News

2/21: HSU's student-run radio station KRFH has made it into the Top 25 in mtvU's Woodie Awards voting in the category Best College Radio Station. I don't think I need to tell you what to do next, do I?

Be a good citizen and Rep Hum by voting HERE.

UPDATE 3/1: It would appear that y'all Humboldtians are good clickers! KRFH has reached the Top 10/Final Round of Voting! Which, of course, means that you need to knuckle down and vote for your local college radio station again  HERE.

From the Eureka Police Department:

The Eureka Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in 
locating a 50 year old woman named Esther Harris. Esther was reported missing by her father in January.

Esther has also used the last name of Cunningham and has a street name of "Miss Jo". Esther is about 5'06", 105 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. Esther was last seen in the Arcata area in November of 2011 with a man named Joe Byers.

If anyone has information on Esther Harris or how to contact Joe Byers they are urged to contact PSO Mary Anderson at (707) 441-4300 or dispatch at (707) 441-4044.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and visual approximation below:

      On 02-17-2012, approximately 8:00 p.m. a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy, assisted by two California Highway Patrol Officers conducted a probation search at 371 Phillipsville Road, Phillipsville after receiving information from citizens of possible drug activity occurring at the residence. When the officers arrived at the residence they contacted Steven James Ball, 64 years old who resided in the residence and who is on probation for possession of marijuana, along with Timothy Howard Hare, 64 years old who resides in Dyerville. A search of the residence was conducted and the officers discovered a sophisticated marijuana operation. Several of the residences bedrooms were being used to grow marijuana, and a hidden grow room was located in the basement, concealed by a trap door. Over 3,300 marijuana plants were located, including numerous clones, along with scales, packaging material and items consistent with sales of marijuana. Approximately three pounds of processed marijuana and over $3,000.00 cash was also located. Ball told the deputy he sells the marijuana clones.
      The Humboldt County Drug Task Force was notified and responded to assist in the investigation. Steven Ball was arrested for felony cultivation and sales of marijuana. Timothy Hare was arrested on three outstanding arrest warrants, one for theft of utilities, one for maintaining a drug house, and another for reckless driving.  Both were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Ball’s bail was set at $25,000.00, and Hare is being held without bail.
      Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or criminal related activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line 707-268-2539. If you live in the City Limits of Eureka the Eureka Police Problem Oriented Policing Unit can be reached at 707-441-4373

Meet the Sequoia Park Zoo's newest kid magnet Dorsie the porcupine!

I know what you cynics are thinking: "Ho hum, I swerve to miss hitting those things with my car all the time. Get me a freakin' rhino already!"

But this is when Dorsie's inspiring personal story sucker punches you in the cute receptor. You see, someone did hit her with their car. But the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center stepped in and nursed her back to health. Sure, she has some noticeable mobility issues, but zookeepers are hopeful that her condition will continue to improve.

When you take your kids to see Dorsie -- 'cuz you will -- be sure to sound smart by noting that her name is derived from the North American porcupine's scientific name Erethizon dorsatum. Learning!

Above: Dorsie occupying the old otter enclosure.

Just in time for the weekend comes some lazy-by-river reading (in case that spring-like weather returns): the California Department of Fish and Game's new proposed regulations for suction dredging!

Well, if you're an avid goldbug who's getting a little tired of the panning life, who misses the motorized dredge days, you might indeed find this required if not riveting reading -- the same goes for those of you who've long decried the potential for suction dredges to stir up fragile fish eggs and push the likes of green sturgeon and various salmon closer to the goodbye-forever brink.

(Read about the impacts of this long, bitter suction dredge battle on some indy, small-time dredgers on the Salmon River here.)

As you might recall, Senate and Assembly bills set a moratorium on suction dredge mining -- popular on the Klamath and Salmon rivers and myriad other rivers throughout the state -- from August 2009 to June 2016, during which period the state had to update its regulations for dredging and institute a fee structure to pay the costs of administering the dredge program, among other things. The last time they were updated was 1994, and a few species have been listed as threatened or endangered since then.

The state published proposed updated regulations last February. Today it released a new, revised version of those updated regs. Among the highlights: Last February the state proposed issuing 4,000 permits annually. The new regs say the state will issue 1,500 permits.

If you want to know if suction dredging is going to be allowed on your particular favorite waterhole, fire up the DFG's website. If you want to read copies of the regs in person, you can go to a DFG office in -- oh, what's this. Redding, Rancho Cordova and lots of other places far from Humboldt County.

The public comment period closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2012.

Due to circumstances beyond his control, specifically a cancelled flight out of Baton Rouge and the general dearth of planes flying into Humboldt County, pianist Anton Nel will not be performing at Calvary Lutheran Church tonight as scheduled. A somewhat distraught Pearl Micheli, organizer for the Eureka Chamber Music Series, apologized and asked us to help spread the word, adding, "We've never had this happen before." 

Plans are afoot for a rescheduled concert. We'll let you know when.

OK, if you're really good at this gig, you were up before dawn, shivering on the back porch in your Life is good® flannel jammies, listening for peeps in the dark. Or warm-up squawks...

"Hm, yes, Zonotrichia leucophrys, I believe I expected you," you muttered into the darkness. Damned sparrow had carried on all night. "Oooh, pine siskin, is that you passing through? Stop, stop!"

"Probably just a shopping cart, honey," your mate answered, rubbing sleep from his eyes. (Someone, put some sugar in his coffee.) "Or your asthma's flaring up!" He almost choked on his own funny. (Add arsenic.)

Chorrrrrtttlle, said the raven on the power pole.

But if you have no clue what we're talking about: It's The Great Backyard Bird Count. It started today, Feb. 17, and runs through Feb. 20. What is it? Say the bird people, it's:

"an event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It's free, fun, and easy -- and it helps the birds."

That's pretty much it. To learn how to do it, bone up on some bird stuff and grab a regional bird checklist to fill out, go to the GBBC site. Remember, your data entries are due March 5!

Now hop to it, Foghorn! (Er, that might not be the most helpful link.)

(From left to right: Brittany Lee Bryan (age 26 of Mckinleyville), Sarah Marie Nichols AKA Sara Scott (age 27 of Eureka), Adam Daniel Sundberg (age 32 of Mckinleyville), Douglas Albert Camilli (age 31 of Eureka), Douglas Clyde Camilli (age 57 of Eureka).

From the Eureka Police Department:

On 2/16/12, at about 11:46 AM, the Eureka Police Department received a report of suspicious persons in a vehicle (dark Toyota Tacoma) in an alley near Wabash and Williams Street.  The RP reported seeing two females and two males associated with apartment building moving marijuana to another vehicle (an apparent drug deal in progress).  One of the males was reported to have a handgun in his waistband.  EPD officers responded and found one of the described vehicles backed into a stall in the apartment building’s car port area.  As officers drove toward the vehicle all four occupants exited and began walking away.  The two males and two females, later identified as Douglas Clyde Camilli (age 57 of Eureka), Sarah Marie Nichols AKA Sara Scott (age 27 of Eureka), Adam Daniel Sundberg (age 32 of Mckinleyville), and Brittany Lee Bryan (age 26 of Mckinleyville) were detained without incident.   

It was learned that Douglas Clyde Camilli had four outstanding arrest warrants for contempt of court.  The driver of the vehicle, Adam Sundberg, was on felony probation with a search clause for assault with a deadly weapon.  Per Sundbergs probation status, officers searched the vehicle.  In plain view in the back seat was a loaded 9mm Hi-Point semi-automatic handgun. Officers also located a large plastic tub filled with bags of processed marijuana packaged for sale.  A total of 26 plastic resealable vacuum bags filled with marijuana were found in the tub (6 one pound bags and 20 ½ pound bags) weighing approximately 16 pounds in total.  Many of the bags were marked by weight and marijuana strain.   

The assistance of the Problem Oriented Policing Unit was requested.  POP detectives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.  Camilli was ultimately arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of marijuana for sale, being a convicted felon in unlawful possession of a loaded firearm, and for the several outstanding warrants.  Nichols was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where she was booked for possession of marijuana for sale and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place (vehicle).  Sundberg was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of marijuana for sale.  Bryan was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.  However, due to a serious medical condition she was not cleared for booking.  Bryan was cited and released with a court date.

Officers later discovered that Bryan had discarded and attempted to conceal approximately 3 grams of cocaine in the backseat of the patrol car in which she was transported.  An additional charge of possession of a controlled substance is expected to follow.   

Based on evidence and information gathered at the scene, investigators believed they would likely find more marijuana at Camilli’s residence on the 1000 block of Hodgson Street, Eureka.  POP detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant for Camilli’s residence which they served around 4:45 PM.  5 subjects (three adult males and two adult females) were detained at the residence.  4 small children were also present at the home (but did not live there).  While detectives completed their investigation, the children were temporarily released into the care and custody of uninvolved responsible relatives.   

Investigators subsequently located an indoor marijuana cultivation operation inside a detached garage behind the residence.  The grow appeared to have been recently harvested.  However, 136 small to medium sized marijuana plants in pots and trays were located in the grow rooms.  Investigators also located and seized approximately 5 more pounds of processed marijuana along with 7 large paper bags filled with dried marijuana plants awaiting trimming (likely representing a few more pounds of processed marijuana).  Additionally, investigators located further evidence of marijuana sales activity including a digital scale, numerous trimming shears, a vacuum sealer and heat seal bags.  Drug use paraphernalia, including a methamphetamine pipe, were also found in the house.   

Resident Douglas Albert Camilli (age 31 of Eureka, son of Douglas Clyde Camilli) was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of drug paraphernalia.   

An additional charge of illegal marijuana cultivation is expected for the owner of the property, Douglas Clyde Camilli.

The Eureka Police Department would encourage the public to phone EPD’s dispatch regarding in progress crimes at (707) 441-4044 or in progress emergencies by dialing 911.   

Anyone with information concerning suspected ongoing drug sales/criminal activity occurring in Eureka is encouraged to call the Problem Oriented Policing Unit at (707) 441-4373.

The Herald and News in Klamath Falls, Ore., has been publishing an ongoing "River Series" on the Klamath River dam removal and restoration agreements, and it's worth checking out the 77 entries to date. Don't worry, the reports are tasty little munchables, easy to digest in a split moment, some more informative and entertaining than others. (This link brings you to the first entries from Feb. 12; from there click "previous" to work your way to the present.)

The news team set about its task with a charitable, the-good-in-us mindset:

"Late in 2011, Herald and News reporters traveled up and down the Klamath River in search of stories that demonstrate how the people along the river are united. Though each section of river has its own personalities and problems, the water that stretches from Upper Klamath Lake to the Pacific Ocean brings all the regions together."

The reports range from historical fact sheets on each dam to colorful portraits of individuals from the upper basin on down to the mouth -- including portraits of goats in the Seiad Valley, ocean and river fisherfolk, potato farmers, a ranching family that still bucks hay by hand, a Hoopa Valley tribal member and more.

If you've drifted away from the Klamath dam-removal issue and want to be pulled back in painlessly, the HandN's up-to-date primer on the proposal and two agreements, in today's edition, is a decent place to start. (Then you can go re-read earlier in-depth reports in the NCJ, in particular one on the agreements by Hank Sims and another on upper basin farmers by Japhet Weeks.)

The team interviewed fishemen, tribal members, farmers, politicians, jet boat operators and more -- some who want the dams taken down, some who don't. In one part of the series, it asked folks: "If you could send a message to folks in other parts of the Klamath River Basin, what would you say?" Some snippets of answers:

"Decommissioning four Klamath dams is an enormously expensive, high-risk experiment ... Proponents point to the prodigious effort made in that regard. Siskiyou County is adamant that responsible thresholds are far from being met. Done in an absurd time frame, the EIR's papering over of unknowns, risks and costs makes a sham of the entire ordeal. ..." -- Jim Cook, Siskiyou County supervisor

"There was no analysis of the environmental, economic or social impacts before the natural wealth of the river was taken and redistributed to the Upper Basin. Since then we have seen tremendous losses to our commercial, recreational and tribal fisheries. ... The legitimate concerns voiced early on have been answered with objective data and analysis that clearly shows dam removal is good for jobs, good for ratepayers and good for salmon." -- Mark Lovelace, Humboldt County Supervisor

Check it out!

From the Arcata Police Department:

WARRANT SERVED ON WESTWOOD APARTMENT

Over the past month the Arcata Police Department has received information that a concentrated cannabis "hash" manufacturing operation was being run out of an apartment in the 1600 Blk of Foster Ave.

After a lengthy investigation, a search warrant was obtained for the residence.

On February 15th, 2011, officers from the Arcata Police Department served the search warrant on the residence. Upon entering the residence, officers located over two and a half pounds of hash and six and a half pounds of processed marijuana.

Twenty-seven year old Lance Christian Lorenzen of Arcata was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Jail on the following charges:
    •    11357(a) H&S- Possession of Concentrated Cannabis
    •    11359 H&S- Possession of Marijuana for Sale
    •    11357(c) H&S- Possession of Marijuana More Than One Ounce