No people are hurt but a dog has died after a recreational vehicle caught on fire in Ukiah Tuesday. The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority responded around 9:30am to the RV fire on North Orchard at Perkins. The Fire Chief tells the Ukiah Daily Journal the driver was having some engine trouble when what he described as a “fireball” flew from the engine. The couple in the RV was able to get out along with their cats but their dog didn’t survive. The intersection was closed for about an hour as firefighters knocked down the fire. Meanwhile a Ukiah man was arrested after driving through the scene and over some fire hoses – Ukiah Police say he was driving on a suspended license.
It should be worth it when it’s done, but the work to install water and sewer upgrades on Gobbi Street in Ukiah is continuing to cause some traffic headaches. It’s part of the City of Ukiah’s Urban Core Rehabilitation and Transportation project which includes Main, Perkins, and Gobbi Streets which will include 84 ADA ramps, nearly 3 miles of new or upgraded bike lanes, nearly 5 miles of upgraded roads and updated water, sewer, and stormwater service. This week crews are on Gobbi Street heading east toward Orchard Avenue. Expect traffic to be disrupted for the next two weeks there, weekdays from 7am-5pm.
An unused seat belt has led to a drug dealing bust in Fort Bragg. Police say last week an officer stopped 65-year-old Elmer Vichi on N Main Street for not wearing a seatbelt. But the officer alleges Vichi was trying to hide something under his seat. When asked about it, Vichi reportedly pulled out a small plastic bag which the officer said he recognized as meth. Vichi allegedly refused to get out of the car but after a short struggle he was taken into custody. A search of the car allegedly turned up two one-gallon plastic bags of meth, about $2,000 in cash and four cell phones which police say were ringing a lot while Vichi was being booked into the jail.
A fungus that threatens bats that’s been moving across the country has reportedly been seen in the bloodwork of bats in several California counties. Called White-nose syndrome, the fungus has killed millions of bats across North America. The CDFW says White-nose syndrome does not infect humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife but they can all be carriers to spread it to bat communities. If you’re thinking, “well, bats are creepy so what?” CDFW says they do major insect control with a single bat eating thousands of insects every night. They say bats are worth about $3.7 billion a year to the agriculture industry in pest control for farmers as well as fertilizer with their guano.
A Go Fund Me has been set up for an 11-year-old Cloverdale boy killed in a bicycle crash last weekend. His family confirms Cesar Preciado-Garcia was the child killed after he somehow fell off the bike and slammed his stomach into the handlebars near his home. The CHP says the crash was ruled an accident and no foul play is suspected. The Press Democrats reports the Cloverdale Unified School District has made counselors available on campus this week. The Go Fund Me is asking for $15,000 to help with his funeral and other expenses.
There’s a comedy event to raise money to help Mendocino veterans next month. “Dreams for Veterans” is being put together by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and local producer Jake “The Bern Man” Bernie. “Dreams for Veterans” is Sunday, November 10 at 730pm at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center. The organizers say it will feature performances by comic and host of “America’s Got Talent Allstars” Mike E. Winfield along with 2024 San Francisco Comedy Competition Champion Frankie Marcos. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com and at the Mendocino Book Company. They say 100% percent of proceeds will go to Mendocino County veterans.
