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Local News 05 05 25 · KMUD News

• 0:00
  Speaker A: FOREIGN Good evening and welcome to the local news. Today is Monday, May 5th. I'm Lauren Schmidt reporting from. In tonight's news, first responders kept busy with multiple rescues across Humboldt County. Mendocino Sheriff's Office shares more information on deputy under investigation for DUI and hit and run involving patrol vehicle and county conversations with Humboldt Supervisor Steve Madrone. Stay tuned. News on those stories coming right up. First responders were busy this weekend as multiple rescue calls came in across the county. Just before 7pm Saturday evening, emergency personnel from several agencies responded to the South Fork fork of the Eel river near the Dyerville overlook north of Wiatt. A woman had become stranded in the water with an overturned kayak. Thomas Norris, Evattalian chief with Rio del Fire Protection District stated that the woman was located near the confluence of the South Fork and main stem of the Eel river near Founders Tree on the east side of Highway 101. He shared this interview with our news partner Kim Kemp of Red Headed Black Belt.
• 1:54
  Speaker B: It looked like a young female stranded on the other side of the river, the south fork of the Eel River. This ain't how or why she ended up there. She's on an overturned kayak. Where she is at was I'd say reasonably kind of dangerous because of all the strainers that was around her. So 7:00 we got there around I'd say 10, 15 minutes after the call. 10 minutes after the call, patient was stranded on the other side of the river, the north side of the South Fork before they merge. We were able to as soon as I made access to her I put on a she gave her a PFD and then we were able to hike up up river a couple hundred feet. So I had good access to to make a safe transition across the river with Sol Humtech assisting. Kai Astro assisted me to the other side. I swam across, got her and then pretty much swam her back across the river. So when I swam I swam up to her, assessed the patient had no injuries, is hypothermic, able to walk her up the river a little ways, put a PFD on her and then swam her across back across the river with assistance with T5000 kiosk rilla so humptech and then she was transported to a city ambulance who was parked up on top of the Diamond Hill Lookout.
• 3:23
  Speaker A: The woman was uninjured but cold and hypothermic. She was treated by first responders waiting on the other side of the river. Another call that could have turned serious also ended without injuries, this one in Shelter Cove A vehicle went over the bank with a trapped victim at Seal Court near its intersection with the Surf Point Coffee Shop.
• 3:49
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 3:50
  Speaker D: Good afternoon, I'm Fire Chief Nick Pape with the Shelterpro Fire Department. Yesterday our department had a medical aid that was actually dispatched as a rescue with a patient over the bank. Around 1:30 we received reports of a vehicle that had gone over the bank with a patient trapped in the area of Surf Point Shelter Cove. Our on call officer responded down there within five minutes and reported back that this call was not as reported, the vehicle wasn't actually over the bank, but it was teetering on the edge of a bank above the ocean approximately 25ft. Still a dynamic call, but definitely not as so he was able to cancel a majority of the mutual aid due to the nature of the incident. Our dispatch center sends additional resources just in case the call is more than one department can handle. So in this case we had three departments responding including Shelter Co Fire, Whale Gorge Fire and Cal Fire. We also had our technical rescue team that's based out of Garberville, but it's a joint team with all different departments from southern Humboldt. They were also responding as well as an ambulance and air ambulance. So a lot of resources initially going to this call to make sure we get the best services for this patient. Fortunately, within five minutes additional resources were able to show up and we were able to use our electric jaws alive to lift the vehicle off the patient's trapped leg. And she sustained some minor to moderate bruising but overall minor injuries and she was released and I guess from what I heard she drove that car backed over the hill to Garberville after the tow truck pulled it off. So what initially was a very scary call kind of turned into a routine extrication for us and extremely proud of the crew and the community for activated the 911 system promptly. A lot of times people wait too long to call 911 trying to help or for whatever various reasons and it slows down our response. So again we'd like to thank the community for getting us coming early and our mutual aid resources that were there to back us up.
• 5:59
  Speaker A: Shelter Cove will be holding a community wide wildfire drill and FundRaiser on Saturday, May 10th. We will bring you more on that event later this week. Fruitland Ridge volunteer fire and CAL fires High Rock crew responded to what's being investigated as a downed power line wildfire near the 3300 block of Dyerville Loop Road. We spoke with Jimmy Hensley, the department's fire chief.
• 6:32
  Speaker C: We sent our water tender down to it and assisted with the efforts there.
• 6:38
  Speaker A: Thanks to the quick work of first responders, the fire was contained at approximately a quarter acre. This week also marks Cal Fire's Wildfire Preparedness Week, with officials calling on residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes and communities ahead of peak fire season. This year's campaign theme is quote Building a Fire Ready Future Strengthening our Defenses Together, close quote it emphasizes the shared responsibility among individuals, neighborhoods and agencies to reduce wildfire risk.
• 7:15
  Speaker C: Just be mindful the grasses will dry out fast with dry weather and wind and people just need to pay attention to what they're doing and be mindful of their surroundings.
• 7:29
  Speaker A: Helpful preparedness tips can be found online@readyforwildfire.org in tonight's County Conversation, we feature our monthly check in with Humboldt's 5th district supervisor, Steve Madrone, who represents the unincorporated areas spanning Willow Creek to Trinidad, Hoopa to Orleans and McKinleyville to ORIC supervisor Madrone. Tomorrow's supervisor's agenda is jam packed with items including the proclamation of May as Older Americans Month, a proposed nitrous oxide ordinance, and amendment to the tobacco Retailer Licensing ordinance. But of particular note at 11am Is the bid to award the John Haynes Veterans Memorial Building Project. Can you give us an overview on what the board will be voting on and what the possible outcomes or implications of that decision might be?
• 8:34
  Speaker C: Yeah, well, as you know, there's been a long standing effort to replace the Vets hall that was demolished a year or so ago and unfortunately, 10, 15, 20 years ago, the county did not do a good job of maintaining that facility, which is our responsibility. And so the roof was leaking, the walls got mold, and ultimately it had to be demolished, which is very unfortunate. At any rate, promises have been made, efforts have been engaged in to replace that hall. It was going to be a $2 or $3 million project, but as it's turned out, it's become a $6 million project, which is quite a substantial increase in cost. But at any rate, what is on the agenda tomorrow is for the board to consider awarding a bid to the lowest bidder to construct the hall. And I think that's for a little less than 4 million. But with the cost to date for engineering, design, permitting, etc. And the cost of managing the project in total will be a little less than 6 million. So the board will be deciding whether or not to approve that contract tomorrow.
• 9:46
  Speaker A: You were one of the dissenting votes when the board approved the expanded budget for the Veterans hall project. Can you share how you plan to vote tomorrow and what concerns you have about moving forward.
• 10:01
  Speaker C: Yeah, well, as far as how I'll vote tomorrow, I'm going to be listening carefully to all the comments from the public as well as staff, as you may know. You know, if we already make up our mind in advance, then we show some bias and in fact can be ruled ineligible to vote on things. So it is incumbent upon our board members to keep an open mind and listen to all the information being presented and then make a decision based on all of that. So I will be doing exactly that. Yes, a year or so ago, I did vote against the project because I felt that we could have built a substantially good haul for 2 or 3 million. And given our county budget crisis, I just felt that it was way too much money to be spending. But then it did get approved, and now here's where we're at now. So that's a very different situation. I support our veterans. I know it's a huge deal to get this hall rebuilt for our veterans in southern Humboldt for many, many reasons, including the healing that goes on when they're able to get together with each other and share their life stories, as well as their future dreams, all those kinds of things. So I will be keeping an open mind and moving forward tomorrow.
• 11:20
  Speaker A: Sticking with this topic, part of the cost increase and the overall rebuild was due to deferred maintenance and delays that allowed inflation to drive up expenses. Are you concerned we could see even more cost increases down the line, for example, from tariffs or supply chain issues, and that the contractor might request additional funding? And a second part to that question. Do you see this situation as part of a larger pattern where the county delays action on critical infrastructure projects and what lessons should be taken from how this particular project has unfolded?
• 12:04
  Speaker C: Yeah, well, Lauren, those are all really, really important considerations and certainly will probably affect the cost. And the only way that affects it typically is it goes up and it goes up. And often with contracts like this, you'll have change orders where the contractor might have put in a low bid, but may have observed that there is opportunity to make some changes in that bid as construction ensues. And that's not unusual for there to be bid award changes, you know, through change orders and things as, as we progress, and certainly tariffs on steel, all kinds of things out there are going to affect the ultimate cost. So 6 million is likely not the final number. And yeah, the county has a lot of facilities and we struggle with maintaining those facilities, which is one of the reasons why I felt that we should be trying to build something a little more modest. And not spend such an exorbitant amount of money. But regardless, that's the point we're at at this point. And I know the county staff will do their best to control costs. And you know, to be honest, the. The veterans themselves have done a lot to try and minimize cost by reclaiming a lot of the hardwood flooring and other elements of the. The previous haul to try and help save some costs. So we're all in this together, and we'll be moving forward more than likely tomorrow.
• 13:29
  Speaker A: Switching gears, it's my understanding that you were the only supervisor who publicly raised concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracting with Avelo Airlines, which operates out of the Arcata Eureka airport. While the board hasn't taken formal action, the county is in the process of hiring an aviation director and exploring economic development opportunities at the airport. Are there any updates on that front? And do you believe the county should take a formal position on whether ICE affiliated carriers should be allowed to operate here?
• 14:08
  Speaker C: Yeah, well, that's certainly something that's been in the news. And no, the county has not taken a position. There is some evidence out there that suggests that even United has engaged in these kinds of carrier activities in the past. I don't know the details of their current situation, but it's disturbing. I mean, that whole situation is highly disturbing for a country that has a constitution and a country that is run by the rule of law and without fair opportunity for people to defend themselves. You know, nobody's saying that illegal, violent immigrants should be allowed to stay, but there is due process for all these things. And, you know, if we just throw due process to the winds, then all of us can be potentially subject to all kinds of detainers and other things that could happen if we don't have that. That right to due process. So certainly a complicated issue, and, you know, we'll see if it comes before the county as a whole or not.
• 15:13
  Speaker A: And the final question I want to throw at you, you've long been a champion for fisheries and watershed health, and there's a lot unfolding in that space right now between the announcement of a third consecutive commercial salmon season closure and the recent news that the Mad River Hatchery is shutting down. What are your thoughts on the future of salmon recovery efforts on the north coast? And I understand you recently attended the Salmonid Restoration Federation conference. Were there any key takeaways or potential solutions that stood out to you?
• 15:51
  Speaker C: Yeah, well, the key takeaways are that we have a lot of work to do and we have a robust watershed restoration industry in Particular in Humboldt county and it includes a lot of ex commercial fishermen and others who have, you know, moved into these restoration fields. Hatcheries can be a valuable aspect when run properly so that genetics aren't being, you know, skewed in the wrong direction. But it's always better to create that natural habitat for the fish to naturally spawn and rear in those off channel and in channel habitats. So in Humboldt, we're lucky to have a plethora of organizations that engage in this, including the tribes. And frankly, there's a lot of contractors who make a living employing local, local employees to do all this kind of work with heavy equipment and chainsaws, you name it. So we're going to keep doubling down on that. Yeah, the federal picture with funding is looking a little iffy right now. Luckily, we have a lot of state funding and private funding and ultimately I'm hoping that we can create stewardship incentive programs whereby private landowners themselves are able to invest in these activities and write those expenses off their taxes, kind of like the solar tax credit. So there's a lot of room to do a lot of work and we're going to keep doubling down on that.
• 17:18
  Speaker A: Supervisor Madrone, we have 40 seconds left. If there's anything else you'd like to leave listeners with today.
• 17:24
  Speaker C: Well, today we have a budget hearing, the first of several over the next month, month and a half, as we move towards adopting our budget for 25, 26. And of course, as people know, our county budget is in really dire shape. And so we're going to be talking with our departments today and looking at all kinds of ways to save money while still trying to provide services. So not an easy thing to do. It's going to take all hands on, on deck type of an approach. But we look forward to the input from the community on that. And we'll do our best as a county board to try and hold the ground on expenses while also trying to, you know, provide services. So stay tuned.
• 18:09
  Speaker A: That was Humboldt County's 5th District Supervisor Steve Madrone, joining us for our regular check in on county conversations, which you can catch on the first Monday of each month. If you have a question you would like asked, you can email it to news.org a Mendocino County Sheriff's deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave after being suspected of a hit and run with property damage and driving under the influence while operating a patrol vehicle. The crash occurred in late April and the deputy was reportedly off duty at the time. The name of the deputy has not been released, citing the ongoing investigation The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. Bakema News got an opportunity to speak with Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Captain Quincy Cromer to learn more about the incident and what comes next in the investigation.
• 19:13
  Speaker E: It stemmed from an incident on April 24th of 2025 when it was about 6pm which is shift change for the Sheriff's office. A sheriff sergeant with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office arrived to work at the WILLIP substation and noticed damage to a county owned patrol vehicle. And the sergeant investigated the damage and learned the Sheriff's deputy who was assigned that vehicle did not report the damage to his assigned county vehicle pursuant to Sheriff's Office policy and procedures. So the Sheriff's deputy that was involved and issued that car or signed that card worked for the Sheriff's Office for over three years and had held assignments in patrol and the corrections division, but most recently was in the patrol division. So Sheriff's office vehicles are equipped with video recording devices and they record all the time. So there's obviously a loop and there's a DVR or a storage hard drive in the car that saves all the recording. And so the sheriff sergeant started reviewing the recording device from that assigned vehicle to determine how the damage happened to that vehicle. When reviewing the video damage, the video footage from the damaged patrol vehicle, the sheriff sergeant learned the deputy had operated the vehicle while off duty and drove the county vehicle to a bar in the city of Willits. And while driving the vehicle in Willets, the off duty sheriff's deputy collided with a guardrail on Sherwood Road causing damage to the passenger side of the vehicle. This matter was immediately reported to the California Highway Patrol Garberville office to investigate the traffic collision, the damage to the guardrail in the county owned patrol vehicle, the hit and run incident for felon to report, the collision, reckless driving and the possibility of the off duty deputy driving while under the influence. The California Highway Patrol is still actively investigating that incident with the assistance of an investigator from the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office. This so it is obviously the intent and endeavor of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office to maintain transparency and accountability through the immediately immediate reporting and investigation of this incident. With that being said, the name of the Sheriff's deputy is being withheld by the Sheriff's Office at this time to protect the integrity of that ongoing criminal investigation. Once or if that person is arrested or formally charged by the District Attorney, that name could become a matter of public record. But this Sheriff's deputy was that was involved in the incident was immediately placed on paid administrative leave, which is the current protocol and process for somebody that's a government employee. And their peace officer status was suspended while this matter is being investigated. And again, we're asking anyone that may have been a witness to this, this person was in plain clothes. They were not in a deputy sheriff uniform when they were driving this vehicle off duty. So if anyone witnessed that or has any information, please call the communication center for the Sheriff's office at 707-463-4086 and press option one for dispatch.
• 21:56
  Speaker A: We asked Captain Cromer what assurances he could offer about how this case is being handled and how it reflects on broader standards within the department.
• 22:08
  Speaker E: At the end of the day, all we can do is respond to this incident because we weren't there to either intercede or interject or hopefully suggest this person makes a better decision than what they made. So our response to this is to be as clear and as transparent as possible. We're the ones that initiated the press release. We're the ones that made the public aware of this incident happening. And we are also the people that called the highway patrol, who are the experts on traffic related incidents, to investigate this matter. And we also asked the district attorney, because there are a few different jurisdictions involved here, to also assist in the investigation of this, because the district attorney's office has their own investigators as well. So all I can say is that it is our, obviously our goal here to get in front of this and say this is what happened. I can't do anything to change the decisions that were made. But we can assure the public and your listeners and anyone else that reads about this incident to say we're being forthcoming with what we can release right now. I know there were some people upset about the name not being released. I can't release their name just like anyone else's until they're arrested or charged by the da Then it's a matter of public record. Same thing with paid administrative leave. I'd referenced that before. That is the standard protocol for government employees for civil service rules is that they will be on paid administrative leave until they're either charged, charged or convicted. And then we can remove that paid leave and they could be on leave without pay, but we have to follow due process. And that's what is entitled in the law to everybody, whether they're a deputy sheriff or a citizen, to follow due process for those types of investigations. And if we were to preemptively remove their pay without due process, we would be liable for potential civil damages. So that's why we're following the protocols and also trying to be as transparent as possible in this instance.
• 23:47
  Speaker A: This incident comes amid a broader concern in law enforcement. Studies show that police officers experience higher rates of alcohol misuse than the general public, often tied to chronic stress, trauma exposure, and the demands of the job. National research suggests that up to 25% of officers may engage in problematic drinking. In light of this, we asked the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office whether mental health and substance use resources are available for deputies who may be struggling.
• 24:23
  Speaker E: At the end of the day, alcoholism is a disease, and it's a disease that can be treated with proper counseling and other treatments. But until that person, until somebody is aware of the issue or that person accepts or admits that they have a problem and need help, it's very difficult. It's a very difficult dance and balance to say, hey, I think that you're showing these symptoms, that you might need some help. And we've had those conversations with some employees and say, hey, it seems like you might have an issue here. So we have an emergency, I'm sorry, an employee assistance program, eap, we call it that. Anyone can call at any time for law enforcement or any other county employee that's offered through the county to offer assistance. They can immediately be connected with a therapist to start talking about their problems. It can be anonymous or they can provide their name. But that's sort of the initial step. We have had done check ins before in the past, and we're still working on a contract for that to do regular yearly check ins with a therapist for each of our employees that is willing or, you know, wanting to do that. So if that therapist says, hey, I saw, you know, this person two years in a row, in the third year, they seem to be showing some character changes and some differences. And this is maybe concerning. They, they can at least talk to that person about resources, resources that are available to them. But at the end of the day, we are human and we do make mistakes and we are not perfect. And it does take somebody to stand up and say, I need help. And when that happens, we have many things that are in place to help that person. But again, I don't want to say this is indicative of our entire office because obviously this doesn't happen every weekend like the instant incident that we're covering. But same thing with the, the assessment that some, some people in a first responder role may be subject to alcohol abuse. Well, I get the statistics, don't lie. But if somebody needs help, we have many protocols and procedures and, and other resources that are offered to those people. We have retreats that we've sent people into for the, for, for first responder wellness. And we do check ins with our employees when they're willing and able to do that. And then we obviously offer that EAP program and we do have chaplains as well that we're trying to build that program up again. And that can be somebody that just comes to briefings and sees our deputies or does ride alongs and, and sometimes that's a place of trust with the chaplain that somebody might be willing to talk to the chaplain about some stuff that are going on, some things that are going on in their personal life that maybe they wouldn't feel as comfortable talking to a supervisor or co worker about.
• 26:43
  Speaker A: In closing, Captain Cromer encouraged the public to come forward with any additional information. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the non emergency line at 707-234-2100.
• 27:01
  Speaker E: We want this to be as thoroughly and comprehensively investigated as possible. So if somebody does have information, I know it's weird that the sheriff is asking for people that may have evidence related to a crime involving one of his employees to be abnormal requests, an abnormal request. But we are genuinely asking if somebody has information, please call us because we want to make sure it's as thoroughly investigated as possible.
• 27:23
  Speaker A: KMA News will continue to share updates as they become available. That's all for tonight's broadcast. Thank you for listening. Thanks to our engineer, Javier Rodriguez. KMOD News is online. You can find us on kmod.org and now streaming on most podcasts podcast platforms. If you have questions or suggestions, you can give us a call at 707-923-2605 or send us an email to newsameric.org Reporting for KMUD, I'm Lauren Schmidt.