KUKI News

Precautionary measures have been taken after a positive COVID-19 test reported at Ukiah Valley Fire Authority. The individual became symptomatic following the start of a 48-hour shift on Wednesday, August 12th. Measures were immediately taken to isolate the individual and other close contacts. The Fire Authority says individual had limited workplace contact with others. The Fire Authority is working with Mendocino County Public Health.

An arson arrest has been made for the string of Ukiah Fires set on Wednesday. According to a press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office yesterday afternoon, the suspect 32-year-old Alberto V. Acosta, 32, of Ukiah, was reportedly seen near one of the fires Wednesday at the corner of Talmage Road and Babcock lane by an off-duty Mendocino County Corrections Officer who was driving over the Talmage Bridge. Yesterday morning, he was detained for questioning and was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail several charges including Arson during a state of emergency.

A revised Shelter in Place Order for Mendocino County goes into effect this afternoon. The new order maintains current restrictions, but adds additional limitations regarding gatherings. Due to the increased risk of transmission, the Health Order reduces the maximum capacity from 100 to 50 persons for permissible outdoor gatherings for Place of Worship faith-based services and cultural ceremonies; outdoor funeral and memorial services; as well as outdoor protests. 24 additional cases of COVID-19 were reported yesterday in Mendocino County, bringing the total to 513.

Lake County’s Public Health Officer says a recent uptick in cases has placed the county closer to the State’s Watch List, but overall COVID-19 activity remains manageable. Lake County has 267 total confirmed cases, and 37 active cases.

A man who attacked a woman at a Lakeport laundromat has been arrested. 26-year-old Michael Kevin Toney, attempted to steal money from the 64-year-old victim. Toney is a transient with prior arrests.

Quick work by Ukiah & Mendocino County firefighters stopped forward progress mulitple fires yesterday – all considered arson. According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, seven fires were set in a two-hour period late yesterday afternoon and early in the evening in total.

MCSO Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person who is believed to have set the string of fires. They are asking for security footage from the following areas of interest: South Dora Street from Fircrest Drive to MeadowBrook Drive, Fircrest Drive to South State Street, Oak Knoll Road to South State Street Fairview Court to South State Street, South State Street from Fircrest to Highway 253, Gobalet Lane, Plant Road, Airport Park Boulevard, and Babcock Lane.

A new agreement has been reached between the Ukiah Unified School District and the teachers union that gives teachers the option to choose to work remotely. The agreement states that UUSD hopes that during exclusive distance learning, unit members will still report on-site to provide instruction from their classrooms. The district believes this provides the best educational environment for students, but will provide a waiver for unit members who seek to work remotely for COVID-19-related reasons.

Lake County small businesses can now pick up free masks and hand sanitizer for employees. Courtesy of California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, these supplies are for small businesses and non-profits (less than 25 employees) and can be picked up at several locations throughout Lake County. See the full list of locations at facebook.com/lakecountycaedc.org/

Congressman Mike Thompson is hositng another Virtual Town Hall this evening with a member of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis to help answer questions about the Federal response to the crisis. Register by emailing Thompson.Townhall@mail.house.gov.

California Senator Kamala Harris has become the first black woman to join a major party’s presidential ticket. Harris yesterday said she’s honored to join former Vice President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket.
Governor Gavin Newsom says Harris is the perfect choice because she is principled, brilliant, compassionate, empathetic and honest.