Archives October 2007
Another Idiot Pot Grower Causes House Fire in Arcata
The room of a rental house was destroyed and a resident was treated for smoke inhalation when a fire broke out in a small marijuana grow.
Firefighters were called to the home on the 2200 block of Baldwin Street just after 9 a.m.
An unidentified man, who was the only person who was home at the time, was outside and covered in soot when officials arrived. Arcata Fire Chief John McFarland said the first thing the man said to him was that he grew marijuana.
Exactly how the fire started is not known for sure, but Arcata Police Capt. Tom Chapman said it appears one of the grow lights fell. Chapman agreed that the 215 grows are a problem in the city; not the fact that people can grow marijuana, but the unsafe growing conditions.
Citizens Want Action on Arcata 215 Grow Houses
The Arcata City Council is on the right track by exploring ways it can have a say in the proliferation and the safety of marijuana grows in the city. A task force has been proposed to recommend ways the land-use laws can regulate the location, size and operation of grows.
The owner of an Arcata medical marijuana dispensary told the city council on Oct. 3 that he had 5,000 customers, and his is not the only cannabis club in town. The spread of grows to every corner of Arcata also has wider implications than public safety, such as the destruction of neighborhoods, a squeeze on Humboldt State student housing, unsavory nighttime activity, and offensive smells.
Community Development Director Tom Conlon argues that a task force -- with as many as six to eight meetings -- would eat up a hundred hours of valuable staff time unnecessarily. On the other hand, Councilman Michael Machi notes that an eventual ordinance could affect as many as a third of all Arcatans, which makes community "buy-in" important.
Arcata Car Chase Ends in Utility Pole Crash; Power Out for Nearby Growers
ARCATA -- After leading Arcata Police on a brief chase through an Arcata neighborhood, Igor McGregor of Arcata, 18, flipped his car and struck a utilitypole, causing a power outage.
Police encountered McGregor driving at a high rate of speed on K Street Saturday around 7:45 p.m.. When police pursued, McGregor accelerated and turned into a residential area adjacent to the downtown area. McGregor struck several parked cars before hitting a curb and flipping his vehicle near K and 13th Streets, where it came to rest against a tree and a utility pole support-wire.
Most utility poles in Arcata serve power to at least a half-dozen nearby homes, and oftentimes a single pole can affect service to many more homes in the area. Given that, at minimum, 1 out of every 10 homes in Arcata is used primarily for indoor marijuana cultivation, this violent ending to a high speed car chase in town likely cut power to at least one big grow operation.
No affected indoor growers in the area could be reached for comments after the accident, making it hard to estimate the full extent of damage caused by McGregor's drunken car chase.
It Is Burglary Season In Eureka Again
In a short 48-hour period, EPD received reports of 5 vehicle burglaries, 4 business or residence burglaries, and 1 stolen car. Welcome to Eureka, Humboldt County's Crime Capitol.
Oct. 21
9:07 a.m. A resident in the 800 block of 17th Street reported a vehicle burglary.
11:31 a.m. A resident in the 2700 block of R Street reported a vehicle burglary.
3:41 p.m. A resident in the 800 block of 15th Street reported a residence burglary.
4:10 p.m. A resident in the 2900 block of G Street reported a vehicle stolen.
Oct. 22
7:04 a.m. A local business in the 500 block of G Street reported an attempted burglary. An unknown subject broke the main door and attempted to break through the second door. No entry was made to the business.
8:10 a.m. A resident in the 1900 block of Russ Street reported a vehicle burglary.
9:39 a.m. A local business in the 400 block of Fifth Street reported a burglary. Officers took a report of the incident, which remains under investigation.
9:41 a.m. A resident in the 2400 block of 23rd Street reported a vehicle burglary.
6:20 p.m. A resident in the 200 block of Henderson Street reported a residence burglary.
6:46 p.m. A resident in the 2000 block of Fairfield Street reported a vehicle burglary.
7:09 p.m. A resident in the 1800 block of C Street reported a residence burglary.
http://www.eurekareporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ArticleID=29907
Humboldt County General District Election Nov. 6, 2007
There are only two ovals to fill in on the November 6, 2007 Humboldt County General District Election. Please remember that every vote counts and that even though the ballot is very short, that doesn't make it less important!
In elections like this, voters need to do their research because some candidates are simply trying to get into any office they can, any way they can. Jake Pickering, for example, has run for numerous positions in Humboldt County ranging from Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District to Democratic Central Committee offices.
Stupid Arcata Pot Dealer Arrested in Montana Bust
The story of how James T. Ryan came to be arrested in Missoula, allegedly with 10 pounds of Humboldt County, Calif., marijuana in his possession, is one of bizarre coincidence and hapless luck.
Ryan, whose street handle “Reverend Slanky†once inspired a Missoula-based funk band, allegedly rented a room at the Doubletree Hotel on Tuesday, paying $1,200 in cash for a six-night stay, telling hotel management that he was employed by “Gathering Place Ministries.â€
As it turns out, the hotel employee is married to a Missoula police officer, and promptly called her husband about the suspicious transaction. She also reported seeing a black briefcase filled with cash, and said hotel management received two separate complaints about someone smoking marijuana in Ryan's room shortly after his arrival.
Police then obtained an address for Ryan, 26, in McKinleyville, Calif., located in Humboldt County, a center of marijuana growing and distribution that's part of an area known as the “Emerald Triangle.â€
So Missoula police pulled up the Web site for “Gathering Place Ministries,†which opens to a picture of Ryan and lists his e-mail as james@reverendslanky.com. The Web site promotes a “psychedelic†party and mentions the use of absinthe, a spirit that is classified as a controlled substance in the United States.
Then the detective pulled up a MySpace account for “Reverend Slanky,†which promotes a Missoula-based funk group, and links to another “Reverend Slanky†account belonging to a 26-year-old man from Humboldt County. That account's profile shows a man brandishing several colossal buds of marijuana.
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/25/news/local/news03.txt
Snoop Dogg in Concert Tomorrow, Eureka
It's not everyday that larger-than-life celebrities come to Humboldt County, but on October 25, legendary rapper Snoop Dogg will perform in Eureka. The show is presented in part by People Productions in an exclusive Humboldt appearance made by one of the most successful music artists of our time.
"People out there love Snoop Dogg. I spread love wherever I go, not just in big cities," said Snoop Dogg in a phone interview when asked why he's coming to Humboldt. "It's part of life."
Popular local hip-hop group Potluck is one of the opening bands. Local ticket venues include The Works, People's Records in Eureka and Arcata, Redway Liquors, Wild Horse Records in Garberville, and peopleproductions.net.
Hall said he thought it was obvious why Snoop was making a trip out to Humboldt County at this time of year for only one show. "If anyone doesn't know why Snoop's coming to Humboldt County," he said, "they're blinder than a bat."
http://media.www.thejackonline.org/.../Snoop.Dogg.Smokes.Humboldt...
'Humboldt County' Movie Coming Soon
The film is "a comedic drama that traces the journey of a lost young man as he discovers his identity among the last remaining relics of the hippie generation, nestled in the redwood forests of Northern California," according to a prepared summary.
The film’s writers/directors are Danny Jacobs and Darren Grodsky. The cast thus far is Jeremy Davies (“Saving Private Ryanâ€) as Max; Fairuza Balk (“Almost Famousâ€) as Bogart; and Peter Bogdanovich, who directed “The Last Picture .
Filming began in September of 2006 and reports have it that the movie is in post production stage at this time.
See the IMDB entry for cast list and more details.
Slow Driver Causes Serious Accident on Hwy 101, Injures 2
Just after 2 p.m., New Jersey resident Julie Ougheltree was driving south on Highway 101, approaching the Klamath Bridge, when she slowed down to less than 10 mph to take pictures of the golden bears at the entrance. A tractor trailer driven by William Watts, 27, of Eureka was unable avoid her car, began to jack knife and drifted into the northbound lane.
John and Marylin Woods were traveling northbound and were hit by the trailer. John Woods suffered major injuries. Marylin Woods injuries were minor.
This is just another instance where one person's self-centered and dangerous slow driving on a busy California thoroughfare endangered the lives of many travelers.
It is illegal and very dangerous to drive below the speed limit on any California highway or freeway. Please do not be as stupid as Julie Ougheltree from New Jersey. Do not slow down on any highway to take photos. Pull over and stop your vehicle, and always be aware of who is behind and in front of you.
Eureka Asia Market Central and Skate Shop is For Sale
The Asia Market Central just across Summer Street from the main Post Office in Eureka (Summer & Clark) is on the market!
Asia Market Central is supposedly the largest import Asian grocery and general store in Humboldt County, and is being sold for unknown reasons. Given the very high crime rates in the area of the main post office, its owners may simply be fed up with life in the ghetto and ready to move on the bigger and better things.
Mandy Keen, a transient who was found loitering at the bus stop across the street from Asia Market Central over the weekend, said she will miss the pretty colors and high traffic if the market closes down.
Mandy may not need to worry, however, because the Market's central location practically ensures it will continue to operate successfully for years to come if purchased by a competent business owner.
Arkley-Owned Security National to Pressure Humboldt County on Redundant Fiber Project
Is it possible that Mr. Arkley, in a fit of rage, may pull some strings or even consider funding a redundant fiber line to Humboldt County? Is an Arkley-owned Internet Service Provider in our future?
Return-Path: list-bounces@redwoodtech.org
Received: from ekc-exc-002.snsc.com
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 05:46:22 -0700
From: "Arkley, Rob" RArkley@snsc.com
To: list@redwoodtech.org
Cc: "Fuller, Shirley" SFuller@snsc.com
Subject: Re: [RTC List] [2] AT&T DSL Outage?
Dear All,
This outage was a disaster for SN. We lost a day. The supes are
able to change TPZ zoning in a weekend, yet they do NOTHING on this. I
don't get it.
I hate litigation against big companies/quasi-governmental entities on novel theories. I seriously doubt if they have any liability.
Can't we get somebody with reason to listen to us and just fix this? It is a no-brainer. What about just forming a group and doing it
ourselves?
Shirley, what is happening with our consultant? We paid her and don't have squat to show. Ask for her to complete her job or get our
money back. I will sue her.
vty,
Rob
Humboldt County Goes Offline After Caltrans Severs Only Fiber Line
Some idiots with CalTrans working on a section of CA-101 South of Eureka dug up the only fibre line connecting Humboldt County to the outside world.
The result was a complete and total data and voice outage throughout the entire county for more than eight hours. Businesses took major losses as employees were sent home and debit card transactions were cut off. Internet and long-distance phone communications were unavailable during the entirety of the outage.
The RTC, a local lobbying group, has failed to achieve the redundancy their members are paying them to pursue, but one thing is for sure, the two people who run the organization (Tine Nerat and Bob Morse) get their names and business plugs in the papers frequently regarding the topic. Good for them getting free exposure from their non-profit positions.
Many local businesses are fed up with the lack of infrastructure in Humboldt County, saying the economy cannot grow without proper infrastructure.
Arcata Pastels On The Plaza Event A Success
This is an event in Arcata Ca put on by North Coast Children's Services every year. Various business organizations and people buy squares, decorate them with pastels and are left until the rain eventually washes them away. This year marks the 20th year anniversary.
Humboldt County Gets EV-DO Cell Service
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless customers in more Northern California locations can now get e-mail, real-time corporate data, access to the Internet and much more at faster speeds. As the company rolls out its high-speed broadband network today, coverage now extends to:
Humboldt County -- New locations seeing EV-DO for the first time include Eureka and surrounding communities including Crescent City, Requa, Orick, McKinleyville, Arcata, Humboldt State University, Fortuna, and Weott.
Based on CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) technology, the expanded wireless broadband network provides Verizon Wireless customers with data uplink speeds significantly faster than the company's award-winning national EV-DO network, which the company first launched in Northern California in June 2006.
"Our broadband network expansion has something for everyone on-the-go," said Rich Garwood, regional president of Verizon Wireless. "BroadbandAccess lets our business customers experience a truly untethered mobile office experience with remote access to corporate data on their laptops and e-mail on their PDAs. With V CAST, consumers can enjoy a comprehensive selection of downloadable music, high-quality videos and exciting 3D games."
Deputy Shoots Marijuana Farmer Outside of Fortuna
FORTUNA, Calif.—Authorities say two Humboldt County sheriff's deputies were placed on administrative leave Wednesday after one of them fatally shot someone they encountered during a marijuana-growing investigation.
The sheriff's department says the person who was killed confronted the deputies with a shotgun on land owned by the Pacific Lumber Company near Larabee Valley, about 30 miles east of Fortuna. One of the deputies fired his service weapon, striking the suspect.
The department did not release the names of the victim or the deputies, but plans to hold a news conference at the county jail in Eureka on Thursday morning to provide more details about the incident.
EPA Charges Pulp Mill $5 Million for Air Quality Violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, and North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District today announced a $5 million settlement with Evergreen Pulp, Inc. that will protect air quality in the Eureka, Calif. area by reducing emissions of particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants from its wood pulp mill by approximately 340 tons annually.
Evergreen Pulp allegedly violated the federal emission standard for hazardous air pollutants by approximately 230 percent, and violated monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements. The company also allegedly violated state air pollution control laws for nuisance, opacity, and air pollution control equipment maintenance requirements.
Under the settlement, Evergreen will pay a combined penalty totaling $900,000 to be shared equally among the three regulatory agencies. The company also spent approximately $4 million to install a pollution control device on its lime kiln that uses electric charges to capture and collect tiny particles of air pollution. Recent source tests show that the device is reducing harmful particulate emissions.
PGE Pursuing Wave Energy Plants off Northern California Coast
Energy Giant, PG&E, Pacific Gas and Electric wants to develop wave energy off the Mendocino and Humboldt County coast lines and tidal energy off the San Francisco coast. But, environmentalists and fishermen are concerned about the renewable energy's potential impacts on marine life and the North Coasts fishing economy.
The North Coast Fishermans Association held a public meeting with PG&E, Pacific Gas and Electric to present its plans for wave energy off the Mendocino coast. Business Manager for Renewable Energy at PG&E gave a presentation on the utilty’s proposal to develop wave energy off Fort Bragg’s coast.
Currently there are 23 filings for wave energy permits up and down the west coast, from San Francisco to the Canadian border. PG&E has applied for two, one off the Mendocino coast and one off the Humboldt Coast. Mathur said the North coast is ideal because of the wave activity.
Texas Judge Will Decide Fate of Pacific Lumber, 29,000 Redwood Trees
The fate of nearly 29,000 acres of Northern California redwoods is now in the hands of a Texas judge.
The land in question as well as the trees on it is owned by Pacific Lumber Co., a company struggling to emerge from bankruptcy.
In order to do so, the company has asked for permission to sell some of the oldest of its remaining tracts of land and continue logging the rest. Texas bankruptcy judge Richard Schmidt has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 23 in Corpus Christi to help decide the future of the land and its towering tenants.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/5180255.html
Get Your Concealed Weapons Permit in Humboldt, It's Easy!
It's relatively straightforward, actually. First you go to the Sheriff's office in Eureka and pick up the packet that contains several pages of questions, plus a list of locations that offer the mandatory CCW course. The questions include the usual stuff, mostly asking you if you have ever committed a crime or are subject to a restraining order. They also ask you at the end to write down the reasons why you feel the need to get a CCW.
Then you sign up for the $65 class at one of the listed locations. It's just two 2-hour courses which are mostly filled with videos covering the laws and regulations pertaining to citizens carrying concealed weapons.
Then you must qualify at the range. The qualification consists of firing 50 rounds at a human silhouette paper target at 15 yards. In order to qualify, 80% (or 40 out of 50) of the rounds fired have to land in the "scored zone" of the target. There is no time limit.
Once qualified you simply return to the Sheriff's office to be fingerprinted, have your application reviewed, and pay your $165. Then it's as much as eight week's wait before you get your permit in the mail.
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