Off the Record (Sep 30, 2015)
CALFIRE MADE IT OFFICIAL LAST WEEK: The Valley Fire “is among the top three most destructive fires in California history.” It was also declared a federal disaster, only the fourth time in California...
View ArticleThe Accidental Criminal
“It was all a big accident,” Jaime Rodriguez, Jr. explained, and Rodriguez was right. It was the biggest accident two people could have, especially if one of them didn't live through it, which is what...
View ArticleMRC Hack & Squirt Continues Unabated
California timberland owners sprayed 359,147 pounds of pesticides and herbicides on unwanted trees and shrubs in a recent four-year period — 2005 to 2008 — according to data compiled from the...
View ArticleOutlaw Ford
Early Mendocino County is filled with many yarns and tales. One of the characters in Outlaw Ford (the novel excerpted here) states, “Sometimes you have to lie to get at the truth.” That's more or less...
View ArticleRaid First, Investigate Later
At about 7:30 a.m. last Wednesday, James Joseph Munson was shouting at his two children, asking who had failed to feed the cat, when he saw lights flashing through a window and onto a wall in his...
View ArticlePanther Soccer (Sep 30, 2015)
Last Wednesday, September 23, the AV Panthers traveled south to Santa Rosa for the first of a number of season-defining matches. this one against five-time defending regular-season champions, Roseland...
View ArticleAssignments
Even at this late date in the arc of my life, I am occasionally invited to speak to high school kids about the career path of a writer. When I explain to those soliciting me to speak that I am not a...
View ArticleMy Experience At Hospitality House
A recent item in the Off The Record section of this-here publication stated that a certain group of Supervisors approved the disbursement of a big ol' chunk of dough, nearly 100 large, to the...
View ArticleLetters (Sep 30, 2015)
Recently the Ukiah Daily Journal published an unsigned editorial that apparently represents the opinion of the paper, in which it denounced Supervisor Tom Woodhouse for talking with County workers...
View ArticleMendocino County Today: Thu., Oct 1, 2015
FORT BRAGG DECLARES WATER EMERGENCY Just In From Fort Bragg: In an emergency 2pm meeting the city of Fort Bragg declared a Stage 3 water emergency. Apparently the combination of low tides and...
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I Knew Both Tom Hardys
Ever since I first saw the Mauch twins, Billy and Bobby, in the movie version of Mark Twain’s Prince and the Pauper, I’ve been keen on films where the actor plays a multiple role, like Alex Guinness in...
View ArticleEco Pod People
A tiny wind and solar-powered pod that can be taken almost anywhere. http://mashable.com/2015/05/26/ecocapsule-pods/#vqu6xQNpcOqr
View ArticleThe Rich Boy: The Art of Trump L’Oeil Politics
The year is 1985. Reagan has just been reelected, but Republican fortunes across the country are waning. The Gipper was beginning to show his incapacities and the party itself seemed just as hoary. The...
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Mendocino County Today: Friday, Oct 2, 2015
ON WEDNESDAY at 2pm I attended an emergency meeting of the Fort Bragg city council called to declare a Phase 3 water emergency. On Tuesday morning things had looked cheerful at city hall but by noon...
View ArticleThe History of Griffith Park
Colonel Griffith J. Griffith donated the land for his namesake park and also shot his wife in the eye. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/12/local/la-me-0612-then-20110612
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Mendocino County Today: Sat., Oct. 3, 2015
TALEN BARTON, The Documents THE CRIME On July 19, 2015, Talen Barton was at the residence of Cindy and Coleman Palmieri, Barton’s foster parents in the past. Also at the residence where Ms. Palmieri's...
View ArticleAmerican Vigilantes Fighting ISIS
A ragtag group of fighters join the fight in Syria. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/magazine/meet-the-american-vigilantes-who-are-fighting-isis.html?_r=1
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Mendocino County Today: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES 'HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK' The National Weather Service issued a "Red Flag Warning" for interior sections of northern California and a "Wind Advisory" and "Hazardous...
View ArticleFort Bragg Notes
WHY THE HARE CREEK SHOPPING CENTER should not be built, a very long letter, which we've brilliantly edited to its 50-word essentials, from Fish and Wildlife to Marie Jones, Community Development...
View ArticleMendocino County Today: Wednesday, Oct 7, 2015
100% Contained; Bad Water Decisions; Biden Quest; Catch of the Day; No TPP; Restocking Rifles; Cancer Walk; Monsanto v FOIA; TV Shrinks; Van Man Rousted; Ballpark Seat Hopping; Library Events;...
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