KUKI News

Residents in Lakeport who fail to do weed abatement will get cited. The City Council this week unanimously approved a resolution that declares dry weeds, brush and other vegetation that are creating a fire hazard on vacant and large lots throughout the city a public nuisance. Citations will be issued to property owners who fail to mow weeds and vegetation to reduce fire danger. Property owners will receive a 10-day notice, n 10 days, but must take care of the issue by no later than July 6.

Fire recovery efforts are still underway in Mendocino County – an update was given during the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday. The Mendocino County Health & Human Services Agency Director reports that there are people staying at the Kyen Campground at Lake Mendocino, because they do not have permanent housing. Case managers are working with those residents to find suitable housing. HHS says they are also working to get more funding to help the Redwood Valley Water District recovery. While $2 million is coming from the state budget for Redwood Valley Water District infrastructure improvements, the money can only be used for certain rebuilding projects.

A crash between a semi and a car shut down Highway 29 last night at and Cruickshank Road in Kelseyville. The truck went 20 feet down an embankment and caught on fire. No word yet on the cause of the accident.

A 70-year-old man from Fort Bragg was taken into custody on Saturday by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies. They were called to the Mobile Gas station and convenience store in Fort Bragg after an employee reported that the elderly man, Robert Tucker, tried to hit him with an object after being confronted for taking merchandise from the store without paying for it. Tucker was arrested for second degree robbery

Lake County authorities have determined that a man who was found dead last week near Pine Dell Resort, was killed by a pipe bomb. Investigators say the victim, 42-year-old Justin William Westermeyer,of Clearlake,
detonated the metal pipe bomb on the night of June 12 and was struck by a metal fragment. Invesgiators say they don’t believe Westermeyer was making the pipe bomb to harm anyone.

The MendoLake Complex Fire Relief organization has moved its donation inventory from the warehouse at the Pear Tree Center. Their inventory of donated clothes, shoes, food, and household items, can be found at 8465 East Road in Redwood Valley.

Lakeport police want your help in a case. At 2 a.m. Sunday two officers encountered a silver Mitsubishi Lancer in the downtown area that sped away from them – and again in residential neighborhoods west of downtown. At approximately 2:20 a.m. they began receiving 911 calls about a man in residential backyards in the area of Second and Crawford streets. Police found 44-year-old Travis Lorin Criss, and arrested him for a warrant out of Ukiah, intoxicated driving and for fleeing from law enforcement with disregard for public safety. The incident remains under investigation Lakeport Police asks that anyone with information contact them.

The Mendocino Council of Governments will be conducting a comprehensive regional study to improve sidewalks, paths and safe crossings in Mendocino County. The first of several workshops that will focus on the South Coast is being held this evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Point Arena City Hall. Input will be sought on community priorities from the Point Arena Community Action Plan as well as new priorities for the South Coast. You can also complete a survey online at: www.mendopedestrian.org/

A wildland fire near Lower Lake was almost fully contained as of yesterday. Cal Fire and Lake County crews responded to the Creek Fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon in the 9400 block of Rocky Creek Road at Morgan Valley Road. It quickly grew to 32 acres, but was kept from growing.

The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning in several counties, including Lake. This suspension takes effect today, and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. The Cal Fire Sonoma Lake Napa Unit Chief also reminds residents to avoid mowing on hot and dry days. Also, mow early in the morning when the humidity is higher and the temperatures are cooler.