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Police & Fire

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Pedestrian Seriously Hurt in Geyserville Crash

Unidentified man was walking on Highway 101.

  A 24-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries early this morning when he was struck by a delivery van after running onto U.S. Highway 101 near Geyserville, a California Highway Patrol officer said. CHP Officer Mike Phennicie responded to a call about a pedestrian on southbound Highway 101 north of Canyon Road around 5:45 a.m., CHP Officer Jon Sloat said. When Phennicie contacted the pedestrian on the right shoulder of the highway, the man suddenly stood up and ran onto the highway, Sloat said. The pedestrian was struck by a delivery van driven by 37-year-old Brad Turchin, of Ukiah, and thrown 40 feet back onto the right shoulder, Sloat said. Phennicie began rendering first aid until the personnel from the Geyserville Fire …

Police Blow Up Small Explosive Device Found in SUV

The SUV was found in San Francisco last week, days after Dennis Hughes fled Rohnert Park after killing his mother with a baseball bat. The vehicle belonged to Dianne Hughes.

Details are emerging in the bizarre killing of Dianne Hughes, who was beaten to death with a baseball bat last week in her home on Bernice Avenue. Her son, Dennis, who was 41, killed her over alleged family tension.  Police said early Wednesday that they discovered black gun powder, packed into a Band-Aid tin, a fuse and some gasoline in the back of the white Toyota Highlander, which went missing last Tuesday shortly after police discovered the body of Dianne Hughes, 66, in a pool of blood on her living room floor. It was the missing vehicle that first led family members to call police last Tuesday, according to details from police released over the last week. Lt. Jeff Taylor said the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and the San …

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Heart of Healdsburg

Healdsburg Police Warn of Traffic, Alcohol 'Challenges' at Future Farmers Parade

Parade is Thursday, May 24.

  Healdsburg Police issued an alert Tuesday to what they called "challenges associated with the annual Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair and Parade."  "This community celebration occurs over the Memorial Day weekend," said Healdsburg Police Lt. Kevin Young in a statement. "Festivities start with a parade through the downtown area on Thursday May 24 starting at 6 p.m. "The associated street closures begin at 5:30 p.m.," he added.  "Vehicle access into the downtown area will be restricted for a minimum of two hours." Young encouraged drivers to select alternate routes to avoid the parade activity. After the parade, the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair continues through Sunday at Recreation Park. This year's theme is "Cowboy Boots …

Lizzardking's Rise

6:03 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

red wigs and white face make up freaks me out man.   more ›

Monday, May 14, 2012

Healdsburg Police Arrest Windsor Man After Pursuit

Man arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Heart of Healdsburg

Thumbs Down on Downtown Street Parking Meters -- Lots Maybe OK

Residents, business owners not in favor of paid street parking.

  Healdsburg business owners and residents said Thursday they didn't agree with a city proposal to add paid parking on downtown streets around Healdsburg Plaza. However, they said that adding meters or kiosks on the free parking lots off the Plaza might be an acceptable alternative to help raise money for the cash-strapped city general fund budget. Healdsburg Police Cpl. Tanya Potter told about 45 people at a town hall meeting at Healdsburg City Hall that a system of 30 to 35 high-tech parking kiosks could cover 395 parking spaces around the Plaza and generate up to $500,000 annually -- a potential salve for an estimated $1 million deficit in the general fund for 2012-13. Fees would likely be in the range of $1 per hour, but could be …

olivia

10:54 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

Hey ya! What about that dormant lot by B of A? (Piper/Healdsburg Avenue) The city could employ people to run the lot, use part of the old garage for the ticket booth and part for a car washing service and flower shop? Now that's a thought..:) I suppose we could learn from, woulda shoulda coulda.. just saying.   more ›

Friday, May 11, 2012

Heart of Healdsburg

River Race, Artwalk, Mother's Day and More -- Healdsburg Weekend May 12-13

Enjoy your Mother's Day weekend at the river, the park or Healdsburg eateries...

  There are so many things going on this weekend in Healdsburg, we probably need a separate website just to list them. Here are a few ideas. Many more are included at our Healdsburg Patch Calendar of Events. SATURDAY H-Town Youth Theater presents "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" at 7 p.m. at the Raven Performing Arts Theater.   Great Russian River Race, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, racing starts at about 10:30 a.m. ($70 to register) followed by a free race after party with three bands and awards. Second Saturdays Artwalk, Healdsburg Galleries Group, art, food and wine at 22 galleries downtown. Stroll around and enjoy! Surf and Turf and Silent Auction, Healdsburg Firefighters Association fundraiser at Healdsburg Fire Department Station…

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Homicide Suspect, Son of Dianne Hughes, Shot and Killed by SFPD After Random Shooting Spree

"Snipers had a clear view, they shot and they killed him because he posed a severe threat to public safety," Masterson said.

Dennis Hughes, 41, went on a shooting rampage Wednesday in San Francisco's Tenderloin, at Post and Hyde streets, using at least two handguns to fire shots at random from his girlfriend's apartment, police said today. At about 10 p.m., less than two hours after police located Hughes, the armed killer was gunned down by police snipers perched atop a nearby rooftop, because authorities said he "posed a significant threat to public safety." Police — roughly 100 officers were on scene — described the bizzare scene at a morning press conference in San Francisco, just minutes from the apartment building on the 800 block of Post Street — where Hughes found refuge after killing his mother. Rohnert Park police found Dianne Hughes bludgeoned to death…

Random Citizen

2:25 am on Friday, May 11, 2012

Great reporting. Thanks Angela.   more ›

Heart of Healdsburg

Parking Meters Meetup Tonight

Healdsburg City Council will discuss at a meeting Thursday, May 10, at 6 p.m.

  As we reported last week, Healdsburg City Council has called a public meeting at 6 p.m. May 10 at Healdsburg City Hall to discuss possible changes to parking in the downtown. One of the options is to install parking meters in the downtown streets, as exist in other Sonoma County cities such as Santa Rosa. Currently, parking on Healdsburg's main streets -- such as around the Plaza -- is free, but limited to three hours at a time. Healdsburg officials, faced with a $1 million deficit in the general fund -- which covers police and fire protection, among other services -- are looking for ways to generate revenue. The city is already considering placing a measure on the November ballot for a half-cent sales tax increase. A special public …

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Ginger Grant

11:48 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Kami, um.....no this is too easy. Yes, they can be stolen but only if someone breaks into the locked car in order to do so. I hardly think someone is going to risk going to jail to save .75 cents.   more ›

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Penngrove Pilot Sentenced for "DUI in the Sky"

Apprehended after spotted flying less than 50 feet above freeway traffic; blood alcohol limit above legal flying limit

A Penngrove man pleaded no contest through his attorney this morning to flying his airplane while intoxicated in Sonoma County in January. Michael Ferrero, 62, did not appear before Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo, and his attorney Martin Woods entered the plea on his behalf. The judge immediately sentenced Ferrero to four days in Sonoma County Jail, three years' probation, 30 days of electronic home confinement and 26 days of volunteer service. Ferrero also was fined $2,326. Ferrero had been charged with five misdemeanor counts. He pleaded no contest to operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.04 percent -- the legal limit while flying. He had also been charged …

Former Business Manager Gets 6-Year State Prison Sentence

Guerneville woman embezzled over $712K from Sonoma County spiritual center.

  Eleanor Jane Zapanta of Guerneville was sentenced Tuesday for multiple counts of grand theft from the Center for Spiritual Living located on Occidental Road.  The Honorable Judge Gnoss sentenced Zapanta, 51, to a stipulated six-year state prison sentence.  Zapanta received the aggravated term of three years on the first grand theft charge, concurrent sentencing on the second, and an additional three years consecutive based on the aggravated white collar enhancement. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who take advantage of their position of trust for financial gain," said Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch.  "I encourage every organization, and private party, to carefully audit those involved in financial …

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