KUKI News

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Mendocino County. According to the press release issued by the California Highway Patrol, 20-year-old Steven N. Blake, of Covelo, was driving west down Foothill Blvd. at Crawford Rd. Tuesday evening. As he attempted to pass a stopped vehicle that was preparing to make a right turn, he pulled into the path of an eastbound motorcycle driven by 34-year-old Carlos Lopez Cruz, of Covelo, causing a head-on collision. Cruz died at the scene.

A man convicted of child molestation was sentenced yesterday morning in the Mendocino County Superior Court to 16 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 62-year-old Daniel Clay Vilas, of Jamestown, was convicted of multiple felony counts against the victim who was only six years of age at the time of the defendant’s sexual misconduct. Upon his release, Vilas will be required to register with local law enforcement as a sex offender annually for life.

The sixth annual Lake-Mendocino Veteran Stand Down and Homeless Veteran Resource Fair continues today at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. The event, which served over 150 veterans last year, offers a variety of services, assistance and information provided by more than 30 agencies and organizations. The fair is open to all veterans and a free lunch will be served to all attendants.

A workshop to update the community on the Highway 20 Northshore Communities Traffic Calming Plan & Engineered Feasibility Study will be held on this evening in Lucerne. The workshop will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., ahead of the Lucerne Area Town Hall meeting, at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club, at the corner of 10th Avenue and Country Club Drive.

The man accused of killing a Lucerne resident with a vehicle last week was in court. 62-year-old Thomas Andrew Magee, of Clearlake, faces first-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter charges in the death of 40-year-old Joseph Jackson. Police say Magee ran over Jackson with his van on Highway 20 and Seventh Avenue in Lucerne following a dispute over property. During a court appearance yesterday, Magee pleaded not-guilty. He remains in the Lake County Jail on $1.3 million bail. Magee’s preliminary hearing has tentatively been scheduled for January 15th.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors have approved a service agreement with Cal Fire for Fire and Emergency Dispatch services. Under the terms, the agreement will last through June 20th of 2020, and the cost will be less than the amount budgeted by the county – which is around $1,375,000.

This week’s Veteran’s Stand Down event will feature a new addition. Adventist Health Clear Lake has a new pop up care shower trailer to help friends, family and neighbors who are homeless or are living in poverty with access to clean showers, hygiene products, a good meal and other vital health services. The trailer features two showers (one is ADA accessible) and an office for staff, which will include an administrator and a Registered Nurse who will provide free medical assessments.

An inmate who walked away from the California Correctional Center Chamberlain Creek Conservation Camp in Mendocino County has been apprehended. 31-year-old Jonathan Washington, was discovered missing on Friday during a routine count. On Monday, agents took Washington into custody in Vallejo.

A Clearlake man who is a former Lower Lake High volunteer assistant cheer coach, has been arrested for annoying or molesting a child. Following an investigation that started last month, a warrant for the arrest of 44-year-old Joshua Scott Wade was issued last week. The annoying/molesting charge is from June 1 to Aug. 2, involving one alleged female victim under the age of 18. Wade also faces a separate charge of possession of metal knuckles. The illegal weapon was discovered during the investigation.

Sales tax proposals could be on the 2020 ballot for Lake County voters. The Board of Supervisors are considering developing a sales tax measure for road improvement. And today, the Supervisors will hear a sales tax proposal from the sheriff deputies union to fund law enforcement. As for the sales tax for roads – The Public Works Director says a 1-cent sales tax could bring the county’s Pavement Condition Index up from low to fair within 10 years.