Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
Just before the 4-year anniversary of Lifeguard Ben Carlson’s on-duty death, someone began posting stickers in the Newport Heights area, advertising for a “Did Ben Go?” show, supposedly hosted by a “Dr Haish Baum”.
So, we did what we do best: We dug.
First, there is nobody by that name registered to vote in Newport Beach– nor in the entire county.
The quote supposedly given by OC Weekly does not pop up in any search results at all.
I also called the Lido Theater at 949.723.7100 and they told me that they do not have any info as to this event whatsoever.
So all the info on the flyer seems to be bogus– but this leaves a lingering question: What happened on that fateful day? There have been whispers of “it didn’t happen” flying around nearly since it all began.
But, before I go further– I am putting up a $100 reward out of my own pocket for anyone who has proof of who put these signs up– either by that person admitting it, or by video tape of the perp.
I realized: In all the drama, absolutely zero news sources looked for hard evidence to the official narrative– not about Ben, but about the rescue.
So we did.
We launched a series of Public Document Requests, or PRARs, consisting of:
#314299- Followup Request for Radio Traffic and Station Logs of rescues that day (pending)
#302189- Initial Request for various documents
– Radio Traffic of rescues that day (proclamation of non-document by the city)
– CalOSHA documents released, but fully redacted so no information can be seen
– Victim Name
I request the radio calls for lifeguards on July 6 in regards to the disappearance of Ben Carlson and his
final rescue, and one hour of radio calls prior to the event of his disappearance.
RESPONSE: LG radio traffic not recorded at that time.
NOTE: Follow-up ticket issued, #314299
I also request all internal communication in regards to this event.
RESPONSE: Only three documents were produced, mostly PR material.
I also request any information regarding the buoy he was carrying, as there are conflicting reports that
he was found with it, but also that his final rescue took the buoy and got to shore with it.
RESPONSE: Buoy found washed up on the beach.
In reviewing the three documents, there was also a victim name– which we never had before. This person is registered to vote in Orange County, and his age fits the narrative (44 years old at the time).
We are still waiting on responses by the city to fully put to rest this rumor-mill, and we have not taken the step of contacting the victim to verify the statement, but unless the City of Newport Beach lied about conducting an interview with someone who actually exists, we can all rest assured: BEN DID GO.
If anyone has any evidence or even suspicions about who put these signs up, please let me know at michael.glenn@devion.com or via text at 949.229.0096. THAT is a mystery I’d like to get to the bottom of. Please like and share to spread the word.
Thanks to SaveNewporter Jon Pedersen for the tip and photo.
Proverbs 17:15
