Gray-Lawson Weekend SHOW OF SUPPORT out for season entertainment UUSD rehires baseball coach ...........Page 6 ..............Page 3 ...................................Page 1 INSIDE Mendocino County’s Obituaries The Ukiah local newspaper ..........Page 2 Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy, colder, rain 7 58551 69301 0 THURSDAY Dec. 14, 2006 50 cents tax included DAILY JOURNAL ukiahdailyjournal.com 16 pages, Volume 148 Number 249 email: [email protected] FBI raid may be linked to Covelo killings By BEN BROWN June. Agency participated in the raid. 14,000 plants. anything, may have been seized from The Daily Journal The raid took place at 6 a.m. FBI Special Agent Joseph Schadler said several arrests were the house, because the United States A raid by the Federal Bureau of Monday at a single family house Schadler said the raid was made “in made during the raid but that he Attorney’s Office has sealed all Investigation on a house in Santa near the intersection of Elsa Drive connection with a large-scale mari- could not release any information paperwork related to the raid. Rosa may be connected to the shoot- and Santa Rosa Avenue. Agents from juana grow in Mendocino County.” about the number of suspects, what ing deaths of two Covelo residents in the FBI and the Drug Enforcement He said the grow was approximately they were charged with, or what, if See RAID, Page 8 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Holiday sales up Wagenet’s gift: a pay discussion Outgoing supervisor subject of supervisor salaries has arisen repeatedly and with offers suggestions for increased frequency over the handling thorny issue last few years. By KATIE MINTZ “I offer this as a parting gift The Daily Journal to my colleagues and a gift of As a parting gift to his fel- perhaps resolution of some- low boardmembers, Mendo- thing that’s been kind of cino County Supervisor Hal thorny in the past,” Wagenet Wagenet led a discussion said, noting that as an outgo- about supervisor wages Tues- ing member of the board, any day, in an effort to resolve decision would not directly compensation issues “so that benefit him -- something the the board can stop wringing public and press has taken their hands over them.” issue with in previous board According to Wagenet, the See PAY, Page 8 Knudsen and Huey lauded for service By KATIE MINTZ The Daily Journal Two longtime Mendocino Wagenet and County employees and elect- ed officials were honored 31 employees Tuesday on the occasion of also honored Zack Sampsel/The Daily Journal their retirement, both receiv- Shoppers surround the registers at JCPenney Tuesday. Spending this holiday season has increased ing standing ovations from a By KATIE MINTZ nationwide. packed Board of Supervisors The Daily Journal chambers. Supervisor Hal Proclamations were read Wagenet and 31 employ- into the record for Treasurer- ees were also honored Shoppers finding it easy to spend Tax Collector Timothy Tuesday for their service Knudsen and Auditor- to Mendocino County. By ZACK SAMPSEL Controller Dennis Huey, who Wagenet, who was The Daily Journal both began with the county elected 3rd District rep- With Christmas approaching quickly, Ukiah-area stores decades ago as accountants. resentative in 2002, are filled with shoppers looking for the perfect presents. Knudsen, who is retiring received a proclamation And after a successful Black Friday nationwide, holiday after 26 years of service, first at the end of his four- shopping continues to gain momentum. joined the Auditor’s Office in year term on the Board According to CNN, Black Friday shopping was up 18.9 1980. He was elected to his of Supervisors. He will percent from last year, and sales have remained steady first term as treasurer-tax col- be replaced by throughout the shopping season. Here in Ukiah, holiday lector in 1990, and served four Supervisor-elect John sales have increased as well. consecutive terms. Pinches in January. Outside of Mervyn’s, the Christmas season is in full “Tim will be sorely missed The proclamation swing as shoppers pour in and out of the store throughout by his entire staff for his per- commended Wagenet’s the day like clockwork. The shoppers come in with empty sonal and professional contri- hands, but leave with bags filled with items of all sorts. See SERVICE, Page 8 “Shopping has been very strong this year,” said Pam See RETIRING, Page 8 Taylor, a department supervisor at Mervyn’s. “I’ve been selling blenders like crazy. And lots of appliances. It seems shoppers are doing a lot of practical shopping this Customers – with packages in hand – wait in line UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL HOLIDAY See SHOPPING, Page 15 Tuesday at Mervyn’s. FOOD BANK FUND DRIVE The Daily Journal $35; Daniel Hibshman; $25, Electronics, fashion, gift cards a hit with Gen Yers The latest donations to the Virginia Gerdes; $25, Lee & The Daily Journal younger consumers, according to tions agency SLANT listed designer UDJ Holiday Food Bank Pam Rodrigue; $15, R.L. & While gift cards apparently the National Retail Federation. watches, purses, iPods and name Fund Drive include: $200, D.M. Voisard; totaling appeal to the masses, technology, A recent survey conducted for brand fashions as the most sought Madlem Construction Com- $1,310. The Fund Drive total fashion and luxury goods are top- the Retail Advertising and pany; $150, Lawrence & Deb- now stands at $51,951.84.The ping the wish lists of today’s Marketing Association by promo- See GIFTS, Page 15 bie Mitchell; $120, William & goal for this year’s drive is Holly Howe; $100, K.L. $85,000. Brown & D. Bitonti-Brown; To give to the Food Bank $100, Albert & Patricia Bel- this year, write your check or trami; $100, Thomas & San- money order to: UCC Food dra Peters; $50, Dorothy & Bank and bring it to the Daily Roger Wheeler; $50, Sabina Journal at 590 S. School St. or Baseball coach Busse rehired for season Maguire & Mary Cole; $50, mail it to us at P.O. Box 749, Don & Karen Bua; $50, Ninna Ukiah, 95482 and we’ll be By LAURA MCCUTCHEON UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- and several other temporary employees West; $50, Katherine McEl- sure to get it to the Food The Daily Journal -- would be rehired this season. All ath- wee; $50, Meridith Randall & Bank. You can also send your Numerous Dennis Busse supporters Unified School District board meeting. letic coaches are essentially temporary Remeliano Gonzaga; $50, check directly to the Ukiah spoke on behalf of the high school base- A yes or no vote on the consent agen- Anonymous; $50, Anony- Community Center at 888 N. ball coach at Tuesday night’s Ukiah da would determine whether or not Busse See COACH, Page 8 mous; $40, Marie J. Langley; State St., Ukiah, 95482. Every Saturday & Sunday 1 PM - 4 PM Sweet SANTA Adeline s Tonight Thursday Evenings 6 PM-8 PM 6-8 pm $3 All proceeds go to PHOTOS! at ALBERTSONS! New Life Community Church Youth Group 2 – THURSDAY, DEC. 14, 2006 DAILY DIGEST Editor: Jody Martinez, 468-3517 The Ukiah Daily Journal [email protected] FUNERAL NOTICES [\ two sons, Brian John- of 79. She was Hill, Eric Williamson Doyle (Gene) of Prescott she won many awards with son of Santa Rosa and surrounded by family at and his wife Karen, Ashley Valley, AZ and Lin- Dolphins. She Matthew Johnson of the time of her pass- Hill, Alicia William- da Jensen (Gary) of Sun was a homemaker who took Cloverdale; his mother Ota ing. son and Michael Lakes, AZ. She is great pride in Johnson and Marjorie was born on Williamson and loving also survived by 9 grand- caring for her family. brother Stephen, both of November 9, 1927 in great- children, 13 great- Starlet is survived by her Cloverdale; his sister Hamburg, Iowa to Henry grandmother of grandchildren and 2 sis- companion of 33 JOEL R. JOHNSON and brother-in-law, Linda and Christine Turn- Christopher and Nathan ters, Yosanda Laws years Stanford Eugene Joel Johnson, age 60, and Paul Moyer of bull. Marjorie grew up and Par- (Chet) of Iowa City, IA and Glass of Covelo, sons passed away peaceful- Yountville; as well as nieces attended local dini and Brandon Shirley Moran Tony Morrison and Michael ly in the arms of his family and nephews. schools in Iowa. While Williamson. Numerous nie- (William) of Thousand Eugene Glass, on December 6, Joel was preceded in death working in Iowa at a ces and nephews also sur- Oaks, CA. Mabel was parents Dirk and Lorraine 2006 after a valiant battle by his father, local nursery she met her vive. preceded in death by her Wildberger, broth- with brain cancer. Thomas Joseph (Joe) husband of 60 She was preceded in parents Erie and ers Todd Wildberger and He accepted and fought his Johnson and he will be years. Marjorie and Ira death by her parents Addie Thompson, 4 broth- Dana Wildberger illness with the laid to rest near his father. were married June 20, Henry Turnbull and ers and 2 sisters. and grandson Quint same strength and courage Joel’s life and spirit 1946 in Troy, Kansas. Christine Epperson and She was born in Floris, Morrison all of Ukiah. Nu- that was the ba- will be celebrated and Shortly thereafter they by her brother James R. IA and lived in many merous aunts, uncles, sis for his life. memories shared at a moved to Ukiah and began “Bud” Turnbull. areas of the United States. nieces, nephews and Joel was born August 12, memorial service on their life together. We love you Nanny. She was a resi- cousins also survive. 1946 in Willits, CA January 6, 2007 at Clo- Marjorie was very pas- Funeral services will be dent of Ukiah for 38 years.