News

A "hypervirulent" new strain of fungus has been discovered in Oregon. It is unpreventable. It is airborne. It's killing people and animals. And it's headed here.

As much as this sounds like a setup to a cornball late-night sci-fi movie, this thing is (gulp) sci-fact. It's pants-wettingly real, folks. And according to a National Geographic story from earlier this month, this sucker is sticking around.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has identified 50 cases so far -- in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, according to the Earthfiles story linked above. Of those, 10 have proved fatal for a 20 percent mortality rate.

Before you get too freaked out, be sure to read the quote from Dr. Joseph Heitman wherein he assesses the danger as "uncommon or rare." On the other hand, he also says this fungal assassin can travel great distances on car tires. That's some Cape Fear shit.

It's that time again. The latest round of campaign finance disclosure forms have arrived, minus one from Paul Gallegos, who hadn't filed by the time the Election's Office closed Thursday night. Below is a taste of the financial madness, primarily focusing on major contributers for each candidate. By this point, the lines are drawn and the typical players are rallying behind one candidate or another.

Look for a more in-depth analysis in next week's Journal.

Supervisor, Fifth District

 

Ryan Sundberg

• Current Cycle Cash: $26,268.44

• Total Cash: $82,518.44

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $15,140

• Total Non-Monetary: $15,157.43

• Total Contributions: $97,675.93

• Current Cycle Expenses: $73,824.90

• Total Expenses: $100,080

Sundberg maintains his financial superiority in the Fifth District race. He received eight contributions of $1,000 or more this cycle: $1,500 from North Coast Fabricators, Harvey Harper Co., Lundblade & Co. and the Humboldt Builders' Exchange PAC, along with $1,000 bumps from Jackie Saunderson (St. Joseph's Hospital nurse), Harry Hardin (Eel River Disposal), Ellen Mora (Humboldt Auction Yard), and Dennis Wend River Walk Property.

 

Pat Cleary

• Current Cycle Cash: $42,665

• Total Cash: $57,722

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $902

• Total Non-Monetary: $902

• Total Contributions: $63,624

• Current Cycle Expenses: $54,828

• Total Expenses: $60,667

Cleary was the largest cash earner of all the candidates this cycle (unless Gallegos changes that), yet he still, money-wise, is no where near Sundberg in funding. The most eye-widening contribution comes from the Blue Lake Rancheria, who hooked Cleary up this cycle to the tune of $15,000 ($20,000 total). Bill Pierson-owned Sedgefield Properties dropped $5,000, North Coast Horticultural Supply gave $3,000, and the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff's Organization threw down $1,500.

 

Pat Higgins

• Current Cycle Cash: $5,953

• Total Cash: $11,197

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $160

• Total Non-Monetary: $160

• Total Contributions: $13,357

• Current Cycle Expenses: $12,643

• Total Expenses: $16,897

Compared to Cleary and Sundberg, Higgins raised quarters, and he even threw in a few of his own -- $2,000 this cycle. Higgins also stated he wasn't planning on being active on the fundraising front. Most of his contributions were $100 to $200, except for three $500 ones which he got from his business partner William Keir, Danny Hagans, a geologist consultant from McKinleyville, and Greg Blomstrom, a professional forester from Fieldbrook.

 

Jeffrey Lytle

• Current Cycle Cash: $0

• Total Cash: $0

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $0

• Total Non-Monetary: $0

• Total Contributions: $500

• Current Cycle Expenses: $327.14

• Total Expenses: $1,978.62

Lytle was serious when he said he wasn't raising a dime. And he hasn't. But he is spending out his pocket, making him the only candidate to truly not take one donation from anyone, except for a loan last cycle from his company.

 

Supervisor, Fourth District

 

Bonnie Neely

• Current Cycle Cash: $23,162

• Total Cash: $73,130

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $19,325

• Total Non-Monetary: $34,950

• Total Contributions: $113,080

• Current Cycle Expenses: $40,215

• Total Expenses: $56,177

There was a big commotion by opponents of Neely about a fundraiser held in Sacramento back in April. There was this expectation that she would drawn in untold amounts of cash from out-of-area interests, such as a $10,000 contribution last cycle from Dana Point-based developer MPDSE, Inc.

Of the 36 reported contributions this cycle, 13 were from outside of Humboldt County, the largest of which was $1,500 from Thomas DeArth, a hydrologist from Ripon, CA, $1,000 from Congressman Mike Thompson's and Wes Chesbro's campaigns, Steven and Gillian Foster, of Venice (Lucky Strike Entertainment), and M. Keith and Cynthia Wadell, of Half Moon Bay (Robert Half International), as well as four $500 ones. Her largest contribution this cycle was $4,500 from Dee Atkins, manager of Ocean West in McKinleyville.

 

Jeff Leonard

• Current Cycle Cash: $4,057

• Total Cash: $6,501

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $2,485

• Total Non-Monetary: $2,769

• Total Contributions: $17,222

• Current Cycle Expenses: $6,250

• Total Expenses: $12,978

Leonard appears to have stayed true to his campaign promise of not relying on special interest money this cycle, but he did gain $1,500 from one Paul Shoen, of Glenbrook, NV. He is also floating $2,350 in loans and gained most of his cash through small contributions.

 

Virginia Bass

• Current Cycle Cash: $34,428

• Total Cash: $109,754

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $7,864

• Total Non-Monetary: $10,027

• Total Contributions: $119,781.03

• Current Cycle Expenses: $72,054.62

• Total Expenses: $94,236.75

There were four candidates that received money for their campaign in 2009: Downey, Neely, Sundberg, and Bass. Of all those candidates, Bass is the only one to disclose her 2009 figures with the rest. Don't take this as an endorsement, just sayin'.

Bass pulled in the most cash of all the Fourth District Supe candidates this cycle, and she also has the largest war chest of not only her competitors but all candidates in all races. She earned seven contributions of $1,000 or more this cycle: $4,000 from the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff's Organization, $1,499 from Lundblade & Co., and $1,000 bumps from Dennis Wendt Riverwalk Property, Sicily Benzinger (St. Joseph's Hospital Nurse), Jackie Saunderson (also a St. Joe's nurse), Eilenn Mora (Fortuna farmer), and Harry Hardin (President of Eel River Disposal).

 

District Attorney

 

Allison Jackson

• Current Cycle Cash: $37,548

• Total Cash: $51,222

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $8,714

• Total Non-Monetary: $8,714

• Total Contributions: $59,936

• Current Cycle Expenses: $48,131

• Total Expenses: $59,969

Without knowing what Gallegos pulled in, Jackson is leading the money game for the DA race so far. She got a few hefty sponsors this cycle: $6,500 from the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff's Organization, $4,125 from Harry Hardin (Eel River Disposal), $1,500 Kenneth Quigley (Father of deceased Nicole Quigley), Kathleen Alves (Assistant Manager at Adel's Restaurant), $1,000 from Jackie Sunderson (St. Joeseph's Hospital nurse), $975 from Nancy Cavanaugh (VP of Miranda's Rescue), and, perhaps most noteworthy, $500 from former DA candidate Worth Dikeman.

 

Kathleen Bryson

• Current Cycle Cash: $2,871

• Total Cash: $11,621

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $0

• Total Non-Monetary: $0

• Total Contributions: $17,137.11

• Current Cycle Expenses: $4,638.64

• Total Expenses: $22,703.50

Although Bryson dropped out of the DA race back on April 27, it's worth noting what she earned financially before that time. As with the cycle prior, most of her contributions came from givings under $100 a pop, all but $100 of the cash she got. Last cycle, she gained a whopping $8,450.

 

Paul Hagen

• Current Cycle Cash: $16,045

• Total Cash: $18,884

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $0

• Total Non-Monetary: $167

• Total Contributions: $42,392

• Current Cycle Expenses: $34,782.38

• Total Expenses: $39,319

During this cycle, Hagen took out a $16,000 personal loan, bringing his person contribution to $21,200. A relative, Lillian Hagen, also gave him $10,000 this cycle. Factoring in all other contributions, the vast majority of his funding comes from outside of Humboldt County. Another notable contribution this cycle is $1,000 from Thomas DeArth, a hydrologist from Ripon, CA.

 

Paul Gallegos

• Current Cycle Cash: $13,000 Known

• Total Cash: $20,093

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: Unknown

• Total Non-Monetary: $0

• Total Contributions: $40,093

• Current Cycle Expenses: Unknown

• Total Expenses: $16,197 Known

As of Thursday night, Gallegos was the only candidate who didn't file his disclosure forms. This is not to say that he blotched the deadline, because candidates can also have their forms postmarked today, so it could very well be in the mail.

That said, what is known through other disclosure forms is that the Blue Lake Rancheria dropped $10,000 into his coffers in April, and his wife, Joan Gallegos, gave him $3,000. But based on what is known, about half of the money in his war chest is from a $20,000 loan from a relative in Florida.

 

Assessor

 

Johanna Rodoni

• Current Cycle Cash: $32,303

• Total Cash: $53,776

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $6,100

• Total Non-Monetary: $6,100

• Total Contributions: $59,876

• Current Cycle Expenses: $33,888.55

• Total Expenses: $54,501.32

Rodoni continues to lead in money raised for the Assessor race. She, like Downey, racked in a large sum of cash from small contributions - $13,598. She also received large contributions from Harry Hardin of Eel River Disposal ($2,250), Humboldt Tea Party organizer Dorice Miranda ($900), Wendt Construction ($900), and Sequoia Gas Co. ($850).

 

Jon Brooks

• Current Cycle Cash: $24,908

• Total Cash: $30,781.45

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $4,389.16

• Total Non-Monetary: $5,110.84

• Total Contributions: $35.892.29

• Current Cycle Expenses: $36,861.27

• Total Expenses: $38,516.25

Brooks didn't plan on running a heavily funded campaign, but after seeing Rodoni's influx of cash last cycle, he had to break a few of his own rules. He gained a score of $100 or so contributions, but the big cash came from the Blue Lake Rancheria ($10,000), Dr. Ken Miller ($540), Clotille and Warren Brooks, of Gresham, OR ($500 each), the Hoopa Valley Tribe ($500), Buck Mt. Ranch ($500), I.M. Brock, of Hoopa ($500), and Patrick Murphy, owner of Murphy's Markets ($500).

 

Mari Wilson

• Current Cycle Cash: $2,495.50

• Total Cash: $5,287.50

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $464.46

• Total Non-Monetary: $2,919.74

• Total Contributions: $20,642.79

• Current Cycle Expenses: $13,312.12

• Total Expenses: $15,244.73

Wilson, the second-in-command in the Assessor's Office, isn't raising much cash, but she did drop a whopping $6,367 of her own money into her campaign. She also took out a loan from her husband, Craig Wilson, to the tune of $5,000. The only large contribution she got was from Erik Larsen, who works for Renner Petroleum, for $500.

 

Sheriff

 

Mike Downey

• Current Cycle Cash: $38,360

• Total Cash: $64,756

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $11,180

• Total Non-Monetary: $13,722

• Total Contributions: $78,478

• Current Cycle Expenses: $47,823

• Total Expenses: $70,824

Downey still maintains his financial support from the law enforcement community, but he also earned some cash from other places. His top contributer this campaign was the Blue Lake Rancheria for $5,000, followed by $3,000 from the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff's Organization, and $1,305 from Gwen and Steve Morris (owners of Morris Logging) . He also earned a third of his cash - a staggering $11,910 - from small contributions.

 

Mike Hislop

• Current Cycle Cash: $6,592.49

• Total Cash: $21,331.99

• Current Cycle Non-Monetary: $1,010

• Total Non-Monetary: $7,833

• Total Contributions: $29,164.99

• Current Cycle Expenses: $13,006.74

• Total Expenses: $20,967.44

Hislop earned a third of his cash this cycle from small contributions. He received three contributions over $500: $1,000 from Deborah Flint (Retired of McKinleyville), and $500 from both the Hoopa Tribe and Sonia Bauer (Mother of Harbor Commissioner Mike Wilson).

As regards our earlier correction regarding Kinetic (non)debauchery at Crab Park: We see now how that mistake was made.

In short, it must have been a completely different pyrotechnic party that we attended at Crab Park last year during the Kinetic Sculpture camp-out. While the riders were down the beach, tucked snugly in their sleeping bags, this gang of imposters burned up everything in sight:

We got a note from the President of the Kinetic Universe this morning taking issue with several things in a short piece in this week's Journal on the Kinetic Grand Championship Sculpture Race, specifically, regarding Sunday night activities in Crab Park on Cannibal Island. (Apparently we were ratted out by KHUM.)

Our correspondent wrote of the island,  "Once there, a 'racers-only' night of mandatory camping and debauchery that I can't discuss here ensues. Usually, lots of things get set on fire. (If you want, you can try and bribe your way into Sodom, at your own peril.)"

The President of the Universe writes, "I'm not sure where the information came from in there, but Crab Park certainly has no debauchery (emphasis added) or 'things getting set on fire.' The fire, specifically, could prevent us from ever getting to use Crab Park again, so we wouldn't do that."

We certainly did not mean to imply that Kinetic people are pyromaniacs or that uncontrolled campfires would be allowed -- they are not -- but it is not a no smoking zone, and at least in the past, dragons that breathe fire have been present. 

What else goes on? We were discreet and did not offer examples.

The Prez suggets, "That night is closed to the public so that the racers can roll across the Day 2 finish line, have a nice meal and get plenty of sleep for the next day's slough crossing and final finish line in Ferndale."

Sleep? To paraphrase a veteran racer, "That's for sissies."

As to bribing your way in, we're told it will not work. The Prez emphasized, "No amount of bribery will get general public into Crab Park... our security team knows that no one without the special wristband can get in."

In closing, we'll add a reminder that having fun is mandatory on Kinetic weekend, and suggest that taking yourself too seriously should also be discouraged.

Mad River Community Hospital, United Indian Health Services and Pacific Union school are currently on lockdown, following reports of a man with a gun at the hospital. APD officers, backed up by other area law enforcement, are on the scene.

A KHUM listener sent the station audio of the robocall that went out to Arcata residents earlier today:

A Whitethorn woman cut her own throat with a butcher knife Saturday morning and may have died if not for the quick response of a sheriff's deputy, according to a Sheriff's Office press release.

Deputy Robert Hamilton arrived at a home on the 1200 block of A Rd. at about 9:30 a.m., responding to a call that a woman had barricaded herself in her bedroom with a butcher knife, the release states. When Hamilton arrived he found an intoxicated man seated in a chair who said the woman was "back there," gesturing toward the back of the house, the release states. As Hamilton approached the back of the house, the woman emerged from a bedroom, knife in hand, and took several steps toward the officer before retreating back into the bedroom, according to the release.

The release continues:

Deputy Hamilton ran to the door and heard gurgling noises coming from the bedroom. Believing that the woman had injured herself, Deputy Hamilton kicked the locked door open and entered the bedroom. ... [H]e saw the woman actively cutting her throat, causing deep cuts. Deputy Hamilton attempted to wrestle the knife from the woman but she continued to fight with him while [cutting] her throat.

The cuts were deep enough that they caused blood to spray as the woman coughed and breathed. Although covered in her blood, Deputy Hamilton got the knife from her and attempted to stop the bleeding while waiting for medical personnel to arrive. Deputy Hamilton applied direct pressure to the woman's injuries, at first with his hands and then using nearby towels.

The woman continued to fight with Deputy Hamilton until a second deputy arrived to assist him. Members of the Whitethorn Volunteer Fire Department arrived and continued first aid efforts until the woman was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

That hospital was Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville, according to Sheriff's Office spokesperson Brenda Godsey. The woman was later flown out of the area for surgery and further treatment.

A woman who answered the phone at Jerold Phelps Hospital said that due to patient confidentiality, she could not reveal the woman's condition or say where she was taken. Although exposed to blood, Deputy Hamilton was uninjured, according to the release.

Sheriff Gary Philp commended Hamilton's actions, calling it a "life-saving performance."

UPDATE (with photo): Maniaci (yes, his name contains the word "maniac") is being held on $250,000 bail.

This just in from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office:

Last Friday morning, Humboldt County Sheriff's Detectives arrested a Phillipsville man after serving a search warrant at his house and finding child pornography. The case originated when a juvenile disclosed that he had been sexually assaulted by the suspect, Charles Philip Maniaci, 57. After further investigation, the Sheriff's Office was able to obtain a search warrant for Maniaci's residence on the 400 block of Spring Canyon Lane. The Sheriff's Office was assisted by agents from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force and Investigators with the District Attorney's Office.

Shortly after 7:00 a.m. Friday, when the search team arrived at the residence, they announced themselves several times and did not receive a response from the residents inside. Deputies forced the door open and found Maniaci inside; he was taken into custody without further incident.

Inside the residence law enforcement personnel found computers, cellular telephones, boxes and cases [of] DVDs containing child pornography.  They also found a hiding place under the house where additional child pornography material was hidden.

An indoor marijuana growing operation was also found at the property, with 611 growing marijuana plants.

Maniaci was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on charges that included forcible lewd act upon a child, lewd or lascivious on a child under 14 (2 counts), distributing child pornography, sending or selling child pornography, and possession of child pornography. His bail has been set at $250,000 and he is expected to be arraigned by Wednesday. 

 

"Kevin L. Hoover (is) an existential hero, the last moral man in a corrupt universe, walking the semi-corrupt streets of Arcata, observing without judging, until he decides the hell with it, I'm going to judge."

-- John Carroll, San Francisco Chronicle

In case you missed some or all of last night's roundtable discussion with three of the four candidates for Fifth District Supervisor on KHUM, here it is, courtesy of the station's dollar-store Web cam: