A man police say could be armed and dangerous is still on the loose more than a week after a shooting in Santa Rosa. Police are looking for 21-year-old Ukiah resident Nathan Little Bear Hoaglin, who is accused of shooting a man in the shoulder on February 18th. Police say, before the shooting, there was an argument between two groups. There is a warrant out for Hoaglin’s arrest for suspected attempted homicide. A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Sonoma County is under a frost advisory until 9 this morning. The advisory kicked in at two a.m., with forecasters calling for overnight temperatures to fall to about 36 degrees. That’s about ten degrees colder than it was overnight Sunday into Monday. Forecasters are advising residents to take action to protect their pets, plants, and pipes from freezing.
California is bracing for what could be a low voter turnout. Experts say it’s possible to fall under 30 percent for next week’s presidential primary. As of Saturday, only seven percent of 22 million ballots have been returned. Compare that to 2022, when 250 thousand had been received by now. Of course, there’s still time for ballots to be mailed back or dropped off before next Tuesday. Early voting is underway in Mendocino and Lake Counties.
More people are stepping up to serve the state. The California Highway Patrol is seeing a surge in job applications, up 94 percent last month compared to two years ago. That’s the highest monthly number in seven years. Governor Newsom says the CHP isn’t just one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the nation, it’s also the best. The CHP is conducting an online hiring seminar tonight at 6:30 to discuss pay, benefits and what to expect during training. Here’s the link to the seminar: https://www.chp.ca.gov/chp-careers/officer/seminars-events#northernDiv
A San Diego federal judge has ruled it is ok to buy weapons like Billy clubs. The weapon along with batons and similar blunt objects have been outlawed in California for more than 100 years. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez says the prohibition unconstitutionally infringes the second amendment rights of American citizens and banned the state from enforcing the law. California Attorney General Rob Bonta says he is concerned about the safety of communities. Bonta says the judge’s decision defies logic and he’s appealing.
The Lake County Environmental Health Department is stepping up to help restaurants meet state requirements. If your restaurant or food facility needs a certified kitchen manager, they’re offering a special class and exam session next month. On Tuesday, March 12th the class will be held in Lakeport. Participation will ensure compliance and also help your restaurant serve the community safely. Secure a spot for the food safety exam by calling Lake County Environmental Health.
The 2024 – 2025 Mendocino County Civil Grand Jury is now taking applications. If you’d like to sit on the grand jury, you have until March 31st to apply. The 19 member grand jury serves for a term of one year and there are options to participate remotely. Grand Jury members will be paid $25 for full panel meetings and $10 for each committee meeting. Requirements for Civil Grand Jury Members and more information can be found at CA.gov. You can also get more info and pick up an application at the Superior Court on North State Street in Ukiah.
