News 3/31/15

MENDOCINO COUNTY FARMERS OPPOSE MENDOVITO (ECN/EVR) JB 3/31/15

A GROUP OF FARMERS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY HAVE VOICED THEIR OPPOSITION OF THE PROPOSED MENDOVITO VILLAGE PROJECT.

A CAMPAIGN STARTED LAST YEAR TO RAISE MONEY AND SUPPORT FOR A SELF-CONTAINED, GREEN-MINDED CITY OF 10,000 RESIDENTS EAST OF HOPLAND HAS COME UNDER FIRE RECENTLY. A GROUP OF THE COUNTYS MOST ESTABLISHED FARMERS HAVE RESPONDED AGAINST THE MENDOVITO PROJECT PROPOSAL, SAYING THAT IT WOULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT FOR FARMLAND CONVERSION, INCLUDING A POTENTIAL DOMINO EFFECT ON OTHER AGRICULTURAL PARCELS IN THE MCDOWELL VALLEY AND BEYOND. ACCORDING TO A UC EXTENSION VITICULTURE ADVISOR, THE PROPOSED PROJECT WOULD CLAIM AN ESTIMATED 25,000 ACRES OF MENDOCINO COUNTYS LIMITED IRRIGATED FARMLAND.

FORMER PRISON GUARD GETS ONE YEAR FOR PEEPING (LAW) JB 3/31/15

A FORMER ROHNERT PARK PRISON GUARD WHO RECORDED A TEENAGE RELATIVE WITH HIDDEN CAMERAS IN HER BEDROOM AND BATHROOM WAS SENTENCED MONDAY TO A YEAR IN JAIL.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTED THAT 44 YEAR OLD TODD MORROW WAS ARRESTED LAST YEAR AFTER THE GIRLS MOTHER DISCOVERED A FLASH DRIVE CONTAINING THE IMAGES IN THE POCKET OF HIS UNIFORM.

MORROW LATER WAS FIRED FROM HIS JOB AS A GUARD AT A MENDOCINO COUNTY PRISON FACILITY RUN BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION. HE PLEADED NO CONTEST IN FEBRUARY TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND PEEPING CHARGES. AS PART OF HIS PUNISHMENT, MORROW MUST REGISTER AS A SEX-OFFENDER FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

UUSD PLANS TO HIRE MORE TEACHERS (ED) JB 3/31/15

PLANS TO HIRE SEVEN NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE LATEST REVISION OF DISTRICTS CURRENT STRATEGIC PLAN PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE HIRING OF SEVEN NEW READING SUPPORT TEACHERS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT. THE PLAN ALSO INCLUDES THE ADDITION OF ANOTHER PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT EACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE SEVEN NEW TEACHERS HAVE BEEN BUDGETED AT $630,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR, WITH THE ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS COSTING $400,000. THE BOARD EXPECTS AN UPDATED DRAFT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO BE PRESENTED AT ITS MEETING ON MAY 14 WITH A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PLAN SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 16.

ROAD WORK PROJECT TO CLOSE HIGHWAY 128 TO BIG RIGS (TR) JB 3/31/15

A ROAD WORK PROJECT BEGINNING THIS WEEK WILL CLOSE A SECTION OF HIGHWAY 128 TO BIG RIGS.

CALTRANS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN WORK THIS WEEK ON A SLOPE PROTECTION PROJECT CENTERED TWO MILES WEST OF THE THREE-WAY INTERSECTION OF NORTH CLOVERDALE BOULEVARD/ NORTH REDWOOD HIGHWAY/OAT VALLEY ROAD, AND APPROXIMATELY 1.8 MILES EAST OF THE MENDOCINO COUNTY LINE. THE WIDTH OF THE HIGHWAY 128 ROADWAY WILL BE TEMPORARILY REDUCED AT A HAIR-PIN CURVE SO BIG RIGS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND WILL BE DETOURED TO HIGHWAY 253. WORK ON THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE SUMMER AND FALL, ENDING IN OCTOBER 2015.

LACK OF EVIDENCE CLEARS LAKE MAN OF MURDER (LAW) JB 3/31/15

A LAKE COUNTY MAN WAS CLEARED OF MURDER CHARGES STEMMING FROM A DOUBLE HOMICIDE DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE.

INVESTIGATORS FOUND INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE ON MONDAY AGAINST 26-YEAR-OLD FRANCISCO LEON-SARMIENTO, WHO HAD BEEN LINKED TO THE MURDERS OF 54-YEAR-OLD STEVEN JEPSEN AND 38-YEAR-OLD JUAN PEREZ-RODRIGUEZ ON THURSDAY NIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE VICTIMS WERE SHOT DURING A MARIJUANA TRANSACTION. EVEN THOUGH LEON-SARMIENTO HAS BEEN CLEARED OF MURDER CHARGES IN THE CASE, HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA FOR SALE DUE TO THE TWO POUNDS OF MARIJUANA ALLEGEDLY FOUND IN HIS CAR AT THE TIME OF HIS ARREST.

UC BERKELEY SOCCER PLAYER FOUND DEAD (LAW) JB 3/31/15

A UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY SOCCER PLAYER WHO DISAPPEARED AFTER A WEEKEND PARTY WAS KILLED BY A CAR AS HE RAN ACROSS A LOS ANGELES FREEWAY

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THE 19-YEAR-OLD FRESHMAN, ELOI VASQUEZ, DIED EARLY SATURDAY ON INTERSTATE 10 ABOUT A MILE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AFTER HE WAS SEEN LEAVING A FRATERNITY PARTY.

HE WAS NOT CARRYING IDENTIFICATION, WHICH SET OFF A MISSING PERSONS SEARCH UNTIL THE CORONER COULD IDENTIFY HIM.

VASQUEZ, WHO WAS ON SPRING BREAK IN LOS ANGELES, HAD LEFT THE PARTY TO TAKE A WALK WITH NO MONEY AND NO WALLET. THE INVESTIGATION INTO HOW HE ENDED UP ON THE FREEWAY IS STILL ONGOING BY AUTHORITIES.

TWO ARRESTED IN CLEARLAKE OAKS FOR STABBING (LAW) JB 3/31/15

TWO PEOPLE, INCLUDING A 15 YEAR OLD JUVENILE WERE ARRESTED FOLLOWING A STABBING IN CLEARLAKE OAKS ON SUNDAY.

SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED JUST AFTER 1 PM SUNDAY TO THE AREA OF ELEM DRIVE IN CLEARLAKE OAKS FOR A REPORTED BRANDISHING OF A KNIFE. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED THEY LOCATED A MALE SUBJECT WHO HAD A PUNCTURE WOUND TO HIS LEFT SIDE. SEVERAL WITNESSES IN THE AREA IDENTIFIED 26-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW SHAUN WILLIAMS AS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR STABBING THE VICTIM AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A JUVENILE AS HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN THE ASSAULT. DEPUTIES SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK BOTH WILLIAMS AND THE TEEN INTO CUSTODY FOR FELONY ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. THE MOTIVE FOR THE ATTACK IS STILL UNCLEAR AND UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE SHERIFFS MAJOR CRIMES UNIT.

REFERENDUM AGAINST NO GROW ORDINANCE FILED (GOV) JB 3/31/15

A REFERENDUM AGAINST THE NEW CLEARLAKE NO GROW MARIJUANA ORDINANCE WAS RECENTLY SUBMITTED TO THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL.

ACCORDING TO THE RECORD BEE, A PETITION CHALLENGING THE NEWLY APPROVED NO GROW MARIJUANA ORDINANCE IN CLEARLAKE WAS SUBMITTED THURSDAY. THE PETITION ASKS THAT A REFERENDUM BE PLACED ON A BALLOT, ALLOWING VOTERS TO DECIDE ON THE NO GROW MEASURE. THE SIGNATURES WILL BE COUNTED AND BROUGHT TO THE CLEARLAKE CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION. THE COUNCIL CAN POTENTIALLY APPROVE THE REFERENDUM OR PLACE IT ON A BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE. THE CITY MUST NOW GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF VERIFYING SIGNATURES. THE PROCESS MAY REQUIRE TWO OR THREE WEEKS. IF THE PETITION MEETS THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES NEEDED, AND THE COUNCIL DECIDES ON THE BALLOT METHOD, THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF THE NOVEMBER 2016 GENERAL ELECTION OR A SPECIAL ELECTION.

News 3/30/15

HIGHWAY 20 ROLLOVER SPILLS 5,000 GALLONS OF MILK (LAW) JB 3/30/15

AN EARLY MORNING ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 20 RESULTED IN THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF MILK SPILLING INTO CLEAR LAKE.

57 YEAR OLD DANA MONTGOMERY WAS HEADED WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 20 EAST OF LUCERNE AROUND 3: 30 SATURDAY MORNING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, HIS 2008 KENWORTH SEMI HAULING A TANKER OF MILK LEFT THE ROADWAY AND OVERTURNED, TRAPPING HIM INSIDE THE CAB AND RUPTURING THE TRAILER. APPROXIMATELY 5,000 GALLONS OF MILK SPILLED FROM THE TRAILER INTO A CULVERT THAT LED INTO CLEAR LAKE. MONTGOMERY SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES IN THE CRASH AND WAS FLOWN BY REACH 6 TO AN OUT OF COUNTY TRAUMA CENTER FOR TREATMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

NORMAN GREENBAUM INJURED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT (LAW) JB 3/30/15

AN ACCIDENT WEST OF SANTA ROSA LEFT ONE MAN DEAD AND INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN SINGER-SONGWRITER NORMAN GREENBAUM CRITICALLY INJURED.

CHP REPORTS IDENTIFIED 72 YEAR OLD GREENBAUM, BEST KNOWN FOR HIS 1969 HIT SPIRIT IN THE SKY, AS A PASSENGER IN A SUBARU OUTBACK THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE CRASH ON OCCIDENTAL ROAD NEAR PIEZZI ROAD. 20 YEAR OLD IHAB HALAWEH, OF SANTA ROSA, WAS KILLED WHEN THE OUTBACK, TRAVELING EAST ON OCCIDENTAL, TURNED LEFT ONTO PIEZZI ROAD AND CROSSED INTO THE PATH OF HIS WESTBOUND MOTORCYCLE. GREENBAUM AND A MALE PASSENGER ON THE MOTORCYCLE WERE TRANSPORTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH WHAT CHP OFFICIALS DESCRIBED AS CRITICAL INJURIES. GREENBAUM REMAINED IN CRITICAL CONDITION ON SUNDAY MORNING IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION ALTHOUGH ALCOHOL IS NOT BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A FACTOR.

BROOKTRAILS AND WILLITS REACH AGREEMENT (ECN) JB 3/30/15

AFTER 9 YEARS OF ARGUMENTS AND LITIGATION, BROOK TRAILS AND THE CITY OF WILLITS HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE WILLITS NEWS, BROOKTRAILS AND WILLITS ABRUPTLY RESOLVED THEIR LITIGATION AND SET UP A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR WORKING TOGETHER. THE AGREEMENT WAS READ INTO THE COURT RECORD WEDNESDAY MORNING, EFFECTIVELY ENDING THE CONFLICT. THIS UNPRECEDENTED MOVE OCCURRED WHILE THE TRIAL WAS UNDERWAY. BROOKTRAILS AGREED TO PAY 36 PERCENT (DOWN FROM 37.69 PERCENT) OF ALL FUTURE BOND PAYMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE WILLITS SEWER PLANT, AND TO PAY WILLITS $213,500 IN DISPUTED PAST PAYMENTS. WILLITS AGREED TO RESERVE CAPACITY IN THE NEW PLANT EXCLUSIVELY FOR BROOKTRAILS AMOUNTING TO 459,000 GALLONS PER DAY OF DRY WEATHER FLOW. IN THE SETTLEMENT BOTH PARTIES WILL PAY THEIR OWN LEGAL COSTS. LOCAL TAXPAYERS HAVE PAID OUT NEARLY $1.5 MILLION IN LEGAL COSTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LEGAL BATTLES.

SANTA ROSA MAN HELD IN CLEARLAKE HOMICIDES (LAW) JB 3/30/15

A SANTA ROSA MAN IS BEING HELD IN THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL IN CONNECTION TO THE FATAL SHOOTINGS OF TWO PEOPLE ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTED THAT 26 YEAR OLD FRANCISCO LEON-SARMIENTO, WHOSE OCCUPATION IS LISTED AS LABORER, WAS ARRESTED BY CLEARLAKE POLICE JUST AFTER 10:30 P.M. THURSDAY, ABOUT TWO HOURS AFTER TWO PEOPLE WERE MORTALLY WOUNDED IN A SHOOTING IN THE 16000 BLOCK OF 35TH AVENUE. POLICE HAD REPORTED DETAINING ONE PERSON WHO WAS IN A VEHICLE MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF ONE THAT WITNESSES SAID HAD LEFT THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING JUST AFTER 10 P.M. IN THE AREA OF 40TH AVENUE. LEON-SARMIENTO IS BEING HELD ON A MURDER CHARGE, WITH BAIL SET AT $1 MILLION AND A COURT APPEARANCE TENTATIVELY SET FOR TUESDAY.

THREE ARRESTED IN FORT BRAGG BURL THEFT (LAW) JB 3/30/15

THREE FORT BRAGG RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE THEFT OF REDWOOD BURL ON THE COAST.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED RECENTLY INTO THE REPORTED THEFT OF A REDWOOD BURL BELONGING TO THE MENDOCINO COAST PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT. DEPUTIES IDENTIFIED AND DETERMINED THAT THREE FORT BRAGG RESIDENTS, 49 YEAR OLD CHARLES MARTIN, 39 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER MAKI AND 29 YEAR OLD CASSIDY BAKER CONSPIRED TO STEAL THE APPROXIMATE 90-CUBIC-FOOT REDWOOD BURL. THE THREE MEN WERE CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE FELONIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE THEFT AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

SOUTHSHORE LITTLE LEAGUE FLAGS STOLEN (LAW) JB 3/30/15

THE SOUTHSHORE LITTLE LEAGUE SUFFERED A THEFT OF THE FLAGS FROM THEIR FIELD RECENTLY.

WITH THE OPENING DAY OF THE 2015 SEASON LESS THAN A WEEK AGO, THE AMERICAN FLAG AND TWO SMALLER LEAGUE FLAGS WERE REPORTED STOLEN FROM THE FLAGPOLE AT THE LEAGUE FIELDS IN CLEARLAKE. ACCORDING TO THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT, THE THEFT OCCURRED SOMETIME BETWEEN 8:30 PM THURSDAY AND 2 PM FRIDAY. THE THEFT IS AN EXPENSIVE LOSS FOR THE LEAGUE AND ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION ON THE THEFT OR KNOWS THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE FLAGS IS ASKED TO CALL HELEN MITCHUM AT 998-9194.

REDWOOD VALLEY DAM LAWSUIT SETTLED (PI/EVR) JB 3/30/15

A LAWSUIT STEMMING FROM A DAM CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN REDWOOD VALLEY WAS RECENTLY SETTLED FOR OVER $7 MILLION.

THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL REPORTED THAT ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH LAW OFFICES OF DUNCAN M. JAMES, THE SUIT WAS FILED IN THE EARLY 2000S AFTER STATE FARM REPORTEDLY DENIED COVERAGE TO NORTH COUNTIES ENGINEERING, RUN BY ENGINEER GARY AKERSTROM, WHO WAS HIRED BY LOLONIS VINEYARDS OF REDWOOD VALLEY TO DESIGN A DAM. STATE REGULATORS SUED THE WINERY AFTER INVESTIGATING NEIGHBORS COMPLAINTS ABOUT EROSION AND EXCESS SEDIMENT IN SURROUNDING WATERWAYS THAT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE DAM WAS COMPLETED. THE WINERY IN TURN SUED NORTH COUNTIES ENGINEERING, CLAIMING THE DAMAGE WAS PARTLY CAUSED BY NEGLIGENT DAM CONSTRUCTION. STATE FARM WAS IN TURN SUED BY THE ENGINEERING FIRM FOR DENYING COVERAGE AND A REVERSAL OF A COURT DECISION IN 2014 LED TO THE RECENT SETTLEMENT. THE $7.5 MILLION CASH SETTLEMENT REIMBURSES NORTH COUNTIES ENGINEERING OF UKIAH FOR ATTORNEYS FEES, COSTS, LOST INTEREST AND DAMAGES.

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News 3/27/15

CALIFORNIA LOOSENS SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCY RULES (LAW) JB 3/27/15

STATE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE LOOSENING RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS CAN CHOOSE TO RESIDE.

CALIFORNIA WILL ALTER ITS 8-YEAR-OLD BAN PREVENTING ALL REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS FROM LIVING NEAR SCHOOLS OR PARKS, INSTEAD IMPOSING THE RESTRICTION ONLY ON PEDOPHILES AND OTHERS WHOSE SEX CRIMES INVOLVED CHILDREN. THE STATE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT SAID IT IS CHANGING ITS POLICY IN RESPONSE TO A STATE SUPREME COURT RULING THAT FOUND THE BLANKET PROHIBITION UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE HIGH COURT RULED THIS MONTH THAT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY CALIFORNIA VOTERS IN 2006 GO TOO FAR TO LIMIT WHERE SEX OFFENDERS CAN LIVE. PAROLE AGENTS CAN STILL FORCE SEX OFFENDERS TO LIVE MORE THAN 2,000 FEET FROM SCHOOLS AND PARKS WHERE CHILDREN GATHER, AS REQUIRED BY THE BALLOT MEASURE COMMONLY KNOWN AS JESSICA’S LAW. BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION FOR INDIVIDUAL CASES. THE MARCH 2 RULING APPLIED ONLY TO REGISTERED SEX-OFFENDER PAROLEES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, BUT PRISON OFFICIALS WILL APPLY THE RULING STATEWIDE.

HIT AND RUN NORTH STATE STREET (LAW) JB 3/27/15

A UKIAH MAN WHO FLED THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT THIS WEEK WAS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF DUI AND HIT AND RUN.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN AREA OF N. STATE STREET REGARDING A HIT AND RUN TRAFFIC COLLISION. UPON ARRIVAL BY OFFICERS, WITNESSES TOLD THEM THAT A SILVER TOYOTA TACOMA BEING DRIVEN BY A MALE ADULT, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 37 YEAR OLD JACOB NOZICKA, HAD COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE AND THEN FLED THE SCENE GOING SOUTH ON N. STATE ST. OFFICERS BEGAN CHECKING THE AREA FOR THE VEHICLE AND DRIVER AND WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE TOYOTA PARKED ON S. DORA STREET. NOZICKA WAS FOUND NEARBY THE VEHICLE AND ADMITTED TO OFFICERS THAT HE HAD BEEN DRIVING. WHILE OFFICERS SPOKE WITH THE SUSPECT, HE DISPLAYED SYMPTOMS OF INTOXICATION. NOZICKA WAS LATER ARRESTED AFTER BEING IDENTIFIED AS THE DRIVER BY WITNESSES FOR DUI AND HIT AND RUN AND HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

MCGUIRE SECURES FUNDS TO FIGHT WATER DIVERSIONS (GOV) JB 3/27/15

AS PART OF THE NEW $1 BILLION WATER PLAN, SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE SECURED FUNDS TO FIGHT ILLEGAL WATER DIVERSIONS.

STATE SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE HAS HELPED SECURE CRITICAL FUNDING FROM STATE WATER AND DROUGHT RELIEF BONDS TO FIGHT DEVASTATING ILLEGAL WATER DIVERSIONS FROM TRESPASS MARIJUANA GROWS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. COMPOUNDED WITH HISTORIC DROUGHT CONDITIONS, ILLEGAL GROWS HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON WATERSHEDS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE $2 MILLION IN BONDS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY UTILIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE TO HIRE 11 NEW POSITIONS TO JOIN A MARIJUANA TASK FORCE CREATED BY GOVERNOR BROWNS OFFICE LAST YEAR.

TSUNAMI DEBRIS DISCUSSED AT MEETING IN FT BRAGG (EVR) JB 3/27/15

THE CONTINUING DISCOVERY ON THE NORTH COAST OF DEBRIS FROM THE 2011 TSUNAMI IN JAPAN WAS DISCUSSED AT A MEETING IN FORT BRAGG RECENTLY.

THE ADVOCATE-NEWS REPORTED THAT EBEN SCHWARTZ, A MARINE DEBRIS PROGRAM MANAGER WITH THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION, SPOKE TO A CROWDED TOWN HALL HOSTED BY THE NOYO MARINE SCIENCE CENTER ABOUT THE OCEAN DEBRIS AND ITS EFFECTS. ACCORDING TO SCHWARTZ, THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATES THAT THE 1.5 MILLION TONS OF DEBRIS IS SPREAD OUT OVER THE ENTIRE NORTH PACIFIC, AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,000 MILES. DUE TO STRONG OCEAN CURRENTS ALONG CALIFORNIA, THE MENDOCINO COASTLINE AND AREAS IMMEDIATELY NORTH ARE THE ONLY PLACES IN THE STATE WHERE RESEARCHERS EXPECT TO SEE DEBRIS.

UKIAH MAN SMASHES WINDOW WITH HIS HEAD (LAW) JB 3/27/15

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER AN ALTERCATION THAT RESULTED IN THE SUSPECT SMASHING A WINDOW WITH HIS HEAD.

UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE AREA OF IRVINGTON DR, REGARDING SOMEONE CALLING FOR HELP AFTER A WINDOW HAD BEEN SMASHED. UPON ARRIVAL OFFICERS CONTACTED ANGELO BETTEGA WHO WAS BLEEDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS HEAD. WHEN OFFICERS QUESTIONED BETTEGA AS TO HIS IDENTITY AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM, HE PROVIDED A FALSE NAME AND CLAIMED HE HAD FALLEN. OFFICERS LOCATED A NEARBY RESIDENCE WHICH HAD A BROKEN WINDOW AND AFTER CONTACTING THE RESIDENT, OFFICERS LEARNED BETTEGAS TRUE IDENTITY AND THAT HE HAD CAUSED A VERBAL ARGUMENT INSIDE THE RESIDENCE AND HAD BEEN ASKED TO LEAVE. WHEN BETTEGA LEFT HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDOW CAUSING IT TO SHATTER AND INJURE HIMSELF. A RECORDS CHECK ON BETTEGA FOUND THAT HE HAD A FELONY WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AND HE WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL

LAKE MENDOCINO CONTINUES TO DROP (EVR) JB 3/27/15

THE WATER LEVEL IN LAKE MENDOCINO CONTINUES TO DROP AND EXPERTS SAY THE RELEASE LEVELS ARE BASED ON NEARLY 30 YEAR OLD DATA.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, SEAN WHITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RUSSIAN RIVER FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT STATED THAT THE MINIMUM FLOWS FROM LAKE MENDOCINO ARE DICTATED BY A DECISION WRITTEN IN 1986. SINCE IT WAS WRITTEN SO LONG AGO, MANY OF THE THINGS IT WAS PREDICTED ON NO LONGER APPLY. WHITE ADDED THAT THE LOCAL WEATHER YEAR IS DERIVED FROM THE AMOUNT OF WATER IN LAKE PILLSBURY, WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AMOUNT OF WATER STORED IN LAKE MENDOCINO. SO EVEN THOUGH THE ENTIRE STATE IS SUFFERING FROM A PROLONGED DROUGHT, THE OFFICIAL DETERMINATION FOR THE LOCAL WEATHER YEAR THUS FAR IS NORMAL, BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WATER IN LAKE PILLSBURY, RESULTING IN THE CONTINUED ELEVATED WATER RELEASES FROM LAKE MENDOCINO. IN THE PAST WEEK ALONE, LAKE MENDOCINO HAS LOST 800 ACRE FEET OF WATER, MORE THAN 260 MILLION GALLONS.

OAK MANOR STRING OF BURGLARIES (LAW) JB 3/27/15

A RECENT STRING OF BURGLARIES IN THE OAK MANOR ARE HAS LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVISING RESIDENTS TO USE EXTRA CAUTION.

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE REPORTED A RASH OF VEHICLE AND HOME BURGLARIES IN THE AREA OF OAK MANOR LATELY.

RESIDENTS NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY LOCK THEIR DOORS WHEN NOT HOME AND VEHICLES WHEN PARKED. OFFICERS HAVE INCREASED PATROLS IN THIS AREA DURING THE EVENING HOURS WHILE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVES ARE FOLLOWING UP ON LEADS REGARDING THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON(S). ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THESE INCIDENTS IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

News 3/26/15

ALLMAN BACKS BILL TO REDUCE PRESCRIPTION ABUSE (LAW) JB 3/26/15

SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN RECENTLY SHOWED HIS SUPPORT FOR A NEW BILL AIMED AT REDUCING PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN WAS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE STATE CAPITOL TUESDAY WHEN ASSEMBLYMAN JIM WOOD INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO HELP CURB PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE AND DEATHS, SOMETHING HE HOPES CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY UTILIZING A RELATIVELY NEW UNCRUSHABLE PILL TECHNOLOGY. ALLMAN SAID. IN MENDOCINO COUNTY SPECIFICALLY, WERE ALMOST DOUBLE THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE OF DEATHS AND REHABILITATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. WOOD SAID ASSEMBLY BILL 623 WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO PRESCRIBE OPIOID PAIN MEDICATION FOR A LESS THAN 30-DAY SUPPLY TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PILLS CIRCULATING FOR THEFT OR MISUSE; EXPAND THE ABILITY TO PRESCRIBE ABUSE DETERRENT FORMULA MEDICATION, OR ADFS; AND PROVIDE MORE PATIENT COUNSELING FROM PHARMACISTS ON HOW TO PROPERLY STORE AND DISPOSE OF OPIOIDS.

SKUNK TRAIN DERAILS, NO INJURIES REPORTED (TR) JB 3/26/15

A FAULT IN A RAIL WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF A DERAILMENT OF THE SKUNK TRAIN OVER THE WEEKEND.

IN WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS A MINOR INCIDENT, MENDOCINO COUNTYS SKUNK TRAIN DERAILED ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON A RETURN TRIP FROM NORTHSPUR TO WILLITS. A BROKEN OR FRACTURED RAIL CAUSED ONE WHEEL OF THE LOCOMOTIVE AND ONE WHEEL ON TWO OF THREE PASSENGER CARS TO FALL TIGHTLY AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED IN THE INCIDENT AND THE TRAIN WAS BACK ON THE TRACKS WITHIN A FEW HOURS, WITH ALL OPERATIONS RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE TRACKS ARE INSPECTED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE WEEK AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY THAT VERY TRAIN PASSING OVER THE TRACKS.

SENATE APPROVES $1 BILLION WATER PLAN (GOV/EVR) JB 3/26/15

AMID THE FOURTH YEAR OF DROUGHT CONDITIONS, THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE HAS APPROVED A $1 BILLION WATER PLAN.

THE STATE SENATE ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED A $1 BILLION PROPOSAL TO SPEED UP SPENDING ON WATER PROJECTS AND OFFER ABOUT $75 MILLION IN IMMEDIATE AID TO RESIDENTS AND WILDLIFE IN DROUGHT-STRICKEN CALIFORNIA. THE LEGISLATION ACCELERATES WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING, SOME OF WHICH CAN BOOST LOCAL WATER SUPPLIES IN FUTURE YEARS. IT INCLUDES $267 MILLION TO GIVE OUT GRANTS FOR WATER-RECYCLING PROJECTS AND EXPAND DRINKING WATER IN SMALL AND POOR CITIES. THE FUNDING PLAN WAS FAST-TRACKED AFTER IT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK BY GOV. JERRY BROWN AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES. BUT A COMPANION MEASURE TO AUTHORIZE FINES FOR ILLEGAL DIVERSIONS OF WATER DREW CRITICISM FROM REPUBLICANS ON WEDNESDAY FOR EXPANDING GOVERNMENT POWERS WITHOUT TRADITIONAL LEGISLATIVE SCRUTINY.

VETERANS BENEFIT FROM MEDICAL PROGRAM CHANGE (GOV) JB 3/26/15

VETERANS ON THE NORTH COAST ARE SET TO BENEFIT FROM A MAJOR CHANGE MADE TO THEIR MEDICAL CHOICE PROGRAM.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON WEDNESDAY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD GREATLY INCREASE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM BY CHANGING THE WAY IT CALCULATES DISTANCES BETWEEN VETERANS HOME ADDRESSES AND THE NEAREST VA FACILITY, FROM A STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE TO DRIVING DISTANCE. ON JANUARY 13, CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN SENT A LETTER TO VA SECRETARY ROBERT MCDONALD POINTING OUT THAT SOME 1,700 VETERANS IN HIS NORTH COAST DISTRICT LIVE IN INACCESSIBLE AREAS AND COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM IF DISTANCE WERE INSTEAD MEASURED IN MILES DRIVEN. THE AGENCY SAID THE CHANGE WILL BE MADE THROUGH REGULATORY ACTION IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND THAT IT WOULD LIKELY DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

TIMBER HARVEST MONEY RESTORED FOR COUNTY (GOV/ECN) JB 3/26/15

FOLLOWING THE RENEWAL OF THE SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS PROGRAM, MORE THAN $300,000 OF TIMBER HARVEST FUNDS IS HEADED FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY.

CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN, ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM WASHINGTON AND OREGON WORKED TOGETHER TO SECURE A RENEWAL FOR THE PROGRAM THAT HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO LAPSE LAST SEPTEMBER. THE PROGRAM ALLOWS THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO SHARE REVENUES FROM TIMBER HARVESTS WITH AREAS THAT CONTAIN NATIONAL FOREST LAND, SINCE THAT LAND CANNOT BE TAXED BY STATES OR COUNTIES. OVER 4,000 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BENEFIT FROM FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE PROGRAM, WITH MENDOCINO COUNTY RECEIVING OVER $307,000 IN 2013 ALONE.

UKIAH FOOD WASTE COLLECTION HEADING TO VOTE AGAIN (PI) JB 3/26/15

THE ISSUE OF FOOD WASTE COLLECTION FOR COMPOSTING IN UKIAH WILL LIKELY BE VOTED ON BY THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.

FOR YEARS NOW, UKIAH WASTE SOLUTIONS AND CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BROUGHT UP THE CONCEPT OF HAVING THE CITYS FOOD WASTE COMPOSTED INSTEAD OF BEING SENT TO LANDFILLS. THE HOPE IS THAT RESIDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO ADD FOOD WASTE TO THEIR GREEN YARD WASTE BIN BUT THE COMMINGLING OF WASTE PRODUCTS WAS RESISTED BY UKIAH WASTE SOLUTIONS DUE TO THE ADDED COST AND OTHER FACTORS. THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL IS PLANNING TO REVISIT THE SUBJECT, INCLUDING POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND ACTUAL FINANCIAL FIGURES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT AT ITS SECOND MEETING IN APRIL.

MISSING HIKER BOOKED ON THEFT WARRANT (LAW) JB 3/26/15

A HIKER REPORTED MISSING ON MOUNT TAMALPAIS WAS ARRESTED FOR A WARRANT FROM MENDOCINO COUNTY UPON HER RETURN.

24 YEAR OLD JENNIFER BAIR, THE MISSING FEMALE HIKER ON MOUNT TAMALPAIS WHO WAS FOUND LATE TUESDAY MORNING ALLEGEDLY AVOIDED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WHO WERE SEARCHING FOR HER BECAUSE SHE HAD AN OUTSTANDING THEFT WARRANT FOR HER ARREST IN MENDOCINO COUNTY. BAIR HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM 2 MEN AS THEY WERE HIKING TO A HOT SPRING AND THE TWO MEN REPORTED HER MISSING. A PARK RANGER WAS POSTED AT BAIRS CAR AND BAIR REAPPEARED AROUND 11 AM TUESDAY MORNING. BAIR SAID SHE KNEW ABOUT THE SEARCH WARRANT AND HAD AVOIDED CONTACT BECAUSE IT. BAIR WAS ARRESTED ON THE WARRANT AND BOOKED INTO THE MARIN COUNTY JAIL.

News 3/23/15

UUSD REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF CONTRACTOR REFUNDS (ED) JB 3/23/15

REFUNDS OF CONTRACTORS FEES COLLECTED BY THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE LESS THAN ORIGINALLY ANNOUNCED.

THE UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS MODIFIED THE TIMEFRAME USED TO DETERMINE WHICH CONTRACTORS WILL BE RECEIVING REFUNDS OF FEES CHARGED BY THE DISTRICT IN 2012-13. THE RESOLUTION TO COLLECT FEES WAS ORIGINALLY PASSED ON MAY 8, 2012 HOWEVER IT WAS NOT ENACTED UNTIL JULY 7, 2012. THE CHANGE IN THE TIMEFRAME FOR REFUND CONSIDERATION WILL RESULT IN THREE DEVELOPERS NO LONGER QUALIFYING FOR NEARLY $7,500 IN REFUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT.

WILLITS MAN FLEES COURT AFTER BEING CHARGED (LAW) JB 3/23/15

A WILLITS MAN ALLEGEDLY LED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON A FOOT CHASE THROUGH UKIAH AFTER LEARNING HE WAS BEING CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, 39 YEAR OLD DUSTIN GABRIEL HENDERSON, WAS BEING ARRAIGNED BEFORE JUDGE DAVID NELSON AROUND 9:30 A.M. ON THE SUSPECTED CHARGE, WHEN THE DA MADE A MOTION TO INCREASE HENDERSONS BAIL IN THE CASE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO BE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. UPON LEARNING THE NEWS, HE BOLTED FROM THE COURTROOM, KICKED OUT A GLASS EXIT DOOR ON STANDLEY STREET, AND LED RESPONDING COURT BAILIFFS, MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES AND UKIAH POLICE OFFICERS ON A FOOT CHASE NORTH OF TOWN BEFORE BEING APPREHENDED IN A CREEK BED. HENDERSON WAS TRANSPORTED BACK TO COURT AND THEN TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL WHERE HE IS BEING HELD ON $400,000 BAIL.

UKIAH MAN TRIES TO FLEE DUI ARREST (LAW) JB 3/23/15

A UKIAH MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AFTER ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTING TO FLEE FROM OFFICERS ON FOOT.

ACCORDING TO UKIAH POLICE REPORTS, AN OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO CONDUCT A TRAFFIC STOP OF A GOLD ACURA THAT HE ALLEGEDLY WITNESSED SPEEDING NORTHBOUND ON NORTH STATE STREET. THE DRIVER, 18-YEAR-OLD JAIME RODRIGUEZ JR, LED POLICE ON A CHASE ON STATE STREET UNTIL TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY. RODRIGUEZ THEN RAN FROM THE CAR AND JUMPED SEVERAL FENCES UNTIL HE WAS APPREHENDED BEHIND THE PAROLE OFFICE ON NORTH STATE STREET. RODRIGUEZ WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING SUSPICION OF DUI AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

LAWSUIT CLAIMS HIGH ARSENIC LEVELS IN BUDGET WINES (PI) JB 3/23/15

A NEW CONSUMER LAWSUIT ALLEGES LOW-PRICED WINES PRODUCED BY MORE THAN TWO DOZEN CALIFORNIA WINERIES CONTAIN ILLEGAL AND TOXIC LEVELS OF ARSENIC.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTED THE CLASS-ACTION SUIT, FILED THURSDAY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, ALLEGED THAT 28 WINERIES ARE VIOLATING STATE LAW BY KNOWINGLY PRODUCING, MARKETING AND SELLING WINE WITH ELEVATED LEVELS OF ARSENIC, A NATURALLY OCCURRING CHEMICAL ELEMENT THAT CAN BE POISONOUS IN HIGH CONCENTRATIONS. IT TARGETS 83 WINES, PRIMARILY LOW-PRICED WHITE AND BLUSH WINES, THAT BEAR SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE WINE BUSINESS, INCLUDING SUTTER HOME, BERINGER, ALMADEN AND FRANZIA AND IT INCLUDES SEVERAL WINES MADE BY NORTH COAST WINE PRODUCERS FETZER, KORBEL AND DON SEBASTIANI & SONS. THE LAWSUIT CONTENDS THE WINES ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY EXCEED STANDARDS SET FOR ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER. THERE IS NO FEDERAL STANDARD FOR ARSENIC IN WINE.

LAKE MENDOCINO DROPPING AGAIN (EVR) JB 3/23/15

THE WATER LEVEL IN LAKE MENDOCINO HAS BEGUN TO STEADILY DECLINE AGAIN, PROMPTING CONCERNS FROM WATER OFFICIALS AND FARMERS.

COMPARED TO LAST YEARS NEAR-RECORD LOW LEVEL, LAKE MENDOCINO APPEARS TO HAVE PLENTY OF WATER IN IT. HOWEVER, THE LAKE LEVEL HAS BEEN STEADILY DROPPING SINCE MID-FEBRUARY WHEN THE RELEASE FROM THE COYOTE DAM WAS INCREASED TO KEEP UP WITH RIVER FLOW REQUIREMENTS. THE LAKE IS LOSING APPROXIMATELY 247 ACRE FEET PER DAY, WITH ONE ACRE FOOT ABLE TO SUPPLY A HOUSEHOLD 893 GALLONS A DAY FOR A YEAR. THE CURRENT LAKE LEVEL WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM IF A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF RAIN WAS ASSURED LATER IN THE YEAR. HOWEVER, THE STATE LOOKS TO BE HEADED INTO THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE CURRENT DROUGHT.

SONOMA MAN ARRESTED AFTER BODY FOUND IN BARREL (LAW) JB 3/23/15

A SONOMA MAN WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY ON SUSPICION OF MURDER, AFTER A MANS BODY WAS FOUND STUFFED INTO A 55-GALLON PLASTIC BARREL THAT WAS DISCARDED NEAR SONOMA CITY HALL LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, THE SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE RECEIVED A CALL JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT FRIDAY FROM A PERSON WHO REPORTED AN ILLEGAL DUMPING IN FRONT OF CITY HALL. INVESTIGATORS DISCOVERED A LARGE PLASTIC BARREL COVERED WITH BLUE TARP, AND DRIED BLOOD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BARREL. THEY REMOVED THE TARP FOUND A MANS BODY INSIDE. SHERIFFS DEPUTIES WITH THE DEPARTMENTS VIOLENT CRIMES AND CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION UNITS IMMEDIATELY CORDONED OFF THE SCENE AND BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE. THEIR FINDINGS LED THEM TO A MOBILE HOME AT THE ACACIA GROVE MOBILE HOME PARK ON HIGHWAY 12 IN SONOMA VALLEY, WHERE DETECTIVES BELIEVE THE CRIME TOOK PLACE. DEPUTIES SECURED A SEARCH WARRANT, THEN ARRESTED 40-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER MCNATT ON SUSPICION OF MURDER. HE WAS BOOKED INTO SONOMA COUNTY JAIL AND IS DUE IN COURT TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

WOMAN STOPS HOUSE FIRE WITH BUCKET OF WATER (LAW) JB 3/23/15

A UKIAH WOMAN SUCCESSFULLY BATTLED A KITCHEN FIRE WITH A SINGLE BUCKET OF WATER.

THE INCIDENT REPORTEDLY TOOK PLACE JUST BEFORE NOON ON SATURDAY AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON LAWS AVENUE. THE WOMAN HAD STEPPED AWAY FROM A WOK SHE WAS HEATING ON HER STOVE AND WHEN SHE RETURNED, SHE FOUND THE KITCHEN ON FIRE AND THE APARTMENT FILLING WITH SMOKE. THE WOMAN THEN REPORTEDLY THREW A BUCKET OF WATER ON THE FIRE, DESTROYING THE STOVE AND A NEARBY LIGHT FIXTURE. THE WOMANS DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WHO WERE UPSTAIRS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE APARTMENT SAFELY AFTER THE WOMAN DOUSED THE BLAZE.

LCSO SEEKING HELP TO IDENTIFY STOLEN PROPERTY (LAW) JB 3/23/15

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN IDENTIFYING RECOVERED STOLEN PROPERTY TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS.

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A RASH OF REPORTED THEFTS IN THE KELSEYVILLE AREA LAST WEEK. WITH THE HELP OF A CITIZEN, DEPUTIES LOCATED A VEHICLE PARKED AT PIONEER PARK CONTAINING STOLEN PROPERTY. SOME OF THE ITEMS WERE IDENTIFIED AND RETURNED TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS BUT SOME OF THE ITEMS HAVE YET TO BE IDENTIFIED AS STOLEN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RECOVERING ANY PROPERTY STOLEN RECENTLY, PLEASE CONTACT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AT 263-2690.

Playlist 3/26/15

CALVIN HARRIS W/ELLIE GOULDING-OUTSIDE

ELLIE GOULDING-LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO

MAROON 5-SUGAR

PITBULL W/NE-YO-TIME OF OUR LIVES

RIHANNA W/KANYE WEST & PAUL MC CARTNEY-FOURFIVESECONDS

TAYLOR SWIFT-STYLE

ARIANA GRANDE-ONE LAST TIME

FLO RIDA W/SAGE THE GEMINI & LOOKAS-GDFR

JASON DERULO-WANT TO WANT ME

KELLY CLARKSON-HEARTBEAT SONG

NATALIE LA ROSE W/JEREMIH-SOMEBODY

NE-YO W/JUICY J-SHE KNOWS

NICK JONAS-CHAINS

NICKI MINAJ W/DRAKE & LIL WAYNE-TRUFFLE BUTTER

ONE DIRECTION-NIGHT CHANGES

SAM SMITH-LAY ME DOWN

THE WEEKND-EARNED IT

TORI KELLY-NOBODY LOVE

TOVE LO-TALKING BODY

USHER W/JUICY J-I DON’T MIND

VANCE JOY-RIPTIDE

ZEDD W/SELENA GOMEZ-I WANT YOU TO KNOW

CHRIS BROWN W/TYGA-AYO

ECHOSMITH-BRIGHT

FIFTH HARMONY W/KID INK-WORTH IT

IMAGINE DRAGONS-I BET MY LIFE

JESSIE J-MASTERPIECE

LUNCHMONEY LEWIS-BILLS

WALK THE MOON-SHUT UP AND DANCE

WHO IS FANCY-GOODBYE

ANDY GRAMMER-HONEY, I’M GOOD

CASH CASH-SURRENDER

DJ SNAKE W/ALUNAGEORGE-YOU KNOW YOU LIKE IT

GEORGE EZRA-BUDAPEST

IGGY AZALEA W/JENNIFER HUDSON-TROUBLE

LIFE OF DILLON-OVERLOAD

OLLY MURS W/TRAVIE MCCOY-WRAPPED UP

SHAGGY W/MOHOMBI, FAYDEE AND COSTI-I NEED YOUR LOVE

News 3/20/15

CLEARLAKE CULTIVATION BAN CHALLENGED (LAW) JB 3/20/15

ADVOCATES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA ARE CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF CLEARLAKES RECENT BAN ON MARIJUANA CULTIVATION.

A LAWSUIT WAS FILED ON THURSDAY ON BEHALF OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS IN CLEARLAKE AND IS BACKED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS. THE THREAT OF LITIGATION OVER THE BAN HAD BEEN LOOMING EVEN BEFORE THE CITY ADOPTED THE BAN IN FEBRUARY. THE BAN DOES NOT PREVENT PATIENTS FROM OBTAINING MEDICAL MARIJUANA, ONLY THE CULTIVATION OF THE DRUG. THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFFS IN THE CASE IS SEEKING AN INJUNCTION TO HALT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH IS SLATED TO TAKE EFFECT AT THE END OF THE MONTH, WHILE THE CASE WORKS ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

STATE APPROVES $189,000 FOR MUSSEL PROGRAM (EVR) JB 3/20/15

A GRANT FOR NEARLY $200,000 HAS BEEN RECEIVED TO FUND THE ONGOING BATTLE AGAINST INVASIVE SPECIES IN LAKE COUNTY.

THE RECORD BEE REPORTED THAT LAKE COUNTYS WATER RESOURCES OFFICE RECEIVED NOTICE ON TUESDAY THAT THE STATE HAD APPROVED $189,000 FROM AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAM TO AID IN LOCAL QUAGGA MUSSEL PREVENTION EFFORTS. THE FUNDS COME FROM THE CALIFORNIA PARKS AND RECREATIONS DIVISION OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS AND WILL ALLOW WATER RESOURCES TO EMPLOY UP TO 10 PEOPLE TO MONITOR HIGH VOLUME BOAT RAMPS AROUND THE LAKE FOR TWO YEARS. THE COUNTY HAS RELIED ON $90,000 FROM WATERSHED PROTECTION DISTRICT FUNDS TO OPERATE A BOAT INSPECTION PROGRAM AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RECRUITING VOLUNTEER RAMP MONITORS IN CASE THE GRANT APPLICATION FELL THROUGH.

2015 SALMON SEASON OPTIONS REVEALED (EVR) JB 3/20/15

AS FISHERMEN PREPARE FOR THE OPENING OF THE 2015 SALMON FISHERY, TWO SEASON OPTIONS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED.

WHILE THE SPECIFIC DATES OF THE RECREATIONAL SALMON SEASON HAVE NOT BEEN FINALIZED YET, THE FORECASTS ARE GOOD FOR ANOTHER PLENTIFUL SEASON OFF THE NORTH COAST. THE FIRST SEASON PROPOSAL IS FOR CONSTANT FISHING FROM APRIL 4 THOUGH NOVEMBER 8, WITH A 20-INCH MINIMUM ON CHINOOK SALMON. THE SECOND OPTION, PROPOSED OVER PARTICULAR CONCERNS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTO RIVER, HAS A CLOSURE IN SEPTEMBER AND A MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT OF 24 INCHES AFTER APRIL 30. THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE THE FINALIZED DATES FOR THE RECREATIONAL SALMON SEASON SHORTLY.

UKIAH DRIVERS ADVISED TO AVOID PERKINS STREET (TR) JB 3/20/15

UKIAH DRIVERS ARE BEING ADVISED TO AVOID PERKINS STREET DURING THE LENGTHY UTILITIES PROJECT ABOUT TO COMMENCE.

A MONTHS LONG PROJECT TO MOVE OVERHEAD UTILITIES UNDERGROUND ALONG PERKINS STREET IS SLATED TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK. THE WORK WILL ENTAIL COASTSIDE CONCRETE AND CITY CREWS TO CLOSE ONE LANE OF EASTBOUND PERKINS STREET TO ALLOW THE CREWS TO PREPARE UNDERGROUND VAULTS FOR THE UTILITY LINES. THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR AND DRIVERS WHO NORMALLY USE THE PERKINS CORRIDOR ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE AREA IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AND TAKE ALTERNATE ROUTES.

BROWN PROPOSES $1 BILLION IN DROUGHT SPENDING (GOV) JB 3/20/15

LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE $1 BILLION IN DROUGHT FUNDS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN.

GOVERNOR BROWN AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON THURSDAY PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN DROUGHT-RELIEF SPENDING FOR CALIFORNIA AS IT COPES WITH A FOURTH DRY YEAR AND BROWN URGES RESIDENTS TO REDUCE WATER USE. BROWN SAID THE PROPOSAL ACCELERATES SPENDING THAT VOTERS HAVE ALREADY APPROVED FOR WATER AND FLOOD PROJECTS, INCLUDING LAST YEAR’S $7.5 BILLION BOND MEASURE. THE PACKAGE OF TWO BILLS WOULD PROVIDE SOME FUNDING FOR IMMEDIATE AID TO COMMUNITIES FACING DIRE WATER SHORTAGES AND UNEMPLOYMENT. IT INCLUDES $272 MILLION FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER AND WATER RECYCLING AND $128 MILLION FOR DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE HARDEST-HIT WORKERS AND COMMUNITIES. IT ALSO ACCELERATES $660 MILLION IN SPENDING FOR FLOOD PROTECTION IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS.

WARM PACIFIC WATERS UPSETTING BALANCE (EVR) JB 3/20/15

A NEW REPORT FROM BIOLOGISTS STATES THAT WARM WATERS OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ARE UPSETTING THE BIOLOGICAL BALANCE OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, UNPRECEDENTED CHANGES THAT HAVE WARMED THE OCEAN OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA MAY PORTEND A DRAMATIC DECLINE IN THE BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTIVITY OF COASTAL WATERS, EXPLAINING RECENT STRANDINGS OF EMACIATED SEA LION PUPS AND A MASS DIE-OFF THAT BEGAN LAST FALL OF SMALL SEABIRDS CALLED CASSINS AUKLETS. FISHERY EXPERTS AND ECOLOGISTS AT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION HAVE SAID THAT POPULATIONS OF TINY ORGANISMS AT THE BASE OF THE MARINE FOOD WEB ALREADY HAVE DIMINISHED AND COULD TAKE A TOLL ON EVERYTHING FROM SALMON TO SEALS BECAUSE OF ESPECIALLY INTENSE VARIABILITY IN REGIONAL WEATHER PATTERNS. IN ADDITION, AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF WINDS FROM THE SOUTH AND WEAK WINDS FROM THE NORTH HAS DEPRESSED THE UPWELLING OF COLD, NUTRIENT-RICH WATER THAT WOULD NORMALLY FERTILIZE THE SURFACE WATERS AND STIMULATE A MORE PRODUCTIVE FOOD WEB.

HARVEST MARKET HONORED BY JARED HUFFMAN (PI) JB 3/20/15

CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN RECENTLY HONORED HARVEST MARKET IN FORT BRAGG FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES.

DURING A RECENT TRIP THROUGH FORT BRAGG, CONGRESSMAN HUFFMAN PRESENTED HARVEST MARKET WITH A NORTH COAST SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FOR THEIR WORK TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. AMONG THEIR EFFORTS, HARVEST MARKET RECYCLES THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THEIR REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER SYSTEMS TO HEAT THE STORE. HARVEST MARKETS MENDOCINO LOCATION UTILIZES WATER PRODUCED FROM THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM TO FLUSH THE STORES TOILETS. THE STORES TOKEN PROGRAM DONATES BAG FEES REQUIRED BY THE CITY AND COUNTY ORDINANCE AND HAS GENERATED OVER $81,000 IN DONATIONS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2013.

News 3/19/15

HHSA PARTNERING WITH MCSO FOR OUTREACH (LAW) JB 3/19/15

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY HAVE PARTNERED TO CREATE A NEW MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH POSITION.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE MENDOCINO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ON TUESDAY RECEIVED CONSENT FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ADDITIONAL COUNTY VEHICLE WHICH WILL BE UTILIZED BY A NEW MOBILE MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH SPECIALIST, A PERSON WHO IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SHERIFFS OFFICE ON RELATED CRISIS CALLS. TO ASSIST THE HHSA WITH THE PURCHASE, THE SHERIFFS OFFICE HAS AGREED TO TRANSFER $12,000 FROM ITS STATE ASSET FORFEITURE ACCOUNT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A USED VEHICLE. AN ADDITIONAL $13,000 WILL ALSO BE ALLOCATED FROM THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES REALIGNMENT FUNDS. THE SPECIALIST IS PARTNERED WITH A COMMUNITY SAFETY OFFICER, AND THEY ENGAGE MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS IN THE SOUTH COAST, ANDERSON VALLEY AND NORTHERN COUNTY AREAS AND WILL ALSO BE DOING IN-REACH, MEANING MENTAL HEALTH IDENTIFIED COUNTY INMATES WILL ALSO BE SERVED.

METHAMPHETAMINE BUST IN FORT BRAGG (LAW) JB 3/19/15

A ROUTINE CHECK ON A VEHICLE IN FORT BRAGG LEADS TO THE ARREST OF A MAN ON DRUG CHARGES.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES CONTACTED 42 YEAR OLD DONALD BOWMAN IN A VEHICLE ON GRAVEL PIT ROAD WITHIN JACKSON STATE FOREST, JUST SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 20 IN FORT BRAGG. DEPUTIES KNEW BOWMAN TO BE ON ACTIVE FELONY PROBATION WITH A TERM THAT HE SUBMIT HIS PERSON AND PROPERTY TO SEARCH. DURING A SEARCH OF BOWMANS PERSON, DEPUTIES LOCATED A PLASTIC BAG CONTAINING A SUSPECTED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. THAT FIELD-TESTED PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE FOR METHAMPHETAMINE AND HAD A NET WEIGHT OF 5.4-GRAMS. BOWMAN IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND AT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL AND HE WAS BOOKED FOR POSSESSING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE FOR SALE AND VIOLATION OF HIS PROBATION.

CALFIRE ENCOURAGING HOMEOWNERS TO ACT NOW (LAW) JB 3/19/18

AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED DROUGHT CONDITIONS, CALFIRE IS ENCOURAGING HOMEOWNERS TO PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING FIRE SEASON.

IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF WINTER, CALFIRE HAS RESPONDED TO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WILDFIRES DUE TO THE CONTINUATION OF DRY FUEL CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT, CALFIRE OFFICIALS ARE REMINDING RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE MAINTAINING 100 FEET OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND THEIR RESIDENCE. THE INTENT OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE IS TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR FIREFIGHTERS DEFENDING A HOME AS WELL AS INCREASE THE SURVIVABILITY OF A BUILDING OR STRUCTURE THAT EXISTS IN GRASS, BRUSH AND FOREST COVERED LANDS. MORE INFORMATION ON HOME PREPARATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.READYFORWILDFIRE.ORG.

ESCROW CLOSES ON NEW LAKEPORT POLICE STATION (LAW) JB 3/19/15

THE LAKEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW ONE STEP CLOSER TO MOVING INTO ITS NEW POLICE STATION.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKEPORT POLICE CHIEF, ESCROW ON THE CITYS NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING ON MAIN STREET CLOSED ON MARCH 10. THE CITY AGREED TO PURCHASE THE NEARLY 4,400 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING LATE LAST YEAR FOR $875,000. THE CITY WILL NOW HIRE A LOCAL PROJECT MANAGER TO OVERSEE MODIFICATIONS TO THE NEW BUILDING INCLUDING THE CHANGEOVER OF THE PHONE AND COMPUTER NETWORK AND THE INSTALLATION OF FENCING IN THE REAR OF THE BUILDING TO SECURE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES. THE NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS SHOULD BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY JULY 1.

ROLLOVER ACCIDENT INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE DUI (LAW) JB 3/19/15

THE DRIVER IN AN EARLY MORNING ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN LAKEPORT ON WEDNESDAY IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE DUI.

LAKEPORT POLICE RESPONDED TO AN AREA ON LAKEPORT BOULEVARD NORTH OF LANGE STREET JUST AFTER 1:00 WEDNESDAY MORNING AND LOCATED A 1992 FORD F150 UPSIDE DOWN ON ITS ROOF. THE DRIVER, IDENTIFIED AS 22 YEAR OLD DAMON WOOLRIDGE, WAS PINNED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE EXTRICATED BY LAKEPORT FIREFIGHTERS. OFFICERS COLLECTED EVIDENCE THAT SHOWED ALCOHOL INFLUENCE AND UNSAFE SPEED WERE COMBINED FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. WOOLRIDGE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES IN THE CRASH AND WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

NEW BILL WOULD REQUIRE VACATION RENTAL REPORTS (ECN) JB 3/19/15

A NORTH COAST SENATOR IS TAKING AIM AT ONLINE VACATION RENTAL BUSINESSES THROUGH PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT COULD REAP MILLIONS FOR CITIES AND COUNTIES IN UNCOLLECTED BED TAXES.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTED THAT SEN. MIKE MCGUIRE BILLED SENATE BILL 539 WEDNESDAY AS AN ATTEMPT TO GET ONLINE VACATION RENTAL COMPANIES TO FOLLOW LOCAL LAWS JUST LIKE THE REST OF US. SAN FRANCISCO-BASED AIRBNB, AND OTHER COMPANIES LIKE IT, ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO LIST PRIVATE HOMES OR ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR RENT BY OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS SEEKING TEMPORARY STAYS ON THE CHEAP. BUT SONOMA COUNTY AND MANY CITIES SAY THE LARGELY UNREGULATED MARKETPLACE IS SIDESTEPPING THEIR HOTEL-BED TAX COFFERS BECAUSE MANY PROPERTY OWNERS DO NOT REPORT TRANSACTIONS TO TAX OFFICIALS. UNDER MCGUIRES BILL, LOCAL JURISDICTIONS COULD REQUIRE VACATION RENTAL COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE WHERE RENTALS ARE LOCATED AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF NIGHTS STAYED AND THE AMOUNT PAID BY THE VISITOR FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTING BED TAXES.

SF CHURCH REMOVES SPRINKLERS THAT SOAKED HOMELESS (PI) JB 3/19/15

A SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSTALLED AT A CHURCH DESIGNED TO DETER HOMELESS SQUATTERS HAS BEEN REMOVED AFTER HEAVY CRITICISM.

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO STATED THAT IT HAS REMOVED A SPRINKLER SYSTEM THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE DOORWAYS OF THE ST MARYS CATHEDRAL TO DRENCH THE ALCOVES TO PREVENT HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM SLEEPING THERE. THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE ARCHDIOCESE WAS MADE WEDNESDAY AFTER THEY RECEIVED ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF CRITICISM BECAUSE THE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO DRENCH HOMELESS PEOPLE AT NIGHT WAS INSTALLED DURING ONE OF THE WORST DROUGHTS IN HISTORY. THE ARCHDIOCESE, KNOWN FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE HOMELESS IN THE CITY, APOLOGIZED AND STATED THAT THEIR INTENTIONS WERE MISUNDERSTOOD, SAYING THEY WERE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE HOMELESS PEOPLE TO USE OTHER AREAS OF THE CATHEDRAL.

News 3/18/15

CHP INVESTIGATING FATAL CRASH FOLLOWING PURSUIT (LAW) JB 3/18/15

CHP INVESTIGATORS ARE REVIEWING A FATAL CRASH OFF HIGHWAY 1 NEAR BODEGA, TRYING TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS AN ACCIDENT OR INTENTIONAL.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, THE PURSUIT BEGAN AT ABOUT 6:30 P.M. MONDAY AFTER AN INCIDENT AT THE HISTORIC WASHOE HOUSE BAR ON STONY POINT ROAD. THE INCIDENT INVOLVED THE MAN PULLING OUT A HANDGUN AND MAKING INCOHERENT STATEMENTS AND ALSO THREATENING TO KILL PEOPLE. THE DRIVER, WHOSE NAME WAS NOT RELEASED PENDING POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION, BURNED IN THE CAR WHEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER HITTING A TREE. CHP OFFICERS ESTIMATED THE MAN WAS DRIVING 120 MPH WHEN HE RAN OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS, INDICATING HE HADNT APPLIED HIS BRAKES BEFORE CRASHING. THE INVESTIGATION WOULD INCLUDE WHETHER IT WAS AN ACCIDENT OR INTENTIONAL, BUT A CHP OFFICIAL SAID IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION.

FINES LEVIED IN MENDOCINO ABALONE POACHING CASE (LAW) JB 3/18/15

HEAVY FINES HAVE BEEN LEVIED ON THREE SAN FRANCISCO MEN CAUGHT LAST YEAR POACHING ABALONE IN MENDOCINO.

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY THAT THREE SAN FRANCISCANS CAUGHT LAST FALL WITH A COMBINED 59 RED ABALONE ON THE MENDOCINO COAST HAVE BEEN HIT WITH $20,000 IN FINES AND SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS PROBATION AND 240 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE THREE WERE ARRESTED AFTER UNDERCOVER WILDLIFE OFFICERS SAW TWO OF THEM DIVING FOR ABALONE NOV. 5 NEAR THE COMMUNITY OF ELK AND HIDING SHELLFISH AS THEY BROUGHT THEM ASHORE. ASIDE FROM THE FINES AND PROBATION, THE THREE MEN FACE THE PERMANENT REVOCATION OF THEIR FISHING LICENSES AND THE LOSS OF ALL THEIR FISHING GEAR SEIZED BY OFFICERS DURING THEIR ARREST.

APOLLO IN LEAD TO ACQUIRE DFM NEWSPAPERS (ECN) JB 3/18/15

GIANT PRIVATE EQUITY FUND APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT IS THE FRONT-RUNNER IN NEGOTIATIONS TO BUY DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA, THE PUBLISHER OF NUMEROUS LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.

ACCORDING TO REUTERS, APOLLO, WHICH HAS ABOUT $160 BILLION UNDER MANAGEMENT, IS IN ADVANCED TALKS TO ACQUIRE DFM FOR AROUND $400 MILLION. APOLLO AND THE SMALLER PRIVATE EQUITY FUND CERBERUS HAVE BEEN RUMORED TO BE THE TWO FINAL BIDDERS FOR THE CHAIN, WHICH DFM PUT UP FOR SALE LAST SEPTEMBER.

IN ADDITION TO 76 DAILY NEWSPAPERS, DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA CONTROLS 160 WEEKLY PUBLICATIONS. THE PAPERS INCLUDE THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, THE WILLITS NEWS AND THE FORT BRAGG ADVOCATE NEWS, IN ADDITION TO THE RECORD-BEE. IN THE BAY AREA, MAJOR DFM-CONTROLLED PROPERTIES INCLUDE THE SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, CONTRA COSTA TIMES AND OAKLAND TRIBUNE.

TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEMS TEST SCHEDULED (PI) JB 3/18/15

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS PROCLAIMED THAT NEXT WEEK IS TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS WEEK.

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, IN COOPERATION WITH THE COUNTIES OF HUMBOLDT AND DEL NORTE, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, AND THE CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY HAS SCHEDULED A TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM TEST ON MARCH 25, 2015 FROM 11:00 AM TO 12:00 PM PDT. IF YOU ARE WATCHING TELEVISION BETWEEN 11:00 A.M. AND 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, EXPECT TO SEE A CRAWLER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN INDICATING THAT A TSUNAMI WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED AND HEAR A VOICE INDICATING THAT IT IS ONLY A TEST. IF YOU DONT HEAR THE TV AUDIO, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS ONLY A TEST. IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE RADIO YOU WILL HEAR ALERTING TONES FOLLOWED BY A VOICE ANNOUNCING THAT THE TEST IS OCCURRING.

MAN SHOOTING AT A DRIVER DURING CAR CHASE (LAW) JB 3/18/15

SHOTS FIRED DURING A CAR CHASE LEADS TO THE ARREST OF A WILLITS MAN IN COVELO.

DEPUTIES FROM THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE WERE DISPATCHED TO THE COVELO AREA REGARDING A REPORT OF A SUBJECT IN A VEHICLE CHASE SHOOTING AT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. DEPUTIES ENCOUNTERED THE SUSPECT VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 162 NEAR DOS RIOS. A TRAFFIC STOP WAS CONDUCTED AND 39-YEAR-OLD DUSTIN HENDERSON WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE DRIVER. HENDERSON HAD PASSED THE VICTIMS VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 162 AND WHEN DOING SO COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE COMPLETING THE PASS. HENDERSON PULLED AWAY AND STOPPED HIS VEHICLE IN THE ROADWAY AND PRODUCED A PELLET PISTOL WHICH THE VICTIM BELIEVED TO BE A FIREARM AND HE FIRED THE PELLET PISTOL AT THE VICTIMS VEHICLE, SHATTERING THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE VICTIM WAS THEN PURSUED BY HENDERSON INTO THE COVELO AREA WHERE HE CONTINUED TO SHOOT THE PELLET PISTOL AT THE VICTIMS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLES TRAVELED THROUGH THE TOWN OF COVELO AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED UNTIL THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO ELUDE HENDERSON IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. A SEARCH OF HENDERSONS VEHICLE REVEALED THE PELLET PISTOLWHICH HAD THE APPEARANCE OF A FIREARM AS WELL AS PELLETS, MARIJUANA, AND SUSPECTED METHAMPHETAMINE IN A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE. HENDERSON WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

GUERNVILLE MAN INJURED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH (LAW) JB 3/18/15

A GUERNVILLE MAN SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH NEAR HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE OVER THE WEEKEND.

39-YEAR-OLD RENE BARRON WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 29, APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE NORTH OF SPRUCE GROVE ROAD SOUTH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BARRONS 1989 KAWASAKI X3 LEFT THE ROADWAY AND OVERTURNED, SEVERELY INJURING THE RIDER. HE WAS FLOWN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED TO A REGIONAL TRAUMA CENTER. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND, ACCORDING TO CHP REPORTS, ALCOHOL IS BELIEVED TO BE A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO OFFER BACHELOR PROGRAMS (ED) JB 3/18/15

TWELVE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA HAVE RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL TO OFFER BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMS.

THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES BOARD OF GOVERNORS GAVE FINAL APPROVAL ON MONDAY FOR 12 COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO PARTICIPATE IN A LANDMARK PILOT PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO OFFER BACHELORS DEGREES IN FIELDS SUCH AS RESPIRATORY THERAPY, DENTAL HYGIENE AND AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY. INITIAL APPROVAL WAS GRANTED IN JANUARY, PENDING ADDITIONAL EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSALS BY THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES CHANCELLORS OFFICE AND FURTHER CONSULTATION WITH CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. UNDER THE LAW THE FOUR-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAMS MUST BE UP AND RUNNING BY AT LEAST THE 2017-18 ACADEMIC YEAR, HOWEVER, DISTRICTS MAY START THEIR PROGRAMS BY THE FALL 2015 SEMESTER.