News 1/31/14

POLICE SEEKING LEADS ON REPORTED FELONY ASSAULT ON FEMALE (LAW) JH 01/31/14

LAKEPORT POLICE ARE SEEKING LEADS ON TWO SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN A FELONY ASSAULT ON A FEMALE YESTERDAY.

A 22 YEAR OLD FEMALE WAS WALKING FROM HER RESIDENCE TO A BUS STOP AT THIRD AND MAIN STREET WITH HER ONE AND FOUR YEAR OLD SONS, WHEN SHE SAW TWO MEN SMOKING BEHIND A BUSINESS. ONE MAN FOLLOWED HER AND GRABBED HER BY THE HAIR. SHE PULLED A SMALL KNIFE FROM HER PURSE BUT THE SUSPECT GRABBED HER HAND AN A STRUGGLE ENSUED. THE VICTIM ENDED UP WITH KNIFE CUTS ACROSS HER PALMS BEFORE THE SUSPECTS FLED. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET TALL AND SLENDER, WITH DIRTY BLONDE CURLY AND BUSHY/WAVY HAIR. HE WAS WEARING A DARK RED BEANIE CAP, DARK SWEATSHIRT OR JACKET AND RED AND BLACK GLOVES. THE SECOND SUBJECT IS DESCRIBED AS SLIGHTLY TALLER THAN THE FIRST WITH DARK HAIR AND CLOTHING. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE. A SKETCH OF THE FIRST SUSPECT IS POSTED ON THE K-WINE NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE.

UKIAH POLICE WARNS THAT BURGLARIES ARE ON THE RISE (LAW)

JH 01/31/14

THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT WARNS THAT BURGLARIES ARE ON THE RISE.

DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS, A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES AND HOMES IN UKIAH AND REDWOOD VALLEY HAVE BEEN BURGLARIZED. DURING A TYPICAL MONTH, UKIAH POLICE INVESTIGATE ABOUT 15 HOME AND BUSINESS BURGLARIES, AND MORE THAN 30 SIGNIFICANT THEFTS. HOWEVER, THIS MONTH MORE THAN 20 BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN BURGLARIZED AND NUMEROUS HOMES AS WELL. POLICE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO FIND AND ARREST THOSE RESPONSIBLE. FOR INFORMATION ON WAYS TO PREVENT THESE CRIMES, VISIT THE UKIAH POLICE WEB SITE. http://www.ukiahpolice.com/news/hot-topics/burglaries-are-on-the-rise-don-t-be-the-next-victim/

AUTHORITIES ARREST WOMAN FOR MAIL THEFT (LAW) JH 01/31/14

AUTHORITIES ARRESTED A REDWOOD VALLEY WOMAN ON WEDNESDAY IN CONNECTION WITH A SERIES OF MAIL THEFTS AROUND THE COUNTY.

DEPUTIES SERVED AN ARREST WARRANT TO 27-YEAR-OLD KRISTALEE ERIKSEN WEDNESDAY AT HER RESIDENCE. WHILE THERE, DEPUTIES LOCATED 3 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH DIGITAL SCALES, AND A LARGE BIN FULL OF OPENED AND UNOPENED MAIL THAT DID NOT BELONG TO ERIKSEN. 47 POTENTIAL MAIL THEFT VICTIMS WERE IDENTIFIED WITH 19 DIFFERENT ADDRESSES IN WILLITS, REDWOOD VALLEY AND UKIAH. THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE DILIGENT AND MONITOR THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS, CREDIT HISTORY, AND CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS AS THEY MAY NOT KNOW THEY WERE THE VICTIM OF MAIL THEFT.

PEDESTRIAN HIT BY CAR ON SOUTH ORCHARD (LAW) JH 01/31/14

A WOMAN WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF ORCHARD AVENUE AND EAST GOBBI STREET YESTERDAY, AND MAY HAVE DIED OF HER INJURIES.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE CONFIRMED THE COLLISION, AT THE SAME INTERSECTION WHERE DOUG ROSOFF WAS KILLED IN 2012. THERE HAVE BEEN UNOFFICIAL REPORTS THAT THE VICTIM DIED OF HER INJURIES AT THE HOSPITAL, HOWEVER, AUTHORITIES HAVE DECLINED TO CONFIRM OR DENY THE DEATH, OR PROVIDE ANY OTHER DETAILS, AS THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. I WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

COURT QUESTIONS HIGHWAY 101 PROJECT IN RICHARDSON GROVE (GOV/TR) JH 01/31/14

CAL TRANS WILL HAVE TO RESTUDY THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT OF WIDENING HIGHWAY 101 THROUGH RICHARDSON GROVE STATE PARK, AFTER A THURSDAY COURT OF APPEALS RULING.

THE PROJECT, INTENDED TO ALLOW LARGER TRUCKS TO TRAVEL UP HIGHWAY 101, WILL REQUIRE EXCAVATION AND PAVING WITHIN THE ROOT ZONE OF NEARBY REDWOOD TREES. A COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CHALLENGED CAL TRANS EIR ON THE PROJECT, AND THE APPEALS COURT OVERTURNED AN EARLIER SUPERIOR COURT RULING THAT THE REPORT COMPLIED WITH STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

FORT BRAGGS MAIN STREET MERGE LANE RELOCATION PROJECT DELAYED (TR) JH 01/31/14

THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR MAIN STREET MERGE LANE RELOCATION PROJECT, WHICH HAD BEEN SLATED FOR CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR, WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

THE PROJECT WILL MOVE THE NORTHBOUND MERGE LANE ON MAIN STREET TO THE BLOCK SOUTH OF REDWOOD AVENUE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE MORE EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC FLOW. THE DELAY IS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR CAL TRANS TO COMPLETE THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS PRIOR THE CITY RECEIVING FUNDING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.

FUNDRAISER FOR MENDO CO CORRECTIONS DEPUTY WHO LOST LEG TO CANCER (PI) JH 01/31/14

MEMBERS OF THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT ARE THROWING A FUNDRAISER FOR A CORRECTIONS DEPUTY WHO RECENTLY LOST HIS LEG TO CANCER.

45-YEAR-OLD STEVAN ADAMS WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE BONE CANCER LAST OCTOBER, AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ITS SPREAD WAS TO AMPUTATE HIS LEFT LEG. STEVE CURRENTLY WEARS A TEMPORARY PROSTHETIC LEG AND IS EAGER TO RETURN TO WORK, WHERE THE SHERIFF HAS TOLD HIM THAT A PLACE WILL BE FOUND FOR HIM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. STEVES CO-WORKERS WILL BE HOLDING A SPAGHETTI LUNCH AND QUARTER AUCTION IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE $15,000 FOR LOST WAGES AND TRAVEL COSTS. THE FUNDRAISER IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 2ND AT 12:30 PM IN THE FINE ARTS BUILDING AT THE UKIAH FAIRGROUNDS. STEVAN ALSO HAS AN ACCOUNT SET UP AT THE REDWOOD CREDIT UNION, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE K-WINE FACEBOOK PAGE.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/31/14

THERE ARE SEVERAL ROAD WORK PROJECTS CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY, AND AT LEAST ONE WILL BE WRAPPING UP TODAY.

VEGETATION REMOVAL IN PREPARATION FOR CULVERT REHABILITATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON HIGHWAY 128 WILL CONCLUDE TODAY. THE WORK WILL BE PERFORMED FROM WENDLING STREET TO JUST EAST OF MOUNTAIN HOUSE ROAD FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 1/30/14

THREE MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED (LAW) JH 01/30/14

THREE MURDER SUSPECTS, CONNECTED TO A FATAL RESIDENTIAL FIRE, CAR FIRE , AND CAR JACKING THIS WEEK HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.

AS REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK, A RESIDENTIAL FIRE ON HIGHLAND SPRINGS ROAD MONDAY NIGHT LEFT 54 YEAR OLD WILLIAM FRANK BUSCH OF LAKEPORT DEAD. DETECTIVES REPORTED BUSCH SUSTAINED INJURIES WHICH WERE SUSPICIOUS IN NATURE AND BELIEVE BUSCH MAY HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF HOMICIDE. TUESDAY, BUSCHS VEHICLE WAS FOUND BURNING ON SODA BAY ROAD, AND DETECTIVES DEVELOPED LEADS AND IDENTIFIED THREE POSSIBLE SUSPECTS, 41 YEAR OLD CONRAD JOSEPH VELEZ OF LAKEPORT, 26 YEAR OLD DAHNNA PHYLLIS BURROWS OF LAKEPORT, AND 19 YEAR OLD DAKOTA JOSEPH VELEZ OF KELSEYVILLE. LATER ON TUESDAY, AN ASSAULT WAS REPORTED IN THE AREA OF ROBIN HILL DRIVE AND LAKESHORE BOULEVARD INVOLVING SEVERAL OCCUPANTS OF AN SUV THROWING AN ADULT MALE OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND RUNNING HIM OVER BEFORE ONE SUSPECT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE VICTIM WITH AN UNKNOWN WEAPON. THE VICTIM, IDENTIFIED AS 46-YEAR-OLD EDWARD HARRY MORGAN OF KELSEYVILLE DIED AT THE SCENE. THE SUV WAS IDENTIFIED AS MORGANS AND WAS LOCATED BY NAPA POLICE TUESDAY NIGHT. CONRAD VELEZ AND DAHNNA BURROWS WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY NEAR THE SUV, AND THE DAKOTA VELEZ WAS LOCATED AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN LAKE COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY. ALL THREE WERE BOOKED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING MURDER AND CARJACKING, AND AUTHORITIES ANTICIPATE CHARGING THE SUSPECTS WITH ADDITIONAL CRIMES AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

CAL FIRE HAS TEMPORARILY LIFTED THE BURN SUSPENSION (LAW/EVR)

JH 01/30/14

DUE TO A RECENT CHANGE IN THE WEATHER AND FUEL MOISTURE CONDITIONS, CAL FIRE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE BURN BAN HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY LIFTED.

THANKS TO PRECIPITATION THIS WEEK, LOW TEMPERATURES, INCREASED RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN PREDICTED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAL FIRE HAS RESCINDED THE 2014 COUNTYWIDE BURN SUSPENSION OF DOORYARD AND LARGE PILE BURNING ON STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREAS. BURN PERMITS ARE STILL REQUIRED, AND MAY BE OBTAINED AT VARIOUS FIRE STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTY. THE SUSPENSION MAY BE REINSTATED IF THE WEATHER AND FUEL CONDITIONS REVERT TO THE HAZARDOUS FIRE CONDITIONS THE COUNTY WAS EXPERIENCING JUST LAST WEEK. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.FIRE.CA.GOV.

TEXAS FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN WILLITS WITH LARGE AMOUNT OF POT (LAW) JH 01/30/14

A TEXAS FUGITIVE WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY IN WILLITS WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA IN HIS VEHICLE.

A WILLITS POLICE OFFICER PULLED OVER A VEHICLE FOR HAVING A BURNED OUT TAIL LIGHT, AND FOUND THE DRIVER, 22 YEAR OLD TREVOR RINGO SMITH OF LUBBOCK TEXAS HAD A FUGITIVE WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST. A SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE FOUND 48 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA, AND SMITH WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

MENDO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEETING IN LAYTONVILLE TODAY (GOV) JH 01/30/14

MENDOCINO COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY COMMITTEES WILL MEET TODAY IN LAYTONVILLE.

THEY WILL DISCUSS THE QUALITY OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE MEETING TO ASK QUESTIONS, PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT. THE MEETING IS FROM 3:30 TO 5:30 PM AT THE LAYTONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON WILLIS AVENUE.

KELSEYVILLE WOMAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING NAPA AUTO PARTS TRUCK (LAW) JH 01/30/14

A KELSEYVILLE WOMAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY FOR STEALING A NAPA AUTO PARTS TRUCK IN LAKEPORT.

EMPLOYEES AT THE NAPA AUTO PARTS STORE ON SOUTH MAIN STREET WERE CONDUCTING BUSINESS AND HAD THE STORES BOX TRUCK UNLOCKED WITH KEYS IN IT. THE EMPLOYEES WENT INTO THE BUILDING, AND WHEN THEY RETURNED, THE TRUCK WAS GONE AND THEY CALLED POLICE. AN HOUR LATER THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PULLED OVER BY FISH AND WILDLIFE OFFICERS ON HIGHWAY 20 IN NICE, AND 30 YEAR OLD SARA HENDRIX WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

TALMAGE COUPLE ACCUSED AF ABUSING THEIR OWN CHILDREN PLEAD NOT GUILTY (LAW) JH 01/30/14

THE TALMAGE COUPLE ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY MOLESTING AND TORTURING THEIR CHILDREN, PLEADED NOT GUILTY IN COURT WEDNESDAY.

61 YEAR OLD DONALD EARL DUNAKIN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND OF 30 YEARS, 47 YEAR OLD INA SELENE MEDINA, HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH 21 COUNTS OF TORTURE, AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILD ABUSE AND SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES FOR ABUSING AT LEAST TWO OF THEIR FIVE CHILDREN OVER A 13 YEAR PERIOD. THE TWO ARE DUE BACK IN COURT NEXT MONTH FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING.

RIVER FISHING CLOSURES RECOMMENDED BY FISH AND WILDLIFE (GOV/EVR) JH 01/30/14

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WILL ASK THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TO EXTEND THE CLOSURE OF NORTH COAST RIVERS TO SPORT FISHING AT A MEETING NEXT WEEK.

ACCORDING TO THE TIMES-STANDARD, AT A FEBRUARY 5TH MEETING, FISH AND WILDLIFE WILL RECOMMEND CONTINUED CLOSURE OF PARTS OF REDWOOD CREEK AND THE EEL, VAN DUZEN, MAD AND MATTOLE RIVERS UNTIL APRIL 30TH DUE TO LOW FLOW AS A RESULT OF THE DROUGHT. AS THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN FISHING INCREASES IN OUR RIVERS, FISH AND WILDLIFE WANTS TO PROTECT THE FISH, WHOS POPULATIONS ARE ALREADY BEING IMPACTED BY THE DROUGHT.

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ELLIE GOULDING-BURN

KATY PERRY W/JUICY J-DARK HORSE

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

ONE DIRECTION-STORY OF MY LIFE

PASSENGER-LET HER GO

PITBULL W/KE$HA-TIMBER

ZEDD W/HAYLEY WILLIAMS-STAY THE NIGHT

A GREAT BIG WORLD W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-SAY SOMETHING

BASTILLE-POMPEII

BEYONCE-XO

BRUNO MARS-YOUNG GIRLS

CALVIN HARRIS W/AYAH MARAR-THINKING OF YOU

CASH CASH W/BEBE REXHA-TAKE ME HOME

DEMI LOVATO-NEON LIGHTS

JASON DERULO W/2 CHAINZ-TALK DIRTY

JOHN NEWMAN-LOVE ME AGAIN

LORDE-TEAM

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

MILEY CYRUS-ADORE YOU

SARA BAREILLES-BRAVE

ZENDAYA-REPLAY

AMERICAN AUTHORS-BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

AVICII-HEY BROTHER

FLO RIDA-HOW I FEEL

KID INK W/CHRIS BROWN-SHOW ME

MARTIN GARRIX-ANIMALS

SHAKIRA W/RIHANNA-CAN’T REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

THE 1975-CHOCOLATE

(THE) FRAY-LOVE DON’T DIE

MIKE WILL MADE IT W/MILEY CYRUS, WIZ KHALIFA & JUICY J-23

MKTO-CLASSIC

NAUGHTY BOY W/SAM SMITH-LA LA LA

NONONO-PUMPIN BLOOD

PANIC! AT THE DISCO W/LOLO-MISS JACKSON

PHARRELL WILLIAMS-HAPPY

News 1/29/14

ROSEVILLE MANS CAUSE OF DEATH UNDETERMINED (LAW) JH 01/29/14

THE CAUSE OF DEATH OF A ROSEVILLE MAN WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND IN THE OCEAN NEAR GUALALA IN NOVEMBER, HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS UNDETERMINED.

57 YEAR OLD STEPHEN CLARKE PEASE WAS REPORTED MISSING ON OCTOBER 31ST. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT HE HAD CHECKED OUT OF A FORT BRAGG AREA MOTEL ON NOVEMBER 3RD. ON NOVEMBER 23RD, PEASES BODY WAS FOUND FLOATING NEAR THE SHORE IN GUALALA, WHICH IS ABOUT 50 TO 60 MILES FROM THE MOTEL WHERE HE WAS LAST SEEN. THE MENDOCINO COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY CORONER HAS CLASSIFIED PEASES DEATH AS UNDETERMINED DUE TO UNDETERMINED CAUSES. PEASES RENTED SILVER 2014 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA WITH OREGON LICENSE PLATE 500GKN HAS YET TO BE LOCATED, EVEN AFTER A LAND AND ARIAL SEARCH OF THE AREA WHERE PEASE WAS FOUND.

TWO UKIAH MEN ARRESTED AFTER ONE ESCAPED A WORK DETAIL (LAW)

JH 01/29/14

A UKIAH MAN WHO ESCAPED FROM AN INMATE WORK CREW WAS APPREHENDED ALONG WITH ANOTHER WANTED FELON.

35 YEAR OLD MICHAEL ANDERSON MANAGED TO ESCAPE CUSTODY OF A WORK DETAIL ON TUESDAY, JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER BEING SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR FELONY BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. ANDERSON WAS LAST SEEN ON NORTH STATE STREET NEAR LAKE MENDOCINO DRIVE. AUTHORITIES SEARCHED THE AREA, AND A CITIZEN TIP LED DEPUTIES TO AN APARTMENT WHERE THEY CONTACTED 55 YEAR OLD JEFFREY CHENIER, WHOM THEY RECOGNIZED AS HAVING AN OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT AS WELL AS BEING ON FELONY PROBATION. CHENIER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND ANDERSON WAS LOCATED HIDING IN THE APARTMENT, AND WAS ALSO TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

DROUGHT PROMPTS CAL FIRE TO INCREASE STATEWIDE STAFFING (LAW)

JH 01/29/14

WITH UNSEASONABLY HIGH TEMPERATURES, LIMITED RAINFALL AND MOISTURE LEVELS RESEMBLING THE STATES PEAK FIRE SEASON, CAL FIRE HAS HIRED 125 SUPPLEMENTAL FIREFIGHTERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

OF THE NEWLY HIRED FIREFIGHTERS, 5 HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE SONOMA-LAKE-NAPA UNIT, 10 TO THE HUMBOLDT UNIT, AND 10 TO THE MENDOCINO UNIT. CAL FIRE IS ALSO ADDING TWO ADDITIONAL FIRE ENGINES IN EACH OF THE 12 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS. CAL FIRE IS ASKING EVERYONE TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS DURING THE HEIGHTENED FIRE DANGER PERIOD IN ORDER TO PREVENT WILDFIRES.

MENDO COUNTY DROUGHT AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO MEET (GOV)

JH 01/29/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DROUGHT AD-HOC COMMITTEE WILL MEET THURSDAY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SITUATION.

DURING TOMORROWS MEETING, THERE WILL BE A DISCUSSION AND UPDATE OF THE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE COUNTY BY THE STATE, AS WELL AS AN UPDATE OF COUNTY DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING DROUGHT. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 1 PM IN CONFERENCE ROOM A AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER ON LOW GAP ROAD.

FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL APPROVES DOLLAR TREE (GOV) JH 01/29/14

THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL VOTED MONDAY NIGHT TO OVERTURN THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO DENY A USE PERMIT TO CONVERT 11,000 SQUARE FEET OF THE OLD SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING TO A DOLLAR TREE STORE.

ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE NEWS, THE COUNCIL ALSO DIRECTED STAFF TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL, THAT COVERS DESIGN MODIFICATIONS AND VARIOUS CONDITIONS, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING A FOUR-WAY STOP AT SOUTH STREET AND SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET, AT THE APPLICANTS EXPENSE, IF A TRAFFIC STUDY SHOWED IT WOULD IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND SAFETY.

THE DEATH OF A MAN WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND NEAR LAKEPORT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION (LAW) JH 01/29/14

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A MAN WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND NEAR LAKEPORT TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED REPORTS THAT A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD WITH STAB WOUNDS IN THE AREA OF LAKEPORT BOULEVARD AND ROBIN HILL DRIVE. HOWEVER, SHERIFFS OFFICIALS HAVE DECLINED TO GIVE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT OR CONFIRM REPORTS BY OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS THAT THE VICTIM WAS THROWN FROM A VEHICLE AND RUN OVER. FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN AS THEY ARE RELEASED.

LAKE COUNTY APC TO MEET WITH CAL TRANS FOR FEEDBACK ON TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS (GOV) JH 01/29/14

THE LAKE COUNTY/CITY AREA PLANNING COUNCIL WILL MEET WITH CAL TRANS TODAY TO GET FEEDBACK ON POTENTIAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS IN MIDDLETOWN.

THE MEETING WILL FOCUS ON A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL; ROAD, BIKE, PEDESTRIAN AND EQUESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE MIDDLETOWN COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN. THE MEETING WILL ALSO HEAR DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 29 FROM THE NAPA COUNTY LINE TO HIGHWAY 53. THE MEETING IS THIS EVENING FROM 5 TO 7 PM AT THE MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/29/14

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

BRIDGE REHABILITATION WILL BEGIN ON HIGHWAY 162 AT THE OUTLET CREEK BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 3 PM WEEKDAYS.

BRIDGE REHABILITATION WILL ALSO BEGIN ON HIGHWAY 175 AT THE RUSSIAN RIVER BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 5:30 PM WEEKDAYS.

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

News 1/28/14

UKIAH MAN ARRESTED FOR SEVERAL RECENT BURGLARIES (LAW)

JH 01/28/14

A UKIAH MAN SUSPECTED OF BURGLARIZING SEVERAL BUSINESSES WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT.

MENDOCINO COUNTY DEPUTIES RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE SUSPECT, 28 YEAR OLD DAVID ANDREWS, WAS IN POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, AND WAS PLANNING TO DELIVER THE PROPERTY TO SOMEONE IN THE AREA OF AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD. WHEN A DEPUTY APPROACHED ANDREWS VEHICLE NEAR FRIEDMANS HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE, HE FLED AT HIGH SPEED JUMPING CURBS BEFORE DITCHING THE VEHICLE JUST UP THE STREET AND FLEEING ON FOOT. WITNESSES POINTED DEPUTIES IN THE DIRECTION ANDREWS FLED, AND HE WAS LOCATED HIDING INSIDE APPLEBEES RESTAURANT AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. NUMEROUS STOLEN ITEMS WERE FOUND IN ANDREWS VEHICLE, ALONG WITH BURGLARY TOOLS, A DISGUISE, METHAMPHETAMINE AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.

LAKE COUNTY APC TO MEET WITH CAL TRANS FOR FEEDBACK ON TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS (GOV) JH 01/28/14

THE LAKE COUNTY/CITY AREA PLANNING COUNCIL WILL MEET WITH CAL TRANS THIS WEEK TO GET FEEDBACK ON POTENTIAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS IN MIDDLETOWN.

THE MEETING WILL FOCUS ON A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL; ROAD, BIKE, PEDESTRIAN AND EQUESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE MIDDLETOWN COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN. THE MEETING WILL ALSO HEAR DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 29 FROM THE NAPA COUNTY LINE TO HIGHWAY 53. THE MEETING IS TOMORROW FROM 5 TO 7 PM AT THE MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL.

MITIGATING DROUGHT PRESENTATION (PI) JH 01/28/14

WITH THE WORSENING DROUGHT CONDITIONS, THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS ORGANIZED A MEETING THIS WEEK ENTITLED MITIGATING DROUGHT OPTIMIZING PASTURE AND SUPPLEMENTAL FEED AND MANAGING RISK.

THE MEETING IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RANCHERS WITH INFORMATION TO ASSIST THEM MANAGING THEIR HERD DURING PERIODS OF LOW FEED SUPPLY. THOUGH IT IS TOO LATE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, THE PROGRAM WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST ON THE WEB. YOULL FIND A LINK WITH INFORMATION ON THE WEBCAST ON THE K-WINE NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE. HTTP://UCANR.ORG/SITES/SFREC/

UKIAH MAN ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT IN EAST HILLS (LAW) JH 01/28/14

A ROBBERY SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED AFTER LEADING AUTHORITIES ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE THROUGH THE EAST HILLS OF UKIAH.

A UKIAH POLICE OFFICER PATROLLING NEAR OAK MANOR SCHOOL SAW A GREY BMW SPEEDING ON EAST PERKINS AND BEGAN PURSUIT. THE BMW WAS TRAVELING AT OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE OFFICER RECOGNIZED THE VEHICLE AS POSSIBLY BELONGING TO 38 YEAR OLD JEREMY LEE SIMMS, WHO WAS WANTED BY THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT FOR A ROBBERY SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR. AT SOME POINT, THE BMW SLOWED AND SIMMS EXITED AND FLED ON FOOT, BEFORE EVENTUALLY GIVING UP. SIMMS WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

BODY FOUND IN HOME DESTROYED BY LATE NIGHT FIRE (LAW)

JH 01/28/14

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING A LATE NIGHT HOUSE FIRE NEAR LAKEPORT DISCOVERED A BODY INSIDE THE STRUCTURE.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS, FIREFIGHTERS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE BLAZE ON HIGHLAND SPRINGS ROAD JUST BEFORE 10:30 PM LAST NIGHT, AND FOUND THE RESIDENCE FULLY ENGULFED. THE FIRE ALSO BURNED AN ATTACHED CARPORT, A FEW OUTBUILDINGS AND SPREAD INTO SOME TALL OAK TREES AROUND THE HOME. AFTER FIREFIGHTERS GOT THE EXTERIOR UNDER CONTROL, THEY ENTERED THE RESIDENCE AND FOUND A BODY. NO IDENTIFICATION HAS BEEN MADE YET. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED BY MIDNIGHT, AND THE CAUSE AND DEATH ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FOURTH SONOMA COUNTY RESIDENT DIES OF H1N1 RELATED ILLNESS (PI)

JH 01/28/14

A FORTH SONOMA COUNTY RESIDENT HAS DIED OF COMPLICATIONS FROM THE H1N1 STRAIN OF INFLUENZA, BRINGING CALIFORNIAS FLU RELATED DEATH TOLL TO 29.

THE PATIENT, WHO DIED LAST WEEK, WAS IN HER EARLY 60S AND HAD UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THAT PUT HER AT A HIGHER RISK. THREE OF THE FOUR DEATHS IN SONOMA COUNTY HAD BEEN OLDER PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, ONE DEATH WAS A 23 YEAR OLD WITH NO OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS, REMINDING US THAT H1N1 CAN BE DEADLY FOR ANYONE AT ANY AGE. MENDOCINO COUNTY HAS ONLY HAD ONE FLU RELATED DEATH THIS YEAR, AND SO FAR, LAKE COUNTY HAS HAD NONE. HOWEVER, THE THREAT REMAINS, AND FLU VACCINATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED BY HEALTH OFFICIALS ACROSS THE STATE. VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS AND PHARMACIES.

CLEARLAKE OAKS MAN ARRESTED AFTER BEATING A DOG TO DEATH (LAW) JH 01/28/14

A CLEARLAKE OAKS MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY, AFTER HE BEAT HIS GIRLFRIENDS DOG TO DEATH WITH HIS BARE HANDS.

DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO SHOREVIEW DRIVE IN CLEARLAKE OAKS FRIDAY MORNING AFTER REPORTS OF A WOMAN SCREAMING CAME IN. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED, THEY HEARD MORE SCREAMING, BUT WHEN THEY KNOCKED ON THE DOOR NO ONE ANSWERED, AND THEY HAD TO FORCE ENTRY. THEY FOUND A FEMALE ADULT AND 52 YEAR OLD DENNIS MICHAEL HECTOR. THE FEMALE HAD BLOOD ON HER AND REPORTED THAT IT WAS FROM HER DOG THAT HECTOR BEAT TO DEATH BECAUSE IT KILLED HIS PARAKEET. HECTOR ADMITTED TO THE BRUTAL KILLING AND WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON NUMEROUS CHARGES.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/28/14

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

GUARDRAIL REPAIRS WILL CONTINUE TODAY AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON HIGHWAY 1 FROM ALBION TO LITTLE RIVER AIRPORT ROAD. THE WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM WEEKDAYS.

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 253 NEAR STIPP LANE. THE WORK IS ONGOING FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS.

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

News 1/27/14

TALMAGE COUPLE ARRESTED FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING THEIR CHILDREN (LAW) JH 01/27/14

A TALMAGE COUPLE WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY FOR A MULTITUDE OF FELONY CHARGES RELATED TO THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN.

61-YEAR OLD DONALD DUNAKIN AND 47-YEAR OLD INA MEDINA HAD BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER FOR 30 YEARS, AND HAVE SEVERAL CHILDREN IN COMMON. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT MULTIPLE CHILDREN, RELATED TO DUNAKIN AND MEDINA, HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED OVER A 13-YEAR PERIOD. THE AGE OF THE CHILDREN AT THE TIME OF THE ABUSE RANGED FROM 3 YEARS OLD TO 16 YEARS OLD. DUNAKIN AND MEDINA WERE BOTH BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF SODOMY, TORTURE, CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD AND SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES. THE CASE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND ANYONE WANTING TO REPORT INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO DUNAKIN AND MEDINA ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE SHERIFFS OFFICE TIP LINE AT 234-2100.

WALK-IN FLU VACCINATION CLINIC IN WILLITS (PI/GOV) JH 01/27/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL HOLD A WALK-IN FLU VACCINATION CLINIC IN WILLITS TODAY.

THIS YEARS INFLUENZA VACCINE PROTECTS AGAINST THE STRAINS CIRCULATING IN THE STATE INCLUDING H1N1. THIS IS AN ADULT ONLY CLINIC, MEANING IT IS FOR THOSE 19 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. THE WALK-IN CLINIC IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY. A DONATION OF $10 IS SUGGESTED, HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL RECEIVE THE FLU SHOT WITH A DONATION OF ANY AMOUNT, OR EVEN NONE AT ALL. FOR CHILDREN UNDER 19 YEARS OF AGE, FLU VACCINATION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, OR THROUGH THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER. THE WALK-IN CLINIC IS FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM AT 221 SOUTH LENORE AVENUE.

SKAGGS SENTENCED (LAW) JH 01/27/14

THE REDWOOD VALLEY MAN WHO DROVE A VEHICLE DURING A HIGH SPEED CHASE AND SHOOTING EARLY LAST YEAR, WAS SENTENCED FRIDAY.

31 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER SKAGGS ACCEPTED A PLEA DEAL LAST MONTH THAT DROPPED THE ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE AND SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES IN EXCHANGE FOR A GUILTY PLEA TO FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY FOR THE POTTER VALLEY HOME HE HAD BURGLARIZED EARLIER IN THE DAY OF THE PURSUIT. DURING THE BURGLARY, SEVERAL FIREARMS WERE STOLEN, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT SKAGGS PASSENGER, WALTER MILLER, USED TO SHOOT AT A DEPUTY. SKAGGS WAS SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON.

HIT AND RUN IN FORT BRAGG (LAW) JH 01/27/14

A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR HIT AND RUN FRIDAY, AFTER FLEEING THE SCENE OF A COLLISION HE CAUSED.

POLICE RESPONDED TO REDWOOD AVENUE AT THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH FRANKLIN STREET, WHERE FOUR INJURED MALE VICTIMS REPORTED A WHITE FORD TRUCK TRAVELING AT 50 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR COLLIDED WITH THEIR VEHICLE WHILE GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK THEN BACKED UP AND DROVE AROUND THE VICTIMS AND SPED AWAY. WITNESSES IDENTIFIED THE DRIVER AS 20-YEAR-OLD ROBERT DOUGLAS COLBERG. OFFICERS FOLLOWED A TRAIL OF FLUID LEAKING FROM COLBERGS TRUCK TO THE GENERAL AREA OF HIS RESIDENCE ON NORTH CORRY STREET, AND LOCATED COLBERG HIDING IN A DETACHED SHED ON THE PROPERTY. COLBERG WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

CAL FIRE ASKS HOMEOWNERS TO PREPARE FOR EARLY FIRE SEASON (LAW) JH 01/27/14

CAL FIRE IS ASKING HOMEOWNERS TO PREPARE FOR FIRE SEASON EARLY THIS YEAR DUE TO EXTREMELY DRY WEATHER AND AN INCREASE IN FIRE ACTIVITY.

IN JUST THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF THE YEAR, CAL FIRE HAS ALREADY RESPONDED TO NEARLY 300 WILDFIRES THAT HAVE CHARRED OVER 700 ACRES. IN A NORMAL YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT ONLY RESPONDS TO ABOUT 50 FIRES THAT ALL TOGETHER WOULD CHAR A LITTLE OVER 100 ACRES. WITH THIS IN MIND, CAL FIRE IS REMINDING RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THEY ARE MAINTAINING 100 FEET OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND HOMES. ALSO, DONT USE POWER EQUIPMENT DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY, OR ON WINDY DAYS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PREPARING FOR WILDFIRES AND DEFENSIBLE SPACE, VISIT WWW.READYFORWILDFIRE.ORG.

LAKE COUNTY OFFICIALS WORRIED ABOUT QUAGGA MUSSEL INFESTATION (EVR) JH 01/27/14

LAKE COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED ABOUT QUAGGA MUSSEL INFESTATION AFTER THE INVASIVE MUSSELS WERE FOUND IN ANOTHER CALIFORNIA LAKE LAST MONTH.

QUAGGA MUSSELS WERE FOUND IN LAKE PIRU IN VENTURA COUNTY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT QUAGGA OR ZEBRA MUSSELS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER BODY THAT DOES NOT RECEIVE WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER, WHICH IS EVIDENCE THAT THE MUSSELS ARE SPREADING THROUGH BOAT MOVEMENT. AN INVASIVE MUSSEL INFESTATION IN CLEAR LAKE, OR ANY OTHER REGIONAL LAKE COULD BE DEVASTATING. BECAUSE CLEAR LAKE FLOWS INTO CACHE CREEK, WHICH FLOWS INTO THE DELTA, AND INFESTATION IN, THE LAKE COULD SPREAD INTO THE SAN JOAQUIN AND SACRAMENTO VALLEYS. IF YOU HAVE A BOAT, BE SURE TO GET YOUR MUSSEL INSPECTION AND STICKER BEFORE YOUR BOAT ENTERS THE WATER, PARTICULARLY IF YOUR BOAT HAS BEEN IN OTHER LAKES RECENTLY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT http://www.nomussels.com.

LOCAL MAN HONORED AS ONE OF THE STATES TOP WILDLIFE PROSECUTORS (PI) JH 01/27/14

A MENDOCINO COUNTY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY WAS HONORED LAST WEEK AS ONE OF THE BEST WILDLIFE PROSECUTORS IN CALIFORNIA.

TIM STOEN, THE SENIOR DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN THE DAS FORT BRAGG OFFICE, WAS HONORED AS ONE OF FIVE PROSECUTORS DESERVING OF STATEWIDE RECOGNITION FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF CALIFORNIAS WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THEIR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN PROSECUTING WILDLIFE, NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CASES IN CALIFORNIA COURTS.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/27/14

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

BRIDGE REHABILITATION WILL CONTINUE ON HIGHWAY 101 AT THE GREEN RUSSIAN RIVER BRIDGE. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM WEEKDAYS.

UTILITY WORK WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 101 AT THE MIGNON MINNIE STODDARD LILLEY MEMORIAL BRIDGE AND THE ELIZABETH JANE ROSEWARNE MEMORIAL BRIDGE TODAY.

VEGETATION REMOVAL IN PREPARATION FOR CULVERT REHABILITATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF HIGHWAY 128 FROM WENDLING STREET TO JUST EAST OF MOUNTAIN HOUSE ROAD WILL BEGIN TODAY. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS.

AT ALL THREE LOCATIONS, ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 TO 15 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 1/24/14

COSTCO SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPROVED (GOV) JH 01/24/14

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE COSTCO SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

IN A FOUR TO ONE VOTE, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE PERMIT WITH SEVERAL SMALL CHANGES THAT PRIMARILY AFFECT LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING. THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS IS FOR COSTCO TO GET THE NEEDED BUILDING PERMITS, WHICH THEY HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR. THE NEW STORE IS ESTIMATED TO OPEN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR. HOWEVER, THE CITY OF UKIAH STILL NEEDS TO LIVE UP TO ITS END OF THE DEAL, AND COME UP WITH FUNDS FOR THE AGREED UPON TRAFFIC MITIGATION FOR FREEWAY ACCESS AND AT THE INTERSECTION OF AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD AND TALMAGE ROAD.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE HOME LOST TO FIRE (LAW) JH 01/24/14

A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE HOME WAS LOST TO AN EARLY MORNING FIRE THURSDAY.

THE FIRE WHICH WAS REPORTED SHORTLY AFTER 2:30 AM AT A RESIDENCE ON STINSON ROAD SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGH THE TWO STORY HOME. THE ONE PERSON IN THE HOME WHEN THE FIRE BROKE OUT WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE UNHARMED, HOWEVER, HIS HOME WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TRAFFIC ON STINSON LANE WAS AFFECTED BY THE INCIDENT FOR MUCH OF THE EARLY MORNING, AS I REPORTED YESTERDAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

TRAFFIC STOP TURNS INTO PURSUIT AND DRUG BUST (LAW) JH 01/24/14

A TRAFFIC STOP ON WEDNESDAY IN LAKE COUNTY TURNED INTO A HIGH SPEED CHASE AND DRUG BUST.

MEMBERS OF THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS NARCOTICS TASK FORCE SAW A VEHICLE RUN A STOP SIGN AS WELL AS PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE BY CROSSING DOUBLE YELLOW LINES. THEY TRIED TO CONDUCT A TRAFFIC STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE FLED REACHING SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 95-MILES PER HOUR. THE DETECTIVES OBSERVED A BLUE BAG BEING THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO ITS EVENTUAL STOP. AUTHORITIES RECOVERED THE BLUE BAG AND FOUND APPROXIMATELY THREE OUNCES OF METHAMPHETAMINE, AS WELL AS MARIJUANA. THE DRIVER, 55 YEAR OLD RANDALL WAYNE FORD OF UKIAH, AND HIS PASSENGERS 28 YEAR OLD JENNA JO HATCHER OF REDWOOD VALLEY AND 29 YEAR OLD ANTHONY AGUILAR GRAYSON OF UKIAH WERE ALL BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON TO HOST ACA FORUM IN LAKEPORT (GOV)

JH 01/24/14

CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSON WILL HOST AN INFORMATIONAL FORUM THIS WEEKEND IN LAKEPORT, ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND ITS BENEFITS.

INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED ON HOW TO ENROLL AND RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT BENEFITS AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE. THE FORUM WILL BE TOMORROW, JANUARY 25TH FROM 1 TO 2:30 PM AT THE LAKEPORT SENIOR CENTER ON KONOCTI AVENUE.

BYPASS PROTESTER TAKES PLEA DEAL (LAW) JH 01/24/14

THE TRIAL FOR WILLITS BYPASS PROTESTER WILL PARISH HAS BEEN CANCELLED, AFTER PARISH ACCEPTED A PLEA DEAL DURING A THURSDAY MORNING HEARING.

PARISH, IS MOST NOTABLY KNOWN AS ONE OF THE TREE SITTERS WHO FLUNG FECES AT LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THEY WERE REMOVING HIM FROM HIS PERCH, AS WELL AS CLIMBING A WICK DRAIN STITCHER AND OCCUPYING IT FOR ELEVEN DAYS STOPPING CAL TRANS PROGRESS ON THE BYPASS PROJECT. FIFTEEN OF THE SEVENTEEN MISDEMEANOR CHARGES AGAINST PARISH WERE DROPPED, WITH TWO CHARGES OF TRESPASSING REMAINING. AND THOSE TWO CHARGES WILL BE REDUCED TO INFRACTIONS AFTER A PROBATION PERIOD OF 24 MONTHS. PARISH WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. DURING THE 2-YEAR PROBATION PERIOD, THE JUDGMENT IS SIMPLY DEFERRED, AND SENTENCING REMAINS OPEN, MEANING, IF PARISH VIOLATES HIS PROBATION, HE WILL LIKELY BE SENTENCED TO JAIL TIME. IN ADDITION, A PREVIOUS VIOLATION OF A STAY-AWAY ORDER WAS DROPPED, AND THE ORDER ITSELF WAS MODIFIED SO THAT PARISH CAN PARTICIPATE IN LAWFUL PUBLIC GATHERINGS AT OR NEAR THE BYPASS SITE.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GETS $150,000 HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION GRANT (PI) JH 01/24/14

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY HAS RECEIVED A $150,000 GRANT FROM THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS, THE GRANT IS TO SUPPORT HABITAT FOR HUMANITYS 2014 REPAIR CORPS PROGRAM, AN INITIATIVE TO HELP REPAIR, RENOVATE OR CONSTRUCT HOMES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US MILITARY VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

STATE WATER BOARD WARNS: DROUGHT MAY AFFECT WATER RIGHTS (GOV/EVR) JH 01/24/14

THE STATE WATER RESOURCE CONTROL BOARD IS WARNING THAT WITH THE CURRENT WATER SHORTAGE, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR CURTAILMENT OF WATER RIGHTS DIVERSIONS.

IF DRY WEATHER PERSISTS, THE STATE WATER BOARD WILL NOTIFY WATER RIGHTS HOLDERS IN CRITICALLY DRY WATERSHEDS OF THE REQUIREMENT TO LIMIT OR STOP DIVERSION OF WATER UNDER THEIR WATER RIGHTS BASED ON PRIORITY. THE STATE RECOMMENDS THAT ALL WHO DEPEND ON WATER DIVERTED FROM RIVERS AND AQUIFERS TO LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES. WHETHER YOU ARE A WATER RIGHTS HOLDER OR A RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS CUSTOMER OF A WATER PROVIDER, ALL OF CALIFORNIAS WATER USERS ARE URGED TO CONSERVE AND USE WATER WISELY.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/24/14

THERE ARE SEVERAL ROAD WORK PROJECTS CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES CURRENTLY, AND TWO PROJECTS WILL BE WRAPPING UP TODAY.

STRIPING ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR THE SOUTH UKIAH OVERHEAD WILL CONCLUDE TODAY WITH WORKING HOURS FROM 7 AM TO NOON. TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION OF TRAVEL.

TREE TRIMMING WILL BE COMPLETED TODAY ON HIGHWAY 101 FROM 1.2 MILES SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION WITH HIGHWAY 1 TO JUST SOUTH OF CONFUSION HILL. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 1/23/14

CLEARLAKE MAN SHOOTS ALLEGED INTRUDER (LAW) JH 01/23/14

CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SHOOTING, DURING WHICH A MAN CLAIMS TO HAVE SHOT ANOTHER IN SELF DEFENSE.

A PERSON WHO CALLED POLICE JUST AFTER 1 PM YESTERDAY, IDENTIFIED AS CHRISTOPHER CHARLES, TOLD AUTHORITIES THAT HE HAD SHOT A MAN AFTER HE FORCED HIS WAY INTO THE HOME. THE INTRUDER THEN FLED ON FOOT. POLICE LOCATED THE SUSPECT ON UHL AVENUE. HE HAD A NON-LIFE THREATENING WOUND TO THE TORSO. POLICE LEARNED THAT THE MEN KNEW EACH OTHER, AND THE WOUNDED MAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT AND A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION. THE INCIDENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE AT 994-8251. CALLERS MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

CLEARLAKE PAROLEE ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT IN UKIAH (LAW)

JH 01/23/14

A CLEARLAKE PAROLEE, POLICE SAY WAS APPARENTLY LIVING IN THE UKIAH AREA, WAS ARRESTED AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A PURSUIT IN UKIAH.

UKIAH POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE AT ANTON STADIUM ON MONDAY AROUND 4:30 PM. CALLERS REPORTED SEEING A MAN AND WOMAN ARGUING BEFORE THE MAN GOT INTO A PICK-UP TRUCK AND DROVE IN CIRCLES SMOKING THE TIRES. POLICE RECEIVED A DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE SUSPECT DRIVING DOWN STATE STREET. WHEN POLICE TRIED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, THE DRIVER, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 49 YEAR OLD VICTOR BRANKO RODIN, FLED RUNNING STOP LIGHT AND SIGNS EVENTUALLY LEADING AUTHORITIES TO TODD GROVE PARK WHERE RODIN CIRCLED THE PARK 5 TIMES WITH MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES IN PURSUIT. RODIN FINALLY PULLED BACK INTO THE ANTON STADIUM PARKING LOT WHERE HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (EVR)

JH 01/23/14

A RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES.

STRENGTHENING EASTERLY WINDS COMBINED WITH AN ALREADY DRY AIR MASS WILL CREATE HIGH FIRE DANGER ABOVE 2500 FEET. THE RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 AM FRIDAY MORNING FOR INLAND MENDOCINO COUNTY AND THE MAJORITY OF LAKE COUNTY.

BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY MEETING (BB)

JH 01/23/14

THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY WILL MEET TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THEIR CURRENT EFFORTS TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICE TO THE UNDERSERVED AND UNSERVED AREAS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE GROUP WILL DISCUSS YESTERDAYS CALIFORNIA BROADBAND COUNCIL MEETING IN SACRAMENTO THAT GAVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET STATE OFFICIALS KNOW THAT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS GROWING WIDER AND DEEPER IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY ON BEHALF OF ALL OUR RESIDENTS. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FROM 10 TO 11:30 AM TOMORROW AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MENDOCINO COUNTY AT 204 SOUTH OAK STREET IN UKIAH.

HEALDSBURG RESTRICTS WATER BUT CANT HELP MENO CO BY REDUCING WATER USAGE FROM THE RUSSIAN RIVER (GOV) JH 01/23/14

THIS WEEK HEALDSBURG BECAME THE FIRST CITY IN SONOMA COUNTY TO ENACT MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES, BUT TOLD MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICIALS THAT THEY ARE WILLING BUT UNABLE TO HELP MENDOCINO COUNTY BY DECREASING THE CITYS WATER USAGE FROM WELLS ALONG THE RUSSIAN RIVER.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERVISOR DAN HAMBURG HAD ASKED THE HEALDSBURG MAYOR JAMES WOOD TO CONSIDER HAVING THE CITY USE WELLS ALONG DRY CREEK, WHICH ARE FED BY LAKE SONOMA, RATHER THAN ITS RUSSIAN RIVER WELLS; AS USING THEM CAN AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT MUST BE RELEASED FROM LAKE MENDOCINO. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO WOOD, HEALDSBURG DOESNT HAVE THE WATER RIGHTS TO DRAW FROM THE DRY CREEK WELLS UNTIL APRIL, BUT THEY HAVE ENACTED MANDATORY CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO CUT CURRENT WATER USE BY 20 PERCENT.

ERIC LUCAN WITHDRAWS FROM SENATE RACE (PI) JH 01/23/14

NOVATO MAYOR ERIC LUCAN ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT HE IS WITHDRAWING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE CALIFORNIA SENATE.

IN SEPTEMBER, LUCAN HAD ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR SENATE DISTRICT 2, WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE CALIFORNIA COAST FROM THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TO THE OREGON BORDER. IN A STATEMENT RELEASED BY LUCAN YESTERDAY, HE SAID, WITH INCREASING PRESSURE ON MY TIME, I FOUND IT WAS POSSIBLE TO RUN A GOOD CAMPAIGN, BUT NOT THE GREAT CAMPAIGN THAT THIS LARGE DISTRICT DESERVES AND REQUIRES. LUCAN ALSO ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR A CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR THE POSITION HE WAS SEEKING, AND ENDORSED SONOMA COUNTY SUPERVISOR MIKE McGUIRE.

OVER $13,000 IN BOOK VOUCHERS DISTRIBUTED AT MENDOCINO COLLEGE (ED/ECN) JH 01/23/14

DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS, MORE THAN $13,000 IN BOOK VOUCHERS WERE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE YVONNE SLIGH BOOK VOUCHER PROGRAM AT MENDOCINO COLLEGE.

THE VOUCHER PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN 2002 BY THE FOUNDATION BOARD AND COLLEGE FACULTY IN MEMORY OF LATE LIBRARIAN YVONNE SLIGH. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT TO STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING ANY TYPE OF FINANCIAL AID OTHER THAN THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS FEE WAIVERS AND WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A MENDOCINO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE COLLEGE FACULTY, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS, THE SCHOOL BOOKSTORE, THE MENDOCINO COLLEGE FOUNDATION AND BY THE GENEROSITY OF A VARIETY OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

WALK-IN FLU VACCINATION CLINIC IN WILLITS (PI/GOV) JH 01/23/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL HOLD A WALK-IN FLU VACCINATION CLINIC IN WILLITS NEXT WEEK.

THIS YEARS INFLUENZA VACCINE PROTECTS AGAINST THE STRAINS CIRCULATING IN THE STATE INCLUDING H1N1. THIS IS AN ADULT ONLY CLINIC, MEANING IT IS FOR THOSE 19 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. THE WALK-IN CLINIC IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY. A DONATION OF $10 IS SUGGESTED, HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL RECEIVE THE FLU SHOT WITH A DONATION OF ANY AMOUNT, OR EVEN NONE AT ALL. FOR CHILDREN UNDER 19 YEARS OF AGE, FLU VACCINATION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, OR THROUGH THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER. THE WALK-IN CLINIC WILL BE FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM AT 221 SOUTH LENORE AVENUE.

News 1/22/14

BACTERIAL MENINGITIS CASE IN WILLITS (PI) JH 01/22/14

A 5-YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE WILLITS AREA HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS.

PUBLIC HEALTH WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CASE ON MONDAY, AND HAS BEEN CONTACTING THOSE THOUGHT TO BE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE CHILD, WHO WAS DIAGNOSED ON JANUARY 18TH. THE BACTERIA THAT CAUSE MENINGITIS FREQUENTLY LIVE IN THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT AND ARE PRESENT IN SALIVA AND MUCOUS AND CAN BE PASSED ON TO ANYONE WHO HAS DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE ORAL OR NASAL EXCRETIONS, COUGHING, SNEEZING OR KISSING, OF THE INFECTED PERSON. HOWEVER, THE BACTERIA CAN ONLY SURVIVE VERY BRIEFLY OUTSIDE OF THE BODY, SO IT IS UNLIKELY TO BE PASSED THROUGH THE HANDLING OF OBJECTS. A PRE-EXPOSURE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS VACCINE IS AVAILABLE FOR PERSONS FROM 11 TO 55 YEARS OLD FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY PUBLIC HEALTH BY APPOINTMENT, AS WELL AS FROM PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPOSURE TO MENINGITIS, CONTACT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AT 472-2600.

MENDO COUNTY SUPERVISORS EXTEND DROUGHT EMERGENCY (GOV)

JH 01/22/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO EXTEND THE DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARED AT THEIR LAST MEETING, THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY HAS NO AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE AND ENFORCE ANY WATER CUTBACKS.

MENDOCINO COUNTY COUNCIL ADVISED THE BOARD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TELL ELECTED CITY COUNCILS, BOARDS AND WATER DISTRICTS HOW TO MANAGE THEIR SERVICES. THE COUNTY ONLY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ASK FOR CONSERVATION AT THE LEVEL THE GOVERNORS RECENT DECLARATION CALLS FOR. THE BOARD THEN ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNORS REQUEST, WHICH IS A TWENTY PERCENT VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION EFFORT.

PUBLIC HEARING ON COSTCO SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TONIGHT (GOV) JH 01/22/14

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT TO CONSIDER THE COSTCO WAREHOUSE AND FUELING STATION SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES A 148,000 SQUARE FOOT COSTCO WAREHOUSE STORE AND 16 PUMP FUELING STATION ON OVER 15 ACRES ON THE EAST SIDE OF AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD, SOUTH OF KEN FOWLER AUTO CENTER. THE NEW STORE WILL CREATE 75 TO 100 JOBS WITH ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THEM FULL TIME. THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER RELYING ON THE COSTCO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT CERTIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN DECEMBER. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 6 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS WATER SHORTAGE (GOV)

JH 01/22/14

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THE CITYS WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY TONIGHT.

A SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE SCHEDULED TO CONSIDER RENEWAL OF THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY, AS WELL AS APPROVAL OF A WATER TREATMENT FACILITY AS SOON AS FINAL SPECIFICATIONS AND COSTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY CITY STAFF. THE COUNCIL WILL MEET AT 6:30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD ON RAILROAD AVE-BEACHTEL ROAD CONNECTION (GOV/TR) JH 01/22/14

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL MET TUESDAY EVENING TO REVIEW THEIR OPTIONS FOR MOVING FORWARD ON A RAILROAD AVENUE BEACHTEL ROAD THROUGHWAY CONNECTION.

THE COUNCIL REITERATED ITS PRIOR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT, AS THEY HAD MADE IT THEIR NUMBER ONE GOAL AT A PREVIOUS PRIORITY SETTING MEETING. THE COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO DEVELOP A MENDOCINO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FUNDING APPLICATION IN AN EFFORT TO ACQUIRE STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING. ONCE COMPLETED, THE APPLICATION WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AT A LATER DATE.

DUI SUSPECT TRIES TO BRIBE WILLITS POLICE OFFICER (LAW) JH 01/22/14

A WILLITS MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE A POLICE OFFICER IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID ARREST FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

A WILLITS POLICE OFFICER CONDUCTING A TRAFFIC STOP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING ON BIRCH STREET, NOTICED THE DRIVER, 32 YEAR OLD LUIE ARMANDO GAMBOA JR, WAS DISPLAYING SIGNS OF INTOXICATION. WHILE THE OFFICER INVESTIGATED GAMBOA FOR DUI, THE SUSPECT ATTEMPTED TO BRIBE THE OFFICER NOT TO ARREST HIM WITH OVER $2,200. THE OFFICER TOLD GAMBOA TO STOP, BUT HE CONTINUED TO TELL THE OFFICER TO TAKE THE MONEY AND LEAVE. AT ONE POINT, GAMBOA ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE CASH INTO THE OFFICERS POCKET. GAMBOA WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/22/14

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

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 1 JUST SOUTH OF MANCHESTER TODAY. WORK WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 1/21/14

REDWOOD VALLEY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING AT BOYFRIEND (LAW) JH 01/21/14

A REDWOOD VALLEY WOMAN WAS ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND FOR SHOOTING AT HER BOYFRIEND AFTER AN ARGUMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE 27 YEAR OLD VICTIM, HE WAS AT HIS GIRLFRIENDS, 26 YEAR OLD ANGELA HAYDEN, RESIDENCE ON MONTEREY ROAD IN REDWOOD VALLEY WHEN THEY GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT AND HE CALLED A FRIEND TO COME PICK HIM UP DUE TO HIM HAVING CONSUMED ALCOHOL. THE FRIEND WAS DROPPED OFF, AND THE TWO GOT INTO THE VICTIMS VEHICLE TO LEAVE. BEFORE THEY COULD, HAYDEN CAME OUTSIDE WITH A HANDGUN AND FIRED MULTIPLE SHOTS AT THE VEHICLE HITTING IT SEVERAL TIMES. THE VICTIM NOTICED HAYDEN WAS OUT OF AMMUNITION, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND TOOK THE GUN BEFORE LEAVING TO MEET THE AUTHORITIES. DEPUTIES FOUND HAYDEN TO BE EXTREMELY INTOXICATED AND SHE WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AND DISCHARGING A FIREARM AT AN OCCUPIED VEHICLE.

PUBLIC HEARING ON COSTCO SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TOMORROW (GOV) JH 01/21/14

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING THIS WEEK TO CONSIDER THE COSTCO WAREHOUSE AND FUELING STATION SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES A 148,000 SQUARE FOOT COSTCO WAREHOUSE STORE AND 16 PUMP FUELING STATION ON OVER 15 ACRES ON THE EAST SIDE OF AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD, SOUTH OF KEN FOWLER AUTO CENTER. THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER RELYING ON THE COSTCO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT CERTIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN DECEMBER. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW AT 6 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON SEMINARY AVENUE.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS WATER SHORTAGE (GOV)

JH 01/21/14

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THE CITYS WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY THIS WEEK.

THIS WEEK, A SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE SCHEDULED TO CONSIDER RENEWAL OF THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY, AS WELL AS APPROVAL OF A WATER TREATMENT FACILITY AS SOON AS FINAL SPECIFICATIONS AND COSTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY CITY STAFF. THE COUNCIL WILL MEET TOMORROW AT 6:30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET.

LAKE MENDOCINO DAM PROJECT QUESTIONED (GOV) JH 01/21/14

AFTER ALMOST NINE YEARS AND EXPENDITURES OF MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION, THE US ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS IS THREATENING TO SHELVE A STUDY ABOUT INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE DAM AT LAKE MENDOCINO.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTS THAT, ACCORDING TO CORPS OFFICIALS, THEY CANT CONTINUE WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND PROOF THAT THE DAM WOULD BE COST EFFECTIVE, WHICH A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS SAYS WONT BE. LOCAL WATER OFFICIALS DISAGREE AND ARE SCRAMBLING TO CONVINCE THE CORPS TO CONTINUE THE STUDY. CURRENTLY, DROUGHT CONDITIONS HAVE REDUCED THE LAKE LEVELS TO HISTORIC WINTER LOWS. THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE AS DIRE IF COYOTE DAM WAS RAISED BY 36 FEET, AS PLANNED SINCE IT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THE LATE 1950S. THE ADDITIONAL WATER FROM RAISING THE 160-FOOT TALL DAM WOULD INCREASE THE LAKES STORAGE CAPACITY FROM ABOUT 122,400 ACRE FEET TO 199,000 ACRE FEET. HOWEVER, CORPS OFFICIALS HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT PROCEEDING WITH THE DAM STUDY MAY BE A WASTE OF RESOURCES BECAUSE THE PRIMARY COST ANALYSIS INDICATES THE COST OF RAISING THE DAM, AN ESTIMATED $300 MILLION, OUTWEIGH THE BENEFITS.

CLEARLAKE FLU VACCINATION CLINIC (PI) JH 01/21/14

LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WILL BE HOSTING A CLEARLAKE FLU VACCINATION CLINIC TODAY.

ANYONE NEEDING A FLU VACCINE IS WELCOME AT TODAYS CLINIC, WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM 10:30 TO 12:30 AT THE SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER ON BOWERS ROAD IN CLEARLAKE. VACCINES ARE ALSO STILL AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE FOR $2, AT 922 BEVINS COURT IN LAKEPORT. WALK-IN HOURS ARE TUESDAYS FROM 9 TO 11 AM, WEDNESDAYS FROM 11 AM TO 1 PM, AND THURSDAYS FROM 2 TO 4 PM.

EARTHQUAKE SHAKES UP THE GEYSERS (EVR) JH 01/21/14

A MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKE SHOOK UP THE GEYSERS EARLY THIS MORNING.

ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 3:11 THIS MORNING JUST 6 MILES NORTH WEST OF THE GEYSERS AT A DEPTH OF 1.4 MILES. THE TEMBLOR REGISTERED A 3.6 MAGNITUDE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 01/21/14

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

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 1 JUST SOUTH OF MANCHESTER TODAY AND TOMORROW. WORK WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5 MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED ON HIGHWAY 1 JUST SOUTH OF LAKE STREET TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 8 AM TO 10 AM. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.