One man is dead, two others are in critical condition and are being sought by police after a stabbing and shooting yesterday in Santa Rosa. All three men were dropped off at Santa Rosa Memorial yesterday with stab wounds. Police were called, but the men were gone before they arrived at the hospital. Investigators believe the men were involved in an argument with an unknown number of suspects at the intersection of Mendocino Avenue and Carrillo Street. Officers found shell casings and blood and the scene and are working to determine if the incident was gang-related. A description of the suspects was not available but police are asking anyone with surveillance footage to reach out to the Violent Crimes Unit. A reward of up to $2500 is being offered leading to their arrest. This the second fatal stabbing in Santa Rosa in two weeks.
Good news for Mendocino County residents who sustained damage during the severe storms that started shortly after Christmas. The County of Mendocino has been added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding and approved for Public Assistance and Individual Assistance to support recovery efforts related to damage and losses from the storms. For weeks Mendocino County Recovery Services and the Office of Emergency Services have coordinated with FEMA, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the U.S. Small Business Administration to track, document and verify damages in the area. The next phase involves establishing Disaster Recovery Centers where residents can learn more about and apply for available assistance. More information will be released as specifics become available.
Next week, the Ukiah Planning Commission will consider changing city codes to allow customers who purchase cannabis within city limits to consume their purchases on-site. According to the Ukiah Daily Journal, Local business owner, Kyle Greenhalgh has been advocating for the changes and says that allowing on-site consumption is crucial to keeping his business viable. A staff report prepared for the meeting stated that, “Ukiah City Code would continue to prohibit the consumption of cannabis on parcels including, but not limited to, city-owned parks and at city-sponsored events.” The report also says that municipalities such as the cities of Santa Rosa, San Francisco and more are now allowing on-site consumption to varying degrees. The meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 8 at 6pm. The public may attend in person at the Ukiah Civic Center Council Chambers or on Zoom. To view the meeting go to http://www.cityofukiah.com/meetings/
A traffic stop for a vehicle code violation led to an arrest and confiscation of 2,400 tabs of LSD and about 9 pounds of processed cannabis. Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies pulled over 26-year old John Roche in Hydesville at about 12:30 Thursday afternoon. Roche, who is on active probation, and his vehicle were searched leading to his arrest. He was booked in Humboldt County on charges of possession and transportation of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis and violation of probation.
Fourteen of the 20 largest wildfires in California history have occurred in the last decade and some of them have been set by arsonists. Those include the Clayton Fire in Lake County which destroyed 300 homes and businesses in 2016; A fire started in Lake County in 2021 by a Clearlake Oaks resident destroyed or damaged 11 buildings; and The Hopkins Fire in Mendocino County destroyed 30 homes and burned hundreds of acres. Now Senate Majority Leader, Mike McGuire has introduced SB 281, bipartisan legislation that throws the book at those convicted of aggravated arson. Suspects may be convicted of aggravated arson if they have prior arson convictions within the last 10 years, have caused damage or destruction to inhabited structures or have caused damage and other losses and fire suppression costs exceeding 8.3 million dollars. McGuire will work with first responders and local D.A.’s to pass the bill.
North Coast Opportunities is offering free tax filing assistance for local residents. IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers will work with low to moderate income individuals and families to prepare their returns and ensure that they receive all of the tax credits they’re entitled to. The assistance is available to households with income of $70,000 or less. Tax preparation site locations will be set up in Clearlake, Ukiah, Lakeport and Fort Bragg and are supported by United Way of the Wine Country. To learn more visit www.unitedwaywinecountry.org.
Time is running out to report storm damage to Mendocino County. The County has been working to collect information about damage sustained during the severe storms that began on December 27th. The information will be used to request help from state, federal and non-profit organizations. FEMA announced yesterday that Mendocino County has been added to the major disaster declaration for the storms and flooding which means Public and Individual Assistance will be available for those who suffered damage and losses from the storms. More information on assistance will be announced as it’s available. Meanwhile, today is the last day to fill out the survey on the county’s website.
A reminder that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a full-length test of the warning sirens on Monday. The test will last three minutes for sirens in Middletown, Anderson Springs, Cobb, Loch Lomond and Kelseyville Riviera (formerly known as Clear Lake Riviera.) Ongoing monthly testing of the sirens will continue at 11am on the first Monday of each month. Those will last 30 seconds. Prior to the tests messaging will be sent to residents via LakeCoAlerts and Nixle. In the event of an actual emergency, the warning sirens will be activated to alert the community to danger from wildfire, earthquake or other dangers. If you haven’t signed up for LakeCoAlerts yet, you’re encouraged to do so now at https://lakesheriff.com/869/LakeCoAlerts. You can also follow the Lake County Sheriff and Office of Emergency Services on social media.
Agendas have been posted for next week’s meetings of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors and can be viewed at https://www.mendocinocounty.org. The Board’s regular meeting is this Tuesday, February 7th followed by the Regular Closed Session Meeting on Wednesday. Members of the community can make a live telecomment on Zoom during Tuesday’s meeting…the link is posted on the agenda. Written comments related to items on the agenda are also welcome by clicking the eComment link on the Agendas and Minutes page. More information is also available by calling the Clerk of the Board at (707) 463-4441.
https://mendocino.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council will offer a free, two day training in March for those in the building and construction industry. The meetings which will take place in Ukiah next month are designed to help local contractors, building designers and hardware stores provide more fire safe options for customers and adapt to increased fire risks. Those planning to attend the rare, free training must commit to both days on March 13 and 14. Attendance is limited to 40 people and you can request a spot at firesafemendocino.org (firesafemendocino.org/nfpa-training/) or call the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council. (707-462-3662)
Fourteen of the 20 largest wildfires in California history have occurred in the last decade and some of them have been set by arsonists. Those include the Clayton Fire in Lake County which destroyed 300 homes and businesses in 2016; A fire started in Lake County in 2021 by a Clearlake Oaks resident destroyed or damaged 11 buildings; and The Hopkins Fire in Mendocino County destroyed 30 homes and burned hundreds of acres. Now Senate Majority Leader, Mike McGuire has introduced SB 281, bipartisan legislation that throws the book at those convicted of aggravated arson. Suspects may be convicted of aggravated arson if they have prior arson convictions within the last 10 years, have caused damage or destruction to inhabited structures or have caused damage and other losses and fire suppression costs exceeding 8.3 million dollars. McGuire will work with first responders and local D.A.’s to pass the bill.
