News 9/30/14

LAYTONVILLE FIRE TO CUT OUTLYING AMBULANCE (LAW) JB 9/30/14

THE LAYTONVILLE FIRE DISTRICT IS DISCONTINUING AMBULANCE SERVICE TO AREAS OUTSIDE THE FIRE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.

AS OF NOVEMBER 1, THE LAYTONVILLE FIRE DISTRICT WILL NOT BE PROVIDING AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE AREAS BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THE DISTRICT. THE LAYTONVILLE FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT FINANCIAL PROBLEMS ARE PREVENTING THE PROPER FUNDING FOR BOTH THE FIRE DISTRICT AND THE AMBULANCE. THE COST OF MAINTAINING THE AMBULANCE SERVICE IS APPROXIMATELY $250,000 A YEAR, BUT THE AMBULANCE ONLY GENERATES AROUND $100,000 FROM COLLECTING PAYMENTS FROM INSURANCE AND MEDI-CAL AND THE FIRE DISTRICT MUST COVER THE REMAINING AMOUNT.

GOVERNOR SIGNS BALLOT REFORM MEASURE (GOV) JB 9/30/14

GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN SIGNED NEW LEGISLATION TO REFORM THE INITIATIVE PROCESS OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE GOVERNOR JOINED SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DARRELL STEINBERG AND OTHERS TO SIGN SB1253 TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE INITIATIVE PROCESS AND PROVIDE BETTER INFORMATION TO VOTERS ON BALLOT MEASURES. GOVERNOR BROWN STATED THAT THE LEGISLATION WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO MODERNIZE AND STRENGTHEN DIRECT DEMOCRACY. THE MEASURE INTRODUCES A 30-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INITIATIVE PROCESS, ALLOWING PROPONENTS TO AMEND THE INITIATIVE IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INPUT DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD.

CALIFORNIA CROP HARVEST MUCH SMALLER THAN USUAL (AG) JB 9/30/14

CALIFORNIAS CROP HARVEST IS SHAPING UP TO BE MUCH SMALLER THAN USUAL THIS YEAR.

WITH HARVEST TIME ACROSS CALIFORNIA, MANY OF THE STATES ONCE-ROBUST CROPS, FROM THE GRAPES THAT MAKE WORLD-FAMOUS WINES TO POPULAR ALMONDS, ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE SMALLER THAN USUAL THIS YEAR DUE TO THE STATES HISTORIC DROUGHT. THE WATER SHORTAGE HAS ALSO LED TO SHRINKING ORANGE AND PISTACHIO CROPS AS WELL. ECONOMISTS STUDYING THE DROUGHTS EFFECTS SAY THAT THE AGRICULTURE BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA WILL SUFFER A FINANCIAL HIT OF $2.2 BILLION DUE TO REVENUE LOSSES AND HIGHER WATER COSTS THIS YEAR.

CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES MEETING PRAYER (GOV) JB 9/30/14

THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED GUIDELINES FOR INVOCATIONS AT THE START OF THEIR MEETINGS.

THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION ON THURSDAY ALLOWING AN INVOCATION TO BEGIN THEIR MEETINGS. THE LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS THE RULES REGARDING THE INVOCATION, DID CAUSE SOME DEBATE. INVOCATIONS MUST BE SOLEMN AND RESPECTFUL AND CANNOT DISPARAGE OTHER RELIGIONS. EVEN THE TERM INVOCATION RAISED SOME CONCERN, AS THE COUNCIL AVOIDED USING THE TERM PRAYER. AFTER DISCUSSING POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE GUIDELINES, THE COUNCIL AGREED TO KEEP THE RESOLUTION IT WAS PRESENTED, EXCEPT TO CHANGE THE WORD PRAYER TO INVOCATION WHERE NECESSARY.

LAYTONVILLE MAN COULD SPEND DECADES IN PRISON (LAW) JB 9/30/14

A LAYTONVILLE MANS GUILTY PLEA ON MARIJUANA CHARGES IN FEDERAL COURT COULD LAND HIM IN PRISON FOR DECADES.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE, MATTHEW DAVID GRAVES PLEADED GUILTY FRIDAY TO MANUFACTURING AND POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE, CONSPIRACY, AND MONEY LAUNDERING. HE DEPOSITED MONEY GAINED FROM THE SALE OF MARIJUANA INTO THE ACCOUNT OF HIS BUSINESS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY. THE CHARGES TO WHICH HE PLEADED GUILTY EACH CARRY POTENTIAL PRISON TERMS OF BETWEEN 20 TO 40 YEARS. GRAVES IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT ON DECEMBER 17.

CLEARLAKE NEARLY DONE WITH THOMPSON HARBOR (GOV) JB 9/30/14

THE CITY OF CLEARLAKE IS NEARING COMPLETION OF A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT THAT WILL ENHANCE RECREATION AMENITIES IN THE CITY.

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTED THAT THE THOMPSON HARBOR BOAT LAUNCH FACILITY PROJECT IS ENTERING ITS FINAL PHASE. THE REHABILITATION OF THOMPSON HARBOR HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE CAPITAL PROJECT SINCE 2012, WHEN THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS AWARDED THE CITY A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $945,000. THE PROJECTS WAS IDENTIFIED TO ENSURE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE, ENHANCE PARKING LOT AND BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITIES AND IMPROVE THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE PARK.

LAKE COUNTY BOS APPROVES NEW BACKHOE PURCHASE (GOV) JB 9/30/14

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A NEW BACKHOE BY LAKE COUNTY SPECIAL DISTRICTS.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THE $103,000 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE BACKHOE TO REPLACE A NEARLY 30 YEAR OLD BACKHOE THAT IS WORN OUT AND WOULD REQUIRE REPAIRS THAT WOULD COST MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE EQUIPMENT. THE CURRENT BACKHOE SUFFERED MULTIPLE BREAKDOWNS DURING WORK ON THE S. MAIN STREET WATER SYSTEM AND WHILE WORKING ON THE MOUNT HANNAH WELL PROJECT. THE REQUEST FOR A NEW BACKHOE HAD BEEN SUBMITTED IN THE LAST FIVE PRELIMINARY BUDGETS TO THE BOARD.

WATERFOWL SEASONS OPENING SOON IN THE COUNTY (PI) JB 9/30/14

CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL HUNTERS ARE JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM THE OPENING OF THE 2014 SEASON.

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND WATERFOWL HUNTERS THAT WATERFOWL SEASON OPENS ON OCTOBER 18. THIS YEAR, THE ONGOING DROUGHT IS AFFECTING THE WATERFOWL HABIT IN THE OVER TWO DOZEN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES AND STATE WILDLIFE AREAS. SOME AREAS WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AMOUNTS OF WATER AVAILABLE FOR HABITAT MANAGEMENT. THEREFORE, SOME WILDLIFE AREAS AND REFUGES MAY BE CLOSED, MAY OPEN LATER IN THE SEASON OR MAY HAVE A REDUCED HUNTER QUOTA.

Playlist 10/2/14

ARIANA GRANDE W/ZEDD-BREAK FREE

IGGY AZALEA W/RITA ORA-BLACK WIDOW

JEREMIH W/YG-DON’T TELL EM

JESSIE J W/ARIANA GRANDE & NICKI MINAJ-BANG BANG

MEGHAN TRAINOR-ALL ABOUT THAT BASS

TAYLOR SWIFT-SHAKE IT OFF

5 SECONDS OF SUMMER-AMNESIA

CALVIN HARRIS W/JOHN NEWMAN-BLAME

COLDPLAY-A SKY FULL OF STARS

ECHOSMITH-COOL KIDS

ED SHEERAN-DON’T

JASON DERULO-TRUMPETS

KATY PERRY-THIS IS HOW WE DO

MR PROBZ-WAVES

NICK JONAS-JEALOUS

NICKI MINAJ-ANACONDA

PITBULL W/JOHN RYAN-FIREBALL

TINASHE W/SCHOOLBOY Q-2 ON

TOVE LO-HABITS

(THE) 1975-GIRLS

JAKE MILLER-FIRST FLIGHT HOME

KIM CESARION-UNDRESSED

LIL JON W/TYGA-BEND OVA

MARY LAMBERT-SECRETS

MKTO-AMERICAN DREAM

RIXTON-WAIT ON ME

ALESSO W/TOVE LO-HEROES (WE COULD BE)

BEBE REXHA-I CAN’T STOP DRINKING ABOUT YOU

CHILDISH GAMBINO-3005

ELLA HENDERSON-GHOST

FALL OUT BOY-CENTURIES

HILARY DUFF-ALL ABOUT YOU

T.I. W/IGGY AZALEA-NO MEDIOCRE

Playlist 9/25/14

ARIANA GRANDE W/ZEDD-BREAK FREE

CLEAN BANDIT W/JESS GLYNNE-RATHER BE

IGGY AZALEA W/RITA ORA-BLACK WIDOW

MAROON 5-MAPS

MEGHAN TRAINOR-ALL ABOUT THAT BASS

TAYLOR SWIFT-SHAKE IT OFF

5 SECONDS OF SUMMER-AMNESIA

COLDPLAY-A SKY FULL OF STARS

ECHOSMITH-COOL KIDS

ED SHEERAN-DON’T

JEREMIH W/YG-DON’T TELL EM

JESSIE J W/ARIANA GRANDE & NICKI MINAJ-BANG BANG

KATY PERRY-THIS IS HOW WE DO

KIESZA-HIDEAWAY

MR PROBZ-WAVES

NICKI MINAJ-ANACONDA

PITBULL W/JOHN RYAN-FIREBALL

TINASHE W/SCHOOLBOY Q-2 ON

TOVE LO-HABITS

(THE) 1975-GIRLS

CALVIN HARRIS W/JOHN NEWMAN-BLAME

JAKE MILLER-FIRST FLIGHT HOME

JASON DERULO-TRUMPETS

LIL JON W/TYGA-BEND OVA

MKTO-AMERICAN DREAM

NICK JONAS-JEALOUS

ALESSO W/TOVE LO-HEROES (WE COULD BE)

BEBE REXHA-I CAN’T STOP DRINKING ABOUT YOU

CHILDISH GAMBINO-3005

DAVID GUETTA W/SAM MARTIN-LOVERS ON THE SUN

HILARY DUFF-ALL ABOUT YOU

KIM CESARION-UNDRESSED

MARY LAMBERT-SECRETS

RIXTON-WAIT ON ME

News 9/29/14

WILLITS BYPASS PROJECT DELAYED UNTIL 2017 (TR) JB 9/29/17

THE COMPLETION DATE OF THE WILLITS BYPASS PROJECT HAS NOW BEEN PUSHED BACK TO THE SUMMER OF 2017.

CAL TRANS ANNOUNCED THAT THE TROUBLED ROADWAY PROJECT WONT COME TO FRUITION FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS DUE TO A STRING OF DELAYS. THE CURRENT DELAY WAS CAUSED BY A COMBINATION OF A 20-DAY PERMIT SUSPENSION BY THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DURING THIS YEARS MAIN CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AND THE LATE APPROVAL OF A GRADING PERMIT. WORK ON BRINGING IN FILL DIRT HAS STOPPED TO ALLOW THE CONTRACTOR TO INSTALL STORM WATER PROTECTION REMEDIES. SOME OF THE WORK PREVIOUSLY PLANNED FOR MAY 2015 WILL LIKELY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL EARLY 2016 FOR COMPLETION.

MCSO INVESTIGATING SUSPICIOUS DEATH IN COVELO (LAW) JB 9/29/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A SUSPICIOUS DEATH IN COVELO.

THE BODY OF A MAN WAS DISCOVERED BY HUNTERS IN THE AREA OF INDIAN DICK ROAD IN COVELO OVER THE WEEKEND. SHERIFFS DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN CONDUCTING A SUSPICIOUS DEATH INVESTIGATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ROUND VALLEY TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE BODY WAS IDENTIFIED AS 52-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL LEON PINA OF COVELO AND A FORENSIC AUTOPSY IS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH.

LAKEPORT POLICE NOW USING BODY CAMERAS (LAW) JB 9/29/14

BODY CAMERAS ARE NOW BEING DEPLOYED BY ALL LAKEPORT POLICE OFFICERS.

THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A NEW TOOL AT THEIR DISPOSAL, IN THE FORM OF BODY WORN CAMERAS ON ALL THEIR OFFICERS TO CAPTURE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF OFFICERS CONDUCTING THEIR WORK. THE USE OF THE BODY CAMERAS IS INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT BY ACCURATELY CAPTURING CONTACTS BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC. THE CAMERAS WILL BE PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL IN THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE OFFICERS ARE BEING THREATENED, PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED, OR WHERE PERSONS ARE RESISTING ARREST.

NWS PREDICTS LOW RAINFALL FOR COUNTY (EVR) JB 9/29/14

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS SAYS THE OUTLOOK FOR RAIN IN THE COUNTY ISNT LOOKING GOOD.

DESPITE A FEW WET DAYS LAST WEEK, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS PREDICTING BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL IN MENDOCINO COUNTY FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. LAST WEEKS STORMS BROUGHT 2 INCHES OF RAIN TO WILLITS AND ABOUT ¾ OF AN INCH OF RAIN TO UKIAH BUT THEY DID LITTLE TO QUELL THE CURRENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS. FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTS A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BRINGING THE RETURN OF DRY AIR AND WARMER TEMPERATURES.

AB60 GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2015. (TR, PI) JB 9/29/14

MENDOCINO COUNTY IMMIGRANTS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO GET A DRIVERS LICENSE UNDER NEW ASSEMBLY BILL LEGISLATION.

GOV JERRY BROWN SIGNED AB60 INTO LAW IN OCTOBER 2013, WHICH ALLOWS ANY IMMIGRANT CALIFORNIA RESIDENT TO OBTAIN A DRIVERS LICENSE REGARDLESS OF LEGAL STATUS. UNDER THE NEW LAW THAT GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, THE DMV WILL BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE AN ORIGINAL LICENSE TO AN APPLICANT EVEN IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF LEGAL RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES. EXISTING CALIFORNIA LAW PROHIBITS THE DMV FROM ISSUING A LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD TO A PERSON WHO CANNOT PROVE U.S.LEGALITY.

COUNTY PROPERTY TAX APPEAL PERIOD UNDER WAY (GOV) JB 9/29/14

MENDOCINO COUNTYS ANNUAL PERIOD TO APPEAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS IS NOW UNDER WAY.

ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, MENDOCINO COUNTY TAXPAYERS WHO DISAGREE WITH THE COUNTY ASSESSORS EVALUATION OF THEIR PROPERTY CAN SUBMIT A PROPERTY TAX BILL APPEAL FROM NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 1. THE APPEAL IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO TAXPAYERS WHO ARE CHALLENGING THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY AS OF JANUARY 1. LOCAL AGENCIES ARE INSTRUCTED BY THE BOE ON HOW TO HANDLE TAX APPEALS TO MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER FOR TAXPAYERS. THOSE WHO WISH TO APPEAL THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY SHOULD FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR CHANGED ASSESSMENT WITH THE COUNTY CLERK.

LAKE COUNTY BOS APPROVE BIO-SOLIDS SYSTEM (GOV/EVR) JB 9/29/14

THE SOUTHEAST REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN CLEARLAKE WILL SOON BE RECEIVING A NEW BIO-SOLIDS REMOVAL SYSTEM.

THE RECORD BEE REPORTED THAT THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH ABSOLUTE AERATION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW $350,000 SYSTEM. THE REMOVAL OF BIO-SOLIDS IS PART OF THE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS AND THE NEW SYSTEM WILL ALSO REDUCE ODORS AND CONTROL ALGAE, AS WELL AS MINIMIZE THE USE OF CHEMICALS AND ENERGY, WHICH REDUCES ANNUAL OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. THE SOUTHEAST TREATMENT PLANT SERVES APPROXIMATELY 17,500 PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

ROAD WORK PROJECT IN LAKEPORT (TR) JB 9/29/14

THERE IS A ROADWORK PROJECT IN LAKEPORT THAT DRIVERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF.

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT N. HIGH STREET BETWEEN CLEAR LAKE AVENUE AND 14TH STREET WILL BE CLOSED THIS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE DOING TREE WORK IN THE AREA FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON BOTH DAYS IN PREPARATION FOR THE ONCOMING FALL AND WINTER SEASONS. DRIVERS ARE ASKED TO PLEASE USE CAUTION IN THE AREA AND DETOUR ROUTES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE.

News 9/26/14

FORMER FT BRAGG POLICE CHIEF HAS NEW JOB (LAW) JB 9/26/14

FORMER FORT BRAGG POLICE CHIEF SCOTT MAYBERRY STARTS A NEW JOB NEXT WEEK.

MAYBERRY, WHO ABRUPTLY RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION AS CHIEF OF THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH, WILL BEGIN WORKING AS AN INVESTIGATOR FOR THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE ON MONDAY. HE SERVED AS FT BRAGGS POLICE CHIEF FOR 3 ½ YEARS AND HAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER SPANNING MORE THAN 33 YEARS. MAYBERRYS HIRING BRINGS THE NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIVE STAFF TO SIX AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE.

NAPA WOMAN HIT BE VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 20 (LAW) JB 9/26/14

A WOMAN WALKING ALONG HIGHWAY 20 SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

23 YEAR OLD LAUREL JOHNSON WAS WALKING ALONG HIGHWAY 20 WEST OF HOWARD AVENUE IN NICE AROUND 7:40 WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. JOHNSON, WHO WAS WEARING A CAMOUFLAGE DRESS, WAS WALKING EASTBOUND WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK BY A 2006 CHEVROLET DRIVEN BY 78-YEAR-OLD GERALD STAHR. JOHNSON SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT, INCLUDING HEAD TRAUMA AND LACERATIONS AND SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

UKIAH CITY COUNCIL BALKS AT TRUCK PURCHASE (GOV) JB 9/26/14

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL CHANGED ITS MIND ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW WATER TRUCK.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT THE UKIAH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AGREED TO RE-EXAMINE THE NEED FOR A $104,000 WATER TRUCK AFTER COUNCIL MEMBER DOUG CRANE QUESTIONED THE PURCHASE AT THE COUNCILS LAST MEETING. CRANE POINTED OUT THAT PRICE OF THE WATER TRUCK WAS 58 PERCENT ABOVE WHAT WAS BUDGETED, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A PRETTY BIG MISS. CRANE SAID THE WHOLE PURCHASE MAY BE UNNECESSARY, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE TRUCK IN QUESTION IS CONSIDERED A POLLUTER AND CANT BE USED FOR MORE THAN 150 HOURS A YEAR.

PRIZE OFFERED FOR BEST UKIAH SAFETY IDEA (PI) JB 9/26/14

LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE BEING CHALLENGED TO SUBMIT THEIR IDEAS ABOUT MAKING UKIAH A SAFER PLACE.

DICK SELZER, OWNER OF SELZER REALTY WORLD, BELIEVES THAT LOCAL CITIZENS PROBABLY HAVE SOME PRETTY GOOD IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THE CITY A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK. WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH POLICE CHIEF CHRIS DEWEY, SELZER SAID HIS COMPANY IS OFFERING A $750 PRIZE TO THE PERSON WITH THE BEST PLAN TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. SELZER IS INTERESTED IN STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE REALISTICALLY ACHIEVED, STATING THAT PRACTICAL IDEAS WITH A HIGH CHANCE OF SUCCESS AND IMPLEMENTATION ARE WHAT HES LOOKING FOR.

DOMESTIC ARGUMENT LEADS TO MAN BEING TASED (LAW) JB 9/26/14

A REPORT OF A DOMESTIC ARGUMENT LED TO THE ARREST OF A MAN ON DRUG CHARGES AND FOR VIOLATING PAROLE.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN ADDRESS ON WAUGH LANE LAST WEEK TO THE REPORT OF A DOMESTIC ARGUMENT. OFFICERS LOCATED 31 YEAR OLD JESUS ANTHONY HERRERA ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND TRIED TO CONTACT HIM. HERERRA FLED ON FOOT WITH OFFICERS IN FOOT PURSUIT AND WHO CAUGHT UP WITH HIM AS HE TRIED JUMPING A FENCE. HE WAS BROUGHT TO THE GROUND, BUT GOT UP AND TOOK A FIGHTING STANCE AGAINST OFFICERS. OFFICERS HAD TO USE A TASER TO SUBDUE HERERRA AND A SEARCH FOUND HIM IN POSSESSION OF METH AND HE WAS ARRESTED FOR DRUG POSSESSION AND VIOLATING PAROLE.

SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED AT YOUTH ACTION PARTY (LAW) JB 9/26/14

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED DURING A YOUTH-ORIENTED EVENT FOR BEING A PAROLED SEX OFFENDER.

UKIAH POLICE RESPONDED TO ALEX THOMAS PLAZA DURING THE YOUTH ACTION PARTY TO THE REPORT OF A SEX OFFENDER BEING PRESENT DURING THE EVENT. OFFICERS CONTACTED 29 YEAR OLD LAMAR OTIS MANUEL IN THE PLAZA AND CONFIRMED HE WAS ON PAROLE AS A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER AND PROHIBITED FROM BEING THE SAME LOCATION AS CHILDREN. THE YOUTH ACTION PARTY WAS A CIVIC EVENT WITH NUMEROUS CHILDREN PRESENT AND MANUEL WAS ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THE CONDITIONS OF HIS PAROLE.

LAKE COUNTY BOS RESPOND TO GRAND JURY REPORT (GOV) JB 9/26/14

RESPONSES TO THE LAKE COUNTY GRAND JURY ANNUAL REPORT WERE SUBMITTED BY THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THIS WEEK.

THE RECORD BEE REPORTED THAT THE REPORT SUMMARIZES THE GRAND JURYS INVESTIGATIONS AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AS WELL AS OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION AND STUDY. THE LAKE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER NOTED THAT A LOT OF ISSUES THE GRAND JURY ADDRESSES ARE COMPLEX, SO SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE ARE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS. HE STATED THAT INCREASING STAFFING, SALARY AND BENEFITS IS ONE SUCH RECOMMENDATION THAT CANNOT BE CHANGED ON A WHIM WITHOUT FINANCIAL RUIN.

VOLUNTEERS REMOVE 8700 LBS OF CLEAR LAKE TRASH (EVR) JB 9/26/14

THANKS TO A RECORD NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS, LAKE COUNTY HAD A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION IN THE STATEWIDE COASTAL CLEANUP.

LAKE COUNTY VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL STATEWIDE COASTAL CLEANUP PROJECT REMOVED MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TRASH FROM LOCAL WATERWAYS AS IT DID LAST YEAR. 55 VOLUNTEERS REMOVED 8,700 POUNDS OF TRASH AND RECYCLABLES FROM 14 MILES OF CREEK AND LAKESIDE DURING THE CLEANUP LAST WEEKEND. 90 TIRES AND HUNDREDS OF YARDS OF FISHING LINE WERE ONLY A FEW OF THE ITEMS COLLECTED FROM LOCAL WATERWAYS. IN COMPARISON, LAST YEARS EVENT ONLY HAD ABOUT THREE DOZEN VOLUNTEERS WHO REMOVED 1,680 POUNDS OF DEBRIS.

News 9/25/14

WAL-MART DOG OWNER CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENCE (LAW) JB 9/25/14

THE OWNER OF A DOG THAT DIED IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT IN UKIAH HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENCE.

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE REPORTED THAT THE OWNER OF A DOG THAT HUNG ITSELF ON ITS LEASH WHEN LEFT IN THE BED OF A PICKUP TRUCK WILL BE CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR. THE CASE WAS REVIEWED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE NO INTENTION ON THE PART OF THE OWNER TO HARM THE ANIMAL, HOWEVER HE DID DECIDE TO CHARGE HIM WITH MISDEMEANOR ANIMAL NEGLECT FOR KEEPING AN ANIMAL WITHOUT PROPER CARE. NO HEARING HAS BEEN SET IN THE MATTER, BUT THE CHARGE HAS BEEN DECIDED ON AND WILL BE FILED.

SHERIFF DISCUSSES HOME INVASIONS AT MEETING (LAW) JB 9/25/14

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF THE RECENT HOME INVASION ROBBERIES AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY.

SHERIFF ALLMAN SPOKE TO A CROWD OF OVER 125 PEOPLE AT THE PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY NIGHT AND PROVIDED UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROBBERIES. THE SHERIFF STATED THAT THE MCSO HAS SPENT AT LEAST 800 HOURS INVESTIGATING THE INVASION ROBBERIES, INCLUDING TRAVELING OUT OF THE COUNTY TO FOLLOW LEADS. MULTIPLE SEARCH WARRANTS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED AND EXECUTED AND THE MCSO WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH ARRESTS ONCE THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED. EXTRA PATROLS IN THE AREA HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT NEW INCIDENTS FROM TAKING PLACE.

UKIAHS HOT TAX DOLLARS UP 35 PERCENT (ECN) JB 9/25/14

MORE PEOPLE STAYING IN UKIAH HOTELS HAS LED TO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BED TAX REVENUES FOR THE CITY.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT UKIAH EXPERIENCED THE BIGGEST MONTH ON RECORD IN REGARDS TO THE INCREASE OF REVENUE GAINED FROM BED TAXES. OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX, BED TAXES ARE COLLECTED FROM PEOPLE STAYING AT HOTELS AND INNS, THEN A PORTION OF THE MONEY IS USED TO PROMOTE TOURISM THROUGH THE VISIT UKIAH PROGRAM. WHILE T.O.T. REVENUE IS UP ACROSS CALIFORNIA BY 8 PERCENT, UKIAHS T.O.T. REVENUES ARE UP BY 35 PERCENT, OVER $50,000 COMPARED TO JULY LAST YEAR, SIGNIFICANTLY OUTPACING THE REST OF THE STATE.

AVERAGE VOTER TURNOUT IN LAKE COUNTY EXPECTED (GOV) JB 9/25/14

BASED ON PREVIOUS GENERAL ELECTIONS, THE TURNOUT OF LAKE COUNTYS REGISTERED VOTERS SHOULD BEAT THE STATE AVERAGE BY A LARGE MARGIN.

A 65 PERCENT TURNOUT OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS IN LAKE COUNTY IS EXPECTED FOR NOVEMBERS GENERAL ELECTION, DESPITE A TREND OF LOW TURNOUTS ACROSS THE STATE. CALIFORNIA LED THE NATION WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUTS IN THE DISTANT PAST BUT THE LAST DECADE HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN VOTER TURNOUTS. LAST JUNE, THE STATE SET A RECORD LOW WITH ONLY 18 PERCENT OF REGISTERED VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS DURING THE PRIMARIES. LAKE COUNTY HAD A 46 PERCENT TURNOUT OF VOTERS DURING THOSE SAME JUNE PRIMARIES.

SHERIFF DISAGREES WITH COUNSEL SALARY INCREASE (LAW) JB 9/25/14

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN HAS DISAGREED WITH A REPORTED SALARY INCREASE FOR ACTING COUNTY COUNSEL DOUG LOSAK.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT SHERIFF ALLMAN VOICED HIS DISPLEASURE DURING PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF REPORTS THE BOARD RECOMMENDED AN INCREASE OF LOSAKS SALARY DURING A CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAYS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING. IF THE SALARY RECOMMENDATION IS UPHELD, LOSAKS NEW ANNUAL SALARY OF $143,291 WOULD BE ABOVE MANY OF THE TOP COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS, WHILE MOST COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS OF PAY CUTS. THE BOARD WILL REVISIT THE RECOMMENDATION ON OCTOBER 7 TO MAKE THEIR FINAL DECISION ON THE MATTER.

LAKEPORT FIRE DEBUTS NEW WILDLAND FIRE ENGINE (LAW) JB 9/25/14

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A DECADE, THE LAKEPORT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT HAS ADDED A NEW FIRE ENGINE TO ITS FLEET.

THE DISTRICT TOOK DELIVERY OF THE TYPE THREE ENGINE USED PRIMARILY FOR FIRES IN WILDLAND AREAS OVER THE WEEKEND. FUNDING FOR THE NEW ENGINE CAME IN THE FORM OF AN ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OF NEARLY $297,000. THE GRANT AMOUNT NOT ONLY COVERS THE COST OF THE NEW ENGINE BUT ALSO THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO OUTFIT IT, ESTIMATED AT $26,000. WITH THE INCREASE IN WILDLAND FIRES THIS YEAR, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICTS ONLY TYPE THREE ENGINE WILL BE A WELCOME ADDITION.

CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PRAYER POLICY (GOV) JB 9/25/14

THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK WILL DISCUSS A RESOLUTION ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYERS AT THE START OF MEETINGS.

THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY AGREED LAST MONTH TO PROCEED WITH CREATING A MECHANISM TO ALLOW FOR OPENING COUNCIL MEETINGS WITH PRAYER. THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION NOTES THAT THE CHANCE TO LEAD THE PRAYERS WILL BE VOLUNTARILY ON A ROTATING BASIS BY A MEMBER OF THE CLERGY OR CITY RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND THAT NO ONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE RESOLUTION FOR ESTABLISHING POLICY ON THE PRAYER AT ITS MEETING THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

LAKE CO LIBRARY TO OFFER VISITOR INFORMATION (GOV/PI) JB 9/25/14

STARTING IN OCTOBER, THE LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY WILL BEGIN OFFERING VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES.

IN A DEAL TO SAVE THE LIBRARY FROM DIPPING INTO ITS RESERVE FUNDS TO MAINTAIN ITS HOURS, THE NEW SERVICES AT THE LIBRARY WILL INCLUDE ANSWERING THE TOLL FREE INFORMATION PHONE LISTED ON LAKECOUNTY.COM, RESPONDING TO EMAILS REQUESTING INFORMATION AND MAILING THE LAKE COUNTY DESTINATIONS MAGAZINE. BY OFFERING THE VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES, $53,000 FROM THE COUNTY GENERAL FUND CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE LIBRARY FUND, ELIMINATING THE NEED TO USE LIBRARY RESERVE FUNDS OR REDUCE OPERATING HOURS.

News 9/24/14

ESCAPED INMATE FOUND IN UKIAH (LAW) JB 9/24/14

A MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL INMATE WHO ESCAPED LAST WEEK WAS APPREHENDED IN UKIAH ON MONDAY.

56-YEAR-OLD BRETT HARLAN FAILED TO REPORT BACK TO THE JAIL AFTER BEING GRANTED A 4 HOUR RELEASE PASS TO VISIT IS DYING MOTHER. HARLAN, WHO WAS IN JAIL ON NUMEROUS FELONY CHARGES, HAD TOLD FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HAD NO INTENTION OF RETURNING TO JAIL. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING HARLAN WALKING ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS NEAR EAST GOBBI STREET ON MONDAY EVENING AND POLICE APPREHENDED THE ESCAPEE. HIS BAIL NOW STANDS AT $175,000 AFTER AN ADDITIONAL $50,000 WAS ADDED ON FOR THE ESCAPE.

PROTEST BLOCKS TRUCKS AT WILLITS BYPASS SITE (TR/EVR) JB 9/25/14

A GROUP OF PROTESTERS BLOCKED TRUCKS FROM ENTERING THE WILLITS BYPASS CONSTRUCTION SITE YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE PROTEST BEGAN ABOUT 8:30 TUESDAY MORNING AS DEMONSTRATORS BLOCKED ACCESS TO TRUCKS ENTERING THE NORTHERN WILLITS BYPASS CONSTRUCTION SITE. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, THE PROTEST WAS ORGANIZED BY REDWOOD NATION EARTH FIRST, THE BAY AREA COALITION TO SAVE HEADWATERS, AND THE COALITION TO SAVE LITTLE LAKE VALLEY. THE PROJECT HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY DELAYED BY PROTESTS AS ENVIRONMENTALISTS HOPE TO CONVINCE CALTRANS TO REDUCE THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT IN ORDER TO PRESERVE WETLANDS IN THE VALLEY.

CAL FIRE REMINDER BURN PERMITS ARE SUSPENDED (LAW) JB 9/24/14

CAL FIRE WANTS TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ALL OUTDOOR BURNING PERMITS ARE STILL SUSPENDED.

WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF RAIN COMING, CAL FIRE WANTS TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ALL RESIDENTIAL AND OUTDOOR PERMITS ARE STILL SUSPENDED AND WILL REMAIN SO UNTIL FORMALLY CANCELLED. ALTHOUGH THE CHANGE IN WEATHER IS WELCOME, IT WILL DO LITTLE TO EASE THE CURRENT HAZARDOUS FUEL CONDITIONS. THAT WOULD REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT WET STORMS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. ALTHOUGH ALL FIRES CANNOT BE PREVENTED THROUGH A BURNING SUSPENSION, THEIR NUMBERS CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.

UKIAH LOCAL JOINS POLICE FORCE (LAW) JB 9/24/14

A UKIAH NATIVE IS THE LATEST ADDITION OFFICER TO JOIN THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

25 YEAR OLD UKIAH NATIVE, JOSH COOPER, HAS NOW OFFICIALLY JOINED THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT. FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, COOPER HAS WORKED AS A CORRECTIONS OFFICER AT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL. HE SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATED THE POLICE ACADEMY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND THEN BEGAN ON-THE-JOB TRAINING WITH UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HE COMPLETED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. UPD CHIEF CHRIS DEWEY STATED THAT HE STILL TRYING TO FILL ALL 32 OFFICER POSITIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT, WITH ONLY 25 AVAILABLE OFFICERS CURRENTLY ON THE FORCE.

JURY FINDS YORK GUILTY ON 5 OF 6 COUNTS (LAW) JB 9/24/14

A JURY HAS FOUND A LAKE COUNTY MAN GUILTY ON FIVE OF SIX COUNTS AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY STRUCK A POLICE OFFICER WITH HIS CAR NEARLY A YEAR AGO.

DANIEL YORK WAS FACING CHARGES RANGING FROM ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON TO ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A PEACE OFFICER STEMMING FROM INCIDENT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013. YORK FORCIBLY BACKED INTO A POLICE OFFICER WITH HIS TRUCK, PINNING HIM AGAINST ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE JURY FOUND YORK GUILTY ON FIVE OF THE SIX CHARGES BUT COULD NOT REACH A VERDICT ON THE CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER, LEADING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO DISMISS THE CHARGE. YORKS SENTENCING HEARING IS SET FOR OCTOBER 20.

COAST GUARD HELICOPTER FLIGHT DISRUPTED BY LASER (LAW) JB 9/24/14

A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER FLYING OVER ARCATA WAS TARGETED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A LASER LAST WEEK.

THE MH-65D DOLPHIN HELICOPTER CREW WAS RETURNING FROM AN OPERATION WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE LASER SHINED DIRECTLY IN THE EYES OF BOTH PILOTS AND APPEARED TO COME FROM JANES ROAD AT UPPER BAY ROAD IN ARCATA. IT IS A FEDERAL CRIME, AS WELL AS A VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA STATE LAW TO AIM A LASER POINTER AT AN AIRCRAFT. IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS CAUGHT PURPOSEFULLY LASING AN AIRCRAFT, CALIFORNIA LAW STATES THE PERSON CAN BE FINED UP TO $2,0000 AND SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS IN JAIL. FEDERAL LAW ALLOWS FOR IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO 5 YEARS.

NO CYANOTOXINS IN CLEAR LAKE DRINKING WATER (EVR) JB 9/24/14

WATER TESTING IN CLEAR LAKE HAS DETERMINED THAT NO CYANOTOXINS ARE PRESENT IN THE COUNTYS DRINKING WATER.

AFTER A SUMMER OF GOOD WATER QUALITY, ALGAE BLOOMS WERE OBSERVED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN CLEAR LAKE AND RECENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT TASTE AND ODOR OF DRINKING WATER RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY. CURRENTLY, TESTING FOR CYANOTOXINS IS NOT REQUIRED BY REGULATIONS. THE LAKE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER STATED THAT ALL FOUR DRINKING WATER SOURCES WERE TESTED, INCLUDING THE CITY OF LAKEPORT, HIGHLANDS WATER COMPANY, CLEARLAKE OAKS WATER COMPANY, AND THE KONOCTI COUNTY WATER DISTRICT AND THE TOXINS MEASURED NON-DETECTABLE IN FINISHED WATER.

COUNTY REPLACES LOW GAP FITNESS COURSE EQUIPMENT (PI) JB 9/24/14

THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO IS ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO VISIT LOW GAP PARK AND ENJOY THE NEWLY RENOVATED FITNESS COURSE.

THE COUNTY RECENTLY REPLACED ALL THE FITNESS COURSE EQUIPMENT AT THE LOW GAP REGIONAL PARK. IT WAS DECLARED UNSAFE BY THE COUNTYS SAFETY OFFICER IN 2013 AND THE GENERAL SERVICES AGENCY PURSUED REPLACEMENT OPTIONS THROUGH THE COUNTYS INSURANCE PROGRAM. COUNTY STAFF, WITH HELP FROM THE CHAMBERLIN CREEK CONSERVATION CAMP, INSTALLED THE 20 STATION FIT-TRAIL COURSE, UPDATED AND REPLACED SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE PARK, AND PERFORMED TRAIL MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE TRAILS ARE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

News 9/23/14

FT BRAGG MAN BEATEN, SHOES STOLEN (LAW) JB 9/23/14

TWO FT BRAGG MEN WERE ARRESTED LAST WEEK FOR ALLEGEDLY BEATING ANOTHER MAN AND STEALING HIS SHOES.

FT BRAGG POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE CORNER OF CHESTNUT AND SOUTH LINCOLN STREETS LAST WEEK AND FOUND A MALE VICTIM WHO CLAIMED HE HAD BEEN BEATEN BY TWO OTHER MEN AND THAT HIS SHOES AND OTHER ITEMS HAD BEEN STOLEN. THE VICTIM HAD OBVIOUS INJURIES AND HAD EVEN LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DURING THE ASSAULT. HE IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECTS AS 23-YEAR-OLD CODY FURLINE AND 22 YEAR OLD MICHAEL MILLER, BOTH OF FT BRAGG. A SEARCH OF THE AREA BY POLICE FOUND THE TWO SUSPECTS HIDING BEHIND A FENCE AND THE VICTIMS SHOES WERE FOUND IN MILLERS BACKPACK. BOTH MEN WERE ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

FIREFIGHTERS FULLY CONTAIN NELSON FIRE (LAW) JB 9/23/14

THE FIRE THAT STARTED LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON SOUTH OF UKIAH HAS BEEN FULLY CONTAINED BY FIRE CREWS.

THE NELSON FIRE WAS FIRST REPORTED JUST AFTER 4 PM ON SUNDAY ON NELSON RANCH ROAD BETWEEN UKIAH AND HOPLAND. FIRE CREWS FROM HOPLAND, POTTER VALLEY, REDWOOD VALLEY, UKIAH, AND CAL FIRE ALL RESPONDED TO BLAZE THAT BURNED A TOTAL OF 62 ACRES BEFORE BEING FULLY CONTAINED. CAL FIRE STATED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND THAT NO STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

REDUCED LAKE MENDOCINO WATER RELEASE HELPING (EVR) JB 9/23/14

A CHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF WATER BEING RELEASED FROM LAKE MENDOCINO IS HELPING WATER SUPPLIERS HOLD BACK PRECIOUS RESERVES.

AN OFFICIAL WITH THE MENDOCINO COUNTY RUSSIAN RIVER FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT STATED THAT THE NEW PROTOCOL COULD PREVENT AS MUCH AS 5,000 ACRE FEET OF WATER, ONE-SIXTH OF LAKE MENDOCINOS CURRENT SUPPLY, FROM BEING RELEASED INTO THE RUSSIAN RIVER BY THE END OF NOVEMBER. LAKE MENDOCINO HAS A TOTAL WATER SUPPLY CAPACITY OF APPROXIMATELY 120,000 ACRE FEET OF WATER HOWEVER, DUE TO THE DROUGHT AND HIGHER RELEASES EARLIER IN THE YEAR, THE LAKE HAS DROPPED TO JUST OVER 26,000 ACRE FEET, LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF ITS CAPACITY.

UUSD ASKED TO CUT BACK ON WATERING (EVR/ED) JB 9/23/14

AFTER RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINT, THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN ASKED TO CUT BACK ON ITS WATER USE.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CONTACTED THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER A RESIDENT TOOK PICTURES OF THE SPRINKLERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL RUNNING DURING THE DAY AND EXCESS WATER FLOWING INTO THE GUTTERS. THE CITYS STAGE 1 WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE STATES THAT SPRINKLERS CANNOT BE USED BE USED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, AND CANNOT RUN MORE THAN ONCE A DAY. THE SCHOOL HAS SINCE CHANGED Its WATER SCHEDULE OF THE NEWLY LAID SOD ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD TO COMPLY WITH THE CITY ORDINANCE.

BOGUS CHECK ARREST IN UKIAH (LAW) JB 9/23/14

A REPORT OF A BOGUS CHECK LEADS TO THE ARREST OF A WOMAN IN UKIAH LAST WEEK.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE SAVINGS BANK ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD FOR THE PASSING OF A FRAUDULENT CHECK. OFFICERS LEARNED THAT 26 YEAR OLD TIFFANY AMBROSIA MOODY HAD TRIED TO CASH A CHECK WRITTEN ON THE ACCOUNT OF A DECEASED PERSON. MOODY TOLD POLICE SHE WAS GIVEN THE CHECK AS PAYMENT FOR TRIMMING MARIJUANA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE CHECK HAD BEEN STOLEN DURING A RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY SEVERAL DAYS EARLIER AND MOODY WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING BURGLARY AND FORGERY.

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO LARGE POT BUST (LAW) JB 9/23/14

A WINDSOR MAN WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK WITH OVER 14 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA PACKAGED FOR SALE.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP OF A VEHICLE ON SOUTH ORCHARD STREET LAST WEEK AND OFFICERS COULD SMELL MARIJUANA UPON APPROACHING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, 29 YEAR OLD NATHAN SCOTT KIRK TOLD POLICE HE WAS CURRENTLY ON BAIL FOR CHARGES IN SONOMA COUNTY. KIRK WAS FOUND TO HAVE TWO FELONY WARRANTS FOR HIS ARREST AND, DURING A SEARCH OF HIS VEHICLE, OFFICERS DISCOVERED OVER 14 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA PACKAGED FOR SALE AND OVER $2,500 IN CASH. KIRK WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

FIRE NEAR THE LAKE COUNTY WASTE SOLUTIONS DUMP (LAW) JB 9/23/14

A FIRE BROKE OUT AT THE LAKE COUNTY WASTE SOLUTIONS TRANSFER STATION IN LAKEPORT LAST NIGHT.

THE FIRE AT THE WASTE AND RECYCLING FACILITY ON SODA BAY ROAD WAS FIRST REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9 PM YESTERDAY. A WITNESS CALLED 911 QUICKLY AFTER SPOTTING THE FIRE GLOWING IN THE BUILDING AND HEARING SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS FROM THE FIRE. RESPONDERS FROM LAKEPORT, KELSEYVILLE, NORTHSHORE, AND UPPER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ALL RESPONDED AND THEY WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE TO JUST THE INITIAL BUILDING. INVESTIGATORS STATED THAT ONLY A LARGE PILE OF GARBAGE IN THE BUILDING WAS BURNED WITH NO DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT OR THE BUILDING ITSELF.

LAKE COUNTY NEEDS POLL WORKERS FOR ELECTIONS (GOV) JB 9/23/14

LAKE COUNTY IS EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF POLL WORKERS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS COMING IN NOVEMBER.

THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS IN LAKE COUNTY STATED THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF POLL WORKERS IN SOME AREAS OF LAKE COUNTY, WITH A DESPERATE NEED FOR POLL WORKERS IN THE MIDDLETOWN AND HIDDEN VALLEY AREAS. THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS IS TRYING TO BUILD A PERMANENT GROUP OF POLLING OFFICIALS AND INVITES ANYONE INTERESTED TO APPLY. POLL WORKERS ARE ASKED TO ATTEND A SPECIAL CLASS FOR ELECTION OFFICERS PRIOR TO EACH ELECTION AND WORKERS ARE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR TIME. ANY ONE INTERESTED IS ASKED TO CALL 263-2372 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

News 9/22/14

FATHER AND SON ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING COP (LAW) JB 9/22/14

A FATHER AND SON WERE ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER IN LAKEPORT EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.

LAKEPORT POLICE WERE CONDUCTING A BAR CHECK AROUND 12:15 YESTERDAY MORNING WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. 24 YEAR OLD ROMAN ROSE, WHO APPEARED INTOXICATED, ALLEGEDLY GRABBED THE BACK OF ONE OFFICERS DUTY BELT AND THREATENED THE OFFICER. AFTER A BACKUP OFFICER ARRIVED, THE ARGUMENT ESCALATED AND ROSE HAD TO BE TASED TO CONTROL HIM. DURING THE ARREST, 51 YEAR OLD MICHAEL ROSE, IDENTIFIED AS ROMANS FATHER, GRABBED ONE OF THE OFFICERS BY THE NECK. AFTER GAINING CONTROL OF THE MEN, BOTH ROMAN AND MICHAEL ROSE WERE ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES.

PALACE HOTEL WORK PROGRESSING IN SOME AREAS (GOV) JB 9/22/14

WORK ON THE PALACE HOTEL IS SHOWING SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SOME AREAS, BUT NOT IN OTHERS.

THE OWNER OF THE PALACE HOTEL RECENTLY TOURED THE BUILDING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MENDOCINO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND THE CONTRACTOR SHE HIRED TO REMOVE REMAINING ASBESTOS IN THE BUILDING. ALTHOUGH A REVISED WORK PLAN WAS SUBMITTED BY THE OWNER, IT WAS SUBMITTED A WEEK LATER THAN EXPECTED AND BUILDING AND ENCROACHMENT PERMITS STILL HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED. PROOF OF THE CREATION OF AN ESCROW ACCOUNT TO PAY THE CONTRACTORS HAS ALSO NOT BEEN RECEIVED BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CAMPING ORDINANCE CHANGE (GOV) JB 9/22/14

AN INCREASE IN THE PENALTIES FOR CAMPING AND PANHANDLING IN THE CITY HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN ITS MEETING LAST WEEK THAT ORDINANCES WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO CHANGE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THE CITYS CAMPING AND PANHANDLING LAWS. CHIEF DEWEY RECOMMENDED THAT FIRST OFFENSE INFRACTIONS NOW BE TRACKED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE. SECOND OFFENSES WOULD NOW BE DEEMED AS MISDEMEANORS. THE COUNCIL APPROVED INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW ORDINANCES IN A UNANIMOUS VOTE, WITH STEVE SCALAMINI ABSTAINING, AND THE CHANGES WILL BE BROUGHT BACK FOR ADOPTION ON OCTOBER 1.

NEW CAL LAW ALLOWS DOGS ON RESTAURANT PATIOS (GOV) JB 9/22/14

A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW WILL ALLOW DOG OWNERS TO HAVE THEIR PETS ACCOMPANY THEM TO RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS.

ASSEMBLY BILL 1965, SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOV JERRY BROWN, GIVES RESTAURANTS THE OPTION TO ALLOW PET DOGS IN THEIR OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS. THE NEW LAW DOES NOT MANDATE THAT RESTAURANTS ALLOW DOGS ON THEIR PATIOS, BUT IT MAKES THE PRACTICE PERMISSIBLE IF BASIC HEALTH STANDARDS ARE FOLLOWED. UNLESS A LOCAL ORDINANCE DETERMINES OTHERWISE, RESTAURANTS COULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ALLOW DOGS WITHOUT THE THREAT OF A CITATION OR LAWSUIT.

COURT DENIES 60-DAY DELAY IN MEASURE N LAWSUIT (LAW) JB 9/22/14

A SAN FRANCISCO FEDERAL COURT HAS DENIED A DELAY REQUEST BY DEFENDANTS IN THE MEASURE N LAWSUIT.

THE REQUEST BY DEFENDANTS FOR A 60-DAY DELAY OF THE HEARING FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST LAKE COUNTY OFFICIALS IN THE CURRENT MEASURE N LAWSUIT WAS DENIED LAST WEEK. THE LAWSUIT SEEKS FUTURE PROTECTION FROM LAKE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CONDUCTING SEARCH AND SEIZURE UNDER MEASURE N, AS WELL DAMAGES FOR THE PLAINTIFFS ALREADY SUBJECT TO THE RAIDS. THE FEDERAL COURT WILL HOLD THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING ON OCTOBER 6.

MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SEVEN COUNTS (LAW) JB 9/22/14

A MAN ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTING TO EVADE ARREST BY CLEARLAKE POLICE, PLED NOT GUILTY TO SEVEN DIFFERENT COUNTS LAST WEEK.

27-YEAR-OLD DANIEL EUGENE REAGAN WAS ARRESTED ON SEPTEMBER 4 AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING EVADE POLICE BY CLIMBING ONTO A CLEARLAKE RESIDENTS CARPORT, ONLY TO FALL THROUGH IT. REAGAN HAD OUTSTANDING WARRANTS IN SEVERAL COUNTIES AND WAS KNOWN TO POLICE. HE HAS PLED NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGES STEMMING FROM THE ARREST, INCLUDING VANDALISM, RESISTING, AND POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 29.

FIRE OF VACANT HOME ON MAIN STREET IN WILLITS (LAW) JB 9/22/14

A FIRE IN WILLITS COMPLETELY DESTROYED A VACANT HOME LAST WEEK.

THE LITTLE LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BROOKTRAILS FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND CAL FIRE RESPONDED TO THE BLAZE JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT THURSDAY MORNING. THE VACANT HOME, LOCATED ON SOUTH MAIN STREET, WAS FULLY ENGULFED WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AND, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE REMOTE LOCATION OF THE HOME BEHIND SEVERAL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WAS LIKELY THE REASON THEY DIDNT RECEIVE A CALL EARLIER. THE BACK OF THE HOUSE WAS WITHIN 100 FEET OF THE BAECHTEL CREEK GREENBELT BUT FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE TO JUST THE STRUCTURE.

LARGE TURNOUT FOR UKIAH CREEK CLEANUP EFFORT (EVR) JB 9/22/14

THE HUGE TURNOUT OF VOLUNTEERS FOR A PLANNED CLEANUP OF ORR CREEK ON SATURDAY NEARLY DOUBLED EXPECTATIONS BY ORGANIZERS.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT SO MANY VOLUNTEERS SHOWED UP TO HELP CLEAN OUT ORR CREEK ON SATURDAY MORNING THAT, COME LUNCH TIME, ORGANIZERS OF THE WORK DAY WERE SCRAMBLING TO FEED THEM. MORE THAN 70 PEOPLE VOLUNTEERED TO HELP REMOVE TRASH FROM HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CREEK, NEARLY DOUBLE THE AVERAGE 40 PERSON TURNOUT. VOLUNTEERS REMOVED APPROXIMATELY 300 POUNDS OF TRASH AND 75 POUNDS OF RECYCLABLES IN THE CLEANUP EFFORT.

News 9/19/14

APPLE VALLEY MAN KILLS BROTHER IN ARGUMENT (LAW) JB 9/19/14

A VERBAL DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO APPLE VALLEY BROTHERS ESCALATED INTO MURDER YESTERDAY.

28 YEAR OLD CARL FRAGALE, HIS BROTHER 23 YEAR OLD ANTHONY, THEIR FATHER AND A FRIEND WERE WORKING ON A 120 PLANT MARIJUANA GROW NEAR PIERCY. AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN THE BROTHERS OVER CARLS DISRESPECT OF THEIR FATHER WENT FROM VERBAL TO PHYSICAL QUICKLY AND ENDED WHEN ANTHONY ALLEGEDLY SHOT CARL WITH A HANDGUN. CARL WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT JAROD PHELPS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED THERE BY FAMILY MEMBERS AND ANTHONY WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MURDER WITH HIS BAIL SET A $500,000.

MCSO ASKS PUBLICS HELP TO FIND ESCAPED INMATE (LAW) JB 9/19/14

AN INMATE WHO WAS ALLOWED TO VISIT A SICK RELATIVE FAILED TO RETURN TO JAIL AND IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A MANHUNT.

56-YEAR-OLD BRETT EDWARD HARLAN WAS GRANTED A TEMPORARY FOUR HOUR RELEASE PASS SO HE COULD VISIT A SICK RELATIVE. HE NEVER REPORTED BACK TO THE JAIL AND IS NOW CONSIDERED AN ESCAPED INMATE. FAMILY MEMBERS TOLD DEPUTIES THAT HE INFORMED THEM HE HAD NO INTENTIONS OF GOING BACK TO JAIL. HARLAN IS DESCRIBED AS 6, 220 POUNDS, WITH A TATTOO OF SHIRLEY ACROSS HIS CHEST. HE ALSO HAS A PROSTHETIC RIGHT LEG. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HIS WHEREABOUTS SHOULD CALL THE SHERIFFS OFFICE AT 463-4086.

MAN CAUSES DISTURBANCE AT UKIAH SCHOOL (LAW) JB 9/19/14

DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A LOCAL UKIAH SCHOOL TUESDAY WHEN IT WAS REPORTED THAT A MAN WAS CAUSING A DISTURBANCE.

SHERIFFS DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO THE UKIAH JUNIOR ACADEMY ON STIPP LANE AROUND 12:45 ON TUESDAY WHEN IT WAS REPORTED THAT A MAN CLAIMING TO BE A FORMER STUDENT WAS CAUSING A DISTURBANCE AND THREATENING PEOPLE AT THE SCHOOL. DEPUTIES DETERMINED THAT THE MAN, WHO HAD LEFT BEFORE THEY GOT THERE, WAS NOT A FORMER STUDENT AND HAD NOT THREATENED ANYONE. THE MAN WAS LOCATED ALONG HIGHWAY 253 AND DETERMINED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS, LIKELY TO BE BATH SALTS. HE WAS ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

SHERIFFS OFFICE TO HOLD MEETING NEXT TUESDAY (LAW) JB 9/19/14

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS RECENT EVENTS IN THE COUNTY.

THE MAIN TOPICS OF THE PUBLIC FORUM WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS ON THE RECENT HOME INVASION ROBBERIES AND THE BLACK FIRE EVACUATIONS THAT HAVE AFFECTED THE REDWOOD VALLEY COMMUNITY. THE MEETING WILL BE MODERATED BY MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFFS OFFICE COMMAND STAFF WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, FROM 6:30-8:30PM AT THE EAGLE PEAK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN REDWOOD VALLEY.

HEAD ON WRECK INJURES TWO, INCLUDING DEPUTY (LAW) JB 9/19/14

TWO PEOPLE, INCLUDING AN ON-DUTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY, WERE INJURED IN A HEAD ON CRASH ON HIGHWAY 20 YESTERDAY.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST AFTER 10:30 YESTERDAY MORNING ON HIGHWAY 20 JUST WEST OF BRUNER DRIVE NEAR LUCERNE. THE SHERIFFS PATROL VEHICLE AND A HONDA ACCORD SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE IN THE CRASH AND TEMPORARILY BLOCKED THE HIGHWAY. BOTH THE DEPUTY AND THE DRIVER OF THE HONDA SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES IN THE CRASH WERE TRANSPORTED TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

KING FIRE ARSON SUSPECT ARRESTED (LAW) JB 9/19/14

A POLLOCK PINES MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF ARSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE KING FIRE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

CAL FIRE AND U.S. FOREST SERVICE OFFICERS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH EL DORADO COUNTY DEPUTIES, ARRESTED 37 YEAR OLD WAYNE ALLEN HUNTSMAN FOR ARSON ON WEDNESDAY. HUNTSMAN IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE STARTED THE KING FIRE LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THE BLAZE HAS NOW BURNED NEARLY 71,000 ACRES AND FORCED THE EVACUATION OF NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE. CLOSE TO 3,700 FIREFIGHTERS ARE CURRENTLY BATTLING THE KING FIRE AND GOV. JERRY BROWN HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN EL DORADO COUNTY.

FT BRAGG, G-P SETTLE LAWSUIT AFTER TWO YEARS (GOV) JB 9/19/14

THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG AND GEORGIA-PACIFIC HAVE AGREED TO SETTLE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT.

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, GEORGIA-PACIFIC ALLEGED THAT THE CITY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A PORTION OF THE CLEAN-UP COSTS FOR GEORGIA-PACIFICS FORMER TIMBER MILL PROPERTY IN FORT BRAGG. UNDER THE SETTLEMENT TERMS, EACH PARTY AGREED TO DISMISS ITS CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER AND BEAR ITS OWN FEES AND COSTS. LAST MONTH OFFICE MAX, THE MAJOR DEFENDANT IN THE LAWSUIT AND THE SUCCESSOR TO BOISE CASCADE WHO FORMERLY OWNED THE MILL SITE, REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH GEORGIA PACIFIC BELIEVED TO BE IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

RETIRED FIREFIGHTER RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL (GOV) JB 9/19/14

RETIRED UKIAH FIREFIGHTER MARK HILLIKER IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SERVE AS HE RUNS FOR A SEAT ON THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL.

67 YEAR OLD HILLIKER IS AN ARMY VETERAN WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM AND ALSO WORKED WITH THE UKIAH FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS. HE HAS STATED THAT HE IS NOT TOO PLEASED WITH HOW THINGS ARE GOING AND THINKS THE CITY NEEDS A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND HE WANTS A VOICE IN THAT. HILLIKER THINKS THE CITY IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF PROVIDING UTILITIES AND OTHER BASIC SERVICES BUT THINKS MUCH MORE ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED ON TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT. HILLIKER WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER WITH PHIL BALDWIN, JIM O. BROWN, KEVIN DOBLE, JOHN JOHNS, CHRISTIAN LUIZ, MIRANDA MOTT, AND MAUREEN MULHEREN.