A reported shooting in Redwood Valley Monday night that included an accusation of two masked suspects with assault rifles may not have really happened. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after deputies were called to help a victim who claimed he’d been shot shortly after others had called reporting a suspicious man breaking into a home along Road B. When they found the purported shooting victim, he did have a wound on his leg but a hospital exam couldn’t say if it was from being grazed by a bullet or something else happening. Deputies canvassed the scene and found no witnesses, video surveillance or any other evidence of suspects or of shots being fired at all. If you have any information that could help, contact the Sheriff’s Office.
The trial has been continued for a Cobb man accused of beating his father with a hammer while court officials wait for an update on the suspect’s state conservatorship. Peter Guerrero was arrested in March 2023 after Clearlake Police said he beat his dad with a hammer while at the garden department of a store. The dad survived but Gurerro is charged with attempted murder, torture, mayhem, and more. Guerrero was declared unfit to stand trial and sent to the State Hospital under a conservatorship. The Record Bee reports last week a hearing was held to see if he was now ready for trial but his public defender told the judge they were still waiting on a status update from the Public Guardian that was due last month. The judge continued the hearing into October.
An abandoned SUV found in Manchester State Park on Monday is said to belong to a Sacramento man who went missing last week. Friends have contacted local media out of concern for Ashish Patel who they say left his home last Thursday showing signs of mental distress. A close friend tells Mendo Fever Patel may have gone to the Mendocino Coast with the intent to take his own life. He was reported missing to Sacramento Police on Friday but his phone has been off since then and there was no sign of him until Mendocino Deputies found his SUV Monday. They conducted a search on foot and with a helicopter but have found no sign of him.
It’s the first visit in more than 25 years by a Chief Justice of California to the Ukiah Courthouse. Last week California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire spent the day in Ukiah. Mendocino Courthouse officials say Chief Justice Guerrero, who took the job last year, is interested in traveling to as many courts across the state as she can to better understand the challenges faced in rural areas such as limited public transportation and language barriers. Guerrero and McGuire also met with some fifth-grade students from Ukiah schools who are currently studying the U.S. Constitution and learning how the three branches of government interact. Chief Justice Guerrero also spent time with judges and court staff and recognized Judge Cindee Mayfield, who is moving toward retirement after 27 years.
Today is the last day to get help at the Boyles Fire Local Assistance Center in Clearlake. The LAC is open from 10am to 7pm at the Clearlake Youth Center on Golf Ave. If you lost property or documents in the fire or you lost food due to the power outages, or you need to talk to a counselor, there are many services there that can help. Watershed Assessment Teams have been in the area and the City has said they plan to share an update on burn debris removal by Saturday. They say the household toxic waste removal teams will be onsite starting next week, possibly Monday September 23.
