A Mendocino Superior Court judge has declared a mistrial in a DUI case against a Willits man after the jury became deadlocked. Clayton Joel Sternick remains charged with driving a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug and other related charges. The jury in the case was excused and the case was reset for … Read more
A federal civil lawsuit filed against former Ukiah Police Chief Noble Waidelich will move forward. MendoFever reports San Francisco U.S. District Court judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin denied a request by counsel to dismiss the case, stating top police officials and city administrators knew of past abuse allegations against Waidelich but promoted him in late 2022 to … Read more
Lake County’s Habitat for Humanity is taking applications for the Brush of Kindness Home Repair Program. The program makes it possible for seniors, military veterans, disabled individuals, and others to have home repairs they need done while remaining in their homes. Applicants must have owned and lived in their home for at least three years … Read more
A Clearlake woman has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances for ambushing and shooting a man. Dominique Irene Molina-Dominguez is charged with killing DeAndre Ginner, who may have lived in her home where he was shot. Molina-Dominquez has made two appearances, but has not yet entered a plea. Chief Deputy District Attorney, … Read more
The Clearlake City Council meets Thursday evening and will discuss fire mitigation fees for the Lake County Fire Protection District. The council also will consider a memorandum of understanding with the Konocti Unified School District for a full-time school resource officer for the 2024-25 school year, at a cost of just under $161,000, including salary, … Read more
The identities of individuals killed in separate crashes last week have been released. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reports Roy Hunter of Cobb was killed last Wednesday when his vehicle went off the road, down an embankment and rolled before hitting a tree. Hunter was thrown from the vehicle. The next evening, Ivan Rodriguez Vega, … Read more
Two Caltrans workers were recently awarded the Governor’s Silver Medal of Valor for their bravery and quick thinking during a snowstorm in Mendocino County in early 2023. Michael Butner and Gonzalo Garcia saved an elderly couple just before their RV was crushed by falling trees. They were given their awards during a ceremony at the … Read more
An incident involving a traffic message board on State Route 128 between Cloverdale and Anderson Valley is under investigation. The message board, used to redirect traffic had been reprogrammed with a racial statement using derogatory language directed at black people. The message board is operated by a contractor doing emergency road work in the area. … Read more
Cal Fire Director/Fire Chief Joe Tyler has appointed Matt Ryan as the next Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief. Ryan takes over as Mike Marcucci retires at the end of the month. Ryan has served on the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit for his entire career. Ryan also assumes command as fire chief for the Napa County Fire Department … Read more
A fire in the 12000 block of San Joaquin Avenue at Palomar Drive late Monday night prompted the evacuation of an area on the outskirts of Clearlake. The fire was first reported just after 10 pm, and Fire Chief Willie Sapeta asked law enforcement to respond as there was a need for evacuations and he … Read more