Dec 31, 2023

Rex, Michelle and Jerry McGuire have the least information on this list of local candidates

 



With redacted and unredacted fppc forms, I thought it was best to include the above list from the Humboldt County election website. It was last updated on Dec 19, 2023. FPPC forms have more information for some candidates and that is accessible to anyone on the website; not just media. Judge Lawrence Killoran is running unopposed and his name is not on this primary contest list.

Dec 30, 2023

Yes, CHP did release the location of the DUI checkpoint

(this isn't the Humboldt DUI checkpoint today)

A press release was sent out to all media hours ago with 19:30 as a key time. This had the location of the CHP DUI checkpoint today. If you are not driving drunk or high, then there is nothing to worry about, is there?

I could have posted the information but I did not because that defeats the whole purpose of the check point. If you chose to endanger your fellow citizens by being irresponsible; you should face the consequences. 

The whiners on Humboldt Reddit  gave away the fact that some of the posts are definitely insiders with agendas. They apparently have nothing better to do than bemoan the fact that the location was not posted. Certain posts are obviously plants or groupies because they only promote certain media sources and certain businesses in the comment section in response to a question. 

Fortuna Police doesn't care who you are, if you drive drunk, they will arrest you

 


69 year old Sarah Lynn Frawley made the headlines, again but for different reasons this time. She was arrested on December 29 for VC 23152 (a) DUI and VC 23152(b) driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher. These are misdemeanors; Frawley was released on O.R. 

Frawley has a prior conviction for a DUI for a 2016 case. The plea was entered in 2017.

Dec 29, 2023

EPD's K9 Bolo body armor vest gifted by Colorado Springs couple

Eureka Police Department’s K9 Bolo will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. 

Dec 27, 2023

Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance on Rio Dell City Council agenda next week

The Rio Dell City Council is scheduled to consider a Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance at their meeting on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.  The proposed ordinance is motivated by the December 20, 2022, Ferndale Earthquake and the January 1, 2023 aftershock.  CAL-OES inspectors and other response and recovery partners widely reported that they observed a significant number of substandard rental units.

Ex parte hearing on stipulation in a lawsuit involving Domingo Santos and Ming Tree Realtors associate

 





Dec 26, 2023

Why does "Santa" have an active warrant from 2021 DUI case?


No wonder he was hesistant for me to use his name but. The warrant was issued on 7/20/21 with the lead charge being a DUI. It is still on the active list. If it has been resolved, the list needs to be updated. 

If not, is it because "Santa's "Facebook friends" and connections includes Rex Bohn, Rollin Trehearne and Michelle Costantine?

When your attorney and partner also has a bench warrant issued in the same month

 




The court minutes for OR/bail hearing in Sarah Carroll's hit and run indicate her bail bond was forfeited and a bench warrant was issued for $25,000. Preliminary hearing for 12/28 was vacated. There is a petition to revoke her petition in her 2020 case which she resolved along with her co-defendant and partner Michael Acosta. He is her attorney in this case and a bench warrant was issued for him on 12/12.

Steven Hudson arrested on Christmas for attempted murder and assault


Steven Jeremy Hudson was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 664/187(a) attempted murder and PC245(a)(1) assault with a deadly weapon. His alleged victim is Christopher Whited whose name appears frequently on the booking log. The weapon used was an axe/hatchet.

Fortuna attorney arrested again, this time for driving under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol


(December arrest)


Fortuna attorney Callie Rose Buck who has yet to be charged for her November 27 arrest was arrested by CHP early a.m. today for VC 23152(g) driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. She was released on O.R.

Dec 25, 2023

21 year old molestor now charged with 8 felonies; picks up new case in custody in which his co-defendant is alleged molestor Kevin Dikes

 


After his preliminary hearing earlier this month, 21 year old alleged milestor Lucas Russell was held to answer for 6 felonies of alleged sexual abuse involving two minors. Rusell was arraigned on 12/21. The DA has added two more counts and special allegations in the information. Russell is now charged with 8 felonies for the jury trial. Trial confirmation in the molestation case is scheduled for 4/8/24; jury trial 4/22/24.

Dec 24, 2023

"I am a friend of Mia Felders here in Solano County area. I am SO grateful you are the only person following and reporting on her recent murder."

(Mia Felder: photo from obituary)

"I am a friend of Mia Felders here in Solano County area. I am SO grateful you are the only person following and reporting on her recent murder.

Thank you.

Ironically I was born and raised in Humboldt County and moved to The SO very diverse community of Fairfield CA where I met Mia. When she moved to Humboldt I was happy to know this and worried for her at the same time. As you likely know it’s a bit of a culture shock to move from a diverse community to a community like Humboldt.

Mia was a very special human and as a woman of color in an area like Humboldt I worried for her for various reasons.

To learn of her murder shortly after her relocation to Humboldt and also shortly after she was murdered, I was shocked and saddened beyond words.

Tryone Dobbey a convicted criminal who resisted arrest for the burglary on Myrtle early this morning

 


The convicted criminal arrested this morning on Myrtle by Eureka Police Department is Tyrone Ethan Dobbey. The arrest time and charges matched and I confirmed the location of his arrest.

Dec 23, 2023

Smith wins motion to seal court records; requesting $50,600 in attorney fees from Premier Financial Group

 


Bruce Smith, a shareholder and former employee  sued Premier Financial Group for alleged discrepancies regarding payouts. 

EPD arrests convicted felon for criminal threats and stalking, APD arrests Richard Dale Nelson for criminal threats

 

(Nordloff)

Convicted felon Michael Benjamin Nordlof was arrested yesterday by Eureka Police Department for PC 422 (a) criminal threats and PC 646.9(a) stalking.

Dec 22, 2023

Yet another Kreis ruling reversed on appeal with sentencing errors

 


I covered convicted felon Delano Malang's jury trial. On May 31, he was sentenced by Judge Kreis to 4 years 8 months. His prior strike, nickel and great bodily injury  enhancements were stricken. All current credits, 300 plus were applied to the misdemeanor charge in this case. Defense motion for new trial denied.

The sentencing is always cathartic and important but no coverage can heal the trauma suffered by this family

 


Child abuse suspect Pamela Millsap was to be sentenced on 12/18. Motion to continue by Conflict Counsel was granted and sentencing proceeded today. Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced Millsap to 9 years, 4 months. You can read Judge Cockrum's ruling regarding one of the special allegations and see the breakdown of the terms imposed and the total amount of custody credits in the court minutes.

Dec 21, 2023

EPD & HCSO lose more experienced staff to DA and LE agencies; some EPD leaving specifically because of Brian Stephen's promotion

 



In the last few years, there continues to be an exodus of experienced, decent men and women leaving Eureka Police Department and Humboldt County Sheriff's office for other law enforcement agencies. Those who left and are leaving are men and women I have observed for years in the field, at the courthouse and community.

Cooper Gulch shooter's identity unknown at this time

On December 20, 2023, at approximately 8:56 P.M., officers from the Eureka Police Department responded to the report of a shooting that had occurred near Myrtle and 8th Street in Eureka. 

Mike Wilson's first $1,000 are from Marin County and an attorney with a Sebastopol address on the 497 form but professional address for a Virginia law firm

 


Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson's first $1,000 are $500 each from from Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice and from Carly Hart, an attorney with a Sebastopol address on the 497 form but professional address for a Virginia law firm.

The website for the Virginia law firm elicits a security warning advising against the connection. Hart's name does not come up in a California State Bar search.

I was told, " Carly Hart and Katie Rice are on the Coastal Commission with Wilson."

Thanks to Humboldt County jury and Deputy DA Rees, this career criminal finally gets held accountable

 


Thanks to a Humboldt County jury this career criminal Wayne Graham is finally held accountable. You can read the verdict for each count and special allegation yourself. After verdicts were reached on counts,  a juror was excused for hardship and an alternate juror was selected to replace and complete deliberations on findings. Graham was not convicted on all charges and special allegations.

Trevor Bohn charged with two DUI counts and special allegation that BAC was 0.15 percent or more

 


I have been the only one to report on Trevor Bohn's arrest and DUI case. I was the first one to report on Trevor Bohn's DUI arrest on December 2 for a DUI. The DA has charged him with two counts and a special allegation. Arraignment is on 1/12/24.

Judge Kreis and Rory Kalin case resolved, dismissal to be filed by next case management conference


There is an update on Kreis and Kalin settlement and this is according to court records and dates I had mentioned in my posts this week. The 12/20 court minutes are in draft mode and not fully updated but according to Kreis' attorney, Mr. Patrik Griego, there is a resolution  he is waiting for a signature & will file a dismissal.  I had added the draft court minutes for 12/20 and after checking several times and finally informing court operations in January 2024, the minutes were completed and the image above has been updated with the full court minutes from 12/20.

At the 12/20 hearing, the CMC was initially scheduled on a Saturday, it was corrected to 2/2/24 with a minute order and in my posts this week on Kreis, I had the correct date. The jury trial scheduled for 1/8/24 has been vacated.

Dec 20, 2023

Will Michael Acosta's second appeal for his 2020 drug case be successful?

 


Local attorney Michael Acosta's opening brief in his second appeal to the First District Apellate court is due on 1/23/24. He lost the first one which was early on his case. Former Deputy District Attorney, the prosecutor for his case at that time, is no longer with the Humboldt County District Attorney's office.

"We are currently exploring all potential options and will continue to support Mr. Kalin in his pursuit of justice."

 

((Kreis on the left, Kalin on the right on the boat mentioned in the lawsuit)

I heard back from former Deputy Public Defender Rory Kalin's attorney, Mr. Johnny Rundell, partner at Hershey Law. I also reached him and did a post on December 13 about the tentative settlement.

"The Court’s ruling on the Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment is extremely disappointing and something we obviously disagree with.  We are currently exploring all potential options and will continue to support Mr. Kalin in his pursuit of justice."

Convicted rapist resolves second sex offense involving a minor for 10 years in prison

 


At trial confirmation today, convicted rapist Timothy Roberts resolved his second case involving sex offenses with a minor before jury trial. 

Roberts pleaded guilty to Count 1 PC 288 (b) (1) lewd act with a minor child by force or fear for a stipulated term of 10 years. The rest of the counts and special allegations were dismissed. Roberts is required to register as a sex offender for lifetime.

From the time, Mendocino Judge Ann Moorman was assigned the Rory Kalin case, I predicted the outcome

 

(Mendocino Judge Ann Moorman)

From the time, Mendocino Judge Ann Moorman was assigned the Rory Kalin case, I predicted the outcome. I was hoping to be wrong. I had discussed this possibility on more than one occasion with lawyers from LA and local lawyers. I could see from Judge Moorman's rulings where this was heading. At first, it seemed she had an open mind. Then, slowly I saw a pattern. I used to think Judge Moorman was a law and order judge but I am disappointed that when it came to holding one of her own accountable; she failed miserably.

Tooby Ranch plaintiff Peggy Satterlee first big donor for Michelle Bushnell

 


You can believe the slick answers or check court records yourself on Kreis' lack of recusals and how many attorneys have disqualified him on cases

 

I am not going to list or link every post where Judge Gregory Kreis was disqualified or recused himself. This is just one post. You can check the Sotolongo and Michael Valls Ryan Tanner cases mentioned in this one post. 


This is another post with Deputy Conflict Counsel Zach Curtis, a private attorney and a former prosecutor disqualifying Kreis on Jesse Beer's case.

If the City of Eureka and certain rich property owners cannot maintain their properties, how can they enforce standards for others?

 


(5th street sidewalk right out Ming Tree office)

(Ming Tree 5th street back entrance into parking lot)

(Eureka City Hall)

(Eureka City Hall)

Sarah Kaber is Humboldt Superior Court's new Commissioner

(Sarah Kaber photo : John Chiv)

Congratulations to Ms. Sarah Kaber. I had reported a while back that Commissioner Fran Greenleaf maybe retiring. 

I just confirmed with Risa Waddell, judicial secretary for the Humboldt Superior Court, that Commissioner Kaber will be taking over that assignment. I also inquired about an enrobing ceremony."The Court does not have an enrobing ceremony date at this time, therefore there will not be a press release for the enrobing ceremony any time soon," said Ms. Waddell.

In addition to being a lawyer, Ms. Kaber donates her time to youth and sports. I took this photo of her in 2019 giving a presentation about Rotary Field and Humboldt Youth Soccer League at the Jefferson Community Center meeting.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/02/local-attorney-sarah-kaber-gives.html?m=1

Kreis denies Cathie Childs anti-SLAAP motion and awards County attorney $2,790 in fees

 


Judge Gregory Kreis denied former Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Cathie Childs' anti SLAAP motion and awarded the County's Sacramento attorney$2,790 in attorney fees. 

How will this impact Ms. Cyndy Day-Wilson's anticipated litigation against the County for claim of damages that I reported on December 16? Once again, there is a reference in Kreis' ruling to Lost Coast Outpost getting an unredacted copy of Child's claim. In all my coverage and follow up of this case, the question still remains unanswered about who leaked the copy and I covered the possibilities in the December 16 Day-Wilson post.

Dec 19, 2023

Yes, Subway is closed again, heard there is a new owner

 


I heard a few days ago that it was the last day for the Subway location on 4th street in Eureka. Been busy but meant to follow up. Spoke with a regular customer today and they confirmed the Subway on 4th street is closed. Then I got this text from someone well connected in the local community.

I was told by a regular customer that the last owner did not want to operate it anymore and Subway corporate is looking for someone to take over. They might have found someone and "it is in transition." Also heard the previous owner had to file for bankruptcy.

Judge Neel denies DA's motion to terminate Sean Allman's mental health diversion

 


After hearing from Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm and Ms. Andrea Sullivan on 12/15, Judge Kelly Neel denied the DA's motion to terminate Sean Allman's mental health diversion and reinstate criminal proceedings without prejudice. The matter was referred to the Public Guardian for possible conservatorship. 

I believe in responsible government and addressing problems head-on. My leadership style is devoid of negativity and false promises. I believe in offering a hand up, not a handout, and operating within the principles of fair leadership and democracy.”



I already reported on December 11 that Jeana McClendon was the second challenger to run against Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell. She just issued a press release about her campaign announcement tomorrow.

California Labor Commissioner awards Royal Inn maintenance worker $206,000, no date for appeal, Acosta says clerk mistakenly issued summons

 



I just did a post on the Royal Inn in September 2023 and that it is expected to open soon and will accept County clients. I was also the only one to report on the fines and stop work orders. Royal Inn owners are Redding based and own other properties in Humboldt and Redding. I was briefly able to check on the case, it is Noah Sidoff vs SNPM, LLC and there is a trial de novo on January 8.

Judge Canning grants TRO against County Code Enforcement Unit until judicial review of Gerald McGuire's coastal development permit

 


Another email from local attorney, Michael Acosta this morning. He represents Gerald McGuire, one of the challengers to Rex Bohn in this March 5 primary election. 

According to Acosta, "Rex personally attended the court hearing at which the TRO was granted, and Rex showed up at the parcels in Fields Landing last week to bully Mr. McGuire who was on his property cleaning up."

I briefly checked on the case. There was an ex-parte hearing on December 4. Court granted the request. Order was filed December 7. A writ of mandate hearing is scheduled for 1/19/24.

Acosta calls the VOP petition "another witch hunt"and the arrest warrant "unlawful"

 


Yesterday, I did a post on the DA filing a petition this month  to revoke Michael Acosta's probation. Today, I received a very lengthy email  from Acosta which I have included in this post. The title of the email was "The Unlawful Arrest Warrant." 

When I checked court records yesterday, there was no arrest warrant listed. I followed up and there is a bench warrant active for Acosta as of 12/12/2023. VOP petition was filed 12/13.

In October, I did a post that Acosta failed to report for probation and had a past amount due.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/10/michael-acosta-failed-to-report-for.html?m=1

This is a post with details on the plea.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/09/acosta-and-carroll-get-1-year-probation.html?m=1

E court listed the DA filed the petition. I reached out to DA Stacey Eads as well as Probation Adult Division Director Darren Ghisetti for comment.  Mr. Ghisetti forwarded my email to Probation Chief Coral Sanders. DA Eads and Ms. Sanders responded to me this afternoon.