A Ukiah man has been sentenced to over 7 years in prison for driving high on meth and seriously injuring two others. Harvey Rogers turned into the path of a motorcyclist in July of 2021, leaving one man in a coma and another with serious injuries. Rogers accepted a plea deal at the last minute before a jury trial in late May. The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office issued a release saying each victim was critically hurt for long periods of time and they remain in critical conditions. Because their injuries were serious and ongoing the state characterized the crime as violent, which affected his sentencing.
Canadian wildfire smoke is plaguing the Midwest and Northeast again this week, while locally, a wildfire in Oregon will keep Mendocino and Lake County’s skies smoky. The air quality declined yesterday with decreased visibility in the area. The National Weather Service reports areas will continue to have hazy conditions through tonight. The Flat Fire in southwest Oregon has burned over 4,000 acres as of Sunday when it began at a campground. The Air Quality Index reported the worst conditions are in high areas near Leggett to low valley places like Philo. Authorities are warning those who are sensitive to air quality should stay inside today, or if outside, they recommend an N95 mask. MendoVoice reports to close fresh air intakes and circulate air already inside your home. There are high efficiency filters available as well as air cleaners to reduce indoor particles.
The Lakeport woman who faces murder charges appeared remotely at Lake County Superior Court. The Record Bee reports Melinda Fred’s lawyer, Thomas Quinn says there is outstanding discovery asking the prelim hearing to be continued. It has been rescheduled for July 28th. Fred faces murder charges, assault with a deadly weapon and more. It began in May when police found a man who had been stabbed on the ground on Red Feather Lane. Aaron Burrows died at the scene. Fred was questioned and arrested and is still being held on a $1 million bond.
Mosquitoes in Lake County have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The insects were trapped near Lakeport and Kelseyville earlier this month. Lake County Vector Control District says the virus shows up every year and each July is a reminder to use mosquito repellent outside, especially during dawn and dusk. So far there’ve been no human cases of the virus in the state so far this year, but there has been a case of St. Louis encephalitis virus in Bakersfield. Lake County News reports that Lake County Vector Control can help with free mosquito eating fish, while urging folks to empty standing water from around your yards. Vector Control can also help with complaints of neglected swimming pools and more. Their county office is open weekdays from 7:30am to 4pm.
Over the weekend a group went public to change the name of Fort Bragg, saying the name is reminiscent of genocide, violence and racism. Change Our Name Fort Bragg plans to petition California’s Advisory Committee on Geographic Names. However, KymKemp reports a specialist with the US Board of Geographic Names says the committee only applies to natural features, reservoirs and unincorporated communities. The decision to rename the City of Fort Bragg would have to be made by the city government. Several years ago, the city considered changing the name after the murder of George Floyd. At the time, the City held meetings and surveyed residents and weren’t able to recommend an answer. This spring, the Fort Bragg Unified School District heard from activists but issued a statement in May saying it was not in the interests of the community to change the name.
The man who was killed in an ATV crash over the weekend has been identified. Jorge Figueroa of Cloverdale and his 71 year old uncle crashed through a fence and power pole according to CHP. Investigators say the machine was going too fast when it veered off the trail. Figueroa was pronounced dead at the scene. The uncle was injured. Neither one was wearing a helmet. The Press Democrat reports the crash on the gravel road near River Road is still under investigation.
The Lakeport City Council is meeting tonight at 6pm for a public hearing on utility fees. In their agenda the council will hear from the assistant city manager on adopting a change in capacity charges for water and sewer fees. The city manager will also ask the council to nominate voting delegates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference in September. According to Lake County News, other items include the filing of third quarter finances and revision of the Master Pay Schedule.
There were two crashes and two fatalities in Mendocino County over the weekend. The Press Democrat reports CHP responded to one crash just after 10am Saturday morning. A witness had seen a Ford F-150 go off the road and smash into a tree near Mountain View Road east of State Route 1. A 39-year-old man from Boonville was pronounced dead at the scene. In another incident, a woman was killed after her truck drifted off Highway 101 and went down the embankment rolling. The 69-year-old woman was from Ukiah. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating both crashes and do not yet know if drugs or alcohol were related to either one.
A release issued in local media notes PG&E is considering transferring the Potter Valley Project to a subsidiary and reducing the flow of the Russian River. The Russian River Water Forum Planning Committee met last week and updated technical briefings for upcoming Working Group meetings. Last Thursday, the Planning Group outlined The Russian River Water Supply Resiliency with the Upper Russian River Water Sharing Program that included the City of Ukiah resiliency programs and the Sonoma-Marin Water Saving Partnership. The water supply resiliency was covered with updates on ground water recharging, and evaluating the Potter Valley Irrigation District as PG&E considers transferring assets to Pacific Generation. The Planning Committee discussed how the proposed solution for the Potter Valley Project must include water resiliency. Their next meeting is scheduled for August 3rd.
Lake County is getting $2.3 million from the state in a Parks and Rec grant to improvement Nice’s Hammond County Park. The funds will help upgrade the main playground and other areas. Two new picnic shelters are included in the center of Hammond County Park with picnic tables, grills and more. A multi-sports court will be developed for pickleball, basketball and more. An overlook will be built next to the wetland area with information about the wildlife. A couple of local tribes are partners in the project and will help with input on the cultural importance of the wetlands and park area. Previous grants are helping with park improvements around the county as well, including at Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch, Kelseyville Community Park, Lucerne Harbor Park and more. Lake County News reports the projects are slated to be done by spring of next year.
Local elected officials are speaking out in support of two bills to usher in offshore wind in California. Assembly Bill 3 would require the state to complete phase two of the offshore wind strategic plan and study the feasibility of manufacturing and building 70 to 85 percent of the projects in state. The California News Service reports the bills aim to move California away from fossil fuels such as oil and gas while promoting clean-energy jobs. Opponents cite concerns about potential disruptions to marine life and military exercises. AB 80 would require the state’s Ocean Protection Council to establish a nonprofit West Coast Offshore Wind Science Entity to study the effect of wind farms on the marine ecosystem.
Sunrise Special Services Foundation, the homeless shelter in Lakeport, is responding to the arrest last week of their new director, Chris Bloodworth, announcing charges against him have been dropped. In a release in Lake County News, the foundation emphasized it was a private matter that happened outside of the workplace. They said Bloodworth and his partner are in counseling and are working on the underlying issues. They urge the public to know they have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of violence. They say they maintain an open and transparent dialogue with their employees and residents of Lake County. Bloodworth had been arrested and charged with inflicting corporal injury on his partner, according to information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Sonoma County officials are worried about lightning strikes, after the Lagoda Fire that was started by a strike in Colusa County began Sunday. As of this morning at around 9:30am, the Lagoda Fire has been 80 percent contained at about 22 acres in size. The Press Democrat reports a local fire chief says Sunday’s storm is a teaser for what is forecasted to be an eventful wildfire season. As the coastal fog has declined by about a third, summer storms could be cause for increased fires started by lightning. Last weekend, multiple lightning bolts struck in Sonoma and neighboring counties.
There’s a new Rapid Care Clinic in Lakeport. Adventist Health has expanded their services in Lake County with a clinic for minor medical conditions. Lake County News reports it’s the second Rapid Care clinic in Lake County, after the Adventist Health Clear Lake opened earlier this year. The Lakeport clinic is open weekdays from 8am to 4pm on South Main Street.
New legislation in California may help usher in more farmers’ and night markets. Assembly Bill 441 would help build a dedicated permit for markets. Yesterday, AB441 was presented to help cut red tape to help small businesses expand into community markets. Inspiration came to the bills authors from a recent trip to Taipei. The bill had been totally changed when originally its purpose was for an earned tax income credit, but it was withdrawn in the spring after signs it would not pass. Now, instead Assemblyman Matt Haney rebuilt the bill for small businesses to encourage marketplaces without the hassle of seasonal permits. CalMatters reports that there are night markets in the state, like one that began in the San Gabriel Valley over a decade ago. AB 441 would streamline the permitting process. Haney says the bill would remove barriers and cut through unnecessary bureaucracy.
