Leen having entered a time waiver, the preliminary hearing was continued to March 20. Time estimate three hours. Witnesses were ordered back.

Convicted molestor Mario Alexander's sentencing continued to next week



Sentencing for Mario Alexander was scheduled for this morning. On January 24, Alexander was found guilty of 10 counts of child molestation.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads. Alexander was represented by Mr. Russ Clanton.

Due to Mr. Clanton being in trial out of county, sentencing was rescheduled to March 8 at 8:30.
Ms. Christina Allbright "specially appeared in court" for Mr. Clanton today.

Feb 27, 2019

Swiftwater rescue and Ferndale Fire responding to 801 Sage Road

Swift water rescue responding to 801 Sage Road; Ferndale Fire also responding. 6 people stuck on a tractor between barn and house.

HCSO Search and rescue en route. Operation "Sage incident". They have to take a detour to get there.

Told you on January 9 that Josh Rosenfeld was going to FPD, here's the official news



I was the first to report on former Deputy District Attorney Josh Rosenfeld going over to Fortuna Police Department.

Here is the official press release:

To a few people our newest Police Officer Josh Rosenfeld’s face may seem a bit familiar, especially if they are a fan of the game show Jeopardy.

Some of the hardworking Humboldt County OES crew keeping us updated


Northern California towns trend on Twitter for being landlocked

(Photo: Kent Porter)

Despite burn marks, despite People's opposition, Judge's reluctance, Aaron Hungerford's victim asks for modification of protective order



A hearing to review an adult protective order in Aaron Hungerford's corporal injury case was scheduled for February 27. This case is in criminal court. He was arraigned on 2/22 on this case.

Hungerford had been previously served with a full stay away order. That was modified to a peaceful contact order.

The victim had not mentioned her change of heart to the DA prior to the court appearance. This morning, Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield told Judge Kaleb Cockrum that the "protected party was in court" requesting the order "be lifted."

Former public defender Jennifer Dixon starts her own private practice


Former public defender Jennifer Dixon is "going solo" this Friday. She is the latest private attorney who will be available to take criminal, juvenile, and family law cases.

Her office is at 517 Third Street in Eureka. You can reach her at jenniferdixonlaw@gmail.com


Three jury trials, one Judge disqualified, what are the chances of Lorna Leen's preliminary hearing actually starting tomorrow?



Intervention for murder suspect Lorna Leen was scheduled for February 26. Preliminary hearing for February 28 "remains set." Victim Brandon Brocious.

Local attorney Ken Bareilles' motion to suppress evidence states search warrant was based on unconstitutionally obtained information



Local attorney Ken Bareilles motion to suppress in his misdemeanor case was continued today to March 25. The case was sent from Courtroom Two to Courtroom 3 this morning. Due to the lengthy calendar, the date was rescheduled. The Fish and Game Warden is on vacation for three weeks.

Ruling on motion to consolidate murder suspect Richard Dean's case continued again, this time by the Court


Pre trial and ruling on People's motion to consolidate cases for murder, attempted robbery and battery suspect Richard Dean was continued to February 26. Defense already indicated at the last hearing they plan to oppose the motion. It was continued again to March 20 by the Court.

I already covered Judge Christopher Wilson's remarks and the last court hearing as well as the previous hearing in detail. Recent posts are linked below.

Tis the week of continuances


Trial setting for alleged molestor Mark Dare was scheduled for February 27. Continued to March 7.

Court refers motion to Kayla Brown's terms of probation for supplemental report

On February 11, former Miss Hoopa Kayla Brown pleaded guilty to sexual penetration of a minor under 16 years old and contact with a minor for sexual offense.  The alleged victim was a female minor. Brown has to register as a sex offender.

A hearing on the Public Defender's motion to modify probation was scheduled this morning because Brown is requesting that she be allowed to be around her family member's children, without adult supervision.

The case has been referred to probation for a supplemental report. Next court hearing is March 13.

Judge John Feeney sentenced Brown to 120 days in jail, 150 hours of community service and 5 years of formal probation. Brown has to commit to jail on March 16.

$5,000 damage estimated for structure fire on 5400 block of Walnut Drive





On February 27th @ 0139hrs Humboldt Bay Fire was dispatched to Structure Fire in the 5400 block of Walnut Dr. in Cutten.

Timothy Flemming arrested, again, for alleged violation of protective order



Timothy Flemming arrested yesterday, again, booked for PC273.6(a), violation of a protective order.

Linked below is are two posts on his previous cases.

Murder, dui, hit and run suspect James Merrick's jury trial set for July 22


Trial setting for James Merrick was continued to yesterday morning. I just did a detailed post on this on February 20. No other media was in court last week. That post is linked below.

The jury trial was set for 7/22, and trial confirmation is scheduled for 7/2.

Feb 26, 2019

Kids handcuffed and elder sent to the hospital at Hoopa Warriors game




Just got information from a reader about the Hoopa Warriors game tonight. Couple of the Hoopa High kids were hand cuffed and an elder got sent to hospital. Don't know if the kids are still detained or if any charges were filed.

Hoopa High Warriors were playing against Pierce High School in Arbuckle. A fight broke out because some in Hoopa High felt cheated of the win tonight. This game was the first game of the State (CIF) Division 5 tournament- Hoopa lost 79-75.

Jacob Wohl's Twitter account "permanently suspended" after he boasts of creating fake accounts to manipulate 2020 election


Former Miss Hoopa pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor, has to register as a sex offender and wants to have contact with children unsupervised?


On February 11, former Miss Hoopa Kayla Brown pleaded guilty to sexual penetration of a minor under 16 years old and contact with a minor for sexual offense.  The alleged victim was a female minor. Brown has to register as a sex offender.

Humboldt County included in Governor Newsom's emergency proclamation to help communities affected by winter storms



William Hinson III faces 3, 6 or 11 years in state prison for voluntary manslaughter



Today a jury found 41-year-old William Lamar Hinson III guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the killing of Khanh Lam, with the special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon.

Raymond Prudhomme found dead in apartment, EPD investigating homicide



On February  22, 2019  at about 1:30 p.m.,  the Eureka  Police  Department responded to an apartment at the 300 block of E  Street for  the  report of  a  deceased  male.   An  autopsy  was performed on  February  23, 2019 and  the death was ruled a  homicide. 

Multiple law enforcement agencies including SWAT team respond to active shooter in South Carolina



APD seeks community donations for helmet giveways for children and teens


The Arcata Police Department is working to get more children and teens to wear bike helmets and to wear them properly by offering free helmet giveaways and fittings at community events.

Inmates, including Jon Goldberg, will be back in Humboldt County for former CO Cory Fisher's jury trial


Inmates in state prison including Jon Goldberg  have been court ordered to return and be delivered to Humboldt County for former correctional officer Cory Fisher's jury trial for alleged sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior trial.

Court declares conflict in Ewa Misztal's case


Whether Ewa Misztal will be released to an outpatient program was not decided today. Judge Kaleb Cockrum declared a conflict; next court hearing is March 6.

Ulisses Rodriguez jury trial for murder confirmed; defense may file motion to continue


Jury trial for murder suspect Ulisses Rodriguez was confirmed for March 11 this morning. Time estimate is 4 to 6 weeks. Defense indicated they may file a motion to continue.

Rodriguez is charged with deaths of Tiffany Ellebrecht and Jeremy Kuemmel.

National humiliation and now if Magney vs County of Humboldt settles, more money paid for something that could have been avoided

If you are not familiar with the case or following it regularly, I have linked previous coverage below. A case that got national coverage, reported locally first on this blog. There is too much information to just summarize and to get the full effect, best to read the documents and my previous coverage.

You can read in detail the County's handling of this case and the cost to taxpayer's so far and if this case settles, that will be more money the County will pay out for another case that could have been avoided.

Mendocino county crews work to remove tree to gain access to downed power lines

(MCSO

Feb 25, 2019

Last time it was burritos, now ex con arrested for domestic violence for throwing a cookie without the victim's consent

"What they wanted to do was to be sure that we did not have a monarchy but we had three distinct branches of government: a check and balance one to the other. "



"We gather here this afternoon about a matter of utmost importance to our country.  Every one of us – every Member of Congress, every official across the country – in serving in office, takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.  To support and defend it.

Humboldt Bay Fire provides a visual of what can happen in you get stranded in this weather


Local jeweler Darin Goodale still has his court date in 2020



As a part of his informal diversion for his reckless evading case, local jeweler Darin Goodale had to provide a letter of apology to the Fortuna Police Department. That letter was submitted to the court on January 23. The People requested the hearing be continued to February 25. The matter was dropped from calendar. The next court date is 1/23/2020.

Mr. Russ Clanton is representing Goodale.

EPD responds to burglary in progress on 2200 block of Garland


Eureka Police responded to a call around noon about a "burglary in progress". 2200 block of Garland Street. EPD Crime Analyst and PIO Brittany Powell said, it turned out that ,"the reporting party knew of the person who was seen opening the door and when the officers arrived, it did not appear any entry into the home was made. "

LA County Sheriff seeks public's help in identifying attempted murder suspect who stabbed customer at a donut shop


Former campaign staffer claims President Trump kissed her without consent; White House calls allegations absurd


Candice Hawkins arrested for kidnapping, child endangerment and other charges after stealing a vehicle


Feb 24, 2019

California GOP elects first woman and Latina as their leader


The California Republican Party elected Jessica Millan Patterson as its chairperson today. Patterson is the first woman and  Latina  leader of the 140 year-old organization.

Man arrested for DUI was driving with a car with a sign, "I should probably get a ride home"







Texas man's post on why he will be staying at Holiday Inn instead of a retirement home goes viral


"No nursing home for us. We'll be checking into a Holiday Inn!
With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and too feeble.
I've already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn. For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $59.23 per night.
Breakfast is included, and some have happy hours in the afternoon.

Car on it's side at Henderson and I


Photo sent by reader who drove by. Non injury traffic collision.

Contrary to incorrect claims, if your refund check is smaller, here's why

(Getty images)

Contrary to some spin and claims out there on tax refunds this year,  here are the facts. I reached out to John Fullerton, local CPA.

"Close to 80% of my clients are paying less in tax this year than last.  However the IRS adjusting the withholding tables for wages and pensions and many of my clients were getting larger take home pay all throughout the year.   So many,  while they are paying less in taxes, are finding their refund checks smaller than last year.   People are getting the impression they had a tax increase when actually the opposite is true."