Some of the offices that will appear on the ballot in November in Mendocino County apparently don’t have enough people running. Reporter Matt LeFever says in a draft list of candidates the Registrar of Voters office put out, it shows more than half of the special districts with open seats will end up appointing someone because it’s not competitive enough for an actual vote. And other races, LeFever notes, will just be someone running, automatically gets the seat, because there are just enough people running for those open seats. But the Registrar of Voters points out that the draft candidate list may still change some. There are open city council seats in Fort Bragg and Ukiah; open school board seats in Willits, Round Valley and Potter Valley; and open seats in various other departments including health care districts, water districts and fire districts, that could all end up being competitive races.
The Probation Dept. in Mendocino County is reportedly trying to talk down a jail term to a suspended one-year sentence for a former Ukiah cop accused of sexual impropriety, burglary and more. Former Ukiah Police Sgt. Kevin Murray’s lawyers do not support the idea, since they worked out a plea deal which strikes three sex-related felonies against him. Murray is set to be sentenced tomorrow for the case which also includes, intimidating a witness and false imprisonment. The plea deal would give him probation, not a jail sentence of any kind, suspended or not. Murray’s lawyer says there was extensive discussion on the agreement, and this is a change not discussed. But apparently one of his victims opposed probation.
The state has distributed a boat load of money they’re doling out for road repairs, including in Mendocino County. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has over $2.2 billion for repairs and transportation infrastructure improvements, some of which came from the recent federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and almost $336 million from the state that goes back to 2017. A good chunk is going to roads, drainage and guardrail upgrades near Albion, in Mendocino County; 2 million for road improvements on the 101 near Hopland; and another 2 mil in the county from Willits to south of Black Bart Road, also on US 101. For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.
Applications are being accepted by the California State Parks Dept. for new recreational experiences. The applications should be from public entities and would be funded by the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program with the federal government. There is over $190 million dollars available in the sixth phase of the grant program to provide opportunities for communities that have limited or no access to publicly available, close-by, outdoor recreation opportunities. The grant program was established 8 years ago with money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to bring new parks or provide major renovations to parks in economically disadvantaged cities or towns of at least 30,000 people.
A man permanently scarred by Ukiah Police officers during an arrest had his charges dropped. The Deputy DA in the case against Arturo Valdes, who was suspected of misdemeanor DUI, asked for a dismissal. Arturo was struck and had visible facial fractures after his arrest at his Ukiah home in March of 2021. Valdes’ lawyer says police in the case pleaded the 5th and their case fell apart. Neither has said publicly how many times they may have punched the victim in the head. Valdes was in an accident and didn’t wait for police to get there, so they went to his house and took him in on various charges. His lawyer says they were fabricated. And body cam footage was not available to the public, even though the Mendocino Voice tried to get it through the Public Records Act.
Mendocino County workers trying to get raises all at the last Board of Supervisors meeting decrying claims of a financial crisis. The union representative for the workers said the county claimed it couldn’t afford a cost-of-living increase but called it a bogus claim. The county asking for a year to wait on the increase, so they had time to evaluate finances. The union rep at the meeting says the county’s not been on top of what their expenses and revenues were for the last five years. He suggested since there were so many open positions, to repurpose some of that money. The county claims it used the funds to pay overtime and hire extra help. They also note the board used money from one of the pandemic stimulus plans to remodel the Board of Supervisors chambers.
A bill sent to the Governor for signature or veto could mean those sending unwanted sexually graphic texts, emails, app requests or other electronic means could be sued. The bill related to “cyber flashing”, widely considered to be digital sexual harassment or abuse. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry says mostly young women are receiving the messages. The Assembly passed it unanimously and it was sent to the senate yesterday, also getting unanimous approval. The unsolicited content would allow a victim or recipient to get $1,500 up to as much as $30,000 from senders older than 18, plus punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
A woman from Middletown reported missing a week ago, has still not been seen or heard from.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported 38-year-old Goldie Morse disappeared August 13th and was officially reported missing Aug. 17th. Deputies say she was seen last in Cobb near the Black Rock Golf Course, but without a cell phone or shoes. The Sheriff’s Office reported to Lake Co News they have had a few possible sighting reports and were following up. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Lake County Central Dispatch at 707-263-2690.
A man from Upper Lake is under investigation for an assault. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reports they’re searching for 62-year-old Arturo Pedro Gutierrez, as a person of interest in an assault on a woman last week. The man is reported to be a registered sex offender connected to a case of indecent exposure in 2012. He is noted by the Justice Dept. as a high-risk reoffender. Anyone with any information as to his whereabouts is asked to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Central Dispatch at 707-263-2690.
The fire that was burning by Lower Lake, dubbed the Point Fire is fully contained. The fire started Saturday late afternoon west of Lower Lake and triggered evacuations. It burned close to homes but spared them and there was no damage reported. As of last night, the fire was 100% contained after blackening 14 acres. No word about how the fire started.
Kids don’t have to wear masks in Mendocino County schools, but the public health officer says it’s not a bad idea. Dr. Andy Coren says students and staff may consider facial coverings as the county is still in the median risk area, per the CDC. Coren says while masks are no longer mandatory, they are highly recommended. He also says he has heard virtually nobody is wearing masks which creates a “big vulnerability” that he would like to see go away. Dr. Coren said we’ve learned a lot more about COVID as a society, but there’s not enough people vaccinated in the state or the county for the 5-to-11 age group. He did say over the summer several schools enhanced their ventilation systems, which could be helpful.
