Wildcats shock COMMUNITY Pumas in Wednesday Pumpkin Path volleyball ...................................Page 3 .............Page 6 Oct. 29, 2008 INSIDE Mendocino County’s World briefly The Ukiah local newspaper ..........Page 2 Thursday: Mostly cloudy; H 71º L 54º 7 58551 69301 0 Friday: Cloudy H 64º L 51º 50 cents tax included DAILY JOURNAL ukiahdailyjournal.com 14 pages, Volume 150 Number 203 email: [email protected] Talmage family escapes early morning blaze The Daily Journal working smoke detector in the apartment. A Talmage fire at 3:28 a.m. Tuesday left one Folded towels that were too close to a wall ‘One (woman) was awake and jumped over the fire to apartment unit unlivable for a family of four. heater caused Tuesday morning’s blaze, he said. get to her kids and husband.’ No injuries resulted from the residential fire Beristianos said fire Chief Dan Grebil and that scorched one apartment and dealt minor UVFD warn that people “do not go to sleep with- smoke and water damage to another; it was a fire out a working smoke detector.” UVFD urges res- JAY BERISTIANOS, Ukiah Valley Fire District that could have been much worse. idents to change smoke alarm batteries either “One (woman) was awake and jumped over now or for daylight saving time, battalion chief the fire to get to her kids and husband,” Jay For donations to the family, a savings account Sarah Baldik/The Daily Journal Beristianos, Ukiah Valley Fire District battalion is being set up. No further information on the UVFD, Ukiah Ambulance and Cal-Fire The living room of a Talmage chief said Tuesday. He added there was not a account was available at press time. responded to the fire. apartment after a fire early Tuesday morning left nothing to ‘Do not go to sleep without a working smoke detector.’ – Ukiah Valley Fire District Chief DAN GREBIL be salvaged. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS New gym in Ukiah ANYTIME FITNESS: fills timely niche Premiums for health care to go up by 16% By ROB BURGESS The Daily Journal County employees still reeling from the increased cost of their insurance this year can expect more pain in the pocketbook starting Jan. 1. Those affected can expect a 16 percent increase in their health care premiums next year, thanks to a unanimous vote Tuesday by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. The board reviews the health plan and sets premium levels annually. On May 15, the board approved a ten- tative agreement with Service Employees International Union regarding the process and time frames by which health plan pre- mium levels are set annually. “The recommended premium increase for plan year 2009 is 16 percent, which includes increases in the costs of provid- ing medical services, payment of the deficit carried over from previous fiscal years, and contributions to building reserves,” stated a portion of the attached agenda summary. “It should be noted that full funding of the health plan and reserves in 2009 would require a premium increase of approximately 39 percent.” Sarah Baldik/The Daily Journal Although the smaller increase was the Gina Sanchez, manager of Anytime Fitness, gives a demonstration Tuesday on one of the Expresso recumbent fitness recommended action, the larger increase bikes. The Expresso has a screen that takes you on a virtual ride of your choice while you burn calories. was suggested as a method in which to recover additional funds. By DANIEL LAZARUS One obvious need the facility caters to, as ton, and personal security devices members “The…renewal report looks at two for The Daily Journal the name implies, is for people who work can wear to quickly alert the police if any- basic options,” stated a portion of the Anytime Fitness, Ukiah’s newest entry on odd hours - police officers, firefighters, thing is amiss. “Independent Actuarial Review of 2009 the personal fitness scene, appears to be nurses, and such - and like the convenience Since Anytime Fitness is a national fran- Employee Health Plan Renewal Report” working out better than expected. The new of being able to fit in their workouts or tan- chise with more than 1,200 locations, the which was submitted to the board by Aon gym has only been open a month and ning while most are asleep. formula must be working. Indeed, the mem- Consulting on Oct. 20. “One option con- already boasts more than 300 members. Members receive a plastic key fob that ber keys allow access to any clubs in the siders the increase needed to cover 2009 First time business owners Joe and Katy allows entry through a special entrance dur- chain, including those located in Windsor, projected claims and administrative Ando, of Lakeport, scouted a few locations ing hours when the gym is unstaffed. Safety, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. charges plus the projected 2008 deficit, before selecting the 4,000-square-foot store- though, in the off hours, is a concern. So The equipment is all new and state of the 2009 yearend Incurred But Not Reported front space at 175 S. Orchard Ave., in the there are video cameras throughout the facil- liability and a Stabilization Reserve equal plaza between Long’s Drugs and Big Lots. ity, an emergency wall phone, a panic but- See ANYTIME, Page 14 to three months of plan costs. This projec- tion is called the fully funded projection because the increase is projected to fully See COUNTY, Page 14 Visitors to Mendocino Co. like what they find here TOP 5 ONLINE By ZACK CINEK thing.” Components of the study included percent. The Daily Journal The Randall study’s findings were various kinds of research conducted over Satisfaction ratings for the county on The Mendocino County Travel presented Tuesday afternoon by five months. Mystery shopping, a report a scale of one-to-five where better than Research Study shared its findings in a Berkeley W. Young, a study team mem- of rooms booked by local lodging what Randall Travel Marketing has seen public conference Tuesday in Ukiah ber, who spoke to a crowd about data places, interviews with “community in about 150 similar studies in the United Monday from a study that sought to answer ques- and strategies for businesses serving leaders” and surveys of travelers are States. Travelers who were questioned 1. Drug agents seize plane tions such as who travels to Mendocino travelers. components of the study, for example. in-person, on county ground, gave the County and what they think about it. According to the study, the Some good news for stakeholders in county a 4.62 overall satisfaction rating, loaded with pot; Ukiah North Carolina-based Randall Travel Mendocino County tourist is not likely the county’s travel business is that they the study stated. Those who answered by pilot under arrest Marketing conducted a study that to be here for one day only “If they are now have a better idea of what mail or online gave the county a 4.64 2. 6 Willits residents arrest- researched Mendocino tourism from coming,” Young said, “they are going to Mendocino visitors look like. overall rating. June 2008 through October 2008. spend the night.” Those who come here “We have an easily defined customer In previous studies, Randall Travel ed in marijuana raids The Mendocino Joint Marketing stay for an average of 2.8 nights, the to go after,” Young said. Marketing did not see an overall rating 3. Willits man killed in Committee, Mendocino County Randall study stated. A total of 385 people were surveyed exceeding 4.5. Promotional Alliance, Mendocino Maps shown at the conference of for the compiling of the study’s Visitor “Nothing,” was the number-two rea- head-on crash Winegrape and Wine Commission and where travelers come from were weight- Research Data. son the study determined for what peo- 4. One dead after dispute the Mendocino County Lodging ed heavily to the Bay Area and virtually In a breakdown of generations that ple did not like about traveling in Association commissioned the study. make a line down Interstate 5 to Los visit the county, the visitor data states Mendocino County. at marijuana operation One finding was that when people Angeles with single dots scattered that about 50 percent are Baby Boomers, Scott Schneider, of Mendocino 5. The Daily Digest come here, they like what they get. scarcely across the country. People com- ages 44 to 61. The next greatest segment, County Lodging Association, spoke “They really really like you,” Judy ing to Mendocino County are usually and the one that will be coming on about the new information following the 10/24/2008 Randall, of Randall Travel Marketing, from San Francisco, Oakland and stronger in the future, are people ages 23 conference. “I am excited to have ukiahdailyjournal.com said. “In this economy, that is a good Sacramento, the study stated. to 43 from Generation X at nearly 32 research and data,” Schneider said. 2 – WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29, 2008 DAILY DIGEST THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL FALL WAXING SPECIALS! 1/2 OFF All Facial Waxing & Body Waxing Free Wax (your choice!) with any Facial Treatment CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! 462-9117 Eyebrow, Lip, Chin, Underarm, Ear, Nose, Neckline, Back, Chest, Arm, Leg, Bikini, Manscaping, Brazilian ... we do it all! Those arrested by law enforcement POLICE REPORTS officers are innocent until proven guilty. BIKRAM YOGA People reported as having been arrest- The following were ed may contact the Daily Journal once UKIAH compiled from reports their case has been concluded so the Car Wash prepared by the Ukiah results can be reported. Those who feel the information is in error should con- How Good 859 N.