Body found in Willow Creek identified as timber faller Steven Rodke

On Thursday, October 6, 2016 at about 1:20 p.m. the Humboldt County Deputies and Coroners responded to Brannon Mountain Rd in Willow Creek for report of a possible logging accident. Deputies met with Cal Fire, who had recovered the body about 200 yards down a steep embankment. It was discovered the decedent was a timber faller and was in the area falling trees for a local business. The decedent has been identified as 57 year old Steven Donald Rodke of Willow Creek. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday, October 10th.

HCSO's Sgt. Greg Allen was a panelist on HSU's Black and Blue Dialogue

From Humboldt County Sheriff's office:

"Sergeant Greg Allen was on the panel last night at Humboldt State University's Black and Blue Dialogue.  It was a great informative discussion regarding race and law enforcement in Humboldt County."

Warrant issued for Kirby Bay for alleged violation of a court protective order

Kirby Bay, who is currently out on bail and has a jury trial scheduled for November 28, had a warrant issued 10/4.

It is for alleged violation of a protective order. Bay now has a new misdemeanor charge and new case filed against him. No arraignment date for that set yet.

He was out of custody, after making bail, which was set at $150,000.

Bay  was arraigned on July 27 for jury trial on the following charges: Count 1 stalking. Count 2 Criminal Threats. Count 3 Possession of a firearm by a felon with a prior; the firearm being a handgun. A special allegation for all three counts is prior conviction of a serious or violent felony or juvenile adjudication for negligent discharge of a firearm.

Trial confirmation is scheduled for November 9. Jury trial is scheduled for November 28.


Previous post (with all coverage on this case):

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/09/kirby-bay-jury-trial-continued-at.html?m=1

$6,652 total monetary contribution for Measure P and Bill Pierson is ssociated with $5,000 of that amount

So Linda Atkins and others who support Measure P claim it take big money out of local politics?

Maybe their argument would seem sincere or have merit, if the 460 for Measure P would not have 9 donations totaling $6,652.

And the biggest donation was $5,000 from Sedgefield Properties (registered agent Bill Pierson); second biggest donation $500 from the Central Labor Council of Humboldt Del Norte and the remaining donations including $200 Peter LaValle and $100 from Paul Gallegos, Peter Martin, Ken Miller, among others.

Linda Atkins should say she does not mind big money, as long as it comes from Bill Pierson and those who support candidates she recruits and supports.

Research the local races, just in the past 6 years and see how many people Bill Pierson is funding nd how many candidates that Linda Atkins and others claim are for "the people" while they paint the other candidate as  being supported by "big money."

I must have missed this 460 coverage of Measure P in certain usual, left leaning media. I covered big money behind Measure V before anyone else locally because in that case, huge money is being poured into defeating that Measure.

http://www.bizapedia.com/ca/SEDGEFIELD-PROPERTIES-LLC.html

The arrest of Backpage CEO has local impact

The arrest of the CEO of backpages.com is not just because it made statewide and national news.

Having covered cases locally of rape and human trafficking, this arrest has local impact and hopefully will send a strong message to others who exploit women

This link has more information, including bail.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/backpage-raided-ceo-arrested-texas-42630540

Online site Backpages.com CEO arrested on felony charges ; other shareholders also charged by CA Attorney General

Today, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced the arrest of Carl Ferrer, the CEO of online advertising website Backpage.com, on felony charges of pimping a minor, pimping, and conspiracy to commit pimping.

Defense request for continuance granted for the jury trial for Benjamin Heidmann and Konnor Wright

A trial confirmation hearing for Benjamin Heidmann and Konnor Wright was scheduled for this afternoon. Jury trial is currently scheduled for October 24.


Upon request by Mr. Kevin Robinson, who represents Heidmann, a motion to continue the jury trial was granted. Deputy District Attorney Brie Bennett subbed in for her colleague, DDA David Christensen, who is currently in a jury trial.

The October 24 jury trial date was vacated. A hearing for setting has been scheduled for November 29.


Count 1: attempted, willful deliberate, premeditated murder with a special allegation that they "personally used firearms"; rifles, causing this to be a serious and violent felony.

Count 2 assault with a semi-automatic firearm, also a felony.

Count 3 Shooting at an inhabited dwelling. If they are convicted of this charge, there is minimal jail time.

The special allegation in Count 3 only applies to Heidmann, that he wore a body vest in the commission of the offense alleged in Count 3.

Alleged victim is Daniel Anthony Siegl.

Deputy District Attorney David Christensen is prosecuting the case. Bail is $1 million for each. Public Defender Mr. Robinson was appointed to represent Heidmann. Conflict Counsel's Mr. Marek Reavis appointed to represent Wright.


Previous post link (with all coverage, including only coverage of preliminary hearing):

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/08/jury-trial-scheduled-for-benjamin.html

Jury trial for Miranda man charged with 13 counts including torture, human trafficking and forcible rape confirmed

A trial confirmation hearing was scheduled for Thomas Lusk this afternoon. The jury trial will proceed as scheduled.

Subpoenaed records fromthe Jerod Phelps community center were given to Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads, who will provide copies to the defense.

The trial estimate is 3-4 weeks. Trial assignment is on October 14.

He is the Miranda man charged with 13 counts include torture, human trafficking, forcible rape, sexual penetration, assault and forcible oral copulation

Aug 27, 2016

Thomas Lusk found mentally competent and criminal proceedings have been reinstated; jury trial scheduled for October 17

Traffic stop leads to arrest for alleged domestic violence and home invasion

Update:

On 09/27/2016, at approximately 11:40 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff's Sergeant conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Redway resident, Micah Tafari Keyes-Anderson (age 23), in the 400 block of Briceland Road, Redway.  Keyes-Anderson was subsequently placed under arrest for a domestic violence incident stemming from an altercation just prior to the traffic stop.  Keyes-Anderson's vehicle was searched and the stolen shotgun taken during the Meadow View Road home invasion was located.  Through the investigation, Keyes-Anderson was positively identified as one of the home invaders.

Jon David Goldberg's bail raised to two million: Oct 12 preliminary vacated; disposition and reset date set

A hearing on the District Attorney's motion filed to increase bail for Jon David Goldberg is scheduled this afternoon at 2 p.m. Goldberg also has an intervention hearing scheduled for 3 p.m. this afternoon.

Judge Timothy Cissna granted the people's motion to increase bail. The additional one million is based on the special allegation in Count 1, which if found true has a sentence of 25 years to life, the bail schedule for that is one million.

The original one million was the bail schedule amount for a murder charge.

A disposition and reset hearing is set for  October 20 after the defense made an oral motion to continue based on not receiving any discovery besides initial reports and needing time for investigation.

Judge Cissna said the People needed to follow up and have the law enforcement agency provided reports in a timely fashion.

Oct 5, 2016

District Attorney files motion to increase bail for Jon David Goldberg

Tomorrow an intervention hearing was already scheduled at 3 p.m. for Jon David Goldberg.

The District Attorney has filed a motion to increase the current bail which will be heard tomorrow at 2 p.m. Bail is currently set at one million.

Goldberg is charged with the murder of Tim Smith.

Verdict in for Dan Dobbs for one of five cases; guilty on both counts

This case is for petty theft and vandalism, one of four misdemeanor cases. Then he has a felony case.

Each case will have a separate jury and separate trial.

Deputy District Attorney Jamie Murdock prosecuted this case. Mr. Neal Sanders represented Dobbs.

Guilty on both, counts one for petty theft and Count 2 vandalism of less than $400.

Both counts involved an incident at Garberville Sanitary; the second count involved "willfully, unlawfully, maliciously defacing, damaging, or destroying" a lock.

Jury consisted of 6 men and 6 women.

Defense files motion to dismiss case against Polish citizen charged with the death of her baby

Ewa Misztal, the Polish citizen charged with the alleged death of her baby, has a motion hearing this afternoon for discovery.

Her attirney, Mr. Casey Russo, filed a 995 motion to dismiss the case on September 30.

That hearing is scheduled for October 27.
The defense has also subpoenaed records from Mad River Hospital.

Some discovery was provided to the defense before the court hearing but that motion was continued and will be heard with the 995 motion on October 27.

Help POP locate owner of stolen property items found on Pound Road

From Eureka Police Department:

"Our POP team is attempting to locate the owners of the pictured property.  It was found on September 29, 2016 near the foot of Pound Road along with other already confirmed stolen property.  If you believe any of the pictured items are yours, call Detective Neil Hubbard at (707) 441-4311.  Only call about these pictured items and be ready to provide serial numbers and/or other identifiable information."

Cutten parent warns others about man in black hat who tried to push open her son's window

From Eureka Neighborhood Watch:

"Thank you for excepting my request. 525 am this morning! Everyone in cutten please keep a look out we were just woken up by our ten year old son crying and screaming and our dog going ballistic. some dude with a black hat was tapping on his window and trying to push open his window.  Cops have been called to search the neighborhood. Please share this with friends and family in the area.

Our 10 and 7 year old boys that share this room are ashen and petrified from the experience this morning."

In the comment section on the post, the son described the man as a white male in his early 30s.

The house is near Cutten elementary.

Zwerdling law firm to open next month

(This is not the Zwerdling law firm logo)


Mr. Zach Zwerdling is opening a new law firm with his son next month.

The Zwerdling Law Firm "will dedicate ourselves to protecting the rights of individuals who are suffering from injuries caused by others."

Mr. Zach Zwerdling has been a lawyer locally for 40 years.

Love him or hate him, it is kinda hard to be mad at Dan Dobbs for too long

This post most likely won't be of interest to most people, except in Sohum or those who know Dobbs.

Love him or hate him, it is kinda hard to be mad at Dobbs for too long. He is a very likeable guy and a perfect example of how choices made by generations affect their children and grandchildren.

In court, he is probably the most relaxed, defendant who lets nothing faze him. It isn't arrogance but confidence. Whether the jury will be charmed remains to be seen.


After successfully avoiding bring in custody time after time, Dan Dobbs finally stayed in custody and presently is in jury trial for four misdemeanor cases; once that trial concludes, he will have jury selection for a felony case with a different jury.

Dobbs is being represented by Mr. Neal Sanders.

The alleged misdemeanor charges range from driving recklessly to driving with a suspended/revoked license, defacing/damaging/destroying Garberville Sanitation's lock totalling less than $400. The felony case has alleged charges of transportation, cultivation and sale of marijuana.



I will not be following these court proceedings daily but I will be updating and reporting on  the outcome.

Sep 5, 2016

Dan Dobbs picked up on bench warrant for alleged petty theft, DUI, posession of marijuana with intent to transport/sell

Dan Dobbs arrested by HCSO on a bench warrant September 2 for alleged petty theft, DUI and posession of marijuana with intent to transport or sell.

Another victim refusing to press charges but fine with costing taxpayers

EPD PIO responded to my inquiry about today's incident at McDonalds on 4th Street in Eureka.

"At about 11:55 a.m., EPD responded to the 1700 block of 4^th St. for the report of a disturbance with a hammer.  The male victim was transported to the hospital with a head injury from the hammer but ultimately signed a no further action form."

Alleged assault at 4th Street McDonalds with a hammer; what was the beef?

Will update post if EPD has any new information.

From Operation Safe Streets:

Apparently it's HAMMER TIME at 4th Street McDonald's.  EPD and medical are enroute to an assault that just occurred.   Subject was reportedly hit with a hammer in the head.  Suspect ran north from Mcdonalds.

12:04pm - Numerous EPD units on scene.

12:16pm - EPD has one male subject detained.  I'm guessing it's the other end of the altercation.  Subject is uncooperative but detained.

(Updated) 12:23pm units cleared so it's unknown if that was the suspect.