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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Incident occurred early Saturday morning, according to a report from Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Information developed so far has led investigators to believe the attempted home invasion was related to marijuana activities at the residence, Smallcomb said.
At approximately 7:21 a.m. Saturday Mendocino County Sheriff's communications officers were contacted by Jill Cahill, a resident of Steele Lane in Laytonville, Smallcomb said.
He said Cahill reported that just moments before her telephone call three individuals wearing masks and armed with unknown types of firearms forcibly entered into her residence, where gunfire was exchanged and one of the suspects was shot and believed to be deceased.
Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to the location where they contacted Cahill and two other individuals who were visiting her. Smallcomb said deputies found one of the masked suspects laying just outside the residence, who was confirmed to be deceased.
Cahill advised that the suspects forcibly entered into her residence and sprayed pepper spray at her and her guests. Smallcomb said Cahill also reported that the suspects further displayed an unknown type firearm and shot at least one round inside the residence which struck one of Jill's visitors in the leg.
Armed with a .357 revolver, Cahill reportedly defended herself and her visitors, and a firefight took place inside the residence. Smallcomb said Cahill fatally shot one of the masked suspects, and the other two suspects fled the residence.
Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies, detectives and an investigator from the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office are continuing to investigate the incident, Smallcomb said.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LUCERNE, Calif. – A commercial and residential building on Highway 20 in Lucerne sustained several thousand dollars in damage after a wood stove started a fire Friday night.
The fire, reported just before 9 p.m., occurred at 6095 E. Highway 20, next door to the California Water Service water plant.
Several Northshore Fire Protection District engines, an ambulance, two battalion chiefs and a California Highway Patrol officer, who helped monitor traffic around the scene, responded.
Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Steve Hart said the fire was caused by an improperly installed wood stove.
The stove, located on the first floor, was too close to the wall, he said. Combustible materials ignited and the fire traveled up to the second floor attic.
Firefighters opened up the walls to remove charred materials and make sure the fire was out, Hart said.
Battalion Chief Pat Brown brought out a charred piece of wood from inside the wall to show to Hart, noting that it had been burning a long time.
Four firefighters worked on the second story of the building, using a chainsaw to access areas that were burned.
Firefighters were expected to stay on scene until about 10:30 p.m. conducting mop up and overhauling, making sure that there was no chance the fire could reignite, Hart said.
Estimated damage was $10,000 for the structure and $2,000 for the building's contents, which Hart said suffered some smoke damage.
No injuries were reported.
Hart said the winter season brings a lot of problems with wood stoves, especially older installations from the late 1870s and 1980s.
“The codes at that time weren't as good as they are now,” he said.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Sheriff Rod Mitchell said his agency worked with state and federal authorities – including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and U.S Customs – on the search warrant service as part of an investigation involving drugs and weapons.
The investigation grew out of a traffic stop in Laytonville last week in which 100 pounds of marijuana were seized, Mitchell said.
Officials served search warrants simultaneously in Mendocino and Lake counties, he said.
In Lake County, Mitchell said, “It was a very rural, remote location where the warrant was served,” near the Landrum Ranch, which is east of Clearlake Oaks on Highway 20. Staging for the agents and deputies involved occurred at the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks.
“We assisted with getting the search warrant and then the state officials took it over based upon everything we were able to find,” he said.
Late Friday, state Department of Justice officials were not able to provide additional information on the investigation, which was being handled by the DOJ's Bureau of Investigation.
He said at one of the two locations where warrants were served, 37 guns were seized.
Along with large amounts of cash – specific numbers were not immediately available – Mitchell said eight arrests resulted.
Seven of the suspects were taken by ICE to Yuba County for detention, while one was to be booked locally, he said.
The teams of agents and deputies remained at the locations late in the day, he said.
Based on the results of the search warrant seizures, Mitchell said it was anticipated that further warrants would result.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LUCERNE, Calif. – The drivers and passengers involved in two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 Friday afternoon escaped serious injury.
The crash, reported just before 3 p.m., took place just east of Lucerne.
Officials reported that a vehicle traveling eastbound lost control and crossed into the westbound lane, hitting another vehicle then heading up an embankment and rolling over back onto the roadway.
At one point the overturned vehicle was said to be smoking, with the roadway blocked, according to reports from the scene.
The male driver and his dog both were able to get out of the overturned vehicle, but the dog reportedly ran away from the scene, officials reported. The other vehicle had two human occupants and a dog.
The driver of the overturned vehicle was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital by Northshore Fire Protection District, which sent a chief, battalion chief, two engines and two medics, according to reports from the scene. The occupants of the second vehicle were treated and released at the scene.
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