News 2/29/12

UKIAH MAN HIGH ON BATH SALTS JKB 2/29/12

• A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE WAS FOUND STANDING ON NORTH STATE STREET WEARING NO SHIRT, TALKING AND LAUGHING TO HIMSELF, COVERED IN ASHES AND SPEAKING GIBBERISH.

AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THE MAN WAS HIGH ON AN ILLEGAL DESIGNER DRUG COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS BATH SALTS. FAMILY MEMBERS OF 20 YEAR OLD GILBERTO OLEA VARGAS SAID HE HAD BEEN USING THE DRUG FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS AND HAD GROWN INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT. AT AROUND 9 PM MONDAY HE BEGAN VANDALIZING A CAST IRON STOVE IN THE HOME AND A VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND TRANSPORTED TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR A MEDICAL EVALUATION. THE DESIGNER DRUG CALLED BATH SALTS IS A SYNTHETIC BLEND OF CHEMICALS THAT MIMIC DRUGS SUCH AS COCAINE AND LSD AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATHING. THE DRUG WAS OUTLAWED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAST FALL DUE TO INCREASING REPORTS OF OVERDOSES AND EXTREME DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR BY SOME USERS OF THE DRUG.

ARSON ARREST LAKE COUNTY JKB 2/29/12

• LAKE COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARRESTED A MAN IN CONNECTION WITH A TRAILER HOME FIRE THAT OCCURRED ON MISSION RANCHERIA ROAD IN LAKEPORT ON FRIDAY.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED SHORTLY AFTER 6 PM. THE OWNER OF THE BURNED TRAILER, 48 YEAR OLD JOHN AUSTIN MITCHELL TOLD DEPUTIES THAT HE HAD BEEN DESPONDENT RECENTLY AND WANTED TO GET RID OF QUOTE SOME OF THE BAD THINGS IN HIS LIFE UNQUOTE. MITCHELL WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE ADMITTED TO SETTING FIRE TO A BLANKET IN THE TRAILER. HE ALSO STATED HE HAD NO INTENTION OF HARMING ANYONE.

ARSON ARREST MENDOCINO COUNTY JKB 2/29/12

• A 17 YEAR OLD BOY WAS ARRESTED MONDAY IN CONNECTION WITH A FIRE IN AN OUTBUILDING AT AN ABANDONED HOME ON CARRIGAN LANE IN UKIAH LAST TUESDAY.

DEPUTIES CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FIRE INTERVIEWED SEVERAL WITNESSES AND EVENTUALLY TALKED TO THE 17 YEAR OLD SUSPECT WHO WAS BEING HOUSED IN THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JUVENILE HALL ON AN UNRELATED CHARGE. HE ADMITTED TO BEING AT THE BUILDING AND STARTING THE FIRE. HE CLAIMED HE ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT OUT AFTER IT BEGAN, BUT FAILED AND FLED THE LOCATION AFTER THE BLAZE GOT OUT OF CONTROL. HE WAS RE-BOOKED INTO JUVENILE HALL ON CHARGES OF ARSON.

E-QUAKES IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY JKB 2/29/12

• HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN SEISMIC ACTIVITY THE PAST WEEK.

A 3.0 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE WAS RECORDED 4 MILES OFF THE COAST PETOROLIA AT 11:17 YESTERDAY MORNING, IN THE SAME AREA A 4.3 MAGNITUDE QUAKE STRUCK FRIDAY EVENING. TSUNAMI WARNINGS WERE NOT ISSUED. A 3.7 MAGNITUDE QUAKE WAS REPORTED 17 MILES NORTH-NORTH WEST OF WILLOW CREEK AND 31 MILES NORTH EAST OF EUREKA AT 9:00 PM LAST NIGHT. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

MURDER SUSPECT POSSIBLE RAPE AND ROBBERY SUSPECT JKB 2/29/12

• A STOCKTON MAN WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE BY KNEELING DOWN IN FRONT OF A SPEEDING BIG RIG AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING AND KILLING A SANTA ROSA MASSEUSE, MAY HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF RAPING AND ROBBING WOMEN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

46 YEAR OLD JOHN QUINCY ELLIS KILLED HIMSELF ON I-5 FEBRUARY 6TH, THE DAY AFTER HE REPORTEDLY SHOT AND KILLED 60 YEAR OLD CAROLE MARIE BROOKS IN HER DOWNTOWN SANTA ROSA OFFICE. AT ELLIS HOME IN STOCKTON DETECTIVES FOUND EVIDENCE LINKING HIM TO THE JANUARY RAPE AND ROBBERY OF A WOMAN IN SAN FRANCISCO AND OTHER ITEMS THAT INDICATED HE WAS FASCINATED WITH RAPE.

SNOW PACK LIGHT THIS YEAR JKB 2/29/12

• THE STATES SNOW PACK IS WELL BELOW NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. AND THAT HAS LED STATE REGULATORS TO LOWER THE ESTIMATED ALLOCATION OF WATER THAT IT CAN DELIVER FROM THE STATE WATER PROJECT FOR 2012.

MANUAL AND ELECTRONIC READINGS SHOW THAT STATEWIDE THE SNOW PACK WATER CONTENT IS ONLY 30% OF AVERAGE FOR THIS DATE. THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES DROPPED ITS ESTIMATE OF WATER IT CAN DELIVER TO THE 29 PUBLIC AGENCIES THAT IRRIGATE NEARLY A MILLION ACRES OF FARMLAND BY 10%, FROM 60 TO 50%. THAT PERCENTAGE COULD RISE IF WE GET SOME LATE SEASON RAINS AND SNOW.

SPECIAL MEETING FOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS JKB 2/29/12

• THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TONIGHT TO REVISE A LIST OF PROJECTS THAT ARE SLATED TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE NOW DEFUNCT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY, THE CITY COUNCIL IS UPDATING A PREVIOUS LIST OF PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE IN LINE TO RECEIVE AN ESTIMATED $133 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF POSSIBLE PAYOUTS OVER THE NEXT 20YEARS. THE REVISED LIST COVERS JUST THE SIX MONTH PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1ST AND JUNE 30TH OF THIS YEAR, AND MUST BE PREPARED BY MARCH 1ST. THE LIST WILL THEN BE CERTIFIED AND SENT TO THE OVERSIGHT BOARD, WHICH IS STILL BE PUT TOGETHER AND WILL BE IN PLACE BY MAY 1ST. THE MEETING BEGINS AT 5:30 PM IN THE CHENIN BLANC ROOM AT THE UKIAH CONFERENCE CENTER.

BOS NARROWLY VOTE TO SUPPORT FORUM JKB 2/29/12

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NARROWLY AGREED TO CO-SPONSOR THE TAKE BACK OUR FOREST FORUM WHICH WILL FOCUS ON ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROWS THAT TRESPASS ON PUBLIC FOREST LAND.

THE FORUM IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON MARCH 30TH AT THE COTTON AUDITORIUM IN FORT BRAGG AND IS BEING PRESENTED BY THE JERE MELO FOUNDATION. SUPERVISORS HAMBURG AND PINCHES WERE OPPOSED TO SPONSORING THE FORUM SAYING THE WAR ON DRUGS IS COSTLY AND INEFFECTIVE, AND THAT THE FORUMS FOCUS MISSES THE POINT. SUPERVISOR MCCOWEN SAID THE BOARDS SUPPORT OF THE FORUM WOULD BE TO HONOR MELO, WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY 35 YEAR OLD AARON BASSLER TENDING A CLANDESTINE POPPY FIELD WHILE MELO WAS INVESTIGATING A REPORTED ILLICIT MARIJUANA GROW. BASSLER, WHO WAS ALSO WANTED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF LAND TRUST MANAGER MATTHEW COLEMAN, WAS LATER SHOT AND KILLED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AFTER A 36 DAY SEARCH.

News 2/28/12

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY JKB 2/28/12

• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL GO INTO EFFECT FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY AT 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE UNTIL 4 AM WEDNESDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT IN LAKE COUNTY UNTIL 10 PM WEDNESDAY.

BOTH ADVISORIES ARE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET. IN MENDOCINO COUNTY THE SNOW LEVEL WILL START OUT AT AROUND 2000 FEET AND SLOWLY RISE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. SNOW FALL OF 5 TO 7 INCHES IS POSSIBLE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET AND 6 TO 12 INCHES ABOVE 4000 FEET.

IN LAKE COUNTY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET AND UP TO 12 TO 20 INCHES FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FEET. LAKE COUNTY COULD ALSO SEE SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MILES AN HOUR AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS, WHICH COMBINED WITH SNOW, COULD LEAD TO WHITE OUT CONDITIONS.

MOTORISTS TRAVELING INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS ARE ADVISED TO BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME WINTER WEATHER DRIVING CONDITIONS AND DELAYED TRAVEL.

MAN ON BAIL ARRESTED FOR WEAPONS JKB 2/28/12

• A FORT BRAGG MAN OUT OF JAIL ON BAIL WAS ARRESTED AFTER BEING FOUND IN POSSESSION OF WEAPONS AND A NARCOTIC ON MONDAY.

28 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS POLLARD WAS STOPPED AND QUESTIONED BY DEPUTIES UNDER A PROVISION OF HIS BAIL STATUS. HE TOLD THEM HE WAS ILLEGALLY ARMED AND A SEARCH OF HIS PERSON TURNED UP A 14 INCH FIXED BLADE KNIFE, BRASS KNUCKLES AND A MORPHINE PILL HE DIDNT HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR POSSESSING PROHIBITED WEAPONS AND THE NARCOTIC AND TAKEN BACK TO JAIL.

BABY AUTOPSY JKB 2/28/12

• AN AUTOPSY RELEASED BY THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY CORONERS OFFICE YESTERDAY HAS CONFIRMED THAT A 3 MONTH OLD BABY DIED OF THIRD DEGREE BURNS COVERING MOST OF HER BODY AFTER HER MOTHER ALLEGEDLY FELL ASLEEP IN BED WITH A HAIR DRYER.

THE RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF REBELLE ROSE KEENE HAVE BEEN FORWARDED TO THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE FOR POSSIBLE PROSECUTION. THE INFANT WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER MOTHERS BED ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 15TH 2011. 29 YEAR OLD REBECCA MCPHERSON OF ARCATA WAS ARRESTED FOR FELONY CHILD ENDANGERMENT, BUT WAS RELEASED AFTER POSTING BAIL. SO FAR, SHE HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED IN THE CASE. INVESTIGATORS SAY INTOXICATION WAS A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT. THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE IS WORKING TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS ANY CRIMINAL CULPABILITY.

CAR VS. BICYCLE JKB 2/28/12

• A NICE MAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AFTER HE RODE HIS BIKE INTO THE PATH OF A CAR IN LAKEPORT YESTERDAY.

THE 27 YEAR OLD MAN TOLD POLICE HE THOUGHT VEHICLES TRAVELING ON LAKESHORE BLVD. THROUGH THE INTERSECTION HAD TO GO LEFT ONTO HIGH STREET, AND WAS UNAWARE THEY COULD CONTINUE STRAIGHT ONTO 20TH STREET. HE RODE HIS BICYCLE DIRECTLY INTO THE PATH OF AN UNIDENTIFIED DRIVER AND WAS STRUCK SHORTLY BEFORE 5 PM. HE SUFFERED PAIN TO HIS RIGHT LEG AND WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

TRIA.L SCHEDULED IN TRAFFIC DEATHS JKB 2/28/12

• A KELSEYVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING TWO PASSENGERS DURING A ROLLOVER CRASH LAST SUMMER, WILL STAND TRIAL FOR THEIR DEATHS JUNE 13TH.

24 YEAR OLD JACOBO LOPEZ MEJIA FACES TWO COUNTS OF FELONY GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER WHILE INTOXICATED IN THE DEATHS OF HECTOR PEREZ AND FLORENTINO FLORES. FOUR OTHER OCCUPANTS, INCLUDING HIMSELF, WERE SEVERELY INJURED IN THE CRASH. PROSECUTORS CONTEND MEJIA WAS DRUNK WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICK UP TRUCK AND OVERTURNED SEVERAL TIMES ALONG MERRIT ROAD IN KELSEYVILLE AUGUST 18TH OF LAST YEAR.

LADA GAGA IN SONOMA COUNTY JKB 2/28/12

• LADA GAGA WAS IN SONOMA COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE POP SINGER ICON WAS SPOTTED DINING WITH BOY FRIEND TAYLOR KENNEY AT CATELLIS RESTAURANT IN GEYSERVILLE SATURDAY NIGHT AND LUNCHING AT THE GIRL AND THE FIG IN SONOMA SUNDAY AFTERNOON. IT IS RUMORED THAT GAGA COULD BE HOUSE-HUNTING IN THE AREA.

MENDO WINEGRAPE AND WINE COMMISSION TO VOTE ON EXISTENCE JKB 2/28/12

• THE MENDOCINO WINEGRAPE AND WINE COMMISSION WILL DECIDE ITS OWN FATE WITH A VOTE LATER THIS SPRING.

THE COMMISSIONS BYLAWS REQUIRE THAT EVERY FIVE YEARS A PUBIC HEARING WILL BE HELD TO DETERMINE IF THE COMMISSION, CREATED IN 2006, SHOULD CONTINUE OPERATING. IF A QUESTION ARISES ABOUT THE COMMISSIONS EXISTENCE, ITS MEMBERS, CONSISTING OF 91 WINERIES AND 343 GRAPE GROWERS THAT PAY SELF-ASSESSMENTS, WILL VOTE ON FUTURE OPERATIONS. AFTER A HEARING HELD ON FEBRUARY 1ST, IT WAS DETERMINED A VOTE SHOULD BE CALLED FOR. BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED TO THE MEMBERS BY APRIL 23RD.

SALMON SEASON EXPECTED TO BE GOOD JKB 2/28/12

• FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE HINTING THAT THIS YEARS SALMON SEASON OFF THE CALIFORNIA AND OREGON COASTS, SHOULD BE MUCH IMPROVED OVER PREVIOUS YEARS.

NORTH COAST FISHERMEN WILL GET THE FORECAST NUMBERS FOR THE COMING FALL RETURN OF CHINOOK SALMON AT A MEETING TODAY THAT IS BEING HELD BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME. FORECASTS FOR THE RETURN OF CHINOOK SALMON TO THE SACRAMENTO RIVER ARE A PRIMARY FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE TIMING OF THE SALMON FISHING SEASON FOR BOTH SPORT AND COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN.

Playlist 3/1/12

ADELE-SET FIRE TO THE RAIN

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ-TURN ME ON

FLO RIDA-GOOD FEELING

JESSIE J-DOMINO

KELLY CLARKSON-WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU (STRONGER)

PITBULL W/CHRIS BROWN-INTERNATIONAL LOVE

CALVIN HARRIS-I FEEL SO CLOSE

CHRIS BROWN-TURN UP THE MUSIC

COLDPLAY W/RIHANNA-PRINCESS OF CHINA

DRAKE W/RIHANNA-TAKE CARE

GAVIN DEGRAW-NOT OVER YOU

GYM CLASS HEROES W/NEON FITCH-ASS BACK HOME

KATY PERRY-PART OF ME

LMFAO-SORRY FOR PARTY ROCKING

MADONNA W/NICKI MINAJ & M.I.A.-GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN’

NICKI MINAJ-STARSHIPS

OUTASIGHT-TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

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

TRAIN-DRIVE BY

WANTED (THE)-GLAD YOU CAME

AVICII-LEVELS

CHRISTINA PERRI-A THOUSAND YEARS

COLBIE CAILLAT-BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

FLO RIDA W/SIA-WILD ONES

FOSTER THE PEOPLE-DON’T STOP (COLOR ON THE WALLS)

JASON DERULO-BREATHING

ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS-BEEKEEPER’S DAUGHTER

CHILDISH GAMBINO-HEARTBEAT

DEV W/ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-NAKED

DRAKE W/LIL’ WAYNE & TYGA-THE MOTTO

KARMIN-BROKEN HEARTED

RIHANNA W/JAY Z-TALK THAT TALK

TYGA-RACK CITY

News 2/24/12

MISSING MAN AT RISK JKB 2/24/12

• LAKEPORT POLICE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN LOCATING A MISSING MAN CONSIDERED AT RISK.

44 YEAR OLD DARAYN SCHWEIZER WAS LAST SEEN AT THE INTERSECTION OF 3RD AND PARK STREETS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT AROUND 2 PM. ACCORDING TO POLICE, SCHWEIZER SUFFERS FROM A MENTAL CONDITION AND HAS NOT BEEN TAKING HIS MEDICATION REGULARLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN HIS DISORIENTATION AND BIZARRE BEHAVIOR. HE IS TYPICALLY NON-VIOLENT AND WILL LIKELY TALK TO STRANGERS, AND AUTHORITIES SUSPECT HE MAY BE TRYING TO MAKE HIS WAY BACK TO HIS HOME IN MOSES LAKE WASHINGTON. SCHWIZER IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE ADULT 5 FOOT 7 INCHES TALL WEIGHING 200 POUNDS WITH BLACK HAIR, BROWN EYES AND TATTOOS OF MOM ON HIS RIGHT WRIST AND A DRAGON ON HIS LEFT FOREARM. HE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A GREEN SWEATSHIRT, BLUE PAINTER PANTS AND BLACK BOOTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HIS WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN JKB 2/24/12

• AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING FOR A MAN WHO GOT LOST IN THE COW MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AREA YESTERDAY.

THE MAN, WHO HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED, CALLED 911 ON A CELL PHONE WITH A LOW BATTERY AT AROUND 11:30 PM AND REPORTED HE WAS SHAKING, COULD NO LONGER STAND, AND WAS OUT OF WATER. A CAL STAR HELICOPTER REPORTEDLY LOCATED THE MAN NEAR THE WHITETHORN TRAIL OFF TRAIL NUMBER 15, ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SIDE OF THE WILDERNESS AREA, BUT COULD NOT LAND DUE TO THE TERRAIN. THE CREW RADIOED THE MANS POSITION TO GROUND SEARCH TEAMS, AND THEY WERE MOVING INTO THE AREA LATE LAST NIGHT. SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO WORD ON IF THEY HAD FOUND THE MISSING MAN AS OF EARLY THIS MORNING.

UPDATE ON MAN WHO TRIED TO LURE CHILDREN INTO TRUCK JKB 2/24/12

• LAKEPORT POLICE SAY THEY HAVE DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANT LEADS IN THE CASE OF A MAN WHO TRIED TO LURE TWO SMALL CHILDREN INTO HIS TRUCK LAST WEEKEND.

BASED ON A HIGH VOLUME OF CITIZENS REPORTING THE SIGHTING OF THE SUSPECTS UNIQUE MILITARY STYLE TRUCK, INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THEY HAVE LOCATED AND IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAVE NOT YET POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECT. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, FURTHER DETAIL ON THE OPERATION WILL BE MADE PUBLIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AUTHORITIES THANKED THE MEDIA FOR THEIR COVERAGE OF THE INCIDENT AND LOCAL CITIZENS WHO PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE.

ARREST MADE IN MAILBOX BOMBING JKB 2/24/12

• POLICE ARRESTED A TRANSIENT MAN FOR ALLEGEDLY BLOWING UP A MAILBOX OUTSIDE THE JACK IN THE BOX MAIL RESTAURANT ON AIRPORT PARK BLVD. LAST WEEK.

OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO THE RESTAURANT AT 10:30 PM A WEEK AGO SUNDAY AND FOUND THE MAILBOX HAD BEEN HEAVILY DAMAGED AFTER BEING BLOWN OFF ITS POST. A REVIEW OF SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE FROM THE RESTAURANT SHOWED A MAN WITH A BLACK AND WHITE DOG WHO APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE BOMBING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, OFFICERS LOCATED THE DOG TIED TO A FENCE OUTSIDE WALMART AND FOUND ITS OWNER. 41 YEAR OLD STEVEN KUNTZ WHO REPORTEDLY ADMITTED TO USING A CHEMICAL TYPE DEVICE TO BLOW UP THE MAILBOX BECAUSE HE WAS ANGRY WITH HOW THE RESTAURANT TREATS TRANSIENTS.

BILL INTRODUCED TO HELP PAY FOR BASSLER SEARCH JKB 2/24/12

· NORTH COAST ASSEMBLYMAN WES CHESBRO HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REIMBURSE MENDOCINO COUNTY FOR SOME OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEARCH FOR 35 YEAR OLD DOUBLE MURDER SUSPECT AARON BASSLER LAST SUMMER.

BASSER WAS THEPRIME SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JERE MELO AND LAND TRUST MANAGER MATTHEW COLEMAN. BASSLER HIMSELF WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AFTER A 36 DAY SEARCH BY MULTIPLE AGENCIES. CHESBROS BILL IS ASKING FOR MORE THAN $40,000 FROM THE STATES GENERAL FUND TO REPAY THE COUNTY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN HOUSING AND FEEDING OFFICERS FROM OUTSIDE AGENCIES THAT AIDED IN THE SEARCH. BASSLERS SEARCH COST THE COUNTY MORE THAN $277,000. THE U.S. MARSHALS OFFICE CLOSE TO A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, AND THE SKUNK TRAIN, WHICH HELPED IN THE SEARCH, CLOSE TO $113,000.

CAPTAIN AMERICA COMES TO UKIAH JKB 2/24/1`2

· DID YOU SEE CAPTAIN AMERICA WHILE HE WAS IN TOWN?

28 YEAR OLD ALLEN MULLINS FROM GEORGIA IS WALKING ACROSS AMERICA IN A BID TO VISIT ALL 50 STATE CAPITOLS DRESSED AS CAPTAIN AMERICA IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR VETERANS. MULLINS SET OUT ON HIS QUEST IN JANUARY OF 2010 AND HAS VISITED 40 CAPITOLS SO FAR. HE WAS IN WILLITS ON MONDAY, UKIAH ON WEDNESDAY AND HOPLAND ON THURSDAY.

VANDALISM ARRESTS JKB 2/24/12

· TWO CLEARLAKE MEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY USING BASEBALL BATS TO SHATTER THE WINDOWS OF SEVERAL CARS AND A BUSINESS EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.

OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO AN AREA OF LAKESHORE AND LOWER LAKESHORE DRIVES AT AROUND 2:30 AM ON A REPORT OF TWO MEN BREAKING OUT CAR WINDOWS. WHILE RESPONDING THEY WERE CALLED TO THE PARKVIW MARKET ON A REPORT OF AN AUDIBLE BURGLARY ALARM SOUNDING. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND ONE OF THE MARKETS FRONT GLASS DOORS HAD BEEN SHATTERED. REVIEW OF THE STORES SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE SHOWED 19 YEAR OLD CHAD SVAOK AND 21 YEAR OLD DONALD STEWART USING BASEBALL BATS TO SHATTER THE DOOR. THEY WERE LOCATED A SHORT TIME AND ARRESTED. NO MOTIVE WAS GIVEN FOR THE VANDALISM SPREE.

FUGITIVE ARREST JKB 2/24/12

· A REDDING MAN WANTED FOR A PAROLE VIOLATING IN MENDOCINO COUNTY WAS ARRESTED AFTER STEALING FOOD FROM A CONVENIENCE STORE IN CLEARLAKE THURSDAY.

POLICE WERE CALLED TO WINDING ROAD MOTORS ON LAKESHORE DRIVE AT 4:30 THURSDAY MORNING ON A REPORT THAT SOMEONE ON A BICYCLE WAS PROWING AROUND PARKED CARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE INVESTIGATING THAT REPORT AN EMPLOYEE AT FLYERS MARKET BEGAN YELLING THAT THE SOMEONE HAD JUST STOLEN ITEMS FORM THE STORE. OFFICER FOUND 26 YEAR OLD ANTHONY WILBURN LOADED DOWN WITH ITEMS FROM THE MARKET PUSHING A BICYCLE BEHIND THE MARKET. HE DROPPED THE STOLEN GOOD AND ATTEMPTED TO FLEE ON THE BICYCLE, BUT WAS APPREHENDED AFTER A SHORT CHASE. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES.

News 2/23/12

COUNTERFEIT BILLS FLOODING COUNTY JKB 2/23/12

• THERE HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COUNTERFEIT BILLS TURNING UP AT LOCAL MERCHANTS ALL ACROSS MENDOCINO COUNTY RECENTLY.

SEVERAL MERCHANTS IN THE CITIES OF UKIAH, WILLITS, AND FORT BRAGG HAVE REPORTED COUNTERFEIT BILLS IN $10, $20, $50, AND $100 DOLLAR DENOMINATIONS BEING PASSED DURING TRANSACTIONS. SINCE SOME OF THE BOGUS BILLS HAVE BEEN LOWER DENOMINATIONS BLEACHED WITH A HIGHER DENOMINATION PRINTED ON THEM, DETECTION PENS USED TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY HAVE NOT ALWAYS WORKED. SOME OF THE FAKE BILLS HAVE ALSO BEEN OF VERY LOW QUALITY PRINTED ON REGULAR PAPER AND EASY TO IDENTIFY. AUTHORITIES ARE CAUTIONING RETAILERS TO CAREFULLY CHECK LARGER DENOMINATION BILLS USING THE PENS, PAPER WATERMARKS, AND EMBEDDED IDENTIFICATION STRIPS TO ENSURE THEY ARE AUTHENTIC. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION, OR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF THE COUNTERFEIT BILLS IS ASKED TO CONTACT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

FIRE CONSIDERED SUSPICIOUS JKB 2/23/12

• FIRE OFFICIALS SAY A FIRE THAT BROKE OUT IN AN OUTBUILDING BEHIND AN EMPTY HOUSE ON CARRIGAN LANE TUESDAY IS SUSPICIOUS IN NATURE.

THE BLAZE DESTROYED THE 10 BY 12 FOOT SHED AND HEAVILY DAMAGED THE HOMES GARAGE. THE PROPERTY HAD BEEN ABANDONED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEAS AGO. NEIGHBORS HAD COMPLAINED OF KIDS USING THE EMPTY BUILDINGS, AND INVESTIGATORS FOUND EVIDENCE OF PEOPLE BEING INSIDE THE SHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS BEEN DEEMED SUSPICIOUS, AND ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS WILL LIKELY BE LISTED AS UNDETERMINED.

INJURY ACCIDENT JKB 2/23/12

• A MIDDLETOWN WOMAN WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHEN THE PICK UP SHE WAS DRIVING COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLL ON HIGHWAY 175 NEAR SANTA ROSA AVENUE YESTERDAY EVENING.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 5 PM. 43 YEAR OLD WENDY CORDAR WAS REPORTEDLY TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE EXTRICATED BY FIREFIGHTERS. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES. THE ACCIDENT SNAPPED THE UTILITY POLL, OWNED BY AT&T. THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. ACCORDING TO THE CHP, ALCOHOL DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

BURGLARY ARRESTS JKB 2/23/12

• TWO LUCERNE MEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF BURGLARIZING A HOME, BY THE HOME OWNER ON TUESDAY.

THE VICTIM CAME HOME JUST BEFORE 6 PM TO FIND A MAN HE DIDNT KNOW REMOVING ITEMS FROM HIS HOME. HE WENT TO A NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND CALLED POLICE. RESPONDING OFFICERS MADE CONTACT WITH 27 YEAR OLD DOMINIC LUCERO, WHO SAID HE WAS HELPING HIS FATHER, 42 YEAR OLD ROYCE KATZER CLEAN UP THE PROPERTY AND THAT THEY HAD PERMISSION FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER TO REMOVE ITEMS, AS THE HOME WAS IN FORECLOSURE. THE PROPERTY OWNER DISAGREED AND PLACED LUCERO AND KATZER UNDER CITIZENS ARREST FOR BURGLARY AND THEFT.

WILLITS BYPASS PERMIT SIGNED JKB 2/23/12

• THE PERMIT TO BUILD THE WILLITS BYPASS BECAME OFFICIAL THIS WEEK AS BOTH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND CALTRANS SIGNED OFF ON THE PROJECT TUESDAY.

THE PERMIT ALLOWS CALTRANS TO PROCEED WITH PLANS TO REROUTE A PORTION OF HIGHWAY 101 AROUND THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THE $200 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT WILL BE GOING BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION IN LATE MARCH TO SEEK FUNDING.

BAD SMELL DECLARED PUBLIC NUISANCE JKB 2/23/12

• THE MENDOCINO AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HAS DECLARED THE BAD SMELL EMANATING FROM THE MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY SOUTH OF UKIAH AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE.

THE BREWERY HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ITS ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND THE SMELL HAS BEEN SOLICITING COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS. IF THE BREWERY CANT FIX THE PROBLEM SOON, THE DISTRICT COULD ISSUE AN ABATEMENT ORDER, WHICH WOULD MEAN THE COMPANY WOULD HAVE TO SHUT DOWN UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING SCAM JKB 2/23/12

• U.S. CAPITOL POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING AN INTERNET SCAM THAT USED A REAL MESSAGE FROM NORTH COAST REPRESENTATIVE MIKE THOMPSON IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET MONEY.

THE E-MAIL, KNOWN AS A NIGERIAN SCAM, ASKS RECIPIENTS TO SEND MONEY TO A FRAUDULENT EMAIL ADDRESS, TO ALLOW SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE A U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GHANA TO BRING MUCH LARGER AMOUNTS OF MONEY IN THE U.S. ATTACHED TO THE EMAIL IS A MESSAGE FROM REPRESENTATIVE MIKE THOMSON REGARDING TESTIMONY ON A BILL OPPOSED BY THE WINE INDUSTRY AND OTHER GROUPS. THOMPSON OFFICE ADVISED CITIZENS TO NOT SEND MONEY OR GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION WHEN SOLICITED BY SUCH EMAILS.

MEANWHILE, UNRELATED TO THE EMAIL SCAM, REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON ANNOUNCED HE PLANS TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION TO CONGRESS FOR AN 8TH STRAIGHT TERM.

Playlist 2/23/12

ADELE-SET FIRE TO THE RAIN

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ-TURN ME ON

FLO RIDA-GOOD FEELING

JESSIE J-DOMINO

KELLY CLARKSON-WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU (STRONGER)

PITBULL W/CHRIS BROWN-INTERNATIONAL LOVE

BIG SEAN W/NICKI MINAJ-DANCE

BREATHE CAROLINA-BLACKOUT

COLDPLAY W/RIHANNA-PRINCESS OF CHINA

DRAKE W/RIHANNA-TAKE CARE

FRAY (THE)-HEARTBEAT

GAVIN DEGRAW-NOT OVER YOU

GYM CLASS HEROES W/NEON FITCH-ASS BACK HOME

JOJO-DISASTER

LMFAO-SORRY FOR PARTY ROCKING

MADONNA W/NICKI MINAJ & M.I.A.-GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN’

OUTASIGHT-TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

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

TRAIN-DRIVE BY

WANTED (THE)-GLAD YOU CAME

AVICII-LEVELS

CHRIS BROWN-TURN UP THE MUSIC

COLBIE CAILLAT-BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

FOSTER THE PEOPLE-DON’T STOP (COLOR ON THE WALLS)

WE THE KINGS-SAY YOU LIKE ME

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

ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS-BEEKEEPER’S DAUGHTER

CALVIN HARRIS-I FEEL SO CLOSE

CHRISTINA PERRI-A THOUSAND YEARS

COBRA STARSHIP W/MAC MILLER-MIDDLE FINGER

DEV W/ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-NAKED

FLO RIDA W/SIA-WILD ONES

JASON DERULO-BREATHING

TYGA-RACK CITY

News 2/22/12

MAN ATTEMPTS TO LURE CHILDREN INTO VEHICLE JKB 2/22/12

• LAKEPORT POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A SUSPECT WHO ATTEMPTED TO LURE TWO CHILDREN INTO HIS VEHICLE ON LAKESHORE BLVD. AT AROUND 5 PM SATURDAY EVENING.

THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS AN OLDER WHITE MALE, 50 TO 60 YEARS OF AGE WITH BLACK AND GREY COMBED OVER HAIR AND A MUSTACHE. ACCORDING TO POLICE HE ATTEMPTED TO LURE TWO SMALL CHILDREN INTO AN OLIVE DRAB MILITARY STYLE 1960S ERA PICK UP WITH A LIGHT TAN CANVAS TOP, POSSIBLY A JEEP M-715 1-1/4 TON MILITARY CARGO TRUCK OR SIMILAR WITH LARGE OFF-ROAD TIRES. THE SUSPECT FLED NORTHBOUND ON LAKESHORE BLVD WHEN HIS ATTEMPT TO GET THE CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED AND THEY ALERTED A PARENT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUSPECT OR VEHICLE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WOMAN FOUND DEAD AT BODEGA HEAD STATE PARK 2/22/12

• A WOMAN REPORTED MISSING MONDAY EVENING AT BODEGA HEAD STATE PARK, WAS FOUND DEAD AT THE BOTTOM OF A CLIFF SEVERAL HOURS LATER.

55 YEAR OLD KASUKO BEALL OF SUISUN HAD BEEN AT THE PARK WITH HUSBAND WHEN SHE WENT FOR A WALK BY HERSELF JUST BEFORE SUNSET. HER HUSBAND REPORTED HER MISSING WHEN SHE DID NOT RETURN AND SHERIFFS DEPUTIES AND A CHP HELICOPTER BEGAN A SEARCH AT AROUND 8 PM. THE CHOPPER CREW LOCATED BEALL 20 MINUTES LATER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF. AUTHORITIES DO NOT KNOW IF THE WOMAN JUMPED OR FELL TO HER DEATH, BUT FOUL PLAY IS NOT SUSPECTED. THE INVESTIGATION INTO HER DEATH IS CONTINUING.

STRUCTURE FIRE JKB 2/22/12

• A BUILDING BEHIND AN EMPTY HOUSE ON CARRIGAN LANE IN UKIAH CAUGHT FIRE AND THREATENED A NEARBY HOME BEFORE BEING BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED IN THE OUTBUILDING AT AROUND 4 PM BEHIND THE ABANDONED HOME THAT HAD BEEN EMPTY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS KEPT THE BLAZE CONTAINED TO THE STRUCTURE AND NO OTHER STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

WOMAN JUMPS FROM PARKING GARAGE IN SANTA ROSA JKB 2/22/12

• A WOMAN SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AFTER SHE JUMPED FROM THE FIFTH LEVEL OF THE SEVENTH STREET PARKING GARAGE IN SANTA ROSA YESTERDAY MORNING.

A PASSERBY WHO SAW THE WOMAN HIT THE GROUND, CALLED 911 AT 7:55 AM. 59-YEAR-OLD HELGA HARMON OF SANTA ROSA SUFFERED NUMEROUS BROKEN BONES AND WAS TAKEN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FOUL PLAY OR THAT THE WOMAN FELL ACCIDENTALLY. AN OFFICER AT THE SCENE SAID IT APPEARED HARMON HAD BEEN CONSUMING ALCOHOL BEFORE JUMPING.

SUPERVISOR BROWN NOT HAPPY WITH RIVERO PRESS RELEASE JKB 2/22/12

• LAKE COUNTY 5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR ROB BROWN WAS NOT HAPPY WITH SHERIFF FRANK RIVEROS PRESS RELEASE REGARDING AN ACCIDENT RIVERO HAD WITH HIS PRIVATE VEHICLE WHILE OFF DUTY, THAT INJURED A PEDESTRIAN MONDAY.

RIVERO ISSUED THE PRESS RELEASE THROUGH THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY, DETAILING THE ACCIDENT THAT WE REPORTED ON YESTERDAY. ACCORDING TO THE RELEASE, RIVERO WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 29 AND WARDLAW STREET AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ON A GREEN LIGHT, WHEN THE VICTIM DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM AND WAS STRUCK. THE VICTIM SUFFERED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. A LITTLE MORE THAN AN HOUR AFTER RIVERO MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, SUPERVISOR BROWN RESPONDED, CALLING THE PRESS RELEASE A SPIN STORY, LABELED IT HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE, AND VOICED HIS CONCERN THAT SHERIFFS OFFICE PERSONNEL AND STAFF TIME HAD BEEN USED TO ISSUE THE RELEASE REGARDING WHAT HE CALLED THE SHERIFFS PERSONAL LIFE.

K9 OFFICERS TO JOIN UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT JKB 2/22/12

• TWO NEW K-9 OFFICERS WILL JOIN THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT SOON.

THE TWO BELGIAN MALINOIS, NAMED RUSH AND THOR WILL WRAP UP FIVE WEEKS OF TRAINING WITH THEIR HUMAN LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS THIS WEEK WILL BE ON THE JOB BY NEXT WEEK. THE DOGS AND THEIR TRAINING COST $15,000 EACH, AND IS BEING PAID FOR THROUGH ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS. THEY WILL JOIN THE DEPARTMENTS TWO OTHER K-9 OFFICERS DAISY AND BUGSY.

BURGLARY ARREST JKB 2/22/12

• AN ALERT LAKEPORT POLICE OFFICER WHO SPOTTED TWO PEOPLE IN A CAR PARKED BEHIND A CLOSED BUSINESS ON LAKESHORE BLVD. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT, ENDED UP MAKING A BURGLARY ARREST.

THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER FOUND 23 YEAR OLD JOSHUA WEIDEMANN OF LAKEPORT AND A 16 YEAR OLD BOY FROM LAKEPORT IN THE CAR. WEIDEMANN HAD TWO OUTSTANDING FELONY DRUG WARRANTS OUT OF TEHAMA COUNTY AND THAT LED TO A SEARCH OF HIS PERSON AND VEHICLE. DURING THE SEARCH, THE OFFICER FOUND A SKI MASK, BOLT CUTTERS, BURGLARY TOOLS AND A LARGE BAG OF MEDICAL ITEMS INCLUDING FIRST AID KITS. A CHECK OF THE AREA LOCATED A RED CROSS AMBULANCE PARKED AT THE SENIOR CENTER ON KONOCTI AVENUE THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO. WEIDEMANN WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF BURGLARY AND THE OUTSTANDING WARRANTS.

News 2/21/12

MAN SENTENCED FOR SEX CRIMES JKB 2/21/12

• A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN WAS SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ON WEDNESDAY.

21 YEAR OLD FRANK JOSEPH VIVERO, PLEADED GUILTY TO ONE FELONY COUNT OF CHILD RAPE INVOLVING ONE VICTIM, AND ONE FELONY COUNT OF STATUTORY RAPE ON A SECOND VICTIM. ACCORDING TO POLICE, VIVERO ADMITTED TO HAVING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH BOTH GIRLS, AGED 14, AFTER THE THREE HAD BEEN DRINKING ALCOHOL ON THE COYOTE VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS IN HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE APRIL 18TH OF LAST YEAR. VIVERO FURTHER ADMITTED THAT ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS UNCONSCIOUS WHEN HE HAD SEX WITH HER. HE WAS SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS 8 MONTHS IN PRISON.

DEPUTY INVOLVED IN COLLISION WITH PEDESTRIAN JKB 2/21/12

• LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A PEDESTRIAN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 29 IN MIDDLETOWN LAST NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, RIVERO WAS DRIVING HIS PICK UP TRUCK NORTHBOUND APPROACHING WARDLAW STREET WHEN HE STRUCK 34 YEAR OLD CLINTON TURNEY OF MIDDLETOWN JUST BEFORE 8 PM. THE INTERSECTION IS CONTROLLED BY SIGNAL LIGHTS AND CROSSWALKS. SOME WITNESSES REPORTED IT APPEARED TURNEY MAY HAVE STEPPED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THAT RIVERO ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING HIM. TURNEY SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE COLLISION IS CONTINUING.

PROSECUTORS WANT VIDEOS REMOVED FROM YOUTUBE JKB 2/21/12

• SONOMA COUNTY PROSECUTORS HAVE ASKED A JUDGE TO ORDER THE REMOVAL OF TWO VIDEOS POSTED ON YOUTUBE THAT APPEAR TO SHOW A SANTA ROSA POLICE OFFICER SEVERELY BEATING A MAN DURING AN ARREST SEPTEMBER 25TH OF LAST YEAR.

POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE LAST DAY SALOON AT 9:23 PM AFTER 49 YEAR OLD THOMAS FLOURNOY REFUSED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES AFTER PUSHING ANOTHER PATRON. HE AND TWO OTHER MEN WERE FOUND WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND FLOURNOY WAS QUESTIONED. ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, FLOURNOY BEGAN RESISTING ARREST AS SOON AS ONE OF THE MEN TURNED ON HIS CELL PHONE CAMERA. THEY CONTEND THE VIDEOS DEPICT ONLY A LIMITED VIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED AND COULD INFLUENCE POTENTIAL JURORS IN AN EXPECTED MISDEMEANOR TRIAL. FLOURNOY CLAIMS HE IS THE VICTIM OF THE OFFICERS USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE. HE HAS HIRED FAMED SAN FRANCISCO DEFENSE ATTORNEY TONY SERRA TO ARGUE HIS CASE. A HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 15TH.

CUSTOMERS OPTING OUT OF SMART METERS JKB 2/21/12

• WHILE MENDOCINO COUNTY LEADS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN RESIDENTS WHO SIGNED UP TO DELAY THE INSTALLATION OF PG&ES NEW SMART METERS, THE NUMBER WHO HAVE ACTUALLY OPTED OUT OF THE INSTALLATION IS CURRENTLY LEST THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENT.

MORE THAN 250 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE OPTED OUT OF THE PROGRAM IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS IT WAS OFFERED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1ST, OR ABOUT .73 PERCENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY. APPROXIMATELY 12.7 PERCENT OF PG&E CUSTOMERS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY SIGNED UP ON THE DELAY INSTALLATION LIST. ABOUT 4,400 PG&E CUSTOMERS TOTAL HAVE OPTED OUT OF THE PROGRAM SO FAR, DESPITE THE ADDED COST OF A ONE TIME $75 DOLLAR FEE AND AN ADDITIONAL $10 MONTHLY CHARGE.

NEW AG COMMISSIONER FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY JKB 2/21/12

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED CHARLES CHUCK MORSE AS THE COUNTYS NEW AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER.

MORSE HAS SERVED AS THE COUNTYS ASSISTANT AG COMMISSIONER SINCE 2009 AND WAS APPOINTED AS THE INTERIM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER IN DECEMBER WHEN TONY LINEGAR STEPPED DOWN IN TO TAKE THE SAME POSITION IN SONOMA COUNTY LAST FALL.

INSPIRATIONS GALLERY CLOSING JKB 2/21/12

• LAKEPORTS INSPIRATIONS GALLERY, A WELL KNOWN DOWNTOWN FRAME SHOP AND ART GALLERY WILL BE CLOSING ITS DOORS AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

OWNER AND ARTIST GAIL SALITURI SAID SHE IS CLOSING THE GALLERY AFTER 14 YEARS IN ORDER TO MOVE ON INTO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, AND INTO SEMI-RETIREMENT. SHE SAYS SHE PLANS SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER GRANDDAUGHTER, CONTINUE PAINTING AND FINISHING A MYSTERY NOVEL SHE IS WRITING DRAWN FROM THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF HER FRIEND, BARBARA LAFORGE, WHO WAS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH IN THE FRAME SHOP IN OCTOBER OF 2002.

Playlist 2/16/12

ADELE-SET FIRE TO THE RAIN

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ-TURN ME ON

FLO RIDA-GOOD FEELING

GAVIN DEGRAW-NOT OVER YOU

JESSIE J-DOMINO

PITBULL W/CHRIS BROWN-INTERNATIONAL LOVE

BIG SEAN W/NICKI MINAJ-DANCE

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

BREATHE CAROLINA-BLACKOUT

DRAKE W/RIHANNA-TAKE CARE

FRAY-HEARTBEAT

GYM CLASS HEROES W/NEON FITCH-ASS BACK HOME

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

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

KELLY CLARKSON-WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU (STRONGER)

LMFAO-SORRY FOR PARTY ROCKING

MADONNA W/NICKI MINAJ & M.I.A.-GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN’

OUTASIGHT-TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

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

WANTED (THE)-GLAD YOU CAME

COBRA STARSHIP W/MAC MILLER-MIDDLE FINGER

COLBIE CAILLAT-BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

COLDPLAY W/RIHANNA-PRINCESS OF CHINA

FOSTER THE PEOPLE-DON’T STOP (COLOR ON THE WALLS)

JOJO-DISASTER

TRAIN-DRIVE BY

WE THE KINGS-SAY YOU LIKE ME

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

AVICII-LEVELS

CHRIS BROWN-TURN UP THE MUSIC

CHRISTINA PERRI-A THOUSAND YEARS

DEV W/ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-NAKED

DRAKE W/NICKI MINAJ-MAKE ME PROUD

FLO RIDA W/SIA-WILD ONES

TYGA-RACK CITY

News 2/17/12

DRUNK DRIVER IN FATALITY SENTENCED TO PRISON JKB 2/17/12

• IN A RARE CASE IN WHICH A JUDGE QUESTIONED HIS OWN SENTENCE IN A FATAL DRUNK DRIVING CASE, MENDOCINO COUNTY PROSECUTORS SUCCESSFULLY ARGUED FOR AND RECEIVED A FOUR YEAR PRISON TERM ON THE CONVICTION.

JUDGE RICHARD HENDERSON LAST MONTH, RECONSIDERED THE FOUR YEAR PRISON TERM HE LEVIED ON 30 YEAR OLD CODY FISHER, AFTER HEARING EMOTIONAL PLEAS FOR LENIENCE FROM BOTH FISHERS FAMILY AND THE MOTHER OF THE VICTIM. FISHER ADMITTED TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE ROLL OVER ACCIDENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AUGUST 28TH, AND WAITING FOUR HOURS AND DRINKING COFFEE TO SOBER UP BEFORE CALLING AUTHORITIES TO REPORT THAT HIS FRIEND MARK PARE, HAD BEEN KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. FISHER COULD HAVE FACED UP TO 11 YEARS IN STATE PRISON. PROSECUTORS ARGUED THE PRISON TIME WAS APPROPRIATE, ESPECIALLY SINCE FISHER HAD A PRIOR CONVICTION FOR DUI.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH JKB 2/17/12

• A LAKEPORT WOMAN WAS INJURED WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE SHE WAS RIDING ON SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE WOMAN WAS RIDING ON THE BACK OF THE MOTORCYCLE BEING DRIVEN BY HER HUSBAND. THE REAR TIRE OF THE BIKE LOST TRACTION AND SPUN OUT AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO TURN FROM THE NICE-LUCERNE CUTOFF ONTO HIGHWAY 29 WHEN IT HIT SAND THAT HAD BEEN LAID ON THE ROADWAY TO PREVENT BLACK ICE. BOTH RIDERS WERE EJECTED. THE HUSBAND WAS NOT INJURED. THE WOMAN SUFFERED MINOR TO MODERATE INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL WERE NOT FACTORS IN THE CRASH. THE NAMES OF THE RIDERS WERE NOT RELEASED.

BAY BRIDGE CLOSURE FOR THE WEEKEND JKB 2/17/12

• THE WESTBOUND DECK LANES OF THE BAY BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TONIGHT AND FOR THE REST OF THE PRESIDENTS DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND WHILE CONSTRUCTION CREWS COMPLETE A DETOUR NEAR THE TOLL PLAZA.

THE CLOSURE IS SCHEDULED FROM 8 PM TONIGHT UNTIL 5 AM TUESDAY. UPDATES ON THE WORK AND THE SCHEDULED RE-OPENING CAN BE FOUND ON THE BAYBRIDGEINFO.ORG WEBSITE.

E-QUAKE IN THE BAY AREA JKB 2/17/12

• FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, ANOTHER SMALL EARTHQUAKE RATTLED RESIDENTS IN THE BAY AREA YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE 3.5 MAGNITUDE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 9:13 AM AND WAS CENTERED TWO MILES SOUTH OF VALLEJO. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR INJURIES. A 3.7 MAGNITUDE QUAKE OCCURRED IN THE SAME AREA ON WEDNESDAY.

THOMPSON / WOOLSEY PROPOSE DRILLING BAN JKB 2/17/12

• NORTH COAST REPRESENTATIVES MIKE THOMPSON AND LYNN WOOLSEY HAVE INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING BILL TO BAN DRILLING FOR OIL AND GAS OFF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST.

THE CURRENT BILL, H.R. 3408, WOULD AUTOMATICALLY OPEN THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO, ALASKAS BRISTOL BAY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE VIRGINIA COAST FOR OIL AND GAS LEASING, AND COULD LEAD TO DRILLING OFF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST. ACCORDING TO A 2009 ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION REPORT, IF ALL OF THE RECOVERABLE RESERVES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIAS OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF WERE TAPPED THEY WOULD PROVIDE ONLY ENOUGH OIL TO FUEL THE U.S. FOR 100 DAYS. THOMPSON AND WOOLSEY CONTEND THE THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT OFF THE NORTH COAST IS NOT WORTH THE RISK.

CAMERAS FOR PARKS COMING TO FORT BRAGG JKB 2/17/12

• THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG HAS APPROVED THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AT BAINBRIDGE PARK.

THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL AMENDED ITS FISCAL YEAR BUDGET TO ALLOCATE THE $18,000 NECESSARY FOR THE CAMERAS AND THEIR INSTALLATION AT THEIR MEETING ON MONDAY. THE GOAL OF THE CAMERAS IS TO REDUCE WHAT ONE OFFICIAL CALLED A HOT BED OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AT THE PARK THAT HAS INCLUDED VANDALISM, DRUG CRIMES, ASSAULT AND OTHER VIOLENCE.

MINE CLEAN UP SETTLEMENT JKB 2/17/12

• A NEW DEAL BETWEEN SEVERAL FEDERAL AGENCIES, A MINING COMPANY AND THE ELEM INDIAN COLONY OF POMO INDIANS OF CLEARLAKE OAKS WILL RESULT IN THE TRIBE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THEIR LAND HOLDINGS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL COVER THE COSTS OF CLEAN UP AT SEVERAL INACTIVE MINES.

THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY OF THE $10 MILLION DOLLAR MULTI PARTY SETTLEMENT THAT COVERS CLEAN COSTS FOR SEVEN SITES IN CALIFORNIA, IDAHO AND OREGON. THE SUPHUR BANK MINE IN CLEARLAKE OAKS IS THE ONE SLATED FOR CLEAN UP IN LAKE COUNTY. TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF THE MINE, BRADLEY MINING COMPANY TRANSFERRING NEARLY ALL OF THEIR LAND HOLDINGS AT THE SULPHUR BANK MERCURY MINE TO A NEW TRUST CREATED TO RETAIN THE LANDS PENDING EPA CLEAN UP. THE ELEM INDIAN COLONY WILL RECEIVE CLOSE TO 380 ACRES OF UNCONTAMINATED LAND AS COMPENSATION FOR NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGES FROM THE MINING OPERATIONS.

CHIEF GREBIL TO LEAVE UKIAH UVFD JKB 2/17/12

• UKIAH VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT CHIEF DAN GREBIL WILL BE LEAVING HIS POST AT THE END OF MARCH, AFTER SERVING MORE THAN 16 YEARS AS HEAD OF THE FIRE DISTRICT.

GREBIL WILL BE TAKING A POST AS CHIEF OF THE SCOTTS VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AS OF APRIL 1ST. HIS SUCCESSOR AT THIS POINT, HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED. GREBIL SUGGESTED TO THE UKIAH VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT BOARD THAT THEY CONSIDER HOPLAND FIRE CHIEF JOHN BARTLETT TO RUN BOTH HIS DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY.