News 6/28/13

NARCOTICS FOUND IN KNIFE JH 06/28/13

A TRAFFIC STOP RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF THREE TEENAGERS FOR PROBATION VIOLATIONS AND DRUG CHARGES.

FORT BRAGG POLICE PULLED OVER A VEHICLE ON SOUTH MAIN STREET ON TUESDAY NIGHT FOR INADEQUATE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, AND RECOGNIZED ONE OF THE PASSENGERS AS 19 YEAR OLD RICHARD OLSTAD, WHO IS ON PROBATION. A SEARCH OF OLSTAD REVEALED A KNIFE WITH A SMALL STORAGE AREA THAT CONTAINED NARCOTICS NOT PRESCRIBED TO HIM. A GLASS PIPE WAS ALSO FOUND NEAR HIM. A SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE REVEALED TWO MORE KNIVES THAT WERE NEAR WHERE TWO JUVENILES WERE SEATED. BOTH JUVENILES WERE ALSO ON PROBATION. OLSTAD AND THE TWO JUVENILES WERE ARRESTED.

UKIAH WOMAN FACES UNUSUAL PROSECUTION IN DUI CASE JH 06/28/13

A UKIAH WOMAN IS FACING AN UNUSUAL PROSECUTION IN HER DUI CASE, AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE WANTS HER LICENSE REVOKED PERMANENTLY.

JOAN ELLEN RAINVILLE WAS CITED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IN A MAY 26 INCIDENT IN WHICH SHE REPORTEDLY DROVE THROUGH A NEIGHBORS FENCE AND RAMMED INTO THE HOUSE. THE DA IS CHARGING HER WITH BOTH DUI AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, AS THIS IS RAINVILLES SECOND ALCOHOL RELATED CRASH THIS YEAR AND HER 3RD SINCE 2005, ALL OF WHICH SHE HAD A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL THREE OR FOUR TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT. SHE ALSO HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR TWO OTHER ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENTS IN 1996 AND 2001, FOR A TOTAL OF 5 DUIS. RAINVILLES MAXIMUM PENALTY WITH A MISDEMEANOR DUI CONVICTION WOULD BE A YEAR IN COUNTY JAIL. BUT A FELONY CHARGE OF ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, THE VEHICLE SHE WAS DRIVING, COULD GET HER UP TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON AND PERMANENT REVOCATION OF HER LICENSE.

LAKE TRANSIT WORKERS PLAN A STRIKE FOR MONDAY JH 06/28/13

LAKE COUNTYS TRANSIT AGENCY IS PREPARING FOR A STRIKE, AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BROKE DOWN BETWEEN THE WORKERS UNION AND THE TRANSIT COMPANY.

LAKE TRANSIT IS OPERATED BY A WASHINGTON NON-PROFIT CALLED PARATRANSIT SERVICES, AND THE COMPANY HAS BEEN IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WORKERS UNION, TEAMSTERS LOCAL 665, OVER COST OF LIVING PAY INCREASES, BENEFITS AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. THE EMPLOYEES REJECTED AN OFFER BY THE COMPANY FOR A 2.2 PERCENT WAGE INCREASE, AMONG OTHER THINGS. UNION MEMBERS THEN VOTED TO STRIKE ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY JULY 1ST AND 2ND , WHICH WILL LIMIT TRANSIT SERVICES AVAILABLE IN LAKE COUNTY. EMPLOYEES WILL BE BACK TO WORK ON JULY 3RD, WITH FULL TRANSIT SERVICE RESTORED.

WILLITS CITY FEES WILL BE INCREASING JH 06/28/13

WILLITS CITY FEES WILL BE INCREASING EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST.

WHILE MOST CITY FEES WILL NOT CHANGE, THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF FEES THAT DO, AND SOME MAY AFFECT YOU. THE FEES FOR PARKING TICKETS WILL INCREASE BY ABOUT $25 DOLLARS. POLICE COPT FEES GO UP TO $0.25, TO MATCH THE COUNTY FEE. BUSINESS LICENSES WILL ONLY INCREASE BY ONE DOLLAR, BUT PLANNING REVIEWS WILL JUMP FROM $50 TO $200 FOR MINOR PROJECT SITE REVIEWS. ENGINEERING REVIEWS HAVE JUMPED EVEN MORE, FROM $200 TO $600 FOR MINOR SITES AND FROM $600 TO $800 FOR MAJOR SITES. SEWER FEES WILL INCREASE BY ABOUT 2 PERCENT, AND ALL THE FEES AT THE CITY POOL WILL ALSO INCREASE. THE ONLY FEE TO BE ELIMINATED IS FOR BICYCLE LICENSING.

ROAD WORK SUNDAY NIGHT WILL CAUSE SOME TRAFFIC DELAYS

JH 06/28/13

ROAD WORK THAT BEGINS SUNDAY NIGHT WILL CAUSE SOME MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

CAL TRANS WILL PERFORM MORE BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON HIGHWAY 101 AT THE HAEHL OVERHEAD BRIDGE BEGINNING AT 7 PM SUNDAY EVENING. WORK WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING FROM 7 PM TO 7 AM EACH NIGHT. A SHOULDER CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT AND MOTORIST MAY EXPERIENCE MINOR SLOWDOWNS.

CAL TRANS WILL ALSO PERFORM BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON HIGHWAY 253 AT THE HIGHWAY 101 AND 253 SEPARATION BEGINNING SUNDAY EVENING AT 6 PM. WORK WILL CONTINUE NIGHTLY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 6 PM TO 8 AM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 10-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

EARTH FIRST ACTIVISTS DANGEROUSLY RESUPPLY CRANE-SITTER AT WILLITS BYPASS SITE JH 06/28/13

IN AN ACTION COMBINING DARING, DANGER AND STUPIDITY, AND EARTH FIRST ACTIVIST SUCCEEDED IN CLIMBING ATOP THE SECOND WICK DRAIN DRIVER AT THE WILLITS BYPASS WORK SITE.

THE CLIMBER STRUNG A TRAVERSE ROPE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO CRANE SITTER WILL PARRISH TO DELIVER A PHONE AND SUPPLIES, AS PARRISH HAD BEEN WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER FOR NEARLY A WEEK. ACCORDING TO EARTH FIRST, THE CLIMBER SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MAKE HIS DELIVERY AND ESCAPE THE SCENE WITHOUT BEING ARRESTED. LAST SATURDAY, FOUR PROTESTERS WERE ARRESTED AS THEY TRIED TO RESUPPLY PARRISH. AT LEAST ONE OF THE PROTESTERS ARRESTED, SARAH GRUSKY, WAS LEFT IN A PATROL CAR WHILE OFFICERS FOCUSED ON THE REMAINING PROTESTERS. GRUSKY THEN REPORTEDLY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WALKED OFF WITH OTHER PROTESTERS WHILE STILL WEARING HANDCUFFS. GRUSKY LATER WENT TO WILLITS CITY HALL AND CALLED CHP TO TURN HERSELF IN.

FISH AND GAME COMMISSION MODIFIED ABALONE REGULATIONS

JH 06/28/13

THE CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TOOK ACTION TO MODIFY ABALONE FISHERY REGULATIONS ALONG THE NORTH COAST ON WEDNESDAY.

THE COMMISSION VOTED TO REDUCE THE ANNUAL LIMIT TO 18, DOWN FROM 24, WITH NO MORE THAN 9 TAKEN FROM SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES. OTHER CHANGES TO ABALONE REGULATIONS INCLUDE A COAST-WIDE START TIME FOR THE FISHING DAY OF 8 AM AND A CLOSURE AT FT. ROSS IN SONOMA COUNTY. THE NEW REGULATIONS ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ABALONE POPULATIONS IN SONOMA AND MARIN TO INCREASE, AND TO HELP MENDOCINO COUNTY MAINTAIN A PRODUCTIVE FISHERY.

FIREWORKS IN LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES FOR 2013 JH 06/28/13

THIS YEAR THERE ARE SEVERAL PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAYS TO TAKE THE FAMILY TO:

SATURDAY, JUNE 29TH:

UKIAH SPEEDWAY IN BETWEEN RACES.

THURSDAY, JULY 4TH:

FIREWORKS AND 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN LAKEPORT AT LIBRARY PARK. INCLUDES STREET FAIR AND CARDBOARD BOAT RACES.

FRIDAY, JULY 5TH

THE MAXINE SHERMAN MEMORIAL ANNUAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY WILL BE AT WIGEON BAY IN CLEARLAKE OAKS.

SATURDAY, JULY 6TH

THE WORLDS LARGEST SALMON BARBEQUE AND FIRE WORKS DISPLAY IN FORT BRAGG. THE BBQ IS IN NOYO HARBOR AND THE FIREWORKS ARE ON THE OCEAN SIDE OF POMO BLUFFS AT TODDS POINT.

THE POINT ARENA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION INCLUDING A STREET FAIR AND PARADE.

CITY OF CLEARLAKE INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVITIES INCLUDING A STREET FAIR, PARADE, CAR SHOW, WORM RACES AND MORE.

LAKEPORT SPEEDWAY AFTER THE RACES.

News 6/27/13

UKIAH MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING JH 06/27/13

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR AN ALLEGED STABBING TUESDAY EVENING.

A CALLER REPORTED THAT HE ARRIVED AT THE SOUTH DORA LOCATION TO PICK UP A FRIEND, WHEN HE SAW HIS FRIEND GET STABBED BEFORE THE SUSPECT FLED IN A VEHICLE. THE CALLER THEN TRANSPORTED THE VICTIM TO UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE VICTIM WAS STABBED BY A MAN HE ONLY KNEW AS BLAINE, WHO WAS ANGRY THAT THE VICTIM WAS OUTSIDE BLAINES GIRLFRIENDS RESIDENCE. BLAINE CONFRONTED THE VICTIM WITH A LARGE KNIFE, AND DURING THE ENSUING SCUFFLE, BLAINE ALLEGEDLY STABBED THE VICTIM ONCE. POLICE RETURNED TO THE RESIDENCE IN AN EFFORT TO CONTACT THE GIRLFRIEND AND IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT, AND FOUND THAT THE SUSPECT, 62 YEAR OLD ROBERT BLAINE BENNETT WAS AT THE LOCATION. BENNETT ADMITTED TO THE STABBING AND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

GROUP ACCUSED OF MAKING FAKE CHECKS JH 06/27/13

FOUR PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN FORT BRAGG FOR ALLEGEDLY PASSING FAKE CHECKS AND SELLING METHAMPHETAMINE.

POLICE RESPONDED TO A CLOTHING STORE ON NORTH FRANKLIN STREET MONDAY AFTERNOON WHERE THEY WERE TOLD THAT A MAN AND TWO WOMEN PAID FOR CLOTHING WITH A CREDIT CARD THAT WAS DENIED. THEY THEN USED A CHECK THAT WAS BELIEVED TO BE FAKE. THE INDIVIDUAL CALLED THE BANK WHO CONFIRMED HER SUSPICIONS, AND SHE REPORTEDLY THEN WENT OUT TO THE PARKING LOT AND CONFRONTED THE SUSPECTS. SHE RETRIEVED ONE BAG OF CLOTHING AND GOT THEIR LICENSE PLATE NUMBER. POLICE LOCATED THE SUSPECTS AT A MOTEL WHERE THEY FOUND FOUR PEOPLE, TWO OF WHOM ADMITTED TO BEING AT THE CLOTHING STORE. THEY ALSO IDENTIFIED THE MAN THEY WERE WITH AT THE STORE AS ERIC SIHN. POLICE SEARCHED THE TWO ROOMS THEY WERE IN AND THEIR VEHICLE AND FOUND METHAMPHETAMINE AND ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALES OF METH AS WELL AS A COMPUTER, PRINTER AND PAPER TO INDICATE THEY WERE PRINTING THE FAKE CHECKS. THE FOUR SUSPECTS FROM SANTA ROSA, LOS ANGELES AND MEXICO WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL. POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ERIC SIHN. ANYONE WHO MAY KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF ERIC SIHN IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE FORT BRAGG POLICE AT 261-2800.

HOME INVASION SUSPECTS SHOOT AT POLICE BEFORE BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY JH 06/27/13

A CLEARLAKE OAKS MAN WAS SHOT YESTERDAY DURING A HOME INVASION ROBBERY.

FOUR SUSPECTS FORCED ENTRY INTO THE HIGH VALLEY ROAD HOME OF RONNIE AND JANEANE BOGNER JUST BEFORE 9 AM. THE SUSPECTS, ONE A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF RONNIE BOGNERS BUSINESS, APPEARED TO BE LOOKING FOR MONEY AND FIREARMS. DURING THE ROBBERY, THE SUSPECTS SHOT JACOB BOGNER IN THE LEG AND PISTOL WHIPPED HIM SEVERAL TIMES. JACOB WAS HOSPITALIZED AND IS DOING FINE. THE SUSPECTS TOOK AT LEAST TWO GUNS AND THE FAMILIES ESCALADE AND FLED. AUTHORITIES LATER LOCATED THE SUSPECTS IN A DIFFERENT VEHICLE, AND A CHASE BEGAN, WHICH ENDED ON A DEAD END STREET. WHILE FLEEING ON FOOT, THE SUSPECTS FIRED AT AUTHORITIES BEFORE HIDING IN A NEARBY HOME ON 15TH STREET. SEVERAL SUSPECTS WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY MID AFTERNOON, AND THE LAST SUSPECT FINALLY SURRENDERED AT ABOUT 7:30 LAST NIGHT.

MENDOCINO COUNTY READY FOR GAY MARRIAGE JH 06/27/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY IS READY FOR GAY MARRIAGE, AND IS JUST WAITING FOR THE STATE TO GIVE THE FINAL GO AHEAD.

ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY CLERK, SHE HAS ALREADY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE STATE EXPLAINING HOW IT WILL PROCEED TO REINSTATE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES. THE STATE NEEDS TO WAIT FOR THE 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO LIFT THE STAY IT HAD PLACED ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA WHILE THE SUPREME COURT CONSIDERED THE CASE. NOW THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS DECIDED TO LET THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURTS RULING STAND, WHICH DECLARES PROPOSITION 8 UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THE STAY WILL BE LIFTED. IT WILL BE 25 DAYS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT RULING BECOMES OFFICIAL AND THE COURT OF APPEALS CAN LIFT THE STAY. ONCE THAT HAPPENS, THE COUNTY WILL BE REQUIRED TO START ISSUING MARRIAGE LICENSES TO SAME-SEX COUPLE AGAIN.

BROADBAND ALLIANCE EVENT: THE STATE OF BROADBAND IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, 2013 JH 06/27/13

THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY AND ACCESS SONOMA BROADBAND ARE JOINTLY PRESENTING AN EVENT TOMORROW CALLED: THE STATE OF BROADBAND IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, 2013.

ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATIONS, BROADBAND SERVICE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IS SUBSTANTIALLY SUBSTANDARD IN MANY AREAS, AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE, OR THE ECONOMY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL BE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. TOMORROWS PRESENTATION WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MENDOCINO COUNTYS OFFICE AT 204 SOUTH OAK STREET IN UKIAH. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.MENDOCINOBROADBAND.ORG.

FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL JH 06/27/13

CAL FIRE WANTS TO REMIND AND WARN PEOPLE THAT FIREWORKS POSE A MAJOR DANGER IN CALIFORNIAS SAFETY.

MANY SERIOUS INJURIES OCCUR NATIONWIDE DUE TO CARELESS HANDLING OF FIREWORKS, AND IN MENDOCINO COUNTY ALL TYPES OF FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL AND THEIR USE IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW. ANYONE POSSESSING, TRANSPORTING OR USING FIREWORKS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY IS IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAYS IN LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTY THIS YEAR. ENJOY ONE OR MORE OF THEM AND STAY AWAY FROM ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, AS YOU WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED.

News 6/26/13

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE JH 06/26/13

A RESIDENT ON SOUTH FRANKLIN IN FORT BRAGG CALLED POLICE AFTER HEARING A WOMAN YELLING LET ME GO SEVERAL TIMES.

POLICE ARRIVED AT THE RESIDENCE TO FIND 22 YEAR OLD DEVIN FRANKLIN KESTER-TYLER AND HIS GIRL FRIEND OF SIX MONTHS. THE GIRLFRIEND REPORTED THAT DURING AN ARGUMENT, KESTER-TYLER GRABBED HER WRIST AND WOULD NOT LET HER GO. WHEN SHE FINALLY BROKE FREE OF HIS GRIP, HE KEPT BLOCKING HER PATH, RESTRICTING HER MOVEMENT. KESTER-TYLER ADMIT TO THE ACCUSATIONS, AND WAS ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT FOR RESTRICTING HER FREEDOM.

LAKE TRANSIT WORKERS PLAN A STRIKE FOR NEXT WEEK JH 06/26/13

LAKE COUNTYS TRANSIT AGENCY IS PREPARING FOR A STRIKE, AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BROKE DOWN BETWEEN THE WORKERS UNION AND THE TRANSIT COMPANY.

LAKE TRANSIT IS OPERATED BY A WASHINGTON NON-PROFIT CALLED PARATRANSIT SERVICES, AND THE COMPANY HAS BEEN IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WORKERS UNION, TEAMSTERS LOCAL 665, OVER COST OF LIVING PAY INCREASES, BENEFITS AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. THE EMPLOYEES REJECTED AN OFFER BY THE COMPANY FOR A 2.2 PERCENT WAGE INCREASE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND VOTED TO STRIKE ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY JULY 1ST AND 2ND , WHICH WILL LIMIT TRANSIT SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY. EMPLOYEES WILL BE BACK TO WORK ON JULY 3RD, WITH FULL TRANSIT SERVICE AVAILABLE.

LAKESIDE HEIGHTS EMERGENCY DECLARATION DENIED BY STATE

JH 06/26/13

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONSIDERED ENDING THE LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR THE LAKESIDE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION AFTER THE STATE DECLINED THEIR EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION REQUEST.

THE COUNTY HAS WORKED FOR THREE MONTHS TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE LANDSLIDE THAT BEGAN IN LATE MARCH AND HAS SINCE RESULTED IN APPROXIMATELY 7 HOMES BEING RED-TAGGED AND SEVERAL MORE BEING VOLUNTARILY EVACUATED IN THE HILL ROAD SUBDIVISION. AFTER WAITING TWO MONTHS FOR A STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION FROM THE STATE THAT WOULD ENABLE THE COUNTY TO GET ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING FROM THE STATE, THE COUNTY RECEIVED WORD LAST WEEK THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DENIED THEIR REQUEST. THE BOARD ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO LEAVE THE LOCAL DECLARATION IN PLACE, AS THE SITUATION IS STILL DANGEROUS AND THE GROUND IS STILL MOVING.

JACKSON DEMONSTRATION FOREST RECREATION TASK FORCE MEETING

JH 06/26/13

THERE WILL BE A RECREATION TASK FORCE MEETING NEXT WEEK FOR THE JACKSON DEMONSTRATION STATE FOREST.

THE MEETING IS IN REGARD TO A RECREATION USER SURVEY THAT WILL BE CONDUCTED ON RANDOM DATES AND LOCATIONS WITHIN JACKSON DEMONSTRATION STATE FOREST THROUGH THE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL. THE RESULTS OF THE RECREATION USER SURVEY WILL HELP GUIDE DEVELOPMENT OF A RECREATION PLAN FOR THE FOREST. THE TASK FORCE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CAMP ONE-DAY USE AREA ON JULY 3RD AT 2 PM. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO BE THERE.

CLEARLAKE TO CONSIDER A NEW MEASURE G FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

JH 06/26/13

THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A NEW MEASURE G FOR THIS NOVEMBERS ELECTION.

MEASURE G, WHICH PROPOSED A 1 PERCENT SALES TAX INCREASE WITHIN THE CITY TO PAY FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND CODE ENFORCEMENT, WAS NARROWLY DEFEATED LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, THE MEASURE DID RECEIVE STRONG SUPPORT, COLLECTING 61.7 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, BUT IT NEEDED A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY TO PASS. THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS A NEW MEASURE TOMORROW, AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE AMENDED OR KEPT THE SAME, AND WHETHER TO PUSH IT FOR THIS NOVEMBERS ELECTION OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. THE MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY AT 6 PM IN CLEARLAKE CITY HALL.

TRAFFIC STOP TURNS TO DRUG BUST JH 06/26/13

A COVELO WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP TURNED INTO A DRUG BUST.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS PULLED OVER A VEHICLE FRIDAY FOR HAVING EXPIRED REGISTRATION. THE DRIVER, 23-YEAR-OLD BRIDGETTE FRANK WAS FOUND TO BE DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE, AND DEPUTIES NOTICED HER PASSENGER, 34 YEAR OLD CHAYNI FRAZIER, WAS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. FRAZIER WAS THEN SEEN TURNING AWAY FROM DEPUTIES AND APPEARED TO HIDE SOMETHING IN THE FRONT OF HER PANTS. WHEN CONFRONTED ABOUT HER ACTIONS, FRAZIER ADMIT TO HIDING A PLASTIC CONTAINER OF DRUGS IN HER PANTS. FRAZIER WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL, AND FRANK WAS CITED AND RELEASED.

LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS USE GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR A LAWSUIT DECISION AGAINST THE SHERIFF AND COUNTY JH 06/26/13

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DECIDED TUESDAY HOW TO PAY ATTORNEY FEES THAT STEMMED FROM A LAWSUIT BETWEEN THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS AND THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE.

THE TWO PARTIES SETTLED OUT OF COURT ON THE MEDIA ACCESS SUIT THAT ALLEGED THAT THE SHERIFF BLACKLISTED THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS WEBSITE FROM PRESS RELEASES BECAUSE HE DIDNT LIKE THEIR UNFAVORABLE REPORTING ON HIM. A JUDGE THEN ORDERED THE SHERIFFS OFFICE AND COUNTY TO PAY THE NEWS AGENCIES LEGAL FEES OF $110,900. SUPERVISOR BROWN ASKED, SHORT OF TAKING IT OUT OF THE SHERIFFS PAY, WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS? THE SUPERVISORS THEN REVIEWED THEIR OPTIONS, INCLUDING THE SHERIFFS OFFICE BUDGET, BUT ULTIMATELY DECIDED ON GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCIES.

Playlist 6/27/13

DAFT PUNK W/PHARRELL WILLIAMS-GET LUCKY

FALL OUT BOY-MY SONG KNOWS WHAT YOU DID IN THE DARK

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE W/NELLY-CRUISE

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-MIRRORS

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/RAY DALTON-CAN’T HOLD US

SELENA GOMEZ-COME & GET IT

ANNA KENDRICK-CUPS (PITCH PERFECT WHEN I’M GONE)

ARIANA GRANDE W/MAC MILLER-THE WAY

BRUNO MARS-TREASURE

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-I NEED YOUR LOVE

CAPITAL CITIES-SAFE AND SOUND

ED SHEERAN-LEGO HOUSE

IMAGINE DRAGONS-RADIOACTIVE

JASON DERULO-THE OTHER SIDE

KE$HA-CRAZY KIDS

KELLY CLARKSON-PEOPLE LIKE US

MARIAH CAREY W/MIGUEL-BEAUTIFUL

MAROON 5-LOVE SOMEBODY

ROBIN THICKE W/PHARRELL & T.I.-BLURRED LINES

ZEDD W/FOXES-CLARITY

AUSTIN MAHONE-WHAT ABOUT LOVE

EMBLEM3-CHLOE (YOU’RE THE ONE I WANT)

LABRINTH W/EMELI SANDE-BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/MARY LAMBERT-SAME LOVE

MILEY CYRUS-WE CAN’T STOP

NIKKI WILLIAMS-GLOWING

RIHANNA W/DAVID GUETTA-RIGHT NOW

AWOLNATION-SAIL

DAVID GUETTA W/NE-YO & AKON-PLAY HARD

J. COLE W/MIGUEL-POWER TRIP

JAKE MILLER-A MILLION LIVES

PARAMORE-STILL INTO YOU

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-GONE, GONE, GONE

SEAN KINGSTON W/CHRIS BROWN & WIZ KHALIFA-BEAT IT

News 6/25/13

MORE PROTESTERS ARRESTED AT WILLITS BYPASS WORK SITE

JH 06/25/13

AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND WHILE TRYING TO GET FOOD AND WATER TO THE PROTESTER WHO IS TRYING TO HALT CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS.

31-YEAR-OLD WILL PARRISH OF UKIAH, CLIMBED THE 90 FOOT STEEL TOWER, THAT IS USED TO INSTALL WICK DRAINS, LAST THURSDAY AND HAS BEEN LIVING ON A SMALL PLATFORM ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE TOWER. PARRISH HAS NOW RUN OUT OF FOOD AND WATER AND CANNOT COME DOWN ON HIS OWN BECAUSE HIS CLIMBING ROPE IS COVERED IN GREASE FROM THE EQUIPMENT. PROTESTERS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE PARRISH FOOD WERE DENIED AND TOLD TO LEAVE. AS PARRISH LOWERED A ROPE FOR SUPPLIES, CHP CUT IT. THERE ARE CONFLICTING REPORTS ON JUST HOW MANY PROTESTERS WERE ARRESTED AS CHP REPORTS 4, HOWEVER, EARTH FIRST REPORTS 6. CAL TRANS AND CHP ARE MONITORING THE SITE, AND SAY THEY WILL ARREST ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS TO BRING SUPPLIES TO PARRISH. MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED RELATED TO BYPASS PROTESTS SINCE APRIL. ACCORDING TO CAL TRANS, THESE PROTESTS HAVE COST TAXPAYERS MORE $1.2 MILLION SINCE APRIL.

PHONE DISTRACTION CAUSES ACCIDENT JH 06/25/13

A KELSEYVILLE WOMAN SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES IN A WEEKEND CRASH AFTER SHE WAS DISTRACTED BY HER CELL PHONE.

70-YEAR-OLD JEANNE MARIE RIXEN WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON KELSEY CREEK DRIVE WHEN SHE TOOK HER EYES OFF THE ROAD TO REACH FOR HER RINGING CELL PHONE. SHE ALLOWED HER VEHICLE TO DRIFT OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A WALNUT ORCHARD WHERE SHE HIT A TREE HEAD ON. FIRE PERSONNEL HAD TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO EXTRICATE RIXEN, AND SHE WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

MENDOCINO COUNTY BENEFITS FROM TRIBAL GAMING JH 06/25/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY BENEFITS FROM TRIBAL GAMING, AS THE INDIAN GAMING SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION FUND AWARDED OVER $140,000 TO COUNTY AGENCIES THIS YEAR.

THE STATE CONTROLLERS OFFICE DISTRIBUTES A PERCENTAGE OF GAMING FEES GENERATED BY PARTICIPATING TRIBAL CASINOS INTO COUNTY ADMINISTERED SPECIAL FUNDS. EACH FUND WAS CREATED TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF TRIBAL GAMING ON LOCAL AGENCIES. IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, THE ONLY TRIBE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IS THE HOPLAND BAND OF POMO INDIANS. THIS YEAR AWARDS WILL SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, VICTIMS WITNESS ASSISTANCE, A SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM, AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

LUCERNE WOMAN DIES IN HEAD ON CRASH JH 06/25/13

A LUCERNE WOMAN DIED YESTERDAY AFTER BEING HIT HEAD-ON BY A DRIVER WHO LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE.

30-YEAR-OLD BRIAN OROURKE OF SACRAMENTO WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 20 AT SPEEDS TOO FAST FOR THE WET ROAD CONDITIONS. ON A RIGHT HAND CURVE IN THE ROAD, OROURKE CROSSED THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINES AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 37-YEAR-OLD ELIZABETH TOWN. OROURKES VEHICLE CONTINUED EASTBOUND AND SIDE-SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 50 YEAR OLD FRANK HUTTON III OF LUCERNE. OROURKE AND HUTTON SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, AND TOWN DIED AT SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL IN LAKEPORT.

LAKE COUNTY SUPERVISOR RECALL DRAFT PETITION SUBMIT

JH 06/25/13

THE PROPONENTS OF THE EFFORT TO RECALL LAKE COUNTY 5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR ROB BROWN HAVE FILED THEIR PROPOSED PETITION.

THEY MUST NOW WAIT FOR APPROVAL FROM THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE BEFORE THEY CAN START GATHERING SIGNATURES FOR THE RECALL. MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS FOR RECALL OF SUPERVISOR ROB BROWN CONTEND THAT HE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BECAUSE THEY FEEL DISSATISFIED WITH HIS SERVICE AND REPRESENTATION, OPPOSE HIS CONDUCT AND ARGUE BROWN HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BECAUSE HE WORKS AS A BAIL BONDSMAN. IN HIS FORMAL RESPONSE, BROWN CALLED THE RECALL EFFORT DISHONEST AND COSTLY. A SUCCESSFUL RECALL PETITION WOULD REQUIRE 1,833 SIGNATURES FROM DISTRICT 5 REGISTERED VOTERS.

LIBRARY CANNED FOOD DRIVE JH 06/25/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY LIBRARY IS PARTNERING WITH LOCAL FOOD BANKS THIS SUMMER IN A CANNED FOOD DRIVE THAT RECENTLY STARTED AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH AUGUST 17TH.

DURING THE GIVING IS A TREAT FOOD DRIVE, THE COUNTY LIBRARY WILL OFFER FOOD-FOR-FINES FORGIVENESS: FOR EACH NON-PERISHABLE CANNED FOOD ITEM BOUGHT TO ANY COUNTY LIBRARY, $2 WILL BE SUBTRACTED FROM A PATRONS OVERDUE FINES. ALTHOUGH, EVEN IF YOU DONT HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING LIBRARY FINES, YOUR DONATIONS ARE WELCOME.

LIVE-FIRE TRAINING EXERCISE ON COYOTE DAM JH 06/25/13

THE US ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS AT LAKE MENDOCINO, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CAL FIRE AND OTHER LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS WILL TEAM IN A SCHEDULED LIVE-FIRE TRAINING EXERCISE TO BURN THE FACE OF COYOTE DAM.

THE BURN WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR YESTERDAY, BUT DUE TO RAIN, HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT MONDAY, JULY 1ST AT 5 PM. ACCESS TO WALKING ACROSS THE DAM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED BEGINNING AT 4 PM, JULY 1ST AND UNTIL THE BURNING IS COMPLETE.

ROAD WORK TODAY JH 06/25/13

ROAD WORK TODAY MAY CAUSE MINOR DELAYS.

PG&E WILL PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 175 NEAR COBB VILLAGE TODAY FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM.

AT&T WILL ALSO PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 175 TODAY FROM EAST SIDE RANCHERIA ROAD TO BUCKMAN DRIVE FROM 9 AM TO NOON.

AT BOTH LOCATIONS, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

Playlist 6/20/13

FALL OUT BOY-MY SONG KNOWS WHAT YOU DID IN THE DARK

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE W/NELLY-CRUISE

ICONA POP W/CHARLI XCX-I LOVE IT

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-MIRRORS

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/RAY DALTON-CAN’T HOLD US

SELENA GOMEZ-COME & GET IT

ANNA KENDRICK-CUPS (PITCH PERFECT WHEN I’M GONE)

ARIANA GRANDE W/MAC MILLER-THE WAY

AVRIL LAVIGNE-HERE’S TO NEVER GROWING UP

BRUNO MARS-TREASURE

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-I NEED YOUR LOVE

DAFT PUNK W/PHARRELL WILLIAMS-GET LUCKY

ED SHEERAN-LEGO HOUSE

EMELI SANDE-NEXT TO ME

IMAGINE DRAGONS-RADIOACTIVE

JASON DERULO-THE OTHER SIDE

KE$HA-CRAZY KIDS

MARIAH CAREY W/MIGUEL-BEAUTIFUL

MAROON 5-LOVE SOMEBODY

ROBIN THICKE W/PHARRELL & T.I.-BLURRED LINES

ZEDD W/FOXES-CLARITY

CAPITAL CITIES-SAFE AND SOUND

CHRIS BROWN-FINE CHINA

EMBLEM3-CHLOE (YOU’RE THE ONE I WANT)

KELLY CLARKSON-PEOPLE LIKE US

LABRINTH W/EMELI SANDE-BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/MARY LAMBERT-SAME LOVE

NIKKI WILLIAMS-GLOWING

RIHANNA W/DAVID GUETTA-RIGHT NOW

A GREAT BIG WORLD-THIS IS THE NEW YEAR

DROP CITY YACHT CLUB W/JEREMIH-CRICKETS

J. COLE W/MIGUEL-POWER TRIP

JAKE MILLER-A MILLION LIVES

MILEY CYRUS-WE CAN’T STOP

PARAMORE-STILL INTO YOU

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-GONE, GONE, GONE

SEAN KINGSTON W/CHRIS BROWN & WIZ KHALIFA-BEAT IT

News 6/24/13

AUTHORITIES SEEK SUSPECT AFTER CHASE JH 06/24/13

AUTHORITIES SEEK SUSPECT WITH OUTSTANDING WARRANTS AFTER A HIGH SPEED CHASE ENDED IN A COLLISION.

AUTHORITIES WENT TO SERVE 28-YEAR-OLD JONATHAN WATTERS WITH TWO OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS ON THURSDAY. UPON ARRIVAL WATTERS WAS ALREADY IN A VEHICLE WITH TWO PASSENGERS LEAVING HIS RESIDENCE. THE SHERIFF DEPUTY ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER THE VEHICLE NEAR FAIRWAY DRIVE AND SODA BAY ROAD, HOWEVER, WATTERS FLED AT HIGH SPEED. AT ONE POINT, WATTERS TRIED TO LET HIS PASSENGERS OUT, BUT INSTEAD CRASHED INTO A TREE, BEFORE FLEEING ON FOOT. WATTERS IS STILL AT LARGE AND DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE, 6 FEET, 2 INCHES TALL WITH A MEDIUM BUILD. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF JONATHAN WATTERS IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AT 279-0103.

MARIJUANA INVESTIGATION LEADS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASE

JH 06/24/13

TWO MEN ARRESTED LAST MONTH IN CONNECTION WITH A LARGE MARIJUANA CULTIVATION OPERATION ARE NOW FACING CHARGES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS WELL.

30 YEAR OLD RYAN BALLETTO OF LAKEPORT AND 24 YEAR OLD PATRICK PEARMAIN OF CLEARLAKE, WHO WERE ARRESTED IN MAY ON POT CHARGES, ARE NOW ACCUSED OF BRINGING A 15 YEAR OLD RUNAWAY GIRL FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO THEIR REMOTE GROW SITE AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE MEN FACE MULTIPLE CHARGES AND COULD EACH FACE NEARLY 16 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON ALL CHARGES.

WEST NILE VIRUS FOUND IN LAKE COUNTY JH 06/24/13

A SAMPLE OF MOSQUITOES COLLECTED LAST WEEK SOUTH OF KELSEYVILLE TESTED POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THIS IS THE EARLIEST DATE THAT THEY HAVE EVER DETECTED WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY IN LAKE COUNTY, AND IT MAY BE A WARNING THAT THIS WILL BE A VERY ACTIVE YEAR FOR THE VIRUS. WEST NILE VIRUS HAS BEEN DETECTED IN 17 CALIFORNIA COUNTIES SO FAR THIS YEAR, MAINLY IN MOSQUITOES AND DEAD BIRDS. ONE FATAL HUMAN CASE WAS REPORTED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. WEST NILE VIRUS CAUSES NO SYMPTOMS IN APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO CATCH THE INFECTION. UP TO 20 PERCENT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF SYMPTOMS THAT RANGE FROM FATIGUE, FEVER, HEADACHE, BODY ACHES, RASH AND EVEN NAUSEA AND VOMITING. LESS THAN ONE PERCENT SUFFERS SEVERE ILLNESS THAT CAN BE FATAL.

OLYMPIC DRIVE CLOSED THIS WEEK JH 06/24/13

OLYMPIC DRIVE IN CLEARLAKE WILL BE CLOSED FOR MUCH OF THE WEEK.

THE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN HIGHWAY 53 AND OLD HIGHWAY 53 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY (JUNE 24 26) FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM WITH DETOURS PROVIDED.

FIRE DESTROYS GARAGE JH 06/24/13

A FIRE IN A DETACHED GARAGE MOVED INTO THE NEARBY HOUSE THURSDAY NIGHT.

BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE REDEMEYER ROAD HOME JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, THE GARAGE WAS FULLY INVOLVED AND THE FLAMES WERE MOVING INTO THE ATTIC AREA OF THE HOUSE. FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE AND SAVE MOST OF THE HOME, EXCEPT THE ROOF. ACCORDING TO FIRE OFFICIALS, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE.

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF RECALL EFFORT NEARS GOAL JH 06/24/13

THE GROUP BEHIND THE EFFORT TO RECALL LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO REPORTED THAT IT HAS MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF THE NEEDED SIGNATURES TO GET THE RECALL ON THE BALLOT.

ACCORDING TO THE COMMITTEE TO RECALL RIVERO AND RESTORE INTEGRITY, THEY HAVE MORE THAN 6,400 SIGNATURES AND THAT NUMBER IS GROWING DAILY. THE GROUP MUST GATHER A MINIMUM OF 7,026 SIGNATURE FROM REGISTERED LAKE COUNTY VOTERS BY JUNE 26TH TO GET THE RECALL ON THE COMING NOVEMBER BALLOT. A POTENTIAL RECALL ELECTION WOULD DETERMINE WHO COMPLETES RIVEROS CURRENT TERM IN OFFICE, WHICH HAS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF REMAINING.

PALACE HOTEL MAKING SLOW PROGRESS, MAYOR NOT HAPPY

JH 06/24/13

THE OWNER OF THE PALACE HOTEL IN UKIAH, ELADIA LAINES, REPORTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL LAST WEEK THAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, BUT MAYOR DOUG CRANE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH HOW SLOW IT IS GOING.

ACCORDING TO LAINES, 14 TONS OF MATERIAL HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING, AND IT TAKES TIME AS IT ALL HAS TO BE SORTED, RECYCLED, TESTED AND THEN REMOVED TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR PERMIT AND THE MENDOCINO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. THE CONTRACTORS INVOLVED ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT SEALING WINDOWS AND ROOF REPAIRS BEFORE THE NEXT RAINY SEASON APPROACHES. THE COUNCIL THEN AGREED TO CONTINUE A VOTE ON WHETHER THE CITY SHOULD TAKE OVER REHABILITATION OF THE BUILDING, AND TAKE UP THE TOPIC AGAIN AT ITS JULY 17 MEETING.

ROAD WORK TODAY JH 06/24/13

ROAD WORK TODAY MAY CAUSE MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL CONTINUE ON HIGHWAY 101 FROM JUST NORTH OF CASTEEL LANE TO THE NORTH WILLITS RAILROAD CROSSING. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM WEEKDAYS. INTERMITTENT FULL ROAD CLOSURES WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 10-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 1 FROM MAIN STREET IN POINT ARENA TO THE CAL FIRE STATION BEGINNING TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM WEEKDAYS WITH ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL IN EFFECT AND 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 6/21/13

BODY FOUND IN LAYTONVILLE IDENTIFIED JH 06/21/13

THE BODY FOUND IN LAYTONVILLE ON MONDAY OF AN APPARENT HOMICIDE VICTIM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN UPPER LAKE MAN.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE MAN FOUND SHOT TO DEATH WHILE CAMPING NEAR MARIJUANA PLANTS ON SPYROCK ROAD WAS 23-YEAR-OLD HUGO OLEA-LOPEZ. THE AUTOPSY PERFORMED WEDNESDAY REVEALED THAT OLEA-LOPEZ DIED OF A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE TORSO. SHERIFFS DETECTIVES ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION AND AS OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON, NO MOTIVE AND NO SUSPECTS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO THIS CASE IS URGED TO CONTACT THE SHERIFFS OFFICE TIP LINE AT 234-2100.

CONSERVATION GROUP SAVES THE SKUNK TRAIN JH 06/21/13

THE SKUNK TRAIN, WHICH HAS BEEN IN DANGER OF GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SINCE A TUNNEL COLLAPSED IN APRIL, HAS BEEN SAVED BY A CONSERVATION GROUP.

SAN FRANCISCO BASED SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE WILL PAY $300,000 FOR AN OPTION TO BUY ALL OR PART OF THE REDWOOD LINED RIGHT OF WAY ALONG THE 40-MILE ROUTE BETWEEN FORT BRAGG AND WILLITS. THAT MONEY WILL ALLOW THE SKUNK TRAIN OWNER, MENDOCINO RAILWAY, TO CLEAR OUT AND REPAIR THE DAMAGED TUNNEL. THE TRAIN HAD BEEN RAISING FUNDS THROUGH THE WEB SITE GOFUNDME, THOUGH THE FUNDS RAISED SO FAR WERE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO SAVE THE RAILROAD. THANKS TO THE SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE, OFFICIALS EXPECT TO HAVE FULL SERVICE RESTORED BY THE MIDDLE OF JULY.

NAIL SALON EMPLOYEE ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL BATTERY AT WORK

JH 06/21/13

A FORT BRAGG NAIL SALON EMPLOYEE WAS ARRESTED FOR COMMITTING SEXUAL BATTERY AT WORK.

A 23 YEAR OLD FEMALE REPORTED GOING TO MY BEAUTIFUL NAILS FOR A PEDICURE. DURING THE SERVICE DONE BY 24-YEAR-OLD ANHTUAN NGUYEN, THE VICTIM REPORTED THAT NGUYEN BEGAN TOUCHING HER INAPPROPRIATELY. NGUYEN ALLEGEDLY SLID HIS HANDS UNDERNEATH HER PANTS RUBBING THE INSIDE OF HER THIGH. WHEN QUESTIONED BY POLICE, NGUYEN ADMITTED TOUCHING THE VICTIM IN A SEXUAL NATURE AND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

ARSON SUSPECTED IN WEDNESDAYS APARTMENT FIRE JH 06/21/13

FIRE INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT WEDNESDAYS APARTMENT FIRE ON VILLAGE CIRCLE IN UKIAH IS VERY SUSPICIOUS.

THE SECOND LARGE RESIDENTIAL BLAZE IN FOUR DAYS, AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE TWO FIRES MAY BE CONNECTED, AS THE SUNDAY DUPLEX FIRE ON CINDEE DRIVE WAS ALSO DECLARED TO BE SUSPICIOUS. AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE, HOWEVER, NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

LOCAL JOURNALIST MOVES INTO CAL TRANS EQUIPMENT IN LATEST PROTEST OF WILLITS BYPASS JH 06/21/13

CAL TRANS CREWS ARRIVING AT THE WILLITS BYPASS WORK SITE YESTERDAY WERE SURPRISED TO FIND A MAN HAD CLIMBED THE WICK DRAIN DRIVER AND TAKEN UP RESIDENCE ON IT.

WILL PARRISH HAULED A PLATFORM ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE 90 FOOT STEEL TOWER, AND SAYS HE IS PREPARED TO REMAIN ALOFT AS LONG AS NECESSARY. THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS BEHIND MOST OF THE PROTESTS AT THE BYPASS SITE HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST CAL TRANS OVER THE BYPASS, AND WILL BE HEARD IN FEDERAL COURT TODAY.

FIRE NEAR MOUNT KONOCTI JH 06/21/13

A FIRE BROKE OUT ON MOUNT KONOCTI YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE MOUNT FIRE, AS THE INCIDENT WAS DUBBED, WAS BURNING IN THE 5400 BLOCK OF KONOCTI ROAD AT OAK HILLS LANE, NEAR MOUNT KONOCTI COUNTY PARK, EAST OF KELSEYVILLE. AS OF LAST NIGHT, THE FIRE HAD SCORCHED 25 ACRES AND WAS AT 80 PERCENT CONTAINMENT WITH FULL CONTAINMENT ANTICIPATED FOR SOMETIME THIS MORNING.

ROAD WORK THIS WEEKEND JH 06/21/13

ROAD WORK THIS WEEKEND WILL CAUSE SOME DELAYS.

AT&T WILL PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 101 JUST NORTH OF THE EL ROBLE OVERCROSSING ON SUNDAY FROM 5:30 AM TO 9:30 AM. INTERMITTENT FULL ROAD CLOSURES WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

CITY OF UKIAH BOARD AND COMMISSION SEATS OPEN JH 06/21/13

THE CITY OF UKIAH IS SEEKING INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN FILLING VACANCIES FOR OPEN SEATS ON THREE OF ITS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

SEATS ARE OPEN ON THE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS, THE DEMOLITION PERMIT REVIEW COMMITTEE, AND THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND GOLF COMMISSION. QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER IS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. APPLICATIONS AND INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING ON SEMINARY AVENUE IN UKIAH.

OLYMPIC DRIVE CLOSED NEXT WEEK JH 06/21/13

OLYMPIC DRIVE IN CLEARLAKE WILL BE CLOSED FOR MUCH OF NEXT WEEK.

THE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN HIGHWAY 53 AND OLD HIGHWAY 53 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY (JUNE 24 26) FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM WITH DETOURS PROVIDED.

News 6/20/13

HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES HEP A WARNING OVER FORT BRAGG CAFÉ

JH 06/20/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED A WARNING FOR CUSTOMERS OF A FRAME ESPRESSO ON SOUTH MAIN STREET IN FORT BRAGG, THAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO HEPATITIS A.

ONE KIND OF SMOOTHIE MADE AT THE SHOP MAY HAVE CONTAINED THE RECENTLY RECALLED ORGANIC ANTIOXIDANT BLEND FROZEN BERRY MIX, PRODUCED BY TOWNSEND FARMS AND SOLD AT COSTCO. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE SOURCE OF AN OUTBREAK OF HEPATITIS A INFECTIONS IN THE US, WITH AT LEAST 118 VICTIMS IDENTIFIED TO DATE, INCLUDING 51 IN CALIFORNIA. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY THIS PRODUCT OR JUST WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HEPATITIS A, CONTACT PUBLIC HEALTH AT 472-2650. YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THEIR WEB SITE AT WWW.CDPH.CA.GOV/HEALTHINFO/DISCOND/PAGES/HEPATITISA.ASPX

PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN WILLITS BYPASS WORKSITEAGAIN

JH 06/20/13

50 PROTESTERS WALKED ONTO THE WILLITS BYPASS WORKSITE YESTERDAY AND SAT DOWN IN FRONT OF THE 80 FOOT TOWER OF THE WICK DRAIN DRIVER, STOPPING ALL WORK FOR THE DAY.

THE PROTESTERS OCCUPIED THE SITE FOR MOST OF THE DAY, PREVENTING CAL TRANS FROM INSTALLING ANY MORE WICK DRAINS. THESE DRAINS ALLOW UNDERGROUND WATER TO DRAIN AND THE SOIL TO BE COMPACTED SO FILL CAN BE ADDED ALONG THE BYPASS ROUTE. CHP RESPONDED, THEN DISAPPEARED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING IN FORCE. 5 PROTESTERS WERE ARRESTED.

JUDGE AWARDS LEGAL FEES IN MEDIA WEB SITES SUIT AGAINST LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF JH 06/20/13

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS WAS GRANTED A MOTION THAT FORCES THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE TO PAY FOR THE NEWS WEBSITES ATTORNEY FEES STEMMING FROM A FIRST AMENDMENT LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SHERIFF.

THE OWNERS OF THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUED RIVERO IN JANUARY BECAUSE HE BLACKLISTED THEN IN OCTOBER 2012 IN RETALIATION FOR NEWS COVERAGE HE CONSIDERED UNFAVORABLE. ACCORDING TO THE JUDGE, THE SUIT AGAINST THE COUNTY AND SHERIFF RIVERO WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN SETTLING THE FIRST AMENDMENT VIOLATIONS AGAINST THE PUBLICATION. THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $110,000.

APARTMENTS DESTROYED IN VILLAGE CIRCLE FIRE JH 06/20/13

AT LEAST TWO APARTMENTS WERE DESTROYED IN A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FIRE IN A COMPLEX ON VILLAGE CIRCLE IN UKIAH.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED AT 3:59 PM AND TWO UPSTAIRS APARTMENTS WERE INVOLVED. MEDICAL PERSONNEL TREATED AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE AT THE SCENE FOR SMOKE INHALATION. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT REPORTS ON A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, WHICH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

POLICE INVESTIGATE SUSPICIOUS DEATH JH 06/20/13

WILLITS POLICE AND THE MENDOCINO COUNTY CORONERS OFFICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A WILLITS MAN.

POLICE DISCOVERED THE BODY OF 77-YEAR-OLD DANNY LAWRASON ON JUNE 16TH AT HIS EAST SAN FRANCISCO AVENUE HOME. HE APPEARED TO HAVE DIED FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND. AUTHORITIES ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER FOUL PLAY WAS INVOLVED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE WILLITS POLICE AT 459-6122.

WINDSOR MAN ARRESTED FOR LAKE COUNTY POT GROW JH 06/20/13

A WINDSOR MAN WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A LARGE LAKE COUNTY MARIJUANA GARDEN.

28-YEAR-OLD ALEJANDRO CARRADA-CHOLULA WAS ARRESTED NEAR MIDDLETOWN ON SATURDAY AFTER AUTHORITIES FOUND HIM TRESPASSING ON A REMOTE PIECE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE PROPERTIES OWNER CALLED AUTHORITIES AFTER FINDING EVIDENCE OF A MARIJUANA GROW ON HIS LAND. INITIALLY, AUTHORITIES FOUND 356 POT PLANTS THAT HAD BEEN CUT DOWN RECENTLY. UPON RETURNING TO THE PROPERTY, AUTHORITIES LOCATED CARRADA-CHOLULA AND ANOTHER 16,880 PLANTS. CARRADA-CHOLULA TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT HE PAID A MAN $12,000 TO USE THE LAND FOR CULTIVATION, THOUGH HE WASNT SURE IF THAT PERSON HAD ANY ACTUAL CLAIM ON THE LAND.

TWO ARRESTED FOR COPPER THEFTS JH 06/20/13

TWO WILLITS MEN WERE ARRESTED THIS WEEK FOR STEALING COPPER FROM A LOCAL MILL.

SEVERAL COPPER THEFTS OCCURRED ON JUNE 12 FROM THE WILLITS REDWOOD COMPANY, FORMERLY G&S MILLING. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE HELPED POLICE IDENTIFY THE SUSPECTS. 24 YEAR OLD NATHEN DANIEL MARTIN WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY AND CONFESSED, AS WELL AS LEADING POLICE TO HIS ACCOMPLICE, 28 YEAR OLD LOGAN WADE SPERLING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS THEFT SHOULD CONTACT THE WILLITS POLICE AT 459-6122.

News 6/19/13

BODY FOUND NEAR LAYTONVILLE-UPDATE JH 06/19/13

A BODY FOUND IN LAYTONVILLE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SHOT.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, AN ANONYMOUS CALLER TOLD THE REPORTING PERSON THAT THEIR RELATIVE HAD BEEN MURDERED AT A SPYROCK ROAD LOCATION. THAT INDIVIDUAL THEN CALLED THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT TO REPORT THE MURDER. THE BODY IS THAT OF A HISPANIC ADULT MALE WHO APPEARED TO HAVE DIED FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND. HE WAS FOUND IN A CAMPSITE AT A REMOTE LOCATION ON SPYROCK ROAD, AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO 300 MARIJUANA PLANTS THAT HAD BEEN RECENTLY CUT AS IF TO BE HARVESTED. DETECTIVES LEARNED THAT THE VICTIM WAS CAMPING AT THE LOCATION WHILE TENDING THE GROWING MARIJUANA GARDEN. DETECTIVES HAVE YET TO DETERMINE A MOTIVE OR THE VICTIMS IDENTITY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO THIS INCIDENT IS URGED TO CONTACT THE SHERIFFS TIP LINE AT 234-2100.

LAKE COUNTY JAIL INMATE ESCAPES WHILE ON WORK DUTY JH 06/19/13

A LAKE COUNTY JAIL INMATE WALKED AWAY FROM A WORK DETAIL IN LAKEPORT SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

42-YEAR-OLD BRENDAN SCOTT FARRIS OF KELSEYVILLE WAS ON A WORK DETAIL AT THE LAKE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICE ON FORBES STREET WHEN HE WAS LAST SEEN. AS HALF OF THE WORK CREW WAS LEAVING THE SITE, FARRIS, WHO WAS PART OF THE CREW STAYING TO CONTINUE WORKING, SLIPPED AWAY AND HAS NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE. A JAIL INMATES JUMP SUIT WAS FOUND IN A GROCERY CART IN SOME BUSHES NEAR WHERE FARRIS WAS LAST SEEN. THIS IS THE FOURTH ESCAPE FROM LAKE COUNTY JAIL SINCE APRIL OF LAST YEAR. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION IN REGARD TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF BRENDAN SCOTT FARRIS IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS TAX-SHARING AGREEMENT JH 06/19/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS PROGRESS TOWARDS A TAX SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY AT TONIGHTS MEETING.

AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, THE UKIAH CITY MANAGER HAD STATED THAT SHE AND THE COUNTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WERE WORKING ON AN AGREEMENT, AND WOULD BE READY TO PRESENT IT TO THE COUNCIL SOON. ACCORDING TO THE STAFF REPORT FOR TONIGHTS MEETING, THE NEXT STEP WILL BE DISCUSSED, WHICH IS SCHEDULING A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING TAX SHARING FOR YEARS, BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO SHARE THE TAX REVENUE IN A WAY THAT IS SUSTAINABLE TO BOTH.

CLEARLAKE POLICE SEEK INFORMATION ON BACKYARD BOMB

JH 06/19/13

CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE SEEKING THE PUBLICS HELP IN DISCOVERING THE ORIGINS OF A PIPE BOMB FOUND BY CHILDREN IN A RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD.

THE CHILDREN FOUND THE BOMB IN A YARD ON 45TH AVENUE SATURDAY. NEARBY RESIDENCES WERE EVACUATED AND THE NAPA COUNTY BOMB SQUAD WAS CALLED. THE DEVICE WAS DETONATED IN PLACE WITHOUT CAUSING DAMAGE AND THE RESIDENTS WERE ALLOWED BACK HOME AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS. CLEARLAKE POLICE ASK THAT ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT AT 994-8251.

MENDO COUNTY SUPERVISORS UPHOLD PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR CONCERT

JH 06/19/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERVISORS NARROWLY UPHELD A PERMIT FOR AN EEL RIVER CONCERT VENUE THAT LAST YEAR EXCEEDED ITS CURFEW BY TWO HOURS, PLAYING LOUD MUSIC UNTIL 4 AM.

THE SUPERVISORS DID WARN THAT NO MORE CONCERTS WILL BE ALLOWED IF THE PROPERTY OWNER AND PROMOTERS DONT FOLLOW NEW RESTRICTIONS AND KEEP THIS YEARS ESTIMATED 3,500 CONCERT GOERS UNDER CONTROL. THE CONCERT HAD BEEN APPEALED BY A NEIGHBOR OF THE VENUE AND THE MATEEL COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HOLDS REGGAE ON THE RIVER JUST OVER THE COUNTY LINE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY. MATEELS APPEAL INCLUDED ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OVER THE IMPACT ON THE RIVER FROM ALLOWING TWO CONCERTS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. A NEIGHBOR HAD MORE PERSONAL OBJECTIONS, POINTING OUT THAT THE EVENT WAS UNPLEASANT AND PLAYED LOUD MUSIC HOURS PAST ITS CURFEW. THE NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 19TH THROUGH 21ST AT THE COOKS VALLEY CAMPGROUND NEAR PIERCY.

LAKE COUNTY LANDFILL RATES SET TO INCREASE JH 06/19/13

GATE FEES AT THE LAKE COUNTY LANDFILL ARE SET GO UP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.

PURSUANT TO A MULTIYEAR FEE SCHEDULE ADOPTED IN 2011 BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, GATE FEES AT THE EASTLAKE LANDFILL IN CLEARLAKE WILL INCREASE STARTING MONDAY, JULY 1ST, IN AN EFFORT TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF LANDFILL OPERATIONS AND INCREASING AND COSTLY COMPLIANCE REGULATIONS. THE TRANSFER STATION IN LAKEPORT WILL ALSO PASS ALONG THE LANDFILL INCREASE. THE TONNAGE RATES WILL INCREASE BY 6 PERCENT, HOWEVER, THE GATE FEE WILL REMAIN AT $5, AND PRICES WILL NOT CHANGE FOR INDIVIDUAL MATERIALS LIKE COUCHES, MATTRESSES AND APPLIANCES.

LAKEPORT CITY COUNCIL APPROVES MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

JH 06/19/13

THE LAKEPORT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A NEW MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE AT TUESDAY NIGHTS MEETING.

THE COUNCIL INITIALLY APPROVED THE ORDINANCE AT ITS FIRST READING IN MAY, WHICH REQUIRES THAT MARIJUANA GROWS BE CONDUCTED IN ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, PROHIBITING GROWING OUTDOORS OR IN HOMES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. NONCOMPLIANCE WILL BE HANDLED AS INFRACTIONS THAT INCUR A CITATION THAT WILL BE HANDLED THROUGH THE CITYS ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION PROCESS.

AFTER LAST NIGHTS SECOND READING AND DISCUSSION, THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO THE NEW ORDINANCE.