News Staff A man found guilty of sex crimes against three young girls has been sentenced to 50 years in prison, despite his family’s claims that he was coerced and was not offered adequate legal representation. Lucas Russell, 23, is severely intellectually disabled. Gregory Rowe, Russell’s teacher at Arcata High, said that due to his delay, Russell … Read more
A Clearlake man and a Live Oak woman were killed on Highway 20 in Colusa County last week. 68-year-old Bernardino Gutierrez and Misti Dawn Wiggins, 49, were both killed when Gutierrez drove the wrong way and crashed head-on into Wiggins. Both were wearing seatbelts. Investigation into the cause is underway.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department has identified a man fatally shot near an illegal cannabis grow earlier this month. The May 14th shooting near Covelo killed 30-year-old Jorge M. Zavala Estrella of Vallecito in Amador County. Deputies said they also found a large marijuana grow with hoop houses and several trailers. Two other victims were … Read more
Temperatures in the 100s are expected to usher in the weekend for most of Lake and Mendocino counties. A strong high-pressure dome over the area will cause the increase, making it the first heatwave of the season, followed by above normal precipitation for next week.
A hiker injured in a fall deep in the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park on the Mendocino-Humboldt County line was rescued on Saturday. The man fell and was then stranded in deep, rugged terrain with a broken leg. Shelter Cove Fire responded and determined that a helicopter with hoist rescue capabilities would be required. The hiker … Read more
Charges have been filed against a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy accused of driving a patrol vehicle drunk to a Willits bar, crashing into a guard rail, and then failing to report it in late April. Deputy Marcis Robert McCarty has been charged with three misdemeanors: driving under the influence of alcohol, vandalism causing more than … Read more
Mendocino County will host several community meetings to gather input on an ordinance that would allow low intensity camping in the area. The meetings are all scheduled on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. The next meeting will be on the 28th, at the Boonville Veterans Hall, in Boonville. June 4th at the Round Valley Library in … Read more
Lake County Code Enforcement, along with CalRecycle has announced it will offer residents of Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley, Double Eagle, Elem, and Clearlake Park the opportunity to participate in two free dump days. The no-cost events are scheduled for 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday, the 31st, and Saturday, June 7th at the … Read more
The 43rd annual Willits Car & Bike Show is Sunday. Besides vintage vehicles and motorcycles, there will be live music, food, and beer on sale. There’ll be a vendor’s marketplace in Bud Snider Park and local businesses will be open. The event is free and open to public and will be held in downtown Willits … Read more
A vegetation fire south of Ukiah on Wednesday was thought to have been started by a mower. UVFA Battalion Chief Justin Buckingham was first on the scene in the 4900 block of Burke Hill Drive, and when he arrived, people were spraying the fire with water. Fire crews arrived shortly after and kept the fire … Read more