July | 2013 | 94.5 K-Wine / Max 93.5 FM

Monthly Archives: July 2013

News 7/31/13

CLEARLAKE HOPES NEW MEASURE WILL SAVE ROAD SYSTEM JH 07/31/13

THE CITY OF CLEARLAKES HOPES OF BEING ABLE TO SAVE ITS ROAD SYSTEM WITH LONG OVERDUE REPAIRS IS HINGED ON A NEW TAX MEASURE.

CLEARLAKE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH FINDING THE FUNDS TO MAINTAIN ITS ROADS SINCE IT BECAME A CITY IN 1980. THIS YEAR, AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL PUT TOGETHER A NEW BUDGET, THEY REALIZED THAT WITHOUT FUNDS FROM A NEW TAX MEASURE, CLEARLAKES ROADS WILL ONLY GET WORSE. THE COUNCIL HAS NOW APPROVED PUTTING TOGETHER A NEW 1 PERCENT SALES TAX INITIATIVE FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. THE CITY TRIED LAST NOVEMBER WITH MEASURE G, WHICH NEEDED A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY TO WIN, AND LOST BY ONLY 154 VOTES. LIKE LAST YEARS MEASURE, 75 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS FROM THE NEW MEASURE WOULD GO TO CLEARLAKES ROADS, WITH THE OTHER 25 PERCENT GOING TO CODE ENFORCEMENT, ANOTHER AREA WHERE CLEARLAKE NEEDS HELP. THE CITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE THE MEASURE AND SEND IT ON TO THE NOVEMBER BALLOT AT NEXT WEEKS MEETING.

PROTESTERS LOCK SELVES TO EQUIPMENT AT WILLITS BYPASS SITE, AGAIN JH 07/31/13

PROTESTERS HAVE ONCE AGAIN AFFECTED WORK ON THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS.

TWO WOMEN, KIM BANCROFT AND MAUREEN KANE, HAVE LOCKED THEMSELVES TO A GIANT BULLDOZER CALLED A RIPPER. THE MACHINE IS BEING USED TO REMOVE SOIL FROM A HILLSIDE TO BE USED IN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE NEW HIGHWAY. BANCROFT AND KANE HAVE LOCKED THEIR HANDS TO THE EQUIPMENT IN WELDED STEEL TUBES THAT MAKE REMOVAL DIFFICULT, AND MUST BE SAWN THROUGH. A THIRD PROTESTER, STEVE KEYES, WAS ARRESTED WHEN HE WOULD NOT LEAVE THEIR SIDE, WHERE HE WAS STATIONED WITH WATER. ACCORDING TO PROTESTERS, THE BYPASS IN ITS CURRENT FORM IS UNNECESSARY, AND IS TOO EXPENSIVE AT A COST OF $210 MILLION. HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PROTESTERS HAVE COST TAXPAYERS WELL OVER $2 MILLION DOLLARS SINCE THE PROTESTS BEGAN IN JANUARY.

MENDO COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES MOVES TO ON-LINE JOB APPLICATIONS JH 07/31/13

JOB SEEKERS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO QUICKLY APPLY ON-LINE FOR OPEN POSITIONS VIA MENDOCINO COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES.

THE DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHING A NEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM, NEOGOV, TO EXPEDITE THE HIRING PROCESS FOR APPLICANTS AND COUNTY STAFF. IN ADDITION TO THE NEW ON-LINE JOB APPLICATION PROCESS, ANOTHER ENHANCEMENT FOR JOB SEEKERS WILL BE THE ABILITY TO FILL OUT JOB INTEREST CARDS, WHICH WILL PROMPT THE SYSTEM TO NOTIFY THOSE POTENTIAL APPLICANTS WHEN NEW OPENINGS ARE POSTED. THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE AVAILABLE AUGUST 1ST ON THE COUNTY WEB SITE (WWW.CO.MENDOCINO.CA.US/HR/CGI-BIN/OPENINGS.PL).

HOME STRETCH IN RECALL EFFORT FOR LC SHERIFF RIVERO JH 07/31/13

LAKE COUNTYS COMMITTEE TO RESTORE INTEGRITY AND RECALL RIVERO IS IN ITS HOME STRETCH IN ITS EFFORTS TO GET A RECALL OF SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THE DEADLINE TO GET THE MINIMUM 7,026 REGISTERED VOTER SIGNATURES IS AUGUST 15. THE GROUP CURRENTLY HAS COLLECTED NEARLY 7,500 SIGNATURES AND THEY WANT AT LEAST 1,000 MORE TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH. THE GROUP STARTED THE PETITION IN APRIL, JUST WEEKS AFTER THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS GAVE RIVERO A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE ON HIS PERFORMANCE AND FORMALLY REQUESTED HIS RESIGNATION, WHICH HE REFUSED TO DO.

ROAD WORK TODAY JH 07/31/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD PROJECTS GOING ON AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY, AND A NEW PROJECT BEGINNING TODAY WILL CAUSE MORE MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

ROAD STABILIZATION WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 253 JUST 2.6 MILES EAST OF CATTLE PASS ROAD. THE WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 8 AM TO 4:30 PM WEEKDAYS. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

BEGINNING MID-DAY TODAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING, EAST WOOD STREET IN WILLITS WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO CONTINUED WORK RELATED TO THE HUMBOLDT STREET REHABILITATION PROJECT. THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS FROM EITHER MAIN STREET (WHICH IS HIGHWAY 101) OR HUMBOLDT STREET; HOWEVER, SAVINGS BANK WILL MAINTAIN ACCESS TO THE DRIVE-THRU TELLER VIA HUMBOLDT STREET.

MENDO BOARD OF SUPS HAS DECIDED NOT TO APPROACH COSTCO ABOUT FORMER MASONITE SITE JH 07/31/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS DECIDED NOT TO SEND A LETTER TO COSTCO REQUESTING A MEETING ABOUT THE FORMER MASONITE SITE IN UKIAH.

THE BOARD DIRECTED STAFF AT ITS JULY 16 MEETING TO DRAFT A LETTER TO REQUEST A MEETING TO DISCUSS REVISITING THE USE OF THE DEVELOPERS DIVERSIFIED REALTY PROPERTY AS A POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR A NEW COSTCO STORE. BASED ON INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC AND ALL BUT ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS, THE LETTER WAS SCRAPED, CITING LOSS OF PRIME INDUSTRIAL LAND AND LACK OF A TAX-SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF UKIAH AS THE PRIMARY REASONS.

FILING DEADLINE FOR SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS IN LC JH 07/31/13

THE FILING DEADLINE IS LOOMING, FOR LAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS.

THERE ARE 16 SEATS OPEN TO LAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BOARDS, ALONG WITH AN OPENING ON THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. REGISTERED VOTERS HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 9TH TO FILE FOR CANDIDACY FOR THE NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTION.

News 7/30/13

UKIAH SURGEON ARRESTED ON BURGLARY AND DRUG CHARGES

JH 07/30/13

A WELL KNOWN UKIAH SURGEON WAS ARRESTED ON BURGLARY AND DRUG CHARGES LAST WEEK.

UKIAH POLICE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING 48-YEAR-OLD DOCTOR BRIAN CABLE OF REDWOOD VALLEY FOR SOME TIME, AND THURSDAY, INVESTIGATORS OBTAINED AN ARREST WARRANT FOR CABLE AS WELL AS TWO SEARCH WARRANTS FOR HIS HOME AND OFFICE. DOCTOR CABLE WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, CONSPIRACY, POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS, FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINING CONTROLLED PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS, POSSESSION OF FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED CONTROLLED PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS, AND USING ANOTHER PERSONS IDENTITY FOR AN UNLAWFUL PURPOSE. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND AUTHORITIES WILL RELEASE MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

BABY BOY DIES IN UKIAH JH 07/30/13

THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE SUNDAY MORNING DEATH OF A TWO-MONTH OLD UKIAH BOY.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE BOYS FATHER CALLED 911 AROUND 10:20 TO REPORT THAT HIS INFANT SON WAS NOT BREATHING. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL RESPONDED TO THE MARSHALL STREET RESIDENCE AND DETERMINED THE CHILD HAD DIED. AN AUTOPSY IS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE DEATH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED SUSPICIOUS.

WANTED PAROLEE FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN UKIAH MOTEL ROOM

JH 07/30/13

A WANTED PAROLEE WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN A UKIAH HOTEL ROOM.

STAFF AT THE REGENCY INN ON SOUTH STATE STREET CALLED POLICE ON THURSDAY MORNING AFTER THEY DISCOVERED A MAN UNCONSCIOUS ON A BED AND WERE UNABLE TO WAKE HIM. POLICE RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT AS 23-YEAR-OLD FRANCISCO ENRIQUE GONZALES, WHO HAD A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR VIOLATING HIS PAROLE. OFFICERS ALSO FOUND DRUGS, PARAPHERNALIA, AND A LOADED HANDGUN IN THE ROOM. OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO WAKE GONZALES AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

MEN CHARGED IN POT CASE INVOLVING CAPTIVE RUNAWAY MAKE COURT APPEARANCE JH 07/30/13

THE TWO MEN FACING FEDERAL CHARGES FOR A LARGE MARIJUANA GROW AND FOR USING A 15 YEAR OLD RUNAWAY GIRL, WHO THEY ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, ARE DUE IN COURT THIS WEEK.

30-YEAR-OLD RYAN ALAN BALLETTO OF LAKEPORT, AND 25 YEAR OLD PATRICK STEVEN PEARMAIN OF CLEARLAKE COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON IF CONVICTED OF THE FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST THEM. AUTHORITIES WHO RAIDED THE GROW FOUND A HUGE CACHE OF WEAPONS AS WELL AS TOOLS FOR SEXUAL BONDAGE AND TORTURE, INCLUDING A METAL BOX THEY ALLEGEDLY KEPT THE TEEN IN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. BALLETTO AND PEARMAIN ARE SCHEDULED FOR ARRAIGNMENT OR A PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS FRIDAY.

COSTCO HAS EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF UKIAH JH 07/30/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS SCHEDULED TODAY TO CONSIDER SENDING A LETTER TO REQUEST A MEETING WITH COSTCO REGARDING A POTENTIAL STORE ON THE OLD MASONITE SITE, HOWEVER, SUCH A MEETING WOULD LIKELY VIOLATE AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT THE CITY OF UKIAH HAS WITH THE CORPORATION.

THE CITY AND COSTCO REPRESENTATIVES SIGNED THE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT IN JANUARY 2011 AND IT WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE ENTITLEMENT PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES APPROVAL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED STORE ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD. THE EIR FOR THE PLANNED COSTCO IN UKIAH IS EXPECTED TO BE BACK BEFORE THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION ON AUGUST 9TH, AND IF CERTIFIED, WILL THEN GO TO THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL. THE SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT WOULD THEN GO BACK TO THE COMMISSION, TENTATIVELY IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

SKUNK TRAIN GETTING TRAINS TO WILLITS TODAY JH 07/30/13

THE SKUNK TRAIN HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WILL BE SENDING TRAINS THROUGH ITS DAMAGED TUNNEL TODAY TO RESTORE SERVICE FROM THE WILLITS END OF THE RAILWAY.

TRAIN SERVICE ALL BUT STOPPED IN APRIL WHEN TUNNEL NUMBER ONE, JUST 7 MILES OUTSIDE OF FORT BRAGG, COLLAPSED. THANKS TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM NUMEROUS PEOPLE AND THE SAN FRANCISCO BASED SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE, THE RAIL COMPANY ACQUIRED THE MONEY THAT IS ALLOWING THEM TO CLEAR AND REPAIR THE COLLAPSED TUNNEL AND RESTORE SERVICE OF THE HISTORIC RAILROAD. TRAIN SERVICE FROM WILLITS TO NORTHSPUR WILL RESUME TOMORROW, JULY 31ST. WORK ON THE TUNNEL WILL CONTINUE AND THE TRAIN IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESUME FULL SERVICE FROM THE FORT BRAGG SIDE OF THE LINE UNTIL MID AUGUST.

SMOKE & HAZE IN SKIES FROM OREGON FIRES JH 07/30/13

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION REPORTED THAT THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND HAZE OVER LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES IS FROM FIRES IN OREGON.

ACCORDING TO CAL FIRE, AS OF MONDAY MORNING, THERE ARE NO FIRES BURNING IN THE AREA. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ADVISES THAT THE WEATHER PATTERN WILL CHANGE THIS WEEK CAUSING THE SMOKE TO LEAVE THE AREA.

News 7/29/13

LAKE TRANSIT WORKERS VOTE TO STRIKE JH 07/29/13

LAKE TRANSIT WORKERS VOTED SUNDAY TO STRIKE UNTIL THEY SETTLE THEIR NEW CONTRACT.

PARATRANSIT SERVICES, THE WASHINGTON BASED NON-PROFIT THAT OPERATES LAKE TRANSIT, HAS BEEN IN ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH MEMBERS OF THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL 665, WHICH REPRESENTS 35 LAKE TRANSIT WORKERS. PARATRANSIT HAS OFFERED WORKERS A 2.2 PERCENT WAGE INCREASE, BUT UNION MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED THE PROPOSAL. DURING YESTERDAYS MEETING, UNION MEMBERS VOTED TO STRIKE INDEFINITELY, WITH THE STRIKE BEGINNING AT MIDNIGHT SUNDAY. AT LEAST THREE DRIVERS DISAGREED WITH THE UNION, AND SUBMIT THEIR MEMBERSHIP RESIGNATION AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE DRIVING DURING THE STRIKE. THE STRIKE WILL LIMIT TRANSIT SERVICES THROUGHOUT LAKE COUNTY, HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO PARATRANSIT, THE COMPANY WILL WORK TO KEEP AS MANY ROUTS RUNNING AS POSSIBLE. SERVICE UPDATES WILL BE POSTED ON THE COMPANIES WEB SITE AT WWW.LAKETRANSIT.ORG.

LAKEPORT MAN CHARGED WITH SEX ACTS ON A CHILD JH 07/29/13

A LAKEPORT MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGATIONS THAT HE SEXUALLY ABUSED A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL.

THE CHILDS FOSTER MOTHER ACCUSED 42-YEAR-OLD ALFONSO AVALOS-CHAVEZ OF THE ABUSE WHILE HE DATED THE GIRLS BIOLOGICAL MOTHER OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD. AFTER AUTHORITIES INTERVIEWED THE CHILD, OFFICERS BELIEVED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST AVALOS-CHAVEZ. HE WAS ARRESTED WITHOUT INCIDENT ON FRIDAY, AND CHARGED WITH 15 COUNTS OF LEWD AND LASCIVIOUS ACTS WITH A CHILD UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE, AS WELL AS 10 COUNTS OF ORAL COPULATION. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT OFFICER GARY BASOR AT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 263-5491.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS TAX SHARING AGREEMENT JH 07/29/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS A DRAFT TAX-SHARING AGREEMENT WITH MENDOCINO COUNTY AT A SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THIS EVENING.

THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO AGREE ON A FORMULA FOR SHARING SALES TAX REVENUE FOR YEARS, AND APPEARED TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THAT GOAL AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AS AD-HOC COMMITTEES FROM EACH AGENCY REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON 90 PERCENT OF A LIST OF PRINCIPLES. ACCORDING TO A REPORT FOR THE MEETING, THE DRAFT MASTER TAX SHARING AGREEMENT COVERED: LAND USE AND PLANNING WITHIN THE CITY OF UKIAHS SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, SHARING SALES TAX ON TAXABLE SALES WITHIN THE COUNTYS UKIAH VALLEY AREA PLAN AND EXISTING CITY LIMITS, SHARING PROPERTY TAX WITHIN AN AREA ANNEXED BY THE CITY, AND TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX SHARING. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 5:30 PM TODAY IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

ROAD WORK TODAY JH 07/29/13

ROAD WORK WILL CAUSE MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

THE REPLACEMENT OF CRASH CUSHIONS WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 101 FROM THE SOUTH UKIAH OVERHEAD TO THE ORR CREEK BRIDGE TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY FROM 6 AM TO 4 PM. SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE. MOTORISTS MAY EXPERIENCE MINOR SLOWDOWNS.

A WELL WILL BE REMOVED ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR ABALONE STREET TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM. ONE WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

COSTCO TO BE DISCUSSED AT TUESDAYS SUPERVISORS MEETING

JH 07/29/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL DISCUSS A LETTER TO REQUEST MEETING WITH COSTCO ABOUT PUTTING A STORE ON THE DEVELOPERS DIVERSIFIED REALTY LAND NORTH OF UKIAH.

THOUGH VOTERS SHOT DOWN A PROPOSAL IN 2009 TO TURN THE FORMER MASONITE SITE INTO A LARGE SHOPPING CENTER FEATURING A COSTCO, THE COUNTY STILL BELIEVES THIS IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR SUCH A STORE. THE COUNTY BELIEVES THE AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD LOCATION THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET COSTCO TO BUILD AT HAS TOO MANY ACCESS ISSUES. A DRAFT LETTER TO NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, COSTCOS REAL ESTATE BROKER, REQUESTS A MEETING TO DISCUSS REVISITING THE USE OF THE DDR PROPERTY. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE COUNTY IS NOW READY TO TAKE ACTION ON ANY IMPEDIMENT TO INFILL DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE AND IS SUPPORTIVE OF REZONING THE DDR PROPERTY FOR COSTCO OR ANY OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS OR HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT COULD BE LOCATED AT THIS SITE. THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER FINALIZING AND SENDING THE LETTER DURING TUESDAY MORNINGS MEETING.

COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF MASONITE JH 07/29/13

THE CALIFORNIA COURT OF APPEALS RULED IN FAVOR OF THE MASONITE CORPORATION AND ITS EFFORTS TO REVERSE MENDOCINO COUNTYS APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED MINE NORTH OF UKIAH.

MASONITE, THE DOOR MANUFACTURER THAT STILL OWNS LAND NORTH OF UKIAH, LAST YEAR APPEALED A LOCAL RULING DENYING THE CORPORATIONS PETITION TO SET ASIDE THE COUNTYS APPROVAL OF A 65 ACRE TERRACE MINING OPERATION GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY PROPOSED TO BUILT ON KUNZLER RANCH ROAD LAND THAT IS ADJACENT TO MASONITES PROPERTY. THURSDAYS RULING REVERSES THAT JUDGMENT AND DIRECTS THE COUNTY TO SET ASIDE CERTIFICATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROJECT AND PREPARE AND CIRCULATE A SUPPLEMENTAL EIR THAT ADDRESSES IDENTIFIED ERRORS. MASONITE CLAIMED IN ITS LAWSUIT THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD HAVE RECIRCULATED THE EIR BECAUSE THE APPROVED MINE PROJECT HAD SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER IMPACTS THAN THE ONE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.

WITTER SPRINGS FIRE JH 07/29/13

A BRUSH FIRE NEAR A VINEYARD IN THE WITTER SPRINGS AREA WAS PUT OUT QUICKLY THANKS TO FAST ACTING FIREFIGHTERS.

THE FIRE REPORTEDLY STARTED AROUND 1 PM FRIDAY AND WAS CONTAINED BY ABOUT 1:15 EVEN THOUGH FIREFIGHTERS HAD LIMITED ACCESS TO THE FIRE LOCATION. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE FIRE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED AFTER A HAWK FLEW INTO SOME POWER LINES.

News 7/26/13

WEST NILE VIRUS SEASON OFF TO AN EARLY START JH 07/26/13

FOLLOWING THE MID-JUNE DETECTION OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN MOSQUITO SAMPLES, THE EARLIEST APPEARANCE OF THE VIRUS LAKE COUNTY HAS EXPERIENCED, THE VIRUS HAS NOW BEEN DETECTED IN A SENTINEL CHICKEN.

THE VIRUS GENERALLY MAKES ITS FIRST APPEARANCE IN MOSQUITOES. ONCE FOUND IN CHICKENS AND OTHER ANIMALS, THE RISK FOR HUMAN INFECTION IS CONSIDERED TO BE INCREASED. ACCORDING TO LOCAL DOCTORS, THERE IS NO REASON FOR ALARM, HOWEVER, PERSONAL PROTECTION AGAINST MOSQUITO BITES IS THE CRUCIAL STEP NECESSARY TO PREVENT HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS. TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

ELIMINATE ALL SOURCES OF STANDING WATER ON YOUR PROPERTY,

AVOID BEING OUTSIDE AT DUSK AND DAWN, WHEN MOSQUITOES ARE MOST ACTIVE, AND

USE INSECT REPELLANT WITH DEET OR SOME OTHER EPA REGISTERED ACTIVE INGREDIENT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WEST NILE VIRUS, VISIT WWW.WESTNILE.CA.GOV.

MAN ASSAULTS GIRLFRIEND FATHER JH 07/26/13

A SEA RANCH MAN IS ACCUSED OF BRANDISHING A FIREARM AND ASSAULTING HIS GIRLFRIENDS FATHER.

ON TUESDAY, 26 JUAN TORRES ALLEGEDLY ARRIVED AT THE HOME OF THE VICTIM, JACOBO CORIA-GARCIA, THE FATHER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND. THE VICTIM THEN ADVISED TORRES THAT HIS DAUGHTER WAS NOT THERE. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, TORRES THEN GRABBED A FIREARM AND MADE THREATS TO THE VICTIM WHILE POINTING THE FIREARM AT HIM. AT SOME POINT BEFORE LEAVING THE RESIDENCE, TORRES PUT DOWN THE FIREARM AND PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED THE VICTIM CAUSING MINOR INJURY. AUTHORITIES LOCATED TORRES OF WEDNESDAY IN THE GUALALA AREA, WHERE HE ADMITTED TO ASSAULTING THE VICTIM. TORRES WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

STABBING IN LUCERNE JH 07/26/13

A STABBING WAS REPORTED THURSDAY IN LUCERNE NEAR THE FOSTERS FREEZE RESTAURANT.

EMERGENCY PERSONNEL BEGAN PREPARING THE VICTIM FOR AIR TRANSPORT AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVED ON SCENE AND THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. ACCORDING TO BYSTANDERS, AUTHORITIES ARRESTED A POSSIBLE SUSPECT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE INCIDENT. MORE DETAILS WILL BE REPORTED AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.

TWO MODERATE EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS JH 07/26/13

TWO MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKES SHOOK PORTIONS OF THE REDWOOD EMPIRE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY REPORTS FROM THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THE FIRST QUAKE OCCURRED AT 3:36 PM THURSDAY JUST 4 MILES NORTH WEST OF THE GEYSERS AT A DEPTH OF 1.3 MILES. THE QUAKE REGISTERED A 3.0 MAGNITUDE.

THE SECOND QUAKE OCCURRED AT 12:32 THIS MORNING JUST 37 MILES SOUTH WEST OF FERNDALE AT A DEPTH OF 3.1 MILES. THAT QUAKE REGISTERED A 3.6 MAGNITUDE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED NY EITHER OF THE TWO QUAKES.

ROAD WORK 07/26/13

CONTINUING ROAD WORK WILL CAUSE MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

BRIDGE REHABILITATION WILL CONTINUE ON HIGHWAY 101 AT THE ASH CREEK BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE DONE AT NIGHT FROM 6 PM TO 7 AM WEEKDAYS.

METAL BEAM GUARDRAIL REPAIR WILL CONTINUE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON HIGHWAY 128 FROM THE NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD TO THE ROBINSON CREEK BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES MEASURE H JH 07/26/13

THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL HELD A SPECIAL MEETING THIS WEEK TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ENDORSING MEASURE H, A BALLOT MEASURE TO KEEP FORT BRAGGS EXISTING HALF CENT SPECIAL SALES TAX.

THE PURPOSE OF THE TAX IS FOR STREET REPAIRS, AND MEASURE H WILL EXTEND THE TAX FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS. IT WILL ALSO EXPAND ITS PURPOSE TO INCLUDE REPAIRS TO FORT BRAGG ALLEYS. THE BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED TO FORT BRAGG RESIDENTS NEXT WEEK AND MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE BY AUGUST 27TH. THE CITYS STREET REPAIR SALES TAX HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2004. IT HAS ALLOWED THE CITY TO PERFORM MORE THAN $7 MILLION IN STREET REPAIRS OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS. THE TAX WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2014 UNLESS MEASURE H IS APPROVED BY TWO-THIRDS OF THE VOTERS.

CV STARR CENTER FINANCES EXCEED EXPECTATIONS JH 07/26/13

THE MENDOCINO COAST RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT AND THE CV STARR COMMUNITY CENTER IN FORT BRAGG HAVE EXCEEDED FINANCIAL EXPECTATIONS.

THE DISTRICT FINISHED THE 2012/2013 FISCAL YEAR IN THE BLACK, WHICH HASNT HAPPENED IN RECENT YEARS. OFFICIALS CREDITED REVENUES FROM THE CITY SALES TAX FOR THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE CV STARR CENTERS PERFORMANCE. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, REVENUE FAR EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS, WHILE THE OPERATING EXPENSE CAME IN UNDER PROJECTIONS, WHICH LEFT A SURPLUS IN REVENUE FOR THE YEAR. $300,000 OF THE SURPLUS REVENUE IS GOING INTO RESERVE ACCOUNTS TO PROTECT AGAINST NEGATIVE CYCLES IN THE ECONOMY. OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE POOLS SATURDAY HOURS TO ACCOMMODATE WORKERS WHO CANT GET TO THE FACILITY UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY.

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL CYCLIST RANKS TOP 10 IN THE NATION JH 07/26/13

A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL CYCLIST RANKS TOP 10 IN THE NATION.

CLEAR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR NATHAN BARNETT COMPETED IN THE CROSS-COUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONALS ON THE EAST COAST THIS MONTH, AFTER FINISHING FOURTH OVERALL IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE HIGH SCHOOL MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS EARLIER THIS YEAR. BARNETT PUT HIS SKILLS TO THE TEST IN CATEGORY 1, OR EXPERT LEVEL AGAINST 29 OTHER ASPIRING PROFESSIONAL CYCLISTS LAST FRIDAY. DESPITE FALLING DURING HIS AGGRESSIVE PURSUIT OF ANOTHER RIDER, BARNETT WAS ABLE TO REMOUNT HIS BIKE AND CONTINUE ON TO AN IMPRESSIVE 10TH PLACE FINISH.

News 7/25/13

BURGLARY SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY JH 07/25/13

A BURGLARY SUSPECT THAT POLICE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SINCE JULY 1ST WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE VICTIMS HAD RECENTLY ALLOWED A COUPLE TO RESIDE WITH THEM IN THEIR RESIDENCE ON WAUGH LANE, THOUGH THEY ONLY KNEW THE MALE SUBJECT BY HIS NICKNAME. A FEW DAYS BEFORE REPORTING THE BURGLARY, THE VICTIMS CAME HOME AND THEIR GUESTS TOLD THEM THEY HAD FRIENDS OVER AND BELIEVE THE FRIENDS STOLE ITEMS FROM THE RESIDENCE. THE GUESTS THEN LEFT QUICKLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, ONE OF THE GUESTS RETURNED SOME OF THE STOLEN PROPERTY, AND THEN SOMETIME LATER IN THE MONTH, MORE STOLEN PROPERTY WAS RETURNED. BASED ON DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SUSPECT, POLICE IDENTIFIED 23-YEAR-OLD ANDREW JOHN MARTINEZ, A CONVICTED FELON WITH A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST, AS THE PRIMARY SUSPECT. ON JULY 20TH, AUTHORITIES LOCATED MARTINEZ AT A RESIDENCE ON DONNER COURT IN UKIAH WHERE HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT. A SEARCH OF THE RESIDENCE REVEALED MORE STOLEN PROPERTY, FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, JEWELRY AND DRUGS. MARTINEZ WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

CITY OF LAKEPORT BEGINS ENFORCEMENT OF NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE JH 07/25/13

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT AND THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THE CITYS NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE BECAME LAW ON JULY 18TH.

THE POLICE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW PROVIDING EDUCATION RELATED TO THE ORDINANCE AS WELL AS ENFORCING IT. KEY PROVISIONS OF THE NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE INCLUDE:

NO MARIJUANA CULTIVATION IS ALLOWED IN A RESIDENCE OR AN ATTACHED GARAGE.

ALL MEDICAL MARIJUANA MUST BE GROWN IN A SECURE, DETACHED STRUCTURE THAT IS PROVIDED WITH AN EFFECTIVE ODOR FILTRATION SYSTEM.

THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE NUMBER OF CANNABIS PLANTS, INSTEAD, THE MAXIMUM AREA OF THE PLANT CANOPY IS 80 SQUARE FEET, AND

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION IS NOT PERMITTED WITHIN 300 FEET OF ANY SCHOOL, CHILD CARE CENTER, PARK OR PLAYGROUND.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEW LAKEPORT MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AT CITY HALL.

MOTHER OF INTOXICATED TODDLER TAKEN TO JAIL JH 07/25/13

THE BOONVILLE MOTHER WHO ADMITTED SHE ALLOWED HER 2 YEAR OLD SON TO INGEST LIFE-THREATENING AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL AND METHAMPHETAMINE WAS WARNED AND REMANDED INTO CUSTODY WEDNESDAY MORNING IN COURT.

SAMANTHA DELVALLE PLEADED GUILTY IN MAY TO FELONY CHILD ABUSE AND ENDANGERMENT. THE JUDGE SUSPENDED HER FOUR YEAR STATE PRISON TERM IN FAVOR OF 270 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL, BECAUSE DELVALLE IS YOUNG AND HAS NO PRIOR RECORD. HOWEVER, DELVALLE FAILED TO REPORT TO JAIL ON JULY 15TH, AND 2 DAYS LATER SUBMIT PAPER WORK FOR A NEW SURRENDER DATE. IN COURT THIS WEEK, THE JUDGE WARNED DELVALLE THAT IF SHE AGAIN VIOLATES ANY OF HER PROBATION TERMS, THE RESULT WOULD BE HER SERVING THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE OF UP TO FOUR YEARS IN STATE PRISON.

SENIOR RENT INITIATIVE QUALIFIES FOR LAKEPORT BALLOT JH 07/25/13

SAVE OUR SENIORS, THE GROUP BEHIND THE PUSH TO GET A SENIOR MOBILE HOME RENT CONTROL INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT, HAVE COLLECTED ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO DO SO.

THE GROUP HAS QUALIFIED THE INITIATIVE FOR THE NOVEMBER 2014 BALLOT WITH 317 VALID SIGNATURES, 47 MORE THAN NEEDED. THEY ARE CONTINUING TO COLLECT MORE SIGNATURES TO REACH THE GOAL OF 2,100 SIGNATURES THAT THEY BELIEVE ARE NEEDED TO GET THE SAME INITIATIVE ON THE COUNTYWIDE BALLOT AS WELL. IF THE INITIATIVE PASSES, RENT INCREASES FOR SENIOR MOBILE HOMES WOULD BE TIED TO INCREASES IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

MAN TRIES TO RUN DOWN EX GIRLFRIENDS HUSBAND JH 07/25/13

A WILLITS MAN IS ACCUSED OF TRYING TO RUN DOWN HIS EX-GIRLFRIENDS HUSBAND.

THE VICTIM, A 51 YEAR OLD WILLITS MAN, WAS DRIVING WITH HIS WIFE AND HER DAUGHTER FROM A PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH 42 YEAR OLD SHELBY EDWARD REDENIUS, WHEN REDENIUS BEGAN FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, WHEN THE VICTIM ARRIVED AT HIS CROPLEY LANE HOME AND TRIED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, REDENIUS ACCELERATED TOWARDS HIM COMING WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING HIM. REDENIUS THEN BEGAN SPINNING DOUGHNUTS AROUND THE VEHICLE, AND THEN DROVE INTO THE OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND BENDING IT FORWARD BEFORE DRIVING AWAY. THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED, AS WERE HIS WIFE AND HER 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. REDENIUS WAS LOCATED DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 20 AND ARRESTED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

LC SUPERVISORS TRANSFER FUNDS FROM SHERIFFS BUDGET TO FIGHT RIVEROS APPEAL JH 07/25/13

LAKE COUNTY SUPERVISORS HAVE TAKEN MONEY FROM THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT BUDGET TO FIGHT THE SHERIFF IN A LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE COUNTY.

IN MAY, A MENDOCINO COUNTY JUDGE RULED THAT SHERIFF RIVERO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE LEGAL FEES ACCRUED WHILE FIGHTING THE DA IN THE SHERIFFS PLACEMENT ON THE BRADY LIST OF OFFICERS WITH CREDIBILITY ISSUES, AFTER HE WAS FOUND TO HAVE LIED DURING AN INVESTIGATION. SHERIFF RIVERO IS NOW APPEALING A COURT RULING THE HE, NOT THE COUNTY, MUST PAY ATTORNEY FEES ASSOCIATED WITH A LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. TUESDAY, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM THE SHERIFFS OFFICE BUDGET TO HIRE COUNCIL TO FIGHT THE SHERIFFS APPEAL. SHERIFF RIVERO PROTESTED THE DECISION, BUT THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO TAKE THE FUNDS ANYWAY.

SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT ERADICATES 6,200 POT PLANTS THIS WEEK

JH 07/25/13

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS NARCOTICS TASK FORCE ERADICATED OVER 6,200 MARIJUANA PLANTS FROM TWO LOCATIONS ON MONDAY.

IN APRIL, DETECTIVES CONDUCTED OVERFLIGHT MISSIONS IN THE MIDDLETOWN AREA IN AN EFFORT TO LOCATE ILLICIT MARIJUANA GROWS AND IDENTIFIED TWO GARDENS IN THE AREAS KNOWN AS DOG ROCK AND BLACK OAK. MONDAYS ERADICATION BROUGHT THE DEPARTMENTS TOTAL OF MARIJUANA PLANTS DESTROYED THIS YEAR TO OVER 128,000. TO MAKE AN ANONYMOUS TIP IN REGARD TO A MARIJUANA GROW, CALL 263-3663.

News 7/24/13

PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN WILLITS BYPASS AGAIN, THREE ARRESTED INCLUDING A PHOTOGRAPHER JH 07/24/13

PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN THE WORK SITE OF THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS AGAIN AND THREE WERE ARRESTED, INCLUDING A MEMBER OF THE WILLITS NEWS STAFF.

TWO PROTESTERS WERE ABLE TO SLIP PAST CHP SECURITY IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND ATTACH THEMSELVES TO THE STITCHER TOWERS THAT ARE USED TO INSTALL WICK DRAINS INTO THE WETLAND. TRAVIS JOCHIMSEN AND A WOMAN CALLING HERSELF BLUE HERON USED WELDED STEEL LOCKBOXES TO ATTACH THEMSELVES TO THE EQUIPMENT. EVENTUALLY THEY UNLOCKED THEMSELVES AND WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY CHP. A PHOTOGRAPHER FROM THE WILLITS NEWS, STEVE EBERHARD, WAS ALSO ARRESTED AT AROUND 6:30 TUESDAY MORNING WHEN HE ARRIVED ON SCENE TO DOCUMENT THE PROTEST. ACCORDING TO EBERHARD, HE HAD LEFT A PHONE MESSAGE ON HIS CAL TRANS CONTACTS CELL PHONE REQUESTING AN ESCORT IN THE AREA OF THE PROTEST. EBERHARD SAYS HE WAS EXPLAINING THIS TO A CHP OFFICER WHEN A SECOND OFFICER HANDCUFFED HIM. EBERHARD WAS CHARGED WITH TRESPASSING AND RELEASED.

HOPLAND FIRE JH 07/24/13

A FIRE EAST OF HOPLAND BURNED 45 ACRES AND THREATENED HOMES OFF OF HIGHWAY 175 TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE FIRE, REPORTED AROUND 1:30 OFF OF PRATT RANCH ROAD, GREW TO 30 ACRES WITHIN AN HOUR OF BEING REPORTED. THE VEGETATION FIRE GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO SHO KA WAH CASINO THAT IT HAD TO BE EVACUATED FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE AGGRESSIVELY SPREADING FIRE THREATENED AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF STRUCTURES BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO BOX IT IN WITH FIRE RETARDANT DROPPED BY AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO CAL FIRE, THE BLAZE WAS COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL LESS THAN TWO HOURS AFTER IT WAS REPORTED. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

A REPORT OF TRESPASSING LED TO AN ARREST FOR VEHICLE THEFT

JH 07/24/13

A REPORT OF TRESPASSERS LANDED A LAYTONVILLE WOMAN AND A UKIAH MAN BEHIND BARS FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING A CAR.

SHERIFFS DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A PIECE OF PROPERTY NORTH OF LAYTONVILLE FOR A REPORT OF TRESPASSING. 30 YEAR OLD TELLIE JO SIMMONS AND 31 YEAR OLD EUGENE PETERSON WERE FOUND WITH AN SUV PARKED ON THE REPORTING PARTIES PROPERTY, AND CLAIMED THE VEHICLE BELONGED TO A FRIEND AND IT RAN OUT OF GAS. A CHECK OF THE VEHICLES VIN NUMBER REVEALED THE SUV HAD BEEN REPORTED STOLEN OUT OF UKIAH, AND BOTH SIMMONS AND PETERSON HAD OUTSTANDING WARRANTS FOR THEIR ARREST. A SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE ALSO REVEALED METHAMPHETAMINE, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND SEVERAL ITEMS OF STOLEN PROPERTY LINKED TO THEFTS IN FORT BRAGG. SIMMONS AND PETERSON WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

UKIAH MAN ARRESTED FOR POINTING GUN AT KIDS AFTER TRYING TO RUN THEM DOWN JH 07/24/13

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO RUN OVER TEENAGERS AND THEN POINTED A GUN AT THEIR HOME.

65 YEAR OLD DAVID JOSEPH CARR IS ACCUSED OF ACCELERATING HIS VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SHARED DRIVEWAY, AND SWERVING AT THE KIDS BEFORE GOING INTO HIS HOME AND EMERGING WITH A RIFLE HE POINTED AT THE TEENS RESIDENCE. ACCORDING TO THE TEENS, THEY HAD TO JUMP OVER A FENCE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF CARRS VEHICLE. THEY THEN WENT INTO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY LOOKED OUT A WINDOW AND SAW CARR GO INTO HIS HOME AND EMERGE WITH A RIFLE HE POINTED TOWARD THEM. AUTHORITIES FOUND TRACKS IN THE DIRT DRIVEWAY CONSISTENT WITH THE TEENS STORY, AND CARR WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

TRAFFIC STOP TURNS INTO DRUG BUST JH 07/24/13

A TRAFFIC STOP ON HIGHWAY 101 TURNED IN TO A DRUG BUST.

SHERIFFS DEPUTIES PULLED OVER A VEHICLE FOR A VIOLATION OF THE STATE VEHICLE CODE, AND NOTICED THE ODOR OF MARIJUANA EMITTING FROM THE CAR. A SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE REVEALED PACKAGING MATERIALS COMMONLY USED FOR TRANSPORTING MARIJUANA AS WELL AS OVER $92,000 IN CASH HIDDEN IN THE VEHICLE. 29 YEAR OLD ALLEN FELDMAN OF LOS ANGELES AND 30 YEAR OLD BENJAMIN McCULLY OF HOLLYWOOD WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

OWNER REQUESTS DOWNTOWN UKIAH BUILDING BE DIVIDED JH 07/24/13

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TWO STORY BUILDING ON THE CORNER OF SOUTH SCHOOL AND CHURCH STREETS DOWNTOWN.

OWNER KEVIN BROGAN PROPOSES TO SPLIT THE GROUND FLOOR INTO TWO RENTABLE RETAIL SPACES AS HE BELIEVES IT IS TOO LARGE AND EXPENSIVE TO RENT TO A SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS. BY DIVIDING THE SPACE INTO TWO 1,200 SQUARE FOOT SPACES, IT WOULD BE MORE REALISTIC FOR A START-UP OR SMALL BUSINESS. THE BUILDING WAS OCCUPIED BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE FOR 15 YEARS UNTIL THE OFFICE MOVED AS PART OF A CONSOLIDATION TO SAVE THE COUNTY MONEY ON LEASE PAYMENTS. THE COMMISSION MEETS TONIGHT AT 6 PM AT THE CIVIC CENTER ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

MCOE DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

JH 07/24/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATIONS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

THE TWO-SEMESTER PROGRAM BEGINS AUGUST 19 AND ENDS NEXT MAY, FOLLOWED BY AN EXTERNSHIP. CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO 15 STUDENTS AND IS OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND ADULTS. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS AUGUST 5TH. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT WWW.MCOE.US/D/CTE, OR CALL 467-5123.

Playlist 7/25/13

BRUNO MARS-TREASURE

DAFT PUNK W/PHARRELL WILLIAMS-GET LUCKY

IMAGINE DRAGONS-RADIOACTIVE

JASON DERULO-THE OTHER SIDE

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

ZEDD W/FOXES-CLARITY

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

AUSTIN MAHONE-WHAT ABOUT LOVE

BRITNEY SPEARS-OOH LA LA

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-I NEED YOUR LOVE

CAPITAL CITIES-SAFE AND SOUND

EMBLEM3-CHLOE (YOU’RE THE ONE I WANT)

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

KE$HA-CRAZY KIDS

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/MARY LAMBERT-SAME LOVE

MAROON 5-LOVE SOMEBODY

MILEY CYRUS-WE CAN’T STOP

NIKKI WILLIAMS-GLOWING

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-GONE, GONE, GONE

RIHANNA W/DAVID GUETTA-RIGHT NOW

AWOLNATION-SAIL

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

JAY-Z W/JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-HOLY GRAIL

LABRINTH W/EMELI SANDE-BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL

LANA DEL RAY-SUMMERTIME SADNESS

PARAMORE-STILL INTO YOU

(THE) NEIGHBOURHOOD-SWEATER WEATHER

BONNIE MCKEE-AMERICAN GIRL

JONAS BROTHERS-FIRST TIME

KARMIN-ACAPELLA

PITBULL W/DANNY MERCER-OUTTA NOWHERE

TEGAN & SARA-CLOSER

News 7/23/13

FORMER POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED IN POT BUST JH 07/23/13

A FORMER LAKEPORT POLICE OFFICER WAS ARRESTED WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS FROM BOTH LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTY DESCENDED UPON REFLECTIONS OF AVALON, A UKIAH MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.

AUTHORITIES RAIDED THE BUSINESS FRIDAY MORNING, TAKING INTO CUSTODY THE OWNER, 60 YEAR OLD RICHARD ERICKSON AND AT LEAST TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP AT THE BUSINESS, ALLEGEDLY TO SELL MARIJUANA. AGENTS SEIZED ABOUT 25 POUNDS OF PROCESSED POT, ALONG WITH AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF GROWING PLANTS, CASH AND GUNS. ERICKSON WAS AN 11 YEAR VETERAN OF THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN HE WAS TERMINATED IN 2006, THE SAME YEAR HE WAS CHARGED WITH MISAPPROPRIATING GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR ALLEGEDLY USING POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT AND TIME FOR PERSONAL REASONS, INCLUDING AN AFFAIR WITH AN 18 YEAR OLD. ERICKSON WAS ACQUITTED OF THOSE CHARGES IN 2007. HE NOW FACES CHARGES OF SUSPICION OF CULTIVATING AND POSSESSING MARIJUANA FOR SALE, MANUFACTURING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY.

BOY SCOUT LEADER KILLED IN CRASH IDENTIFIED JH 07/23/13

AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED THE NAME OF THE BOY SCOUT LEADER KILLED IN A FIVE VEHICLE CRASH ON HIGHWAY 20 ON SUNDAY.

55-YEAR-OLD ROBERT WAYNE GARRISON OF NEWCASTLE DIED IN THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED JUST AFTER 11 AM NEAR POTTER VALLEY.

GARRISONS 15 YEAR OLD SON, SEAN, WAS FLOWN TO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN OAKLAND, AND 17 YEAR OLD MASON SHIELDS OF NEWCASTLE WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, BOTH BOYS WERE REPORTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION ON MONDAY. THREE OTHER SCOUTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED AND SENT TO LOCAL HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN 73-YEAR-OLD EUGENE GALLETTI OF REDWOOD VALLEY FAILED TO STOP FOR OTHER DRIVERS ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY. AN INITIAL COLLISION BETWEEN THREE VEHICLES LANDED GALLETTIS VEHICLE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHERE IT COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH GARRISONS VAN OF SCOUTS, WHICH THEN SPUN INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHERE IT WAS HIT AGAIN. A TOTAL OF 14 PEOPLE WERE RIDING IN THE FIVE VEHICLES INVOLVED. EXCEPT FOR THE VAN OF SCOUTS, THE OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ONLY SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES OR WERE UNINJURED.

WEST NILE VIRUS FOUND IN MENDOCINO COUNTY JH 07/23/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES RECEIVED REPORT OF THE FIRST POSITIVE CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY THIS YEAR.

A DEAD BIRD TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS ON JULY 11TH. WEST NILE VIRUS IS TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS THROUGH A MOSQUITO BITE, AND MOSQUITOES BECOME INFECTED WHEN THEY FEED ON DEAD BIRDS. AVOID BITES BY NOT SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE AT DUSK AND DAWN, WHEN MOSQUITOES ARE MOST ACTIVE. USE AN INSECT REPELLANT WHEN POSSIBLE. AND ELIMINATE ALL SOURCES OF STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOME. TO REPORT A DEAD BIRD, CALL THE CALIFORNIA WEST NILE VIRUS DIVISION AT 877-968-2473.

WOMAN CRASHES INTO WATER COMPANY TRUCKS, GETS DUI JH 07/23/13

AN UPPER LAKE WOMAN WAS INJURED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO TWO CLEARLAKE OAKS WATER DISTRICT TRUCKS.

30-YEAR-OLD MARIA VEGA FIGUEROA WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 20 WHEN SHE FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE IN THE ROAD. HER VEHICLE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, CRASHING THROUGH A FENCE INTO THE CLEARLAKE OAKS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT YARD WHERE SHE HIT TWO TRUCKS PARKED THERE. FIGUEROA WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND THEN FLOWN TO UC DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER WITH MODERATE INJURIES.

TEEN HIT BY CAR, FLOWN TO TRAUMA CENTER JH 07/23/13

A COBB TEENAGER WAS FLOWN TO AN OUT OF THE AREA TRAUMA CENTER SATURDAY, AFTER BEING HIT BY A CAR.

18 YEAR OLD TRISTEN NICHOLAS WINKLE OF ANGWIN WAS DRIVING NORTH ON BOTTLEROCK ROAD, WHEN FOR REASONS THE CHP STILL HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE, HE HIT 14 YEAR OLD HUNTER TOLES. ACCORDING TO CHP, TOLES SUFFERED MODERATE INJURY AND WAS FLOWN TO UC DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER. THE COLLISION IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION.

CHARGES FILED AGAINST LAKE COUNTY MEN FOR CONSPIRACY AND USE OF A MINOR IN A DRUG OPERATION JH 07/23/13

FOLLOWING A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION THAT BEGAN IN 2012, FEDERAL CHARGES WERE FILED AGAINST TWO LAKE COUNTY MEN ON MONDAY.

30 YEAR OLD RYAN BALLETTO OF LAKEPORT AND 25 YEAR OLD PATRICK STEVEN PEARMAIN OF CLEARLAKE ARE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 1,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS AND USING A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL IN A DRUG OPERATION. THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT BALLETTO AND PEARMAIN KEPT A 15-YEAR-OLD RUNAWAY GIRL FOR WEEKS AT AN EXTENSIVE MARIJUANA GROW ON 681 ACRES OF LAND IN LAKE COUNTY, OWNED BY BALLETTO. THE TWO ARE ALSO ACCUSED OF SUBJECTING THE TEEN TO SEXUAL ABUSE AND LOCKING HER IN A METAL BOX FOR SEVERAL DAYS. BASED ON EVIDENCE FOUND AT THE GROW SITE, AUTHORITIES FEAR THAT ADDITIONAL VICTIMS MAY HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO SEXUAL ABUSE AT THE HANDS OF THE TWO SUSPECTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER VICTIMS IS URGED TO CONTACT AUTHORITIES. IF CONVICTED, BALLETTO AND PEARMAIN WILL FACE 10 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON.

ROAD WORK TODAY JH 07/23/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONSTRUCTION AND ROAD WORK PROJECTS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES THIS WEEK, AS WELL AS TWO PROJECTS TODAY THAT MAY CAUSE MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

PG&E WILL PERFORM UTILITY MAINTENANCE ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR MIDDLE CREEK FROM 9 AM TO 2:30 PM TODAY.

PG&E WILL ALSO PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR JEFFERSON WAY FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON TODAY.

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

News 7/22/13

SUNDAY MORNING CRASH ON HIGHWAY 20 LEAVES ONE DEAD AND INJURED SEVEN JH 07/22/13

A SUNDAY MORNING CRASH ON HIGHWAY 20 AT POTTER VALLEY ROAD, LEFT ONE MAN DEAD AND AT LEAST SEVEN OTHERS INJURED, INCLUDING A VAN FULL OF BOY SCOUTS.

IT ALL STARTED WHEN 73-YEAR-OLD EUGENE GALLETTI OF REDWOOD VALLEY FAILED TO REALIZE THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM WAS COMING TO A STOP BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE PREPARING TO TURN. GALLETTIS VEHICLE STRUCK A MINI VAN DRIVEN BY 67-YEAR-OLD JOAN SCHMIDT OF POTTER VALLEY. SCHMIDTS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A TRAILER BEING PULLED BY A TRUCK DRIVEN BY 51-YEAR-OLD RANDALL JOHNSON OF UKIAH, WHO WAS PREPARING TO TURN ONTO POTTER VALLEY ROAD. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, GALLETTIS TRUCK ENDED UP IN ONCOMING WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WHERE IT COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A VAN OF BOY SCOUTS ON THEIR WAY TO CAMP. THE VAN OF SCOUTS WAS THEN HIT BY ANOTHER TRUCK DRIVEN BY 22-YEAR-OLD ANDREW RIVAS OF LINCOLN. THE DRIVER IN THE VAN OF SCOUTS DIED AT THE SCENE, AND THREE OF THE FIVE SCOUTS, INCLUDING THE DRIVERS SON SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES, WITH TWO BEING FLOWN TO OUT OF THE AREA TRAUMA CENTERS AND THE OTHERS GOING TO LOCAL HOSPITALS.

BIOFUEL TANKER CATCHES FIRE JH 07/22/13

AN EMPTY BIOFUEL TANKER TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE SATURDAY NORTH OF UKIAH.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED ABOUT 4:18 PM AT YOKAYO BIOFUELS ON ORR SPRINGS ROAD. AT LEAST ONE OF THE TIRES ON THE TRUCK EXPLODED FROM THE HEAT SENDING DEBRIS ABOUT 40 FEET AND SPREADING THE FIRE TO SOME PALETTES AND SEVERAL 55-GALLON DRUMS. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN EMPTIED THE DAY BEFORE, HOWEVER, AN EMPTY TRUCK IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN A FULL TRUCK BECAUSE IT IS THE VAPORS THAT CATCH FIRE, NOT THE LIQUID ITSELF. FIREFIGHTERS HAD THE BLAZE OUT IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

CAL TRANS AGREES TO LIMIT PILE DRIVING UNTIL 7 AM JH 07/22/13

AFTER TWO WEEKS OF WAKING UP AREA RESIDENTS AT 6:30 AM WITH THE REVERBERATING SOUNDS OF PILE DRIVING, CAL TRANS HAS AGREED TO DELAY FURTHER PILE DRIVING UNTIL AFTER 7 AM.

ALTHOUGH CITY AND COUNTY PROJECTS ARE NORMALLY RESTRICTED FROM LOUD NOISES UNTIL AFTER 7 AM, CAL TRANS, AS A STATE AGENCY IS EXEMPT FROM LOCAL PLANNING GUIDELINES. BUT AFTER RECEIVING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, CAL TRANS HAS AGREED TO FOLLOW THE COUNTY CONSTRUCTION NOISE STANDARDS.

MOTHER FACES JAIL TIME AFTER ALLOWING TODDLER ACCESS TO METH, ALCOHOL JH 07/22/13

A BOONVILLE MOTHER WHO ADMITTED TO ALLOWING HER TODDLER SON TO INGEST LIFE-THREATENING AMOUNTS OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND ALCOHOL WILL SERVE TIME IN COUNTY JAIL INSTEAD OF GOING TO STATE PRISON.

22 YEAR OLD SAMANTHA DELLVALLE PLEADED GUILTY ON JULY 9TH TO FELONY CHILD ABUSE AND ENDANGERMENT, AFTER HER SON WAS RUSHED TO UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER IN MARCH BY HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO BECAME CONCERNED OVER HOW SICK HE APPEARED AFTER SHE PICKED HIM UP AT DELLVALLES HOME. A MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPREME COURT JUDGE SENTENCED DELLVALLE TO SPEND 270 DAYS BEHIND BARS IN THE COUNTY JAIL, RATHER THAN STATE PRISON BECAUSE OF HER YOUNG AGE AND LACK OF A PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD.

FEDERAL JUDGE GRANTS PROSECUTION MORE TIME IN MOTA MURDER CASE JH 07/22/13

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS GRANTED THE PROSECUTION MORE TIME IN THE MOTA MURDER TRIAL.

31 YEAR OLD JONATHAN ANTONIO MOTA OF KELSEYVILLE, WHO REMAINS IN FEDERAL CUSTODY FOR THE MURDER OF 33 YEAR OLD FORREST SEAGRAVE OF KELSEYVILLE, UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO DISMISS HIS ATTORNEY AND OBJECT TO THE PROSECUTIONS REQUEST FOR MORE TIME TO PREPARE. MOTA ALLEGEDLY SHOT SEAGRAVE WHILE ROBBING THE MT. KONOCTI GAS AND MART IN JANUARY. SEAGRAVE DIED THAT NIGHT. MOTAS NEXT HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 25TH.

RIVERO ASKS COURT TO OVERTURN DECISION REQUIRING HIM TO PAY HIS OWN ATTORNEY FEES JH 07/22/13

LAKE COUNTYS SHERIFF IS ASKING AN APPELLATE COURT TO OVERTURN A JUDGES RULING REQUIRING HIM TO PERSONALLY PAY ATTORNEY FEES INCURRED WHILE FIGHTING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DETERMINATION THAT HE LIED DURING A 2008 SHOOTING INVESTIGATION.

THE INVESTIGATION REVOLVED AROUND A NONFATAL FEBRUARY 2008 SHOOTING IN WHICH RIVERO SHOT AT A MAN HOLDING A CAN OF PEPPER SPRAY, A VIOLATION OF SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT PROTOCOL. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT RIVERO LIED TO INVESTIGATORS ABOUT HIS ACTIONS, AND HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PLACED ON THE BRADY LIST OF OFFICERS WITH CREDIBILITY ISSUES. RIVERO THEN SUED THE DA IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT RELEASE OF THAT INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS. FOLLOWING THE BRADY DETERMINATION, THE COUNTY STOPPED PAYING RIVEROS LEGAL BILLS, AND THE SHERIFF IS SUING TO GET THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO PAY HIS LEGAL FEES.

ROAD WORK JH 07/22/13

WORD WORK MAY CAUSE MINOR TRAFFIC DELAYS.

PG&E WILL BEGIN TREE TRIMMING TODAY ON HIGHWAY 20 FROM JUST EAST OF LAKESHORE DRIVE TO JUST EAST OF THE JUNCTION OF HIGHWAYS 20 AND 53. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7:30 AM TO 3 PM WEEKDAYS WITH ONE WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL IN EFFECT AND 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

CAL TRANS WILL BEGIN PAVING HIGHWAY 29 TODAY FROM LOWER LAKE TO NEAR HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 5:30 AM TO 4 PM WEEKDAYS, WITH ONE WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL IN EFFECT AND 10 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

Playlist 7/18/13