Friday, April 29, 2011

Atlas Shrugged at Broadway Theater in Eureka!

ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART 1
(PG13), 1 hr. 42 min.

Fri (4/29): 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50
Sat (4/30): 10:45 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50
Sun (5/01): 10:45 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50
Mon (5/02): 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50
Tue (5/03): 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50
Wed (5/04): 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50
Thu (5/05): 1:15 3:50 6:20 8:50

www.catheatres.com

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Four years later: Eureka police chief's tenure filled with change, tumult and community praise

Four years later: Eureka police chief's tenure filled with change, tumult and community praise
Eureka's Problem Oriented Policing is hitting its stride

Gallegos' dismal animal abuse record continues

K9-Angels To Deputy DA, "a little case of mange?" - Tom Sebourn Blog



Dear friends, the following is my reply to Deputy District Attorney, Ben Mainzer: It is self-explanatory but is indicative of how low the DA's office sets the bar for animal cruelty cases: A mockery has been made f Fortuna Animal Control's investigation and 6 months of dedication to a grossly neglected dog whose health as been restored by way of ongoing veterinary care: (please see attached pics of Mac the day he was seized by Robin Paul - Fortuna Police Department's office supervisor and director of animal control: Mac was court-ordered to be returned to his abuser yesterday!

Gail Holder/K9-Angels

Sent: Wed, April 20, 2011 2:19:40 PM
Subject: FROM GAIL HOLDER RE CRUMMETT CASE

Mr. Mainzer: I am among the many persons and animal-rescue groups who were denied the right to present evidence against Mark Crummett in the jury trial slated for today, Wednesday, April 20,2011 - but cancelled leaving Mac, Crummett's victimized dog without justice: Pursuant to Fortuna Animal Control's lawful seizure of Mac under PC 597.f and 597.1 last October - two veterinarians were prepared to testify that had Robin Paul not removed the long-suffering animal and transported him to emergency-veterinary care (followed by many months of follow-up treatment) the dog would have died:

Mr. Crummett's failure to address Mac's severe demodectic-mange is affirmed by veterinary-experts to be the cause of Mac's requirement for costly, lifelong treatment. The unemployed and allegedly alcohol-impaired, Mr. Crummett - lives in squalor in a trailer-park well-known to Fortuna Law Enforcement and citizens alike - as a 'third world country' in miniature, inhabited exclusively by the 'criminal-element' along with the innocent children and animals unfortunately forced to live there:

In a fell-swoop, the DA's cost-effective and clever legal-maneuvers in conjunction with an equally apparently uncaring judge - have, with flagrant disregard for the predictable consequences for the dog - sent poor Mack back to hell: Elevating the perpetrator of criminal animal neglect to victory - disregarding veterinary recommendations and undermining Robin Paul's praiseworthy professional decisions on behalf of an imperilled animal in Fortuna's jurisdiction - and in 'sentencing' a dog to further abuse - you have failed us all! I understand that you, Mr. Mainzer, likened the returning of Mac to his owner to "reuniting a child with his parents." How little you must understand about family law and custody issues; because had you the courage to yourself accompany Robin Paul to the 'dwelling' from which he was rescued last October - you would have grabbed the child by the hand or the dog by the leash and run! I doubt the conditions imposed upon Mr. Crummett are going to make much difference to Mac's fate although, respectfully Sir, I'm sure they serve to assuage your conscience: I attach two photos of Mac from the emergency vet's office last October: This horror is what Mr. Crummett characterized as a "little case of mange!" What a shameful representation of Humboldt County justice! Know that the watchful-eyes af the vast network of North Coast animal-advocacy groups ... are watching.

Gail Holder K9-Angels

Injustice to animals -- Who's accountable? - Gail Holder My Word

Monday, April 25, 2011

End of the Web?

Does the rise of Facebook portend the end of the real world, the collapse of dictatorships, the fall of Google, and the rise of love and peace and network neutrality?

If Gallegos makes a list of law enforcement officers with ethics problems, does he have to put himself on it? (NOTATION ADDED)

a routine DUI arrest in Ferndale and ends almost two years later with a California court of appeal tossing the case after finding that DA Investigator Wayne Cox and Deputy DAs Ben McLaughlin and Randy Mailman committed prosecutorial misconduct and violated the defendant’s constitutional rights. the Humboldt Mirror **
(** Note that the State Bar dismissed the referral for prosecutorial misconduct as unfounded.)

"Brady List?": DA Investigator Wayne Cox, Deputy DAs Ben McLaughlin and Randy Mailman DA Investigator Wayne Cox, Deputy DAs Ben McLaughlin and Randy Mailman

Interesting case about to hit the fan? - THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. ROCKY CROWL, Defendant and Appellant. - watchpaul 3/31

Other DA staffers who belong on the "Brady List":
Allan Lee Dollison, rumored to be on the brink of becoming the next Assistant District Attorney to Paul Gallegos.

"Brady List?": Deputy DA Allan Lee Dollison

From the comments at the Mirror: Arnie Klien. The Judge Watson admonished him in the Davis trial and the court of appeal stated that he committed prosecutorial misconduct. The case was saved by Judge Watson. THE PEOPLE, v. MATTHEW C. DAVIS, Defendant A121549

"Brady List?": Deputy DA Arnie Klein
__________

ADDED: Allan Dollison served Humboldt County's DA's office for 6 years and 4 months. He details his record, and his reasons for leaving here - ◼ My record at the DA's Office - Allan Dollison/for the Times-Standard
__________________

NOTATION: 7/13/2013 - It's an interesting aspect of this blog that other people often get caught in the net, based on their entrance into the Gallegos saga. And so their names live online, to be unearthed whenever they apply for a job. Sometimes the searches that lead people here are for other reasons, but it usually has to do with a job search.

And, so it is that Allan Dollison appears here. His time with the DA's office has come and gone, he rose through Gallegos' ranks, and was slated, some said, to become Assistant DA. He was a loyal player, and, I believe, a true believer.

Through my work here, I am often kept informed about cases, how they're handled, how the various Deputy DA's do their job, interact with victims, and so forth.

And I feel it necessary to say this. I have come to the conclusion, that, for all his past mistake, Allan Dollison turned out to be one of the best and most honest of the bunch, far surpassing his boss, Paul Gallegos.

He has since left the DA's office, and, as is often the case when people leave, I get the chance to talk to them. I have talked with Allan Dollison. And, to his credit, he never once asked me to remove any of this info, as damaging as it is to him. I respect that, and I think it's noteworthy.

If you're looking to hire him, it's worthy of consideration.

I'm not pulling anything down, as that would be a disservice to the facts as they have unfolded, but I am adding this, to mitigate that online-lives-forever reality.

Friday, April 22, 2011

You do understand don't you - that it was NOT providing POTENTIALLY EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE that got Gallegos' Douglas and Zanotti case in trouble, don't you?

Providing the defense with ALL the evidence in any case is NOTHING NEW.

"Brady List" Pfffffffffftttttttttt.

Gallegos - and trusting the "Brady list"

If Greenson can't read between the lines on this one, there's no hope.

Kalis arrest shines spotlight on DA's Brady policy; DA's office has written policy for dealing with officers with character issues
While most local officials -- like Chapman -- said they fully support the concept of the Brady ruling and Gallegos' policy, some also confessed to having a bit of anxiety about a policy that leaves a tremendous amount of power and discretion in the district attorney's hands.
And this is WHY it matters who is in the DA's office.
Gallegos declined to disclose the names on his office's Brady list -- which is not public, with access limited even within the DA's office.

In Arcata, Chapman said he agrees with the DA's policy “100 percent,” noting that an officer's integrity and credibility should be “uncompromisable.” Chapman said the key to the policy, however, is that it be implemented fairly and appropriately when determining what is “material” evidence.

Similarly, Humboldt County Sheriff Mike Downey said he supports the policy but hopes it will be used judiciously.

”I heard the statement that (Gallegos) would rather err on the side of caution as to whether an officer is a Brady officer or not,” Downey said. “I do have some concerns about that. I want to make sure erring on the side of caution doesn't ruin someone's career by naming them a Brady officer when there's no cause to do so.”

Downey said he appreciates the protections Gallegos has put in place, but also has concerns that, in a small community like Humboldt, even raising a question of Brady issues surrounding an officer might be enough to harm an officer's career. However, Downey said, he's thoroughly reviewed the policy along with an attorney for the state sheriff's agency and supports it.

”We're in agreement that it's a good policy, as long as it's being adhered to,” he said.

In Eureka, Chief Garr Nielsen said he doesn't want the DA's office going on “fishing expeditions” looking for Brady issues with officers, but he said he doesn't have any issues with Gallegos' written policy.
Like Gallegos has such a sterling record in this regard. Not.
****
Not directly related, but interesting:
What changes have been implemented under four-plus years of new leadership at the Eureka Police Department

Public Service Announcement

"Electrical smog develops around" CFL light bulbs — phenol, naphthalene and styrene.- "They should not be used in unventilated areas and definitely not in the proximity of the head." - Althouse
This is quite apart from the mercury inside the bulbs, which (presumably) only becomes a problem — in your home — if you happen to break one.
Energy saving light bulbs 'contain cancer causing chemicals' - Fears have been reignited about the safety of energy saving light bulbs after a group of scientists warned that they contain cancer causing chemicals. - Telegraph.co.uk
Their report advises that the bulbs should not be left on for extended periods, particularly near someone’s head, as they emit poisonous materials when switched on.
Peter Braun, who carried out the tests at the Berlin's Alab Laboratory, said: “For such carcinogenic substances it is important they are kept as far away as possible from the human environment....”

Thursday, April 21, 2011

You're not allowed to use your school board title to spout DUHC talking points, Ms. Silvernale.

Did the Northern Humboldt Union High School District Board authorize Dana Silvernale to post propaganda under their name? Is she acting in her official capacity? No, she is not.

Dana Silvernale's ◼ Letter to the Editor in the Arcata Eye spouts all the latest radical talking points - with Bank Of America as the hated target du jour. Wittingly or unwittingly, Ms. Silvernale is participating in a plan of attack designed to 'bring down the system.'

Whether she is just parroting words and phrases, or if that is indeed her intent, perhaps she should resign from the school board. Our schools have some issues - injecting poisonous extremist politics into the mix is not going to help solve the problem. And, if her basic understanding of finances is this shallow, perhaps she is not the best person to be involved in making decisions relating to our school's budget.

The PROBLEM, Ms. Silvernale, is the legislators who have spent the state into oblivion, and who show no signs of stopping their spendthrift ways.

Blaming Bank of America is simply a diversion, and one that we cannot afford. A lot of money and effort is going into making sure you get those DUHC talking points you spout - in case you didn't know, here's where it is coming from:





Dana Silvernale's Page - Democracy Unlimited

You have every right to your personal opinion, and your personal activism. You do not have the right to speak for the District without authorization.

I am very concerned. Do you endorse bringing down JP Morgan Chase, as is mentioned in that audio? (or Bank of America, which has been substituted as the boogeyman since that caught-on-tape audio was released?) Do you endorse bringing down the financial system? What effect do you think that is going to have on our kid's education? What effect do you think throwing the nation into chaos is going to have on our kid's education? Do you endorse duping kids into not paying their student loans in order to accomplish this?

Do you advocate using students (our children) as your political pawns? Drawing them into Union protests? Using parent conferences to lobby on these political matters?

I demand that you retract your use of the School District in this matter. And I hope the District issues a formal condemnation of this letter of yours.
***
Ms. Silvernale's letter:

I just deposited $1,100,000 in the Bank of America. That was money that California taxpayers intended for Northern Humboldt High Schools in 2011-2012. It is going to Bank of America in tax subsidies, instead.

$1,100,000 translates into 20 full-time teaching positions, positions the Board has been forced to cut. But that's not all. This year, the State deferred 25 percent of its funding to our schools. That's $800,000. That so-called deferral is now permanent. Next year's deferrals are twice that - 45 percent - bringing the total in cuts and deferments for 2011-2012 to $2.7 million!

Northern Humboldt Union High School District has been drawing on reserves to cover these deferrals, but at the current rate, our reserves will be completely depleted by 2014. And no telling how many more teachers will be laid off.

By not paying their fair share of taxes, wealthy corporations are bankrupting our schools. Bank of America, one of the worst offenders, paid no taxes in 2009.

And if that weren't enough, there's more: The Humboldt County Consortium of Schools banks at Bank of America. they have considered moving to a local bank, but are too short staffed by the budget cuts to manage the transition.

The ultimate irony: Bank of America is profiting from the public schools that it is bankrupting.

Dana Silvernale, Boardmember Northern Humboldt Union High School District
(Note: I don't think Ms. Silvernale actually DEPOSITED any cash in BofA on behalf of the School District. Perhaps she can clarify.)


***

Related:
REVEALED — THE LEFT’S ECONOMIC TERRORISM PLAYBOOK: THE CHASE CAMPAIGN BY A COALITION OF UNIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, LAWMAKERS AND STUDENTS TO TAKE DOWN US CAPITALISM AND REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH & POWER

The game is in full play - ◼ CALIF. TEACHERS UNION GIVES SHOCKING PROTEST INSTRUCTIONS: HARASS LEGISLATORS, SHUT DOWN ROADS, CO-OPT FIRE DRILLS in their own words.

LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE.

UPDATE: Dana Silvernale responds to criticism in this week's McKinleyville Press. Claims that her "deposit" was symbolic. Continues her harp on "corporations" and again uses her title.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

CAUGHT RED-HANDED: BLOGGER NAILS LEFTISTS FAKING ‘POPULIST’ PROTEST

US Uncut advertised this as the true populist uprising rally, as a contrast to the phony astroturfed Tea Party. But if you invite the public to a rally beginning at 5pm and running to 6:30pm, and the organizers show up as a group early at the assigned place and then depart ten minutes before the public even has a chance to join in; and then go on a flash-mob march that features rehearsed choreographed dances; then it becomes completely obvious that this isn’t a mass movement, but rather just a small activist group doing political skits which they had practiced ahead of time, with no public involvement whatsoever.

Of course, since JPMorgan Chase is off the table, the plot having been exposed (caught on tape) a couple weeks ago, Bank of America is a convenient stand in. The game is in play, the scripts are assigned, the meme is "We're not broke (heads in sand), There's PLENTY of money! It's just that THEY (insert target du jour here) have it, and you don't, and you need to take it back! Hate the rich, Rah Rah Rah!"

Once you know the drill you can catch it - everywhere! Read up on the planned Union protests... that verbiage is inserted, it's all the evil corporations, if they'd just fork it over, the state wouldn't be going broke, No-o-o-o-o-o.

And, of course, we have our local group of Soros whores: ◼ The rallies are part of a campaign called “Make Them Pay.” Oh, and lookie-there, Michael Moore surfaces again. Makes you want to see the money trail, doesn't it?

Tea Party vs. US Uncut: A San Francisco Tax Day Showdown - Compare and contrast.

EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said Monday that he only learned of the DA's investigation last week and expressed disappointment that he wasn't notified of a criminal investigation targeting one of his officers.

Kalis arrested: Former Eureka Police Department officer booked, released Monday
Former Eureka police Officer Daniel “Danny” Kalis was brought into custody Monday, some six months after a misdemeanor warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kalis -- who was charged last week with drug possession, theft and other charges -- was named in the September 2010 warrant after failing to appear at a court hearing in which he was to be arraigned on four misdemeanor Department of Fish and Game violations.

Humboldt County District Attorney Chief Investigator Mike Hislop said he called Kalis on Monday and he agreed to turn himself in.

”We met him down at the Bayshore Mall and he surrendered there,” Hislop said. “He was completely cooperative.”

Hislop said Kalis was booked into jail on Monday and was released after promising to appear May 16 for an arraignment on both the old and new charges.

Kalis was placed on administrative leave by the EPD on March 7, the same day the department launched an internal affairs investigation into allegations surrounding his conduct. He resigned from the force on April 1.

The DA's Office announced last week that it was charging Kalis with nine criminal counts -- including heroin and marijuana possession, petty theft, false imprisonment, vandalism and accessing DMV records without authorization -- on the heels of an investigation it launched in January.

EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said Monday that he only learned of the DA's investigation last week and expressed disappointment that he wasn't notified of a criminal investigation targeting one of his officers.


What?

EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said Monday that he only learned of the DA's investigation last week and expressed disappointment that he wasn't notified of a criminal investigation targeting one of his officers.

”I think that, as the head of an organization, I should be notified when one of my personnel is under investigation unless that investigation directly involves me,” Nielsen said. “First of all, I think it's common courtesy. But it would also ensure that I don't have someone out there that is potentially a threat to the public that I'm not aware of, or somebody who is potentially compromising confidential information that I'm not aware of.”

Hislop said Nielsen had contacted him and expressed his views.

The investigator said it was a difficult decision not to inform Nielsen -- a decision ultimately made by District Attorney Paul Gallegos.

”We really mulled it over for a long time,” Hislop said....


Accused officer on the job with warrant out; officer faced misdemeanor charges in 2010; ex-wife files for restraining order
Kalis arrested: Former Eureka Police Department officer booked, released Monday
Former EPD officer arrested on outstanding warrant, released
Accused officer on the job with warrant out; officer faced misdemeanor charges in 2010; ex-wife files for restraining order

ANOTHER PLEA DEAL

◼ INITIALLY CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, PLEADS no contest to assault with a firearm. Coen gets 21 years in prison
Coen was apprehended during a multi-agency manhunt July 2 -- about 11 hours after Coen donned a bullet-proof vest and a wig, sneaked into the home of Christopher “Shane” Cooper on the 3400 block of Hillras Way in Fortuna and shot him once in the chest with a .22-caliber handgun while Cooper lay in bed.

The Fortuna Police Department was already searching for Coen, who at the time was wanted for a parole violation stemming from an assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm conviction in 2009.

Initially charged with attempted murder, Coen pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with a firearm with special allegations and enhancements that he has served a prior prison term, used a firearm during the offense and that he inflicted great bodily injury in committing the crime. Under the agreement, Coen faced a prison sentence of between 10 years and 21 years.

Coen's attorney, David Lee, argued that the lesser sentence was appropriate due to a “peculiarity” in the law that allowed Coen to be convicted of both assault with a firearmand a special allegation that a firearm was used in the offense. Lee argued Coen was recently married and now feels he has something to live for.

Delores Reeves, 55, faces charges of grand theft by means of fiduciary trust, grand theft by means of an assumed character, elder abuse, identity theft and fraud, according to a press release from the district attorney's office.

Fortuna real estate agent arrested, charged with grand theft, elder abuse and fraud

Monday, April 18, 2011

In the 'you should live under the same rules your constituents have to follow' category

Evans: $300 monthly car stipend too little - Press Democrat
No sooner had a state commission voted to take away her taxpayer-financed vehicle, replacing it with a flat $300-a-month payment for driving her own car, than state Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, was on Twitter complaining about the raw deal.

What does the average California business person have to do? How about the heavy equipment operators? What about all that paperwork?

And is it appropriate for a sitting Senator to be bitching on Twitter?

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Climate models go cold

The debate about global warming has reached ridiculous proportions and is full of micro-thin half-truths and misunderstandings. I am a scientist who was on the carbon gravy train, understands the evidence, was once an alarmist, but am now a skeptic. Watching this issue unfold has been amusing but, lately, worrying. This issue is tearing society apart, making fools out of our politicians.

Let’s set a few things straight....


We are now at an extraordinary juncture. Official climate science, which is funded and directed entirely by government, promotes a theory that is based on a guess about moist air that is now a known falsehood. Governments gleefully accept their advice, because the only ways to curb emissions are to impose taxes and extend government control over all energy use. And to curb emissions on a world scale might even lead to world government — how exciting for the political class! h/t: kt

Why isn't the Minor Theater playing Atlas Shrugged?

Are they not into alt films anymore? Or is it only a certain kind of alt film that is alt approved?

Minor Movies : Now Showing : Showtimes

300 theaters and counting.
Not near you yet? DEMAND Atlas to your town. Theaters being added regularly.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Swarm of (Nevada) Quakes have Experts Concerned

Swarm of Quakes have Experts Concerned
Nevada Seismologists are keeping a close eye on an area southwest of Hawthorne, Nevada where hundreds of earthquakes have been detected since Sunday.

" It's a little bit concerning in a sense.. The largest earthquakes in these sequences are pretty large in size." Graham Kent is Director of Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada Reno. He says there have been hundreds of earthquakes southwest of Hawthorne over the past few days. The largest-- recorded at a 4.4 in size....

Size is not the only reason Kent says they are watching the swarm of quakes closely. The location of these quakes is on top of a fault that has until now remained unknown or has not been active. Kent then made an eerie comparison, "Whats really interesting about most of these earthquakes we've experienced. Short of the Chilean and Japanese; Haiti, Baha, even Christchurch.. Were on unknown faults....

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Solar power without silicon solar cells? New magnetic effect of light into insulators discovered.

‘We’ve all been taught that this doesn’t happen’ - Watts Up With That

Criminal Charges Filed Against Eureka Police Officer Daniel “Danny” Kalis - Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin)

Accused officer on the job with warrant out; officer faced misdemeanor charges in 2010; ex-wife files for restraining order

DA Press Release:
To: humboldtherald@gmail.com, indie@asis.com, mskymkemp@gmail.com, politol@sou.edu, ryanburns@northcoastjournal.com, asherman@times-standard.com, Arcata Eye news@arcataeye.com, cynthia \(k-Mud cynthia@kmud.org, dtam dtam@times-standard.com, Duncan, Jeannie JDuncan@co.humboldt.ca.us, Ferndale Enterprise editor@ferndaleenterprise.us, Hislop, Michael MHislop@co.humboldt.ca.us, Humboldt Beacon news@humboldt.com, Jessie Faulkner editor@tricityweekly.com, John Ford john@kbae955.com, Keat, Wesley WKeat@co.humboldt.ca.us, Keith Easthouse keitheasthouse@hotmail.com, KHSU mjcrawdad@yahoo.com, KHUM mike@khum.com, KIEM - TV kiem-tv@humboldt1.com, KIEM Channel 3 kiemnews@hotmail.com, "KINS" kinsnews@yahoo.com, news@kmud.org, thejack@humboldt.edu, "Matt Drange" mdrange@times-standard.com, matthewwmendes@hotmail.com, "McCulley, Vicki" VMcCulley@co.humboldt.ca.us, melissa.hutsell@gmail.com, "Moser, Joyce" JMoser@co.humboldt.ca.us, "Mullen, Lynette" LMullen@co.humboldt.ca.us, "northcoast journal - newsroom" newsroom@northcoastjournal.com, "Pinto, Tom TPinto@co.humboldt.ca.us, Shoshani, Michele MShoshani@co.humboldt.ca.us, Steve Wolf - Rio Dell Times steve@riodelltimes.com, terri \(K-MUD\) terri@kmud.org, Thad Greenson tgreenson@times-standard.com, "Times-Standard - Editor" editor@times-standard.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 14, 2011
Contact: District Attorney Paul Gallegos
Phone: (707) 268-2571, (707) 267-4400

Criminal Charges Filed Against Eureka Police Officer

In January 2011, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office (HCDA) Investigations Bureau began receiving reports of alleged criminal conduct on the part of Eureka Police Department (EPD) Officer Daniel “Danny” Kalis. Between January and March 2011, HCDA investigators began gathering information to either substantiate or disprove the claims of misconduct.

In March, Officer Kalis became the subject of a formal Internal Affairs Investigation initiated by the Eureka Police Department and Kalis was placed on Administrative Leave on March 7, 2011. The Internal Affairs Investigation uncovered evidence of potential criminal conduct and the Eureka Police Department sought assistance from the HCDA Investigations Bureau. On March 16, 2011, representatives of the Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office met to discuss the status of their individual investigations to that point. It was then decided to initiate a joint EPD/HCDA investigation to examine Officer Kalis’ potential criminal conduct while he was a member of the Eureka Police Department.

As a result of that extensive investigation, the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office has filed the following criminal charges against Officer Daniel Kalis:
H&S11350(a) Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin)
PC4570 Unauthorized Communication with a Prisoner
H&S11357(c) Possession of more than 1 ounce of Marijuana
PC236 False Imprisonment
B&P4060 Possession of Controlled Substances without a Prescription
CVC1808.45 Unauthorized Disclosure of DMV Records
PC502(c)(7) Unauthorized Access to Computer Network
PC488 Petty Theft
PC594 Vandalism

The matters are scheduled for arraignment in Humboldt County Superior Court on May 16, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. The investigation continues and additional criminal charges may be filed.

Relating to this investigation, District Attorney Paul Gallegos stated, “State and local law enforcement’s first obligation is to enforce California laws and I know it is a sad day for all law enforcement when we must prosecute an officer that has failed to do that.  Hopefully Humboldt County citizens will see this joint investigative effort as evidence that their law enforcement agencies

are committed to providing the highest caliber of law enforcement and putting the community’s interests above all others.”

HCDA Chief Investigator Mike Hislop added, “Although it is unfortunate when law enforcement is forced to investigate one of their own, this investigation demonstrates our common position that abuse of authority by police officers will not be tolerated. I commend the Eureka Police Department for seeking assistance with this sensitive matter and commend the EPD/HCDA investigative team for quickly and efficiently completing the complex investigation.”

According to Eureka Police Chief Nielsen, effective April 1, 2011, Officer Kalis is no longer employed with the Eureka Police Department. “Such allegations, if proven, cast a pall upon a noble profession which derives its legitimacy from the public trust,” Nielsen said. “The violation of that trust impacts the profession, our organization and the dedicated men and women who place themselves in harms way to ensure the safety of our communities.” Nielsen stressed that complaints or allegations received by his office are taken seriously and investigated objectively and thoroughly. “We are an organization which holds the public trust above all else and will not permit anyone to violate that which so many work so diligently to earn and maintain,” he added.

Members of the community with information regarding potential criminal actions conducted by Officer Kalis are urged to contact Eureka Police Department Senior Detective Todd Wilcox at (707) 441-4315 or HCDA Investigator Wayne Cox at (707) 268-2591.

Kalis arrested: Former Eureka Police Department officer booked, released Monday
Former Eureka police Officer Daniel “Danny” Kalis was brought into custody Monday, some six months after a misdemeanor warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kalis -- who was charged last week with drug possession, theft and other charges -- was named in the September 2010 warrant after failing to appear at a court hearing in which he was to be arraigned on four misdemeanor Department of Fish and Game violations.

Humboldt County District Attorney Chief Investigator Mike Hislop said he called Kalis on Monday and he agreed to turn himself in.

”We met him down at the Bayshore Mall and he surrendered there,” Hislop said. “He was completely cooperative.”

Hislop said Kalis was booked into jail on Monday and was released after promising to appear May 16 for an arraignment on both the old and new charges.

Kalis was placed on administrative leave by the EPD on March 7, the same day the department launched an internal affairs investigation into allegations surrounding his conduct. He resigned from the force on April 1.

The DA's Office announced last week that it was charging Kalis with nine criminal counts -- including heroin and marijuana possession, petty theft, false imprisonment, vandalism and accessing DMV records without authorization -- on the heels of an investigation it launched in January.

EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said Monday that he only learned of the DA's investigation last week and expressed disappointment that he wasn't notified of a criminal investigation targeting one of his officers.

”I think that, as the head of an organization, I should be notified when one of my personnel is under investigation unless that investigation directly involves me,” Nielsen said. “First of all, I think it's common courtesy. But it would also ensure that I don't have someone out there that is potentially a threat to the public that I'm not aware of, or somebody who is potentially compromising confidential information that I'm not aware of.”

Hislop said Nielsen had contacted him and expressed his views.

The investigator said it was a difficult decision not to inform Nielsen -- a decision ultimately made by District Attorney Paul Gallegos.

”We really mulled it over for a long time,” Hislop said....

Former EPD officer arrested on outstanding warrant, released
Accused officer on the job with warrant out; officer faced misdemeanor charges in 2010; ex-wife files for restraining order

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

'Does Marijuana Cause Global Warming?'

'Does Marijuana Cause Global Warming?' New 'Study' by Evan Mills of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds indoor Cannabis production has a very large carbon footprint' EMills@lbl.gov Visit Site
'Potheads Destroying The Climate': Forget the oil company execs. 'Put the hippies on trial for climate crimes' -- 'Pot growers inhale 1% of U.S. electricity, exhale GHGs of 3Million cars'
ENERGY UP IN SMOKE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF INDOOR CANNABIS PRODUCTION
at Climate Depot
AGRICULTURE: Pot growers inhale 1% of U.S. electricity, exhale GHGs of 3M cars — study (04/11/2011)

Gaia Versus Ganja - Ed Driscoll

General Plan Rewrite at the Board of Sups has begun

2:00 Public comment on non-agenda items is over and Kirk Girard has begun his presentation.

Going to be interesting. This time Lovelace is on the other side of the podium. During the TPZ debacle he was leading the "coalition" of speakers, all carefully prepared, each delivering a piece of the argument in the measly 3 minutes allotted to citizens who come to speak. This time, he faces the juggernaut.

Looks like the room is packed. Can't tell how well represented each faction is -

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Agendas
Humboldt County Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes
Meetings are Live Streamed (click here) as well as archived, and Broadcast LIVE and rebroadcast by AccessHumboldt on Channel 10 Go to AccessHumboldt.net for schedule information and archived video

PREDICTABLY, Lovelace's contingent wants the plan process to go forward now, Natalynne DeLapp speaking for EPIC as if she knows any of the history of this region, the Baykeeper chick and Jen Kalt for Lovelace's "Healthy Humboldt project of Humboldt Watershed Council/you name it" all in a row. Bringing up the watersheds - not paying any attention to the community organizations all saying that they were not brought in to the process, that they cannot plan for their own community's long term plans when Planning arbitrarily dumps their latest quick fix in their laps. It's a joke.

Surprise of the day - Agree with David Elsebusch on the Headwaters farce. His bashing of the MCSD is not productive but he ends up agreeing - a citizens advisory committee is needed.

Tone of observers comments seems to discount the overwhelming message from the communities and CSDs - they weren't kept in the loop - and they not only should have been in the loop they should have been consulted before decisions were made - especially in McKinleyville where the ludicrous decision would have landed homeless and low income housing in our business district. Not that there's any infrastructure for it, or any approval by any segment of the community, it's simply to fill Girard's numbers - a quickly grabbed at solution, and it is always to use McKinleyville as the dumping ground. Also ignored, the MCSD really does plan ahead, and the disrespect of that body shows that the people involved don't really care about "Planning" in the planning sense, else they would understand the complexities involved in the infrastructure. How many people can the system serve? Will there need to be expansion? Should they declare a moratorium? The Planning Department should be working as a partner, not as an adversary.

What a lot of this comes down to is artificial - a pox on the house of the man who came up with the "affordable housing" mandate. Meeting that illusive and imaginary goal leads to nothing but grief for all concerned - and "low income" housing around here is anything but. None of this would be happening, much of the divisiveness would not exist but for that.

Jonathan Speaker: Am I Being Redundant?

...a second fiber-optic line- “Priority project!” Mr. Lovelace stated in his platform... Wes Chesbro? Congressman Thompson?

Grant money? The predatory litigants' model of business doesn't include building things. It's about blocking, and constricting and restraining and preventing, and finding small arcane bits of law to file suits over.

Think of the money that has been wasted here in this county. Coulda - shoulda - done something constructive.

Monday, April 11, 2011

From: "Mullen, Lynette"
Date: April 11, 2011 9:24:57 AM PDT
To: humboldtherald@gmail.com, indie@asis.com, mskymkemp@gmail.com, politol@sou.edu, ryanburns@northcoastjournal.com, asherman@times-standard.com, Arcata Eye news@arcataeye.com, cynthia \(k-Mud cynthia@kmud.org, dtam dtam@times-standard.com, Duncan, Jeannie JDuncan@co.humboldt.ca.us, Ferndale Enterprise editor@ferndaleenterprise.us, Hislop, Michael MHislop@co.humboldt.ca.us, Humboldt Beacon news@humboldt.com, Jessie Faulkner editor@tricityweekly.com, John Ford john@kbae955.com, Keat, Wesley WKeat@co.humboldt.ca.us, Keith Easthouse keitheasthouse@hotmail.com, KHSU mjcrawdad@yahoo.com, KHUM mike@khum.com, KIEM - TV kiem-tv@humboldt1.com, KIEM Channel 3 kiemnews@hotmail.com, "KINS" kinsnews@yahoo.com, news@kmud.org, thejack@humboldt.edu, "Matt Drange" mdrange@times-standard.com, matthewwmendes@hotmail.com, "McCulley, Vicki" VMcCulley@co.humboldt.ca.us, melissa.hutsell@gmail.com, "Moser, Joyce" JMoser@co.humboldt.ca.us, "Mullen, Lynette" LMullen@co.humboldt.ca.us, "northcoast journal - newsroom" newsroom@northcoastjournal.com, "Pinto, Tom TPinto@co.humboldt.ca.us, Shoshani, Michele MShoshani@co.humboldt.ca.us, Steve Wolf - Rio Dell Times steve@riodelltimes.com, terri \(K-MUD\) terri@kmud.org, Thad Greenson tgreenson@times-standard.com, "Times-Standard - Editor" editor@times-standard.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 11, 2011
Contacts
Christa McKimmy, Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney, (707) 445-7411
Lynette Mullen, Community Outreach Coordinator, (707) 268-2577

Fernbridge Café Operator Faces Charges

The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office filed charges today against Steve Sterbeck, operator of the Fernbridge Market and Café. Sterbeck faces three counts of Operating a Food Facility Without a Valid Permit.

The County of Humboldt Division of Environmental Health requires a food facility permit at any facility where food is stored, prepared, packaged, served or otherwise provided, regardless of whether or not there is a charge for that food. Sterbeck was served a “Notice of Suspension of Food Facility Permit” by the Division of Environmental Health on March 18, 2011 after water tests confirmed high levels of coliform and E coli bacteria in the Café’s water. E coli indicates fecal contamination and can cause severe illness and in rare cases, death, in humans. After receiving the notice, Sterbeck was advised by county officials to immediately close the restaurant.

On March 31, 2011, the Café was still open and serving food to the public in direct violation of the suspension notice and Sterbeck was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. 

Sterbeck was later released by the jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on April 19. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to eighteen months in jail, a fine of up to $3,000 or both.

“It is important to recognize that an arrest and criminal charges are not, in and of themselves, evidence of guilt,” noted Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos. “All people are entitled to a presumption of innocence. However, the District Attorney’s Office and the County’s Division of Environmental Health have an obligation to protect the citizens of this community and any visitors who patronize our local businesses. If an individual or business entity appears to be engaging in behavior that endangers people, we have to act to stop that behavior.”

Deputy District Attorney Christa McKimmy specializes in environmental and consumer protection and is prosecuting this case.

***

Arrested the guy, and they weren't sure what they were going to file? Deciding after the fact? May be common practice for cops, who are not the charging entity, they make the arrest and then the DA files charges, this is all very curious as it is the DA doing the arresting, performing both functions on a very low-level (alleged) crime.

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Documents show history of problems at Fernbridge Cafe; investigation continues, DA weighing charges

Documents show history of problems at Fernbridge Cafe; investigation continues, DA weighing charges
As the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office continues to mull filing charges against the operator of the Fernbridge Café, environmental health division documents outline a long history of problems at the restaurant.

Deputy District Attorney Krista McKimmy said Thursday that her office is continuing to investigate the case, but that she expects to make a decision on charging operator Steve Sterbeck by Monday....

At a glance:
What happened: Fernbridge Café operator Steve Sterbeck was arrested on suspicion of operating a food facility without a valid permit on March 31, about two weeks after water tests from the cafe returned positive results for E. coli bacteria. Sterbeck allegedly continued to operate the cafe for days after being ordered to close by the Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health.

What now: The business will remain closed until Sterbeck installs a state-approved water filtration system to treat the spring water used at the cafe. Sterbeck told a local radio station he and his family are contemplating moving to Tennessee, leaving an uncertain future for the cafe, which was built in 1920 and is a popular morning gathering place for local dairymen.
What next: The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office is continuing to investigate, but said it will likely make a decision on whether to criminally charge Sterbeck by Monday....
PRESUMABLY - that decision should have been made PRIOR to arresting the man. The charges should be on the arrest warrant. Is there an arrest warrant?

Clarification needed Times-Standard Letter to the editor
The “problem” at Fernbridge Cafe has absolutely nothing to do with “sanitation or food safety,” as the DA's Office needs to publicly clarify...

DA still mulling charges in toddler drowning case; no timetable for a decision

DA still mulling charges in toddler drowning case; no timetable for a decision
The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office is still reviewing the March 6 drowning death of a 20-month-old boy in Eureka and has yet to make a charging decision in the case.

The Eureka Police Department turned its investigation report into the death of Caiden Archie Cathey over to the DA's Office March 29, outlining the facts surrounding Caiden's death. According to officials, it appears the boy fell from a dock in Eureka's Halvorsen Park into Humboldt Bay while still strapped into his stroller and drowned.

EPD did not make a charging decision in the case, but classified it as a possible child endangerment.

Reached late last week, Deputy District Attorney Kelly Neel said the case is still under review but declined to comment further.

”Since it's under review, I cannot comment other than to say that the matter will be reviewed to see what, if any, criminal conduct may have occurred and by whom,” Neel wrote in an email to the Times-Standard.


That's a switch.

Dog killer arrested again; Eureka man appears in court, scheduled to be arraigned next week


...Baltzley moved in with another family, which had four dogs. After about a week, all of the dogs began displaying irrational fear of Baltzley,... - Times-Standard
Officers with the Eureka Police Department arrested a Eureka man Thursday night after a weeks-long investigation into a series of dog deaths.

Donavan Nathaniel Baltzley, 22, is in custody again after officers arrested him for violating his probation, time he was sentenced to last year after pleading guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend's dog. Baltzley now faces two new charges of animal cruelty, in addition to violating his probation, and is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing next Wednesday.

Baltzley, who was given five years of probation by Judge Joyce Hinrichs last September, moved into the home of a Eureka family late last year. In January, the family -- which owned a pair of small Maltese dogs -- reported finding one of the dogs, 8-month-old Bentley, dead under a bed. Just before the dog's death, he began to show “irrational fear of Baltzley,” according to an EPD press release...

Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Arnold Klein, who prosecuted the case last year, asked Hinrichs to send Baltzley back to state prison when he was sentenced. Hinrichs opted to suspend Baltzley's three-year prison term, instead handing him five years probation, time Klein said would have been better spent behind bars.

”There were some deep-seated issues with him,” Klein said in an interview on Friday. “He had the makings of a serial killer.”
Eureka’s Serial Dog Killer - The Journal
Dog killer kills again and again - McKinleyville Press

Eureka dog killer sentenced to five years probation - Ukiah Daily Journal 9/15/2010

Friday, April 08, 2011

What next: The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office is continuing to investigate, but said it will likely make a decision on whether to criminally charge Sterbeck by Monday.

Documents show history of problems at Fernbridge Cafe; investigation continues, DA weighing charges

Arcata infant's parents face child abuse charge

Arcata infant's parents face child abuse charge
The parents of a 4-month-old Arcata boy will be arraigned on Thursday, each facing a single charge of willful harm or injury to a child, according to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office.

The Arcata Police Department arrested Michelle Darlene Thompson, 34, and Brandon Scott Santiago, 21, on suspicion of injuring their child on March 3. The APD reported the two had taken the boy to a local emergency room, and the infant was later flown to Oakland Children's Hospital for treatment of several fractured ribs, a lacerated liver and head trauma....
Arcata parents arrested, child sent to Oakland hospital 03/04/2011

Injured child's condition improving; Arcata parents posted bail 03/08/2011
...The infant was taken to the emergency room on Thursday by his parents and was later sent to Oakland due to the life-threatening injuries, said APD Sgt. Todd Dokweiler. When the boy arrived at the children's hospital, it was determined he had several fractured ribs, a lacerated liver and head trauma....

The child's parents, 34-year-old Michelle Darlene Thompson and 21-year-old Brandon Scott Santiago, were arrested and booked into Humboldt County jail on suspicion of willful injury to a child and corporal injury to a child, according to the APD.

According to the jail, they are no longer in custody after they posted an unknown amount of bail. There are currently no court dates set for the parents, according to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office. Deputy District Attorney Kelly Neel said in an e-mail that the investigation into the case is ongoing, and no formal charges have been filed.

(APD Sgt. Todd) Dokweiler said the boy will be released to county Child Welfare Services when he has recovered....

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Loleta mom remains behind bars; bail in manslaughter case set at $150K UPDATE: Charges dismissed

Loleta mom remains behind bars; bail in manslaughter case set at $150K
Maggie Jean Wortman, 26, appeared in court Wednesday after being arrested last week when a probation drug screening came back positive for methamphetamine. Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson ruled Wednesday that Wortman be held on $150,000 bail and pending a probation hold recommended by the Probation Department.

Appearing to tread delicately around a sensitive issue, Lee said Wortman admitted in a pre-booking interview at the jail last week to possibly having a “substantial medical condition” that may have led the Probation Department to believe her release would pose a “danger to other people.”

”That situation has proven not to be true,” Lee told the court, adding that the Probation Department's recommendation might change now that it is known Wortman is “not, in fact, pregnant.”

Deputy District Attorney Kelly Neel said that information should not change the court's decision regarding whether to release Wortman on her own recognizance or lower her bail.

”She is on felony probation and continues to engage in felonious conduct,” Neel told the court.

UPDATE: ◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

repeat offenders

Pipe bomb found in Trinidad; two arrested on drug, explosives charges
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force arrested two people in Trinidad Wednesday after discovering suspected methamphetamine in a room at the Patrick's Point Inn and pipe bombs in one suspect's automobile.

The task force served a search warrant at room 3 of the inn, located in the 3600 block of Patrick's Point Drive, where, according to a press release, they found Sacheen Alfred and Brandon Cardenas.

During a search of the room, agents discovered suspected methamphetamine as well as hundreds of small clear plastic baggies commonly used to package controlled substances for the purpose of sales, the task force said.

The task force said they also searched the automobiles used by Alfred and Cardenas and found two metal pipes with metal caps on each end and what appeared to be gunpowder. Agents then notified the Humboldt County Sheriff's Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit, which remotely detonated the devices without further incident.

Eureka searches yield drugs, five arrests in the past week
...a team of detectives and agents contacted Joe Olivo and Sacheen Alfred at a motel on the 4000 block of Valley West Blvd. in Arcata. Alfred, who was on probation, was searched, and detectives reported finding 8.5 grams of tar heroin, a digital gram scale, hypodermic syringes and multiple ceramic porcelain spark plug chips -- a burglary tool often used for smashing auto windows. Alfred was taken to the Humboldt County jail and charged with possession of heroin for sale, possession of hypodermic syringes and a probation violation...

Tsunami warnings for Japan after 7.4 aftershock, 6.5 in Mexico

Breaking: Tsunami warnings for Japan after 7.4 aftershock
Another strong quake strikes off tsunami-hit Japan
No West Coast tsunami expected after Japan's strong earthquake

6.5 earthquake shakes southern Mexico

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

KSLG: John Matthews interviews the Fernbridge Cafe owner...

Listen to the interview here:


The District Attorney's own interview - a portion of which is played during this interview shows another case where Gallegos has tried and convicted the man in advance, and the bizarre schizophrenic patten of prosecution begins again. It's also another case where a Deputy DA is doing the talking to the media, instead of the DA, who is supposed to be the spokesman for the office.

◼ The KIEM interview can be seen here: mattmendes report

The victim, who was hospitalized for stab wounds to his chest and back, said he had been assaulted while seated in his vehicle

No answers to the questions...

In other news: ◼ Maggie Jean Wortman back in custody
A 26-year-old Loleta woman facing allegations of killing her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk was arrested again last week on drug charges.

Maggie Jean Wortman, who had been free after posting $50,000 bail, appeared in Humboldt County Superior Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to a single count of violating her probation by using a controlled substance. She is due to appear in court again Wednesday for a bail hearing.
Wortman was arrested in December after her infant son, Michael Phillip Acosta III, was transported to a local hospital on Nov. 21 because he was not breathing. He was later pronounced dead, and a subsequent autopsy concluded he died of “methamphetamine toxicity.”

Saturday, April 02, 2011

What's it going to take? (W/Update)


Attempted murder at Kenmar Road in broad daylight - Humboldt Beacon

Derek Wendell Bowman, 29, of Fortuna. Bowman has been identified as a suspect in the stabbing. He is on active parole and should be considered dangerous - Times Standard
"The Fortuna Police Department is looking for a murder suspect who allegedly stabbed another man in Fortuna.

Officers responded to Redwood Memorial Hospital at about 5:50 p.m. Thursday, according to a press release. The victim, who was hospitalized for stab wounds to his chest and back, said he had been assaulted while seated in his vehicle on Kenmar Road and Renee Court.

The department is seeking information on Derek Wendell Bowman, 29, of Fortuna. Bowman has been identified as a suspect in the stabbing. He is on active parole and should be considered dangerous, the FPD release said.

Bowman was arrested in January by the California Highway Patrol during a multi-agency parolee search in connection with an armed robbery.

The department can be reached at its anonymous tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME or 1-800-782-7463. Informants may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction, the release said."
Attempted Murder Suspect - Fortuna Police Department Press Release
On March 31, 2011 at about 5:50 PM officers from the Fortuna Police Department responded to Redwood Memorial Hospital for a report of a stabbing victim. Officers contacted the victim and determined that he had been assaulted while seated in his vehicle on Kenmar Rd. and Renee Ct. in the City of Fortuna.

The victim suffered stab wounds to his chest and back and is still currently hospitalized.

The Fortuna Police Department is seeking information on the whereabouts of Derek Wendell Bowman, age 29, of Fortuna. Bowman has been identified as a suspect in the stabbing and is on active Parole and should be considered dangerous.
Anyone with any additional information about this crime or the location of the suspect is asked to contact the our WeTip Anonymous Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME or 1-800-782-7463. Informants may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this matter.
How much will it cost to get this one dismissed? Paul?

Kym - I am appealing to you - THIS is the kind of incivility YOU should be concerned about.

How many times has this guy been let out? And why? What does he have to do before you guys wake up? Kill someone?
Fortuna man arrested, charged with attempted murder
Derek Wendell Bowman, 29, is in custody after officers with the Fortuna Police Department arrested him, according to a press release. The department issued a statement a week ago urging anyone with information on Bowman's whereabouts to contact FPD.

Bowman, who was on active parole, also had been arrested in January by the California Highway Patrol during a multi-agency search in connection to an armed robbery.

He now faces charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit a crime, according to arrest logs from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, and is due to be arraigned on the charges this week.

On March 31, officers responded to Redwood Memorial Hospital to a report of a stabbing victim, according to a press release from FPD. The victim told officers that he had been assaulted while sitting in his vehicle at Kenmar Road and Renee Court in Fortuna.

Bowman was later identified as a suspect in the incident, and FPD offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

But were they wearing their Carhartt vests?

Fernbridge Cafe owner arrested over food safety concerns
Investigators with the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office arrested the operator of Fernbridge Cafe on Thursday after a months-long investigation into the food and water safety quality at the cafe.

Steve Sterbeck was taken into custody after a series of attempts by the county to address water quality issues, according to a press release from the District Attorney's Office. A March 18 test of the restaurant's water showed high levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe illness and in some cases death, the DA's office said.

The Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health served a “Notice of Suspension of Food Facility Permit” later that day, and Sterbeck was advised to close the restaurant. When the cafe was still open and serving food on Thursday, Sterbeck was arrested.

While the investigation into the incident remains ongoing, Sterbeck has since been released, according to the DA's office. No charges have been filed. Deputy District Attorney Christa McKimmy is evaluating the case for any further action, the release said.