Ukiah Police say they hope their new fleet of e-bikes will not just make officers more visible in the community but also make them more approachable. UPD announced earlier this month that they have deployed two new e- bikes in addition to their two pedal bikes and they have specific new uniforms. An official tells the Daily News the bike shifts do not replace regular patrol car shifts but actually add to them. UPD says they want the officers to be able to interact more freely with residents, businesses, and visitors particularly at special events, but they will also be useful for their maneuverability in catching would-be criminals who take off running.
A Ukiah High School graduate has been nominated for an Academy Award. Filmmaker Will Hawkes is co-founder of the production company Kindred Films whose film The Last Ranger is nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short. The Mendocino Voice reports the film, which follows conservation efforts to stop the poaching of rhinos in South Africa, will be shown here with some other short films by Mendocino filmmakers this Friday January 31 at the Ukiah Players Theater. Hawkes tells The Voice Kindred Films works to spotlight challenges impacting communities around the world and they partner with charitable organizations to support efforts in those communities.
A Kelseyville man accused of robbing the Soda Bay Market last spring may have his trial vacated with his attorney applying for the Mental Health Diversion program. The Record Bee reports Bryan Bouchard was initially arrested last May after Lake County Deputies saw his motorcycle on surveillance video leaving the scene and they said a search of his home turned up several items related to the robbery. There is a hearing scheduled today for his Lake County Public Defender to present a Mental Health Diversion Application for the judge to consider instead of a trial which is scheduled for next month.
January is School Board Recognition Month and the Mendocino County Board of Education is highlighting its two newest members. Nancy Bennett and Michelle Hutchins were recently sworn in to serve Trustee Areas Three and Four which together cover Caspar, Fort Bragg, Leggett, Piercy, Westport, Covelo, Laytonville, and Willits. Bennett is a parent and small business owner with a long track record of volunteering. Hutchins is a parent and education consultant and if her name is familiar it’s because she was the Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools from 2019 to 2022.
The Lake County Symphony Association is holding auditions this weekend for the Lake County Adult & Youth Concert Orchestra. Auditions are Sunday, February 2 at 4pm at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. Membership is determined through audition or recommendation and they are looking for what they say are intermediate to advanced musicians of all ages who can perform on an orchestral instrument. Some musicians – both kids and adults – can bypass the audition with a recommendation from a school music teacher or a recognized private music instructor but still need to come Sunday to determine placement in the orchestra. Learn more at www.lakecountyayco.org.
The California State University Board of Trustees meets today and a large crowd of those connected to Sonoma State University is expected to attend. While the Trustees do not have SSU on their agenda, many students and faculty members have told the Press Democrat they are planning to speak during the public comment section to express their anger over the massive cuts announced last week that included 60 faculty and staff members, dozens of majors, and every single sport. Meanwhile this Thursday SSU is holding a Town Hall for the campus but has been moved from the Student Center to an online forum.
