Ukiah Police recovered a gun from an alleged stalker. Around 6pm on Monday, UPD was called to a location on Carleton Drive on reports of criminal threats and vandalism. According to a press release, officers talked with the victim, a female from Ukiah, who told them Kevin Leonard had been kicking at her door trying to get in. She showed UPD several threatening texts Leonard sent her, one with a picture of a gun. Ukiah Police then got a warrant for Leonard’s vehicle and approached him at his home on Empire Drive. Leonard refused to cooperate with officers on scene, so he was arrested. During a search, UPD recovered the gun and over 400 rounds of ammunition. Leonard was arrested and booked into Mendocino County Jail on charges including felon in possession of a weapon and a prior charge of assault with a deadly weapon.
California voters are getting the chance to help crack down on shoplifting. An initiative to repeal portions of Proposition 47 has enough signatures to make the November ballot and will be certified later this month. The law passed in 2014, reducing some felonies to misdemeanors including property crimes valued at 950-dollars or less. Critics claim that’s why retail thefts have surged. A new measure would raise penalties for those caught stealing or having certain drugs like fentanyl. It also increases punishment for repeated shoplifters.
State Parks Week is underway for a third year. Activities are planned across California’s 280 destinations where people of all ages can learn about and explore the outdoors. Each day has a new theme. Today is about boosting health, tomorrow is supporting climate resilience. The celebration kicked off yesterday and wraps up on Sunday.
Families across California are finding out a dollar can go a long way. Regal Cinemas is offering a summer deal at its 73 locations in the state. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, it’ll only cost a dollar for kids on break to see movies like “Despicable Me 3,” “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway,” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” There’s also a five-dollar promotion that includes popcorn, a drink and snacks. The Regal Summer Movie Express is happening through August 7th.
A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of California rideshare drivers. The 11 judges on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are saying that drivers for Uber and other rideshare companies are employees, not contractors. In 2020, voters approved Proposition 22 and AB5 which classify ride-hailing drivers and other app workers as independent contractors. Officials say a final decision on the classification may wind up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Lucas Bingham has graduated from the FBI National Academy. He was one of 201 law enforcement officers in the latest graduating class in Quantico, Virginia on June 6th. Undersheriff Bingham went through 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training according to a news release. Undersheriff Bingham has served with the Sheriff’s Office for 26 years. He is the current Sheriff-elect and will be sworn in as Lake County Sheriff in 2025.
If you love a good yard sale, make sure you stop by the City of Ukiah Community Yard Sale this Saturday. The sale will be going on from 8am to 2pm at Todd Grove Park. You can browse great deals from over 50 vendors. Get more details at CityofUkiah.com
Firefighters have been able to contain a small wildfire in a rural area near Willits. Firefighters first responded to the fire just before 3pm yesterday near Walker Lake Road and Lake Shore Drive. It was reportedly spreading downhill away from a structure and was burning roughly half an acre. They reported the fire’s progress had been stopped just after 3:30, and by 6pm firefighters reported the fire was contained.
