Not seeing anything above? Reauthenticate
A side-by-side video comparison juxtaposes the ONLY body worn camera footage of the shooting released by the Humboldt County's Sheriff's Office pursuant to CA law, alongside the UNEDITED original footage, slowed to 50%, then slowed down to 25% for public review.
Challenger April Van Dyke is running against the embroiled incumbent, Judge Gregory Kreis, for Superior Court Judge.
HUMBOLDT FOR PALESTINE RALLY
December 16, 2023:
HUMBOLDT FOR PALESTINE Plaza Rally
December 8, 2023:
DA REES at HUMBOLDT FOR PALESTINE RALLY
December 8, 2023:
HUMBOLDT FOR PALESTINE RALLY
CA PC 647j2
Mr. Campos declined to comment on the record when reached for comment by email.
A Federal Judge in SF Found Probable Cause VALID in Original Arrest of Zoellner for the Alleged Homicide of Josiah Lawson in 2017.
INTERVIEW: John Shelter
New Directions tackles clean-up in the greenbelt slough area owned partly by the County Office of Education... again.
INTERVIEW: Tiffany Laffoon
On the tragic death of local homeless woman, Jestine Green, in a recycling dumpster.
INTERVIEW: Debra Thomas
On tragically losing Justine Green to a homelessness crisis in Humboldt County.
INTERVIEW: Crystal & Lori
On living in the slough, without supportive services, and surviving COVID-19 while facing medical challenges.
Rio Dell residents are assisted by DHHS workers and local volunteers offering food, water, blankets and portable toilet access. from the Fire Hall .
Increase in patients into our emergency department that require critical care;
Weather challenges that have affected transfers of higher acuity patients to regional care centers;
Inability to transfer to local skilled nursing facilities due to their own constraints;
Staffing challenges at St. Joseph Hospital.”
Tour and interview with Executive Director Bryan Hall, who oversees the Eureka Rescue Mission in Old Town, Eureka.
STATEMENT FROM PROVIDENCE REGARDING PAY DISCREPANCIES & UNION PICKET
Media Statement – CNA picket, August 11
We believe this picket held by the California Nurses Association (CNA) is in response to matters the union has brought to our attention recently, including issues some of our caregivers have experienced with paychecks timed with a recent transition to a new technology platform. It is important to know that informational pickets are not strikes, but they are a way for unions to inform and develop public support for their position. We respect the rights of our caregivers to be part of a union and to engage in this action.
In early July, Providence implemented a new enterprise resource planning system to improve administrative processes, such as human resources, supply chain, finance, timekeeping and payroll. Previously, we had been using multiple systems, including some outdated technology, that created a fragmented experience and required manual processes.
Since going live on the new system, the vast majority of pay checks that have been issued are correct. However, there are some that have shown incorrect or partial pay. In most cases, this is due to routine issues, such as timecard correction forms submitted after the deadline, or no time submitted on a timecard. There have also been discrepancies related to recent changes to modernize the compensation program across the Providence family of organizations. In addition, there are some data configuration adjustments that need to be made to account for the nuances in the pay structure at various Providence locations.
Providing accurate and timely pay is one of the most fundamental roles that Providence plays as an employer, and we take any discrepancies in paychecks or missed pay incredibly seriously. Our caregivers work selflessly to provide the care that our communities depend on, and we are deeply sorry that we have missed the mark for some individuals or that we created any kind of hardship or anxiety for caregivers and their families.
We have been resolving these issues as quickly as we can by researching each discrepancy and running off-cycle paycheck batches, one to two times a day, with the correct retroactive pay. As of Aug. 5, most issues have been resolved and correct pay has been provided. However, there are some discrepancies that we are continuing to investigate, particularly related to data configuration of shift differentials.
We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to resolve the remaining outstanding issues as quickly as possible. We also remain profoundly grateful to our caregivers for their patience and for all they do to serve patients in need.
The informational picketing will have no effect on the high-quality care we provide to our patients. We are maintaining our hospital services, so we do not compromise our ability to care for the patients who are counting on us.
STATEMENT FROM PROVIDENCE REGARDING PAY DISCREPANCIES
Providence to issue $500 mitigation payments today to 207 affected caregivers in Northern California
In early July, Providence implemented a new enterprise resource planning system to improve administrative processes, such as human resources, supply chain, finance, timekeeping and payroll. Previously, we had been using multiple systems, including some outdated technology, that created a fragmented experience and required manual processes.
Since going live on the new system, the vast majority of pay checks that have been issued are correct. However, there are some that have shown incorrect or partial pay. In most cases, this is due to routine issues, such as timecard correction forms submitted after the deadline or no time submitted on a timecard. There have also been discrepancies related to recent changes to modernize the compensation program across the Providence family of organizations. In addition, there are some data configuration adjustments that need to be made to account for the nuances in the pay structure at various Providence locations.
Providing accurate and timely pay is one of the most fundamental roles that Providence plays as an employer, and we take any discrepancies in paychecks or missed pay incredibly seriously. Our caregivers work selflessly to provide the care that our communities depend on, and we are deeply sorry that we have missed the mark for some individuals or that we created any kind of hardship or anxiety for caregivers and their families.
We have been resolving these issues as quickly as we can by researching each discrepancy and running off-cycle paycheck batches, one to two times a day, with the correct retroactive pay. As of Aug. 5, most issues have been resolved and correct pay has been provided.
However, there are some discrepancies that we are continuing to investigate, particularly related to data configuration of shift differentials. In Northern California, we have identified a group of caregivers affected by this issue and are providing an immediate, one-time mitigation payment in the form of $500 for each of the 207 affected caregivers. This payment will be made today, Aug. 9, so caregivers have funds while the root cause is addressed. We also continue to offer financial assistance in the form of short-term interest free loans for those experiencing hardship.
We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to resolve the remaining outstanding issues as quickly as possible. We also remain profoundly grateful to our caregivers for their patience and for all they do to serve patients in need.
District Attorney: Inheriting the DA's office from Maggie Fleming, Stacey Eads (57.24% of the vote) handily defeated both Michael Acosta (9.43% of the vote) as well as her main opponent, Adrian Kamada (33.33% of the vote), and is now poised to take over as the County's top prosecutor.
FUN FACT - 53 unqualified write-ins!
Superior Court Judge: After running a politically mild and focused campaign, Steven Steward will be wielding the gavel (56.89% of the vote), while local Attorney Ben McLaughlin (43.11 % of the vote) will continue in private practice litigation.
FUN FACT - 120 unqualified write-ins!
Auditor-Controller: in the most-watched and talked about race of the year, Cheryl Dillingham will be coming out of retirement to take over the embroiled Office of the Auditor-Controller (71.15% of the vote), in spite of a passionate whistlebloweresque campaign by the incumbent A-C Karen Paz Dominguez (22.46% of the vote), and despite the third candidate not having the state-required qualifications for the position, was still on the ballot (6.39% of the vote) and so Mychal Evenson claimed a small percentage of votes...
FUN FACT - 77 unqualified write-ins!
Board of Supervisors, 4th District: WINNER Natalie Arroyo claimed victory at last (53.95% of the vote) avoiding the run-off against candidate Mike Newman (32.39% of the vote) - while candidate Kim Bergel of the Eureka City Council (13.65% of the vote) was edged out of the race...
FUN FACT - 15 unqualified write-ins!
Board of Supervisors, 5th District: Steve Madrone holds his seat on the Board (63.83% of the vote) against challenger Larry Doss.
FUN FACT - 12 unqualified write-ins!
Clerk, Recorder, & Registrar of Voters: GOIN' TO A RUN-OFF in NOVEMBER!! Seeing that no candidate here crossed the 50% line, a run-off between the two top percentage getters is in order, letting voters in November sort this out.... Tiffany Hunt-Nielson (44.82% of the vote) stands ready ready for a run-off against candidate Juan Pablo-Cervantes (43.37% of the vote) who is right up on her 3-inch office heels. The third candidate, Benjamin Hershberger (11.81% of the vote) walks away with a sliver of voter support, leaving the run-off to the other two candidates....
FUN FACT - 56 unqualified write-ins!
(I have yet to locate Dillingham in the wild, and therefore have no original photo here, so far...)
IN RESPONSE TO THE DEVELOPING CONTROVERSY REGARDING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ON THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT BENCH, ONE OF THE HONORABLE JUSTICES HAS SET HIMSELF APART FROM THE REST WITH AN EDITORIAL LETTER RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT CANDIDATE BEN MCLAUGHLIN AND A "FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP" THAT, ACCORDING TO JUDGE CANNING, PRESENTS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. (Letter posted below)
In response to this opinion, a clarifying letter penned by the Humboldt County Superior Court CEO Kim Bartleson notes that a judge can endorse a candidate for judge, and also states that under CA law there is no ethical problem with two judges in a relationship sitting on the bench together. However, there is federal law forbidding such entanglements, as noted by Canning. (Bartleson's letter below)
Dear Editor:
In addition to the reasons stated by Mr. Steward in his recent press release regarding my endorsement of him for superior court judge, I also have concerns about Mr. McLaughlin serving on the same bench with his significant other, with whom he has a close familial relationship.
For a little background, in responding to a question about disqualifications, Mr. McLaughlin gave the impression that the superior court judges in Humboldt did not have a concern about disqualifications or his relationship with another superior court judge, should he be elected.
That’s not accurate. In fact, Mr. McLaughlin never asked me about my concerns. After reading his statement, I requested Mr. McLaughlin to clarify or retract it. After initially promising to do so, he later refused. Hence, this letter.
I am concerned about increasing disqualifications should Mr. McLaughlin be elected. It is no secret that Mr. McLaughlin is in a long-term committed or familial relationship with Judge Neel of the California Superior Court for Humboldt County. If elected, any of Mr. McLaughlin's disqualifications would likely also disqualify Judge Neel. So, for example, if Mr. McLaughlin is close personal friends with a particular attorney, not only would he be disqualified from handling cases in which that particular attorney is involved, but so would Judge Neel because of Mr. McLaughlin's relationship with her.
Currently, we would lose only one judge in that situation -- Judge Neel. If Mr. McLaughlin is elected to the bench, we would lose two judges available for appointment to those cases -- Judge Neel and Mr. McLaughlin-- or one-fourth of the bench (currently we have seven judges and one court commissioner serving on the bench).
Another concern is the ethics of serving on the same bench with a spouse or with someone in a close familial relationship.
Under federal law, spouses (or those with close familial relationships) are prohibited from serving together as judges on the same bench. 28 U.S.C.A. section 458. In enacting the latest revision to that law, in the 1990s, the proponents of the bill stated:
"When going to trial over serious, life changing issues, a litigant must be assured of the right to be treated fairly. When a judge sits in the position to over-turn the decision of another judge who is a close relative sitting on a panel of judges, the litigant clearly is going to question the impartiality and fairness of the final court decision. Preventing close family members from serving on the same court is a small price to pay to avoid the appearance of a loss of credibility of our court system." 144 Cong. Rec. H9985-01, 144 Cong. Rec. H9985-01, H9986-H9987, 1998 WL 694712
As far as I know, California does not have a similar express statutory restriction on spouses (or those in a close familial relationship) from serving on the same bench. Nepotism restrictions seem to be handled on an agency- by-agency basis instead of a state-wide rule. However, the rationale behind the federal prohibition on spouses serving as judges on the same bench seems to apply with equal force to California judges --to avoid the loss of credibility and impartiality among our judges.
Of particular concern is that Mr. McLaughlin does not see the need to check with a judicial ethics expert about the possibilities of being conflicted out of serving on the bench. My understanding is that he asked a couple of judges about their opinion (all of whom certainly have a working knowledge of judicial ethics), but he has not sought advice from experts in the field of judicial ethics.
Though I too have a working knowledge of judicial ethics, I am not an expert in the field, nor have I researched all the rules and exceptions that might apply to Mr. McLaughlin's situation. I find it troublesome that Mr. McLaughlin has not done so.
Thank you,
Hon. Timothy A. Canning
Eureka, CA
A photo of Steven Steward from our chat at the Eagle House, in Old Town, Eureka in May.
A photo of Ben McLaughlin from our chat at the Humboldt Bay Social Club, in March.
Ben McLaughlin told [Hutson] that this campaign even caught him somewhat by surprise, and that he was asked to consider the life-changing career path by a colleague.
At the Humboldt Bay Social Club, we asked the candidate for Humboldt County Superior Court Judge what particular area of law he would be appointed to, versus what he would prefer. what advantages did he have over any others running?
Candidates STACEY EADS, ADRIAN KAMADA & MICHAEL ACOSTA fielding unscripted questions from the public, moderated by Humboldt Association of Realtors.
The complaint filed locally in the Superior Court of Humboldt County states early on in the pleading the various ways in which the defendant – Partnership Health Plan California – is culpable, reading in part, “Since Medical Information encompasses such personal and revealing information, it is highly valued as a gateway to medical identity theft and more general identity theft. Medical Information has been found to command up to $1,000 per individual record on the dark web
The first time I spoke with Kelley Metcalf was here, in front of the Humboldt County courthouse at a protest calling for attention to cases of missing and murdered indigenous community members along the North Coast. She was not ready to share her daughter's story at that time, but cam e to the conclusion that the year anniversary of her daughter's death needed answers.
JIC: Ryan do you have a follow-up?
RHBB: Yeah, I do have a follow-up, but I also wanted to just reiterate we would like to know the total population numbers that the county uses to determine the vaccination percentages that includes the five and up group – if you could give me that population total?
Director Pereira: I don’t have that on hand, but I think we provide the information in terms of our percentage population, and how many people are vaccinated. So I believe we include that in our news release.
Dr. Hoffman & COVID-19:
Lawson Family Interview:
Middle finger rallied!
Bayonet, too!
Yes. Yes, he did...
F' around & find out!