News 3/31/14

FRIDAY MORNING CRASH CLOSES HIGHWAY 20 (LAW) JH 03/31/14

A HEAD ON COLLISION FRIDAY MORNING ON HIGHWAY 20 AT THE RUSSIAN RIVER BRIDGE CLOSED THE HIGHWAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

57-YEAR-OLD RICHARD BERRY OF LUCERNE WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 20 JUST EAST OF HIGHWAY 101 WHEN HE CROSSED OVER THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINES INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. BERRY COLLIDED WITH A SEMI DRIVEN BY 23-YEAR-OLD ARVINGER SINGH OF FAIRFIELD. THE SEMI JACK KNIFED AND THE TRAILER HIT A THIRD VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 18-YEAR-OLD HEATHER LINDAU OF REDWOOD VALLEY. THE SEMI BEGAN LEAKING 190 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL WHICH CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE SEMI AND SPREAD TO THE ROADWAY AND BRIDGE. HIGHWAY 20 WAS CLOSED FROM APPROXIMATELY 7:15 TO 2 PM. AMAZINGLY, ONLY BERRY RECEIVED A MINOR INJURY AND NO ONE WAS HOSPITALIZED. THERE WERE ALSO NO KNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM THE FUEL SPILL.

CAR THEFT SUSPECT COLLIDES HEAD-ON WITH DEPUTY (LAW)

JH 03/31/14

A CAR THEFT SUSPECT COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY FRIDAY MORNING.

CHP RECEIVED TWO CALLS AROUND 11:25 FRIDAY MORNING, ONE ABOUT A VEHICLE DRIVING RECKLESSLY ON SOUTH BOUND 101, AND A CALL FROM THE WILLITS POLICE ABOUT A STOLEN VEHICLE WHICH MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE DRIVING RECKLESSLY. A CHP UNIT AT REEVES CANYON ROAD SAW THE SUSPECT VEHICLE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS FROM 85 TO 110 MILES PER HOUR AND FOLLOWED WHILE AWAITING ADDITIONAL UNITS TO GET INTO STRATEGIC POSITIONS. THE SUSPECT THEN EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT THE CALPELLA/CENTRAL AVENUE OFF RAMP WHERE THE SUSPECT LOST CONTROL AND SPUN OUT. CHP INITIATED PURSUIT, BUT THE SUSPECT FLED CROSSING OVER THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINES AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A SHERIFFS VEHICLE EXITING THE FREEWAY TO JOIN THE PURSUIT. THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, AND DEPUTY DEREK SCOTT, WHOS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, WAS TAKEN TO UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER WITH MODERATE INJURIES.

TWO JUVENILES ARRESTED FOR FELONY VANDALISM IN LAKEPORT (LAW)

JH 03/31/14

TWO JUVENILES WERE ARRESTED LAST WEEK IN LAKEPORT FOR FELONY VANDALISM AND CONSPIRACY.

ON MARCH 25TH, POLICE WERE SUMMONED TO INVESTIGATE SIX BROKEN WINDOWS AT LAKEPORT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CAMPUSES, INCLUDING CLEAR LAKE HIGH, TERRACE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE MAC BUILDING. AN INVESTIGATION DEVELOPED INFORMATION REGARDING THE IDENTITY OF TWO MALE LAKEPORT JUVENILE SUBJECTS AGES 13 AND 14 WHO WERE STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE BOYS PRE-PLANNED THEIR CRIME THEN LEFT THEIR HOMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO CARRY IT OUT. BOTH BOYS WERE LOCATED THURSDAY, MARCH 27 AND BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JUVENILE HALL.

CAL FIRE INCREASES STAFFING EARLY THIS YEAR DUE TO INCREASED TREAT OF FIRE (EMP/EVR) JH 03/31/14

CAL FIRE WILL BEGIN HIRING ADDITIONAL SEASONAL FIREFIGHTERS TODAY, AS THE AGENCY CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN WILDFIRES ACROSS THE STATE DUE TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

CAL FIRE WILL HIRE 29 MORE FIREFIGHTERS IN ITS SONOMA-LAKE-NAPA UNIT AND OPEN ITS HEALDSBURG STATION FOR THE SEASON. OF THE NEW FIREFIGHTERS FIVE WILL BE ASSIGNED TO EACH SONOMA, LAKE, NAPA, AND COLUSA COUNTY WITH ANOTHER NINE TO GIVEN FLOATING ASSIGNMENTS. HIRING IS STARTING EARLY THIS YEAR, AS THE AGENCY HAS RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 800 FIRES SINCE JANUARY 1ST. IN AN AVERAGE YEAR, CAL FIRE RESPONDS TO FEWER THAN 275 FIRES OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD.

WATER BOARD CONSIDERS PENALTY FOR BYPASS MITIGATION DELAYS (GOV) JH 03/31/14

WITH THE CAL TRANS MITIGATION ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE HIGHWAY 101 BYPASS AROUND WILLITS NEARLY TWO YEARS BEHIND SCHEDULE, THE NORTH COAST REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD ISSUED AN ADVISEMENT TO CAL TRANS THAT IT WOULD EXPECT EITHER REDUCTIONS IN PROJECT IMPACTS OR ADDITIONAL MITIGATION.

THE WILLITS NEWS REPORTS THAT UNDER THE CURRENT TIMELINE ISSUED BY CAL TRANS IN FEBRUARY, MITIGATION WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL 2018, TWO YEARS AFTER THE BYPASS PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETE. THE WATER BOARD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD BLOCK WORK FROM CONTINUING ON THE BYPASS UNTIL THE PLAN WAS APPROVED. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, CAL TRANS MUST PROVIDE A FINAL MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT REPORT, ACCEPTABLE TO THE REGIONAL WATER BOARD, PRIOR TO RESUMING IMPORT OF FILL MATERIAL INTO THE PROJECT LIMITS.

LC BOS TO CONSIDER REQUEST TO JOIN STATE OF JEFFERSON FORMATION EFFORT (GOV) JH 03/31/14

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONSIDER WHETHER LAKE COUNTY SHOULD SECEDE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO FORM JEFFERSON, A NEW STATE.

LAKE COUNTYS BOARD IS JUST THE LATEST GOVERNMENT BODY TO BE ASKED TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO FORM THE 51ST STATE, WHICH WOULD ENCOMPASS MENDOCINO, HUMBOLDT AN 17 OTHER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES, AND SEVERAL SOUTHERN OREGON COUNTIES. THE MEETING IS TOMORROW AT 9 AM IN THE BOARD CHAMBERS AT THE LAKE COUNTY COURT HOUSE.

MODERATE EARTHQUAKE SHAKES THE GEYSERS (EVR) JH 03/31/14

A MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKE SHOOK THE GEYSERS LATE LAST NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 11:33 PM JUST 5 MILES NORTH WEST OF THE GEYSERS AT A DEPTH OF 1.6 MILES. THE TEMBLOR REGISTERED A 3.0 MAGNITUDE. SEVERAL SHAKE REPORTS CAME IN FROM AROUND THE REGION, BUT NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.

ROAD WORK THIS WEEK (TR) JH 03/31/14

CAL TRANS WILL BE PERFORMING PAVEMENT STUDIES ON HIGHWAY 101 TODAY AND TOMORROW THAT MAY CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS.

THE STUDIES WILL BE PERFORMED FROM THE SOUTH JUNCTION WITH HIGHWAY 20 TO THE FORSYTH CREEK BRIDGE FROM 7 AM TO 3 PM EACH DAY. TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THIS WORK MAY CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS, AND RESIDENTS WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL THIS ROUTE ARE ADVISED TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION.

News 3/28/14

TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN ARREST FOR BURGLARY (LAW) JH 03/28/14

A TRAFFIC STOP IN LAKE COUNTY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN FOR BURGLARY.

A LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY SAW A DRIVER MAKE AN ILLEGAL U-TURN WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN THE INTERSECTION OF OLD HIGHWAY 53 AND LAKEVIEW. 22-YEAR-OLD CESAR ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ WAS DRIVING, AND TOLD THE OFFICER HE HAD BEEN SHOPPING AND WAS HEADED TO THE BANK WHEN HE DECIDED TO GO HOME INSTEAD. RODRIGUEZ DENIED HAVING ANYTHING ILLEGAL AND GAVE PERMISSION TO BE SEARCHED. THE DEPUTY LOCATED A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH ON RODRIGUEZ AND A WALLET WITH ID BELONGING TO A WOMAN. RODRIGUEZ CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND THE WALLET AT TWIN PINES CASINO WHERE HE WORKS. HE EVENTUALLY ADMITTED TO USING A DEBIT CARD IN THE WALLET TO PURCHASE ITEMS AND THEN WITHDREW $880 FROM THE WOMANS ACCOUNT. RODRIGUEZ WAS BOOKED INTO LAKE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES.

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL DOWNGRADES DROUGHT EMERGENCY TO STAGE 2

(GOV) JH 03/28/14

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK TOOK SEVERAL RELATED DROUGHT EMERGENCY ACTIONS, INCLUDING LOWERING THE STAGE OF EMERGENCY.

THE COUNCIL REVISED THE EXISTING WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY CODE LANGUAGE, CHANGING FROM FIVE STAGES OF EMERGENCY TO THREE. ANOTHER CHANGE ALLOWS FLEXIBILITY IN DECLARING WHEN AN EMERGENCY IS EMINENT, AS THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS BASED ON CALENDAR DATES RATHER THAN RESERVOIR LEVELS. THE COUNCIL ALSO VOTED 4 TO 1 TO DECLARE A STAGE 2 WATER EMERGENCY. THOUGHT THE WILLITS RESERVOIRS ARE NEAR FULL, WE REMAIN AT ABOUT FIFTY PERCENT OF OUR NORMAL RAINFALL FOR THIS YEAR, AND CONSERVATION IS STILL NECESSARY.

CAL FIRE OFFERS INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR STATE FIRE PREVENTION FEE (GOV) JH 03/28/14

AS THE THIRD YEAR OF CALIFORNIAS FIRE PREVENTION FEE BILLING BEGINS, CAL FIRE IS PROVIDING PROPERTY OWNERS MULTIPLE RESOURCES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FEE.

CAL FIRE HAS ESTABLISHED A WEB SITE THAT CONTAINS COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FEE AND HELPFUL LINKS TO MAPS, THE LAW LANGUAGE, AND ANSWERS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.FirePreventionFee.org.

MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA ISSUES DECISION ON LAKE COUNTY DOCTOR IN GROSS NEGLIGENCE CASE (LAW) JH 03/28/14

THE MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA HAS ISSUED A 23 PAGE DECISION REGARDING DR. MILAN HOPKINS OF UPPER LAKE, IN REGARD TO DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS DUE TO ALLEGED GROSS NEGLIGENCE IN HIS PRACTICE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA RECOMMENDATIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, THEY HAVE AN INFORMAL POLICY OF PROSECUTORS IN THE COUNTY TO GIVE NO WEIGHT TO A HOPKINS RECOMMENDATION; A POLICY THAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY. THIS IS DUE TO HOPKINS RECOMMENDATIONS ALWAYS BEING FOR 19 POUNDS AND 99 PLANTS, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY BE CONSIDERED COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES. THE STIPULATED SETTLEMENT FROM THE MEDICAL BOARD INDICATES THAT HOPKINS WILL BE SUBJECT TO FIVE YEARS OF PROBATION WITH VARIOUS TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING PROHIBITION OF SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. THE ORDER BECOMES EFFECTIVE APRIL 11TH.

PETALUMA SLAUGHTERHOUSE TO REOPEN UNDER NEW OWNER (PI)

JH 03/28/14

MARIN SUN FARMS HAS OBTAINED FEDERAL APPROVAL TO TAKE OVER THE RANCHO FEEDING CORP SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN PETALUMA AND PLANS TO REOPEN THE SHUTTERED FACILITY EARLY NEXT MONTH.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONFIRMED WEDNESDAY THAT IT HAS CERTIFIED MARIN SUN TO OPERATE THE PETALUMA PLANT, WHICH CLOSED FEBRUARY 9TH AMID AN INTERNATIONAL RECALL OF ALL BEEF PROCESSED AT THE PLANT IN 2013. THIS WILL ALLOW THE NORTH BAYS ONLY SLAUGHTERHOUSE TO REOPEN UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP WHILE FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE TO EXAMINE ALLEGATIONS THAT RANCHO PROCESSED DISEASED AND UNSOUND ANIMALS. MARIN SUN WILL REOPEN THE PLANT ON APRIL 7TH.

FREE WATER CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS AT MENDO COLLEGE (ED/EVR)

JH 03/28/14

IF YOURE STRUGGLING TO CONSERVE WATER DURING THE CURRENT DROUGHT, OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WAYS TO DO SO, MENDOCINO COLLEGE AND THE MENDOCINO COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT ARE HOLDING A SERIES OF FREE WORKSHOPS THAT ADDRESS WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES FOR RESIDENTIAL USERS.

THE FIRST OF THE WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW, MARCH 29TH FROM 9 AM UNTIL NOON AT THE MENDOCINO COLLEGE LITTLE THEATER, AND WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WATER CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES IN AND AROUND THE HOME, INCLUDING RAINWATER CATCHMENT, GREYWATER SYSTEMS, WATER WISE GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING, AND INDOOR CONSERVATION TACTICS. FUTURE WORKSHOPS, HELD OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WILL COVER EACH OF THESE TOPICS IN DEPTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT WEBSITE AT WWW.MCRCD.ORG.

ROAD WORK ON MONDAY (TR) JH 03/28/14

CAL TRANS WILL BE PERFORMING PAVEMENT STUDIES ON HIGHWAY 101 MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK THAT MAY CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS.

THE STUDIES WILL BE PERFORMED FROM THE SOUTH JUNCTION WITH HIGHWAY 20 TO THE FORSYTH CREEK BRIDGE FROM 7 AM TO 3 PM EACH DAY. TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THIS WORKS MAY CAUSE TRAFFIC DELAYS, AND RESIDENTS WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL THIS ROUTE ARE ADVISED TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION.

News 3/27/14

HERO REMEMBERED AT MEMORIAL (PI) JH 03/27/14

AN ESTIMATED CROWN OF ABOUT TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE FILLED COTTON AUDITORIUM AND AN OVERFLOW AUDITORIUM YESTERDAY MORNING TO HONOR AND REMEMBER MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST WEEK.

THE MEMORIAL LASTED MORE THAN TWO HOURS AS FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COWORKERS CELEBRATED A MAN WHO WAS A DEDICATED LAWMAN, A LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER, AND A CARING FRIEND. SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN SAID OF DEL FIORENTINO, HIS GENTLE SMILE WAS ENOUGH TO CALM CERTAIN SITUATIONS, AND HIS SIZE WAS ENOUGH TO CALM OTHERS. DEL FIORENTINO, A 16-YEAR VETERAN OF THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, ALSO SERVED 10 YEARS WITH THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT. HE LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN, AND ACCORDING TO SHERIFF ALLMAN, HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A HERO.

WOMAN HIT IN PARKING LOT, FELON ARRESTED, BICYCLE STOLEN (LAW) JH 03/27/14

A WOMAN WALKING THROUGH HE PEAR TREE CENTER PARKING LOT MONDAY, WAS HIT BY A CAR, WHICH STARTED A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LED TO THE ARREST OF A WANTED FELON, AND A SECOND ARREST FOR BICYCLE THEFT.

MONDAY EVENING, 26 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS KENT TOW STRUCK A 44 YEAR OLD WOMAN WITH HIS CAR. SHE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. WHILE WRITING A CITATION FOR TOW, WHO WAS DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE, THE OFFICER SAW 30 YEAR OLD JOSE ALBERTO MORA MEJIA WALKING NEAR-BY. KNOWN TO HAVE A FELONY WARRANT, THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT MEJIA, WHO FLED, BUT WAS ULTIMATELY CAUGHT AND ARRESTED IN THE HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT. THE OFFICER RETURNED TO THE ACCIDENT TO FIND THAT THE HUSBAND OF THE VICTIM HAD ARRIVED ON A BICYCLE TO CHECK ON HIS WIFE, AND THAT HIS BICYCLE HAD BEEN STOLEN FROM WHERE HE LEFT IT LEANING AGAINST A BUILDING. A WITNESS PROVIDED A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT, WHO WAS LOCATED AT THE McDONALDS JUST UP THE STREET. 29-YEAR-OLD TOMMY JOEL WHITE OF MAINE ADMITTED THE THEFT AND HE TOO WAS ARRESTED.

WILLITS TO SELL WASTE WATER TO BYPASS CONTRACTORS (GOV)

JH 03/27/14

THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL IS IN NEGOTIATIONS TO SELL TREATED WASTEWATER TO BYPASS CONTRACTORS TO BE USED FOR DUST ABATEMENT, RATHER THAN POTABLE WATER.

THE CITY CURRENTLY PAYS TO GET RID OF TREATED WASTEWATER, BUT THE CONTRACTOR HAS EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN REIMBURSING THE CITY FOR USING THE WATER. THE CITY COUNCIL SEES THIS AS A WIN WIN SITUATION THAT WILL REDUCE THE NEED FOR USE OF PRIVATE WELLS FOR CONSTRUCTION NEEDS. THE RATE PER GALLON IS CURRENTLY BEING NEGOTIATED.

CONGRESSMAN HUFFMAN CHANGES MENDO COUNTY STAFF, PLANS OPEN HOUSE (GOV) JH 03/27/14

CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN HAS ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN HIS MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT STAFF, AND HAS INVITED THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND TWO OPEN HOUSE EVENTS AT HIS FORT BRAGG AND UKIAH OFFICES.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS THE RETIREMENT OF HUFFMANS MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE HEIDI DICKERSON, AS WELL AS OTHER DEPARTING STAFF. AS OF THIS WEEK, HEATHER GUREWITZ HAS BECOME HUFFMANS MENDOCINO COUNTY FIELD REPRESENTATIVE. HUFFMAN WILL ALSO HOLD TWO OPEN HOUSE EVENTS ON MONDAY, MARCH 31ST IN AN EFFORT TO WELCOME THE NEW MENDOCINO TEAM AND THANK THE DEPARTING STAFF FOR YEARS OF SERVICE. THE FIRST EVENT IS FROM 11:30 TO 1 PM IN THE FORT BRAGG OFFICE, AND THE SECOND IS FROM 4:30 TO 6 PM AT THE UKIAH OFFICE.

FAMILY OF FORT BRAGG DODGERS FAN DECRIES DROPPED CHARGES (LAW) JH 03/27/14

THE FAMILY OF JONATHAN DENVER, THE FORT BRAGG MAN STABBED TO DEATH LAST YEAR AFTER A GIANTS-DODGERS BASEBALL GAME IN SAN FRANCISCO, EXPRESSED DISMAY AND OUTRAGE THIS WEEK ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT ATTORNEYS DECISION NOT TO PROSECUTE THE MAN SUSPECTED OF KILLING HIM.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTS, THE SAN FRANCISCO DA ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THAT HE WOULDNT FILE CHARGES AGAINST MICHAEL MONTGOMERY, THE LODI MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING DENVER. HE SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS INADEQUATE EVIDENCE TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT MONTGOMERY WASNT DEFENDING HIMSELF DURING THE INCIDENT. DENVERS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE PLANNING A PROTEST OF THE DAS DECISION WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS IN FORT BRAGG.

CAL TRANS TO RE-STRIPE HIGHWAY 101 THROUGH THE WILLITS BOTTLENECK (TR) JH 03/27/14

DURING THIS WEEKS WILLITS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, CAL TRANS ANNOUNCED ITS PLANS TO RE-STRIPE THE BOTTLENECK ON HIGHWAY 101 AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING.

PROJECTED FOR APRIL, THIS PROJECT WILL REMOVE THE CURRENT MERGE LANE AND INSTEAD HAVE TWO LANES ALL THE WAY FROM THE RAILROAD TRACKS TO HIGHWAY 20. VEHICLES IN THE LEFT TURN LANE WILL BE FORCED TO TURN LEFT AT THE HIGHWAY 20 STOP LIGHT. TRAFFIC MODELING HAS SHOWN THAT THIS WILL REDUCE THE TRAFFIC AT THIS LOCATION. WILLITS MAYOR HOLLY MADRIGAL WROTE IN A PRESS RELEASE, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR JUST MOVE IT FURTHER NORTH.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED AT MENDOCINO COLLEGE NEXT MONTH (ED) JH 03/27/14

MENDOCINO COLLEGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED IT WILL AWARD SIX NEW SCHOLARSHIPS AT A CEREMONY NEXT MONTH.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS RANGE FROM $500 TO $1,250, AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR A VARIETY OF STUDENTS, INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL MAJORS, RETURNING STUDENTS, RE-ENTRY WOMEN, AND MORE. THE NEW SCHOLARSHIPS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. THE FOUNDATION INVITES ANYONE INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO AN EXISTING SCHOLARSHIP OR CREATING A NEW AWARD, TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COLLEGE FOUNDATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CALL 467-1018.

News 3/26/14

NEWS UPDATE

HERO REMEMBERED AT MEMORIAL (PI) JH 03/26/14

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FILLED COTTON AUDITORIUM THIS MORNING TO HONOR AND REMEMBER MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST WEEK.

DEL FIORENTINO, A 16 YEAR VETERAN OF THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, ALSO SERVED 10 YEARS WITH THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE MEMORIAL LASTED MORE THAN TWO HOURS AS FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COWORKERS CELEBRATED A MAN WHO WAS A DEDICATED LAWMAN, A LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER, AND A CARING FRIEND. SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN SAID OF DEL FIORENTINO, HIS GENTLE SMILE WAS ENOUGH TO CALM CERTAIN SITUATIONS, AND HIS SIZE WAS ENOUGH TO CALM OTHERS. DEL FIORENTINO LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN, AND ACCORDING TO SHERIFF ALLMAN, HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A HERO.

News 3/26/14

NEWS UPDATE

HONOR PROCESSION HEADED TO FALLEN DEPUTYS MEMORIAL (PI)

JH 03/26/14

AN HONOR PROCESSION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES LEFT THE FAIRGROUNDS IN UKIAH SHORTLY BEFORE 7 AM THIS MORNING HEADED TO FORT BRAGG FOR THE MEMORIAL OF FALLEN MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO, WHO LOST HIS LIFE LAST WEEK IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN WAS AMONG THE MANY IN ATTENDANCE OF TODAYS SERVICE, WHICH BEGAN AT 10 AM IN COTTON AUDITORIUM IN FORT BRAGG. ILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE MEMORIAL IN THE FIVE OCLOCK NEWS AND AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING.

TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATION TEST TODAY-UPDATED (PI)

JH 03/26/14

THERE WAS A TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATION TEST TODAY IN DEL NORTE, HUMBOLDT AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES.

RADIO AND TV STATIONS WERE INTERRUPTED WITH WARNINGS, NOAA WEATHER RADIOS WERE ACTIVATED, AND MANY COASTAL RESIDENTS HEARD A TEST OF THE OUTDOOR SIRENS. IF YOU EXPERIENCED THE TEST TODAY, YOUR INPUT IS REQUESTED TO HELP EVALUATE IT. TO PARTICIPATE, FOLLOW THE LINKS ONLINE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/EUREKA, OR CALL 707-443-6484.

FIRE TRUCKS IN TRAFFIC COLLISION FOLLOWING MEMORIAL PROCESSION (LAW) JH 03/26/14

A MINOR TRAFFIC COLLISION INVOLVING FIRE TRUCKS OCCURRED THIS MORNING FOLLOWING THE MEMORIAL PROCESSION HEADED TO FORT BRAGG IN HONOR OF FALLEN MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THREE FIRE TRUCKS WERE INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION, THAT LEFT AT LEAST ONE OF THE TRUCKS WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON THE REAR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. ONE PERSON WAS TAKEN THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.

News 3/26/14

THOUSANDS EXPECTED FOR FALLEN DEPUTYS MEMORIAL (PI)

JH 03/26/14

A LARGE CROWD CAME OUT LAST NIGHT FOR A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL, AND THOUSANDS ARE EXPECTED IN FORT BRAGG TODAY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF FALLEN MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO, WHO LOST HIS LIFE LAST WEEK IN A CONFRONTATION WITH VIOLENT SUSPECT ON A MULTI-STATE CRIME SPREE.

GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN IS EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE MANY IN ATTENDANCE OF TODAYS SERVICE, WHICH BEGINS AT 10 AM IN COTTON AUDITORIUM IN FORT BRAGG. AN HONOR PROCESSION PULLED OUT OF UKIAH AT ABOUT 6:45 THIS MORNING, HEADED NORTH THROUGH WILLITS AND THEN EAST ALONG HIGHWAY 20 BEFORE THEY MEET UP WITH MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE GEORGIA PACIFIC MILL SITE IN FORT BRAGG FOR THE FINAL LEG OF THE PROCESSION TO COTTON AUDITORIUM. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPECTED FOR THE SERVICE, THERE WILL BE OVERFLOW SEATING AND LIVE STREAMING OF THE SERVICE FED TO THE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM ADJACENT TO COTTON AUDITORIUM. THE MEMORIAL WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST ON CABLE CHANNELS 3 AND 65 IN THE UKIAH VALLEY AND ON THE INTERNET AT WWW.MENDOCINOACCESS.ORG.

TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATION TEST TODAY (PI) JH 03/26/14

THERE WILL BE A TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATION TEST TODAY IN DEL NORTE, HUMBOLDT AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES.

THERE WILL BE INTERRUPTIONS OF RADIO AND TV STATIONS WITH WARNINGS AND THE ACTIVATION OF NOAA WEATHER RADIOS, AS WELL AS A TEST OF THE OUTDOOR SIRENS. WHEN YOU SEE OR HEAR THE WARNING TEST BETWEEN 10 AM AND NOON, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ACTION, DO NOT CALL 911, AND DO NOT EVACUATE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. IT IS ONLY A TEST. YOUR INPUT IS REQUESTED TO HELP EVALUATE THE TEST. TO PARTICIPATE, FOLLOW THE LINKS ONLINE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/EUREKA, OR CALL 707-443-6484.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INVITE THE PRESIDENT TO VISIT MENDOCINO COUNTY (GOV) JH 03/26/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY THIS WEEK TO SEND A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA INVITING HIM AND HIS FAMILY TO VISIT MENDOCINO COUNTY.

THE INVITATION COMES ON THE HEELS OF THE PRESIDENTS DESIGNATION ON MARCH 11TH OF THE POINT ARENA-STORNETTA LANDS AS A CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT. THE DESIGNATION EXTENDS PROTECTIONS TO APPROXIMATELY 1,665 ACRES OF COASTAL LANDS ON THE SOUTHERN COAST OF MENDOCINO COUNTY. THE INVITATION STEMS FROM THE SIGNING IN THE OVAL OFFICE, WHEN THE PRESIDENT NOTED HIS DESIRE TO ONE DAY VISIT AND EXPERIENCE MENDOCINO COUNTY WITH HIS FAMILY. A COPY OF THE LETTER IS POSTED ON THE K-WINE NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE.

PIPE BOMB FOUND AT UKIAH PARK (LAW) JH 03/26/14

A PIPE BOMB WAS FOUND IN RIVERSIDE PARK IN UKIAH OVER THE WEEKEND.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE BOMB WAS FOUND SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEAR THE RUSSIAN RIVER ALONG ONE OF THE TRAILS IN THE PARK. OFFICIALS INDICATED THAT THE PIPE BOMB, MADE OF PVC, HAD BEEN IN THE WATER FOR SOME TIME, AS IT WAS COVERED IN ALGAE. THE SONOMA COUNTY BOMB SQUAD WAS CALLED AND THEY DETONATED THE DEVICE ON SITE WITH NO INJURIES.

LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL RECEIVES GRANT FOR PIT BULL SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM (PI) JH 03/26/14

THE LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL HAS RECEIVED A GRANT TO HELP FUND THEIR NEWLY ESTABLISHED PIT BULL SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM.

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS, THE PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO ADDRESS THE COUNTYS HIGH PIT BULL EUTHANASIA RATE. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, PIT BULLS HAVE MADE UP 40 PERCENT OF THE DOGS ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL HAS EUTHANIZED. THE SPCA GRANT WAS FOR $10,000 TO HELP PAY FOR THE PROGRAM. COUNTY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PIT BULL SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM ARE URGED TO ACT QUICKLY, AND CALL ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL AT 263-0278.

WILLITS WATER SUPPLY HIGHER THAN NORMAL (EVR) JH 03/26/14

THANKS TO RECENT RAINS, THE WILLITS WATER SUPPLY THAT WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW JUST TWO MONTHS AGO, IS NOW HIGHER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL YEARS.

THE WILLITS NEWS REPORTS, WILLITS RESERVOIRS CONTAIN 1,291 ACRE FEET OF WATER AS OF MONDAY BEFORE THE CURRENT STORM SYSTEM MOVED INTO THE AREA. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO DROP ANOTHER 3 INCHES IN THE REGION THIS WEEK. THE CURRENT STORED WATER REFLECTS 106 PERCENT OF RESERVOIR LEVELS NORMALLY ALLOWED THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE WILLITS CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO LEAVE THE CURRENT 200 GALLONS PER DAY PER HOUSEHOLD RESTRICTIONS AND THE 20 PERCENT CUT FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN PLACE OR TO ADOPT A DIFFERENT EMERGENCY ORDINANCE.

News 3/25/14

MEMORIAL FOR FALLEN DEPUTY (PI) JH 03/25/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT IS PREPARING TO HONOR AND PAY RESPECTS TO ONE OF THEIR OWN, DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO, WHO LOST HIS LIFE LAST WEEK DURING A CONFRONTATION WITH A VIOLENT CRIMINAL WHO IS SUSPECTED OF MURDER, ARSON AND A CAR JACKING IN OREGON, BEFORE ENGAGING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN MENDOCINO COUNTY.

THERE WILL BE A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL TONIGHT AT 8 PM IN FRONT OF THE FORT BRAGG JUSTICE CENTER. THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC MEMORIAL TOMORROW AT 10 IN COTTON AUDITORIUM IN FORT BRAGG. THERE WILL BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCESSION LEAVING UKIAH AT 7 AM TOMORROW. THEY WILL STOP AT THE GEORGIA PACIFIC MILL SITE ON WEST CYPRESS STREET, BEFORE HEADING TO COTTON AUDITORIUM.. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ON EITHER SIDE OF HAROLD STREET FROM FIR STREET SOUTH TO MAPLE STREET FROM 6 AM TO 2 PM DUE TO THE SERVICE. THOSE ATTENDING THE MEMORIAL ARE ASKED TO PARK ALONG THE PROCESSION ROUTE AR AT THE GEORGIA PACIFIC MILL SITE. THERE WILL BE BUSES AVAILABLE TO SHUTTLE ATTENDEES TO AND FROM THE COTTON AUDITORIUM. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND, THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE BROADCAST ON CABLE CHANNELS 3 AND 65 IN THE UKIAH AREA, AND ON THE INTERNET AT WWW.MENDOCINOACCESS.ORG.

TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATION TEST (PI) JH 03/25/14

THERE WILL BE A TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATION TEST TOMORROW IN DEL NORTE, HUMBOLDT AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES.

THERE WILL BE INTERRUPTIONS OF RADIO AND TV STATIONS WITH WARNINGS AND THE ACTIVATION OF NOAA WEATHER RADIOS, AS WELL AS A TEST OF THE OUTDOOR SIRENS. WHEN YOU SEE OR HEAR THE WARNING TEST TOMORROW BETWEEN 10 AM AND NOON, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ACTION, DO NOT CALL 911, AND DO NOT EVACUATE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. IT IS ONLY A TEST. TO HELP EVALUATE THE TEST, PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINKS ONLINE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/EUREKA, OR CALL 707-443-6484.

RRFCD VOTES TO SELL WATER TO REDWOOD VALLEY (GOV/EVR)

JH 03/25/14

THE RUSSIAN RIVER FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT VOTED MONDAY NIGHT TO SELL WATER TO REDWOOD VALLEY COUNTY WATER DISTRICT, WHICH MIGHT HAVE RUN OUT OF WATER IN TWO MONTHS.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT VOTED LAST MONTH NOT TO SELL WATER TO REDWOOD VALLEY, BELIEVING THAT THE SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY WOULD PROVIDE WATER TO THE AREA. SONOMA COUNTY DECLINED AFTER A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE STATE ON MARCH 10, ALLEGING THAT REDWOOD VALLEY PUMPED WATER FROM LAKE MENDOCINO WITHOUT HAVING WATER RIGHTS OR A SIGNED CONTRACT FOR USING THE WATER. AFTER IT APPEARED THAT REDWOOD VALLEY MIGHT RUN OUT OF WATER, THE RUSSIAN RIVER FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT DECIDED TO SELL REDWOOD VALLEY UP TO 355 ACRE FEET THIS YEAR, ENOUGH WATER TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED 80 GALLONS A DAY PER PERSON. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE FOR ADDITIONAL WATER, REDWOOD VALLEY IS WORKING WITH MILLVIEW COUNTY WATER DISTRICT.

CLEARLAKE POLICE HAVE TENTATIVE ID ON BODY FOUND LAST WEEK (LAW) JH 03/25/14

THE CLEARLAKE POLICE HAVE A TENTATIVE IDENTIFICATION ON A MAN FOUND DEAD LAST WEEK, THANKS TO A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE PUBLIC.

POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF SOMEONE LYING IN THE STREET LAST THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH. THE MAN WAS DETERMINED TO BE DECEASED. THE DECEASED MANS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, PENDING THE RESULTS OF A FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS FOR VERIFICATION. CAUSE OF THE MANS DEATH IS PENDING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS URGED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

CLEARLAKE POLICE SEEK KIDNAPPING SUSPECT & RELEASE SKETCH (LAW) JH 03/25/14

CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE SEEKING A SUSPECT IN AN ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING, AND THEY HAVE RELEASED A SKETCH OF THE SUSPECT.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, ON MARCH 9TH, A MAN DRIVING A BLACK PICK-UP TRUCK STOPPED NEAR A FEMALE WALKING ON CRAWFORD AVENUE, AND ASKED IF SHE HAD ANY MONEY. THE SUSPECT THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND GRABBED THE WOMAN BY THE WRIST, ATTEMPTING TO PULL HER TOWARDS HIS TRUCK. THE VICTIM MANAGED TO ESCAPE AND FLED TO THE NEAREST HOME WHERE SHE CALLED POLICE. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE ADULT, APPROXIMATELY 5 FOOT 5 TO 5 FOOT 7 WITH SHORT GRAY HAIR, A CLEAN SHAVEN FACE AND A HEAVY BUILD. THE POLICE SKETCH IS POSTED ON THE K-WINE NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

FIRE LEADS TO HONEY OIL LAB (LAW) JH 03/25/14

THE INVESTIGATION OF A STRUCTURE FIRE IN LOWER LAKE HAS RESULTED IN THE DISCOVERY OF A LARGE SCALE HONEY OIL LAB.

ON MARCH 20TH, AUTHORITIES WERE DISPATCHED TO THE MORGAN VALLEY ROAD RESIDENCE FOR A FIRE AND POSSIBLE HONEY OIL LAB, WITH OUTSTANDING SUBJECTS THAT WERE SEEN FLEEING THE SCENE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM AN AREA NEAR AN OUTBUILDING WHERE ITEMS USED IN THE EXTRACTION PROCESS EXPLODED. DURING A SEARCH, AUTHORITIES LOCATED SEVERAL THOUSAND BURNED BUTANE CANISTERS, AND NEATLY 2000 FULL CANISTERS, WHICH ARE ALSO USED IN THE EXTRACTION PROCESS. ALSO FOUND WAS 237 POUNDS OF POT SHAKE AND APPROXIMATELY 8.1 POUNDS OF HONEY OIL. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE OLD DIESEL ENGINES (EVR)

JH 03/25/14

THE MENDOCINO AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HAS GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE OLDER DIESEL ENGINES WITH NEW- LOWER EMISSION ENGINES, ALTERNATIVE FUEL ENGINES, OR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE AIR RESOURCE BOARD CARL MOYER PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INCENTIVE FUNDING THAT WILL COVER THE INCREMENTAL DIFFERENCE OF THE COST FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A LOW EMISSION ENGINE VERSUS THE COST OF REBUILDING THE OLDER, LESS EFFICIENT ENGINE. APPLICATION FORMA ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT http://www.mendoair.org/CMP.htm OR AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 306 EAST GOBBI STREET IN UKIAH.

Playlist 3/27/14

ALOE BLACC-THE MAN

BASTILLE-POMPEII

JASON DERULO W/2 CHAINZ-TALK DIRTY

JOHN LEGEND-ALL OF ME

LORDE-TEAM

PHARRELL WILLIAMS-HAPPY

(THE) CHAINSMOKERS-#SELFIE

AMERICAN AUTHORS-BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

AUSTIN MAHONE W/PITBULL-MMM YEAH

AVICII-HEY BROTHER

BEYONCE’ W/JAY-Z-DRUNK IN LOVE

CASH CASH W/BEBE REXHA-TAKE ME HOME

DEMI LOVATO-NEON LIGHTS

DJ SNAKE W/LIL JON-TURN DOWN FOR WHAT

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-NOT A BAD THING

KID INK W/CHRIS BROWN-SHOW ME

MARTIN GARRIX-ANIMALS

MKTO-CLASSIC

NAUGHTY BOY W/SAM SMITH-LA LA LA

PARAMORE-AIN’T IT FUN

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

TIESTO-RED LIGHTS

B.O.B. W/PRISCILLA-JOHN DOE

DISCLOSURE W/SAM SMITH-LATCH

EMINEM W/NATE RUESS-HEADLIGHTS

NEON TREES-SLEEPING WITH A FRIEND

NONONO-PUMPIN BLOOD

RIXTON-ME AND MY BROKEN HEART

ZEDD W/MATTHEW KOMA & MIRIAM BRYANT-FIND YOU

CHRISTINA PERRI-HUMAN

HOT CHELLE RAE-DON’T SAY GOODNIGHT

KARMIN-I WANT IT ALL

LITTLE MIX-MOVE

MARIAH CAREY-YOU’RE MINE (ETERNAL)

NEW HOLLOW-SHE AIN’T YOU

PITBULL W/G.R.L.-WILD WILD LOVE

News 3/24/14

VIGIL AND MEMORIAL FOR FALLEN SHERIFFS DEPUTY (PI) JH 03/24/14

THERE WILL BE A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FALLEN MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO WEDNESDAY, PRECEDED BY A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL THE NIGHT BEFORE.

THE CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL WILL BE TUESDAY, MARCH 25TH AT 8 PM IN FRONT OF THE FORT BRAGG JUSTICE CENTER AT 700 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET. THE VIGIL IS OPEN TO ANYONE WISHING TO PAY RESPECT TO DEPUTY DEL FIORENTINO, WHO LOST HIS LIFE LAST WEEK WHILE IN PURSUIT OF AN ARMED SUSPECT. A PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD THE FOLLOWING DAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26TH AT 10 AM IN COTTON AUDITORIUM ON NORTH HAROLD STREET IN FORT BRAGG. A RECEPTION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE FORT BRAGG MIDDLE SCHOOL ADJACENT TO COTTON AUDITORIUM.

MOUNTAIN LION SPOTTED IN WILLITS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD (LAW) JH 03/24/14

WILLITS POLICE OFFICERS ON PATROL THURSDAY EVENING SPOTTED A LARGE MOUNTAIN LION IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE ANIMAL WAS SPOTTED IN THE BACKYARD OF A HOME IN THE MILL CREEK COURT AREA. THE HOMEOWNER WAS NOTIFIED AND CITIZENS ARE ASKED TO BE AWARE OF THE SIGHTING AND KNOW THAT MOUNTAIN LIONS ARE OFTEN ACTIVE AT NIGHT. THEY TEND TO HUNT DEER, BUT HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GO AFTER LIVESTOCK AND SMALL PETS. RESIDENTS ARE CAUTIONED TO KEEP SMALL PETS INSIDE AT NIGHT AND NOT TO APPROACH THE MOUNTAIN LION. IF A SIGHTING OCCURS, RESIDENTS ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT THE SIGHTING TO THE WILLITS POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 459-6122.

STATE ALLOCATES MILLIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS (TR)

JH 03/24/14

CALIFORNIANS WILL BE DRIVING ON SMOOTHER ROADS, SAFER BRIDGES, AND ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF ENHANCED TRANSIT THANKS TO $334 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING ALLOCATED TO 53 PROJECTS INCLUDING OVER $5 MILLION FOR WORK IN MENDOCINO COUNTY.

THE APPROXIMATELY $5.5 MILLION THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO MENDOCINO COUNTY WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A WALL, REINFORCE EMBANKMENT AND ROADWAY DAMAGE BY HEAVY RAINFALL, AND INSTALL NEW METAL BEAM GUARD RAIL ON STATE HIGHWAY 1 NEAR WESTPORT TO THE TEN MILE RIVER BRIDGE.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPS TO DISCUSS FILL MATERIAL FOR WILLITS BYPASS (GOV) JH 03/24/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARD TO A USE PERMIT TO USE 900,000 CUBIC YARDS OF FILL DIRT FROM A MENDOCINO FOREST PRODUCTS MILL SITE FOR USE IN THE WILLITS BYPASS PROJECT.

ACCORDING TO THE MEETING AGENDA, THE MENDOCINO PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE PERMIT. THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THERE WILL BE NO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT WOULD RESULT FROM THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT THAT CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY MITIGATED THROUGH THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL. THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED DURING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING THAT BEGINS TOMORROW AT 9 AM IN THE BOARD CHAMBERS OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER ON LOW GAP ROAD.

MENDOCINO COUNTY RECEIVES MONEY FROM INDIAN GAMING SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION FUND (ECN) JH 03/24/14

MENDOCINO COUNTY ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS BEEN AWARDED OVER $100,000 FROM THE INDIAN GAMING SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION FUND, WHICH WAS FUNDED BY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE HOPLAND BAND OF POMO INDIANS.

STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT LARGE TRIBAL GAMING OPERATIONS SET ASIDE PORTIONS OF THEIR INCOME FROM GAMING TO ASSIST SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IMPACTED BY THE TRIBAL CASINOS MAY THEN APPLY, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE HOPLAND BAND OF POMO INDIANS FOR THE GRANT FUNDING. MENDOCINO COUNTY WAS AWARDED APPROXIMATELY $140,000.

NEW PORTA POTTY AT THE MILL CREEK DAMS (PI) JH 03/24/14

THANKS TO DONATIONS AND HARD WORK FROM THE UKIAH ROD AND GUN CLUB, THERE IS A NEW PORTA POTTY AT THE UPPER DAM ON MILL CREEK ROAD.

THE DAILY JOURNAL REPORTS, LAST YEAR JUST HOURS AFTER A NEW, COUNTY PURCHASED PORTA POTTY WAS INSTALLED, IT WAS DESTROYED BY VANDALS, RUN OVER AND SHOT FULL OF HOLES. THIS TIME EXTRA PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKE. THE ROD AND GUN CLUB PURCHASED A USED UNIT AND SPENT OVER 60 HOURS RECONDITIONING IT AND TRANSPORTING IT TO THE SITE. GRANITE CONSTRUCTION DONATED K-RAIL BARRIERS AND DANIEL STEEL AND MACHINE DONATED THE CRANE AND EXPERTISE TO PLACE THEM. THE PORTA POTTY IS SECURELY ANCHORED TO THE GROUND, AND WILL HOPEFULLY BE LEFT ALONE TO SERVE THOSE WHO FISH AND USE THE AREA AS INTENDED.

News 3/21/14

OREGON MAN WHO SHOT DEPUTY LIKELY DIED OF POLICE GUNFIRE (LAW)

JH 03/21/14

THE OREGON MAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO WEDNESDAY, IS NOW BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED DURING A GUNFIGHT WITH AUTHORITIES, RATHER THAN SUICIDE AS WAS INITIALLY BELIEVED.

A FORT BRAGG POLICE OFFICER WHO EXCHANGED GUNFIRE WITH 32 YEAR OLD RICARDO ANTONIO CHENEY, AFTER RESPONDING TO THE GUNFIRE THAT KILLED DEPUTY DEL FIORENTINO, IS LIKELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUSPECTS DEATH. CONFIRMATION IS PENDING AN AUTOPSY.

WELFARE CHECK RESULTS IN ARMED STANDOFF WITH SWAT (LAW)

JH 03/21/14

A WELFARE CHECK IN MIDDLETOWN TURNED IN TO AN ARMED STANDOFF WITH SWAT THURSDAY.

LAKE COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES REPORTED TO THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT THAT A PATIENTS SON, 49 YEAR OLD WESLEY WAYNE TOLLESON, REFUSED TO ALLOW A WORKER IN THE HOME TO CHECK ON HIS AILING MOTHER. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FIREARMS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE RESIDENCE. WHEN DEPUTIES KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AT THE ARMSTRONG STREET HOME, TOLLESON REFUSED TO OPEN IT, AND TOLD DEPUTIES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BRING SEVERAL MORE DEPUTIES WITH THEM TO GET INTO THE HOME. SO, THEY DID. SWAT WAS CALLED AND AFTER LENGTHY NEGOTIATIONS, TOLLESON SURRENDERED PEACEFULLY, AND TOLLESONS MOTHER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION.

MAN WHO KILLED LOCAL DEPUTY LINKED TO OREGON SHOOTING AND ARSON (LAW) JH 03/21/14

AS MORE INFORMATION IS DEVELOPED ABOUT THE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LED AN OREGON MAN TO KILLING A LOCAL SHERIFFS DEPUTY WEDNESDAY, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SUSPECT SHOT AND KILLED AN ELDERLY MAN AND SET FIRE TO HIS HOME IN EUGENE OREGON IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS THAT SAME DAY.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, 32 YEAR OLD RICARDO ANTONIO CHANEY IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SLAYING OF 79 YEAR OLD GEORGE BUNDY WASSON. LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED, POLICE SAY THAT CHANEY PULLED A GUN ON TWO MEN JUST MILES AWAY FROM THE BLAZE, AND STOLE THEIR CAR. THE SAME CAR CHANEY WAS DRIVING WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED AND KILLED MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY RICKY DEL FIORENTINO. CHANEY IS THE PRIMARY SUSPECT IN THE OREGON MURDER AND FIRE BECAUSE HE APPARENTLY KNEW WASSONS FAMILY.

CITY OF UKIAH TO HIRE LAWYER TO DEFEND COSTCO EIR (GOV)

JH 03/21/14

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL APPROVES HIRING A LAW FIRM TO REPRESENT THE CITYS INTEREST IN THE LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE COSTCO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT.

A GROUP CALLING THEMSELVES, UKIAH CITIZENS FOR SAFETY FIRST, FILED THE SUIT THAT CLAIMS A COSTCO STORE ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD WILL CREATE DANGEROUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON HIGHWAY 101 AND THE EIR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED. THE SUIT ALSO TAKES ISSUE WITH THE REZONING OF THE PARCEL TO BE USED, EVEN THOUGH ALMOST EVERY PARCEL ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD HAS BEEN REZONED TO ACCOMMODATE THE CURRENT BUSINESSES THERE. THOUGH COSTCO HAS AGREED TO DEFEND THE CITY COUNCILS DECISION TO CERTIFY THE EIR AT ITS OWN EXPENSE WITH ITS OWN LAWYERS, THE CITYS ATTORNEY RECOMMENDS HIRING A LAW FIRM THAT HAS EXPERIENCE IN THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF CASE TO PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN THIS LEGAL BATTLE..

MODERATE EARTHQUAKE SHAKES FERNDALE (EVR) JH 03/21/14

A MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKE CENTERED OF THE NORTH COAST IN THE SAME SPOT AS A HALF DOZEN OTHER QUAKES THIS WEEK, SHOOK THE FERNDALE AREA AGAIN THURSDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 10:07 AM 22 MILES SOUTH WEST OF FERNDALE IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN. THE QUAKE REGISTERED A 3.2 MAGNITUDE. SEVERAL SHAKE REPORTS CAME IN FROM THE FERNDALE AND FORTUNA AREA, BUT NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.

OWNER OF PALACE HOTEL INFORMED CITY COUNCIL SHE IS CLOSE TO MEETING CAL OSHA REQUIREMENT (GOV) JH 03/21/14

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WAS TOLD THIS WEEK BY THE OWNER OF THE PALACE HOTEL THAT SHE IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO MEET THE CAL OSHA REQUIREMENTS TO LIFT THE WORK STOPPAGE ORDER PLACED ON THE BUILDING LAST MONTH.

ELADIA LAINES TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT SHE IS EXPECTING SEVERAL BIDS FOR THE OSHA REQUIRED WORK. LAINES SAID SHE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THE BIDS TODAY. A CAL OSHA INSPECTOR TOOK 16 SAMPLES FROM THE BUILDING, TWO OF WHICH TESTED POSITIVE FOR ASBESTOS. ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACTOR, BOTH SAMPLES ARE FROM SECTIONS OF THE BUILDING ALREADY KNOWN TO CONTAIN ASBESTOS, AND THE AREAS WERE COVERED WITH PLASTIC. THE COUNCIL AGAIN DECIDED TO CONTINUE A MOTION TO HAVE THE CITY TAKE OVER ABATEMENT OF THE STRUCTURE. THE COUNCIL WILL AGAIN EVALUATE PROGRESS ON THE PROJECT AT ITS APRIL 16 MEETING.

CONTROLLED BURN GETS LOOSE AND BURNS 3 ACRES IN LAKEPORT (LAW) JH 03/21/14

FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO A CONTROLLED BURN THAT GOT OUT OF HAND THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN THE NORTH LAKEPORT AREA.

THE FIRE, REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3 PM, CHARRED ABOUT THREE ACRES BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO GET THE BLAZE CONTAINED.

LAKE COUNTY SUPERVISORS CONSIDERING DONATING PROPERTY TO CLEARLAKE (GOV) JH 03/21/14

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THIS WEEK DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF DONATING TWO PARCELS OF COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY TO CLEARLAKE FOR THE DAM ROAD EXTENSION PROJECT.

ACCORDING TO THE RECORD BEE, THE PARCELS TO BE DONATED ARE APPROXIMATELY 7 ACRES AND 15 ACRES IN SIZE. THE BOARD HAS ASKED PUBLIC WORKS TO APPRAISE THE PROPERTY AND BEGIN THE DONATION PROCESS. IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED, THE ISSUE WILL BE BROUGHT BACK BEFORE THE BOARD.