News 3/30/12

FUNDING FOR WILLITS BYPASS APPROVED JKB 3/30/12

• THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION APPROVED A MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PROPOSED WILLITS BYPASS AT THEIR MEETING YESTERDAY.

THE COMMISSION ALLOCATED $135.5 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE NEARLY 6 MILE LONG BYPASS IS EXPECTED TO BE AROUND $210 MILLION, WITH A COMPLETION DATE SOMETIME IN THE YEAR 2016. THE FUNDING WAS PART OF $271 MILLION THAT WAS ALLOCATED YESTERDAY FOR 73 TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE, AND INCLUDED $214 MILLION FROM TRANSPORTATION BOND PROPOSITION 1B THAT WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2006.

FIRE DESTROYS HOME NEAR MCNAB RIDGE WINERY JKB 3/30/12

• A HOME NEAR THE MCNAB RIDGE WINERY NORTH OF HOPLAND WAS DESTROYED BY A FIRE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THE SMALL HOME WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AT AROUND 7 PM. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS THE BLAZE STARTED INSIDE THE HOME, WHICH HAD BEEN VACANT FOR A FEW MONTHS. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FIRE IN CLEARLAKE JKB 3/30/12

• A FIRE HEAVILY DAMAGED ON HOME ON MEADOWBROOK DRIVE IN CLEARLAKE LAST NIGHT, AND WAS THREATENING OTHER NEARBY HOMES BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS COULD BRING IT UNDER CONTROL.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 PM. THE HOME WAS 75% ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY THE TIME THE FIRST UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS KEPT THE BLAZE FROM SPREADING TO NEIGHBORING HOUSES TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH, AND THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED BY 7:32 PM. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

WILKINSON BACK IN COURT JKB 3/30/12

• A WILLITS MAN ACCUSED OF TORTURING AND KILLING HIS GRANDFATHER WAS BACK IN COURT YESTERDAY IN THE CONTINUANCE OF HIS ARRAIGNMENT THAT WAS BEGUN LAST WEEK.

22 YEAR OLD KENNETH WILKINSON IS BEING REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE IN THE DEATH OF 84 YEAR OLD RICHARD WILKINSON. HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER AND A SPECIAL ALLEGATION OF TORTURE FOR ALLEGEDLY DRAGGING THE ELDERLY MAN BEHIND HIS PICK UP TRUCK FOR NEARLY 6 MILES ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 17TH. A CONVICTION ON ALL CHARGES COULD MAKE WILKINSON ELIGIBLE FOR THE DEATH PENALTY, BUT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAS STATED IT WILL ONLY SEEK A SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. WILKINSON WILL BE BACK IN COURT APRIL 19TH IN ANTICIPATION OF SETTING A DATE FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING.

DUI CHASE AND ARREST JKB 3/30/12

• A REDWOOD VALLEY MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A VEHICLE CHASE, FOOT PURSUIT, AND REPORTING IN A FALSE CRIME IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET AWAY.

23 YEAR OLD SERGIO JIMENEZ WAS PULLED OVER JUST BEFORE 3 AM ON MARCH 22ND BY UKIAH POLICE, BUT SPED AWAY AS THE OFFICER APPROACHED HIS CAR. WHILE OFFICERS FROM THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT, SHERIFFS OFFICE AND CHP WERE SEARCHING FOR HIS VEHICLE, JIMENEZ CALLED 911 TO REPORT A STABBING AT ANOTHER LOCATION IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRAW POLICE OUT OF THE AREA. JIMENEZ WAS FOUND STANDING NEXT TO HIS VEHICLE AT A TRAILER PARK ON SOUTH STATE STREET A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER AND FLED ON FOOT AFTER BEING SPOTTED. HE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER FIGHTING WITH ARRESTING OFFICERS AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A HOST OF CHARGES INCLUDING DUI, EVADING ARREST, AND REPORTING A FALSE EMERGENCY.

HELLS ANGELS MEMBERS TO STAND TRIAL JKB 3/30/12

• A LAKE COUNTY JUDGE HAS ORDERED THREE SONOMA COUNTY HELLS ANGEL CHAPTER MEMBERS TO STAND TRIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING RIVAL CLUB MEMBERS DURING A TATTOO CONVENTION AT THE KONOCTI VISTA CASINO LAST JUNE.

36 YEAR OLD JOSH JOHNSON, 33 YEAR OLD NICOLAS CARRILLO, AND 34 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY BIANCHI HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A NUMBER OF OFFENSES IN THE ATTACK ON MICHAEL BURNS AND VALIDATED VAGOS MOTORCYCLE GANG MEMBER KRISTOPHER PERKIN. A FOURTH HELLS ANGELS MEMBER INVOLVED IN THE ATTACK DAVID DABBS REMAINS AT LARGE.

INTERSTATE POT RING BUSTED JKB 3/30/12

• 14 PEOPLE IN THREE STATES WERE ARRESTED AND MORE THAN 1300 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA WAS SEIZED AS PART OF A MILTI STATE ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING RING EARLIER THIS MONTH.

AGENTS ALSO SEIZED 2 POUNDS OF HASHISH, 8 FIRE ARMS, MORE THAN $400,000 IN CASH, $35,000 IN GOLD BULLION AND SILVER COINS, AND THREE GENERATORS VALUED AT MORE THAN $20,000. STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL KAMALA HARRIS MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY, SAYING ARRESTS HAD BEEN MADE IN CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS, AND WISCONSIN. THE MOUNTAIN AND VALLEY MARIJUANA INVESTIGATION TEAM IN SACRAMENTO IS SEEKING FEDERAL INDICTMENTS ON THE PEOPLE ARRESTED. AUTHORITIES CLASSIFIED THE GROUP AS A MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION.

DJARDE TO REPLACE SMITH AS SUPERVISOR =- JKB 3/30/12

• FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DAN GJERDE WILL REPLACE 4TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR KENDAL SMITH ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHEN HER TERM EXPIRES AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

NO OTHER CANDIDATES FILED THE PAPERWORK REQUIRED TO RUN FOR THE 4TH DISTRICT SEAT, SO GJERDE WILL BE GIVEN THE POSITION UNOPPOSED. GJERDE WAS ELECTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN 1998 AT THE AGE OF 28. A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN MARCH OF 2013 TO FILL HIS SEAT ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

News 3/29/12

MCGINTY SENTENCE JKB 3/29/12

• 52 YEAR OLD NANCY JO MCGINTY OF WILLITS WAS SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN STATE PRISON YESTERDAY FOR SETTING FIRE TO HER HOME IN A FAILED MURDER SUICIDE ATTEMPT TO KILL HERSELF AND HER ADULT QUADRIPLEGIC SON.

MCGINTY PLEADED GUILTY IN NOVEMBER TO CHARGES OF ARSON OF AN INHABITED BUILDING AND ATTEMPTED VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER. SHE CLAIMED SHE WAS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION AFTER FOUR YEARS OF BEING THE SOLE CARE PROVIDER FOR HER 35 YEAR OLD DISABLED SON, MICHAEL FAUSTINA. SHE RIGGED THE HOME WITH OPEN OXYGEN AND PROPANE TANKS, TRIGGERING AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN DECEMBER OF 2010. A NEIGHBOR RESCUED FAUSTINA FROM THE BURNING HOME. MCGINTY WASNT FOUND UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. FIREFIGHTERS TESTIFIED THAT SHE WAS NOT IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID EYSTER SAID THAT HE BELIEVED THE SENTENCE WAS JUST, AS MCGINTYS ACTIONS PLACED HER SON, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN WHICH SHE LIVED AND FIREFIGHTERS AT GREAT RISK.

METH LABS FOUND AT LANDFILL JKB 3/29/12

• THE LAKE COUNTY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE LOCATED FOUR METHAMPHETAMINE LABS AT THE EASTLAKE LANDFILL IN CLEARLAKE LAST WEEK.

AGENTS WERE CALLED TO THE LANDFILL MARCH 22 BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY HAZMAT TEAM, WHO WERE CALLED OUT WHEN A LARGE VISIBLE CHEMICAL GAS CLOUD EMERGED AFTER A BULLDOZER OPERATOR RAN OVER A BLACK PLASTIC GARBAGE BAG. NARCOTICS DETECTIVES FOUND SEVERAL TWO-LITER BOTTLES CONTAINING BOTH SOLID AND LIQUID MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE. SO FAR, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

HIGH SPEED CHASE IN UKIAH JKB 3/29/12

• A WANTED PAROLEE WAS ARRESTED AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE AND FOOT PURSUIT THROUGH UKIAH MONDAY.

OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO STOP 22 YEAR OLD LYDELL WILLIAMS ON WEST MILL STREET FOR A ROUTINE TRAFFIC VIOLATION AT 12:40 PM. HE DROVE AWAY AND SPED DOWN SOUTH DORA STREET, TRAVELING THROUGH SEVERAL STOP SIGNS AT SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 70 MILES AN HOUR. HE EVENTUALLY ABANDONED THE CAR WHILE IT WAS STILL MOVING AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON WABASH AVENUE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A FENCE AND STOPPED. WILLIAMS THEN JUMPED OVER A FENCE AND RAN THOUGH A PARKING LOT BEFORE BEING CAUGHT BY PURSUING OFFICERS. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON AN ACTIVE ARREST WARRANT AND A NUMBER OF OTHER OFFENSES. A PASSENGER IN HIS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER WANTED PAROLEE, 29 YEAR OLD DANIEL MILLER WAS ARRESTED AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES.

CAR HITS BANK SIGN JKB 3/29/12

• A CAR CRASHED INTO THE WESTAMERICA BANK SIGN YESTERDAY MORNING, AFTER IT WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE TRAVELING ON EAST PERKINS STREET.

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE CAR WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON PERKINS WHEN A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO PERKINS FROM LESLIE STREET COLLIDED WITH IT. THE IMPACT SPUN THE FIRST VEHICLE AROUND AND IT CRASHED INTO THE SIGN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES OR ARRESTS.

MUDSLIDE CLEARED JKB 3/29/12

• THE MUDSLIDE THAT BLOCKED ONE LANE OF SOUTHBOUND HIGHWAY 101 NEAR CALPELLA WAS CLEARED AND THE ROADWAY RE-OPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

ACCORDING TO CAL TRANS OFFICIALS, THE MUD, CAUSED BY ALMOST 3 INCHES OF RAIN THAT FELL TUESDAY, SLID DOWN THE HILLSIDE AND PLUGGED UP THE DOWN DRAIN. CAL TRANS WORKERS CLEARED THE SLIDE YESTERDAY AND ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE SITE TO KEEP IT STABILIZED.

WILLITS BYPASS FUNDING UP FOR VOTE JKB 3/29/12

• THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION IS SET TO VOTE TODAY ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL PUT UP THE MONEY TO FUND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED WILLITS BYPASS.

CAL TRANS IS ASKING FOR MORE THAN $135 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE BYPASS PROJECT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 2010-2011 BUDGET YEAR AND AN EXTENSION OF THE PROJECT DEADLINE TO FIVE YEARS. THE REQUEST INCLUDES A $3 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE IN THE REGIONAL FUNDING SHARE AND A NET CUT BY THE STATE OF MORE THAN $31.7 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE 2010 PROGRAM YEAR, TO BE PUSHED INTO FUTURE FUNDING YEARS TOWARD RELATED PROJECTS.

ABALONE SEASON OPENS THIS WEEKEND JKB 3/29/12

• ABALONE SEASON ALONG THE MENDOCINO COAST OPENS SUNDAY APRIL 1ST HOWEVER CONDITIONS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ALL THAT FAVORABLE FOR ABALONE HUNTING.

THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR SUNDAY IS CALLING FOR 13 TO 15 FOOT SWELLS, LEADING TO ROUGH CONDITIONS THAT ARE DANGEROUS FOR DIVING, AND COULD SLOW OR PREVENT ANY POTENTIAL RESCUE EFFORTS. THE COMBINATION OF COLD WATER, WAVE ACTION AND THE ROCKY COASTLINE CREATE A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. THE U.S COAST GUARD IS ADVISING ANYONE WHO PLANS TO DIVE OR ROCK-PICK FOR ABALONE TO KEEP A SHARP EYE ON THE FORECASTED WEATHER AND OCEAN CONDITIONS. ALL DIVERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THEIR LIMITS AND ABILITIES, USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM WHEN DIVING, AND ONLY GO FOR ABALONE IF THEY ARE SURE OF THE CONDITIONS.

RECENT RAINFALL A RECORD JKB 3/29/12

• UKIAH SET A NEW RAINFALL RECORD ON TUESDAY WITH 2.81 INCHES OF RAIN.

THAT ECLIPSED A RECORD OF 2.16 INCHES IN A DAY SET BACK IN 1963. THE RECENT RAINFALL HAS ALSO DRAMATICALLY HELPED WATER STORAGE IN LAKE MENDOCINO, WHICH HAS INCREASED ALMOST 17,000 ACRE FEET DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, RAISING THE LAKE LEVEL A FULL EIGHT FEET. AS OF THIS MORNING LAKE MENDOCINO CONTAINED 78,298 ACRE FEET OF WATER.

News 3/28/12

TSUNAMI WARNING TEST TODAY JKB 3/28/12

• THE ANNUAL NORTH COAST TSUNAMI WARNING TEST WILL TAKE PLACE THIS MORNING.

THE TEST WILL RUN SOMETIME BETWEEN 11 AM AND NOON. TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTS WILL BE INTERRUPTED WITH THE EMERGENCY TEST TONE, FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE SAYING THE TEST IS UNDERWAY. ON TELEVISION, CRAWLERS WILL APPEAR ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN THAT SAY TSUNAMI WARNING, BUT THE AUDIO WILL CLEARLY SAY TEST. TSUNAMI WARNING SIRENS WILL SOUND IN SOME AREAS, AND THE CIVIL AIR PATROL WILL FLY BETWEEN CLEONE AND BIG RIVER ALONG THE COAST TO TEST THEIR PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM WITH AUDIO MESSAGES.

HEAD ON COLLISION JKB 3/28/12

• ONE MAN WAS INJURED AND ANOTHER WAS ARRESTED AFTER A HEAD ON COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 175 IN LAKE COUNTY MONDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 21 YEAR OLD DALTON MOORE OF NICE CROSSED OVER THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE WHILE TRAVELING EASTBOUND AT AROUND 9:25 AM. HE COLLIDED WITH A ONE TONE FLATBED PICK UP TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 51 YEAR OLD DAVID HOLLEY OF LOWER LAKE. HOLLEY SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES IN THE CRASH BUT DID NOT NEED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A PASSENGER IN MOORES VEHICLE, 18 YEAR OLD RUSSELL DICKSON WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR LACERATIONS AND WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS AN ALTERED MENTAL STATUS. MOORE WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AND BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL.

RAIN CAUSES TRAFFIC PROBLEMS JKB 3/28/12

• THE HEAVY RAIN CAUSED A LOT OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN AND AROUND LAKE AN MENDOCINO COUNTIES YESTERDAY.

SOUTHBOUND HIGHWAY 101 A MILE SOUTH OF CALPELLA IS REDUCED TO A SINGLE LANE DUE TO AN ACTIVE MUDSLIDE THERE. HIGHWAY 128 AT THE NAVARO RIVER AND FLYNN CREEK IS CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS DUE TO FLOODING. HIGHWAY 1 AT THE GARCIA RIVER WAS CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS DUE TO FLOODING YESTERDAY, BUT APPEARS TO HAVE RE-OPENED. HIGHWAY 175 AT HOPLAND WAS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING LAST NIGHT AS WELL, BUT APPEARS TO OPEN AGAIN. A BROKEN FIRE HYDRANT AT TALMAGE ROAD AND WAUGH LANE ALSO SLOWED TRAFFIC YESTERDAY, BUT HAS SINCE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. NO WORD ON THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT.

POLICE OFFICER INJURED JKB 3/28/12

• A UKIAH POLICE OFFICER WAS INJURED AFTER CONFRONTING A EUREKA MAN SUSPECTED OF BEING HIGH ON METHAMPHETAMINE AT HUDSON CARPENTER PARK LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

THE OFFICER RESPONDED TO AREA AT AROUND 11 PM WHERE HE CONTACTED 24 YEAR OLD ROBERT PAUL. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE PAUL UNDER ARREST FOR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, PAUL REPORTEDLY FOUGHT WITH THE OFFICER CAUSING INJURY AND ESCAPED. THE OFFICER RELEASED HIS K-9 PARTNER AND ATTEMPTED FOLLOW THE SUSPECT, BUT FELL TO THE GROUND DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURY. THE DOG REMAINED WITH THE OFFICER WHILE HE CALLED FOR BACK UP. A SHERIFFS DEPUTY EVENTUALLY CORNERED AND ARRESTED PAUL IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH MAIN STREET. THE INJURED OFFICER WAS TAKEN TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT. NO WORD ON THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES.

FIRE DAMAGES HOME JKB 3/28/12

• A WIND DRIVEN FIRE HEAVILY DAMAGED A HOME IN LUCERNE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AT 5:19 AM. THE COUPLE INSIDE THE HOME WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE WITHOUT INJURY. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS SAVED MOST OF THE STRUCTURE, LIMITING DAMAGE TO THE HOME AT AN ESTIMATED $80,000. THE DISPLACED HOMEOWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED TEMPORARY HOUSING BY THE RED-CROSS. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES THE BLAZE BEGAN ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOME NEAR THE RECYCLE PLASTIC CONTAINER. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ARREST IN STOLEN TRUCK WITH TODDLER CASE 3/28/12

• A SANTA ROSA MAN WITH A HISTORY OF THEFT AND PETTY OFFENSES IS THE MAIN SUSPECT IN THE CASE OF A PICK UP TRUCK THAT WAS STOLEN WITH A 2 YEAR OLD BOY INSIDE.

THE THIEF QUICKLY ABANDONED BY THE TRUCK A FEW BLOCKS FROM WHERE IT WAS TAKEN AFTER DISCOVERING THE TODDLER IN THE BACK SEAT. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE HE CALLED 911 TO REPORT A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE IN HOPES THE BOY WOULD BE FOUND. 27 YEAR OLD ADAM PAOLI WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY ON AN UNRELATED PAROLE VIOLATION THE DAY AFTER THE TRUCK THEFT. AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT INDICATED WHAT EVIDENCE HAS TIED PAOLI TO THE TRUCK THEFT, AND HE HAS NOT YET BEEN CHARGED.

CLUB BREAK IN JKB 3/28/12

• THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT WHO BROKE INTO THE CLEARLAKE CLUB BAR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT FORCED ENTRY THROUGH A REAR DOOR USING AN UNKNOWN TYPE OF PRY TOOL SOMETIME AFTER 2 AM. HE THEN CUT POWER AND PHONE LINES TO THE BUSINESS IN ORDER TO DISABLE THE ALARM SYSTEM. A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA FOR THE BUSINESS CAPTURED IMAGES OF A SUSPICIOUS SUBJECT THAT APPEARED TO BE LURKING AROUND THE FRONT DOORS OF THE BAR AT AROUND 5:30 AM. THE IMAGE WAS RELEASED BY THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DUI ARREST JKB 3/28/12

• A WILLITS WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY DROVE HER PICK UP TRUCK INTO A VINEYARD ON WEST ROAD NEAR EAST SCHOOL WAY IN REDWOOD VALLEY MONDAY NIGHT.

53 YEAR OLD JESSIE DURLER WAS STILL IN HER PICK UP WHEN A CHP OFFICER ARRIVED ON SCENE AT AROUND 11:30 PM. SHE TOLD THE OFFICER SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR WHEN, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER TRUCK AND DROVE INTO THE VINEYARD. THE TRUCK STRUCK SEVERAL WOODEN POSTS AND GRAPEVINES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. DURLER WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL.

SCAM IN CLEARLAKE JKB 3/28/12

• CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE WARNING RESIDENTS OF RECENT SCAM ATTEMPTS TO SOLICIT MONEY REPORTEDLY PERPETUATED BY A YOUNG WOMAN.

ON MONDAY, TWO RESIDENTS FROM CLEARLAKE RIVERA WERE APPROACHED BY A YOUNG WOMAN SOLICITING DONATIONS AND IN ONE INSTANCE THE WOMAN WAS ASKING FOR MONEY FOR THE KELSEYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM. SCHOOL OFFICIALS REPORTED THAT NO FUND RAISER IS UNDER WAY. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, A RESIDENT WAS APPROACHED BY A WOMAN ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 18 AND 25 YEARS OLD WHO STATED SHE WAS SOLICITING MONEY FOR MAGAZINES, IMPLYING THE PROCEEDS WOULD BE USED FOR A MILITARY SOFTBALL GAME. SHE WAS DESCRIBED AS HAVING A THIN BUILD, CURLY BLOND HAIR AND A SMALL GAP BETWEEN HER FRONT TEETH. POLICE DO NOT KNOW IF THE INCIDENTS INVOLVE THE SAME SUSPECT, AND ARE WARNING RESIDENTS TO BE WARY OF PEOPLE SOLICITING DONATIONS.

News 3/27/12

FATAL ACCIDENT JKB 3/27/12

• THE CHP IS INVESTIGATING A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF THE DRIVER ON HIGHWAY 128 NEAR ELKHORN ROAD IN YORKVILLE YESTERDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED AT 11:18 AM. THE VEHICLE APPARENTLY LEFT THE ROADWAY, OVERTURNED AND LANDED IN A CREEK BED ABOUT 40 FEET FROM THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER, A 41 YEAR OLD BOONEVILLE MAN, DIED AT THE SCENE. THE NAME OF THE VICTIM HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED PENDING NOTIFICATION OF RELATIVES.

HIGH SPEED CHASE ARREST IN LAKE COUNTY JKB 3/27/12

• A GLENHAVEN MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

25 YEAR OLD ROMONDIS THOMPSON REFUSED TO PULL OVER FOR A ROUTINE TRAFFIC VIOLATION AND ATTEMPTED TO ELUDE A SHERIFFS DEPUTY BY DRIVING ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS IN CLEARLAKE AT SPEEDS ESTIMATED AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. HE TURNED THE VEHICLES LIGHTS OFF AND PULLED INTO A VACANT LOT NEAR SCHINDLER AND LAKE STREETS AND FLED ON FOOT. THOMPSON WAS EVENTUALLY ARRESTED AT A NEARBY RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING TURNED OUT TO BE STOLEN. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES, INCLUDING VIOLATION OF PROBATION.

HIGH SPEED CHASE FORT BRAGG JKB 3/27/12

• A HIGH SPEED CHASE ON THE COAST RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF A FORT BRAGG MAN ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

47 YEAR OLD PETER BUCKNER REFUSED TO PULL OVER AFTER A FORT BRAGG POLICE OFFICER SAW HIM EXIT A TRAILER PARK IN A RECKLESS MANNER. THE OFFICER PURSUED BUCKNER, BUT BACKED OFF ON THE CHASE AS IT HEADED NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY ONE DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE PUBLICS SAFETY. CHP OFFICERS LATER LOCATED BUCKNERS VEHICLE LYING ON ITS SIDE ABOUT 50 FEET OFF THE ROADWAY FOUR MILES NORTH OF FORT BRAGG. BUCKNER AND HIS MOTHER, WHO WAS A PASSENGER, WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. BOTH SUFFERED MODERATE TO SERIOUS INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITALS OUT OF THE AREA. DUE TO HIS INJURIES, BUCKNER WILL BE ARRESTED AFTER HE IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.

THIEF MAY HAVE CALLED 911 FOR TODDLER JKB 3/27/12

• SANTA ROSA INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE MAN WHO STOLE A PICK UP TRUCK WITH A TWO YEAR OLD BOY INSIDE, MAY HAVE BEEN THE SAME PERSON WHO ANONYMOUSLY CALLED 911 TO REPORT A SUSPICIOUS TRUCK BEING ABANDONED, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE CHILD WAS FOUND.

THE CALL CAME IN ABOUT 25 MINUTES AFTER THE CHILD AND PICK UP WERE TAKEN FROM AN APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AT AROUND 5 PM. THE FATHER OF THE BOY TOLD POLICE HE HAD STEPPED OUT OF THE RUNNING VEHICLE AND WAS ONLY 10 FEET AWAY WHEN THE THIEF JUMPED IN AND DROVE OFF. POLICE BELIEVE THE THIEF ABANDONED THE VEHICLE AFTER ONLY A FEW BLOCKS WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE TODDLER IN THE BACK SEAT AND CALLED 911. THE TRUCK WAS SPOTTED A SHORT WHILE LATER BY A SHERIFFS HELICOPTER CREW. THE BOY WAS NOT HARMED.

DOGS IN ATTACK TRACKED DOWN JKB 3/27/12

• THANKS TO THE PUBLICS HELP, AUTHORITIES IN LAKE COUNTY WERE ABLE TO TRACK DOWN TWO DOGS THAT ATTACKED A MAN AND HIS SMALLER DOG TWO WEEKS AGO.

AN ANONYMOUS CALL OVER THE WEEKEND LED ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICIALS TO THE HOME OF THE OWNER OF THE DOGS IN CLEARLAKE OAKS, WHO ALLEGEDLY GAVE THE VICTIM FALSE CONTACT INFORMATION AFTER THE INCIDENT MARCH 12TH. HIS DOGS, A NEUTERED MALE BOXER MIX AND AN UNALTERED FEMALE PIT BULL MIX, WERE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THE DOGS IN THE ATTACK. THEY WERE CLEARED THROUGH QUARANTINE FOR RABIES, BUT STILL MAY FACE A VICIOUS ABATEMENT ORDER AND LEGAL ACTION. THE SMALLER DOG THAT WAS ATTACKED, A POMERANIAN, SUFFERED EXTENSIVE INJURIES BUT IS EXPECTED TO RECOVER.

TSUNAMI WARNING TEST TOMORROW JKB 3/27/12

• THE ANNUAL NORTH COAST TSUNAMI WARNING TEST WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW MORNING.

THE TEST WILL RUN SOMETIME BETWEEN 11 AM AND NOON. TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCAST WILL BE INTERRUPTED WITH THE TEST TONE WARNINGS. ON RADIO, THE TONE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE SAYING THE TEST IS UNDERWAY. ON TELEVISION, CRAWLERS WILL APPEAR ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN THAT SAY TSUNAMI WARNING, BUT THE AUDIO WILL CLEARLY SAY TEST. TSUNAMI WARNING SIRENS WILL SOUND IN SOME AREAS, AND THE CIVIL AIR PATROL WILL FLY BETWEEN CLEONE AND BIG RIVER TO TEST THEIR P.A. SYSTEM WITH AUDIO MESSAGES.

CLEARLAKE SURVIVOR OF PEARL HARBOR DIES JKB 3/27/12

• WALT URMANN, ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING SURVIVORS OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, DIED AT HIS HOME IN CLEARLAKE RIVERA ON SUNDAY. HE WAS 88.

URMANN UNDERSTATED HIS AGE IN ORDER TO ENLIST IN THE NAVY IN 1940 WHEN HE WAS 17. HE WAS A FIRE CONTROL MAN THIRD CLASS ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS BLUE WHEN JAPANESE PLANES ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7TH 1941. HE SERVED ON THE USS BLUE UNTIL IT WAS SUNK NEAR GUADALCANAL IN AUGUST OF 1942. HE SERVED THE BALANCE OF THE WAR ON OTHER DESTROYERS.

WINTER STORM WARNINGS JKB 3/27/12

• A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM TOMORROW MORNING.

8 TO 16 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, MOSTLY IN THE NORTH AND NORTH EAST PART OF THE COUNTY. UP TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW ARE POSSIBLE AT ELEVATIONS AS LOW AS 3000 FEET.

IN LAKE COUNTY A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM TONIGHT.

4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW ARE POSSIBLE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3500 FEET WITH 1 TO 2 FEET OF SNOW POSSIBLE AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 6000 FEET.

THE SNOW, COMBINED WITH WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MILES AN HOUR COULD LEAD TO HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. AS ALWAYS, MOTORISTS TRAVELING INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS ARE ADVISED TO BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME WINTER WEATHER DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND TO DELAY TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE.

Playlist 3/29/12

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ-TURN ME ON

GYM CLASS HEROES W/NEON FITCH-ASS BACK HOME

KATY PERRY-PART OF ME

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

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

WANTED (THE)-GLAD YOU CAME

ADELE-RUMOUR HAS IT

B.O.B.-SO GOOD

CALVIN HARRIS-I FEEL SO CLOSE

CHRIS BROWN-TURN UP THE MUSIC

CHRISTINA PERRI-A THOUSAND YEARS

DRAKE W/RIHANNA-TAKE CARE

FLO RIDA W/SIA-WILD ONES

FUN. W/JANELLE MONAE-WE ARE YOUNG

GOTYE W/KIMBRA-SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW

JASON DERULO-BREATHING

KARMIN-BROKEN HEARTED

NICKI MINAJ-STARSHIPS

ONE DIRECTION-WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL

OUTASIGHT-TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

RIHANNA W/JAY Z-TALK THAT TALK

TRAIN-DRIVE BY

CARLY RAE JEPSEN-CALL ME MAYBE

DEV W/ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-NAKED

DRAKE W/LIL’ WAYNE & TYGA-THE MOTTO

ELLIE GOULDING-LIGHTS

HAVANA BROWN W/PITBULL-WE RUN THE NIGHT

K’NAAN W/NELLY FURTADO-IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS-BEEKEEPER’S DAUGHTER

CADY GROVES-THIS LITTLE GIRL

CHIDDY BANG-RAY CHARLES

CHRIS RENE-YOUNG HOMIE

DEMI LOVATO-GIVE YOUR HEART A BREAK

J COLE W/TREY SONGZ-CAN’T GET ENOUGH

NEON HITCH-F U BETTA

News 3/26/12

WEATHER ALERTS JKB 3/26/12

· THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN MENDOCINO COUNTY FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT AT 1 AM TOMORROW MORNING AND CONTINUE UNTIL 1 PM TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

4 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET LATE TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN TRINITY COUNTY. ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE AS LOW AS 3000 FEET IN MENDOCINO COUNTY.

IN LAKE COUNTY A WINTER STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 4000 FEET WITH 8 TO 12 INCHES ABOVE 6000 FEET ARE POSSIBLE, AND THAT COULD LEAD TO HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

ANYONE TRAVELING INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS IS ADVISED TO BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME WINTER WEATHER DRIVING.

ATTEMPTED ARMED POT ROBBERY JKB 3/26/12

· THREE MEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER A TRANSACTION TO BUY MARIJUANA WENT SOUTH AT A WILLITS MOTEL MARCH 16TH.

A WILLITS POLICE SGT WAS ON ROUTINE PATROL WHEN HE SPOTTED 24 YEAR OLD TERRY MOORE, 23 YEAR OLD RYAN BURTON, AND 25 YEAR OLD CHAD WOOD, ALL FROM STOCKTON RUNNING TOWARD A PARKED VEHICLE ON BAECHTEL ROAD AT AROUND 2 AM. BURTON FLED WHEN HE SAW THE POLICE CAR, BUT MOORE AND WOOD CAME OVER TO TALK WITH THE OFFICER. THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD BEEN AT A PARTY AT THE LARK MOTEL, BUT LEFT BECAUSE THEY DIDNT WANT TO GET JUMPED. WOOD WAS FOUND WITH A LOADED PISTOL IN HIS POCKET AND BOTH MEN WERE ARRESTED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE THREE MEN FROM STOCKTON MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET 49 YEAR OLD DARRYL OPLINGER OF EUREKA TO BUY 15 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AT THE MOTEL, BUT HAD PLANNED TO ROB HIM ALL ALONG. OPLINGER FLED WITH THE POT AFTER WOOD PULLED THE GUN. OPLINGER WAS ARRESTED AFTER BEING PULLED OVER BY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES A SHORT TIME LATER. HE ADMITTED TO STEALING THE MARIJUANA FROM A LOCATION IN KNEELAND. BURTON, WHO RAN WHEN HE FIRST SAW POLICE, SAID HE JUST PROVIDED THE RIDE FROM STOCKTON AND HAD NO IDEA WOOD AND MOORE WERE PLANNING A ROBBERY. HE WAS RELEASED WITHOUT BEING ARRESTED.

EUREKA SAILOR CHARGED WITH RAPE JKB 3/26/12

• A NAVY SAILOR FROM EUREKA STATIONED ON GUAM, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH RAPE, MOLESTATION AND CHILD ABUSE.

30 YEAR OLD BRADFORD LAURENCE LUNG WAS JAILED AFTER AUTHORITIES RECEIVED EVIDENCE THAT HE HAD ALLEGEDLY BEEN ABUSING A YOUNG GIRL SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK SINCE AUGUST OF 2010. THE ALLEGED VICTIM IS CURRENTLY 10 YEARS OLD. LUNG HAS BEEN SERVING AT THE U.S. NAVAL BASE ON GUAM SINCE 2009.

S.F MAN ARRESTED FOR FIVE MURDERS JKB 3/26/12

• AUTHORITIES ARRESTED A SAN FRANCISCO MAN YESTERDAY ON CHARGES OF MURDER FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING FIVE PEOPLE AT A HOME IN THE INGLESIDE DISTRICT LATE LAST WEEK.

35 YEAR OLD BINH THAI LUC WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY MORNING. THE BODIES OF THREE WOMEN AND TWO MEN WERE FOUND ON FRIDAY. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE BODIES OF THE VICTIMS WERE SO BADLY DAMAGED THAT NONE HAVE YET BEEN IDENTIFIED. ALL OF THE VICTIMS WERE ASIAN AMERICAN ADULTS. AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ALSO HAVE NO MOTIVE FOR THE ATTACK. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE VICTIMS WERE RELATED AND THAT THE KILLINGS WERE NOT CONNECTED TO GANG ACTIVITY.

THIEF STEALS TRUCK WITH TWO YEAR OLD INSIDE JKB 3/26/12

• SANTA ROSA POLICE ARE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR A SUSPECT WHO STOLE A PICK UP TRUCK SATURDAY NIGHT, BUT QUICKLY ABANDONED IT AFTER REALIZING IT CONTAINED A 2 YEAR OLD BOY.

THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK AND FATHER OF THE CHILD TOLD POLICE HE HAD BRIEFLY LEFT HIS SON AND THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED WITH THE KEYS INSIDE AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX NEAR YULUPA AVENUE AND BETHARDS DRIVE AT AROUND 5 PM. THE THIEF PARKED THE TRUCK A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AT ANOTHER APARTMENT COMPLEX AND FLED ON FOOT AFTER DISCOVERING THE CHILD INSIDE. A SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HELICOPTER CREW SPOTTED THE STOLEN VEHICLE A SHORT WHILE LATER AND THE CHILD WAS RE-UNITED WITH HIS PARENTS UNHARMED.

FATAL STABBING CASE FINALLY TO COME TO TRIAL JKB 3/26/12

• AFTER MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OF DELAYS, A LAKEPORT MAN WILL FINALLY STAND TRIAL FOR THE STABBING DEATH OF HIS NEIGHBOR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007.

THE MURDER TRIAL FOR 34 YEAR OLD IVAN GARCIA OLIVER HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO BEGIN MAY 23RD. GARCIA IS ACCUSED OF STABBING 67 YEAR OLD MICHAEL DODELE TO DEATH ON THE MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT HE WAS A CHILD MOLESTER. DODELE, A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER, HAD JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM SERVING A 19 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR A SONOMA COUNTY RAPE WHEN HE WAS KILLED. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, GARCIA SPOTTED DODELE ON THE MEGANS LAW WEBSITE AND WRONGLY ASSUMED THAT HIS VICTIM HAD BEEN A CHILD WHEN IN FACT SHE WAS AN ADULT. GARCIAS CASE HAS BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF ANOTHER LEGAL PROBLEM IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND SEVERAL PREVIOUS DEFENSE ATTORNEYS LEAVING HIS CASE.

CONTAMINATED SOIL AT FAIRGROUNDS JKB 3/26/12

• RACING AT UKIAH SPEEDWAY AT THE REDWOOD EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL LARGE PILES OF CONTAMINATED SOIL CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE RACETRACK GROUNDS.

MORE THAN 2500 CUBIC YARDS OF SOIL CONTAMINATED WITH DIESEL AND OIL WAS BROUGHT IN TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RACETRACK GROUNDS. THE SOIL HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE MENDOCINO TRANSIT AUTHORITY DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ITS NEW BUS BARN, BUT WAS NEVER TESTED BEFORE BEING BROUGHT TO THE FAIRGROUNDS. REDWOOD EMPIRE FAIR OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE NOT AWARE THE SOIL WAS BEING BROUGHT IN. ALL RACING HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL THE SOIL IS REMOVED. THE FAIR GROUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTED TO TERMINATE THEIR CURRENT CONTRACT WITH UKIAH SPEEDWAY PROMOTER BLAIR AIKEN AT THEIR MEETING LAST WEDNESDAY, BUT DID INDICATE THEY WOULD CONSIDER A NEW CONTRACT ONCE THE CONTAMINATION ISSUES ARE RESOLVED. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE TERMINATION FOR THE CONTRACT INVOLVED MORE ISSUES THAN JUST THE CONTAMINATED SOIL.

WATER MAIN FLUSHING IN WILLITS JKB 3/26/12

• THE CITY OF WILLITS WILL BEGAN ITS ANNUAL WATER MAIN FLUSHING AND VALVE OPERATING PROGRAM TODAY.

THE FLUSHING IS DESIGNED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED SEDIMENTS THAT MAY HAVE COLLECTED DURING THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE WATER SYSTEM. THE OPERATION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT A MONTH. CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A DROP IN PRESSURE ALONG WITH DISCOLORATION OF THEIR WATER FOR SHORT PERIODS IN THE AREAS BEING FLUSHED. ALTHOUGH THE WATER MAY BE BROWNISH, IT IS SAFE TO DRINK. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN WASHING CLOTHES THAT COULD BE STAINED.

News 3/23/12

ARSON INVESTIGATION JKB 3/23/12

• LAKE COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING APPARENT ARSON FIRES THAT WERE SET IN TWO VEHICLES AND A RESIDENCE ON MADRONE STREET IN CLEARLAKE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE LOCATION JUST BEFORE 11:30 PM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND TWO VEHICLES ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, AN UNKNOWN SUSPECT PLACED CLOTH MATERIAL IN THE FUELING NOZZLES OF THE TWO PARKED VEHICLES AND INTO TWO SEPARATE WINDOW FRAMES OF A NEARBY HOME AND LIT THEM ON FIRE. THE BLAZES WERE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THESE INCIDENTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DOG ATTACK JKB 3/23/12

• AUTHORITIES IN CLEARLAKE OAKS ARE SEEKING INFORMATION REGARDING THE OWNER OF TWO BLACK PIT BULLS DOGS THAT ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED A MAN AND HIS POMERANIAN DOG MONDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, THE VICTIM WAS WALKING HIS DOG NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ISLAND DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 20 WHEN THE TWO DOGS ALLEGEDLY BIT THE MAN, KNOCKED HIM TO THE GROUND, AND THEN ATTACKED THE SMALLER DOG AT AROUND 7:15 AM. THE POMERANIAN SUFFERED EXTENSIVE INJURIES AND WAS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT THE WASSON MEMORIAL VETERINARY CLINIC IN LAKEPORT. POLICE SAY THE OWNER OF THE PIT BULLS GAVE THE VICTIM FALSE CONTACT INFORMATION AND LEFT. HE IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE ADULT, 5 FEET 10 INCHES TALL AND POSSIBLY DRIVING A GREEN MITSUBISHI MONTERO WITH A POSSIBLE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER OF 5BGV640. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE OAKS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

EUREKA TO APPEAL VERDICT JKB 3/23/12

• THE CITY OF EUREKA WILL POST A BOND WORTH 125% OF A $4.5 MILLION DOLLAR WRONGFUL DEATH JUDGMENT A FEDERAL JURY AWARDED AGAINST THEM, IN ORDER TO APPEAL THE VERDICT.

THE DECISION TO APPEAL WAS MADE AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE DENIED THE CITYS REQUEST FOR A NEW TRIAL ON WEDNESDAY. THE CITY, ACTING AT THE BEHEST OF THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER WHO HAS INSTIGATED THE ACTION, NOW HAS UNTIL APRIL 16TH TO FILE THE $5.7 MILLION DOLLAR BOND TO APPEAL THE CASE. IN SEPTEMBER, A FEDERAL JURY FOUND EUREKA POLICE OFFICERS USED EXCESSIVE FORCE DURING THE ARREST OF 26 YEAR OLD MARTIN FREDRICK COTTON II ON AUGUST 9TH OF 2007. COTTON LATER DIED OF HIS INJURIES. U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SANDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG DENIED THE CITYS REQUEST FOR A NEW TRIAL, SAYING THE VERDICT WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE.

POT BUST JKB 3/23/12

• AGENTS FROM THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO MARIJUANA ERADICATION TEAM OR COMMET, ALONG WITH OFFICERS FROM SEVERAL OTHER AGENCIES, SHUT DOWN A SIZEABLE INDOOR GROWING OPERATION IN UKIAH ON MONDAY.

DEPUTIES SERVING A SEARCH WARRANT ON PROPERTY ON ROBINSON CREEK ROAD SEIZED A TOTAL OF 468 GROWING MARIJUANA PLANTS RANGING IN SIZE FROM 8 INCHES TO 4 FEET TALL. THEY ALSO CONFISCATED 42 GROW LIGHTS. 30 YEAR OLD SARA FRAKER WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF CULTIVATION CHARGES.

SAUSAGE RECALL JKB 3/23/12

• A TEXAS MEAT COMPANY HAS RECALLED MORE THAN A TON OF READY-TO-EAT SAUSAGE PRODUCTS DUE TO POSSIBLE LISTERIA CONTAMINATION.

THE RECALL INVOLVES ITEMS SMOKED AND FULLY COOKED MARCH 5TH. THE PRODUCTS WERE SOLD AT RETAIL OUTLETS IN TEXAS AND ONLINE THROUGH INTERNET SALES IN FOUR OTHER STATES, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA. RECALLED PRODUCTS INCLUDE 16 AND 48 OUNCE PACKAGES OF SOUTHSIDE MARKET & BARBEQUE ORIGINAL BEEF SAUSAGE, AND 1882 HOT RECIPE BEEF SAUSAGE, WITH LOT NUMBERS 065 A, B, C, AND D. AUTHORITIES SAY NO REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED OF ANYONE GETTING SICK FROM EATING ITEMS CONNECTED TO THE RECALL.

SCAM PHONE SOLICITATIONS JKB 3/23/12

· THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE HAS BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL COUNTY RESIDENTS THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED PHONE CALLS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS FROM CALLERS REQUESTING DONATIONS, WHO CLAIM TO BE FROM THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT DOES NOT SOLICIT MONEY FOR OR FROM ANYONE. DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ADVISE THAT IF YOU ARE CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN PERSON ASKING FOR MONEY TO BE SENT VIA WESTERN UNION, DEPOSITED ELECTRONICALLY, MAILED TO THEM OR LEFT AT YOUR DOOR, TO BE SUSPICIOUS AND CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE.

CONDUIT FOR SUBSTATION INSTALLED JKB 3/23/12

· UKIAH CITY UTILITY CREWS BEGAN LAYING UNDERGROUND CONDUIT AND INSTALLING CIRCUITS ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS FOR THE CITYS NEW ELECTRIC SUBSTATION ON SOUTH ORCHARD AVENUE THIS WEEK.

LINES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED UP THE RAILROAD TRACKS TO EAST CLAY STREET. WHEN OPERATIONAL, THE NEW LINES WILL REPLACE THE TEMPORARY CIRCUIT THAT IS CURRENTLY IN USE. THE NEW CIRCUITS ARE EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL POWER, WITH INCREASED RELIABILITY TO THE CITY AND ITS UTILITY CUSTOMERS.

POST PICK UP TIMES TO CHANGE JKB 3/23/12

· THE PICK-UP TIME FOR THE POSTAL BOXES NEXT TO THE OLD DOWNTOWN POST OFFICE LOCATION WILL CHANGE NEXT MONTH.

THE CURRENT PICK-UP TIME FOR THE BOXES ON THE CORNER OF WEST STANDLEY AND NORTH OAK STREETS IS 5 PM. AS OF APRIL 12, THE LAST PICK-UP WILL BE AT 3 PM.

News 3/22/12

WILKINSON APPEARS IN COURT JKB 3/22/12

• 22 YEAR OLD KENNETH WILKINSON MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT YESTERDAY, FOUR DAYS AFTER BEING ARRESTED IN THE DEATH OF HIS GRANDFATHER, 84 YEAR OLD RICHARD WILKINSON.

HE WAS FORMALLY CHARGED WITH MURDER AND A SPECIAL ALLEGATION OF TORTURE. ACCORDING TO QUOTE, RELIABLE SOURCES, UNQUOTE, THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT WILKINSON ALLEGEDLY KILLED HIS GRANDFATHER AND DRAGGED HIM BEHIND A PICK UP TRUCK FOR NEARLY SIX MILES TO A REMOTE LOCATION WHERE HE DUMPED HIS BODY OVER THE SIDE OF A STEEP EMBANKMENT, POSSIBLY IN A DRUG INDUCED PSYCHOSIS. IN COURT YESTERDAY, WILKINSON WAS GRANTED A PUBLIC DEFENDER WHO IN TURN STATED SHE WILL NEED A WEEK TO PREPARE FOR HIS ARRAIGNMENT THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 29TH.

MORE SEX ABUSE ALLEGATIONS BEING INVESTIGATED JKB 3/22/12

• THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE MORE ALLEGED CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVING 68 YEAR OLD RICHARD KRUSE, WHO WAS CONVICTED TUESDAY OF MOLESTING OF A 7 YEAR OLD GIRL 4 YEARS AGO.

DURING HIS TRIAL, 40 YEAR SARA PETERSON TESTIFIED THAT KRUSE HAD SEXUALLY ABUSED HER WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL AND HER FAMILY WERE NEIGHBORS OF KRUSE. AUTHORITIES SAY THERE MAY BE AS MANY AS SIX OTHER MOLESTATION CASES HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN PROSECUTED BECAUSE OF LACK OF EVIDENCE. KRUSE COULD FACE UP TO 10 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR HIS CONVICTION TUESDAY. HIS WIFE, 59 YEAR OLD DEBRA KRUSE WAS ARRESTED MARCH 15TH ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO INTIMIDATE OR DISSUADE A VICTIM OR WITNESS FROM TESTIFYING. ACCORDING TO POLICE, SHE ALLEGEDLY MADE HARASSING PHONE CALLS TO THE MOTHER OF SARA PETERSON.

TODDLER KILLING TRIAL CONTINUES JKB 3/22/12

• TESTIMONY CONTINUED YESTERDAY IN THE TRAIL OF TWO CLEARLAKE OAKS MEN ACCUSED FOR FIRING INTO A GROUP OF PEOPLE GATHERED FOR A BAR BE QUE AND KILLING A 4 YEAR OLD BOY.

22 YEAR OLD PAUL BRADEN AND 24 YEAR OLD ORLANDO LOPEZ HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MORE THAN 15 FELONIES AND 30 SPECIAL ALLEGATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING JUNE 18TH THAT KILLED 4 YEAR OLD SKYLAR RAPP AND INJURED 5 OTHERS INCLUDING SKYLARS MOTHER. BOTH MEN HAVE DENIED ANY WRONGDOING AND BLAMED THE SHOOTING ON A THIRD SUSPECT, 29 YEAR OLD KEVIN STONE. STONE PLEADED GUILTY TO THREE LESSER CHARGES IN NOVEMBER AND IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY AGAINST BRADEN AND LOPEZ. BOTH MEN ARE STANDING TRAIL IN THE SAME COURT ROOM, BUT ARE BEING REPRESENTED BY SEPARATE ATTORNEYS AND EACH HAS A DIFFERENT JURY.

NEW TRAIL IN WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT DENIED JKB 3/22/12

• THE CITY OF EUREKAS REQUEST FOR A NEW TRAIL IN A WRONGFUL DEATH CASE IN WHICH A EUREKA MAN DIED AFTER BEING VICIOUSLY BEATEN WHILE BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, WAS DENIED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE YESTERDAY.

A FEDERAL JURY RULED IN SEPTEMBER THAT EUREKA POLICE OFFICERS USED EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST 26 YEAR OLD MARTIN FREDRICK COTTON II DURING AN ARREST FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION AND FIGHTING ON AUGUST 9TH OF 2007. THEY AWARDED COTTONS FATHER AND YOUNG DAUGHTER $4.5 MILLION IN TOTAL DAMAGES. THE CITY OF EUREKA SOUGHT TO HAVE THE JUDGMENT STAYED AND REQUESTED A NEW TRIAL IN THE CASE. IN A 41 PAGE RULING AND SUMMARY OF THE CASE, U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SANDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG DENIED THE REQUEST, SAYING THE VERDICT WAS SUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE, AND THAT IF THE CITY WISHES TO APPEAL THE VERDICT, THEY MUST FIRST POST A BOND OF $5.7 MILLION DOLLAR. THE CITY HAS NOT YET RESPONDED.

ASSISTANT CHIEF POSITION CREATED AT L.C. PROBATION JKB 3/22/12

• DUE TO NEW STATE PRISON REALIGNMENT LAWS, THE LAKE COUNTY PROBATION AND PAROLE DEPARTMENT RE-CREATED THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT CHIEF.

THAT POSITION WAS FILLED ON FRIDAY BY FORMER LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE CAPTAIN ROB HOWE. THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS CONSIDERING A REQUEST BY THE PROBATION AND PAROLE DEPARTMENT TO MOVE OPERATIONS FROM A FORMER BANK BUILDING IN LOWER LAKE TO THE FORMER SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING IN CLEARLAKE.

CITY COUNCIL PASSES ON PALACE HOTEL DECISION JKB 3/22/12

• THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO POSTPONE A DECISION TO ORDER THE OWNER OF THE PALACE HOTEL TO TAKE ACTION TO REPAIR OR TEAR DOWN THE BUILDING, OR LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO AT THEIR MEETING LAST NIGHT.

THE OWNER , ELADIA LAINES MADE ANN 11TH HOUR PLEA TO STAY THE ORDER THAT COULD LEAD TO ABATEMENT OF THE BUILDING, WITH HER PICKING UP THE COST. LAINES CLAIMED SHE HAS VERY SERIOUS INTEREST BY INVESTORS INTERESTED IN RENOVATING THE DILAPIDATED HOTEL, AND HAD WORKED WITH LOCAL ARCHITECT BOB AXT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A $2.6 MILLION DOLLAR REHABILITATION PLAN. STATING THE CHANCE OF PRESERVATION WOULD BE BETTER IF LEFT IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, THE COUNCIL AGREED TO HOLD OFF ON THE DECISION TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE BUILDING THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN. THE COUNCIL DECLARED THE BUILDING A PUBLIC NUISANCE LAST MONTH, SETTING THE STAGE FOR POSSIBLE SEIZURE AND DEMOLITION OF THE HOTEL.

News 3/21/12

AUTOPSY RESULTS JKB 3/21/12

• ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY CORONERS OFFICE AN ELDERLY WILLITS MAN, WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY HIS GRANDSON, DIED OF MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE TRAUMAS.

THE BODY OF 84 YEAR OLD RICHARD WILKINSON WAS FOUND 150 FEET DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT OFF A REMOTE DIRT ROAD 5 MILES FROM HIS HOME A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE RESIDENCE LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT A CRIME HAD TAKEN PLACE IN THE HOME, BUT HAVE NOT RELEASED DETAILS. 22 YEAR OLD KENNETH WILKINSON IS EXPECTED TO BE FORMALLY CHARGED WITH HIS GRANDFATHERS MURDER TODAY. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE SUSPECT LIVED WITH HIS GRANDFATHER AND ACTED AS HIS CARE TAKER.

GUILTY VERDICT IN MOLESTATION TRIAL JKB 3/21/12

• AN ALBION MAN WAS FOUND GUILTY YESTERDAY OF MOLESTING A 7 YEAR OLD GIRL WHOM HE BABY SAT FOR.

68 YEAR OLD RICHARD KRUSE ADMITTED TO TOUCHING THE GIRL, BUT CLAIMED IT WASNT SEXUAL, AND THAT THE VICTIM HAD BEEN SEXUALLY FORWARD WITH HIM. DURING HIS TRIAL, A 40 YEAR OLD WOMAN TESTIFIED THAT SHE HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED BY KRUSE WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT THE SAME AGE, WHEN HER FAMILY WAS A NEIGHBOR OF KRUSE AND HE BABY SAT HER. THE JURY CONVICTED KRUSE OF ONE COUNT OF LEWD AND LASCIVIOUS ACTS WITH A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 14 BY FORCE, DURESS, MENACE OR FEAR. HE COULD NOW FACE UP TO 10 YEARS IN STATE PRISON.

POLICE LOOKING FOR MOLOTOV COCKTAIL MAKER JKB 3/21/12

• THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING AT LEAST THREE MOLOTOV COCKTAILS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND DURING THE PAST WEEK.

ONE OF THE INCENDIARY DEVICES WAS BROUGHT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY MORNING BY A CONCERNED CITIZEN, PROMPTING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PARKING LOT. THE GLASS BOTTLE CONTAINING A FLAMMABLE LIQUID WAS RENDERED SAFE AND HAS BEEN SENT OF EVIDENTIARY TESTING. ACCORDING TO POLICE, IT WAS THE THIRD SUCH DEVICE FOUND ON UHL AVE IN LESS THAN A WEEK. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THESE INCIDENTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BIG RIG OVERTURNS JKB 3/21/12

• THE SEARCH IS ON FOR EIGHT COWS THAT ESCAPED AFTER A BIG RIG THAT WAS TRANSPORTING THEM OVERTURNED ON HIGHWAY 20 SIX MILES EAST OF THE HIGHWAY 53 CUTOFF YESTERDAY EVENING.

THE CRASH OCCURRED WHEN THE REARMOST TRAILER CLIPPED THE SIDE OF AN EMBANKMENT AND EDGED OVER ONTO ITS SIDE AT AROUND 6:25 PM. A TEAR IN THE ALUMINUM SHEETING ON TOP OF THE TRAILER ALLOWED THE COWS TO ESCAPE. 38 COWS WHO DIDNT MAKE A BREAK FOR IT WERE CORRALLED INSIDE THE TRAILER UNTIL WORK CREWS PULLED THE TRAILER UPRIGHT LATE LAST NIGHT. THE CRASH BLOCKED THE WESTBOUND LANE OF HIGHWAY 20 FOR SEVERAL HOURS. NO COWS OR PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.

THEFT ARREST JKB 3/21/12

• A FORT BRAGG AREA TRANSIENT WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER SHE ADMITTED TO BREAKING INTO A HOME ON POINT CABRILLO DRIVE TWICE TO STEAL GUNS.

THE HOMEOWNER REPORTED THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN INTO HIS HOME AND STOLE MULTIPLE FIREARMS MARCH 9TH. THE INVESTIGATING DEPUTY WAS GIVEN INFORMATION CONCERNING A PERSON OF INTEREST AND HE INTERVIEWED 46 YEAR OLD ELAINA UNDERHILL LAST THURSDAY. DURING QUESTIONING, UNDERHILL ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED TO ENTERING THE VICTIMS HOME ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE LAST MONTH AND STEALING GUNS ON BOTH OCCASIONS. SHE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON FRIDAY AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF BURGLARY.

ASSAULT ARREST JKB 3/21/12

• A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULTING ANOTHER MAN IN HIS HOME WITH A BASEBALL BAT LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE HOME OF THE 48 YEAR OLD VICTIM JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. HE TOLD THEM 62 YEAR OLD DONALD HAKE CAME INTO HIS HOUSE AND ASSAULTED HIM A BASEBALL BAT. DEPUTIES LOCATED HAKE AT HIS HOME AND ARRESTED HIM WITHOUT INCIDENT. INVESTIGATORS HAVE NOT RELEASED A MOTIVE FOR THE ATTACK.

News 3/20/12

FATAL ID JKB 3/20/12

• AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED THE NAME OF A FORT BRAGG WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 20 FRIDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 50 YEAR OLD SHERI RENTERIA LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR WHILE TRYING TO PASS A SLOWER VEHICLE AS SHE WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND AT AROUND 10:25 AM. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE PASSING ATTEMPT WAS MADE ACROSS A DOUBLE YELLOW CENTER DIVIDE AND THAT RENTERIAS CAR LOST TRACTION DUE TO THE WET ROADWAY CONDITIONS. HER CAR SPUN CLOCKWISE, CROSSED THE EASTBOUND LANE COLLIDED WITH A MILE POST MARKER AND THEN CRASHED INTO A REDWOOD TREE. RENTERIA DIED AT THE SCENE. SHE WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SHE PASSED WAS NOT INJURED.

NO MOTIVE YET IN KILLING JKB 3/20/12

• AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE A MOTIVE IN THE MURDER OF AN ELDERLY WILLITS MAN WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY HIS GRANDSON LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

22 YEAR OLD KENNETH WILKINSON HAD BEEN ACTING AS THE LIVE IN CARE TAKER FOR 84 YEAR OLD RICHARD WILKINSON. FAMILY MEMBERS CALLED POLICE AT AROUND 11 PM SATURDAY, REPORTING THAT AN ALTERCATION HAD TAKEN PLACE BETWEEN THE TWO MEN AND THAT THE ELDERLY MAN WAS MISSING. POLICE REPORTED FINDING EVIDENCE OF A CRIME AT THE HOME, BUT DID NOT ELABORATE. RICHARD WILKINSONS BODY WAS FOUND A FEW HOURS LATER 150 FEET DOWN THE SIDE OF A STEEP EMBANKMENT OFF MARIPOSA CREEK ROAD ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE HOME. KENNETH WILKINSON WAS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF MURDER AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CRIME IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

8 YEAR OLD KILLED BY FALLING TREE JKB 3/20/12

• AN 8 YEAR OLD CALAVERAS COUNTY GIRL WAS KILLED WHEN A 100 FOOT TALL STORM WEAKENED FIR TREE FELL AND CRASHED THROUGH HER BEDROOM EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

HALEY VERZANI OF ARNOLD WAS ASLEEP IN HER BED WHEN THE TREE, ESTIMATED TO BE THREE FEET IN DIAMETER CRASHED INTO HER HOME. IT TOOK FIREFIGHTERS 20 MINUTES TO GET TO THE SCENE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH 6 INCHES OF UNPLOWED SNOW. NO OTHER OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME WERE INJURED.

TWO KILLED, ONE INJURED IN SKI ACCIDENTS JKB 3/20/12

• TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND A THIRD WAS INJURED IN SEPARATE SKI ACCIDENTS ON CALIFORNIA SLOPES OVER THE WEEKEND.

A 30 YEAR OLD SNOWBOARDER WAS KILLED SUNDAY AFTER FALLING HEAD FIRST IN AN OPEN SKI AREA AT CHINA PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT. A 54 YEAR OLD GOLD RIVER MAN DIED AFTER HE SKIED INTO A HOLE CREATED BY AN UNDERFLOW OF WATER AT THE SIERRA-AT-TAHOE RESORT ON SATURDAY. A SKIER AT KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AFTER BEING INJURED IN A SMALL AVALANCHE. IT WAS REPORTED THAT MORE THAN 5 FEET OF SNOW FELL IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST OVER THE WEEKEND.

SEX ABUSE TO GO TO TRIAL JKB 3/20/12

• A LAKE COUNTY JUDGE HAS RULED THAT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GIRL AND HER LEGAL GAURDIANS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MIDDLETOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLEGING THAT SHE WAS ABUSED BY DOZENS OF STUDENTS TWO YEARS AGO, WILL GO TO TRIAL.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THE GIRL WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY AS MANY AS 50 STUDENTS WHILE ATTENDING MINNIE CANNON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN SHE WAS SIX YEARS OLD. THE SUIT ALSO ALLEGES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND STAFF MEMBERS WERE NEGLIGENT IN SUPERVISING ITS STUDENTS. 50 UNNAMED DISTRICT EMPLOYEES ARE LISTED AS DEFENDANTS. SCHOOL OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS. BOTH SIDES HAD AGREED TO MEDIATION, BUT JUDGE DAVID HERRICK SCHEDULED THE CASE FOR TRAIL BEGINNING DECEMBER 5TH DURING A CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE LAST MONTH.

MOTHER SENTENCED IN INFANT DEATH JKB 3/20/12

• A HUMBOLDT COUNTY WOMAN WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO A CHARGE OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATH OF HER INFANT SON WHO DIED AFTER DRINKING METHAMPHETAMINE CONTAMINATED BREAST MILK, WAS SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS IN STATE PRISON YESTERDAY.

27 YEAR OLD MAGGIE WORTMAN HAD CONSIDERED WITHDRAWING HER PLEA, BECAUSE SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION FROM HER ATTORNEY THAT SHE COULD HAVE RECEIVED PROBATION. THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE THE CASE WHEN IT WAS LEARNED THAT WORTMAN WAS ALREADY ON FELONY PROBATION FOR A DRUG CONVICTION AT THE TIME OF HER ARREST IN THE DEATH OF HER 6 WEEK OLD SON, MICHAEL ACOSTA III. WORTMAN ADMITTED TO SMOKING METH PRIOR TO FEEDING HER SON, WHO DIED OF ACUTE METHAMPHETAMINE TOXICITY. SHE AGREED TO LEAVE IN PLEA IN PLACE YESTERDAY, MAKING HER THE STATES FIRST VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CASE WHERE A WOMAN WAS CONVICTED OF PASSING A LETHAL DOSE OF METHAMPHETAMINE TO HER CHILD THROUGH BREAST MILK.

TSUNAMI TEST JKB 3/20/12

• A WEEK FROM TOMORROW, THE COUNTIES OF MENDOCINO, HUMBOLDT AND DEL NORTE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND THE CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY WILL CONDUCT A TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM TEST.

THE TEST WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 11 AM AND NOON. WE OF COURSE, WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THAT TEST. ALERT TONES FOLLOWED BY A VOICE ANNOUNCING THE TEST WILL BE BROADCAST. IF YOU ARE WATCHING TELEVISION, YOU WILL SEE A CRAWLER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN INDICATING THAT A TSUNAMI WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED AND HEAR A VOICE INDICATING THAT IT IS ONLY A TEST. LAST YEARS ANNUAL TEST WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI THAT STRUCK JAPAN. AT THEIR MEETING LAST WEEK THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROCLAIMED THE WEEK OF MARCH 25TH THROUGH THE 31ST AS TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS WEEK.

MLT PURCHASES NOYO RIVER REDWOOD PROPERTY JKB 3/20/12

• THE MENDOCINO LAND TRUST HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HAVE CLOSED ESCROW ON 426 ACRES OF NOYO RIVER REDWOODS PROPERTY FROM THE SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE, AT A COST OF $4 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE PURCHASE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A $4 MILLION GRANT TO THE LAND TRUST BY THE CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD, WHICH WAS APPROVED JUST LAST MONTH. THE PROPERTY, LOCATED AT THE HEADWATERS OF THE NOYO ROVER, CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 128 ACRES OF OLD GROWTH FOREST.