Bonds still Weekend DIVERSITY DAY the buzz entertainment Community celebration planned ......................................Page 1 .............Page 6 ..............Page 3 INSIDE Mendocino County’s Obituaries The Ukiah local newspaper ..........Page 2 Tomorrow: Much cooler and may rain 7 58551 69301 0 THURSDAY May 18, 2006 50 cents tax included DAILY JOURNAL ukiahdailyjournal.com 16 pages, Volume 148 Number 39 email: [email protected] WATCH WHERE YOU STEP Vehicle insurance Rattlesnakes costs may CAN BE JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE increase The Daily Journal Insurance plan brings When spring finally arrives each year, we all want to run out- BY THE NUMBERS outcry in rural areas side. By BEN BROWN So do snakes. According to the The Daily Journal California Fish and Game The cost of insuring a car in Department, most snakes you’ll Mendocino County may go up if a meet up with in this state are 800 new initiative from the California benign. But not the rattlesnake, Department of Insurance passes that California’s only native ven- The number of rattlesnake bites each year in California will reduce the emphasis on zip code omous snake. in determining payments California rattlesnake species The initiative is based on include the northern Pacific rat- Proposition 103, which California vot- tlesnake (in ers passed in 1989. Proposition 103 Northern 2 stated that insurance rates must be fair California), Rattlesnakes The average number of and should be determined using zip and the code, driving record, miles driven, Western deaths from rattlesnake bites in are found California number of years driven and other fac- Diamondback, tors. The proposed change would from sea Sidewinder, reduce the importance of the driver’s Speckled rat- location when determining insurance level to the tlesnake, Red premiums. Diamond rat- 25 According to a report commis- tlesnake, inland The percentage of rat- sioned by the California Department Southern of Insurance obtained by Californians Pacific, Great tlesnake bites that are ‘dry’ or prairies and venomless to Stop Unfair Rate Increases, insur- Basin rat- ance rates in Mendocino County could tlesnake and rise an average of 24 percent, while desert areas the Mojave rattlesnake (all and to the found in 10,000 See INSURANCE, Page 15 Southern mountains at California). Though rat- Among the higher elevations elevations of tlesnakes are rattlesnakes are known to be Diversity dangerous if found -- although they live at provoked, even higher elevations more than Source: California Poison they also do a Control Center and California celebrated 10,000 feet. lot of good in Fish and Game our ecosys- tem: They eat rodents, other reptiles and on Sunday adversaries. A gopher snake has insects, and are in turn eaten by the added unfortunate trait of By LAURA CLARK other predators. imitating a rattlesnake by flatten- The Daily Journal In California, a rattlesnake ing its head and body, vibrating could show up almost anywhere. The community is invited to Isaac Eckel/The Daily Journal its tail, hissing and actually strik- They are found from sea level to “embrace each other’s traditions” Goldie Curnutt removes two rattlesnakes that she killed ing if approached too closely. Sunday, during a Diversity Day cele- the inland prairies and desert A rattlesnake is a heavy-bod- areas and to the mountains at ele- after finding them on her Redwood Valley property earlier bration. this week. ied, blunt-tailed snake with one The event -- to be held from noon to vations of more than 10,000 feet. or more rattles on the tail. It has a That means, if you are going 6 p.m. at Sun House Park -- is “the triangular-shaped head, much culminating piece of a yearlong imple- out of doors, keep in mind you broader at the back than at the may see one. SYMPTOMS OF A RATTLESNAKE BITE mentation of diversity education and front, and a distinct “neck” bullying prevention education at Generally not aggressive, rat- region. The rattlesnake also has Ukiah High and Pomolita schools,” tlesnakes strike when threatened • One or two puncture marks the site of the bite openings between the nostrils • Pain, tingling or burning at • Numbness said Katherine Fengler, the woman or deliberately provoked, but and eyes, which is a heat-sensing behind the grant that made Diversity given room they will retreat. the area of the bite • Nausea, weakness and light- pit. The eyes are hooded with • Swelling at the area of the headedness. Day possible. Most snake bites occur when a elliptical pupils. About a year ago, while working rattlesnake is handled or acciden- bite • Difficulty breathing Additional identifying charac- • Bruising and discoloration at Source: desertusa.com for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Fengler - tally touched by someone walk- teristics include a series of dark - who currently works at the ing or climbing. The majority of and light bands near the tail, just Mendocino County Public Health snakebites occur on the hands, before the rattles, which are dif- Department’s Alcohol and Other Drug feet and ankles. country -- which is just about death from a frantic human who ferent from the markings on the Programs -- wrote a Community The potential of running into a anywhere in California. has mistakenly identified a rest of the body. Also note that Prevention-In-Action grant called rattlesnake should not deter any- gopher snake, garter, racer or rattles may not always be pre- “Schools Actively Fostering Equality one from venturing outdoors, but Is it a rattlesnake? other as a rattlesnake. sent, as they are often lost (SAFE).” there are several precautions that This usually happens when a Big Brothers Big Sisters provides can be taken to lessen the chance Many a useful and non-threat- snake assumes an instinctual See RATTLE, Page 15 mentoring programs in the schools and of being bitten when out in snake ening snake has suffered a quick defensive position used to bluff community. As the result of the grant- - which makes possible a cross-age mentoring program -- several students and adults since February have been sures that can be taken to reduce the likeli- you cannot see, and avoid wandering teaching diversity education in the The dos and don’ts hood of startling a rattlesnake. around in the dark. Step on logs and rocks, classrooms. Bullying prevention is the • Never go barefoot or wear sandals never over them, and be especially careful focus at Pomolita School, where in snake country when walking through wild areas. Wear when climbing rocks or gathering fire- Stephanie Nix teaches students ways hiking boots. wood. Check out stumps or logs before sit- of communicating without violence. First, know that rattlesnakes are not con- • When hiking, stick to well-used trails ting down, and shake out sleeping bags fined to rural areas. They have been found Students Emily Branco, Tony and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose- before use. McCann and Jesus Macias, along with near urban areas, in river or lakeside parks, fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds • Never grab “sticks” or “branches” and at golf courses. Be aware that startled community members Bernadine and heavy underbrush where snakes may while swimming in lakes and rivers. Whipple, Jenny Lu and Marcos rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking hide during the day. defensively. There are several safety mea- Pareda, represent the core team at the • Do not step or put your hands where See PRECAUTIONS, Page 15 high school. “The team represents the diverse face of the Ukiah area. Lessons are See DIVERSITY, Page 15 “Always Excellent Service, With Call For A FREE On Site Evaluation Of Your Computer Network! “Competent Industry Certified A Fast Response Time And Professional, Engineers! A Wonderful Locally Owned Network Service Great Follow Up!” – James Goltz Provider!” – Dennis Thurston Owner of President of Retech Systems LLC - 4 6 2 – 8 2 7 5 - Thurston Auto Corporation 2 – THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2006 DAILY DIGEST Editor: Jody Martinez, 468-3517 The Ukiah Daily Journal [email protected] ment. FUNERAL NOTICES SHERIFF’S REPORTS None of the cars’ occu- The following were pants were wearing seat belts, [\ court reporter for Franklin is survived by In Ukiah, he sang compiled from reports according to the report. The the California court system his nephews David and in numerous quartets and prepared by the accident is under investiga- serving in San Peter Dezzani, sons also directed the Mendocino County tion, but CHP officers believe Francisco, Ventura, San of his sister Henryetta. chorus. After moving to Sheriff’s Office: alcohol was a factor. Rudy Diego and Oakland. Kevin was at Franklin’s Florence, he got involved ARREST -- Billy Dale was arrested in connection During his career he bedside during his final with the River City Spear, 32, of Ukiah, was with the accident. recorded many high-pro- hours. He has asked that Rascals, who arrested on suspicion of Those arrested by law enforcement officers are innocent until proven guilty. file trials including that of any remembrances be sent talked him into getting a assault and battery at 10:28 People reported as having been arrest- Elizabeth Ann (Ma) to the Ukiah United chorus started there. p.m. Tuesday. ed may contact the Daily Journal once Duncan. She was the last Methodist James was a 20 year mem- their case has been concluded so the woman to be executed in Church. Franklin spent ber of the Barbershop results can be reported. Those who feel the information is in error should con- California in 1962 for hir- many hours there and Harmony Society. CHP REPORTS tact the appropriate agency. In the case ing a man to church members were very Survivors include his sis- of those arrested on suspicion of dri- murder her daughter-inlaw. supportive during ter, Priscilla May Doble The following were ving under the influence of an intoxi- Franklin’s last his final illness.