News 10/22/12

REDWOOD VALLEY SHOOTING VICTIMS ID JH 10/22/12

A 23 YEAR OLD REDWOOD VALLEY MAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A DOUBLE SHOOTING EARLY FRIDAY WAS IDENTIFIED AS CELSO MADUENO.

HIS 19 YEAR OLD BROTHER, WHO WAS WOUNDED, WAS IDENTIFIED AS ABEL MADUENO. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, ABEL IS RECOVERING AND DOING FINE. AROUND 2:44 FRIDAY MORNING, THE BOYS FATHER CALLED 911 TO REPORT THAT TWO PEOPLE HAD BROKEN INTO HIS HOME AND SHOT TWO FAMILY MEMBERS. THE POLICE ARE SEEKING AT LEAST TWO, AND POSSIBLEY THREE SUSPECTS IN THE SHOOTING. FAMILY MEMBERS DESCRIBE THE SUSPECTS WHO ENTERED THE HOME AS WEARING A RED HOODIE SWEATSHIRT AND BLACK BANDANA COVERING PART OF THEIR FACE. THE TWO SUSPECTS WERE LAST SEEN DRIVING AWAY FROM THE HOME HEADED NORTH ON EAST ROAD IN A BLACK CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT IS URGED TO CAL THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S TIP LINE AT 234-2100. CALLERS CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

29 FIRE UPDATE JH 10/22/12

THE 29 FIRE THAT STARTED LAST THURSDAY ALONG HIGHWAY 29 AT PERINI ROAD IS FULLY CONTAINED.

CONTAINMENT WAS REACHED SATURDAY, AFTER BURNING 300 ACRES, DESTROYING ONE RESIDENCE, ELEVEN VEHICLES AND TWELVE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. ALL EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FIRE ALONG RAILROAD TRACKS IN UKIAH JH 10/22/12

A SMALL VEGITATION FIRE BROKE OUT AND WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED FRIDAY AFTERNOON ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS BETWEEN EAST GOBBI STREET AND TALMAGE ROAD.

THANKS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS QUICK RESPONCE, THE FIRE WAS KEPT FROM SPREADING AND GETTING OUT OF CONTROL. A RESIDENT WHO LIVES ACROSS THE TRACKS FROM THE FIRE ALSO HELPED WITH A GARDEN HOSE. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE WEED COVERED TRACKS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY, WHICH OWNES THE TRACKS. THE AREA THAT BURNED IS FREQUENTED BY NUMEROUS TRANSIENTS, WHO WERE LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

TWO MENDOCINO COUNTY MEN ON BOY SCOUT PERVERSION LIST JH 10/22/12

AT LEAST TWO MENDOCINO COUNTY RESIDENTS, INCLUDING ONE UKIAH MAN, ARE LISTED ON THE RECENTLY RELEASED ‘PERVERSION FILES’ KEPT BY THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.

48 YEAR OLD RICHARD H. WILLIAMS JR WAS 21 AND A STUDENT AT MENDOCINO COLLEGE WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED IN DECEMBER 1985 ON SUSPICION OF MOLESTING A 13 YEAR OLD BOY. ALSO ON THE LIST IS WILLIAM CHARLES GARAUX, ALSO KNOWN AS WILLIAM FRANCIS ELTON, WHO IS LISTED AS A PHILO RESIDENT WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED IN 1969. THE COURT RECORDS, ALONG WITH CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN BOY SCOUT OFFICIALS, WERE AMONG 14,500 SECRET AND REDACTED PAGES RECENTLY MADE PUBLIC AFTER THEIR RELEASE WAS ORDERED BY THE OREGON SUPREME COURT. THEY INCLUDE CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS KEPT BY THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA FROM 1965 TO 1985 DETAILING MOLESTATION ACCUSATIONS AND CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS AGAINST BOY SCOUT VOLINTEERS.

TRAFFIC PROJECT IN MENDOCINO COUNTY JH 10/22/12

CAL TRANS ANNOUNCED THAT CONSTRUCTION AT THE GREENWOOD CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, SOUTH OF ELK, WILL REQUIRE EXTENDED TRAFFIC CONTROL TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

THIS IS IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE PROJECT ON SCHEDULE BY REMOVING A PORTION OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE TO ACCOMODATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BRIDGE. THE NEW BRIDGE WILL BE WIDER AND SAFER WITH 12 FOOT LANES, 6 FOOT SHOULDERS, AND A 5 FOOT WIDE PEDESTRIAN PATH THAT WILL BECOME PART OF THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL. MOTORISTS SHOULD ANTICIPATE 40 MINUTE DELAYS ALL THIS WEEK FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM. OTHERWISE, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN PLACE AT ALL OTHER TIMES, 7 DAYS A WEEK WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

NORTH PASS FIRE CLOSURE ORDER LIFTED JH 10/22/12

THE NORTH PASS FIRE CLOSURE ORDER WAS LIFTED FRIDAY, REOPENING ALL FOREST ROADS AND RECREATION AREAS IN THE YOLLA BOLLY MIDDLE EEL WILDERNESS AND SURROUNDING AREAS OF THE MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST.

ANYONE CAMPING IN THE OPEN FOREST IS ADVISED TO SELECT A CAMPSITE AWAY FROM DEAD TREES OR POSSIBLE ROLLING DEBRIS. ALSO BE AWARE THAT FLASH FLOODING AND MUD FLOWS MAY BE COMMON IN AREAS WITHOUT VEGETATION.

SUPERVISIRS TO CONSIDER FINAL HOTEL LEASE WITH MARYMOUNT JH 10/22/12

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONSIDER GIVING APPROVAL TO THE FINAL LEASE AGREEMENT WITH MARYMOUNT COLLEGE FOR THE LUCERNE HOTEL.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, DEVELOPING A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE CAMPUS IN LUCERNE WOULD BE A GREAT BENEFIT FOR THE COUNTY. THE LEASE IS FOR 15 YEARS, WITH THE RATE AT $1 A YEAR FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS. BEGINNING IN YEAR SIX ON JULY 1, 2018, AND FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE LEASE, THE RENT SHALL BE EQUAL TO 50 PERCENT OF MARYMOUNT’S NET ANNUAL REVENUE GENERATED AT THE CAMPUS. THE FUNDS WILL BE NO LESS THAN $85,000, AND NO MORE THAN $250,000 PER YEAR.

PALACE HOTEL READY FOR WINTER JH 10/22/12

UKIAH’S HISTORIC PALACE HOTEL HAS BEEN WINTERIZED AND IS READY FOR THE RAINY SEASON, AND JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME.

THE ROOF HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND THE WINDOWS ARE WEATHERIZED, ACCORDING TO OWNER ELADIA LAINES, WHO IS STILL WORKING ON CLEARING THE TITLE TO PROVE OWNERSHIP OF THE OLD HOTEL. SHE ASSURED THE CITY COUNCIL THAT IT SHOULD BE VERY SOON THAT THE ISSUES WITH THE TITLE ARE RESOLVED, SO THE CITY COULD ISSUE A DEMOLITION PERMIT TO ALLOW THE RENOVATIONS TO CONTINUE. THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO CONTINUE A VOTE ON THE HOTEL’S ABATEMENT AND HEAR ANOTHER UPDATE NEXT MONTH. FOR THOSE CURIOUS TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING, TOURS ARE BEING OFFERED EVERY FRIDAY. TO SIGN UP, SIMPLY STOP BY 272 NORTH STATE STREET.

‘MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY’ IN LAKE COUNTY JH 10/22/12

THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY BY HELPING FEED THE HUNGRY.

SEVERAL LAKE COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS ARE COLLABORATING TO COLLECT NONPERISHABLE FOOD FOR FIVE SENIOR CENTERS AND 13 FOOD PANTRIES IN THE COUNTY. FOOD DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF IN COLLECTION BINS LOCATED IN DOZENS OF BUSINESSES AND STORES AROUND THE COUNTY. THE MAIN COLLECTION DAY IS THIS SATURDAY ON NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. THIS IS THE 13TH YEAR IN A ROW THAT THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT FOR MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. ALL FOOD DONATED WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN LAKE COUNTY.

Playlist 10/18/12

FUN.-SOME NIGHTS

JUSTIN BIEBER W/BIG SEAN-AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

MAROON 5-ONE MORE NIGHT

OWL CITY W/CARLY RAE JEPSON-GOOD TIME

PINK-BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)

TAYLOR SWIFT-WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER

ALEX CLARE-TOO CLOSE

BRUNO MARS-LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN

CHRIS BROWN-DON’T WAKE ME UP

CHRISTINA AGUILERA-YOUR BODY

DAVID GUETTA W/CHRIS BROWN & LIL WAYNE-I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS W/SAMMY ADAMS-FINALLY FOUND YOU

KARMIN-HELLO

KE$HA-DIE YOUNG

NE-YO-LET ME LOVE YOU (UNTIL YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF)

ONE DIRECTION-LIVE WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

ONEREPUBLIC-FEEL AGAIN

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-HOME

PSY-GANGNUM STYLE

RIHANNA-DIAMONDS

TRAIN-50 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE

USHER-NUMB

ADELE-SKYFALL

ED SHEERAN-THE A TEAM

FLO RIDA-I CRY

RITA ORA W/TINIE TEMPAH-R.I.P.

SCRIPT (THE) W/WILL.I.AM-HALL OF FAME

TREY SONGZ W/T.I.-2 REASONS

BRIDGIT MENDLER-READY OR NOT

CHRIS WALLACE-REMEMBER WHEN (PUSH REWIND)

ELLIE GOULDING-ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN

IMAGINE DRAGONS-IT’S TIME

LUMINEERS (THE)-HO HEY

MEGAN & LIZ-BAD FOR ME

SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA W/JOHN MARTIN-DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD

ZEDD W/MATTHEW KOMA-SPECTRUM

News 10/19/12

FIRE ALONG HIGHWAY 29 JH 10/19/12

A FIRE STARTED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ALONG HIGHWAY 29 BETWEEN LOWER LAKE AND HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE.

THE BLAZE, DUBBED THE 29 FIRE BY CALFIRE, WAS FIRST REPORTED AROUND 2:44 PM. THE FIRE QUICKLY GREW IN SIZE, RUNNING UP A HILLSIDE AND ENDANGERING NUMEROUS NEARBY STRUCTURES. THE BLAZE CONSUMED 300 ACRES AND IS 20% CONTAINED AS OF LAST NIGHT. ACCORDING TO CALFIRE, FORWARD SPREAD OF THE FIRE HAS BEEN STOPPED. SEVERAL STRUCTURES HAVE BURNED AND MANDATORY EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR THE MURPHY SPRINGS SUBDIVISION. VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR THE TWIN LAKES SUBDIVISION. THE RED CROSS HAS SET UP AN EVACUATION SHELTER AT THE OLD GYM AT LOWER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL HAD LEFT FOOD AND CRATES FOR ANY ANIMALS THAT ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER DURING THE NIGHT. COLE CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER AND HIGHLAND SPRINGS EQUESTRIAN CENTER ARE ACCEPTING HORSES THAT NEED TO BE EVACUATED FROM THE FIRE AREA. HIGHWAY 29 FROM SPRUCE GROVE ROAD NORTH TO SPRUCE GROVE ROAD SOUTH IS OPEN TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MURDER IN REDWOOD VALLEY JH 10/19/12

AT ABOUT 2:44 THIS MORNING, MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED A 911 CAL ABOUT A SHOOTING IN REDWOOD VALLEY.

THE CALL CAME FROM A RESIDENCE IN THE 10,000 BLOCK OF EAST ROAD. THE CALLER REPORTED THAT TWO UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS HAD ENTERED THE HOME WITH GUNS AND THAT TWO OF THE CALLERS FAMILY MEMBERS HAD BEEN SHOT. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED, THEY LOCATED ONE DECEASED ADULT MALE WITH APPEARANT GUNSHOT WOUNDS. ANOTHER ADULT MALE HAD ALSO SUSTAINED MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS DURING THE INCIDENT. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO AN OUT OF THE COUNTY TRAUMA CENTER. DURING AN INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH FAMILY, ONE OF THE SUSPECTS WAS DESCRIBED AS WEARING A RED HOODY SWEATSHIRT AND BLACK BANDANA COVERING A PORTION OF THEIR FACE. BOTH SUSPECTS WERE LAST SEEN LEAVING THE RESIDENCE HEADED NORTHBOUND ON EAST ROAD IN A BLACK CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO THIS INCIDENT IS URGED TO CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TIP-LINE AT 234-2100. CALLERS MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

HIGH SPEED CHASE FROM UKIAH TO WILLITS JH 10/19/12

A SANTA ROSA MAN LED CHP ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE FROM UKIAH TO WILLITS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

CHP OBSERVED A MAN, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 19 YEAR OLD MATHEW T FUDGE DRIVING A PICK-UP NORTH ON HIGHWAY 101 AT SPEEDS APPROACHING 90 MILES PER HOUR. A CHP OFFICER TRIED PULL OVER FUDGE, BUT HE ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS OVER 100 MILES PER HOUR. A SPIKE STRIP WAS PLACED ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE GOLDEN RULE MOBILE HOME PARK BUT FUDGE EVADED IT AND CONTINUED INTO WILLITS. AT ONE POINT FUDGE CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS. FEARING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, THE CHASE WAS TERMINATED. MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICERS AND WILLITS POLICE WERE WAITING FOR FUDGE AT THE NORTH END OF WILLITS, WHERE HE FINALLY YIELDED AND WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. THE REASON FOR FUDGE’S FAILURE TO STOP IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL BACKS OFF ON GRAFFITI ORDINANCE JH 10/19/12

AFTER HEARING STRONG OBJECTION FROM CITIZENS WHO SAID A PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD MAKE CLEANING UP GRAFFITI MORE COMPLICATED AND LABORIOUS, THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL BACKED AWAY FROM PASSING IT ON WEDNESDAY.

THE ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE DECLARED GRAFFITI VISIBLE FROM THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY A NUISANCE AND ALLOWED FOR SUMMARY ABATEMENT OF IT, AS LONG AS CITY STAFF MADE AN ATTEPT TO GET THE OWNERS PERMISSION. OFFICIALS AGREED THAT THERE WOULD BE LESS LIABILITY FOR THE CITY IF IT JUST DECLARED GRAFFITI A NUISANCE AND REMOVED THE SUMMARY ABATEMENT PROCEDURE ALTOGETHER. THE COUNCIL THEN VOTED TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AND REVISIT THE ORDINANCE IN A MONTH.

INSPIRATION ROCK DEDICATION JH 10/19/12

A LARGE ROCK, INSTALLED NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF TIMBERWOLF SATADIUM IN FORT BRAGG, WILL BE DEDICATED TONIGHT.

IT WILL BE KNOWN AS INSPIRATION ROCK, AND IT IS HOPED IT WILL REMIND THOSE WHO SEE IT, OF WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN A COMMUNITY WORKS TOGETHER. THE ROCK WILL HAVE A PLAQUE HONORING JERE MELO AND VIRGIL NELSON WHO WERE DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY EFFORT OF BUILDING TIMBERWOLF STADIUM. THE DEDICATION CEREMONY WILL BE DURING HALFTIME AT TONIGHTS FORT BRAGG VS WILLITS VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY RECEIVES GRANT JH 10/19/12

LAKE COUNTY’S CHAPTER OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS RECEIVED A SIZABLE GRANT FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO AID IN IMPROVING THE HOMES OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY RECEIVED OVER $55 THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND WAS AMONG SEVEN CALIFORNIA ORGANIZATIONS TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT’S HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM. IN ALL, MORE THAN $4.4 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING WAS GIVEN TO RECIPIENTS FROM 49 STATES AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO TO MAKE REPAIRS AND IMPROVE HOUSING CONDITIONS FOR LOW AND VERY LOW INCOME RURAL RESIDENTS.

29 FIRE UPDATE JH 10/19/12

A FIRE STARTED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ALONG HIGHWAY 29 BETWEEN LOWER LAKE AND HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE HAS DESTROYED AT LEAST ONE HOME.

THE BLAZE, DUBBED THE 29 FIRE BY CALFIRE, WAS FIRST REPORTED AROUND 2:44 PM. THE FIRE QUICKLY GREW IN SIZE, RUNNING UP A HILLSIDE AND ENDANGERING NUMEROUS NEARBY STRUCTURES. THE BLAZE CONSUMED 300 ACRES AND IS 30% CONTAINED AS OF THIS MORNING. ACCORDING TO CALFIRE, FORWARD SPREAD OF THE FIRE HAS BEEN STOPPED. MANDATORY EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR THE MURPHY SPRINGS SUBDIVISION. VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS FOR THE TWIN LAKES SUBDIVISION HAVE BEEN LIFTED. THE RED CROSS HAS SET UP AN EVACUATION SHELTER AT THE OLD GYM AT LOWER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL IS OFFERING FOOD AND CRATES FOR ANY ANIMALS THAT NEED EVACUATION. COLE CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER AND HIGHLAND SPRINGS EQUESTRIAN CENTER ARE ACCEPTING HORSES THAT NEED TO BE EVACUATED FROM THE FIRE AREA. HIGHWAY 29 FROM SPRUCE GROVE ROAD NORTH TO SPRUCE GROVE ROAD SOUTH IS OPEN TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

News 10/18/12

CONTRABAND FOUND IN MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL JH 10/18/12

A SMALL PACKAGE OF MARIJUANA AND TOBACCO LEFT ON A DESK IN A LARGE, GENERAL POPULATION INMATE CELL AT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL LED AUTHORITIES TO BRING IN A POLICE DOG WHO FOUND MORE CONTRABAND.

THE PACKAGE WAS FOUND DURING AN HOURLY SAFETY CHECK, WHICH LED OFFICERS TO REMOVE ABOUT 40 INMATES FROM THEIR HOUSING UNIT SO IT COULD BE SEARCHED MONDAY MORNING. CANINE OFFICER BRITT ALERTED TO A TIOLET PAPER ROLL AND A SOCK IN A BUNK IN ONE CELL. A TOBACCO PACKAGE WITH BOTH TOBACCO AND MARIJUANA WAS FOUND IN THE TIOLET PAPER ROLL. A LIGHTER, ROLLING PAPERS AND SIX SMALL BUNDLES OF TOBACCO, CHEWING TOBACCO AND POT WERE INSIDE THE SOCK. THE CONTRABAND IS BELIEVED TO BE THAT OF 51 YEAR OLD JESSE BACON WHO HAD BEEN AWAITING SENTENCING AT THE JAIL AND HAD LEFT ON A COURT-ORDERED PASS THE DAY BEFORE. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE BACON SMUGGLED THE CONTRABAND INTO THE JAIL IN HIS RECTUM WHEN HE RETURNED. BACON WAS CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS.

MAN ARRESTED ON STOLEN VEHICLE AND EVASION CHARGES JH 10/18/12

A CLEARLAKE MAN WAS ARRESTED ON STOLEN VEHICLE AND EVASION CHARGES EARLY TUESDAY FOLLOWING A HIGH SPEED MOTORCYCLE CHASE.

A CLEARLAKE POLICE TRIED TO PULL OVER A MOTORCYCLE THAT WAS SIMILAR TO ONE REPORTED STOLEN THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE RIDER, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 29 YEAR OLD SHADE HILL, ACCELERATED TO TRY AND EVADE POLICE. THE CHASE REACHED SPEEDS OF 50 MILES PER HOUR ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS BEFORE HILL LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. HE ALLEGEDLY RAN, BUT THE OFFICER DEPLOYED HIS

K-9 PARTNER WHO LOCATED HILL IN AN ALLEYWAY BETWEEN WEST 40TH AND PALMER AVENUES. HILL WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LAKE COUNTY HILL ROAD CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIETENANT REAR-ENDED IN COUNTY CAR JH 10/18/12

A LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIETENANAT WAS REAR-ENDED IN A COUNTY CAR.

LIETENANT GREGORY HOSMAN WAS DRIVING THE COUNTY OWNED VEHICLE YESTERDAY MORNING, WHEN HE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 29 AT HIGHWAY 175. A PICK-UP TRUCK, DRIVEN BY 20 YEAR OLD ANTHONY MEO RAER-ENDED THE COUNTY OWNED VEHICLE, CAUSING INJURY TO HOSMAN’S LEFT SHOULDER. HE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

TRIAL BEGINS IN LAKE COUNTY DOUBLE HOMICIDE JH 10/18/12

JURY SELECTION BEGAN YESTERDAY IN THE TRIAL OF A LAKE COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING TWO FORMER FRIENDS DURING A DISPUTE OVER MARIJUANA.

ROBBY ALLEN BEASLEY IS CHARGED WITH SHOOTING TO DEATH FRANK AND YVETTE MADDOX IN 2010. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, BEASLEY HAD INVITED THE COUPLE TO CALIFORNIA TO WORK AS MARIJUANA TRIMMERS. BEASLEY LATER THOUGHT THE COUPLE HAD STOLEN SOME OF HIS POT. THE BODIES WERE FOUND ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT ON MORGAN VALLEY ROAD. TESTIMONY IN THE TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH.

NORBURY TRIAL UPDATE JH 10/18/12

THE JURY IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DELIBERATIONS THIS MORNING IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF BILLY NORBURY, WHO IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AND KILLING HIS REDWOOD VALLEY NEIHBOR IN JANUARY.

34 YEAR OLD NORBURY FACES A MURDER CHARGE WITH A SPECIAL ALLEGATION THAT HE USED A GUN TO KILL 30 YEAR OLD JAMAL ANDREWS. THE JURY RECEIVED ITS INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THE DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE CLOSING ARGUMENTS THIS MORNING. THE JURY’S FIRST TASK WILL BE DECIDING WHETHER NORBURY IS GUILTY. IF THE JURY CONVICTS, NORBURY’S DEFENSE ATTORNEY WILL PRESENT EVEIDENCE TO SUPPORT HIS PLEA OF NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY. THE JURY WITH THEN RETIRE A SECOND TIME TO DECIDE ON THAT MATTER.

UKIAH’S MAYOR HOSPITALIZED JH 10/18/12

UKIAH MAYAOR MARY ANNE LANDIS WAS HOSPITALIZED SUNDAY AFTER FALLING WHILE JOGGING ON A TRAIL NEAR LAKE MENDOCINO.

LANDIS TRIPPED ON A ROOT AND FELL REALLY HARD, BREAKING THREE RIBS AND PUNCTURING A LUNG. SHE HAD SURGERY AT UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER ON MONDAY. LANDIS EXPECTS TO BE HEALING FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS, BUT WOULD LIKE TO BE BACK ON THE DAIS BY THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL’S FIRST MEETING IN NOVEMBER.

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES LOAN FROM GENERAL FUND JH 10/18/12

THE LAKEPORT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GENERAL FUND AND THE WATER OPERATIONS AND MAINENANCE FUND FOR THE RECENT PURCHASE OF PROPERTY WITH TWO GROUND WATER WELLS.

THE CITY PREVIOSLY LEASED THE PROPERTY, KNOWN AS THE GREEN RANCH, BUT AGREED TO BUY THE LAND FOR $700,000 TO SECURE THE WATER SOURCE. THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION TUESDAU EVENING, AUTHORIZING THE LOAN BETWEEN THE TWO FUNDS AND ESTABLISHING THE REPAYMENT TERMS.

SUPERVISORS APPROVE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR AG OPERATORS JH 10/18/12

A PILOT PROGRAM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO SMALL AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS FOR STATIONARY DIESEL ENGINES WAS APPROVED TUESDAY BY THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE ONE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO ASSIST COUNTY FARMERS WITH NEW STATE AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS FOR DIESEL ENGINES. AN ANNUAL PERMIT RENEWAL FEE IS REQUIRED FOR THE PROGRAM, WHICH WILL COST $110 PER ENGINE.

WILLITS BYPASS PRECONSTRUCTION OPEN HOUSE JH 10/18/12

A PRECONSTRUCTION OPEN HOUSE FOR THE WILLITS BYPASS PROJECT ON HIGHWAY 101 WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT TUESDAY OCTOBER 23.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND THE DROP IN STYLE OPEN HOUSE FROM 5 PM TO 8 PM AT THE WILLITS CITY HALL ON EAST COMMERCIAL STREET. CALTRANS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT.

News 10/17/12

FATAL CRASH DRIVER GETS 12 YEARS JH 10/17/12

A CLEARLAKE MAN RECEIVED MORE THAN A DECADE BEHIND BARS FOR CHARGES RELATED TO THE CAR CRASH THAT KILLED HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND IN APRIL.

28 YEAR OLD DANNY FIELDS II PLEADED NO CONTEST TO FELONY DUI CAUSING INJURY AND FELONY HIT AND RUN FOR THE CRASH. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, FIELDS LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 29 AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. HE LEFT THE SCENE, BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACTED HIM LATER THAT MORNING AT THE HOSPITAL. BY THE TIME HIS VEHICLE WAS LOCATED, THE PASSENGER, 31 YEAR OLD JENNIFER CLARK WAS DEAD. FIELDS WAS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS IN STATE PRISON.

MURDER DEFENDANT GETS NEW LAWYER JH 10/17/12

THE CASE AGAINST A NICE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A WOMAN DURING AN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY LAST YEAR WAS DELAYED YESTERDAY MORNING AFTER THE COURT APPOINTED HIM A NEW LAWYER.

51 YEAR OLD DANIAL RAY LOYD FACES MURDER AND FIVE OTHER FELONIES FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 48 YEAR OLD CINDY YVETTE QUIETT LAST SEPTEMBER. LOYD’S PUBLIC DEFENDER FILED A MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNCEL ON FRIDAY. HE SAID THERE WAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEM HIMSELF AND LOYD. LOYD IS SET TO APPEAR IN COURT NOVEMBER 27 TO SCHEDULE A NEW PRELIMINARY HEARING DATE.

TWO ARRESTED WITH FELONY WARRANTS JH 10/17/12

TWO FORT BRAGG RESIDENTS WERE ARRESTED ON FELONY WARRANTS.

POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF POSSIBLE DRUG USE ON THE 400 BLOCK OF SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET MONDAY AFTERNOON. OFFICERS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE ODOR OF MARIJUANA COMING FROM A VEHICLE. THE OCCUPANTS, 42 YEAR OLD SEAN GUNN AND 42 YEAR OLD RHONDA MARTIN, WERE DETAINED, AND A RECORDS CHECK FOUND THAT BOTH HAD FELONY WARRANTS FOR THEIR ARREST OUT OF MENDOCINO COUNTY. A SEARCH ALSO FOUND A SMALL AMOUNT OF HASH ON MARTIN. BOTH WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES JH 10/17/12

A TRAFFIC STOP LED TO TWO ARRESTES FOR DRUGS AND WEAPONS.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICERS PULLED OVER A VEHICLE FOR SPEEDING AND A MISSING LICENSE PLATE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT. THE DRIVER, 27 YEAR OLD ERIC TYSICK WAS FOUND TO HAVE A SUSPENDED LISENCE. HE THEN CONSENTED TO A SEARCH OF THE RENTAL CAR HE AND 22 YEAR OLD ZACHARY HENDERSON WERE TRAVELING IN FROM ARIZONA. THE SEARCH REVEALED A LOADED HANDGUN, METAL KNUCKLES ATTACHED TO A SPRING LOADED KNIFE, AND A BILLY CLUB. A K9 OFFICER WAS THEN DEPLOYED AND A FOUND HEROIN, METHADONE AND MARIJUANA. A COPY MACHINE WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE TRUNK. THE MEN SAID THEY WERE GOING TO USE IT TO PRINT MONEY TO BUY MARIJUANA TO TAKE BACK TO ARIZONA. BOTH TYSICK AND HENDERSON WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

MAN ARRESTED ON FELONY WARRANT FROM OREGON JH 10/17/12

AN ARIZONA MAN WAS ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT FROM OREGON.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OBSERVED A PARKED VEHICLE AT A CLOSED BUSINESS AT THE FORKS ON NORTH STATE STREET LAST THURSDAY NIGHT. AS DEPUTIES APPROACHED, THEY NOTICED THE SMELL OF MARIJUANA COMING FROM THE CAR. A CHECK OF THE TWO OCCUPANTS, 27 YEAR OLD JOSHUA HILLARD OF UKIAH, AND 24 YEAR OLD BUCK SMITH OF GOODYEAR ARIZONA, FOUND THAT SMITH HAD A $350,000 BAIL FELONY FUGITIVE OF JUSTICE WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST OUT OF OREGON. A SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE TURNED UP CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PHARMACEUTICALS AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. BOTH HILLARD AND SMITH WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

NORBURY TRIAL UPDATE 10/17/12

THE PROSECUTION FINISHED PRESENTING EVIDENCE MONDAY MORNING IN THE ONGOING MURDER TRIAL OF BILLY NORBURY, AND THE DEFENSE BEGAN CALLING WITNESSES.

34 YEAR OLD NORBURY FACES A MURDER CHARGE WITH A SPECIAL ALLEGATION THAT HE USED A GUN TO KILL HIS REDWOOD VALLEY NEIHBOR IN JANUARY, 30 YEAR OLD JAMAL ANDREWS. THE DEFENSE CALLED A PSYCHIATRIST AND OTHER WITNESSES TO THE STAND TUESDAY. THE EVALUATING DOCTOR SAID NORBURY IS A PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIC. THE DEFENSE IS ATTEMPTING TO CONVINCE THE JURY THAT MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, NORBURY WAS INSANE AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING.

LAKEPORT STREET CLOSURE JH 10/17/12

LAKEPORT PUBLIC WORKS CREWS WILL BE AT WORK ON 11TH STREET TODAY TO MAKE REPAIRS TO A LEAKING WATER PIPE.

THE WORK WILL BETWEEN POOL AND MANZANITA STREETS STARTING AT 8:30 THIS MORNING. ONE WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN PLACE. THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY NOON.

SUPERVISORS DISCUSS SUBSTATIONS FOR SHERIFFS JH 10/17/12

THE TENSION WAS THICK DURING A DISCUSSION WITH THE LAKE COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO DURING LAST NIGHTS MEETING ABOUT NEW SHERIFF’S SUBSTATIONS.

NEARLY TWO HOURS WAS DEDICATED TO TALKING ABOUT FOUR ALTERNATIVES FOR THE CLEARLAKE OAKS SUBSTATION AND PROGRESS AT THE MIDDLETOWN SUBSTATION. THE SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED MOVING FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATIONS FOR A LEASED PROPERTY IN THE BIG OAK SHOPPING CENTER IN CLEARLAKE OAKS WHILE RETAING A PROPERTY ON SHADY LANE AS A FUTURE OPTION. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE BIG OAKS BUILDING WAS A VACANT BANK AND THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD REDUCE RENT FOR THE LEASE’S FIRST YEAR TO $1 DOLLAR PER MONTH BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WANTS THE SUBSTATION OPEN SOON.

LARGE ANIMAL EVACUATION PLAN JH 10/17/12

A LARGE ANIMAL EVACUATION PLAN IS BEING PREPARED BY THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.

THE PLAN IS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN. ANIMAL CARE SERVICES IS PLANNING SEVEN COMMUNITY MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES MISSION AND STRUCTURE, BRAINSTORM OPTIONS FOR EVACUATING AND SHELTERING LARGE ANIMALS FOR PARTICULAR DISASTERS IN EACH OF THE COUNTY’S SEVEN REGIONS, PREPARE A LIST OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND MORE.THE MEETING WILL BE BETWEEN OCTOBER29TH AND NOVEMBER 26TH AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. SPECIFIC DATES AND LOCATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE K-WINE NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE.

JERE MELO HONORED WITH FORESTRY AWARD JH 10/17/12

THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION POSTHUMOUSLY HONORED REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL FORESTER JERE MELO WITH ITS HIGHEST AWARD.

MELO WAS DESCRIBED AS LOVING TO WORK IN THE WOODS. HE WAS DEDICATED TO KEEPING THE WOODS SAFE FOR TIMBER WORKERS AND TO PROTECTING FORESTLAND FROM DEGRADATION BY ILLEGAL TRESPASSING, MARIJUANA CULTIVATION, DUMPING AND ENCAMPMENTS. THE BOARD RECOGNIZED MR. MELO FOR HIS DEDICATION TO PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY IN THE STATE WITH THE FRANCIS H. RAYMOND AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CALIFORNIA FORESTRY. REPRESENTING MELO AND ACCEPTING THE AWARD WAS HIS WIFE, MADELEINE MELO.

News 10/16/12

SEARCH WARRANT LEADS TO MULTIPLE ARRESTS ON DRUG CHARGES JH 10/16/12

ASEARCH WARRANT LED TO THREE ARRESTS AND SEAIZURE OF FIREARMS, DRUGS AND CASH.

NARCOTICS DETECTIVES SERVED THE WARRANT THURSDAY MORNING AT A RESIDENCE IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF THE NICE LUCERNE CUTOFF IN NICE. DETECTIVES IMMEDIATELY LOCATED AND DETAINED 49 YEAR OLD MARK CHRISTOPHER RAMSEY OF NICE AND 50 YEAR OLD RICKY HUIE OF WHITNEY. A THIRD SUSPECT FLED THE AREA ON FOOT. DURING THE SEARCH, DETECTIVES LOCATED AND SEIZED 215 MATURE MARIJUANA PLANTS, 660 POUNDS OF DRYING MARIJUANA, AND 181 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA. THEY ALSO SEIZED 6 RIFLES, FOUR HANDGUNS, ONE GRAM OF METHAMPHETAMINE, NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT, AND OVER $73,000 DOLLARS IN CASH. DURING THE SEARCH, 39 YEAR OLD JAIME RODRIGUEZ OF NEW YORK ARRIVED. A SEARCH REVEALED THAT HE WAS IN POSSESSION OF BOTH METH AND COCAINE. RODRIGUEZ, HUIE AND RAMSEY WERE ALL ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE LAKE COUNTY HILL ROAD CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

MAN AND JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR FIREARMS POSSESSION JH 10/16/12

A JUVENILE AND A YOUNG MAN WERE ARRESTED ON GUN CHARGES.

CLEARLAKE POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF THEFT OF MARIJUANA AT A RESIDENCE IN THE AREA OF HIGHWAY 53 AND POLK AVENUE ON FRIDAY. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, AN OFFICER CUNDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP ON A VEHICLE NEARBY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY 19 YEAR OLD FRANCISCO JOSEPH OCHOA. OFFICERS FOUND A LOADED 9 MILLIMETER SENIAUTOMATIC HANDGUN CONCEALED IN HIS WAISTBAND, AND HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. ONE OF TWO ADDITIONAL OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WAS 34 YEAR OLD MICHAEL MCGONIGLE, WHO WAS ON ACTIVE PROBATION. OFFICERS THEN WENT TO MCGONIGLES HOME WHERE THEY FOUND A 16 YEAR OLD MALE JUVENILE IN POSSESSION OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA, PACKAGING, A SCALE, A STOLEN 9 MILLIMETER SEMIAUTOMATIC HANDGUN, AN AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLE AND AMMUNITION. THE UNNAMED JUVENILE WAS TAKEN TO JUVENILE HALL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

FAMILY OF LOCAL SHERIF CAPTAIN TARGETED BY FEDS JH 10/16/12

THE FEDRAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, FBI AND IRS ARE CONDUCTING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS OF A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S CAPTAIN.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT THURSDAY ON PROPERTY NEAR HIGHWAY 20 IN POTTER VALLEY, WHERE THEY FOUND MORE THAN 500 MARIJUANA PLANTS. THE PROPERTY BELONGS TO JOHNNY JOHNSON, THE FATHER OF SHERIFF’S CAPTAIN RANDY JOHNSON. THE CAPTAIN’S BROTHER, JOHN JOHNSON ALSO LIVES ON THE PROPERTY. RANDY LIVES ON AN ADJACENT PIECE OF PROPERTY. ACCORDING TO THE DEA, THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND NO OTHER INFORMATION COULD BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME.

BIG RIG OVERTURNS JH 10/16/12

A BIG RIG CARRYING DRILLING EQUIPMENT UP GEYSERS ROAD TOWARD COBB MOUNTAIN OVERTURNED YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY BEFORE 10 AM, AND THE TRUCK COMPLETELY BLOCKED THE ROADWAY UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON. THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED, AND CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ROAD WORK TODAY JH 10/16/12

ROAD WORK IS BEING PERFORMED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS TODAY.

IN LAKE COUNTY, PG& E WILL PERFORMING UTILITY WORK ON HIGHWAY 20, POINT THREE MILES EAST OF PARADISE COVE FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM. A SHOULDER CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT.

PG&E WILL ALSO BE WORKING ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR HARVEY BOULEVARD FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM TODAY. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT. MOTORISTS SHOULD ANTICIPATE 5 MINUTE DELAYS.

IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALTRANS WILL PERFORM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT THE BIG RIVER BRIDGE ON HIGHWAY 1. WORK WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT. MOTORISTS SHOULD ANTICIPATE 5 MINUTE DELAYS.

ALSO, CENTRAL STREET AND BARBARA LANE ARE CLOSED IN WILLITS FOR REPAVING. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

AT ALL OF THESE LOCATIONS, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CATION.

CONTROL BURN AT ANDERSON MARSH PARK JH 10/16/12

FIREFIGHTERS FROM LAKE COUNTY AND THE STATE WILL SET CONTROL BURNS AND CONDUCT PRACTICE DRILLS TONIGHT AT ANDERSON MARSH STATE HISTORIC PARK NEAR LOWER LAKE.

FIREFIGHTERS WILL BURN GRASS AND LIGHT BRUSH. THE FIRE WILL HELP CONTROL INVASIVE PLANTS, REDUCE FIRE FUELS AND GIVE STATE AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS A CHANCE TO WORK TOGETHER. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, SMOKE MAY BE VISIBLE IN CLEARLAKE, LOWER LAKE AND THE CLEAR LAKE REGION. THE TRAINING WILL BE FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM AT THE PARK.

MENDO NATIONAL FOREST TO LIFT FIRE RESTRICTIONS JH 10/16/12

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED AS OF TODAY, DUE TO LOWER TEMPERATURES IN THE AREA.

VISITORS WITH A VALID CALIFORNIA CAMPFIRE PERMIT WILL BE ALLOWED TO HAVE FIRES OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED CAMPGROUNDS, INCLUDING IN WILDERNESS AREAS. THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS WERE PUT IN PLACE JULY 13 BECAUSE OF INCREASED FIRE DANGER AND HOT, DRY WEATHER. DESPITE THE WEATHER CHANGE, FIRE SEASON HAS NOT ENDED. VISITORS SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN USING CAMPFIRES, CHARCOAL FIRES AND GAS STOVES IN THE FOREST. CAMPFIRE PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE AT US FOREST SERVICE, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND CAL FIRE OFFICES.

News 10/15/12

DUI CRASH KILLS ONE JH 10/15/12

A SAN FRANCISCO MAN WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER AFTER AN ACCIDENT THAT KILLED HIS LITTLE SISTER.

32 YEAR OLD RYAN J WALLIS WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 128 EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, WHEN, DUE TO HIS LEVEL OF INTOXICATION, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO CHP, THE TRUCK SPUN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. THE IMPACT CAUSED FATAL INJURIES TO THE 20 YEAR OLD RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS SUFFERED MINOR INJORIES AND WERE TREATED AT THE MENDOCINO COAST HOSPITAL IN FORT BRAGG. WALLIS WAS TREATED FOR MINOR INJURIES AND TRANSPORTED TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

LUCERNE MAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER MORORCYCLE CRASH JH 10/15/12

A LUCERNE MAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER HE CRASHED HIS MOTORCYCLE SATURDAY EVENING.

39 YEAR OLD RAMSEY WADE MILKS WAS RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE ON NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 29 WHEN HE EXITED AT THE NICE LUCERNE CUTOFF. HE ILLEGALLY PASSED A VEHICLE ON THE LEFT WHILE RUNNING THE STOP SIGN AT THE BASE OF THE OFF RAMP. ACCORDING TO CHP, MILKS CONTINUED RIDING RECKLESSLY AND LOST CONTROL OF HIS BIKE IN THE SOFT DIRT ON THE ROADS SHOULDER. THE BIKE HIT A POWER POLE AND THREW MILKS INTO THE POLE. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL’S INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, WHERE HE WAS BEING TREATED FOR A SKULL FRACTURE AND BRAIN SWELLING.

MAN INJURED IN ASSAULT AND DOG ATTACK JH 10/15/12

A MAN WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER BEING ATTACKED BY TWO PEOPLE AND A PIT BULL NEAR WALMART.

UKIAH POLICE RESPONDED TO THE TALMAGE OVERPASS OVER HIGHWAY 101 FOR REPORTS OF A WOMAN WALKING ON THE OVERPASS AND YELLING FOR HELP. UPON ARRIVAL, OFFICERS FOUND THE WOMAN IN A FIELD JUST SOUTH OF TALMAGE ROAD AND THE HIGHWAY 101 INTERSECTION. SHE WAS KNEELING OVER AN UNCONSCIOUS MAN THAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN VIOLENTLY ASSAULTED. OFFICERS DETERMINED HE HAD BEEN REPEATEDLY KICKED IN THE FACE AND ATTACKED ON THE ARM BY A PIT BULL. OFFICERS LOCATED TWO SUSPECTS NEAR THE SCENE, IDENTIFIED AS 38 YEAR OLD WILLIAM LEONARD OF NEW ORLEANS, AND 30 YEAR OLD CYNTHIA RATTEY OF MONTANA. BASED ON EVEDENCE AND WITNESS STATEMENTS, BOTH LEONARD AND RATTEY WERE ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL. THE DOG WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATTACK IS ASKED TO CALL THE UKIAH POLICE AT 463-6262.

WATER SKI ACCIDENT JH 10/15/12

A WOMAN INJURED IN A WATER SKIING ACCIDENT WAS HOSPITALIZED SUNDAY MORNING.

THE UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN LOST CONSCIOUSNESS WHEN SHE FELL WHILE SKIING AND HIT HER HEAD ON THE WATER SKI. SHE WAS PULLED FROM THE WATER AND TRANSPORTED TO A HOME ON LAKESHORE BOULEVARD. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, HER INJURY WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH SHE WAS THEN AIRLIFTED TO AN OUT OF THE AREA TRAUMA CENTER.

CAR ACCIDENT IN LAKEPORT JH 10/15/12

TWO DRIVERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AFTER A COLLISION IN LAKEPORT.

AROUND 12:45 FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THE DRIVER OF A SUBARU WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION HEADING WESTBOUND ON 16TH STREET, WHEN HE WAS HIT BY CHEVY MALIBU. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH CAUSED THE SUBARU TO ROLLOVER AND COME TO REST ON ITS ROOF. BOTH DRIVERS NAMES WERE UNAVAILABLE. THEY BOTH SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WERE TREATED ON SCENE BY THE LAKEPORT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ROAD CLOSURE IN WILLITS JH 10/15/12

CENTRAL STREET AND BARBARA LANE WILL BE CLOSED ALL WEEK.

CONTRACTORS ARE EXCAVATING AND REPAVING THE STREETS. ACCESS TO AREA BUSINESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED AND A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED THROUGH MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, NO TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED THROUGH. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

NORTH PASS FIRE REPORT SUBMIT JH 10/15/12

THE NORTH PASS FIRE BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE (BAER) REPORT AND FUNDING REQUEST WAS RECENTLY SUBMITTED TO THE FOREST SERVICE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE IN VALLEJO FOR APPROVAL.

THE NORTH PASS FIRE STARTED SATURDAY, AUG. 18 AND CONSUMED APPROXIMATELY 41,983 ACRES NORTH COVELO. THE FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE NORTH PASS FIRE IS $148,907. THIS MONEY WILL GO TO IMPROVING ROADS THAT WERE BURNED OVER, TRAIL STABILIZATION AND REPAIR, INVASIVE PLANT DETECTION AND HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL.

UKIAH GETS ANOTHER REJECTION LETTER FROM STATE JH 10/15/12

THE CITY OF UKIAH GOT ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TELLING IT THAT SOME MAJOR PROJECTS THE CITY HAD PLANNED TO SPEND REDEVELOPMENT MONEY ON ARE NOT GOING TO BE APPROVED.

AMONG THEM IS ABOUT $6 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH THE CITY SPENT OR IS PLANNING TO SPEND ON LAND AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO BRING A COSTCO TO TOWN, AND ABOUT $2.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING FOR DOWNTOWN PROJECTS AND THE UKIAH DEPOT AREA. ALSO REJECTED WERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN STAFF EXPENSES ON REDEVELOPMENT WORK. IN THE MEANTIME, THE CITY HAS ALSO BEGUN A PARALLEL PROCESS THE STATE HAS PUT IN PLACE POST REDEVELOPMENT, WHICH ALLOWS CITIES TO GET SPECIAL REVIEWS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH AN EYE TO COMING UP WITH A MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WOULD ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE EVEN WITHOUT REDEVELOPMENT. THE CITY IS USING THIS PROCESS IN THE CASE OF THE COSTCO PROJECT. THE PROCESS SHOULD BE COMPLETE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2013.

MEMORIAL FOR JUDGE BROWN JH 10/15/12

A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE RON BROWN IS PLANNED FOR NOVEMBER.

BROWN SERVED AS A JUDGE LOCALLY FOR MORE THAN 14 YEARS FROM HIS ELECTION IN 1996 UNTIL HE RETIRED FOR HEALTH REASONS IN JANUARY 2011. BEFORE TAKING THE BENCH, BROWN SERVED MENDOCINO COUNTY AS BOTH A DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND AS PUBLIC DEFENDER. HE DIED AUG. 30. THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, MENDOCINO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AND BROWN’S FAMILY WILL HOST THE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT 5 P.M. NOV. 2 AT THE SPACE THEATER, AT 508 W. PERKINS ST. IN UKIAH. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE BROWN’S LIFE.

News 10/12/12

FORT BRAG TRANSIENT CONVICTED OF MURDER JH 10/12/12

A FORT BRAGG TRANSIENT WAS CONVICTED OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER ON WEDNESDAY.

41 YEAR OLD JAMES KESTER CHOCKED TO DEATH 42 YEAR OLD JASON BLACKSHEAR IN HIS FORT BRAGG HOME IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. KESTER CLAIMS THE KILLING WAS IN SELF DEFENSE, HOWEVER, BLEACKSHEAR HAD A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST KESTER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BECAUSE KESTER ALSO ADMITTED TO A PRIOR STRIKE, WHICH DOUBLES THE PUNISHMENT, HE FACES 30 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON.

MORNING CRASH CLOSES HIGHWAY 101 JH 10/12/12

A VEHICLE CRASH YESTERDAY MORNING DOWNED POWER LINES AND CLOSED HIGHWAY 101 FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS.

NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE 11:30 AM CRASH INVOLVING ONE VEHICLE AND A POWER POLE. POWER AND DATA LINES WERE DOWN FOR HOURS, AS HIGHWAY 101 TRAFFIC WAS REROUTED THROUGH WILLITS. CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

LARGE MARIJUANA HARVEST FOUND IN UKIAH JH 10/12/12

MORE THAN 30 MARIJUANA PLANTS AND NEAR 200 POUNDS OF PROCESSED POT FOUND IN TWO UKIAH HOMES.

THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT ON A HOME IN THE 1700 BLOCK OF LOW GAP ROAD WEDNESDAY MORNING. ONE MAN FLED AND ESCAPED LEAVING BEHIND A PISTOL. OFFICERS THEN LOCATED 12 OUTDOOR PLANTS AND EVIDENCE THAT AT LEAST 80 MORE HAD RECENTLY BEEN HARVESTED. INSIDE THE BUILDING, MORE THAN 100 POUNDS OF PARTIALLY MANICURED MARIJUANA AND ABOUT 95 POUNDS OF MANICURED MARIJUANA WAS FOUND. 43 YEAR OLD CELSO CEJA WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE RESIDENCE, AND TOLD POLICE THAT THE SITE WAS USED BY HIS COUSIN 43 YEAR OLD MIGUEL LOPEZ. THE INVESTIGATION THEN CONTINUED TO A RESIDENCE ON WOODLAWN TERRACE WHERE ANOTHER 25 POT PLANTS WERE FOUND. THE RESIDENTS THERE TOLD POLICE THAT LOPEZ ALLOWED THEN TO LIVE THERE RENT FREE IN EXCHANGE FOR POSTING THEIR MEDICAL MARIJUANA RECOMMENDATIONS. MIGUEL LOPEZ IS CURRENTLY BEING SOUGHT BY UKIAH POLICE. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION AS TO HIS WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY.

NORBURY TRIAL UPDATE JH 10/12/12

THE JURY IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF BILLY NORBURY HEARD RECORDINGS OF THREATENING PHONE MESSAGES HE LEFT HIS ESTRANGED WIFE, ALONG WITH OTHER TESTIMONY CONCERNING THEIR DIVORCE.

34 YEAR OLD NORBURY FACES A MURDER CHARGE WITH A SPECIAL ALLEGATION THAT HE USED A GUN TO KILL HIS REDWOOD VALLEY NEIGHBOR IN JANUARY, 30 YEAR OLD JAMAL ANDREWS. APPEARANTLY NORBURY MISTAKENLY BELEIVED THAT HIS EX WIFE HAD SOMETHING ‘GOING ON’ WITH ANDREWS. ACCORDING TO HIS EX, NORBURY SEEMED TO BE MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM. ANDREW’S GIRLFRIEND, AND MOTHER OF HIS CHILD, SAID THEY HAD NEVER MET NORBURY BEFORE THREE ODD AND FRIGHTENING VISITS, THE THIRD BEING THE NIGHT NORBURY ALLEGEDLY SHOT ANDREWS TWICE.

UKIAH NUISANCE PROPERTY GETS CLEANED UP JH 10/12/12

NEARLY A DECADE AFTER THE NEIHBORS STARTED COMPLAINING, PILES OF JUNK WERE REMOVED FROM A HOME ON NORTH BUSH STREET THURSDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO UKIAH POLICE, THEY BEGAN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF STUFF, STACKS OF METAL SIDING, UPSIDE DOWN CANOPIES, LADDERS, WHEELBARROWS AND MORE, BACK IN 2004. THE DEPARTMENT WROTE LETTERS TO THE HOMEOWNER, THAT SEEMED TO BE IGNORED, UNTIL EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN A CITY ORDINANCE ALLOWING THE CITY TO CLEAN UP SUCH PROPERTIES WAS ADOPTED. THE HOMEOWNER WAS SERVED A NOTICE IN AUGUST, THAT HIS PROPERTY WAS VIOLATING CITY CODES AND NEEDED TO BE ABATED. THE HOMEOWNER FILED AN APPEAL HEARING IN SEPTEMBER, AND MUCH TO HIS DISAPPOINTMENT, THE PROPERTY WAS DECLARED A NUISANCE AND ALLOWED THE ABATEMENT TO CONTINUE. THE OWNER SAYS HE RUNS A BUSINESS OUT OF HIS HOME, AND THE STUFF WAS ITEMS HE PLANNED ON SELLING. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT THE CLEANUP WOULD LIKELY COST TWO TO THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND THE BILL WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE HOMEOWNER.

WILLITS ROAD CLOSURE JH 10/12/12

CENTRAL STREET AND BARBARA LANE IN WILLITS WILL BE CLOSED NEXT WEEK.

CONTRACTORS WILL BE EXCAVATING AND REPAVING THE STREETS. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE THE ENTIRE WEEK. ACCESS TO AREA BUSINESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED AND A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED THROUGH MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, NO TRAFFIC AT ALL WILL BE ALLOWED THROUGH. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL RENAMES PLAYGROUND JH 10/12/12

THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL VOTED LAST NIGHT, TO NAME THE PLAYGROUND AT AUSTIN PARK ‘THE SKYLER RAPP MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND’.

FOUR YEAR OLD SKYLER WAS SHOT TO DEATH IN JUNE OF LAST JUNE IN THE YARD OF HIS FAMILY HOME. THE COUNCIL VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS.

PRELIMINARY DESIGNS FOR LAKESHORE DRIVE TO BE PRESENTED JH 10/12/12

PRELIMINARY DESIGNS FOR THE LAKESHORE DRIVE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR WILL BE PRESENTED TODAY.

THE CITY OF CLEARLAKE HOSTED WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO GET INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY IN REGARD TO IMPROVEN\MENTS FOR THE CORRIDOR. DESIGNS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY AT A WORKSHOP TONIGHT FROM 5 TO 6:30 PM AT CLEARLAKE CITY HALL. AFTERWARDS, A COMMUNITY RECEPTION WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 6:30 TO 7:30 PM AT AUSTIN PARK.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHES JH 10/12/12

THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS APPROACHING.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE NOVEMBER 6TH GENERAL ELECTION, NEW VOTERS AND NEW COUNTY RESIDENTS MUST REGISTER BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 22. THAT IS ALSO THE DEADLINE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS OR CHANGED THEIR MAILING ADDRESS WITHIN THE COUNTY, OR CHANGED THEIR NAME. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE COMPLETED VOTER REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE EITHER PERSONALLY DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE OR POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE THE OCTOBER 22 DEADLINE. REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT MOST LOCAL POST OFFICES, LIBRARIES, SENIOR CENTERS, CITY OFFICES AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICES.

Playlist 10/11/12

FUN.-SOME NIGHTS

JUSTIN BIEBER W/BIG SEAN-AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

MAROON 5-ONE MORE NIGHT

OWL CITY W/CARLY RAE JEPSON-GOOD TIME

PINK-BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)

TAYLOR SWIFT-WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER

ALEX CLARE-TOO CLOSE

CHRIS BROWN-DON’T WAKE ME UP

CHRISTINA AGUILERA-YOUR BODY

DAVID GUETTA W/CHRIS BROWN & LIL WAYNE-I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS W/SAMMY ADAMS-FINALLY FOUND YOU

KARMIN-HELLO

KE$HA-DIE YOUNG

NE-YO-LET ME LOVE YOU (UNTIL YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF)

NICKI MINAJ-POUND THE ALARM

ONE DIRECTION-LIVE WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

ONEREPUBLIC-FEEL AGAIN

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-HOME

PSY-GANGNUM STYLE

RIHANNA-DIAMONDS

TRAIN-50 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE

USHER-NUMB

AUSTIN MAHONE-SAY SOMETHIN

ED SHEERAN-THE A TEAM

FLO RIDA-I CRY

MEGAN & LIZ-BAD FOR ME

RITA ORA W/TINIE TEMPAH-R.I.P.

SCRIPT (THE) W/WILL.I.AM-HALL OF FAME

TREY SONGZ W/T.I.-2 REASONS

ZEDD W/MATTHEW KOMA-SPECTRUM

BRIDGIT MENDLER-READY OR NOT

CHRIS WALLACE-REMEMBER WHEN (PUSH REWIND)

ELLIE GOULDING-ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN

IMAGINE DRAGONS-IT’S TIME

LUMINEERS (THE)-HO HEY

SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA W/JOHN MARTIN-DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD

WONDER GIRLS W/AKON-LIKE MONEY

News 10/11/12

COB WOMAN INJURED IN ROLL OVER ACCIDENT JH 10/11/12

A COBB WOMAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.

31 YEAR OLD STEPHANIE SCHEMBRA WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 29 NEAR MIDDLETOWN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, WHEN SHE ALLOWED HER VEHICLE TO DRIFT ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IN AN EFFORT TO CORRECT HER COARSE SHE LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE WENT BACK ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED. ACCORDING TO CHP, SCHEMBRA RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

REDWOOD VALLEY VICTIM OF HOUSE FIRE IDENTIFIED JH 10/11/12

DENTAL RECORDS WERE USED TO IDENTIFY THE BODY THAT WAS FOUND IN THE RUBBLE OF A REDWOOD VALLEY HOME THAT BURNED LAST WEEK.

THE BODY WAS THAT OF THE MAN WHO LIVED IN THE HOME ON RADICAL RIDGE ROAD, 66 YEAR OLD COURTNEY J COLLINS. TOXICOLOGY REPORTS ARE PENDING AFTER AN AUTOPSY LAST FRIDAY. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

NORBURY TRIAL UPDATE JH 10/11/12

BILLY NORBURY, WHO IS ON TRIAL FOR MURDER CHARGES, TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE DIDN’T KNOW HIS NEIHBOR JAMAL ANDREWS AND DID NOT SHOOT HIM TO DEATH.

34 YEAR OLD NORBURY IS ACCUSED OF DRIVING AN ALL TERAIN VEHICLE TO ANDREW’S HOME AND SHOOTING HIM TWICE. DURING THE TRIAL SO FAR, DETECTIVES TESTIFIED THE ENGINE OF NORBURY’S ATV WAS STILL WARM WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT HIS PLACE OF RESIDENCE. THEY ALSO FOUND A RECENTLY FIRED WINCHESTER RIFLE WITH AN EMPTY SHELL CASING THAT MATCHED THE TWO FOUND AT THE CRIME SCENE. IF CONVICTED, ANOTHER TRIAL WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY TO DETERMINE WHETHER NORBURY WAS INSANE AT THE TIME OF THE CRIME.

BYPASS LAWSUIT GOES TO COURT JH 10/11/12

THE INJUNCTION HEARING ON THE LAWSUIT FILED TO STOP THE CURRENT HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS IS SCHEDULED IN A SAN FRANCISCO FEDERAL COURT TOMORROW MORNING.

CALTRANS, THE FOUR PLANTIFF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND THE CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU, FILED A SERIES OF MOTIONS LAST WEEK LEADING UP TO THE HEARING. THE MAIN TOPIC OF LAST WEEK’S MOTIONS WAS CALTRANS ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FROM PROVIDING ANY INPUT REGARDING THE INJUNCTION. THE INJUNCTION SEEKS TO STOP ALL CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE CASE, REGARDING THE CURRENT ROUTE OF THE BYPASS AMONG OTHER THINGS, IS RESOLVED IN COURT.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS NEW DZC JH 10/11/12

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED ITS NEW FORM-BASED DOWNTOWN ZONING CODE, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO STREAMLINE THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN THE CORE OF THE CITY.

THIS CODE IS THE RESULT OF YEARS OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE CITY COUNCIL. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, WHAT THIS CODE DOES, IN A NUTSHELL, IS PROVIDE CERTAINTY TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO BE BUILT, AND CERTAINTY TO THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AND PROPERTY OWNERS ABOUT WHAT THE RULES ARE. THE CODE WILL GO INTO EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER FORMAL ADOPTION.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS UP, YET LOCAL COMPANIES CAN’T FILL JOBS JH 10/11/12

WITH UNEMPLOYMENT STILL OVER 9 PERCENT IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, SOME EMPLOYERS ARE SAYING THEY ARE STILL HAVING TROUBLE FILLING THE JOBS THEY HAVE AVAILABLE.

THE COMPLAINT FROM SEVERAL LOCAL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IS THE SAME, THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THE AVAILABLE WORKFORCE ARE JUST NOT WILLING TO SHOW UP ON TIME AND COMMIT TO A JOB. MOST NEW HIRES SHOW UP FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN QUIT. WHILE MANY OF THE AVAILABLE JOBS REQUIRE A DEGREE AND OR SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE, THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS COMPANIES THAT OFFER TRAINING, BENEFITS, RETIREMENT, TUITION ASSISTANCE AND MORE. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE COUNTY ON MENDOCINO HAS ANYWHERE FROM 80 TO 100 JOBS THAT ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE LENGTHY PROCESS OF BEING FILLED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 11 JOBS THAT ARE ACTIVELY RECRUITING. THEY ARE LISTED ON THE COUNTIES WEB SITE.

STATE FIRE FEE CHALLENGED IN COURT JH 10/11/12

WHILE MENDOCINO COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE BILLS TO PAY A $150 DOLLAR FIRE PREVENTION FEE, THE HOWARD JARVIS TAXPAYER ASSOCIATION HAS FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT PROTESTING THE FEE.

INCLUDED IN THE LAWSUIT ARE TWO MENDOCINO COUNTY PLANTIFFS. ONE OF WHICH IS THE LAYTONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO PAY THE FEE ON ITS FIRE STATION. THE SUIT ALLEGES SINCE THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE FEE IS NOT PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO THOSE PAYING THE FEE, BUT TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A TAX. TAX INCREASES REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY TO PASS. EVEN GOVERNOR BROWN EXPRESSED DOUBT ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF THE ‘FEE’ WHEN HE SIGNED THE BUDGET BILL CREATING IT.

VISIT MENDOCINO COUNTY WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS JH 10/11/12

VISIT MENDOCINO COUNTY, THE OFFICIAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM DIVISION OF THE COUNTY RECENTLY RECEIVED THREE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AWARDS.

RICHARD STROM, VISIT MENDOCINO COUNTY’S DIRECTOR OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, HAS BEEN GRANTED THE DISTINGUISHED J. EARL GARDNER AWARD FOR HIS WORK TO PROMOTE THE COUNTY. THE SECOND AWARD WENT TO VISIT MENDOCINO COUNTY’S SCOTT SCHNEIDER, WHO WAS NAMED ONE OF THE NATIONS TOP TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS UNDER 40 BY THE SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY. THE THIRD AWARD WAS A NATIONAL 2012 SILVER MAGELLAN AWARD IN THE DESTINATION EVENT CATAGORY FOR THE 2012 CRAB & WINE FESTIVAL. THESE AWARDS DEMONSTARATE TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WHAT LOCALS HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN, MENDOCINO COUNTY IS A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND SOME TIME.