Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Eureka Schools Amends Property Exchange Agreement, Sets Escrow Deadline
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, Jun 4, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Eureka City Schools has entered into an amended property exchange agreement with a mystery developer looking to acquire its old Jacobs Middle School site that stipulates the parties should close escrow on the deal on or before July 11.
Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol seems to be back at the negotiating table for the old campus it had hoped to purchase and turn into its Northern Humboldt headquarters until the district, seemingly out of nowhere, entered into an exchange agreement with a newly formed company — AMG Communities-Jacobs, LLC — on Dec. 14.
CHP had not been included as an identified negotiating party in closed session agenda items regarding the Jacobs campus in the months immediately following the district board’s decision to exchange 8.35 acres of the Allard Avenue property for a small, residential property on I Street and a $5.35 million cash payment. But the district then resumed listing CHP as a negotiating party in April.
Superintendent Gary Storts said the district continues to work toward closing the exchange with AMG but the district remains in contact with CHP because it “has continued to express interest in the property.”
Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol seems to be back at the negotiating table for the old campus it had hoped to purchase and turn into its Northern Humboldt headquarters until the district, seemingly out of nowhere, entered into an exchange agreement with a newly formed company — AMG Communities-Jacobs, LLC — on Dec. 14.
CHP had not been included as an identified negotiating party in closed session agenda items regarding the Jacobs campus in the months immediately following the district board’s decision to exchange 8.35 acres of the Allard Avenue property for a small, residential property on I Street and a $5.35 million cash payment. But the district then resumed listing CHP as a negotiating party in April.
Superintendent Gary Storts said the district continues to work toward closing the exchange with AMG but the district remains in contact with CHP because it “has continued to express interest in the property.”
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
UPDATE: Pedestrian Killed in Last Week's Crash ID'd
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, May 28, 2024 at 5:26 PM
UPDATE:
The Humboldt County Corner's Office has identified the 66-year-old pedestrian killed May 22 as Eureka resident David Sprague, according to a news release from the Eureka Police Department.
The multi-car crash remains under investigation, the release states, and witnesses are being asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) at (707) 441-4300.
PREVIOUS:
The Eureka Police Department's investigation into a multiple-car crash on I Street yesterday that left a pedestrian dead and multiple people hospitalized remains ongoing, the department announced this afternoon.
According to a press release, EPD responded to a report of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision at around 1:45 p.m. yesterday in the 900 block of I Street, which was followed moments later by multiple reports of multiple collisions on I Street near Seventh Street.
A 66-year-old male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, and several people from involved vehicles were transported to a local hospital for treatment, the release states. The accident is being investigated by EPD's Major Injury/Fatal Traffic Investigation Team, with help from department detectives and evidence technicians.
According to the release, the cause of the crashes remains unclear, saying only that "it appeared a vehicles was traveling north on I Street, collided with the pedestrian in the roadway near Ninth Street, continued traveling north, collided with additional vehicles near Seventh Street, and then collided into a building."
Police are withholding the pedestrian's name until the Humboldt County Coroner's office notifies his family of his death. EPD asks anyone with information about the crash to call (707) 441-4300.
Find the full press release here.
The Humboldt County Corner's Office has identified the 66-year-old pedestrian killed May 22 as Eureka resident David Sprague, according to a news release from the Eureka Police Department.
The multi-car crash remains under investigation, the release states, and witnesses are being asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) at (707) 441-4300.
PREVIOUS:
The Eureka Police Department's investigation into a multiple-car crash on I Street yesterday that left a pedestrian dead and multiple people hospitalized remains ongoing, the department announced this afternoon.
According to a press release, EPD responded to a report of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision at around 1:45 p.m. yesterday in the 900 block of I Street, which was followed moments later by multiple reports of multiple collisions on I Street near Seventh Street.
A 66-year-old male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, and several people from involved vehicles were transported to a local hospital for treatment, the release states. The accident is being investigated by EPD's Major Injury/Fatal Traffic Investigation Team, with help from department detectives and evidence technicians.
According to the release, the cause of the crashes remains unclear, saying only that "it appeared a vehicles was traveling north on I Street, collided with the pedestrian in the roadway near Ninth Street, continued traveling north, collided with additional vehicles near Seventh Street, and then collided into a building."
Police are withholding the pedestrian's name until the Humboldt County Coroner's office notifies his family of his death. EPD asks anyone with information about the crash to call (707) 441-4300.
Find the full press release here.
Judge Kreis 'Censured and Barred' in Agreement to Close Ethics Case
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, May 28, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Former Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Greg Kreis has resolved the ethics complaint lodged against him by the Commission on Judicial Performance, admitting to 17 charges that he violated the code of judicial ethics and agreeing to be publicly censured, resign his position and never seek judicial office again.
Kreis, whose campaign to retain the seat he was appointed to in 2017 was rocked by the commission’s case against him and was soundly defeated at the polls in March, declined to comment when reached by the Journal.
The stipulation resolving the ethics case, which was approved by a unanimous vote of the commission, sees Kreis admit to 68 specific allegations of misconduct, though not the most salacious ones in the complaint initially filed against him.
“Much of Judge Kreis’ misconduct relates to his failure to disclose his relationships with seven attorneys; his familiarity with individuals involved in matters before him; or the extent of his relationships with the individuals, in at least 44 cases over which he presided,” the stipulation states. “This type of misconduct is serious. The purpose of California’s statutory disclosure requirements is to ensure public confidence in the judiciary. A judge’s persistent failure to comply with these requirements reflects an unacceptable lack of concern about the public’s perception of the integrity and fairness of the judiciary.”
Kreis, whose campaign to retain the seat he was appointed to in 2017 was rocked by the commission’s case against him and was soundly defeated at the polls in March, declined to comment when reached by the Journal.
The stipulation resolving the ethics case, which was approved by a unanimous vote of the commission, sees Kreis admit to 68 specific allegations of misconduct, though not the most salacious ones in the complaint initially filed against him.
“Much of Judge Kreis’ misconduct relates to his failure to disclose his relationships with seven attorneys; his familiarity with individuals involved in matters before him; or the extent of his relationships with the individuals, in at least 44 cases over which he presided,” the stipulation states. “This type of misconduct is serious. The purpose of California’s statutory disclosure requirements is to ensure public confidence in the judiciary. A judge’s persistent failure to comply with these requirements reflects an unacceptable lack of concern about the public’s perception of the integrity and fairness of the judiciary.”
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Crime / Education / Government
Cal Poly Readying to Turn Protest Police Reports Over to DA
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, May 21, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Cal Poly Humboldt’s University Police Department is wrapping up its criminal investigation into the week-long occupation of Siemens Hall by pro-Palestine demonstrators and associated vandalism, and expects to turn the case over to prosecutors tomorrow, a university spokesperson tells the Journal.
At least 33 people were arrested in association with the demonstrations on campus that began April 22 and prompted administrators to shutter the campus, threatening students, faculty and staff who violated the “hard closure” order with citation or arrest. While those arrested were booked into jail on suspicion of trespassing, resisting arrest and unlawful assembly, all have since been released from custody and Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads tells the Journal no charging decisions have yet been made, as she’s still awaiting investigative reports. Cal Poly Humboldt spokesperson Aileen Yoo says those will mostly likely be turned over to Eads’ office tomorrow.
At its May 7 meeting, the Cal Poly Humboldt University Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a resolution calling on Eads not to prosecute the students and professor arrested during the protests.
At least 33 people were arrested in association with the demonstrations on campus that began April 22 and prompted administrators to shutter the campus, threatening students, faculty and staff who violated the “hard closure” order with citation or arrest. While those arrested were booked into jail on suspicion of trespassing, resisting arrest and unlawful assembly, all have since been released from custody and Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads tells the Journal no charging decisions have yet been made, as she’s still awaiting investigative reports. Cal Poly Humboldt spokesperson Aileen Yoo says those will mostly likely be turned over to Eads’ office tomorrow.
At its May 7 meeting, the Cal Poly Humboldt University Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a resolution calling on Eads not to prosecute the students and professor arrested during the protests.
Friday, May 17, 2024
Cal Poly Humboldt Protester Featured on New York Times Podcast
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Fri, May 17, 2024 at 2:50 PM
A Cal Poly Humboldt student was among three people interviewed on today’s edition of the New York Times podcast The Daily, which discusses the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have gripped college campuses across the nation.
The episode, which includes some nuanced discussion of the protests, their inspiration and how they are viewed by students of various backgrounds, features three students, including 25-year-old CPH early child development student Jasmine Jolly, Mustafa Yowell, a student of Palestinian descent at University of Texas at Austin, and Elisha Baker, a Jewish student at Columbia University.
Jolly, who was raised and identifies as Jewish, talks about her family’s history of anti-war activism, her faith, her experience in local protests and how her views of the Israel-Hamas war might differ from those of her grandfather. The episode as a whole addresses the students’ opinions of the protests, as well as their conflicting views on the use of slogans like “Intifada” and “from the river to the sea.” It’s a conversation with more depth and nuance than typical coverage of the protests and worth a listen on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
An interesting post purporting to be an interview of an anonymous Cal Poly Humboldt protester also appeared yesterday on a website offshoot of a site urging people to boycott the New York Times, “divest” from writing for the publication and unsubscribe to the paper and its offerings. The interview touches on everything from the notion that Humboldt became the “militant front” of the campus movement and why students might have been “ready to fuck the school up” to how the original April 22 protest grew and what might come next.
Meanwhile, we’ll take this opportunity to point you back to a couple pieces in this week’s print edition: our cover story featuring an interview with Cal Poly Humboldt Chief of Staff Mark Johnson, and a views piece from a university professor defending the occupation.
The episode, which includes some nuanced discussion of the protests, their inspiration and how they are viewed by students of various backgrounds, features three students, including 25-year-old CPH early child development student Jasmine Jolly, Mustafa Yowell, a student of Palestinian descent at University of Texas at Austin, and Elisha Baker, a Jewish student at Columbia University.
Jolly, who was raised and identifies as Jewish, talks about her family’s history of anti-war activism, her faith, her experience in local protests and how her views of the Israel-Hamas war might differ from those of her grandfather. The episode as a whole addresses the students’ opinions of the protests, as well as their conflicting views on the use of slogans like “Intifada” and “from the river to the sea.” It’s a conversation with more depth and nuance than typical coverage of the protests and worth a listen on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
An interesting post purporting to be an interview of an anonymous Cal Poly Humboldt protester also appeared yesterday on a website offshoot of a site urging people to boycott the New York Times, “divest” from writing for the publication and unsubscribe to the paper and its offerings. The interview touches on everything from the notion that Humboldt became the “militant front” of the campus movement and why students might have been “ready to fuck the school up” to how the original April 22 protest grew and what might come next.
Meanwhile, we’ll take this opportunity to point you back to a couple pieces in this week’s print edition: our cover story featuring an interview with Cal Poly Humboldt Chief of Staff Mark Johnson, and a views piece from a university professor defending the occupation.
Monday, May 13, 2024
Crime / Emergency / Government
Sheriff's Office IDs Deputy Who Shot Suspect
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Mon, May 13, 2024 at 4:28 PM
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has identified the deputy who fatally shot a shooting suspect last month as Lt. Conan Moore, who remains on paid administrative leave.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Moore was responding to the scene of the report that a 75-year-old woman had been shot in Cutten and arrived to find Kevin Jeffrey Burks, who matched the suspect description, fleeing the scene. Burks reportedly then entered a residence, after which deputies set up a perimeter. Burks, 32, is alleged to have exited the home a short time later, "pointing a firearm in the direction of deputies." According to the Sheriff's Office, Burks "refused commands" before Moore shot him in the chest. He died about a week later in a local hospital.
The 75-year-old woman was transported to an out-of-area hospital for treatment for her gunshot wound and has since been released to a rehabilitation facility to undergo continued treatment, according to the release.
Moore has been with the Sheriff's Office for 15 years, according to the release, which is copied in its entirety below.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Moore was responding to the scene of the report that a 75-year-old woman had been shot in Cutten and arrived to find Kevin Jeffrey Burks, who matched the suspect description, fleeing the scene. Burks reportedly then entered a residence, after which deputies set up a perimeter. Burks, 32, is alleged to have exited the home a short time later, "pointing a firearm in the direction of deputies." According to the Sheriff's Office, Burks "refused commands" before Moore shot him in the chest. He died about a week later in a local hospital.
The 75-year-old woman was transported to an out-of-area hospital for treatment for her gunshot wound and has since been released to a rehabilitation facility to undergo continued treatment, according to the release.
Moore has been with the Sheriff's Office for 15 years, according to the release, which is copied in its entirety below.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
CPH Graduation at the Courthouse and the Casino
Posted By Jasmin Shirazian on Sun, May 12, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Cal Poly Humboldt graduating senior Angel Barker wasn’t expecting to receive her diploma at a casino.
“My high school graduation was a drive-thru in the parking lot because it was in 2020 at the beginning of COVID-19,” Barker said. “I was really excited to have my family see me walk across the stage at the Redwood Bowl. Graduating at a casino wasn’t what I expected at all.”
In lieu of hosting graduation at the Redwood Bowl in the wake of student protests over the Israeli-Hamas war and the subsequent campus closure, CPH decided to hold local commencement ceremonies at three different locations on Saturday, May 11: the Eureka Theatre, Eureka High School and the Sapphire Palace Event Center at Blue Lake Casino, with a schedule of ceremonies for different disciplines.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Crime / Emergency / Government
Man Shot by Deputy Last Month Dies
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Wed, May 8, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Kevin Jeffrey Burks, the 32-year-old man shot by a Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy on April 25 in Cutten, died Friday, May 3, the Sheriff's Office announced today.
Burks, who is alleged to have shot and injured a 75-year-old woman on Fern Street before police were called to the scene, was transported to a local hospital for treatment from the scene. According to the sheriff's office, deputies responding to a report of the initial shooting spotted Burks heading west toward Walnut Avenue and contacted him at gunpoint. He then reportedly fled into a nearby residence and emerged a short time later "pointing a firearm in the direction of the deputies," according to the press release. According to a press release issued the day of the shooting, Burk "refused commands" and was shot by a deputy.
The case remains under investigation by the multi-agency Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team and more information will be released after a forensic autopsy is performed, which is anticipated by the end of the week.
The Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information about the shootings to call it at (707) 445-7251 or its crime tip line at (707) 268-2539.
See the full release copied below:
Burks, who is alleged to have shot and injured a 75-year-old woman on Fern Street before police were called to the scene, was transported to a local hospital for treatment from the scene. According to the sheriff's office, deputies responding to a report of the initial shooting spotted Burks heading west toward Walnut Avenue and contacted him at gunpoint. He then reportedly fled into a nearby residence and emerged a short time later "pointing a firearm in the direction of the deputies," according to the press release. According to a press release issued the day of the shooting, Burk "refused commands" and was shot by a deputy.
The case remains under investigation by the multi-agency Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team and more information will be released after a forensic autopsy is performed, which is anticipated by the end of the week.
The Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information about the shootings to call it at (707) 445-7251 or its crime tip line at (707) 268-2539.
See the full release copied below:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
CPH University Senate Calls for Independent Investigation into Protest Response
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, May 7, 2024 at 8:39 PM
Meeting at the Arcata Community Center because the Cal Poly Humboldt campus remained guarded by police under a hard closure, the University Senate voted overwhelmingly this afternoon to pass resolutions calling on the Humboldt County District Attorney to drop all charges against students and faculty involved in the pro-Palestinian protests that caused administration to shutter campus April 27.
In a separate resolution also overwhelmingly passed at the meeting, the Senate called for an independent investigation into “events and related decision-making process that followed the April 22, 2024 student protest actions.”
In a separate resolution also overwhelmingly passed at the meeting, the Senate called for an independent investigation into “events and related decision-making process that followed the April 22, 2024 student protest actions.”
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Crime / Education / Government
Faculty Association Condemns Clearing of Campus; Lawmakers Call for Healing
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 3:57 PM
The Cal Poly Humboldt Chapter of the California Faculty Association has issued a blistering statement condemning the police clearing of Arcata campus last night that led to more than two dozen arrests, calling it "another dangerous escalation," while North Coast state legislators released a joint statement calling for unity and healing in the wake of the protests.
The faculty association, which had already passed a vote no confidence in CPH President Tom Jackson Jr. stemming from his handling of the protests that occupied a portion of campus for a week, strongly condemn the use of law enforcement to clear the occupied area of campus.
"Over the course of the last week, student protesters have continued to ask for negotiations with CPH administration, in order to have a peaceful resolution to the protest," the association press release states. "These are the actions of conscientious individuals working to end a genocide, not the actions of criminals as President Jackson and Sheriff Honsal repeatedly called the student-protestors. University communications describe this morning’s law enforcement action as 'necessary to restore order and to address the lawlessness and dangerous conditions that had developed,' though, the only danger was that imposed by the threat of police action. The statement further minimized the students’ brave actions to bring light to ongoing genocide by calling the sit-in a criminal activity and not free-expression or protest."
The association press release demands that law enforcement release all students and faculty arrested last night, that administration immediately reinstate students suspended for participating in protests and impose no academic sanctions, that barriers to campus be immediately removed and campus reopened/ that Jackson release a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire "taking note of College of the Redwoods President Keith Flamer's statement to President Biden, and that administrators who negotiated with students and led them to "believe there would be meaningful action on their conscientious demands" be held accountable.
North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Jim Wood, meanwhile, released a joint statement noting "this has been an extremely challenging week in Humboldt"
"Protesting peacefully in America is a fundamental, Constitutional right — it's what our nation is about and, let's be candid, protesting is part of the fabric of the North Coast," he said. "That said, there is a clear line and it starts and stops with destruction of school property, vandalism and antisemitic hate speech."
The lawmakers went on to note that this morning's enforcement action resulted in no reported injuries and the "situation ended peacefully." Damage estimates on campus, they say, land at more than $1 million.
"Let's be clear — it's going to take time to heal," they say. "Trust is earned, and it is going to take all sides coming together to have the difficult conversations needed to move forward. Cal Poly Humboldt must be a campus where all faiths and students of all backgrounds feel safe, respected, and included. This has not been the case for Humboldt's Jewish students and others over the past week.
“As protests continue in other parts of the state and nation, it’s important to remember that reasonable ideas don't have to be in conflict — we can call for hostages to be immediately released and mourn every single one of the thousands of innocent lives lost; we can condemn violent actions and call for peace in the region. We’re stronger as a community when we learn from our differences and where we’ve been, and move forward together.”
Read the full statements from the faculty association and two lawmakers copied below.
The faculty association, which had already passed a vote no confidence in CPH President Tom Jackson Jr. stemming from his handling of the protests that occupied a portion of campus for a week, strongly condemn the use of law enforcement to clear the occupied area of campus.
"Over the course of the last week, student protesters have continued to ask for negotiations with CPH administration, in order to have a peaceful resolution to the protest," the association press release states. "These are the actions of conscientious individuals working to end a genocide, not the actions of criminals as President Jackson and Sheriff Honsal repeatedly called the student-protestors. University communications describe this morning’s law enforcement action as 'necessary to restore order and to address the lawlessness and dangerous conditions that had developed,' though, the only danger was that imposed by the threat of police action. The statement further minimized the students’ brave actions to bring light to ongoing genocide by calling the sit-in a criminal activity and not free-expression or protest."
The association press release demands that law enforcement release all students and faculty arrested last night, that administration immediately reinstate students suspended for participating in protests and impose no academic sanctions, that barriers to campus be immediately removed and campus reopened/ that Jackson release a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire "taking note of College of the Redwoods President Keith Flamer's statement to President Biden, and that administrators who negotiated with students and led them to "believe there would be meaningful action on their conscientious demands" be held accountable.
North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Jim Wood, meanwhile, released a joint statement noting "this has been an extremely challenging week in Humboldt"
"Protesting peacefully in America is a fundamental, Constitutional right — it's what our nation is about and, let's be candid, protesting is part of the fabric of the North Coast," he said. "That said, there is a clear line and it starts and stops with destruction of school property, vandalism and antisemitic hate speech."
The lawmakers went on to note that this morning's enforcement action resulted in no reported injuries and the "situation ended peacefully." Damage estimates on campus, they say, land at more than $1 million.
"Let's be clear — it's going to take time to heal," they say. "Trust is earned, and it is going to take all sides coming together to have the difficult conversations needed to move forward. Cal Poly Humboldt must be a campus where all faiths and students of all backgrounds feel safe, respected, and included. This has not been the case for Humboldt's Jewish students and others over the past week.
“As protests continue in other parts of the state and nation, it’s important to remember that reasonable ideas don't have to be in conflict — we can call for hostages to be immediately released and mourn every single one of the thousands of innocent lives lost; we can condemn violent actions and call for peace in the region. We’re stronger as a community when we learn from our differences and where we’ve been, and move forward together.”
Read the full statements from the faculty association and two lawmakers copied below.
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