News 2/28/14

MAN TRIES TO TAKE COCAINE INTO MENDO CO COURTHOUSE (LAW) JH 02/28/14

A MAN TRIED TO TAKE COCAINE INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY COURTHOUSE THIS WEEK.

24 YEAR OLD PABLO REYES-SANCHEZ WAS TOLD TO PLACE THE CONTENTS OF HIS POCKETS INTO A PLASTIC CONTAINER BY COURTHOUSE SECURITY STAFF WEDNESDAY MORNING AT THE SECURITY CHECKPOINT AS HE WAS TRYING TO ENTER THE COURTHOUSE. SECURITY STAFF NOTICED A BAGGIE IN THE CONTAINER AND SUMMONED SHERIFFS DEPUTIES WHO ARRESTED REYES-SANCHEZ FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. REYES-SANCHEZ WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE AN ACTIVE FELONY WARRANT AND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

FORMER MENDO CO PROSECUTOR SENTENCED FOR SHOOTING (LAW)

JH 02/28/14

A FORMER MENDOCINO COUNTY PROSECUTOR WHO SHOT A PEDESTRIAN DURING A FIGHT IN SACRAMENTO IN OCTOBER HAS BEEN SENTENCED.

39-YEAR-OLD DAMON GARDNER PLEADED GUILTY TO A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE OF CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM. GARDNER WAS A PROSECUTOR ON LEAVE WITH THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. GARDNER ENGAGED IN AN ARGUMENT THAT ESCALATED INTO A FIGHT. AT ONE POINT GARDNER WAS ON THE GROUND WITH TWO MEN PUNCHING AND KICKING HIM. HE THEN PULLED A .38 CALIBER HANDGUN AND FIRED ONE SHOT AT ONE OF THE MEN IN SELF DEFENSE. BECAUSE GARDNER HAD BEEN DRINKING, HE WAS IN VIOLATION OF HIS PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON. GARDNER WAS SENTENCED TO 30 DAYS IN JAIL AND PLACED ON THREE YEARS PROBATION.

FISHERMEN PLEASED BY GOOD SALMON FORECAST (EVR/EMP)

JH 02/28/14

CALIFORNIA FISHERMEN GATHERED IN SANTA ROSA WEDNESDAY FOR THE KING SALMON FORECAST WERE PLEASED WITH THE REPORT FOR THIS SEASON.

THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE FORECAST OVER 634,000 KING SALMON OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST FROM THE SACRAMENTO RIVER FALL RUN. THOUGH MORE THAN 200,000 SHORT OF LAST YEARS PROJECTION, IT WAS STILL GOOD NEWS TO THOSE WHO SUFFERED THROUGH 2008 AND 2009 WHEN THERE WERE SO FEW FISH THAT NO COMMERCIAL FISHING WAS ALLOWED. THE FORECAST WAS NOT AFFECTED BY DROUGHT CONDITIONS THAT HAVE STRANDED SOME SPAWNING SALMON IN RIVERS AND STREAMS THAT ARE LOW DUE TO LACK OF RAIN. IMPACT FROM THAT WILL LIKELY BE FELT DOWN THE ROAD.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS CHANGES TO THE CITIES WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCIES ORDINANCE (GOV) JH 02/28/14

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL GAVE DIRECTION FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CITIES WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCIES ORDINANCE AT WEDNESDAY NIGHTS MEETING.

THE CURRENT PHASE 5 EMERGENCY REQUIRES HOUSEHOLDS OF UP TO FOUR TO LIMIT THEMSELVES TO 150 GALLONS PER DAY AND COMMERCIAL USERS TO REDUCE USAGE BY 35 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR. ACCORDING TO MAYOR HOLLY MADRIGAL, IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS POLICY HAS RAISED SOME CHALLENGES, SO STAFF IS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF EXCEPTION FOR COMMERCIAL USERS, POSSIBLE REDUCTION TO A PHASE THREE WATER EMERGENCY, AND POSSIBLE CHANGE TO PER PERSON VERSUS PER HOUSEHOLD LIMITS. ANY CHANGES WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A VOTE.

SUSPECT SOUGHT FOR EARLY MORNING ROBBERY (LAW) JH 02/28/14

UKIAH POLICE SEEK A SUSPECT WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE A GUN DURING A EARLY MORNING ROBBERY WEDNESDAY.

THE VICTIM REPORTED THAT AS HE EXITED HIS PARKED VEHICLE ON EAST GOBBI STREET AROUND 4:l30 AM, HE WAS APPROACHED BY A MALE WHO TOLD THE VICTIM HE HAD A GUN AND DEMANDED THE VICTIMS WALLET. THE SUSPECT DISCARDED THE WALLET, MINUS THE CASH, A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. THE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY TOOK OVER $500 FROM THE VICTIM, AND IS DESCRIBED AS A THIN MALE ABOUT 5 FEET, 6 INCHES TALL, WITH A THIN DARK MUSTACHE, AND WEARING A BLACK HOODIE SWEATSHIRT WITH WHITE DRAWSTRINGS DARK PANTS, AND BLACK AND WHITE DC STYLE SHOES. ANYONE WITH SUSPECT INFORMATION IS ENCOURAGED TO CALL THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 463-6262.

FEDS THINK PETALUMA COWS MAY HAVE HAD CANCER (PI) JH 02/28/14

A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO RANCHO FEEDING CORPORATION IS EXAMINING ALLEGATIONS THAT THE PETALUMA PLANT SLAUGHTERED COWS WITH CANCER AND ILLEGALLY SOLD THE CARCASSES AS HEALTHY MEAT.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE HEADS OF COWS WITH EYE CANCER WERE CUT OFF, APPARENTLY TO REMOVE EVIDENCE. MEAT FROM THE DISEASED COWS WAS THEN MINGLED WITH HEALTHY MEAT AND SOLD UNDER THE RANCHO BRAND. THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, WHICH CLOSED FEBRUARY 9TH IS AT THE CENTER OF AN INTERNATIONAL RECALL OF ALL 8.7 MILLION POUNDS OF BEEF AND VEAL PRODUCTS PRODUCED AT THE PLANT IN 2013.

BROADBAND ALLIANCE SEEKS INFO (BB) JH 02/28/14

THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY IS SEEKING YOUR INPUT IF YOU LIVE IN A LOCATION THAT LOSES CELLULAR SERVICE DURING POWER OUTAGES.

DURING WINDSTORMS IN NOVEMBER, MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTY EXPERIENCED POWER AND CELLULAR OUTAGES, SOME FOR SEVERAL DAYS. AS CELLULAR IS BECOMING THE PRIMARY, AND ONLY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION FOR MANY RURAL FAMILIES, IT IS CRITICAL THAT THIS INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATE DURING POWER OUTAGES AND OTHER TIMES WHEN NEEDED MOST, IF ONLY FOR 911 SERVICE. IF YOU LIVE IN A LOCATION WHICH LOSES CELLULAR SERVICE WHEN THE POWER IS OUT, PLEASE CONTACT THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE AT 354-2262, OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.MENDOCINOBROADBAND.ORG.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 02/28/14

THERE ARE SEVERAL ROAD WORK PROJECTS CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAYS AROUND MENDOCINO COUNTY CURRENTLY.

UPGRADES TO THE MESSAGE SIGN ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR MONICA LANE WILL CONTINUE. WORK IS ONGOING FROM 6 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS, AND FROM 6 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAYS. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 2/27/10

THREE POINT ARENA MEN HELD TWO TEENAGE GIRLS AGAINST THEIR WILL (LAW) JH 02/17/14

THREE YOUNG MEN FROM POINT ARENA AND SEA RANCH HELD TWO TEENAGE GIRLS AGAINST THEIR WILL.

DEPUTIES, RESPONDING TO A REPORT OF A LOUD PARTY ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE IN POINT ARENA, WERE MET WITH OBSCENITIES AS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME REFUSED TO OPEN THE DOOR. DEPUTIES WERE THEN CONTACTED BY AN ADULT RELATIVE OF THE TWO 16 YEAR OLD GIRLS IN THE HOME, WHO SHOWED THE DEPUTIES TEXT MESSAGES FROM THE GIRLS THAT INDICATED THEY WERE BEING HELD AGAINST THEIR WILL IN THE HOME. WHEN THE DEPUTIES DEMANDED THE GIRLS BE RELEASED, THEY WERE AGAIN MET WITH OBSCENITIES, AS THEY SAW THE MEN INSIDE BARRICADING THE DOOR. AS ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVED, 18-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM CANIDA, 18 YEAR OLD MITCHELL KESPOHL, AND 20 YEAR OLD JAMIE PORTILLO EXITED THE RESIDENCE AND WERE FOUND TO BE INTOXICATED. ALL THREE WERE ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES, INCLUDING FALSE IMPRISONMENT.

STATE OF CALI SAYS UKIAH VALLEY NEEDS WATER MONITORING (GOV/EVR) JH 02/27/14

THE UKIAH VALLEY MAY LOOSE ACCESS TO STATE GRANT FUNDING FOR DROUGHT RELIEF IF AN ENTITY CANT BE FOUND SOON TO MONITOR THE VALLEYS GROUND WATER.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS THAT AS PART OF ITS CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE GROUNDWATER ELEVATION MONITORING PROGRAM, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES RANKED CALIFORNIAS 505 GROUNDWATER BASINS FROM VERY LOW TO HIGH PRIORITIES. THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IS FOCUSING ON HIGH AND MEDIUM PRIORITY BASINS FOR STATE WATER GRANTS OR LOANS, AND THE UKIAH VALLEY IS THE ONLY GROUNDWATER BASIN IN MENDOCINO COUNTY THAT HAS BEEN PRELIMINARILY DESIGNATED AS A MEDIUM PRIORITY BASIN. HOWEVER, UKIAH IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE MONITORING PROGRAM, AND NEEDS TO IDENTIFY A MONITORING ENTITY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL DROUGHT UPDATE (GOV/EVR) JH 02/27/14

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL RECEIVED AN UPDATE ON THE DROUGHT CONDITIONS FOR THE CITY, AS WELL AS TAKING STEPS TOWARD AN EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY.

ACCORDING TO MAYOR HOLLY MADRIGAL, THE CITYS RESERVOIRS ARE AT 50 PERCENT CAPACITY, WHEN USUALLY IN FEBRUARY, THE RESERVOIRS WOULD BE FULL AND OVERFLOWING. THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY PLAN FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2.9 MILLION. THIS IS HOWEVER, CONTINGENT UPON THE RECEIPT OF GRANT FUNDS OR A NO INTEREST LOAN. THE PROJECT IS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND PIPING TO TWO EXISTING WELLS IN LITTLE LAKE VALLEY WITH A SMALL TREATMENT UNIT. THE CITY IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUNDING PROSPECTS, BUT IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO MOVE AHEAD QUICKLY IN ORDER TO PURCHASE AN AVAILABLE TREATMENT UNIT. THE COMPLETED PROJECT IS SLATED TO BE ONLINE BY JUNE.

ARMY CORP LAUNCHES BARGE TO HELP REDWOOD VALLEY (EVR)

JH 02/17/14

VISITORS TO LAKE MENDOCINO WEDNESDAY SAW A ROAD BEING CLEARED SO A BARGE COULD BE TAKEN TO THE WATER AND LAUNCHED.

ACCORDING TO THE DAILY JOURNAL, THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS IS USING THE BARGE TO INSTALL A PUMP THAT WOULD HELP REDWOOD VALLEY COUNTY WATER DISTRICT GET MORE WATER. OFFICIALS SAY THE DISTRICT HAS A PUMPING STATION AT THE LAKE, BUT SINCE THE LAKE LEVEL IS SO LOW, THE CORP IS HELPING THE DISTRICT IMPROVE ITS SYSTEM SO 4,000 RESIDENTS DONT LOSE WATER.

SERIES OF CLEARLAKE THEFTS BY MAN IMPERSONATING A FIREFIGHTER (LAW) JH 02/27/14

THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS WARNING RESIDENTS OF A MAN IMPERSONATING A FIREFIGHTER AND CONVINCING PEOPLE TO LET HIM INTO THEIR HOMES, BEFORE HE ROBS THEM.

DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS, POLICE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS OF RESIDENTIAL THEFTS, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL IN EACH CASE. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, A TALL WHITE ADULT MALE IN HIS TWENTIES WITH A BEARD AND DARK HAIR KNOCKS AT A RESIDENCE. THE SUSPECT CLAIMS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ASKS FOR A GLASS OF WATER. ACCORDING TO POLICE, WHEN THE UNSUSPECTING VICTIM ALLOWS THE MAN INSIDE WHILE THEY RETRIEVE THE WATER, HE QUICKLY STEALS PROPERTY AND FLEES. POLICE REMIND YOU TO ALWAYS ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION FROM ANYONE CLAIMING TO BE FROM ANY ORGANIZATION OR COMPANY. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION IN REGARD TO THIS CASE IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 994-8251.

LAKEPORT ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO SEWER REPAIRS (TR) JH 02/27/14

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT WILL BE PERFORMING SEWER REPAIRS THIS WEEK THAT WILL RESULT IN SEVERAL ROAD CLOSURES.

CLOSURES WILL AFFECT NORTH BUSH STREET FROM 3RD STREET TO 6TH STREET, 4TH STREET FROM NORTH TUNIS TO HIGH STREET, AND 5TH STREET FROM NORTH TUNIS TO HIGH STREET. CLOSURES WILL BE IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON.

FORT BRAGG POLICE: NO BIKES OR SKATE BOARDS ON SIDEWALKS (LAW) JH 02/27/14

FORT BRAGG POLICE REMIND RESIDENTS THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO RIDE BICYCLES AND SKATE BOARDS ON CITY SIDEWALKS.

AT A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING LAST WEEK, COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT BICYCLES AND SKATE BOARDS RIDING ON THE SIDEWALKS IN THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL RESIDENTS THAT IT IS NOT ONLY ILLEGAL TO RIDE ON THE SIDEWALKS, BUT IT IS ALSO VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE LOOKOUT FOR EACH OTHER AND DO NOT RIDE BICYCLES OR SKATE BOARDS ON THE SIDEWALKS.

News 2/26/14

POINT ARENA MAN ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL THREATS (LAW) JH 02/26/14

A POINT ARENA MAN IS SUSPECTED OF MAKING CRIMINAL THREATS WITH A FAKE GUN.

A 61 YEAR OLD UNIDENTIFIED MAN FROM MANCHESTER REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT MONDAY MORNING. THE VICTIM REPORTED THAT 52-YEAR-OLD BRIAN SHANNON OF POINT ARENA APPROACHED HIM WHILE HE SAT IN A VEHICLE IN THE ARENA COVE PARKING LOT, AND POINTED A HANDGUN AT HIM AND THREATENED TO KILL HIM. BASED ON A DESCRIPTION OF SHANNON AND HIS VEHICLE, AUTHORITIES LOCATED SHANNON ON MAIN STREET. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, A VERY REALISTIC LOOKING REPLICA HANDGUN WAS LOCATED AT SHANNONS RESIDENCE, AND A RECORDS CHECK FOUND THAT SHANNON WAS WANTED FOR OUTSTANDING NO BAIL WARRANTS FROM FLORIDA. SHANNON WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

SALE PENDING FOR THE OLD TRINITY SCHOOL (PI) JH 02/26/14

ONE OF UKIAHS LONG-EMPTY PROPERTIES MAY SOON HAVE NEW PURPOSE AS THE CITY OF 10,000 BUDDHAS IS IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING THE OLD TRINITY SCHOOL CAMPUS ON WEST CHURCH STREET.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS, ACCORDING TO A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION, WHICH OWNS THE CITY OF 10,000 BUDDHAS IN TALMAGE, AN OFFER HAS BEEN MADE ON THE FIVE-ACRE PROPERTY, WHICH HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE 2009. FEW DETAILS ABOUT POSSIBLE PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY WERE AVAILABLE, EXCEPT THAT THE ORGANIZATION HOPED TO USE THE CAMPUS TO EXPAND ITS BACHELOR DEGREE AND MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS.

SONOMA COUNTY APPROVES BAG BAN (PI/EVR) JH 02/26/14

THE COUNTY OF SONOMA AND AGENCIES REPRESENTING THE VARIOUS CITIES WITHIN, VOTED UNANIMOUSLY LAST WEEK TO ADOPT A COUNTYWIDE BAG BAN ORDINANCE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAM FOR CARRYOUT BAGS ORDINANCE IS INTENDED TO REDUCE LITTER, KEEP PLASTIC BAGS OUT OF LOCAL WATERWAYS, AND ENCOURAGE THE USE OF REUSABLE BAGS. THE ORDINANCE IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, BANNING THE ISSUANCE OF PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAGS AT ALL GROCERY STORES AND RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS. THE SONOMA COUNTY ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO RESTAURANTS AND NONPROFIT CHARITABLE REUSERS. THE ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRES A 10-CENT CHARGE ON ALL COMPLIANT RECYCLED PAPER BAGS. THE BAG BAN ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 21ST, BUT FULL ENFORCEMENT WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1ST.

FORT BRAGG WOMAN ACCUSES GIRLFRIEND OF STABBING HER (LAW)

JH 02/26/14

A FORT BRAGG WOMAN WHO WAS RECEIVING TREATMENT AT THE COAST HOSPITAL FOR STAB WOUNDS TO THE HAND AND BACK, ORIGINALLY TOLD AUTHORITIES THAT SHE STABBED HERSELF IN THE BACK, BEFORE CHANGING HER STORY DAYS LATER.

THE UNIDENTIFIED 36-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS NOT EAGER TO DISCUSS THE INCIDENT WITH AUTHORITIES, ONLY SAYING THAT SHE STABBED HERSELF LAST THURSDAY, AND PROVIDED NO OTHER INFORMATION. SHERIFFS DEPUTIES COLLECTED EVIDENCE AT HER RESIDENCE AND SPOKE TO A COHABITANT, 43 YEAR OLD UGWUNWA OGWOGWO OGWOGWO MAINTAINED THAT SHE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THE VICTIM WAS INJURED. THEN ON SUNDAY, THE VICTIM CONTACTED THE SHERIFFS OFFICE WITH A NEW STORY, THAT OGWOGWO STABBED HER SEVERAL TIMES DURING AN ARGUMENT ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE VICTIM, OGWOGWO THEN STOPPED AND ATTEMPTED TO PROVIDE FIRST AID BEFORE CALLING AN AMBULANCE. OGWOGWO WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

MENDOCINO COUNTY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR BETTER EMERGENCY SERVICES (GOV) JH 02/26/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED THE FIRST STEP IN A LENGTHY PROCESS THAT OFFICIALS HOPE WILL PUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ON SOLID FINANCIAL GROUND.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THE TWO YEAR PLAN OF SETTING UP AN EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AREA FOR INLAND MENDOCINO COUNTY, WHICH WOULD GIVE ONE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMS RESPONSE WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES IN THE HOPES OF SAVING MONEY AND CREATING MORE CONSISTENT STANDARDS OF SERVICE ACROSS THE COUNTY.

MCHC PROVIDES FREE DENTAL WORK AND ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION (ED) JH 02/26/14

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL CHILDRENS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH, AND THE MENDOCINO COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC CONTINUED ITS ANNUAL TRADITION OF CARING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PARTICIPATING IN GIVE KIDS A SMILE DAY.

DURING THE EVENT, ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF FEBRUARY, DENTAL EMPLOYEES FROM ALL THREE SITES IN UKIAH, WILLITS AND LAKEPORT, VOLUNTEERED TO PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF FREE DENTAL CARE TO CHILDREN WHO COULD NOT OTHERWISE AFFORD IT. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS ANNUAL SMILES PROGRAM, PROVIDING FREE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION, DENTAL SCREENING, AND FLUORIDE VARNISHING TO MORE THAN 2,350 PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN UKIAH, WILLITS AND LAKEPORT.

LAKEPORT ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO SEWER REPAIRS (TR) JH 02/26/14

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT WILL BE PERFORMING SEWER REPAIRS THIS WEEK THAT WILL RESULT IN SEVERAL ROAD CLOSURES.

CLOSURES WILL AFFECT NORTH BUSH STREET FROM 3RD STREET TO 6TH STREET, 4TH STREET FROM NORTH TUNIS TO HIGH STREET, AND 5TH STREET FROM NORTH TUNIS TO HIGH STREET. CLOSURES WILL BE IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AT THE LATEST, HOWEVER, AS CREWS FINISH WITH AN AREA, THEY WILL REOPEN THE ROADS.

News 2/25/14

ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON IN COBB (LAW) JH 02/25/14

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR A SUSPECT WHO ASSAULTED ANOTHER MAN WITH A HATCHET ON SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO WAS WITH THE VICTIM, THEY HAD APPROACHED 29-YEAR-OLD NICHOLAS JAMES THOMAS OF COBB, WHO APPEARED TO BE ARGUING WITH A WOMAN THAT WAS WALKING AWAY FROM HIM. WHEN THE WOMAN REFUSED TO STOP, THOMAS REPORTEDLY BECAME AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS THE WOMAN, AND THE VICTIM TOLD THOMAS TO STOP. THOMAS THEN TOLD THE VICTIM TO STAY OUT OF HIS BUSINESS, THEN SWUNG A HATCHET STRIKING THE VICTIM IN THE HEAD. THE VICTIM THEN FELL STRIKING HIS HEAD AND FACE ON THE GROUND, AND THOMAS WALKED AWAY. THOMASS WHEREABOUTS ARE CURRENTLY UNKNOWN AND HE IS CONSIDERED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE WHEREABOUTS OF NICHOLAS THOMAS IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AT 263-2690.

CONTROL BURN PLANNED TO DAY (PI) JH 02/25/14

CAL FIRE MENDOCINO UNIT WILL BE CONDUCTING A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CONTROL BURN IN THE MILL CREEK WATERSHED EAST OF UKIAH.

BURNING STARTED YESTERDAY AND IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE TODAY, WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS PERMITTING. PART OF THE GOAL OF THE BURN IS TO IMPROVE WILDLIFE HABITAT WHILE REDUCING THE OVERALL VEGETATION IN ORDER TO DECREASE THE CHANCE OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES IN THE FUTURE. TO ENSURE VISITOR SAFETY, THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT WILL CLOSE THE VALLEY VIEW TRAIL AND NORTH COW MOUNTAIN ACCESS ROAD. THE CLOSURE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE DURING BURNING OPERATIONS AND POSSIBLY LONGER IF FORECAST HEAVY RAINS OCCUR.

RUSSIAN RIVER FLOOD CONTROL CUTS WATER SUPPLIES (GOV/EVR)

JH 02/25/14

THE RUSSIAN RIVER FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY MONDAY NIGHT TO CUT WATER SUPPLIED TO ITS CUSTOMERS BY 50 PERCENT.

THE DISTRICT HOLDS THE RIGHTS TO 8,000 ACRE FEET OF WATER IN LAKE MENDOCINO, AND SELLS THAT WATER TO SEVEN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICTS INCLUDING MILLVIEW, CALPELLA, WILLOW, HOPLAND, REGINA, AND RUSSIAN RIVER ESTATES, AS WELL AS DOZENS OF AGRICULTURAL CUSTOMERS. THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING WATER SAVING MEASURES. THE DISTRICT ALSO VOTED TO ENTIRELY CUT OFF REDWOOD VALLEY, WHICH IS ONLY ALLOWED TO PURCHASE SURPLUS WATER BECAUSE IT IS NOT WITHIN THE RUSSIAN RIVER DISTRICTS BOUNDARIES. THE DISTRICT ALSO HOPES TO SAVE ANOTHER 800 ACRE FEET THAT THE CITY OF UKIAH HAS RIGHTS TO, BUT THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL NEED TO APPROVE THAT REQUEST, WHICH THEY WILL CONSIDER AT THEIR MARCH 5TH MEETING.

FT BRAGG POLICE OFFICER BREAKS ARM DURING PURSUIT (LAW)

JH 02/25/14

A FORT BRAGG POLICE OFFICE BROKE HIS ARM WHILE PURSUING A SUSPECT IN A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE SITUATION.

TWO OFFICERS CONTACTED 29-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL DAVID HAMMOND AT A CYPRESS STREET ADDRESS TO INVESTIGATE A REPORT OF A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE. OFFICERS LEARNED HAMMOND HAD AN ACTIVE WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HIM INTO CUSTODY. HAMMOND RESISTED AND FLED ON FOOT BEFORE BEING APPREHENDED. DURING THE CHASE, OFFICER JONATHAN McLAUGHLIN FELL AND BROKE HIS ARM. HAMMOND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

GOVERNOR BROWNS DROUGHT TASK FORCE VISITS WILLITS AND UKIAH

(GOV/EVR) JH 02/25/14

MEMBERS OF GOVERNOR BROWNS DROUGHT TASK FORCE VISITED WILLITS AND UKIAH MONDAY TO SEE HOW THE CURRENT DROUGHT IS AFFECTING LOCAL WATER AGENCIES.

THE GROUP TOURED THE ACTIVE EMERGENCY PIPELINE PROJECT IN WILLITS AS WELL AS THE SEVERELY LOW LAKE MENDOCINO. ACCORDING TO WILLITS OFFICIALS, THE TASK FORCE SEEMED IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY SEVERAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING CAL FIRE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO TAKE ACTION WITH THE WILLITS WATER PROJECT. THE GROUP ALSO MET AT THE UKIAH VALLEY CONFERENCE CENTER TO DISCUSS WAYS IN WHICH THE DROUGHT TASK FORCE AND THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES CAN HELP ALLEVIATE THE IMPACTS OF THE DROUGHT.

LAKEPORT ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO SEWER REPAIRS (TR) JH 02/25/14

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT WILL BE PERFORMING SEWER REPAIRS THIS WEEK THAT WILL RESULT IN SEVERAL ROAD CLOSURES.

CLOSURES WILL AFFECT NORTH BUSH STREET FROM 3RD STREET TO 6TH STREET, 4TH STREET FROM NORTH TUNIS TO HIGH STREET, AND 5TH STREET FROM NORTH TUNIS TO HIGH STREET. CLOSURES WILL BE IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AT THE LATEST, HOWEVER, AS CREWS FINISH WITH AN AREA, THEY WILL REOPEN THE ROADS.

CDFW TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING ON SALMON FISHERIES (GOV)

JH 02/25/14

THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE INVITES THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL OCEAN SALMON INFORMATION MEETING TOMORROW IN SANTA ROSA.

A REVIEW OF LAST YEARS FISHERIES WILL BE PRESENTED, IN ADDITION TO THE OUTLOOK FOR THIS YEARS SPORT AND COMMERCIAL OCEAN SALMON FISHERIES. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND TO PROVIDE INPUT ON POTENTIAL FISHING SEASONS FOR THIS YEAR. THE MEETING IS TOMORROW FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM AT THE SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY.

Playlist 2/27/14

A GREAT BIG WORLD W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-SAY SOMETHING

BASTILLE-POMPEII

JASON DERULO W/2 CHAINZ-TALK DIRTY

KATY PERRY W/JUICY J-DARK HORSE

LORDE-TEAM

ONE DIRECTION-STORY OF MY LIFE

ALOE BLACC-THE MAN

AMERICAN AUTHORS-BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

AVICII-HEY BROTHER

BRUNO MARS-YOUNG GIRLS

CALVIN HARRIS W/AYAH MARAR-THINKING OF YOU

CASH CASH W/BEBE REXHA-TAKE ME HOME

DEMI LOVATO-NEON LIGHTS

JOHN NEWMAN-LOVE ME AGAIN

KID INK W/CHRIS BROWN-SHOW ME

MILEY CYRUS-ADORE YOU

PHARRELL WILLIAMS-HAPPY

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

THE 1975-CHOCOLATE

ZENDAYA-REPLAY

AUSTIN MAHONE W/PITBULL-MMM YEAH

BEYONCE’ W/JAY-Z-DRUNK IN LOVE

DJ SNAKE W/LIL JON-TURN DOWN FOR WHAT

JOHN LEGEND-ALL OF ME

MARTIN GARRIX-ANIMALS

MKTO-CLASSIC

NAUGHTY BOY W/SAM SMITH-LA LA LA

NONONO-PUMPIN BLOOD

(THE) FRAY-LOVE DON’T DIE

CAMRYN-LOVESICK

DAUGHTRY-WAITING FOR SUPERMAN

DISCLOSURE W/SAM SMITH-LATCH

ICONA POP-JUST ANOTHER NIGHT

KARMIN-I WANT IT ALL

PANIC! AT THE DISCO W/LOLO-MISS JACKSON

PARAMORE-AIN’T IT FUN

Playlist 2/20/14

A GREAT BIG WORLD W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA-SAY SOMETHING

BASTILLE-POMPEII

ELLIE GOULDING-BURN

KATY PERRY W/JUICY J-DARK HORSE

LORDE-TEAM

ONE DIRECTION-STORY OF MY LIFE

ALOE BLACC-THE MAN

AMERICAN AUTHORS-BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

AVICII-HEY BROTHER

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

MILEY CYRUS-ADORE YOU

PHARRELL WILLIAMS-HAPPY

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

THE 1975-CHOCOLATE

ZENDAYA-REPLAY

BEYONCE’ W/JAY-Z-DRUNK IN LOVE

DJ SNAKE W/LIL JON-TURN DOWN FOR WHAT

JOHN LEGEND-ALL OF ME

KID INK W/CHRIS BROWN-SHOW ME

MARTIN GARRIX-ANIMALS

MKTO-CLASSIC

NAUGHTY BOY W/SAM SMITH-LA LA LA

NONONO-PUMPIN BLOOD

(THE) FRAY-LOVE DON’T DIE

AUSTIN MAHONE W/PITBULL-MMM YEAH

CAMRYN-LOVESICK

DAUGHTRY-WAITING FOR SUPERMAN

DISCLOSURE W/SAM SMITH-LATCH

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS W/PITBULL-I’M A FREAK

KARMIN-I WANT IT ALL

PANIC! AT THE DISCO W/LOLO-MISS JACKSON

News 2/24/14

CONTROL BURN PLANNED TO DAY (PI) JH 02/24/14

CAL FIRE MENDOCINO UNIT WILL BE CONDUCTING A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CONTROL BURN IN THE MILL CREEK WATERSHED EAST OF UKIAH.

BURNING IS PLANNED FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW, WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS PERMITTING. PART OF THE GOAL OF THE BURN IS TO IMPROVE WILDLIFE HABITAT WHILE REDUCING THE OVERALL VEGETATION IN ORDER TO DECREASE THE CHANCE OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES IN THE FUTURE. TO ENSURE VISITOR SAFETY, THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT WILL CLOSE THE VALLEY VIEW TRAIL AND NORTH COW MOUNTAIN ACCESS ROAD BEGINNING TODAY. THE CLOSURE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE DURING BURNING OPERATIONS AND POSSIBLY LONGER IF FORECAST HEAVY RAINS OCCUR.

ONE HOME LOST, SEVERAL SAVED IN EARLY MORNING FIRE (LAW)

JH 02/24/14

AN EARLY MORNING FIRE IN CLEARLAKE OAKS FRIDAY, SAW ONE HOME DESTROYED WHILE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE SAVE SEVERAL OTHERS.

FIREFIGHTERS FROM MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS HAD THE FLAMES KNOCKED DOWN IN LESS THAN AN HOUR FRIDAY MORNING, HOWEVER, THE HOME WAS A TOTAL LOSS. QUICK WORK BY THE FIREFIGHTERS DID PREVENT THE FLAMES FROM SPREADING TO SURROUNDING HOMES. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE BLAZE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

WARNING OF TELEMARKETING SCAM (LAW) JH 02/24/14

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT A POSSIBLE TELEMARKETING SCAM AND IS WARNING THE PUBLIC NOT TO SHARE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE TELEPHONE WITH UNSOLICITED CALLERS.

CONCERNED CITIZENS HAVE BEEN CALLING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ASK WHETHER THE STATE AGENCY HAS CALLED THEIR HOMES ASKING ABOUT THE PRELIMINARY SAT, OR PSAT, A STANDARDIZED TEST, WHICH GIVES STUDENTS FIRSTHAND PRACTICE FOR THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION. THE CALLERS ASKS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION, CREDIT CARD NUMBERS, AND MORE. THE CALLER ID SEEMS TO ALSO SHOW THE CALLS ARE COMING FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR THE MAIN TELEPHONE LINE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. HOWEVER, THE STATE INSISTS THAT THESE CALLS ARE NOT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. IF YOU RECEIVE SUCH A CALL, DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND HANG UP IMMEDIATELY. YOU MAY ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT ONLINE DIRECTLY WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. AUTHORITIES ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THESE CLAIMS.

MENDO COUNTY GETS IRS AGREEMENT ON PLANNED PAYBACK (GOV/ECN) JH 02/24/14

THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE GAVE ITS BLESSING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING A PLAN TO REPAY TO ITS PENSION RESERVES $9.5 MILLION OF THE MONEY THE SYSTEM HAD WRONGLY USED FOR RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS, THE PLAN IS PART OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE IRS AND MENDOCINO COUNTYS RETIREMENT SYSTEM UNDER THE IRS VOLUNTARY CORRECTION PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THE PENSION SYSTEM TO KEEP ITS TAX-QUALIFIED STATUS. TO DO SO, THE MENDOCINO COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION, WHICH OVERSEES THE PENSION FUND, PLANS TO TAKE THE OVER $658,000 LEFT IN ITS RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE RESERVES AND PUT IT BACK IN ITS PENSION RESERVE ACCOUNT. THE REMAINDER OF THE $9.5 MILLION TO BE REPAID IS NOW TO BE ADDED INTO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ROUGHLY $132 MILLION UNFUNDED LIABILITY, WHICH IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE SYSTEM HAS AND WHAT IT NEEDS TO COVER FUTURE RETIREE BENEFITS.

TWO STORMS FORECAST TO BRING NEEDED RAIN THIS WEEK (EVR)

JH 02/24/14

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS A PAIR OF STORMS THIS WEEK COULD BRING SEVERAL INCHES OF MUCH NEEDED RAIN TO CALIFORNIA.

WHILE THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH RAIN TO END THE DROUGHT, METEOROLOGISTS PREDICT THAT SEVERAL INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE STATE. THE FIRST STORM ON WEDNESDAY IS EXPECTED TO ONLY BRING LIGHT RAINS, HOWEVER, BY FRIDAY, RADAR IMAGES SHOW THE SECOND STORM SHOULD DRENCH THE STATE FOR 24 HOURS. AND LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD, METEOROLOGISTS SAY COMPUTER MODELS SHOW SIGNS THAT THIS YEAR COULD SEE EL NINO CONDITIONS AND THE ACCOMPANYING RAINFALL DEVELOPING BY AUGUST.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 02/24/14

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

UTILITY REPAIRS WILL BE MADE ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR LANSING STREET. WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS. ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED.

News 2/21/14

SUSPICIOUS SUBJECT ARRESTED WITH SAWED OFF SHOTGUN (LAW)

JH 02/21/14

LAKEPORT POLICE USED A TASER TO SUBDUE A SUSPICIOUS MAN, AND FOUND A SAWED OFF SHOTGUN IN HIS POSSESSION.

A LAKEPORT POLICE OFFICER NOTICED A SUSPICIOUS SUBJECT CARRYING A BACKPACK ON SOUTH POLK STREET. WHEN THE OFFICER GOT OUT OF HIS VEHICLE, THE SUSPECT, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 22 YEAR OLD OSCAR JAVIER AREVALO OF LAKEPORT, PLACED HIS BACKPACK BEHIND A GARBAGE CAN. AS THE OFFICER CONTACTED AREVALO, HE NOTICED THE SUSPECT WAS VERY NERVOUS. AS THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO DETAIN AREVALO, HE FLED ON FOOT AND THE OFFICER GAVE CHASE. AREVALO WAS EVENTUALLY CAUGHT AND HAD TO BE TASED BEFORE HE COULD BE HANDCUFFED. A SEARCH OF THE BACKPACK REVEALED A LOADED SAWED OFF .410 SHOTGUN, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE A FACE COVER CRAFTED FROM A BLACK T-SHIRT. AREVALO, WHO HAS A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL RECORD, WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL.

DISCOVERY OF A STOLEN VEHICLE LED TO THE ARREST OF A WANTED PAROLEE (LAW) JH 02/21/14

THE DISCOVERY OF A STOLEN VEHICLE IN FORT BRAGG LED POLICE TO ARREST A WANTED PAROLEE.

FORT BRAGG POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A STOLEN VEHICLE PARKED IN AN ALLEYWAY. WITNESSES IN THE AREA INFORMED POLICE THAT THE SUSPECT MIGHT STILL BE IN THE AREA ON A BICYCLE, AND LED POLICE TO 850 MAPLE STREET. RESIDENTS THERE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE IN THE RESIDENCE, THE OFFICER HEARD WHAT HE BELIEVED TO BE A PERSON CRAWLING AROUND THE ATTIC. THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED FOR BACKUP, AND AFTER THE HOME WAS SURROUNDED, THE SUSPECT WAS TOLD TO COME OUT OF THE ATTIC OR A K-9 WOULD BE SENT IN. 46 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY PIERSON, WHOS ID WAS ALSO FOUND INSIDE THE STOLEN VEHICLE, EMERGED AND WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

EPA PROTECTS WETLANDS IN CALIFORNIA (GOV/EVR) JH 02/21/14

THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, OR EPA, ANNOUNCED THE AWARD OF OVER $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2013 WETLAND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO SIX TRIBES IN CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, INCLUDING THREE HERE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO THE FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA IN ROHNERT PARK, THE YUROK TRIBE IN KLAMATH, AND THE PINOLEVILLE POMO NATION IN MENDOCINO COUNTY. WORK UNDER THESE GRANTS, AWARDED ANNUALLY, WILL RANGE FROM ENHANCING COMPUTER PROGRAMS THAT RAPIDLY ASSESS WETLAND CONDITIONS, TO HELPING TRIBES DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO BETTER MONITOR AND PROTECT THEIR WETLANDS.

NEW SHOPPING CENTER IN FORT BRAGG (PI) JH 02/21/14

PRELIMINARY DESIGNS WERE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC VIEW FOR A NEW FORT BRAGG RETAIL CENTER TO BE BUILT ON THE WEST SIDE OF HIGHWAY 1, JUST NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY 20 JUNCTION.

ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE NEWS, THE HARE CREEK COMMERCIAL CENTER WOULD FRONT THE HIGHWAY ON SIX CURRENTLY UNDEVELOPED ACRES JUST SOUTH OF THE EMERALD DOLPHIN MINIATURE GOLF COURSE. THE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ALSO THE OWNERS OF THE BOATYARD SHOPPING CENTER JUST ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE NEW PROJECT SITE. THE GROUP PLANS TO INCLUDE MANY GREEN BUILDING FEATURES, INCLUDING ENERGY SAVING LIGHTING AND SOLAR PANELS TO OFFSET ENERGY NEEDS OF THE PROJECT.

PLEA IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG CASE REJECTED (LAW) JH 02/21/14

THE PRELIMINARY HEARING FOR A UKIAH SURGEON ACCUSED OF DRUG CHARGES INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION FRAUD WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED, AFTER THE CASE DID NOT RESOLVE THURSDAY IN MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS, DOCTOR BRIAN CABLE WAS ARRESTED IN JULY ON SUSPICION OF FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINING CONTROLLED PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS, POSSESSING FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS, USING ANOTHER PERSONS IDENTITY ILLEGALLY AND CONSPIRACY. CABLES DEFENSE ATTORNEY HAD PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT HE HOPED TO RESOLVE THE CASE WITHOUT GOING TO TRIAL, HOWEVER, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE REJECTED A SETTLEMENT OFFER BY THE DEFENSE, AND THE TRIAL WILL CONTINUE.

LAKE COUNTY OFFERS WORKSHOP: GARDENING IN THE MIDST OF A SEVERE DROUGHT (GOV/EVR) JH 02/21/14

THE LAKE COUNTY SPECIAL DISTRICTS ADMINISTRATION UNDERSTANDS THAT FOOD IS A BASIC NECESSITY, JUST AS WATER, AND BELIEVES THAT WITH SOME PROPER PLANNING, DETERMINATION AND WILLINGNESS TO EXERT A LITTLE EXTRA EFFORT, PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW FOOD DESPITE THE POSSIBILITY OF A SEVERE WATER SHORTAGE THIS YEAR.

SPECIAL DISTRICTS WILL HOST TWO WORKSHOPS THIS WEEKEND ON PLANNING AND PLANTING A GARDEN IN THE MIDST OF A SEVERE DROUGHT. MASTER GARDENERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WILL CONDUCT THE WORKSHOPS SATURDAY AT THE LAKEPORT SENIOR CENTER AND SUNDAY AT THE FINLEY GRANGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS AT 263-0119.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 02/21/14

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

VEGETATION REMOVAL IN PREPARATION FOR CULVERT REHABILITATION NEAR THE JUNCTION OF HIGHWAYS 128 AND 1 WILL WRAP UP TODAY. WORK WILL BE PERFORMED FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM.

ALSO TREE TRIMMING WILL BE CONCLUDED TODAY ON HIGHWAY 253 FROM SLIDE CREEK TO THE JUNCTION WITH HIGHWAY 101. WORK WILL BE DONE FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.

AND TOMORROW, UPGRADED TO THE MESSAGE SIGN ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR MONICA LANE WILL CONTINUE FROM 6 AM TO 11 AM.

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

News 2/20/14

UKIAH POLICE WARN RESIDENTS AS MAIL THEFT IS ON THE RISE (LAW)

JH 02/20/14

UKIAH POLICE ARE REMINDING RESIDENTS TO BE CAUTIOUS AND VIGILANT WITH THEIR MAIL FOLLOWING A RECENT SPIKE IN MAIL THEFT, AND TWO ARRESTS THIS WEEK.

29-YEAR-OLD SCHANNA MARIE SAFARIAN WAS ARRESTED ON HELEN AVENUE ON SATURDAY WITH NUMEROUS PIECES OF MAIL NOT ADDRESSED TO HER, AS WELL AS BOLT CUTTERS AND METHAMPHETAMINE IN HER POSSESSION. SHE ALSO ADMITTED TO PREVIOUSLY BURNING MAIL THAT SHE HAD STOLEN EARLIER IN THE MONTH. A MALE ACCOMPLICE, 26 YEAR OLD CODY HUBER, WAS ALSO ARRESTED. POLICE BELIEVE HUBER ACTED AS SAFARIANS LOOKOUT, AND HE WAS BOOKED FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, POSSESSING BURGLARY TOOLS AND SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES. THE POLICE RECOMMEND USING THE POST OFFICE AND OTHER LOCKED MAIL RECEPTACLES FOR OUTGOING MAIL, AND RECEIVED MAIL SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE CURBSIDE MAILBOX IN A TIMELY FASHION. RESIDENTS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS PERSONS, PARTICULARLY IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AT NIGHT OR IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS.

MORE GASOLINE THEFTS IN LAKEPORT (LAW) JH 02/20/14

LAKEPORT POLICE HAD MORE GASOLINE THEFTS REPORTED THIS WEEK.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT OVER 60 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS STOLEN FROM THREE MORE VEHICLES ON 3RD STREET SOMETIME IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON TUESDAY. LAKEPORT POLICE BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE GASOLINE THEFTS EARLIER IN THE WEEK. POLICE RECEIVED MORE INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNITY, INDICATING THAT THE SUSPECTS VEHICLE IS A WHITE FORD RANGER WITH PASSENGER SIDE DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AND BUMPER. A SECOND SUSPECT IS BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED AND POSSIBLY ON FOOT CASING THE AREA AND ACTING AS A LOOKOUT. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE ADULT, 19 TO 23 YEARS OLD WITH A THIN BUILD, SHORT HAIR AND WEARING A FLAT BILL CAP. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE AT 263-5491.

LAKEPORT CITY COUNCIL APPROVES MOVING FORWARD WITH SAFEWAY GAS STATION (GOV) JH 02/20/14

THE LAKEPORT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED AN AGREEMENT THIS WEEK TO JUMPSTART THE WORK ON A GAS STATION PROPOSED BY SAFEWAY AT ITS 11TH STREET SHOPPING CENTER.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKEPORT PLANNING SERVICES, SAFEWAY HAS PROPOSED A SAFEWAY BRANDED GAS STATION ON THE EASTERN PORTION OF THE SHOPPING CENTER, FEATURING 16 PUMPS AND A RETAIL STORE. THE AGREEMENT IS TO GUARANTEE THE CITY BE REIMBURSED FOR HIRING A CONSULTANT AND DEVELOPER TO GET THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND ENTITLEMENT PROCESS UNDERWAY.

PALACE HOTEL RENOVATION STALLED BY OSHA OVER ASBESTOS (PI)

JH 02/20/14

A RECENT COMPLAINT BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON LED TO AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, OR OSHA, INSPECTOR TO RED TAG UKIAHS PALACE HOTEL.

ACCORDING TO CAL OSHA, THE BUILDINGS OWNER, ELADIA LAINES NEEDS TO HIRE A LICENSED ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR TO OVERSEE THE REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS INSIDE THE BUILDING. LAINES CONTRACTOR, NORM HUDSON HAS INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE REMEDIED WITHIN 30 DAYS. LAINES REPORTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MONTHLY ON THE PROGRESS OF THE RENOVATION OF THE BUILDING, AS THE COUNCIL CONTINUES TO DELAY VOTING ON A RESOLUTION TO TAKE OVER ABATEMENT OF THE BUILDING AND POSSIBLY DEMOLISH IT. WEDNESDAY NIGHT, LAINES WAS ONCE AGAIN GIVEN ANOTHER MONTH TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

UKIAH GROUP FILES LAWSUIT TO STOP COSTCO (PI) JH 02/20/14

A GROUP OF UKIAH RESIDENTS CALLING THEMSELVES UKIAH CITIZENS FOR SAFETY FIRST HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT IN AN EFFORT TO STOP A COSTCO STORE FROM BEING BUILT ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD.

ACCORDING TO THE DAILY JOURNAL. THE GROUP SAYS THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROJECT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED. THE SUIT LISTS DOZENS OF VIOLATIONS IN THE PROCESS TO THIS POINT. THE GROUP SAYS THAT BUILDING A COSTCO STORE IN UKIAH WILL CREATE DANGEROUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, AND WILL DIRECTLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT AESTHETIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS. ACCORDING TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE CITY HAS 60 DAYS FROM THE FILING DATE TO SUBMIT AN ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD THAT INCLUDES ALL DOCUMENTS AND TRANSCRIPTS OF ALL HEARINGS PRIOR TO THE EIRS APPROVAL.

BROADBAND ALLIANCE MEETING (BB) JH 02/20/14

THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY WILL MEET FRIDAY MORNING TO DISCUSS THE STATE OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE GROUP WILL DISCUSS PROJECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING BROADBAND TO UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED RURAL COMMUNITIES IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, INCLUDING TWO PROJECTS THAT COULD BRING NEEDED SERVICE TO THE POINT ARENA AREA. THE GROUP WILL MEET FROM 10 TO 11:30 AM AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MENDOCINO COUNTY AT 204 SOUTH OAK STREET IN UKIAH.

News 2/19/14

CALPELLA MAN FOUND DEAD, ATTACKED BY DOGS WAS DOGS OWNER (LAW) JH 02/19/14

A MAN FOUND DEAD IN A FIELD IN CALPELLA ON VALENTINES DAY BEING ATTACKED BY TWO DOGS, WAS THE DOGS OWNER.

51-YEAR-OLD PEDRO TEPALE LIVED WITH THE TWO DOGS, A ROTTWEILER AND A PITBULL, IN A MOBILE HOME JUST FEET FROM WHERE HIS BODY WAS FOUND MAULED BY HIS OWN DOGS. HOWEVER, AUTHORITIES DO NOT BELIEVE TEPALE DIED AS A RESULT OF AN ATTACK BY HIS DOGS. THE ROTTWEILER WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHEN IT AGGRESSIVELY CHARGED THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, AND THE PITBULL FLED THE AREA, AND WAS EVENTUALLY PICKED UP BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON AND DROPPED OFF AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN UKIAH. TEPALES CAUSE OF DEATH IS PENDING, AS AUTHORITIES WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF BLOOD ALCOHOL AND TOXICOLOGY TESTS.

UKIAH MAN SUSPECTED OF KILLING NEIGHBOR CHANGING PLEA (LAW)

JH 02/18/14

A MAN SUSPECTED OF KILLING HIS NEIGHBOR IN UKIAH AND FLEEING TO MEXICO NEARLY 13 YEARS AGO, PLEADED GUILTY TO KILLING HIS NEIGHBOR WITH AN ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT AND SETTING FIRE TO HIS HOME.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS THAT 32-YEAR-OLD JERRED HERNANDEZ

WITHDREW HIS PLEA OF NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY, AND ENTERED PLEAS OF GUILTY TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND ARSON, EACH WITH SPECIAL ALLEGATIONS ATTACHED. THE PLEAS WERE PART OF A DEAL THAT WILL SEE HERNANDEZ SENTENCED TO SERVE 32 YEARS TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON. HERNANDEZ WAS ARRESTED IN 2013 IN ENSENADA BY MEXICAN POLICE FOR THE MURDER OF MICHAEL WILLIAMSON IN 2000. ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH POLICE, WILLIAMSON WAS A RECOVERING DRUG ADDICT AND HAD BEEN MENTORING OTHER ADDICTS, INCLUDING HERNANDEZ, WHO LIVED ON THE SAME STREET.

GASOLINE THEFTS ON RISE IN LAKEPORT (LAW) JH 02/19/14

LAKEPORT POLICE REPORT THAT RESIDENTS NEED TO BE AWARE THAT GASOLINE THEFTS ARE ON THE RISE IN THE CITY OF LAKEPORT.

ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 16 AND 17, APPROXIMATELY EIGHT VEHICLES WERE TARGETED FOR GASOLINE THEFT. THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN DEL LAGO AREA, ON 15TH STREET, AND ON SOUTH MAIN STREET. A STEREO WAS ALSO TAKEN FROM ONE OF THE VEHICLES. TWO DIFFERENT WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING A WHITE MALE ADULT, DESCRIBED AS 19 TO 23 YEARS OLD WITH A THIN BUILD, SHORT HAIR AND WEARING A FLAT BILL CAP. THE SUSPECT WAS SEEN DRIVING A SMALL WHITE MINI PICK-UP THAT MAY HAVE DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER REAR FENDER AND BUMPER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKEPORT POLICE AT 263-5491.

FORT BRAGG MAN ARRESTED FOR FIRING SHOT GUN IN TOWN (LAW)

JH 02/19/14

FORT BRAGG POLICE MADE AN ARREST IN A CASE FROM LAST OCTOBER, INVOLVING SOMEONE FIRING MULTIPLE SHOT GUN ROUNDS ON THE 100 BLOCK OF GROVE STREET.

INITIAL WITNESS REPORTS INDICATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WHITE MALE FIRED THE SHOTS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT 47 YEAR OLD BRIAN CLAY STACY, A FISHERMAN FROM MORRO BAY THAT HAD RECENTLY RELOCATED TO THE FORT BRAGG AREA WAS RESPONSIBLE. STACY WAS BOOKED INTO MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

MID-YEAR BUDGET SHOWS RESERVES BUILDING (GOV/ECN) JH 02/19/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEARD THE MID-YEAR BUDGET REPORT THIS WEEK, AND THE COUNTY EXPECTS TO END THE FISCAL YEAR WITH A RESERVE BALANCE OVER $3 MILLION.

THE COUNTY CEO ALSO MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO KEEP BUILDING COUNTY RESERVES. THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS SET TO INCREASE THE COUNTYS RESERVE FUNDS FROM $4.5 MILLION TO $8.7 MILLION BY THE END OF THE 2014/2015 FISCAL YEAR. THE BUDGET ALSO RECOMMENDS CUTTING OVER 40 CURRENTLY VACANT JOBS.

CLEARLAKE PASTOR ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT, SENTENCED (LAW)

JH 02/19/14

A CLEARLAKE PASTOR WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO EMBEZZLING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM THE CHURCH HE SERVED, WAS SENTENCED THIS WEEK.

64-YEAR-OLD BRUCE STARK PLEADED GUILTY LAST MONTH TO SEVERAL CHARGES INVOLVING THEFT OF PROPERTY AND MONEY FROM THE HILLTOP APOSTOLIC CHURCH WHILE HE WAS THE PASTOR FROM 2002 TO 2008. STARK WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN STATE PRISON, POST RELEASE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND TO PAY RESTITUTION TO THE CHURCH.

ROAD WORK TODAY (TR) JH 02/18/14

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

UPGRADES TO THE CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS WILL BEGIN TODAY. WORK WILL BE DONE ON THE SIGNS ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR CATHOLIC CHURCH ROAD WHERE ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL WILL BE IN EFFECT WITH 5-MINUTE DELAYS ANTICIPATED. WORK WILL ALSO BE DONE ON THE SIGN JUST EAST OF THE JUNCTION OF HIGHWAY 20 AND 53. AT THAT LOCATION, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE WITH MINOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS POSSIBLE. AT BOTH LOCATIONS, THE WORK WILL BE ONGOING FROM 6 AM TO 5 PM WEEKDAYS.