News 8/30/13

FORT BRAGG MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER (LAW)

JH 08/30/13

A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, DOMESTIC BATTERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER HE BEAT AND STABBED HIS GIRLFRIEND.

FORT BRAGG POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A MAN ASSAULTING A FEMALE AT THE INTERSECTION OF CHESTNUT STREET AND MINNESOTA AVENUE ON MONDAY NIGHT, BUT FOUND NO ONE. SEVERAL WITNESSES IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL SUSPECT AS 22-YEAR-OLD IVAN SANCHEZ. POLICE THEN RESPONDED TO THE MENDOCINO COAST HOSPITAL WHERE A 20 YEAR OLD FEMALE WAS ADMITTED WITH INJURIES CONSISTENT WITH A VIOLENT BEATING AND STABBING. THE FEMALE VICTIM IDENTIFIED HER BOYFRIEND, IVAN SANCHEZ AS THE SUSPECT. SHE TOLD POLICE THAT HE PUNCHED AND KICKED HER AND THEN STABBED HER SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE. SANCHEZ THEN CAUGHT HER AT THE INTERSECTION AND CONTINUED TO ASSAULT HER. THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE A SECOND TIME AND GET A RIDE TO THE HOSPITAL. A WARRANT WAS OBTAINED FOR SANCHEZ, AND A SEARCH OF HIS HOME REVEALED THE CRIME SCENE AND OTHER PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE ASSAULT. SANCHEZ WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

MUSSEL STICKERS REQUIRED ON CLEAR LAKE (LAW) JH 08/30/13

LAKE COUNTYS NEW MUSSEL BOAT STICKER ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS ARE NOW IN OPERATION.

ACCORDING TO THE WATER RESOURCE DIRECTOR, THE CITATION PROCESS FOR BOATERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MUSSEL STICKER HAS CHANGES SLIGHTLY. THE NEW REGULATIONS ALLOW FOR AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO ISSUE EITHER A ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION OR A CRIMINAL CITATION. THE CRIMINAL CITATION IS A MISDEMEANOR WITH A $1,000 FINE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION WILL CARRY A $100 FINE FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE, $200 FOR THE SECOND AND SO ON. THE FINE MONEY FROM ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTYS WATER RESOURCE DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE USED TO FUND THE LAKE COUNTY QUAGGA/ZEBRA MUSSEL PREVENTION PROGRAM.

WOMAN PUNCHES NURSE AT UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER (LAW)

JH 08/30/13

A WOMAN WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY FOR PUNCHING A NURSE AT UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER.

42 YEAR OLD KAYLAH FOWLER HAD BEEN DISCHARGED AFTER BEING TREATED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS ASKED TO LEAVE. WHEN FOWLER ASKED A NURSE TO HELP HER UP, SHE REPORTEDLY PUNCHED THE NURSE IN THE SHOULDER. FOWLER WAS PLACED UNDER CITIZENS ARREST FOR BATTERY.

THREE DENNYS CUSTOMERS TRIED TO PASS COUNTERFEIT MONEY (LAW)

JH 08/30/13

THREE PEOPLE DINNING AT DENNYS IN UKIAH, TRIED TO PAY FOR THEIR MEAL WITH A COUNTERFEIT $100 BILL.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, A DENNYS EMPLOYEE FLAGGED DOWN A CHP OFFICER JUST AFTER 2 AM SUNDAY MORNING TO REPORT THAT THREE CUSTOMERS FLED AFTER TRYING TO PAY FOR $65 WORTH OF FOOD WITH THE FAKE $100 BILL. TWO OF THE THREE, 22 YEAR OLD JOSHUA JORDAN KEYS AND 32 YEAR OLD MARIA ISABEL MARFIL, WERE APPREHENDED ON EAST PERKINS STREET. THE THIRD SUSPECT WAS NOT LOCATED. KEYS AND MARFIL WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

THREE TEENS BREAK INTO UKIAH HIGH FOR EARLY MORNING SNACKS (LAW) JH 08/30/13

THREE UKIAH TEENAGERS WERE ARRESTED AFTER BREAKING INTO THE UKIAH HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND STEALING SNACKS AND BEVERAGES WORTH OVER $175.

WHEN POLICE ARRIVED ON SCENE JUST BEFORE 5 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING, THEY FOUND THAT THE CAFETERIA HAD BEEN VANDALIZED AND FOOD AND DRINK ITEMS WERE MISSING. THE SUSPECTS ALSO REMOVED SOME COMPUTERS, WHICH WERE RECOVERED NEARBY BUT DAMAGED. POLICE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ONE OF THE SUSPECTS AS 19-YEAR-OLD LOGAN ANDREW RYMEL. POLICE THEN ARRIVED AT HIS ELM STREET RESIDENCE WHERE THEY LOCATED A LARGE AMOUNT OF STOLEN FOOD ITEMS IN THE YARD AND MORE IN RYMELS BEDROOM. OFFICERS DETERMINED THAT RYMEL AND TWO FRIENDS HAD BEEN DRINKING WHEN THEY BROKE INTO THE SCHOOL. RYMEL AND TWO 17-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT WERE ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/30/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, MICROSURFACING WILL BE DONE ON McPHERSON, PARK, WEST PINE AND WALL STREETS, AS WELL AS ON REDWOOD AVENUE AND KEMPPE WAY. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

UKIAH CCC FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING RIM FIRE (PI) JH 08/30/13

MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS CENTER IN UKIAH ARE SOME OF THE MORE THAN 400 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WORKING 16 HOUR SHIFTS SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, FIRE CREWS USUALLY CONSIST OF TEN TO FIFTEEN CORPS MEMBERS WORKING 14 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITHOUT A BREAK. MOST OF THE CONSERVATION CORP CREWS ARE FIGHTING THE FIRE BEHIND THE FRONT LINES IN A SUPPORT ROLE. THEY MAKE SURE NEEDED SUPPLIES ARRIVE ON TIME AND MAINTAIN FIRE CAMPS AND EQUIPMENT. CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS MEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO VARIOUS FIRES FROM HUMBOLDT TO TUOLUMNE COUNTIES, INCLUDING THE RIM FIRE.

ROAD CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND (TR) JH 08/30/13

VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS WEEKEND WILL CAUSE SOME STREET CLOSURES AND CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS.

THE ROUND VALLEY LIONS CLUB HAS BEEN ISSUED A PERMIT TO HOLD THE 25TH ANNUAL ROUND VALLEY RODEO AND PARADE ON HIGHWAY 162 BETWEEN THE TOWN CREEK BRIDGE AND HOWARD STREET ON SATURDAY FROM 10 TO 10:30 AM. A FULL ROAD CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

THE FORT BRAGG FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED A PERMIT TO HOLD THEIR ANNUAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WATER FIGHT ON SPRUCE STREET FROM MAIN TO STEWART STREET SATURDAY FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM. A FULL STREET CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT IN THIS BLOCK MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG HAS BEEN ISSUED A PERMIT FOR THE ANNUAL PAUL BUNYAN DAYS LABOR DAY PARADE ON HIGHWAY 1 BETWEEN MADRONE AVENUE AND ELM STREET ON MONDAY FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM. A FULL ROAD CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT. A DETOUR WILL BE AVAILABLE.

News 8/29/13

HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS PROJECT HAS GRADING PERMIT REVOKED (GOV)

JH 08/29/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICIALS REVOKED A GRADING PERMIT THAT PROVIDED FILL DIRT FOR THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS, RENDERING MOOT ENVIRONMENTALISTS REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.

THE WILLITS ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER AND KEEP THE CODE FILED A LAWSUIT AND REQUEST FOR THE RESTRAINING ORDER LAST FRIDAY. THEY CLAIM THE COUNTY SKIRTED MINING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS WHEN IT ISSUED A GRADING PERMIT TO MENDOCINO FOREST PRODUCTS. ACCORDING TO MENDOCINO COUNTY COUNCIL, THE DECISION TO RESCIND THE PERMIT WAS MADE WEDNESDAY MORNING, HOURS BEFORE A JUDGE WAS SCHEDULED TO HEAR THE RESTRAINING ORDER REQUEST, AFTER A REVIEW INDICATED THAT PROCEDURAL ERRORS MAY HAVE BEEN MADE. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS WILL HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON THE BYPASS PROJECT. ACCORDING TO CAL TRANS OFFICIALS, AS EARLY AS TODAY, THE PROJECTS FILL SOURCE WILL BE SWITCHED FROM THE NOW UNPERMITTED MILL SITE JUST NORTH OF TOWN TO A CAL TRANS CONSTRUCTION SITE SOUTH OF TOWN.

LAKE TRANSIT TO RESTORE FULL SERVICE NEXT WEEK (TR) JH 08/29/13

LAKE TRANSIT AUTHORITY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL HAVE SERVICE RESTORED TO 100 PERCENT BY TUESDAY.

PARATRANSIT, THE COMPANY THAT RUNS LAKE TRANSIT, HAD MOST EMPLOYEES, MEMBERS OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 665, GO ON STRIKE ON JULY 29TH AFTER THE TWO GROUPS COULD NOT AGREE ON A NEW THREE YEAR CONTRACT. PARATRANSIT BEGAN HIRING NEW PERMANENT EMPLOYEES SHORTLY AFTER, AND PLANS ON RETURNING TO THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE AS OFFERED PRIOR TO THE STRIKE. FREE RIDES WILL BE OFFERED EVERY FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER AS A WAY OF THANKING RIDERS FOR THEIR PATIENCE. ELDERLY AND DISABLED RIDERS WILL RECEIVE FREE DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICES EVERY FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER AS WELL.

CONGRESSMAN HUFFMAN TO HOLD FORUM IN UKIAH, TODAY (GOV)

JH 08/29/13

CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN WILL BE HOSTING A FORUM ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TODAY IN UKIAH.

HUFFMAN WILL DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, AND TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC. THE FORUM IS SCHEDULED FROM 4 TO 5:30 PM TODAY IN THE LITTLE THEATER AT MENDOCINO COLLEGE.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/29/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, MICROSURFACING WILL BE DONE ON McPHERSON AND STEWART STREETS AND ON SANDERSON WAY. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT CONTINUES (TR) JH 08/29/13

CONSTRUCTION WORK OF THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK AND NEXT IN FORT BRAGG.

TODAY AND TOMORROW, THE INTERSECTION ON FIR STREET AT BRANDON WAY AND NORTH CORRY STREET WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM. WORK IS ALSO BEING DONE ON CEDAR STREET, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF NEXT WEEK. SIGNS AND FLAGGERS WILL DIRECT TRAFFIC AS NEEDED AND ADJACENT RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES WILL BE REGULARLY NOTIFIED REGARDING THE PROJECT SCHEDULE.

MORE WEST NILE VIRUS IN LAKE COUNTY (EVR/PI) JH 08/29/13

OVER A DOZEN NEW SAMPLES TESTED POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS IN LAKE COUNTY LAST WEEK.

THE VIRUS WAS FOUND IN SIXTEEN MOSQUITO SAMPLES, ONE DEAD BIRD AND IN ANOTHER SENTINEL CHICKEN. ACCORDING TO LAKE COUNTY OFFICIALS, VECTOR CONTROL HAS DETECTED MORE WEST NILE VIRUS FROM MORE LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY THAN IN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR. A TOTAL OF 47 MOSQUITOES, SEVEN BIRDS AND TWO CHICKENS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE SO FAR THIS YEAR. HO HUMAN CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. RESIDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE HELP WITH A MOSQUITO PROBLEM, SHOULD CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT AT 263-4770, OR VISIT THEIR WEB SITE AT WWW.LCVCD.ORG.

OVER A DOZEN UKIAH STREETS TO GET SLURRY SEAL (GOV/TR)

JH 08/29/13

OVER A DOZEN UKIAH STREET WILL GET A NEW SLURRY SEAL AFTER THE CITY AWARDED THE WORK CONTRACT TO A SACRAMENTO AREA COMPANY.

CENTRAL VALLEY ENGINEERING AND ASPHALT OF ROSEVILLE WILL BE PAID JUST OVER $172,000 TO APPLY THE SLURRY SEAL TO 13 STREETS AROUND THE CITY, IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THEM AND SEAL OUT WATER. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WILL BE PROVIDED BY A COMBINATION OF PROPOSITION 1B FUNDS AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION RELIEF PROGRAM FUNDS.

COUNTY AD-HOC COMMITTEE FORMED TO EXPLORE ENERGY PROGRAM (GOV/ECN) JH 08/29/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPOINTED TWO OF ITS OWN MEMBERS TO AN AD-HOC COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, WITH THE TASK OF GENERATING IDEAS FOR A CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM.

THE BOARD HAD UNANIMOUSLY SHOT DOWN SUCH A PROGRAM IN JUNE, WHICH WOULD HAVE PUT IN PLACE A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR HOMEOWNERS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS TO FINANCE ENERGY UPGRADES. THE COUNCIL CITED CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON LOCAL HOMEOWNERS EQUITY AND BANKS WHOS LOANS MIGHT TAKE A LOWER PRIORITY TO THE CLEAN-ENERGY LOANS. THE BOARD IS NOW INTERESTED IN A CLEAN ENERGY IMPROVEMENT FINANCING PROGRAM FOR JUST COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS.

News 8/28/13

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR SUSPECT WHO PULLED KNIFE ON CAREGIVER (LAW) JH 08/28/13

A FELONY ARREST WARRANT HAS NOW BEEN ISSUED FOR A MAN SUSPECTED OF THREATENING A HOME HEALTH AID WITH A KNIFE.

28 YEAR OLD ALLEN LEE TIMMS JR OF LAKEPORT IS SUSPECTED OF CHASING THE WOMAN AROUND HER CLIENTS HOME AND DEMANDED THAT SHE PROVIDE THE CLIENT WITH MORE PAIN MEDICATION. AT ONE POINT THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE INTO A BATHROOM, THEN A BEDROOM, HOWEVER, TIMMS FORCED HIS WAY IN KNOCKING HER DOWN AND THREATENING HER. THE VICTIM THEN RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND CALLED POLICE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF TIMMS IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 263-5491.

WILLITS MAN CHARGED WITH SEVERAL COUNTS OF ARSON (LAW)

JH 08/28/13

A WILLITS MAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY FOR ALLEGEDLY STARTING SEVERAL WILDFIRES NEAR WILLITS OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

22-YEAR-OLD BRICE LEE McKINNON WAS CHARGED WITH NUMEROUS FELONY COUNTS OF ARSON TO FOREST LANDS. CAL FIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WORK DILIGENTLY IN ARSON CASES TO AGGRESSIVELY INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE THOSE SUSPECTED OF INTENTIONALLY STARTING FIRES. RESIDENTS SHOULD BE VIGILANT IN THEIR PREPAREDNESS AND AWARE OF SUSPICIOUS PERSONS WHEN A FIRE DOES START. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT ARSON IS URGED TO CONTACT THE CAL FIRE ARSON HOT LINE AT 1-800-468-4408.

ANIMAL CARE SERVICES STAKEHOLDER MEETING (PI) JH 08/28/13

THERE WILL BE AN ANIMAL CARE SERVICE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING TODAY IN UKIAH.

ANIMAL CARE SERVICES WELCOMES PUBLIC INSIGHT AND INPUT AT THE MEETING, WHICH WILL BE TODAY FROM 10 AM TO NOON AT THE UKIAH ANIMAL SHELTER ON PLANT ROAD. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO BRING IDEAS ON HOW ANIMAL CARE SERVICES CAN BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND, YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS TO MS SAGE MOUNTAINFIRE VIA E-MAIL AT MOUNTAIS.

TEAMSTERS AND PARATRANSIT MEET (TR) JH 08/28/13

LAKE TRANSIT SERVICES CONTINUE TO RUN AT A REDUCED LEVEL AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN PARATRANSIT AND THE TEAMSTERS FAILED TUESDAY.

THE TWO GROUPS MET FOR NEGOTIATIONS CENTERED AROUND THE REINSTATEMENT OF EMPLOYEES WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY ON STRIKE. LAST WEEKS NEGOTIATIONS RESULTED IN ONLY THREE EMPLOYEES, TWO DRIVERS AND ONE DISPATCHER, BEING REINSTATED. THE TWO GROUPS FAILED TO AGREE ON THE ORDER IN WHICH EMPLOYEES WOULD BE ASSIGNED SHIFTS IF REINSTATEMENT OF ALL EMPLOYEES WERE TO HAPPEN. PARATRANSIT SERVICES ALSO DID NOT AGREE TO ENTER BINDING ARBITRATION; A NEGOTIATION METHOD TEAMSTERS LOCAL 665 HAD SOUGHT. TEAMSTERS CLAIM THAT IF A DEAL IS REACHED, SERVICES COULD BE RUNNING AT 100 PERCENT SOON AFTER.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/28/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, MICROSURFACING WILL BE DONE ON EDDY, FLORENCE, LAUREL, MANZANITA, AND SPRUCE STREETS, AS WELL AS ON EBBING WAY AND SANDERSON WAY. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

SEWER CONSTRUCTION IN UKIAH WILL CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS (TR)

JH 08/28/13

SEWER CONSTRUCTION WORK IN UKIAH WILL CAUSE SOME TRAFFIC DELAYS THIS WEEK.

THE WORK WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE INTERSECTION OF MILL STREET AND SCHOOL STREET TODAY. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 AM AND 4:30 PM. DURING THIS TIME, MILL STREET BETWEEN STATE STREET AND OAK STREET, AND SCHOOL STREET, SOUTH OF SEMINARY AVENUE, WILL BE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC.

CITY OF UKIAH TO REMOVE THREE REDWOOD TREES FROM SCHOOL STREET (GOV/EVR) JH 08/28/13

THE CITY OF UKIAH IS MAKING PLANS TO REMOVE THREE LARGE REDWOOD TREES FROM SCHOOL STREET DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES.

ACCORDING TO AN ARBORIST, THE THREE TREES, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, ARE SUFFERING FROM A LACK OF WATER AND ARE TOO LARGE FOR WHERE THEY WERE PLANTED. CITY OFFICIALS CONSIDER THEM A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF LIMBS FALLING. THE CITY IS CURRENTLY SOLICITING BIDS FOR REMOVAL OF THE TREES.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL: STILL NO DECISION IN RODIN REPLACEMENT (GOV)

JH 08/28/13

AFTER A SECOND SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW TO REPLACE FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER MARI RODEN, THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL AGAIN POSTPONED MAKING A DECISION.

RODIN ANNOUNCED IN EARLY JULY THAT SHE WAS TAKING A JOB IN MONTEREY COUNTY THIS MONTH, AND THE COUNCIL HAS CALLED AT LEAST TWO SPECIAL MEETINGS TO DISCUSS HER VACANCY, HOWEVER, THE VICE MAYOR WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR BOTH MEETINGS. SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS FEEL THAT APPOINTING A REPLACEMENT MADE THE MOST SENSE, WHILE OTHER ARE PUSHING FOR AN ELECTION, WITH A POSSIBLE COST OF $30,000. THERE IS ALSO THE OPTION TO APPOINT AN INTERIM COUNCIL MEMBER UNTIL THE ELECTION COULD BE HELD. THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO POSTPONE A DECISION UNTIL THE SEPTEMBER 3RD MEETING WHEN THE VICE MAYOR WOULD BE PRESENT TO PARTICIPATE.

EARTHQUAKE NEAR GEYSERS (EVR) JH 08/28/13

A MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKE SHOOK THE GEYSERS LAST NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM THE US GEOLOGIC SURVEY, THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 9:43 PM JUST TWO MILES SOUTH EAST OF THE GEYSERS AT A DEPTH OF 1.1 MILES. THE TEMBLOR REGISTERED A 3.8 MAGNITUDE. DOZENS OF REPORTS CAME IN FROM RESIDENTS WHO FELT THE QUAKE, SEVERAL DESCRIBING IT AS BOTH STRONG AND VIOLENT.

News 8/27/13

LAKEPORT POLICE SEARCH FOR SUSPECT WHO PULLED KNIFE ON CAREGIVER (LAW) JH 08/27/13

LAKEPORT POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A MAN SUSPECTED OF THREATENING A HOME HEALTH AID WITH A KNIFE.

28 YEAR OLD ALLEN LEE TIMMS JR OF LAKEPORT IS SUSPECTED OF CHASING THE WOMAN AROUND HER CLIENTS HOME AND DEMANDED THAT SHE PROVIDE THE CLIENT WITH PAIN MEDICATION. AT ONE POINT THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE INTO A BATHROOM, THEN A BEDROOM, HOWEVER, TIMMS FORCED HIS WAY IN KNOCKING HER DOWN. THE VICTIM THEN RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND CALLED POLICE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF TIMMS IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 263-5491.

FIRE DESTROYS ATVS AT MOTOSPORTS OF UKIAH (LAW) JH 08/27/13

OVER TWO DOZEN ATVS WERE REPORTEDLY DESTROYED MONDAY AFTERNOON WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT ON NORTH STATE STREET NEAR HIGHWAY 101 AND SEVERAL BUSINESSES.

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY NEAR MENDO MILL AROUND 4:45 PM. THE FIRE THEN REPORTEDLY JUMPED THE HIGHWAY AND IGNITED GRASS AND EQUIPMENT AT MOTOSPORTS OF UKIAH. NEAR 30 ATVS WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED FROM THE BLAZE. THE FIRE ALSO JUMPED NORTH STATE STREET AND ONTO THE FORMER MASONITE PROPERTY BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FLAMES.

LARGE BAR FIGHT SENDS SEVERAL TO JAIL (LAW) JH 08/27/13

A LARGE BAR FIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT IN CLEARLAKE RESULTED IN SEVERAL PEOPLE GOING JAIL.

AUTHORITIES ARRIVED AT THE CLEARLAKE CLUB AT AROUND 10:43 PM, RESPONDING TO A REPORT OF NEAR 30 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN A PHYSICAL FIGHT. AUTHORITIES LOCATED SEVERAL PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE BAR FIGHTING AND CHALLENGING EACH OTHER, AND TWO LARGE CROWDS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR AUTHORITIES TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. THREE PEOPLE WERE IMMEDIATELY ARRESTED FOR FIGHTING, 30 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY NAVARRO OF LAKEPORT, 26 YEAR OLD JEREMY TREADWAY OF LAKEPORT AND 25 YEAR OLD MARCOS GONZALES OF KELSEYVILLE. AS OFFICERS WERE GETTING A PORTION OF THE CROWN UNDER CONTROL, 56 YEAR OLD JAMES KOLLENBORN OF REDWOOD VALLEY BEGAN CHALLENGING OTHERS AND WAS ARRESTED AFTER A BRIEF STRUGGLE. POLICE STAYED ON SITE FOR ANOTHER 45 MINUTES AS THE CROWD DISBURSED.

TRAFFIC STOP TURNS TO DRUG BUST (LAW) JH 08/27/13

A WEEKEND TRAFFIC STOP RESULTED IN TWO ARRESTS AND SEIZURE OF DRUGS AND COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY.

A LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY WAS DRIVING BEHIND A VEHICLE FRIDAY NIGHT, WHEN HE WITNESSED A TURNING VIOLATION. THE DEPUTY PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE, DRIVEN BY 34 YEAR OLD DYLAN THOMAS BACON OF KELSEYVILLE. BACON WAS FOUND TO HAVE A SUSPENDED LICENSE AND WAS ON POST RELEASE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION WITH A SEARCH AND SEIZURE CLAUSE. THE SEARCH REVEALED METHAMPHETAMINE, HEROIN, PARAPHERNALIA, AND COUNTERFEIT FIVE, TEN AND TWENTY-DOLLAR BILLS. BACON AND HIS PASSENGER, 26 YEAR OLD JACKLYN MARIE RUTH OF CITRUS HEIGHTS, WERE BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

CAL TRANS ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 08/27/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS CAL TRANS ROAD WORK PROJECTS GOING ON AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY.

PAVEMENT REPAIRS WILL BE MADE ON HIGHWAY 101 FROM CUMMINS ROAD TO THE JUNCTION OF HIGHWAY 1 BEGINNING TODAY. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM WEEKDAYS. A SHOULDER CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT AND MOTORISTS SHOULD EXPECT MINOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/27/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, MICROSURFACING WILL BE DONE ON BUSH, FERN, LINCOLN, MORROW, AND WALNUT STREETS, AS WELL AS ON WOODLAND DRIVE. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

SEWER CONSTRUCTION IN UKIAH WILL CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS (TR)

JH 08/27/13

SEWER CONSTRUCTION WORK IN UKIAH WILL CAUSE SOME TRAFFIC DELAYS THIS WEEK.

THE WORK WILL BE DONE AT THE INTERSECTION OF MILL STREET AND SCHOOL STREET, BOTH TODAY AND TOMORROW. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 AM AND 4;30 PM. DURING THIS TIME, MILL STREET BETWEEN STATE STREET AND OAK STREET, AND SCHOOL STREET, SOUTH OF SEMINARY AVENUE, WILL BE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC.

NEW LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST CAL TRANS OVER WILLITS BYPASS PROJECT (PI) JH 08/27/13

TWO GROUPS IN WILLITS FILED SUIT IN SUPERIOR COURT AGAINST THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO OVER PERMITS ISSUED TO ALLOW CAL TRANS EXCAVATION OF NEARLY A MILLION CUBIC YARDS OF FILL BEING DUMPED ON WETLAND IN THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS FOOTPRINT.

THE WILLITS ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER AND KEEP THE CODE, A LOCAL NON-PROFIT FILED THE REQUEST FRIDAY WITH THE COURT FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER CLAIMING THE PERMIT IS IN VIOLATION OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND THE SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION ACT. A HEARING IN REGARD TO THE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW, AUGUST 28TH AT 1:15 PM IN THE MENDOCINO COUNTY COURT HOUSE.

News 8/26/13

GASOLINE STOLEN FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT (LAW) JH 08/26/13

POLICE ARe SEEKING THE COMMUNITIES HELP IN LOCATING WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR STEALING GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL FROM THE FORT BRAGG FIRE DEPARTMENT.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, SOMEONE HAD CLIMBED OVER THE LOCKED FENCE INTO A STORAGE AREA NEXT TO THE FORT BRAGG FIRE DEPARTMENT SUB-STATION ON HIGHWAY 20, AND SIPHONED SEVERAL GALLONS OF FUEL FROM EQUIPMENT STORED OUTSIDE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION OR WHO MAY HAVE OBSERVED SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN THIS AREA BETWEEN 5 PM TUESDAY AUGUST 20TH AND 8 AM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21ST, IS ASKED CALL THE CRIME TIP HOTLINE AT 961-3049.

CITY COUNCIL TO WEIGHT THIRD OPTION FOR REPLACING RODIN (GOV)

JH 08/26/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT A NEW OPTION IN THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER MARI RODEN DURING A SPECIAL MEETING TODAY.

THE COUNCIL WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THEY HAD TWO OPTIONS TO REPLACE RODIN, WHO LEFT THE AREA FOR A JOB IN MONTEREY COUNTY. THE OPTIONS WERE TO APPOINT A REPLACEMENT, OR HOLD AN ELECTION. HOWEVER, THE ELECTION WOULD NOT BE UNTIL MARCH 2014, AND THE COUNCIL HAS IMPORTANT ISSUES COMING UP FOR A VOTE THAT WILL REQUIRE A FULL COUNCIL TO MEET THE FOUR-FIFTHS MAJORITY REQUIRED. THE CITY ATTORNEY THEN POINTED OUT A THIRD OPTION, WHICH IS TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO APPOINT AN INTERIM COUNCIL MEMBER UNTIL THE ELECTION CAN BE HELD. THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THIS OPTION TODAY AT 5:30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

CLEARLAKE POLICE CALL SWAT (LAW) JH 08/26/13

THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT CALLED FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SHERIFFS SWAT TEAM TO ASSIST IN TAKING A FELONY ASSAULT SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, THEY ARRIVED AT THE LAKELAND MOBILE HOME PARK ON OLD HIGHWAY 53 TO FIND THAT 49 YEAR OLD JAKE ANDREW PETKER HAD ALLEGEDLY BATTERED AND THREATENED TO KILL HIS ROOMMATE, 50 YEAR OLD DONNA MAVES. MAVES WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST HELENA HOSPITAL CLEAR LAKE, AND PETKER REFUSED TO COME OUT OF THE RESIDENCE. AFTER POLICE LEARNED THAT PETKER MAY HAVE EIGHT LOADED FIREARMS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE RESIDENCE AND HE WAS PREPARED TO USE THEM, THEY CALLED SWAT. ABOUT 40 MINUTES AFTER SWAT ARRIVED ON SCENE, PETKER VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED AND WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/26/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT WILL BEGIN TODAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, STRIPING REMOVAL WILL BE DONE ON OVER TWO-DOZEN STREETS. SIGNS AND FLAGGERS WILL DIRECT TRAFFIC AS NEEDED. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 08/26/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS GOING ON AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY.

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE MADE ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR THE STANLEY CREEK ROAD UNDERCROSSING TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 10 AM TO NOON. TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, AND MOTORISTS MAY EXPERIENCE MINOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS.

GUARDRAIL REPAIRS WILL CONTINUE ON HIGHWAY 1 AT THE WAGES CREEK BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNION MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF MERGER (PI)

JH 08/26/13

FORT BRAGG COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION MEMBERS VOTED LAST WEEK IN FAVOR OF MERGING WITH MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION.

MENDO LAKE WILL ASSUME ALL OF FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNIONS ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AND THE COMBINED CREDIT UNION WILL MAINTAIN THE MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION NAME AND BRAND. ON OCTOBER FIRST, THE MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION BRANCH IN FORT BRAGG WILL MOVE AROUND THE CORNER INTO THE FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNION OFFICE ON NORTH FRANKLIN STREET. THE MERGER AGREEMENT ALSO INCLUDES A PROVISION FOR SOME BOARD MEMBERS FROM THE FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNION TO JOIN THE BOARD OF THE MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION. THE MERGER OF THE TWO COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IS DESIGNED TO ASSURE THE BEST IN ONGOING SERVICES TO THE CONTINUING MEMBERSHIP, ENSURING CONTINUED STABILITY, VITALITY AND GROWTH.

CAL TRANS BYPASS PROJECT IN SERIOUS BREACH OF PERMIT (GOV/PI)

JH 08/26/13

THE CAL TRANS HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS PROJECT AROUND WILLITS IS IN SERIOUS BREACH OF PERMIT CONDITIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE US ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS REGULATORY DIVISION CHIEF, CAL TRANS IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH ITS PERMIT BY FAILING TO COMPLETE MITIGATION SITE PREPARATION ACTIONS AS REQUIRED BY THE PERMIT. CAL TRANS IS NOW REQUIRED BY THE ARMY CORP, TO MEET WITH REGULATORS ON SEPTEMBER 6TH TO DISCUSS THE SPECIFIC TASKS, ORDER OF WORK AND TIMEFRAME THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR MITIGATION COMPLIANCE. FAILURE TO REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PERMIT MAY RESULT IN PERMIT SUSPENSION, REVOCATION OR MODIFICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES.

MENDO COUNTY WORKERS TOLD: NO WAGE REINSTATEMENT (GOV/ECN)

JH 08/26/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICIALS TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF MAINLY COUNTY WORKERS AT A BUDGET WORKSHOP THURSDAY NIGHT THAT THERE WILL BE NO WAGE REINSTATEMENT THIS YEAR.

DUE TO MEAGER POPULATION GROWTH AND A LACK OF INDUSTRY, COUNTY WORKERS, WHO HAD 10% AND 12.5% PAY CUTS BEGIN IN 2010, WILL NOT SEE ANY OF THAT MONEY COMING BACK TO PAY CHECKS ANYTIME SOON. THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTYS WORKERS, SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, LOCAL 1021, CONTENDS THAT THE COUNTY ENDED THE LAST FISCAL YEAR WITH A $12 MILLION BALANCE, AND THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE 2013/2014 YEAR HAS A $7 MILLION RESERVE, AND THE WORKERS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR SOME OF THAT MONEY IN ORDER TO KEEP PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. THE COUNTY WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL BUDGET HEARINGS SEPTEMBER 9TH TROUGH 11TH.

News 8/23/13

WILLITS RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT POOR WATER TASTE (PI)

JH 08/23/13

THE CITY OF WILLITS HAS BEEN RECEIVING CALLS REGARDING RECENT ISSUES WITH TASTE AND COLOR OF CITY WATER.

ACCORDING TO CITY OFFICIALS, THE CURRENT WATER CONDITION IS A COMPLETELY NATURAL OCCURRENCE RESULTING FROM LOW RESERVOIR LEVELS DURING WARM WEATHER MONTHS AND RECORD-BREAKING HEAT FOLLOWED BY A COLD SNAP, WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNUSUALLY HIGH ALGAE BLOOM. LAST YEAR, THE CITY INSTALLED SOLAR BEES, A NON-CHEMICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR THE ALGAE BLOOM. THE SYSTEM IS WORKING WELL, HOWEVER, THE RECENT ALGAE BLOOM WAS FAR MORE EXTENSIVE THAN WHAT THE SYSTEM IS ABLE TO HANDLE. CITY STAFF TESTS THE WATER SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE ASSURED THAT CITY WATER IS STILL COMPLETELY SAFE TO CONSUME.

PARK AT GRACE HUDSON MUSEUM CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS (GOV)

JH 08/23/13

THE PARK NEXT TO THE GRACE HUDSON MUSEUM AND SUN HOUSE IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS.

THE PARK HAS BEEN ENCLOSED BY A TEMPORARY FENCE, AND FOR THE MOST PART, WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE RENOVATION. FLOODLIGHTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADDED, IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AREA, AND A PERMANENT FENCE WILL EVENTUALLY SURROUND THE NEW INTERPRETIVE GARDENS AND TRAILS. THE CITY RECEIVED A $3 MILLION GRANT FOR THE PROJECT THAT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A GARDEN RESTROOM, PARKING LOT RENOVATION, LIGHTING, SECURITY CAMERAS AND MORE.

LITTLE LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES OES ENGINE (GOV)

JH 08/23/13

THE LITTLE LAKE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT IN WILLITS IS NOW HOME TO AN OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FIRE ENGINE.

THE 1995 ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY STATIONED IN UKIAH, BUT WHEN THE DEPARTMENT COULD NO LONGER STAFF THE ENGINE IT WAS IN NEED OF A NEW HOME. OES ENGINES ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO ENSURE QUICK RESPONSE TO MAJOR WILDLAND FIRES, EARTHQUAKES, AND OTHER POSSIBLE EMERGENCIES OR DISASTERS. WHEN NOT DEPLOYED FOR STATE EMERGENCIES, LITTLE LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS FREE TO USE THE OES ENGINE AS NEEDED.

ONE OF LAKE COUNTIES MOST WANTED ARRESTED IN BUTTE COUNTY (LAW) JH 08/23/13

ONE OF LAKE COUNTYS MOST WANTED SUSPECTS WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY IN BUTTE COUNTY.

25-YEAR-OLD JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ WAS WANTED FOR A JULY 11TH STABBING ON COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE VICTIM HEARD AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN LOPEZ AND A WOMAN. AS THE ARGUMENT ESCALATED AND LOPEZ BECAME PHYSICAL WITH THE WOMAN, , THE VICTIM REPORTEDLY STEPPED BETWEEN THEM TO TRY AND SEPARATE THEM, AND LOPEZ ALLEGEDLY STABBED HIM ONE IN THE LEFT SIDE. LOPEZ WAS ARRESTED IN OROVILLE THURSDAY MORNING AFTER A LOCAL SHERIFFS DEPUTY RECOGNIZED HIM FROM A LIST OF WANTED SUSPECTS.

CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL DUMPS SPITTLER AS MAYOR (GOV)

JH 08/23/13

SEVERAL CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED THURSDAY NIGHT TO REMOVE JERRI SPITTLER FROM THE MAYORS SEAT, CITING ISSUES INCLUDING DISRESPECT FOR FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITIONS AND THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROTOCOL.

DESPITE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC COMMENT SUPPORTING SPITTLER, HER FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WERE NOT PLEASED WITH SPITTLERS LEADERSHIP, AND VOTED TO REMOVE HER FROM OFFICE FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO WHEN HER TERM WAS SUPPOSED TO END. THE COUNCIL THEN VOTED JOYCE OVERTON TO SUCCEED SPITTLER AS MAYOR, AS WELL AS AGREEING TO SEEK MEDIATION TO TRY AND WORK OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES.

LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD OPENING (GOV) JH 08/23/13

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FROM PERSONS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS FORT BRAGGS REPRESENTATIVE ON THE MENDOCINO COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER ALL APPLICATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 23RD, AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BOARD WILL TAKE ACTION ON APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD AT THEIR OCTOBER 8TH MEETING. PERSONS INTERESTED IN APPOINTMENT ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE CITY CLERK TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS SEPTEMBER 12TH.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/23/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, MICROSURFACING WILL BE DONE ON EDDY, FLORENCE, LAUREL, MANZANITA, AND SPRUCE STREETS, AS WELL AS ON EBBING WAY AND SANDERSON WAY. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 08/23/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS GOING ON AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS, AND A WEEKEND PARADE ON THE COAST WILL AD TO THE DELAYS.

THE ELK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GRANTED AN ENCROACHMENT PERMIT TO HOLD THE ANNUAL GREAT DAY IN ELK PARADE ON HIGHWAY 1 FROM CLIFF RIDGE ROAD TO JUST NORTH OF ELK TOMORROW, SATURDAY, AUGUST 24TH FROM 11 AM TO 2 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 10-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 8/22/13

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY EXTENDED (EVR) JH 08/22/13

AN AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED MONDAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH 10 AM TODAY.

SMOKE CONCENTRATIONS MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES DUE TO WILDFIRES OUTSIDE OF THE AREA. THOSE WITH HEART OR RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS SHOULD USE PARTICULAR CAUTION AND AVOID OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.

UKIAH MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO STARTING MOBILE HOME FIRE (LAW)

JH 08/22/13

A UKIAH MAN PLEADED GUILTY TO SETTING HIS OWN TRAILER ON FIRE LAST MONTH IN DEEP VALLEY MOBILE HOME PARK.

40-YEAR-OLD KIRK BOESEL AGREED TO ACCEPT A PLEA BARGAIN. HE ADMITTED TO A FELONY CHARGE OF RECKLESSLY CAUSING A FIRE IN AN INHABITED STRUCTURE, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE COURT DROPPING THE FELONY ARSON CHARGE. THE ARSON CHARGE WOULD HAVE BEEN A STRIKE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA THREE STRIKES LAW AND WOULD HAVE REQUIRED BOESEL TO REGISTER AS AN ARSONIST. THE CHARGE HE DID ADMIT TO DOES NOT CARRY A REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT, BUT COULD SEND HIM TO STATE PRISON FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS. ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, BOESEL WILL LIKELY BE PUT ON FORMAL PROBATION, INSTEAD OF GIVEN PRISON TIME.

CITY COUNCIL TO WEIGHT THIRD OPTION FOR REPLACING RODIN (GOV)

JH 08/22/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT A NEW OPTION IN THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER MARI RODEN.

THE COUNCIL WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THEY HAD TWO OPTIONS TO REPLACE RODIN, WHO LEFT THE AREA FOR A JOB IN MONTEREY COUNTY. THE OPTIONS WERE TO APPOINT A REPLACEMENT, OR HOLD AN ELECTION. HOWEVER, THE ELECTION WOULD NOT BE UNTIL MARCH 2014, AND THE COUNCIL HAS IMPORTANT ISSUES COMING UP FOR A VOTE THAT WILL REQUIRE A FULL COUNCIL TO MEET THE FOUR-FIFTHS MAJORITY REQUIRED. THE CITY ATTORNEY THEN POINTED OUT A THIRD OPTION, WHICH IS TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO APPOINT AN INTERIM COUNCIL MEMBER UNTIL THE ELECTION CAN BE HELD. THE COUNCIL VOTED TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS THIS OPTION. THE MEETING IS SET FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 26TH AT 5:30 PM.

LAKE TRANSIT BRINGS BACK THREE UNION MEMBERS (PI/EMP)

JH 08/22/13

THREE MEMBERS OF THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL 665 UNION WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN THE STRIKE AGAINST LAKE TRANSIT, HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO THEIR JOBS.

THE UNION MEMBERS BEGAN AN INDEFINITE STRIKE ON JULY 29 AFTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH PARATRANSIT, THE COMPANY THAT RUNS LAKE TRANSIT, FAILED TO REACH A NEW THREE YEAR CONTRACT AGREEMENT. THE 28 STRIKING WORKERS VOTED ON AUGUST 15 TO RETURN TO WORK UNCONDITIONALLY IN AN EFFORT TO RESTORE TRANSIT SERVICES. HOWEVER, PARATRANSIT SERVICES HAS ALREADY HIRED SEVERAL PERMANENT REPLACEMENT WORKERS WHO WILL FILL MOST POSITIONS. ONLY TWO DRIVERS AND ONE DISPATCHER FROM THE TEAMSTERS MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PUT BACK TO WORK. THE REST WILL REMAIN ON A PREFERENTIAL RECALL LIST, AND WILL BE BROUGHT BACK BASED ON SENIORITY, AS OPENINGS ARE AVAILABLE. ON WEDNESDAY, CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSON SENT A LETTER TO BOTH THE TEAMSTERS AND PARATRANSIT URGING THE TWO SIDES TO RETURN TO NEGOTIATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS THE LACK OF SERVICE IS HAVING A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON RIDERS.

WILLITS BYPASS UPDATE (TR) JH 08/22/13

THE WILLITS BYPASS IS MAKING PROGRESS, HOWEVER RESIDENTS ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF EAST HILL ROAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONTRACTORS ON THE PROJECT.

A NUMBER OF WILLITS RESIDENTS EXPRESSED THEIR OBJECTIONS AT A RECENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, OVER THE CITY OF WILLITS ALLOWING THE CONTRACTOR TO CLOSE THE ROAD FOR 12 HOURS A DAY EVERY WEEKDAY THROUGH OCTOBER 15, AND AGAIN NEXT APRIL, MAY AND JUNE. THE COUNCIL HAD NO RESPONSE, AS THE ITEM WAS NOT ON THEIR AGENDA. THE CONTRACTORS ARE USING THE ROAD TO HAUL FILL DIRT INTO THE NORTHERN END OF THE BYPASS FOOTPRINT, WHICH NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION SEASON, SO THE SOIL WILL BE SETTLED AND READY FOR WORK IN THE SPRING.

DOGS DEATH NOT CAUSED BY CLEAR LAKE ALGAE (PI) JH 08/22/13

THE DEATH OF A DOG TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER SWIMMING IN CLEAR LAKE, WAS NOT CAUSED BY ALGAE BLOOMS.

AFTER THE UNEXPECTED DEATH, THE ANIMALS TISSUE WAS TESTED AT THE CALIFORNIA ANIMAL HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY LAB IN DAVIS, FOR SIGNS OF MICROCYSTIN, THE TOXIN PRODUCED BY ALGAE BLOOMS. THE TEST RESULTS WERE NEGATIVE. THE DEATH OF THE DOG APPEARS TO BE AN ISOLATED EVENT, AND THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 08/22/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS GOING ON AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY.

GUARDRAIL REPAIRS WILL CONTINUE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON HIGHWAY 162 FROM THE JUNCTION OF HIGHWAY 101 TO THE CORRAL CREEK BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM WEEKDAYS. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/21/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, MICROSURFACING WILL BE DONE ON BUSH, FERN, LINCOLN, MORROW, AND WALNUT STREETS, AS WELL AS ON WOODLAND DRIVE. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

News 8/21/13

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY EXTENDED (EVR) JH 08/21/13

AN AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED MONDAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH 10 AM TODAY.

SMOKE CONCENTRATIONS MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES DUE TO WILDFIRES OUTSIDE OF THE AREA. THOSE WITH HEART OR RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS SHOULD USE PARTICULAR CAUTION AND AVOID OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS RODINS REPLACEMENT (GOV)

JH 08/21/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS AT TODAY MEETING, WHETHER TO HOLD A SPECIAL ELECTION OR APPOINT SOMEONE TO TAKE OVER FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS MARI RODINS SEAT.

RODIN, ANNOUNCED AT THE COUNCILS JULY 3RD MEETING, THAT SHE WAS TAKING A JOB IN MONTEREY COUNTY AND WOULD BE RESIGNING, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 16TH. THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED REPLACING RODIN IN AN ELECTION, BUT THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CALL FOR THE ELECTION BY JULY 13. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE, THE CITY CANNOT CALL FOR AN ELECTION UNTIL THE VACANCY OCCURS. NOW THAT IT HAS, THE COUNCIL WILL AGAIN CONSIDER ITS OPTIONS. PUBLIC COMMENT AT A SPECIAL JULY 12TH MEETING, INDICATED THAT MOST WERE IN FAVOR OF THE COUNCIL APPOINTING A REPLACEMENT, AS IT WOULD BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE CITY.

LC SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT SEIZES MARIJUANA AND FIREARMS (LAW)

JH 08/21/13

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS NARCOTICS TASK FORCE SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT FRIDAY THAT LED TO FIREARMS AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA.

WHEN DETECTIVES SERVED THE WARRANT AT A RESIDENCE ON ADOBE CREEK DRIVE, THEY NOTICED A LARGE MARIJUANA GROW IMMEDIATELY, AND TWO SUBJECTS WERE SPOTTED SITTING OUTSIDE A TRAVEL TRAILER NEAR THE GARDEN. ONE SUSPECT FLED ON FOOT INTO THE BRUSH AND ESCAPED, BUT THE SECOND SUSPECT, 54-YEAR-OLD VIRGINIO NUNEZ ESPINOZA WAS DETAINED. DETECTIVES SEIZED 762 MARIJUANA PLANTS, 140 POUNDS OF PROCESSED POT AND TWO SHOTGUNS. ESPINOZA WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 08/21/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS GOING ON AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY.

UTILITY WORK WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 175 NEAR ROAD 4, BEGINNING TODAY. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM WEEKDAYS. A SHOULDER CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT, AND MOTORISTS MAY EXPERIENCE MINOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS.

MAN ASSAULTS COUPLE, KNOCKING THE WOMAN OUT (LAW) JH 08/21/13

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY FOR ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING A COUPLE, DURING WHICH HE PUNCHED AND KNOCKED OUT THE WOMAN.

ACCORDING TO THE 18 YEAR OLD VICTIM, HE AND A WOMAN WERE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND WERE PASSED BY A GROUP OF MALE SUBJECT, ONE OF THEM, 27 YEAR OLD SAMUEL CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, MADE A DEROGATORY STATEMENT. THE FEMALE VICTIM THEN YELLED AT ANDERSON AND AN ARGUMENT ENSUED. WHEN THE MALE VICTIM TRIED TO INTERVENE, ANDERSON PUNCHED HIM IN THE HEAD, AND THEN PUNCHED THE FEMALE IN THE FACE CAUSING HER TO FALL AND LOOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. THE WOMAN WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH A CONCUSSION, AND ANDERSON WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL FOR BATTERY WITH SERIOUS INJURY.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 08/21/13

AN EXTENSIVE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT WILL BEGIN TODAY IN FORT BRAGG.

THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES, WITH THE WORK SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. TODAY, STRIPING REMOVAL WILL BE DONE ON OVER TWO DOZEN STREETS. SIGNS AND FLAGGERS WILL DIRECT TRAFFIC AS NEEDED. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

HEARING FOR HIGHWAY 101 INTERCHANGE (GOV/TR) JH 08/21/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TODAY TO GATHER PUBLIC COMMENTS ON A PLAN TO REALIGN THE INTERCHANGE OF HIGHWAY 101 AND TALMAGE ROAD.

THE CITY HIRED A FIRM TO COMPLETE THE INITIAL DESIGN WORK, WHICH WAS COMPLETED AND APPROVED BY CAL TRANS EARLIER THIS YEAR. CITY STAFF HAS ALSO PREPARED AN INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE PROJECT, BOTH OF WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. THE FORMAL REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DOCUMENT ENDS ON AUGUST 27TH, AND THE PURPOSE OF TODAYS HEARING IS TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC AND CITY COUNCIL TO COMMENT ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE DOCUMENT. THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING BEGINS AT 6 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER REPLACING THE MAYOR (GOV)

JH 08/21/13

THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL IS PLANNING TO DISCUSS REPLACING THE MAYOR OVER ALLEGATIONS OF UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.

AT THE COUNCILS AUGUST 8TH MEETING, WHICH FEATURED A DISCUSSION ABOUT A PROPOSED MARIJUANA ORDINANCE, COUNCIL MEMBERS CRITICIZED MAYOR SPITTLER FOR HER TREATMENT OF THEM. SPITTLER WAS ACCUSED OF MAKING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS. AT LEAST ONE COUNCIL MEMBER SUGGESTED A DISCUSSION REGARDING A CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP, AND TWO OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SAID THEY REFUSE TO ATTEND ANYMORE CLOSED SESSION MEETINGS IF SPITTLER IS PRESENT. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 22ND AT 6 PM AT CLEARLAKE CITY HALL.

Playlist 8/22/13

BRUNO MARS-TREASURE

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-I NEED YOUR LOVE

IMAGINE DRAGONS-RADIOACTIVE

MAROON 5-LOVE SOMEBODY

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

ZEDD W/FOXES-CLARITY

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

CAPITAL CITIES-SAFE AND SOUND

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-TURN THE NIGHT UP

JAY-Z W/JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-HOLY GRAIL

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

LABRINTH W/EMELI SANDE-BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL

LANA DEL RAY-SUMMERTIME SADNESS

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/MARY LAMBERT-SAME LOVE

MILEY CYRUS-WE CAN’T STOP

NIKKI WILLIAMS-GLOWING

ONE DIRECTION-BEST SONG EVER

PARAMORE-STILL INTO YOU

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-GONE, GONE, GONE

TAYLOR SWIFT W/ED SHEERAN-EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED

AVICII-WAKE ME UP

AWOLNATION-SAIL

BONNIE MCKEE-AMERICAN GIRL

EMBLEM3-CHLOE (YOU’RE THE ONE I WANT)

KATY PERRY-ROAR

PINK W/LILY ALLEN-TRUE LOVE

(THE) NEIGHBOURHOOD-SWEATER WEATHER

DRAKE W/MIJAD JORDAN-HOLD ON, WE’RE GOING HOME

JONAS BROTHERS-FIRST TIME

KARMIN-ACAPELLA

PITBULL W/DANNY MERCER-OUTTA NOWHERE

TEGAN & SARA-CLOSER

News 8/20/13

HAMBURG ANNOUNCES RUN FOR SECOND TERM AS SUPERVISOR (GOV)

JH 08/20/13

SUPERVISOR DAN HAMBURG ANNOUNCED MONDAY HIS INTENTION TO SEEK A SECOND TERM REPRESENTING MENDOCINO COUNTYS 5TH DISTRICT.

HAMBURG STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN HONORED TO DO THIS WORK FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND WANTS TO CONTINUE DOING IT. CITING TWO AREAS WHERE HE FEELS HE HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY ACTIVE, BROADBAND AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HAMBURG STATED HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FORMING OF THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY. ACCORDING TO HAMBURG, LIKE MOST OF RURAL AMERICA, WE ARE LAGGING FAR BEHIND IN THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET. HAMBURG BELIEVES BROADBAND IS ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR A HEALTHIER COUNTY ECONOMY, WHICH IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES.

MAN INJURED IN SATURDAY BOATING ACCIDENT (LAW) JH 08/20/13

A MAN WAS FLOWN TO A REGIONAL TRAUMA CENTER AFTER BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A BOATING ACCIDENT ON CLEAR LAKE OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE UNIDENTIFIED MAN FELL OFF THE BACK OF HIS BOAT AT AROUND 1:45 SATURDAY. WHEN HE FELL INTO THE LAKE, THE BOATS PROPELLER HIT HIM IN THE BACK. A SHERIFFS PATROL PICKED HIM UP AND TOOK HIM TO A KELSEYVILLE MARINA. HE WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

LUCERNE MAN ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING INTO A LAKEPORT BUSINESS (LAW) JH 08/20/13

A LUCERNE MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY CRASHING INTO A LAKEPORT BUSINESS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

25 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER DON COFFER WAS ALLEGEDLY BEHIND THE WHEEL OF 2013 SCION WHEN HE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE HILLSIDE HONDA BUILDING ON SOUTH MAIN STREET. WITNESSES REPORTED THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER RETURNED TO FREE HIS VEHICLE, WHICH HE DID BEFORE FLEEING IN IT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. POLICE WERE UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY LOCATE THE SUSPECT, UNTIL ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHEN A WITNESS ADVISED THAT THE SCION WAS IN THE AREA OF SOUTH MAIN AND MARTIN STREETS. COFFER WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND FOR HIT AND RUN CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE.

RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED (EVR) JH 08/20/13

A RED FLAG WARNING WAS ISSUED YESTERDAY, FOR MOST OF LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES AND MUCH OF THE NORTH STATE.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW OR WILL BE SHORTLY. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED THE WARNING BECAUSE A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OFF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST WILL BRING THE THREAT OF THUNDERSTORMS TO THE REGION. SOME OF THE THUNDER STORM MAY BRING ABUNDANT LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS, WHICH COULD PRODUCE NEW FIRE STARTS AND IMPACT CURRENT WILDFIRES. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THE WARNING WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM WEDNESDAY.

SMOKE FROM REGIONAL FIRES AFFECTING LAKE AND MENDOCINO AIR QUALITY (EVR) JH 08/20/13

SMOKE FROM SEVERAL FIRES OUT OF THE AREA IS CAUSING HAZE AND POOR AIR QUALITY AFTER A RECENT WIND SHIFT.

ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, SMOKE FROM OREGON FIRES WAS HANGING IN THE AIR, AND THE HAZE STARTED TO BUILD FROM SMOKE DRIFTING NORTH AND WEST FROM FIRES IN BUTTE, PLACER, TUOLUMNE AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES. RESIDENTS WHO HAVE RESPIRATORY DISEASE, HEART CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS, AND ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS OR TO LIMIT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

SKUNK TRAIN UP AND RUNNING AGAIN (PI) JH 08/20/13

AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF VERY LIMITED OPERATIONS, THE SKUNK TRAIN HAS RESUMED FULL SERVICE OF ITS 40 MILE LINE BETWEEN FORT BRAGG AND WILLITS.

THE TRAIN WAS REDUCED TO A SHORT 7 MILE ROUND TRIP AFTER AN APRIL COLLAPSE OF TUNNEL NUMBER ONE. THANKS TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE TRAIN, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE, THE TUNNEL IS BEING REPAIRED AND THE TRAIN IS NOW RUNNING AT FULL SERVICE AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE RAILROAD, THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL WEEKS OF WORK TO BE DONE INSIDE THE TUNNEL, BUT THE CONTRACTOR HAS GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR FOR ALLOWING TRAINS TO PASS THROUGH THE TUNNEL. THERE WILL BE AN OFFICIAL RE-GRAND OPENING EVENT IN SEPTEMBER.

LAKE TRANSIT STRIKING WORKERS NOT LIKELY TO RETURN TO WORK (PI)

JH 08/20/13

MANY PARATRANSIT SERVICES EMPLOYEES WHO VOTED TO RETURN TO WORK THURSDAY AFTERNOON, WILL LIKELY NOT GET THEIR JOBS BACK IMMEDIATELY.

THE STRIKE, OVER A NEW THREE YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN PARATRANSIT AND TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 665, CAUSED TRANSIT SERVICES TO BE REDUCED. IN ORDER TO RESTORE SERVICE, PARATRANSIT STARTED HIRING NEW PERMANENT REPLACEMENT EMPLOYEES ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE STRIKE BEGAN. THE TRANSIT COMPANY HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT THE STRIKING EMPLOYEES WILL GET POSITIONS BACK BASED ON SENIORITY, AND AT THIS POINT, THERE ARE ONLY TWO REPORTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE, WITH NEW STAFF FILLING THE REST. THE UNION MEMBERS HAVE PICKED UP THE PICKET SIGNS AGAIN NEGOTIATIONS ON A NEW CONTRACT ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK, WHEN A FEDERAL MEDIATOR IS AGAIN AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH THE TWO PARTIES.