Fatal Crash on 101 North of Laytonville on Monday

Emergency personnel responded to a fatal traffic collision on Highway 101 just north of Laytonville near Bowmans Place around 2:30 on Monday.   Highway 101 was blocked, and a rope hoist was deployed for a vehicle that went over the side. One person was confirmed deceased at the scene.  The driver of the second vehicle … Read more

Two Covelo Men Found Guilty of Murder in Illegal Grow Murder Case

Two men from Covelo have pleaded guilty to the 2023 murder of 43-year-old Hermengildo Valencia Escalera. Iran Lee Hoaglen III, 43, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while Lawrence Allen Joaquin, 37, pled to one charge voluntary manslaughter, a prior strike with a five-year enhancement. Investigation in October 2023 was begun after evidence of a violent … Read more

North Coast Opportunitys and Lake County Public Health Work Together To Train Responders

North Coast Opportunities’ Community Emergency Response Team (NCO CERT) and the Lake County Public Health Department signed a mutual aid agreement at the beginning of the month that will allow NCO CERT instructors to train Public Health staff on disaster preparedness, while Public Health will train CERT volunteers for vaccine clinics and emergency response. The … Read more

Lake County Planning Commission Will Reconsider Guenoc Valley Project

The Lake County Planning Commission meets on Thursday and will consider the Guenoc Valley Mixed Used Planned Development Project’s new environmental documents and recommend zoning changes to the Lake County Board of Supervisors. The property has been owned by a Chinese developer since 2016 and the projects’ first environmental impact report was ruled insufficient by … Read more

Series of Crashes in Lake County, A Least Two Fatalities

A red Chevrolet pickup crashed in south Lake County on Sunday evening, marking the weekend’s second fatal incident. The collision, near Middletown, blocked Big Canyon Road. First responders found one person trapped and another outside the vehicle. One fatality was confirmed by 7:15 p.m., with the driver sustaining minor injuries. This followed another fatal solo-vehicle … Read more

Man Responsible for Rash of Thefts Arrested in Fort Bragg

A Ukiah man, Joseph Mark Andersen, 37, was arrested by Mendocino County Sheriff’s detectives on the 10th after being linked to thefts from Boonville to Ukiah, including PG&E access cards and gear, STIHL chainsaws, and a stolen credit card. A search of his Fort Bragg motel room on July 10 revealed stolen goods, drug paraphernalia, … Read more

Crash Down Embankment Near Leggett Leaves Several Injured

On Saturday, July 19, a Nissan SUV veered off southbound Highway 101 near Leggett, plummeting 30 feet down a steep embankment, just before 2:00 p.m., with initial reports indicating the vehicle was smoking and occupants trapped. Emergency crews were able to extricate the victims, one of whom was then medevaced from Leggett Valley Elementary School … Read more

Lake County Board of Supervisors Meets on Tuesday

The Lake County Board of Supervisors meets Tuesday morning and will hear updates on economic development initiatives, including the county’s Capital Improvement Plan, microgrid request for quote, health education, regional training hub federal funding, and the upcoming application for the Community Development Block Grant. The board will also revisit a proposed air quality management fee … Read more

Adventist Health Ukiah Holding Free Sports Physical Clinic on Saturday

A reminder, Adventist Health will host its annual Free Sports Physicals and Back-to-School Fair Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Clinic in Ukiah. The event offers free sports physicals required for California student-athletes, backpacks, school supplies, and community health resources. The event is scheduled in time blocks: 7-9 a.m. for 9th grade-college; … Read more