Gallagher's returning to former location on 2nd Street

 Sign at Gallagher's former location on 2nd and C.

Estimated fire loss of $50,000, three HBF personnel injured, 4 civilian with burn injuries from fire on 4th street which is being investigated by EPD

Another fire in Eureka near 4th and L. I believe the location is 1023 4th.; it is a building with red tags near the Public Defender's office.

"The Court is pleased to welcome Ms. April Van Dyke to the Humboldt County Superior Court bench."

 

(Photo of Judge Van Dyke with Dana Fite provided by family)

(Photo of Judge Kelly Neel and Judge Van Dyke provided by family)

Judge April Van Dyke is being sworn in this afternoon. I will be at her enrobing ceremony. I do know some of the lawyers who plan to be there as well as elected officials which include Humboldt Clerk, Recorder, Registrar of Voters Juan Cervantes and Eureka Councilmember G. Mario Fernandez. 

There are people like me who believed in Judge Van Dyke from day 1 who will be an attendance today. I look forward to sharing today with people who believe in equality, fairness and justice for the People.

Today, I took the day off and am making an exception to cover this event. If you are regular reader of my blog, you know the importance and benefit of our newest judge. 

I had already previously said that she would most likely be assigned to family court. The press release issued by Humboldt Superior Court confirms that assignment. Presiding Judge Kelly Neel will be moving to Courtroom 7 which is the juvenile court calendar.

Update: Mr. Cervantes made it to the last few minutes of the enrobing ceremony. DHHS Director Connie Beck was not there. Probation's Coral Sanders may have arrived late. Sheriff William Honsal was there. I did not take photos in the courtroom of the enrobing ceremony. They were provided to me later by family.

In addition to all the current members of the bench, Retired Judge Marilyn Miles was there for Judge Van Dyke's enrobing ceremony. Presiding Judge Kelly Neel administered the oath to Judge Van Dyke. Judge Neel said Judge Van Dyke will be a "benefit and treasure" to the Court.

A very moving speech was given by Dana Fite who is a friend and former colleague of JudgeVan Dyke. 

I did take photos at an invite only private reception later this evening at Phatsy Kline's.

(Judge April Van Dyke with Mr. Owen Tipps, Ms. Rosemary Deck, Ms. Heidi Holmquist Wells and Dana Fite Photo: John Chiv)

(Judge Van Dyke with the supportive men in her family Photo : John Chiv)

(Judge Van Dyke with Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Ms. Meagan O'Connell Photo: John Chiv)

(Photo: John Chiv)

Cornelius planning to run against Kim Bergel?

 

When I first saw the Facebook notification, I was surprised to see Cornelius' name since he is blocked. I was curious to see what post he shared. Obviously, he can share other FB pages. And the post mentioned on that page is from 2020.

Cornelius' obsession with Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel is creepy.  2026 is a year away and I don't know whether Cornelius or some anon he is referring to plans to run against Mayor Bergel but stupidity doesn't win campaigns. Whoever this opponent is must be taking lessons from failed candidate Roy Gomez. Mayor Bergel or any candidate planning to run have now been forewarned a year ahead.

Of course Michelle Costantine has an issue with the Ridgewood Heights mental health facility, Robin Stockton cussed at "Rex Bohne" in her fb post

 

Robin, it is County Counsel, not "county council" and the Board of Supervisors are the ones you should be calling out not as you say "County Council". If you expect to be taken seriously then learn to spell correctly including Rex's last name and take a civics lesson about who and what government agency is responsible for what in Humboldt County. Rex has been saying he won't run again for years and yet he goes for another term. The County of Humboldt posted on FB in December that Rex is the "longest serving current supervisor" with his fifth term.

I thought Rex knows it all? Who is going to take the mea culpa on January 6?

Failed Eureka City Council candidate Michelle Costantine hasn't met local NIMBY cause du jour she won't use to ingratiate herself with the Humboldt self proclaimed "in crowd." Whatever effort she is involved with has "tanked so far". From Take Back Eureka to Citizens for a Better Eureka to Eureka Housing for All and Measure F. 

(Costantine's comment on Rex's fb post)

Felliciano Valentin arrested for sexual battery and lewd act on a minor

  

Felliciano Emiliano Valentin was arrested last night by Fortuna Police Department for PC 288 (a) lewd act on a minor and PC 243.4(a) sexual battery.

Twice Judge Feeney denied DA's request for remand for repeat offender Ryan Helmer and he was arrested again yesterday by Fortuna Police Department

 

I have been covering Ryan Helmer since 2023 when he was arrested by Fortuna Police Department. Despite failures to appear and multiple arrests just this year, Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge Feeney has denied the DA's request for remand.

Helmer was arrested again on 12/31/24 by the Fortuna Police Department. The list of charges for the latest arrest is posted below. He no longer has a mustache. Even though he has prior convictions, due to the recent Ninth Circuit ruling, his current booking photo cannot be posted.