KUKI News

The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office is inviting volunteers to come help repair fire-damaged recreation facilities and trails in the South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day.

The OHV area has been closed since July 2018, being heavily damaged by the Mendocino Complex fires. Helping hands are needed to install trail markers, signage, culverts and erosion control features; construct barriers; repair and maintain trails and complete trail surveys. The work will require hiking, digging, hauling and moving rocks and heavy material. The BLM will provide all necessary tools and materials.

Volunteers should check-in at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 1st and 2nd, at the Westside Staging Area on South Cow Mountain. It is recommended that participants wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, sturdy footwear and bring sunscreen and gloves. Volunteers should also bring a lunch and plenty of water. All volunteers are welcome, whether they can help both days, just one day or only part of the day.

Tent camping will be available for volunteers at the Red Mountain Campground. Please bring a tent, camping equipment and enough food for both days, if volunteers plan to stay overnight.

Contact information for The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office can be found here:
www.blm.gov/office/ukiah-field-office

It’s National Police Week, and today is Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. Established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special tribute to those law-enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Ceremonies are held in Washington, D.C., and in communities across the country. In observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day, both American and state flags at public office buildings will be lowered to half-staff today. Individuals, businesses, organizations, and other government agencies are encouraged to lower their flags in honor of local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.

During a special meeting yesterday, the Clearlake City Council decided which direction they will go in filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor Nick Bennett. The City Council had 2 options: appoint someone to the seat, or hold a special election. They’ve decided on option 1, and will begin taking applications to fill the vacancy. Under state law, that must happen within 60 days. The Council will accept applications through June 4 for community members interested in serving the remainder of Bennett’s unexpired term, which ends in November 2020. Until the appointment is made, Vice Mayor Russ Cremer will serve as Mayor, and Dirk Slooten will serve as Vice Mayor.

The Mendocino County Public Health department is making it even easier to dispose of unused medication. In addition to the existing drop boxes, the agency has placed an additional five boxes around the county – and they say even more are coming. Dropboxes are available at locations in Ukiah and Covelo, Fort Bragg, Willits, and Laytonville. Find a dropbox location nearest you by visiting the website: saferxmendocino.com.

The 9th annual VA2K is happening tomorrow in Clealake to bring awareness of homeless veterans. You can help by participating in the short 1.2 mile walk, or by bringing a donation of non-perishable food items. The event will start at 5 pm tomorrow at the Clearlake VA Clinic, 15145 Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office put out an alert yesterday that they needed your help in locating a K-9. Dozer is an 8 year old yellow lab that acts younger, and had last been seen in the area of Park Dr. in Kelseyville Sunday night. Several residents said they went out looking for Dozer, and last night – there was good news, as the Sheriff’s Department announced that he had been located safe and sound. Details on Dozer’s adventure have not yet been released.

During a special meeting today, The Clearlake City Council will discuss the process for filling the vacancy left by Mayor Nick Bennett’s resignation. Last week, Bennett made the announcement that he would be retiring immediately due to health reasons and moving out of the area. To fill the vacancy, the city council has 2 options: appoint a successor, or allow the public to decide by holding a special election. In recent years, the city council has opted for the option to appoint a successor.

The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office released an update on the ballot count for the Lakeport Fire Protection District’s Measure M parcel tax. A special election was held May 7th, and Mail-in ballots postmarked by that date were received until Friday, May 10th. As of Friday, there were 438 ballots that still need to be counted. Measure M needs a super majority of 66.7 percent to pass.

The American Red Cross of the California Northwest honored three volunteers from Lake and Mendocino counties at its annual Volunteer Recognition Lunch in Kelseyville. Volunteers honored include: Dennis Burke of Lake County Disaster Cycle Services who was given the New Volunteer of the Year Award. Dreya Braverman of Mendocino County Disaster Cycle Services recieved the Outstanding Support Award. Dave Fromer of Lake County received the award for Exceptional Response.

Photos from the event can be found on the California Northwest Chapter’s Flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/redcrosscalnw/albums/72157677465633597.

Police were called Friday after an orange prisoner jumpsuit – with the words California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – was found outside the Ukiah Safeway in some bushes . Investigators determined it belonged to a man released from San Quentin whose parole officer is in Lake County. Inmates aren’t supposed to leave with prison clothing, so the prison is looking into the oversight.