April | 2015 | 94.5 K-Wine / Max 93.5 FM

Monthly Archives: April 2015

News 4/30/15

What was thought to be a human tooth at an archaeological dig in the Northern Interchange of the Caltrans Willits Bypass was an animal’s after all. The find first said to be human by an archaeologist working for Catrans so a tribal monitor asked for the work to stop. But that didn’t happen. Now the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reports indeed it was part of the upper molar of an animal. That’s been confirmed by the anthropology department at CSU Chico. The archaeological study being done as part of an agreement with local Pomo Indian tribes as the area was once ancestral land.

More than 100-thousand dollars is going to North Coast Opportunities (NCO) for Market Match. Market Match is the healthy food incentive program in Calif. It’s run by the Ecology Center — at the Ukiah, Willits, Redwood Valley and Lake County farmers markets. The money made available by grants from the USDA’s first ever Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive. More than $31 million in all will be distributed across the country.

A suspected murderer and rapist had his preliminary hearing pushed. Terrell James Marshall Jr. is accused in the rape and murder of Kayla Grace Chesser of Willits. He was supposed to be in court Friday, but now sits in the Mendocino County Jail until July 30th at his lawyer’s request. Before that he was supposed to be in court in February and that was pushed. His lawyer says he needs time to review statements and pictures and prepare expert witnesses. The suspect a registered sex offender arrested in the past for forced sex.

A draft waiver for marijuana cultivation to allow growers to follow state water regulations is being readied by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. It covers provisions for a waiver of a 30 day public comment period. If it is finalized, private property growers, with more than six plants, have to go for the waiver if their operation could impact water quality. Before now it’s been completed unregulated

A man from Ukiah’s been arrested for alleged pot growing in massive amounts. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Marijuana Eradication team helped the major crimes unit with a search warrant on Brian Woodson. They say they found more than 730 pot plants, about 3 pounds of processed buds and items used to manufacture concentrated cannabis thru chemical extraction and a digital scale. Woodson booked into jail then released on $50,000.00 bail.

Nearly 19 thousand dollars has been raised as part of the UDJ Ukiah Boys & Girls Club Spring Fund Drive. The goal to reach 55-thousand and get a match of the same from Retech of Ukiah and the Ukiah Police Department. An anonymous donor has given $1,000 this week and several others have pitched in anywhere from $25 up to $250.

3 people have been arrested and 70 others were found to be in compliance during a check of sex registrants. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force and other area law enforcement were in unincorporated areas of the County on Tuesday and Wednesday. Officers say they verified 70 and arrested 3 for parole violations. One for an out-of-county arrest warrant and two others who were still be investigated.

A man has been injured in an officer involved shooting in Guerneville. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says they got a call to a housing complex where a man was reported to be waving a knife. After the man was shot he was taken to a local hospital trauma center. He was hit in the shoulder. Witnesses say he was upset because he thought someone stole his motorcycle. They say he then barricaded himself in his apartment when cops got there.

The sewer rates are being raised in the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District. Starting this summer, the rates will go up in relation to usage. Lake Co News reports residential or business customer rates will also depend on wastewater produced. Rates will also be adjusted every July 1st. The rates may be on hold though pending a decision regarding tiered rates in the city of San Juan Capistrano.

A man in Ukiah’s been convicted of assault and great bodily injury. The Mendocino County D-A’s office reports James Perkins jury deliberated for less than an hour in the case. The court also found Perkins had a prior strike for rape in 2006 in Alameda County. His case has been referred to the probation dept for a background study and sentencing recommendation. He remains in the county jail without bail. Perkins will be sentenced next month.

A woman in Mendocino County Court has pleaded guilty to helping to abuse a child. Ina Selena Medina formerly of Talmage, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child and to lewd and lascivious acts with a child by force. Now the sentencing is in the hands of the probation dept. She’ll be formally sentenced in June and could get as much as 20 years to life.

A man in Covelo has pleaded guilty to murder. The jury trial’s been called off for Jeremy Freeman of Lakeport for the death of Belle Rodriguez of Covelo in May of last year. Freeman has admitted he fired the gun that killed the victim. He’ll be sentenced next month, but will get up to 19 years to life in prison with no credit for time served.

A family in Florida says while cleaning out their attic they found a hand… a treasure map… and some coins. A man telling his local TV station he and his sister were in their grandparents’ attic and found the items in a wooden box with a wedding photo of their great-grandparents. The man says the map had the word Gaspar on it, which is a famous pirate from late-18th and early-19th century Florida.

A shoplifting suspect in Florida donning a t-shirt that said WONT BE CAUGHT, hasn’t been so far. Security cameras caught 2 women at a mall in Hillsborough County. They reportedly walked out with nearly $1,500 of loot. Cops say the women had a bag inside a purse and once they got inside the store, they filled it up with designer brand perfumes and colognes.

A high school baseball coach in North Carolina has an interesting way of motivating his players, forcing them to spit on him. For his work, Justin Hill has been suspended for a game. Apparently he was upset players missed practice so at their next one he ordered them to spit in his face, his way of calling their absence disrespectful. He’s apologized to the players.

News 4/29/15

California’s laws of early release are having an impact on Lake County Animal Care and Control. Lake County News reports Animal Care and Control says they can’t get as many inmates to help care for the thousands of animals that pass through the shelter a year because of the new early release laws. The shelter says those who are in jail are usually in for more serious crimes and shelter workers are not equipped to deal with them. So for now the program is on hold…

A CHP Officer from Lake County has received a Medal of Valor. Adam Garcia of Clear Lake was awarded the medal along with more than 50 others for demonstrating extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in order to save the life of another. Garcia for helping the driver of a truck in January of 2013, who slid off the road sideways, then flipped on Hwy 29. He was stuck between an embankment in a creek of icy water, trapped with a passenger and Garcia jumped in and saved them just before the truck burst into flames.

A dozen nuisance abatement cases have been approved in Clearlake. The city council racked up $55,000 in administrative penalties, all approved by unanimous vote. Lake County News reports multiple property owners and tenants were at the meeting last week to protest or appeal their cases, from back in November of 2013. All of the appeals were denied.

Police in Fort Bragg say a local cookie shop has been vandalized and ripped off. Police say they got a call over the weekend to the Mendocino Cookie Company, finding a small glass window in the door broken. They say a suspect entered there and many items were broken and missing. A business next to the cookie spot was also broken into and damaged. The Mendocino Center for Spiritual Living also lost or had items broken. Police still following up on leads…

A fire reported in Fort Bragg. Police say they were flagged down by a pedestrian who saw a fire near the north end of the Noyo Bridge. Police say when they arrived they saw some foam insulation between the joints of the bridge in flames. The person who told them about it says he put out a lot of the fire with his drinking water, then ran to get help. The fire was put out entirely by the Fort Bragg Fire Department. This area frequented by transients and said to be a high foot traffic area. They say there wasn’t any serious damage to the bridge or supporting structures. Police say they have no suspects or leads in this case.

A one million dollar plan to turn a hotel in Fort Bragg into office space has been approved by the City Council. The money for the project comes from a state grant. It’ll turn the old landmark to office space for a homeless and mental health services provider and also for short-term housing for the needy. This means the project should be moving forward since city approval was the final step to turn the Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center’s plan into reality. The 123-year-old Old Coast Hotel could also stay empty though as a request for a preliminary injunction to stop the project is set to be heard May 15th.

The Gov. Jerry Brown is calling for $10,000 in fines for residents and businesses who waste water during mandatory conservation because of the drought. Brown made the suggestion as part of a proposal to enforce water restrictions. Brown met with mayors of more than a dozen cities. The governor says he’s directing state agencies to move faster on an environmental review of projects to help increase local water supplies. Mayors say those projects have been delayed by red tape.

Two men from Fortuna are recovering after the driver of a car fell asleep near Highway 101 and Nelson Ranch Road. The California Highway Patrol reports the two men headed south on the highway when the driver fell asleep and drifted into the center divider. He woke up and got control buy traveled across some lanes and hit a tree. The driver, Danny Johnson had major injuries and the passenger, Curtis Lyon had moderate injuries.

A vacant mobile home and a fifth wheel trailer have been destroyed by a fire in Clearlake. The fire reported last night around 8-30. The Lake County Fire Protection District Chief says the fire burned a couple of outbuildings on the same property too. He says no victims were found and no injuries reported. The property previously used by squatters and there was a fire in the same spot about 6 weeks ago.

Lake County scores again, with the cleanest air in the country. Out of 58 counties in the nation, Lake County wins getting top grades in ozone and small particulate concentrations with the federal air quality standards according to the American Lung Association. The county got a B grade for ozone, an “A” grade for short term particulate pollution and was listed the “Cleanest County in the Nation” for annual particulate average concentrations. It’s the third year in a row.

The manager of a local resort has pleaded guilty to exposing employees to asbestos. Daniel Nelson, the manager of Hoberg’s Resort and Spa has to go to jail for 60 days related to the misdemeanor charge against him after the recent renovation of the historical site. The case was a violation of a California Labor Code section. The Lake County D-A filed the charges against Nelson saying he violated Cal/OSHA asbestos workplace-safety regulations for structure demolition. Besides the jail time, Nelson will have to pay a fine, money to a local health clinic and perform several hours of community service.

The State of the Air Report by the American Lung Association gives Mendocino County an A for zero high ozone days between 2011 and 2013. The report scores counties related to levels of ozone and particle pollution. Mendocino and Lake counties were on the list of the cleanest counties, but not ranked for short-term particle pollution. The two also listed, but not ranked for ‘cleanest counties for ozone air pollution.’ Lake County was ranked No. 1 overall for top 25 cleanest counties for year-round particle pollution last year, but Mendocino County wasn’t on that particular list.

A family driving thru Abi Dhabi caught off guard and decided to video a guy they say they saw running shoeless after his runaway camel. A preschool teaching asst, Ellie Long moved her family to Abu Dhabi last year. She shared the video of the escapade on Facebook. The video quickly went viral.

A duck call ringtone has helped a firefighter in Louisiana rescue six ducklings from a storm drain. The firefighter says the realistic quacking sounds coming from the cellphone helped catch baby mallards in Slidell. The rest of the ducklings were rescued about an hour after the first few. All of them were reunited with their mom in a canal behind a home.

Alaska State Troopers arrested 2 men they say stole several dozen frozen pizzas then tried to sell them back to police. The Alaska Dispatch News reports (http://bit.ly/1EMGfTD ) 80 frozen pizzas reported stolen from a store on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. They say the 2 suspects called the police dept. to try to sell the pizzas to officers. The two were booked into jail in Nome on charges of burglary and theft.

News 4/28/15

3 people from Covelo have been arrested during a sweep of probationers, sex registrants and other wanted persons. Police say John Hoaglen, Anthony Wilburn Jr. and Tammy Hale were brought in on drugs, weapons and other charges. They say Wilburn was in possession of dangerous weapons and hypodermic syringes and at the same house, Hale was high on meth and had hypodermic syringes. And Hoaglen, at a different house was brought in for a felony arrest warrant for not appearing on a probation violation.

The median sales price for homes in Lake County has gone up. The Association of Realtors (LCAOR) says single family home prices were at $180,000 in February and went up to $224,000 in March, that’s a 24 and a half percent increase and 44.5-percent higher than a year ago. The median price for all of last year hit about $169,000 compared to $175,000 for the first three months of 2015. Also good news, foreclosures or distressed sales, homes selling after foreclosure or for less than what was owed were on the decline.

The passenger of a car that rolled near Hopland had to be airlifted to a hospital. The crash Sunday north of Hwy 175. Police say they think the driver, Brandon Doty of Hopland was going too fast and hit a curve and went out of control. swerving and hitting a wood gate post and metal gate. the passenger Tyler Shepard has been flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the driver reported to be uninjured.

5 jury cases in Clearlake had to be vacated after the passage of Proposition 47. The Record Bee reports the proposition also affected some suspects who’d been up for arrest. They got tickets are were released. The Clearlake Police Chief says because of the initiative, “suspects are back on the streets quicker”. The prop passed by voters a year and a half ago reduced many felonies to misdemeanors and for those already in custody, some had their crimes reduced to appeal or total release.

A man from Lake County has been arrested for allegedly chasing people with a machete. Police say Devin Walker got agitated after setting up his camping gear on someone’s parcel in Upper Lake and they told him to leave. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reports it wasn’t the first time the property owners told Walker he couldn’t camp on their land, but he refused. so they took his stuff and moved it and say he started yelling incoherently at them then chased them with a machete. They say he then swam across a canal before he was caught by deputies and booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and on an unrelated warrant.

Lawmakers from the North Coast are supporting a bill that will require all California schoolchildren to be vaccinated. The Senate Bill 277 would get rid of the religious belief excuse to get out of vaccines, but would allow certain medical conditions. Apparently some of the North Coast has some of the highest opt-out rates for vaccinations in the state. Assemblyman Jim Wood of Healdsburg and Sen. Mike McGuire, also of Healdsburg are the co-authors along with pediatrician and Richard Pan of Sacramento. Those against say it should be a personal choice with parents having the final say.

A public notification has gone out that high levels of a chemical have been found in the drinking water in Nice. The Nice Mutual Water Co. reported testing showed the total trihalomethanes, or TTHMs were above the state standard for drinking water. The general manager of the utility says they test quartlerly for the chemical. The water comes right out of Clear Lake, The chemical is apparently a byproduct of chlorinating the drinking water. The water company sent out the notice to customers April 16th.

Cal Fire is requiring burn permits. Starting Friday a burn permit will be mandatory for outdoor burning in Mendocino, San Mateo/Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Sonoma/Lake & Napa areas. The so-called, State Responsibility areas. Those are usually unincorporated, rural, grass, brush and timber covered lands. Those with a permit still have rules to follow and must have someone monitoring the burn at all times. Any violation of rules could mean the loss of the permit and any associated costs with an out of control fire.

Mendocino County is accepting bids for agencies or groups who want to help the county keep crime down and folks out of jail. The county got a 25-thousand dollar Community Recidivism Reduction grant in December. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports the county’s General Services Agency is managing the request for proposals to help keep those who’ve been out of jail from landing there again. They will use detention programs to teach how to stay away from the life of crime and how they can reconnect with family and contribute to society.

Dollar Tree Stores have to pay more than 2 and a half million in settlement costs and penalties for illegal dumping. The Mendocino County D-A’s office reports the company found to be dumping hazardous waste across the state. In Mendocino, the County’s Environmental Health Dept. is supposed to get $1,000 of that and the D-A’s office, $1,250. Dollar Tree has a few stores in Mendocino County, in Ukiah, Willits and Fort Bragg.

A surprise birth at a farm at the University of Rhode Island. One of the school’s two guard donkeys had a baby unexpectedly over the weekend and apparently the two are both females. School officials say they think perhaps one they had purchased over the last year was already pregnant. They can be pregnant for about a year. The donkeys at the university were being used to protect sheep and goats from coyotes and feral dogs.

A man from Colorado fed up with his problematic computer has been arrested. Police say Lucas Hinch shot his Dell computer about 8 times in an alleyway. The LA Times reports the man says the death to computer incident was quote “premeditated” and “glorious”. It’s illegal to fire a gun in Colorado Springs.

The mystery of the missing wedding ring in Alaska has been solved. Nikki Balovich reported her platinum wedding ring lost in January. She was removing it because she was pregnant and was getting swollen fingers. But alas, her mother’s intuition was spot on as their mastiff puppy swallowed it as she feared. The ring found by a neighbor picking up dog waste at a local
baseball field.

Playlist 4/30/15

ARIANA GRANDE-ONE LAST TIME

ELLIE GOULDING-LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO

FLO RIDA W/SAGE THE GEMINI & LOOKAS-GDFR

JASON DERULO-WANT TO WANT ME

NATALIE LA ROSE W/JEREMIH-SOMEBODY

THE WEEKND-EARNED IT

DAVID GUETTA W/NICKI MINAJ & AFROJACK-HEY MAMA

DJ SNAKE W/ALUNAGEORGE-YOU KNOW YOU LIKE IT

ECHOSMITH-BRIGHT

FIFTH HARMONY W/KID INK-WORTH IT

MEGHAN TRAINOR-DEAR FUTURE HUSBAND

NICK JONAS-CHAINS

SAM SMITH-LAY ME DOWN

TORI KELLY-NOBODY LOVE

TOVE LO-TALKING BODY

WALK THE MOON-SHUT UP AND DANCE

WIZ KHALIFA W/CHARLIE PUTH-SEE YOU AGAIN

ZEDD W/SELENA GOMEZ-I WANT YOU TO KNOW

ANDY GRAMMER-HONEY, I’M GOOD

FETTY WAP-TRAP QUEEN

GEORGE EZRA-BUDAPEST

LUNCHMONEY LEWIS-BILLS

NATE RUESS-NOTHING WITHOUT LOVE

RYN WEAVER-OCTAHATE

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

SHEPPARD-GERONIMO

ALESSO W/ROY ENGLISH-COOL

CALVIN HARRIS W/HAIM-PRAY TO GOD

CARLY RAE JEPSEN-I REALLY LIKE YOU

LIFE OF DILLON-OVERLOAD

MARTIN GARRIX W/USHER-DON’T LOOK DOWN

R5-LET’S NOT BE ALONE TONIGHT

SIA-ELASTIC HEART

SKRILLEX & DIPLO W/JUSTIN BIEBER-WHERE ARE YOU NOW

News 4/24/15

COUNTY TO STATE; REDUCE LAKE MENDO RELEASES (EVR) JB 4/24/15

MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE ONCE AGAIN URGING THE STATE TO REDUCE WATER RELEASES FROM LAKE MENDOCINO.

AS THE STATE ENTERS ITS FOURTH YEAR OF SIGNIFICANT DROUGHT, MENDOCINO COUNTY ONCE AGAIN URGED THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD TO RETHINK OUTDATED CRITERIA WHEN IT COMES TO WATER RELEASES FROM LAKE MENDOCINO. THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, SITTING AS THE COUNTY WATER AGENCY TUESDAY, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED SENDING A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO THE SWRCB IN THE HOPE OF CHANGING THE STATES 1986 DECISION THAT SETS YEARLY MINIMUM FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RUSSIAN RIVER. BESIDES DROUGHT IMPLICATIONS, COUNTY OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE CURRENT WATER RELEASES ARE ALSO IN VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. BECAUSE OF OBSOLETE CRITERIA, LAKE MENDOCINO IS BEING OPERATED UNDER NORMAL YEAR CONDITIONS EVEN THOUGH THE DROUGHT HAS CONTINUED, WHICH IS ONLY FURTHER DEPLETING CRITICAL WATER STORAGE LEVELS.

MAN ARRESTED WITH DRUGS AND STOLEN BICYCLE (LAW) JB 4/24/15

A STOP OF A BICYCLIST BY UKIAH POLICE LEADS TO THE RIDERS ARREST FOR DRUGS AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY.

A UKIAH POLICE OFFICER TRIED TO STOP A BICYCLIST ON TUESDAY MORNING IN THE 500 BLOCK OF EAST PERKINS STREET. THE BICYCLIST, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 20 YEAR OLD ROBERT CURTIS JAMES, FLED INTO THE PEAR TREE SHOPPING CENTER WITH THE OFFICER IN PURSUIT ON FOOT. JAMES CONTINUED BEHIND HOME DEPOT AND ONTO HAMILTON STREET BEFORE OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH HIM WHERE HE PHYSICALLY RESISTED THE OFFICERS. JAMES WAS ON PROBATION, AND A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE CONTAINING LIQUID METHAMPHETAMINE WAS LOCATED IN HIS POSSESSION. THE BICYCLE JAMES WAS RIDING WAS LATER DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN STOLEN RECENTLY. JAMES WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES AND BOOKED INTO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

STATE SEEKS VOLUNTARY CUTS IN STREAM DIVERSIONS (EVR) JB 4/24/15

STATE WATER OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING VOLUNTARY CUTS IN STREAM DIVERSIONS FROM SONOMA COUNTY LANDOWNERS

STATE REGULATORS ARE ASKING ABOUT 650 LANDOWNERS ALONG SONOMA COUNTYS FOUR MAJOR COHO SALMON SPAWNING STREAMS TO VOLUNTARILY REDUCE WATER DIVERSIONS TO PROTECT THE DROUGHT-IMPERILED SPECIES, WHICH IS HANGING ON AFTER NEARLY GOING EXTINCT IN THE RUSSIAN RIVER TWO DECADES AGO. LETTERS ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WERE MAILED THIS WEEK TO THE LANDOWNERS PRIMARILY RURAL RESIDENTS AS WELL AS SOME GRAPE GROWERS ALONG DUTCH BILL AND GREEN VALLEY CREEKS IN WEST COUNTY, MARK WEST CREEK NORTH OF SANTA ROSA AND THE MILL CREEK SYSTEM WEST OF HEALDSBURG. THE MOVE AMOUNTS TO THE AGENCIES FIRST DROUGHT-RELATED ACTION THIS YEAR ON LOCAL STREAM USE. IT SEEKS VOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS FROM 654 LANDOWNERS TO CUT BACK ON WATER DRAWN FROM COHO BREEDING STREAMS. BUT THE LETTER ALSO WARNS THAT IF VOLUNTARY ACTIONS ARE INSUFFICIENT, THE STATE COULD HALT WATER DIVERSIONS, A STEP KNOWN AS CURTAILMENT THAT WAS IMPOSED LAST YEAR.

UPPER LAKE COUPLE WAIVE HEARING, HEAD TO TRIAL (LAW) JB 4/24/15

AN UPPER LAKE COUPLE ARE SET TO RETURN TO COURT NEXT MONTH AFTER WAIVING A PRELIMINARY HEARING IN A MARIJUANA CASE.

AN UPPER LAKE COUPLE WAIVED THEIR PRELIMINARY HEARING ON WEDNESDAY IN A MARIJUANA CULTIVATION CASE STEMMING FROM THE INVESTIGATION INTO A CHRISTMAS DAY SHOOTING IN 2013.
WITH THE WAIVING OF WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULED HEARING, 52 YEAR OLD JAMES MICHAEL JEAN AND HIS WIFE, 50 YEAR OLD NORA KATHERINE JEAN, WILL RETURN TO COURT ON MAY 19 FOR ARRAIGNMENT IN ORDER TO BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR MOVING TOWARD TRIAL. THE JEANS WERE ARRESTED ON DEC. 26, 2013, WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ORIGINALLY RESPONDING TO THEIR UPPER LAKE HOME ON HUNTER POINT ROAD THE PREVIOUS MORNING AFTER RECEIVING A 911 CALL THAT AN INTRUDER AT THE RESIDENCE HAD BEEN SHOT. THEY BOTH ARE FACING FELONY CHARGES OF POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA FOR SALE, FURNISHING OR TRANSPORTING MARIJUANA AND A SPECIAL ALLEGATION OF BEING ARMED IN THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY.

FINAL HEARING FOR RATE HIKE IN CLEARLAKE OAKS (ECN) JB 4/24/15

THE CLEARLAKE OAKS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT IS SET TO HOLD A FINAL HEARING ON PROPOSED RATE INCREASES.

ON FRIDAY THE CLEARLAKE OAKS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD THE SECOND AND LAST OF TWO HEARINGS REQUIRED UNDER STATE LAW AS IT PREPARES TO RAISE WATER AND SEWER RATES. THE PROPOSED CHANGES INCLUDE A BILLING SYSTEM THAT WOULD SWITCH FROM ACTIVE ACCOUNTS TO ALL SERVICE CONNECTIONS, AND A 3-PERCENT PER-YEAR INCREASE FROM 2016 TO 2018 ON THE WATER SIDE. THE DISTRICT GENERAL MANAGER SAID THAT THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO IMPLEMENT THE RATE INCREASES FOR BOTH SEWER AND WATER SERVICES IN ORDER TO HELP FINANCE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS, SPECIFICALLY, UPGRADING AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. ON THE WATER SIDE ALONE, HE SAID THE 1960’S-ERA INFRASTRUCTURE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A 60-PERCENT WATER LOSS DUE TO LEAKS FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 A.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, AT THE DISTRICT’S ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.

MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING NEIGHBOR (LAW) JB 4/24/15

AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN NEIGHBORS LEADS TO ONE MAN BEING ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

UKIAH POLICE RESPONDED RECENTLY TO THE 600 BLOCK OF HOLDEN STREET FOR A STABBING. THE VICTIM REPORTED HAVING AN ON-GOING DISPUTE WITH A NEIGHBOR, 31 YEAR OLD KEVIN GARY PIKE, AND THAT EVENING SUSPECTED PIKE HAD THROWN A SODA CONTAINER AT THE VICTIMS HOUSE. THE VICTIM FOUND PIKE IN HIS FRONT YARD AND CONFRONTED HIM. PIKE RESPOND BY SPITTING ON THE VICTIM, THEN STABBED THE VICTIM IN THE STOMACH WITH SCISSORS. OFFICERS DETERMINED PIKE WAS ON PROBATION FOR THREATS AND SUBJECT TO SEARCH AND SEIZURE. WHEN OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE SUSPECT, PIKES GIRLFRIEND ANSWERED THE DOOR, AND PIKE WAS LOCKED IN A ROOM INSIDE THE RESIDENCE. PIKE ARGUED THROUGH THE DOOR WITH OFFICERS AND FINALLY OPENED THE DOOR AND TOOK A FIGHTING STANCE. PIKE RESISTED THE OFFICERS AND WAS EVENTUALLY HANDCUFFED BUT REMAINED PHYSICALLY RESISTIVE. PIKE WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL.

SONOMA COUNTY OFFICIALS APOLOGIZE OVER DAM (EVR) JB 4/24/15

SONOMA COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE OFFERED AN APOLOGY TO HEALDSBURG OVER A DECISION ABOUT A SEASONAL DAM ON THE RUSSIAN RIVER.

ONE OF THE COUNTYS MOST POPULAR SWIMMING LAGOONS, CREATED EACH SUMMER IN HEALDSBURG BY THE INSTALLATION OF A SEASONAL DAM IN THE RUSSIAN RIVER, WILL BE ABSENT FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, AND ITS NOT BECAUSE OF THE DROUGHT. IN A CONTROVERSIAL MOVE CRITICIZED BY HEALDSBURG CITY OFFICIALS, THE TEMPORARY DAM, WHICH USUALLY GOES UP IN LATE JUNE, WILL NOT BE INSTALLED, TO MAKE IT EASIER TO WORK IN THE RIVER CHANNEL FOR THE ONGOING RENOVATION OF THE HEALDSBURG MEMORIAL BRIDGE. SONOMA COUNTY OFFICIALS APOLOGIZED THIS WEEK FOR CATCHING HEALDSBURG CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OFF GUARD WITH THEIR DECISION TO NOT ERECT THE DAM AT HEALDSBURG VETERANS MEMORIAL BEACH, A COUNTY PARK THAT DRAWS CONSIDERABLE SUMMERTIME TRAFFIC. HEALDSBURG MEMORIAL BEACH IS THE ONLY SPOT ON THE RUSSIAN RIVER WHERE THE COUNTY PUTS UP A MAJOR DAM FOR SWIMMING AND RECREATION.

News 4/23/15

WATER RATE TIERS MAY BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL (ECN) JB 4/23/15

A NEW COURT RULING AGAINST TIERED WATER RATE SYSTEMS MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON LOCAL WATER DISTRICTS.

ACCORDING TO THE WILLITS NEWS, A CALIFORNIA APPEALS COURT RULED MONDAY THAT TIERED WATER RATES WHICH CANNOT BE SUPPORTED BY ACTUAL COSTS FOR EACH PROPERTY ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THIS MEANS THAT RATES ESTABLISHED TO REWARD CONSERVATION AND TO PUNISH THOSE USING MORE WATER MAY BE DISALLOWED. THIS RULING COULD CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE TIERED WATER RATE STRUCTURE USED BY BOTH BROOKTRAILS AND WILLITS. WITH A 25 PERCENT MANDATED STATE-WIDE CUT IN WATER USE, THE RULING COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORST TIME. THE DECISION IS BEING REVIEWED BY THE STATES LAWYERS AND APPEALING THE DECISION TO THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT COULD DELAY WHEN THE RULING TAKES EFFECT.

STATE VACCINATION BILL APPROVED BY SENATE (GOV) JB 4/23/15

AFTER BEING DELAYED, CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS APPROVED A BILL REQUIRING VACCINATIONS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

OPPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD REQUIRE CALIFORNIA SCHOOLCHILDREN TO BE VACCINATED VOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT AFTER A SENATE COMMITTEE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED THE BILL WEDNESDAY. THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE VOTED 7-2 ON THE BILL WITH VOTES FROM BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS. THE PROPOSAL WAS AMONG SEVERAL DRAFTED ACROSS THE NATION IN THE WAKE OF A MEASLES OUTBREAK THAT STARTED AT DISNEYLAND AND SICKENED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN THE U.S. AND MEXICO.

IT WOULD ELIMINATE CALIFORNIA’S PERSONAL-BELIEF AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS SO UNVACCINATED CHILDREN WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS. MEDICAL WAIVERS WOULD ONLY BE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS. THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR A HEARING NEXT WEEK AS PART OF A LONG LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

ABALONE DIVER DIES AFTER FALLING FROM CLIFF (LAW) JB 4/23/15

A MAN PICKING ABALONE DIED TUESDAY AFTER FALLING FROM A CLIFF ON THE MENDOCINO COAST.

50 YEAR OLD JOEL FALCON OF EL CERRITO FELL TO HIS DEATH LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON WHILE CLIMBING UP A MENDOCINO COAST CLIFF. HE HAD BEEN ABALONE PICKING WITH A FRIEND WHEN THEY BECAME TRAPPED BY THE INCOMING TIDE AND DECIDED TO CLIMB UP THE CLIFF FACE NEAR HARDY ROCK TO GET OUT OF THE COVE. FALCON FELL APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET TO THE ROCKS BELOW, STRIKING HIS HEAD. THIS LATEST TRAGEDY COMES ON THE HEELS OF THE DEATHS OF THREE ABALONE DIVERS IN CASPAR LAST WEEK.

OLD COAST HOTEL DECISION PLANNED FOR NEXT WEEK (GOV) JB 4/23/15

THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE ITS DECISION ON OLD COAST HOTEL PROJECT NEXT WEEK.

ON MONDAY, THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A FORGIVABLE LOAN AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE $1.1 MILLION IN STATE COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO THE MENDOCINO COAST HOSPITALITY CENTER FOR ACQUISITION OF THE OLD COAST HOTEL. MCHC PLANS TO REUSE THE FORMER OFFICES, HOTEL AND RESTAURANT AS A FACILITY TO PROVIDE HOMELESS AND MENTAL HEATH SERVICES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE LOAN AGREEMENT WAS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION LAST WEEK, BUT THE ITEM WAS POSTPONED IN ORDER FOR STAFF TO COMPLETE A THOROUGH ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, APRIL 27 AT 6 PM AT THE FORT BRAGG TOWN HALL.

BODY OF MISSING LAKE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOUND (LAW) JB 4/23/15

THE BODY OF A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN MISSING SINCE SATURDAY WAS RECOVERED LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE BODY OF 48-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER CARTER WAS FOUND ON HIS FAMILYS PROPERTY BETWEEN HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE AND LOWER LAKE. THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND MEMBERS OF ITS SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE MISSING LAKE COUNTY DEFENSE ATTORNEY SINCE SATURDAY, WHEN HIS FAMILY REPORTED HED DISAPPEARED AFTER SENDING THEM A TEXT MESSAGE. SHERIFFS OFFICIALS STATED THAT EVIDENCE FOUND AT THE SCENE INDICATED CARTER DIED OF SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES, ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT SPECIFY THE TYPE OF INJURIES. THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO CARTERS DEATH ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

KAYAKER RESCUED BY COAST GUARD OFF SEA RANCH (LAW) JB 4/23/15

A KAYAKER WAS RESCUED BY SHERIFFS HELICOPTER FROM THE WATERS OFF SEA RANCH ON WEDNESDAY.

A CALL FOR HELP WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR OCEAN KAYAKERS POSSIBLY IN DISTRESS OFF OF THE SEA RANCH RESULTED IN THE MOBILIZATION OF SEVERAL EMERGENCY AGENCIES AND A HELICOPTER RESCUE. THE SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS HELICOPTER CREW PLUCKED ONE PERSON FROM THEIR KAYAK AND CARRIED THEM TO THE SAFETY OF A SEA RANCH BEACH. A SECOND KAYAKER WHO APPARENTLY WASNT IN DISTRESS MADE IT BACK TO SHORE ON HIS OWN. THE CALL BROUGHT OUT SEVERAL COASTAL FIRE AGENCIES, PARAMEDICS, THE HELICOPTER AND THE U.S. COAST GUARD TO THE AREA OFF GALLEONS REACH. WITHIN 30 MINUTES, BOTH KAYAKERS WERE ON THE BEACH AND DECLINING MEDICAL CARE AND THE FIREFIGHTERS, PARAMEDICS AND RESCUERS ALL WERE RELEASED TO RESPOND TO OTHER CALLS.

NATIONWIDE RECALL OF TRADER JOES SAUSAGE (PI) JB 4/23/15

A NATIONWIDE RECALL OF A TRADER JOES SAUSAGE PRODUCT WAS ISSUED THIS WEEK.

TRADER JOE’S CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THE CHAIN’S SWEET APPLE CHICKEN SAUSAGE ARE URGED TO THROW IT OUT AMID CONCERNS PLASTIC MAY HAVE MADE ITS WAY INTO THE PACKAGES. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT MASSACHUSETTS-BASED SAUSAGE MAKER KAYEM FOODS IS RECALLING MORE THAN 59,000 POUNDS OF THE PRODUCT. THE RECALL IS FOR 8-OUNCE SAUSAGE PACKAGES SOLD AT TRADER JOE’S STORES NATIONWIDE AND MARKED WITH EXPIRATION DATES OF APRIL 22, 25 AND 29. CUSTOMERS CAN RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A FULL REFUND AT ANY TRADER JOE’S. THE USDA SAYS NO ONE HAS EATEN THE RECALLED MEAT SO FAR, AND THAT THERE IS A REMOTE CHANCE OF NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS IF SOMEONE DOES.

News 4/22/15

MENDO SUPERVISORS REJECT TIMBER RESOLUTION (GOV/EVR) JB 4/22/15

A RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND THE POISONING OF TREES BY TIMBER COMPANIES WAS REJECTED BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, A TIMBER-MANAGEMENT PRACTICE THAT POISONS HARDWOOD TREES AND LEAVES THEM TO DECOMPOSE IN FORESTS DREW A CROWD OF 200 PEOPLE TO A MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, AND MOST OF THEM LEFT DISAPPOINTED. THE ATTENDEES, MOSTLY RURAL RESIDENTS, LONGTIME TIMBER ACTIVISTS AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS, CALLED ON THE BOARD TO RESTRICT, OR EVEN BAN, SUCH OPERATIONS, WHICH ARE LARGELY UNREGULATED. BUT THEIR CONCERNS WENT UNHEEDED. THE BOARD CONSIDERED, THEN REJECTED, A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD HAVE ASKED TIMBER COMPANIES TO VOLUNTARILY SUSPEND THE TREE-POISONING PRACTICE FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS WHILE ITS EFFECTS ARE STUDIED. THE BOARD PLANS TO RESUME DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE AT A FUTURE MEETING.

CREEK CLEANUP OF UKIAH SAFEWAY COOKING OIL (EVR) JB 4/22/15

DUMPED COOKING OIL FROM THE UKIAH SAFEWAY PROMPTED AN EMERGENCY CLEANUP OF A CREEK ON MONDAY.

A UKIAH SAFEWAY EMPLOYEE TRIGGERED AN EXTENSIVE CLEANUP OPERATION MONDAY WHEN SHE WASHED 55 GALLONS OF USED COOKING OIL INTO A STORM DRAIN THAT FLOWS INTO A FISH-BEARING CREEK LEADING TO THE RUSSIAN RIVER. THE REDWOOD EMPIRE HAZARDOUS INCIDENT TEAM RESPONDED AND THEIR EFFORTS CONTINUED ON TUESDAY AS RESPONDERS USED HUNDREDS OF ABSORBENT PADS ON THE SURFACE OF THE CREEK, CAPTURING AN ESTIMATED 99 PERCENT OF THE OIL. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE SAFEWAY EMPLOYEE ACTUALLY TIPPED OVER THE DRUM OF OIL INTO THE STORM DRAIN, THEN USED A POWER WASHER TO FLUSH THE OIL DOWN THE STORM DRAIN. SAFEWAY IS EXPECTED TO BE CITED BY FISH AND GAME OFFICIALS OVER THE SPILL.

SEA LION PUP RESCUED BY MENDOCINO SHERIFFS (LAW) JB 4/22/15

A STRANDED SEA LION PUP ON HIGHWAY 1 WAS RESCUED BY MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OVER THE WEEKEND.

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES ON ROUTINE PATROL ON HIGHWAY 1, JUST SOUTH OF THE TOWN OF FORT BRAGG, OBSERVED A SMALL ANIMAL MOVING SLOWLY IN THE ROADWAY AND STOPPED TO RENDER AID. DEPUTIES DISCOVERED THE SMALL ANIMAL WAS A CALIFORNIA SEA LION PUP THAT HAD WALKED ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM THE OCEAN. THE SEA LION PUP HAD AN ORANGE TAG FROM THE MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH CENTER ATTACHED TO ITS FRONT FLIPPER AND WAS EXTREMELY FRIENDLY WITH THE DEPUTIES. AT THE DIRECTION OF THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER, THE SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES WERE ASKED TO ASSIST THE SEA LION PUP BACK TO THE OCEAN. AFTER CLIMBING INTO THE BACK OF THE PATROL CAR, THE SEA LION PUP WAS TRANSPORTED BY THE SHERIFFS DEPUTIES AND SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED BACK TO ITS NATURAL HABITAT.

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY (PI) JB 4/22/15

ONE OF NASA’S CROWNING GLORIES, THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE, MARKS ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK.

WITH 1 MILLION-PLUS OBSERVATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE OF SOME OF THE FARTHEST AND OLDEST GALAXIES EVER BEHELD BY HUMANITY, NO MAN-MADE SATELLITE HAS TOUCHED AS MANY MINDS OR HEARTS AS HUBBLE. NASA IS CELEBRATING FRIDAY’S ANNIVERSARY WITH CEREMONIES THIS WEEK AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AND NEWSEUM IN WASHINGTON. HUBBLE HAS TRAVELED 3.4 BILLION MILES, CIRCLING EARTH NEARLY 137,000 TIMES AND MAKING MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION OBSERVATIONS OF MORE THAN 38,000 CELESTIAL OBJECTS. THE MOST DISTANT OBJECTS SPOTTED BY HUBBLE, PRIMITIVE GALAXIES, ARE SOME 13 BILLION LIGHT-YEARS AWAY AND DATE TO WITHIN 400 MILLION OR SO YEARS OF THE UNIVERSE’S ORIGIN, KNOWN AS THE BIG BANG.

MCGUIRE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL MOVES FORWARD (GOV) JB 4/22/15

SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRES COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL HAS CLEARED ANOTHER HURDLE IN THE STATE LEGISLATION.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT REPORTED THAT NORTH COAST STATE SENATOR MCGUIRE HAS INTRODUCED SWEEPING LEGISLATION AIMED AT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE WAY FOR CALIFORNIA TO REGULATE NEARLY ALL ASPECTS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, FROM LICENSING DISPENSARIES TO CREATING QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTING FOR CANNABIS PRODUCTS. MCGUIRES MEDICAL MARIJUANA PUBLIC SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, SENATE BILL 643, WOULD ESSENTIALLY GIVE THE STATES MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS SPECIFICITY AND TEETH THAT HAVE NOT BEEN IN PLACE IN THE 18 YEARS SINCE CALIFORNIA BECAME THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO ALLOW RESIDENTS TO USE POT FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES. ON MONDAY, AB 643 RECEIVED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM THE SENATE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE. THE BILL HEADS TO THE SENATE AND GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE NEXT WEDNESDAY.

MENDOCINO FIREFIGHTERS COMPLETE LAST TRAINING (LAW) JB 4/22/15

FUTURE MENDOCINO COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS COMPLETED THEIR FINAL LIVE TRAINING BEFORE THIS YEARS FIRE SEASON.

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ACADEMY HELD ITS LAST TRAINING OF THE YEAR ON SATURDAY IN BOONVILLE WITH A LIVE FIRE BURN TRAILER EXERCISE. ACADEMY FIREFIGHTERS PRACTICED THEIR SKILLS AS THEY WORKED ON THE INSIDE AND VENTILATED THE ROOF OF A BURNING TRAILER AS PART OF THE EXERCISE. TWELVE DEPARTMENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY HAD BEEN TRAINING FOR THE PAST THREE- AND-A-HALF MONTHS ON BASIC FIREFIGHTER SKILLS. THE COMPLETION OF THE LAST LIVE FIRE TRAINING COMES AS LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTY ENTER ONE OF THE EARLIEST FIRE SEASONS IN YEARS.

JOB FAIR SCHEDULED FOR CLEARLAKE THIS WEEKEND (EMP) JB 4/22/15

A JOB FAIR SHOWCASING OVER 30 BUSINESSES LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND IN CLEARLAKE.

WITH THE SUMMER SEASON UPON US, JOB DEMAND IS ON THE RISE. JOB SEEKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AND LEARN WHAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE IN LAKE COUNTY. POTENTIAL JOBS SHOWCASED AT THIS EVENT RANGE FROM MEDICAL INDUSTRY POSITIONS WITH MEADOWOOD NURSING AND SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL TO EDUCATIONAL POSITIONS WITH THE KELSEYVILLE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE LAKE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME DRESSED FOR SUCCESS AND READY TO MEET EMPLOYERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR ENTHUSIASTIC APPLICANTS PREPARED TO WORK. THE FAIR IS SCHEDULED FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM ON SATURDAY APRIL 24 AT THE YUBA COLLEGE, CLEARLAKE CAMPUS.

News 4/21/15

BROOKTRAILS WATER CAP DROPPED TO 200 GPD (EVR) JB 4/21/15

IN RESPONSE TO THE ONGOING DROUGHT CONDITIONS, THE BROOKTRAILS WATER CAP WAS RECENTLY DROPPED TO 200 GPD.

ACCORDING TO THE WILLITS NEWS, THE BROOKTRAILS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET RECENTLY AND VOTED TO REDUCE THE HOUSEHOLD WATER ALLOTMENT FROM 250 GALLONS PER DAY, TO 200 GPD. THE BOARD RENEWED A DROUGHT STATE OF EMERGENCY, ALLOWING FOR THE REDUCTION IN THE WATER CAP. BOTH OF BROOKTRAILS RESERVOIRS, LAKE EMILY AND LAKE ADA ROSE, ARE CURRENTLY FULL AND THE DISTRICT PROJECTS THAT IT HAS ENOUGH WATER TO LAST 225 DAYS, THEORETICALLY ENOUGH TO LAST UNTIL THE RAINY SEASON STARTS BACK UP. THE DISTRICT IS ACTUALLY IN BETTER SHAPE THAN LAST YEAR, WHEN AT THIS TIME IT HAD ONLY 150 DAYS WORTH OF WATER LEFT.

SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN (LAW) JB 4/21/15

A SEARCH OPERATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED FOR A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN REPORTED MISSING OVER THE WEEKEND.

ON SATURDAY AT APPROXIMATELY 12:10 PM, DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A MISSING PERSON. FAMILY MEMBERS TOLD THE DEPUTIES THAT 48-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER CARTER OF HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE WAS MISSING. FAMILY MEMBERS LAST HEARD FROM CARTER ON FRIDAY AT APPROXIMATELY 6:05 PM, WHEN HE SENT A TEXT MESSAGE.

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND LAKE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING A SEARCH OF THE AREA BELIEVED TO BE CARTERS LAST KNOWN LOCATION. STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER CARTER IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 6 TALL, 170 POUNDS WITH BROWN HAIR AND GREEN EYES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON CARTERS WHEREABOUTS IS URGED TO CALL THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF AT 263-2690.

BAY AREA BOY FOUND SAFE AFTER ABDUCTION (LAW) JB 4/21/15

A BAY AREA BOY WAS FOUND SAFE AFTER BEING ABDUCTED IN A CAR STOLEN FROM HIS HOME.

AN 8-YEAR-OLD BOY SNOOZING IN THE BACKSEAT OF HIS FAMILY’S RUNNING CAR APPEARS TO HAVE SLEPT THROUGH HIS BRIEF KIDNAPPING MONDAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN IN FRONT OF HIS SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HOME. THE FATHER HAD PLACED THE SLEEPING BOY IN THE COROLLA AROUND 4:45 A.M., STARTED THE ENGINE AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE IN FAIRFIELD TO GET SOME BELONGINGS AND HIS OLDER SON. WHEN THE FATHER WENT BACK OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS GONE AND AN UNFAMILIAR BICYCLE LAY NEARBY. LESS THAN FOUR HOURS LATER, A RESIDENT CALLED POLICE AND SAID THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN OFFICERS APPROACHED IT AROUND 8:15 A.M., THE SUSPECT WAS GONE AND THE BOY WAS STILL ASLEEP. POLICE DON’T HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT AND SAY IT APPEARS THE THIEF DIDN’T KNOW THE CHILD WAS SLEEPING IN THE BACKSEAT.

FOREST VISITORS ASKED TO BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE (EVR) JB 4/21/15

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST VISITORS ARE BEING ASKED TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH FIRE.

AFTER A DRY WINTER AND SPARSE SPRING SHOWERS, CONDITIONS ON THE MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST ARE INDICATING AN EARLIER THAN USUAL START TO FIRE SEASON. A FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT OFFICER STATED THAT THIS YEAR THINGS ARE SO DRY, THAT THEY ARE ALREADY SEEING AN INCREASED RISK FOR WILDFIRES, EVEN EARLIER THAN WE DID LAST YEAR. THE FOREST IS NOT CURRENTLY IN FIRE RESTRICTIONS, BUT FUEL CONDITIONS ARE BEING MONITORED CLOSELY. AS LATE SPRING AND SUMMER RECREATION SEASON STARTS, FOREST VISITORS ARE ASKED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING FIRE ON THE FOREST. OVER THE PAST WEEK, THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN A HANDFUL OF SMOKE CHECKS ON THE FOREST, SOME THE RESULT OF RECENT LIGHTNING IN THE AREA. THERE WAS ALSO A 6-ACRE FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND NEAR TWIN SPRINGS ON THE GRINDSTONE RANGER DISTRICT ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE FOREST. THE CAUSE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION.

LAKE COUNTY MAN SOUGHT IN SHOOTING SURRENDERS (LAW) JB 4/21/15

A LAKE COUNTY MAN SOUGHT IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING LAST MONTH SURRENDERED HIMSELF TO AUTHORITIES ON MONDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, A 27-YEAR-OLD CLEARLAKE OAKS MAN SUSPECTED OF SHOOTING AN ACQUAINTANCE WITH WHOM HE REPORTEDLY HAD AN ONGOING FEUD TURNED HIMSELF IN MONDAY AT THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL. TYLER KOHO WAS BOOKED ON A $1 MILLION ARREST WARRANT ON SUSPICION OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, NEARLY SIX WEEKS AFTER THE SHOOTING. POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR 41-YEAR-OLD CHARLES LAMONT OF CLEARLAKE. LAMONT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE HE IS AWARE OF THE $1 MILLION WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST ON SUSPICION OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE SHOULD CALL CLEARLAKE POLICE DETECTIVE RYAN PETERSON AT 994-8251, EXTENSION 320.

SEARCH SUSPENDED FOR MISSING SONOMA BOATERS (LAW) JB 4/21/15

HEAVY FOG TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED AN ACTIVE SEARCH FOR TWO MISSING SONOMA COUNTY BOATERS ON THE MARIN COUNTY COASTLINE.

SUNDAYS SEARCH FOR THE TWO MISSING BOATERS ENDED AT 4 P.M., AFTER 25 PEOPLE HAD PATROLLED 22 MILES OF COASTLINE. SEARCHERS HAD COVERED AN AREA FROM TOMALES POINT TO THE POINT REYES HEADLANDS LOOKING FOR TWO MALES WHO WERE LOST DURING A BOATING ACCIDENT THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO OTHER SONOMA COUNTY RESIDENTS. MARIN COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVENT RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE STILL-MISSING BOATERS, BUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE IDENTIFIED THEM AS 28-YEAR-OLD RYAN VIALL AND 39 YEAR OLD DAVID BREEDEN, BOTH OF WINDSOR. SEARCHERS ARE HOPING FOR A BREAK IN THE COASTAL WEATHER THIS WEEK TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS WITH A HELICOPTER.

WILLIE NELSON TO MARKET OWN BRAND OF POT (PI) JB 4/21/15

CAPITALIZING ON HIS ASSOCIATION WITH POT, COUNTRY MUSIC STAR WILLIE NELSON ANNOUNCED PLANS TO ROLL OUT HIS OWN BRAND OF MARIJUANA.

THE MOVE MAKES THE 81-YEAR-OLD “ROLL ME UP AND SMOKE ME WHEN I DIE” SINGER THE LATEST CELEBRITY TO JUMP INTO THE MARIJUANA MARKETPLACE. “WILLIE’S RESERVE” WILL BE GROWN AND SOLD IN COLORADO AND WASHINGTON, WHERE RECREATIONAL POT IS LEGAL. NELSON SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT HE’S “LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE BEST GROWERS IN COLORADO AND WASHINGTON TO MAKE SURE OUR PRODUCT IS THE BEST ON THE MARKET.” NELSON, WHO WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT MONDAY, IS AMONG THOSE WITH WELL-ESTABLISHED CONNECTIONS TO CANNABIS. HE’S BEEN A LONGTIME DECRIMINALIZATION ADVOCATE AND HAS BEEN BUSTED FOR POT POSSESSION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NEW DOCK INSTALLATION UNDERWAY AT LIBRARY PARK (PI) JB 4/21/15

THE CITY OF LAKEPORT IS IN THE MIDST OF INSTALLING THE NEW DOCKS AT LIBRARY PARK.

THE LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTED THAT THE INSTALLATION PROJECT BEGAN LAST WEEK, AND PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT DOUG GRIDER SAID HE HOPES THE WORK WITH BE DONE BY TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY. GRIDER SAID THAT WITH THE NEW DOCKS THERE IS ROUGHLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF DOCK SURFACE AREA AS BEFORE. HOWEVER, A PORTION THAT HAD BEEN REMOVED SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO CLOSE OFF THE SWIM BEACH IS BEING REINSTALLED TO KEEP THAT AREA SAFE. OVERALL, THERE WILL BE NEARLY 300 FEET OF NEW DOCK, PLUS SOME NEW GANGWAY, PILE GUIDES AND A SWIM LADDER, BASED ON THE CITY’S PURCHASE DOCUMENTS. GRIDER ESTIMATED THAT IT HAS BEEN AROUND 30 YEARS SINCE THE CITY INSTALLED NEW DOCKS AT THE PARK.

News 4/20/15

COUNTY, LAW ENFORCEMENT REACH TENTATIVE DEAL (LAW) JB 4/20/15

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE COUNTY HAVE REACHED A THREE-YEAR TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD INCLUDE SALARY INCREASES

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, DETAILS OF THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT INCLUDE A ONE-TIME PAYMENT OF $1,200 TO ALL BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES UPON RATIFICATION AND ELIMINATING THE EMPLOYER PAID RETIREMENT SUBSIDY BEGINNING IN JULY 2015, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES HAVING TO PAY THEIR FULL SHARE OF THE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION TOWARD RETIREMENT. BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO RECEIVE A 6.5 PERCENT SALARY INCREASE, AND MEMBERS WOULD RECEIVE A 3 PERCENT GENERAL ADJUSTMENT SALARY INCREASE IN JULY. THE NEW AGREEMENT WOULD COVER BACK TO JULY 1, 2014 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2017. THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONSIDER OFFICIAL APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT ON TUESDAY.

LAST-MINUTE WORK ON PALACE HOTEL OVER WEEKEND (PI) JB 4/20/15

AS HER DEADLINE LOOMS, THE OWNER OF THE PALACE HOTEL WAS IN TOWN TO MEET WITH THE FIRM SHE HIRED TO COMPLETE WORK ON THE HOTEL.

HOTEL OWNER ELADIA LAINES WAS IN UKIAH FRIDAY TO MEET WITH GHD, INC, THE FIRM SHE HIRED TO DO A STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING. THE STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF THE HOTEL BUILDING IS ONLY ONE OF SEVEN TASKS GIVEN TO LAINES BY THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL TO BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 21 TO KEEP THE REHABILITATION PROJECT FROM BEING TURNED OVER TO A RECEIVERSHIP. LAINES MUST RESTORE THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM; SUBMIT AN APPROVED STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT; COMPLETE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS; SECURE THE BUILDING; PATCH THE ROOF AND COMPLETE THE ASBESTOS ABATEMENT BY TOMORROWS DEADLINE.

BODEGA HARBOR BOATING MISHAP VICTIMS IDENTIFIED (LAW) JB 4/20/15

TWO PEOPLE WHOSE BODIES WERE RECOVERED FOLLOWING A BOATING MISHAP OUTSIDE BODEGA HARBOR WERE IDENTIFIED SUNDAY AS RESIDENTS OF SONOMA COUNTY.

THE MARIN COUNTY CORONER IDENTIFIED THE VICTIMS AS 61 YEAR OLD WINDSOR RESIDENT DIANE KELLY AND 59 YEAR OLD RICHARD HARGREAVES, JR. OF SANTA ROSA. THE PAIR WERE WITH A GROUP OF FOUR PEOPLE WHO DEPARTED AT ABOUT 5 A.M. FRIDAY FROM THE WESTSIDE REGIONAL PARK BOAT LAUNCH TO FISH FOR SALMON. ONE BODY WAS RECOVERED FROM THE SHORE OF BIRD ROCK, A 2-ACRE ISLAND OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF TOMALES POINT. ANOTHER BODY WAS FOUND OFFSHORE IN A FLOATING DEBRIS FIELD THAT INCLUDED A BOAT ENGINE AND OTHER ITEMS THAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN FROM THE SMALL CRAFT. THE SEARCH FOR THE OTHER TWO MISSING BOATERS IS ONGOING BY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, MARIN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE COAST GUARD.

ORCA BEACHES NEAR FORT BRAGG (EVR) JB 4/20/15

THE BODY OF AN ORCA WAS DISCOVERED WASHED UP ON A BEACH AT MACKERRICHER STATE PARK SATURDAY MORNING.

THE ADVOCATE NEWS REPORTED THAT A 26-FOOT ORCA WAS FOUND WASHED UP ON A STATE PARK BEACH THREE MILES NORTH OF FORT BRAGG SATURDAY MORNING. THE CREATURE HAS A LINE AND BUOY FROM A CRAB-FISHING POT WRAPPED AROUND ITS TAIL AND ONE SIDE-FIN, BUT RESEARCHERS SUNDAY AFTERNOON WERE ONLY BEGINNING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ANIMALS DEATH. IT WAS THE SECOND BEACHING OF A LARGE WHALE ON A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STATE PARK BEACH THIS WEEK. LAST TUESDAY NIGHT, A 49-FOOT SPERM WHALE WAS DISCOVERED ON SHARP PARK STATE BEACH NEAR PACIFICA. MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH CENTER STAFF ARE CONDUCTING TESTS TO DETERMINE THE ORCAS CAUSE OF DEATH.

MIDDLETOWN GIRL ADMITS KIDNAP REPORT MADE UP (LAW) JB 4/20/15

A MIDDLETOWN GIRL WHO CLAIMED THAT A STRANGER ATTEMPTED TO ABDUCT HER LAST MONTH HAS ADMITTED THAT SHE MADE UP THE STORY.

A 12 YEAR OLD MIDDLETOWN GIRL RECENTLY ADMITTED TO THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE THAT HER REPORT LAST MONTH OF AN ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OUTSIDE THE MIDDLETOWN METHODIST CHURCH WAS UNTRUE. IN HER STORY, THE GIRL CLAIMED SHE HAD KICKED HER ABDUCTOR IN THE SHIN, CAUSING HIM TO LET GO OF HER AND IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE AREA. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAID DETECTIVES CANVASSED THE AREA IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE ANY SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF THE MALE SUBJECT THE GIRL HAD DESCRIBED FROM BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS. A DETECTIVE ASSIGNED TO THE CASE FOUND THAT THE LEADS WEREN’T PANNING OUT AND ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE INCONSISTENCIES IN THE GIRL’S STORY AND HER BEHAVIOR. THE SHERIFFS OFFICE STATED THAT, CONSIDERING THE GIRL’S AGE, NO LEGAL ACTION IS PLANNED AGAINST HER, AND INSTEAD THE CONSEQUENCES SHE FACES WILL BE LEFT UP TO HER PARENTS.

MENDOCINO COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS TALK FIRE DANGERS (LAW) JB 4/20/15

MENDOCINO COUNTYS FIRE CHIEFS ARE SET TO DISCUSS FIRE DANGERS FACING THE COUNTY IN THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE DROUGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL, LOCAL FIRE CHIEFS ACROSS MENDOCINO COUNTY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY TO DISCUSS AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON POTENTIAL FIRE DANGERS THAT COULD OCCUR THIS UPCOMING SEASON. BROUGHT FORTH BY SUPERVISORS DAN HAMBURG AND TOM WOODHOUSE, THE CHIEFS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST FIRE STUDY IN 2005, INCLUDING WHATS NEW, WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE, SHORTFALLS THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND INCREASED CHALLENGES AS A RESULT OF THE DROUGHT. THE ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA FOR 1:30 P.M. IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ON LOW GAP ROAD IN UKIAH, WITH POSSIBLE RECOMMENDED ACTION OF PROVIDING DIRECTION IF NECESSARY.

CDFW REMINDING PUBLIC TO LEAVE YOUNG WILDLIFE (EVR) JB 4/20/15

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE IS REMINDING THE PUBLIC TO LEAVE YOUNG WILDLIFE ALONE THIS SPRING.

SPRING IS A BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR WILDLIFE. BEARS, DEER, BIRDS AND BOBCATS AS WELL AS DOZENS OF OTHER SPECIES EMERGE FROM WINTER READY TO FEED AND RAISE THEIR YOUNG. BECAUSE OF THIS INCREASE IN WILDLIFE ACTIVITY, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (CDFW) REMINDS PEOPLE NOT TO DISTURB YOUNG WILDLIFE ALONE IF THEY COME ACROSS THEM. THE IMPROPER HANDLING OF YOUNG WILDLIFE IS A PROBLEM IN CALIFORNIA AND ACROSS THE NATION, ESPECIALLY IN SPRING. ANIMALS LIKE DEER THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HUMANS ARE OFTEN ABANDONED BY THEIR PARENTS LEADING TO THE STATES REHABILITATION FACILITIES RECEIVING AN AVERAGE OF AROUND 400-500 FAWNS PER YEAR FROM WELL-MEANING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. ITS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WILD ANIMALS CARRY TICKS, FLEAS AND LICE, AND THEY CAN TRANSMIT DISEASES TO HUMANS, INCLUDING RABIES AND TULAREMIA, SO IT IS BEST TO LEAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERVENTION TO CDFW PERSONNEL OR PERMITTED WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS.

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