PG&E sends crews and two Blackhawk helicopters to assist with Southern California firefighting efforts

PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland provide these photos from June and July 2024 and shared a PG & E statement about current firefighting efforts in Southern California.

Ray Christie's 2018 case on calendar tomorrow

 

Ray Christie's 2018 case is on calendar tomorrow.  It is scheduled in Courtroom 2. Retired Judge Ksenia Tsenin has been in that courtroom all week. This would be the first time Judge Tsenin would be hearing anything about this case.

I was the only one who covered the resolution of his 2018 case. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/no-jury-trial-for-ray-christie-no-jail.html?m=1

Gregory Kreis  is no longer a judge. As far as I know Retired Judge Christopher Wilson isn't hearing any cases in Humboldt Superior Court this week.

The hearing is for PC 1203.4 request for dismissal and to set aside guilty verdicts on the misdemeanors.

1/9/25 update: Mr. Rick Richmond is here in person. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is also in court. Christie was not in court. Defense motion was granted by Judge Tsenin after remarks by Mr. Richmond and Mr. Rees. I have a copy of the entire motion but I am only adding two pages of the declaration. No other media is in court.

Humboldt Bay Fire responds to request for assistance with Palisades Fire

 

(Photo provided by Humboldt Bay Fire)

Humboldt Bay Fire sent out a press release with three photos. I picked this one because it has  my favorite firefighter; Humboldt Bay Fire engineer Lyndon Powell. I have known him since he worked at the Humboldt County Assessor's office. He is one of the kindest, most professional people I know. And he is married to another one of my local favorites;  former EPD PIO Brittany Powell who now works for the City of Eureka as a Project Manager.

Times Standard no longer publishing Matthew in the Middle

 

I don't talk to Matthew Owen. He is blocked by me on email and social media, so if he followed through and posted about this on Facebook, I have no idea what he wrote nor do I care.

He has been whining to people about being upset that Times-Standard is no longer publishing "Matthew in the Middle." Some sources said TS just stopped accepting his submissions. This decision was as of last week. Apparently, Matthew was not even informed. A source called it a "silent firing." 

First, Hank Sims gave Matt's column the boot. Now, TS. 

Matt is and has been irrelevant in politics. He is not in "the middle" and there are plenty of people who are "thrilled" to hear about this development. They don't comment on social media.

Matthew has the money. Let him go out and build a following and fund his own site, podcast or newsletter. 

I would like to thank Supervisor Bushnell and Ryan Burns for their grace

Yesterday, I briefly saw Humboldt County Board Chair and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell. We exchanged pleasantries and I asked her if I could meet with her in the future. 

I did the same last year with Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo. Both showed grace and leadership.

Plea deal reached in Cuevas case, she is going to plea guilty as charged

 

This morning arraignment on information is scheduled in vehicular manslaughter and DUI suspect Maria Cuevas' preliminary hearing. The possibility of a resolution was discussed at the last hearing. 

Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Cuevas' attorney. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor. Mr. William Stein was speaking with David Sprague's family members before court. Natosha Sprague was present via Zoom. Ms. Heidi Wells was in court today  She is representing Ms. Jennifer Dixon who was not in court for today's hearing.

Ms. Sullivan spoke with Cuevas when court opened. Then, Ms. Sullivan briefly spoke with Mr. Stein and Ms. Wells. 

Retired Judge Ksenia Tsenin and we all patiently waited for Mr. Rees who did not come to court until 8:45. Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Rees spoke outside the courtroom. Then, Mr . Rees spoke privately with the family.

Summary is she is pleading to all charges  in the complaint, upper term max on lead charge, concurrent time for other charges. Tahl waiver in the misdmeanor DUI case which was from an incident before the 7th and I collision. Cuevas will enter of waiver of apellate rights.

"Tahl waiver is when a defendant waives certain constitutional rights before pleading guilty or pleading no contest to a criminal charge. These waivers are used in California cases involving both misdemeanors and felonies." Shouse Law

Plea will be taken on 1/16/25. Ms. Sullivan is in trial right now in the Jackson Parrott case and needs to go over the plea form with Cuevas so the hearing was continued by stipulation.

No other media was in court. 

Attempted homicide suspect arrested today by EPD has a prior conviction for stalking

Eureka Police Department arrested Carl David Stover Jr today for attempted homicide, reckless driving and assault with a deadly weapon. 

Stover Jr, has at least one Humboldt Superior Court case CR1305813. Defendant was terminated from the supervised release program on May 5, 2014. On September 17, 2014, Stover pled guilty to a lesser offense of count one, under section 646.9 stalking, subdivision (a), and to count two as charged. 

More details in link below.

https://casetext.com/case/people-v-stover-32

Co-defendant Christopher Overholt can be questioned about immunity and for impeachment purposes by Jackson Parrott's attorney

 

(Parrott)

Yesterday, motions in limine were being heard on the first day of the jury trial for CR2403119C which is convicted felon Jackson Parrot's co-defendant case with Christopher Overholt. This is a 10 day time estimate. This case is scheduled to proceed first before Parrott's other two cases CR2402575 and  CR2303477. Charges in Parrott's lead case include home invasion, attempted murder, mayhem and carjacking.

City of Eureka's response in appeal filed by Citizens for a Better Eureka returned for non-conformance

 

Today, the City of Eureka's response was due in the appeal filed in this lawsuit about the 5th and D parking lot by Citizens for a Better Eureka. It was returned for non-conformance and has to be resubmitted. 

After I did this post, at 7:29, the website was updated and more information was added. The Wiyot Tribe brief did not include the filing fee.

I have a copy of document and have included some excerpts. The table of contents will give you the key points addressed. City of Eureka attorney, Ms. Autumn Luna confirmed the copy of  document I have is the one resubmitted.

The City of Eureka is asking that Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge John Feeney's dismissal be affirmed.

"Many Californians have high expectations that cannabis is legal in California. This is a reasonable assumption because Civil Code section 1550.5 says it is We regret to inform that cannabis is illegal in California because federal law says so."

 

This ruling was decided in October 29, 2024. It is a case which resulted in a loss for Santa Barbara County and involves a conditional use permit.

Humboldt County appeals are heard in The First District Court of Appeal.  

Commission on Judicial Performance files formal proceedings against another Assistant and Presiding Judge, this one from Santa Barbara Superior Court

 

The Commission on Judicial Performance issued a press release on December 18, 2024 and posted a notice of formal proceedings on December 12, 2024 to inquire "into matters concerning Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Michael J. Carrozzo. 

Judge Carrozzo's answer was due January 2, 2025. It has either not been filed or not posted yet on the CJP website. San Diego attorney, Ms. Heather L. Rosing, is representing Judge Carrozzo.

There are six alleged counts. 

"By the following allegations, you are charged with willful misconduct in office, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, and improper action, within the meaning of article VI, section 18 of the California Constitution, which provides for the removal, censure, public admonishment, or private admonishment of a judge or former judge."-- Page 1 notice

I am not going to post the entire notice. It is available on the CJP website. 

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

(Photo: John Chiv)

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

I followed up with EPD on January 6. So far, nothing new to report since the press release. I will update the post if there is any additional, new and relevant information released.

"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. 

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. Time will tell if anyone actually runs for Eureka City Council instead of just spouting off on Facebook.

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 a 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)

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

  

Feliciano 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.

Jail log has a typo in the first name. Once charges were filed, I corrected the headline and post.

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.