News

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The remains of a young Healdsburg man who died in a World War II battle in 1943 have been identified and are returning to his North Coast home.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that the remains of Marine Pfc. John Saini – unaccounted for since World War II – have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

The funeral is set for Saturday in Healdsburg, the agency said.

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown this week honored Saini. Gov. Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol, and Saini's family is to receive a letter of condolence from the governor.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported that in November 1943 the 20-year-old Saini was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands in an attempt to secure the island.

Saini died sometime on the first day of battle on Nov. 20, 1943, the agency said.

Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.

The battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.

In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island.

In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio Island, but Saini's remains were not recovered. On Feb. 28, 1949, a military review board declared Marine Pfc. Saini’s remains nonrecoverable.

In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight Inc., notified the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to the agency in July 2015.

To identify Saini’s remains, scientists from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched a sister; laboratory analysis, including dental analysis and anthropological comparison, which matched Saini’s records; as well as circumstantial and material evidence.

On June 3, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that the remains had been identified.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war, the agency said.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested earlier this week after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a large amount of marijuana and cash in his vehicle.

Francisco Quintero, 26, was arrested for transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and driving without a license, according to Lt. Tim Celli of the Clearlake Police Department.

Celli said on Wednesday Sgt. Tim Hobbs was on patrol when a vehicle driven by Quintero pulled out in front of him on Austin Road near Mullen Avenue.

The vehicle traveled a short distance in front of Hobbs then suddenly braked and pulled to the right side of the road without using a turn signal, in violation of the vehicle code. In addition, Sgt. Hobbs saw the driver talking on a cell phone, Celli said.

Due to the violations, Hobbs made a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted Quintero. Celli said a routine check on the driver revealed Quintero did not possess a valid driver's license, a misdemeanor violation.

Celli said Hobbs arrested Quintero. Hobbs decided to impound Quintero’s vehicle and an inventory search of the vehicle was conducted.

The search led to the discovery of 5 pounds of marijuana packaged in individual 1-pound increments and a little over $4,000 in cash in the vehicle, Celli said.

Celli said the marijuana was seized for evidence and the cash was seized pursuant to judicial asset forfeiture.

Quintero later was booked into the Lake County Jail, with his bail set at $20,000. Jail records indicated he later posted bail and was released.

On Thursday the minimum age of sale for tobacco products in California increased from 18 to 21, and for the first time e-cigarettes were added to the existing definition of tobacco products.

California is the second state in the nation, following Hawaii, to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21.

Dr. Karen Smith, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state health officer, called California's change in the law a “significant moment.”

“This is the first time the Golden State has raised the age of sale for tobacco since the law first took effect 144 years ago,” she said. “Our focus is on reaching more than 34,000 retailers with tobacco licenses and vape shops to provide them the information and resources needed to comply with the new tobacco 21 law.”

To help retailers comply with these new laws, CDPH developed a series of educational materials, including age-of-sale warning signs, window clings reminding customers of the new law and tips to help clerks check identification.

About 34,000 Californians die each year from tobacco use. In addition, tobacco-related diseases cost Californians $18.1 billion each year in both direct and indirect health care costs due to premature death and low productivity due to illness.

As part of the new law defining e-cigarettes as tobacco products, e-cigarettes, e-liquids including vaping devices and accessories can no longer be sold in self-service displays. E-cigarettes are also not allowed in locations where smoking has long been prohibited, including public transit, worksites, restaurants, schools and playgrounds.

Approximately 217,000 California youth between the ages of 12 and 17 currently smoke traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, the state reported.

“California is taking a big step forward in preventing a new generation of young people from becoming addicted to nicotine,” said Dr. Smith. “The surge in e-cigarette use among teens and young adults is no accident. The tobacco industry’s aggressive marketing of e-cigarette gadgets and candy flavors is jeopardizing the health of our young people.”

Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive neurotoxin. Research shows that the brain continues to develop until age 25, and nicotine exposure before that age may cause permanent brain damage and fuel a lifelong battle with addiction.

According to the California Department of Education’s California Healthy Kids Survey, middle and high school teens are currently using e-cigarettes at much higher rates than traditional cigarettes.

Studies also show that teens who use e-cigarettes are three times more likely to start smoking traditional cigarettes within a year.

For those struggling with nicotine addiction, resources are available at www.nobutts.org . Californians who want help quitting can call the California Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-NO BUTTS.

.Thank you to all who have encouraged and supported my candidacy for District 1 supervisor. 

Special thanks to my husband, Dave, my son Russell and his girlfriend Cassie and all those who took time from their busy schedules to help achieve a winning result in the June 7 primary election.

I also want to say thank you to Congressman Mike Thompson, Assemblymember Bill Dodd, Board of Equalization Chairwoman Fiona Ma and the many other community members, leaders and organizations who supported me in this effort.

Finally, thank you to the other three candidates. Their active engagement makes south Lake County a better place for all of us.

I am proud of the positive, issue-oriented campaign we conducted. I applaud Voris, Moke and Jim for maintaining a respectful yet challenging District 1 supervisor race.

As we move to the November runoff election, I will continue to speak out on the issues of concern to local residents, work toward full recovery from the fires of 2015, and to highlight my vision and commitment for Lake County’s future.

Thank you again for your help, your encouragement and your support.

Monica Rosenthal lives in Middletown, Calif. Based on the preliminary results of the June 7, 2016, primary election, she is expected to take part in a November runoff with Jose “Moke” Simon III for the District 1 supervisorial seat.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Green Party is going on summer vacation.

Party officials said there will be no meetings in June, July or August. Meetings will resume in September.

The group plans to schedule the top two candidates for supervisorial Districts 1 and 4 to speak at the fall meetings. Don't forget to vote in November because local elections count.

Contact the group at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Paving operations between Blue Lakes Road and Oasis Motocross Trails will begin Monday, June 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Road to Pingree Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect during nighttime paving, which will take place between 7 p.m. Sunday evening and 5 a.m. Monday morning. One-way traffic control will also be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Valley fire recovery work from the Lake/Napa County line to Hidden Valley will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Valley fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Paving operations between Old Coast Highway and Glennen Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

– Geotechnical core drilling near Pudding Creek began Monday, June 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Striping operations near Pudding Creek will begin Friday, June 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Highway repairs a quarter-mile north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Paving operations between Abalobadiah Creek and Blue Side Gulch will begin Monday, June 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from 0.6 mile south of Upp Creek to the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from Sherwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from the junction of Routes 1/101 to the Bear Pen Undercrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near the Corral Creek Bridge on Monday, June 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Turnout construction between Road 8152 and Poonkiny-Fairbanks will begin Monday, June 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 271

– The Redwood Run has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit. A full highway closure will be in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday, June 9 to 8 a.m. Monday, June 13. ONLY event attendees and local traffic will be allowed through the closure. Motorists are advised to seek an alternate route.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).