Friday, March 1, 2019
UPDATE: Man Who Drowned in Eel River Flooding Identified
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Fri, Mar 1, 2019 at 2:12 PM
UPDATE:
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who drowned in the Eel River's floodwaters Wednesday night as Benito Nunez-Rodriguez, 35, of Ferndale.
PREVIOUSLY:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has released the details of last night’s rescue effort in the flood waters of the Eel River, which was unable to save a man who’d tried to walk through 4 to 5 feet of water to his home.
According to a press release, the Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to a residence in the 800 block of Sage Road in Ferndale on a report of a man who’d been overtaken by flood waters and three people trapped inside a tractor.
The deputies learned that the man had left a barn at about 7 p.m. and attempted to walk through the flood waters to his nearby home. He then became “distressed by the fast moving current” and two adults and a juvenile attempted to rescue him with the tractor.
But the tractor stalled in the high flood waters before it could reach the man, stranding the three people inside, who soon lost sight of the man they were trying to save. Once on scene, deputies also learned that three more juveniles were inside a nearby residence, stranded by the floodwaters.
The Sheriff’s marine unit, search and rescue posse and the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department all responded to conduct a rescue effort. The marine unit was able to reach the tractor and successfully ferry the three people trapped inside to safety, as well as the three juveniles in the residence.
A Coast Guard helicopter also responded to search for the missing man but, due to dangerous conditions, the search was suspended shortly before 11 p.m. Deputies resumed the effort this morning, and found the man dead. The release does not specify where.
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is withholding the man’s name until his family can be notified of his death.
Editor's Note: This story was updated to correct an error regarding the time that search efforts were suspended. The Journal regrets the error.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
UPDATE: EPD Recommends Manslaughter Charge in Fatal Hit and Run
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Thu, Feb 28, 2019 at 2:53 PM
UPDATE:
Eureka Police Det. Ricahrd Bise tells the Journal that the report he forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office in the case recommends charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit and run.
Bise, the lead investigator in the Dec. 13 hit and run crash that killed 29-year-old Michael Kenneth Pohl, declined to discuss how EPD was able to link a suspect to the fatal crash, saying he wanted to “leave that out until the DA reviews the case.”
PREVIOUSLY:
The Eureka Police Department says it has identified the driver involved in a December hit and run crash that left a 29-year-old man dead on the greenbelt along the side of U.S. Highway 101 just north of V Street.
But EPD has not yet made an arrest in the case, according to a press release, and has instead submitted its investigation to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review. The department isn’t releasing any further details at this time.
Michael Kenneth Pohl, a transient who had been living in the area, was found dead Dec. 14 near the creek that drains into Eureka Slough in a greenbelt along the east side of U.S. Highway 101 North. It appeared at the time that whatever vehicle hit Pohl had traveled at least 10 yards off the freeway, down an embankment and onto the bank of the creek before returning to the freeway.
The day Pohl’s body was found, police said they believed the crash may have happened the prior evening — around 7 p.m. — and involved a dark-colored SUV that most likely would have been left with front-end damage to its passenger side.
Trinidad Rancheria’s Plans to Put the Harbor into Federal Trust Raise Concerns as Key Hearing Nears
Posted By Elaine Weinreb on Thu, Feb 28, 2019 at 12:40 PM
In January of 2000, the Trinidad Rancheria purchased the rundown pier in the town harbor, along with nine adjacent parcels of commercial land, including a boat launch, bait shop, vacation rental and the Seascape Restaurant from a private owner. With the help of several state and federal grants, the Rancheria replaced the rotting wood pier with a concrete and steel dock. It also replaced the Seascape's septic system, constructed two public restrooms, removed the illegal fish cleaning station at the pier and installed a stormwater capture and treatment system for runoff from the pier, improving the water quality in Trinidad Bay.
The Trinidad Pier is more than just a quaint and picturesque addition to the landscape. It services a fleet of commercial winter crab fishing vessels, as well as numerous year-round commercial and sport businesses. It also contributes heavily to the city's economic base.
The Rancheria, located a half mile south of the city of Trinidad on Scenic Drive, has generally been seen as a good neighbor. In addition to the harbor improvements, it resurfaced a mile of decaying road on Scenic, and has taken on the responsibility of being the designated shelter in the event of an emergency.
But over the past two years, the Rancheria has been doing something that is raising eyebrows in Trinidad. It has petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place its harbor property into federal trust, which would effectively remove it from the city's jurisdiction.
The Trinidad Pier is more than just a quaint and picturesque addition to the landscape. It services a fleet of commercial winter crab fishing vessels, as well as numerous year-round commercial and sport businesses. It also contributes heavily to the city's economic base.
The Rancheria, located a half mile south of the city of Trinidad on Scenic Drive, has generally been seen as a good neighbor. In addition to the harbor improvements, it resurfaced a mile of decaying road on Scenic, and has taken on the responsibility of being the designated shelter in the event of an emergency.
But over the past two years, the Rancheria has been doing something that is raising eyebrows in Trinidad. It has petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place its harbor property into federal trust, which would effectively remove it from the city's jurisdiction.
McKinley is Off the Plaza
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Thu, Feb 28, 2019 at 9:25 AM
With little fanfare and under a cloak of darkness before dawn this morning, the statue of President William McKinley was removed from the center of the Arcata Plaza, where it had stood for more than a century.
Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer said city staff, having received direction from the city council Feb. 20 to move forward as expeditiously as possible with the removal, seized a brief break in the rain this morning. Diemer said she and a work crew arrived at the plaza around 4 a.m. to determine if conditions were safe enough to remove the the nearly 9-foot-tall bronze and decided to give it a try.
She said it took about an hour to get a crane into position and at about 5:30 a.m., McKinley was harnessed up and the crane made the first attempt to lift it off its roughly 26-ton granite pedestal. It came off easily, Diemer said, and staff was able to lower it safely and securely into the back of a city truck. From there, it was driven to a city corporation yard, where it sits now.
Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer said city staff, having received direction from the city council Feb. 20 to move forward as expeditiously as possible with the removal, seized a brief break in the rain this morning. Diemer said she and a work crew arrived at the plaza around 4 a.m. to determine if conditions were safe enough to remove the the nearly 9-foot-tall bronze and decided to give it a try.
She said it took about an hour to get a crane into position and at about 5:30 a.m., McKinley was harnessed up and the crane made the first attempt to lift it off its roughly 26-ton granite pedestal. It came off easily, Diemer said, and staff was able to lower it safely and securely into the back of a city truck. From there, it was driven to a city corporation yard, where it sits now.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Rescue Operation Underway in Flooded Eel River
Posted By Kym Kemp on Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 9:57 PM
There is a rescue operation underway in the floodwaters of the Eel River, where a rescue boat has responded to reports of multiple people on a tractor, according to scanner traffic and reports from people at the scene.
The incident was first reported at 7:45 p.m. and, at 8:25 p.m., a responding officer reported being able to see but not reach the tractor and that one person was in the water. At 9:20 p.m., it was reported that a rescue boat was in the water and at 9:26 p.m., reports of the scanner indicated that several children on the tractor had been rescued but the "husband" was still in the water.
Initially reports were that there were three to four people on the tractor and one in the water, and that the U.S. Coast Guard was responding to the scene.
We'll update this post as more information becomes available.
A version of this story was first posted at www.kymkemp.com and is reprinted here with permission.
The incident was first reported at 7:45 p.m. and, at 8:25 p.m., a responding officer reported being able to see but not reach the tractor and that one person was in the water. At 9:20 p.m., it was reported that a rescue boat was in the water and at 9:26 p.m., reports of the scanner indicated that several children on the tractor had been rescued but the "husband" was still in the water.
Initially reports were that there were three to four people on the tractor and one in the water, and that the U.S. Coast Guard was responding to the scene.
We'll update this post as more information becomes available.
A version of this story was first posted at www.kymkemp.com and is reprinted here with permission.
Record Rain Wreaking Havoc on Humboldt
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Roads are flooding, rivers are rising and the Coast Guard is urging boat owners to check on their vessels in the wake of record rainfall over the last two days that has inundated the region.
According to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, the local Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Fortuna Fireman’s Pavilion, located at 9 Park St., “for residents impacted by flooding to receive information about resources available.”
The center is slated to remain open until 4 p.m. but that may be extended depending on need.
The Eel River is expected to reach 53.2 feet in Scotia around 3 p.m. and to hit 25.7 feet around 4 p.m. today at Fernbridge, the later a height that hasn’t been seen since February of 1986, according to NOAA historic records. The bridge has been closed since this morning due to flooding on Highway 211.
According to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, the local Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Fortuna Fireman’s Pavilion, located at 9 Park St., “for residents impacted by flooding to receive information about resources available.”
The center is slated to remain open until 4 p.m. but that may be extended depending on need.
The Eel River is expected to reach 53.2 feet in Scotia around 3 p.m. and to hit 25.7 feet around 4 p.m. today at Fernbridge, the later a height that hasn’t been seen since February of 1986, according to NOAA historic records. The bridge has been closed since this morning due to flooding on Highway 211.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Hinson Guilty of Manslaughter in SoHum Beating Death
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Tue, Feb 26, 2019 at 5:35 PM
William Lamar Hinson III was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter “with the special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon” in the 2015 killing Khan Lam in Garberville, according to a press release sent by the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.
Lam, 37, was involved in a physical altercation with a family member in downtown Garberville on July 18, 2015. Suddenly, four men, including Hinson, confronted Lam and started chasing him, leading to a head injury. Lam was sent to Garberville’s Jerold Phelps Community Hospital, then to a hospital out of the area to be treated for a brain injury when he was later taken off life support by his family.
It was first reported that Lam had fallen while being chased but his autopsy report stated his injuries were inconsistent with a fall, spawning the homicide investigation. The press release says that Hinson struck Lam on the head using a board, fracturing his skull.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigation resulted in Hinson’s arrest in late 2016.
“The prosecution of Mr. Hinson relied on several witnesses willing to come forward, speak with law enforcement and ultimately testify at trial,” the press release said.
Lam, 37, was involved in a physical altercation with a family member in downtown Garberville on July 18, 2015. Suddenly, four men, including Hinson, confronted Lam and started chasing him, leading to a head injury. Lam was sent to Garberville’s Jerold Phelps Community Hospital, then to a hospital out of the area to be treated for a brain injury when he was later taken off life support by his family.
It was first reported that Lam had fallen while being chased but his autopsy report stated his injuries were inconsistent with a fall, spawning the homicide investigation. The press release says that Hinson struck Lam on the head using a board, fracturing his skull.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigation resulted in Hinson’s arrest in late 2016.
“The prosecution of Mr. Hinson relied on several witnesses willing to come forward, speak with law enforcement and ultimately testify at trial,” the press release said.
EPD Investigating Man's Death as a Homicide
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, Feb 26, 2019 at 3:29 PM
The Eureka Police Department is investigating the death of a 64-year-old man found dead in an E Street apartment Feb. 22 as a homicide.
Authorities are releasing few details, including the cause of Raymond Prudhomme’s death, which was determined during a Feb. 23 autopsy. According to a release, no suspects have been “identified at this time.”
“This is an ongoing investigation and information will be released as appropriate,” the release states.
Authorities are releasing few details, including the cause of Raymond Prudhomme’s death, which was determined during a Feb. 23 autopsy. According to a release, no suspects have been “identified at this time.”
“This is an ongoing investigation and information will be released as appropriate,” the release states.
Monday, February 25, 2019
With Wet Week Ahead, Flood Warnings Issued
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Mon, Feb 25, 2019 at 11:22 AM
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch advisory as rainfall is expected to continue to hit most of Humboldt County today and into tomorrow morning.
With continuous rainfall forecast today through tomorrow morning, rivers are rising, and roads with poor drainage and low-lying areas are also at risk of flooding, according to Kathleen Vontos at the National Weather Service office in Eureka.
This weekend, Humboldt County saw heavy rain with totals of 4 to 6 inches at Cape Mendocino, 3 inches in Eureka and southern Humboldt. The Humboldt Bay area saw 1 to 2 inches. Rainfall is expected to slow down Wednesday before picking up again Thursday. Lighter rain is expected Friday. Vontos said the rain system has a weird pattern so it is hard to pinpoint exactly how much rain will hit the North Coast.
Most rivers will rise to their highest points and recede throughout today and again on Wednesday. Eel River will reach flood stage by tomorrow morning and again on Wednesday. Mad River Beach Road might see some flooding tonight, as the Van Duzen and Mad rivers will reach monitor stage.
Eel River will reach its highest point near 23 feet Wednesday, Vontos said, and surrounding areas will see flooding impacts at Eel River Delta.
The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is warning that the western half of the delta may be completely flooded Wednesday and issued a special action advisory to all livestock owners in low-lying areas. “These animals are at risk due to rising river levels, and appropriate action should be considered,” it said in a press release.
With continuous rainfall forecast today through tomorrow morning, rivers are rising, and roads with poor drainage and low-lying areas are also at risk of flooding, according to Kathleen Vontos at the National Weather Service office in Eureka.
This weekend, Humboldt County saw heavy rain with totals of 4 to 6 inches at Cape Mendocino, 3 inches in Eureka and southern Humboldt. The Humboldt Bay area saw 1 to 2 inches. Rainfall is expected to slow down Wednesday before picking up again Thursday. Lighter rain is expected Friday. Vontos said the rain system has a weird pattern so it is hard to pinpoint exactly how much rain will hit the North Coast.
Most rivers will rise to their highest points and recede throughout today and again on Wednesday. Eel River will reach flood stage by tomorrow morning and again on Wednesday. Mad River Beach Road might see some flooding tonight, as the Van Duzen and Mad rivers will reach monitor stage.
Eel River will reach its highest point near 23 feet Wednesday, Vontos said, and surrounding areas will see flooding impacts at Eel River Delta.
The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is warning that the western half of the delta may be completely flooded Wednesday and issued a special action advisory to all livestock owners in low-lying areas. “These animals are at risk due to rising river levels, and appropriate action should be considered,” it said in a press release.
101 Opened After Slide South of Crescent City
Posted By Kym Kemp on Mon, Feb 25, 2019 at 9:04 AM
U.S. Highway 101 between Klamath and Crescent City has reopened after a slide closed it last night about 8:50 p.m.
Caltrans District One tweeted almost exactly 12 hours later at 8:50 a.m., “US 101 OPEN, One-Way…Expect 15-20 minute delays.”
Crews worked through the night and early morning hours to get the road re-opened after the slide, which came down at milepost 14.9 in the failing 3-mile stretch of highway south of Crescent City know as Last Chance Grade.
Caltrans District One tweeted almost exactly 12 hours later at 8:50 a.m., “US 101 OPEN, One-Way…Expect 15-20 minute delays.”
Crews worked through the night and early morning hours to get the road re-opened after the slide, which came down at milepost 14.9 in the failing 3-mile stretch of highway south of Crescent City know as Last Chance Grade.
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