John Chiv: September 2023

Sep 30, 2023

Seconds after alerts, shaking from earthquake

(USGS)

(USGS tweet at 8:40 a.m)

Sep 29, 2023

Royal Inn to open soon, owners inform County "they are ready to accept people"

Two years after the City of Eureka shut down the Royal Inn located on 5th Street in Eureka, I was the only one to follow upon it and once again today, news reported her first. I did two posts in 2022 about the owners getting fined $381,300 and stop work orders being issued. Since then SNPM Hotels LLC has obtained permits and has been doing construction, clean up and painting. I walk by there regularly on my way to the Courthouse.

After rejecting multiple offers for the property including the City of Eureka, the owners informed the County "they are ready to accept people." The statement in quotes is not the exact words from the owners but my sources.

I have not reported in a while on the two petitions filed by Citizens for a Better Eureka against the City of Eureka because there have been no updates. These petitions were filed before the campaign for recent initiative sponsored by Eureka Housing For All. Today, a request for hearing was filed in the second petition filed later but there weren't details or a date for an actual hearing available in e court when I checked today. I heard another letter was sent to the City of Eureka from Citizens for a Better Eureka, also about CEQA and will be checking on my own if a third petition was filed. I contacted City of Eureka Attorney Autum Luna and spokespersons for Citizens for a Better Eureka.

On the September 12, 2023 on the Board of Supervisors' agenda there was discussion about existing litigation in the case of Christine Bennett v. Humboldt County Tax Collector’s Office, Humboldt County Superior Court Case No. CV2301228.

Construction work at the front entrance of County of Humboldt’s Clark Complex building will begin on Monday, Oct. 2. This work is part of the Clark Complex Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Modification Project which began in April 2023.

Due to the work required for this project, community members in need of services provided at the Clark Complex are encouraged to utilize digital service options whenever possible.

State sues Target, both parties dont show up for court, waste a few months, settle and case is dismissed

In May, I did a post on the eminent domain case filed by the State of California regarding property owned by Target. The State is interested in constructing two or three bridges crossing the Eureka slough.

Just spoke with Elections office. The number of unverified signatures were 2,790. The number of sufficient signatures were 1,974. That exceeds the minimum amount required.

I heard they are supposed to work on the parking lot next to the Humboldt County jail this weekend.I If you see cement instead of dirt and gravel on Monday, the County actually got something done and on time for a change.

If that timeline is similar to the Courthouse bathrooms being redone, I won't hold my breath. Most restrooms in the building still remain inaccesible. November is now the deadline for most of the bathrooms in the courthouse may re-open. After that, they are supposed to work on the bathrooms on the second floor.

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

A jury trial in an open courtroom is okay for you regular folks but his highness aka Humboldt Presiding Judge Gregory Kreis and his current buddies and former associates from the Public Defender office don't think it is necessary to have a trial in about a lawsuit where they are defendants that could bring down the Humboldt County and Court House of Cards.

One of my favorite PIOS is EPD Crime Analyst Brittany Powell. I knew a day would come that she would no longer be at EPD. I am happy for her. Sad for EPD and the media. Brittany is very skilled and I do know from speaking to a few EPD police chiefs that they realized how lucky they were to have her. Current EPD Chief Todd Jarvis agrees. I have added his remarks about Brittany and the future of this PIO position.

Brittany has accepted a new job with the City and her last day with EPD is October 6th. She has passed on PIO duties over to EPD Assistant Chief Brian Stephens so that she can wrap up other tasks during her last week.

22 year old Ray Williams Madrone was arrested by EPD yesterday on a Ramey warrant for PC 25800 armed criminal action, PC 25300 criminal possession of a firearm and PC 246 shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle. Madrone was booked on a no bond status.

(Moreno)

(Ramirez)

Yet another continuance by defense for the preliminary hearing scheduled on 9/20 for attempted murder suspect Miguel Moreno and Ruben Ramirez. It was rescheduled for 12/13 with a motion to amend the complaint for Moreno.

After agreeing to a settlement in one lawsuit, Joe Mazzotti goes MIA and is not cooperating says Wallace and Hinz lawyer

In my last post on the breach of contract lawsuit filed against Joe Mazzotti by Wallace and Hinz Bar Company, I wrote, that after agreeing to a settlement in one of the lawsuits against him for breach of contract, Joseph Mazzotti "went missing in action."

There was a continuance in July. Mazotti was not in court again for the case management conference on 8/25. Wallace and Hinz's lawyer said Mazzotti is not cooperating. A court trial is scheduled for 10/4.

This is the second lawsuit against Mazzotti for breach of contract. You can read more about the Itria Ventures LLC lawsuit in my April 2021 post. There is a hearing in that case on 10/20.

On September 27, 2023, homicide suspect, Destinee Rhamy, surrendered to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and was booked on her warrant for murder. Rhamy is being held on $750,000 bond. EPD Assistant Chief Brian Stephens just issued this update to last week's press release about the investigation.

Criminal threat suspect Carla Jean Pirovano failed to appear for arraignment on 9/25. A bench warrant was issued by Judge Kelly Neel for $25,000. Pirovano was booked into the Humboldt County jail on that warrant on 9/28. Bail was $25,000 and she posted bond again on 9/28. Arraignment is on 11/9. Pirovano is charged with one count of PC 422 criminal threats. The alleged victim is Harold Marshall.

Just received this email with a press release.

I was already working on an update today on the status of this initiative and verification of signatures and had already contacted Humboldt County Elections before this press release was issued. The deadline for elections to verify the signatures is October 10 and I will keep you informed regularly of any developments.

I also sent an email to City of Eureka Assistant Manager and Clerk Pam Powell and received a response about what happens once she hears from the elections office.

A customer with a Kohl's card received an email that the store is liquidating and closing the Eureka store. There have been several articles citing declining sales and end of property leases, specifically mentioning Kohl's since last year. I have contacted Kohl's corporate media contact to see if this is legit.

I want to thank one particular reader for their respectful email. There was a lot of interest and I have heard from a few readers. I appreciate that some readers took the time to contact the local store but I don't report via proxy. If an update is necessary, it will be added to this post.

Just received an email from First District Supervisor Rex Bohn's challenger Gordon Clatworthy. Last week I did a post on Clatworthy's PRA request.

"John, I have received my first update on this records request. I called Brooke and left a message detailing that this request is both actionable and within the lawful scope of the freedom of information act request and I still request that it be fulfilled as written. I am awaiting their response."

Your request is too broad is how the County responds to certain media, lawyers and citizens. The County is not the only one who uses that standard line; so does the City of Eureka.

Double homicide suspect Russell Albers is scheduled to be arraigned on information this morning. The DA has filed 14 counts against him for the jury trial. Trial setting is on 1/9/24.

CA minimum wage increase next year also affects overtime exemption

California’s minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour for all employers on January 1, 2024. Some cities and counties in California have a local minimum wage that is higher than the state rate.

"At Target, we take the decision to close stores very seriously, and only do so after taking meaningful steps to invest in the guest experience and improve business performance. With that said, we have made the difficult decision to close nine Target stores across four states, effective Oct. 21."

In California, trafficking of a minor for commercial sex act is now a serious felony

(Photo: Governor's Press Office)

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 14 which makes the trafficking of a minor for purposes of a commercial sex act a serious felony.

This law increases penalties for human trafficking of minors in California. The law designates human trafficking of a minor for purposes of a commercial sex act as a serious felony — including under the state’s “Three Strikes” law — and imposes harsher penalties and sentencing enhancements for individuals convicted of the crime.

Mixed verdict in 2020 case, 1 count guilty, 2 counts mistrial

Mixed verdict in Courtroom 5 early this afternoon in a 2020 case, People vs Dennis Burriesci. Count 1 PC 29800 (a) (1) felon in possession of a firearm, mistrial because jury unable to reach a verdict. Count 2 HS 11370.1(a) possession of a narcotic controlled substance while armed, mistrial because jury unable to reach a verdict. Count 3 HS 11350 (a) possession of a controlled substance, guilty.

Root Harvest Birmisa was arrested by HCSO on September 19 for PC 288.3(a) contacting a minor to commit a sex crime or felony, PC 647.6(b) annoying or molesting a child, PC 459/461(a) burglary. Bail at booking was $55,000. At arraignment this afternoon, it was increased to $75,000.

(Antonio Coria Garcia)

One person of interest contacted MCSO and was booked into the Mendocino jail for the homicide in Point Arena that I posted about yesterday. MCSO released an update this morning with more details and names. All future updates, including information on the second suspect Edgar Arteaga Coria, have been added to this post

Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC) has retained Potrero Group, a national strategy and search firm, to lead the search for its next Executive Director. RPC seeks an experienced, strategic leader and passionate ambassador for northern California’s redwoods who will grow and expand RPC’s impact through a collaborative, partnership-driven approach.

McDonalds in Eureka is closed temporarily, Burger King needs another Environmental Health visit

MCSO responded this morning to a call about physical assault at a Point Arena bar. The discovery of the deceased turned this into a homicide investigation. Mendocino District Attorney investigators and a criminalist from the California DOJ assisted MCSO at the crime scene.

61 year old Jody Shannon Collins was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 422 (a) criminal threats. She posted bond and is out of custody. This was a result of a road rage incident.

On 9/25, HCSO issued a press release with more details.

71 year old Richard Kuhnel was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday on a Ramey warrant for PC 246.3 (a) negligent discharge of a firearm. Kuhnel's age is from the jail booking log. Kuhnel posted bond.

I spoke with EPD Crime Analyst Brittany Powell to get more details including Kuhnel's middle name which was not included in the jail log.

"Richard David Kuhnel was arrested at his residence on the 4000 block of Campton after Eureka Police and Humboldt County Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) negotiated for nearly 6 hours, after he negligently discharged a firearm in his home. While negotiations were taking place, the Eureka Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) obtained a Ramey warrant for his arrest and a search warrant for his residence."

Multiple arrests in a year, 46 local cases for this convicted sex offender last time and Humboldt judges keep letting him out on the streets

State Parole arrested convicted sex offender Randy Charles Knopf yesterday for PC 3000.08(c) parole violation. He wasn't released on O.R. this time but based on the past, the courts will release him back on the streets.

Another woman on the Humboldt bench and a challenger for Jared Huffman?

(Van Dyke)

Since my last Humboldt election update, two potential candidates have pulled paperwork for signatures in lieu of filing fees. One is former Deputy Conflict Counsel April Van Dyke for one of the two Humboldt Superior Court judge positions.

Today, on California Native American Day, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) and the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) Governor Gavin Newsom announced $20 million in grants to 22 Native American Tribes in California to support projects aimed at addressing housing insecurity and preventing and ending homelessness in their communities.

I just spoke with CAL Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Ward who clarified this reminder applies to "state responsibility areas."

CHP Garberville Area just issued a press release for the fatal crash that occurred on 09/20/2023 on US-101, at Richardson’s Grove. Bail is $55,000.

I did two 2023 posts on Earl Castillo for a 2022 DUI case, his trial and conviction. Check out that booking photo. He got placed on probation for 3 years. Castillo had another prior conviction from 2014.

HCDTF arrests 4 in Fortuna, seize cocaine and 34 firearms

(Robertson)

(Cervantes-Cuellar)

The DA, the Sheriff, DHHS Director and Supervisors get paid the big bucks for a small County

I checked with EPD Police Relations Analyst Katie Hill and both photos are of the suspect, Destinee Rhamy. "One is a driver’s license photo and the other was captured off of a body worn camera."

26 year old Root Harvest Birmisa was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 288.3(a) contacting a minor to commit a sex crime or felony, PC 647.6(b) annoying or molesting a child, PC 459/461(a) burglary. Bail is $55,000.

Birimisa is still in custody. He is on the must go list for 9/22 but that is a court holiday so he must be arraigned by 9/25 or he will be released from custody. Arraignment is late afternoon.

Sep 19, 2023

How will the County respond to Gordon's PRA about Rex? How will other media cover Karen Paz Dominguez signing Gordon's nomination form?

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn's challenger Gordon Clatworthy has been attending events, signing up people at his table to register to vote and has put in a recent PRA request about Bohn, checks and payments within the last 5 years.