HUMBOLDT FREELANCE
REPORTING
Welcome to HUMBOLDT FREELANCE REPORTING!
Here you will find contact info, donation options to support this work, and links to my independent reporting on YouTube, in locally published news articles, video interviews & photojournalism
all produced here in Humboldt County, California.
I am happy to schedule stringer coverage with news outlets as availability allows!
CAL POLY HUMBOLDT's PALESTINE PROTEST COVERAGE:
September 2, 2024: Cal Poly Professor suspension renewed, with ongoing investigation by University - as new semester begins
May, 2024: Professor Rouhollah Aghasaleh on being arrested with Students at Cal Poly
April 30, 2024:
Cal Poly Campus Occupation BREAKING NEWS team coverage:
April 26, 2024: FLASHBACK to Cal Poly Admin confrontation
AL POLY HUMBOLDT PRO-PALESTINE RALLY CONFRONTED BY RIOT POLICE:
ORIGINAL FOOTAGE OF PROTEST FROM WITHIN SIEMANS HALL, AT CAL POLY HUMBOLDT
Not seeing anything above? Reauthenticate
April 22, 2024:
April 22, 2024:
FROM INSIDE THE PROTEST ON THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, I HAD A CLEAR VIEW OF THE TENSE STANDOFF FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF STUDENT PROTERSTERS.
PLAYLIST: All Humboldt Freelance VIDEO FOOTAGE and interviews from campus, April 22 - 30, 2024 plus follow-up interviews and rally footage
Humboldt County Courthouse Under the Microscope: UPDATES
MAY 30, 2024:
Unscrupulous Judge Kreis agrees to statement of fact as to each allegation, resigns in disgrace.
May 6, 2024:
Activist DA is accused of bias, while his office processes dozens of pro-Palestine protesters.
PROTEST NEWS: Ongoing anti war rally draws District Attorney Roger Rees to protest the pro-Palestine rally
July, 2024: Humboldt for Palestine rally at the courthouse
June, 2024: pro-Israel protesters in my face at Courthouse rally
August, 2024: Continued protests for Palestine go from weekly to last Friday of the month in Eureka
March, 2024: Continued protesting and demand for a ceasefire outside the county courthouse
March, 2024: A double rainbow brings joy to the Free Palestine rally in Eureka at stormy protest
JANUARY, 2024: Interview with Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees
Despite concern for tarnishing the office's public reputation, DA Rees has been seen each weekend, often solo, protesting opposite the Humboldt for Palestine Ceasefire demonstration.
JANUARY, 2024: Weekly Pro-Palestine Rally Protested by local District Attorney
MARCH 30, 2024:
2023 WIDMARK SHOOTING called into question by defense attorney, looking for a change of venue in case with officer-involved shooting.
WARNING:
Viewer discretion advised.
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.
2024 LOCAL ELECTION: The Judge's Race Controversy
UPDATE:
April Van Dyke unseats Judge Greg Kreis in a surprising upset, walking away with a solid 56% of the vote.
It remains to be seen if Judge Kreis will see his term through to the end of the year, or resign or retire early. Seeing that the Commission on Judicial Performance is at liberty to remove him from the bench if they so choose, Kreis would not be the first Judge to simply preempt that possible outcome by leaving the position early.
MARCH 4, 2024:
PRESIDING JUDGE GREGORY J. KREIS Responds to Allegations of misconduct on eve of election, input from challenger Van Dyke, DA Stacey Eads, and more...
Judge Kreis, at the 2019 SHASTA LAKE "ANTLERS" CAMPOUT PARTY
COUNT ONE: Response
"Taking a yellow towel, Mr. Hoine fashioned a "bra" and put it on the Judge. Admittedly, Ms. Kalin was on the pontoon boat and the color of the towel happened to match her swimsuit, but it is denied that Mr. Hoine or the Judge did anything to mock anyone, including Ms. Kalin."
- RESPONDENT'S VERIFIED JUDGE GREGORY J. KREIS ANSWER TO NOTICE OF FORMAL PROCEEDINGS
FILED 2-23-24
FEBRUARY 18, 2024:
Write-in candidate WATSON makes late bid for Humboldt Superior Court Judgeship
February 18, 2024:
Challenging the incumbent Judge, Van Dyke offers this response to the Judicial Council filing asserting Kreis has abused his authority on the bench.
FEBRUARY 7, 2024:
Judge Gregory Kreis can RUN, but he cant hide from the CJP's Investigation into Ethics Violations
As mail-in ballots are rolling in, the Judge's election in Humboldt County is heating up.
Challenger April Van Dyke is running against the embroiled incumbent, Judge Gregory Kreis, for Superior Court Judge.
January 26, 2024:
District Attorney Roger Rees offers Response to complaint on DA office
February 6, 2024:
"PLAUSIBLE GENOCIDE" & US Conflict of Interest Discussed
February 2, 2024:
HUMBOLDT FOR PALESTINE on Power of Protests, & News to follow
December 22, 2023:
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
COURTHOUSE NEWS: FAMILY LAW MEDIATOR ARRESTED AND SENTENCED - BUT NO LONGER IN JAIL!
Family Court Mediator Joseph Hale ARRESTED
CA PC 647j2
INVASION of PRIVACY
In 2012, Hale was let go from his Humboldt County job at Child Welfare Services (CWS). According to a staff member with the county’s Human Resources office, he was “terminated” for reasons they were not at liberty to divulge. The staff member did confirm that Hale was previously employed as a social worker at CWS, but that he does not currently work for the county’s Department of Health and Human Services which oversees CWS.
LAWYER FACES POTENTIAL LOSS OF LICENCE:
JULY 24, 2023: Attorney Victor Campos is suspended, but was still practicing law at the time of publishing.
Mr. Campos declined to comment on the record when reached for comment by email.
UPDATE ON THE JOSIAH LAWSON MURDER CASE:
6 YEARS LATER, the Lawson's bring BLM organizers to meet Humboldt's new DA Stacey Eads
Charmaine Lawson teases a bid for public office, and brings Black Lives Matter to Humboldt while lobbying the District Attorney's office in her son's murder case...
INTERVIEW with Charmaine Lawson, mother of the victim, on the 6 YR anniversary - on evidence and new meeting with the District Attorney
6 YR memorial in Arcata, CA
SANCTIONS DENIED: Zoellner LOSES again in SF
Charmaine Lawson was not surprised that Zoellner's request for attorney's Fees was denied buy the judge who also found there to be probable cause in the arrest of Zoellner in the case of Lawson's homicide, back in 2017.
October 18, 2022:
A Federal Judge in SF Found Probable Cause VALID in Original Arrest of Zoellner for the Alleged Homicide of Josiah Lawson in 2017.
October 12, 2022:
Kyle Zoellner awarded $750,000 in damages after jury in SF finds Arcata Police Officer Eric Losey and City of Arcata liable for falsifying evidence - while a judge weighs the merits of the original arrest of Zoellner as a suspect in the 2017 homicide of David Josiah Lawson, a criminal justice student at Humboldt State University.
"It's not over," Charmaine Lawson told me after leaving the San Francisco courthouse...
Northern California MMIP Indian Country:
A law enforcement and native networking and data collection event was first of it's kind, anywhere.
Reporting live from the event in Blue Lake:
Yurok Tribal Police Chief Greg O'Rourke
Humboldt County Sheriff Honsal, Tribal Prosecutor Rosemary Deck, and MMIP investigator Olivera
Yurok Tribal Chairman, Mr. Joe James
FULL PANNEL Q & A - including Tribal Police, Mendocino Co, Shasta Co., Lassen Co., Del Norte Co., Humboldt Co., Modoc Co., and the DOJ.
October 4, 2022:
The first ever Northern California Tribal Policy Summit on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People hosted by the Yurok Tribe was a step towards increased community resilience and a leap of faith towards inspired policy-making that will improve interjurisdictional efforts to address #MMIW #MMIP in CA.
October 4, 2022:
Summit at the Arcata Community Center
During a lunch break at the summit for #MMIP, a song was well received and offered cultural healing for those natives in attendance.
In response to this AWARD WINNING reporting - TENTS, TRASH & TRAUMA in EUREKA - and reacting to the dire need of unsheltered during this epic storm season,
TENTS, TRASH & TRAUMA: PART 1
'WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO GO?' is the first article in the developing series TENTS, TRASH & TRAUMA which looks in-depth at the Homelessness issue in Eureka, starting here, with a flashback to Eureka's encampment removal in September of 2022, and the continuing effort to address trash removal from privately owned property.
ALL DONATIONS GO TO SUPPORTING THIS IMPORTANT WORK,
AND ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
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.
6.4 magnitude QUAKE ROCKS Humboldt County -
FEMA NOT COMING, STATE SUPPLYING RELIEF FUNDS, FERNBRIDGE DAMAGED BUT OPEN, OVER 70 FAMILIES DISPLACED IN RIO DELL ALONE...
Rio Dell residents are assisted by DHHS workers and local volunteers offering food, water, blankets and portable toilet access. from the Fire Hall .
Immediate Aftermath of 6.4 Quake - 3AM in Eureka:
BREAKING QUAKE UPDATES:
Eureka Road splits after 6.4 magnitude quake:
Supervisor Michelle Bushnell:
FEMA IS NOT COMING - DAMAGE DOES NOT MEET THE MINIMUM THRESHHOLD FOR FEDERAL AID
A Press Conference in Rio Dell
ABOVE:
Full press conference + local media Q & A, with Rio Dell City Manager Kyle Knopp.
November 2, 2022:
From Storage Warehouse to Healthcare Learning Lab, with $10 million to get the project done in 3 years...
I spoke with the new CEO of the largest healthcare employer in the county - Providence's CEO Darian Harris - about a load of money infused into local healthcare education... which may or may not translate into more local nurses on duty...
The latest on a staffing crisis at local Providence Hospitals:
Reasons cited by the Incident Command Center for halting elective surgeries:
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.”
AN EXCERPT:
Summing it up, she added, “So the ER has patients waiting for days for beds to become available,” and added, “Because there are no beds available in the hospital, they wait in the ER” (depending on the level of urgent care needed) sometimes for over 36 hours, “usually 2 days” this nurse told us, before either being offered a hospital bed, or deciding to leave “Against Medical Advice”.
SEPT. 24, 2022:
City of Eureka conducts homeless camp sweep in name of environmental protection - displaces dozens of people
"We eat like you! We drink like you! We sleep like you! We ARE you."
- Crystal Stewart, 9-24-22
Winter is coming... and so is a remodel for the Women & Children's Shelter in Eureka.
Tour and interview with Executive Director Bryan Hall, who oversees the Eureka Rescue Mission in Old Town, Eureka.
ROE v. WADE PROTEST COVERAGE:
October 2, 2022:
Life Chain, First Baptists took to the streets of Eureka to pray for an end to abortion & birth control, advocating for life at conception... and killing pedophiles at will?
"KILL YOUR LOCAL PEDOPHILE" vs. LIFE the first INALIENABLE RIGHT
June 24, 2022:
Humboldt raged with abortion rights rallies across the nation - while a local DA stood by and celebrated the SCOTUS decision rejecting 50 years of settled Supreme Court Law - ROE & CASEY, gone.
June 24, 2022:
HUMBOLDT EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AT THE DEATH OF ROE & CASEY AT THE HANDS OF THE SCOTUS
Ryan Hutson, reporting for North Coast Journal
May 4, 2022:
THE SCOTUS LEAK THAT SHOOK THE NATION...
Providence vs. Staff: Another union picket due to negligent business practices & patient safety concerns at St. Joes in Eureka
August 14, 2022:
As the Providence payroll debacle continues - we have confirmed via HUHW that the 207 staff members receiving a $500 payment were not affiliated with the NUHW or CNA, and therefore are not verifiable. Several interviews from the CNA informational picket on August 11th are reflected in the article below, published by Redheaded Blackbelt.
A response from St. Joseph Hospital was received following the publication of the Aug. 14 article, and is presented in it's entirety here:
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.
AUGUST 9, 2022:
A payroll fiasco of daunting proportions is impacting the regional healthcare landscape as caregivers are receiving incorrect paychecks or none at all...
THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED AFTER MORE THAN 6 WEEKS, AND AT LEAST THREE PAY CYCLES.
A response from Providence was received following the publication of the Aug. 9 article, and is presented in it's entirety here:
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.
MORE RALLIES & SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS:
INTERVIEW CLIPS ROE RALLIES IN EUREKA:
April 6, 2022:
March 6, 2022:
A rally for Peace in Eureka drew a large crowd.
February 1, 2022:
January 19, 2022:
LOCAL POLITICS: and the winners are....
HUMBOLDT COUNTY VOTERS DID THEIR CIVIC DUTY on JUNE 7TH
According to Final Post-Election Day results of June 24th, the declared local winners of county offices are...
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!
JUNE 7th, Voters in Humboldt
Total registered voters : 85,445
Votes counted : 33,645
Percentage of registered voters who cast a ballot this election = 39.38%
ELECTED: District Attorney, Stacey Eads
ELECTED: Superior Court Judge, Steven Steward
ELECTED: Auditor-Controller, Cheryl Dillingham
(I have yet to locate Dillingham in the wild, and therefore have no original photo here, so far...)
ELECTED: 4th Dist. Supervisor, Natalie Arroyo
ELECTED: 5th Dist. Supervisor, Steve Madrone
Humboldt's unprecedented and highly politicized fight to Audit and Control county finances was decided by voters following a long and contentious battle of number-crunching and finger-pointing, which culminated on June 7th in a landslide vote to replace the current elected Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez with a longtime county employee who previously worked in the A-C's office, and is reportedly coming out of retirement, Cheryl Dillingham.
June 6, 2022:
SOMETHING DOESN'T ADD UP:
Redheaded Blackbelt's article addressing the Grand Jury's report, another lawsuit served, and the Auditor-Controller's reaction to it all, just before the election...
June 3, 2022:
Friday's Auditor-Controller Press Conference in front of the county Courthouse was the biggest pre-election media frenzy of the season, and offered a range of feedback on accusations against the A-C Paz Dominguez.
Candidates for Superior Court Judge: McLaughlin & Steward each subjected themselves to a pre-election Fireside Q&A... (some chat was involved)
May 18, 2022: Deputy DA Steven Steward
Here, Steward addresses my question about any potential conflicts of interest in the courthouse...
Both candidates were asked the same questions.
May 18, 2022: Steven Steward at the Eagle House
Here, Deputy DA Steward responds to my question about differences between candidates...
May 18, 2022: Running for Judge, ready for Family Court!
Here, Steward talks about taking on the challenges of the Family Law department.
JUDGE CANNING OFFERS SCATHING LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
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)
Segment from my interview with Ben McLaughlin: Conflict on the bench? What about the Family Law court?
May 22, 2022:
Honorable Judge Timothy Canning's full letter to the Editor, as follows:
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
May 26, 2022:
Complete with Superior Court letterhead, here is Courthouse CEO's Letter regarding Judge Canning's concerns, addressed to local COURTHOUSE NEWS blogger, JOHN CHIV AT WORDS WORTH:
Deputy District Attorney, Steven Steward
Candidate for Humbolt County Superior Court Judge.
A photo of Steven Steward from our chat at the Eagle House, in Old Town, Eureka in May.
Attorney, Ben McLaughlin
Candidate also running for the elected position of Judge.
A photo of Ben McLaughlin from our chat at the Humboldt Bay Social Club, in March.
TIP: Individual interviews can be found on the INTERVIEW PAGE
ARTICLE EXCERPT:
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?
RACE TO BE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY - Acosta, Eads, & Kamada plead their case...
DA candidate Stacey Eads not pulling punches from the start of the forum, calls Kamada out on Billboards:
Candidates STACEY EADS, ADRIAN KAMADA & MICHAEL ACOSTA fielding unscripted questions from the public, moderated by Humboldt Association of Realtors.
May 11:
This was the #talktothehand moment that nearly derailed the DA Candidate's forum in Eureka... The full forum was livestreamed for Redheaded Blackbelt by Ryan Hutson.
HUMBOLDT HOMICIDE:
ONE WOMAN DEAD, AS POLICE SEARCH ARCATA FOREST FOR ESCAPED SUSPECT
April 4th:
ARRESTED IN SANTA CRUZ - ON THE RUN
Humboldt county Homicide Suspect Fled on Foot into Arcata Community Forest
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COVERAGE:
June 28, 2022:
DIRECTOR FORD RETURNS SURPRISINGLY, GETS A RAISE & MORE...
March 24, 2022:
AUDITOR CESURED BY BOARD, ABATEMENTS CONTINE AND CANNABIS STRUCTURES GOING DOWN
February 2, 2022:
February 8, 2022:
MAY 8, 2022:
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
UPDATES ON LOCAL MATTERS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE:
#MMIW RALLY in October 2021
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.
WHAT DID A REVIEW OF THE ARCATA POLICE'S WORK ON THE LAWSON CASE FIND? INCOMPETENCE.
COVID-19 REPORTING:
ARTICLE EXCERPT:
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.
January 12, 2022:
Local TV has never been this good...
Roe the Vote Rally:
"KEET contributor Ryan Hutson was there and spoke with participants about their timely concerns."
Ghost Guns in Humboldt:
"Ryan Hutson has a report on the recent Gun & Knife Show in Loleta."
Dr. Hoffman & COVID-19:
"Ryan Hutson brings us the details about Dr. Ian Hoffman's resignation."
Lawson Family Interview:
"We hear from Charmaine Lawson and others on the progress and setbacks for justice for Josiah Lawson."
FLASHBACKS: FUN TIMES, SURPRISES & MOMENTS OF GLORY...
Where two protests startled one another and caused a car accident...
DID I GET TOO CLOSE?
CA NAT. GUARD ON COVID DUTY DECEMBER, 2021
KING TIDE FLOODS HUMBOLDT BAY
Middle finger rallied!
Bayonet, too!
Yes. Yes, he did...
F' around & find out!