A Ukiah Man has been charged with felony reckless burning for allegedly starting a fire near Ackerman Creek. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office says they responded Sunday night after neighbors saw the fire and called 911. The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority responded as well along with their Arson Investigator and found Brett Adame standing near the fire which they say started as a campfire but escaped containment and burned some forest land. The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority firefighters knocked it down pretty quickly and Adame was booked into the Mendocino County Jail.
A Hopland man accused of trying to expose himself to two women at a store in Ukiah has been convicted of sexual battery by a jury. The Mendocino DA’s Office says on Tuesday Timothy Scott McIlvain was convicted of misdemeanor sexual battery, misdemeanor attempted indecent exposure, and misdemeanor delaying or obstructing a peace officer. Police say in May he tried to grope and expose himself to two women working at the Ukiah Costco. The DA says this was also a parole violation for a vandalism conviction last year. He’s set to be sentenced tomorrow.
Several Lake County residents are taking steps toward a healthier community with the local organizers of the Blue Zones Project saying the County has reached its community engagement goal two years ahead of schedule. Blue Zones are said to be areas around the world where people live exceptionally long lives. The Blue Zones Project was created to help communities learn to emulate those areas with healthier eating habits, physical activity and social engagement. Lake County Blue Zone’s started in 2021 with Adventist Health and now more than 65 local organizations are working toward the goals. Officials tell Lake County News Adventist Health Clear Lake plans to achieve Blue Zones worksite certification by the Fall of 2025, and the Konocti Unified School District is working to become the first Blue Zones Certified School District in the US.
Lake County officials are noting some successful steps in the initial response to the Glenhaven Fire. On Tuesday the Lake County Board of Supervisors ratified a local emergency declaration that Sheriff Rob Howe issued in response to the Glenhaven Fire which started Friday afternoon near Clearlake Oaks. Lake County News reports the Supes pointed out the investment into the Sheriff’s Office’s Starlink system allowing for internet connectivity at the scene made a significant difference. And they said Northshore Fire used a special hose to bring water directly up from the lake, thanks to equipment funded by the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake.
The Glenhaven Fire is now 90% contained at 417 acres. Cal Fire says there are still 175 personnel on the scene with 15 engines, three dozers and two water tenders doing mop-up operations and mitigating any hazards as well as now doing some fire suppression repair work. Only a handful of evacuation warnings remain in place. The fire destroyed two homes and damaged a third.
Ballots for the upcoming Presidential Election have been mailed to all registered Mendocino County voters. Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Katrina Bartolomie says they all went out on Monday October 7. She says normal delivery is five to seven days, so if you have not received your ballot by October 17 call her office for a replacement ballot. If you have not yet registered to vote, the last day to register is October 21.
