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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department said it has arrested a man for robbing a woman at a city laundromat.
Michael Kevin Toney, 26, a transient, was taken into custody shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday, according to his booking records.
Police said the victim, a 64-year-old woman from Lakeport, reported that she was physically attacked by a male subject while doing her laundry at the Willow Wash Laundromat in the Safeway Shopping Center on 11th Street.
Officers responded to the laundromat and contacted the woman, who gave them a detailed description of the man who robbed her, who she said she didn’t know, the department reported.
The woman told officers that the subject forced her against laundromat equipment and attempted to remove and steal a coin purse from her after she had already given him a small donation that he solicited, police said.
Police said the subject fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.
The police department said officers searched the immediate area and found Toney a short distance from the scene.
The victim positively identified Toney as the perpetrator during a subsequent in-field showing and police arrested him for robbery by force, the department reported.
On Friday Toney remained in custody for felony first-degree robbery, with bail set at $150,000. His booking sheet showed he is due to be arraigned on Friday.
Police said Toney is known to the police department and has prior recent arrests.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
With high temperatures in the forecast, the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from residential air conditioning use.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat watches and warnings for portions of California and the Southwest US.
California will be experiencing near-record or record-breaking heat, up to 10 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas.
Above-normal temperatures for the West, including California, are expected to last through the weekend and into late next week.
Prolonged heat over several consecutive days is expected to drive electricity demand higher, as nighttime temperatures are also forecast to be above average.
Remnants of tropical system “Elida” will bring cloud cover to areas of California through this event, reducing solar generation, which leads to tighter energy supplies.
Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and solar energy production falling.
Consumers are also asked to turn off unnecessary lights, use major appliances before 3 p.m. and after 10 p.m., and set air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees or higher.
These conservation measures can help the power grid during a time of tight demand and supply, and avoid power interruptions.
Reduced energy use during a Flex Alert can prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.
The ISO will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. For information on Flex Alerts, and to get more electricity conservation tips, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The individual became symptomatic following the start of a 48-hour shift on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Measures were immediately taken to isolate the individual and other close contacts and to disinfect all apparatus and facilities at risk of exposure. Rapid testing was immediately performed and confirmed a positive result, officials said.
The individual had limited workplace contact with others, and the fire authority is working with Mendocino County Public Health to complete the appropriate contact tracing.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Fire Authority has been operating with COVID-19 risk mitigation protocols in place, which includes the division of crews between multiple stations, application of personal protective equipment, and rigorous sanitization.
The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority still has the capacity to remain fully staffed and operational during this process.
“Our work is inherently risky, and even with the utmost precautions in place, there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19,” said Ukiah Valley Fire Chief Doug Hutchison, who previously served as chief of Lakeport Fire. “Our team members responded quickly and appropriately to this incident, and are working to implement the appropriate response protocols. Our priority remains the safety of our department and our community.”
“The health officer orders are there to protect us as we move forward in the pandemic,” Mendocino Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan said. “The city of Ukiah firefighters have followed all orders including the masking orders and required protective measures. Their proactive actions in their protection will be impactful steps in efforts to prevent an outbreak."
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man who they believe set numerous fires around Ukiah on Wednesday.
Alberto Vincent Acosta, 32, of Ukiah was arrested for arson on Thursday morning, according to Capt. Greg Van Patten.
Law enforcement officials and firefighters discovered the fires in a timeframe of less than an hour and a half late Wednesday afternoon and early evening, based on Van Patten’s report.
In an initial report on Wednesday, officials suspected seven separate fires had been set, but that number was increased to nine in the Thursday report.
Detectives have linked Acosta to the fires that occurred at the following locations on Wednesday:
– 4:56 p.m.: South Dora Street near Fircrest Drive.
– 4:58 p.m.: South Dora Street at Bourbon Lane.
– 5:04 p.m.: Gobalet Lane at South State Street.
– 5:15 p.m.: Plant Road near Taylor Drive.
– 5:18 p.m.: End of Airport Park Boulevard.
– 6:14 to 6:19 p.m.: Four separate fires on Babcock Lane near Talmage bridge.
Van Patten said detectives from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office continued their investigations into the late evening hours on Wednesday.
The detectives interviewed an off-duty Mendocino County Sheriff's Office corrections deputy who had been driving in the area of the Talmage bridge at the approximate time of the fires on Babcock Lane, Van Patten said.
The corrections deputy noticed Acosta near the area of the fire and provided that information along with Acosta's description to detectives, who Van Patten said were able to collect footage from surveillance video systems from residences and businesses near some of the fires.
He said the information from the corrections deputy and the video systems footage established evidence which prompted detectives to issue a be-on-the-lookout notification to local law enforcement agencies for Acosta's arrest.
At 7 a.m. Thursday, a Ukiah Police officer was on routine patrol in the area of Perkins Street and South Orchard Avenue when he noticed Acosta walking in the area. Van Patten said the officer stopped Acosta, who was released to sheriff's office detectives.
Acosta was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of arson of an inhabited structure, arson of structure or forest land and arson during a state of emergency, Van Patten reported.
Van Patten said Acosta is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
At this time it appears the fires caused damage to vegetation and the wooden deck of one residence, Van Patten said.
Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives are continuing to ask for the public's assistance in obtaining security camera footage to assist in this investigation.
If any business or residence has security camera footage depicting Acosta during the time frame of 4:50 p.m. to 6:57 p.m. on Wednesday, contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line by calling 707-234-2100.
The areas of interest for security camera footage in Ukiah are Luce Avenue to South Dora Street, South Dora Street to Oak Court Road, South State Street to Gobalet Lane, Plant Road, Norgard Lane near the railroad tracks, Airport Park Boulevard, Airport Road and Babcock Lane from Talmage Road to East Gobbi Street, Van Patten said.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Ukiah Police Department, California Highway Patrol, County of Mendocino Marijuana Enforcement Team and Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force for their assistance during this investigation, and recognized Cal Fire, the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, Hopland Fire Department, Redwood Valley Fire Department and Potter Valley Fire Department for their response and fire suppression efforts during the fires.