LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The county’s animal shelter has several adult cats ready for new spring homes.

The five cats – four females, one male – range in age from 2 to 9 years, and all have been altered in anticipation of going to new homes.

In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).

‘Susie Q’

“Susie Q” is an 8 year old domestic medium hair mix.

She has green eyes, a gray and white coat, weighs 14 pounds and has been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 106, ID No. 36161.

Domestic short hair mix

This female domestic short hair mix is 8 years old.

She has a gray and white coat, green eyes, weighs nearly 8 pounds and has been spayed.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 105, ID No. 36162.

Female brown tabby

This female brown tabby is 3 years old.

She has a long, luxurious coat with white markings and gold eyes, and she has been spayed.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 29, ID No. 36214.

White domestic medium hair

This female white domestic medium hair cat is 9 years old.

She weighs 24 pounds, has blue eyes and has been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 22, ID No. 36285.

Male brown tabby

This male brown tabby is 2 years old.

He has a short coat and gold eyes, weighs 10 pounds and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 1, ID No. 36268.

Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust is embarking on a new campaign to protect the county’s wetlands.

The campaign was announced at the group’s annual spring benefit dinner, held this past Monday at the  Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.

More than 80 people enjoyed the dinner, presented every year by the Saw Shop’s owner, Marie Beery, who donates the dinners, staff time and facility for this important Land Trust fundraiser.

During the dinner attendees learned about the history of the Land Trust and its past and current projects.

They also learned about the new project, dubbed the Big Valley Wetlands, which is an effort to protect some of the last remaining wetlands on Clear Lake.

The campaign is entitled “Protecting the Last of the Great Wetlands,” and it was revealed that the trust is embarking on a campaign to complete the purchase of a 31-acre keystone parcel located on Clipper Lane that includes beautiful native wetland and shoreline forest as well as upland wet meadow, pasture and oaks.

The Land Trust holds an option on the property, valid until March of 2014, to purchase the property for $225,000.

The trust has raised $20,000 towards this purchase and is determined to raise the required funding to complete this transaction.

The Land Trust is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife which is reviewing a conservation plan that has been developed by the trust for the Big Valley wetlands area.

Once that plan is approved, funding from different state and federal agencies could become available. Until then, the Land Trust must conduct a local campaign for the property on Clipper Lane.

The Lake County Land Trust is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the protections of valuable natural habitats in Lake County.

For more information, you can contact trust Executive Director Catherine Koehler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Land Trust President Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A new Web site to honor the life of Mikaela Lynch has been established by her family and friends.

The memorial Web site, titled “Mikaela’s Village,” can be found at www.mlvillage.org .

The site states, “We are a community of Mikaela’s family and close friends that are dedicated to the life and love of Mikaela Lynch. This wonderful girl has touched so many lives around the globe. It is our intent to continue to spread the love that Mikaela shared liberally. We hope to have your help in our mission.”

The 9-year-old San Francisco girl, who had autism, wandered from her family’s vacation home on Mother’s Day.

Mikaela became the focus of a massive three-day search, which ended on Wednesday with the discovery of her body in Cache Creek, not far from the family’s home.

Described as beautiful, determined, fearless and proud, Mikaela was a “girl with meaningful intentions, she let the world know what was really worthwhile,” according to the site.

It added, “Her village is invested in continuing the preservation of Mikaela’s memory, intentions and way of life.”

The site includes a donation link. One of the child’s teachers, Alyssa Winn, reported that Mikaela’s family currently is choosing a foundation – likely one benefiting children with autism – in order to make a donation in her name.

Candlelight vigils for Mikaela will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, and at 6 p.m. Monday at the Legacy School, 1950 Parallel Dr. in Lakeport.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two people were flown to a regional trauma center after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle crash late Sunday afternoon.

The major injury crash occurred in front of 99 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport shortly before 4:45 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

A motorcycle – described by witnesses as a Harley-Davidson, initially said to be red with another person stating it was black – was reported down in the roadway, with the road partially blocked by arriving emergency vehicles, according to reports from the scene.

It was not clear immediately if another vehicle was involved. Witnesses reported seeing only the motorcycle, and suggested it may have lost control coming around a sharp corner.

Lakeport Fire and Kelseyville Fire responded, finding two people with injuries – a male and a female, radio reports indicated.

Firefighters requested a REACH air ambulance and planned to take the female patient to Lampson Field to meet the helicopter for transport because she had an altered mental state following the crash, according to scanner traffic.

A short time later, firefighters called for a second air ambulance and also transported the male patient to Lampson Field so he, too, could be flown out, reports stated.

REACH 1 and REACH 6 both reported lifting off shortly before 5:30 p.m. bound for Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A new week brings a new round of adoptable dogs from groups around the county.

Adoptable dogs from Lake County Animal Care and Control and the SPCA of Clear Lake are featured this week.

Lake County Animal Care and Control has a litter of pit bull-hound mix puppies plus several adult dogs, and SPCA has terriers, boxers, mastiffs and more.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

SPCA OF CLEAR LAKE

‘Sweet Pea’

Sweet Pea is a beautiful boxer.

She is spayed, microchipped and current on all vaccinations.

Sweet Pea is an affectionate girl. She loves walks and being by your side.

Bruiser

Bruiser is a gentle giant.

This beautiful pit bull/mastiff mix loves to play ball and give kisses.

He is very loyal and loving. Bruiser is so loyal that he would be best for a home without other dogs, so he can get all the one on one attention he craves.

He is neutered and up-to-date on all his vaccinations.

‘Comet’

Comet is a Cairn/wirehair terrier mix.

He is neutered, microchipped and current on all his vaccinations.

He is a very friendly and energetic guy who loves to play.

For more information about these dogs, contact the SPCA of Clear Lake, 707-279-1400.

LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

Female pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix is 7 months old.

She weighs nearly 26 pounds, has been spayed, and has a short brown and white coat.

She is currently in foster, ID No. 35880.

Chihuahua-wirehaired terrier

This male Chihuahua-wirehaired terrier is 8 months old.

He weighs nearly 10 pounds, has a long tan coat and has been altered.

He’s currently in foster, ID No. 36211.

Female pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix is 7 years old.

She weighs 51 pounds, and has a short gray and white coat. Shelter staff did not report if she had been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 6, ID No. 36265.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This female pit bull terrier-hound mix is 17 weeks old.

She weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 22a, ID No. 36133.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This female pit bull terrier-hound mix is 17 weeks old.

She weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 22d, ID No. 36136.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 17 weeks old.

He weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 23a, ID No. 36137.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 17 weeks old.

He weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 23c, ID No. 36139.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 17 weeks old.

He weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 23d, ID No. 36140.

Please note: Dogs listed at the county shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Crescent City man who attempted to rob two women at knifepoint in Ukiah five days before last Christmas has been sentenced to state prison for a cumulative 98 years to life.

The heavily tattooed, 50-year-old Robert Lee White – also known as Robert Lee Stanley, Tracy Lee Mark and “Gypsy” – appeared Friday afternoon to listen as Mendocino County Superior Court Judge John Behnke rendered his judgment and imposed final sentencing.

White has been represented by Deputy Public Defender Dan Haehl.   

At the conclusion of a trial held on April 3, Judge Behnke entered guilty verdicts against White on two counts of attempted robbery and one count of threatening the husband of one of the victims.

The court also found as true that White used a knife in each of the three crimes and that he had previously been convicted of four prior “strike” convictions.  

According to the background investigation conducted by the Mendocino County Probation Office, White began his first prison commitment in 1982 at the age of 18 years for first degree burglary and false imprisonment. He was paroled on those convictions in 1985.  

White was then convicted of misdemeanor drug use in 1994 and 1996. However, later in 1996 White was sent back to state prison by the Del Norte County Superior Court for criminal threats. He was paroled on that conviction in 1997.  

In 1999, White was returned to state prison for two new and separate robberies – one he committed in Alameda County and another in Humboldt County. He was paroled on those cases in 2012. White was on state parole supervision when he was arrested on the current crimes by the Ukiah Police Department.

Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster personally handled the local prosecution of White from the beginning.

“Some individuals are too dangerous to be allowed to live amongst us,” said Eyster.  “My goal in prosecuting Mr. White was to achieve a final result that promises the community that Mr. White will never again be given the freedom to pull a knife on, threaten, and victimize people in Mendocino County. In light of the sentence imposed by the court today, that goal has been achieved.”

It is noted by courthouse historians that White’s sentence of 98 years to life is the second longest Three Strikes sentence imposed on any defendant in Mendocino County since voters approved Proposition 184 (the original Three Strikes law) in 1994.

The longest Three Strikes sentence earned by a defendant in Mendocino County – 105 years to life – was imposed on William Newport in 1996 by then-Superior Court Judge James King.  

Newport was the so-called Mendocino arsonist who terrorized the village of Mendocino by setting fire to multiple buildings and other property.

Eyster, a Deputy District Attorney at the time, also successfully prosecuted Newport, a case in which the defense attempted an unsuccessful insanity defense.

A listing of all defendants from Mendocino County currently serving life sentences can be accessed through the District Attorney’s Web site at www.co.mendocino.ca.us/da/liferInventory.htm .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Sunday afternoon crash involving a vehicle and a utility pole knocked out power to several hundred Upper Lake residents.

The crash on Elk Mountain Road near Rancheria Road happened just before 5 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Witnesses reported a black SUV hit a power pole with a transformer on it and split it in half. The pole came to rest on the vehicle, with power lines down across the road.

The male driver got out of the vehicle uninjured, but firefighters said the driver was getting belligerent and not following their orders.

The battalion chief on scene called for a deputy or CHP to respond due to concern that the man was going to fight with emergency personnel. There also were concerns that the man may have been under the influence.

Firefighters closed the roadway and called for Pacific Gas & Electric to respond, according to radio reports.

The crash resulted in power being knocked out to approximately 818 Upper Lake customers, according to PG&E.

Firefighters were waiting for PG&E’s arrival before opening up the roadway.

The company estimated power would be restored at 8 p.m. Some area residents reported that power was restored about an hour before then.

A remaining 175 customers were expected to be without power until 4 a.m. Monday.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

Researchers at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are studying a deer hair-loss syndrome across the state.

Wildlife experts are calling the issue “hair loss” but the real problem appears to be from the infestation of non-native lice and in some cases, a heavy infestation of internal parasites.

Symptoms range from a scruffy looking hair coat to near complete baldness. Hair-loss syndrome is also associated with poor nutritional condition, making it difficult for fawns to survive to replace the normal mortality in mature deer.

“Some of us speculate that the louse-infested deer spend so much time grooming they become easy targets of predation by coyotes or mountain lions,” said CDFW senior wildlife biologist, Greg Gerstenberg. “While this theory is still under investigation, what we do know is that the louse has impacted migratory populations of California deer which now have a low fawn survival rate, making it difficult to replenish the herd.”

The goal of the research is to understand why the lice infestations are appearing as well as to understand the full impacts of the non-native louse species and hair loss.

Information is also being shared with other western states that have similar issues in order to identify trends and potential treatments.

“It has been speculated that this condition may be attributed to an environmental deficiency of copper or selenium or some other underlying environmental factor such as a difficult to detect disease agent,” said CDFW state veterinarian, Pam Swift. “Regardless, we are conducting a comprehensive coordinated effort that will hopefully shed some light on this perplexing syndrome and minimize its effect on California’s precious deer population.”

To date, researchers have successfully captured and collected hair and blood samples from more than 600 deer and elk across California.

Counting and identifying lice on each deer, applying radio collars to track the deer, and treating some deer for lice will hopefully give researchers some quantifiable information they need to identify trends and find a solution.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans District 1 is announced that Brad Mettam has been named the new deputy district director of Planning and Local Assistance.

District 1, which is headquartered in Eureka, includes Lake, Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties and 2,400 lane miles of state highway.

“Brad Mettam will bring a strong sense of leadership to his new role in District 1,” said District 1 Director Charlie Fielder. “With his highly developed abilities in local partnerships and innovation, I am confident Brad will help District 1 move forward in building a safe and secure transportation future for the north coast.”

Mettam recently served Inyo and Mono counties in District 9, where he held the position of deputy district director, Planning and Modal Programs for the past eight years.

He has extensive experience and knowledge in the development and implementation of multi-modal transportation planning.  

While serving District 9, Mettam strengthened working relationships with the local community, state and local agencies, as well as with tribes.

He has 14 years of Caltrans experience in regional planning and project management. He also has served as assistant director, Legislative Affairs in Sacramento, where he gained useful insight and understanding into the organization and functions of California state government.  

Fielder also thanked Cheryl Willis, Mettam’s predecessor, upon her retirement. “Cheryl served District 1 with professionalism and brought an innovative approach to her 30 years of service for the State,” he said.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Saturday vigil for a San Francisco girl also became a celebration of a community’s compassion.

Close to 70 people gathered at Redbud Park in Clearlake Saturday evening to commemorate the life of 9-year-old Mikaela Lynch.

The little girl, who had autism, wandered from her family’s home last Sunday afternoon. A massive search for her ended on Wednesday morning when her body was found in Cache Creek, not far from the home.

Hundreds of community members joined the effort to find her, and grief over her death has rippled across the county and beyond.

“There’s incredible strength and love here,” said Pastor Karl Parker of the Clearlake Community United Methodist Church, who himself had participated in the search and offered the family support.

Parker pointed out how that the search for the girl brought people together, with the community doing a lot for the child and her family in the around-the-clock search.

Mikaela’s aunt, Cyndie Spitzer, offered her thanks to the community for the outpouring of support.

She said she imagined that the child was giving everyone who had helped in the search a kiss on the cheek, one of her favorite things to do for others.

Spitzer had just begun moving to Clearlake last weekend when her niece disappeared.

At first, she said she thought she couldn’t stay in Clearlake. But after she saw the support that came from people in Clearlake and from around Lake County, she said she couldn’t leave.

“What the community has done for us, it’s proven to me that this is the place to be,” said Spitzer.

The help has continued to come. Marilyn Stone, Lori Kent and DeeDee Simental helped organize the vigil, with Jessica Lucero at the Dollar Store donating balloons for the event, and Jones and Lewis Mortuary in Lower Lake and Hospice Services of Lake County donated the candles.

Kent said she and her family – even her 4-year-old granddaughter – participated in the search. She also set up a memorial donation account for the girl’s family at Mendo Lake Credit Union.

Parker, who lives near the Lynch’s vacation home, also has been an important source of support for the family, said Spitzer. “He’s been with us since minute one.”

Spitzer said her brother, Michael Lynch, and his wife Bari, were devoted to their daughter.

Friends and coworkers of the couple offered their assistance, and Spitzer said all of the teachers from Sunset Elementary School, where Mikaela attended, came to Clearlake to try to find the child.

“It was amazing,” she said.

She said on Saturday that the Lynches were back at home in San Francisco with their son.

Spitzer said the family had been touched by the gestures offered in memory of their child.

On Friday, Mikaela’s mother had gone to the area where her daughter’s body was found in Cache Creek. When she got to the spot, she found three little children making a cross, according to Spitzer.

In their own effort to honor her memory, Mikaela’s family and friends have launched a memorial Web site, titled “Mikaela’s Village,” which can be found at www.mlvillage.org .

Donations can be made through the Web site or in her name at Mendo Lake Credit Union. Spitzer said the child’s family intends to use the funds to benefit autism research as well as the James S. Brady Therapeutic Riding Program, which she said Mikaela loved.

Locally, another vigil is set to take place, this time in Lakeport. The Success in Autism Support Group, First 5 Lake County and Easter Seals will host the event beginning at 6 p.m. at the Legacy School, 1950 Parallel Drive.

Spitzer said a vigil in San Francisco will take place next weekend. Details will be posted at www.mlvillage.org .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

For the past eight years, NASA astronomers have been monitoring the Moon for signs of explosions caused by meteoroids hitting the lunar surface.

“Lunar meteor showers” have turned out to be more common than anyone expected, with hundreds of detectable impacts occurring every year.

They’ve just seen the biggest explosion in the history of the program.

“On March 17, 2013, an object about the size of a small boulder hit the lunar surface in Mare Imbrium,” said Bill Cooke of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. “It exploded in a flash nearly 10 times as bright as anything we’ve ever seen before.”

Anyone looking at the Moon at the moment of impact could have seen the explosion – no telescope required. For about one second, the impact site was glowing like a four magnitude star.

Ron Suggs, an analyst at the Marshall Space Flight Center, was the first to notice the impact in a digital video recorded by one of the monitoring program’s 14-inch telescopes.

“It jumped right out at me, it was so bright,” he recalled.

The 40 kg meteoroid measuring 0.3 to 0.4 meters wide hit the Moon traveling 56,000 mph. The resulting explosion1 packed as much punch as 5 tons of TNT.

Cooke believes the lunar impact might have been part of a much larger event.

“On the night of March 17, NASA and University of Western Ontario all-sky cameras picked up an unusual number of deep-penetrating meteors right here on Earth,” he said. “These fireballs were traveling along nearly identical orbits between Earth and the asteroid belt.”

This means Earth and the Moon were pelted by meteoroids at about the same time.

“My working hypothesis is that the two events are related, and that this constitutes a short duration cluster of material encountered by the Earth-Moon system,” said Cooke.

One of the goals of the lunar monitoring program is to identify new streams of space debris that pose a potential threat to the Earth-Moon system. The March 17 event seems to be a good candidate.

Controllers of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have been notified of the strike. The crater could be as wide as 20 meters, which would make it an easy target for LRO the next time the spacecraft passes over the impact site.

Comparing the size of the crater to the brightness of the flash would give researchers a valuable “ground truth” measurement to validate lunar impact models.

Unlike Earth, which has an atmosphere to protect it, the Moon is airless and exposed.

“Lunar meteors” crash into the ground with fair frequency. Since the monitoring program began in 2005, NASA’s lunar impact team has detected more than 300 strikes, most orders of magnitude fainter than the March 17 event.

Statistically speaking, more than half of all lunar meteors come from known meteoroid streams such as the Perseids and Leonids.

The rest are sporadic meteors – random bits of comet and asteroid debris of unknown parentage.

U.S. Space Exploration Policy eventually calls for extended astronaut stays on the lunar surface. Identifying the sources of lunar meteors and measuring their impact rates gives future lunar explorers an idea of what to expect.

Is it safe to go on a moonwalk, or not? The middle of March might be a good time to stay inside.

“We’ll be keeping an eye out for signs of a repeat performance next year when the Earth-Moon system passes through the same region of space,” said Cooke. “Meanwhile, our analysis of the March 17th event continues.”

Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery this week near Willits of what appear to be charred human remains.

Lt. Greg Van Patten said the sheriff’s office was notified shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday of a suspicious circumstance in a secluded area adjacent to Highway 162 near the 1.04 mile post marker.

Van Patten said the reporting person stated they were in the area when they noticed the remnants of burnt ground. Upon closer inspection the reporting person observed what appeared to be bones amongst the burnt ground.

Based upon the information, sheriff's detectives responded to the location and initiated an investigation, according to Van Patten.

Upon arrival the detectives located several badly charred bones, which investigators believe to be of human origin at this time, Van Patten said.

He said detectives will be enlisting the assistance of a forensic odontologist and forensic anthropologist in attempting to identify if the bones are human.

Anyone that has information that could assist with this investigation is urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Tip-Line by calling 707-234-2100.