Former Ukiah Police Chief Noble Waidelich is accused of sexually assaulting a Mendocino County woman last summer, in a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Eureka. Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall was notified of the alleged assault at the woman’s Ukiah home last June. Kendall referred the allegations to Sonoma County authorities for an outside investigation. So far, the investigation has kept details quiet, and only lists the woman as “Jane Doe.” The lawsuit, filed by a Los Angeles law firm, alleges that Waidelich showed up at the woman’s home armed, and in uniform when he demanded sex.
The public is invited to the 37th Annual Mendocino County Science and Engineering Fair & STEAM Expo on Saturday from 10am to 3pm at Mendocino College. Admission is free for everyone. The event highlights the achievements of third- through 12th-grade student scientists, promoting and encouraging their interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). This year’s fair has expanded to include a STEAM Expo, themed “Mendocino Resilience.” There will be an awards ceremony at 4 p.m. to announce Mendocino County students who qualify to advance to the 72nd California Science & Engineering Fair, on April 11.
The Lake County Office of Emergency Services is holding a 2023 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and invites the public to learn more. A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District on Hartmann Road. By breaking the repeated cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction, hazard mitigation planning forms the basis for the community’s long-term strategy to reduce disaster-related losses, There will be a presentation followed by discussion and a chance for public input and feedback.
Officials say Porter Creek Road between Calistoga Road and Franz Valley Road was closed early Friday due to a mudslide. The road northeast of Santa Rosa was closed just after midnight, according to the county’s road closure website. CHP does not have an estimated time of reopening.
Caltrans closed the Avenue of the Giants Thursday overnight. They tweeted that Route 254/Avenue of the Giants section of roadway will reopen Friday at 8 a.m. A slipout undercut the Avenue Thursday morning causing Caltrans to close it. At about 2 p.m., Caltrans began allowing one-way controlled traffic through the area. For the most current information, visit www.quickmap.ca.gov.
The City of Ukiah is teaming up with Caltrans, the County of Mendocino, and Castle Tire to provide residents to dispose of tires. On Saturday, March 18, residents may bring their used tires to a site off Airport Road in Ukiah where they will be recycled by Castle Tire. Identification will be required for proof of residency. Residents may bring up to nine passenger car and light truck tires for disposal. No tires from businesses or bicycle tires. The free tire disposal takes place on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Flood water is being monitored in Lake County by the Health Services Department around the Lake and other flood-prone/low-lying areas because of all the rain we’ve been getting. More rain is coming Sunday, and the agency is worried about possible flood conditions around the lake. So as a way to prevent potential sewage contamination, community members around these areas are being asked to reduce their drain flows and use strict water conservation measures so they can be sure their drains are not backing up.
At Thursday’s Clearlake City Council meeting, Clearlake Animal Control and local police announced their monthly shelter update. 10 dogs have been transferred to North Bay Animal Services’ Petaluma shelter last week, bringing 108 dogs into the shelter since the start of the year. The shelter, still thriving at a 99.9% live release rate.
Redwood Waste Solutions (RWS), the company now under contract to manage waste and recycling in the city of Fort Bragg and much of Mendocino County announced CalRecycle will decide on participating in a California Redemption Value Pilot Project that would allow RWS to operate a mobile buyback center at multiple locations along the coast. If approved RWS expects the mobile buyback center to be open within 30 days.
PG&E says it will keep the gates open at Scott Dam from now on because of seismic safety concerns: Lake Pillsbury in Lake County will never completely fill again, even in a wet year. The utility usually closes the dam gates in April, allowing spring runoff to raise the water level for summer recreation and water releases during drier parts of the year. Updated seismic analysis suggests a higher level of risk, prompting the change in operations. More water will be allowed into the Eel River this spring instead of keeping it behind the dam.
Last weekend, Clearlake Police Officers responded to the Walmart on Dam Road with reports of an assault with a hammer outside of the garden department. The victim, the suspect’s father, was taken to Adventist Health and later transferred out of county for further medical treatment. Officers identified the suspect as 29-year-old Cobb resident, Peter Guerrero, the son of the victim. Guerrero peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody. He admitted to having the hammer with intent to kill his father in public. Peter was booked into the Lake County Jail for attempted homicide, according to the Clearlake Police social media post.
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