News 7/27/11

DETAILS RELEASED IN CHILDS DEATH JKB 7/29/11

• THE CHP HAS RELEASED MORE DETAILS ABOUT A 4 YEAR OLD BOY WHO DIED AFTER HE WAS HIT BY AN SUV ON SODA BAY ROAD ON WEDNESDAY.

THE CHILD WAS IDENTIFIED AS JOSEPH MARCUS MCCLOUD-ANDERSON OF LAKEPORT. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, THE CHILD WAS WALKING EASTBOUND ALONG THE NORTH SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AT AROUND 12:30 PM. WHEN FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, HE STEPPED INTO THE WESTBOUND LANE AND WAS STRUCK BY THE VEHICLE, BEING DRIVEN BY 39 YEAR OLD JAMES BISHOP OF LAKEPORT. THE BOY WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL BY A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 1:20 PM.

ROBBER IDENTIFIED JKB 7/29/11

• UKIAH POLICE HAVE RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF THE MAN WHO ROBBED THE BANK OF AMERICA ON STATE STREET WEDNESDAY.

USING SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS THE ROBBER WAS IDENTIFIED AS 51 YEAR OLD PAROLEE FLYNN WASHBURNE. WASHBURNE APPROACHED A TELLER, DEMANDED CASH, AND THEN FLED ON A BICYCLE. HE REMAINS AT LARGE. POLICE DID NOT SAY IF HE WAS ARMED OR HOW MUCH MONEY WAS STOLEN. WASHBURNE IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 5 FEET, 10 INCHES TALL, WITH A THIN BUILD AND SHORT HAIR. HE HAS A TATTOO ON HIS OUTER LEFT FOREARM. HE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A LIGHT COLORED SHIRT, BASEBALL CAP AND SUNGLASSES. HE IS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HIS WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR MOLESTATION JKB 7/29/11

• A HUMBOLDT COUNTY JUDGE SENTENCED AN ARCATA MAN TO THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE POSSIBLE FOR THE ONGOING SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD ON WEDNESDAY.

37 YEAR OLD WAYNE THOMAS BUKOWSKI WAS CONVICTED OF THE MOLESTATION, AND FOR ATTEMPTING TO DISSUADE THE VICTIM FROM TESTIFYING AGAINST HIM WHILE HE WAS OUT ON BAIL. JUDGE W. BRUCE WATSON SENTENCED BUKOWSKI TO 20 YEARS 8 MONTHS IN STATE PRISON.

BURGLARY SUSPECT ARRESTED JKB 7/29/11

• LAKE COUNTY AUTHORITIES RECOVERED MORE THAN $2000 IN STOLEN ART, JEWELRY, COINS, STAMPS, AND HOME ELECTRONICS AFTER A STRING OF ROBBERIES IN THE CLEARLAKE OAKS AREA.

THE BURGLARIES OCCURRED IN LATE JUNE AND EARLY JULY. 25 YEAR OLD MICHAEL MCDANIEL OF CLEARLAKE OAKS WAS IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPECT AFTER HE SOLD SOME OF THE STOLEN ITEMS TO A 2ND HAND STORE IN BIG OAKS PLAZA. ON JULY 27TH, POLICE FOUND MORE OF THE STOLEN GOODS IN MCDANIELS HOME. HE HAD MOVED OUT OF THE RESIDENCE TWO DAYS BEFORE, BUT WAS TRACKED DOWN AND ARRESTED WITH THE HELP OF A FAMILY MEMBER. MCDANIELS GIRLFRIEND, 24 YEAR OLD ALICIA MOORE WAS ALSO ARRESTED FOR BEING AN ACCESSORY. DEPUTIES SAY SHE ALERTED MCDANIEL THAT POLICE WERE LOOKING FOR HIM.

BLACK BEAR CORPSE BECOMES ROADSIDE ATTRACTION JKB 7/29/11

• THE BODY OF A DEAD BLACK BEAR ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR COMMINSKY STATION ROAD BECAME A ROADSIDE ATTRACTION FOR MOTORISTS ON THURSDAY MORNING.

MOTORISTS WERE REPORTEDLY STOPPING THEIR CARS TO PHOTOGRAPH THE DEAD BEAR UNTIL CALTRANS ARRIVED TO REMOVE THE BODY. IT WAS MOVED TO A DESIGNATED ANIMAL BURIAL SITE. THE CAUSE OF THE BEARS DEATH IS UNKNOWN.

POSSIBLE GANG RELATED SHOOTING JKB 7/29/11

• CLEARLAKE POLICE IS INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBLE GANG RELATED SHOOTING OF AN UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE THAT OCCURRED ON HALIKA STREET EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

REPORTS OF SHOTS BEING FIRED CAME IN SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT ON JULY 22ND. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN NEAR SEVERAL HOMES. DETECTIVES DETERMINED THE CAR WAS PARKED CLOSE TO A HOME THAT HELD KNOWN SURENO GANG MEMBERS. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING IS CONTINUING.

FIGHT OVER GENERATOR LEADS TO ARREST JKB 7/29/11

• A FIGHT OVER A GENERATOR LEAD TO THE ARREST OF A COVELO MAN THURSDAY EVENING.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE HOME ON HENDERSON ROAD JUST BEFORE 9 PM, WHERE 47 YEAR OLD GEORGE BENSON AND 42 YEAR OLD ARNOLD SISSON WERE INVOLVED IN AN ARGUMENT. ACCORDING TO POLICE, SISSON USED A MOTORCYCLE TO SPIN DOUGHNUTS IN BENSONS YARD, AND BENSON ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE A GATE TO KEEP SISSON OUT. THAN ANGERED SISSON, WHO THEN SLASHED AT BENSON SEVERAL TIMES WITH A LARGE KNIFE. BENSON WAS NOT INJURED IN THE ATTACK. SISSON WAS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL.

HOUSE FIRE JKB 7/29/11

• AN OVERLOADED WALL SOCKET IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF A HOUSE FIRE THAT DAMAGED A HOME IN UKIAH LATE THURSDAY MORNING.

THE BLAZE CAUSED MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE LIVING AND DINING ROOMS, AND SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGH OUT THE REST OF THE HOUSE. NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE AND THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.

CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES DROPPED JKB 7/29/11

• CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED AGAINST A SONOMA COUNTY MAN WHO SERVED ALMOST A DECADE IN PRISON FOR A NOTORIOUS GANG RELATED BEATING IN WINDSOR IN THE MID 1990S.

32 YEAR OLD JOSE MADRID HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH 4 COUNTS OF COMMITTING LEWD AND LASCIVIOUS ACTS ON A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 14 ON MAY 26TH. DNA TESTING OF THE CHILDS CLOTHING EXCLUDED MADRID AS A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTOR AND PROSECUTORS DISMISSED THE CASE ON THURSDAY. MADRID AND A CO-DEFENDANT WERE CONVICTED IN THE GANG RELATED BEATING OF 16 YEAR OLD DYLAN KATS IN 1996 BECAUSE KATS WAS WEARING A RED SHIRT.

COMMENT PERIOD ON ASPHALT PLANT EXTENDED JKB 7/29/11

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION EXTENDED THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON THE PROPOSED EXPANSION AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ASPHALT PLANT AT THE HARRIS QUARRY SOUTH OF WILLITS YESTERDAY.

NORTHERN AGGREGATES WANTS TO EXTRACT UP TO 125,000 CUBIC YARDS MORE ROCK PER YEAR THAN THEY DO NOW, FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS, AND BUILD AN ASPHALT PLANT AT THE FACILITY AT THE TOP OF LAUGHLIN RIDGE. MOST OF THE 2 HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT MADE AT LAST NIGHTS MEETING WAS AGAINST THE EXPANSION. RESIDENTS OF THE RIDGEWOOD RANCH PROPERTY AND GOLDEN RULE HAVE BEEN ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE PLAN. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WAS EXTENDED BY 46 DAYS. THE PUBLIC WILL NOW HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 6TH TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROPOSAL BEFORE IT IS PRESENTED TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR CONSIDERATION.

News 7/28/11

TODDLER KILLED JKB 7/28/11

• A TODDLER WAS KILLED AFTER HE WAS STRUCK BY AN SUV ON SODA BAY ROAD NEAR OSPREY COURT YESTERDAY.

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE CHILD BELIEVED TO BE 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD, RAN INTO THE ROADWAY TOWARD HIS MOTHER WHO WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TODDLER TRIPPED AND FELL INTO THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE AT AROUND 12:30 PM. HE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL, BUT LATER DIED OF HIS INJURIES. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS CONTINUING.

BANK ROBBERY JKB 7/28/11

• THE BANK OF AMERICA ON SOUTH STATE STREET IN UKIAH WAS ROBBED YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE ROBBERY TOOK PLACE SHORTLY BEFORE 10:30 AM. ACCORDING TO POLICE, SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS FROM INSIDE THE BANK SHOW A SUSPECT, BELIEVED TO BE OF MIDDLE AGE, APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET TALL WITH BROWN HEAR WEARING SHORTS, A LIGHT T-SHIRT AND REDDISH BASEBALL CAP. FIRST REPORTS INDICATE HE FLED SOUTH ON MAIN STREET ON A BICYCLE. AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO ISSUED A BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A REDDISH TOYOTA PICK UP TRUCK WITH A CAB OVER CAMPER SHELL, AND ALUMINUM AFTER MARKET RIMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROBBERY. A PICTURE OF THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN PRINTED IN TODAYS UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL.

FIRE AT DAY CARE HOUSE JKB 7/28/11

• FIRE OFFICIALS ARE CREDITING A PROPERLY WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR FOR LIMITING THE DAMAGE CAUSE BY A FIRE THAT BROKE OUT AT A HOUSE BEING USED AS A DAY CARE FACILITY YESTERDAY.

THE BLAZE OCCURRED IN AN UPSTAIRS BEDROOM OF A HOME ON BELTAMI DRIVE AT 3:43 PM. 6 CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 2 MONTHS AND 5 YEARS WERE IN THE HOME AND WERE ALL SAFELY EVACUATED BY THE CARE GIVER. SHE REPORTED THAT EVERYONE WAS DOWNSTAIRS WHEN THEY WERE ALERTED TO THE FIRE BY THE SMOKE DETECTOR. SHE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO CONTAIN THE FIRE, AND THEN GOT EVERYONE OUT OF THE HOUSE. FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE BLAZE CAUSED MINOR SMOKE AND FIRE DAMAGE TO THE BEDROOM. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MOTORCYCLIST INJURED JKB 7/28/11

• A MOTORCYCLIST WHO CRASHED ON HIGHWAY 1 AND WAS SEVERELY INJURED AFTER BEING THROWN DOWN A HILLSIDE, WAS ABLE TO CRAWL BACK UP TO THE ROADWAY AND FLAG DOWN A MOTORIST WHO THEN TOOK HIM TO A HOSPITAL.

44 YEAR OLD NATHAN REBKOWICH SUFFERED A BROKEN BACK, BROKEN RIBS AND A COLLAPSED LUNG IN THE ACCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED TUESDAY AT AROUND 12:30 PM BETWEEN SALT POINT STATE PARK AND TIMBER COVE ROAD. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

AD HOC FOR MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES JKB 7/28/11

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED THE FORMATION OF AN AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN THE COUNTY.

THE BOARD APPOINTED 2ND DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JOHN MCCOWEN AND 5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR DAN HAMBURG TO HEAD UP THE COMMITTEE. SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMMUNITY OFFERED THEIR HELP IN VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE. SUPERVISORS DID NOT DISCLOSE WHOM ELSE MIGHT SIT ON THE COMMITTEE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 10 MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES OPERATING IN THE COUNTY.

NEW PENALTIES FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY JKB 7/28/11

• GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN SIGNED LEGISLATION ON TUESDAY THAT WILL INCREASE PENALTIES FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY.

THE BILL WILL ALSO BAN THE SALES OF ANIMALS ON ROADSIDES, PARKING LOTS, AND OTHER SIMILAR PUBLIC VENUES. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY BY NEGLECT WILL BE RAISED TO UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL AND A FINE OF UP TO $20,000. THE NEW LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1ST, 2012.

WHALES IN THE KLAMATH JKB 7/27/11

• BIOLOGISTS SAY THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF A GRAY WHALE THAT IS STRANDED IN THE KLAMATH RIVER AFTER SWIMMING UP WITH HER CALF A MONTH AGO.

THE 45 FOOT MOTHER WHALE AND HER 15 FOOT CALF ENTERED THE RIVER IN LATE JUNE, AND SHOULD BE FEEDING IN ALASKA BY NOW. BIOLOGISTS TRIED TO DRIVE THE WHALES BACK TO THE OCEAN LAST WEEKEND, BUT ONLY THE CALF LEFT THE RIVER. SCIENTISTS ARE CONCERNED THE MOTHER WHALE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH NUTRITION IN THE FRESH WATER, COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SHALLOW WATER, AND THAT HER SKIN WILL BEGIN TO DETERIORATE. BIOLOGISTS ATTEMPTED TO SCARE HER OUT OF THE RIVER BY PLAYING THE SOUNDS OF KILLER WHALES FROM BOATS YESTERDAY, BUT THAT ATTEMPT FAILED.

Playlist 7/28/11

HOT CHELLE RAE-TONIGHT TONIGHT

KATY PERRY-LAST FRIDAY (T.G.I.F.)

LMFAO-PARTY ROCK ANTHEM

NICKI MINAJ-SUPER BASS

ONE REPUBLIC-GOOD LIFE

PITBULL W/NE-YO, AFROJACK AND NAYER-GIVE ME EVERYTHING

AVRIL LAVIGNE-SMILE

BAD MEETS EVIL-LIGHTERS

BEYONCE-BEST THING I NEVER HAD

BRITNEY SPEARS-I WANNA GO

CHRIS BROWN-SHE AIN’T YOU

COBRA STARSHIP W/SABI-YOU MAKE ME FEEL…

COLDPLAY-EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERFALL

DAVID GUETTA W/FLO RIDA AND NICKI MINAJ-WHERE THEM GIRLS AT

IYAZ-PRETTY GIRLZ

JASON DERULO-DON’T WANNA GO HOME

JENNIFER LOPEZ W/LIL’ WAYNE-I’M INTO YOU

LIL’ WAYNE-HOW TO LOVE

MAROON 5-NEVER GONNA LEAVE THIS BED

NICOLE SCHERZINGER W/50 CENT-RIGHT THERE

AFROJACK W/EVA SIMONS-TAKE OVER CONTROL

ALL TIME LOW-I FEEL LIKE DANCIN’

ANDY GRAMMER-KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

BLACK EYED PEAS-DON’T STOP THE PARTY

CEE LO GREEN-BRIGHT LIGHTS BIGGER CITY

GYM CLASS HEROES W/ADAM LEVINE-STEREO HEARTS

MAROON 5 W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-MOVES LIKE JAGGER

BIG SEAN W/CHRIS BROWN-MY LAST

FOSTER THE PEOPLE-PUMPED UP KICKS

JOE JONAS-SEE NO MORE

KELLY ROWLAND W/LIL WAYNE-MOTIVATION

MATT NATHANSON-FASTER

PITBULL W/MARC ANTHONY-RAIN OVER ME

News 7/27/11

FATAL ACCIDENT JKB 7/27/11

• A CLEARLAKE WOMAN WAS KILLED YESTERDAY WHEN HER CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT.

65 YEAR OLD PAMELA BERNAL WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH WHICH OCCURRED OFF OF SAN JOAQUIN DRIVE SHORTLY AFTER 4 PM. BERNAL WAS FOUND IN HER CAR APPROXIMATELY 110 FEET DOWN THE HILLSIDE.

SHOOTING INVESTIGATION JKB 7/27/11

• FORT BRAG POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT WOUNDED A MAN EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

POLICE WERE CALLED TO MENDOCINO COAST DISTRICT HOSPITAL WHERE 28 YEAR OLD ROBERT RUSSELL HAD BEEN BROUGHT BY FRIENDS AT AROUND 1 AM. RUSSELL WAS UNABLE TO TELL POLICE WHERE OR WHEN THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE, BUT DID DESCRIBE HIS ASSAILANT AS A MALE ADULT, APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET TALL AND WEIGHING AROUND 210 POUNDS WITH SHORT DARK HAIR WEARING DARK CLOTHING. AN HOUR AFTER POLICE INTERVIEWED RUSSELL, ANOTHER SHOOTING THAT SHATTERED THE WINDOWS OF A VEHICLE ON MINNESOTA AVENUE WAS REPORTED. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE TWO INCIDENTS ARE RELATED.

EUREKA SHOOTING SUSPECT TURNS SELF IN JKB 7/27/11

• A EUREKA MAN WHO ELUDED POLICE AND SWAT TEAM MEMBERS AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING A WOMAN AND HER VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A SUSPECTED ROAD RAGE INCIDENT, TURNED HIMSELF IN TO THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE YESTERDAY.

29 YEAR OLD MARK NELSON WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT AROUND 11 AM. POLICE HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR HIM SINCE MONDAY EVENINGS SHOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE INTERSECTION OF 14TH AND H STREETS. POLICE SAY NELSON FIRED MULTIPLE SHOTS INTO THE SUV OF THE VICTIM AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY REAR ENDED HIM SEVERAL TIMES AT AROUND 5:30 PM. NELSON FLED THE SCENE. THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL WITH AT LEAST 1 GUNSHOT WOUND.

RAINBOW GATHER DEATHS JKB 7/27/11

• A FORT BRAGG MAN WHO DIED LAST MONTH BEFORE THE RAINBOW FAMILY GATHERING IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON STATE, SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK.

50 YEAR OLD STEPHEN PIERCE DIED JUNE 24TH WHILE HELPING SET UP THE FESTIVAL IN THE GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST. AUTHORITIES ARE STILL AWAITING TOXICOLOGY RESULTS FROM THE AUTOPSY OF 28 YEAR OLD AMBER KELLAR OF WEED, CALIFORNIA, WHO DIED JULY 6TH AT THE FESTIVAL. HER FAMILY SAID SHE ALSO SUFFERED FROM A HEART CONDITION.

BIG RIG CRASH JKB 7/27/11

• A BIG RIG CRASH SHUT DOWN A SECTION OF HIGHWAY 29 NORTH OF MOCKINGBIRD LANE FOR SEVERAL HOURS YESTERDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE SEMI OVERTURNED JUST AFTER 2:30 PM, BLOCKING BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC AND KNOCKING OUT A UTILITY POLE. THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK AND POWER LINES WERE DOWNED ON THE ROADWAY. IT TOOK WORK CREWS A LITTLE OVER 3 HOURS TO CLEAR UP THE MESS. THE ROADWAY WAS RE-OPENED JUST BEFORE 6 PM.

GANG FIGHT JKB 7/27/11

• A GANG FIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE FORT BRAGG SAFEWAY STORE, RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 8 PEOPLE LAST THURSDAY.

OFFICERS PATROLLING ON SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET SAW THE ALTERCATION AT AROUND 10:45 PM AND CALLED FOR BACK UP. 18 YEAR OLD MARIO SANCHEZ AND 6 JUVENILES, ALL OF WHOM APPEARED TO BE GANG MEMBERS OR ASSOCIATES, WERE ARRESTED. OFFICERS IDENTIFIED AN 8TH JUVENILE SUSPECT WHO HAS ALSO BEEN CHARGED. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS CONTINUING.

SEWER LINE REPAIR WORK JKB 7/27/11

• SEWER LINE REPAIR WORK WILL BEGIN ON WEST MILL STREET IN UKIAH TODAY.

DURING WORK HOURS FROM 7 AM TO 4:30 PM, WEST MILL STREET BETWEEN SOUTH DORA AND SPRING STREETS WILL BE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC. MOTORISTS, BICYCLISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

CONTROLLED BURN AT DAM JKB 7/27/11

• THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND CAL FIRE WILL BE CONDUCTING A CONTROLLED BURN AT THE COYOTE VALLEY DAM TOMORROW EVENING.

THE BURN TO REMOVE VEGETATION FROM THE FACE OF THE DAM, WILL BEGIN AT 5 PM AND LAST UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 9 PM. SMOKE WILL BE VISIBLE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UKIAH AND REDWOOD VALLEY AREAS. COYOTE DAM AND THE FISH HATCHERY AREA NEAR THE BASE OF THE DAM WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

DRUG BUST JKB 7/27/11

• A KELSEYVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES AFTER LAKE COUNTY TASK FORCE MEMBERS SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT ON HIS HOME EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

47 YEAR OLD DAVID WHEELER WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL AFTER AGENTS FOUND ALMOST A HALF OUNCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE PACKAGED FOR SALE, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND OVER $2000 IN CASH.

NEW DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES 7/27/11

• MENDOCINO COUNTY HAS A NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

COUNTY CEO CARMEL ANGELO ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT MS. PAT MEEK, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY, WAS SELECTED TO LEAD THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. MEEK WILL START HER NEW POSITION AUGUST 8TH.

DOWNTOWN ZONING CODE MEETING JKB 7/27/11

• A MEETING ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN UKIAH ZONING CODE ON MONDAY NIGHT AGAIN TURNED ITS ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBLE BANNING OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, WITH SUPPORTERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE IN ATTENDANCE.

WHILE THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION HAS SUPPORTED AN ALL OUT BAN WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE UKIAH MAINS STREET PROGRAM, AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTED EXEMPTIONS FOR FORMULA BUSINESSES THAT DIDNT SERVE FULL MEALS, SUCH AS COFFEE SHOPS, ICE CREAM PARLORS, AND BAKERIES. CITY STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO LOOK INTO WAYS TO LIMIT, RATHER THAN BAN, FORMULA FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS IN THE DOWN TOWN AREA. THOSE IDEAS WILL BE PRESENTED AT ANOTHER COUNCIL WORKSHOP ON THE ZONING ISSUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Playlist 7/21/11

HOT CHELLE RAE-TONIGHT TONIGHT

KATY PERRY-LAST FRIDAY (T.G.I.F.)

LADY GAGA-THE EDGE OF GLORY

LMFAO-PARTY ROCK ANTHEM

NICKI MINAJ-SUPER BASS

PITBULL W/NE-YO, AFROJACK AND NAYER-GIVE ME EVERYTHING

AVRIL LAVIGNE-SMILE

BAD MEETS EVIL-LIGHTERS

BEYONCE-BEST THING I NEVER HAD

BRITNEY SPEARS-I WANNA GO

CHRIS BROWN-SHE AIN’T YOU

COBRA STARSHIP W/SABI-YOU MAKE ME FEEL…

DAVID GUETTA W/FLO RIDA AND NICKI MINAJ-WHERE THEM GIRLS AT

JASON DERULO-DON’T WANNA GO HOME

JENNIFER LOPEZ W/LIL’ WAYNE-I’M INTO YOU

LIL’ WAYNE-HOW TO LOVE

MAROON 5-NEVER GONNA LEAVE THIS BED

NICOLE SCHERZINGER W/50 CENT-RIGHT THERE

ONE REPUBLIC-GOOD LIFE

RIHANNA-CALIFORNIA KING BED

ALL TIME LOW-I FEEL LIKE DANCIN’

BLACK EYED PEAS-DON’T STOP THE PARTY

CEE LO GREEN-BRIGHT LIGHTS BIGGER CITY

COLDPLAY-EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERFALL

IYAZ-PRETTY GIRLZ

T-PAIN W/CHRIS BROWN-BEST LOVE SONG

AFROJACK W/EVA SIMONS-TAKE OVER CONTROL

ANDY GRAMMER-KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

BIG SEAN W/CHRIS BROWN-MY LAST

GYM CLASS HEROES W/ADAM LEVINE-STEREO HEARTS

MAROON 5 W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-MOVES LIKE JAGGER

PITBULL W/MARC ANTHONY-RAIN OVER ME

News 7/26/11

BURGLAR CHARGED WITH SEX CRIME JKB 7/26/11

• A MIDDLETOWN MAN WHO WAS ONE OF 6 PEOPLE ARRESTED TWO WEEKS AGO FOR A STRING OF BURGLARIES IN THE MIDDLETOWN AREA HAS NOW BEEN CHARGED WITH THE MOLESTATION OF A 13 YEAR OLD GIRL.

18 YEAR OLD DORIAN DECKER ALLEGEDLY MOLESTED THE GIRL WHILE SHE WAS VISITING HIS FAMILY OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. THE VICTIM AND HER FATHER WERE LONG TIME ACQUAINTANCES OF THE DECKER FAMILY. DECKER WAS ARRESTED AT HIS HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT LAST TUESDAY.

DOJ REPORTS ON FULL COURT PRESS JKB 7/26/11

• THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS RELEASED SOME DETAILS REGARDING THE MULTI AGENCY MARIJUANA ERADICATION EFFORT KNOWN AS FULL COURT PRESS THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WERE UNABLE TO COMMENT ON.

ACCORDING TO THE DOJ, 77 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CLOSE TO 300,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS HAVE BEEN SEIZED IN 5 OF THE 6 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES WHERE THE OPERATION IS BEING CONDUCTED. THE TASK FORCE IS FOCUSING ON LARGE GROWING OPERATIONS IN THE MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST THAT ARE BELIEVED TO BE RUN BY MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS. THE DOJ WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN UKIAH ON FRIDAY TO RELEASE MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE OPERATION.

MOTORCYCLE INJURY JKB 7/26/11

• AN OREGON MAN WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHEN HIS MOTORCYCLE HE WAS STRUCK BY A CAR ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR BLUE LAKES SUNDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 33 YEAR OLD PAUL RUGGIRELLO OF PLUMAS LAKE DIDNT SEE THE APPROACHING MOTORCYCLE AS HE TURNED LEFT INTO THE PATH OF THE BIKE FROM THE WESTBOUND LANE AT AROUND 10 AM. 58 YEAR OLD MILO MANLEY OF ASHLAND OREGON SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES IN THE CRASH AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

PHYSICIAN PLEADS NO CONTEST JKB 7/26/11

• A FORMER EUREKA PHYSICIAN WILL MOST LIKELY NEVER BE ABLE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE AGAIN AFTER SHE PLEADED NO CONTEST TO A CHARGE OF PRESCRIBING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES TO AN ADDICT YESTERDAY.

64 YEAR OLD FRANCES DAY, WHO NOW LIVES IN EUGENE OREGON ENTERED THE PLEA IN EXCHANGE FOR SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES BEING DROPPED. PROSECUTORS SAY DAY WAS AN ADDICT HERSELF, AND CLOSED HER PRACTICE AND FLED WITHOUT NOTICE WHEN SHE WAS FIRST CHARGED IN 2009. ACCORDING TO THE PLEA AGREEMENT, DAY COULD ALSO FACE UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL.

E-QUAKE NEAR ROHNERT PARK JKB 7/26/11

• A 3.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE SHOOK THE SOUTHERN SANTA ROSA AREA YESTERDAY.

THE QUAKE WAS CENTERED 3 MILES EAST OF ROHNERT PARK AND OCCURRED AT 10:42 AM. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY 3 AFTERSHOCKS OF 2.0, 1.9 AND 1.5 IN MAGNITUDE OVER THE NEXT 3 HOURS. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF DAMAGES OR INJURIES.

FAMILY FILES CLAIM AGAINST CLOVERDALE JKB 7/26/11

• THE FAMILY OF A CLOVERDALE MAN WHO WAS KILLED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER LAST DECEMBER, HAS FILED A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY.

THE FAMILY OF 83 YEAR OLD MIGUEL SANCHEZ SAY THE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF THE INTERSECTION CONTRIBUTED THE ACCIDENT IN WHICH SANCHEZ WAS STRUCK BY 17 YEAR OLD MITCH CARLSON DECEMBER 27TH. SANCHEZ DIED 4 DAYS LATER. CARLSON FLED THE SCENE AND LATER PLEADED NO CONTEST TO CHARGES OF VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER AND LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE CLAIM BY THE SANCHEZ FAMILY WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, BUT IS EXPECTED TO BE REJECTED AND TURNED OVER TO THE CITYS INSURANCE CARRIER.

GOBBIE STREET WORK DELAYED JKB 7/26/11

• THE WORK ON EAST GOBBIE STREET THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN YESTERDAY, HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL WEDNESDAY.

CONTROLLED TRAFFIC WITH FLAGGERS WILL GO INTO EFFECT TOMORROW MORNING, AND RUN FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2ND. CREWS ARE INSTALLING MORE THAN 2 MILES OF ELECTRICAL CONDUIT TO LINK THE NEW SUBSTATION WITH THE CITY.

ON LINE SCHOOL AVAILABLE JKB 7/26/11

• AN ONLINE SCHOOL IS BEING OFFERED TO STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE 12TH GRADE IN MENDOCINO, LAKE, HUMBOLDT, TRINITY, TEHAMA, GLENN, AND SONOMA COUNTIES.

THE LOST COAST VIRTUAL ACADEMY IS A TUITION FREE, STATE APPROVED CURRICULUM SCHOOL WITH CERTIFIED TEACHERS AVAILABLE TO GIVE STUDENTS INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION. ATTENDANCE, TEACHER INTERACTION AND DAILY LESSONS ARE CONDUCTED ONLINE. THE LEGGET VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OFFER THE COMPLETE PROGRAM, BUT IT IS OPEN TO OTHER STUDENTS AS WELL. EDUCATION OFFICIALS SAY IT THE NEW VIRTUAL SCHOOL MAKES HOME SCHOOLING MUCH MORE FEASIBLE.

News 7/25/11

2 ARRESTED, 2 SOUGHT IN FATAL SHOOTING JKB 7/25/11

• TWO SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND TWO MORE ARE BEING SOUGHT IN A SHOOTING THAT KILLED ONE MAN AND SEVERELY INJURED ANOTHER AT THE BU SHAY CAMPGROUND AT LAKE MENDOCINO LAST WEEK.

30 YEAR OLD MARVIN JOHNSON, AND 22 YEAR OLD SIMON THORNTON, BOTH LISTED AS UKIAH AREA TRANSIENTS, WERE ARRESTED ON THURSDAY FOR THE MURDER OF 40 YEAR OLD JOSEPH LITTERAL, AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A WILLITS MAN WHO HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. POLICE ALSO RECOVERED A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN AND A 45 CALIBER PISTOL BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN USED IN THE INCIDENT. STILL BEING SOUGHT ARE 30 YEAR OLD WILLIAM CROCKER, A WHITE MALE ADULT STANDING 5 FEET 10- INCHES TALL AND WEIGHING MORE THAN 200 POUNDS, AND 35 YEAR OLD ARONE SCHNEBLY, A WHITE MALE ADULT WITH BROWN HAIR, HAZEL EYES, STANDING APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET 6 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHING MORE THAN 200 POUNDS. BOTH MEN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED VIOLENT.

DRIVER INJURED WHEN CAR FALLS ON HIM JKB 7/25/11

• A 15 YEAR OLD RACE CAR DRIVER SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND FACE WHEN HIS RACE CAR FELL ON TOP OF HIM AT THE LAKEPORT SPEEDWAY SATURDAY EVENING.

KYLE TELSTROM WAS UNDER THE CAR MAKING REPAIRS, WHEN IT FELL OFF THE 4 JACK STANDS SUPPORTING IT AT AROUND 5:30 PM. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH A FRACTURED SKULL AND FACIAL INJURIES. HE WAS REPORTEDLY DOING WELL OVER THE WEEKEND AND IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL ON MONDAY.

2 MIDDLETOWN MEN KILLED IN OREGON PLANE CRASH JKB 7/25/11

• TWO MIDDLETOWN MEN HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE VICTIMS OF A FATAL PLANE CRASH IN SOUTHERN OREGON LAST WEEKEND.

66 YEAR OLD THOMAS BRADLEY, AND 64 YEAR OLD BERND STEFFAN WERE KILLED WHEN THEIR ZENITH STOL CH701 KIT AIRPLANE CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A SMALL AIRFIELD IN DOUGLAS COUNTY. BOTH MEN WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS STILL UNKNOWN.

MAN SHOT DURING ATTEMPTED BREAK IN JKB 7/25/11

• A 77 YEAR OLD LUCERNE WOMAN SHOT A MAN AFTER HE TRIED TO BREAK INTO HER HOME JUST AFTER 2 AM SUNDAY MORNING.

THE WOULD BE INTRUDER, 27 YEAR OLD MARC HALVORSEN, SUFFERED A GUNSHOT WOULD TO THE LEG, AND WAS TREATED AT SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL BEFORE BEING BOOKED INTO JAIL. THE WOMAN, WHO IS AN AMPUTEE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY, HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN THE TARGET OF HARASSMENT AT HER HOME FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS, BUT POLICE DID NOT SAY IF THERE WAS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THOSE INCIDENTS AND THE ATTEMPTED BURGLARY.

TEEN GIRL SAVED FROM COLLAPSED SAND CAVE JKB 7/25/11

• CPR ADMINISTERED BY FAMILY MEMBERS AND BYSTANDERS HELPED SAVE A 17 YEAR OLD SACRAMENTO GIRL WHO STOPPED BREATHING AFTER BEING BURIED HEAD FIRST IN A SAND TUNNEL AT DORAN BEACH NEAR BODEGA BAY ON SATURDAY.

THE GIRL WAS IN A TUNNEL THAT HAD BEEN DUG INTO A DUNE NEAR THE COVE CAMPGROUND WHEN IT COLLAPSED BURYING HER UP TO HER KNEES JUST BEFORE 7 PM. IT TOOK WITNESSES AROUND 2 MINUTES TO FREE THE GIRL, BY WHICH TIME SHE HAD STOPPED BREATHING. CPR WAS ADMINISTERED AND SHE WAS BREATHING BY THE TIME PARAMEDICS ARRIVED. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. NO WORD ON HER CONDITION WAS RELEASED.

THIS YEARS FIRST CASE OF HUMAN WEST NILE CONFIRMED JKB 7/25/11

• STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT A MAN IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY IS THE FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS TO OCCUR IN CALIFORNIA THIS YEAR.

THE MAN WAS HOSPITALIZED, BUT IS NOW RECOVERING AT HOME. WEST NILE VIRUS HAS BEEN DETECTED IN BIRDS IN 15 CALIFORNIA COUNTIES THIS YEAR, MOST OF WHICH ARE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. WEST NILE HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED SO FAR THIS YEAR IN EITHER LAKE OR MENDOCINO COUNTIES.

FULL COURT PRESS OPERATION CONTINUING JKB 7/25/11

• THE 6 COUNTY, MULTI AGENCY, MARIJUANA ERADICATION EFFORT KNOWN AS FULL COURT PRESS IS CONTINUING, BUT OFFICIALS ARE NOT RELEASING ANY DETAILS YET AS TO HOW SUCCESSFUL IT HAS BEEN.

IN A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON FRIDAY, THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT SAID THE ERADICATION EFFORTS WERE GAINING MOMENTUM, BUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS NOT BEING RELEASED DUE TO OFFICER SAFETY AND SECURITY REASONS. THE OPERATION INVOLVES SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN MENDOCINO, LAKE, COLUSA, GLENN, TEHAMA, AND TRINITY COUNTIES.

STREET WORK ON GOBBIE JKB 7/25/11

• WORK CREWS WILL BEGIN DIGGING UP EAST GOBBIE STREET IN UKIAH TODAY IN ORDER TO INSTALL CONDUIT FOR THE NEW ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION.

FLAGGERS WILL BE OUT WITH TRAFFIC CONTROLS FROM 8 AM UNTIL 5 PM ON EAST GOBBIE STREET BETWEEN SOUTH ORCHARD AVENUE AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS FOR THE NEXT 5 AND A HALF WEEKS. THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2ND.

DOWNTOWN ZONING WORKSHOP TONIGHT JKB 7/25/11

• A WORKSHOP ON THE DOWNTOWN UKIAH ZONING CODE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS TONIGHT.

THE FOCUS OF THE WORKSHOP WILL BE ON WHAT KIND OF BUSINESSES TO ALLOW IN THE DOWNTOWN AND MAIN CORRIDOR AREAS OF UKIAH. THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE PROPOSED BAN ON FORMULA FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, AND THE POSSIBLE EXEMPTIONS THAT COULD BE MADE FOR SOME TYPES OF FORMULA BUSINESSES, LIKE COFFEE SHOPS, AND ICE CREAM PARLORS. THE MEETING WILL BE GIN AT 5:30 PM AT THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

News 7/22/11

FATAL SHOOTING VICTIMS NAME RELEASED JKB 7/22/11

• A WILLITS MAN WHO WAS SHOT TO DEATH AT THE BU SHAY CAMPGROUND AT LAKE MENDOCINO HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 40 YEAR OLD JOSEPH E. LITTERAL.

THE NAME OF A 2ND VICTIM THAT WAS FLOWN TO A HOSPITAL OUT OF THE COUNTY WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE UPPER BACK HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. DETECTIVES ARE CONTINUING TO FOLLOW LEADS IN IDENTIFYING SUSPECTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE SHORTLY BEFORE 8 PM WEDNESDAY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

AUTOPSY INCONCLUSIVE JKB 7/22/11

• THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY ON A 14 YEAR OLD SANTA ROSA GIRL WHO DIED AFTER SHE CONSUMED VODKA MIXED WITH SODA, CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE YESETERDAY.

INVESTIGATORS WILL NOW HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TOXICOLOGY REPORT TO DETERMINE EXACTLY HOW TAKEIMI RAO DIED. RAO ALLEGEDLY TOOK THE VODKA FROM A KITCHEN CUPBOARD AND DRANK AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT WHEN SHE HAD THREE FRIENDS STAY THE NIGHT ON JULY 9TH.

GRASS FIRE IN CLEARLAKE PARK JKB 7/22/11

• QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS CONTAINED A WILD LAND FIRE THAT BLACKENED 5 TO 6 ACRES IN THE CLEARLAKE PARK AREA LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AT AROUND 5 PM, AND GUSTY WINDS CAUSED IT TO SPREAD QUICKLY. FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO PREVENT THE BLAZE FROM SPREADING TO NEARBY HOMES THAT WERE BRIEFLY THREATENED DURING THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.

3 PICK UP CRASH ON HIGHWAY 20 JKB 7/22/11

• A CRASH INVOLVING 3 PICK UP TRUCKS ON HIGHWAY 20 WEST OF WILLITS, SENT 6 PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL AND ONE MAN TO JAIL ON WEDNESDAY.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN 26 YEAR OLD SALVADOR GARCIA PULLED OVER INTO A EAST BOUND TURNOUT LANE TO ALLOW FASTER MOVING VEHICLES TO PASS AT AROUND 3:26 PM. HE PULLED BACK INTO THE LANE TOO EARLY AND CLIPPED THE SIDE OF A PASSING PICK UP TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 72 YEAR OLD JOHN BEDNAR. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT CAUSED BEDNAR TO CROSS THE CENTERLINE WHERE HE COLLIDED WITH A THIRD PICK UP BEING DRIVEN BY 26 YEAR OLD JAMES FOSTER OF MARYSVILLE. BEDNARS TRUCK ENDED UP GOING DOWN ABOUT 200 FEET OVER THE DIRT EMBANKMENT, WHILE GARCIA FLED THE SCENE. HE WAS ARRESTED BEFORE HE GOT TO WILLITS FOR HIT AND RUN, DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE, AND A PROBATION VIOLATION. BEDNAR SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. GARCIA, FOSTER, AND 3 PASSENGERS IN FOSTERS TRUCK SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WERE TAKEN TO LOCAL AREA HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT.

VEHICLE ASSAULT ARREST JKB 7/22/11

• A LUCERNE MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE RAMMED HIS VAN INTO A LAKE COUNTY VEHICLE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS YESTERDAY.

COUNTY EMPLOYEE KATERINA MEYER REPORTED THAT SHE WAS STOPPED AT THE Y INTERSECTION ON HIGHWAY 20 WHEN 58 YEAR OLD GARY PIFER BEGAN HITTING THE CAR SHE WAS DRIVING WITH HIS VAN WITHOUT APPARENT REASON OR PROVOCATION. HE THEN FLED THE SCENE. CHP OFFICERS LOCATED AND ARRESTED PIFER ON HIGHWAY 20 AT 15TH AVENUE IN LUCERNE A SHORT TIME LATER. HE WAS BOOKED INTO JAIL ON CHARGES OF DUI AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. MEYER REPORTED THAT SHE DID NO KNOW PIFER NOR THE 4 PASSENGERS IN HIS VAN.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT WITH BEER BOTTLE JKB 7/22/11

• A UKIAH AREA TRANSIENT WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULTING AND INJURING ANOTHER WOMAN WITH A BEER BOTTLE ON MONDAY.

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT THE RAOLROAD TRACKS NEAR EAST GOBBI STREET AT AROUND 6:30 PM. POLICE SAY 22 YEAR OLD KELISHA ALVAREZ THREW A 40 OUNCE BEER BOTTLE AT THE 40 YEAR OLD VICTIMS HEAD DURING A FIGHT, CAUSING A LACERATION. SHE THEN FLED THE AREA, BUT WAS ARRESTED THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON WHEN SHE RETURNED TO WHERE THE FIGHT HAD OCCURRED. SHE WAS BOOKED INTO JAIL ON CHARGES OF ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

HUNGER STRIKE AT PRISONS END JKB 7/22/11

• A 20 DAY HUNGER STRIKE BY INMATES, THAT BEGAN AT PELICAN BAY AND SPREAD TO 13 OTHER PRISONS CAME TO AN END WEDNESDAY.

ARMED WITH A LIST OF 5 CORE DEMANDS, THE STRIKE BEGAN JULY 1ST WITH 11 PELICAN BAY INMATES PROTESTING LIVING CONDITIONS AND SEEKING BETTER TREATMENT. MORE THAN 6,500 INMATES IN 13 INSTITUTIONS STATEWIDE QUICKLY JOINED THE HUNGER STRIKE CAMPAIGN. THE PELICAN BAY INMATES RESUMED EATING FOOD WEDNESDAY NIGHT AFTER A CDCR EXECUTIVE VISITED THE PRISON AND PROMISED TO REVIEW AND CHANGE SOME POLICIES, IN PARTICULAR, THOSE DEALING WITH THE PRISONS SECURE HOUSING UNITS. ONE OF THE CHANGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY WAS THE ALLOWANCE OF WALL CALENDARS.

ASSET FORFEITURE VALUES INCREASE IN MENDO COUNTY JKB 7/22/11

• ACCORDING TO MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID EYSTER, THE CASH VALUE OF ASSETS SEIZED FROM ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING IN OR PASSING THOUGH THE COUNTY ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2011, COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THE VALUE OF SEIZED CASH AND OTHER ASSETS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF LARGELY MARIJUANA RELATED CRIMES IS JUST SHORT OF $646,000 DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, UP MORE THAN $200,000 FROM THE SAME TIME PERIOD IN 2010. GROWER ASSETS SEIZED FOR 2011 ARE EXPECTED THIS YEAR TO EXCEED $1 MILLION DOLLARS.

CRANE BALKS AT REDEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE JKB 7/22/11

• IN A DECISION THAT TOOK MOST IN ATTENDANCE BY SURPRISE, UKIAH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DOUG CRANE VOTED AGAINST AN ORDINANCE TO WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE UKIAH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO STAY ALIVE BY PAYING THE STATE MORE OF ITS TAX INCREMENT.

THE ORDINANCE, THAT CRANE INITIALLY SUPPORTED AT THEIR MEETING JUNE 6TH, WOULD HAVE APPROVEE THE PAYING OF AN ESTIMATED $1.78 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE STATE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE URA IN EXISTENCE. IT NEEDED THE VOTE OF ALL 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE ON WEDNESDAY TO PASS. CRANE, WHO EQUATED THE PAYMENT TO BLACKMAIL MONEY, NOTED THE DEADLINE TO PASS THE ORDINANCE IS NOVEMBER 1ST AND THAT THE COUNCIL STILL HAD TIME BEFORE A DECISION NEEDED TO BE MADE. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER SAGE SANGIACOMO SAID THE URA WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS UNTIL THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED, INCLUDING THE SALE OF PROPERTY THAT COSTCO IS LOOKING INTO MOVE INTO ON AIRPORT PARK BLVD. THE COUNCIL WILL REVISIT THE ISSUE AT THEIR AUGUST 2ND MEETING AFTER COUNCIL MEMBER PHIL BALDWIN RETURNS FROM VACATION.

News 7/21/11

SHOOTING AT BU SHAY CAMPGROUND JKB 7/21/11

• ONE MAN WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER WAS SEVERELY WOUNDED IN A SHOOTING AT THE BU SHAY CAMPGROUND AT LAKE MENDOCINO LAST NIGHT.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE CAMPGROUND JUST BEFORE 8 PM. A 40 YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM DIED AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. A 2ND MALE VICTIM, BELIEVED TO BE IN HIS 20S WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL OUT OF THE COUNTY WITH A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE UPPER TORSO. HE WAS REPORTEDLY IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION AS OF LAST NIGHT. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING 3 OR 4 SUSPECTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHOOTINGS. NO OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE CASE HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

MORE DETAILS ON MISSING FALL HIKERS JKB 7/21/11

• AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED MORE DETAILS ABOUT 3 HIKERS WHO ARE MISSING A PRESUMED DEAD AFTER BEING SWEPT OVER VERNAL FALLS AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ON TUESDAY.

THE MISSING PERSONS WERE IDENTIFIED AS 22 YEAR OLD HOMIZ DAVID OF MODESTO, 27 YEAR OLD NINOS YACOUB OF TURLOCK, AND 21 YEAR OLD RAMINA BADAL OF MODESTO. PARK RANGERS SAY THE THREE WERE WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT 10 FAMILY MEMBERS ON A DAY TRIP TO THE FALLS AND HAD CLIMBED OVER THE METAL BARRICADE TO POSE FOR PICTURES NEAR THE WATER. ONE OF THE GROUP BEGAN TO SLIP, AND ALL THREE WENT IN THE WATER AND WERE SWEPT OVER THE FALLS. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, SEVERAL YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE GROUP WITNESSES THE TRAGEDY.

MAN RUN KILLED AFTER BEING RUN OVER BY OWN TRUCK JKB 7/21/11

• A HUMBOLDT COUNTY MAN WAS KILLED AFTER HE WAS RUN OVER BY HIS OWN PICK UP TRUCK ON MONDAY.

THE 50 YEAR OLD VICTIM WAS CUTTING FIREWOOD WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND IN A REMOTE PART OF THE SIX RIVERS NATIONAL FOREST NEAR GROVES PRAIRIE, USING A CABLE WINCH ON HIS PICK UP TRUCK TO PULL LOGS UP THE A HILL. ACCORDING TO HIS GIRLFRIEND, THE TRUCK JUMPED OVER THE BLOCKS BENEATH THE FRONT TIRES WHILE THE WINCH WAS ENGAGED AND BEGAN ROLLING DOWN HILL. THE VICTIM TIRED TO GET INTO THE TRUCKS CAB TO STOP IT, BUT LOST HIS BALANCE AND WAS RUN OVER. BECAUSE OF POOR CELL PHONE RECEPTION AND THE UNKNOWN EXACT LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT, IT TOOK RESCUE CREWS UNTIL 11 AM TUESDAY BEFORE THEY COULD REACH THE VICTIM.

METH BREAST MILK CASE TO PROCEED JKB 7/21/11

• A HUMBOLDT COUNTY JUDGE HAS RULED THAT THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO TRY A LOLETA WOMAN ON CHARGES OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT IN THE DEATH OF HER 6 WEEK OLD SON WHO WAS FED METHAMPHETAMINE TAINTED BREAST MILK.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE THAT 26 YEAR OLD MAGGIE JEAN WORTMAN USED METHAMPHETAMINE AND PASSED IT ALONG TO HER INFANT SON, MICHAEL PHILLIP ACOSTA THE THIRD, AND HIS 19 MONTH OLD SISTER WHILE BREAST FEEDING. THE BABY DIED IN NOVEMBER OF 2010. THE TODDLER HAS BEEN PLACED IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. IF CONVICTED OF ALL CHARGES, WORTMAN COULD FACE UP TO 9 YEARS IN STATE PRISON.

JEALOUS RAGE LED TO FATAL SHOOTING JKB 7/21/11

• AN ESCALATING AND OBSESSIVE JEALOUS RAGE IS WHAT LED TO THE FATAL SHOOTING OF AN OFF DUTY MARIN COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY AND THE DEATH OF HIS KILLER ON MONDAY.

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, 28 YEAR OLD PAROLEE THOMAS HALLORAN BECAME INCREASINGLY UPSET OVER HIS 22 YEAR OLD GIRLFRIENDS ATTEMPT TO BREAK UP WITH HIM, TO THE POINT THE GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST HIM. HOLLORAN ARRIVED AT HER HOME AT AROUND MIDNIGHT MONDAY ARMED WITH A GUN AND SHOT 49 YEAR OLD OFF DUTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY JIM MATHIESEN WHO WAS THERE AS A FAMILY FRIEND. HOLLARAN THEN FORCED HIS GIRLFRIENDS MOTHER INTO A GARAGE AT GUNPOINT, WHERE HE WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY HIS GIRLFRIENDS BROTHER. POLICE HAVE CLASSIFIED HOLLARANS DEATH AS A JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE.

DUI AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT JKB 7/21/11

• A LAKEPORT WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER SHE CRASHED HER CAR INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 29 WITH HER 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR.

FORTUNATELY, THE INFANT WAS PROPERLY STRAPPED INTO A CHILD SAFETY SEAT AND NEITHER SHE NOR HER MOTHER, 30 YEAR OLD SACHA COOPER WERE INJURED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR ALSO ESCAPED INJURY. COOPER WAS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF DUI, CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND DRIVING ON AN EXPIRED LICENSE. THE BABY WAS TURNED OVER TO ITS FATHER.

EVANS WONT RUN FOR WOOLSEYS SEAT JKB 7/21/11

• STATE SENATOR NOREEN EVANS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT SHE WILL NOT RUN FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL SEAT BEING VACATED BY LYNN WOOLSEY.

EVANS, A DEMOCRAT FROM SANTA ROSA, SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN THE 2ND SENATE DISTRICT AND THAT SHE WOULD REMAIN THERE. WOOLSEY ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WOULD RETIRE AFTER 20 YEARS ON CAPITOL HILL WHEN HER TERM ENDS IN 2012.

MARIN COUNTY TO CLOSE JUVENILE COURT JKB 7/21/11

• AFTER BEING UNABLE TO COME UP WITH AN ADEQUATE SOLUTION TO KEEP DEFENDANTS SAFE AT THE MARIN JUVENILE COURT WHEN BUDGET CUTS FORCED THE ELIMINATION OF SECURITY STAFF, MARIN COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE THE JUVENILE COURT ALL TOGETHER.

OFFICIALS HAD PROPOSED PLACING THE DEFENDANTS BEHIND GLASS ENCLOSURES WHILE IN COURT, OR USING TWO WAY VIDEO CONFERENCING DURING COURT APPEARANCES, BUT RAN INTO STIFF OPPOSITION FROM THOSE WHO SAID IT WAS DEMEANING TO BE TREATED LIKE A WAR CRIMINAL, AND THAT VIDEO VIOLATED THE DEFENDANTS RIGHTS TO APPEAR IN PERSON. JUVENILE CASES WILL NOW BE MOVED TO THE MAIN COURTHOUSE.

News 7/20/11

OFF DUTY DEPUTY KILLED JKB 7/20/11

• AN OFF DUTY MARIN COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY WHO WAS TRYING TO HELP A FRIENDS DAUGHTER WHEN HER EX-BOYFRIEND SHOWED UP AT HER HOUSE, WAS SHOT TO DEATH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

49 YEAR OLD DEPUTY JIM MATHIESEN WENT OUTSIDE TO CONFRONT 28 YEAR OLD THOMAS HALLORAN JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, HOLLORAN SHOT THE UNARMED DEPUTY TWICE IN THE CHEST. HALLORAN, IN TURN, WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY THE BROTHER OF HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND. THE BROTHER WAS NOT ARRESTED AND INVESTIGATORS SAY THE SHOOTING OF HALLORAN WAS A JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS CONTINUING.

INDECENT EXPOSURE ARREST JKB 7/20/11

• A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY EXPOSING HIMSELF TO CLIENTS AT THE CURVES FOR WOMEN EXERCISE FACILITY ON STATE STREET MONDAY NIGHT.

WHEN POLICE ARRIVED AT AROUND 6 PM THEY FOUND 39 YEAR OLD CLARENCE CHRISTMAS IN A CORNER OF THE BUILDING, NUDE FROM THE WAIST DOWN AND MASTURBATING. HE ALSO ALLEGEDLY TOUCHED A CURVES EMPLOYEE AND ANOTHER WOMAN IN THE FACILITY. CHRISTMAS WAS ON PAROLE AFTER AN ARREST IN MAY OF 2010 WHEN HE WAS FOUND WITHOUT PANTS OR UNDERWEAR WHILE WATCHING A CDC CREW ERADICATING WEEDS AND BRUSH ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS IN UKIAH.

MISSING WIND SURFER FOUND JKB 7/20/11

• A MISSING WINDSURFER IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY WAS FOUND TUESDAY, 13 HOURS AFTER SHE DISAPPEARED.

62 YEAR OLD CATHY CATON WENT WINDSURFING AT AROUND 5 PM MONDAY AND WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE GONE A HALF HOUR. HER HUSBAND REPORTED HER MISSING WHEN SHE DID NOT RETURN BY 7 PM. SHE WAS FOUND AT AROUND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING IN THE WATERS OFF FOSTER CITY AND WAS REPORTED TO BE IN STABLE CONDITION.

FIRE DAMAGES HOME JKB 7/20/11

• A FAST MOVING BRUSH FIRE CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO A HOME ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR THE LAKE COLUSA COUNTY LINE YESTERDAY.

THE FIRE BROKE OUT SHORTLY BEFORE 4 PM AND BLACKENED APPROXIMATELY 2 ACRES. AN OUT BUILDING WAS ALSO DAMAGED IN THE BLAZE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN.

NEW PROGRAM TO HELP HOMEOWNERS JKB 7/20/11

• HOMEOWNERS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA CAN NOW PARTICIPATE IN A NEW PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF THEIR HOMES, AND SAVE MONEY WHILE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AND CALIFORNIAS ECONOMY.

ENERGY UPGRADE CALIFORNIA OFFERS UPGRADE PROGRAMS, REBATES, FINANCING OPTIONS AND A LIST OF PARTICIPATING CONTRACTORS TO HELP IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF HOMES. THE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND BY GOING TO THEIR WEBSITE AT ENERGY UPGRADE CA DOT ORG.

IMPROVEMENTS TO HARTMANN ROAD INTERSECTION JKB 7/20/11

• CALTRANS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL BE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HATMANN ROAD INTERSECTION IN HIGHWAY 29 IN LAKE COUNTY.

FLASHING BEACONS AND SIGNS FOR A 3 WAY STOP WILL BE INSTALLED, AS WELL AS NEW STRIPING ON THE ROADWAY TO REFLECT THE CHANGES. THE STOP SIGNS WILL BE UNCOVERED WHEN THE FINAL STRIPING IS COMPLETED IN LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER.