News 2/27/15

UKIAH HOSPITAL EXPANSION PLANS APPROVED (PI) JB 2/27/15

PLANS FOR EXPANSION AT UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PERMITS REQUESTED BY UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER TO MOVE ITS EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND HELICOPTER LANDING SITE. THE PLANS CALL FOR THE RELOCATION OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND INTENSIVE CARE UNIT FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL TO A NEW FACILITY AT THE REAR OF THE BUILDING TO SEPARATE IT FROM THE FLOW OF THE MAIN BUILDING. THE HELIPAD WOULD BE MOVED TO THE ROOF OF THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED EXPANSION. AFTER RECEIVING UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE PROJECT WILL NOW GO BEFORE THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL FOR REVIEW.

PROWLER ARRESTED UP A TREE IN UKIAH (LAW) JB 2/27/15

A UKIAH MAN FOUND HIGH UP IN A TREE AT A RESIDENCE WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF PROWLING.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN ADDRESS ON LORRAINE STREET JUST AFTER 10 AM ON SATURDAY AFTER A CALLER REPORTED SEEING A MAN HIGH UP IN A TREE, POSSIBLY PEERING INTO THE WINDOW OF A RESIDENCE. THE MAN, IDENTIFIED AS 38-YEAR-OLD DAVID CHAVEZ-RUIZ WAS DETAINED BY THE CALLER ONCE HE CLIMBED DOWN FROM HIS PERCH IN THE TREE. OFFICERS DETERMINED THAT CHAVEZ-RUIZ COULD HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO PEER INTO A NEIGHBORING WINDOW AND HE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. CHAVEZ-RUIZ WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES ON A NO-BAIL STATUS.

FIRE DESTROYS FORT BRAGG MOBILE HOME (LAW) JB 2/27/15

A FIRE AT A MOBILE HOME IN FORT BRAGG ON SUNDAY DESTROYED THE RESIDENCE IN MINUTES.

FORT BRAGG VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL RESPONDED TO THE REPORTED FIRE AT A RESIDENCE IN THE TRAILER COVE MOBILE HOME PARK JUST AFTER 1:30 PM ON SUNDAY. ALTHOUGH FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO ACT QUICKLY, THE WIND-FUELED BLAZE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE MOBILE IN MERE MINUTES. THE TWO RESIDENTS OF THE HOME AND THEIR DOG WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE FIRE UNINJURED. WITNESSES ON SCENE REPORTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED OUTSIDE THE TRAILER AND, ALTHOUGH THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ACCIDENT, AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BLAZE IS UNDERWAY.

GOOD NEWS FOR NORTH COAST SALMON FISHERIES (EVR) JB 2/27/15

THE UPCOMING COMMERCIAL AND SPORT SALMON FISHING SEASONS ARE SHAPING UP TO EVEN MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN LAST YEAR.

IN A RECENT REPORT, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE HAS ISSUED AN ABUNDANCE FORECAST OF OVER 650,000 ADULT KING SALMON IN THE WATERS OFF THE NORTH COAST. BASED ON NUMBERS FROM LAST YEARS COMMERCIAL AND SPORT CATCHES AND EXPIRED FISH FOUND IN SPAWNING AREAS, THIS YEARS FORECAST REPRESENTS ABOUT AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE OF THE NUMBER OF FISH IN THE WATER FOR THIS YEAR. ACCORDING TO THE GOLDEN GATE SALMON ASSOCIATION, OVER 420,000 CHINOOK SALMON ARE ESTIMATED TO BE OFFSHORE OF THE KLAMATH RIVER REGION, PUSHING THE TOTAL TO OVER A MILLION TOTAL SALMON OFF THE WEST COAST.

APPLICANTS NEEDED FOR MENDOCINO GRAND JURY (GOV) JB 2/27/15

THE APPLICATION PROCESS HAS BEGUN FOR MEMBERS OF THE 2015-16 MENDOCINO COUNTY GRAND JURY.

THE 19 SELECTED MENDOCINO COUNTY RESIDENTS OF THE GRAND JURY WILL SERVE FOR ONE YEAR, TASKED WITH INVESTIGATING THE OPERATIONS OF CITY AND DISTRICT GOVERNMENTS. THE GRAND JURY PROVIDES CIVIL OVERSIGHT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, ALSO RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS BY CITIZENS. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE GRAND JURY, PROSPECTIVE JURORS MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD, A RESIDENT OF MENDOCINO COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR AND MAY NOT SERVE ON ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BOARD OR COMMISSION DURING THEIR TERM. APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED UNTIL MAY 8 AND CAN BE OBTAINED IN PERSON AT THE SUPERIOR COURT IN UKIAH.

MAN THROWS FOOD AT UKIAH POLICE OFFICER (LAW) JB 2/27/15

AN AGGRAVATED UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER THROWING FOOD AT A POLICE OFFICER.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO ALEX THOMAS PLAZA AROUND 10 AM ON SATURDAY TO A REPORT OF A MALE SUBJECT SWINGING A CHAIN NEAR CHILDREN. UPON ARRIVING, OFFICERS CONTACTED 55 YEAR OLD PABLO BENITEZ MORA, WHO WAS EATING FOOD IN THE PARK. AS OFFICERS WERE TALKING WITH MORA TO DETERMINE WHAT HAD OCCURRED, MORA SUDDENLY BECAME AGGRAVATED AND THREW HIS PLATE OF FOOD AT THE OFFICERS, HITTING ON OF THEM IN THE LEG. MORA, WHO WAS ON PROBATION, BEGAN WALKING AWAY AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

COASTAL ANGLERS REWARDED FOR RETURNING TAGS (EVR) JB 2/27/15

ANGLERS ON THE NORTH COAST COULD BE REWARDED THIS YEAR FOR RETURNING FISH TAGS TO THE CDFW.

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WILL BE OFFERING REWARDS OF BETWEEN $10-50 FOR THE RETURN OF CERTAIN TAGS FROM SALMON ANDS STEELHEAD CAUGHT ON THE NORTH COAST. THE CDFW TAGGED MORE THAN 4,500 FISH THIS SEASON, WITH 3,000 OF THOSE TAGS ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD. THE CDFW USES INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE RETURNED TAGS OF CHINOOK, COHO AND STEELHEAD IN THE TRINITY RIVER SYSTEM TO HELP BIOLOGISTS ESTIMATE POPULATION AND HARVEST SIZES. MORE INFORMATION ON RETURNING TAGS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT WWW.DFG.CA.GOV.

LAKEPORT WOMENS CIVIC CLUB OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS (ED) JB 2/27/15

THE LAKEPORT WOMENS CIVIC CLUB HAS ANNOUNCED THE AVAILABILITY OF TWO EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN LAKE COUNTY.

TWO $1,000 VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING MADE AVAILABLE BY THE LAKEPORT WOMENS CIVIC CLUB TO QUALIFYING STUDENTS. QUALIFYING APPLICANTS MUST BE A RESIDENT OF LAKE COUNTY AND CURRENTLY ENROLLED AS A FULL-TIME STUDENT WITH A 2.75 GPA IN ALL COURSE WORK ATTEMPTED. APPLICANTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, WITH ONE PREFERABLY FROM AN EMPLOYER. ALL HIGH SCHOOLS IN LAKE COUNTY, AS WELL AS MENDOCINO AND YUBA COLLEGES, HAVE APPLICATIONS ON HAND AND MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

News 2/26/15

IRS SCAM HITS FORT BRAGG AGAIN (LAW) JB 2/26/15

A FLOOD OF PHONY SCAM PHONE CALLS PRETENDING TO BE IRS AGENTS WERE RECEIVED BY RESIDENTS IN FORT BRAGG YESTERDAY.

THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 20 REPORTS YESTERDAY REGARDING A TELEPHONE SCAM. RESIDENTS REPORTED RECEIVING TELEPHONE CALLS FROM SCAMMERS CLAIMING TO BE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND HAVE EVEN ALTERED THEIR CALLER ID TO APPEAR TO BE FROM THE IRS. USING FAKE NAMES AND BOGUS IRS IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, THE SCAMMERS ATTEMPTED TO SHOCK THE VICTIMS INTO SENDING THEM MONEY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE IRS WILL NEVER CALL TO DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF A BILL, NOR WILL THEY THREATEN ARREST FOR NON-PAYMENT.

BODY OF 2 WEEK OLD BABY FOUND IN YOLO COUNTY (LAW) JB 2/26/15

FOLLOWING A MISSING PERSONS SEARCH BY AUTHORITIES, THE BODY OF A WEEKS-OLD BABY WAS FOUND IN YOLO COUNTY.

SEARCHERS FROM MARIN AND YOLO COUNTIES AND THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES LOCATED WHAT IS PRESUMED TO BE THE BODY OF MISSING INFANT JUSTICE REES ON WEDNESDAY. THE SEARCH FOR REES HAD BEEN FOCUSED AROUND THE SMALL TOWN OF KNIGHTS LANDING ALONG THE SACRAMENTO RIVER AFTER THEY WERE INFORMED THE 2-WEEK-OLD BOY HADNT BEEN SEEN SINCE MONDAY. THE BABYS 23-YEAR-OLD MOTHER, WHO WAS ALSO CONSIDERED MISSING FOR A TIME, TURNED UP ON A LEVEE ROAD IN KNIGHTS LANDING LOOKING DISTRAUGHT AND DISHEVELED ON TUESDAY. THE CAUSE OF THE BOYS DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ANDERSON VALLEY MIGRANT WORKERS UNPAID (EMP) JB 2/26/15

59 MIGRANT WORKERS IN ANDERSON VALLEY ARE DUE MORE THAN $163,000 FROM A CONTRACTOR WHO FAILED TO PAY THEM DURING LAST FALLS GRAPE HARVEST.

MANUEL QUEZADA, A CONTRACTOR FROM ORLAND, MUST NOW PAY NEARLY $100,000 IN BACK WAGES OWED UNDER THE MIGRANT AND SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROTECTION ACT, AND OVER $63,000 IN BACK WAGES AND DAMAGES DUE UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT. THE 59 WORKERS REPORTEDLY WENT UNPAID FOR THREE WEEKS WHILE WORKING AT THE ROEDERER ESTATE IN PHILO AND, AS A RESULT OF QUEZADAS VIOLATIONS, ROEDERER HAS AGREED TO SIGN AN ENHANCED COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT REQUIRING STRINGENT REVIEWS OF ITS FARM LABOR CONTRACTORS PRACTICES.

HILL ROAD CLEANUP BEGINS IN LAKE COUNTY (EVR) JB 2/26/15

CLEANUP EFFORTS ON A PORTION OF HILL ROAD EAST IN LAKE COUNTY HAVE BEGUN WITH THE REMOVAL OF TONS OF WATER-LOGGED SOIL.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS, A LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ROAD CREW HAS BEGUN CLEARING TONS OF DAMP SOIL THAT COVERED A PORTION OF HILL ROAD EAST NEAR THE LAKESIDE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION. THE SUBDIVISION HAS BEEN PLAGUED FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS BY A LANDSLIDE THAT HAS DESTROYED SEVERAL HOMES. THE PLAN IS TWO REMOVE ENOUGH OF THE ESTIMATED 25,000 YARDS OF SOIL TO INSTALL A GABION WALL COMPRISED OF LARGE METAL BASKETS FILLED WITH STONES THAT ALLOW WATER TO PASS THROUGH THEM, IN TURN DRYING OUT THE SOIL IN THE SLIDE AREA. THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS PURSUING A GRANT TO COVER A MAJORITY OF THE $225,000 COST OF THE WALL INSTALLATION.

CALIFORNIA LOWERS GAS EXCISE TAX BY 6 CENTS (ECN) JB 2/26/15

STATE AND LOCAL GASOLINE PRICES CONTINUE TO CLIMB DESPITE A DECREASE IN THE FUEL EXCISE TAX BY THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FUEL TAX SWAP LAW, THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION SAID IT VOTED TO LOWER THE GAS EXCISE TAX BY 6 CENTS TO 30 CENTS PER GALLON FOR THE 2015-16 FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING ON JULY 1. CALIFORNIANS PAY TWO DIFFERENT STATE TAXES AT THE PUMP; A SALES TAX AND A PER GALLON EXCISE TAX. EVEN WITH THE EXCISE TAX DECREASE, CALIFORNIA REMAINS ONE OF THE TOP STATES IN THE COUNTRY ON IMPOSED GAS TAX RATES. THE REPORTED AVERAGE PRICE FOR REGULAR UNLEADED GAS IN UKIAH ON WEDNESDAY WAS $2.83 PER GALLON.

DODD INTRODUCES LOW-INCOME WATER RATE BILL (GOV) JB 2/26/15

A NEW BILL TO LOWER WATER RATES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLYMAN BILL DODD.

AB401, CO-AUTHORED BY DODD AND SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE, CALLS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR A STATEWIDE LOW-INCOME WATER RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. DODDS OFFICE REPORTED THAT SINCE 2006, WATER RATES IN SOME AREAS HAVE JUMPED OVER 300 PERCENT. CURRENT CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANIES TO PROVIDE REDUCED RATES FOR LOW-INCOME SUBSCRIBERS, HOWEVER THERE IS CURRENTLY NO REQUIREMENT FOR WATER COMPANIES TO DISCOUNT THEIR RATES FOR ANYONE, REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVEL.

WESTERN STORMS TO BRING RAIN AND SNOW (EVR) JB 2/26/15

A SERIES OF STORMS IS PREDICTED TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED RAIN AND SNOW TO THE WEST THIS WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

ACCORDING TO ACCUWEATHER, THE SYSTEM LATE THIS WEEK AND INTO THIS WEEKEND WILL NOT BRING HEAVY PRECIPITATION, BUT RAIN AND SNOW WILL BE WIDESPREAD OVER THE WEST. THE FIRST STORM SHOULD SPREAD COASTAL RAIN AND SNOW IN THE MOUNTAIN AREAS BEGINNING THURSDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY. MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE SIERRA NEVADA AND CASCADE REGIONS OVER THE WEEKEND. WHILE THE TOTAL PRECIPITATION LEVELS FROM THE COMING STORMS WONT MATCH THE LAST FEW STORMS EXPERIENCED IN THE AREA, ANY RAIN AND SNOW IS BENEFICIAL FOR WATER LEVELS GOING INTO ANOTHER PROBABLE DROUGHT YEAR.

SUPERVISOR STEELE TO HOST FIRST TOWN HALL (GOV) JB 2/26/15

THE FIRST COMMUNITY TOWN HALL HOSTED BY NEW THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JIM STEELE IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.

THE TOWN HALL IN UPPER LAKE NEXT WEEK WILL GIVE STEELE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS SEVERAL TOPICS INCLUDING THE PROPOSED APRIL CLOSING OF WESTAMERICAS UPPER LAKE BRANCH AND THE PUBLICS EFFORTS TO CONVINCE THE BANK TO CHANGE ITS MIND ABOUT THE CLOSURE. STEELE WILL ALSO DISCUSS SEVERAL COUNTY PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE COVERED BIKE BRIDGE, THE SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOLS PROJECT, AND THE TIMELINE FOR REPAVING HIGHWAY 20. THE TOWN HALL IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 AT 6PM AT THE ODD FELLOWS HALL IN UPPER LAKE.

News 2/24/15

UKIAH PLANS TO BUILD TWO NEW WELLS (GOV/EVR) JB 2/24/15

PLANS TO BUILD TWO NEW WELLS IN UKIAH HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL THIS MONTH APPROVED MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS TO BUILD TWO NEW WELLS, ONE OF THEM TO BE A REPLACEMENT FOR THE CITYS OLDEST WELL. THE CITYS PUBLICS WORKS DIRECTOR HAS HOPES FOR CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER ON WELL #9, PLANNED FOR AN AREA NEAR BRUSH STREET AND THE REPLACEMENT FOR WELL #4, THE CITYS OLDEST WELL ON LORRAINE STREET. GHD, THE DESIGN FIRM HIRED FOR THE WELL PROJECTS STATED THAT WELL #4 NEEDS TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF REHABILITATED DUE TO SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING A PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF THE ORIGINAL WELL.

TWO WOMEN ASSAULTED BY UKIAH TRANSIENT (LAW) JB 2/24/15

TWO WOMEN WERE ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED BY A TRANSIENT AT A UKIAH HOTEL.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE SUNRISE INN ON SOUTH STATE STREET AFTER THE SUSPECT, 31-YEAR-OLD SCOTTY WILLIS HAD CALLED 911 TO REPORT THAT HE HAD BEEN ASSAULTED AT THE HOTEL EARLIER. WHEN OFFICERS RESPONDED TO SPEAK WITH THE REPORTED ASSAILANT, A 26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, THEY LEARNED THAT SHE AND ANOTHER WOMAN ALLEGED THAT WILLIS HAD IN FACT ASSAULTED THEM. WILLIS REPORTEDLY SLAMMED BOTH WOMEN AGAINST THE WALLS OF THE HOTEL ROOM AND BRANDISHED A KNIFE AT ONE POINT. WILLIS WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

U.S. SEEKS STAY OF RULING ON IMMIGRATION ACTION (GOV) JB 2/24/15

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING A STAY ON A RULING AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMAS IMMIGRATION ACTION.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ASKED A FEDERAL JUDGE ON MONDAY TO LIFT HIS TEMPORARY HOLD ON PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMAS ACTION TO SHIELD MILLIONS OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY FROM DEPORTATION. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENTS MOTION FOR A STAY WAS FILED WITH THE COURT OF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE ANDREW HANEN. LAST WEEK, HANEN ISSUED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION SOUGHT BY 26 STATES TO HALT OBAMAS EXECUTIVE ACTION, ARGUING THAT THE ACTION IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. OBAMA ANNOUNCED THE EXECUTIVE DECISION IN NOVEMBER, SAYING A LACK OF ACTION BY CONGRESS FORCED HIM TO MAKE SWEEPING CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION RULES ON HIS OWN.

VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP OFFERED BY RED CROSS (PI) JB 2/24/15

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS PLANNING A WORKSHOP THIS MONTH TO TRAIN VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN LAKE COUNTY.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL REGION IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE IN LAKE COUNTY AND HAVE SCHEDULED A TRAINING WORKSHOP TO PREPARE VOLUNTEERS FOR SERVICE. THE EVENT IS FOR RESIDENTS AND SKILLED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OTHERS BY PROVIDING FOOD AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF DISASTERS, PROVIDING BLOOD SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED, AND GIVING HUMANITARIAN AID AND SUPPORT FOR MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE WORKSHOP IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 28, FROM 11-2 AT THE LAKEPORT SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

UVMC REQUESTS PERMIT FOR EXPANSION (PI) JB 2/24/15

THE UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION THIS WEEK WILL CONSIDER A PERMIT REQUESTED BY THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR A PLANNED EXPANSION AND RELOCATION OF ITS HELIPAD.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT, ACCORDING TO A CITY STAFF REPORT PREPARED FOR TOMORROWS MEETING, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES EXPANDING THE MAIN HOSPITAL BUILDING WITH A 26,125 SQUARE-FOOT ADDITION. THE HOSPITALS HELIPAD WILL BE MOVED TO THE ROOF OF THE NEW BUILDING, ALLOWING FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING, LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING WHERE THE CURRENT HELIPAD IS LOCATED. A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE PLANS AT THE COMMISSIONS MEETING TOMORROW AT 6PM.

CLEARLAKE RESIDENT SHOT DURING HOME INVASION (LAW) JB 2/24/15

AFTER A HOME INVASION ROBBERY AND SHOOTING IN CLEARLAKE, ONE MAN IS IN CUSTODY AND TWO OTHERS ARE BEING SOUGHT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ACCORDING TO CLEARLAKE POLICE, THE MALE RESIDENT AND HIS WIFE WERE ASLEEP WHEN THREE ARMED MEN BROKE INTO THEIR HOME EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE MALE VICTIM SUSTAINED A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HIP FROM ONE OF THE SUSPECTS BEFORE THEY FLED. THE MANS WIFE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY ONE OF THE INTRUDERS AS 36 YEAR OLD JOSE MURILLO OF CLEARLAKE AND MURILLO WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE INCIDENT. CLEARLAKE POLICE ARE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR THE OTHER TWO SUSPECTS AND THE MOTIVE FOR THE BREAK-IN IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

CLEARLAKE PEDESTRIAN SERIOUSLY INJURED BY CAR (LAW) JB 2/24/15

A CLEARLAKE MAN SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A PICKUP TRUCK.

ACCORDING TO CLEARLAKE POLICE REPORTS, 71-YEAR-OLD JAMES GETTLE OF LOWER LAKE WAS DRIVING ON LAKESHORE BOULEVARD NEAR THE VALERO GAS STATION IN CLEARLAKE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, 63-YEAR-OLD CHRIS BENDER RAN OUT INTO THE ROADWAY AND INTO THE PATH OF GETTLES PICKUP. BENDER SUFFERED MAJOR HEAD INJURIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY THE TRUCK AND HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BY AIR AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT. AN UPDATE ON BENDERS CONDITION STATED THAT. WHILE HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, HE IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY.

LOWER LAKE MUSEUM TO CLOSE FOR TREE REMOVAL (PI) JB 2/24/15

THE SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM IN LOWER LAKE WILL CLOSE TEMPORARILY TO ALLOW FOR THE REMOVAL OF A DYING TREE.

THE BLUE OAK THAT HAS LONG-STOOD IN FRONT OF THE MUSEUM WILL BE REMOVED AFTER BEING IN A STATE OF DECLINE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM ENTRANCE IS REQUIRED DURING THE REMOVAL TO ALLOW FOR A CRANE TO LIFT THE DYING TREE OVER THE WROUGHT IRON GATE AND NEARBY SIGN AND TRAFFIC CONTROL IN THE AREA OF MILL AND MAIN STREETS WILL BE IN EFFECT. THE PLANNED REMOVAL OF THE TREE IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 27.

News 2/23/15

UKIAH EXPLORES CITY MANAGER REPLACEMENT (GOV) JB 2/23/14

AN AD-HOC COMMITTEE HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL LOOK INTO THE PROCESS OF APPOINTING A NEW CITY MANAGER.

IN AN EFFORT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING EXITING CITY MANAGER JANE CHAMBERS, THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED MAYOR DOUG CRANE AND COUNCIL MEMBER KEVIN DOBLE TO AN AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE THE STEPS NEEDED TO DO SO. THE SUGGESTION TO CREATE THE COMMITTEE WAS OFFERED BY CHAMBERS AT THE COUNCILS MEETING LAST WEEK. IN AN ANNOUNCEMENT MADE EARLIER THIS MONTH, CHAMBERS STATED THAT SHE WAS RESIGNING FROM HER POSITION TO MOVE BACK TO THE BAY AREA WITH HER LAST DAY SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 26.

WILLITS CHILD MOLESTER TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY (LAW) JB 2/23/15

A CONVICTED SERIAL CHILD MOLESTER FROM WILLITS HAS BEEN ORDERED TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY INDEFINITELY.

ACCORDING TO THE WILLITS NEWS, 56 YEAR OLD DANIEL SCOTT FLINT WAS COMMITTED LAST WEEK TO SPEND AN INDETERMINATE SENTENCE AT COALINGA STATE HOSPITAL UNDER CALIFORNIAS SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR STATUTE. THE MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE INITIATED THE HEARING WHEN FLINT WAS NEARING HIS PLANNED RELEASE FROM STATE PRISON. THIS UNUSUAL PROCEEDING REQUIRED A JURY TRIAL TO DETERMINE WHETHER FLINT COULD BE HELD IN CUSTODY AFTER THE COMPLETION OF HIS PRISON SENTENCE. AS A SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR, FLINT WILL BE OFFERED ONGOING COUNSELING AND HAVE HIS MENTAL CONDITION EVALUATED AT LEAST ANNUALLY.

COVERED CALIFORNIA ENROLLMENT DEADLINE EXTENDED (PI) JB 2/23/15

THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLLMENT IN THE COVERED CALIFORNIA INSURANCE PLAN HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

CALIFORNIA WILL OFFER A SPECIAL EXTENSION TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE STATE EXCHANGE FOR PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY WERENT AWARE THEY WOULD FACE A TAX PENALTY FOR BEING UNINSURED. THE COVERED CALIFORNIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STATED THAT AS MANY AS 600,000 RESIDENTS MAY FACE A PENALTY UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THE EXTENSION DOES NOT EXEMPT PEOPLE FROM PAYING THE 2014 TAX PENALTY, BUT WOULD HELP THEM AVOID BIGGER PENALTIES IN 2015. THE NEW DEADLINE FOR ENROLLMENT IS NOW APRIL 30.

CAL DFW LAUNCHES NEW POACHING TIP APP (EVR/LAW) JB 2/23/15

A NEW PROGRAM HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE TO HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POACHING.

THE CDFW HAS CREATED THE NEW PILOT PROGRAM TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO REPORT WILDLIFE AND POLLUTION CRIMES WITH THEIR CELL PHONES. TIPSTERS CAN NOW TEXT INFORMATION, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS, ANONYMOUSLY TO THE CALTIP PROGRAM VIA TIP411. THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO LAUNCHING A NEW SMARTPHONE APP WHICH SIMILARLY ENABLES THE PUBLIC TO SHARE AN ANONYMOUS TIP OR PHOTOGRAPH WITH WILDLIFE OFFICERS AND LETS THE OFFICERS CONVERSE ANONYMOUSLY WITH THE TIPSTER. WILDLIFE OFFICERS ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO WITNESSES A POACHING OR POLLUTING VIOLATION TO REPORT IT USING ANY MEANS AVAILABLE.

HUMBOLDT WOMAN SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL (LAW) JB 2/23/15

A TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN SET IN THE CASE OF A HUMBOLDT COUNTY WOMAN ACCUSED OF TRYING TO KILL HERSELF AND HER TWO CHILDREN.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT ON FRIDAY, 35 YEAR OLD ATHENA RENEE DOYLE OF MCKINLEYVILLE, WAS SCHEDULED TO STAND TRIAL ON TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER MAY 18 IN MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT. HOWEVER, A PREVIOUS PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION DETERMINED THAT DOYLE WAS MENTALLY UNFIT TO STAND TRIAL, AND A SECOND EXPERT HAS SINCE BEEN APPOINTED TO EVALUATE HER. DOYLE ALLEGEDLY DROVER HER CAR OF A NORTHERN MENDOCINO CLIFF LAST YEAR IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO KILL HERSELF AND HER TWO YOUNG SONS, WHO SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.

SATURDAY FIRE DAMAGES HOME IN CLEARLAKE (LAW) JB 2/23/15

A HOME IN CLEARLAKE SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IN A FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND.

LAKE COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION AND CAL FIRE PERSONNEL RESPONDED TO THE BLAZE AT A RESIDENCE AT THE CORNER OF BLUE GUM STREET AND WALNUT AVENUE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED ON SCENE, THE STICK-BUILT HOME WAS APPROXIMATELY HALF INVOLVED. THE HOME SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE AND THE FAMILY OF FOUR WHO LIVES AT THE RESIDENCE WERE DISPLACED DUE TO THE BLAZE AND ARE NOW RECEIVING AID FROM THE RED CROSS. THE ONE RESIDENT WHO WAS HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE WITHOUT INJURY AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MCGUIRE WANTS RURAL PAYMENTS INSTEAD OF TAXES (GOV) JB 2/23/15

SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE IS SPEARHEADING AN EFFORT TO FUND PAYMENTS DUE TO RURAL COUNTIES.

LEGISLATION CO-AUTHORED BY SENATOR MCGUIRE WAS INTRODUCED RECENTLY TO HELP RURAL COUNTIES RECOVER MORE THAN A DECADE WORTH OF PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES, OR PILT, FROM THE STATE. LAKE COUNTY AND OTHER RURAL COUNTIES AROUND THE STATE WITH TAX-EXEMPT LAND MISS OUT ON TAXES THEY WOULD OTHERWISE BE PAID FOR THE PROPERTY AND THE STATE IS OBLIGATED TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO THOSE COUNTIES TO HELP THEM RECOVER THE LOST REVENUE. CURRENTLY, THE STATE OWES MORE THAN $19 MILLION IN PILT OBLIGATIONS TO COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE, FOR FUNDS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAID FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

GAS PRICES ON THE RISE ACROSS THE NORTH COAST (ECN) JB 2/23/15

AFTER MOTORISTS ENJOYED A STEADY DECLINE IN THE COST AT THE PUMP, GAS PRICES ARE BACK ON THE RISE ACROSS THE NORTH COAST.

ACCORDING TO AAA, THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR REGULAR UNLEADED GASOLINE ACROSS THE NATION HAS RISEN EVERY DAY SINCE JANUARY 27. AFTER REACHING A PEAK IN MAY OF 2014 OF $4.20, GAS PRICES IN CALIFORNIA DECLINED FOR EIGHT STRAIGHT MONTHS TO A LOW OF $2.55 IN JANUARY. ACCORDING TO WEBSITE, GASBUDDY.COM, THE ARCO STATION AT TALMAGE AND HASTINGS IN UKIAH HAS THE LOWEST REPORTED PRICE FOR REGULAR UNLEADED GAS AT $2.59 PER GALLON, WHILE THE CHEVRON AT NORTH STATE AND W. LAKE IS AT $2.89 PER GALLON.

Playlist 2/26/15

ED SHEERAN-THINKING OUT LOUD

LILLY WOOD W/ROBIN SCHULZ-PRAYER IN C

MARK RONSON W/BRUNO MARS-UPTOWN FUNK!

MAROON 5-SUGAR

MEGHAN TRAINOR-LIPS ARE MOVIN

PITBULL W/NE-YO-TIME OF OUR LIVES

ARIANA GRANDE-ONE LAST TIME

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-OUTSIDE

ELLA HENDERSON-GHOST

ELLIE GOULDING-LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO

FALL OUT BOY-CENTURIES

KELLY CLARKSON-HEARTBEAT SONG

NATALIE LA ROSE W/JEREMIH-SOMEBODY

NE-YO W/JUICY J-SHE KNOWS

NICK JONAS-CHAINS

ONE DIRECTION-NIGHT CHANGES

RIHANNA W/KANYE WEST & PAUL MC CARTNEY-FOURFIVESECONDS

USHER W/JUICY J-I DON’T MIND

VANCE JOY-RIPTIDE

FLO RIDA W/SAGE THE GEMINI & LOOKAS-GDFR

IMAGINE DRAGONS-I BET MY LIFE

JESSIE J-MASTERPIECE

NICKI MINAJ W/DRAKE & LIL WAYNE-TRUFFLE BUTTER

SAM SMITH-LAY ME DOWN

TORI KELLY-NOBODY LOVE

TOVE LO-TALKING BODY

CASH CASH-SURRENDER

CHRIS BROWN W/TYGA-AYO

ECHOSMITH-BRIGHT

KANYE WEST W/PAUL MC CARTNEY-ONLY ONE

OLLY MURS W/TRAVIE MCCOY-WRAPPED UP

PRIORY-WEEKEND

WALK THE MOON-SHUT UP AND DANCE

News 2/20/15

MAN STABBED OUTSIDE BUSINESS IN UKIAH (LAW) JB 2/20/15

AUTHORITIES IN UKIAH ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE ATTACKER OF A MAN WHO WAS STABBED OUTSIDE A BUSINESS ON WEDNESDAY.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A BUSINESS ON SOUTH STATE STREET WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO THE REPORT OF A STABBING. OFFICERS LOCATED THE 23 YEAR OLD VICTIM WHO STATED THAT, AS HE WAS ENTERING THE BUSINESS, HE WAS ATTACHED FROM BEHIND AND STABBED TWICE IN THE UPPER TORSO. THE VICTIM REPORTED THAT HE DIDNT RECOGNIZE HIS ATTACKER, WHO WAS REPORTED AS A WHITE MALE. THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT AND LATER RELEASED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THIS ONGOING INVESTIGATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 463-6262.

MARIN MAN ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT NEAR HOPLAND (LAW) JB 2/20/15

AN AGENCY ASSIST CALL FROM THE CHP ON WEDNESDAY LED TO THE PURSUIT AND ARREST OF A MARIN COUNTY MAN.

ACCORDING TO CHP REPORTS, AN OFFICER WITNESSED A SILVER HONDA TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 101 AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED JUST NORTH OF HOPLAND. THE OFFICER STOPPED THE DRIVER, IDENTIFIED AS 33 YEAR OLD DUSTIN WHITNEY, AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS NEAR THE HOPLAND SUPERETTE BUT THE THREE MEN REPEATEDLY REFUSED THE OFFICERS COMMANDS AND SUDDENLY DROVE AWAY AS THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE CARS IGNITION. DURING THE STOP, AN OFF-DUTY SONOMA COUNTY DEPUTY HAD STOPPED TO ASSIST AND AT ONE POINT FIRED HIS WEAPON. THE PURSUIT CONTINUED AGAIN SOUTHBOUND ON 101, FINALLY ENDING NEAR THE ROCK SHOP WHEN THE HONDA WAS PULLED OVER A SECOND TIME. WHILE THE TWO PASSENGERS WERE DETAINED AT GUNPOINT BY OFFICERS, WHITNEY FLED ON FOOT BUT WAS LOCATED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER BY A SEARCH TEAM AND ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

FDA ISSUES WARNING ABOUT PEANUTS FOUND IN CUMIN (PI) JB 2/20/15

THE FDA HAS ISSUED A NATIONWIDE WARNING REGARDING PACKAGED GROUND CUMIN AFTER SOME PACKAGES WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN PEANUTS.

HUNDREDS OF PRODUCTS ARE BEING PULLED FROM STORE SHELVES AFTER TRACES OF PEANUT WERE DISCOVERED IN GROUND CUMIN SPICE, A LIFE-THREATENING DANGER TO SOME PEOPLE WITH PEANUT ALLERGIES. THE RECALL HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE DECEMBER, AS MORE RETAILERS IDENTIFY PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN THE PEANUT-LADEN CUMIN. THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IS NOW WARNING ALL PEOPLE WITH PEANUT ALLERGIES TO AVOID CUMIN AND ANY PRODUCTS THAT MAY CONTAIN THE SPICE. WHILE SUCH ALLERGY-RELATED RECALLS ARE RARE, UNDECLARED ALLERGENS LIKE PEANUTS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF FOOD RECALLS IN THE UNITED STATES.

THOMPSON FIGHTS TO KEEP CLEAN ENERGY ROYALTIES (GOV) JB 2/20/15

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MIKE THOMPSON IS FIGHTING TO KEEP CLEAN ENERGY ROYALTIES IN THE HANDS OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT EARNED THEM.

A BIPARTISAN COALITION OF LEGISLATORS, LED BY THOMPSON, ARE OPPOSING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMAS ELIMINATION OF GEOTHERMAL ROYALTY PAYMENTS TO COUNTIES FROM THE NEWLY RELEASED 2016 BUDGET. CURRENTLY, COUNTIES SHARE IN THE REVENUE FROM THE FEDERAL INCOME FROM GEOTHERMAL ENERGY BECAUSE OF THE HIGH BURDENS THAT ITS PRODUCTION PLACES ON THE COUNTIES WHERE IT IS PRODUCED. LAST YEAR ALONE, LAKE COUNTY RECEIVED MORE THAN $959,000 IN GEOTHERMAL ROYALTIES.

ARMED MAN TASED DURING CONFRONTATION (LAW) JB 2/20/15

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER WIELDING A KNIFE AND A BAT AT A LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE.

UKIAH POLICE RESPONDED TO THE QUICK STOP ON AIRPORT PARK BOULEVARD TO THE REPORT OF A MAN STRIKING A VEHICLE WITH A BAT. 53-YEAR-OLD THOMAS COLLINS WAS OBSERVED BY OFFICERS STANDING ON THE HOOD OF A JEEP CHEROKEE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE STORE ARMED WITH BOTH A BAT AND A KNIFE. COLLINS REFUSED COMMANDS TO DROP HIS WEAPONS, STATING THAT OFFICERS WOULD HAVE TO KILL HIM. THE SUSPECT THEN JUMPED OF THE CAR AND BEGAN APPROACHING THE OFFICERS, STILL ARMED. COLLINS WAS TASED BY AN OFFICER, ALLOWING HIM TO BE DISARMED BY OTHER OFFICERS AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. COLLINS WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

CALPINE ADDRESSING POWER PLANT NOISE (EVR) JB 2/20/15

AN ONGOING NOISE PROBLEM AT A LAKE COUNTY POWER PLANT IS BEING ADDRESSED WITH AN UPGRADE TO THE PLANTS EQUIPMENT.

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTED THAT CALPINE CORP. IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A $400,000 UPGRADE TO ONE OF ITS POWER PLANTS WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE SOURCE OF A NOISE DISTURBANCE FOR SOME NEIGHBORS. IN PARTICULAR, RESIDENTS IN THE AREA OF ANDERSON SPRINGS, LOCATED BETWEEN MIDDLETOWN AND COBB, HAVE REPORTED ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE NOISE. FINDINGS IN A RECENT NOISE SURVEY PINPOINTED THE NOISE TO COOLING FANS LOCATED IN CALPINES UNIT 16 POWER PLANT. THE COMPANY IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS REPLACING THE BOTH THE FAN BLADES AND GEAR BOXES AT THE PLANT TO MITIGATE THE EXCESSIVE NOISE.

News 2/19/15

ANIMAL SHELTER TO REMAIN IN CONTROL OF HHSA (GOV) JB 2/19/15

A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO ALLOW THE MENDOCINO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE UKIAH ANIMAL SHELTER.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON TUESDAY COUNTERED SEVERAL MONTHS OF SPECULATION THAT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE COULD REGAIN CONTROL OF ANIMAL CARE SERVICES. THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY RETAINING MANAGEMENT OF THE UKIAH SHELTER, WITH THREE STIPULATIONS. THE FIRST ALLOWED FOR ANIMAL CARE TO REMAIN UNDER HHSAS CONTROL. SECONDLY, THE HHSA MAY PURSUE FUTURE OPTIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ANIMALS AND THIRD, ANY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE AGREEMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL.

ASSAULT WITH A VEHICLE IN POINT ARENA (LAW) JB 2/19/15

A POINT ARENA WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RUN DOWN ANOTHER WOMAN WITH HER CAR AFTER AN ARGUMENT.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO OCEAN VIEW DRIVE IN POINT ARENA REGARDING AN ASSAULT WITH A VEHICLE. DEPUTIES LEARNED THAT AN ADULT FEMALE VICTIM AND HER 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE WALKING HOME WHEN THE VICTIM ENGAGED IN AN ARGUMENT WITH 25 YEAR OLD PATREASE FIELDS, RESULTING IN A FIGHT. DURING THE ALTERCATION, FIELDS SLAPPED THE 10 YEAR OLD IN THE FACE WHEN SHE TRIED TO BREAK UP THE FIGHT. AS THE VICTIM AND HER DAUGHTER WERE WALKING TOWARDS THEIR RESIDENCE AFTER LEAVING THE SCENE, FIELDS REPORTEDLY DROVE HER PICKUP ACROSS THE LAWN TOWARDS THEM. THE VICTIM PUSHED HER DAUGHTER OUT OF THE WAY OF THE TRUCK AND WAS THEN RUN OVER BY THE VEHICLE, CAUSING INJURY TO HER LEG. FIELDS WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS ADDRESS VACCINATIONS GOV) JB 2/19/15

LAWMAKERS IN CALIFORNIA HAVE BEGUN TO ADDRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS.

AT A TIME WHEN CALIFORNIA IS GRIPPED BY ONE OF THE WORST MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN RECENT HISTORY, SEVERAL LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING FOR NEW LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ENSURE MORE CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED AGAINST MEASLES AND OTHER TRANSMITTABLE DISEASES. THE HEAD START ON VACCINATIONS ACT WOULD ENSURE THAT MORE THAN 1 MILLION CHILDREN NATIONALLY WOULD RECEIVE VACCINATIONS, INCLUDING MORE THAN 100,000 CHILDREN IN CALIFORNIA. UNDER ANOTHER MEASURE HEARD BEFORE A HOUSE COMMITTEE TUESDAY, PARENTS WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO CITE PERSONAL BELIEFS OR RELIGIOUS REASONS TO SEND UNVACCINATED CHILDREN TO PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

LAKE COUNTY SUPERVISORS SUPPORT JEFFERSON MOVE (GOV) JB 2/19/15

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECENTLY VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF JEFFERSON SEPARATION MOVEMENT.

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTED THAT THE MAJORITY OF A SPLIT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON TUESDAY VOTED TO CONSIDER PLACING A BALLOT MEASURE BEFORE LAKE COUNTY VOTERS TO WITHDRAW FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO CREATE A 51ST STATE. LAKE COUNTY HAS BECOME THE SEVENTH NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTY TO SHOW SOME KIND OF SUPPORT FOR THE MOVEMENT. HOWEVER, AFTER THE MOTION WAS CLARIFIED LATER IN THE MEETING COUNTY COUNSEL RAISED ISSUE WITH THE MOTIONS WORDING. IN AN EFFORT TO CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION, THE BOARD AGREED TO BRING IT BACK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION AND ACTION AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3.

CHP IDENTIFIES MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN CRASH (LAW) JB 2/19/15

THE IDENTITY OF THE MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT NEAR MIDDLETOWN HAS BEEN RELEASED BY THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL.

51-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY KEITH BOORN LOST HIS LIFE ON SATURDAY WHEN HIS MOTORCYCLE COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 175 WEST OF SOCRATES MINE ROAD. BOORNS MOTORCYCLE LOST TRACTION AND SLID INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND INTO THE PATH OF A CHRYSLER SEBRING DRIVEN BY 62 YEAR OLD WILLIAM CHAMBERS JR. A FUNDRAISING EFFORT IS BEING MADE FOR BOORNS FAMILY AND DONATIONS CAN BE MADE ONLINE AT GOFUNDME.COM/BOORNMEMORIALFUND.

USDA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR ENERGY PROJECTS (GOV) JB 2/19/18

THE USDA HAS ANNOUNCED THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS.

THE USDA AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND RURAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR RESOURCES TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS OR MAKE ENERGY EFFICIENT IMPROVEMENTS. MADE POSSIBLE BY THE 2014 FARM BILL, MORE THAN $280 MILLION WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS THROUGH THE RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM. FARMERS, RANCHERS AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE MONEY ON THEIR ENERGY BILLS, CUT CARBON POLLUTION AND REDUCE AMERICAS DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTRYS CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.

DODD INTRODUCES BILL TO RESTORE CLEAR LAKE (GOV/EVR) JB 2/19/15

NEW LEGISLATION TO RESTORE AND REVITALIZE CLEAR LAKE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLYMAN BILL DODD.

THE NEW BILL, AB367, AUTHORED BY DODD AND SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE, WOULD ALLOCATE $2.4 MILLION TO BE USED TO RESTORE THE WETLANDS IN CLEAR LAKE, MAINTAIN THE LAKES WATER QUALITY AND PRESERVE ITS ECOSYSTEM. OVER TIME, CLEAR LAKE HAS DEVELOPED A NUMBER OF SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING CYANOBACTERIA AND QUAGGA MUSSELS, THAT THREATEN THE FISH AND WILDLIFE OF THE LAKE, DIMINISH THE WATER QUALITY, AND HINDER RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. DODD STATED THAT HE SEES THIS LEGISLATION AS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS GREATER INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF CLEAR LAKE.

News 2/18/15

FEDERAL JUDGE STALLS OBAMA IMMIGRATION ORDER (GOV) JB 2/18/15

A FEDERAL JUDGE IN TEXAS HAS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED PRESIDENT OBAMAS EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION.

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE ANDREW HANEN FILED A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE PRESIDENTS ORDER, PUTTING A HOLD ON OBAMAS PLAN TO GIVE AS MANY AS 5 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DEPORTATION REPRIEVE. THE INJUNCTION HAS ALSO GIVEN A COALITION OF 26 STATES THE TIME NEEDED TO PURSUE A LAWSUIT AIMED AT PERMANENTLY STOPPING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL APPEAL THE INJUNCTION, WITH THEIR APPEAL TO BE HEARD BY THE 5TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN NEW ORLEANS.

WATER OFFICIALS TALK NEW DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS (EVR) JB 2/18/15

WATER OFFICIALS IN CALIFORNIA ARE EYEING POSSIBLE NEW RESTRICTIONS ON WATER USE IN THE STATE.

AS THE DROUGHT DRAGS ON, CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF RESTRICTING THE USE OF WATER ARE CONSIDERING NEW USAGE LIMITS ON RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND DECORATIVE FOUNTAINS IN ADDITION TO EXISTING RULES FOR RESIDENTIAL USE. AT AN INFORMATION HEARING ON TUESDAY, THE STATE WATER BOARD SEEMED READY TO EXTEND MANDATORY OUTDOOR WATER RESTRICTIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE. THE WATER BOARD IS ALSO CONSIDERING NEW RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD MAKE IT SO RESTAURANTS WOULD ONLY SERVE WATER UPON REQUEST, AND HOTELS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDE GUESTS WITH FRESH SHEETS AND TOWELS EVERY DAY.

FLOATING DEBRIS SENDS BOAT AIRBORNE (EVR/PI) JB 2/18/15

TWO MEN BASS FISHING ON CLEAR LAKE SURVIVED A DRAMATIC BOAT ACCIDENT OVER THE WEEKEND.

ACCORDING TO LAKE COUNTY NEWS, A BASS BOAT THAT WAS TRAVELING ACROSS CLEAR LAKE ON SUNDAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH HIT A SUBMERGED LOG. THE BOAT BECAME AIRBORNE AND SPUN IN THE AIR A REPORTED 180 DEGREES BEFORE LANDING BACK ON THE WATER. THE TWO FISHERMEN WERE UNINJURED IN THE ACCIDENT AND WERE ABLE TO IDLE THE BOAT BACK TO SHORE. BOATERS ON ALL AREA LAKES ARE REMINDED TO USE CAUTION DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FLOATING TREES, LOGS AND DEBRIS ON THE LAKES CAUSED BY THE RECENT HEAVY STORMS AND TO ALWAYS WEAR THEIR LIFE VESTS WHEN UNDER POWER.

MILLIONS IN UNCLAIMED PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY (PI) JB 2/18/15

MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED PROPERTY IS WAITING TO BE CLAIMED BY THE RESIDENTS OF LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTY.

EVERY DAY BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LEFT WITH CLOSED ACCOUNTS, UNCLAIMED REFUNDS AND OTHER PERSONAL FUNDS TRANSFER THOSE ASSETS TO THE STATE CONTROLLER WHEN THE OWNER CANT BE FOUND. THE STATE CONTROLLER MAINTAINS A DATABASE OF ALL ASSETS AND IS REQUIRED TO REPAY THOSE RIGHTFUL OWNERS WHO SUBMIT A CLAIM. MENDOCINO COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE APPROXIMATELY $5 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED FUNDS, WITH ANOTHER $3 MILLION LISTED FOR RESIDENT IN LAKE COUNTY.

GARAMENDI SIGNS VET SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL (GOV) JB 2/18/15

A NEW BILL SIGNED BY CONGRESSMAN JOHN GARAMENDI IS DESIGNED TO AIDE IN THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDES BY VETERANS.

THE CLAY HUNT SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR AMERICAN VETERANS ACT, COSPONSORED BY GARAMENDI, IS DESIGNED TO STEM THE EPIDEMIC OF VETERAN SUICIDES IN THE COUNTRY. AMONG ITS MANY FACETS, THE NEW BILL ESTABLISHES A PEER SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS WITH ACCESSING VA MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THE VA TO CREATE A ONE-STOP INTERACTIVE WEBSITE TO SERVE AS A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION SOURCE REGARDING ALL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETERANS.

POMO TRUSTEE SAYS SHES BEING EVICTED FOR POT ( PI) JB 2/18/15

A PINOLEVILLE TRUSTEE BELIEVES SHE IS BEING EVICTED FROM HER HOME TO MAKE WAY FOR THE PROPOSED MARIJUANA GROWING PROJECT.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT MELODY MARSHALL, A TRUSTEE WHO HAS LIVED NEAR THE EPICENTER OF THE PINOLEVILLE POMO NATION FOR 20 YEARS, HAS BEEN TOLD SHE NEEDS TO MOVE OR SHE WILL BE EVICTED. MARSHALL SAID AN ATTORNEY FOR THE PINOLEVILLE LAND TRUST RECENTLY OFFERED $3,000 TO LEAVE HER HOME AND, IF SHE DIDNT LEAVE VOLUNTARILY, EVICTION PROCEEDINGS WOULD BEGIN AND SHE WOULD RECEIVE NOTHING. MARSHALL BELIEVES HER EVICTION IS TO MAKE THE PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR THE PLANNED 2.5 ACRE MARIJUANA GROWING GREENHOUSE, POSSIBLY DUE TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION WITHIN 30 DAYS.

SUNKEN BOAT REMOVED FROM CLEAR LAKE (EVR) JB 2/18/15

COUNTY PERSONNEL AND CONTRACTORS HIRED BY THE LAKE COUNTY WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT REMOVED A SUNKEN BOAT FROM CLEAR LAKE OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE 28 FOOT, 1960S ERA BOAT CASA-NOVA WAS MOORED OFF A LAKEPORT PIER WHEN IT BROKE APART AND SUNK DURING A WINTER STORM EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE BOATS OWNER HAD MADE NO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE VESSEL AND NEIGHBORS MADE CONTACT WITH LAKE COUNTY WATER RESOURCES AND THE SHERIFFS MARINE PATROL FOR ASSISTANCE. THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY WHERE THE BOAT WAS MOORED, WHO LIVES IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS OF REMOVING THE BOAT AND WILL ULTIMATELY BE EXPECTED TO PAY THE BILL FOR THE VESSELS RETRIEVAL FROM THE LAKE.

LAKE COUNTY FARM BUREAU 2015 SCHOLARSHIPS (AG/PI) JB 2/18/15

THE LAKE COUNTY FARM BUREAU HAS ANNOUNCED THE OPENING OF THE 2015 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD FOR STUDENTS IN COUNTY.

THE LCFB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE LAKE COUNTY STUDENTS WHO SHOW A DESIRE TO PURSUE CAREERS IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. THE ANNUALLY AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, CAREER GOALS AND A COMMITMENT TO CONTINUED STUDIES IN AGRICULTURE. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE LCFB WEBSITE AND AT THE OFFICE LOCATED AT 65 SODA BAY ROAD IN LAKEPORT AND COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE LCFB BY APRIL 15.

News 2/17/15

LOVERS LANE REZONING MAY BE APPROVED NEXT WEEK (PI) JB 2/17/15

THE REZONING OF A SECTION OF LOVERS LANE IN UKIAH MAY BE APPROVED BY THIS WEEK.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE MENDOCINO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT REZONE ON A 17-ACRE PARCEL ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LOVERS LANE NEAR DESPINA DRIVE. THE PARCEL, WHICH IS OWNED BY THE PINOLEVILLE TRIBE, WOULD BE REZONED FROM AGRICULTURAL LAND TO A SINGLE AND MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STATUS. IF APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AT THURSDAYS MEETING, THE DECISION WILL THEN GO BEFORE THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

REBUILDING OF BYPASS VIADUCT UNDERWAY (TR) JB 2/17/15

REPAIRS ARE NOW UNDERWAY ON THE 150 FOOT SECTION OF THE WILLITS BYPASS THAT COLLAPSED LAST MONTH.

CALTRANS HAS CLEARED THE PILE OF WOOD, CONCRETE AND STEEL DEBRIS FROM THE SHATTERED FALSEWORK AS WELL AS TWO CONCRETE BRIDGE COLUMNS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE. STEEL CAGE FORMS FOR THE NEW COLUMNS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED, HOWEVER THE CONTRACTOR MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL ON FOUNDATION REPAIR PLANS FROM CALTRANS BEFORE THE COLUMNS CAN BE POURED. THE CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE THAT OCCURRED WHEN WORKERS WERE POURING CONCRETE INTO A TEMPORARY SUPPORT STRUCTURE, REMAINS UNKNOWN.

BODY OF MISSING HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN FOUND (LAW) JB 2/17/15

THE BODY OF A MISSING HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN WAS DISCOVERED BY SEARCHERS ON SUNDAY.

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND LAKE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE BEGAN THEIR EFFORTS TO LOCATE 58 YEAR OLD MARK ALBEE EARLY SATURDAY EVENING AFTER HE WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HIS FAMILY. ACCORDING TO HIS DAUGHTER, ALBEE WAS LAST SEEN AROUND 8:30 SATURDAY MORNING AND HIS PICKUP WAS LOCATED NEAR A CREEK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COYOTE GRADE NEAR MIDDLETOWN. SEARCHERS DISCOVERED HIS BODY ABOUT 500 YARDS FROM HIS PICKUP. THE CAUSE OF ALBEES DEATH IS PENDING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY, HOWEVER EARLY INDICATIONS ARE THAT HE MAY HAVE TAKEN HIS OWN LIFE.

HUMAN RACE KICKOFF EVENT SET TOMORROW (PI) JB 2/17/15

NORTH COAST OPPORTUNITIES HAS ANNOUNCED THE KICK OFF EVENT FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL MENDOCINO COUNTY HUMAN RACE.

THE ANNUAL 5K WALK OR TIMED RUN IS A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER THAT SUPPORTS LOCAL CHARITIES BY RAISING FUNDS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY AWARENESS. THE HUMAN RACE IS A PROVEN FUNDRAISER ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CONTINUES TO GROW IN POPULARITY EACH YEAR, WITH MORE THAN 500 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING THE UKIAH EVENT LAST YEAR. THE KICK-OFF EVENT WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY AT 5:30 PM AT SLAM DUNK PIZZA AND RACE DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 2, STARTING IN ALEX THOMAS PLAZA.

UUSD DENIES WOMANS REQUEST FOR A REFUND (ED) JB 2/17/15

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS DENIED A UKIAH WOMANS REQUEST FOR A REFUND.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT, DESPITE A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DECLARING ITS RECENTLY IMPOSED DEVELOPERS FEES INVALID, THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTED AGAINST REFUNDING A UKIAH WOMAN THE NEARLY $9,000 SHE PAID IN 2013. THE DEVELOPERS FEES WERE CHARGED BY THE DISTRICT WHEN NEW HOMES WERE BUILT BECAUSE OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BRING NEW STUDENTS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, HOWEVER THEY WERE RULED INVALID LATER IN MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT. BECAUSE THE WOMAN HAD PAID HER FEES AFTER THE SIX-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FOLLOWING THE RULING, THE BOARD HAS DENIED HER REQUEST FOR A REFUND.

LAKE COUNTY MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN CRASH (LAW) JB 2/17/15

A LAKE COUNTY MOTORCYCLIST WAS KILLED OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER A HEAD ON COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 175.

ACCORDING TO CHP REPORTS, THE 51-YEAR-OLD HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE RESIDENT WAS RIDING WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 175 NEAR MIDDLETOWN ABOUT 4:30 PM WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE MAN LOST CONTROL OF HIS 1998 HONDA SUPERHAWK MOTORCYCLE, SLIDING INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND COLLIDING WITH A CHRYSLER SEBRING DRIVEN BY A 62 YEAR OLD COBB MAN. COBB CAL FIRE PERSONNEL RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND BEGAN LIFE SAVING EFFORTS, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE MAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

BODY FOUND NEAR JENNER WAS SANTA ROSA WOMAN (LAW) JB 2/17/15

THE BODY OF A WOMAN FOUND IN THE SURF NEAR JENNER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A 30 YEAR OLD SANTA ROSA WOMAN.

THE BODY OF JANELLE MCGOVERN WAS FOUND EARLIER THIS MONTH ON DRIFTWOOD BEACH ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE MOUTH OF THE RUSSIAN RIVER. THE SONOMA COUNTY CORONERS OFFICE CONFIRMED HER IDENTITY WITH THE HELP OF A FORENSIC DENTIST BROUGHT IN TO ASSIST IN THE CASE. THE CAUSE OF MCGOVERNS DEATH HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, HOWEVER THE SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE STATED THAT FOUL PLAY IS NOT SUSPECTED.

NEW LIFE FOR OLD HOWARD HOSPITAL FACILITY (PI) JB 2/17/15

MENDOCINO COUNTY MAY STILL UTILIZE THE OLD HOWARD HOSPITAL FACILITY TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

MENDOCINO COUNTY CEO CARMEL ANGELO RECENTLY UPDATED THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGARDING THE CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ABOUT POSSIBLY UTILIZING THE SOON TO BE EMPTY HOSPITAL SPACE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. ANGELO SAID THAT SHE AND THE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR HAVE HAD CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS WITH HOSPITAL FOUNDATIONS PRESIDENT ON THE MATTER FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS, EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A 24-HOUR LOCAL INPATIENT FACILITY HOUSED IN THE BUILDING.

News 2/16/15

HOPLAND PLANS FOR COMMUTER IMPROVEMENTS (TR) JB 2/16/15

THE COMMUNITY OF HOPLAND IS HELPING TO PLAN FOR POSSIBLE COMMUTER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, AFTER A TWO-DAY COMMUNITY WORKSHOP, TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS AND THE HOPLAND COMMUNITY HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF HOW TO IMPROVE ROAD CONDITIONS FOR COMMUTERS AND PEDESTRIANS IN THE FUTURE. THE WORKSHOP FOCUSED ON SAFETY AND ACCESS AND MOBILITY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS. SOME OF THE IDEAS SUBMITTED BY PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED BETTER CROSSWALK VISIBILITY AND ALTERNATIVES FOR THE HIGHWAY 101 AND 175 INTERSECTION AND NEW MEDIANS AROUND TOWN. THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO ESTIMATE COSTS AND PRIORITIZATION OF THE PROJECTS AND IDENTIFY POSSIBLE FUNDING GRANTS.

WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN LIBRARY PARK (LAW) JB 2/16/15

THE BODY OF A FEMALE TRANSIENT WAS FOUND IN LIBRARY PARK BUT POLICE DO NOT SUSPECT FOUL PLAY.

LAKEPORT CITY PARK STAFF DISCOVERED THE BODY OF A FEMALE TRANSIENT JUST BEFORE 8 AM FRIDAY. ACCORDING TO THE LAKEPORT POLICE CHIEF, AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF HER DEATH IS UNDER WAY AND AN AUTOPSY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED ALTHOUGH FOUL PLAY IS NOT SUSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE WOMANS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET PENDING NOTIFICATION OF HER NEXT OF KIN.

CLEARLAKE COUNCIL APPROVES READING OF POT BAN (GOV) JB 2/16/15

THE FIRST READING OF A STRICT ORDINANCE BANNING CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA IN CLEARLAKE WAS APPROVED BY THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL.

THE READING OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WAS FOLLOWED BY HOURS OF DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THE CITY COUNCILS MEETING LAST WEEK. THE 13 PAGE ORDINANCE, DRAFTED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, PROHIBITS ANY AND ALL CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA IN ANY PART OF THE CITY. THE COUNCIL VOTED 4-1 IN FAVOR OF THE FIRST READING OF THE NEW ORDINANCE THAT NOW WILL HEAD TO A SECOND AND FINAL VOTE AT THE COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 26.

SENATOR MCGUIRE INTRODUCES JOB SKILLS BILL (GOV/EMP) JB 2/16/15

A NEW $600 MILLION JOB SKILLS BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE.

SB148. THE CAREER AND JOB SKILLS EDUCATION ACT, IS BI-PARTISAN LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT CALIFORNIA STUDENTS WHO DONT GO ON TO OBTAIN A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE WILL BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE THE JOB AND CAREER SKILLS THEY DESERVE. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES AND REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CENTERS WOULD BENEFIT FROM CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION GRANTS FUNDED BY THE $600 MILLION OF PROPOSITION 98 FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE NEW BILL. CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION NOT ONLY REDUCES HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES, BUT HAS PROVEN TO MOTIVATE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AFTER GRADUATION.

MARIJUANA AD HOC COMMITTEE RELEASES STATEMENT (GOV) JB 2/16/15

MENDOCINO COUNTYS MARIJUANA AD HOC COMMITTEE HAS RELEASED A PUBLIC STATEMENT ON ITS ROLE TO UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

THE MARIJUANA AD HOC COMMITTEE, RECENTLY FORMED BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT LAST WEEK WITH REGARDS TO THE GROUPS UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA WILL MEAN TO THE COUNTY ECONOMICALLY. THE STATEMENT DETAILS THAT EXISTING AMBIGUITIES IN STATE LAW AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL LAW HAS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY AND THAT LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA FOR ADULT PERSONAL USE APPEARS TO BE ON THE HORIZON FOR CALIFORNIA.

UKIAH POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN CAR THEFT (LAW) JB 2/16/15

AFTER A 30-MINUTE VEHICLE CHASE, UKIAH POLICE APPREHENDED A CAR THEFT SUSPECT LAST WEEK.

UKIAH POLICE SPOTTED 46-YEAR-OLD ALAN WAYNE CROW PARKED BEHIND A BUILDING ON TALMAGE ROAD IN A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THAT WAS REPORTED A STOLEN. AS AN OFFICER APPROACHED THE VEHICLE, CROW SPED OFF, DRIVING THROUGH A VINEYARD. CROW LED OFFICERS ON THE PURSUIT ALONG THE SOUTH END OF THE HASTINGS FRONTAGE ROAD UNTIL HE FINALLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND DITCH. CROW WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING FELONY EVADING AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

HEARING ON COSTCO LAWSUIT DELAYED (LAW) JB 2/16/15

A HEARING ON THE LAWSUIT FILED BY TWO GROCERY WORKERS AGAINST A PROPOSED UKIAH COSTCO STORE WAS DELAYED FRIDAY AFTER THE PLAINTIFFS ATTORNEY ALLEGED JUDICIAL BIAS.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT THE ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTS THE TWO FOODMAXX EMPLOYEES IN A LAWSUIT CLAIMING THE COSTCO PROJECTS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED, FILED A MOTION ALLEGING THAT JUDGE RICHARD HENDERSON SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED. THE MOTION STATED THAT BECAUSE HENDERSONS WIFE PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL AND WAS THE CITYS MAYOR FROM 1986 TO 1990, HIS VIEWS COULD BE BIASED. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE JEAN NADEL HAS NOW BEEN APPOINTED TO HEAR THE LAWSUIT.

NCO LAUNCHES LAKE COUNTY FARM TO SCHOOL PROJECT (AG) JB 2/16/15

THANKS TO A STATE GRANT, NORTH COAST OPPORTUNITIES IS LAUNCHING A FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM IN LAKE COUNTY.

NORTH COAST OPPORTUNITIES HAS ANNOUNCED THE RECEIPT OF A NEARLY $400,000 GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO CONTINUE THE ONGOING EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE THE PURCHASE OF LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE BY LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS. THE LAKE COUNTY FARM TO SCHOOL PROJECT MANAGER STATED THAT, WITH THE GRANT, THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FRESH, IN SEASON SPECIALTY CROPS SERVED DAILY TO 6,000 LAKE COUNTY STUDENTS. THE GRANT WILL ALSO GIVE LOCAL SPECIALTY CROP FARMERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND PRODUCTION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOLS.