News 12/30/11

STATE SUPREME COURT REDEVELOPMENT DECISION JKB 12/30/11

• THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULED YESTERDAY THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE DOES HAVE THE POWER TO SEIZE REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS FROM NEARLY 400 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING HERE IN UKIAH AND LAKEPORT.

ACCORDING TO THE RULING, THE LEGISLATURE CREATED REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES NEARLY 60 YEARS AGO AND HAS THE RIGHT TO ABOLISH THEM OR DIVERT THEIR FUNDING TO HELP BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET. THE RULING ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PROTECTIONS OFFERED UNDER PROPOSITION 22, A 2010 MEASURE THAT WAS PASSED TO BAR THE STATE FROM SEIZING LOCAL FUNDING AS A WAY TO PAY BILLS. CRITICS OF REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ARGUED THAT MANY OF THEM OVER TIME HAVE MISUSED THE FUNDS. SUPPORTERS SAY THE AGENCIES WERE THE ENGINE THAT DROVE LOCAL ECONOMIES.

BROKEN WINDOW LEADS TO ARREST JKB 1230/11

• POLICE INVESTIGATING A REPORT OF A BROKEN WINDOW LED TO THE ARREST OF A UKIAH MAN ON WEDNESDAY.

A RESPONDING OFFICER TO THE SCENE ON NORTH DORA STREET SPOTTED 20 YEAR OLD EARL CASTANEDA STUMBLING ACROSS THE INTERSECTION OF GROVE AND BUSH STREETS JUST BEFORE 10 PM. WHEN HE MADE CONTACT, CASTANEDA ALLEGEDLY IGNORED THE OFFICER AT FIRST, THEN FACED HIM IN A THREATENING STANCE. SUSPECTING THAT THE SUSPECT WAS CONCEALING SOMETHING IN HIS WAISTBAND, THE OFFICER PULLED UP THE FRONT OF CASTANEDAS SHIRT TO REVEAL THE BUT OF A PISTOL. CASTANEDA TRIED TO RUN BUT WAS SUBDUED AND ARRESTED. THE PISTOL TURNED OUT TO BE AN AIR SOFT GUN THAT LOOKED LIKE A REAL FIREARM. CASTANEDA WAS ARRESTED FOR BEING DRUNK IN PUBLIC AND RESISTING ARREST.

WOMAN DRIVES INTO HOUSE JKB 12/30/11

• A UKIAH FAMILY GOT A SURPRISE CHRISTMAS DAY WHEN A CAR RAN INTO THEIR HOUSE ON THE CORNER OF OAK MANOR DRIVE AND EAST GOBBI STREET LATE SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT, 20 YEAR OLD AMEYELLI DOMINQUEZ WAS TRAVELING EAST ON EAST GOBBI STREET AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO OAK MANOR DRIVE AT AROUND 11:30 PM. DUE TO EXCESSIVE SPEED AND HER LEVEL OF INTOXICATION, SHE LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE HOUSE. DOMINQUEZ WAS ARRESTED FOR FELONY DUI AND DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. A PASSENGER IN HER CAR SUFFERED A MINOR INJURY. NO ON IN THE HOME WAS IN INJURED.

MENDO SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROTATION JKB 12/30/11

• SEVERAL MENDOCINO COUNTY JUDGES WILL BE ROTATING THEIR JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS BEGINNING JANUARY 3RD AND CONTINUING FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

JUDGES ANN MOORMAN AND JOHN BEHNKE WILL TAKE UP CRIMINAL TRIAL MATTERS IN DEPARTMENTS A AND B. JUDGE CINDEE MAYFIELD WILL MOVE TO DEPARTMENT E FOR ALL GENERAL CIVIL AND PROBATE MATTERS. JUDGE DAVID NELSON WILL CONTINUE TO HANDLE ALL JUVENILE MATTERS IN DEPARTMENT F. JUDGE RICHARD HENDERSON WILL PRESIDE OVER FAMILY LAW MATTERS IN DEPARTMENT C. JUDGE CLAY BRENNAN WILL CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE FORT BRAGG BRANCH COURT GENERAL CALENDAR. THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO VACANCIES ON THE LOCAL COURT DUE TO THE RETIREMENTS OF JUDGES RON BROWN AND JONATHAN LEHAN. SOME OF THE ANNOUNCED ASSIGNMENTS MAY CHANGE WHEN THE VACANCIES ARE FILLED BY GOVERNOR BROWN.

LOCAL JUDGE HAS NO JURISDICTION IN EXTRADITION CASE JKB 12/30/11

• MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ANN MOORMAN SAID SHE HAD NO JURISDICTION THE CASE OF A MENDOCINO MAN WHO IS FIGHTING EXTRADITION TO TEXAS ON DRUG CHARGES FOR BEING CAUGHT WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

22 YEAR OLD CHRIS DIAZ WAS ARRESTED IN 2010 FOR POSSESSING A QUARTER OUNCE OF MARIJUANA AND 14 GRAMS OF HASHISH DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN WHICH THE OFFICER ADMITTED TO STOPPING DIAZ VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD OUT OF STATE PLATES AND IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT. DIAZ MOVED FROM TEXAS TO CALIFORNIA IN 2007 AND BEGAN USING MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITH A VAPORIZER FOR ASTHMA AFTER HE DEVELOPED LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS TO TRADITIONAL ASTHMA MEDICATIONS. HE HAD BEEN IN TEXAS VISITING FAMILY. HE NOW FACES A SENTENCE OF 5 TO 99 YEARS IN A TEXAS STATE PRISON FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE.

HUMBOLDT MAN SURVIVES PLANE CRASH JKB 12/30/11

• A HUMBOLDT COUNTY MAN AND 3 OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS, SURVIVED A FIERY PLANE CRASH IN OHIO ON WEDNESDAY.

28 YEAR OLD WILSON BOWLES OF ARCATA WAS RIDING A RENTED PIPER 28 AIRPLANE, WITH HIS 30 YEAR OLD BROTHER ZACH BOWLES, AND SISTER IN LAW, 30 YEAR OLD KATHERINE BOWLES. THE PLANE WAS BEING PILOTED BY HIS OTHER BROTHER, 32 YEAR OLD ZEBULON BOWLES. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE ENGINE FAILED IN A HEAVY CROSSWIND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT THE LEBANON-WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT IN OHIO, STRUCK A SET OF POWER LINES, LANDED UPSIDE DOWN IN A FIELD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. ALL FOUR PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE FIERY WRECKAGE, BUT ALL FOUR SUFFERED INJURIES. KATHERINE BOWLES REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. WILSON AND ZACH BOWLES REMAIN HOSPITALIZED.

MENDO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY JKB 12/30/11

• THE MENDOCINO COAST RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT HAS FILED FOR MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE ITS ANNUAL DEBT PAYMENT TO WESTAMERICA BANK.

THE DISTRICT HAS A MONTHLY PAYMENT OF $182,000 FOR 584 ACRES IT BOUGHT FOR TRAILS, PARKS AND A GOLF COURSE NEAR FORT BRAGG. THE COURSE FELL THROUGH AND THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SELL THE PROPERTY BECAUSE OF DOWNTURN IN REAL ESTATE. THE RENEGOTIATION OF TERMS WITH WESTAMERICA BANK HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE DISTRICT WAS FORCED TO DEFAULT ON ITS $2.1 MILLION ANNUAL PAYMENT ON THE PROPERTY LAST MONTH. FEWER THAN 500 PUBLIC AGENCIES NATIONWIDE HAVE FILED FOR CHAPTER 9 BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION IN THE 60 YEARS IT HAS BEEN ALLOWED.

NEW SEAT LAWS FOR CHILDREN JKB 12/30/11

• A NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT ON SUNDAY THAT WILL AFFECT CHILDREN TRAVELING IN YOUR VEHICLE.

BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, ALL CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 8 MUST BE PROPERLY BUCKLED INTO A CAR SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT. ALSO, CHILDREN OLDER THAN 8 WHO ARE NOT TALL ENOUGH FOR THE SEATBELT TO FIT PROPERLY MUST RIDE IN A BOOSTER OR CAR SEAT. THE PREVIOUS LAW REQUIRED THAT CHILDREN REMAIN IN CAR SEATS ONLY UNTIL THEY TURNED 6 YEARS OLD OR WEIGHED 60 POUNDS.

News 12/29/11

HEAD ON COLLISION JKB 12/29/11

• INVESTIGATORS SAY FATIGUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT INJURED A UKIAH MAN ON HIGHWAY 20 IN LUCERNE WEDNESDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 59 YEAR OLD WILLIAM ADAMS WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND NEAR OGDEN ROAD WHEN HE ALLOWED HIS CAR TO DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC AT AROUND 8:20 AM. HE COLLIDED WITH A VAN BEING DRIVEN BY 35 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER GENHO JR OF CLEARLAKE OAKS. ADAMS HAD TO BE CUT FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE TO MAJOR INJURIES. GENHO WAS UNINJURED IN THE CRASH.

MAN RESCUED BY HELICOPTER ON MENDOCINO COAST JKB 12/29/11

• A SONOMA COUNTY HELICOPTER CREW HELPED RESCUE AN INJURED SONORA MAN ON THE MENDOCINO COAST YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE 48 YEAR OLD MAN WAS HIKING NEAR THE BASE OF A 300 CLIFF OFF NAVARRO BLUFF ROAD SOUTH OF THE NAVARRO RIVER WHEN A LARGE WAVE SWEPT HIM AGAINST THE ROCKS AND HE INJURED HIS HIP. HE WAS NOT SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN. PARAMEDICS USED ROPES TO CLIMB DOWN TO THE MAN AND STABILIZED HIM ON A BASKET BEFORE CALLING FOR THE SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS HELICOPTER JUST AFTER 10 AM. HE WAS HOISTED TO THE TOP OF THE CLIFF WHERE HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO MENDOCINO COAST HOSPITAL. NO WORD WAS RELEASED ON HIS CONDITION.

K9 OFFICER MAKES ARREST JKB 12/29/11

• FOR THE 2ND TIME IN LESS THAN A WEEK, A LAKE COUNTY K9 OFFICER HELPED ARREST A FLEEING FUGITIVE.

DEPUTIES AND THE K9 UNIT ATTEMPTED TO ENFORCE SERVE AN ARREST WARRANT ON 27 YEAR OLD MICHAEL SHAFFER OF LUCERNE AT HIS HOME TUESDAY JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT. SHAFFER FLED FORM THE HOUSE ON FOOT, AND WAS CAPTURED BY THE DOG AFTER A SHORT CHASE. HE CONTINUED TO RESIST ARREST WHEN THE DEPUTY TRIED TO CONTROL HIS HANDS AND THE K9 WAS DEPLOYED AGAIN. SHAFFER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF ABRASIONS, AND A BITE WOUND BEHIND HIS RIGHT EAR WHICH REQUIRED SEVERAL STITCHES, BEFORE BEING BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL.

KLAMATH RIVER WHALE DIED OF SKIN INFECTION JKB 12/29/11

• SCIENTISTS SAY THE MOTHER GRAY WHALE THAT OCCUPIED THE KLAMATH RIVER FOR MORE THAN SIX WEEKS DURING THE SUMMER, DIED OF FUNGAL SKIN INFECTION.

THE WHALE, NICKNAMED MAMA ENTERED THE RIVER WITH HER CALF JUNE 24TH, SWIMMING AS FAR INLAND AS THE HIGHWAY 101 BRIDGE. THREE WEEKS LATER, HER CALF SWAM BACK OUT TO SEA. THE MOTHER WHALE STAYED IN THE RIVER AND DIED ON AUGUST 16TH. BIOLOGISTS SAID THE EXTENDED TIME IN FRESH WATER WEAKENED THE WHALES SKIN AND ALLOWED THE FUNGAL INFECTION TO TAKE HOLD. REPORTS OF A GRAY WHALE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN HER CALF WHICH WASHED ASHORE IN BANDON OREGON ON CHRISTMAS DAY TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE WHEN IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WHALE WAS AN ADULT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT FATALITIES RISE AGAIN JKB 12/29/11

• LAW ENFORCEMENT FATALITIES NATIONWIDE ROSE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR WITH 173 FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY DURING 2011.

THAT IS A 13% INCREASE FROM THE 153 OFFICERS KILLED LAST YEAR, AND A 42% JUMP FROM 2009. 68 OFFICERS WERE KILLED BY GUNFIRE, 44 DIED IN AUTOMOBILE CRASHES, 11 WERE STRUCK AND KILLED WHILE OUTSIDE THEIR VEHICLES, SEVEN DIED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASHES AND TWO WERE KILLED WHEN THEIR CAR WAS STRUCK BY A TRAIN. 27 OFFICERS DIED FROM JOB RELATED ILLNESSES, FOUR DIED FROM FALLS, TWO DROWNED AND TWO WERE STABBED. ONE OFFICER WAS KILLED IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CAUSES, AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT, BEATING, BOMB RELATED INCIDENT, BEING STRUCK BY A FALLING OBJECT, ELECTROCUTION AND STRANGULATION. CALIFORNIA RANKED TIRED FOR THIRD WITH GEORGIA WITH 10 OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. TEXAS WAS 2ND WITH 13. FLORIDA HAD THE MOST OFFICERS KILLED THIS PAST YEAR WITH 14.

LAST DAY FOR DOWNTOWN POST OFFICE IS JANUARY 14TH JKB 12/29/11

• THE LAST DAY OF OPERATION FOR THE DOWNTOWN UKIAH POST OFFICE ON OAK STREET WILL BE JANUARY 14TH.

PREPARATIONS AT THE POSTAL ANNEX ON SOUTH ORCHARD STREET ARE JUST ABOUT COMPLETE FOR THE TRANSITION OF 1400 POSTAL BOX CUSTOMERS THAT WILL BE PICKING UP THEIR MAIL THERE IN THE FUTURE. EACH DOWNTOWN BOX OWNER WILL HAVE THE SAME P.O. BOX NUMBER AT THE ANNEX. CUSTOMERS WILL BE RECEIVING NOTICES IN THEIR BOXES STARTING NEXT WEEK ABOUT HOW AND WHEN TO PICK UP THEIR KEYS FOR THE NEW BOXES. MOST CUSTOMERS WILL BE RECEIVING THE SAME SIZE BOX. 60 CUSTOMERS HOWEVER, WILL BE RECEIVING SMALLER BOXES.

PHIL DONAHUE COMING TO UKIAH JKB 12/29/11

• RENOWNED TALK SHOW HOST AND DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKER PHIL DONAHUE WILL BE COMING TO UKIAH.

THE PHIL DONAHUE SHOW WAS ON THE AIR FOR 29 YEARS BEGINNING IN 1967. HE WILL BE IN UKIAH JANUARY 10TH TO PROMOTE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE NORM SALOMON, AND TO SHOW HIS FILM BODY OF WAR AT THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON CLUB AT 7 PM. THE FILM WAS NOMINATED FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD IN 2007. AFTER THE FILM, DONAHUE AND SOLOMON WILL TAKE COMMENTS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE. TICKETS FOR THE EVENT AND A RECEPTION BEFOREHAND ARE ON SALE AT THE MENDOCINO BOOK COMPANY.

TRAFFIC TICKET AMNESTY PROGRAM JKB 12/29/11

• IF YOU HAVE ANY OLD TRAFFIC TICKETS DATING BACK BEFORE JANUARY 1ST 2009 THAT YOU STILL OWE MONEY ON, YOU COULD GET A BREAK ON HALF OF WHAT YOU OWE IF YOU PAY IN FULL BETWEEN NEW YEARS DAY AND JUNE 30TH 2012.

THE 50% TRAFFIC AMNESTY PROGRAM COVERS ONLY TRAFFIC TICKETS THAT WERE DUE TO BE PAID BEFORE JANUARY 1ST 2009. PARKING TICKETS, DUIS AND RECKLESS DRIVING CASES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM CONTACT THE COUNTY COURTS.

News 12/28/11

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARREST JKB 12/28/11

• A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ATTACKING A WOMAN AT THE WILDWOOD CAMPGROUND ON HIGHWAY 20 OVER THE HOLIDAY.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE CAMPGROUND JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS MORNING. THE VICTIM STATED THAT A MAN SHE FORMALLY HAD A DATING RELATIONSHIP WITH, 42 YEAR OLD JOSEF GAVETTE, VANDALIZED HER TRAILER AND MADE REPEATED THREATS TO KILL HER. GAVETTE HAD A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER BY THE VICTIM AGAINST HIM AND WAS ON ACTIVE FELONY PROBATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. HE FLED BEFORE DEPUTIES ARRIVED. HE WAS LOCATED AT HIS HOME A SHORT WHILE LATER AND ARRESTED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

BURGLARS STRIKE BEFORE CHRISTMAS JKB 12/28/11

• A GRINCH OR GRINCHES TARGETED A LUCERNE FAMILY ON VACATION JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, RANSACKING THEIR HOME AND STEALING ALL OF THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS, AND OTHER ITEMS.

TENNILLE ANDERSON, DAUGHTER OF LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DON ANDERSON, AND HER PARTNER, DON CERVELLI RETURNED HOME WITH THEIR FIVE CHILDREN ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO DISCOVER THE BURGLARY. LAKE COUNTY SUPERVISOR ROB BROWN HEARD ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND HE AND A HANDFUL OF KELSEYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLERS SHOWED UP WITH PRESENTS FOR THE KIDS. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY DO HAVE A SUSPECT IN THE CASE.

NEW SWINE FLU VIRUS JKB 12/28/11

• PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY A NEW STRAIN OF THE SWINE FLU VIRUS HAS SURFACED, BUT IT DOESNT APPEAR TO BE QUITE AS DANGEROUS AS THE SWINE FLU VIRUS OF 2009.

A DOZEN CASES OF THE H3N2V VIRUS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED NATIONWIDE SINCE SUMMER. IN HALF OF THOSE CASES, THOSE INFECTED HAD DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONTACT WITH PIGS. THREE OF THE CASES REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION IN PATIENTS THAT HAD UNDERLYING CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS. ALL 12 PATIENTS HAVE RECOVERED.

POMO ELDER QUITIQUIT DIES JKB 12/28/11

• RESPECTED LOCAL POMO ELDER, BASKET WEAVER, ARTIST, AND POLITICAL ACTIVIST LUWANA QUITIQUIT DIED IN HER SLEEP DECEMBER 22ND. SHE WAS 70 YEARS OLD.

QUITIQUIT HAD BEEN THE LEAD PLAINTIFF IN A CASE FILED AGAINST THE ROBINSON RANCHERIA, WHOSE COUNCIL WAS TRYING TO EVICT HER AND SEVERAL OTHERS FROM THEIR HOME ON THE RESERVATION. QUITIQUIT HAD FORMERLY SERVED ON THE ROBISON RANCHERIA TRIBAL COUNCIL AND CLAIMED THE MOVE TO FORCER HER FAMILY OUT OF THE TRIBE WAS POLITICAL AND RETALIATORY. SHE AND HER FAMILY WERE DIS-ENROLLED BY THE TRIBE IN 2008. HER CASE AGAINST THE TRIBE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD IN MARCH.

GYMNASIUM TO OPEN WITH A NEW NAME JKB 12/28/11

• THE LONG AWAITED ALEX RORABAUGH CENTER GYMNASIUM ON SOUTH STATE STREET IS SET TO OPEN NEXT MONTH AND WILL DO SO SPORTING A NEW NAME.

THE 10,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WILL BE NAMED THE BECKSTOFFER GYMNASIUM, IN HONOR OF LOCAL WINE GRAPE GROWER ANDY BECKSTOFFER. HIS RECENT $200,000 DONATION HELPED FINISH OFF THE 12 YEAR, $9 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT. $2 MILLION OF THE FUNDING FOR THE GYM CAME FROM LOCAL DONORS.

LANDIS TO BE MAYOR IN 2012 JKB 12/28/11

• MARY ANN LANDIS TOOK UP THE REIGNS AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF UKIAH FOR 2012 AT LAST WEEKS CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

LANDIS WAS NOMINATED AS MAYOR DECEMBER 7TH, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER DOUG CRANE NOMINATED AS VICE MAYOR. LANDIS WENT ON THE RECORD AT THE DECEMBER 21ST MEETING SAYING SHE THOUGHT 2012 WOULD BE A BUMPY YEAR, BUT THAT THE COUNCIL WAS UP TO THE CHALLENGE. LANDIS WENT ON TO SAY SHE IS HAPPY AND HONORED TO BE MAYOR.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RELOCATED OFFICES JKB 12/28/11

• A NUMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL BE RELOCATING THEIR OFFICES EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR.

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL BE MOVING ALL FORT BRAGG STAFF AND SERVICES TO THE AVILA CENTER ON SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET IN FORT BRAGG. EMPLOYMENT AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE SERVICES WILL BE LOCATED AT 764 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET, FAMILY AND CHILDRENS SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH WILL BE LOCATED AT 790 SOUTH FRANKLIN, AND ADULT AND AGING SERVICES WILL BE LOCATED AT 752 SOUTH FRANKLIN. THE MOVES WILL BE COMPLETE BY JANUARY 23RD.

INLAND, THE CITY OF UKIAH DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING SERVICES AND THE DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WILL RELOCATE THEIR OFFICES INTO A NEW LOCATION INSIDE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION COMPLEX AT 860 NORTH BUSH STREET. LIMITED SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 13TH. SERVICES AT THE NEW LOCATION WILL BEGIN JANUARY 18TH.

TEST FOR BOAT OWNERS JKB 12/28/11

• IF YOU LIVE IN LAKE COUNTY AND HAVE A BOAT THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE OUT ON THE WATER, YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE A TEST BEFORE BEING ISSUED A 2012 QUAGGA MUSSEL STICKER.

THE TEST WILL HAVE 12 TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE QUAGGA MUSSEL AND HOW TO PREVENT IF FROM GETTING INTO LAKE COUNTY WATERS. ALL 12 QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED CORRECTLY TO RECEIVE A BOAT STICKER, BUT THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO THE NUMBER OF TIMES A PERSON CAN TAKE THE TEST. ONCE THE TEST IS PAST, THE COST OF THE STICKER IS $10. A BOAT FOUND OPERATING ON LAKE COUNTY WATERS WITHOUT THE STICKER COULD FACE A FINE OF $1000 PLUS COURT COSTS, WHICH CAN ADD UP TO A TOTAL OF $2700.

Playlist 12/29/11

BRUNO MARS-IT WILL RAIN

FLO RIDA-GOOD FEELING

KATY PERRY-THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

KELLY CLARKSON-MR. KNOW IT ALL

RIHANNA W/CALVIN HARRIS-WE FOUND LOVE

SELENA GOMEZ AND THE SCENE-LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG

ADELE-SET FIRE TO THE RAIN

AVRIL LAVIGNE-WISH YOU WERE HERE

BREATHE CAROLINA-BLACKOUT

DRAKE-HEADLINES

FRAY-HEARTBEAT

GAVIN DEGRAW-NOT OVER YOU

GYM CLASS HEROES W/NEON FITCH-ASS BACK HOME

HOT CHELLE RAE W/NEW BOYZ-I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

J COLE-WORKOUT

JAY-Z W/KANYE WEST-NI** AS IN PARIS

JESSIE J-DOMINO

LADY GAGA-MARRY THE NIGHT

OUTASIGHT-TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

PITBULL W/CHRIS BROWN-INTERNATIONAL LOVE

RIHANNA-YOU DA ONE

T-PAIN W/WIZ KHALIFA AND LILY ALLEN-5 O’CLOCK

BIG TIME RUSH W/MANN-MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH U

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ-TURN ME ON

KARMIN-CRASH YOUR PARTY

SNOOP DOGG W/WIZ KHALIFA & BRUNO MARS-YOUNG, WILD AND FREE

TIMBALAND W/PITBULL-PASS AT ME

WE THE KINGS-SAY YOU LIKE ME

COLBIE CAILLAT-BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

COLDPLAY W/RIHANNA-PRINCESS OF CHINA

DAUGHTRY-CRAWLING BACK TO YOU

JOJO-DISASTER

TAIO CRUZ W/FLO RIDA-HANGOVER

WILL.I.AM W/MICK JAGGER & JENNIFER LOPEZ-T.H.E. (THE HARDEST EVER)

Playlist 12/22/11

BRUNO MARS-IT WILL RAIN

FLO RIDA-GOOD FEELING

KATY PERRY-THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

KELLY CLARKSON-MR. KNOW IT ALL

LMFAO-SEXY AND I KNOW IT

RIHANNA W/CALVIN HARRIS-WE FOUND LOVE

ADELE-SET FIRE TO THE RAIN

AVRIL LAVIGNE-WISH YOU WERE HERE

BREATHE CAROLINA-BLACKOUT

DRAKE-HEADLINES

GAVIN DEGRAW-NOT OVER YOU

GYM CLASS HEROES W/NEON FITCH-ASS BACK HOME

HOT CHELLE RAE W/NEW BOYZ-I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

J COLE-WORKOUT

JAY-Z W/KANYE WEST-NI** AS IN PARIS

JESSIE J-DOMINO

LADY GAGA-MARRY THE NIGHT

OUTASIGHT-TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

PITBULL W/CHRIS BROWN-INTERNATIONAL LOVE

RIHANNA-YOU DA ONE

SELENA GOMEZ AND THE SCENE-LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG

T-PAIN W/WIZ KHALIFA AND LILY ALLEN-5 O’CLOCK

BIG TIME RUSH W/MANN-MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH U

COLBIE CAILLAT-BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

KARMIN-CRASH YOUR PARTY

TAIO CRUZ W/FLO RIDA-HANGOVER

TIMBALAND W/PITBULL-PASS AT ME

WE THE KINGS-SAY YOU LIKE ME

BIG SEAN-DANCE

COLDPLAY W/RIHANNA-PRINCESS OF CHINA

DAUGHTRY-CRAWLING BACK TO YOU

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ-TURN ME ON

JOJO-DISASTER

SNOOP DOGG W/WIZ KHALIFA & BRUNO MARS-YOUNG, WILD AND FREE

News 12/27/11

28 PEOPLE RESCUED AFTER BOAT CATCHES FIRE JKB 12/27/11

• THE COAST GUARD RESCUED 28 PEOPLE FROM A BOAT THAT CAUGHT FIRE IN MCCOVEY COVE WHILE OUT FOR A HOLIDAY CRUISE ON THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

FIRE CREWS ARRIVED WITHIN MINUTES OF REPORTS OF THE VESSELS ENGINE CATCHING FIRE. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE INCIDENT THE BOATS OCCUPANTS WERE TAKEN TO A NEARBY MARINA. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ESCAPED TODDLER FOUND SAFE JKB 12/27/11

• A TODDLER WHO ESCAPED FROM HIS HOME ON LAWS AVENUE LATE FRIDAY NIGHT WAS RETURNED TO HIS HOME SAFE AND SOUND.

THE TWO AND A HALF YEAR OLD BOY WAS FOUND ALONE OUTSIDE THE HOME WANDERING ON LAWS AVENUE CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT. POLICE USED THE REVERSE 911 SYSTEM TO ALERT RESIDENTS IN THE AREA OF THE MISSING CHILD. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE BOY WAS OLD ENOUGH TO OPEN DOORS AND APPARENTLY GOT OUT OF THE APARTMENT BY HIMSELF. HE WAS RETURNED TO HIS HOME AND A VERY UPSET BABYSITTER EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

FIRE DESTROYS HOME, KILLS PETS JKB 12/27/11

• A FIRE DESTROYED A DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME AND KILLED THREE PETS ON EL CAMINO ROAD IN CLEARLAKE CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10 PM. THE STRUCTURE WAS HALF CONSUMED BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. NO PEOPLE WERE HOME AT THE TIME OF THE BLAZE, BUT FIRE INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY DID RECOVER THE REMAINS OF TWO DOGS AND A CAT THAT DIED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

WOODEN WHALE RECOVERED JKB 12/27/11

• A CARVED REDWOOD WHALE SCULPTURE THAT WAS STOLEN FROM IN FRONT OF THE MACALLUM HOUSE INN, IN MENDOCINO WHERE IT HAS STOOD FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS WAS RETURNED FRIDAY MORNING.

AN INTOXICATED TRANSIENT TOLD STAFF AT THE MACALLUM HOUSE THAT TWO PEOPLE DROPPED THE WHALE OFF AT THE NEARBY KELLY HOUSE MUSEUM AND THEN DROVE AWAY. THEY ALSO LEFT A NOTE SAYING THE WHALE NEEDED A SWIM AND TO NEVER FORGET ABOUT THE LATE BYRD BAKER. BAKER WAS THE LOCAL ARTIST WHO CARVED THE WHALE IN 1976, THE SAME YEAR HE LED A GROUP OF PEOPLE OUT TO SEA TO ALLEGEDLY CHALLENGE RUSSIAN WHALING SHIPS THAT WERE NEVER LOCATED, DURING THE SO CALLED WHALE WARS. THE SNATCHED WHALE SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE TO ITS TAIL.

HIGH SPEED CHASE, K9 ARREST JKB 12/27/11

• A CLEARLAKE MAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITH THE HELP OF A K-9 OFFICER AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE LAST NIGHT.

47 YEAR OLD JIMMY SCARBOROUGH TRIED TO OUTRUN A LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY 20 AND ON SEVERAL ROADS IN CLEARLAKE OAKS. HE EVENTUALLY BAILED OUT OF THE CAR ON WIDGEON WAY AND TRIED TO FLEE ON FOOT. HE WAS CAPTURED AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE BY THE DEPUTYS K-9 PARTNER. SCARBOROUGH WAS TREATED FOR BITE WOUNDS TO HIS LEFT ARM AND THEN BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES INCLUDING A PAROLE VIOLATION.

MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE TO CONTINUE JKB 12/27/11

• THE MENDOCINO MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE WILL CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT MAKE UP THE TASK FORCE, THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF UKIAH, WILLITS AND FORT BRAGG, VOTED TO KEEP THE TASK FORCE FUNDED AND STAFFED FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST HALF OF 2012. THE TASK FORCE IS ONE OF 34 SUCH AGENCIES STATEWIDE THAT WAS RECENTLY NOTIFIED THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE RECEIVING ANY STATE FUNDING. CHAIRMAN OF THE MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE EXECUTIVE BOARD, UKIAH POLICE CHIEF CHRIS DEWEY SAID FUNDING THE AGENCY IN THE SHORT TERM WILL GIVE TIME TO REFORM IT AS NECESSARY. THE TASK FORCE WILL ALSO NEED TO FIND A NEW COMMANDER, AS SPECIAL AGENT BOB NISHIYAMA IS RETIRING.

MAN ARRESTED FOR BRANDISHING MACHETE JKB 12/27/11

• A COASTAL AREA TRANSIENT WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY BRANDISHING A MACHETE AFTER HE WAS ASKED TO LEAVE DICKS PLACE BAR IN MENDOCINO LATE WEDNESDAY EVENING.

RESPONDING DEPUTIES FOUND 36 YEAR OLD BRIAN KAHLOW HIGHLY INTOXICATED, AND PRESENTING A POTENTIAL DANGER TO HIMSELF AND OTHERS. DURING A SEARCH OF HIS PERSON, DEPUTIES FOUND A CONCEALED FIXED BLADE KNIFE STRAPPED TO HIS LEG. THE POLICE REPORT DID NOT MENTION THE EXISTENCE OF A MACHETE.

DRUG BUST JKB 12/27/11

• THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS NARCOTICS TASK FORCES CONTINUING CRACKDOWN ON PROBATION AND PAROLE VIOLATORS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF A KELSEYVILLE MAN ON DRUG CHARGES.

29 YEAR OLD FERNANDO PARRA WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF 14.7 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE PACKAGED FOR SALE DURING A PROBATION SEARCH OF HIS HOME LAST WEDNESDAY. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF DRUG AND PROBATION VIOLATION CHARGES.

DEPOT SITE NOW PREFERRED FOR NEW COURTHOUSE JKB 12/27/11

• THE LIBRARY SITE IS NO LONGER THE PREFERRED SITE FOR THE NEW MENDOCINO COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN UKIAH.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT GIVEN AT LAST WEEKS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THE RAILROAD DEPOT SITE HAS ECLIPSED THE LIBRARY SITE FOR A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL REASONS. AN ADVISORY GROUP ASKED TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND SITES FOR THE NEW PROPOSED COURTHOUSE, MADE UP OF CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS, VOTED 5 TO 2 TO SWITCH THEIR ENDORSEMENT OF WHICH SITE WAS PREFERRED. ONE OF THE KEY POINTS WAS WHICH SITE COULD BE READY BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR FOR THE $119 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT. THE PURCHASE OF THE SITE NEEDS TO BE COMPLETE BY JUNE 30TH 2012.

News 12/23/11

ARSON PLEA JKB 12/23/11

• A WILLITS MAN PLEADED GUILTY TO 19 SEPARATE COUNTS OF ARSON YESTERDAY AND WILL BE SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN STATE PRISON.

36 YEAR OLD STEVEN GENE HENSLEY WAS CHARGED WITH SETTING 19 FIRES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE WILLITS AREA STARTING ON JULY 4TH AND CONTINUING THROUGH AUGUST 21ST. IN ADDITION TO THE PRISON TIME, HENSLEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS AN ARSON OFFENDER FOR LIFE AND PAY JUST OVER $354,000 IN RESTITUTION.

TWO MEN INJURED IN FIRE IDENTIFIED JKB 12/23/11

• TWO MEN BADLY INJURED IN A HOUSE FIRE IN HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE TUESDAY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS JORDAN ARMSTRONG AND KEVIN HART.

ARMSTRONG WAS LISTED IN FAIR CONDITION WITH BURNS OVER 30% OF HIS BODY. HART REPORTEDLY SUFFERED BURNS OVER 80% OF HIS BODY. HIS CONDITION WAS NOT RELEASED YESTERDAY. BOTH MEN ARE NOW BEING TREATED AT THE U.C. DAVIS MEDICAL CENTERS BURN UNIT. WHILE THE FIRE HAS BEEN RULED ACCIDENTAL, THE CAUSE REMAINS UNKNOWN.

MACCALLUM HOUSE WHALE STOLEN JKB 12/23/11

• THIEVES MADE OFF WITH A WHALE CARVED OUT OF REDWOOD THAT HAS STOOD IN FRONT OF THE MACCALLUM HOUSE INN IN MENDOCINO FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS SOMETIME LATE TUESDAY OR EARLY WEDNESDAY.

THE WHALE, WAS CARVED BY BYRD BAKER, THE LEADER OF THE 1976 MENDOCINO WHALE WARS AND THE FOUNDER OF MENDOCINO WHALE FESTIVAL THE SAME YEAR. INSPIRED BY THE ACTIONS GREEPEACE WAS TAKING AGAINST RUSSIAN WHALERS, BAKER AND A SMALL GROUP OF COASTAL RESIDENTS RENTED A 66 FOOT FISHING BOAT AND ATTEMPTED TO INTERCEPT WHALING SHIPS REPORTED TO BE OFF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST. NONE WERE EVER ENCOUNTERED. POLICE SAY THE WHALE SCULPTURE IS ESTIMATED TO WEIGH CLOSE TO 80 POUNDS AND SUGGEST MORE THAN ONE THIEF WAS INVOLVED. MACCULLUM HOUSE OWNERS ARE HOPING THE WHALE WILL BE RETURNED UNHARMED.

METH ARREST JKB 12/23/11

• A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RESULTED IN A UKIAH MAN BEING ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN LAKEPORT MONDAY EVENING.

50 YEAR OLD RIGOBERTO RUBALCABA GOT THE ATTENTION OF A LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS NARCOTICS DETECTIVE WHEN HE SUDDENLY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM FROM A DRIVEWAY ON MARTIN STREET, FORCING THE DETECTIVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND TAKE EVASIVE ACTION. RUBALCABA, WHO IS ON PAROLE, WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF 4 AND A HALF OUNCES OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES.

FIRST FLU DEATH IN THE STATE REPORTED THIS SEASON JKB 12/23/11

• STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRST FATALITY OF THIS YEARS FLU SEASON IN CALIFORNIA IS A KERN COUNTY MAN.

ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THE MAN WAS IN HIS 30S. HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR FLU VACCINATIONS THIS YEAR. FLU SEASON TYPICALLY PEAKS BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH, RESULTING IN 3,000 TO 49,000 DEATHS ANNUALLY NATIONWIDE.

DUI ARREST JKB 12/23/11

• A UKIAH MAN WHO CALLED 911 TO REPORT HOSTILE PARENTS WERE PURSUING HIM NEAR UKIAH HIGH SCHOOL, WAS THE ONE WHO ENDED UP BEING ARRESTED ON TUESDAY.

41 YEAR OLD ROBERT PUGH CALLED POLICE AT 7:45 AM AND REPORTED THAT HE HAD NEARLY HIT A STUDENT IN A CROSSWALK ON DESPINA DRIVE AND THE PARENTS CHASED HIM THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO RAM HIS VEHICLE. A RESPONDING OFFICER DETERMINED PUGH TO BE INTOXICATED AND HE WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT, SINCE HE HAD CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH HIM. THE STUDENT HE ALMOST HIS WAS NOT INJURED.

SHOPLIFTING ARREST JKB 12/23/11

• A SHOPLIFTER LED POLICE ON A SPIRITED FOOT CHASE AND WAS EVENTUALLY ARRESTED WHILE TRYING TO FLAG DOWN A CAR ON THE FREEWAY.

24 YEAR OLD SHANNON KIDD ALLEGEDLY STOLE SOME CLOTHING FROM THE GROCERY OUTLET ON NORTH STATE STREET MONDAY. POLICE WERE CALLED AND PURSUED HIM BEHIND TACO BELL, THE REDWOOD EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS INTO A FIELD NEAR HIGHWAY 101. HE WAS APPREHENDED AFTER HE REPORTEDLY RAN ONTO THE FREEWAY AND TRIED TO FLAG DOWN A PASSING MOTORIST. HE WAS ARRESTED ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL.

MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND JKB 12/23/11

• THE EXTENDED CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND STARTS TODAY AND THAT OF COURSE MEANS THE CHP WILL BE OUT IN FORCE ON THE ROADS LOOKING FOR THE UNSAFE, UNBELTED AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVER.

THE FIRST OF TWO MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKENDS ON CALIFORNIA ROADWAYS WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM TONIGHT AND CONTINUE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY DECEMBER 26TH. THE SECOND MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEKEND FOR NEW YEARS EVE.

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT IS ALSO IMPLEMENTING TARGETED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DETAILS ON RANDOM DAYS IN DIFFERENT AREAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THOUGH OUT THE HOLIDAYS.

News 12/22/11

COBB WOMAN REMAINS IN COMA AFTER CRASH JKB 12/22/11

• A LAKE COUNTY WOMAN HAS NOT REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS AFTER A CAR CRASH ON COBB MOUNTAIN LAST WEEK.

23 YEAR OLD NOVA FOX SUFFERED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY WHEN HER CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE LAST WEDNESDAY. SHE REMAINS IN A COMA AT SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. A FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT WESTAMERICA BANK IN FOXS NAME TO HELP THE FAMILY WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES.

HOUSE FIRE THAT INJURED THREE DEEMED ACCIDENTAL JKB 12/22/11

• A HOUSE FIRE THAT CRITICALLY INJURED TWO PEOPLE AND A CHP OFFICER IN HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE HAS BEEN RULED AS ACCIDENTAL.

ACCORDING TO ARSON INVESTIGATORS, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE INJURED IN THE FIRE WERE LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION, ONE AT SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, THE OTHER AT U.C. DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER. THE NAMES OF THE VICTIMS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. CHP OFFICER JOSH DYE, WHO WAS THE FIRST EMERGENCY RESPONDER TO ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION INJURIES AND WAS TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL AND RELEASED.

PALACE HOTEL DECLARED A PUBLIC NUISANCE JKB 12/22/11

• THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL DECLARED THE HISTORIC PALACE HOTEL A PUBLIC NUISANCE AT THEIR MEETING LAST NIGHT, CLEARING THE WAY FOR ABATEMENT PROCEEDINGS TO BEGIN.

THE OWNER, MARIN COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENT ELADIA LAINES, HAS 30 DAYS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS OR THE COUNCIL CAN MAKE REPAIRS OR DEMOLISH THE BUILDING AND CHARGE LAINES FOR THE COSTS. LAINES HAS MADE SEVERAL PROMISES TO RENOVATE THE HOTEL OVER THE PAST 21 YEARS. SHE AGAIN ASKED FOR A DELAY IN LAST NIGHTS VOTE, BUT WAS DENIED.

MURDER CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST LOLETA MOTHER JKB 12/22/11

• MURDER CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED AGAINST A HUMBOLDT COUNTY MOTHER ACCUSED OF KILLER HER BABY WITH METHAMPHETAMINE LACED BREAST MILK LAST YEAR.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE BRUCE WATSON THREW OUT THE MURDER CHARGE AGAINST 27 YEAR OLD MAGGIE WORTMAN OF LOLETA, RULING THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED SHOWING WORTMAN KNEW SHE WAS ENDANGERING THE LIFE OF HER INFANT SON WHEN SHE BREASTFED HIM AFTER ALLEGEDLY SMOKING METH. 6 WEEK OLD MICHAEL PHILLIP ACOSTA THE THIRD DIED OF METHAMPHETAMINE TOXICITY NOVEMBER 21ST OF LAST YEAR. PROSECUTORS CAN NOW CHOOSE TO PROCEED TO TRIAL WITH CURRENTLY PENDING INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES, OR CAN DISMISS THE CASE AND RE-FILE THE MURDER CHARGE.

HOSPITAL ADMITS TO OPERATING MISTAKE JKB 12/22/11

• ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL IN EUREKA HAS SUBMITTED A PLAN OF CORRECTION TO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AFTER PUBLICLY ADMITTING TO LEAVING A 10 INCH LONG AND 6 AND A HALF INCH WIDE INSTRUMENT INSIDE A SURGERY PATIENT LAST SUMMER.

HOSPITAL OFFICIALS SAY SURGEONS FOUND A VISCERAL RETRACTOR INSIDE THE ABDOMEN OF A PATIENT TWO MONTHS AFTER SHE HAD SURGERY TO REPAIR A HERNIA. THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. ST. JOSEPH SUBMITTED A PLAN TO AVOID SUCH OVERSIGHTS IN THE FUTURE IN OCTOBER, AND STATE OFFICIALS HAVE ACCEPTED THE PROCEDURE CORRECTION. NO WORD WAS RELEASED REGARDING POSSIBLE FINES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN LEVIED IN THE INCIDENT.

DRIVER FLEES AFTER CHASE JKB 12/22/11

• AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR THE DRIVER OF A CAR THAT LED POLICE ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE ON 18TH AVENUE NEAR BOYLES AVENUE IN CLEARLAKE EARLY WEDNESDAY.

THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ELUDE POLICE FOR A WHILE, BUT CRASHED INTO A TREE AT THE INTERSECTION OF 21ST AND PHILLIPS AVENUES JUST BEFORE 1 AM. THE DRIVER FLED ON FOOT. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE 28 YEAR OLD LEONA DELAPENA AND 20 YEAR OLD JASON STEEL, BOTH OF UKIAH SUFFERED INJURIES AND WERE TAKEN TO ST HELENA HOSPITAL. STEELE WAS LATER AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. THE INCIDENT REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION.

PLANNING COMMISION APPROVES NEW UUSD BUILDING JKB 12/22/11

• THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION ON TUESDAY, APPROVED A PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ON SOUTH ORCHARD AVENUE.

THE 13,8000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WILL BE PAID FOR WITH UP TO $4 MILLION IN UKIAH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FUNDS EARMARKED FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAPITAL OUTLAY FUND. THE CITY COUNCIL GAVE APPROVAL FOR FINANCING THE PROJECT MAY.

News 12/21/11

HOUSE FIRE INJURES THREE JKB 12/21/11

• A HOUSE FIRE IN HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE INJURED THREE PEOPLE YESTERDAY MORNING, TWO OF THEM CRITICALLY.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED AT 11:49 AM. TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE INSIDE THE HOME ON NORTH SHORE DRIVE ESCAPED BUT SUFFERED SERIOUS BURNS. WITNESSES SAID AT LEAST ONE OF THE VICTIMS FLED FROM THE HOME ON FIRE. ONE OF THE INJURED WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL; THE OTHER WAS FLOWN TO THE U.C. DAVIS BURN CENTER. A CHP OFFICER THAT RESPONDED TO THE FIRE SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THE NAMES OF THE VICTIMS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE TWO STORY HOME WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

SKULL FOUND NEAR ARCATA JKB 12/21/11

• TWO YOUNG BOYS PLAYING IN A WOODED BACKYARD NEAR ARCATA DISCOVERED A HUMAN SKULL LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON.

THE BOYS BROUGHT THE SKULL IN TO SHOW THEIR FATHER, WHO IN TURNED CALLED POLICE. A SEARCH OF THE AREA THE NEXT MORNING TURNED UP ADDITIONAL HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS. FURTHER FORENSIC TESTING WILL BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE AGE, SEX, IDENTITY AND POSSIBLE CAUSE OF DEATH. THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT IS TREATING THE CASE AS A SUSPICIOUS DEATH, AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO GATHER A LIST OF REPORTED MISSING PERSONS IN THE AREA.

ATTACKER OF GIRL SOUGHT JKB 12/21/11

• THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR A MAN THAT ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED A 10 YEAR OLD GIRL NEAR OAK MANOR SCHOOL LAST TUESDAY.

THE GIRL REPORTED SHE WAS PLAYING ON SWINGS AT THE PARK NEAR THE SCHOOL WHEN SHE NOTICED THE MAN WHO WAS DRINKING, STARING AT HER. HE REPORTEDLY WAIVED HER OVER, BUT SHE REFUSED AND STARTED TO WALK BACK TO THE SCHOOL. THE MAN THEN ALLEGEDLY RAN AFTER HER, GRABBED HER BACKPACK AND THREW HER TO THE GROUND. SHE WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE BY KICKING AND SCRATCHING HIM AS HE TRIED TO GET ON TOP OF HER. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A BLACK MALE ADULT, APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS OLD, 5 FEET 8 INCHES TALL WITH A THIN BUILD, BLACK HAIR AND BLACK MUSTACHE. HE WAS WEARING A BLACK HAT WITH A PAPER BURGER KING CROWN OVER IT, A BLACK T-SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING HIM DRINKING A 40 OUNCE BEER AND POSSIBLY EATING FOOD FROM BURGER KING JUST PRIOR TO THE ASSAULT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT OR SUSPECT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

MAN CONVICTED OF KILLING STEPSON JKB 12/21/11

• A JURY YESTERDAY, FOUND A LAYTONVILLE MAN GUILTY OF THE 2ND DEGREE MURDER OF HIS STEPSON.

52 YEAR OLD REY REYS ADMITTED TO SHOOTING 21 YEAR OLD COLIN CHAMPLIN DURING AN ALCOHOL FUELED JEALOUS RAGE ON DECEMBER 1ST OF LAST YEAR. THE TWO MEN REPORTEDLY HAD A CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP IN THE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE KILLING. THEY AND THE VICTIMS MOTHER WERE DRINKING VODKA THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING. REYES TESTIFIED THAT HE BELIEVED CHAMPLIN WAS TRYING TO COERCE HIS WIFE AND OWN MOTHER, MISTY CHAMPLIN INTO HAVING SEX. HE BECAME ANGRY AND GRABBED A GUN AND SHOT CHAMPLIN ONCE IN THE HEAD AS HE SAT ON THE COUCH WITH HIS LAPTOP COMPUTER. REYES DEFENSE SAY THE KILLING SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED AS MANSLAUGHTER. HE COULD NOW FACE UP TO 40 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON WHEN HE IS SENTENCED JANUARY 7TH.

MAN SENTENCED IN MANSLAUGHTER DEATH JKB 12/21/11

• A UKIAH MAN WHO WAITED FOUR HOURS BEFORE CONTACTING POLICE TO REPORT A CRASH THAT KILLED HIS FRIEND, WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN STATE PRISON YESTERDAY.

30 YEAR OLD CODY FISHER PLEADED GUILTY IN OCTOBER TO FELONY GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER AND FAILURE TO REPORT A FATALITY. PROSECUTORS SAY FISHER, 30 YEAR OLD MATT PARE, AND ANOTHER FRIEND TOOK A CAB TO AND FROM THE MCNAB RANCH SUBDIVISION TO UKIAH TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY AUGUST 28TH. WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE MCNAB RANCH AREA, FISHER INSISTED ON DRIVING THE DIRT ROAD HOME. HE LOST CONTROL, OVERTURNED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. PARE DIED IN THE COLLISION. FISHER CALLED A FRIEND TO BRING HIM A POT OF COFFEE SO HE COULD SOBER UP BEFORE NOTIFYING THE CHP. FISHER HAD FACED UP TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON.

SMOKE DETECTOR SAVES HOME JKB 12/21/11

• FIRE OFFICIALS ARE CREDITING A PROPERLY OPERATING SMOKE DETECTOR IN SAVING A FAMILY AND THEIR HOME IN CLEARLAKE OAKS EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

THE BLAZE BROKE OUT ON THE REAR WOOD DECK OF THE HOME AND SPREAD TO AN EXTERIOR WALL JUST AFTER 5:30 AM. A SMOKE DETECTOR IN THE FAMILY ROOM ACTIVATED AND THE HOMES OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO KNOCK DOWN THE FIRE AND CALL 911. ARRIVING FIREFIGHTERS TOOK CARE OF THE FIRE THE REST OF THE WAY AND LIMITED DAMAGE TO JUST THE DECK AREA AND A SECTION OF THE EXTERIOR WALL. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT AROUND $6,000.

CHESBRO TO MOVE UKIAH OFFICE JKB 12/21/11

• NORTH COAST ASSEMBLY MEMBER WES CHESBRO IS MOVING HIS DISTRICT OFFICE ON NORTH STATE STREET TO THE UKIAH VALLEY CONFERENCE CENTER ON SOUTH SCHOOL STREET IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY ON RENT.

THE UKIAH OFFICE SERVICES MOTH LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SERVICED BY FIELD REPRESENTATIVE RUTH VALENZUELA. THE PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS WILL ALSO REMAIN THE SAME. CHESBRO WILL HOST AN OPEN HOUSE AT THE NEW LOCATION, BUT THE DATE HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED.

ACTOR GERARD BUTLER IN MAVERICKS INCIDENT JKB 12/21/11

• ACTOR GERARD BUTLER WAS HELD UNDERWATER AND PUMMELED BY BIG WAVES WHILE FILMING A MOVIE AT THE INFAMOUS MAVERICKS SURF BREAK ON SUNDAY.

THE ACTOR WAS PADDLING OUT WITH COMPETITIVE SURFERS GREG LONG, ZACH WORMHOUDT, AND PETER MEL WHEN THEY WERE CAUGHT IN AN UNEXPECTED LARGE SET OF WAVES BREAKING CLOSE TO SHORE. BUTLER WAS HELD UNDERWATER FOR TWO WAVES AND WASHED THROUGH SOME ROCKS UNTIL HE WAS RESCUED BY A SAFETY PATROLMAN ON A JET SKI. HE WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO STANFORD MEDICAL CENTER FOR AN EXAMINATION AND RELEASED. BUTLER IS CURRENTLY FILMING A MOVE ABOUT BIG WAVE SURFER JAY MORIARTY CALLED OF MEN AND MAVERICKS.

PGE PRESENTS SMART METER OPT OUT PLAN JKB 12/21/11

• THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HAS CONFRIMED THAT PG&E HAS FILED A REQUEST TO ALLOW SOME PEOPLE TO USE TRADITIONAL DEVICES IF THEY DO NOT WANT SMART METERS, FOR A FEE.

PG&ES SMART METER OPT OUT PROGRAM FOR CUSTOMERS CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEW WIRELESS RADIO SIGNAL DEVICES HAS NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE CPUC. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE REQUEST SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

News 12/20/11

MAN SAVES GRANDMOTHER JKB 12/20/11

• AUTHORITIES SAY THE QUICK CALM ACTIONS OF A UKIAH MAN HELPED SAVE HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS SEVERELY INJURED IN A FREAK ACCIDENT IN HER HOME SUNDAY NIGHT.

65 YEAR OLD ANGEL MYERS SLIPPED WHILE WALKING ON HER WOODEN FLOOR IN STOCKING FEET AND FELL ON A WINE GLASS SHE WAS HOLDING, WHICH IN TURN CUT HER JUGULAR ARTERY IN HER NECK SHORTLY BEFORE 9 PM. HER GRANDSON WHO LIVES WITH HER, 23 YEAR OLD ANTHONY RASH JR. KEPT DIRECT PRESSURE ON THE WOUND, SAT HER UP IN A RELAXED POSITION AND TALKED TO HER TO KEEP HER CONSCIOUS WHILE CALLING 911. MYERS ACTUALLY DIED WHILE BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER, BUT WAS REVIVED. SHE WAS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION AS OF MONDAY NIGHT. IF ALL GOES WELL, SHE COULD BE HOME BY CHRISTMAS.

PHONE SCAM VICTIM JKB 12/20/11

• AN ELDERLY UPPER LAKE MAN BECAME THE LATEST VICTIM OF A RUTHLESS PHONE SCAM IN WHICH THIEVES APPEAR TO BE TAPPING INTO ONLINE DIRECTORIES WITH PERSONAL INFORMATION TO USE THE NAMES OF VICTIMS RELATIVES TO STEAL MONEY.

THE MAN SENT MORE THAN $8,000 IN TWO WIRE TRANSFERS TO HELP HIS NEPHEW, WHOM THE CALLER SAID WAS IN A JAIL IN PERU. AFTER SENDING THE SECOND TRANSFER, THE VICTIM LEARNED HIS NEPHEW WAS NOT IN SOUTH AMERICA.

E-QUAKE JKB 12/20/11

• THE GEYSERS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RATTLED BY A 3.1 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE YESTERDAY MORNING, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN 24TH QUAKE 3.0 OR LARGER TO STRIKE THE AREA SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

THE QUAKE AS OF THIS MORNING HOWEVER, WAS DOWNGRADED BY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TO A STRENGTH OF 2.9 IN MAGNITUDE. IT OCCURRED AT 6:09 AM AND WAS CENTERED 3 MILES NORTH NORTH WEST OF THE STEAM FIELDS.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARREST JKB 12/20/11

• A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER CHOKING HIS GIRLFRIEND UNCONSCIOUS DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE LAST NIGHT.

THE VICTIM REPORTED THAT SHE AND 43 YEAR OLD JEFFREY ASHLINE GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT AT HIS APARTMENT ON LAWS AVENUE AT AROUND 8 PM. DURING THE CONFRONTATION, ASHLINE ALLEGEDLY PUNCHED HER IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, PULLED HER TO THE FLOOR BY HER HAIR AND CHOKED HER UNTIL SHE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE VICTIM STATED AFTER WAKING, SHE WAS ABLE TO FLEE TO HER MOTHERS APARTMENT, ALSO LOCATED ON LAWS AVENUE, AND CALL POLICE. SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF HER INJURIES. ASHLINE WAS LOCATED A SHORT WHILE LATER AND GAVE OFFICERS A FALSE NAME. HE WAS POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO LANDS MAN IN JAIL JKB 12/20/11

• A STOLEN DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO LANDED A FORT BRAGG MAN IN JAIL SATURDAY MORNING.

EMPLOYEES OF THE STARBUCKS LOCATED ON SOUTH MAIN STREET CALLED POLICE AFTER 42 YEAR OLD JOHN PALACIOS FAILED TO PAY FOR A DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO AT AROUND 11:15 AM. HE ONLY WENT AS FAR AS THE PARKING LOT TO DRINK HIS STOLEN BEVERAGE AND WAS CONTACTED POLICE. PALACIOS THEN MADE HIS SITUATION WORSE BY THREATENING TO SHOOT OFFICERS IN THE HEAD WITH A GUN. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES.

CHARGES TO BE DROPPED IN SR. CENTER EMBEZZLEMENT CASE JKB 12/20/11

• EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES WERE DISMISSED YESTERDAY, AGAINST THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LUCERNE ALPINE SR. CENTER, 67 YEAR OLD ROWLAND MOSSER.

MOSSER WAS CHARGED WITH FOUR FELONIES FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING MONEY FROM THE SR. CENTER BETWEEN JANUARY AND MID AUGUST OF 2005. HE SERVED AS THE CENTERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FROM 2002 TO 2005 AND HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED HIS INNOCENCE. LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DON ANDERSON SAID THE CHARGES WERE BEING DROPPED BECAUSE THE LEAD INVESTIGATOR IN THE CASE RECENTLY DIED.

POLICE SEEK PUBLICS HELP IN BURGLARY CASES JKB 12/20/11

• THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IDENTIFYING SUSPECTS IN TWO RECENT BURGLARY ATTEMPTS.

IN THE FIRST, TWO MEN WERE SPOTTED REMOVING ITEMS FROM SEVERAL BUILDINGS AT BORGES LOGGING ON CAMPBELL LANE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THEY ARE DESCRIBED AS A BOTH BEING WHILE MALE ADULTS, BETWEEN 20 AND 25 YEARS OF AGE. ONE SUSPECT IS APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET TALL, 170-180 POUNDS, CLEAN SHAVEN WITH SIDEBURNS, WEARING A BLACK BEANIE CAP, DARK COLORED SWEATSHIRT AND DARK COLORED PANTS. THE OTHER IS DESCRIBED AS HAVING A THIN BUILD, UNSHAVEN WITH REDDISH STUBBLE, A GROOVE BETWEEN HIS TWO UPPER FRONT TEETH, WITH A TONGUE PIERCING, WEARING A DARK GREEN BEANIE CAP. THEIR VEHICLE IS DESCRIBED AS A LATE MODEL WHITE SEDAN, POSSIBLY A CHEVY IMPALA OR BUICK.

IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, SUSPICIOUS ADULT MALE SUBJECTS WERE SEEN PROWLING AROUND A RESIDENCE IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF ALDEN AVENUE AT AROUND 3:30 MONDAY MORNING. THEY FLED IN A VEHICLE DESCRIBED AS A DARK COLORED, POSSIBLY MAROON, COMPACT TO MID SIZE SEDAN.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT EITHER INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BURGLARY ARRESTS JKB 12/20/11

• TWO WOMEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER BURGLARIZING A HOME ON RUBY DRIVE IN LAKEPORT SATURDAY MORNING.

POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE HOME ON A REPORT OF A BURGLARY IN PROGRESS AT 7:20 AM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND 32 YEAR OLD BRANDY BOYLE OF KELSEYVILLE AND 35 YEAR OLD CYNTHIA DOWNING OF LUCERNE STANDING NEXT TO A PICK UP TRUCK PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY LOADED WITH STOLEN ITEMS FROM THE HOME. BOTH WERE ARRESTED AT THE SCENE AND BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL.

PALACE HOTEL CONSIDERED FOR NUISANCE DECLARATION JKB 12/20/11

• THE CITY OF UKIAH IS POISED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TO OFFICIALLY DECLARE THE DEFUNCT PALACE HOTEL AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE.

MORE THAN 23 YEARS OF NEGLECT HAS RESULTED IN THE HOTEL BECOMING DILAPIDATED AND STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. THE CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY WILL CONSIDER THE NUISANCE DECLARATION IN ORDER TO BEGIN ABATEMENT PROCEEDINGS. UNDER THE ABATEMENT PROCESS, THE CITY CAN REPAIR, REHAB, OR DEMOLISH THE BUILDING AND CHARGE THE COSTS TO THE OWNER. THE HOTEL IS OWNED BY MARIN COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENT ELADIA LAINES, WHO HAS MADE NUMEROUS PROMISES IN THE PAST TO FIX UP THE HOTEL BUT NEVER DELIVERED. THE BUILDING AND LOT WERE VALUED AT JUST OVER $300,000 IN 2006. THE ESTIMATED COST TO TEAR IT DOWN IS $4 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.