HIT: Judge Andrew S. Blum sentenced Jacobo Lopez Mejia to serve eight years in state prison Monday for causing the August 2011 rollover that killed two men in Kelseyville.
Taking responsibility
HIT: Lopez Mejia, 24, took responsibility for his role in the crash, pleading no contest to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in May.
Trial continues
HIT: The trial of Ivan Garcia Oliver, who is accused of killing a Lakeport man in November 2007 using information he received from the Megan”s Law online sex-offender registry, completed its second week of testimony on Friday.
Battling blaze and wind
HIT: Crews contained a fire within about five hours Saturday in north Lakeport after it consumed roughly 70 acres but before it damaged any structures.
MISS: High winds blowing as fast as 25 mph caused the flames to spread.
Vehicle for success
HIT: A children”s book drive in Lake and Mendocino counties, spearheaded by United Way of the Wine Country and supported by sponsors and drop-off site hosts, exceeded expectations and collected more than 850 books. FIRST 5 Mendocino County and Lake Family Resource Center will distribute the books to local children who participate in their early reading programs during the summer.
Good bus manager
HIT: To Transit Manager Mark Wall, who submitted a half-year contract instead of a full-year contract to the Lake Transit Authority on June 13. As stated in draft minutes, Wall told the LTA that he thinks it is time to competitively bid the contract since the last time it was competitively bid was in 1996-97. Additional reasons, as explained by Wall, include an opportunity to obtain additional federal discretionary grant funding. Way to put the LTA”s needs ahead of his personal gain.
Wheels on the bus
HIT: Lake Transit riders can now use debit cards to purchase bus passes at Ray”s Food Place, according to Lake Transit operations manager Wanda Gray. As reported in draft minutes for the June 13 meeting of the Lake Transit Authority, Gray said debit purchasing helps reduce loss of cash and is more convenient for transit riders.
That smell
HIT: Area agencies, and a University of California, Berkeley student collaborate to study geothermal gas releases in the area of Burns Valley School.
MISS: The area still smells of rotten eggs.
Funny fundraising
HIT: Lakeshore Lions Club takes a new approach to fundraising putting comedy into the mix. “Comedy Night and Improv” takes place Aug. 11 in Clearlake.
Selling superheroes
HIT: The opening of Solo Comics in Lower Lake provides Lake County residents with the option of shopping in the county for their comic book needs.
Picture perfect
HIT: A number of Lake County residents submitted photographs of fires last weekend. Though we were not able to use all of them, we always welcome photo submissions and information for your community newspaper.
