Playlist 9/26/13

AVICII-WAKE ME UP

CAPITAL CITIES-SAFE AND SOUND

JAY-Z W/JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-HOLY GRAIL

KATY PERRY-ROAR

LANA DEL RAY-SUMMERTIME SADNESS

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/MARY LAMBERT-SAME LOVE

AWOLNATION-SAIL

BONNIE MCKEE-AMERICAN GIRL

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

EMINEM-BERZERK

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-TURN THE NIGHT UP

LADY GAGA-APPLAUSE

LORDE-ROYALS

ONE DIRECTION-BEST SONG EVER

PARAMORE-STILL INTO YOU

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-GONE, GONE, GONE

ROBIN THICKE W/KENDRICK LAMAR-GIVE IT 2 U

SELENA GOMEZ-SLOW DOWN

TAYLOR SWIFT W/ED SHEERAN-EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED

TEGAN & SARA-CLOSER

(THE) NEIGHBOURHOOD-SWEATER WEATHER

ARMIN VAN BUUREN W/TREVOR GUTHRIE-THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

BRUNO MARS-GORILLA

CODY SIMPSON-PRETTY BROWN EYES

FIFTH HARMONY-MISS MOVIN ON

KREWELLA-LIVE FOR THE NIGHT

MILEY CYRUS-WRECKING BALL

PINK W/LILY ALLEN-TRUE LOVE

DAFT PUNK W/PHARRELL WILLIAMS-LOSE YOURSELF TO DANCE

FALL OUT BOY-ALONE TOGETHER

FLO RIDA W/PITBULL-CAN’T BELIEVE IT

ICONA POP-ALL NIGHT

IMAGINE DRAGONS-DEMONS

J COLE W/TLC-CROOKED SMILE

JASON DERULO-MARRY ME

SARA BAREILLES-BRAVE

WANTED (THE)-WE OWN THE NIGHT

News 9/30/13

COUNTY AND LABOR UNION BOTH FILE CLAIMS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER (GOV/EMP) JH 09/30/13

THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO AND THE LABOR UNION THAT MOST COUNTY EMPLOYEES BELONG TO HAVE BOTH FILED CLAIMS ACCUSING ONE ANOTHER OF ILLEGAL PRACTICES IN LABOR NEGOTIATIONS.

CLAIMS WERE FIRST FILED IN 2011 AND AGAIN THIS YEAR BY BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL 1021 OVER UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES. THE COUNTY CALLED THE UNIONS RECENT STRIKE ILLEGAL BECAUSE THE UNION FAILED TO PROPERLY NOTIFY THE COUNTY AND WENT ON STRIKE PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO UTILIZE IMPASSE PROCEDURES. THE UNION CLAIMS THE COUNTYS DECLARATION OF IMPASSE WAS PREMATURE AND THAT THE COUNTY IS GUILTY OF BAD-FAITH BARGAINING, CONTRACTING OUT SERVICES AND REFUSING TO NEGOTIATE CHANGES IN HEALTH CARE PREMIUM INCREASES.

VALID SIGNATURES FALL SHORT IN RECALL OF LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF (PI) JH 09/30/13

THE EFFORT TO RECALL LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO FELL SHORT OF GETTING ENOUGH SIGNATURES FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO TAKE PLACE.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, THE GROUP NEEDED TO SUBMIT 7,026 VALID SIGNATURES. OF THE 7,778 SIGNATURES SUBMIT, ONLY 5,715 WERE DETERMINED TO BE VALID. THE COMMITTEE TO RECALL RIVERO CAN START THE PROCESS OVER, HOWEVER, TIME CONSTRAINTS MAKE IT UNLIKELY FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION. THE NEXT REGULAR ELECTION FOR SHERIFF IS IN NOVEMBER 2014.

THE CITY OF UKIAH RECEIVED A $1 MILLION GRANT FOR HOUSING PROJECTS (GOV/ECN) JH 09/30/13

THE CITY OF UKIAH HAS BEEN AWARDED A $1 MILLION GRANT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM TO FUND REHABILITATION PROJECTS FOR SINGLE AND MULTI-UNIT HOUSING..

THE GRANT WILL FUND A SEWER LATERAL REPLACEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR VERY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIORS; AND A SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOMES LESS THAN 80% AREA MEDIAN INCOME. THE HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM WILL ADDRESS THE DETERIORATION STATE OF SEWER LATERALS AND SEVERE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES EXISTING IN UKIAH HOMES, AND WILL PRIORITIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TO REDUCE COSTS WHERE POSSIBLE.

HIGHLAND FIRE BURNS TWO STRUCTURES BEFORE CONTAINMENT (LAW)

JH 09/30/13

A WILDFIRE DESTROYED TWO BUILDINGS AND SWEPT THROUGH NEAR 100 ACRES OVER THE WEEKEND NEAR HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESERVOIR AT THE LAKE-MENDOCINO COUNTY BORDER.

THE BLAZE STARTED JUST BEFORE 2 PM SATURDAY OFF HIGHLAND SPRINGS ROAD WEST OF KELSEYVILLE. TWO STRUCTURES, A HUNTING CABIN AND OUTBUILDING, WERE DESTROYED. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO 98 ACRES BY ABOUT 6 PM SUNDAY. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

VAN, TRAILER AND JET SKI END UP IN CLEAR LAKE (LAW) JH 09/30/13

A VAN TOWING A TRAILER WITH A JET SKI ON IT ENDED UP SUBMERGED IN CLEAR LAKE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

52 YEAR OLD LANCE MOSSNIER OF CLEARLAKE OAKS WAS BACKING THE VAN DOWN THE BOAT RAMP WHEN IT LOST TRACTION AND WENT INTO THE LAKE. MOSSNIER ESCAPED FROM THE VAN WHILE IT WAS SUBMERGED AND HE WAS NOT INJURED. AFTER EXITING THE VAN, HE FREED THE JET SKI AND BROUGHT IT OUT OF THE WATER. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF THE VANS ROOF WAS VISIBLE ABOVE THE WATER LINE. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS AVERTED A POTENTIAL SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD BY DEPLOYING SPECIAL FUEL-ABSORBING BOOMS AROUND THE VEHICLE TO CONTAIN OIL, GASOLINE, AND OTHER HAZARDOUS FLUIDS THAT WERE LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE WATER JUST OVER TWO HOURS AFTER IT WENT IN.

MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION AND FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNION MERGER MOVING FORWARD (PI) JH 09/30/13

THE MERGER OF THE MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION AND THE FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNION IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE FORT BRAGG BRANCHES TAKING PLACE TODAY, A DAY EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED.

THE MENDO LAKE CREDIT UNION FORT BRAGG BRANCH WILL BE MOVING TO THE FORT BRAGG CREDIT UNION LOCATION ON NORTH FRANKLIN STREET. STARTING TODAY, ATM SERVICES WILL BE LOCATED AT THE FRANKLIN STREET LOCATION. HOURS WILL REMAIN THE SAME. AFTER THE MOVE IS COMPLETE THE ON-LINE BANKING SYSTEMS FOR BOTH ORGANIZATIONS WILL MERGE. THAT TRANSITION IS PLANNED FOR NOVEMBER 1ST.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 09/30/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS CURRENTLY.

PG&E WILL PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 101 JUST NORTH OF THE UPP CREEK BRIDGE BEGINNING TODAY. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM WEEKDAYS.

CULVERT REHABILITATION WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 20 FROM 1.5 MILES EAST OF TWO-ROCK LOOKOUT TO BROADDUS CREEK BRIDGE BEGINNING TODAY. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS.

AT BOTH LOCATIONS, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 TO 10 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 09/30/13

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, SEVERAL ROADS WILL CLOSE FOR RESURFACING. CLOSURES WILL AFFECT McPHERSON AND STEWART STREETS, AND SANDERSON WAY. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

News 9/27/13

FORT BRAGG DODGERS FAN FATALLY STABBED FOLLOWING GIANTS GAME (LAW) JH 09/27/13

A FORT BRAGG DODGERS FAN WAS FATALLY STABBED FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY NIGHTS GIANTS GAME IN SAN FRANCISCO.

AS AT&T PARK FILLED WITH FANS WEARING GIANTS ORANGE, AND BLUE COLORS OF LONGTIME DIVISION RIVALS THURSDAY EVENING, THE CROWD HELD A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF 24 YEAR OLD JONATHAN DENVER OF FORT BRAGG, WHO WAS STABBED TO DEATH DURING A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AND LOS ANGELES DODGER FANS AFTER WEDNESDAYS GAME. JONATHAN HAD GONE TO THE GAME TO SEE HIS FATHER, A SECURITY GUARD FOR THE DODGERS, AND TO ROOT FOR THE TEAM WHILE CELEBRATING HIS FATHERS BIRTHDAY. POLICE HAVE ARRESTED 21-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL MONTGOMERY OF LODI IN CONNECTION WITH THE HOMICIDE. AUTHORITIES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR TWO OTHER SUSPECTS.

RITE AID TO PAY MORE THAN $12 MILLION FOR UNLAWFUL DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE (LAW) JH 09/27/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE RITE AID CORPORATION HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $12.3 MILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE A CIVIL LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT SOME 600 CALIFORNIA RITE AID STORES, INCLUDING THE FOUR IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, UNLAWFULLY HANDLED AND DISPOSED OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

THE JUDGMENT MARKS THE CULMINATION OF A JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAWSUIT FILED IN SEPTEMBER. ACCORDING TO THE DAS OFFICE, RITE AID WILL PAY $8,000 IN CIVIL PENALTIES TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTYS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION AND A MATCHING $8,000 IN CIVIL PENALTIES TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, WHICH WILL BE USED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS.

FUGITIVE TODDLER NOW HOME SAFE (LAW) JH 09/27/13

NUMEROUS PEOPLE CALLED 911 TUESDAY TO REPORT A TODDLER RUNNING DOWN THE SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH OF FORT BRAGG.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THE REPORTS THAT A 3 YEAR OLD MALE, PACKING A LOADED DIAPER, WAS HEADING SOUTH ALONG THE HIGHWAYS SHOULDER NEAR TREGONING LANE. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE TODDLER WAS QUITE THE LITTLE ESCAPE ARTIST, AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE WHILE HIS MOM SLEPT. THE CHILD WAS UNHURT. NO CHARGES WERE FILED AND CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WAS CONTACTED TO OFFER THE MOTHER SOME COUNSELING ABOUT CORRALLING HER SON.

UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION OKS MORE APARTMENTS ON FORD STREET (GOV) JH 09/27/13

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION OKED MORE APARTMENTS ON THE CORNER OF FORD STREET AT MYRON PLACE AT WEDNESDAYS MEETING.

MULTIPLE RESIDENTS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAID THE PROJECT WOULD CAUSE MORE CONGESTION AND PARKING PROBLEMS IN AN ALREADY DENSE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PLANNING COMMISSION NOTED THAT EACH OF THE APARTMENTS WILL HAVE TWO PARKING SPACES, WHICH SHOULD HELP EASE THE PARKING ISSUE, AND THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT TO THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL WILL NOW HAVE THE FINAL SAY AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE PROJECT WILL MOVE FORWARD.

20TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED AT LAKE MENDO (PI) JH 09/27/13

THE US ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS, SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT AND LAKE MENDOCINO WILL CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER 28TH.

THE CORP OF ENGINEERS IS WAIVING DAY USE FEES AT LAKE MENDOCINO, LAKE SONOMA AND ITS MORE THAN 2,400 RECREATION AREAS NATIONWIDE IN RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC LANDS DAY. VOLUNTEERS AT LAKE MENDOCINO WILL HELP CLEAR VEGETATION, MAINTAIN TRAILS, PAINT, AND CLEAN UP DEBRIS AROUND THE LAKE. REGISTRATION BEGINS SATURDAY AT 8:30 AM AT THE POMO CULTURAL CENTER PARKING LOT. WORK PROJECTS WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO NOON, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH FOR VOLUNTEERS. CALL 467-4265 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

CAL TRANS CITED FOR DESTROYING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (GOV)

JH 09/27/13

CAL TRANS HAS BEEN CITED FOR DESTROYING A PROTECTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SITE IN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS.

CAL TRANS RECENTLY INFORMED THE SHERWOOD VALLEY RANCHERIA OF POMO INDIANS THAT THE BYPASS PROJECT AHD DESTROYED THE SITE THIS SUMMER. THE SITE HAD ITS TOP SOIL REMOVED, WICK DRAINS INSTALLED AND NOW HAS SEVERAL FEET OF FILL OVER IT. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES CAL TRANS TO CONSULT WITH LOCAL NATIVE TRIBES TO ENSURE CULTURAL SITES ARE SUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED DURING CONSTRUCTION. IN MAY, WORK WAS NEARLY DELAYED BECAUSE CAL TRANS HAD FAILED TO MEET WITH TRIBAL LEADERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. AFTER THE TRIBE REQUESTED CAL TRANS STOP ALL WORK, THEY MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE, HOWEVER, CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED. AT THIS POINT, THE DAMAGE IS DONE, AND IT IS UNCLEAR AS TO WHAT, IF ANY RECOURSE THE TRIBE HAS.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 09/27/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS CURRENTLY.

TURN LANES WILL BE ADDED TO HIGHWAY 101 JUST SOUTH OF BLACK BART. THE WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 3 PM WEEKDAYS. A SHOULDER CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT, AND MOTORISTS MAY EXPERIENCE MINOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS.

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 175 NEAR BUCKMAN DRIVE TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 4 PM. ONE WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 09/27/13

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, SEVERAL ROADS WILL CLOSE FOR RESURFACING. CLOSURES WILL AFFECT MADRONE, McPHERSON, SOUTH, AND LAUREL STREETS. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

News 9/26/13

HUMAN REMAINS FOUND NEAR LEGGETT (LAW) JH 09/26/13

HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS WERE FOUND IN STANDISH-HICKEY STATE PARK IN LEGGETT YESTERDAY.

THE REMAINS WERE FOUND IN A CREEK BED IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE PARK NEAR HIGHWAY 101. THE REMAINS WERE LOCATED BY CAL FIRE PERSONNEL WHO HAD BEEN CONDUCTING TRAINING EXERCISES IN THE PARK. THE DEATH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

EXPECTANT MOM HAS UNEXPECTED DELIVERY (PI) JH 09/26/13

AN EXPECTANT POTTER VALLEY MOTHER HAD A VERY UNEXPECTED DELIVERY THIS WEEK.

LINDSEY POWIS WAS EXPECTING HER FOURTH BABY AND KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE DELIVERY. CONTRACTIONS BEGAN, AND SHE FIGURED SHE STILL HAD SOME TIME TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT HER HUSBAND ERIN INSISTED THEY GO RIGHT AWAY, AND ITS A GOOD THING. AS THEY EXITED HIGHWAY 101 ONTO PERKINS STREET IN UKIAH, LINDSEY KNEW IT WAS TIME, AND ASKED HER HUSBAND TO STOP IN THE McDONALDS PARKING LOT, BUT HE INSISTED THEY GET TO THE HOSPITAL. AS SOON AS THEY WERE IN THE PARKING LOT, ERIN RAN IN FOR ASSISTANCE, AND BY THE TIME THE NURSE GOT OUT TO THE CAR, LINDSEY WAS READY TO DELIVER. A HEALTHY BABY BOY, CAMDEN JOHN POWIS WAS DELIVERED AT 3:30 PM IN THE PARKING LOT AT UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER.

CLEARLAKE POLICE SEEK ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT (LAW) JH 09/26/13

CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE SEEKING A SUSPECT WHO ROBBED THE LOCAL VERIZON STORE AT GUNPOINT TUESDAY.

THE ROBBERY WAS REPORTED AT APPROXIMATELY 4:48 PM AT THE VERIZON STORE ON MANZANITA. THE SUSPECT, WEARING A SKI MASK, BRANDISHED WHAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A BLACK SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL AND DEMANDED MONEY FROM AN EMPLOYEE BEFORE FEEING THE SCENE ON FOOT. POLICE CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH OF THE AREA BUT WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SUSPECT. WITNESSES DESCRIBE THE SUSPECT AS A WHITE MALE ADULT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 YEAR OLD WEARING A HEAVY BLACK JACKET, DARK COLORED PANTS AND DARK COLORED SHOES. THE SUSPECT CONCEALED HIS FACE WITH AN ORANGE SKI MASK AND A BASEBALL STYLE HAT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THIS INCIDENT IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT OFFICER ELVIS COOK AT 994-8251.

UKIAH UNIFIED REVIVING MUSIC PROGRAM (ED) JH 09/26/13

THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WORKING TOWARD BRINGING MUSIC AND OTHER ARTS BACK INTO ALL OF ITS SCHOOLS.

AT A RECENT MEETING, THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTED TO REINSTATE ABOUT $60,000 IN FUNDING FOR MUSIC PROGRAMS IN THE DISTRICTS SECONDARY SCHOOLS, POMOLITA MIDDLE, EAGLE PEAK MIDDLE, SOUTH VALLEY HIGH AND UKIAH HIGH SCHOOLS. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL BE ALLOCATED $8,700 EACH TO BRING ARTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM. A GENEROUS DONATION OF $2,000 WAS ALSO MADE BY THE UKIAH MASONS TO HELP THE DISTRICT REPAIR SOME OF ITS INSTRUMENTS. THE MUSIC PROGRAMS WILL BE AFTER SCHOOL THIS YEAR, AND THEN PART OF REGULAR DAILY CLASSES NEXT YEAR.

SUSPECTS AND WITNESSES SOUGHT IN ATTEMPTED BANK BURGLARY (LAW) JH 09/26/13

CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE SEEKING BOTH WITNESSES AND SUSPECTS IN AN ATTEMPTED BREAK-IN AT THE MENDO-LAKE CREDIT UNION IN CLEARLAKE.

THE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT WAS DISCOVERED TUESDAY MORNING BY BANK EMPLOYEES. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SHOWS THREE TO FOUR SUSPECTS PROWLING THE BUSINESS NEAR THE ATM AT 11:38 MONDAY NIGHT. IN THE VIDEO, TWO SUSPECTS CLIMBED ONTO THE ROOF AS THE OTHERS APPEAR TO BE LOOKOUTS. ACCORDING TO POLICE SEVERAL SETS OF FINGERPRINTS WERE RECOVERED FROM THE ROOF AND MAY POSSIBLY IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SUSPECTS. THE VIDEO ALSO INDICATES THAT POSSIBLE WITNESSES TO THE CRIME WERE IN THE SHOPPING CENTER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION OR WHO MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOPPING CENTER AT THE TIME OF THIS CRIME IS ASKED TO CONTACT SGT. RODD JOSEPH AT 994-8251.

SAMPLE BALLOTS MAILED TODAY (GOV) JH 09/26/13

SAMPLE BALLOTS FOR THE NOVEMBER 5TH CONSOLIDATED DISTRICTS ELECTION WILL BE MAILED OUT TODAY.

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY ASSESSOR, COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER WOULD LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS TO LOOK AT THE BACK COVER OF THE SAMPLE BALLOT TO VERIFY WHERE THEY WILL BE VOTING AS SOME POLLING LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN CONSOLIDATED. OFFICIAL BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED OUT BEGINNING OCTOBER 7TH. THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTION IS OCTOBER 21ST. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE.

CITY EMPLOYEES AGREE TO PAY CUT (ECN) JH 09/26/13

AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH A GOAL OF A 10 PERCENT PAYROLL REDUCTION, CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE AGREED TO TAKE A 5 PERCENT CUT.

ACCORDING TO THE CITY MANAGER, THE CITY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING WITH A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT OF ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE PART FEW YEARS. THE ONLY TIME A BALANCED BUDGET WAS ACHIEVED SINCE THE ECONOMIC TURNDOWN WAS WHEN THE CITY CLOSED ON FRIDAYS AND HAD EMPLOYEES WORK A 36-HOUR WEEK FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL YEAR. THE PAYROLL REDUCTIONS WILL AMOUNT TO A TOTAL OF OVER $736,000 IN ANNUAL SAVINGS FOR THE CITY, WITH $470,000 SAVED FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 09/26/13

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, SEVERAL ROADS WILL CLOSE FOR RESURFACING. CLOSURES WILL AFFECT MANZANITA, McPHERSON, PARK, WEST PINE, RIVER AND WALL STREETS, AS WELL AS KEMPPE WAY AND REDWOOD AVENUE. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

News 9/25/13

COVELO MAN ARRESTED FOR BURGLARY OF LOCAL SCHOOL (LAW)

JH 09/25/13

A COVELO MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR BURGLARIZING THE ROUND VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON FRIDAY.

A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE SAW A MALE IN DARK CLOTHING DRIVING A MAINTENANCE CART AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION YARD LOADED WITH HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN TOOLS, BEFORE GETTING INTO A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 38-YEAR-OLD SHAWNA BRITTON. AUTHORITIES LOCATED BRITTON AT HER WHIPPLE COURT RESIDENCE AND ARRESTED HER FOR BEING AN ACCESSORY TO THE BURGLARY OF THE SCHOOL. BRITTON THEN CONFIRMED THE MALE, 34 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY DAVIS, WAS DRIVING THE CART AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BURGLARY. DAVIS WAS LOCATED THE NEXT DAY AND BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES, INCLUDING KIDNAPPING, AFTER HE LED AUTHORITIES ON A SHORT CHASE AND REFUSED TO LET HIS PASSENGER OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

MENDO COUNTY WORKERS STRIKE TO RESTORE WAGES (PI/GOV)

JH 09/25/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY WORKERS HELD AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES STRIKE YESTERDAY, HOLDING PICKET LINES AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN UKIAH, WILLITS AND FORT BRAGG.

ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL 1021, MORE THAN 700 WORKERS PARTICIPATED IN THE STRIKE, AFTER THE COUNTY ILLEGALLY DECLARED AN IMPASSE AT LAST WEEKS NEGOTIATIONS. MENDOCINO COUNTY CEO CARMEL ANGELO ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THE STRIKE IS ILLEGAL AND IN BAD FAITH. EMPLOYEES ARE SEEKING TO RESTORE PAY CUTS AND AVOID A 3 TO 5 PERCENT INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS, ACCORDING TO THE UNIONS WEB SITE. WHICH ALSO STATES THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE ALREADY GIVEN BACK MORE THAN $7 MILLION, LOST 10 PERCENT OF THEIR TAKE-HOME PAY AND THIS YEAR TOOK ON A 15 PERCENT INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS. NOW THE COUNTY IS DEMANDING MORE CUTS, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SURPLUS AND MANY COUNTY POSITIONS ARE PAID FOR THROUGH FEDERAL FUNDING. THE STRIKE ENDED AT 6 PM, AND ALL UNION WORKERS ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO WORK TODAY.

ABANDONED HOME BURNED TUESDAY (LAW) JH 09/25/13

AN ABANDONED HOME ON MASON STREET IN UKIAH WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED AROUND 5:15 AM BY THE NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR. WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED, THE HOME WAS FULLY ENGULFED. THE HOME WAS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT NO OTHER BUILDINGS WERE DAMAGED. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS SUSPICIOUS AND UNDER INVESTIGATION.

APARTMENT BUILDING PLANNED ON FORD STREET IN UKIAH (GOV/PI)

JH 09/25/13

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT REGARDING A PLAN TO BUILD TWO APARTMENT BUILDINGS AT THE CORNER OF FORD AND MYRON PLACE.

THE COMMISSION WAS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER THE PLAN FOR THE STEPHENS RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH, HOWEVER STAFF REQUESTED A CONTINUANCE. THE PLAN, IF APPROVED, WILL INCLUDE FIVE, ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN THREE SEPARATE BUILDINGS. THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD AS PART OF THE PLANNING COMMISSIONS REGULAR MEETING TONIGHT AT 6 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

OVER 2,500 MARIJUANA PLANTS ERADICATED BETWEEN SEVERAL LOCATIONS (LAW) JH 09/25/13

MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAME TOGETHER TO CONDUCT A SERIES OF MARIJUANA RELATED RAIDS THAT YIELDED OVER 2,500 PLANTS AND MORE THAN 200 POUNDS OF PROCESSED POT.

THE RAIDS WERE CONDUCTED IN THE BRANSCOMB AREA LAST WEEK. BRIAN COLE OF SANTA BARBARA WAS ENCOUNTERED AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT THE FIRST LOCATION WHERE AUTHORITIES FOUND 201 PLANTS AND 60 POUNDS OF PROCESSED POT. ANOTHER 900 PLUS PLANTS WERE FOUND BETWEEN TWO MORE LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL 1,531 MARIJUANA PLANTS AND ABOUT 150 POUNDS OF PROCESSED POT FOUND IN OPEN FIELDS IN THE AREA. THE GROWS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO MARIJUANA ERADICATION TEAM, OR COMMET.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 09/25/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS CURRENTLY.

AT&T WILL PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR WILDWOOD CAMPGROUND TODAY. THE WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 4 PM. ONE WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 09/25/13

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, SEVERAL ROADS WILL CLOSE FOR RESURFACING. CLOSURES WILL AFFECT CYPRESS, EDDY, FLORENCE, LAUREL AND SPRUCE STREETS, AS WELL AS EBBING WAY AND SANDERSON WAY. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

News 9/24/13

MENDO COUNTY WORKERS STRIKE TODAY (PI) JH 09/24/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY WORKERS WILL GO ON AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES STRIKE TODAY, HOLDING PICKET LINES AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN UKIAH, WILLITS AND FORT BRAGG.

ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL 1021, MORE THAN 700 WORKERS WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE STRIKE, AFTER THE COUNTY DECLARED AN IMPASSE AT LAST WEEKS NEGOTIATIONS. MENDOCINO COUNTY CEO CARMEL ANGELO ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THE STRIKE IS ILLEGAL AND IN BAD FAITH. EMPLOYEES ARE PROTESTING PAY CUTS AND A 3 TO 5 PERCENT INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS. ACCORDING TO THE UNION, COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE ALREADY GIVEN BACK MORE THAN $7 MILLION, LOST 10 PERCENT OF THEIR TAKE-HOME PAY AND THIS YEAR TOOK ON A 15 PERCENT INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS. THE STRIKE BEGINS AT 8 AM TODAY, AND UNION MEMBERS WILL HOLD AN ORGANIZED PROTEST AT THE ALEX THOMAS PLAZA AT 3 PM.

WORKSHOP ON THE FEASIBILITY OF AN EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AREA FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE (GOV) JH 09/24/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL HOLD A WORKSHOP TODAY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF AN EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AREA FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.

THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 2:30 TODAY AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER ON LOW GAP ROAD. ALL INFORMATION ON THE BOARD WORKSHOP IS AVAILABLE ON-LINE AT WWW.CO.MENDOCINO.CA.US/ADMINISTRATION/EMS.HTM.

ALLEGED CAR BURGLAR CAUGHT IN THE ACT (LAW) JH 09/24/13

A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED ON FRIDAY ON SUSPICION OF BURGLARY AFTER BEING CAUGHT WHILE BREAKING INTO A VEHICLE.

POLICE SPOKE WITH BOTH 39 YEAR OLD JASON WILCOX AND THE REPORTING PARTY AS THEY STOOD NEXT TO A NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK. THE REPORTING PARTY STATED THE VEHICLE BELONGED TO HIS MOTHER AND THAT HE WATCHED WILCOX ENTER THE VEHICLE AND BEGIN REMOVING ITEMS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WILCOX HAD BEEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE VEHICLES STEREO AND MAY HAVE TRIED TO HOT-WIRE IT. DURING A SEARCH OF WILCOX, OFFICERS FOUND SEVERAL ITEMS THAT HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND WILCOX WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

CITY OF UKIAH MAY SUE STATE OVER COSTCO MONEY (GOV) JH 09/24/13

THE CITY OF UKIAH MAY STILL SUE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE RIGHT TO USE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF BOND PROCEEDS TOWARD THE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED TO BRING A COSTCO STORE TO UKIAH ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD.

AS PART OF THE DEAL WITH COSTCO, THE CITY AGREED TO COMPLETE TRAFFIC MITIGATION NEAR THE REDWOOD BUSINESS PARK, INCLUDING THE WIDENING OF SOME INTERSECTIONS AND ADDING NEW SIGNALS. IN MARCH 2011, THE UKIAH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SOLD SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF BONDS TO PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT SINCE THE DISMANTLING OF THE AGENCY, THE STATE HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE CITYS PLAN FOR THE FUNDS.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH BYPASS CONTRACTOR (GOV/TR) JH 09/24/13

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL MET MONDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL MEETING TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WILLITS BYPASS CONTRACTOR FOR USE OF CITY STREETS TO HAUL MATERIALS.

THE BYPASS CONTRACTORS MAINTAIN THAT THE USE OF CITY STREETS TO HAUL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WILL BE INCIDENTAL AND THAT PRIMARY USAGE WILL BE ON THE EXISTING HIGHWAY 101 AND THE BYPASS FOOTPRINT. IN EXCHANGE FOR THE POTENTIAL USE OF FIVE CITY STREETS, THE CONTRACTORS AGREE TO PAY THE CITY OF WILLITS A $20,000 ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND TO REPAVE EAST HILL ROAD, NEAR THE SITE OF THE NEW HOSPITAL, FROM BAECHTEL ROAD TO THE CITY LIMITS. THE COUNCIL VOTED 3 TO 1 TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT.

SUICIDE DEATH DETERMINATION OF FORT BRAGG MAN QUESTIONED BY FAMILY (LAW) JH 09/24/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONERS PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION THAT A FORT BRAGG MAN DIED AS THE RESULT OF A SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS BEING QUESTIONED BY THE MANS FAMILY.

70-YEAR-OLD PATRICK GUZMAN WAS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF AN OCEANSIDE CLIFF WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE RIBCAGE, AFTER HIS STILL RUNNING VEHICLE WAS FOUND IN A PULLOUT OF THE ROAD NORTH OF WESTPORT. AT THE SCENE, AN UNUSUAL HANDGUN WAS FOUND, A TAURUS FIVE SHOT REVOLVER, WHICH FIRES BOTH 45-CALIBER BULLETS AND 410 GAUGE SHOT-GUN SHELLS. THE GUN WAS LOADED WITH 3 .45 ROUNDS AND TWO SHOTGUN SHELLS, ONE OF WHICH HAD BEEN FIRED. THE AUTOPSY RESULTS SUGGEST THAT THE GUNSHOT MAY NOT HAVE KILLED GUZMAN, BUT RATHER, THE FALL DOWN THE STEEP, ROCKY BANK TO THE SHORELINE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THIS CASE IS URGED TO CALL THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS TIP LINE AT 234-2100.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 09/23/13

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, SEVERAL ROADS WILL CLOSE FOR RESURFACING. CLOSURES WILL AFFECT BUSH, FERN, LINCOLN, MORROW AND WALNUT STREETS, AS WELL AS WOODLAND DRIVE. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

Playlist 9/19/13

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-I NEED YOUR LOVE

CAPITAL CITIES-SAFE AND SOUND

KATY PERRY-ROAR

LANA DEL RAY-SUMMERTIME SADNESS

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/MARY LAMBERT-SAME LOVE

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

ZEDD W/FOXES-CLARITY

AVICII-WAKE ME UP

AWOLNATION-SAIL

BONNIE MCKEE-AMERICAN GIRL

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

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS-TURN THE NIGHT UP

JAY-Z W/JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-HOLY GRAIL

LADY GAGA-APPLAUSE

LORDE-ROYALS

ONE DIRECTION-BEST SONG EVER

PARAMORE-STILL INTO YOU

PHILLIP PHILLIPS-GONE, GONE, GONE

ROBIN THICKE W/KENDRICK LAMAR-GIVE IT 2 U

SELENA GOMEZ-SLOW DOWN

TAYLOR SWIFT W/ED SHEERAN-EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED

(THE) NEIGHBOURHOOD-SWEATER WEATHER

ARMIN VAN BUUREN W/TREVOR GUTHRIE-THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

CODY SIMPSON-PRETTY BROWN EYES

EMINEM-BERZERK

FIFTH HARMONY-MISS MOVIN ON

KREWELLA-LIVE FOR THE NIGHT

PINK W/LILY ALLEN-TRUE LOVE

TEGAN & SARA-CLOSER

DAFT PUNK W/PHARRELL WILLIAMS-LOSE YOURSELF TO DANCE

DEMI LOVATO-MADE IN THE USA

FALL OUT BOY-ALONE TOGETHER

FLO RIDA W/PITBULL-CAN’T BELIEVE IT

ICONA POP-ALL NIGHT

J COLE W/TLC-CROOKED SMILE

MIKA W/ARIANA GRANDE-POPULAR SONG

WANTED (THE)-WE OWN THE NIGHT

News 9/23/13

WILLITS MAYOR RUNNING FOR SUPERVISOR (GOV) JH 09/23/13

WILLITS MAYOR, HOLLY MADRIGAL, ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY THAT SHE WILL BE RUNNING FOR A SEAT ON THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

MADRIGAL RAN FOR A SEAT IN 2010, WHEN INCUMBENT JOHN PINCHES WON WITH 56 PERCENT OF THE DISTRICTS VOTES, HOWEVER, PINCHES ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT WOULD NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION. ACCORDING TO MADRIGAL, THE 3RD DISTRICT NEEDS FRESH LEADERSHIP AND ENERGY. MADRIGAL SAYS HER ACTIVE CAMPAIGN WILL LAUNCH IN DECEMBER.

FIRE ON BETTY STREET (LAW) JH 09/23/13

A FRIDAY EVENING FIRE ON BETTY STREET WAS LIKELY CAUSED BY UNATTENDED CANDLES.

THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AROUND 8:27 PM, AFTER A NEIGHBOR SAW FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE HOME. THE NEIGHBOR TRIED TO FIGHT THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND GARDEN HOSE UNTIL FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. THE BLAZE WAS CONTAINED IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AND NO OTHER STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED. THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME WERE OUT, BUT HAD LEFT CANDLES BURNING UNATTENDED. A DOG IN THE HOME DID NOT MAKE IT OUT.

A CLEARLAKE POLICE OFFICER WAS HOSPITALIZED SUNDAY AFTER BEING ASSAULTED BY A VEHICLE (LAW) JH 09/23/13

A CLEARLAKE POLICE OFFICER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER BEING PINNED BETWEEN TWO TRUCKS SUNDAY MORNING.

THE UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER AND HIS PARTNER PULLED OVER AN SUV ON LAKESHORE DRIVE FOR A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION AT ABOUT 4:30 AM, WHEN A PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND FLED ON FOOT. AS THE OFFICER GAVE CHASE, THE DRIVER OF THE SUV PUT IT IN REVERSE, PINNING THE OFFICER BETWEEN IT AND A PARKED TRUCK. THE INJURED OFFICER WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH NUMEROUS FRACTURED RIBS, A FRACTURED SPINE AS WELL AS MAJOR HEAD AND NECK LACERATIONS. 53 YEAR OLD DANIEL YORK, WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE DRIVER, WAS LOCATED LATER THAT MORNING AT A RESIDENCE ON 40TH AVENUE. YORK TRIED TO FLEE, BUT WENT BACK INTO THE HOME AND HIDE AFTER A K9 WAS DEPLOYED. A SECOND K9 LOCATED YORK AND BIT HIM BEFORE OFFICERS TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY.

MAN KILLED IN BASE JUMP OFF OF MOUNT ST HELENA (LAW) JH 09/23/13

A ST HELENA MAN WAS KILLED SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN A BASE JUMPING ACCIDENT ON MOUNT ST HELENA.

INITIAL REPORTS INDICATED THAT THE VICTIM, 35-YEAR-OLD WALDEN GRINDLE, DIED IN A PARAGLIDING ACCIDENT, HOWEVER, GRINDLES EQUIPMENT WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS A SPEED PARACHUTE. GRINDLE CALLED SOMEONE ON A CELL PHONE AFTER APPARENTLY COLLIDING WITH THE MOUNTAIN TO REPORT THAT HE WAS INJURED AND THAT HE HAD POSSIBLY BROKEN A HIP. GRINDLE HAD ALSO ACTIVATED AN EMERGENCY BEACON THAT LED TO THE DISPATCH OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO SEARCH FOR HIM AROUND 12:40 PM. HE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1:10 PM BY A HELICOPTER CREW, HOWEVER, HE WAS ALREADY DECEASED.

LAKEPORT MAN DIES FROM INJURIES IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH (LAW)

JH 09/23/13

A LAKEPORT MAN DIED SUNDAY EVENING FROM INJURIES HE RECEIVED IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH NEAR COBB.

51 YEAR OLD LOUIS JENNINGS WAS RIDING ON BOTTLE ROCK ROAD WHEN, FOR REASONS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION, HE ALLOWED HIS MOTORCYCLE TO TRAVEL OFF THE NORTH SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE HE LOST CONTROL AND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT. JENNINGS WAS THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND WAS TAKEN TO ST HELENA HOSPITAL CLEAR LAKE, WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

FOUR MEN FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF (LAW)

JH 09/23/13

LAKE COUNTYS SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO HAS BEEN NAMED THE DEFENDANT IN A LAWSUIT THAT STEMS FROM A NOVEMBER 2011 INCIDENT IN MIDDLETOWN INVOLVING A $3 MARIJUANA SALE.

THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED FRIDAY MORNING ON BEHALF OF BO SHAFFER OF MIDDLETOWN, EDWARD CORONA OF NAPA, AND JESUS MENDOZA AND DAVID GARCIA-SHOPE, BOTH OF HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE. THE MEN WERE ALL BETWEEN 18 AND 20 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, WHEN THEY ALLEGEDLY SOLD THREE JOINTS FOR THREE DOLLARS TO 16 YEAR OLD MARTIN ALDAIR BORGES OF MIDDLETOWN. CHARGES WERE EVENTUALLY DROPPED FOR ALL FOUR MEN, BUT IN THE LAWSUIT THEY ACCUSE SHERIFF RIVERO OF FALSE IMPRISONMENT/ARREST, VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, INTENTIONAL AND NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, CONVERSION INVASION OF PRIVACY AND VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

MENDO BOARD OF SUPS TO DISCUSS TAX SHARING TODAY (GOV)

JH 09/23/13

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL HOLD A WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING A MASTER TAX-SHARING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF UKIAH.

THE TWO GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SUCH AN AGREEMENT ON AND OFF FOR MARE THAN TWO DECADES. ACCORDING TO THE MEETING AGENDA SUMMARY, THE PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP IS TO ADDRESS THE BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF A MASTER TAX-SHARING AGREEMENT, INCLUDING CURRENT POINTS OF AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT, POTENTIAL RISKS AND BENEFITS. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 1:30 TODAY AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER ON LOW GAP ROAD.

STREET RESURFACING IN FORT BRAGG (TR) JH 09/23/13

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, SEVERAL ROADS WILL CLOSE FOR RESURFACING. CLOSURES WILL AFFECT BUSH, FERN, LINCOLN, MORROW AND WALNUT STREETS, AS WELL AS WOODLAND DRIVE. WORK WILL BE DONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM. ALL STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS.

News 9/20/13

MENDOCINO COUNTY WORKERS PLAN ONE-DAY STRIKE (PI) JH 09/20/13

90% OF MENDOCINO COUNTY WORKERS VOTED FOR A ONE DAY STRIKE AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL 1021 HAVE FAILED TO YIELD RESULTS.

ABOUT 700 MENDOCINO COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE PART OF THE UNION, AND SAY THEY ARE TIRED OF BAD FAITH BARGAINING, STALL TACTICS AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN NEGOTIATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE UNION, COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE GIVEN BACK MORE THAN $7 MILLION DOLLARS, LOST 10 PERCENT OF THEIR TAKE HOME PAY, AND THIS YEAR TOOK A 15 PERCENT INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS. THE COUNTY IS RECOMMENDING TAKING ANOTHER 3 TO 5 PERCENT INCREASE ON HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS. THE STRIKE IS CURRENTLY PLANNED FOR NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH.

CLEARLAKE MAN ARRESTED FOR COW MOUNTAIN FIRES (LAW)

JH 09/20/13

CAL FIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARRESTED A CLEARLAKE MAN ON WEDNESDAY FOR ALLEGEDLY STARTING TWO WILDFIRES ON COW MOUNTAIN.

23 YEAR OLD KEVIN BENBACK-CALHOUN WAS CHARGED WITH AT LEAST TWO FELONY COUNTS OF ARSON TO FOREST LANDS FOR STARTING THE FIRES IN THE COW MOUNTAIN AREA OF MENDOCINO COUNTY IN JUNE AND JULY OF LAST YEAR. CAL FIRE URGES RESIDENTS TO 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 ANONYMOUS CAL FIRE ARSON HOT LINE AT 1-800-468-4408.

EARLY MORNING CRASH SENDS ONE TO HOSPITAL (LAW) JH 09/20/13

AN EARLY MORNING CRASH RESULTED IN A WOMAN BEING AIR LIFTED TO A REGIONAL TRAUMA CENTER THIS MORNING.

THE UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN WAS DRIVING ON SIEGLER SPRINGS ROAD NORTH NEAR KELSEYVILLE AT AROUND 1 AM, WHEN FOR UNKNOWN REASONS SHE HIT A TREE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPORTEDLY HANGING OVER THE EDGE OF A DROP OFF. SHE WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, AND NO OTHER DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED YET.

MAN DIES FROM FALL INTO RAVINE NEAR BARTLETT SPRINGS (LAW)

JH 09/20/13

A MAN HUNTING IN A REMOTE BARTLETT SPRINGS AREA ON THURSDAY, DIED AFTER FALLING INTO A RAVINE.

MEMBERS OF THE VICTIMS FAMILY REPORTED THE SITUATION AROUND 6:30 PM. HELICOPTERS WERE USED TO TRY AND LOCATE THE MAN, WHO WAS EVENTUALLY FOUND BY A GROUND CREW AROUND 7:15 PM. A CAL FIRE CREW LOCATED THE MAN ABOUT 60 FEET DOWN AND EMBANKMENT OFF OF BARTLETT SPRINGS ROAD. ACCORDING TO HIS FAMILY, HE WAS IN THE AREA HUNTING SQUIRRELS WHEN HE FELL DOWN THE RAVINE. THE MAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

MODERATE EARTHQUAKE IN WILLITS (EVR) JH 09/20/13

A MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKE OCCURRED NEAR WILLITS THIS MORNING.

ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 5:44 THIS MORNING, AND WAS CENTERED JUST 3 MILES SOUTH EAST OF WILLITS AT A DEPTH OF POINT EIGHT MILES. THE TEMBLOR REGISTERED A 2.7 MAGNITUDE, AND NO DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL DECIDES ON ELECTION FOR RODINS VACATED SEAT (GOV) JH 09/20/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL, AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEETING, VOTED TO HOLD A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE RECENTLY VACATED SEAT OF MARI RODIN.

THE CITY ATTORNEY INFORMED THAT COUNCIL THAT IF THEY CHOSE AN ELECTION, THEY COULD HOLD EITHER A MAIL-ONLY ELECTION ON MARCH 4TH, 2014, OR ONE WITH POLLING PLACES ON APRIL 8TH. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THE COST, WITH THE MAIL-ONLY ELECTION PRICE TAG AT ABOUT $30,000 AND THE ELECTION WITH POLLING LOCATIONS TO COST BETWEEN $36, 000 AND $38,000. THOUGH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WERE SOMEWHAT SPLIT BETWEEN AN ELECTION AND APPOINTING A REPLACEMENT, IN THE END THE MAIL-ONLY ELECTION OPTION WON THE VOTE.

SMALL WILDLAND FIRE NEAR COW MOUNTAIN (LAW) JH 09/20/13

A SMALL WILDLAND FIRE NEAR COW MOUNTAIN WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THURSDAY.

THE FIRE, REPORTED AROUND 11:50 AM WAS AT THE COW MOUNTAIN ACCESS ROAD NEAR SCOTTS CREEK AND PINE RIDGE ROADS. FIREFIGHTERS HAD THE BLAZE CONTAINED WITHIN ABOUT AN HOUR WITH ONLY A QUARTER ACRE OF MOSTLY BRUSH BURNED.

TRAFFIC STOP TURNS INTO PURSUIT AND DRUG BUST OF GANG MEMBER (LAW) JH 09/20/13

CLEARLAKE POLICE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TRAFFIC STOP ON WEDNESDAY, WERE LED TO A PURSUIT RESULTING IN TWO ARRESTS, DRUGS, AND RECOVERY OF A STOLEN VEHICLE.

OFFICERS TRIED TO PULL OVER 26 YEAR OLD SERGIO ALVARADO OF LOS ANGELES FOR RUNNING A STOP SIGN, HOWEVER, ALVARADO FLED BEFORE STOPPING ABOUT ONE MILE AWAY. OFFICERS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN OUT OF SAN FRANCISCO, AND A SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE REVEALED SEVERAL POUNDS OF MARIJUANA, A SIGNIFICANT QUANTITY OF CLONAZEPANN, A PRESCRIPTION ANTI-ANXIETY MEDICATION, AS WELL AS SEVERAL HUNDRED ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION. ALVARADO WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES, AND DURING A BODY CAVITY SEARCH, OFFICERS FOUND ABOUT 100 DOSES OF XANAX, ANOTHER ANTI-ANXIETY DRUG. ALSO ARRESTED ON AN OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT WAS ALVARADOS PASSENGER, 22 YEAR OLD CHELSEA LYNN DAWSON OF CLEARLAKE.

News 9/19/13

MISSING ELDERLY REDWOOD VALLEY MAN FOUND SAFE (LAW)

JH 09/19/13

A 72 YEAR OLD REDWOOD VALLEY MAN WENT MISSING TUESDAY NIGHT AND A REVERSE 911 CALL WAS SENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING HIM.

THE MAN WAS REPORTED MISSING AROUND 8:15 PM, AND ACCORDING TO FAMILY MEMBERS, SUFFERS FROM DEMENTIA AND PARKINSONS DISEASE, PLACING HIM IN A HIGH RISK MISSING PERSONS CATEGORY. AFTER DEPUTIES WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE MAN IN OR AROUND HIS RESIDENCE, THEY REQUESTED RED THE SHERIFFS BLOODHOUND, AS WELL AS THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT AND THE REDWOOD VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST. THE MISSING MAN WAS LOCATED AROUND 9:25 IN A VINEYARD WEST OF HIS HOME. HE HAD FALLEN INTO SOME BLACKBERRY BUSHES AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. HE IS NOW HOME AND DOING FINE.

TREE SITTERS ARRESTED IN HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS WORK ZONE (LAW)

JH 09/19/13

TWO TREE SITTERS PROTESTING THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY BY A MASSIVE FORCE OF CHP OFFICERS.

THE TWO SITTERS, TRAVIS JOCHIMSEN WHO ALSO GOES BY THE NAME CONDOR, AND A WOMAN CALLING HERSELF BLUE HERON ARE PART OF A REVOLVING GROUP OF ACTIVISTS THAT HAVE SPENT TIME IN THE LAST GROVE OF TREES IN THE PATH OF THE NEW BYPASS. THEY WERE LOCKED DOWN TO THE TREES AND HAD TO BE CUT LOOSE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN TWO LIFTS. DURING THE OPERATION, WILL PARISH, WHO WAS OBSERVING FROM A PIECE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY, WAS ALSO ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF VIOLATING A COURT ORDER. PARISH IS FREE ON BAIL AWAITING TRIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY CHAINING HIMSELF TO A WICK DRAIN MACHINE FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS. WITH THE SITTERS NOW GONE, THE PATH IS NOW CLEAR FOR CAL TRANS CAN COMPLETE THE TREE REMOVAL PROCESS FOR THE BYPASS FOOTPRINT BY OCTOBER 15 AS PLANNED.

AUTHORITIES SEEK CARJACKING SUSPECT (LAW) JH 09/19/13

AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A UKIAH MAN ACCUSED OF A FRIDAY CARJACKING, ROBBERY AND GUN THEFT.

27 YEAR OLD JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ, WHO WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON TWO DAYS PRIOR, WAS HANGING OUT WITH A 26 YEAR OLD UKIAH WOMAN WHEN HE GOT MAD AND ASSAULTED HER. HE THEN DROVE THEM TO COW MOUNTAIN WHERE SHE ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE. AT SOME POINT SHE WAS ABLE TO GRAB A HANDGUN FROM THE TRUNK AND HIT RODRIGUEZ IN THE HEAD BEFORE FLEEING. RODRIGUEZ THEN TOOK HER CAR, AS WELL AS THREE HAND GUNS AND A SHOTGUN THAT WERE IN THE TRUNK AND FLED THE AREA. RODRIGUEZ IS DESCRIBED AS A HISPANIC MALE, 5 FOOT EIGHT INCHES TALL, WEIGHING 215 POUNDS WITH BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES. HE HAS A LA TATTOO ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS HEAD UNDER HIS HAIR, AND TATTOOS ON BOTH SIDES OF HIS NECK. RODRIGUEZ IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF RODRIGUEZ IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AT 463-4086.

PALACE HOTEL PROGRESS SLOW, A ROOF STILL NEEDED (PI) JH 09/19/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED CONCERN TO THE OWNER OF THE PALACE HOTEL IN UKIAH, THAT THE BUILDING STILL NEEDS ROOF WORK TO PROTECT IT FROM FURTHER DAMAGE DURING THE UPCOMING RAINY SEASON.

OWNER ELADIA LAINES TOLD THE COUNCIL IT WAS HER NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACTOR, A CONTRACT WITH THE ROOFERS WILL BE SIGNED THIS WEEK. LAINES ALSO REPORTED THAT 139 TONS OF DEBRIS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE OLD HOTEL AND THAT 50 TO 60 PERCENT OF THE BUILDING IS STRIPPED. THE COUNCIL THEN VOTED AGAIN TO DELAY ENACTING A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO TAKE OVER ABATEMENT OF THE BUILDING AND POSSIBLY DEMOLISH IT. ANOTHER UPDATE WILL BE HEARD NEXT MONTH.

FORT BRAGG MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF POWER TOOLS (LAW)

JH 09/19/13

A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY STEALING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF POWER TOOLS FROM A CASPAR GARAGE.

PATRICK FLEURET OF CASPAR CALLED POLICE ON FRIDAY TO REPORT THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN INTO HIS GARAGE SOMETIME IN THE PAST WEEK AND STOLEN ABOUT $5,500 IN POWER TOOLS. BASED ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ITEMS, DEPUTIES SHOWED FLEURET A COLLECTION OF TOOLS SEIZED THAT SAME DAY FROM A PROBATION SEARCH IN FORT BRAGG. THE TOOLS WERE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THOSE MISSING. THE PROBATIONER SEARCHED WAS 30-YEAR-OLD TUCKER CHESTER, WHO WAS LOCATED AND ARRESTED THE NEXT DAY.

PERMITS APPROVED FOR NEW UKIAH HOSPITAL BUILDING (GOV)

JH 09/19/13

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION, AFTER EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF TREES, APPROVED A PLAN TO ADD A NEW BUILDING TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER.

THE REQUESTED PERMITS ARE TO BUILD AN 11,200 SQUARE FOOT HOSPITAL SUPPORT BUILDING AND PROVIDE TEMPORARY PARKING AND TRAILERS DURING CONSTRUCTION. THE BUILDING WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON AN EXISTING PARKING LOT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOSPITAL CAMPUS. WITH CONDITIONS ADDED FOR TREE PROTECTION, THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE REQUESTED PERMITS.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 09/19/13

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ROAD WORK PROJECTS CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY.

PG&E WILL PERFORM UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR THE BROADDUS CREEK BRIDGE BEGINNING TODAY. THE WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS.

PAVEMENT REPAIRS WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 1 FROM CENTER STREET TO PACIFIC DRIVE BEGINNING TODAY. THIS WORK WILL ALSO BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS.

AT BOTH LOCATIONS, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 TO 10 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.