News 3/31/11

HIGHWAY 101 CLOSED DUE TO SLIDE JKB 3/31/11

• HIGHWAY 101 APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES NORTH OF GARBERVILLE IS CLOSED DUE TO A MASSIVE MUD SLIDE.

A 600 FOOT WIDE SWATH OF MUD, ROCKS, AND TREES ARE COMPLETELY COVERING ALL 4 LANES OF THE ROADWAY. THE SLIDE OCCURRED AT AROUND 9:20 YESTERDAY MORNING DUMPING TONS OF DEBRIS THAT BUCKLED THE ROADWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. NO OFFICIAL ESTIMATE OF HOW LONG THE ROADWAY WILL BE CLOSED HAS BEEN RELEASED, HOWEVER ANALYSTS ON SITE YESTERDAY SAID IT COULD TAKE TWO WEEKS OR MORE TO CLEAR THE SLIDE THAT EXTENDS 1500 FEET ABOVE THE HIGHWAY. AUTHORITIES ARE HOPING TO ESTABLISH ONE WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC IN THE NEXT 2 OR 3 DAYS.

CHILD MOLESTATION SENTENCE JKB 3/31/1

• A MIDDLETOWN MAN WAS CONVICTED OF TWO COUNTS OF INDECENT EXPOSURE AND ONE COUNT OF ANNOYING OR MOLESTING A CHILD YESTERDAY.

29 YEAR OLD DANIEL WOOD WAS FOUND GUILTY BY A JURY AFTER ONLY A 45 MINUTE DELIBERATION. ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, WOOD EXPOSED HIMSELF TO TWO 12 YEAR OLD GIRLS IN MIDDLETOWN LAST AUGUST, BEFORE FLEEING ON A BICYCLE. WOOD WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPECT IN THE CASE UNTIL SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, WOOD HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SEVERAL PREVIOUS CONTACTS BY THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT INVOLVING ALLEGED SEXUALLY DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. HE IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED APRIL 18TH.

COVELO HOTEL FIRE JKB 3/31/11

• THE HISTORIC COVELO HOTEL BURNED TO THE GROUND EARLY MONDAY MORNING IN A FIRE THAT OFFICIALS SAY IS SUSPICIOUS IN ORIGIN.

FIREFIGHTERS GOT THE FIRST REPORT OF THE BLAZE AT 2:41 AM AND WERE ON SCENE LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LATER. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS THE FIRE WAS WELL ESTABLISHED ON THE SECOND FLOOR BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED, AND ALL THEY WERE ABLE TO DO IS TO KEEP THE BLAZE FROM SPREADING TO OTHER NEARBY STRUCTURES BECAUSE OF THE HAZARDOUS FIRE CONDITIONS. INVESTIGATORS SAY A LOCAL VIDEO SHOWS TWO MEN ENTERING THE HOTEL AND LEAVING IT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE BLAZE BROKE OUT. ARSON INVESTIGATORS HAVE BEEN CALLED IN TO EXAMINE EVIDENCE AND THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

WEAPONS ARRESTS JKB 3/31/11

• A PAIR OF LAKE COUNTY MEN ON FELONY PROBATION WERE ARRESTED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS AFTER BEING FOUND IN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

AS A ROUTINE PROCEDURE, THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS NARCOTICS TASK FORCE WERE CONDUCTING SEARCHES OF FELONY PROBATIONERS. ON TUESDAY, 22 YEAR OLD ROBERT WENNING OF NICE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A SAWED OFF SHOTGUN. ON WEDNESDAY 33 YAER OLD ANTHONY PEAK OF KELSEYVILLE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A 1 LOADED RIFLE, 3 OTHER RIFLES, A SHOTGUN SEVERAL LOADED MAGAZINES AND NARCOTICS PARAPHERNALIA. BOTH MEN WERE BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR BEING FELONS IN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND PROBATION VIOLATIONS.

WEAPONS ARREST IN COVELO JKB 3/31/11

• A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP LED TO THE ARREST OF A COVELO MAN ON WEAPONS CHARGES TUESDAY.

23 YEAR OLD JUAN GONZALEZ WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST AND DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. A SEARCH OF HIS VEHICLE TURNED UP AN UNLOADED 22 CALIBER RIFLE AND A LOADED 44 CALIBER HANDGUN THAT HAD BEE HIDEEN BETWEEN THE SEATS AND COVERED WITH A SWEATSHIRT. THE HAND GUN TURNED OUT TO BE REPORTED STOLEN OUT OF SACRAMENT. GONZALES WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES WITH BAIL SET AT $20,000.

LAWSUIT FILED JKB 3/31/11

• LAKE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS MADE IT OFFICIAL TUESDAY AND FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST SHERIFF FRAN RIVERO AND THE COUNTY FOR STRIPPING THEM OF THEIR PEACE OFFICER STATUS.

THE SUIT CONTENDS THAT SHERIFF RIVERO VIOLATED STATE LABOR LAWS WHEN HE MADE THE DECISION TO REMOVE THE PHRASE PEACE OFFICER FROM CORRECTION OFFICERS ID CARDS. THE CHANGE WILL AFFECT CORRECTION OFFICERS WAGES, HOURS, AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT INCLUDING PLACING LIMITATIONS ON THE CARRYING AND USE OF FIREARMS. SHERIFF RIVERO CLAIMS THE CORRECTION OFFICERS DONT HAVE THE STATE MANDATORY TRAINING TO BE CONSIDERED PEACE OFFICERS AND THEREFORE OPEN THE COUNTY UP TO EXTREME LIABILITY SHOULD THEY BE INVOLVED IN AN ACTION RESERVED FOR PEACE OFFICERS ONLY, INCLUDING THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE. IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, CORRECTION OFFICERS ID CARDS IDENTIFY THEM AS LIMITED PEACE OFFICERS, ALLOWING THEM TO SERVE AS PEACE OFFICERS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

DROUGHT ENDS IN CALIFORNIA JKB 3/31/11

• GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN YESTERDAY PROCLAIMED AN END TO THE STATES DROUGHT WHILE CONTINUING TO URGE CALIFORNIANS TO CONSERVE WATER.

THIS YEARS STORMS HAVE CAUSED THE MAJORITY OF THE STATES WATER RESERVOIRS TO BE ABOVE NORMAL STORAGE LEVELS. A RECENT SURVEY FOUND THE STATE MOUNTAIN SNOW PACK AT 165% ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES ESTIMATES IT WILL BE ABLE TO DELIVER 70% OF REQUESTED STATE WATER PROJECT WATER THIS YEAR, AND THAT ESTIMATE IS EXPECTED TO RISE AS THE RUNOFF BEGINS.

News 3/29/11

KIDNAPPING ARREST JKB 3/29/11

• TWO CLEARLAKE WOMEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE KIDNAPPING OF A 20 YEAR OLD WOMAN ON FRIDAY.

AUTHORITIES LEARNED OF THE INCIDENT AFTER THE ALLEGED VICTIM WAS CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING AT WAL MART SATURDAY EVENING. DURING QUESTIONING, THE WOMAN TOLD POLICE THAT SHE HAD BEEN FORCED TO STEAL BY 26 YEAR OLD ARETI WHITE AND 26 YEAR OLD AMBER WILLIAMS. SHE CLAIMED THE TWO WOMEN HAD ABDUCTED HER THE NIGHT BEFORE, ASSAULTED HER OVER A PERIOD OF 24 HOURS, AND THREATENED HER WITH A GUN. SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE POLICE TO THE HOME WHERE THE ALLEGED EVENTS TOOK PLACE. OFFICERS ARRESTED BOTH WOMEN ON SUNDAY ON CHARGES OF KIDNAPPING AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT. WHITE WAS ADDITIONALLY CHARGED WITH MAKING TERRORIST THREATS, EXHIBITING A GUN, BEING A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A GUN AND BEING ARMED DURING THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY. THE VICTIM WAS NOT CHARGED WITH SHOPLIFTING AND RELEASED. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE VICTIM APPARENTLY OWED MONEY TO WHITE, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE KIDNAPPING.

NEWSPAPER BOMB JKB 3/29/11

• A VACAVILLE MAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN HIS NEWSPAPER EXPLODED SUNDAY MORNING AS HE TRIED TO RETRIEVE IT FROM THE BOX.

THE VICTIM WHOS NAME WAS NOT RELEASED, A MAN IN HIS 80S SUFFERED SERIOUS, BUT NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES TO ONE HAND, ARM AND SIDE. HE WAS TAKEN TO A SACRAMENTO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. AGENTS FROM SEVERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING THE FBI, CHP AND A BOMB SQUAD FROM TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, EVACUATED THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE BLAST TO COLLECTED EVIDENCE AND SEARCH FOR OTHER POSSIBLE DEVICES. NONE WERE FOUND. AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT INDICATED IF THERE WAS A MOTIVE BEHIND THE ATTACK.

BOMB SCARE AT HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY JKB 3/29/11

• A BOMB SCARE AT HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY CAUSED THE EVACUATION OF TWO LARGE HALLS LATE YESTERDAY MORNING.

FOUNDERS HALL AND THE ADJACENT VAN MATRE HALL WERE SHUT DOWN AND EVACUATED AFTER A HANDWRITTEN NOTE WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAMPUS LIBRARY AT AROUND 10 AM. AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH OF BOTH BUILDINGS TURNED UP NO EXPLOSIVE DEVICES OR ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS. THE BUILDINGS WERE RE-OPENED TO STUDENTS AND FACULTY AT AROUND 4 PM. THE SCARE WAS THE FOURTH BOMB THREAT AT THE SCHOOL IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT BELIEVE YESTERDAYS EVENT WAS RELATED TO ANY PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

COLLISION ON STATE STREET JKB 3/29/11

• A TWO CAR COLLISION ON NORTH STATE STREET CAUSED A SLOW DOWN YESTERDAY AS ONE OF THE DRIVERS HAD TO BE CUT FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 39 YEAR OLD SAMUEL GAMEZ WAS FOLLOWING NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC WHEN HE FAILED TO NOTICE THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY AT AROUND 2:45 PM. GAMEZ SWERVED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID RE-ENDING THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE DRIVERS SIDE OF A SOUTHBOUND CAR DRIVEN BY 27 YEAR OLD URSELA MARRUFO OF REDWOOD VALLEY. MARRUFO HAD TO BE EXTRICATED FROM HER VEHICLE, BUT SUFFERED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. AN ADULT FEMALE PASSENGER AND TWO CHILDREN IN HER CAR, AGES 4 AND 6 WERE NOT INJURED. GAMEZ ALSO ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ARE NOT BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FACTORS IN THE CRASH.

LAKE COUNTY CORRECTION OFFICERS TO SUE FOR PEACE OFFICER STATUS JKB 3/29/11

• LAKE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ARE CURRENTLY NOT CONSIDERED PEACE OFFICERS, AND THEREFORE COULD RUN A HIGH LIABILITY RISK IF THEY WERE TO USE A FIREARM WHILE ON DUTY, AND THAT REVELATION LOOKS LIKE IT WILL LEAD TO A LAWSUIT.

NEWLY ELECTED SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO MADE THE DISCOVERY AS HE WAS PREPARING TO ISSUE NEW ID CARDS TO HIS STAFF. HE NOTICED THE PREVIOUSLY ISSUED CARDS MISTAKENLY IDENTIFIED THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AS PEACE OFFICERS. SINCE THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS DO NOT HAVE THE STATE MANDATED MINIMUM TRAINING FOR PEACE OFFICERS, RIVERO SAYS IT POSES A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF LIABILITY TO THE COUNTY SHOULD A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER USE THEIR FIREARM ON DUTY OR ENGAGE IN ANY ACTIONS RESERVED FOR PEACE OFFICERS. RIVERO NOTIFIED PRESIDENT OF THE LAKE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION MICHAEL SILVA, OF THE DISCREPANCY AND SUBSEQUENT STATUS CHANGE OF THE OFFICERS EARLIER THIS MONTH. SILVA ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THE UNION REPRESENTING CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WILL SUE THE COUNTY AND THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT TO BE RECOGNIZED AS PEACE OFFICERS.

CLEAR LAKE PEAKS LOWER THAN EXPECTED JKB 3/29/11

• AFTER DAYS OF RAIN AND FLOODING, CLEAR LAKE PEAKED AT A LOWER LEVEL THAN EXPECTED YESTERDAY.

THE LAKE HIT FLOOD STAGE, 9 FEET RUMSEY ON FRIDAY AND WAS ANTICIPATED TO TOP 9 AND A HALF FEET YESTERDAY. ACCORDING TO LAKE COUNTY WATER OFFICIALS HOWEVER, THE LAKE ONLY REACHED A PEAK 9.37 FEET RUMSEY BEFORE THE WATERS STARTED TO RECEDE. A FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT, BUT WITH NO SIGNIFICANT RAIN FORECAST FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THAT WARNING IS EXPECTED TO BE LIFTED SOON.

REDWOOD GROVE TO BE SAVED JKB 3/29/11

• A STAND OF ANCIENT REDWOOD TREES THAT WERE IN DANGER OF BEING LOGGED WILL BE PRESERVED AFTER THE SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RAISED THE $3 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS THEY WERE SHORT TO PURCHASE THE GROVE.

THE GROUP WILL PAY A TOTAL OF $7 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE 426 ACRE GROVE THAT STANDS ALONG SIDE THE HISTORIC SKUNK TRAIN ROUTE WEST OF WILLITS. THE WILLITS REDWOOD COMPANY, WHICH OWNS THE GROVE SAID THEY HAD PLANNED TO START LOGGING OPERATIONS IF THE GROUP COULD NOT COME UP WITH NECESSARY FUNDS BY APRIL 1ST.

Playlist 3/31/11

CEE LO GREEN-FORGET YOU

LADY GAGA-BORN THIS WAY

PINK-F***IN’ PEFECT

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

RIHANNA-S & M

USHER-MORE

AVRIL LAVIGNE-WHAT THE HELL

BLACK EYED PEAS-JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH

BRITNEY SPEARS-TILL THE WORLD ENDS

BRUNO MARS-THE LAZY SONG

CHRISTINA PERRI-JAR OF HEARTS

DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY-COMING HOME

JENNIFER LOPEZ W/PITBULL-ON THE FLOOR

JEREMIH W/50 CENT-DOWN ON ME

JESSIE J. W/B.O.B.-PRICE TAG

KATY PERRY W/KANYE WEST-E.T.

KERI HILSON-PRETTY GIRL ROCK

KESHA-BLOW

THE SCRIPT-FOR THE FIRST TIME

TINIE TEMPAH W/ERIC TURNER-WRITTEN IN THE STARS

30 SECONDS TO MARS-CLOSER TO THE EDGE

ADELE-ROLLING IN THE DEEP

DR. DRE W/EMINEM-I NEED A DOCTOR

JAY SEAN-HIT THE LIGHTS

MIKE POSNER W/LIL WAYNE-BOW CHICKA WOW WOW

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE-SING

NEW BOYZ W/THE CATARACS & DEV-BACKSEAT

NICKI MINAJ W/DRAKE-MOMENT 4 LIFE

BIG TIME RUSH-BOYFRIEND

GLEE CAST-LOSER LIKE ME

HOT CHELLE RAE-TONIGHT TONIGHT

LMFAO-PARTY ROCK ANTHEM

LUPE FIASCO-THE SHOW GOES ON

SELENA GOMEZ AND THE SCENE-WHO SAYS

SHONTELLE-HELLO TO GOODBYE

THE READY SET-YOUNG FOREVER

News 3/28/11

BODY IDENTIFIED JKB 3/28/11

• THE BODY OF A MAN WHO WAS FOUND AT THE WILDWOOD CAMPGROUND NEAR FORT BRAGG LAST WEEK HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 50 YEAR OLD AREA TRANSIENT JEFFREY MALCOLM AHART.

AHARTS BODY WAS FOUND WEDNESDAY BY A PAIR OF CAMPGROUND RESIDENTS WHO WERE WALKING THEIR DOG. AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION FOUND NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF TRAUMA. AN AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED LAST WEEK, BUT THE CAUSE OF DEATH WILL NOT BE RELEASED PENDING THE RESULTS OF TOXICOLOGY FINDINGS.

HIKERS RESCUED JKB 3/28/11

• 3 TEENAGE HIKERS CAMPING NEAR LAKE PILLSBURY WERE FOUND AFTER A LARGE SCALE SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE ONSET OF EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS PROMPTED FAMILY MEMBERS TO REPORT THE BOYS, AGES 16 TO 18, AS POSSIBLY MISSING AND IN TROUBLE. THEIR HIKING ITINERARY HAD THEM SCHEDULED TO RETURN BY SATURDAY, BUT THE ONSET OF MULTIPLE STORMS LATE LAST WEEK CAUSED REASON FOR CONCERN AND A SEARCH EFFORT WAS LAUNCHED ON THURSDAY. THE BOYS WERE LOCATED AT AROUND NOON ON SATURDAY, IN A MAKESHIFT SHELTER. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE BOYS WERE FINE AND HAD BEEN MAKING THEIR WAY OUT OF THE WILDERNESS UNDER THEIR OWN POWER AND ON SCHEDULE, DESPITE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

BROTHERS ARRESTED IN BURGLARY OF DEAD RELATIVES HOME JKB 3/28/11

• TWO BROTHERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED SON SUSPICION THAT THEY BURGLARIZED THE COVELO HOME OF A RECENTLY DEAD RELATIVE LAST WEEK.

ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, 18 YEAR OLD MICHAEL AND 21 YEAR OLD LEE JOAQUIN OF COVELO, BROKE INTO THE HOME OF THE LATE STEPHANIE EDWARDS ON WEDNESDAY, A WEEK AFTER HER FUNERAL. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY MADE OFF WITH JEWELRY, NINTENDO GAMES, A FIREARM AND A PAIR OF NEW JOGGING SHOES, BUT OVERLOOKED $1400 IN CASH STASHED IN A DRAWER. THE JOAQUIN BROTHERS WERE DESCRIBED AS DISTANT COUSINS OF EDWARDS MOTHER. EDWARDS DIED MARCH 10TH OF COMPLICATIONS FROM LUPUS.

CLEAR LAKE TO PEAK TODAY JKB 3/28/11

• U.S. GEOLOGICAL OFFICIALS ARE PREDICTING THAT THE WATER LEVEL IN CLEAR LAKE WILL PEAK SOMETIME TODAY.

THE LAKE HIT 9 FOOT ON THE RUMSEY SCALE OR FLOOD STAGE ON FRIDAY, AND IT IS PREDICTED TO REACH A HIGH MARK OF 9.5 FEET BY TODAY. A FLOOD WARNING ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAST WEEK, REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LAKE COUNTY. THE LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSED BOAT LAUNCHES IN THE COUNTY PARKS DUE TO THE HIGH LAKE LEVEL LAST WEEK.

TRANSIENT ARRESTED AT MASONITE JKB 3/28/11

• A TRANSIENT MAN FROM FLORIDA WAS ARRESTED AFTER TRYING TO DO A LITTLE RECYCLING WITH ITEMS TAKEN FROM THE OLD MASONITE SITE ON THURSDAY.

A PAIR OF FISH AND GAME WARDENS FIRST NOTICED 25 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER SUMMERFIELD REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE MASONITE PROPERTY AND CALLED POLICE JUST AFTER NOON. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED, SUMMERFIELD WAS FOUND PUSHING A SAFEWAY SHOPPING CART THAT CONTAINED A STAINLESS STEEL SINK, STAINLESS STEEL BOXES, PIECES OF LARGE GAUGE ALUMINUM ELECTRICAL CABLE, ROMEX WIRE AND AN ALUMINUM STREET SIGN. HE STATED HE TOOK THE ITEMS FROM THE MASONITE PROPERTY AND WAS EN-ROUTE TO A RECYCLING CENTER WHEN HE WAS STOPPED. A CHECK DETERMINED THAT SUMMERFIELD WAS WANTED ON A NON EXTRADITABLE WARRANT OUT OF FLORIDA FOR THEFT. HE WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL WITH BAIL SET AT $15,000.

BILL INTRODUCED FOR TSUNAMI DAMAGE JKB 3/28/11

• NORTH COAST ASSEMBLYMAN WES CHSBRO HAS INTRODUCED A PAIR OF BILLS TO HELP DEL NORTE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES TO PAY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE MARCH 11TH TSUNAMI.

ONE BILL SEEKS 100% COMPENSATION FROM THE STATE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL COSTS OF RESPONDING TO THE TSUNAMI EMERGENCY, WHILE A 2ND BILL WOULD PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED LOSSES OF INCOME FROM THE EVENT. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD PAY APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE COSTS OF RESPONDING TO THE EMERGENCY, IF A FEDERAL DISASTER IS DECLARED, BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET. ASSEMBLY BILL 1428 SEEKS FULL REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE FOR THE COSTS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SPENT TO RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY, EVEN IF A FEDERAL DISASTER IS NOT DECLARED.

News 3/25/11

DEATH INVESTIGATION JKB 3/25/11

• MENDOCINO COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A MAN WHOS BODY WAS FOUND AT THE WILDWOOD CAMPGROUND ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR FORT BRAGG ON WEDNESDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, TWO RESIDENTS OF THE CAMPGROUND WHO WERE WALKING THEIR DOG FOUND THE BODY. INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE MAN BASED ON HIS FACIAL FEATURES AND TATTOOS, BUT HIS NAME IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF RELATIVES. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVES, THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF MAJOR TRAUMA. ANYONE WITH POSSIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

CLEARLAKE FLOODING JKB 3/25/11

• FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 13 YEARS, CLEARLAKE HAS REACHED FLOOD STAGE.

THE LAKE REACHED 9.1 FEET RUMSEY AT AROUND 3 AM THIS MORNING, EXCEEDING THE FLOOD LEVEL OF 9 FEET. THE LAKE IS EXPECTED TO FLUCTUATE NEAR THE 9 FOOT MARK TODAY, AND THEN RISE TO NEAR 9.5 FEET BY LATE TOMORROW MORNING. IT IS EXPECTED TO FLUCTUATE THERE THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. MINOR FLOODING HAS BEEN REPORTED ALL AROUND THE LAKE, FROM LAKEPORT TO CLEARLAKE OAKS. THE DAM ON CACHE CREEK IS RELEASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WATER POSSIBLE, BUT IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF WATER ENTERING THE LAKE.

HIKERS RESCUED JKB 3/25/11

• A NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER CREW RESCUED TWO LOST HIKERS AND THEIR DOG WHO HAD BECOME STRANDED ON A MOUNTAIN TOP IN THE TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST ON WEDNESDAY.

THE HIKERS, A 28 YEAR OLD AND A 46 YEAR OLD, BECAME LOST ON TUESDAY ABOUT 30 MILES EAST OF ARCATA. A SEARCH EFFORT WAS LAUNCHED LATE TUESDAY WHEN IT WAS LEARNED THE TWO WERE MISSING. A NATIONAL GUARD AIR CREW LOCATED THE WAYWARD HIKERS AND THEIR DOG JUST AFTER 2 PM. THE NAMES AND HOMETOWNS OF THE HIKERS WAS NOT RELEASED.

FIGHT AT ROBINSON RANCHERIA CASINO JKB 3/25/11

• AS MANY AS 40 PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN A FIGHT INSIDE THE ROBINSON RANCHERIA CASINO ON SATURDAY.

AN INITIAL FIGHT BROKE OUT AT AROUND 4:30 PM AND INVOLVED APPROXIMATELY 10 PEOPLE INSIDE THE RANCHERIA CONFERENCE HALL. WITNESSES REPORTED TWO MORE FIGHTS THAT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED 30 TO 40 PEOPLE. MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS HAD FLED BY THE TIME LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVED MOMENTS LATER. THOSE THAT DID REMAIN DECLINED MEDICAL TREATMENT AND NO ARRESTS WERE MADE AT THE SCENE. THE CASE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE FOR POSSIBLE PROSECUTION LATER.

SMART METER OPT OUT TO COST CUSTOMERS JKB 3/25/11

• IF YOU DONT WANT A PG&E SMART METER INSTALLED ON YOUR HOUSE OR BUSINESS, ITS GOING TO COST YOU.

ACCORDING TO A PROPOSAL MADE YESTERDAY, PG&E IS PLANNING TO CHARGE UTILITY CUSTOMERS WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SMART METER OPT OUT PROGRAM EITHER A $270 FEE UP FRONT PLUS A $14 MONTHLY CHARGE, OR AN INCREASE IN RATES, OR A $135 UP FRONT CHARGE, A $20 MONTHLY FEE, OR AN INCREASE IN RATES. THE UTILITY COMPANY SAYS THE FEES WILL PRIMARILY COVER LABOR COSTS TO TURN OFF THE WIRELESS METERS, THE EMPLOYEMENT OF METER READERS, AND A CHANGE TO ITS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM. CRITICS OF THE METERS CONTEND THE WIRELESS RADIO WAVES COULD BE A HEALTH HAZARD. THE PROPOSAL STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

MOTHER ARRESTED FOR DRUGS JKB 3/25/11

• A WILLITS WOMAN WAS ARRESTED ON DRUG AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES DURING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP ON WEDNESDAY.

25 YEAR OLD MOTECUHZOMA VAUGHN WAS ATTEMPTED TO HIDE A PURSE BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT AS DEPUTIES APPROACHED HER CAR. SHE WAS FOUND TO BE ON ACTIVE PAROLE AND DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. A SEARCH OF HER PURSE TURNED UP A SMALL AMOUNT OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND HYPODERMIC SYRINGES. ACCORDING TO DEPUTIES, VAUGHN HAD HER 9 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE CAR, BUT APPARENTLY NO ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE TO CARE FOR THE CHILD. A DIAPER BAG CONTAINED ONLY TWO UNOPENED CANS OF BEER AND NOTHING ELSE. VAUGHN STATED THE CHILD HAD BEEN ILL FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND DEPUTIES HAD IT TRANSPORTED TO HOWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AFTER DETERMINING IT HAD A FEVER. THE INFANT WAS TREATED AND RELEASED TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. VAUGHN WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES AND IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL.

POWER OUTAGES JKB 3/25/11

• YESTERDAYS SNOW AND RAIN STORM CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT FOR MORE THAN 4,000 CUSTOMERS IN WILLITS.

THE OUTAGES OCCURRED BETWEEN 9:45 AND 11 AM. ANOTHER 2850 CUSTOMERS IN LAYTONVILLE, COVELO, AND BRANSCOMB LOST POWER JUST AFTER NOON. ACCORDING TO PG&E, ALL OF THE OUTAGES WERE STORM RELATED DUE TO WIND, SNOW, OR DOWNED TREES AND BRANCHES. UTILITY CREWS WERE OUT IN FORCE TRYING TO RESTORE POWER FOR MOST OF THE DAY YESTERDAY.

DRUG BUST JKB 3/25/11

• TWO PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AFTER AGENTS WITH THE LAKE COUNTY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE INTERRUPTED A DRUG DEAL IN PROGRESS ON WEDNESDAY.

AGENTS SERVING A SEARCH WARRANT ON A HOME AT THE TREE HAVEN RESORT IN NICE GOT NO ANSWER AND BROKE DOWN THE DOOR AT AROUND 1:20 PM. INSIDE THEY FOUND 51 YEAR OLD THOMAS MEYER STANDING IN THE BEDROOM DOORWAY. 50 YEAR OLD JANE CORBETT THEN EXITED FROM THE BATHROOM AFTER HAVING JUST FLUSHED THE TOILET. DETECTIVES DETERMINED THAT A NARCOTICS TRANSACTION WAS TAKING PLACE AND CORBETT HAD JUST DISPOSED OF EVIDENCE. A SEARCH OF HER HOME TURNED UP 3 BAGS CONTAINING MORE THAN A QUARTER OUNCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE. AGENTS ALSO FOUND PACKAGING MATERIAL, A DIGITAL SCALE AND $700 IN CASH. BOTH SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL.

News 3/24/11

WINTER STORMS JKB 3/24/11

THE WINTER STORMS ARE HERE AND WILL BE BRINGING WITH THEM LOTS OF RAIN, WIND, AND SNOW OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT IN BOTH LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES. IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 14 INCHES ARE EXPECTED AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING WITH THE GREATEST SNOWFALL EXPECTED IN EASTERN TRINITY AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES.

IN LAKE COUNTY, SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2500 FEET THROUGH TONIGHT WITH LESSER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE DOWN TO AN ELEVATION OF 2000 FEET.

WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR WILL ALSO BE PRESENT IN BOTH COUNTIES AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

A FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR CLEAR LAKE AT LAKEPORT FROM FRIDAY MORNING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE LAKE IS EXPECTED TO REACH FLOOD STAGE OF 9 FEET ON THE RUMSEY SCALE LATE THIS MORNING AND THEN FLUCTUATE AROUND THAT MARK THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. THE LAKE IS THEN EXPECTED TO EXCEED THE 9 FOOT FLOOD STAGE MARK DURING THE DAY SATURDAY AND REACH 9.5 FEET RUMSEY BY MONDAY.

A FLOOD ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE RUSSIAN RIVER IN MENDOCINO COUNTY NEAR HOPLAND

TODAYS STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO DUMP 1 TO 1.2 INCHES OF RAIN BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON.

WOMAN DROWNS ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE JKB 3/24/11

• MORE INFORMATION HAS BEEN RELEASED ABOUT A COVELO WOMAN WHO APPARENTLY DROWNED AFTER JUMPING INTO THE RAIN SWOLLEN EEL RIVER IN AN ATTEMPT TO ELUDE A CHP OFFICER ON TUESDAY.

THE OFFICER SPOTTED 27 YEAR OLD NICOLE POLLARD ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR LEGGGETT JUST AFTER 4 PM. HE KNEW SHE WAS WANTED ON A NO BAIL MISDEMEANOR WARRANT OUT OF MENDOCINO COUNTY AND PULLED HER OVER. DURING THE STOP, POLLARD FLED FROM THE VEHICLE ON FOOT, RAN DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT AND JUMPED INTO THE RIVER AND TRIED TO SWIM ACROSS, BUT DID NOT MAKE IT TO SHORE. THE OFFICER LOST SIGHT OF HER, AS SHE WAS SWEPT DOWNSTREAM. A SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT WAS IMMEDIATELY LAUNCHED. HER BODY WAS SPOTTED TUESDAY NIGHT CAUGHT UP IN DEBRIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SWIFT CURRENT, BUT SUBMERGED UNDER WATER. BECAUSE OF DARKNESS AND THE DANGEROUS WATER CONDITIONS, HER BODY COULD NOT BE RECOVERED UNTIL EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

3 MEN ARRESTED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT JKB 3/24/11

• 3 MEN WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL ON SUNDAY.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER ON MONDAY WHERE THE VICTIM SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW SHE BECAME INJURED AFTER FINDING BRUISES AND CUTS TO HER ARMS AND NECK. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT SHE HAD BEEN THE VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT. SHE TOLD OFFICERS THAT SHE HAD GONE TO A FRIENDS HOME BECAUSE HER HOME HAD LOST POWER DUE TO THE STORM, BEGAN DRINKING AND SUFFERED THE INJURIES IN AN UNKNOWN MANNER AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT. AN INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT 18 YEAR OLD ADAM DEGRENIER AND 20 YEAR OLD JAMES MORRIS WHO HAD BEEN DRINKING WITH HER, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER. BO THERE BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES WITH BAIL SET AT $75,000 EACH. 20YEAR OLD TREVOR GUNBY WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF CHILD ENDANGERMENT, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR AND AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT. HIS BAIL WAS SET AT $25,000.

MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN SHOOTING DEATH JKB 3/24/11

• A MAN WHO CLAIMED HE ACCIDENTALLY SHOT AND KILLED HIS GIRLFRIEND WHILE TRYING TO SHOOT A DOG LYING NEXT TO HER, HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.

46 YEAR OLD SAMUEL CAMPOS SAID THAT HE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, 41 YEAR OLD JOSEPHINE NAVARRO HAD BEEN DRINKING AND HAD ARGUED EARLIER IN THE DAY ABOUT HIM INJURING HER PET CHIHUAHUA THE PREVIOUS DAY WHILE PLAYING WITH IT. THE DOG SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG. CAMPOS TOLD AUTHORITIES THAT NAVARRO WAS LYING IN BED WITH THE DOG NEXT TO HER WHEN HE DECIDED TO SHOOT IT. HE MISSED WITH THE FIRST SHOT, AND FIRED AGAIN, STRIKING NAVARRO IN THE CHEST. RATHER THAN CALL FOR HELP, HE THEN FLED THE 40 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER IN WILLITS THE COUPLE HAD BEEN STAYING IN AND CONTACTED HIS ATTORNEY WHO ADVISED HIM TO CALL POLICE. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, NAVARRO DID NOT DIE IMMEDIATELY. CAMPOS NOW FACES 21 YEARS IN STATE PRISON AND DEPORTATION ONCE THE SENTENCE IS FINISHED. HE WILL BE SENTENCED MAY 6TH.

INJURED WOMAN IDENTIFIED JKB 3/24/11

• THE CHP HAS IDENTIFIED A WOMAN WHO WAS INJURED IN AN ALCOHOL INFLUENCED LATE TUESDAY NIGHT AS 33 YEAR OLD ARTICIA ALLEN OF KAIBETO ARIZONA.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, ALLEN TURNED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF A PICK UP TRUCK DRIVEN BY 30 YEAR OLD MORGAN WEIPER OF LAKEPORT AT AROUND 11 PM WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM LAKEVIEW DRIVE ONTO HIGHWAY 20. ALLEN, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT SUFFERED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS LATER ARRESTED FOR DUI. WEIPER WAS NOT INJURED.

WILLITS OPPOSES SMART METER INSTALLATION JKB 3/24/11

• ON A VOTE OF 4 TO 1, THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE DRAFTING OF A RESOLUTION TO OFFICIALLY OPPOSE THE INSTALLATION OF PG&ES SMART METERS.

MAYOR BRUCE BURTON WAS THE ONLY DISSENTING VOTE. THE RESOLUTION STOPPED JUST SHORT OF ENACTING A MORATORIUM AS OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING MENDOCINO COUNTY HAS DONE. COUNCIL MEMBERS CITED NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES TO ENACT ANY SORT OF LEGAL BACKING FOR A MORATORIUM IN THEIR DECISION.

SLIDE REDUCES TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 101

• HIGHWAY 101 JUST NORTH OF THE KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE SOUTH OF HOPLAND HAS BEEN REDUCED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION WITH A REDUCED SPEED OF 25 MILES AN HOUR DUE TO ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS CAUSED BY A SLIDE.

THE TRAFFIC CONTROLS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL SUMMER WHEN THE HILLSIDE DRIES OUT AND CREWS CAN GRIND AND REPAVE THE ROADWAY.

Playlist 3/24/11

CEE LO GREEN-FORGET YOU

LADY GAGA-BORN THIS WAY

PINK-F***IN’ PEFECT

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

RIHANNA-S & M

USHER-MORE

AVRIL LAVIGNE-WHAT THE HELL

BLACK EYED PEAS-JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH

BRITNEY SPEARS-TILL THE WORLD ENDS

CHRISTINA PERRI-JAR OF HEARTS

DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY-COMING HOME

JESSIE J. W/B.O.B.-PRICE TAG

KATY PERRY W/KANYE WEST-E.T.

KERI HILSON-PRETTY GIRL ROCK

KESHA-BLOW

LINKIN PARK-WAITING FOR THE END

PLAIN WHITE T’S-RHYTHM OF LOVE

THE SCRIPT-FOR THE FIRST TIME

TINIE TEMPAH W/ERIC TURNER-WRITTEN IN THE STARS

TRAIN-MARRY ME

BRUNO MARS-THE LAZY SONG

JENNIFER LOPEZ W/PITBULL-ON THE FLOOR

JEREMIH W/50 CENT-DOWN ON ME

MIKE POSNER W/LIL WAYNE-BOW CHICKA WOW WOW

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE-SING

NICKI MINAJ W/DRAKE-MOMENT 4 LIFE

30 SECONDS TO MARS-CLOSER TO THE EDGE

ADELE-ROLLING IN THE DEEP

BIG TIME RUSH-BOYFRIEND

DR. DRE W/EMINEM-I NEED A DOCTOR

HOT CHELLE RAE-TONIGHT TONIGHT

LUPE FIASCO-THE SHOW GOES ON

NEW BOYZ W/THE CATARACS & DEV-BACKSEAT

News 3/23/11

WINTER STORMS ON THE WAY JKB 3/23/11

· TWO WINTER STORMS WILL DESCEND ON THE NORTH COAST TODAY, BRINGING WITH IT A LOT OF RAIN, WIND, AND SNOW AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FROM THE FIRST STORM TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY IS EXPECTED TO BRING 6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW TO ELEVATIONS ABOVE THE 3000 FOOT MARK, WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS EXPECTED WHEN THE 2ND STORM ARRIVES ON THURSDAY.

IN LAKE COUNTY A HIGH WIND WATCH WILL GO INTO EFFECT THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY. WINDS SIMILAR TO LAST WEEKEND ARE EXPECTED, WITH GUSTS OF 50 TO 65 MILES AN HOUR POSSIBLE BY THURSDAY EVENING.

A FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CLEARLAKE AT LAKEPORT THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT AT 7 PM THURSDAY EVENING. AS OF THIS MORNING THE LAKE HAD REACHED 8.6 ON THE RUMSEY SCALE AND MINOR FLOODING OF SOME LAKESIDE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED. FLOOD STAGE OF 9.0 RUMSEY IS EXPECTED TO BE REACHED BY FRIDAY, WHICH WILL LEAD TO LOW LYING STRUCTURES AND SOME MAIN ROADS AROUND THE LAKE BEING THREATENED BY HIGH WATER LEVELS.

AUTHORITIES ARE ADVISING RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR THE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY TRAVEL. MOTORISTS HEADED INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS ARE ADVISED TO CARRY A FLASHLIGHT, EXTRA FOOD, WATER, AND EXTRA CLOTHING IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, AND TO BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME WINTER WEATHER DRIVING CONDITIONS.

WOMAN CONVICTED AND DEPORTED JKB 3/23/11

• AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO STOLE A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMANS IDENTITY AND FILED FALSE TAX RETURNS, WAS SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON AND THEN DEPORTED.

ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, 29 YEAR OLD ANGELES VASQUEZ ILLEGALLY OBTAINED THE DRIVERS LICENSE AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OF HER VICTIM AND THEN FILED BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX RETURNS, CLAMING TOW CHILDREN WHO NOT HERS AS DEPENDENTS. VASQUEZ WAS ARRESTED FEBRUARY 4TH AND PLEADED GUILTY TO 2 COUNTS OF PERJURY 2 WEEKS LATER. SHE WAS SENTENCED TO A 5 YEAR SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE AND THEN DEPORTED TO MEXICO. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, VASQUEZ WILL IMMEDIATELY BE SENT TO PRISON TO SERVE THE ENTIRE SENTENCE IF SHE IS CAUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS.

INJURY ACCIDENT JKB 3/23/11

• A WOMAN WAS SEVERELY INJURED IN A TWO CAR COLLISION AT THE INTERSECTION OF LAKEVIEW AND HIGHWAY 20 IN NICE LATE TUESDAY EVENING.

VERY FEW DETAILS ABOUT THE ACCIDENT HAVE BEEN RELEASED. ACCORDING TO THE CHP, A WOMAN DRIVING A SMALL SPORTS CAR COLLIDED WITH A 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP AT AROUND 11 PM. THE WOMAN WAS REPORTEDLY NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUFFERED A MAJOR HEAD INJURY. THE DRIVER OF THE PICK UP WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WITNESSES SAID THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE OTHER INJURED PERSON AT THE SCENE, BUT IT WAS UNCLEAR WHICH VEHICLE THEY HAD COME FROM. THE INJURED WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES. AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION INDICATED THAT ALCOHOL MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

WEAPONS AND DRUG ARREST JKB 3/23/11

• A CLEARLAKE MAN WAS ARRESTED ON DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES AFTER POLICE SERVED A PROBATION SEARCH WARRANT ON HIS HOME SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

DURING A SEARCH, POLICE FOUND APPROXIMATELY 2 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA, A LARGE QUANTITY OF ECSTASY, A LARGE QUANTITY OF MORPHINE SULFATE, COCAINE, NUMEROUS TYPES OF PACKAGING MATERIAL, A DIGITAL SCALE, A SEMI AUTOMATIC HANDGUN AND A LOADED SAWED OFF 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN. 38 YEAR OLD BRANDON THOMAS, WAS BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES. HE IS BEING HELD ON $100,000 BAIL.

WATER DUMPED FROM BROOKTRAILS DAM JKB 3/23/11

• NEARLY 33 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WAS UNEXPECTEDLY PURGED FROM THE LAKE EMILY RESERVOIR IN THE BROOKTRIALS TOWNSHIP OF WILLITS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

ENGINEERS SAY A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION IN THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM CONTROLLING AN INFLATABLE GATE ALLOWED 102 ACRE-FEET OF WATER TO BE RELEASED. A DOWNSTREAM INSPECTION DETERMINED THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM THE SURGE OF WATER, ALTHOUGH THE CLOVER ROAD BRIDGE OVER WILLITS CREEK WAS TEMPORARILY UNDERWATER AS NEARLY 70,000 GALLONS OF MINUTE WAS DUMPED INTO THE CREEK. OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS NO CURRENT DANGER FROM THE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE WATER LEVEL WILL NOT BE RAISED AGAIN UNTIL ENGINEERS MAKE SURE THERE WILL BE NO REPEAT OF THE INCIDENT IN THE FUTURE.

BOARD ADOPTS RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION RATES JKB 3/23/11

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADOPTED A RECOMMENDED CONTRIBUTION RATE FOR ITS EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY.

THE COUNTY WILL NOW PAY A RATE OF 19.08% OF ITS PAYROLL INTO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, WHILE EMPLOYEES WILL CONTRIBUTE AT A RATE OF 9.69%. THE NEW RATE INCREASES THE COUNTYS ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION BY MORE THAN $4 MILLION, FOR A TOTAL CONTRIBUTION OF $13.2 MILLION DOLLARS. THE RATES WERE RECOMMENDED BY BUCK CONSULTANTS, WHO WERE FIRED BY SUPERVISORS AS THE COUNTYS ACTUARY LAST WEEK AFTER AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT FOUND THAT THE FIRM MADE CRITICAL MISTAKES IN ITS ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS THAT PUT THE COUNTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEHIND IN THEIR RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS.

RADIATION MONITORING JKB 3/23/11

• RADIATION MONITORS CONTINUE TO CONFIRM THAT NO DANGEROUS LEVELS OF RADIATION HAVE REACHED THE U.S. FROM JAPANS CRIPPLED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.

ANALYSIS OF 4 WEST COAST RADNET AIR MONITORING FILTERS HAVE SHOWED TRACE AMOUNTS OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE, CESIUM, AND TELLURIUM IN THE ATMOSPHERE CONSISTENT WITH THE JAPANESE NUCLEAR INCIDENT, BUT AT CONCENTRATIONS MILLIONS OF TIMES BELOW LEVELS OF CONCERN. ACCORDING TO SCIENTISTS, AMERICANS RECEIVE DOSES OF RADIATION FROM NATURAL SOURCES LIKE ROCKS, BRICKS, AD THE SUN THAT ARE ABOUT 100,000 TIMES HIGHER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN DETECTED COMING FROM JAPANS DAMAGED NUCLEAR REACTORS.

News 3/22/11

MEN FOUND AFTER SEARCH JKB 3/22/11

• TWO MEN WHO BECAME STRANDED IN THE SNOW IN THEIR CAR SATURDAY NIGHT ON ELK MOUNTAIN ROAD ABOVE UPPER LAKE WERE RESCUED LATE SUNDAY EVENING, AFTER A 13 HOUR SEARCH EFFORT.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, 34 YEAR OLD AMBROSIO MALDONALDO OF RIPON AND 60 YEAR OLD GILBERTO SAN MIGUEL OF MODESTO HAD BEEN VISITING STEVE BETTENCOURT IN LAKE PILLSBURY JUST PRIOR TO BECOMING STUCK IN THE SNOW ON THEIR WAY HOME AT AROUND 4 PM. THEY PHONED BETTENCOURT AND TOLD HIM THEY WERE GOING TO REMAIN WITH THEIR VEHICLE OVERNIGHT AND ATTEMPT TO WALK OUT IN THE MORNING, BUT THE WEATHER PREVENTED THEM FROM DOING SO. BETTENCOURT CALLED FOR HELP AT 11 AM SUNDAY AND A SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION WAS LAUNCHED. USING A BULLDOZER AND SNOW CAT, RESCUERS REACHED THE MEN JUST BEFORE 10 PM SUNDAY. BOTH MEN WERE COLD AND HUNGRY BUT OTHERWISE UNHARMED.

MAN KILLED BY FALLING TREE IN NAPA JKB 3/22/11

• A VALLEJO MAN WAS KILLED WHEN HIS CAR WAS CRUSHED BY A FALLING TREE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 12 IN NAPA LATE SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 46 YEAR OLD ALEXANDER NAGLAL WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND WHEN THE LARGE OAK TREE, BATTERED BY HEAVY RAINS AND HIGH WINDS DURING SATURDAYS STORM, TOPPLED OVER AND FELL ON HIS CHEVY SUBURBAN AT AROUND 10:20 PM. THE TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON IMPACT AND NAGLAL WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE ACCIDENT SHUT DOWN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 12 FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS.

E-QUAKE JKB 3/22/11

• THE UKIAH VALLEY WAS SHAKEN BY A 3.4 MAGNITUDE EARTH QUAKE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 1:42 PM AND WAS CENTERED 11 MILES WEST OF UKIAH. ALTHOUGH WIDELY FELT, THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

CLEAR LAKE TO FLOOD JKB 3/22/11

• RESIDENTS ALONG THE SHORES OF CLEAR LAKE ARE BRACING FOR A FLOOD LATER THIS WEEK.

THE LAKE IS EXPECTED TO REACH FLOOD STAGE, 9 FEET ON THE RUMSEY SCALE, BY WEDNESDAY, AND CREST AT 9.5 FEET RUMSEY ON FRIDAY. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, AREAS IN NORTH LAKEPORT AND CLEARLAKE WILL BE SUBJECT TO FLOODING. STRUCTURES ALONG THE SHORELINE AND OTHER LOW LYING AREAS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IMPACTED BY WATER AS THE LAKE REACHES ITS HIGHEST MARK. LAKESIDE RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO BE PREPARED WITH SAND BAGS, OTHER EMERGENCY SUPPLIES INCASE OF ELECTRICAL OUTAGES, AND SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO SECURE BOATS AND MOVEABLE DOCKS.

3 ARRESTED FOR BAR RUCKUS JKB 3/22/11

• 3 MEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE FOLLOWING A DISTURBANCE AT DICKS PLACE BAR IN MENDOCINO ON ST PATRICKS DAY.

23 YEAR OLD JAUN ESTRELLA, 27 YEAR OLD NESTOR SANCHEZ, AND 22 YEAR OLD WILTON CRUZ, ALL OF FORT BRAGG, ALLEGEDLY STARTED FIGHTS, THREATENED A BARTENDER AND REFUSED TO LEAVE THE BAR WHEN ASKED. THEY EVENTUALLY LEFT THE SCENE AFTER POLICE WERE CALLED. RESPONDING DEPUTIES SPOTTED THE SUSPECT VEHICLE HEADING NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 1 AT LANSING STREET, AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL IT OVER. THE VEHICLE, DRIVEN BY ESTRELLA SPED AWAY AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MILES AN HOUR. DEPUTIES USED A HIGH RISK VEHICLE STOP MANEUVER TO BRING THE CHASE TO AN END AND ALL 3 MEN WERE ARRESTED. ALL WERE BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR MAKING CRIMINAL THREATS, THREATENING PEACE OFFICERS, AND GANG ENHANCEMENTS.

TEACHER SENTENCED FOR EXPLICIT TEXT MESSAGES JKB 3/22/11

• A FORMER SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AT NAPA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL WAS SENTENCED TO 3 MONTHS IN JAIL AND 3 YEARS PROBATION YESTERDAY FOR SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXT MESSAGES AND A PHOTO TO A TEENAGE STUDENT.

41 YEAR OLD LINDA VASS WAS ARRESTED IN NOVEMBER AFTER POLICE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENTS. SHE PLEADED NO CONTEST IN JANUARY TO DISTRIBUTING LEWD MATERIAL TO A MINOR. UNDER THE TERMS OF HER PLEA BARGAIN AGREEMENT, VASS WILL CONTINUE WITH ONGOING THERAPY AND WILL NOT HAVE TO REGISTER A SEX OFFENDER.

News 3/21/11

WEEKEND STORM JKB 3/21/11

• A WEEKEND STORM CREATED HAVOC ALL ACROSS THE NORTH COAST, , TOPPLING TREES, KNOCKING DOWN POWER LINES, AND FLOODING ROADS.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LOST POWER SATURDAY NIGHT, MANY OF WHICH WERE STILL WITHOUT ELECTRICITY AS OF LAST NIGHT. ACCORDING TO PG&E ABOUT 3500 CUSTOMERS IN LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES WERE STILL WITHOUT POWER AS OF LATE SUNDAY, INCLUDING ABOUT 770 CUSTOMERS IN THE UKIAH AREA. CUSTOMERS IN THE REGINA HEIGHTS AREA MAY BE WITHOUT POWER UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK. THE HEAVY RAINS CAUSED EXTENSIVE FLOODING ON THE COAST AND IN LAKE COUNTY, WITH FLOODING CLOSING NUMEROUS ROADS IN BOTH AREAS. CLEARLAKE HAS RISEN ABOVE ITS FULL LEVEL OF 7.56 ON THE RUMSEY SCALE, AND WITH MORE THAN 4 INCHES OF RAIN PREDICTED TO FALL BETWEEN NOW AND THURSDAY, IS EXPECTED TO CREST AT 8 AND A HALF FEET RUMSEY BY WEDNESDAY. OFFICIALS SAY THAT COULD LEAD TO WIDESPREAD FLOODING AS CLEARLAKES NATURAL OUTLET, CACHE CREEK IS TOO SMALL TO ALLOW WATER TO LEAVE THE LAKE AS FAST AS IT IS ENTERING. FORECASTERS SAY WE CAN EXPECT AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK OF SIGNIFICANT RAIN.

ELDERLY MAN STRANDED JKB 3/21/11

• SEARCH AND RESCUE CREWS WERE SEARCHING FOR AN ELDERLY MAN THAT GOT CAUGHT IN HEAVY SNOW ON ELK MOUNTAIN ROAD ABOVE UPPER LAKE OVER THE WEEKEND.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE MAN GOT STRANDED AS THE WEEKEND STORM DUMPED SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON. RADIO REPORTS INDICATED A LAKE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM LOCATED THE MAN AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON LATE SUNDAY NIGHT AFTER IT APPEARED THE SEARCH WAS BEING CALLED OFF FOR THE NIGHT, BUT THAT REPORT HAS NOT YET BEEN CONFIRMED BY OFFICIAL SOURCES. NO OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE INCIDENT, INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE STRANDED MAN HAVE BEEN RELEASED. WE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ON THIS STORY AS THE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

E-QUAKES AT THE GEYSERS JKB 3/21/11

• IT WAS A VERY SEISMICALLY ACTIVE WEEKEND AT THE GEYSERS, WITH 3 QUAKES LARGER THAN 3.0 STRIKING THE AREA SINCE EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

THE FIRST QUAKE STRUCK AT 9 MINUTES AFTER MIDNIGHT SATURDAY MORNING AND MEASURED 3.0 IN MAGNITUDE. IT WAS CENTERED 3 MILES EAST OF THE STEAM FIELDS. THE 2ND QUAKE MEASURED 3.5 IN MAGNITUDE AND OCCURRED AT 1:17 AM SUNDAY MORNING 2 MILES EAST SOUTH EAST OF THE GEYSERS. THE THIRD QUAKE STRUCK 4 MILES NORTH EAST OF THE STEAM FIELDS AND 2 MILES WEST OF COBB AT 3:08 PM SUNDAY AND MEASURED 3.3 IN MAGNITUDE. MORE THAN 38 SMALLER QUAKES HAVE BEEN MEASURED SINCE SATURDAY MORNINGS QUAKE. THE WEEKENDS QUAKES WERE THE 6TH, 7TH AND 8TH QUAKES 3.0 OR LARGER TO STRIKE THE GEYSERS AREA SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

DRUG BUST JKB 3/21/11

• AGENTS OF THE LAKE COUNTY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE ARRESTED TWO PEOPLE FROM CLEARLAKE OAKES AND SEIZED OVER A POUND OF METHAMPHETAMINE DURING THE SERVICE OF A SEARCH WARRANT LAST TUESDAY.

4 PEOPLE WERE HELD WHEN AGENTS ENTERED THE HOME IN THE SPRING VALLEY AREA OF CLEARLAKE OAKS AT AROUND 2 PM. ACCORDING TO POLICE, AGENTS INTERRUPTED A TRANSACTION IN PROGRESS WHERE 45 YEAR OLD GERARDO CASTILLO WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING AN OUNCE OF METH TO 46 YEAR OLD TAMMI DURAN. DURING A SEARCH OF THE HOME POLICE FOUND A BUCKET HIDDEN IN A FIREPLACE THAT CONTAINED A FULL POUND OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND TWO SMALLER BAGS CONGAING OVER AN OUNCE EACH OF METH. THE BUCKET ALSO CONTAINED A DIGITAL SCALE, CUTTING AGENTS, SMOKING PIPES OTHER PARAPHERNALIA AND MORE THAN $1500 IN CASH.. CASTILLO AND DURAN WERE BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES. THE OTHER TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE HOME AT THE TIME OF THE RAID, AND ARRESTED INITIALLY, WERE DETERMINED LATER NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRIME AND RELEASED.

MENDO COUNTY FIRES ITS ACTUARIAL FIRM JKB 3/21/11

• CITING A $3.3 MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE IN CALCULATING HOW MUCH THE COUNTY NEEDED TO SET ASIDE FOR AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO ITS EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT FUND, THE COUNTY FIRED ITS ACTUARIAL FIRM, BUCK CONSULTING LAST WEEK.

OFFICIALS FOR THE COMPANY ADMITTED TO MAKING INCORRECT ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THEM IN THEIR LATEST REPORT. AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT FOUND THE CALCULATION ERROR THAT SHOWS THAT THE COUNTY IS ALMOST 3 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS BEHIND IN RETIREMENT FUND PAYMENTS. COUNTY OFFICIALS HAD EXPECTED THIS YEARS CONTRIBUTION TO INCREASE BY ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS, BUT THE NOW $4 MILLION DOLLAR COMBINED INCREASE BRINGS THE AMOUNT OF SALARY BASED RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO MORE THAN $13 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. CURRENTLY THE COUNTY IS TRYING TO DEAL WITH A NEARLY $1 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT. NEWS OF THE RETIREMENT SET ASIDE OVERSIGHT LED FITCH RATINGS TO LOWER THE COUNTYS RATING ON PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS FROM A TO TRIPLE B PLUS ON FRIDAY.

NO NEW VOTE ON RDA ELIMINATION JKB 3/21/11

• THERE WAS GOOD NEWS FOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE AS THEYVE BEEN GIVEN AT LEAST A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE FROM BEING ELIMINATED LATE LAST WEEK.

THE CALIFORNIA REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION REPORTED THURSDAY THAT THERE WAS NO VOTE ON EITHER OF THE BILLS THAT WERE SEEKING TO ELIMINATE THE STATES RDAS AND REDISTRIBUTE THEIR FUNDS FOR CORE SERVICES. THE SENATE DID NOT VOTE ON ASSEMBLY BILL 101 LAST WEEK, AND THE ASSEMBLY FAILED TO PASS SENATE BILL 77 BY ONE VOTE ON WEDNESDAY. THE SENATE BILL CAN BE RECONSIDERED, BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON EITHER BILL AS OF FRIDAY.