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Mendocino County authorities identify female armed robbery suspect killed after confronting deputies
Dawn Elika Center, 48, of Redwood Valley was identified as the suspect in the case, according to Capt. Gregory Van Patten.
Center was the suspect in a Tuesday morning armed robbery in which she took a Chevrolet Camaro at Thurston Auto Plaza in Ukiah, Van Patten said.
Van Patten said sheriff’s deputies, assisted by Willits Police officers, pursued Center on Highway 101 at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour before Center crashed the Camaro north of the Highway 101 bypass.
After the crash, Center got out of the car holding a handgun and confronted the deputies and officers, Van Patten said.
Center was shot and died at the scene. Van Patten said no officers or deputies were injured.
Van Patten said Center’s identity was confirmed by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Division on Wednesday.
He said the three deputy sheriffs involved in the shooting incident have all be placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with sheriff's office standard procedure, pending the ongoing investigation by the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.
The three deputy sheriffs involved in the shooting incident have been employed at the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office for a total of 30 years, 11 years and four years respectively, Van Patten said.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a Covelo woman who was possibly abducted by her boyfriend and is considered at risk.
Khadijah Britton, 23, is believed to have been kidnapped on Friday, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office has been investigating a domestic violence incident involving an armed subject, Negie Fallis, 27, of Covelo, who may have abducted Britton, his girlfriend, at gunpoint.
Barney said the sheriff's office was contacted on Monday about a possible kidnapping that occurred on Friday around midnight.
Sheriff's deputies spoke to witnesses who advised that Fallis arrived at the location, armed with what appeared to be a small Derringer pistol, and demanded Britton come out of the residence and speak with him, Barney said.
Witnesses indicated Britton exited the residence where a physical altercation occurred between her and Fallis before they both got into a black Mercedes sedan and left the location, according to Barney.
Barney said Britton has not been in contact with family since that time.
Fallis, who was wanted in connection with a previous domestic violence incident in January involving Britton, is also outstanding at this time, Barney said.
The case was assigned to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Detective Unit for continued investigation, Barney said.
Barney said Fallis is known to frequent the Willows area and the Grindstone Rancheria in Glenn County, as well as Lake County and Covelo.
Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of either individual is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086 or the Sheriff's Tip line at 707-234-2100.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Kelseyville man died Tuesday in an ATV crash in the Cow Mountain Recreational Area in Mendocino County.
The California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office identified the crash victim at 44-year-old Fred Skala.
The crash that claimed Skala’s life took place on Mill Creek Road in the Cow Mountain Recreational Area on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Skala had been riding a 2003 Polaris ATV westbound on Mill Creek Road when, at 3:45 p.m., he became separated from family members while riding on the trail, the CHP reported.
The CHP said that, a short time later, Skala’s family members realized he had not been seen and became concerned for his safety.
Skala’s family called 911 and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded, the CHP said.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s personnel found Skala’s body at the crash scene just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to the CHP report.
The CHP said it is conducting an investigation into the fatal wreck.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office identified the crash victim at 44-year-old Fred Skala.
The crash that claimed Skala’s life took place on Mill Creek Road in the Cow Mountain Recreational Area on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Skala had been riding a 2003 Polaris ATV westbound on Mill Creek Road when, at 3:45 p.m., he became separated from family members while riding on the trail, the CHP reported.
The CHP said that, a short time later, Skala’s family members realized he had not been seen and became concerned for his safety.
Skala’s family called 911 and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded, the CHP said.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s personnel found Skala’s body at the crash scene just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to the CHP report.
The CHP said it is conducting an investigation into the fatal wreck.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Tuesday Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced his recipients for the Fifth Congressional District Public Safety Hero Award.
This award is given to exceptional law enforcement officers and first responders in our community who perform above and beyond the call of duty.
After careful consideration, Rep. Thompson selected Lake County Undersheriff Chris Macedo and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Ciancio with the Northshore Fire Protection District for their extraordinary work within Lake County.
“This past year has been a busy, challenging time for law enforcement and first responders in our community. From the continued threat of gun violence to the devastating fires of October, these men and women have tirelessly dedicated themselves to keeping us safe,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “That’s why I am honored to present my annual “Public Safety Hero of the Year” awards to the courageous public servants across our district. To each and every one of you, I offer my heartfelt thanks. I’m incredibly proud to represent such brave, dedicated men and women.”
Chris Macedo had worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years, until appointed to undersheriff in 2015. It was Undersheriff Macedo’s efforts in implementing the CodeRED high-speed emergency system that provided the community with a more effective security system. The system was crucial in notifying residents in affected areas that they were in danger when the October fires emerged.
“I am honored to recognize Undersheriff Chris Macedo as a Public Safety Hero for Lake County,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “Undersheriff Macedo was instrumental in implementing the CodeRED high-speed emergency alert system in our community which helped to save numerous lives. Thank you for your service.”
During the devastating October fires, when Deputy Fire Chief Mike Ciancio with the Northshore Fire Protection District arrived at the Elem Indian Colony, the fire there had reached 75 acres and resources were stretched thin.
With fires spreading across multiple counties, help was difficult to find. Throughout the night, resources eventually became available. Ciancio and his team were able to keep the fire relatively confined, saving countless residents and structures.
“I am honored to recognize Deputy Chief Mike Ciancio as Public Safety Hero Award for Lake County,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “Deputy Chief Ciancio fought fires with sustained winds of up to 40 miles per hour with limited resources ultimately saving lives, residents and structures. We are all deeply grateful for his leadership and resilience.”
The full list of the Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District is below:
– Officer Craig Long and Officer Aldo Serrano, Vallejo Police Department;
– Captain Eric Strom, Vallejo Fire Department;
– Robert J. Fenton, Jr., Regional Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX;
– Mark Ghilarducci, Director of Cal Office Emergency Services;
– Shana Jones, CAL FIRE Unit Chief for Napa-Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino;
– Officer Chad R. Tardiff, California Highway Patrol;
– Detective Zachary R. Blume, Pinole Police Department;
– Undersheriff Chris Macedo, Lake County Sheriff's Office;
– Mike Ciancio, Northshore Fire Protection District;
– Jodi Traversaro, Cal Office Emergency Services regional administrator;
– Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office;
– Santa Rosa Fire Department;
– Santa Rosa Police Department;
– Cotati Police Department;
– Kenwood Fire Protection District;
– Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue;
– Rincon Valley Fire District;
– Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Station;
– Schell Vista Fire Department;
– Bennett Valley Fire Department;
– Rohnert Park’s Department of Public Safety;
– Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department;
– City of Calistoga Fire Department;
– City of St. Helena Fire Department;
– Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann;
– Napa County Fire Department;
– City of Napa Fire Department;
– American Canyon Fire Protection District;
– City of Calistoga Police Department;
– City of St. Helena Police Department;
– City of Napa Police Department;
– City of American Canyon Police Department;
– Napa County Sheriff John Robertson;
– Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
LUCERNE, Calif. – A vehicle went off of Highway 20 and into Clear Lake on Tuesday evening.
The crash near Paradise Valley Boulevard occurred at 5 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said the vehicle was 40 feet down the embankment, coming to rest on its roof on the lakeshore.
The female driver got out of the vehicle and was reported to have had minor injuries, the CHP said.
A witness at the scene said the driver was yelling at law enforcement officers who responded to the crash.
Jerome Strach contributed to this report.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In an effort to increase the effectiveness of Animal Control's efforts in the city of Clearlake, the city participated in the annual Valentine's dinner/dance fundraiser held by Animal Coalition.
Animal Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 that operates in and around Clearlake and offers vouchers to residents to spay/neuter their animals.
Two of Clearlake's goals are to become a safer city and to be a visibly cleaner city.
"By working with Animal Coalition, we can ensure that more animals will be spayed or neutered in order to decrease our future pet population, thereby decreasing the animal control issues we are dealing with," said City Manager Greg Folsom.
In June of 2017, Animal Coalition started "A New Beginning," a program aimed specifically at providing assistance to animal issues in Clearlake.
The council was approached with a request to match their fundraising efforts in order to collaborate in the efforts to decrease future animal populations.
At the Animal Coalition dinner on Saturday, interim Police Chief Tim Celli, Vice Mayor Phil Harris and Mayor Bruno Sabatier presented Animal Coalition with a matching funds check for $10,000 to bolster the New Beginning program.
"The city can't fix all of our animal control issues by itself, and this collaboration between Clearlake and Animal Coalition is exactly the type of relationship that can help us to be more successful," said Sabatier.