Several small fires inside an autobody shop had the Sheriff’s Office investigating. Deputies reported to G&C Auto Body in Ukiah Friday night after the alarm went off. When they got there, they found the business had been broken into and five small fires were lit inside. They identified the possible suspect as Benjamin Dimmick after finding him inside trying to light another fire. He had barricaded himself inside and wouldn’t listen to Deputies, so they forced their way in as the building burned. Deputies broke out fire extinguishers and called for help from Ukiah Valley Fire. Dimmick was also suspected of a nearby hit and run. He was arrested for felony arson and burglary and held on $25,000.00 bail.
A 13 year old Cahto Tribe member reported missing has been found. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reports finding Taya Britton of Laytonville in Willits. Last week Britton’s family, tribe, and local law enforcement were asking for the public’s help finding her. They said at the time she had run away from her home two weeks ago. She had not been seen since February 7th and did not go to school. They gave a description of her and posted her photo online. As of yesterday the Sheriff’s office reported finding her after receiving a tip where she may be. She was turned over to Children’s Protective Services.
As you may recall PG&E has applied to decommission the Potter Valley Project. The Lake Pillsbury Alliance which works to preserve Lake Pillsbury says they’re working to bring information to the public about how important Lake Pillsbury’s water supply is. Their newsletter reminds the PG&E put in for a 2 ½ year decommissioning and surrendering timeline. That won’t happen until January 2025. In the meantime, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) filed a request to reopen the hydropower license about a year ago and there’s been some back and forth with FERC ever since. But the project has not generated any power for a couple of years with only a limited amount of water being delivered to the Russian River.
A woman in Ukiah with a restraining order against a man reported being hurt by the man. The Sheriff’s Office reports getting a call on Valentine’s Day about an altercation from the day before with the dad to the woman’s kids, Eric Olecik. Deputies developed enough evidence to believe the guy had beat up the woman, so they went to his home and arrested him for Felony Domestic Violence Battery, Felony Violation of Probation and Misdemeanor Violation Domestic Protective Order. He was held on $25,000.00 bail.
The President has declared a major disaster in Northern Calif. after Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides. The declaration was official as of January 14th, for the disaster that started just after Christmas last year. That means the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Emergency Loan Program has been made available for
physical and crop production losses up to as much as $500,000. The application deadline is this October 2nd.
To apply: Contact local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Ukiah at 707-468-9223. Hearing impaired individuals should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600. Additional information can be found at the USDA website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/index
The Mendocino County BOS is having a closed-door special meeting. On Thursday the Board will consider several evaluations of employees. The Planning and Building Services Director, General Services Agency Director, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director, Social Services Director, County Health Officer and Cannabis Director are all being evaluated. The Board also anticipates being sued, so they will seek counsel from County Counsel during the same meeting.
The Public Health Emergency related to COVID19 in Sonoma County is ending. The end is in alignment with the expiration of the state’s emergency. The Sonoma County Public Health Officer says it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the virus, just getting close to the end of the endemic phase. Dr. Sundari Mase also says the latest variants are not as serious as what we saw in the early days of the pandemic. And she says, since we have vaccines and a lot more information on the virus, it doesn’t need to be treated as an emergency any more after Feb. 28.
The California Attorney General says he’s creating a team to look into wrongful or improper convictions. Atty. General Rob Bonta says the newly-created Post-Conviction Justice Unit will be the first like it. The team will work to “support integrity in the criminal legal system and seek to remedy cases where there have been miscarriages of justice”. He says there could be many reasons, like bias, changes in forensics, or other issues, adding the legal system is not foolproof. He says the ultimate goal is to support public safety, seeking ways to be sure “convictions are just”.
A new recreation agency is being created in Lakeport. The City Council will consider a resolution for a joint exercise of powers agreement to form the Lake County Recreation Agency. They will hear from the Assistant City Manager Nick Walker on the matter after the Clearlake City Council approved their agreement last week. The Board of Supervisors will also have to vote on it, that’s supposed to happen this month too. Also tomorrow night, the Lakeport City Attorney will present a talk on ethics regulations and best practices. There will be other business at the meeting too, including the continuing local emergency for COVID-19.
After the news about former President Jimmy Carter receiving hospice care at home, we also hear locally about how Habitat for Humanity has helped a local family. Carter and his wife former first lady, Rosalyn have spent over 4 decades volunteering for Habitat. The branch in Lake County just closed of their 39th home in Clearlake. Habitat staff along with the family had a celebration ceremony at the home December 28th. The home actually closed on Christmas Day though. The family says it’s the best Christmas gift they could have received, spending Christmas night in their new home.
If you are interested in Habitat’s Homeownership program or know someone you think would qualify, you are encouraged to contact the office at 707-994-1100, Extension 106, or stop by for an application at 15312 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, behind Foods, Etc.
They’ve begun planning for the “Biggest Catfish Tournament West of the Mississippi”. That’s the 2023 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks. They’ve begun accepting entries onlne, and in person registration will also be accepted day of the event, May 18th. Fishing starts at noon the following day and will go through the weekend. The Derby Director tells Lake Co News they’re expecting another great year for catfishing and the economy. The rains are welcome, they say after the lower lake levels of the past, related to the drought. The director also says they’re expecting up to 1,000 entries. Derby prizes total $10,000 and there’s another $2,500 in prizes and merchandise. For more information go to the website or the Derby Facebook Page or call 707-596-0248
Some of the people impacted by the massive sinkhole, then condemning of the Lake County mobile home park last month are speaking out. Mendocino Voice has spoken to many of the residents who had to leave the Creekside Cabins & RV Resort after a culvert failed. Some people have relocated their vehicles, others had to leave in a rush. Some reportedly giving up their pets so they can find permanent housing. A temporary bridge was put up by the county after the landlord of the resort apparently stopped communicating with the contractor and county. The county says they’re going to sue landlord Teresa Thurman. That’s because Caltrans says she was responsible for repairs since the road accessed her private property and was for no other public benefit.
