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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Two Hidden Valley Lake women were hurt in a Wednesday evening rollover crash near Middletown.
The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. on Highway 29 north of Spruce Grove Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds.
Patricia Gilkey, 72, was driving a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with Donna Crawford, 78, riding as her passenger, Reynolds said.
For unknown reasons, the vehicle drifted off Highway 29 and hit an embankment, resulting in the Jeep rolling over, Reynolds said.
He said separate air ambulances took both women to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Reynolds did not have additional details on the cause of the crash or the extent of the injuries to Gilkey and Crawford, which the initial CHP report said included cuts, scrapes and abrasions.
Updates on the conditions of the two women were not immediately available on Thursday from hospital officials.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) and Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation in the House (H.R. 761) and Senate (S. 393) to designate the 360,100 acre Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a national monument.
Under this designation, the region would be permanently protected, ensuring continued recreational opportunities and providing an regional economic boost, while also safeguarding the region's beauty, wildlife, rare plants, and waters – which include important sources of drinking water and irrigation for nearby communities.
Under a national monument designation all currently owned federal lands within the boundary would be united under one management plan, allowing the region to be managed more efficiently and according to the site-specific needs.
The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee.
“Protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region will help boost tourism, grow the local economy, improve recreation opportunities and protect important species,” said Thompson. “By designating the region as a national monument, we can unite all federal lands under one management plan and preserve this national treasure for generations to come.”
“The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is one of California’s greatest natural treasures,” Boxer said. “This bill will expand opportunities for outdoor recreation and help preserve this region’s magnificent vistas and diverse wildlife for current and future generations.”
“Creating the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will preserve the environment and support local communities,” said Feinstein. “By providing permanent protections and coordinated federal management, this legislation will help ensure one of California’s most beautiful and biologically diverse regions continues to thrive.”
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region stretches nearly one hundred miles from Northwest Solano County to the flanks of Snow Mountain. It encompasses more than 350,000 acres across Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano and Yolo counties.
The area is rich in biodiversity, including bald and golden eagles, black bears, mountain lions, tule elk, and rare plants found nowhere else on Earth. The area provides habitat to so many kinds of plants and animals that it has been named a biodiversity hotspot.
Proponents said establishment of a national monument will improve coordination between federal agencies and provide additional federal funding opportunities for conservation protection, invasive plant eradication, recreation management, and a coordinated multi-agency fire management plan.
Thompson, Boxer and Feinstein are also working with the Obama Administration to designate the region as a national monument through executive action if Congress refuses to act on the legislation.
“The national monument will protect the region’s natural splendor, while providing continued recreational opportunities and boosting visitation,” said Assemblyman Bill Dodd. “This is a great example of how we can protect our environment and support our local economies.”
“I applaud Congressman Thompson and Senator Boxer for their work on this important legislation, said Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon. “A Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will preserve environmental treasures, protect water sources, and provide an economic boon for all of the surrounding communities.”
Studies have shown that a national monument designation would be beneficial to the surrounding economies. A study by the Winters Chamber of Congress found protected public lands are major contributors to our country’s $646 billion outdoor recreation economy. In California alone, more than half of all residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, supporting more than 700,000 jobs and generating more than $6 billion for our state’s economy.
The study also found that local economies surrounding national monuments expanded following the creation of a new national monument. Employment, personal income, and per capita income either continued or improved in each of the regions surrounding the national monuments studied.
“The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is a truly spectacular area. The landscape is not only picturesque; filled with iconic California plants, wildlife, and outdoor adventure, it’s also bursting with economic opportunity,” said Sara Husby, executive director of Tuleyome. “Over two hundred local businesses support a National Monument designation for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Many of these businesses are mom and pop stores, and these folks recognize that a National Monument designation will draw more visitors to the area. It’s also exciting to hear their stories about going out and enjoying the area, as many locals consider these lands to be their ‘wild backyard.’ The local communities surrounding these lands have really embraced our efforts, and they are excited to see such a great amount of support to ensure that these lands will be protected forever.”
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region also includes numerous trails, open spaces, lakes and rivers. These resources provide recreation opportunities for hikers, bikers, hunters, campers, off-highway vehicle users, and both motorized and non-motorized boaters. Many nationally recognized recreation and sportsmen groups support a national monument designation.
“Congressman Thompson has brought all stakeholders to the table, forged partnerships and listened to everyone’s input. He then took those ideas back to Washington, D.C. and made sure they were included in this legislation,” said Don Amador, the western representative for the national off-road organization Blue Ribbon Coalition. “I am proud to support this bill because it will forever safeguard the trails and recreational opportunities that so many people, including myself, enjoy.”
The National Monument designation only applies to land managed by the federal government. Lake Berryessa is not included in the National Monument designation and current access to and uses of private land will not be impacted the legislation.
In addition, the bill protects private property rights by stating that nothing in the legislation requires a private property owner to allow public access to their property, and the bill includes legislative language ensuring that the National Monument designation will not impact motorized recreation on Lake Berryessa.
The legislation ensures that all existing grazing will continue unchanged. The bill does not prohibit other grazing in additional areas as long as it is accordance with all laws and regulations. And, the bill allows for the expanded use of grazing as a management tool.
“We own and operate a 3,000 acre cattle ranch adjacent to lands that are proposed to be included in this national monument. Recently, we gifted our ranch to three daughters. We are strongly supportive of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument” said John and Judy Ahmann, ranchers and adjacent private landowners. “Congressman Thompson has worked closely with local stakeholders to personally hear their thoughts and input, and to incorporate many of their ideas and suggestions into this legislation. Because of this, we want the bill to pass so that this area and its way of life will be preserved."
No legally open roads or motorized vehicle trails will be closed as a result of the National Monument designation. Federal agencies will retain their existing authority to open new roads and trails or to temporarily close them when necessary, such as during major storms or emergencies.
Hunting and fishing will still be allowed in the National Monument and the California Department of Fish and Game will retain its authority over these forms of recreation. The National Monument designation would not impose any new regulations on hunting, fishing, or firearm use.
Existing laws and policies regarding firefighting will not be changed by the establishment of a National Monument. Federal agencies can continue to reduce fuels before fires start by thinning trees, establishing fuel breaks, and by using controlled-burns and other appropriate tools.
Napa, Lake, Yolo, Solano and Mendocino counties have all voted in support of permanent protection for the region. Additionally, the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the cities of Calistoga, Clearlake, Davis, St. Helena, West Sacramento, and Winters support permanently protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
Also in support of the permanently protecting the region are:
– More than 65 elected officials including former Congressman Pete McCloskey, co-author of the Endangered Species Act.
– More than 200 businesses representing all five involved counties
– Nearly 30 landowners and farmers.
– More than 35 recreation and conservation groups including the Blue Ribbon Coalition, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Ducks Unlimited, the Backcountry Horsemen of California, and the National Hispanic Environmental Council
Support for the action isn't unanimous. Last month, the Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce Board voted to oppose the national monument proposal, with its primary concern being the potential negative impact of the designation on Lake Berryessa and its business and residential communities.
As California faces a fourth year of serious drought, Save Our Water – the state’s water conservation program – updated the State Water Resources Control Board this week on its plans to help Californians make lasting and permanent reductions in the amount of water they use every day.
This update came as the board released a report on urban water use showing Californians saved 29.9 billion gallons of water in December 2014, representing a 22.2-percent reduction in water use from December 2013.
This is the first time the state has met the 20 percent water-reduction target called for by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Building on the program’s successes in 2014, Save Our Water is expanding its message of conservation with a focus on changing long-term water-use behavior.
The program aims to give Californians the tools and information they need to permanently reduce water use, regardless of whether the state is in a drought.
Conservation – the wise, sparing use of water – remains California’s most reliable drought management tool, officials reported.
Each individual act of conservation – such as letting lawn go brown or replacing a washer in a faucet to stop a leak – makes a difference.
“We learned from our efforts last year, especially in how Save Our Water needs to deliver information to a state as vast as California,” said Jennifer Persike, Association of California Water Agencies deputy executive director of external affairs and operations. “We want to get the right information and tools to the right audiences to ensure our efforts make a difference.”
In January Save Our Water launched an all-new Web site, http://www.saveourwater.com/ , with new tips and tools, as well as a helpful design that allows Californians to access the program’s wealth of information from mobile devices.
The program is busy developing additional content, including a new Spanish-language website and an easy-to-use household water calculator that will offer tailored conservation information to users.
“We want Save Our Water to inspire all Californians to conserve water not just in the depth of drought, but all the time, every year,” said Nancy Vogel, director of the California Department of Water Resources' public affairs office.
Throughout the drought, Save Our Water has aimed to give Californians tools and tips on saving water at home and at work, every day.
In addition to the new Web site, Save Our Water connects with Californians on its Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Save Our Water is a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Wednesday a judge ordered that a man found not guilty by reason of insanity last fall of a September 2011 shooting be sent to a state mental hospital.
Retired Lake County Superior Court Judge Arthur Mann sentenced Andrew James Serrano, 42, to the commitment at the Napa State Hospital following a Wednesday morning hearing that was a continuation of a proceeding that began last Friday.
Mann also sentenced Serrano to a five-year state prison term for assault with a deadly weapon, stalking, two counts related to violating a restraining order and two counts of annoying or harassing phone calls, charges that related to a July 2011 incident in which he rammed the SUV driven by his then-wife, Lesa, accompanied by her friends, sisters Katrina and Kayla Hickey.
However, due to the fact that Serrano has been in custody for three and a half years, that time served – as well as other credits – means that prison term has been covered, according to Deputy District Attorney Alan Upton.
In September 2011 Serrano confronted his estranged wife at the home where they formerly had lived in Kelseyville, while she and Willy Turner were picking up furniture.
Serrano shot Turner at point blank range through a door and then found his wife hiding in the garage. He dragged her outside by the hair, hitting her in the face and strangling her.
Three sheriff's deputies – Mike Curran, Andrew Davidson and Gary Frace – showed up during the middle of the violent confrontation and arrested Serrano, with Turner being flown out to a regional trauma center.
Last fall, Serrano stood trial for the attempted murder of Turner; aggravated mayhem; simple mayhem; assault with a firearm; spousal abuse; criminal threats; false imprisonment; assault with a deadly weapon; hit and run; stalking; three misdemeanors relating to his alleged violations of a domestic violence restraining order against his wife and civil restraining orders against him held by the Hickeys; and special allegations involving personal use of a firearm, great bodily injury and potential strikes.
In October, a jury found Serrano not guilty of the attempted murder of Turner and leaving the scene of an accident, and deadlocked on aggravated mayhem.
They also found Serrano not guilty by reason of insanity with a number of charges associated with the September 2011 incident, but convicted him separately of several charges related to the July 2011 vehicle ramming incident.
About two months after the verdict, Serrano's attorney, Mitch Hauptman, asked two psychologists hired by the defense – Dr. John Podboy and Dr. Albert Kastl, both of whom had testified at Serrano's trial – to evaluate his mental condition in order to see if his sanity had been restored.
In a three-hour hearing Friday afternoon, Podboy and Kastl – who had separately evaluated Serrano in two-hour sessions – testified that they believed that Serrano was no longer insane. Podboy held that Serrano no longer was mentally ill, but Kastl said Serrano still suffered from a depressive disorder.
Mann held the hearing over until Wednesday in order to do more research, noting that the area of the law regarding such sanity issues and hearings is not well defined.
Victims give statements to court
At the Wednesday hearing, four of the people assaulted by Serrano gave victim impact statements to the court, with his former wife Lesa Turner – who in December married Willy Turner – leading off.
“I am beyond disappointed with the decision of the jury and I am exhausted by this whole ordeal,” she said, adding that Serrano doesn't deserve any more of her time.
She said her oldest son has sided with his father. Her two younger sons remain resilient and strong. “They have had to wrestle with the choices of their father.”
Speaking of her new husband, she said, “Willy is a strong, caring man who lives with conviction.” Serrano, she said, made the decision to hurt Willy Turner and “blatantly told me that he did not care.”
She continued, “As for you personally, Andy, I do blame you. You knew what you were doing, every step of the way.”
Lesa Turner said her ex-husband had told her he wanted her gone, so she left. “You were hell bent on 'making me pay',” adding he was almost successful in killing her.
She credited God with saving her, and said ultimately Serrano would have to face God over his choices.
In her statement, Katrina Hickey recounted going out to dinner with her sister and Lesa Turner in July 2011, and seeing Serrano circling the restaurant in his vehicle.
They called 911 as Serrano pursued them, coming into their lane, ramming their vehicle and leaning over in such a way that they thought he was picking up a gun.
She said Lesa Turner drove to the Lakeport Police Department, where they reported the incident. A short time later, a friend of Hickey's reported that Serrano had just driven by her home, yelling.
She recounted needing to live with her mother for months after the incident due to her fears of being alone, and said she has needed counseling.
Knowing Serrano won't be in prison, Katrina Hickey said she has no peace and suffers from extreme anxiety.
Kayla Hickey, who kissed her sister before going forward to give her statement, told the court, “There will never be a good enough reason to stalk and terrorize another person.”
She said of Serrano, “We have watched as he has played the helpless victim in court,” a situation she said isn't a matter of mental health but of character.
Serrano's victims had held out hope for justice in court. “Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at all,” she said.
She asked Judge Mann to take all of those issues into consideration, and to help restore their faith in the system.
“In many ways Andy got away with the crimes he committed,” she said, calling him selfish, manipulating and a coward.
Kayla Hickey said she believes Serrano will try to finish what he started once he's out of custody. “There is no cure for evil.”
Willy Turner was not present at the hearing, but he submitted a statement, which Upton read.
Like his wife and the Hickey sisters, Turner recounted his shock at the jury verdict, stating that Serrano faced minimal consequences for his actions.
“How many chances does one man need – or deserve – to do right?” Turner asked in his statement.
He said Serrano mocked the leniency shown to him and spit in the eyes of those who gave him chances.
“Justice will one day come for you,” said Turner who, like his wife, credited God for saving his life.
Judge announces decisions
Following the victim statements, Mann turned to the matter of his sentencing decisions.
He said he was inclined to follow the Lake County Probation Office report and give Serrano the upper prison term – rather than probation – for the charges associated with the vehicle assault, stalking, harassment and restraining order violations.
He said the crimes involved great violence and showed a degree of cruelty as well as planning. “The defendant has inflicted emotional injury to the victims.”
All of Serrano's cases taken together show an increase in seriousness. Mann said he was concerned due to the number of times Serrano violated the restraining orders.
He concluded that Serrano was not a good candidate for probation, as there appeared to be a high likelihood of him being a danger to others – particularly Lesa and Willy Turner – if released.
Mann said the aggravating circumstances – the violence and cruelty of the crimes, along with the planning and the danger to society – outweighed the mitigating factors, such as Serrano's lack of a prior criminal record and his mental condition, leading to the five-year prison sentence.
He held off on ordering restitution due to the different amounts listed in the probation report – more than $30,000 in one portion, more than $60,000 in another. Hauptman requested there be no restitution paid to the victims.
Regarding the matter of Serrano's mental state, Hauptman argued that the penal code doesn't require that Serrano not have mental illness, just that he be determined to no longer be insane. He maintained there was “overwhelming” evidence that Serrano is no longer a danger.
“We're not talking about restoration of sanity here,” which is a separate proceeding, said Upton. Rather, they were talking about a full recovery of sanity, which is meant to show there is no mental illness whatsoever.
He recalled Kastl's Friday testimony that Serrano continues to suffer from a “significant amount of depression.”
If Serrano is still suffering from mental illness and requires treatment, it doesn't rise to the level of recovery of sanity, Upton said.
Mann then went over his conclusions.
“The court does not find that the defendant has fully recovered his sanity at this stage,” said Mann.
With all due respect to the psychologists who testified, Mann said, “I was struck by the lack of explanation as to why the defendant may have had this 'miraculous' turnaround” after suffering from longstanding major depression.
“I find it difficult to believe that simply being housed in the Lake County Jail since that time from the trial date 'til sentencing would case the defendant to get rid of this longstanding mental illness,” he said.
Mann said he “did not give great weight” to the testimony of either psychologist, other than to Kastl's conclusion that Serrano continues to suffer from a mild depressive disorder.
He said the probation report indicated that the maximum time Serrano could be in treatment would be 25 to 40 years due to the seriousness of the counts. Mann estimated that Serrano's maximum prison sentence – without the not guilty by reason of insanity verdict – would have been 35 years to life.
After handing down the five-year prison term on the six counts not related to the September 2011 shooting, Mann issued a 10-year restraining order protecting Lesa Turner from contact with Serrano.
The judge then ordered Serrano be remanded into the custody of the sheriff in order to be delivered to the Napa State Hospital.
Upton said the state hospital could hold Serrano for life if they chose to do so, based on the lengthy prison term he had been facing.
There isn't an automatic release process, said Upton. For Serrano to be released, there would have to be a petition for release filed either by Serrano or authorities.
A minimum of 180 days must pass before such a petition – and a resulting hearing on Serrano's sanity – can occur, Upton said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Three men – one of them from Lake County – were arrested last month in Mendocino County for transportation of marijuana for sale.
Cody Batchelor, 25, of St. Charles, Mo.; Martin Lopez, 19, of Hawthorne; and Francisco Villa, 30, of Kelseyville were arrested early on the morning of Jan. 10 in Ukiah, according to a report this week from Capt. Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m. Jan. 10 a Mendocino County Sheriff's deputy stopped a U-Haul truck bearing Arizona license plates in the 1300 block of South State Street for a vehicle code violation, Van Patten said.
Van Patten said that when the U-Haul stopped, a second vehicle – a Honda CRV bearing California plates – stopped and was believed to be a trailing vehicle.
Upon contacting the driver and passenger of the U-Haul, there was a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the storage compartment, according to Van Patten.
An additional deputy contacted Lopez, who was driving the Honda. Van Patten said there was a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the Honda as well.
The occupants of the U-Haul were found to be Batchelor, who was the driver, and Villa, the passenger, Van Patten said.
Van Patten said all three subjects were detained and both vehicles were searched.
The U-Haul contained approximately 50 pounds of processed marijuana, while Van Patten said the Honda contained paperwork connecting Lopez to the U-Haul and it also contained a small amount of marijuana.
All three subjects were booked into the Mendocino County Jail for suspicion of transporting marijuana for sale and were to be held in lieu of $50,000 bail each, Van Patten reported.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Two Clearlake men were arrested on Tuesday after a Napa County Sheriff's deputy found them with drugs and a weapon.
Anthony David Sandoval, 20, and Dvelle Anthony Williams, 24, were taken into custody in the case, according to Capt. Doug Pike of the Napa County Sheriff's Office.
Pike said that at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday a Napa County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a Toyota Camry in the 600 block of Petrified Forest Road near Calistoga.
The deputy pulled the vehicle over for an equipment violation, specifically, tinted windows, Pike said.
Sandoval was driving, with Williams as his passenger. As the deputy was speaking with them, he could smell the odor of burnt marijuana, according to Pike.
Pike said the deputy then utilized his drug detection K9 partner, Nash, to do a drug sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. Nash alerted to the presence of a controlled substance in the vehicle’s trunk.
During a subsequent search of the trunk, the deputy located approximately 15 pounds of marijuana, which was individually packaged, Pike said.
In the passenger compartment, the deputy also located a loaded .22-caliber revolver under the driver’s seat, a holster under the passenger seat, $2,464 in US currency and some additional marijuana in the glove box, Pike reported.
Pike said both Sandoval and Williams were arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, transportation of marijuana and being armed in the commission of a felony.
Sandoval additional was charged with participation in a criminal street gang, Pike said.