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LAKE COUNTY – Heavy rains and even snow created challenges for residents around Lake County on Wednesday.
The rains, which had begun over the weekend, continued in steady fashion over many parts of the county Wednesday, with local creeks running fast after swelling with runoff.
County Roads Superintendent Steve Stangland, already shorthanded due to staff illnesses and vacations that already were scheduled, was trying to concentrate his crews on populated areas of the county, including Lucerne, where water was pooling on roadways and clogging drainages.
In Clearlake Oaks, road crews continued to deal with a collapsed retaining wall at Beryl Way, Stangland said.
Stangland also had his crews ready to respond with snow plows to the more remote areas of the county, including Bartlett Springs and Elk Mountain, where snow had fallen.
Snow plus more hail also hit the Cobb area, which has been hammered by all manner of storms this week.
Area resident Roger Kinney reported that Cobb once again saw thunder and lightning on Wednesday. Earlier in the week the thunder and lightning had been so fierce in his area, at 3,000 feet elevation, that it had set off his wife's car alarm. He said it snowed late into the night there.
Numerous rock and mud slides were affecting county highways, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A slide, complete with uprooted trees, was reported on Soda Bay Road near the Ferndale Resort in the morning, the CHP reported. Later in the day, boulders “the size of a vehicle” were reported along Highway 29 at the Coyote Grade in the early afternoon.
Winds helped knock down more power lines and trees on Wednesday.
A pine tree that fell along Bottle Rock Road on Tuesday was still causing headaches for road crews a day later. Stangland said they hoped to see the portion of Bottle Rock Road Between Sulphur Creek Road and Highway 175 reopened late Wednesday.
Some utilities were affected by the storms, including AT&T services because of the Bottle Rock Road situation. Later in the day, parts of the county were affected by a Mediacom Internet service outage that lasted well over 12 hours.
Wet weather is expected to continue through the week's end, but with precipitation forecast to taper off.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
SONOMA COUNTY – A missing Santa Rosa man is the subject of a newly launched Web site which is dedicated to finding him.
The new site, www.findbryan.com , compiles information, articles and photos of 35-year-old Bryan Scobey, who went missing after leaving on rounds for his employer on the morning of Jan. 13, as Lake County News has reported.
Texas resident Randy Hill, a former roommate of Scobey's designed the site.
He and another Scobey friend, Bob Ramme, also are managing a Facebook page dedicated to Scobey, http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=Bryan+Scobey&init=quick#/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=282451080228 .
Scobey, a 1992 graduate of Lower Lake High School, was last seen driving a white 2008 GMC Canyon Hitmen Pest Control truck with a ladder rack, bright orange extension ladder and aluminum took box. The truck features the company logo and the words “orange oil specialists” in bright orange letters. The vehicle's license plate is 8R05342.
The truck's global positioning system last put him in the area of Highways 12 and 121, but searches of the area – conducted both by officials and a dedicated group of Scobey's friends – have not turned up any signs of him.
A private investigator is now working on the case, Ramme said this week.
Scobey is a Caucasian male with an olive complexion, and is further described as being around 6 feet inch tall and 230 pounds. He is bald, has brown eyes, and a dark mustache and groomed goatee.
Anyone who sees the Hitman Termite & Pest Control Inc. truck or has information about Scobey is asked to immediately call the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office at 707-565-2121 or by dialing 911.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
UKIAH – Mendocino College’s nursing education program is the beneficiary of a monetary gift from Willits' Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital, college administrators have announced.
The hospital recently gave $12,500 to the Mendocino College Foundation, according to Superintendent/President Kathryn G. Lehner.
The funds will help support the college’s nursing program, including faculty and clinical expenses for nursing students, allowing the college to continue bringing new individuals into the program.
The donation will benefit nursing students from around the region who pursue degrees in the program. The fifth graduating class, which celebrated commencement last May, included graduates from Lake County.
"Howard Memorial Hospital supports Mendocino College's efforts to provide quality medical education,” said Kevin Erich, president and chief executive officer of the hospital located in Willits. “The registered nurse education program in particular is of tremendous benefit to our local hospitals and clinics and helps to ensure access to quality medical care for years to come.''
He said the hospital was pleased to be able to help Mendocino College fulfill its educational mission with the donation.
The hospital’s governing board approved the donation following review of a recommendation from Howard Memorial Hospital’s administrative team, Erich said about the $12,500 gift.
In 2008, the College received a $10,000 donation from the hospital.
“I am so thankful that Howard Hospital continues to be dedicated to helping our program be successful,” said Mendocino College Nursing Director Barbara J. French. “Even in this dramatic economic climate they have given a great amount to the College for the nursing program.”
The contribution will be administered by the Mendocino College Foundation, the nonprofit organization that provides funding for education enhancement, staffing and program needs at the four campus centers, and student scholarships.
The foundation is beginning its 26th year of support for Mendocino College.
Echoing the nursing director’s sentiments about the hospital’s contribution, Meridith Randall, vice president of Education and Student Services at the college, said, “Howard Hospital has been one of our most generous and consistent supporters since the beginning of our nursing program. We are especially grateful for this donation during difficult financial times for the college.”
French stated that state budget cuts are affecting all programs at the college. “The school is scrambling to maintain all courses at their current levels, and nursing is no exception. It is by donations such as those from our clinical training sites that help us maintain our high standards for our nursing program.”
Sue Goff, dean of the College’s Career & Technical Education, also shares French’s appreciation for the hospital’s generosity.
“The most immediate and persistent need we have in the Mendocino Nursing Program is to support faculty positions, particularly in light of ever-shrinking state funding,” she said. “These generous donations are greatly appreciated and will assist us in continuing to admit new nursing students every year. Howard Hospital is an exemplary partner working with Mendocino College in maintaining a high quality and accessible nursing program to meet our community needs.”
The hospital’s latest contribution follows a donation from one of its employees, Registered Nurse Vicky Howard.
The Mendocino College graduate, who says she believes in giving back, had been a nursing program scholarship recipient. She and her husband Jeff made a $500 donation last fall. Vicky Howard explained at the time that she was grateful to Mendocino College for giving her a chance to earn her degree.
Mendocino College Foundation relies on contributions for providing scholarships to students and for helping it in its support for the College.
Information about the foundation, its directors, events, and giving opportunities can be found on the foundation’s Web site, http://foundation.mendocino.edu , or may be obtained by calling the foundation office at 707-467-1018.
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SONOMA COUNTY – A former Lake County resident who went missing a week ago has become the focus of an intense search by friends and family, who are marshaling online resources from around the country in an effort to locate him.
Bryan Scobey, 35, of Santa Rosa was last seen on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 13, after he set out to keep appointments for his employer, Hitmen Termite & Pest Control Inc. of Santa Rosa.
The 1992 Lower Lake High School graduate, who claimed Clearlake as his hometown, was reported missing when he didn't return at day's end, according to his friends.
Sgt. Tim Duke of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Offices Violent Crimes Investigation Unit said Tuesday that the agency has been working the case “pretty much around the clock.”
“I have a lot of angles to work on this case,” said Duke, adding, “We're not done yet.”
Bob Ramme, a longtime friend of Scobey's, said if Scobey decided to just take a holiday, that's OK, but he appealed to his friend to make contact with at least one person, and that his friends will respect that decision.
“We just want to know that he's OK,” said Ramme. “That's all that we want to know.”
Scobey is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 230 pounds. He is described as a Caucasian with olive skin and brown eyes. He is bald, but has a dark mustache and groomed goatee.
He was driving a white 2008 GMC Canyon Hitmen Pest Control truck with a ladder rack, bright orange extension ladder and aluminum took box, according to a flyer distributed by his friends.
The truck features the company logo and the words “orange oil specialists” in bright orange letters. The vehicle's license plate is 8R05342.
Hitmen Termite & Pest Control Inc. did not respond to Lake County News' request for a comment Tuesday.
The global positioning system on the truck placed Scobey at Highways 12 and 121 in Sonoma, but a search of the area by deputies and the sheriff's Henry-1 helicopter, as well as thermal imaging equipment, didn't turn up any sign of him, according to Ramme.
Searches of the area conducted by groups of Scobey's friends also found no trace, Ramme said.
Another search party is getting set to look for Scobey in the Sonoma. Ramme said the time and location of the search will be disclosed on Wednesday.
Ramme, of Modesto, and Randy Hill of Texas, a former roommate of Scobey's, both have been working long distance – and long hours – on the case.
Both men post regular updates to the “Friends of Bryan Scobey” Facebook page, www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=282451080228 , which Ramme created shortly after Scobey's disappearance.
On Tuesday, Ramme spoke with Lake County News as he was traveling to Santa Rosa to speak with a private investigator who was being hired through funds raised, in part, on the Facebook page.
Late Tuesday, the page already had nearly 1,400 friends, many of them from across the United States. The page is filled with prayers and messages to Scobey, as well as updates on the situation. A MySpace page, www.myspace.com/friends_of_bryan_scobey , also has been updated with information on his case.
Another Web site, www.findbryan.com, is expected to be up and running Wednesday evening, Hill announced on the Facebook page late Tuesday.
The outpouring of support for Scobey has proved true a passage he wrote on his MySpace page last year: “I have no doubt that I have the most loyal, consistent and loving friends that any one person could have.”
Ramme said he's trying to figure out the puzzle of what happened to his friend, who he's known for about 16 years.
According to what Scobey's coworkers have told Ramme, Jan. 13 started off like a normal day, with Scobey being “the same old Bryan” – a positive, encouraging and energetic man, Ramme said.
Scobey's coworkers, the last people known to have spoken to him, didn't notice anything different about his demeanor before he left for appointments with customers, according to Ramme.
Ramme said gas card records showed that Scobey filled up the truck before going to his first appointment. The GMC Canyon truck has a 19-gallon gas tank, which – when full – has a range of between about 300 and 450 miles, an estimate based on manufacturer mileage specifications.
Scobey is believed to have finished that first appointment before driving up into the area of Highway 12 and 121, where the GPS last recorded his location, Ramme said.
At about 8:30 a.m., Scobey turned off his company cell phone – he didn't have a personal cell phone – which is something Ramme said he only usually did after going home at night.
Since then, there has been no credit card, bank account or cell phone activity, said Ramme. Law enforcement has checked all ticket sales for area airports, trains and buses.
Scobey's friends also have been checking longterm parking areas of airports around the region and handing out flyers, which are available on the Facebook page. A search party last went out on Monday, with no results.
Another friend, Jody Galvan, said Tuesday she was similarly baffled by the disappearance of Scobey.
Galvan said she's known Scobey for a long time, although they haven't been in touch often over the last several years.
Addressing speculation that he may have run away, Galvan said, “I know people change, but the Bryan I knew would never run away – from anything or anyone. He's a spiritual, easy going, go-with-the-flow kind of guy and would much rather work through something that was bothering him, than run from it.”
She said because they've not been in contact much recently, she can't know for sure what's in his head. In the mean time, she's holding onto the hope that Scobey “is simply taking a break from life, and has not gone missing at the hand of someone else.”
When Ramme last spoke to Scobey in November, Ramme said his friend was doing OK and nothing seemed amiss.
Like most people these days, Scobey was facing tight finances, especially after Trina, his wife of more than 10 years, was laid off of her job.
Scobey also had recently reconnected with a brother in Kansas and a sister in Colorado who Ramme said he hadn't mentioned before. Ramme said Scobey's siblings haven't seen him, either.
“This is so far outside of his character, to just take off,” said Ramme.
On Scobey's personal MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/djhitman707 , he referred to his nickname, “DJ Hitman,” which is the name he used for his disk jockey business.
In posts he placed on the page last September, Scobey described himself as a happily married man who called his wife “my best friend.” He also talked about his three teenage stepchildren and spoke proudly of his job.
Describing himself as a Christian, he had several blog posts in which he described how to be truly caring in a relationship as well as sharing his thoughts on music.
Ramme said he wasn't aware of any drug or alcohol issues that might have led Scobey to do something out of character.
None of his friends have reported receiving any messages of any kind, even cryptic ones.
“We could only wish,” said Ramme.
That leads to fears of foul play.
“There was no threats that anybody could speak of,” said Ramme.
He added, “He owed a couple people some money, but nothing major.”
Disappearances of adults aren't uncommon, according to statistics compiled by the California Department of Justice.
In 2008, there were approximately 34,236 missing adult cases statewide, with more than 28,000 of those people being located or returning on their own. More than 1,500 others were voluntarily missing.
For that year in Sonoma County, there were 409 missing persons reports, of which 365 turned up in some fashion, including 15 who were voluntarily missing. In Lake County in 2008, there were 51 person reports, all of which appeared to have later been found, based on reports.
Anyone who sees the Hitman Termite & Pest Control Inc. truck is urged not to touch it. Instead, immediately call the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office by dialing 911 or 707-565-2121.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
Shawn Sherrill, 42, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, spousal assault, assault on a peace officer, making terrorist threats and resisting arrest, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Shortly before midnight on Sunday Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a location off of Birch Street in Willits regarding a domestic violence report, Smallcomb said. Upon arrival deputies contacted a female adult who advised her live-in boyfriend, Shawn Sherrill had assaulted her.
Smallcomb said deputies found evidence of the assault to include blunt force trauma to the woman's nose, eyes and chin. Also in the residence was the woman's 4-year-old child. Further investigation revealed that while Sherrill was choking the female he said that he wanted her to die.
The victim stated Sherrill had come home intoxicated and had knocked the door to the residence in. Upon entry into the home, he grabbed her, punched and choked her, Smallcomb said. The woman told deputies that Sherrill had run into the woods upon learning law enforcement had been contacted.
Deputies investigated the assault and left the location, taking positions around the apartment awaiting the return of the suspect, according to Smallcomb. A short time later, Sherrill returned to the apartment and got into a vehicle.
Smallcomb said deputies contacted Sherrill, who advised he wished to fight them rather than be arrested. Sherrill then ran into the apartment securing the door behind him. Officers from the Willits Police Department were summoned to the location to assist while Sherrill was inside the apartment.
Sherrill exited the apartment and took a defensive stance. Smallcomb said Sherrill assaulted one officer while being placed under arrest. Deputies were able to overpower Sherrill and placed him into handcuffs.
Smallcomb said Sherrill was transported and booked into the Mendocino County Jail, where his bail was set at $200,000.
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A National Aeronautics and Space Administration advisory warned that even more rainfall could arrive next week as part of a warmer series of systems, which officials warn could mean greater potential for serious flooding given the massive volume of snow expected this week.
NASA's advisory stated that the next two to three weeks “are likely to be more active across California than any other 2-3 week period in recent memory.”
Riding on a strong 230 mile per hour jet stream that includes a lower-level jet stream around 4,000 feet, these storms will continue to slam into Lake County and all of California over the next two weeks, according to Western Coastal and Marine Geology U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Science Center (USGS) in Santa Cruz.
As the temperatures drop throughout the day Tuesday, snow levels are expected to fall to the 3,000 to 4,000 foot level, according to the USGS, and combined with the low-level jet stream with strong winds, storm conditions may be treacherous.
The National Weather Services in Sacramento reported that Lake County can expect 5 to 12 inches of rain this week, with 2 to 6 feet of snow expected over the 5,000-foot elevation mark.
The strongest storm of this series is expected overnight Wednesday into Thursday; higher elevations of the county, including Cobb, can expect a mix of rain and snow with high winds, forecasters said.
Tuesday's high temperature will reach the low 40s early in the day as a colder storm system moves in,with overnight lows in the mid- to upper-30s, the National Weather Service reported.
Forecasters said temperatures will remain near 40 degrees through Friday, when the storms are expected to taper off, with skies partially clearing on Saturday.
Minor flooding could be experienced in flood-prone areas by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
On Monday, the Lake County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services issued a public service advisory warning of more storms to come and the possibility of significantly more water by the middle of this week.
Pointing to the NASA advisory, sheriff's Capt. James Bauman said the county can expect by mid week to see water levels rise significantly, with swiftly moving water in small rivers and streams in our area. That could lead to minor flooding in creeks, streams and low-lying areas.
In preparation for the incoming storm systems, Bauman said the Office of Emergency Services has developed staffing patterns to serve the County Emergency Operations Center if needed.
He said Lake County Public Works and Caltrans have pre-positioned resources to respond in the event of localized flooding. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. also is ready to respond to power outages if needed; the company's outage line iss 800-743-5002.
Bauman urged motorists to use extreme caution on the roadways, particularly when standing water or water running across the roadway is encountered. He said to remember that water may be deeper or running more swiftly than it appears and negotiating such conditions can be very dangerous.
Those with travel or outdoor plans this week should closely monitor conditions by first checking www.weather.gov/sacramento or the NOAA weather radio for the latest weather information, Bauman said.
The Lake County Office of Emergency services does not provide sandbags or sand. However, Bauman provided a list of local businesses that, as of Monday, had sandbags and sand on hand.
Sandbags available:
Rainbow Agricultural Services
1975 Argonaut Road, Lakeport
Telephone: 707-279-0550
Piedmont Lumber
2465 South Main St., Lakeport
Telephone: 707-263-8400
Kelseyville Lumber and Supply Co.
3895 Main St., Kelseyville
Telephone: 707-279-4297
Lake Builders Supply Co.
3694 East Highway 20, Nice
Telephone: 707-274-6607
Mendo Mill and Lumber Co.
5255 Old Highway 53, Clearlake
Telephone: 707-994-1014
Four Corners Building Supply
14975 Olympic Drive, Clearlake
Telephone: 707-994-6277
Sand on hand:
R.B. Peters
78 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
Telephone: 707-263-3678
Piedmont Lumber
2465 South Main St., Lakeport
Telephone: 707-263-8400
Kelseyville Lumber and Supply Co.
3895 Main St., Kelseyville
Telephone: 707-279-4297
Pivniska Trucking Inc.
85 West Highway 20, Upper Lake
Telephone: 707-275-3203
Layne Paving and Trucking
3700 Old Highway 53, Clearlake
Telephone: 707-994-6324
Clear Lake Lava
14572 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks
Telephone: 707-998-1115
For up-to-the-minute weather information, please follow the “Forecast” link on the Lake County News home page.
E-mail Terre Logsdon at