News 12/30/10

WOMAN KILLED BY TREE IDENTIFIED JKB 12/30/10

• A WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED WHEN A LARGE OAK TREE TOPPLED OVER AT THE SAFARI WEST WILD LIFE PRESERVE NEAR SANTA ROSA, CRUSHING A WOOD FRAMED TENT, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 70 YEAR OLD GAYLE FALGOUST OF MADISON ALABAMA.

FALGOUST WAS PART OF AN EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL GROUP OF 10 ADULTS AND 11 CHILDREN THAT ARRIVED AT THE PRESERVE MONDAY NIGHT. SHE WAS READING TO HER 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN THE TREE CRUSHED THE TENT DURING STORMY WEATHER JUST BEFORE 9 PM TUESDAY NIGHT. THE CHILD WAS UNINJURED. OFFICIALS SAY THE TREE, WHICH WAS CLOSE TO 100 FEET TALL, SNAPPED OFF AT GROUND LEVEL.

SHOOTING NEAR HOSPITAL JKB 12/30/10

• THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER WAS LOCKED DOWN TUESDAY NIGHT AFTER AN 18 YEAR OLD UKIAH MAN WALKED INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST BEEN SHOT OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL.

THE VICTIM CLAIMED THAT HE WAS WALKING IN THE AREA AND MET UP WITH A FRIEND WHO WAS CARRYING A SHOTGUN. HE STATED THAT WHILE LOOKING AT THE GUN IT ACCIDENTALLY WENT OFF AND HE WAS HIT. RESPONDING POLICE CHECKING OUT THE STORY DISCOVERED AN UNREPORTED HOME INVASION ROBBERY THAT HAD OCCURRED ON LESLIE STREET AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE REPORTED SHOOTING. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME, WHICH CONTAINED IN INDOOR MARIJUANA GROW, REPORTED THAT 3 ARMED MEN, ONE OF WHICH WAS CARRYING A SHOTGUN, ENTERED THE HOME AND DEMANDED MONEY. ALL 3 FLED THE SCENE AND THE VICTIMS WERE NOT INJURED. THE LOCKDOWN WAS LIFTED AT THE HOSPITAL AND THE SHOOTING VICTIM WAS TREATED FOR A NON-LIFE THREATENING WOUND TO HIS HAND. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE ROBBERY AND ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING ARE RELATED BUT SO FAR HAVE MADE NO ARRESTS IN THE CASE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT EITHER OF THESE INCIDENTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND JKB 12/30/10

• THE NEW YEAR IS UPON US AND THAT MEANS IT IS ANOTHER CHP MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND.

EVERY AVAILABLE OFFICER WILL BE OUT ON THE ROAD LOOKING FOR THE UNSAFE, UNBELTED AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVER BEGINNING AT 6 PM FRIDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH MIDNIGHT SUNDAY.

LAST WEEKS MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY NETTED 658 DUI ARRESTS STATEWIDE, DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE 1,104 ARRESTS LAST YEAR. TRAFFIC DEATHS WERE ALSO WAY DOWN THIS YEAR. 4 PEOPLE WERE KILLED ON CALIFORNIA ROADWAYS IN CHP JURISDICTION LAST WEEKEND COMPARED TO 22 A YEAR AGO.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE STATION, WE HOPE YOU AND YOURS HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING JUSTIFIED JKB 12/30/10

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE OFFICER INVOLVED FATAL SHOOTING OF AN ARMED MAN DURING A RAID ON A MARIJUANA GARDEN IN COVELO LAST JULY WAS JUSTIFIED.

23 YEAR OLD ANGEL HERNANDEZ-FARIAS WAS SHOT BY A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY AFTER LEVELING A RIFLE AT A U.S. FOREST SERVICE OFFICER DURING THE RAID JULY 27TH. THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE WAS JUSTIFIED WHEN THE DEPUTY SHOT THE SUSPECT IN DEFENSE OF ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THE DEPUTY FIRED TWICE, STRIKING HERNANDEZ-FARIAS ONCE. THE SUSPECT FLED INTO THE WOODS AND WAS LATER LOCATED LYING FACE DOWN IN A DRY CREEK BED. HE DID NOT RESPOND TO CPR AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. AGENTS ERADICATED MORE THAN 14,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS FROM 3 SITES IN THE AREA. THE INCIDENT WAS ONE OF TWO OFFICER INVOLVED FATAL SHOOTINGS OF ARMED SUSPECTS DURING MARIJUANA RAIDS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY THIS YEAR. BOTH WERE FOUND TO BE JUSTIFIED.

DAM RELEASES REDUCED JKB 12/30/10

• THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS GREATLY REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF WATER BEING RELEASED FROM LAKE MENDOCINO INTO THE RUSSIAN RIVER TO PREVENT POTENTIAL FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.

THE RECENT HEAVY RAINS PROMPTED ENGINEERS ON TUESDAY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WATER BERING RELEASED FROM 1000 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND DOWN TO 150 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND. AUTHORITIES SAY THE LAKE WAS TAKING IN AN ESTIMATED 1400 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND AS OF WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE LAKE LEVEL AS OF YESTERDAY WAS 746 FEET, 8 FEET ABOVE WHERE THE ELEVATION SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR. OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL INCREASE THE WATER RELEASES AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

CANDY WARNING JKB 12/30/10

• THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS WARNING CONSUMERS TO NOT EAT BAVAN BRAND SUGAR REORI CANDY IMPORTED FROM INDIA AFTER TESTS FOUND UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF LEAD IN THE TREATS.

BAVAN BRAND SUGAR REORI CANDY IS SOLD IN 14 OUNCE, CLEAR PLASTIC BAGS WITH LIGHT BROWN, FLAT OR OVAL CADNY VISIBLE THROUGH THE PACKAGE. RECENT CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CANDY SHOWED IT CONTAINED .26 PARTS PER MILLION OF LEAD. CONTAMINATION LEVEL IS CONSIDERED ANYTHING IN EXCESS OF .10 PARTS PER MILLION. CONSUMERS IN POSSESSION OF THIS CANDY SHOULD DISCARD IT IMMEDIATELY.

JACKPOT WINNER AT TWIN PINES CASINO JKB 12/30/10

• A SAN LEANDRO MAN HIT IT BIG AT THE TWINE PINE CASINO IN MIDDLETOWN ON TUESDAY.

RETIRED FIREFIGHTER DALE VALENTINE, WHO ALSO OWNS A VACATION HOME IN LAKE COUNTY, HIT THE TOP PAYOUT ON THE STATEWIDE MEGABUCK SLOT MACHINE FOR A JACKPOT OF $8,430,301.44. ACCORDING TO TWIN PINE MANAGEMENT, VALENTINE HAS BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER OF THE CASINO FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

News 12/29/10

WEATHER IMPACTING ROADS JKB 12/29/10

• THE WET WEATHER IS IMPACTING ROADS AND TRAVEL THIS MORNING.

ROADS THAT ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING INCLUDE HIGHWAY 175 AT HOPLAND AND HIGHWAY 128 NEAR THE NAVARRO RIVER. BOTH OF THOSE CLOSURES OCCURRED EARLY THIS MORNING AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR AN UNKNOWN DURATION OF TIME.

A LISTENER REPORTED THAT WATER IS ACROSS THE ROADWAY ON SCOTTS VALLEY ROAD.

A MUD DIRT AND ROCK SLIDE THAT IS PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE ROADWAY HAS BEEN REPORTED ON TOMKI ROAD

A LARGE TREE THAT TOPPLED OVER IS BLOCKING SPRUCE GROVE ROAD NEAR THE JERUSALEM GRADE IN LAKE COUNTY. THAT OCCURRED JUST AFTER 5 AM THIS MORNING.

THERE IS A TREE BLOCKING THE ROADWAY ON HIGHWAY 20 AT MM 26 AND A TREE BLOCKING THE ENTIRE ROADWAY ON HIGHWAY 128 AT FLYNN CREEK.

POWER LINES ARE DOWN ACROSS THE ROADWAY ON BRANSCOMB ROAD JUST EAST OF HIGHWAY 1.

AN OVERTURNED BIG RIG ON THE WEST ROAD ON RAMP ONTO SOUTHBOUND 101 IN REDWOOD VALLEY HAS CLOSED THE ON RAMP. THAT ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST AFTER 3 AM THIS MORNING. ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE RAMP WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL THE TRUCK CAN BE RIGHTED, WHICH THEY ARE ANTICIPATING WILL TAKE UNTIL ABOUT 6:30 OR 7 THIS MORNING.

THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF WATER AND DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY FROM LAST NIGHTS STORM, ESPECIAL ALLY IN THE OUTLYING AREAS. IF YOU ARE ON YOU WAY INTO WORK THIS MORNING, BE SURE AND GIVE YOU SELF SOME EXTRA TIME TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY.

FALLING TREE KILLS ONE PERSON AT SAFARI WEST JKB 12/29/10

• ONE PERSON WAS KILLED WHEN A LARGE TREE FELL OVER DURING LAST NIGHTS RAIN STORM AND CRUSHED A TENT AT THE SAFARI WEST WILDLIFE PRESERVE IN SANTA ROSA.

VERY FEW DETAILS, INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE VICTIM AND THEIR RELATION TO THE PRESERVE HAVE BEEN RELEASED. SAFARI WEST, LOCATED NORTHEAST OF SANTA ROSA HOUSES MORE THAN 400 EXOTIC ANIMALS AND HAS 30 TENTS ON ITS GROUNDS THAT VISITORS CAN RENT. THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

E-QUAKE JKB 12/29/10

• THE GEYSERS WERE SHAKEN BY A 3.2 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, THE 30TH QUAKE 3.0 OR LARGER TO STRIKE THAT AREA SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 4:12 PM AND WAS CENTERED 3 MILES EAST OF THE STEAM FIELDS AND 3 MILES SOUTHWEST OF COBB. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY 10 AFTERSHOCKS, INCLUDING ONES OF 2.9 AND 2.2 IN MAGNITUDE.

MURDER SUSPECT CHARGED IN COLD CASE JKB 12/29/10

• A LAYTONVILLE MAN SUSPECTED OF MURDER HAS BEEN CHARGED IN THE COLD CASE DEATH OF A SISKIYOU COUNTY WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN 2005.

52 YEAR OLD PHILIP WILLIAM FRASE WAS A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF 56 YEAR OLD PATRICIA JOSEPH. HER BODY WAS FOUND FLOATING IN THE KLAMATH RIVER IN JULY OF 2005. DETECTIVES SAY FRASE AND JOSEPH WERE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES IN A MARIJUANA CULTIVATION OPERATION THAT WAS RAIDED SHORTLY AFTER JOSEPH WAS FOUND. ALTHOUGH A SUSPECT IN HER MURDER AT THE TIME, HE WAS NEVER CHARGED. AUTHORITIES FORMALLY FILED CHARGES IN THAT CASE AGAINST FRASE DECEBER 9TH. FRASE HAS BEEN IN JAIL SINCE HE WAS ARRESTED ON FEBRUARY 2ND WHEN THE BODY OF 49 YEAR OLD STEVEN SCHMIDT WAS FOUND ON HIS BELL SPRINGS ROAD PROPERTY. HE HAD BEEN BLUDGEONED TO DEATH, TIED TO A TREE AND HASTILY BURIED WITH TREE BRANCHES. ACCORDING TO POLICE THE TWO MEN HAD ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN A MARIJUANA OPERATION TOGETHER AND IT IS SUSPECTED THAT FRASE KILLED SCHMIDT IN A DISPUTE OVER A POUND OF MARIJUANA.

CHRISTMAS DAY FIRE DESTROYS HOME JKB 12/29/10

• A FORT BRAGG COUPLE WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE JUST IN TIME WHEN AN EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYED THEIR HOME ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AT AROUND 1:30 AM. THE STRUCTURE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. A 50YEAR OLD WOMAN AND HER 64 YEAR OLD DISABLED HUSBAND WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT INJURY. FIRE INVESTIGATORS SAY THE BLAZE WAS SPARKED WHEN BLANKETS FROM THE BED LANDED ON OR NEAR A PROPANE HEATER AS THE COUPLE SLEPT. THEY WERE ALERTED TO THE FIRE BY A SMOKE ALARM. THE HOME WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.

POT BUST JKB 1229/10

• A REDWOOD VALLEY MAN WHO WAS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A MARIJUANA RAID IN HOPLAND THAT OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER WAS ARRESTED ON MONDAY.

24 YEAR OLD EFREN TURNER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER AN AGENT WITH THE MENDOCINO MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE SPOTTED HIM DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR THE WILLITS GRADE. TURNER IS BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A GROWING OPERATION THAT WAS BUSTED ON HIGHWAY 175 IN HOPLAND NOVEMBER 15TH. THERE POLICE FOUND 89 PLANTS GROWING INDOORS, 247 PLANTS GROWING OUTDOOR, MORE THAN 31 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA, 214 POUNDS OF PARTIALLY PROCESSED MARIJUANA AND $1000 IN CASH. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL WITH BAIL SET AT $25,000.

WITNESS REFUSES TO TESTIFY JKB 12/29/10

• A KELSEYVILLE MAN WAS CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT OF COURT YESTERDAY AFTER REFUSING TO TESTIFY IN A PRELIMINARY HEARING FOR HIS COUSIN WHO IS ACCUSED OF A SANTA ROSA GANG KILLING.

19 YEAR OLD MARCO MEZA HAD PREVIOUSLY TOLD POLICE THAT 22 YEAR OLD FERNANDO MENDOZA POINTED TO A NEWSPAPER HEADLINE THE DAY AFTER THE MURDER OF 18 YEAR OLD LUIS SUAREZ, AND ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD DONE IT. MEZA WAS OFFERED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION TO REPEAT HIS STORY IN COURT, BUT, ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, HE REFUSED, POSSIBLY OUT OF FEAR OF RETALIATION FROM GANG MEMBERS. MENDOZA IS BELIEVED TO BE THE PERSON WHO SHOT SUAREZ NEAR GRAND AVENUE IN SANTA ROSA APRIL 6TH. MEZA INITIALLY TOOK CREDIT FOR THE CRIME, BUT HE LATER RECANTED AND SAID MENDOZA DID IT. GANG EXPERTS TESTIFIED MONDAY THAT MENDOZA GOT SEVERAL NEW TATTOOS LINKING HIM TO THE MURDER.

News 12/28/10

STORM WARNINGS JKB 12/28/10

• TODAYS STORM WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF RAIN THAT MAY CAUSE FLOODING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

THE HEAVIER RAIN WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY TONIGHT.

AUTHORITIES ARE ADVISING MOTORISTS TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLES INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY, AND TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF NECESSARY.

ON THE MENDOCINO COAST SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS WILL RISE SHARPLY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT IN THE NAVARRO AND GARCIA RIVER BASINS, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHER SMALL BASINS NEAR THE COAST. PONDING WATER WILL OCCUR IN LOW LYING AREAS DURING PERIODS OF HIGHEST RAINFALL. OVER TOPPING CREEKS MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. LOW LYING PORTIONS OF HIGHWAY 1 NEAR MANCHESTER ARE OF PARTICULAR CONCERN DUE TO PONDING WATER AND OVERFLOW FROM THE GARCIA RIVER.

IN INLAND MENDOCINO COUNTY, PONDING WATER AND OVERRUN CREEKS MAY ALSO CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. AREAS OF CONCERN INLAND INCLUDE LOW LYING AREAS ALONG FELIZ CREEK NEAR HOPLAND, AND OUTLET CREEK NEAR WILLITS.

THE RUSSIAN RIVER AT HOPLAND IS EXPECTED TO EXCEED 12.5 FEET WHICH WILL FLOOD HIGHWAY 175.

SNOW LEVEL IN LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES WILL LOWER TO 2000 FEET BY TONIGHT WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 INCHES POSSIBLE. HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED TODAY AND TONIGHT AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FEET WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 7 INCHES POSSIBLE AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FEET, AND A FOOT OR MORE POSSIBLE AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 6000 FEET.

INJURY ACCIDENT JKB 12/28/10

• A NICE MAN WAS INJURED WHEN THE CAR HE WAS RIDING IN STRUCK A TREE ON HIGHWAY 175 WEST OF MATHEWS ROAD LAST WEEK.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 18 YEAR OLD CHRISTIAN CISNEROS WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND UNDER WET AND RAINY CONDITIONS WHEN HE LOST CONTROL, DRIFTED OFF THE ROADWAY AND SPUN SIDEWAYS INTO THE TREE AT AROUND 6:25 PM TUESDAY. HE WAS UNINJURED, BUT HIS PASSENGER, 19 YEAR OLD KORBIN RENAUD, WHO WAS SITTING ON THE SIDE THAT IMPACTED THE TREE, SUFFERED INJURIES. HE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED.

YUROK TRIBE SEEKS NATIONAL PARK LAND JKB 12/28/10

• THE YUROK TRIBE, CALIFORNIAS LARGEST NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE, IS SEEKING MORE THAN 2000 OF ACRES OF NATIONAL STATE PARK LAND IN ORDER TO BUILD ENVIRONMENTAL PARKS.

YUROK TRIBE OFFICIALS HAVE CONTACTED NORTH COAST REPRESENTATIVE MIKE THOMPSON TO ASK IF HE WILL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE THEM 1200 ACRES OF REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK AND 1200 ACRES OF REDWOOD STANDS IN THE 6 RIVERS NATIONAL FOREST AND REDDING ROCK. THE TRIBE SAYS THEY WANT TO BUILD AN ECO PARK THAT WOULD MEET THE HIGHEST ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL STANDARDS AND INCLUDE ECO-LODGES, GIFT SHOPS AND WATER TAXIS TO TRAVEL TO REMOTE AREAS ALONG THE KLAMATH RIVER. THOMPSON HAS NOT INDICATED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL YET.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UP JKB 1W/28/10

• THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE ACROSS THE COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE BETWEEN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

THE U.S. JOBLESS RATE IS NOW 9.3%, WHILE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT ROSE TO 12.4%. UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ALSO ROSE LOCALLY, WITH MENDOCINO JOBLESS RATE TOPPING 11.3% WHILE LAKE COUNTY ROSE TO 18.7%. SONOMA COUNTY STANDS AT 10.1%.

PLOWSHARES BUCKLEY TO STEP DOWN JKB 12/28/10

• PLOWSHARES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARY BUCKLEY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SHE PLANS TO RETIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY.

BUCKLEY HAS LED THE NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS. SHE WILL LEAVE THE POSITION AS OF FEBRUARY 1ST 2011. PLOWSHARES WILL BEGIN LOOKING FOR A NEW DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NEW YEAR. ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE POSITION CAN PICK UP A JOB DESCRIPTION AT THE PLOWSHARES OFFICE AT 1345 SOUTH STATE STREET, OR ON THEIR WEBSITE AT PLOWSHARESFEEDS.ORG. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 21ST.

SMART METERS TO BE INSTALLED JKB 12/28/10

• PG&E PLANS TO INSTALL MORE THAN 52,000 SMART METERS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY HOMES AND BUSINESSES BEGINNING IN JANUARY.

ACCORDING TO PG&E OFFICIALS, THE SMART METERS WILL ENCOURAGE ENERGY SAVINGS BY LETTING CONSUMERS SEE WHEN DURING THE DAY THEY USE THE MOST GAS OR ELECTRICITY. THE NEW METERS WILL ALLOW THE COMPANY AND ITS CUSTOMERS TO VIEW THEIR DAILY ENERGY USE ONLINE AND HELP PG&E TRACE POWER OUTAGES MORE ACCURATELY. THE COMPANY SAYS THEY EXPECT TO RECOUP THE $2.2 BILLION DOLLAR COST OF THE METER UPGRADE OVER THE PROJECTS 20 YEAR LIFE SPAN.

ROADWORK ON HIGHWAY 29 JKB 12/28/10

• CALTRANS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY PLAN TO RE-GRIND A STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 29 BORDERING HIDDEN VALLEY IN LAKE COUNTY IN AN ATTEMPT TO SMOOTH OUT SOME ROUGH ROAD THAT WAS CAUSED BY A CHIP SEALING PROJECT THAT WENT AWRY LAST SUMMER.

WEATHER PERMITTING, THE WORK WILL BE TAKE PLACE FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM TODAY AND TOMORROW WITH ONE WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC IN EFFECT. MOTORISTS SHOULD ANTICIPATE 15 MINUTE DELAYS. CALTRANS SAYS THEY STILL PLAN TO REPAVE A 12 MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 29 FROM THE LAKE COUNTY LINE NORTH TO HIDDEN VALLEY AND AN 8.5 MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 175 FROM MIDDLETOWN TO COBB NEXT SUMMER. BOTH STRETCHES OF HIGHWAY WERE MISTAKENLY CHIP SEALED LAST SUMMER WITH HALF INCH ROCK RATHER THAN THE CUSTOMARY 3-EIGHTHS INCH ROCK. THE DIFFERENCE LEFT THE ROADWAYS ROUGH AND LED TO HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM LAKE COUNTY MOTORISTS.

Playlist 12/23/10

BRUNO MARS-GRENADE

KATY PERRY-FIREWORK

KESHA-WE R WHO WE R

MIKE POSNER-PLEASE DON’T GO

PINK-RAISE YOUR GLASS

RIHANNA W/DRAKE-WHAT’S MY NAME?

BLACK EYED PEAS-THE TIME (DIRTY BIT)

CHRIS BROWN-YEAH 3X

DAVID GUETTA W/KID CUDI-MEMORIES

DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY-COMING HOME

EDWARD MAYA & VIKA JIGULINA-STEREO LOVE

EMINEM W/LIL WAYNE-NO LOVE

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS W/LUDACRIS-TONIGHT

FAR EAST MOVEMENT-ROCKETEER

PITBULL W/T-PAIN-HEY BABY (DROP IT TO THE FLOOR)

SICK PUPPIES-MAYBE

TAIO CRUZ W/TRAVIE MCCOY-HIGHER

TAYLOR SWIFT-BACK TO DECEMBER

BC JEAN-JUST A GUY

FLO RIDA W/AKON-WHO DAT GIRL

LINKIN PARK-WAITING FOR THE END

PLAIN WHITE T’S-RHYTHM OF LOVE

DEV W/CATARACS-BASS DOWN LOW

FEFE DOBSON-STUTTERING

KERI HILSON-PRETTY GIRL ROCK

MICHAEL JACKSON W/AKON-HOLD MY HAND

NICKI MINAJ-RIGHT THRU ME

WIZ KHALIFA-BLACK AND YELLOW

News 12/2710

UPDATE – MISSING PERSON FOUND JKB 12/27/10

• AN ELDERLY BOONVILLE MAN WHO WENT MISSING FROM HIS HOME LAST WEEK WAS FOUND ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

76 YEAR OLD EUGENE MARSHALL BRIGHT WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HIS NEIGHBOR AT AROUND 9 PM THURSDAY. HE WAS LAST SEEN ON HIS PROPERTY IN THE 9900 BLOCK OF HIGHWAY 128 IN BOONVILLE AT AROUND 5:30 PM. SEVERAL SEARCHES THURSDAY EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING FAILED TO LOCATE HIM. HE WAS FOUND NEAR HIS HOME BUT ON A NEIGHBORS PROPERTY SHORTLY AFTER NOON ON FRIDAY. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR OBSERVATIONS DUE TO HIS EXPOSURE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH FREEWAY DEATH JKB 12/27/10

• A WINDSOR WOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A MAN WHOS BODY WAS FOUND IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 101 IN SANTA ROSA LAST WEEK.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, 32 YEAR OLD RUBI ANN MARTINEZ WAS THE DRIVER OF A PICK UP TRUCK THAT 21 YEAR OLD ENRIQUE RAMIREZ ALVAREZ OF WINDSOR FELL OUT OF EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. INVESTIGATORS SAY MARTINEZ WAS AWARE THAT ALVAREZ HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE BED OF HER PICK UP, BUT MADE AN INTENTIONAL DECISION NOT TO RETURN AND HELP, OR CALL AUTHORITIES. THEY ALSO SAY SHE TOOK EFFORTS TO CONCEAL THE INCIDENT. POLICE ARE UNSURE HOW ALVAREZ FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHETHER ANYONE ELSE WAS RIDING WITH HIM, OR WHY HE WAS IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THEY ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING WHETHER ALVAREZ, WHO HAD EPILEPSY, HAD POSSIBLY SUFFERED A SEIZURE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BASED ON CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, DETECTIVES BELIEVE MARTINEZ, WHO HAS AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL RECORD, WAS DRUNK AT THE TIME SHE LEFT ALVAREZ LYING IN THE ROADWAY. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

BODY FOUND JKB 12/27/10

• THE BODY OF A SANTA ROSA MAN WHO DISAPPEARED AFTER HE FELL OVERBOARD FROM HIS SAILBOAT EARLIER THIS MONTH HAS BEEN RECOVERED.

A BIRD WATCHER SPOTTED THE BODY OF 28 YEAR OLD CASEY SPEED IN A WETLANDS AREA NEAR THE COMMUNITY OF STRAWBERRY IN MARIN COUNTY AT AROUND 5 PM FRIDAY. SPEED DISAPPEARED WHEN HIS WIFE SAYS HE FELL OVERBOARD WHILE THEIR SAILBOAT WAS ANCHORED IN RICHARDSON BAY NEAR TIBURON DECEMBER 10TH. ACCORDING TO HIS WIFE, HE WAS INTOXICATED AND NOT WEARING A LIFE JACKET WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. U.S. COAST GUARD OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT BELIEVE FOUL PLAY WAS INVOLVED.

FLASHER SENTENCED TO 60 DAYS IN JAIL JKB 12/27/10

• A UKIAH MAN WHO EXPOSED HIMSELF TO A 3 YEAR OLD GIRL AND HER MOTHER WAS SENTENCED TO JAIL ON THURSDAY.

53 YEAR OLD JAMES R. DONAHUE THE 3RD WAS ARRESTED NOVEMBER 4TH AFTER HE EXPOSED HIMSELF TO THE VICTIM AND HER TODDLER IN THE PARKING LOT OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON LAWS AVENUE. WHEN POLICE ARRIVED THEY FOUND DONAHUE WEARING A LARGE SWEATSHIRT AND A PAIR OF BAGGY PANTS THAT HAD BEEN CUT APART TO EXPOSE HIS GENITALIA. HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE CRIME DURING A TRIAL. HE WAS SENTENCED TO 60 DAYS IN JAIL, ORDERED TO UNDERGO A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION, AND MUST REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER.

SHERIFFS DEPUTY CHARGED IN FIREWORKS ACCIDENT JKB 12/27/10

• A HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND OTHER CHARGES AFTER A 5 MONTH LONG INVESTIGATION DETERMINED HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAIMING OF A 10 YEAR OLD GIRL.

DEPUTY JOE MARSH AND THE 10 YEAR OLD VICTIM WERE ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO LIGHT A ROMAN CANDLE DURING A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WHEN THE FIREWORK EXPLODED. BOTH MARSH AND THE GIRL SUFFERED SEVERE HAND INJURIES, LOSING SEVERAL FINGERS IN THE INCIDENT. PROSECUTORS SAY MARSH WILL BE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS FIREWORKS, FELONY CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND A SPECIAL ALLEGATION OF INFLICTING GREAT BODILY INJURY FOR BRINGING THE ILLEGAL FIREWORK TO THE PARTY AND THEN LIGHTING IT. MARSH IS CURRENTLY ON UNPAID LEAVE FROM HIS JOB. HE IS SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED JANUARY 21ST.

MAN BUSTED AT WALMART JKB 12/27/10

• A CLEARLAKE MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER TRYING TO STEAL TWO PLAY STATION 3 VIDEO GAME PLAYERS FROM WALMART, CHRISTMAS EVE.

20 YEAR OLD DALE MCKAY ALLEGEDLY FLED THE STORE WITH THE TWO CONSOLES AND RAN INTO A NEARBY FIELD AT AROUND 7:30 AM. HE THEN CAME OUT OF THE FILED A SHORT TIME LATER AND WAS SPOTTED BY A POLICE OFFICER. MCKAY FLED AND ATTEMPTED TO RUN BACK INSIDE THE STORE, BUT WAS TACKLED BY A CITIZEN WHO HAD SEEN THE OFFICER CHASING MCKAY THROUGH THE PARKING LOT. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL WITH BAIL SET AT $10,000. THE MERCHANDISE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE FIELD.

POWER OUTAGE IN LAKE COUNTY JKB 12/27/10

• MORE THAN 1400 CUSTOMERS IN THE MIDDLETOWN, COBB, KELSEYVILLE AND CLEARLAKE PARK AREAS WERE WITHOUT POWER FOR SEVERAL HOURS DURING PART OF THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THE OUTAGE OCCURRED AT 7:21 LAST NIGHT AFFECTING HOMES NORTH OF MIDDLETOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 29 AND BUTTS CANYON ROAD TO THE NAPA COUNTY LINE. POWER WAS RESTORED TO ABOUT HALF THE CUSTOMERS BY 10:30 PM, WITH THE REST BACK ON LINE BY 6 AM THIS MORNING. NO WORD YET ON WHAT CAUSED THE OUTAGE.

News 12/23/10

HOME INVASION ROBBERY JKB 12/23/10

• CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A REPORTED HOME INVASION ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO POLICE THE VICTIM SAID HE WAS SLEEPING AT HOME WHEN TWO BLACK MEN KICKED IN HIS DOOR AND BEAT HIM AT AROUND 6:30 AM. HE WAS THEN HELD AT GUNPOINT BY ONE OF THE MEN WHO WAS WEARING A SKI MASK WHILE THE OTHER RANSACKED THE HOUSE. THE SUSPECTS THEN FLED THE SCENE AND THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO GO TO A NEIGHBORS HOUSE TO CALL POLICE. IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME EXACTLY WHAT WAS TAKEN DURING THE ROBBERY, BUT SEVERAL OF THE VICTIMS PERSONAL ITEMS WERE FOUND IN THE STREET OUTSIDE THE HOME. THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO ST. HELENA HOSPITAL IN CLEARLAKE FOR HIS INJURIES. NO OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE HAS BEEN RELEASED.

BODY FOUND ON ROADWAY JKB 12/23/10

• A MAN WHOS BODY WAS FOUND EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING IN THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF HIGHWAY 101 IN SANTA ROSA HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 21 YEAR OLD ENRIQUE ALVAREZ RAMIREZ OF WINDSOR.

BASED ON HIS INJURIES, INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE A VEHICLE STRUCK RAMIREZ SOMETIME AFTER MIDNIGHT TUESDAY. HIS BODY WAS DISCOVERED BY A PASSING MOTORIST AT AROUND 1:40 AM IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY JUST NORTH OF THE MENDOCINO AVENUE ON RAMP. AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT RULED OUT FOUL PLAY AND ARE NOT SURE IF RAMIREZ CAME FROM A VEHICLE OR WAS TRYING TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY WHEN HE WAS HIT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SANTA ROSA AREA CHP.

MURDER SENTENCE JKB 12/23/10

• A DEL NORTE COUNTY MAN WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO THE EXECUTION STYLE KILLING OF A CRESCENT CITY WOMAN WAS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON YESTERDAY.

ROBERT LOREN PROCTOR SHOT 26 YEAR OLD AMY KAUFMANN TO DEATH ON JANUARY 24 IN REQUA, OUTSIDE KLAMATH NEAR PROCTORS PROPERTY. KAUFMANN HAD BEEN A WITNESS IN THE MURDER CASE OF 23 YEAR OLD MICHELLE ASHLEE DICKSON WHO WAS KILLED BY JOSIAH MILLER OF ARCATA IN JULY OF 2008. PROCTOR PLEADED GUILTY TO 2ND DEGREE MURDER IN OCTOBER.

MEANWHILE ON THE SAME DAY, MILLER WAS SENTENCED TO JUST 11 YEARS IN STATE PRISON, THE MAXIMUM TERM HE COULD RECEIVE, AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO THE VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER OF DICKSON. ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, MILLER STABBED DICKSON TO DEATH AFTER HE LURED HER TO A REMOTE PLACE JUST OUTSIDE OF CRESCENT CITY UNDER THE PRETENSE OF BUYING MARIJUANA. HE THEN SET FIRE TO HER VEHICLE AND DROVE HER BODY OVER THE STATE LINE WHERE HE DUMPED IT OFF THE HIGHEST BRIDGE IN OREGON. SHE WAS FOUND A WEEK LATER BY HIKERS. PROSECUTORS OFFERED THE PLEA DEAL WITH THE VICTIMS FAMILIES CONSENT BECAUSE OF MINIMAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IN THE CASE.

SHOOTING INVESTIGATION JKB 12/23/10

• CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED AT AROUND 6:30 TUESDAY NIGHT NEAR THE SOUTH END OF OLD HIGHWAY 53.

POLICE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FROM RESIDENTS REPORTING NUMEROUS SHOTS FIRED. WHILE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE AREA A FEMALE CALLER REPORTED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD BEEN SHOT WHILE SHE WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF CYPRESS AVENUE AND OLD HIGHWAY 53. THE SUSPECT IN THE INCIDENT IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE OR HISPANIC MALE THAT WAS LAST SEEN WEARING DARK CLOTHING AND A DARK COLORED HOODED SWEATSHIRT. HE WAS LAST SEEN ON FOOT NEAR THE INTERSECTION WHERE THE WOMANS CAR WAS SHOT. THE MOTIVE FOR THE SHOOTING IS UNKNOWN. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

CHP MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND JKB 12/23/10

• THE LONG CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND WILL GET UNDERWAY THIS EVENING AND THAT MEANS OF COURSE THAT THE CHP WILL BE OUT IN FORCE LOOKING FOR THE UNSAFE, UNBELTED AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVER.

THE MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND WILL BE EFFECT FROM 6 PM TONIGHT UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, SO BE CAREFUL OUT THERE AND GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING, ESPECIALLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. FROM ALL OF US HERE AT K-WINE, WE HOPE YOU AND YOURS HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY.

UKIAH POST OFFICE DECISION COMING SOON JKB 12/23/10

• THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT A DECISION AS TO WEATHER THE DOWNTOWN UKIAH POST OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED AND OPERATIONS CONSOLIDATED WITH THE POSTAL ANNEX ON SOUTH ORCHARD AVE. WILL LIKELY BE MADE WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH.

ACCORDING TO A USPS SPOKESPERSON, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF AREA OPERATIONS IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BEGIN THE FORMAL PROCESS OF RELOCATION AND CONSOLIDATION. THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL HAS ALREADY SENT A LETTER TO THE POSTAL SERVICE VOICING THEIR OBJECTIONS TO ANY PROPOSED CLOSING OF THE DOWNTOWN OFFICE.

PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES ADULT DAY CARE JKB 12/23/10

• THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE GRANTING OF A PERMIT TO THE UKIAH VALLEY ASSOCIATION FOR HABILITATION TO OPERATE AN ADULT DAY CARE FACILITY ON SOUTH DORA STREET.

THE FACILITY WILL PROVIDE NON-RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR 13 NON-AMBULATORY ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE SITE OF A FORMER PHYSICAL THERAPY OFFICE. THE PROPOSED HOURS OF OPERATION ARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM.

News 12/22/10

DAREDEVIL ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES JKB 12/22/10

• A WELL KNOWN DAREDEVIL PARACHUTIST KNOWN LOCALLY AS TATTOO BUCKAROO HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES FOR THE 2ND TIME.

48 YEAR OLD AVERY BADENHOP OF PETALUMA WAS OUT ON BAIL IN CONNECTION WITH A FEDERAL MARIJUANA SALES AND MONEY LAUNDERING CASE WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY IN POSSESSION OF 20 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA THAT HE WAS DELIVERING TO AN UNDERCOVER FEDERAL DRUG AGENT DURING A DEAL THAT WAS SET UP LAST MONTH. HIS BROTHER, 56 YEAR OLD AULDEN BADENHOP OF COLFAX WAS ALSO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE. THE YOUNGER BADENHOP WAS ARRESTED IN AUGUST OF 2009 DURING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ANOTHER 20 POUNDS OF POT. THE PARACHUTIST GAINED NOTORIETY FOR SEVERAL HIGH PROFILE BASE JUMPS IN THE 1990S, INCLUDING ONES FROM THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE AND EL CAPITAIN. HE WAS CONVICTED FOR HIS PART IN THE DEATH OF 60 YEAR OLD JAN DAVIS WHO DIED WHEN HER PARACHUTE DIDNT OPEN DURING A PROTEST AGAINST BASE JUMPING IN A NATIONAL PARK THAT BADENHOP HAD ORGANIZED IN OCTOBER OF 1999.

LA FORGE INVESTIGATION GATHERS MOMENTUM JKB 12/22/10

• POLICE ARE HOPING THE COLD CASE INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2002 MURDER OF LAKEPORT BUSINESS OWNER BARBARA LAFORGE WILL GATHER MOMENTUM, AFTER POLICE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT 55 YEAR OLD LINDA ANN MAFRICE IS A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE CASE.

AUTHORITIES MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER MAFRICE WAS SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON FOR FAILING TO PAY RESTITUTION IN AN UNRELATED EMBEZZLEMENT CASE FROM 2004. RETIRED HOMICIDE DETECTIVE LOU RICCARDI, WHO WAS HIRED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO TO FOCUS ON THE LAFORGE MURDER SAYS HE IS HOPING THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL ATTRACT NEW INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC. A $50,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARRESTED AND CONVICTION OF THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER IS BEING OFFERED. AUTHORITIES SAY MAFRICE WAS REPORTEDLY HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH LAFORGES HUSBAND, DAN HAMBLIN PRIOR TO THE MURDER, AND MOVED IN WITH HIM SHORTLY AFTER LAFORGE WAS KILLED. HAMBLIN WAS ALSO NAMED A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE CASE SHORTLY AFTER THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO COURTS IN POINT ARENA, COVELO JKB 12/22/10

• MENDOCINO COUNTY HAS ANNOUNCED THEY PLAN TO CHANGE THEIR SUPERIOR COURT CALENDAR FOR THE COVELO AND POINT ARENA COURTS BEGINNING IN APRIL OF 2011.

IF INSTITUTED, MATTERS IN COVELO WOULD ONLY BE HEARD ON THE 4TH FRIDAY OF EACH ODD NUMBERED MONTH, AND IN POINT ARENA ON THE 3RD THURSDAY OF EACH ODD NUMBERED MONTH. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE YESTERDAY AS AN INVITATION FOR THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES.

LAKE COUNTY PARKS DENIED GRANTS JKB 12/22/10

• LAKE COUNTY PARKS GOT TURNED DOWN FOR GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN PART BECAUSE THE RESIDENTS MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY.

LAKE COUNTY RECENTLY APPLIED FOR THE GRANTS TO FUND IMPROVEMENTS TO MOUNT KNOCTI, CLARKS ISLAND, MIDDLETOWN SQUARE, HINMANN, HAMMOND AVENUE, RODMAN SLOUGH AND RIVERA PARKS, BUT GOT WORD THIS WEEK THAT NONE OF THE PROJECTS WOULD BE RECEIVING ANY FUNDING IN THE FIRST ROUND OF GRANT AWARDS. ACCORDING TO LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR KIM CLYMIRE, STATE OFFICIALS SAID, THE PER CAPITA INCOME IN LAKE COUNTY WAS HIGHER THAN THE AREAS THAT RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING AND THAT LAKE COUNTY ALREADY HAD ENOUGH PARKS. LAKE COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL REAPPLY FOR 2ND ROUND OF GRANT FUNDING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN MARCH.

UVSD LOOKING FOR BOARD APPLICANTS JKB 12/22/10

• THE UKIAH VALLEY SANITATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS LOOKING TO FILL A VACANCY AFTER ONE OF ITS MEMBERS RESIGNED WHEN HE MOVED OUT OF THE DISTRICT.

THE BOARD AUTHORIZED A CALL FOR APPLICANTS ON DECEMBER 16TH. THOSE INTERESTED IN APPLYING MUST RESIDE WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND BE REGISTERED VOTERS. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 387 NORTH STATE STREET BEFORE NOON ON JANUARY 11TH. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE DISTRICTS WEBSITE AT UKIAHVALLEYSD.COM.

News 12/21/10

MISSING WOMAN AND VAN PULLED FROM RIVER JKB 12/21/10

• RESCUE CREWS SEARCHING THE RUSSIAN RIVER FOUND THE BODY OF A MISSING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMAN INSIDE HER MINI VAN LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

62 YEAR OLD PHYLLIS BIN OF AGOURA HILLS APPARENTLY LEFT THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 1 AFTER DINING WITH FRIENDS AT THE RIVERS END RESTAURANT IN JENNER SATURDAY NIGHT. SHE WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HER FRIENDS SUNDAY MORNING AFTER THEY HAD SPENT THE NIGHT SEARCHING FOR HER. INVESTIGATORS FOCUSED ON THE RIVER AFTER FINDING FRESH TIRE TRACKS TRAVELING ACROSS A GRASSY SHOULDER TO A 20 FOOT EMBANKMENT LEADING DOWN TO THE WATER. BINS VAN WAS FOUND SUBMERGED APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET DOWNSTREAM FROM WHERE AUTHORITIES BELIEVE IT WENT IN. POLICE ARE UNSURE WHILE SHE LEFT THE ROADWAY. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING JUSTIFIED JKB 12/21/1`0

• AN INVESTIGATION BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE OFFICER INVOLVED FATAL SHOOTING OF AN ARMED GUARD AT A MARIJUANA GARDEN IN LAYTONVILLE LAST SUMMER WAS JUSTIFIED.

AGENTS WERE INVESTIGATING SEVERAL GROW SITES NEAR AN AREA CALLED THE TROUT FARM ON AUGUST 18TH WHEN 3 SWAT TEAM MEMBERS ENCOUNTERED MARIANO LOPEZ-FERNANDEZ, WHO POINTED A LOADED SEMI AUTOMATIC RIFLE AT THEM WHILE TAKING COVER BEHIND SOME TREES. ALL 3 SWAT TEAM MEMBERS FIRED ON THE SUSPECT AND HE WAS STRUCK MULTIPLE TIMES. HE DIED AT THE SCENE DESPITE BEING RENDERED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL AID. DISTRICT ATTORNEY LINTOTT DETERMINED THE DEPUTIES ACTED IN SELF DEFENSE AND THAT THEIR ACTIONS WERE APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

E-QUAKE JKB 12/21/10

• FOR THE 29TH TIME THIS YEAR THE GEYSERS WERE RATTLED BY AN EARTHQUAKE 3.0 OR LARGER EARLY THIS MORNING.

THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 2:10 AM AND WAS CENTERED 4 MILES EAST SOUTH EAST OF THE STEAM FIELDS AND 3 MILES WEST NORTH WEST OF ANDERSON SPRINGS. IT MEASURED 3.4 IN MAGNITUDE. IT HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BY 3 AFTERSHOCKS RANGING FROM 1.2 TO 1.6 IN MAGNITUDE.

5 YEAR NEARLY DROWNS IN POOL JKB 12/21/10

• A 5 YEAR OLD GIRL IS MAKING A REMARKABLE RECOVERY AFTER BEING PULLED UNCONSCIOUS FROM THE BOTTOM OF AN OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL AT THE WORLD MARK RESORT IN WINDSOR YESTERDAY.

THE MOTHER LEFT THE CHILD UNATTENDED FOR 5 TO 7 MINUTES AND DISCOVERED HER LYING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL WHEN SHE RETURNED. THE CHILD WAS NOT BREATHING WHEN PARAMEDICS ARRIVED. SHE WAS TAKEN TO KAISER PERMANENTE HOSPITAL IN SANTA ROSA BY AMBULANCE. BY THE TIME SHE ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL, SHE HAD BEGUN BREATHING AGAIN, AND ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, WAS LAUGHING AND TALKING WITH NURSING STAFF WHEN SHE WAS LATER FLOWN TO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN OAKLAND FOR FURTHER EVALUATION. THE CHILD IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY. THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ARE VISITING THE TIME SHARE RESORT FROM PORTLAND OREGON.

HIT & RUN ARREST JKB 12/21/10

• A CLEARLAKE MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT IN, WHICH TWO OF HIS PASSENGERS WERE INJURED.

ACCORDING TO CLEARLAKE POLICE, 31 YEAR OLD RICHARD LEROY WEEMS COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AT WOODLAND AND LAKESHORE DRIVES FRIDAY SHORTLY BEFORE 5 PM. HE FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT LEAVING TWO ADULT PASSENGERS BEHIND WHO REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. WEEMS RAN THROUGH PRIVATE PROPERTY AND INTO THE LAKE WHERE HE SWAM APPROXIMATELY 300 YARDS OFF SHORE BEFORE FOLLOWING OFFICER ORDERS TO SURRENDER. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR FELONY HIT AND RUN, RESISTING AN OFFICER, POSSESSION OF A SMALL BASEBALL BAT THAT COULD BE USED AS A WEAPON AND FOR BEING A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE ON A WARRANT OUT OF UTAH.

TWO WOMEN ARRESTED FOR THEFT JKB 12/21/10

• TWO LOWER LAKE WOMEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR STEALING MONEY FROM AN ELDERLY MAN WITH DEMENTIA BEFORE HIS DEATH.

51 YEAR OLD KAREN LEE ALLEN AND 46 YEAR OLD WENDY CHRISTINE MCRAE WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY DECEMBER 15TH AND CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT FROM AN ELDER AND GRAND THEFT FOR CRIMES THAT ALLEGEDLY TOOK PLACE IN NOVEMBER OF 2008. ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, MCRAE WAS A CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE THE VICTIM WAS RECEIVING CARE AND WAS ABLE TO GET CASH AND POWER OF ATTORNEY FROM HIM WHILE HE WAS STILL ALIVE. SHE THEN WAS ABLE TO INSERT HERSELF INTO THE MANS WILL, TRUST FUND, AND ESTATE WITH THE HELP OF ALLEN, WHO IS A PARALEGAL WITH ATTORNEYS ARENT US IN LOWER LAKE. BOTH WOMEN WERE RELEASED AFTER POSTING $50,000 BAIL.

PLANNING COMMISSION TO CONSIDER PERMIT JKB 12/21/10

• THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER A PERMIT REQUEST FROM THE UKIAH VALLEY ASSOCIATION FOR HABILITATION TO OPERATE A COMMUNITY CARE FACILITY FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS, AT THEIR MEETING TONIGHT.

THE PERMIT IS FOR A NON-RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY CARE FACILITY FOR 13 NON AMBULATORY ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT 915 SOUTH DORA STREET. HOURS OF OPERATION WOULD BE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM. THE FACILITY WOULD EMPLOY 14 EMPLOYEES. THE PROPERTY WAS PREVIOUSLY USED AS A PHYSICAL THERAPY OFFICE AND A SLIGHT CHANGE IN ZONING WOULD BE REQUIRED BEFORE SUCH A FACILITY WOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE AT THE LOCATION.

NEWS UPDATE FOR 12/20

WOMAN ATTACKED IN HER HOME JKB 12/20/10

**UPDATED STORY*

• AN INTRUDER WHO ATTACKED AN ELDERLY COVELO WOMAN IN HER HOME EARLY FRIDAY MORNING HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

ACCORDING TO THE 76 YEAR OLD VICTIM, A MAN LATER IDENTIFIED AS 37 YEAR OLD WILLIAM SHORT, ENTERED HER HOME THROUGH AN UNLOCKED WINDOW AT AROUND 5:30 AM AND PUNCHED HER TWICE IN THE FACE. HE THEN HELD HER FACE DOWN ON THE BED BY HER HAIR. SHORT REPORTEDLY TOLD THE VICTIM, HE DIDNT KNOW SHE WAS AN OLD LADY AS SHE PLEADED FOR HER LIFE. SHORT THEN LEFT, IN PART BECAUSE THE WOMANS DOG WAS REPEATEDLY ATTACKING HIM. INVESTIGATING DEPUTIES IDENTIFIED SHORT AS THE SUSPECT AND CONTACTED HIM IN DOWNTOWN COVELO ON SATURDAY. HE ADMITTED TO BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ASSAULT. SHORT WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR BURGLARY AND CRUELTY TO A DEPENDANT ADULT. HIS BAIL HAS BEEN SET AT $50,000.

News 12/20/10

WOMAN SHOOTS RV JKB 12/20/10

• A 92 YEAR OLD REDWOOD VALLEY WOMAN WAS ARRESTED ON THURSDAY FOR FIRING A GUN AT AN RV PARKED ON HER PROPERTY.

ACCORDING TO MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES, MARIE CLEVELAND HAD BEEN ALLOWING PERSONS TO RESIDE ON HER PROPERTY IN THE RV FOR SOME TIME, BUT HAD RECENTLY ASKED THEM TO VACATE. APPARENTLY DISPLEASED THAT NO ARRANGEMENTS WERE BEING MADE TO LEAVE, CLEVELAND SHOT ONE OF THE RVS TIRES WITH A .38 CALIBER HANDGUN. NO ONE EXCEPT THE TENANTS DOGS WERE INSIDE WHEN THE SHOOTING OCCURRED. DEPUTIES SAID THAT CLEVELAND WAS ANGRY AND UNCOOPERATIVE WHEN THEY ARRIVED. SHE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR SHOOTING INTO AN INHABITED DWELLING, RESISTING ARREST AND VANDALISM. HER BAIL WAS SET AT $100,000.

SEARCH FOR WOMAN AND CAR IN RUSSIAN RIVER JKB 12/20/10

• AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING THE RUSSIAN RIVER ALONG HIGHWAY 1 IN SONOMA COUNTY LOOKING FOR A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMAN AND HER MINI VAN WHO WENT MISSING SATURDAY NIGHT.

62 YEAR OLD PHILLIS BIN OF AGOURA HILLS WAS FOLLOWING FRIENDS HOME AFTER DINING AT THE RIVERS END RESTAURANT AND INN IN JENNER WHEN SHE DISAPPEARED AT AROUND 10 PM. THE FRIENDS SEARCHED FOR HER ALL NIGHT, AND THEN REPORTED HER MISSING SUNDAY MORNING. INVESTIGATORS FOCUSED ON THE RIVER AFTER FINDING FRESH TIRE TRACKS CUTTING ACROSS A 15 FOOT WIDE GRASS SHOULDER AND DROPPING OVER A 20 FOOT EMBANKMENT INTO THE RIVER 3 QUARTERS OF A MILE FROM THE RESTAURANT. HIGH WATER FLOWS CARRYING LARGE DEBRIS FROM THE WEEKEND STORM HAVE MADE CONDITIONS TOO DANGEROUS TO UTILIZE DIVERS IN THE SEARCH. AUTHORITIES ARE CURRENTLY USING SONAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE.

PRIEST DENIED BAIL JKB 12/20/10

• A FORMER PRIEST WHO IS FIGHTING EXTRADITION TO IRELAND WHERE HE IS ACCUSED OF MOLESTING 6 BOYS FROM 1973 TO 1981 HAS BEEN DENIED BAIL BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

THE JUDGE AGREED WITH PROSECUTORS FRIDAY THAT 74 YEAR OLD PATRICK JOSEPH MCCABE IS A FLIGHT RISK IF FREED. MCCABE, WHO WAS PART OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA ALSO SERVED AT ST BERNARDS PARISH IN EUREKA, WHERE HE IS ALSO ACCUSED IN SEVERAL SEX ABUSE CASES INVOLVING YOUNG BOYS IN THE EARLY 1980S. MCCABE HAS DENIED ALL OF THE CHARGES.

JUDGE RON BROWN ON LEAVE DUE TO ILLNESS JKB 12/20/10

• JUDGE RON BROWN IS ON INDEFINITE LEAVE FROM THE MENDOCINO SUPERIOR COURT DUE TO AN UNDISCLOSED MEDICAL CONDITION.

BROWN BEGAN HIS LEAVE ON DECEMBER 6TH, BUT HAD NOT BEEN IN COURT SINCE NOVEMBER 22ND WHEN HE BEGAN A 2 WEEK VACATION.

BROWNS CALENDAR IS CURRENTLY BEING DIVIDED AMONG THE OTHER SITTING SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES IN HIS ABSENCE. THE COURT WILL DECIDE LATER HOW THEY WILL HANDLE HIS CASE LOAD IN THE FUTURE ONCE THEY KNOW WHEN AND IF JUDGE BROWN WILL RETURN.

MORE THAN 200 ATTEND MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR TODDLER JKB 12/20/10

• MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE ATTENDED A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 2 YEAR OLD CALLI MURRAY IN PETALUMA ON SUNDAY.

THE TODDLER WAS KILLED WHEN SHE AND HER MOTHER WERE STRUCK WHILE WALKING IN A ROHNERT PARK CROSSWALK DECEMBER 1ST BY 18 YEAR OLD KAITLYN DUNAWAY. ACCORDING TO POLICE, DUNAWAY WAS DISTRACTED BY HER CELL PHONE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. 40 YEAR OLD LING MURRAY WATCHED THE SERVICE ONLINE FROM HER HOSPITAL ROOM. CALLI WOULD HAVE TURNED 3 ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

THREAT ON CORRECTIONS DEPUTY JKB 12/20/10

• A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE APPEARED TO THREATEN THE LIFE OF A MENDOCINO COUNTY CORRECTIONS DEPUTY AND HIS 3 YEAR OLD SON WHILE HE WAS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN WALMART ON THURSDAY.

24 YEAR OLD FERNANDO ZEPEDA HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN AN INMATE OF THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL, AND WAS ON PROBATION. HIS HOME, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS, HAD BEEN SEARCHED THAT MORNING DURING AN INVESTIGATION INTO A MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT AGAINST A COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY. ACCORDING TO THE CORRECTIONS OFFICER, HE AND ZEPEDA WERE IN THE SAME ISLE WHEN THE PAIR MADE EYE CONTACT AND ZEPEDA RAISED A HAND AS IF HOLDING AN IMAGINARY HAND GUN AND MIMICKED THE SOUND OF A ROUND BEING DISCHARGED. THE ACTIONS MADE THE CORRECTIONS DEPUTY FEARFUL FOR HIS AND HIS SONS SAFETY, AND HE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO POLICE. ZEPEDA WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR MAKING CRIMINAL THREATS AND VIOLATION OF PROBATION. HE IS BEING HELD ON A NO BAIL STATUS. DETECTIVES ARE STILL INVESTIGATING TO DETERMINE IF ZEPEDA IS CONNECTED TO THE MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT.

WOMAN ATTACKED IN HER HOME JKB 12/20/10

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT IS SEARCHING FOR AN INTRUDER WHO ATTACKED AN ELDERLY COVELO WOMAN IN HER HOME EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE VICTIM, A MAN UNKNOWN TO HER ENTERED HER HOME THROUGH AN UNLOCKED WINDOW AT AROUND 5:30 AM AND PUNCHED HER TWICE IN THE FACE. HE THEN HELD HER FACE DOWN ON THE BED BY HER HAIR. THE SUSPECT THEN REPORTEDLY SAID HE DIDNT KNOW SHE WAS AN OLD LADY AS THE VICTIM PLEADED FOR HER LIFE. THE SUSPECT THEN LEFT, IN PART BECAUSE THE WOMANS DOG WAS REPEATEDLY ATTACKING HIM. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A NATIVE AMERICAN MALE ADULT, 25 TO 30 YEARS OF AGE, 5 FOOT 7 TO 5 FOOT 9 INCHES TALL, APPROXIMATELY 175 POUNDS WITH A MUSCULAR BUILD, CLEAN SHAVEN, AND SHORT BLACK HAIR. HE WAS WEARING A BLACK AND RED FLANNEL SHIRT, TAN OR KHAKI SHORTS, HAD NO SHOES, AND APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.