State fire officials reported late Thursday that they’re continuing to make progress on a dozen major wildland fires around California.
Cal Fire’s latest Fire Situation Report noted that more than 8,000 firefighters are on the frontlines of the fires.
Major incidents include the North Pass Fires in northern Mendocino County, the Ponderosa Fire in Tehama and Shasta counties, the Mill Fire in Tehama County and the Chips Fire in Plumas County.
Northern California residents are warned of high winds that are in the forecast and are elevating fire risk.
Cal Fire’s updates on fires around the state are available at www.fire.ca.gov ; Twitter, @CAL_FIRE; and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/CAL-FIRE/113654417389 .
George Kevin Rhodes, 48, of Kelseyville, Calif., was arrested on Thursday, August 9, 2012, for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Lake County Jail photo.
Thirty-eight marijuana plants were found at the home of George and Becky Rhodes during service of a search warrant on Thursday, August 9, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force detectives found $6,500 in cash during service of a search warrant at the home of George and Becky Rhodes of Kelseyville, Calif., on Thursday, August 9, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigation into marijuana shipping leads to Kelseyville man’s arrest
LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force earlier this month resulted in one arrest, as well as the seizure of marijuana and approximately $6,500.
Arrested in the case was 48-year-old George Kevin Rhodes of Kelseyville, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
On Thursday, Aug. 9, narcotics detectives received information from a detective with the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia regarding a marijuana sales case, Brooks said.
The Chesterfield County investigation led to the seizure of three pounds of processed marijuana, which was reportedly shipped by Rhodes through the United States Postal Service, according to Brooks.
That same day Lake County Sheriff’s narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Rhodes’ person and home, Brooks said. At 7:30 p.m. that day detectives served the warrant at Rhodes’ home on Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
When narcotics detectives entered the home, George Rhodes and his wife, 45-year-old Becky Lynn Rhodes, were detained without incident, Brooks said.
Brooks reported that narcotics detectives located 38 marijuana plants – which all were approximately 7 feet tall – growing outdoors. Detectives also located processed marijuana, digital scales, US priority mail packaging materials and $6,500 in cash wrapped in aluminum foil, vacuum sealed and hidden in a briefcase.
George Rhodes was arrested for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Brooks said George Rhodes was transported the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Brooks said Becky Lynn Rhodes also will be charged, but was not arrested at the time due to a preexisting medical condition.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.