◼ Lions & tigers & Berg – oh, why?
Defining tribal politics. An interesting take.
(And note: The so-called thought" is Kevin's title not mine, I am not being derogatory.)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
◼ Garberville developer sentenced to six years for pot operation
One of two Humboldt County residents who pleaded guilty to allegations of overseeing a massive marijuana cultivation and money laundering operation was sentenced this week to serve six years in federal prison.
Jessie Jeffries, 28, of Garberville, and Jordan Pyhtila, 29, of Rio Dell, entered guilty pleas in May to charges of maintaining a place to manufacture marijuana and money laundering, admitting to purchasing and maintaining a number of properties located in Humboldt County for the purpose of growing marijuana.
While the maximum sentence was 20 years for each of the two counts he faced, Jeffries was sentenced Wednesday to serve six years in prison. Pyhtila is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
...According to documents in Jeffries' file, the defendants' marijuana cultivation operation had been running in Mendocino and Humboldt counties from 1999 through 2008.
”Over this time period, the defendants' involvement in marijuana cultivation evolved -- the defendants went from growing the marijuana themselves to becoming financiers who supplied funding and/or property for others to cultivate marijuana,” one of the documents states. “The defendants also operated a construction business -- J&J Earthmoving -- that was financed in part by profits the two earned from their marijuana cultivation and financing activities.”
The document goes on to state that the two also earned income through the business from legitimate activities, including the construction of a subdivision in Rio Dell.
According to a August 2007 article in the Times-Standard, Jeffries and Pyhtila started J&J Earthmoving in 2000 to purchase and develop real estate properties that were classified as “undesirable.” Pyhtila told the Times-Standard that the company would clear the properties of junk and debris, and fix them up by installing septic systems and, eventually, building homes with the aim of reselling them. Pyhtila said earnings from this business allowed the pair to purchase a 180-acre parcel located above Rio Dell that is commonly known as the Dinsmore Plateau.
The two planned to develop 100 acres of the property with a 60-home, environmentally friendly subdivision, with home prices ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, and had even invested money to install a water tank and begun preparing the property for development....
Ironic on several levels - one being it looks like pot is about to become legalized and render their crime permissible, at least part of it. There'd still be tax evasion, etc.
But this is a stretch:
”Tragically, the conduct that brought (Pyhtila) before the Court was largely the product of a misguided youth growing up in a community that has a permissive attitude toward marijuana cultivation,” Moorman writes. “This attitude leaves so many thinking nothing can ever happen to them. As the Court knows, that is all too often a very mistaken perception.”
One of two Humboldt County residents who pleaded guilty to allegations of overseeing a massive marijuana cultivation and money laundering operation was sentenced this week to serve six years in federal prison.
Jessie Jeffries, 28, of Garberville, and Jordan Pyhtila, 29, of Rio Dell, entered guilty pleas in May to charges of maintaining a place to manufacture marijuana and money laundering, admitting to purchasing and maintaining a number of properties located in Humboldt County for the purpose of growing marijuana.
While the maximum sentence was 20 years for each of the two counts he faced, Jeffries was sentenced Wednesday to serve six years in prison. Pyhtila is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
...According to documents in Jeffries' file, the defendants' marijuana cultivation operation had been running in Mendocino and Humboldt counties from 1999 through 2008.
”Over this time period, the defendants' involvement in marijuana cultivation evolved -- the defendants went from growing the marijuana themselves to becoming financiers who supplied funding and/or property for others to cultivate marijuana,” one of the documents states. “The defendants also operated a construction business -- J&J Earthmoving -- that was financed in part by profits the two earned from their marijuana cultivation and financing activities.”
The document goes on to state that the two also earned income through the business from legitimate activities, including the construction of a subdivision in Rio Dell.
According to a August 2007 article in the Times-Standard, Jeffries and Pyhtila started J&J Earthmoving in 2000 to purchase and develop real estate properties that were classified as “undesirable.” Pyhtila told the Times-Standard that the company would clear the properties of junk and debris, and fix them up by installing septic systems and, eventually, building homes with the aim of reselling them. Pyhtila said earnings from this business allowed the pair to purchase a 180-acre parcel located above Rio Dell that is commonly known as the Dinsmore Plateau.
The two planned to develop 100 acres of the property with a 60-home, environmentally friendly subdivision, with home prices ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, and had even invested money to install a water tank and begun preparing the property for development....
Ironic on several levels - one being it looks like pot is about to become legalized and render their crime permissible, at least part of it. There'd still be tax evasion, etc.
But this is a stretch:
”Tragically, the conduct that brought (Pyhtila) before the Court was largely the product of a misguided youth growing up in a community that has a permissive attitude toward marijuana cultivation,” Moorman writes. “This attitude leaves so many thinking nothing can ever happen to them. As the Court knows, that is all too often a very mistaken perception.”
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Missing man
◼ Missing Garberville man's truck found near human remains
Technically can't add this to the Humboldt County body count.
Investigators are now trying to identify human skeletal remains that were found in Trinity County on Saturday near a missing Garberville man's truck.
A citizen hunting on private property reported finding a 1998 green camouflage Toyota Tacoma truck approximately two miles south of Island Mountain in Trinity County. The truck belongs to Sam Dunlea Cushman, 36, who was reported missing May 3, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's Office deputies were assisted at the site by Sheriff's Posse members, three dogs and their handlers from the California Rescue Dog Association. The team found the human remains a short distance away from the truck, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
The Trinity County Sheriff's Office was contacted and took possession of the remains.
The jurisdiction is now technically that of Trinity County, said Brenda Godsey, spokeswoman for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The counties are currently working jointly on the case because the missing person report was out of Garberville.
”If it's considered a suspicious death, at this point it would still be handled in Trinity County,” she said.
The Trinity County Sheriff's Office will handle the identification of the remains and the rest of the investigation.
...The truck's owner is Garberville resident Cushman, who was reported missing by his former girlfriend after he unexpectedly dropped his child off at her home April 28 and disappeared, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. He did not return phone calls or e-mails from her, which she said was unusual.
A friend of Cushman's had also contacted the woman with concerns because they had seen Cushman on April 29 and he had acted strangely....
Technically can't add this to the Humboldt County body count.
Investigators are now trying to identify human skeletal remains that were found in Trinity County on Saturday near a missing Garberville man's truck.
A citizen hunting on private property reported finding a 1998 green camouflage Toyota Tacoma truck approximately two miles south of Island Mountain in Trinity County. The truck belongs to Sam Dunlea Cushman, 36, who was reported missing May 3, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's Office deputies were assisted at the site by Sheriff's Posse members, three dogs and their handlers from the California Rescue Dog Association. The team found the human remains a short distance away from the truck, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
The Trinity County Sheriff's Office was contacted and took possession of the remains.
The jurisdiction is now technically that of Trinity County, said Brenda Godsey, spokeswoman for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The counties are currently working jointly on the case because the missing person report was out of Garberville.
”If it's considered a suspicious death, at this point it would still be handled in Trinity County,” she said.
The Trinity County Sheriff's Office will handle the identification of the remains and the rest of the investigation.
...The truck's owner is Garberville resident Cushman, who was reported missing by his former girlfriend after he unexpectedly dropped his child off at her home April 28 and disappeared, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. He did not return phone calls or e-mails from her, which she said was unusual.
A friend of Cushman's had also contacted the woman with concerns because they had seen Cushman on April 29 and he had acted strangely....
Friday, October 23, 2009
Worth noting
◼ A recusal question: Experts say there's no reason for Glass to recuse himself from Marina Center decision
◼ Council moves Marina Center EIR forward
Wasn't the clear conflict of interest that Best Buy was reported to be one of the businesses planning to locate in the Marina Center - clear competition for The Works.
As for predatory litigious "Baykeeper," we all know their motivation here. Sue the deep pockets.
CUE VI, a subsidiary of Security National, purchased the Balloon Track property in 2006 and is proposing to build a mixed-use development anchored by a Home Depot, which will include an 11-acre wetland reserve and space for office, retail and light industrial uses. Very shortly after the property was sold, an opposition group formed, dubbing itself Citizens for Real Economic Growth (CREG) and naming Glass, who had not yet been elected to the council, as its spokesman.
◼ Council moves Marina Center EIR forward
Some members of the public also expressed concern over Glass's vote on the issue.
”There is a councilperson who has made this Marina Center a personal issue...You have a clear conflict of interest and should recuse yourself from voting on this issue,” said Eureka resident Susie Gaxiola. In the past, Glass has had personal conflict with Security National owner Rob Arkley.
Glass said his concern lies with the EIR document.
”I'm flattered that people want my vote for this,” he said about the comments. “You got a big hill to climb to get there. You could get there, but not with this document.”
Atkins agreed, saying that she did not think the document was adequate for her to base her decision on.
”I have major objections to being characterized as an obstructionist. I want to see jobs, I want to see the Balloon Track cleaned up as much as any of you out there,” she said.
Representatives from the local Sierra Club and Humboldt Baykeeper said there has not been enough opportunity for the public to comment on the document. Baykeeper's Pete Nichols said the EIR contained “blatant inadequacies” and needed more public circulation and discussion.
Wasn't the clear conflict of interest that Best Buy was reported to be one of the businesses planning to locate in the Marina Center - clear competition for The Works.
As for predatory litigious "Baykeeper," we all know their motivation here. Sue the deep pockets.
Friday, October 16, 2009
STILL No mention of his party
◼ Crescent City man accused of threatening Obama
◼ Crescent City man indicted for Obama threat
◼ Crescent City man's threats to presidents go back years TS
No mention of his party tells you one thing - he is not a republican, If he was it would be in the headline.
A Del Norte County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in San Francisco on charges that he threatened in an e-mail to kill President Obama and members of his family....
The case, which was investigated by the Secret Service, is not the first time Gimbel has come under scrutiny for e-mail messages.
In April 2004, Gimbel was accused of complaining about a $5 parking ticket in an e-mail and threatening to deputize "all of the citizens of Crescent City to fix up some of these f- up piggos. Grab those hi-powered deer rifles, each and every, and get in groups of 50 and more and go breeze away to dust the skull of the police chief."
Gimbel was convicted of making the threats, but the conviction was overturned on appeal, court records show.
In another case, Gimbel allegedly harassed a Del Norte County sheriff's deputy who cited him for having faulty brake lights and no proof of insurance....
John Vrieze, a Eureka attorney who represented Del Norte County in both cases, said today, "The guy has some type of obsessive disorder. ... He's become very fixated on his First Amendment rights, thinking that transcends all bounds and that you can say anything you want and that it's protected speech. He probably could stand to benefit from some therapy."
◼ Crescent City man indicted for Obama threat
During the visit, Secret Service agents interviewed one of his sisters, who said Gimbel was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was troubled after being discharged from the military....
◼ May 1, 2007: Gimbel sends an e-mail to NBC Universal to “kill Bush and his family.”
◼ May 7 and 13, 2007: Gimbel sends e-mails to 80 U.S. representatives and senators asking them to kill President George W. Bush.
◼ May 14, 2007: The Secret Service visits Gimbel at his Crescent City home. He tells them he is “harmless.” He said, “I just make ugly comments.”
◼ June 2007-June 2009: Gimbel sends more than 20 threatening e-mails.
◼ Sept. 7: Secret Service once again visits Gimbel.
◼ Oct. 13: Gimbel is indicted for threatening President Barack Obama.
Source: U.S. Secret Service search warrant affidavit
◼ Crescent City man's threats to presidents go back years TS
No mention of his party tells you one thing - he is not a republican, If he was it would be in the headline.
Sheep's Clothing
Why has John Ash removed the predatory litigious Baykeeper, Pete Nichols, from his endorsement list?
Is it because Nichols has revoked his support and thrown it behind Susan Penn? Or is it because Ash, like the other "Progressives" has to hide who he really is in order to get elected?
Here's how the list used to read...Gay Morris
Jim Morrison
Bonnie Neely, Humboldt County Supervisor
Pete Nichols
Troy Nicolini...
Here's how it reads today...Gay Morrison
Jim Morrison
Bonnie Neely, Humboldt County Supervisor
Troy Nicolini
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Somethin's cookin'
◼ Police review committee survives heated debate before supervisors
◼ Human Rights Commission proposal caught some by surprise -
OK - obviously Bonnie has it in for Philp.
So the question is, why? Does it have anything to do with this little soiree?
Watch the talking points on heraldo, and you know the guns have been lowered, and Philp is in the sights... Gary Philp is well loved, so they have to discredit him... key words being floated... setting this up as 'he opposes accountability,' he's 'totally obstructive of and uncooperative'.... all untrue, but looking for reporters to perpetuate the meme. Be on guard. And look behind the curtain.
◼ Human Rights Commission proposal caught some by surprise -
OK - obviously Bonnie has it in for Philp.
So the question is, why? Does it have anything to do with this little soiree?
Watch the talking points on heraldo, and you know the guns have been lowered, and Philp is in the sights... Gary Philp is well loved, so they have to discredit him... key words being floated... setting this up as 'he opposes accountability,' he's 'totally obstructive of and uncooperative'.... all untrue, but looking for reporters to perpetuate the meme. Be on guard. And look behind the curtain.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Gallegos has been VERY quiet lately
so there hasn't been much to report.
Nothing's changed though. Still hasn't dealt with his problems. Still doesn't have any experienced DDAs.
It's not that there aren't some big cases - there's the missing and maybe murdered McKinleyville woman case... for one... but no action.
Nothing's changed though. Still hasn't dealt with his problems. Still doesn't have any experienced DDAs.
It's not that there aren't some big cases - there's the missing and maybe murdered McKinleyville woman case... for one... but no action.
Friday, October 02, 2009
"Progressive" Power Plans
◼ ACORN tactics revealed in discovered documents
Investigators found computers, hard drives, documents, registration forms, I-9 employment information and boxes with return addresses to ACORN’s New Orleans home office, as well as a regional IRS office last October.
Oklahoma Watchdog now has many of the documents...
ACORN, which receives millions in federal dollars for voter registration, cannot legally support one party. However, internal documents show ACORN “targeted” state legislative districts in 2007 and 2008, leading up to the presidential election.
A “Power Plan” document begins: “Oklahoma ACORN has been virtually non-existent since its glory days in Tulsa, over 20 years ago. 2007 is Year Zero.”
It continues with a five-year plan to obtain “power”:
“Therefore, the route to power is twofold: First, build powerful city organizations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that can control these municipalities. Second, become an influential organization by shaping a handful of strategic legislative districts that, by themselves, can change who controls the state legislature.”
“(W)e will be seen as the force that is making Oklahoma a progressive state in the way that it was 100 years ago.”
“By using this power to win significant changes for working people, by the end of our 5 years, we will have legitimized the progressive takeover of the statehouse and head into 2012 with a real possibility of changing what Oklahomans look for and expect out of their Congressional delegation.”
...Those internal documents include a sheet titled “Canvass recruitment rap,” a “script,” directed towards ACORN activists in Houston which says: “Hi, my name is ____. We are hiring Outreach Workers to remind people to get out and vote for Barack Obama in the upcoming election. One of our team members spoke to you today and you signed up for our intake tomorrow. You are interested in working with us on this important election, correct?”
It continues: “We’re hiring for people to go door to door talking to registered voters in Houston to get out the vote for Barack.”...
“I believe the ACORN documents show that they had political motives for manipulating elections in both Oklahoma and the United States,” Reynolds said.
◼ ACORN Planned ‘Takeover’ of Oklahoma Government
◼ Local news blogging: Okla. ACCORN planned state takeover
Think it is limited to Oklahoma? Think Nancy Pelosi will shed a tear over this?
I can hear shredders in Sunny Brae, Arcata and Eureka.
Investigators found computers, hard drives, documents, registration forms, I-9 employment information and boxes with return addresses to ACORN’s New Orleans home office, as well as a regional IRS office last October.
Oklahoma Watchdog now has many of the documents...
ACORN, which receives millions in federal dollars for voter registration, cannot legally support one party. However, internal documents show ACORN “targeted” state legislative districts in 2007 and 2008, leading up to the presidential election.
A “Power Plan” document begins: “Oklahoma ACORN has been virtually non-existent since its glory days in Tulsa, over 20 years ago. 2007 is Year Zero.”
It continues with a five-year plan to obtain “power”:
“Therefore, the route to power is twofold: First, build powerful city organizations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that can control these municipalities. Second, become an influential organization by shaping a handful of strategic legislative districts that, by themselves, can change who controls the state legislature.”
“(W)e will be seen as the force that is making Oklahoma a progressive state in the way that it was 100 years ago.”
“By using this power to win significant changes for working people, by the end of our 5 years, we will have legitimized the progressive takeover of the statehouse and head into 2012 with a real possibility of changing what Oklahomans look for and expect out of their Congressional delegation.”
...Those internal documents include a sheet titled “Canvass recruitment rap,” a “script,” directed towards ACORN activists in Houston which says: “Hi, my name is ____. We are hiring Outreach Workers to remind people to get out and vote for Barack Obama in the upcoming election. One of our team members spoke to you today and you signed up for our intake tomorrow. You are interested in working with us on this important election, correct?”
It continues: “We’re hiring for people to go door to door talking to registered voters in Houston to get out the vote for Barack.”...
“I believe the ACORN documents show that they had political motives for manipulating elections in both Oklahoma and the United States,” Reynolds said.
◼ ACORN Planned ‘Takeover’ of Oklahoma Government
◼ Local news blogging: Okla. ACCORN planned state takeover
Think it is limited to Oklahoma? Think Nancy Pelosi will shed a tear over this?
I can hear shredders in Sunny Brae, Arcata and Eureka.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The suspect's vehicle in an armed marijuana robbery and high speed chase case
◼ Vehicle may be released in Humboldt murder, robbery case
The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office attempted to unload an expensive piece of evidence Wednesday -- the suspect's vehicle in an armed marijuana robbery and high speed chase case that ended with one man dead in May....
Since the District Attorney's Office had finished processing the Jeep, Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein said it was not cost effective to hold the vehicle any longer.
”We have no need for the vehicle ...,” he said. “The District Attorney's Office is charged for every day it's ... (held by the county).”
Klein said it costs about $35 per day to hold the vehicle but he was unsure of the exact expense. Budget restraints in the county were making this arrangement detrimental to the District Attorney's Office, he said.
Defense attorney David Lee opposed the vehicle's release, stating that the defense had not had an opportunity to examine the vehicle. A funding request for a defense expert to examine evidence in the vehicle had been denied, Lee said. If the evidence is “destroyed or released,” Lee said they would be able to file an appeal.
The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office attempted to unload an expensive piece of evidence Wednesday -- the suspect's vehicle in an armed marijuana robbery and high speed chase case that ended with one man dead in May....
Since the District Attorney's Office had finished processing the Jeep, Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein said it was not cost effective to hold the vehicle any longer.
”We have no need for the vehicle ...,” he said. “The District Attorney's Office is charged for every day it's ... (held by the county).”
Klein said it costs about $35 per day to hold the vehicle but he was unsure of the exact expense. Budget restraints in the county were making this arrangement detrimental to the District Attorney's Office, he said.
Defense attorney David Lee opposed the vehicle's release, stating that the defense had not had an opportunity to examine the vehicle. A funding request for a defense expert to examine evidence in the vehicle had been denied, Lee said. If the evidence is “destroyed or released,” Lee said they would be able to file an appeal.
a deputy reported smelling the strong odor of marijuana coming from a GMC Yukon passing through a McKinleyville intersection
◼ McKinleyville GMC filled with nearly 100 pounds of marijuana
A suspicious-smelling vehicle was stopped in McKinleyville late Monday night and a sheriff's deputy reportedly discovered nearly 100 pounds of marijuana inside....
With assistance from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, sheriff's deputies obtained a search warrant for {26-year-old Ross C.} Lamer's residence on the 2600 block of Bolier Avenue in McKinleyville, according to the press release. Deputies reportedly seized a loaded handgun, $27,000 in cash and 47 growing marijuana plants, ranging from two to three feet in height.
Lamer was booked into Humboldt County jail on charges of transportation of marijuana for sales, possession of marijuana for sale, cultivation of marijuana, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, driving on a suspended license, and a probation violation...
(and just btw - THIS one has more the normal TS comments thread, and it's early yet - ◼ link)
A suspicious-smelling vehicle was stopped in McKinleyville late Monday night and a sheriff's deputy reportedly discovered nearly 100 pounds of marijuana inside....
With assistance from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, sheriff's deputies obtained a search warrant for {26-year-old Ross C.} Lamer's residence on the 2600 block of Bolier Avenue in McKinleyville, according to the press release. Deputies reportedly seized a loaded handgun, $27,000 in cash and 47 growing marijuana plants, ranging from two to three feet in height.
Lamer was booked into Humboldt County jail on charges of transportation of marijuana for sales, possession of marijuana for sale, cultivation of marijuana, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, driving on a suspended license, and a probation violation...
(and just btw - THIS one has more the normal TS comments thread, and it's early yet - ◼ link)