News 12/31/13

TWO LAKE COUNTY MEN ARRESTED WITH $22,000 WORTH OF METH (LAW)

JH 12/31/13

A TRAFFIC STOP LED TO THE ARREST OF TWO CLEARLAKE MEN WITH APPROXIMATELY $22,000 WORTH OF METHAMPHETAMINE.

A LAKE COUNTY DEPUTY PULLED OVER A VEHICLE ON DAM ROAD IN CLEARLAKE FRIDAY EVENING FOR HAVING EXPIRED REGISTRATION. THE DRIVER, 47 YEAR OLD JUAN JOSE CHAVEZ, WAS FOUND TO NOT HAVE A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. HIS PASSENGER, 35 YEAR OLD JORGE ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ, WAS FOUND TO BE ON FORMAL FELONY PROBATION FOR DRUG SALES. A SEARCH FOUND TWO BAGS OF METHAMPHETAMINE ON RODRIGUEZ, AND SIX INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED BAGS OF METH WERE FOUND UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, FOR A TOTAL OF 7.7 OUNCES OF METH. CHAVEZ AND RODRIGUEZ WERE BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

MULTIPLE CASES OF BURGLARY AND VANDALISM REPORTED IN FORT BRAGG (LAW) JH 12/31/13

THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO NUMEROUS REPORTS OF CAR BURGLARIES WITHIN THE CITY SINCE DECEMBER 21ST.

A MAJORITY OF THE BURGLARIES HAVE OCCURRED NORTH OF TOWN WITH A FEW OTHERS REPORTED DOWNTOWN AND IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS. MOST OF THE BURGLARIES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE EVENING AND DISCOVERED IN THE MORNING. THE SUSPECTS WILL BREAK A CAR WINDOW TO OBTAIN VALUABLE ITEMS FROM THE CAR THAT CAN BE SEEN IN PLAIN VIEW. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO SECURE VALUABLE ITEMS OUT OF VIEW IN THEIR CAR TRUNKS, UNDER SEATS OR IN THEIR HOMES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE FORT BRAGG POLICE AT 961-3049.

DRUNK DRIVER HITS SHERIFF DEPUTY (LAW) JH 12/31/13

A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAN WAS ARRESTED EARLY MONDAY FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AFTER HE HIT A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS VEHICLE IN WILLITS.

49 YEAR OLD KENNETH PHILLIPS WAS DRIVING DOWN SHERWOOD ROAD, WHEN FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, HE ALLOWED HIS VEHICLE TO CROSS THE CENTER LINE AND COLLIDE HEAD-ON WITH A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS VEHICLE. THE DEPUTY AND HIS K-9 PARTNER WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. PHILLIPS SUFFERED MODERATE INJURY, AND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON A FELONY DUI CHARGE.

SMOKE CAUSES UKIAH SAFEWAY TO BE EVACUATED (LAW) JH 12/31/13

UKIAHS SAFEWAY STORE HAD TO BE EVACUATED SUNDAY NIGHT AFTER A PILE OF CARDBOARD BOXES CAUGHT FIRE AND FILLED THE BUILDING WITH SMOKE.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AROUND 7:50 PM, AFTER A PILE OF FLATTENED AND BOUND CARDBOARD BOXES CAUGHT FIRE AND THEN SPREAD TO A PILE OF PALLETS. THE STORE FILLED WITH SMOKE, AND WAS EVACUATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, AND THERE WAS ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING.

CAL TRANS TAKES A HOLIDAY (TR) JH 12/31/13

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE NEW YEARS DAY HOLIDAY, CAL TRANS CREWS AND CONTRACTORS ARE LIMITING THEIR SCOPE OF WORK.

TODAY, DECEMBER 31ST AND TOMORROW, JANUARY 1ST, CAL TRANS WILL NOT BE PERFORMING ANY ACTIVITY ON STATE HIGHWAYS THAT WOULD INCLUDE LANE CLOSURES. THEY WILL, HOWEVER, RESPOND TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WITH TRAFFIC CONTROL AS REQUIRED. DRIVE SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY.

CHP REMINDS REVELERS TO SAFELY RING IN THE NEW YEAR (LAW)

JH 12/31/13

THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL IS URGING MOTORISTS TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR RESPONSIBLY.

IF YOUR CELEBRATION PLANS INCLUDE ALCOHOL, DESIGNATE A DRIVER BEFORE THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN. CHP WILL BE OUT IN FORCE TONIGHT DURING A MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT PERIOD, WHICH BEGINS AT 6 PM TODAY AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1ST. ENJOY YOUR CELEBRATION AND DRIVE CAREFULLY.

NEW YEAR = NEW RULES OF THE ROAD (TR) JH 12/31/13

THE NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW TRAFFIC LAWS FOR CALIFORNIA MOTORISTS, AND BOTH THE DMV AND CHP REMIND YOU TO BE AWARE OF NEW RULES THAT TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW.

A NEW LAW TO PROTECT BICYCLISTS IS CALLED THE THREE FEET FOR SAFETY ACT. UNDER THIS ACT, DRIVERS WHO ARE PASSING A BICYCLE THAT IS GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION ON THE ROAD, MUST KEEP AT LEAST A THREE-FOOT DISTANCE BETWEEN ANY PART OF THE VEHICLE AND ANY PART OF THE BICYCLE. ANOTHER LAW ALLOWS VEHICLES WITH CLEAN AIR DECALS OR HOV STICKERS TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN HIGH OCCUPANCY LANES UNTIL 2019. AND THERE IS A NEW LAW FOR TEEN DRIVERS. SB 194 WILL PROHIBIT A PERSON WHO IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE FROM USING AN ELECTRONIC WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO WRITE, SEND, OR READ A TEXT-BASED COMMUNICATION WHILE DRIVING, EVEN IF IT EQUIPPED WITH A HANDS-FREE DEVICE. THESE LAWS TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW.

MENSA SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE (ED) JH 12/31/13

THE MENSA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS IN ITS FINAL STAGES OF ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2014-15 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR.

APPLICANTS HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 15TH TO WRITE AN ESSAY OF NOT MORE THAN 550 WORDS EXPLAINING THEIR CAREER, ACADEMIC AND/OR VOCATIONAL GOALS AND HOW THEY PLAN TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED ENTIRELY ON THE ESSAY, WITH NO CONSIDERATION GIVEN FOR GRADES OR FINANCIAL STATUS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ON A REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT AN ESSAY, VISIT WWW.MENSAFOUNDATION.ORG/SCHOLARSHIPS.

News 12/30/13

FATAL CHRISTMAS DAY SHOOTING (LAW) JH 12/30/13

AN INVESTIGATION INTO A FATAL CHRISTMAS DAY SHOOTING RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF NEARLY 1,000 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND WEAPONS.

AUTHORITIES RECEIVED A 911 CALL AROUND 9:50 AM CHRISTMAS MORNING FROM A MAN REPORTING AN INTRUDER ATTEMPTING TO BREAK INTO HIS RESIDENCE ON HUNTER POINT ROAD IN UPPER LAKE. THE CALLER TOLD AUTHORITIES THAT THE INTRUDER HAD SOME TYPE OF GUN AND THAT HE HAD BEEN SHOT. SHERIFFS DEPUTIES ON SCENE FOUND 30 YEAR OLD MAURICE OLIVER WATTS III DECEASED FROM AN APPARENT GUN SHOT WOUND. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE DEATH IS ONGOING AND NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE RELATED TO HIS DEATH. DEPUTIES ALSO LOCATED A LARGE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA AT THE LOCATION. DEPUTIES SERVED TWO ADDITIONAL SEARCH WARRANTS DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND SEIZED 980.9 POUNDS OF POT, 3 HANDGUNS, 13 RIFLES AND RESTRICTED ARMOUR PIERCING AND TRACER AMMUNITION. THE PROPERTY OWNERS, 40-YEAR-OLD JAMES MICHAEL JEAN AND 49 YEAR OLD NORA KATHERINE JEAN WERE BOTH BOOKED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

TWO ARRESTED AFTER SATURDAY MORNING CRASH (LAW) JH 12/30/13

TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED SATURDAY MORNING AFTER A SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER NEAR HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE.

20 YEAR OLD SAMUAL CLARK OF COBB WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 29 NEAR HOFACKER LANE WHEN, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, HE ALLOWED HIS VEHICLE TO DRIFT TOWARDS THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. CLARK THEN OVERCORRECTED AND VEERED BACK ACROSS THE ROAD HITTING AN EMBANKMENT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN. CLARK SUFFERED ONLY MINOR INJURIES AND WAS BOOKED TWO FELONY COUNTS OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. HIS PASSENGER, 18 YEAR OLD DONALD WAYNE LEOS OF HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AND WAS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION AND POSSESSION OF A DIRK OR DAGGER.

BLUE SANTA VISITS FIVE FAMILIES (PI) JH 12/30/13

ON DECEMBER 22ND, FIVE FAMILIES WERE SURPRISED WHEN THEY RECEIVED A VISIT FROM BLUE SANTA.

FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, SELECTED FAMILIES IN THE FORT BRAGG COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN SURPRISED TO SEE MANY FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ALONG WITH BLUE SANTA SHOW UP AT THEIR HOME WITH FOOD AND GIFTS. BLUE SANTA SHOWS UP WITH A COMPLETE CHRISTMAS DINNER, FAMILY GIFTS, AND MANY GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN, THANKS TO THE UNSELFISH GIVING OF POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS, CITY HALL STAFF, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND MANY DONATIONS FROM LOCAL MERCHANTS.

UKIAH POLICE TO PURCHASE THREE NEW VEHICLES (GOV/LAW)

JH 12/30/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THREE NEW VEHICLES FOR THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS THAT, ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF CHRIS DEWEY, THE CITYS BUDGET INCLUDED FUNDS FOR TWO PATROL VEHICLES, AND HE WANTED TO REPLACE A COMMAND STAFF VEHICLE THAT HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS, USING ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS. DEWEY SAID THAT ZUMWALT FORD IN ST HELENA SUBMIT THE LOWEST BID FOR THE VEHICLES. COUNCIL MEMBERS ASKED ABOUT PURCHASING FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND DEWEY TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT UKIAH FORD ELECTED NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BID. THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF ALL THREE VEHICLES FROM ZUMWALT FORD.

UKIAHS PALACE HOTEL COVERED AND PROTECTED FROM WEATHER (PI)

JH 12/30/13

THE ROOF OF THE PALACE HOTEL IN UKIAH HAS BEEN COMPLETELY COVERED AND PROTECTED FROM WINTER WEATHER.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE BUILDINGS OWNER, ELADIA LAINES UPDATED THE CITY COUNCIL AT THEIR DECEMBER 18TH MEETING. LAINES INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT THE SECOND PHASE OF DEBRIS REMOVAL HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, AND IS READY TO BEGIN. ABOUT 197 TONS OF MATERIAL FROM THE BUILDING HAS BEEN REMOVED, AND ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACTOR, ANOTHER 100 TONS OF DEBRIS STILL NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. THE COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO CONTINUE A VOTE FOR ANOTHER MONTH, ON WHETHER THE CITY SHOULD TAKE OVER THE ABATEMENT PROCESS OF THE HOTEL.

CAT FIRE REMINDS US TO PROTECT AGAINST HEATING RELATED FIRES (PI)

JH 12/30/13

CAL FIRE WANTS TO REMIND YOU THAT DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS, THERE IS AN INCREASE IN HOME FIRES DUE TO DANGEROUS HEATING EQUIPMENT OR UNSAFE PRACTICES.

HALF OF ALL HOME HEATING FIRES ARE REPORTED DECEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY. WITH A FEW SIMPLE SAFETY TIPS AND PRECAUTIONS, YOU CAN PREVENT MOST HOME HEATING FIRES FROM HAPPENING.

CAL FIRE SUGGESTS:

KEEP ANYTHING THAT CAN BURN AT LEAST 3 FEET AWAY FROM HEATING EQUIPMENT LIKE FURNACES AND FIREPLACES,

HAVE A 3 FOOT KID FREE ZONE AROUND OPEN FIRES AND SPACE HEATERS,

ALWAYS TURN PORTABLE HEATERS OFF WHEN LEAVING A ROOM OR GOING TO BED, AND

MAKE SURE FIREPLACES HAVE STURDY SCREENS TO PREVENT SPARKS FROM ESCAPING.

FOR MORE SAFETY TIPS AND INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.FIRE.CA.GOV.

News 12/27/13

FORT BRAGG POLICE INVESTIGATE DUMPSTER FIRE (LAW) JH 12/27/13

FORT BRAGG POLICE RESPONDED TO ASSIST THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH A DUMPSTER FIRE AT THE CVS PHARMACY ON DECEMBER 21ST.

AS THE FIRE SPREAD TO NEARBY DEBRIS AND THREATENED OTHER PROPERTY AT THE LOCATION, A POLICE OFFICER USED SEVERAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF THE FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. OFFICERS THEN CONTACTED 24-YEAR-OLD WESTON BLACK OF GRASS VALLEY WHO WAS STANDING NEARBY BEING CONFRONTATIONAL WITH FIRE PERSONNEL. A RECORDS CHECK REVEALED THAT BLACK HAD AN EXTRADITABLE WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST OUT OF UTAH, AND HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS ONGOING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE FIRE SHOULD CONTACT THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 961-2800.

DEFENDANT WHO TORTURED CAT, BEAT HOUSEMATE SENTENCED TO PRISON (LAW) JH 12/27/13

A FORMER SACRAMENTO MAN WHO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF IMPRISONING AND ASSAULTING ANOTHER MAN, AND TORTURING A N ANIMAL AT A FORT BRAGG RESIDENCE, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO PRISON.

24-YEAR-OLD SHAWN MICHAEL LANE WAS SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS EIGHT MONTHS IN STATE PRISON FOR ASSAULTING 25 YEAR OLD JESSE WAYNE GIBSON WITH A CANE, FALSELY IMPRISONING GIBSON AND TORTURING A CAT.

JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR RESISTING ARREST, ESCAPE AND POSSESSION OF POT (LAW) JH 12/27/13

A LAKEPORT JUVENILE WAS ARRESTED ON MONDAY FOR RESISTING ARREST, ESCAPE WITH FORCE AND POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA.

POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF AN INTOXICATED JUVENILE ON FORBES STREET. WHILE TALKING WITH THE BOY, POLICE NOTICED A BAG OF MARIJUANA STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET, AND A SEARCH REVEALED PARAPHERNALIA. THE JUVENILE THEN ASKED THE OFFICER IF HE WAS GOING TO JUVENILE HALL, AND WHEN THE OFFICER TOLD HIM HE WAS, HE PULLED AWAY FROM THE OFFICERS GRIP AND FLED ON FOOT. HE WAS LOCATED AND HANDCUFFED AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGH STREET AND CLEARLAKE AVENUE, BUT BECAME COMBATIVE, INJURING THE OFFICER BEFORE HE FLED ON FOOT AGAIN. THE JUVENILE WAS QUICKLY LOCATED AGAIN, AND PLACED IN THE BACK OF A PATROL CAR. WHILE BEING LED INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL, THE JUVENILE AGAIN ASSAULTED THE OFFICER AND THREATENED TO KILL HER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE CUSTODY THIS TIME.

LAKE MENDOCINO CRITICALLY LOW (EVR) JH 12/27/13

THIS YEARS MINIMAL AMOUNT OF RAIN HAS LED LOCAL WATER OFFICIALS TO ASK THE STATE TO CHANGE HOW IT MEASURES THE AREAS WATER SUPPLY.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS THAT ACCORDING TO THE SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY, THE UKIAH AREA HAS RECEIVED ONLY 7.67 INCHES OF RAIN SINCE JANUARY 1ST. THAT IS ONLY 22 PERCENT OF THE AVERAGE 34.18 INCHES, MAKING 2013 THE LOWEST RAINFALL YEAR ON RECORD IN 120 YEARS. AS A RESULT, THE LOW WATER SUPPLY LEVEL IN LAKE MENDOCINO IS CONSIDERED CRITICAL. TO PRESERVE THE WATER SUPPLY, THE WATER AGENCY IS ASKING THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD TO CHANGE HOW MUCH WATER IS AVAILABLE TO THE RUSSIAN RIVER SYSTEM. INSTEAD OF BASING WATER RELEASES ON THE CUMULATIVE INFLOW INTO LAKE PILLSBURY, THE WATER AGENCY IS ASKING THE STATE TO USE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF WATER IN LAKE MENDOCINO AS ITS GAUGE, SINCE LAKE MENDOCINO IS A KEY DRINKING WATER SOURCE FOR THE CITIES OF UKIAH, HEALDSBURG, CLOVERDALE AND HOPLAND, AND WATER RELEASES FROM THE LAKE SUPPORT FLOWS IN THE RUSSIAN RIVER FOR THE THREATENED CHINOOK SALMON AND STEELHEAD TROUT DURING THE FALL AND WINTER SEASONS.

EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER OFFERS HOMELESS AN OVERNIGHT REFUGE (PI) JH 12/27/13

THE HOSPITALITY HOUSE IN FORT BRAGG IS COORDINATING AN EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER ON THE COAST, WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL CHURCHES.

ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE NEWS, ANYONE IS WELCOME AT THE EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE INTOXICATED AND/OR HAVE DOGS. THE SHELTER BEING OPEN, IS DEPENDENT ON THE WEATHER, AND REQUIRES PEOPLE TO CHECK IN AT THE HOSPITALITY HOUSE, FROM WHERE THEY WILL BE SHUTTLED TO THE SHELTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE HOSPITALITY HOUSE AT 961-1150.

UKIAH UNIFIED TO BUY LAPTOPS FOR STUDENTS (ED) JH 12/27/13

THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL SPEND NEARLY $300,000 ON LAPTOPS TO HELP STUDENTS TRANSITION TO THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS THAT ACCORDING TO DISTRICT OFFICIALS, THE PURCHASE IS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE 1:1 CHROMEBOOK INITIATIVE, AND WILL PROVIDE LAPTOPS TO ALL 900 OF THE DISTRICTS THIRD AND TENTH-GRADE STUDENTS. THE DISTRICT PLANS TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT IN THE CLASSROOMS BY MARCH 2014, SO THE STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A HIGHER LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOMS IN THE SPRING.

ROAD WORK (TR) JH 12/27/13

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW ROAD WORK PROJECTS CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES THIS WEEK.

REPLACEMENT OF THE GREENWOOD CREEK BRIDGE ON HIGHWAY 1 WILL CONTINUE.

REPLACEMENT OF A CULVERT WITH A BRIDGE ON HIGHWAY 1 AT DUNN CREEK WILL CONTINUE.

AT BOTH LOCATIONS, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WITH A TEMPORARY SIGNAL WILL BE IN EFFECT 24 HOURS PER DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. MOTORISTS SHOULD ANTICIPATE 5-MINUTE DELAYS.

CALTRANS WILL BEGIN TO PERFORM SLIDE REPAIRS AGAIN ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR THE KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE (NEAR FROG WOMAN ROCK). NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE 24 HOURS PER DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. MOTORISTS MAY EXPERIENCE MINOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS.

News 12/24/13

TWO ARRESTED FOR PROWLING IN UKIAH (LAW) JH 12/24/13

TWO UKIAH MEN WERE ARRESTED SATURDAY FOR PROWLING.

UKIAH POLICE RESPONDED TO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON VILLAGE CIRCLE AT AROUND 3:50 AM DECEMBER 21ST ON A REPORT OF TWO MEN PROWLING THE PARKING LOT. THE OFFICERS LOCATED TWO MEN IN THE CENTER OF THE COMPLEX, AND BOTH IMMEDIATELY RAN WHEN THEY SAW THE OFFICERS. 25 YEAR OLD RYAN ADAM RAYA STOPPED BEFORE LEAVING THE COMPLEX AND WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. THE SECOND SUSPECT, 25 YEAR OLD ARMANDO HERNANDEZ WAS CHASED THROUGH THE YOKAYO CENTER AND WAS LOCATED HIDING IN SOME BUSHES ON PORZIO LANE. BOTH RAYA AND HERNANDEZ WERE BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

ARMED ROBBERY IN COVELO (LAW) JH 12/24/13

A MEMBER OF THE ROUND VALLEY TRIBE WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY AFTER COMMITTING ARMED ROBBERY AT A LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE.

AT ABOUT 6;30 SUNDAY MORNING, A MALE SUBJECT WEARING A HOODED BLACK JACKET WITH A BANDANA ON HIS FACE, WALKED INTO THE HIDDEN OAKS CONVENIENCE STORE IN COVELO. THE STORE HAD JUST OPENED, AND THE CLERK WAS COUNTING MONEY FOR THE REGISTER. THE SUBJECT POINTED A SHOTGUN AT THE CLERK AND DEMANDED MONEY. AS THE CLERK LEANED AWAY FROM THE SUSPECT, HE GRABBED THE CASH ON THE COUNTER AND FLED ON FOOT. AS AUTHORITIES REVIEWED THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE TRIBE RECOGNIZED A DISTINCT WALK AND IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECT AS POSSIBLY BEING 29-YEAR-OLD DANIEL LUCAS BOWES. A SEARCH OF BOWES RESIDENCE FOUND THE SHOTGUN, AS WELL AS BOWES HIDING UNDER A PILE OF CLOTHES IN A CLOSET WITH THE STOLEN CASH. BOWES WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE LAUNCHES REFERENDUM ON POT CULTIVATION ORDINANCE (PI) JH 12/24/13

AN EFFORT TO STOP THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECENTLY PASSED MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE IS UNDER WAY, WITH SIGNATURE GATHERING NOW TAKING PLACE.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS, A NEWLY FORMED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CALLED THE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE TO BAN ILLEGAL CANNABIS CULTIVATION IS OPPOSED TO THE NEW MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS LAST WEEK. THE GROUP ANNOUNCED MONDAY ON ITS FACEBOOK PAGE THAT THE SIGNATURE GATHERING HAS BEGUN. ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, THE GROUP MUST COLLECT APPROXIMATELY 2,115 SIGNATURES BY JANUARY 15TH, THE DAY BEFORE THE ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE.

A TRAFFIC STOP TURNS INTO AN ARREST FOR DRUGS AND WEAPONS (LAW) JH 12/24/13

A TRAFFIC STOP IN WILLITS TURNED INTO A DRUG BUST WITH AUTHORITIES ALSO FINDING AN ILLEGAL FIREARM.

A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP IN THE AREA OF BLOSSER LANE AND HIGHWAY 20 ON FRIDAY FOR A REGISTRATION VIOLATION. WHILE SPEAKING TO THE DRIVER, 30 YEAR OLD BRANDON DUANE CLELAND, THE DEPUTY NOTICED THE ODOR OF MARIJUANA. A SEARCH REVEALED A GLASS PIPE, METHAMPHETAMINE, TWO ONE-POUND PACKAGES OF POT SEALED AND PACKAGED TO BE MAILED, AS WELL AS AN AR-15 TYPE OF ASSAULT RIFLE WITH FEATURES THAT CLASSIFY IT AS A PROHIBITED ASSAULT WEAPON UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW. CLELAND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

WILLITS BYPASS MITIGATION CONTRACT DEADLINE EXTENDED (GOV)

JH 12/24/13

THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, OR CTC, VOTED THIS MONTH TO GIVE CAL TRANS UNTIL JULY 2015 TO AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR MITIGATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS.

ACCORDING TO THE WILLITS NEWS, THE EXTENSION WAS NEEDED AFTER THE LOWEST BID CAL TRANS RECEIVED FOR THE WORK WAS NEARLY THREE TIMES THE ENGINEERS ESTIMATE. ACCORDING TO THE CTC, CAL TRANS REQUESTED THE 20 MONTH EXTENSION TO ALLOW IF SUFFICIENT TIME TO RE-PACKAGE THE BID DOCUMENTS, RE-ADVERTISE AND AWARD THE PROJECT CONTRACT.

MAN TALKING WITH DEPUTY ADMITS TO HAVING SOME DOPE (LAW)

JH 12/24/13

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER TELLING A SHERIFFS DEPUTY HE HAS SOME DOPE ON HIM.

JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY CONTACTED 47 YEAR OLD MARK BRANDT WHO WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE NORTH SIDE OF A LOCAL MOTEL WITH ANOTHER SUBJECT. DURING THE CONVERSATION, BRANDT TOLD THE DEPUTY THAT HE WAS IN POSSESSION OF SOME DOPE. A SEARCH OF BRANDT FOUND METHAMPHETAMINE, MARIJUANA AND A GLASS PIPE. BRANDT WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

TRAFFIC STOP BECOMES DRUG BUST OF GUERNVILLE MAN (LAW)

JH 12/24/13

A GUERNVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED ON DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES AFTER NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN UKIAH ON FRIDAY.

POLICE STOPPED A VEHICLE ON NORTH STATE STREET AT CLARA AVENUE FOR NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION AT ABOUT 11 PM. THE DRIVER, 37 YEAR OLD FREDDIE ARAIZA TOLD OFFICERS HE WAS FROM OUT OF THE AREA AND UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA. OFFICERS NOTED HE WAS FIDGETY AND NERVOUS, AND DISPLAYED OTHER SYMPTOMS OF RECENT DRUG USE. ONE OFFICER SAW A PACKAGE OF MARIJUANA IN THE VEHICLE, AND ARAIZA ADMITTED TO HAVING A FIREARM AS WELL. A SEARCH FOUND MARIJUANA, METHAMPHETAMINE, AND A .40 CALIBER PISTOL WITH A LOADED MAGAZINE. ARAIZA WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

Playlist 12/26/13

EMINEM W/RIHANNA-THE MONSTER

IMAGINE DRAGONS-DEMONS

LADY GAGA W/R. KELLY-DO WHAT U WANT

ONE REPUBLIC-COUNTING STARS

PITBULL W/KE$HA-TIMBER

ZEDD W/HAYLEY WILLIAMS-STAY THE NIGHT

(THE) NEIGHBOURHOOD-SWEATER WEATHER

A GREAT BIG WORLD W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-SAY SOMETHING

BASTILLE-POMPEII

BRITNEY SPEARS-PERFUME

ELLIE GOULDING-BURN

FALL OUT BOY-ALONE TOGETHER

FLO RIDA-HOW I FEEL

JOHN NEWMAN-LOVE ME AGAIN

LORDE-TEAM

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/SCHOOLBOY Q & HOLLIS-WHITE WALLS

ONE DIRECTION-STORY OF MY LIFE

PASSENGER-LET HER GO

SARA BAREILLES-BRAVE

ZENDAYA-REPLAY

CALVIN HARRIS W/AYAH MARAR-THINKING OF YOU

CHRIS WALLACE-KEEP ME CRAZY

DEMI LOVATO-NEON LIGHTS

KATY PERRY W/JUICY J-DARK HORSE

LUPE FIASCO W/ED SHEERAN-OLD SCHOOL LOVE

NEW POLITICS-HARLEM

ROBIN THICKE-FEEL GOOD

AMERICAN AUTHORS-BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

AVICII-HEY BROTHER

BRUNO MARS-YOUNG GIRLS

CHRIS BROWN W/NICKI MINAJ-LOVE MORE

MARTIN GARRIX-ANIMALS

MKTO-CLASSIC

THE 1975-CHOCOLATE

News 12/23/13

WILLITS SEEKS VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH PHASE III WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY (GOV/EVR) JH 12/23/13

IN LIGHT OF THE CONTINUING WATER SHORTAGE AND LACK OF ANY SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL FORECASTED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THE CITY OF WILLITS IS ASKING THE COMMUNITY TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN IMPLEMENTING PHASE III WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES, AS THE CITY IS ANTICIPATING THE NEED TO DECLARE A PHASE III WATER SHORTAGE AT THE CITY COUNCILS JANUARY 8TH MEETING.

PHASE III WATER REGULATIONS CALL FOR:

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USERS TO REDUCE WATER USE BY 15%,

RESIDENTIAL USERS TO LIMIT USAGE TO 250 GALLONS PER OCCUPIED RESIDENCE PER DAY, OR 10 UNITS PER MONTH,

AND PROHIBITION OF ALL NONESSENTIAL USES OF WATER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO WASHING SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS, WASHING VEHICLES, AND FILLING SWIMMING POOLS, HOT TUBS AND SPAS.

IN ADDITION, RESTAURANTS ARE ASKED TO SERVE WATER TO PATRONS ONLY UPON REQUEST.

UKIAH MAN ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (LAW) JH 12/23/13

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED RECENTLY AFTER HITTING HIS WIFE AND THREATENING TO THROW A BRICK THROUGH HER CAR WINDOW WHEN SHE WOULDNT LET HIM DRIVE HER OR THEIR CHILDREN BECAUSE HE WAS DRUNK.

POLICE RESPONDED TO THE LESLIE STREET ADDRESS ON DECEMBER 12, TO FIND THE WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN TAKING REFUGE IN A LOCKED VEHICLE. HER HUSBAND, 42 YEAR OLD JOSE CEJA ORTIZ REPORTEDLY SLAPPED HIS WIFE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THREATENING TO DAMAGE THE VEHICLE. ORTIZ REFUSED TO SPEAK WITH POLICE AND TRIED TO WALK AWAY FROM THEM ACTING LIKE HE DIDNT UNDERSTAND THEM. FOLLOWING A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE, ORTIZ WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

2014 MUSSEL STICKERS AVAILABLE IN LAKE COUNTY (LAW/EVR)

JH 12/23/13

LAKE COUNTY BOAT OWNERS CAN NOW PURCHASE THEIR 2014 MUSSEL STICKERS TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND PROTECT CLEAR LAKE FROM TWO INVASIVE SPECIES.

SINCE 2008, LAKE COUNTY HAS TAKEN A POSITIVE, PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THE THREAT OF AN INVASIVE MUSSEL INFESTATION BECAUSE OF THE HUGE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON THE ECOSYSTEM OF CLEAR LAKE AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THIS APPROACH HAS BEEN LARGELY FUNDED BY FEES RECEIVED FROM THE MUSSEL STICKER PROGRAM. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR MUSSEL STICKER AND REMEMBER TO CHECK IN WITH A PARTICIPATING SCREENER WHEN YOU RETURN FROM AN OUT OF THE COUNTY TRIP WITH YOUR BOAT, RESCREENING AND ANY NECESSARY DECONTAMINATION IS FREE. FOR INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM, VISIT WWW.NOMUSSELS.COM.

BLOOD BANK OF THE REDWOODS LEGACY FUND GRANTS (PI) JH 12/23/13

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MENDOCINO COUNTY IS CURRENTLY SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST CYCLE OF GRANTS FROM THE BLOOD BANK OF THE REDWOODS LEGACY FUND.

THIS ENDOWED FUND CREATES A LASTING LEGACY IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE BLOOD BANK THAT SERVED NORTH BAY COMMUNITIES FROM 1949 TO 2010. THE FUND SUPPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE CURRENT GRANT CYCLE WILL PROVIDE FUNDING TO ORGANIZATIONS, PROGRAMS OR INITIATIVES WITH THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE OUTREACH, EDUCATION OR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT LEADING TO AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE RATE OF BLOOD DONATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AT 468-9882.

FUNDING FOR BROOKTRAILS SECOND ACCESS NIXED (GOV) JH 12/23/13

THE SECOND ACCESS FOR BROOKTRAILS IS ESSENTIALLY DEAD FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AFTER IT WAS REMOVED THIS MONTH FROM THE MENDOCINO COUNTY PRIORITY LIST FOR STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING.

ACCORDING TO THE WILLITS NEWS, THIS ACTION CAME AFTER THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WITHDREW SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT AT THEIR NOVEMBER 12 MEETING. THAT IS WHEN THE SUPERVISORS LEARNED THAT THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAD ESSENTIALLY MADE NO PROGRESS IN ANY OF THE NEEDED STEPS FOR THE TWO POTENTIAL ROUTES. ONE MAJOR PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING THE LANDOWNERS FOR THE TWO ROUTES TO COMPLY AND ALLOW ACCESS SO THE ROUTES CAN BE PROPERLY RESEARCHED.

CHP MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT PERIOD (LAW) JH 12/23/13

CHP IS PREPARING FOR THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT PERIOD THAT BEGINS TOMORROW.

THE TWO-DAY HOLIDAY ENFORCEMENT EFFORT IS DESIGNED TO HELP ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC DURING A TIME WHEN CELEBRATIONS ARE IN FULL SWING. THE MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT PERIOD BEGINS AT 6 PM TOMORROW, DECEMBER 24TH AND CONTINUES THROUGH 11:59 PM ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT, DECEMBER 25TH. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO CALL 911 IF THEY SUSPECT ANOTHER DRIVER IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 12/23/13

THERE ARE SEVERAL ROAD WORK PROJECTS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES THAT ARE CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS TODAY.

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 128 JUST WEST OF HUTSELL ROAD TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

ALL CAL TRANS PROJECTS WILL STOP WORK FOR DECEMBER 24TH AND 25TH IN OBSERVANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. WORK WILL CONTINUE ON ALL ONGOING PROJECTS ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26TH.

News 12/20/13

LAKEPORT POLICE SEEK SUSPICIOUS MAN TAKING PHOTOS OF CHILDREN AT LOCAL SCHOOLS (LAW) JH 12/20/13

THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO WAS SPOTTED TAKING PHOTOS OR VIDEO OF STUDENTS AT TWO SCHOOLS.

POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A MAN ON A BICYCLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BETWEEN CLEARLAKE HIGH SCHOOL AND TERRACE MIDDLE SCHOOL, USING A CELLULAR PHONE TO TAKE PHOTOS OR VIDEO OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THURSDAY. HE WAS THEN SEEN MOVING TO THE ROAD ADJACENT TO TERRACE MIDDLE SCHOOLS BASKETBALL COURTS AGAIN USING A PHONE TO TAKE IMAGES OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. WHEN SCHOOL STAFF CONTACTED THE MAN HE REPORTEDLY BECAME VERBALLY ABUSIVE BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA. LAKEPORT POLICE SEARCHED THE AREA BUT WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SUSPECT. HE IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE ADULT BETWEEN 40 AND 50 YEARS OLD, UNSHAVEN WITH A VERY SHORT CREW CUT. HE STANDS 6 FEET TO 6 FEET, 2 INCHES TALL, WEIGHING ABOUT 190 TO 200 POUNDS. HE HAS A DEEP VOICE AND WAS WEARING A WHITE SHIRT AND DARK COLORED PANTS. THE SUSPECTS BICYCLE IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE FULL SIZED MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH A SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE TOP FRAME TUBE. THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE AT 263-5491.

US JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF CAL TRANS IN LAWSUITS TO STOP HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS OF WILLITS (TR) JH 12/20/13

A US DISTRICT COURT JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF CAL TRANS ON THURSDAY, IN REGARD TO A LAWSUIT TO STOP THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS.

THE SUIT WAS FILED MAY 1ST IN FEDERAL COURT BY SEVERAL LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS IN AN EFFORT TO GET AN INJUNCTION TO STOP THE BYPASS. IN RESPONSE TO THE COURT DECISION, CAL TRANS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: CAL TRANS TAKES SERIOUSLY ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESERVE THE SPECIES AND HABITATS ON THESE LANDS AND WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE JUDGE REJECTED THIS LAWSUIT. THIS PROJECT ELIMINATES A CHRONIC TRAFFIC BOTTLENECK WHILE ENHANCING FISHERIES AND HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF LOCAL WETLANDS.

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THE WILLITS BYPASS PROJECT, PLEASE VISIT THE BYPASS WEBSITE AT WILLITSBYPASS.WORDPRESS.COM.

FBI APPREHENDS SUSPECT IN LOCAL BANK ROBBERIES (LAW)

JH 12/20/13

THE FBI HAS APPREHENDED A MAN WANTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ROBBING SEVERAL BANKS THROUGH THEIR NIGHT DEPOSIT DROP BOX.

ON DECEMBER 16, A CUSTOMER INFORMED THE SAVINGS BANK OF MENDOCINO COUNTY THAT THEIR NIGHT DEPOSIT FROM NOVEMBER 28 HAD NOT BEEN CREDITED TO THEIR ACCOUNT. SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF THE DEPOSIT BOX SHOWED A MALE SUSPECT FISHING OUT DEPOSITS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SUSPECT HAD COMMITTED SEVERAL THEFTS AT BANKS IN REDDING, UKIAH AND THE CRESCENT CITY AREA. ON DECEMBER 18, THE FBI INFORMED THE FORT BRAGG POLICE THAT ONE SUSPECT HAD BEEN CAUGHT IN OREGON COMMITTING THE SAME CRIME. THE FBI INDICATED THAT THEY BELIEVE ANOTHER SUSPECT IS STILL OUTSTANDING. THE FBI WILL NOW BE HANDLING THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF THE CASE.

UKIAH PD URGES SUPPORT OF THE UKIAH FOOD BANK ANNUAL FUNDING DRIVE (PI) JH 12/20/13

THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT URGES YOUR SUPPORT OF THE UKIAH FOOD BANKS ANNUAL FUNDING DRIVE THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER WAY.

ACCORDING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE MOST EFFECTIVE THING YOU CAN DO TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM COMMITTING CRIME, IS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH FOOD, SHELTER, AND JOBS. A PERSON WHO IS NOT HUNGRY, WHO HAS A PLACE TO LIVE, WHO HAS THE PROMISE OF A JOB, AND WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR HIS OR HER FAMILY IS A PERSON WHO IS LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT A CRIME. PREVENTING CRIME MAKES OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER AND SAFER PLACE TO LIVE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REMINDS YOU THAT THE UKIAH FOOD BANK IS IN THE MIDST OF THEIR ANNUAL DONATION DRIVE, WHICH IS THEIR PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE YEAR. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DRIVE, VISIT THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENTS WEB SITE. TO DONATE, MAKE A CHECK PAYABLE TO THE UCC FOOD BANK AND DROP IT OFF AT THE FOOD BANK AT 888 NORTH STATE STREET OR AT THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL OFFICE.

BROADBAND SURVEY FOR CPUC (BB) JH 12/20/13

DO YOU HAVE A LOUSY INTERNET CONNECTION? ARE THE PLANS AVAILABLE TO YOU UNAFFORDABLE? OR IS YOUR ACCESS UNACCEPTABLE OR NONEXISTENT? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK OUT.

OFFICIAL STATE BROADBAND MAPS SUGGEST THAT MOST HOUSEHOLDS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS, THOUGH MANY LOCALS WOULD DISAGREE. THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY HAS SUCCESSFULLY PETITIONED THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, OR CPUC, TO CONDUCT A POLL OF USERS TO SHOW HOW MUCH OF THE COUNTY LACKS AN ADEQUATE AND AFFORDABLE CONNECTION. IF YOU HAVE AN INADEQUATE CONNECTION OR NONE AT ALL, PLEASE FILL OUT A SURVEY. THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE: YOU CAN TAKE THE SURVEY ON-LINE AT WWW.BROADBANDMAP.CA.GOV, A MAIL-IN PAPER SURVEY IS AVAILABLE AT ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTY, OR DOWNLOAD THE ANDROID APP CALLED CALSPEED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY AT 354-2262. THE ALLIANCE WILL ALSO HOLD A MEETING TODAY FROM 10 TO 11:30 AM AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AT 204 SOUTH OAK STREET.

ARMORED TRUCK ROLLS ON HIGHWAY 20 (LAW) JH 12/20/13

A BRINKS ARMORED TRUCK OVERTURNED ON HIGHWAY 20 WEDNESDAY JUST BEFORE NOON.

ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE NEWS, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH, AND ONE OF THE TWO OCCUPANTS WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE INJURIES. CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 12/20/13

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

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH OF CONFUSION HILL TODAY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10 AM AND 3 PM.

TREE TRIMMING WILL BE DONE ON HIGHWAY 271 FROM CUMMINGS TO THE BIG DANN CREEK BRIDGE TODAY FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM.

AND, UTILITY REPAIRS ON HIGHWAY 175 FROM THE COBB POST OFFICE TO ANDERSON SPRINGS ROAD WILL WRAP UP TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.

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

News 12/19/13

STOLEN PURSE AND MAIL FOUND BEHIND LAKEPORT SAFEWAY (LAW)

JH 12/19/13

A STOLEN PURSE AND MAIL WERE FOUND BEHIND THE SAFEWAY STORE IN LAKEPORT WEDNESDAY.

LAKEPORT POLICE RECEIVED A CALL AROUND 12:30 FROM A FEMALE THAT REPORTED HER VEHICLE, ON 14TH STREET, HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO AROUND 6 PM TUESDAY AND HER PURSE WAS STOLEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN REPORTED THAT SHE WAS CONTACTED WEDNESDAY REGARDING HER PURSE BEING LOCATED BEHIND SAFEWAY. ALONG WITH HER PURSE WERE SEVERAL PIECES OF INCOMING AND OUTGOING MAIL, WHICH APPEARED TO BE TAKEN FROM MAILBOXES ON MELON DRIVE AND HARTLEY ROAD. THE MAIL WAS RETURNED TO THE POST OFFICE TO BE GIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENTS AT THOSE LOCATIONS. AN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 263-5491.

MENDO COLLEGE FOUNDATION BUDGET WORKSHOP (ED) JH 12/19/13

THE MENDOCINO COLLEGE FOUNDATION WILL BE HOLDING A BUDGET WORKSHOP TODAY.

THIS WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS AFTERNOON FROM 3 TO 5 PM IN THE BOARD ROOM IN MacMILLAN HALL ON THE UKIAH CAMPUS.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL CERTIFIES COSTCO EIR (GOV) JH 12/19/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL AT WEDNESDAY NIGHTS MEETING TOOK SEVERAL STEPS TO MOVE THE CITY CLOSER TO GETTING A COSTCO STORE ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD.

THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CERTIFY COSTCOS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT. ONCE APPROVED, THE COUNCIL VOTED TO ADOPT THE STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS WHICH INDICATED THAT THE COUNCIL BELIEVES THE STORES BENEFITS OUTWEIGH ITS SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON UKIAHS AIR QUALITY AND TRAFFIC. FINALLY, THE COUNCIL VOTED TO APPROVE A REZONING REQUEST TO CHANGE THE PROPERTY WHERE THE STORE WILL BE LOCATED FROM LIGHT MANUFACTURING/MIXED USE AND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL TO RETAIL/COMMERCIAL. NEXT MONTH THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER APPROVING THE SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR THE PROJECT, WHILE THE CITY CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE THE $4 MILLION DOLLARS NEEDED FOR TRAFFIC MITIGATION TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC THE STORE WILL BRING TO THE AREA.

UKIAH UNIFIED WILL HIRE MUSIC TEACHERS AGAIN (ED) JH 12;/19/13

THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS TAKEN ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS BRINGING MUSIC CLASSES BACK TO ITS SCHOOLS.

ACCORDING TO THE DAILY JOURNAL, THE DISTRICTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED THE HIRING OF THREE MUSIC TEACHERS. SINCE THOSE POSITIONS WERE ELIMINATED IN 2008, ONLY ONE MUSIC TEACHER HAS REMAINED ON STAFF, AND TEACHES BOTH VOICE AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AT UKIAH HIGH SCHOOL. HIRING MORE MUSIC TEACHERS WILL ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO OFFER MORE MUSIC CLASSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, WHILE EXPANDING CLASSES INTO THE MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AS WELL. ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING INVOLVED IN THE DISTRICTS MUSIC PROGRAM, IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT MARIA ARMSTRONG AT 472-5053.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL CANCELS ELECTION AND APPOINTS SEAT (GOV)

JH 12/19/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL CHOSE TO CANCEL A MARCH 2014 ELECTION THAT WOULD HAVE DETERMINED WHO FILLED THE COUNCIL SEAT LEFT VACANT WHEN MARI RODEN STEPPED DOWN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SINCE STEVE SCALMANINI WAS THE ONLY PERSON TO FILE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK TO RUN FOR THE SEAT, THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND JUST APPOINT SCALMANINI, WHO WAS SWORN IN DURING LAST NIGHT MEETING.

LAKE COUNTY BOS APPROVE MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE (GOV/LAW) JH 12/19/13

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AT TUESDAYS MEETING UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A NEW PROPOSED MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE FOR THE COUNTY.

THE ORDINANCE WILL BAN ALL OUTDOOR POT GARDENS WITHIN COMMUNITY GROWTH BOUNDARIES, AS WELL AS LIMITING INDOOR GROWS TO 100 SQUARE FEET OR LESS WITH RESTRICTIONS ON LIGHTING AND MORE.

FORT BRAGG PLANNING COMMISSION DENIES DOLLAR TREE APPLICATION (GOV) JH 12/19/13

THE FORT BRAGG PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTED A RESOLUTION TO DENY A USE PERMIT TO CONVERT THE OLD SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING ON SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET TO A DOLLAR TREE STORE.

ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE NEWS, PUBLIC SENTIMENT WAS SPLIT, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSIONERS EXPRESSED MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE PROPOSED SITE FOR THE STORE. THE PROPERTY OWNER, ROBERT AFFINITO, EXPRESSED UNHAPPINESS, AS HE SAYS THE DECISION MAKES HIS PROPERTY USELESS. AFFINITO SAID, IF THEY DONT WANT RETAIL HERE, THEY SHOULD REZONE IT.

LAKE COUNTY BOS APPROVE PROPOSED SALES TAX (GOV/ECN)

JH 12/19/13

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A PROPOSED SALES TAX MEASURE AT TUESDAYS MEETING.

THE HALF CENT SALES TAX IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE ABOUT $2.4 MILLION ANNUALLY TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR WATER RESOURCE PROJECTS AROUND THE LAKE, INCLUDING INVASIVE SPECIES AND QUAGGA MUSSEL PREVENTION PROGRAMS, AND WEED AND ALGAE ABATEMENT. IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, THE TAX MEASURE WILL APPEAR ON THE JUNE 2014 BALLOT.

News 12/18/13

HUMAN REMAINS IDENTIFIED (LAW) JH 12/18/13

THE HUMAN REMAINS THAT WERE FOUND ON DECEMBER FIRST IN SOUTHERN HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

29-YEAR-OLD GARRET RODRIGUEZ OF SAN DIEGO WAS REPORTED MISSING IN LATE APRIL AFTER HE REPORTEDLY WENT TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY TO WORK ON A RANCH GROWING MEDICAL MARIJUANA. GARRET TOLD HIS FATHER THE RANCH WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA KNOWN AS MURDER MOUNTAIN. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST DETERMINED RODRIGUEZ WAS THE VICTIM OF A HOMICIDE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE CRIME TIP HOTLINE AT 268-2539.

COSTCO ON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AGAIN (GOV) JH 12/18/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL ONCE AGAIN DISCUSS THE PLANS FOR A COSTCO STORE ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD AT TONIGHTS MEETING.

THE COUNCIL, WHOS MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT, DELAYED CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROJECT AT THEIR LAST MEETING, IN AN EFFORT TO ALLOW MORE TIME TO GO OVER INPUT PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AT TONIGHTS FINAL PUBLIC HEARING, THE COUNCIL WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE THE STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATION, WHICH INDICATES THAT, THOUGH THE STORE WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS, THE POSITIVE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVE. IF APPROVED, AND THE EIR CERTIFIED, THE COUNCIL WILL THEN DISCUSS REZONING THE PROPERTY FOR THE NEW STORE. IF THAT IS APPROVED, THE PROJECT WILL THEN BE BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION TO ISSUE A SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT. THE COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT AT 6 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

LAKE COUNTY BOS APPROVE NEW MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE (GOV) JH 12/18/13

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED A NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE DURING TUESDAYS MEETING.

THE NEW ORDINANCE BANS ALL CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA IN COMMUNITY GROWTH BOUNDARIES, AND LIMITS INDOOR GROWS TO NO MORE THAN 100 SQUARE FEET, WITH RESTRICTION S ON LIGHTING AS WELL. THE NEW ORDINANCE WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 30 DAYS AND IS LIMITED ONLY TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF LAKE COUNTY.

FORT BRAGG PLANNING COMMISSION TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE DOLLAR TREE STORE (GOV) JH 12/18/13

THE FORT BRAGG PLANNING COMMISSION WILL MEET TONIGHT TO DISCUSS A REVISED APPLICATION FOR A DOLLAR TREE STORE ON SOUTH FRANKLIN.

THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION HAS BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE ALL 11,000 SQUARE FEET OF THE BUILDING PROPOSED FOR USE. IN THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION, ONLY A PORTION OF THE BUILDING WAS PLANNED FOR USE. TONIGHT, THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL REVIEW THE NEW APPLICATION, AND DECIDE WHETHER TO APPROVE THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND ISSUE A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 6 PM AT THE FORT BRAGG TOWN HALL.

A SEASON OF GIVING, AND SOMETIMES (SADLY) TAKING (LAW)

JH 12/18/13

THOUGH CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON OF GIVING, IT IS ALSO A TIME WHEN MAIL THEFT AND IDENTITY THEFT ARE ON THE RISE.

THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO REMIND YOU TO PROTECT YOURSELF. DONT LEAVE YOUR WALLET OR PURSE IN PLAIN SIGHT IN YOUR VEHICLE, AS IT IS INCENTIVE FOR THIEVES BURGLARIZE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, MAIL THEFT IS ON THE RISE, WITH THIEVES NOT ONLY TAKING PACKAGES FROM DOORSTEPS, BUT ALSO TAKING THE CONTENTS OF MAILBOXES. THIEVES STEAL THE MAIL TO OBTAIN PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, LIKE BANK STATEMENTS, CREDIT CARD STATEMENT AND MORE. THE INFORMATION IN YOUR MAILBOX PROVIDES THE TOOLS TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY, EMPTY BANK ACCOUNTS, AS WELL AS CREATING NEW FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS IN YOUR NAME. THIS CHRISTMAS, WATCH OUT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO USE YOUR GOOD CREDIT TO PURCHASE THEIR CHRISTMAS GIFTS. FOR TIPS ON PREVENTING IDENTITY THEFT, VISIT THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT WEB SITE AT WWW.UKIAHPOLICE.COM.

WIND ADVISORY FOR LAKE COUNTY THURSDAY (EVR) JH 12/18/13

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY WARNING FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW IN LAKE COUNTY.

HIGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO HIT THE AREA TONIGHT WITH WINDS FROM 10 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR AND GUSTS UP TO 40-MILES PER HOUR. TOMORROW, WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO HIT 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH GUSTS NEAR 45 MILES PER HOUR. LAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS THAT SUFFERED DAMAGED HOMES DURING LAST MONTHS WIND STORM ARE URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THEIR HOMES FROM TONIGHT AND TOMORROWS COMING WINDS. MENDOCINO COUNTY WILL ALSO SEE SOME WIND FROM 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR, BUT HEAVIER GUSTS ARE NOT EXPECTED.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON WHETHER TO HOLD ELECTION FOR VACANT SEAT, OR APPOINT (GOV) JH 12/18/13

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO DECIDE TONIGHT, WHETHER TO HOLD AN ELECTION OR APPOINT SOMEONE TO THE COUNCIL SEAT LEFT VACANT WHEN MARI RODEN STEPPED DOWN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO CANCEL THE MARCH SPECIAL ELECTION, SINCE ONLY ONE PERSON, STEVE SCALMANINI, FILED THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR THE ELECTION. APPOINTING SCALMANINI MAKES THE MOST SENSE, SINCE THE COUNTY ESTIMATES THE COST OF AN ELECTION TO BE $20,000 TO $25,000. THE MEETING IS AT 6 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

Playlist 12/19/13

EMINEM W/RIHANNA-THE MONSTER

IMAGINE DRAGONS-DEMONS

KATY PERRY-UNCONDITIONALLY

ONE REPUBLIC-COUNTING STARS

PITBULL W/KE$HA-TIMBER

ZEDD W/HAYLEY WILLIAMS-STAY THE NIGHT

(THE) NEIGHBOURHOOD-SWEATER WEATHER

A GREAT BIG WORLD W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-SAY SOMETHING

BRITNEY SPEARS-PERFUME

ELLIE GOULDING-BURN

FALL OUT BOY-ALONE TOGETHER

JASON DERULO-MARRY ME

JOHN NEWMAN-LOVE ME AGAIN

LADY GAGA W/R. KELLY-DO WHAT U WANT

LORDE-TEAM

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS W/SCHOOLBOY Q & HOLLIS-WHITE WALLS

ONE DIRECTION-STORY OF MY LIFE

PASSENGER-LET HER GO

SARA BAREILLES-BRAVE

ZENDAYA-REPLAY

ARIANA GRANDE W/BIG SEAN-RIGHT THERE

BASTILLE-POMPEII

CALVIN HARRIS W/AYAH MARAR-THINKING OF YOU

FLO RIDA-HOW I FEEL

LUPE FIASCO W/ED SHEERAN-OLD SCHOOL LOVE

NEW POLITICS-HARLEM

ROBIN THICKE-FEEL GOOD

CASH CASH W/BEBE REXHA-TAKE ME HOME

CHRIS BROWN W/NICKI MINAJ-LOVE MORE

CHRIS WALLACE-KEEP ME CRAZY

DEMI LOVATO-NEON LIGHTS

EMBLEM3-3000 MILES

KATY PERRY W/JUICY J-DARK HORSE

MARTIN GARRIX-ANIMALS