It’s going to be a wet couple of days. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Lake and Mendocino Counties through Saturday evening with about two inches of rain expected today and another two inches tomorrow. Plus we’ve got King Tides, so the very high tides combined with large surf may result in flooding of normally dry areas. Along with it they’ve issued some River Flood Watches with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office saying they are expecting flooding for the Russian River near Hopland, Navarro River near Navarro, and Garcia River at Highway 1.
Police are still waiting for cell phone records belonging to a missing Fort Bragg teen. Multiple agencies have been helping Fort Bragg Police in the search for 15-year-old Roy Mora who was last seen before the Lighted Truck Parade last weekend. Police Chief Neil Cervenka said Wednesday they had confirmed from Roy’s cell phone provider that his phone battery was dead and therefore not trackable but the provider agreed to a request for data and records which would take three to four days to process. They also activated a locate signal for the phone in case the battery gets recharged. You can see pictures of Roy Mora on the Fort Bragg Police social media.
The lawyer for a Lucerne man charged with attempted murder involving police officers has asked for a mental health diversion. Cletus Manuel Rouillard was set to go on trial next month but this week the Court granted a continuance to hold a prima facie hearing which determines whether he qualifies for a mental health diversion. Rouillard has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, battery on a peace officer and a lot more from the October incident in which he allegedly attacked two Lakeport police officers trying to arrest him during a domestic dispute. He is currently being held on $1 million bail.
A construction truck hauling sand is what rolled over on Highway 1 about 20 miles north of Fort Bragg Wednesday evening, closing the road for about four hours. The CHP says the driver was pinned in the truck for about two of those hours until crews could get him out in what they called a “difficult extraction”. After that Caltrans cleaned up the spilled load of sand. The truck belongs to a contractor working on a landslide north of where the crash happened. There is no word yet on what caused the driver to lose control.
You could soon have another banking option in Ukiah. On Wednesday the Ukiah Planning Commission approved a plan for Redwood Credit Union to move into the old Savings Bank branch on East Perkins Street. As we reported earlier this week, Redwood Credit Union had preferred to repurpose a current building rather than build a new one. The Daily Journal reports one obstacle had been a provision that Savings Bank did not want another financial institution to have the building but the former owners came forward and gave it the OK. Redwood Credit Union told the Commission they are planning a few minor upgrades and new landscaping but hope to have it open within a year.
You can help the Mendocino County Office of Education as they work to bring some holiday cheer to homeless students through their annual Gift Drive. For the last eight years the MCOE has worked to serve over 300 students across Mendocino County providing gifts and a sense of community and care during what can be a challenging time of year. To help, stop by the MCOE River Campus lobby on Old River Road in Ukiah. There you will find a decorated board with gift tags that each represent a child’s wish toward a gift purchase of around $25. You can also leave donations.
