Without consulting the public, local security company out, big city company in

Securitas, a security company with al local office hiring local emoyees will be replaced by American Guard Services,  effective Dec 1, 2019. AGS' corporate office is in Los Angeles and other offices  in San Diego and Oakland.

DA loses jury trial to a pro per defendant for petty theft, value not exceeding $50

A pro per defendant charged with petty theft, not exceeding $50 in value, won his case today. The jury trial took about an hour. ourt minutes below. Prosecutor for the case was Deputy District Attorney Steven Pomeroy. Fortuna Police Department Charles Ellebrecht was one of the witnesses.

Brian Leiteritz charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon

Brian Leiteritz is scheduled to be arraigned on information on October 3  information for his jury trial.

16 years in prison with 1,184 custody credits for twice convicted sex offender

Twice convicted sex offender Justin Strauhal was finally sentenced today to the 16 year stipulated prison sentence. As a part of the plea, Strauhal waived his right to appeal.

Woman who broke into EPD officer's house arrested on bench warrant for her three cases

Jacquelyn Bradley was arrested by HCSO yesterday on her bench warrant for her three cases. September 2016 for her preliminary hearing.

Humboldt Area Foundation gives $300,000 grant to HSU nursing program

Senator Mike McGuire, Humboldt State University (HSU) President Tom Jackson and College of the Redwoods (CR) President Keith Flamer and other officials were on hand as the grant was announced today at an event at the Humboldt Area Foundation in Bayside.

Until the laws change, just another typical morning for EPD

Old Town Officer Brian Ross and I think a trainee assisting him seem to be conducting a probation search. I took the photo while walking on 3rd Street. I did not want to stop and interrupt the officers doing their job.

Let there be light in the Loleta school parking lot

Loleta citizens wanted lighting in the school parking lot due to illegal drug activity.  Some electrical work needs to be completed and First District Supervisor Rex Bohn told me it should be done in two weeks.

Supervisor Bohn thanked PG & E and the Loleta Fire Department for helping make the request a reality and shared this photo.

EPD puts out a BOLO for two armed and dangerous carjacking suspects

"It has been 414 days since we lost Brandon to Christopher Crafts’s actions. "

(Brandon Brocious)

"Hi John,

It has been 414 days since we lost Brandon to Christopher Crafts’s actions. As California law stands, we have almost received the most justice that can be expected in a juvenile case.  But, we’ll believe it when we see it. Over all, we are relieved that we will not have to take this case to trial and hear all the details that resulted in the worst night of our lives. It will also be a relief to no longer sit in the courtroom with the individuals responsible for Brandon’s death. "

Nazy Javid, Humboldt County on Alert and MendocinoSports Plus, do you follow them?

I do. You should. North Coast News' Nazy Javid, and MendocinoSportsPlus' Paul McCarthy are caring, generous and supportive and work very hard to provide information.

Humboldt County on Alert's Scott Binder is the administrator of that page. It has improved since he took over. 

Domestic violence suspect Shelton Dewayne Cry flees from EPD unsuccessfully

 

On September 26, 2019 at about 2:30 pm, Officers of the Eureka Police Department responded to a reported domestic violence incident that had just occurred.

More details on attempted murder suspect Jalissa Montanez including almost striking a deputy

After my initial post, I contacted HCSO and got the following details from Scott Aponte.

Read for yourself what Floyd Squires cost the City of Eureka and how much City has recouped

The City of Eureka responded to my PRA request this afternoon. After recouping costs, the City of Eureka is "about 600 K in the hole."

"We are caught between Pitchess statutes and Bradley obligations."

Kailan Meserve had filed a writ of habeaus corpus. Judge Christopher Wilson granted a motion today to seal a record filed. He denied Kailan Meserve's attorney's request for oral depositions.

Another jury trial loss for DA; this time against Conflict Counsel

Defendant Vincent Dix is a free man. A jury came back with a verdict of not guilty. Charge was felon in possession of a firearm. Deputy District Attorney Jane Mackie was the prosecutor. Deputy Conflict Counsel R. J. Leohner was Dix's attorney.

POP, Eureka Mission and City Code Enforcement help out an elderly property owner

Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) unit, working in collaboration with the City of Eureka’s Code Enforcement unit and the Eureka Rescue Mission, helped to not only improve the beauty of a neighborhood, but to make things a little easier for a local woman this week.

$90,000 bail for attempted murder suspect Jalissa Seven Montanez

Jalissa Seven Montanez arrested and booked yesterday by HCSO for attempted murder. Bail is 90,000.

I have contacted HCSO for more information and booking photo.

Motion to withdraw Christopher Craft's plea denied

Christopher Craft wanted to withdraw his plea for voluntary manslaughter. He was originally charged with the death of Brandon Brocious.

On July 16, Craft entered a plea to a lesser charge for Count 1. He admitted to voluntary manslaughter as well enhancement of using a knife during the commission of a crime.

Murder suspect Daniella Moore's preliminary hearing date is yet to be scheduled

Setting of preliminary hearing was scheduled today for murder suspect Daniella Moore. It was continued to November 25 at defense request.

A plea for one co defendant and ongoing issue about whether there were Miranda violations regarding the other suspects

A four hour preliminary hearing with two codefendants started today but was continued to December 11 to address a legal/procedural issue before recommencing.  

After restoration, you can't even tell the Ingomar Club logo was tagged

Less than a week after one of the logos on an Ingomar Club sign was tagged, it has been restored by Lynne Horrigan. Original post linked below.

Once again, Jacquelyn Bradley is a no show

Once again, Jacquelyn Bradley was a no show for court today. Her attorney texted her; no response. Still MIA at 10 a.m. , Judge Christopher Wilson issued a no cite and release, three bench warrants and her bail bond in the burglary case was forfeited.

841 days and counting in jail for Chad Smith as third jury trial approaches

Chad Smith has been in jail 841 days. This morning,  subpoenaed documents from DMV requested by the defense were given to Smith's attorney, Ms. Andrea Sullivan.

Molestor James Hearn sentenced to stipulated term of 12 years

Sentencing for molestor James Hearn was scheduled this morning. On August 29,
Hearn entered a guilty plea yesterday to three counts of PC 288 (a), lewd and lascivious act on a minor, for a stipulated term of 12 years.

People request continuance for murder suspect Brandon Watson's jury trial

Trial confirmation for murder suspect Brandon Watson was scheduled this morning. Victim is Peter "Bo" Triantos.

Three police cars, 2 blocking Opera Alley

40 applications for Eureka City Manager; five finalists make the final cut

The Eureka City Council has retained HUELife, an executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of the next City Manager for the City of Eureka.

Los Angeles DA files attempted murder charges against man initially arrested for arson

When you resolve an assault case for probation and then find out defendant has a detainer from Los Angeles

On 8/29/19, assault supect Wesley Starritt case resolved with three years probation. Today, a PPR report was due. Then, there was an unexpected twist. Sentencing continued to October 2. Starritt has a detainer from Los Angeles for an incident while he was at the State Hospital.

EPD fundraiser at City Hall for CASA Kid walk

EPD hosted a fundraiser for their CASA Kid Walk team at Eureka City Hall. Donation gets you coffee and pastries. EPD staff was there until 9:45 a.m. today and will be at City Hall tomorrow.

Collaborative BBQ and Community Service Fair to connect individuals with services on 3rd Street today

Right now set EPD Sgt. LaFrance, EPD Ranger Dennis Gagnon,Eureka Councilmember Leslie Castellano and a few providers are on scene. Others were arriving to set up. EPD's Wayne Rabang is firing up the grill.

Say hello to nine future California firefighters

Zachary Harrison wanted to go to trial, how will it turn out for him?

Jury selection started on September 23 as scheduled for murder suspect Zachary Harrison. Individual jurors are being questioned right now.

Another ad on Craiglist for an apartment with Floyd and Betty Squires' phone number?

Another ad on Craigslist with Floyd and Betty Squires' phone number. This time I took a screenshot. Does anyone in the City of Eureka care? Are they investigating why these ads keep being posted?

Councilmember Austin Allison is so concerned about what the County is doing about the homeless, perhaps he should start by looking into what the City is doing about following up one of its notorious slumlords? What exactly has Councilmember Allison done to allievate the issue of people on the streets or affordable housing in Eureka?

Media advisory, not intended for general release; to follow simple instructions is not that hard

Some of us respected the media note given to us by EPD crime analyst and PIO Brittany Powell.

Others choose to run the media advisory earlier? The information has also been shared online and via email. 

Alarm was going off near 2nd and W

Alarm was going off near 2th and W at an AT and T store a few minutes ago. Started up again. Four times in the course of half an hour. Finally, I asked an employee exiting the store what was going on. He said, "because my code does not work every time."

I checked with EPD to see if anyone had called in a report.

Jeff Tsarnas' preliminary hearing continued because witness disappears after court break

Preliminary hearing for Jeff Tsarnas' hit and run was continued to September 24 since his attorney, Mr. Neal Sanders, was unavailable for the last hearing.

Witness Barbara Craft was ordered back on September 24. She was here this morning but was not there after break. Another People's witness has the flu but was willing to come in today. The only People's witness present was CHP Officer Matt Harvey. Given Craft's absence, People requested a motion to continue the hearing. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees and Officer Harvey tried calling Craft and got no response.

When I saw Craft earlier, she looked anxious and tense as if she would rather be anywhere but the Courthouse. This hearing has been continued often and she has had to show up each time.

At previous court hearings, it was stated on record that according to witnesses Tsarnas had been doing meth and drinking alcohol on November 27, 2018 the day of the hit and run.

30 women from local law enforcement agencies attended WLLE conference

(Sgt. Jackson with CSU officers from other CA counties. This photo was given to use for this blog only. As all material on this site, it is copyrighted)

HSU Sgt. Janelle Jackson, who does dua duty as HCSO court bailiff, was one of the 30 local women at this conference.  She will be heading to the CAHN (California Association of Hostage Negotiators) on September 30th.

Nathan and Melissa LaCount captured in Sacramento

Get ready for the new Humboldt Superior Courts case management system

As reported twice and first on this blog, around mid October, the Humboldt Superior Court is going to be debuting a new court case management system. Staff have been training, IT has been busy.

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn is at Carson Park right now, why?

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn is holding a press conference at Carson Park right now. I wasn't sure if I could  be at the press conference do I told Supervisor Bohn I would call him later and have added his remarks to the post.

HCSO swears in three Correctional Deputies

Sheriff William Honsal swore in Correctional Deputies Ricardo Aguirre, Tristen Valdez, and Brian Stinnett today.

U.S. citizen arrested for human smuggling attempt of 53 illegal aliens

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 (IH-35) north of Laredo, Texas, uncovered a human smuggling attempt when they discovered 53 illegal aliens inside the trailer.

EPD hard at work

Looks like a traffic stop. Earlier on 3rd Street, I saw another EPD officer with someone in the backseat on their way to booking.

Ingomar Club gets tagged, recognize the handiwork?

Lynne Horrigan is with Veterans Transition Training Alliance. She has been working on the sign at the Ingomar Club. It will be coated with 24 carat gold leaf.

Someone had tagged the sign, etched in ballpoint.

I walked by today and saw her cleaning up the tagging, sanding before she can resume working.  This will set her back for days.

Horrigan had a great attitude,despite the setback. She said there were no issues for days and she did not blame the homeless who congregate around the area. Right before the tagging, there were a group of young men around the area and even in daylight, she was uncomfortable. No idea who did it but if you recognize the tag, call EPD.

Full commercial fire response 5455 Dows Prairie Road

5k square foot commercial building on fire. Smoke showing. Going to be a full commercial fire response.  5455 Dows Prairie Road in Mckinleyville. Four CALFire engines and Fieldbrook fire have also been dispatched

Evacuations at Painter Street in Rio Dell due to a bad gas leak

Evacuations are beginning at Painter street in Rio Dell, cross street is Wilkinson. This is due to a bad gas leak. Fire Department requested PG&E right away as they are unable to access or shut off. PG & E responded and turned off the gas.

Alicia Rose released from custody

At the conclusion of the Brian Leiteritz preliminary hearing, Alicia Rose was ordered released on that specific case. Rose was released from custody yesterday. Still no charges filed by District Attorney on her recent arrest.

Local musician Michael David arrested for DUI

Local musician Michael David Pulliam was
arrested by CHP yesterday, booked and released on OR for misdemeanor DUI.

Defense requests continuance for local therapist's preliminary hearing

Intervention was scheduled for local therapist Edward Pena on September 19. Preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 23 as well as the second motion to continue by the defense.

Trial confirmation continued for murder suspect Brandon Watson

Intervention/trial confirmation was scheduled on September 19 for murder suspect Brandon Watson. Mr. Manny Daskal appeared specially for Watson's attorney, Ms. Andrea Sullivan. It was continued to 9/26. Victim is Peter "Bo" Triantos.

Another trial confirmation is on January 16, 2020. Jury trial is February 10, 2020.