How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is investigating a possible homicide reported early Monday in the Laytonville area.
Scant details were released about the case, which was reported to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office shortly before 8 a.m. Monday, according to a report from Lt. Greg Van Patten.
Van Patten said the person who reported it to authorities had received secondhand information of a possible homicide at a remote location on Spyrock Road in Laytonville.
Based upon the reported information personnel from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol and California Department of Fish & Wildlife responded to the location, Van Patten said.
At 11:15 a.m. Monday law enforcement personnel arrived at the location and found one deceased person, according to Van Patten.
He said sheriff's detectives responded to the location and began an investigation into the circumstances of the person's death.
Additional information will be released as the investigation continues, he said.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip-Line by calling 707-234-2100.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The 84th annual Lake County Rodeo comes to Lakeport and Lake County on Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13.
The rodeo will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
As in past rodeos, this year's event will offer competitions for a variety of age groups.
At 6 p.m. July 12 the 2013 queen and princess will be announced followed by the cutest cowpoke
contest and a performance by the Diablo Ladies Drill Team from Livermore.
There is no fee to enter the cutest cowpoke contest but admission tickets must be purchased at the gate.
Mutton bustin' for ages 4 to 8 will also take place in that first hour, both Friday and Saturday, before the pro rodeo events begin with the grand entry of all participants.
Contestants for the mutton bustin' will be weighed prior to riding those wily, wooly sheep to make sure they weigh no more than 50 pounds.
Applications for cutest cowpoke, sponsored by the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen and the Scotts Valley 4H Horse Group, and mutton bustin' – sponsored by CJS Ranch Supply of Middletown – are available at CJS Ranch Supply.
They also are available on www.lakecountyrodeo.com and at the Lake County Chamber of
Commerce in Lakeport.
Both contests are open to boys and girls, with a $10 fee – in addition to rodeo admission – for the mutton bustin'. There is a limit of 10 riders each night for the mutton bustin' competition.
Rodeo Director Angel Purdy is the chair for the mutton bustin' and can be reached at 707-349-1991.
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is entering into fire restrictions beginning Tuesday, June 18, due to dry conditions and increased risk of wildfires.
The fire restrictions will continue through the end of fire season.
“The rugged terrain that makes the Mendocino such a remarkable place can be very conducive to the rapid spread of wildfire, especially this year when the forest is exceedingly dry,” said Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “The public can help prevent wildfires by respecting the fire restrictions and being careful when using anything with a flame or that can throw a spark while enjoying this spectacular forest.”
Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal fires or stoves are prohibited on the National Forest unless in the following designated recreation sites:
– Grindstone Ranger District – Whitlock, Kingsley, Sugarfoot, Three Prong, Ides Cove, Horse Packer, Wells Cabin, Dead Mule, Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area, Big Springs Day Use Area, Letts Lake, Mill Valley, Dixie Glade, Plaskett Meadows, Masterson, Little Stony, Grey Pine, Fouts Springs, Davis Flat, South Fork, North Fork, Mill Creek, Cedar Camp and Old Mill Campgrounds.
– Upper Lake Ranger District – Fuller Grove, Fuller Group Camp, Navy Camp, Pogie Point, Oak Flat, Sunset, Middle Creek, Deer Valley, Bear Creek, Penny Pines and Lower Nye Campgrounds and Lake Pillsbury Summer Home Sites.
– Covelo Ranger District – Eel River, Little Doe, Howard Lake, Howard Meadows, Atchison, Green Springs and Hammerhorn Lake Campgrounds.
Visitors should be aware that Old Mill Campground remains closed as a result of last year’s Mill Fire.
California Campfire Permits are not needed in the designated recreation sites listed. In all other areas of the forest, lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be allowed as long as the person has a current California Campfire Permit with them.
California Campfire Permits may be obtained at any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or CAL FIRE office in California, as well as most Forest Service field employees. They may also be obtained online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/mendocino/passes-permits/recreation .
The following activities are also prohibited as part of the fire restrictions:
- Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or in the designated recreation sites listed above.
- Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
- Using explosives.
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks.
Forest visitors will be able to continue riding Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on designated roads and trails, provided that the vehicles are equipped with the required spark arresters.
Spark arresters are also required on chainsaws being used for people filling valid personal use wood cutting permits, and may also only be used on designated roads and trails.
Temporary fire restrictions are put in place annually to protect natural resources and limit the threat of human-caused wildfires.
Similar restrictions are going into effect on neighboring forests. However, restrictions can vary by forest and visitors should check with the National Forest they plan on visiting for the latest fire restrictions and conditions. For the Mendocino National Forest, the fire restrictions are formally referenced through Order Number 08-13-06.
Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months imprisonment or both.
Fire season typically ends in late fall following a series of drenching, measurable rains in the mountains. An announcement will follow when fire restrictions are lifted.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Forestville man died Saturday when his car crashed into a power pole on Highway 29.
Dale Victor McCormick, 57, was the victim of the fatal crash, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
McCormick was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, which occurred at approximately 5:17 p.m. Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Clearlake resident Victoria Soulier, 62, who was riding as a passenger in the car, suffered major injuries, the CHP said.
The CHP said McCormick was driving a 1997 BMW northbound on Highway 29 just south of Doten Road at high rate of speed when he crossed the double yellow lines to pass another northbound vehicle on a blind corner.
The BMW nearly collided with a southbound vehicle and swerved back to the right. The CHP said McCormick lost control and the driver's side of the car hit a utility pole on the east side of the roadway.
The CHP said the BMW continued off the roadway and overturned. While the car was flipping over Soulier was ejected from the vehicle.
McCormick remained inside the vehicle, sustaining fatal injuries, the CHP said.
A REACH air ambulance transported Soulier to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of major injuries, according to CHP.
Residents in the Cobb and Kelseyville areas reportedly had their power knocked out for several hours as a result of the crash.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The largest of more than two dozen lightning fires detected last week on the Mendocino National Forest has been contained.
The Daves Fire was fully contained on Sunday, according to Mendocino National Forest officials.
Last week, the fire had been estimated to have burned more than 300 acres, but the final acreage was rolled back to 226 acres due to better mapping, a forest report stated. No structures were damaged or destroyed.
The fire, located in steep terrain on the forest's Grindstone Ranger District, was one of 15 sparked by lightning storms early last week, officials reported.
Approximately 483 personnel were working the fire on Sunday. Officials said crews are continuing mop up and suppression repair, and smoke may be observed in the fire area as unburned pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter continue to ignite.
The Mendocino National Forest took command of the fire back from an incident team at 6 a.m. Monday and is continuing patrol and mop up.
Forest officials said County Road 55/ Forest Road M4 southwest of Paskenta, including Black Bear Camp, and Forest Road M9 from County Road 313 west to Log Springs remain closed due to fire traffic in the area.
The temporary flight restriction for the fire area was lifted last Saturday evening, according to the forest report.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A local event that offers a fun day of events and information for young people and their families is set for this August, and is looking for participants and sponsors.
The third annual “Power to the Youth” event is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, in Clearlake's Austin Park.
The event will feature live music from local youth, basketball tournament, skatepark competition, flag football and an activities area for younger children such as a bouncy house, sand box and a mini basketball hoop.
Power to the Youth is all about empowering local young people and young families with the tools and information needed to succeed.
Those who participate in the sporting activities and the musical performances will gain confidence and self-esteem in their abilities while those who visit the various local community agency booths will obtain information on how to be involved with their community, continue to enhance their education and how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Power to the Youth is looking for more groups or individuals who are interested in taking part in this entertaining and positive event.
They are seeking community agencies that help to move the county forward in positive ways as well as volunteers and participants for the sporting events.
Power to the Youth is presented by Lake Community Pride Foundation, a nonprofit group whose programs support the youth of Lake County with an emphasis on the Clearlake and Lower Lake areas.
If you are interested in the opportunity to collaborate with Power to the Youth, please contact Bruno Sabatier at 707-695-0834 or