Fort Bragg Police gave an update on last week’s handful of hoax calls aimed at Fort Bragg High School, and other schools in the area, including Willits High School. Fort Bragg and Ukiah’s shared dispatch system was able to alert multiple law enforcement agencies including medical help by ground and air. Authorities confirmed that they are working with federal officials because the suspected caller sounded like they were not in the United States. The event did give school district officials adjustments on plans for active shooter protocols and procedures.
Lakeport Unified School District property had an active shooter training for local law enforcement last week. The FBI led two Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, or ALERRT, sessions in Lakeport. The training was put together by the Lakeport Police Department during spring break. There were sixty officers from eight local and state agencies. Over the last four years, the ALERRT courses have trained 115 officers.
California officials seized guns from people who had become legally prohibited from owning them. The seizures were targeted at convicted criminals, those with serious mental illness; people who were suicidal, and those who have restraining orders against them. Officers said out of nearly 24,000 people, the highest amount in state history, the organization seized 1,437 firearms. The Judicial Council of California created the Armed and Prohibited Persons System that tracks people who are ineligible to own guns. Those who are convicted of a felony are prohibited for life from owning a gun in California. A misdemeanor conviction can bring up to a 10-year ban. Though enforcement and oversight have been an issue in the past, the council is making strides to increase its staffing numbers, and was recently awarded nearly $5 million from California’s Department of Justice. Funds helped sheriff’s offices in 10 northern California counties to fulfill the council’s mission of gun violence prevention.
The Clearlake Police Department is looking for a woman last seen in August, 2022. 29-year old Alice Irene Hoven is known to have been in and around the area behind the Walmart in Clearlake. Hoven has a history of drug use and may have mental health issues. Hoven is a white female, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 148 pounds. She has short black hair and blue eyes. On Hoven’s lower left arm is a Batman tattoo. If you have any information where Hoven may be, please contact the Clearlake Police Department.
Saturday morning, two people reportedly jumped off the Albion River Bridge. One person died, and the other was flown away with life flight. The only remaining wooden bridge on State Route 1 was also the scene of suicide in July of 2020. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. No names were released. If you see anyone who has a mental emergency, all the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-TALK.
Willits Police Officers responded to a tow business on North Lenore Street early Saturday morning, searching for a woman refusing to leave a vehicle on the property. Before officers arrived, 41-year-old Kimberly Livingston of Fort Bragg, took the vehicle and fled the scene. She was seen running a stop sign on Lenore and East Commercials streets. Willits authorities tried to stop the vehicle when it was nearly struck head-on by Livingston during the chase. The car was later found near State and Humboldt Streets, with Livingston close by. She was arrested and charged with Auto Theft, Felony Vehicle Pursuit, and Assault with a deadly weapon.
A two-vehicle crash on the north end of the Willits bypass slowed traffic on Highway 101 Saturday afternoon. Just after 1pm, a Chevy truck and a Honda collided with the vehicles landing in the southbound lanes of the highway. A juvenile passenger is being assessed for back injuries. CHP reported a child and a baby were passengers, but no other information has yet been released.
Last week, Governor Newsom announced the closure of salmon season, requesting federal aid. On Friday, Representative Jared Huffman joined House Speaker Pelosi in calling for emergency funding to be sped up. Huffman says it is a two part challenge in the industry, expediting relief and restoring salmon populations. Industry businesses echoed sentiments of laying off personnel in the wake of the disaster. Golden State Salmon Association’s John McManus was concerned, but was also optimistic that federal relief will be expedited.
Late last week, the Clearlake City Council approved contracts for two road projects. The 18th Avenue Improvement Project was approved, with $4.5 million funding the work. The council also approved nearly a million dollars for the Dam Road Extension/South Center Drive Improvement project. The city council meeting also included a directive aimed at the North Bay Animal Services, the acting city’s animal shelter. City Manager Alan Flora focused on how the shelter can improve with issues of animal handling and housing, as well as problems with volunteers there.
Highland Springs Recreation Area is now open. Visitors are reminded to use caution while visiting the area, due to continued storm damage, including downed trees and fallen limbs on the disc golf course and trails. Due to wet weather, trails are still closed to equestrians and bikers. The Water Resources Department will be marking hazardous areas, and will continue cleaning up storm damage.
Sunday, the Redwood National State Parks posted on social media, a warning of bear behavior in the parks. They are warning of a bear, who gets close to vehicles, saying people need to respect the nature of the predator and are directed to not engage in trying to feed bears. The mammals can become dangerous to themselves and to visitors. The Redwood National and State Park are asking the public to help keep the park clean and safe, and to keep your distance from the bears.
A Chevy Tahoe crashed into a tree in Gualala just before 9am this morning at Pacific Woods Road and Friendly Avenue. One person in the SUV Chevy was air lifted out with moderate injuries, according to CHP.
