The City of Lakeport Utilities Department has completed an inventory of pipes throughout the city looking for possible lead and they say they found none. The inventory was required by the federal government for water systems across the US. Lakeport utility crews inspected all city service lines from August through September and went though city records and codes dating to the 1920’s. They say there are no lead or galvanized service lines requiring replacement in Lakeport’s distribution system and that includes any privately owned or customer-owned service lines. They say about 52% of all water service lines are plastic, 39% are copper, 7.4% are galvanized not requiring replacement, and 1.6% are other non-lead metals such as cast iron.
A teenager attacked by a dog last week in Mendocino County is still in a hospital and has been unable to speak to investigators about what happened. A Sheriff’s Office spokesman tells the Redheaded Blackbelt news site the 15-year-old girl is in stable but critical condition following the incident last week along Bear Pen Road in Piercy. They say detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances but they have not been able to interview the young victim due to her condition. At the time of the incident investigators said a man and dog had been reported nearby but there is no word as to whether that man has been identified or contacted.
If you see low flying helicopters this week around Mendocino County, it is probably Pacific Gas and Electric inspecting overhead lines and equipment. PG& E says they will be using both helicopters and drones to patrol their overhead lines all this week, particularly in and around Point Arena, Laytonville and Gualala.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has sworn in two new deputy sheriff-coroners and welcomed back one corrections deputy. Sheriff Matt Kendall says Corrections Deputy Gabriel Rodriguez is returning to the Sheriff’s Office after a one-year hiatus. Deputy Sheriff Kevin Di Franco comes to the Sheriff’s Office from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Jace Kroh is a recent graduate of the Police Academy and was a Community Services Officer with the Sheriff’s Office prior to his new appointment. Sheriff Kendall says all three were raised in Mendocino County.
There is a new Director of Social Services for Mendocino County. Officials say Mendocino County native DeNeese Parker has been appointed to the job. She brings home more than 20 years of experience in family and children’s services within the court system in Las Vegas. Parker most recently served as Assistant Court Administrator at the Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas, overseeing the Juvenile Division and Specialty Court programs. She managed grants and programs and collaborated with judges and courts. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and has extensive experience in specialty courts, program development, and securing funding.
A Humboldt County woman is facing charges in connection with the November 2021 death of a foster child in her custody. Ashley Pearce-Piffrerini is facing murder and assault charges for the incident involving the two-year-old child. The Humboldt County District Attorney told the Redheaded Blackbelt news site that Pearce-Piffrerini was taken into custody last Thursday following an intensive investigation. Investigators have not released details on how the child died as the case is still active.
The body of another boater has been recovered from one of two that capsized near Bodega Bay on the first weekend of recreational crab season. Six people were aboard a boat that capsized November 2. One 13-year-old boy survived but the body of a 17-year-old boy was recovered the next day. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says yesterday a body was found near Bodega Head related to that boat but they have not yet been able to identify them. The following day a boat with two fishermen capsized near Mussel Point. One man was found dead and the other is still missing.
