News 11/30/2021

The town of Oroville says they would like to fend for themselves and declared itself a “constitutional republic”. The city council voted 6 to 1 to approve the declaration early this month, the mayor saying the Governor’s vaccine mandate for kids was the “last straw”. Mayor Scott Thomson telling the LA Times the government had no right to tell him or his children what they could put in their bodies. The declaration says any state or federal government order would not be enforced by the city. It comes after the city took millions in aid after the failure of the Oroville Dam a few years back. The LA Times report cites experts who say the declaration is mostly symbolic.

A man from Willits has been arrested in connection to reports of a possible domestic violence incident. Deputies got a call to the home finding a woman and a witness who said the woman was in a relationship with John Knight and they had kids together. They say he came over Friday, knocked on the garage door, then the front door and when the woman tried to talk to him, he grabbed her by the neck and tried strangling her, then forced his way inside. She says he knocked her onto the couch, so she hit him back to get him to stop.  Deputies say he drove away but they pulled him over, finding he was on Post Release Community Supervision. He was arrested for violating that and domestic violence battery and was held on $25,000.00 bail.

A man from Willits has been arrested after an assault on another man on Thanksgiving. Deputies say they got a call Thursday morning from a man who says he was confronted in front of his home by Christopher Cochran who took a softball sized rock and threw it at him, hitting him in the back. Cochran was found at a different location and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon other than firearm and booked on $32,500.00 bail.

3 more people in Mendocino County have died due to COVID19. The Public Health Dept. reports we are gaining on 100 deaths in the county. The 95^th death was in a 66 year old woman from Ukiah who was not vaccinated. The 96^th, also in a woman. The 78 year old from Willits was fully vaccinated with severe comorbidities. And the 3^rd, the county’s 97^th death, was a Willits man who was 76 years old, and not vaccinated. They remind you to be careful as you put yourself in situations where you could be exposed to the virus.

Congressman Jared Huffman says even though a traditional infrastructure bill to fix roads and bridges has made it to the president for signature, it won’t mean a lot unless the Build Back Better Act is passed with it. The infrastructure bill passed November 19^th which included money for more broadband internet access, and other benefits such as 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, climate crisis work, including forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfires and making water systems more resilient to drought. But Huffman says some of that was tossed after the Senate started working on the bill. He says the twin, Build Back Better act will include climate change work, like adding more electric vehicle charging stations and updating the electrical grid.

A new Utility Bill Assistance Program has been approved for people living in the City of Ukiah due to the pandemic. The money comes from the state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program put together for low and moderate income households still having problems making ends meet because of the pandemic. The payments are for those who cannot pay utilities so they’re not turned off and has to be paid directly to a utility or service provider up to $1,000

Applications and more info is available at the city’s website at www.cityofukiah.com/projects.

State Senator Mike McGuire is having a virtual town hall on the Great Redwood Trail. The meeting tonight to discuss updates on the project, its current timeline, and the latest on train construction, wildfire prevention, security, and master plan. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. To join live reach out to the Senator’s office.

If you want to add an in law or granny apartment, the City of Ukiah has new engineering build out plans. The Accessory Dwelling Unit ideas are free to the public. There are three that have been plan-checked by the city’s Building Division after the city got funding from the State to develop the plans and speed up the process. The three styles are a 534 square foot cottage with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, a 750 square foot, 2bd/1ba home and an 832 square foot bungalow, which also has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Draft versions are available at www.CityofUkiah.com/ADU.  

Clearlake has a newbie business in town… Starbucks. The new coffee giant has opened its doors locally, next to Carl’s Jr. on Dam Road Extension, next to the Walmart shopping center. The mayor says there are more than 2 dozen good paying jobs at the coffee house which opened Monday. The City Manager reported several delays with the new store which was supposed to open two months ago after breaking ground in May. Lake Co News reports there’s competition coming, Mudslingers, another coffee business has been approved by the planning commission for drive-thru and walk up service. No word when they’ll open.

New leaders are being chosen by the Clearlake City Council. At their meeting tonight the council will also meet in closed door session to discuss a lawsuit in process against the county and the treasurer-tax collector, negotiations for some local properties and a drug company. All that starts at 5 pm, then the regular meeting at 6 at City Hall. A closed door session summary will be announced at the start of the public session. The council will get an update as well on the cleanup efforts of the Cache Fire, then appoint a new mayor and vice mayor.

A new law in Calif. says insurance companies must shorten the wait times patients wait for mental health care. It was almost a unanimous vote by the state legislature calling for state health insurers to cut wait times for mental health care to no more than 10 business days. It follows a handful of other states with similar laws to limit wait times, including Colorado, Maryland and Texas. The Calif. Healthcare Foundation surveyed residents late in 2019 with half responding they waiting too long to see a mental health care provider when they needed one.

Thousands of Cal. State Univ. students might lose options for affordable housing this year due to an error in the fine print of new state student housing program. It sounds like fiction, but CalMatters reports the error was admitted to by Cal State officials who say some paperwork to get some of the $2 billion Gov. Gavin Newsom set aside for student housing, didn’t make an October 31^st deadline after school officials didn’t understand how to spend the grant funds. The mistake, CalMatters says, could impact as many as 3,000 students.

The State Public Health Dept. says so far there are no cases of the new COVID-19 variant in California. But they’re keeping a close eye in case the omicron variant pops up. It first surfaced in South Africa but has not made the list in Calif. of variants of interest. There are also no cases at all so far in the U.S. as a whole. The president addressed the public on the new strain yesterday saying it was of concern, but not to panic, urging citizens to get their vaccines and booster shots.

News 11/29/2021

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has reported to an apartment complex in Ukiah after reports of a stabbing. Deputies on scene yesterday reported one man down with life-threatening injuries and multiple suspects who were no longer there when they arrived. Any more details on the event have not been released.

A house on fire reported south of Ukiah. Multiple emergency responders on the scene Saturday night on Blue Oak Drive south of Ukiah. The home was reportedly saved by responders. Hopland Fire Protection Chief Mitch Franklin told Mendo Fever the home’s garage and a chunk of the kitchen were destroyed. They have no cause yet. Joining Hopland at the scene, the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, Redwood Valley/Calpella Fire Department, Potter Valley Fire, and Cal Fire.

A man on a bike with a machete reportedly disappears into the night. Mendo Fever reports hearing on the scanner this weekend deputies called to a Mexican restaurant to a Hispanic man with a machete on a bike. But by the time they arrived, there was no sign of the guy.

Several people reportedly called 911 to report hearing gunshots in Ukiah. Some of those reporting said they saw a black truck speeding on Empire Drive. Someone else said they thought the gunshots were coming from Low Gap Road and North State Street. Police rushed to the scene, but no word if they found anyone.

A college student has been appointed to a commission on student aid by the Governor. The Mendocino College Superintendent announced Leonardo Rodriguez would represent community college students on the California Student Aid Commission. The commission is in charge of the state’s $4 billion portfolio of student financial aid programs and services and is the go-to for policymakers and community members on college affordability and financing. 20-year-old Rodriguez is also the 2021-2022 Student Trustee at Mendocino College, where he has been a student since 2019.

Even though we’ve had quite a bit of rain this fall, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re out of the woods as far as the extreme drought goes. The National Integrated Drought Information Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports we have less than a 40% chance of water supplies getting back to normal after winter. Even more, they say there’s a 50% chance or higher, the state’s drought will even get worse. The report goes on to say, water levels at the state’s major reservoirs are still way below normal with La Nina conditions bringing a greater change of a drier, warmer winter than usual for some parts of the state.

It’s not out of the ordinary for major traffic jams on holiday weekends. Yesterday the Regional Transportation Commission in Nevada reported cars barely creeping along the California-Nevada border as people traveled between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. There were backed ups 19 miles long reported on Saturday on the southbound I-15. Yesterday there was another 13 mile long jam up on the border. A 15 minute drive was taking 90 minutes.

Public health officials in Calif. say they’re keeping a close watch on the new COVID19 variant called Omicron. The director of the state Dept. of Public Health, Dr. Tomas Aragon said the state has not identified any cases yet and that vaccines are the best way to protect against serious illness. He also said those fully vaccinated should consider getting their booster, and that all Californians have “access to safe, effective, and free vaccines that can prevent serious illness and death”. The new strain was first identified in South Africa. 

Sales of second homes across Calif. are at such record levels, multiple offers and outrageous bids now seem to be the norm. The company Redfin reported second-home sales across the country were up a whopping 70% in October from pre-pandemic levels. And the second home market was up last January with sales nearly doubling from a year before. The online brokerage company used their mortgage reporting data to track sales. They reported second-home sales in California up 54% in 2021. And that as many as 35,000 vacation and second homes will be sold this year. The wine country and Bay Area are popular spots for sales of second homes.

A grim reality in Humboldt County. After nearly two years of the pandemic, the county has confirmed almost 10,000 cases of COVID19. That’s about 1 in 13 of Humboldt’s 134,000 residents. As of Saturday the county was at 9,963 positive cases, under 40 away from the milestone. The Humboldt County Public Health director said there may actually be a much higher number of cases because of more at home testing. The state is in a much better place than a year ago, but so far this year, we’ve seen more cases that we did last year. Humboldt has more people in the hospital this year, then last too. The 7-day average was 11 hospitalizations compared to 3, a year ago.

A California labor union says a strike by some Kaiser Permanente staffers might have been the largest in over a century. And members of the hospital giant reported being impacted by the staff shortage too. Some Bay Area residents told local media they got automated messages when they called saying the hold time would be several hours. Others say they had calls to cancel medical procedures, screenings and even surgeries. The Sacramento Bee reports Kaiser executives sent the newspaper a letter for community members as an apology for “any inconvenience” (members) may have experienced during last week’s strikes.

A lawsuit has been filed by a shareholder advocacy organization against a new law mandating Calif. corporations appoint people of color or LGBTQ leaders to their boards of directors. The National Center for Public Policy Research is suing to get the new so-called “diversity quotas” tossed, claiming they injure the right for the plaintiff to vote for the candidate of their choice, free of a government-imposed race, sex, and sexual orientation quotas. The conservative group reportedly invests in more than a dozen California corporations they say would be impacted by the law, including Apple, Facebook, Netflix, Tesla, Twitter and Wells Fargo.

A special meeting’s being held by the Lake County Board of Supervisors where they will put the finishing touches on their supervisorial districts and decide if they should send a letter to the state about mask mandates for indoor sports in schools. The meeting’s at the regular time, 9 am tomorrow morning at the courthouse. The new boundary maps will be presented to the board for the five supervisorial districts. Then they will discuss the letter that the board chair is asking for the board to send to the State Dept. of Public Health Secretary regarding mandatory mask wearing for indoor basketball players and referees after some schools contacted the board. The schools consider the mask wearing unrealistic and possibly even dangerous while they exercise. Instead they want twice weekly testing and no mask wearing.

A new website is online for North Coast Opportunities. The website was put together so it’s more user-friendly and includes a more comprehensive summary of how North Coast has helped the region and who their target demographic is. There’s a new navigation bar so it’s easier to find programs and projects and an alphabetized directory at the top of each page. There are easy to follow instructions for applicants to get disaster relief and assistance, easy to find news and announcements, volunteer opportunities and ways to support the agency too. Visit www.ncoinc.org to check it out.

The deadline is looming for wildfire survivors in California for the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program. At the same time contractors report making a major dent in removing debris for property owners filled out those Right of Entry forms and enrolled. So far in Lake County related to the Cache Fire crews have taken out burned metal, concrete ash and contaminated soil from 458 properties. The state also reported 64 site assessments and 64 asbestos assessments were done and 40 asbestos abatements. But the 458 properties were only about a third of nearly 1,500 in 10 counties in the debris removal program. Homeowners in Alpine, El Dorado, Kern, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare and Tuolumne counties have until tomorrow to sign up for the program.

News 11/26/2021

The state says commercial Dungeness Crab fishing will start on the coast north of the Sonoma/Mendocino County line to the  border with Oregon beginning December 1st. Humpback whales have migrated out of Fishing Zones 1 and 2 and crabs there have passed quality testing, meaning fishermen can once again take to the water. Other offshore zones to the south will remain closed because of the number of whales still in those areas. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says the opening the season on Wednesday will allow crabbers to get to work so fresh caught Dungeness will be on tables and menus by the time the year is out.

Lake County is getting 80 miles of new high-speed fiber cable to expand broadband internet service to more people. State Senator Mike McGuire says the build-out is one of the first 18 projects funded under California’s largest in the nation high-speed project. The new cables will run along Highways 20, 175 & 29. McGuire says the Covid pandemic highlighted disparities among California’s small towns, urban cities, and rural counties about the lack of reliable internet service. Work should start in the next few months.

Mendocino College says there will be more in-person classes when the new semester starts in January. The school says there will be a more normal looking schedule with safety in mind as classes move away from the online model that has been in place since the pandemic started. Officials say when the spring 2022 term begins Jan. 18, the schedule will look similar to how it did pre-pandemic. Superintendent/President Tim Karas many events and activities will also return allowing campus life, and community engagement to feel much as it did before. Even so, Karas says the Mendocino County College will operate with safety in mind. Beginning January the college will require all students and staff to show proof of being fully vaccinated before coming to campus. Those who do not show proof of vaccination will have to provide weekly negative COVID-19 test results. All employees, students and guests will also required to wear masks while indoors on campus. There is information on the website mendocino.edu. Registration for next semester classes has already started

The Lake County Board of Supervisors has gone on the record opposing a proposed PG&E rate increase to cover costs associated with wildfire mitigation and Covid-19. Lake Co News reports that the board unanimously approved a letter to the state Public Service Commission this week, outlining its opposition to the planned 4.9 percent increase. The board’s letter says higher bills would hurt people least able to afford to pay them. It also says PG&E service is unreliable, with more than 200 long outages in the county since the start of the year. The utility has already sent out bill inserts notifying customers of the planned increase. PG&E wants it to take effect s soon as next fall, but the PUC says the request is so complex, proceedings could take 18 months or more. The PSC website is accepting public comments. Of the comments so far, all have been OPPOSED to the higher rate.

A routine traffic stop leads to drug charges and charges of impersonation against a man from Clearlake Oaks. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s office says 53-year-old Alan Crow was a passenger in a car they pulled on Highway 101 in Ukiah. Crow told the deputies the car was his, but because he had been drinking he let a friend drive. When deputies searched the Buick they found drug paraphernalia and what they suspected was meth. Deputies started to question Crow’s story and eventually concluded he was giving them a fake name to avoid arrest on a felony warrant from Lake County. After they got his real name, officers took Crow to Mendocino County jail where his bail was set at $30,000.

A man from Covelo is accused of resisting arrest after Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies showed up at his door to take him in on a felony violation of parole warrant. They say Fox Blue Hoaglin struggled and made a move for a knife hidden in a couch as they tried to cuff him. Eventually, they got Hoaglin under control and took him to the county lockup. He is being held without bail on the felony violation charge.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s office has charged a man from Covelo with domestic violence battery. Deputies say Pervinder Lai is accused of pushing a woman against a wall during a fight in the 24000 block of Foothill Boulevard. She suffered what the deputies call a visible injury. Lai was taken to the Mendocino County Jail, where his bail was set at $25,000.

A woman described as a person of interest in a theft investigation in Fort Bragg is in the Mendocino County jail without bail. Deputies say 41-year-old Summer Mascott was already wanted on a felony warrant from El Dorado County, leading to the no-bail detention.

Felony Domestic Violence and other charges against a woman from Ukiah. The Mendocino County sheriff’s office says 31-year-old Sandra Ibarra got into a fight with her boyfriend, threw his cell phone across the room, hit him with aboard, and with a frying pan. They say that blow was so hard that it bent the pan. Officers say the couple’s two children were home and saw the fight. In addition to the domestic violence charge, Ibarra is accused of assault with a deadly weapon and child cruelty. When she was booked, Ibarra had bail was set at $25,000.

When the Clearlake Rotary last hosted a Christmas Dinner in 2019, about 1,300 people showed up. Now, after a year off due to Covid, plans are taking shape for this year’s dinner on December 11th. It will be the 28th such meal but this dinner will be different than the others due to safety protocols. The meals will be takeout, with a drive-up or walk-up option. The meals will be served at the Burns Valley School starting at 10 AM and going until the food runs out. The dinner will also include food for more than 200 people in the Meals on Wheel program, delivered on the same day. Rotary officials say while the format may be different, they’re glad to be bringing the event back to help people in the community. No holiday celebration would be complete without SANTA. He will be there, riding in a fire truck and handing out toys and candy to good boys and girls as he passes by.

The City of Ukiah is looking for people who want to deck out their homes with holiday lights. The city is repeating its Holiday Lighting competition called Let It Glow again this year. Organizers say they want to light up the Ukiah Valley in a fun, yet safe way. There will be prizes for the top three homes and businesses in the city and the surrounding areas. The city website has entry information and will have an online map so you’ll know where to find the displays.

Governor Newsom wants more security around high end stores that have been hit with a series of bold robberies in the past couple weeks. There more such thefts around the state the day before Thanksgiving, including one in Santa Rosa. In that case, 4 young men ran into an Apple Store, scooped up $20,000 worth of stuff and bolted out the door. Police think the motive is to quickly fence expensive merchandise then quickly fence it online.. Store employees say they’re terrified and that those robberies could easily turn violent or even deadly.

News 11/24/2021

The top dog for a major California Cannabis company is threatening to withhold tax money to the state unless they change rules on how the taxes are paid. Kym Kemp is reported Michael Steinwetz, the CEO and founder of Flow Kana wrote an opinion piece on Medium about how the cultivation tax rises with inflation at the same time cannabis prices can go down. His op-ed came out after the state announced the tax surplus and a higher cultivation tax. So Steinwetz is urging other cannabis businesses to withhold taxes too as the industry struggles with lower profits and higher taxes.

Motel vouchers are being offered in Fort Bragg for the unsheltered as we hit freezing overnight temperatures. The Hospitality House doesn’t have a winter shelter this year, so instead the city’s offering motel rooms to those who qualify. A contract was reportedly approved by the city council earlier this month for the vouchers in extreme weather for those needing a place to stay. They are available through March 31^st and come directly from the Police Dept. They will also be distributed when all emergency shelters are at capacity. The vouchers will only be given out the day the weather is considered severe due to heavy rains and/or lower than normal winter temperatures.

Cal Fire and FEMA are reminding about holiday fires. Like if you leave food unattended in your kitchen. FEMA’s National Data Center says cooking is the leading cause of Thanksgiving Day fires and over half happen during daytime hours when folks are preparing their Thanksgiving meal. The Cal Fire director says Thanksgiving Day is one of the busiest days of the year with home cooking fires, saying many things can happen as you prepare your meal and can become distracted near hot appliances. Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of cooking fires and Thanksgiving sees four-times the average number.

Lake Family Resource Center is doling out hundreds of food cards this holiday season. The agency is distributing 400 food cards that were donated by Foods, Etc. in Clearlake and 400 more that were donated by Bruno’s Shop Smart in Lakeport.  A drive through event for Southshore residents is happening Saturday, Dec. 4^th and for those on the Northshore, Friday, Dec. 17^th. The Resource Center took the lead after the Hunger Task Force stopped back in 1995 as members retired.

Agreeing with state government, a federal judge is mandating all California prison employees must be fully vaccinated with the COVID vaccine by Jan. 12^th. Since the pandemic started, there have been many outbreaks. At the four youth correctional institutions, 255 youth and 278 staff members have gotten infected with coronavirus. A federal report blames the outbreaks on employees. The judges order comes after the California Correctional Peace Officers Association requested a postponement of a vaccination mandate for prison staff.

A Mendocino County winery has been awarded Climate Neutral certification. Bonterra Organic Vineyards, in Hopland says they worked with a nonprofit to tally all of its sources of greenhouse gas emissions from when the wines start to when they get to the consumer, “cradle to consumer.” Last year the company says most of its emissions were in packaging, materials and shipping, and another 33% from farming and grapes, and just 5% from employee commuting and travel. So they offset their footprint through “responsible, third-party sourced, nature-based” carbon credits.

The Redwood Credit Union reports donating tens of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits as part of the International Credit Union Day. The credit union donated almost $41,000 to 10,000 Degrees and North Bay Children’s Center. They donated 25 cents to local nonprofits supporting children and youth development in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, Mendocino, and San Francisco counties each time members used their RCU Visa debit or credit card on Oct. 21^st. The theme this year, the Credit Union says, was “Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow”.

A company in San Francisco working with PG&E to install mountaintop cameras to spot wildfires in the North Bay. The company, Pano, installed the stations using high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence with certain computing hardware so it could see, 360-degree views at 10 miles out at seven locations in Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties. Four were put up along the Alexander Valley south to Windsor, two in the Napa Valley and one on the east side of Clear Lake. And others were also installed in other Western states. The company says the pilot program had about 90% accuracy in detection which then feeds 911 dispatch centers.

A coronavirus testing lab in California is not facing any penalties after state officials found “significant deficiencies” after a whistleblower report. The Valencia Branch Laboratory reportedly did have issues in training and record-keeping but the whistleblower report which said the lab destroyed data or documents couldn’t be verified. The laboratory opened in October of 2020 and a preliminary report showed only a fraction of 1% of over 1.5 million tests processed had problems. PerkinElmer reports working with the state and addressing all concerns. The state found they were in “full compliance”. The lab has since sued the whistleblower for ignoring a confidentiality agreement and the lab is being investigated by the federal government.

Almost one million Californians may have to pay back some benefits.  The EDD says new federal rules require individuals show proof that they worked, planned to work, or were self-employed before the pandemic.  That’s for anyone who filed a claim to get the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance boost after December 27^th of 2020.  Those affected by the rule change were notified this past summer.  Anyone who doesn’t respond to the notice could be barred from receiving PUA funds this year and may have to repay money from 2020. 

Mendocino Railway has finally finished the buy of the former Georgia Pacific millsite in Fort Bragg. Last Friday the acquisition was complete. The site has sat dormant for about 20 years. The CEO of the Sierra Railroad Company, who owns Mendocino Railway says the railroad and old millsite both fell on hard times after the railroad was sold off and they’ve been working on getting it back online ever since. He says the railway has record ridership now and they’re working to reopen Tunnel #1.  Mendocino Railway has been working with the City of Fort Bragg for next steps for the millsite, possibly including a community theater and marketplace, train station and visitors’ center.

The City Manager in Fort Bragg for about the last four years is leaving. Tabatha Miller announced last week that January 22^nd will be her last day on the job. The mayor says Miller has done a great job and will be missed. Miller told Mendo Fever she’s most proud of getting city finances out of a deficit cycle each year, increase in tourism taxes and hiring a branding agency. She also reflected on the pandemic and the drought, but thanked the citizens and local businesses. The mayor says they’re looking for Miller’s replacement and until then city staff will fill the void. 

Someone at the Ukiah Jack in the Box had to get a dose of Narcan, the opioid overdose reversal drug. Mendo Fever reports hearing on the scanner this week that medics reported to the fast food restaurant on Airport Park Boulevard for someone overdosing. The report said the individual was conscious and denied medical aid. Dispatch reportedly got a report from first responders the person was standing up on their own.

News 11/23/2021

While the commercial Dungeness crabbing season can begin along the Sonoma/Mendocino County line, it’s still on hold off the shore of Monterey, San Francisco and Bodega bays. Tests came back for the area north of Sonoma County so the December 1^st date holds. So that some who like to have crab for their holiday meals will get their wish. But the Central Coast, which typically starts ahead of Thanksgiving is delayed until at least December 15^th so marine animals don’t become entangled. The last five years has been bumpy for the industry since a lawsuit was filed by an environmental group after some whales were ensnared, including endangered humpback whales.

As Calif. continues to see some of the lowest COVID rates in the country, public health officials are staying alert to the possibility of surges due to holiday gatherings. Over the last week the state’s rate was at less than 2% positivity. The Governor was at a vaccination clinic in San Francisco yesterday urging the shots as more than 2 dozen other states have started to see at least a 10% increase in cases over the last week. Last winter Calif. had a massive surge in cases and deaths. Looking ahead, Santa Cruz County has reinstated a mask mandate.

NBC TV in the Bay Area is running a series where they’ve alleged Mendocino County deputies and officers with the Department of Fish and Wildlife swiped cash and marijuana from farms. Growers along Hwy 101 say raids at their farms were illegal, including at a couple sites in Mendocino County. There’s been a lawsuit filed against a couple of officers who claimed the farms had illegal water diversions. The growers say there’s no proof or documentation that thousands of pounds of marijuana were ever destroyed.

After a man driving in Covelo wouldn’t stop for CHP officers, and there was a struggle, witnesses surrounded the situation yelling at the officers to let the man go. Reports say the 65 year old driver Douglas Dale Lincoln, Sr. wouldn’t yield to officers for a traffic stop and when he finally did, he resisted officers. The CHP says the driver continued slowly into oncoming traffic and when he finally emerged, he yelled at officers who say they tried to de-escalate, then called for backup. Officers described the situation as a “minor use of force”.  The man was taken to a hospital and cleared. Inside his car was a loaded semi-automatic pistol, and he had a suspended license for DUI and drug and firearm offenses. He’s charged with several crimes and held in jail.

The CHP’s Maximum Enforcement Period is on for the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Starting tomorrow evening at 6:01 p.m. and lasting through Sunday at 11:59 p.m., officers will be looking for drunk, drugged or distracted drivers, seat belt violators and speeders. The commissioner of the agency says before you get behind the wheel, to make sure everyone in your vehicle buckles up and to always avoid distractions. According to AAA, Thanksgiving weekend is typically one of the busiest travel times of the year. Last year in Calif. 33 people died in crashes, half did not have on their seatbelts.

A man accused of driving drunk earlier this month is facing gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated charges. Kyle Stephen Pinckney of Fort Bragg’s passenger died in the November 6^th crash just before 11 pm. The CHP reports his vehicle hit a tree and his passenger died at the scene. Pinckney was arrested that night and charged, not only with DUI causing bodily injury, but for possession of an assault weapon and carrying a loaded firearm. They’ve added gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated charges as alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash.

A new high speed internet project has been announced by a couple of North Coast lawmakers. State Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry say the Middle Mile project in Lake County will be one of many high speed internet projects to be funded in Northern California. The project includes high-capacity fiber lines that can carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over long distances between local networks. It will cover 80 miles in Lake County along Highways 20, 175 and 29. It’s one of 18 projects Gov. Newsom announced last week to fill missing infrastructure paths that can bring broadband to all.

As with many other statewide jurisdictions and school districts, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has announced the final boundary lines for the county’s supervisorial districts. Unless there are legal challenges, the maps will stick after the Redistricting Advisory Commission announced the final vision. The commission got a lot of public feedback. Some of their challenges including in District 3, which apparently grew a lot since the last US Census and District 4 shrunk.  There are almost 95,000 residents in Mendocino County which had to be split evenly amongst five districts. The board is expected to finalize the maps at their meetings next month.

After the state was hit with severe drought, Mendocino County hired a consultant to help make sure water systems could withstand the drought before next summer. Mendocino Voice reports the consultant is also reportedly helping the county potentially create its own stand alone water agency, or re-establishing the Mendocino County Water Agency (MCWA). The goal is to get the agency online by May 1^st. The consultant hired reportedly has expertise in getting grant writing to the California Department of Water Resources because right now there’s no funding for the water agency. The water agency was folded into the Planning and Building Services Department over a decade ago to save money.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors has issued a proclamation at their latest meeting, to recognize National Native American Heritage Month. The recognition goes all the way back to 1915. And the first American Indian Day was the following May. Then President Gerald Ford proclaimed Oct. 10-16 of 1976 was Native American Awareness Week. Then in 1986, then President Ronald Reagan proclaimed Nov. 23-30 as American Indian Week and it continued annually until President George H. W. Bush signed a law designating the entire month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (now known as Native American Indian Month).

Protestors want a new name for Squaw Valley. They’ve been trying for a year to get the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to change the name and revisited the idea this week. It was a tad acrimonious at their meeting this week as many spoke out about the name which some find to be racist and misogynistic. One supervisor said it was up to Squaw Valley residents. A coalition of residents and local tribe members and other stakeholders has been formed. More than 3,500 people live in the area. And 18,000 signatures are on a petition to change the name.

The Rotary Club of Clearlake is hosting their annual Community Christmas Dinner again. After a year away at the height of the pandemic, the 28th annual community Christmas Dinner and Celebration will happen Dec. 11^th at Burns Valley School. The last public dinner, 2 years ago was attended by 1,300 people. This year will be in person, to pick up only. So those receiving will get a takeout option. Separately Meals on Wheels is also delivering meals to 200 registered recipients.

News 11/22/2021

After the Infrastructure Bill was passed in the house, Congressman Mike Thompson set a press conference on the matter. Along with Thompson this afternoon Lake County Board of Supervisors Chair Bruno Sabatier, Supervisor Tina Scott, Chief Administrative Officer Carol J. Huchingson, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Public Works Director Scott De Leon and Lake County Planning Council Representative Lisa Davey-Bates will also be there. They’re discussing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act from 2-2:30 today at Ackley Bridge Over Manning Creek in Lakeport.

Grace Hudson Museum is getting back some of its namesake’s work. A prized collection of artist Grace Hudson’s paintings will be at the museum as part of an agreement with the Palm Springs Art Museum in Southern California. 16 Hudson works are coming to Ukiah, as well as a long-term loan of two other oil paintings. Apparently the Palm Springs Art Museum staff contacted the Grace Hudson Museum about the possibility of gifting the collection last May. 

In order to attract more substitute teachers to Ukiah, they’ve upped the ante. Ukiah Unified is paying more to get more teachers here. The daily pay rate for substitute teachers is going up $50/day, from $150 to $200 starting next week. Anyone in college already who’s finished up 90 units or has a bachelor’s degree can apply. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is waiving the substitute credential application fee right now too. Those interested should contact the Ukiah Unified School District human resources department at 707-472-5030. You can find more specific information on qualifying to be a substitute teacher in California at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/req-substitute. 

All adults in Mendocino County are now eligible to get a COVID booster vaccine shot. Anyone 18 or older who has received either of the two shot vaccines, Pfizer or Moderna can get their 3^rd shot. You have to have had the 2nd shot at least six months ago. That is the only requirement as the county and state are looking to help residents get that extra layer of protection against a potential holiday surge. Dr. Andy Coren says there has already been an increase in cases, which could mean the more vulnerable in the community, end up in the hospital, even if they are fully vaccinated. For more info on the vaccine, visit http://www.mendocinocounty.org/covid19 or call 707-472-2759.

Gunfire erupts in Redwood Valley. Seven people reportedly called 9-1-1 and police quickly got there and cordoned off the area. Security cameras caught the action. Mendo Fever reports neighbors on Road B heard the gunfire. Police went to the area, searching a cannabis garden where folks said the gunfire may have been coming from. But deputies said there was no evidence of a shootout. A neighbor also told the news site there was a local family maybe doing some target practice.

Forecasts show those taking water from the Russian River won’t have to curtail their intake. The Division of Water Rights had announced a temporary suspension of the curtailments due to all of the recent rain and upcoming forecasts. The temporary hold is through December 15^th and could go through the entire month. They will make another announcement by around December 15^th about when the cutbacks will resume. Right holders are supposed to be monitoring the Russian River Drought Response website on their own until that time.

A hiker reported missing in Covelo has been found safe. Mendo Fever reports the Sheriff’s dept. was called to the 3000 block of Airport Road this weekend to a female hiker out mushroom hunting with a friend who lost sight of each other. A few hours after the dispatch report deputies reported finding the hiker before temperatures were forecasted to get near freezing overnight.

The Lake County BOS is reportedly considering sending a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission against a proposed rate increase for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The Board was set to take up the matter last week but tabled it until tomorrow. The rate increases were reported related to wildfire mitigation efforts by the utility company. The 4.9% rate increase is opposed to especially for the most vulnerable residents and because of poor energy reliability in recent years. The board’s draft letter to the PUC sites hundreds of outages this year, over 200 alone just at the Middletown Substation.

The Governor has granted pardons to two California Indian Tribe members. One from the Koi Nation of Northern California and the other from the Resighini Rancheria. The Governor’s Office reported being in touch with the tribal leaders who supported the pardons. They’re also happening at the same time as Native American Heritage Month. The pardons for Koi Nation member Robert Morgan of Lower Lake for assault with a deadly weapon, and Frank Spa-ghe Dowd, a member and elected leader of the Resighini Rancheria, based in Klamath, also for assault with a deadly weapon.

A mountain lion has reportedly attacked a couple of goats at Boonville High School, killing them. An administrator at the school says they’re concerned about the safety of students after the attacks. The superintendent for the Anderson Valley Unified School District called into the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors saying last week the goats were killed, and a third was injured and all she got was a hazing permit, allowing her to try to scare the lion off, if it reappears. Experts in the field, said keeping the goats safe was paramount, not finding a way to scare off the lions.

A man from Lakeport has pleaded no contest, essentially admitting, he had child pornography on him. 59 year old Jeffrey Scott Cramer of Lakeport was not held in jail due to the pandemic after entering his plea back in March. He’s due to be sentenced December 15^th in the case after a September court appearance. The court has also asked for more evidence after Cramer was charged with two counts of possessing obscene matter of a minor in a sexual act and another was tossed with a special waiver. The case stems from social media accounts with child pornography uploaded from them in Cramer’s name. He’s the former owner of Main Street Bicycles, which has new owners.

The Ukiah City Council has put together an ad hoc committee during their regularly scheduled meeting for complete streets.  The complete streets policy so that bicyclists and pedestrians are a priority like drivers of vehicles on city streets as the city considers a redesign, or a new street. The city manager said they were in support of forming the ad hoc committee and there will be more educational materials, and maybe a workshop too.

News 11/19/2021

19 New cases of Covid-19 reported in Mendocino County. That brings the total in the 20 months since the start of the pandemic to 8,032. Of the new cases, Ukiah reported 12 while there were s new cases in the North County area and 1 in the South Coast. Hospitalizations have dropped by 18, to 137. Also, the number of people in quarantine has dropped by 7 to 123. Officials continue to urge boosters for those who have completed the first series of shots and shots for children between 5 and 12.

The Ukiah City Council has voted to form a committee to look over the city streets policy and recommend how new roadwork can take the needs of pedestrians and cyclists into account. City Manager Sage Sangiacomo says the goal is to develop more educational material for discussion. He says the committee will also give the council direction about making bicyclists and pedestrians as important as drivers when redesigning a street or planning a new one. Council members Mari Rodin and Douglas Crane will sit on that special committee. Mendovoice.com reports the council meeting this week was quick—only 19 minutes. The council’s next regular meeting on December 1st has been canceled. Members won’t meet again until December 15th for a regular session and the Mayor’s annual holiday reception.

A draft groundwater sustainability plan for the Big Valley area of Lake County is out. Lake Co News reports the plan, is now available for review and comment until December 3rd. The deadline for final plan submission is January 31st. The state requires such a sustainability proposal under an act passed In 2015. There are several ways you can comment, including mail, e mail and at the Lake County Water Resources Department on Forbes St. in Lakeport. The department has more information about the plan and how you can weigh in. Deputy Water Resources Director Marina Deligiannis says Big Valley Basin groundwater is listed as a medium priority by the state Department of Water Resources.

The Mendocino County Executive Office is having a town hall regarding the Hopkins Fire cleanup. The County’s Prevention, Recovery, Resiliency, and Mitigation Division is hosting the virtual meetup for victims of the fire this summer. You will have an opportunity to write in with questions and county representatives will be on hand to provide resources and answer questions and address community concerns about fire recovery programs, including Small Business Administration Loans and Debris Removal. It’s happening Monday at 4:00 pm. 

How to attend:

To join via Zoom, click the link: https://mendocinocounty.zoom.us/s/83783059196

To join via phone, dial: +1 669 900 9128 and enter the webinar ID: 837 8305 9196

If joining via phone please use *6 to Toggle mute/unmute & *9 to Raise hand

The webinar will also be streaming live on the County’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/mendocinocountyvideo)

 How to submit your questions and comments:

E-mail questions and comments in advance to: disasterrecovery@mendocinocounty.org

Phase 2 of the Hopkins Fire cleanup has been approved by the State of California. But those impacted must fill out a Right of Entry form for the work to begin, unless you are using a private company for the work. The forms are due into the county by December 10^th. CalRecycle is managing Phase II which is basically taking out whatever burn debris has been left behind. Debris removal bids are being accepted until December 3^rd with cleanup set to start by the middle or end of December.

A former college professor in Sonoma County has been indicted for starting four wildfires in Northern Calif. A federal grand jury indicted Gary Stephen Maynard for fires that started in July and August near the Dixie Fire, the second biggest fire in Calif. history. Federal prosecutors blame Maynard for starting the Cascade and Everitt fires in July and the Ranch and Conard Fires in Aug.  He became a person of interest after getting his car stuck near one of the fires then similar tire tracks were seen near another fire. The former Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University professor has denied any wrongdoing.

And just like the pandemic never happened, the Northern Nights Music Festival is back in full force. Next summer, the outdoor festival will return again to the Redwood Forest at Cook’s Valley Campground in Piercy, on the border of Humboldt/Mendocino counties. The festival includes music, cannabis programming and other activities along the shores of the Eel River.

A man armed with a knife has been arrested at Van Damme State Beach. Reports the guy was making “stabbing motions” ended with Matthew James Gibson of Fort Bragg being hauled off to jail. He’s charged with brandishing a deadly weapon and threats to commit a crime resulting in death or great bodily injury. A Parks Ranger at the scene with deputies and Fort Bragg police say it’s not their first encounter with the man over the last couple months, as some transients have been staying at the state beach for up to a month at a time.

Parents at the latest Willits Unified School District Board of Director’s meeting have once again broached the mask mandate for their kids. The Willits News reports parents in person and over Zoom asked the board to reconsider mandatory mask wearing. One parent had a petition, they also work for the school district, it asks for the board to take another look at outdoor masking as other regional schools do not mandate that, nor does the CDC. Others on hand were in favor of keeping the requirement in place. The School Board President said there could be room for compromise while continuing to keep community members safe, as far as the outdoor masking goes. And the school superintendent said they could end the outdoor mandate in February.

A man from Concord has been arrested by police in Ukiah after he was found with a car stolen from Sacramento. Emil Redzic was reportedly wanted for multiple crimes. The car’s GPS technology tracked it to its spot after it was reported stolen. It was at the McDonald’s in the 1300 block of North State Street that the guy was pulled over. He was ordered out of the car at gunpoint and arrested. There was also a woman in the car with Redzic who was detained, but ultimately released. Redzic is charged with possession of the stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and displaying false license plates in a vehicle. He was also wanted for a domestic violence incident earlier in the month and was on active probation in Contra Costa County.

The Lakeport City Council has unanimously approved a settlement in a massive opioid case. The deal with several Big Pharma companies with the city reportedly getting a piece of more than a two and a quarter billion dollar settlement with 431 eligible counties and cities. Lake Co News reports the city manager confirmed the city council had to vote on the settlement terms to take part. There was another settlement too that the council had to take action on. Both settlements were in closed session and both were voted unanimously.

If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving meal, the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg is serving Turkey and all the fixins. It’s for coastal residents from Westport to Albion for the 25^th year in a row. Event organizers say they’re expecting a record-breaking year, with as many as 1,000 meals to be distributed. Just like last year, the meal is a picnic-style box which can be picked up at the church or delivered directly to homes between Westport and Albion on Thursday, Nov. 25^th. Reservations are required by 11 a.m. next Wednesday.

For more information or to download the meal reservation or volunteer forms, visit www.fortbraggpresbyterian.org or call 707-478-7212.

The Mendocino County Public Health Officer schooling the public at the latest Board of Supervisors meeting about rumors swirling around about the pandemic. Dr. Andy Coren says some of the worst misinformation out there is about the vaccines to scare people out of getting them. Dr. Coren says they have had to correct people to say the vaccines are an effective treatment against a very deadly disease, and that people are not dying from the vaccine. He says there is no scientific evidence to prove not getting the vaccine is a better way to deal with the virus, then getting the shots. Some people called into one meeting to say people, including children are dying from the vaccine, for which Coren and some supervisors asked for evidence of that, which was not produced.

News 11/18/2021

A man in Garberville’s been arrested after being seen acting suspiciously near a car reported stolen out of Fortuna. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s dept. reports seeing Raymond Smith taking items out of the car, parked along the side of the road. Deputies contacted Smith, finding he was a sex offender, who had failed to register. He’s booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and failure to register as a sex offender.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors said no to an amendment with NaphCare, a healthcare and mental health provider inside the jail. The company had a representative at the Board meeting Tuesday with a presentation about their work, but no matter, the board voted unanimously to hold back nearly $3.5M for services through the end of 2022. The Board wants more information to see how the company will handle complaints the county’s received about how inmates in crisis are being treated. The CEO of the company was at the meeting and said he would provide more information later, but that they’ve been successful saving lives.

A special election is being held in Point Arena for two open city council seats. The election isn’t until February. Two other councilmembers have resigned, thus the special election. Those interested have to be a registered Point Arena voter, be at least 18 years old by Election Day, February 22, 2022 and must live in the city while serving. You can pick up application papers at the city clerk’s office.

The state of California is in the money. A new report says there’s quite the budget surplus, even after money spent on the pandemic. It’s also possible there’s enough so that citizens can get some of the cash as the state meets constitutional limits on state spending. The state’s independent Legislative Analyst’s Office released the “Fiscal Outlook” yesterday for the budget year beginning July 1^st showing a $31 billion surplus for the 2022 budget. It remains to be seen, but the Gov. and state lawmakers may have to cut taxes, spend more on infrastructure or give rebates back to taxpayers and spend more on public schools.

A woman who was charged with a misdemeanor for cruelty to her German Shepherd still has an appeal pending against her. Mendo Fever reports Katie Rhiannon Smith of Caspar who got out of a jury trial with a plea agreement for felony animal abuse for the injuries to Thunder the Wonder Dog. Her case made headlines after charges were reduced to a misdemeanor, but there’s an appeal pending. The appeal filed in August, but there were more charges against her earlier in the year and the judge was removed from the case. Last week Smith was ordered to pay fees to the Humane Society and others. Her probation ends next month due to a new state law.

A fire spotted in Fort Bragg has been quickly put out. Mendo Fever reports the vegetation fire was under the town’s Hare Creek Bridge. A pedestrian was reportedly fingered for starting the fire that scorched an area about 20 feet wide. The California Highway Patrol, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, and State Parks Officers reported to the scene.  No word on any arrest.

A group of hikers had to be rescued in Redwood Valley. Mendo Fever reports the Sheriff’s office reported they were stuck in the Tomki Road area. The organizer of the hike reportedly sent a drone to track the missing hikers. The Sheriff’s office tells the news site the hikers were able to get themselves out as deputies got to the scene. They were reported to be two men and one woman who were out all night earlier this week.

A man from Upper Lake is going to prison after being found guilty in the beating death of his longtime girlfriend. Lake Co News reports Willy Tujays Timmons was convicted for the 2017 torture and killing of 35-year-old Vanessa Yvette Niko. There were other charges too, inflicting injury resulting in a traumatic condition and aggravated mayhem, with several special allegations found to be true. Niko was a member of the Habematolel tribe and of Samoan descent and a mother of six. A mural of Niko was dedicated in downtown Upper Lake to bring attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women.

A woman from Clearlake Oaks is going to trial for the shooting death of her former boyfriend before she left town. The judge in the preliminary hearing of Tammy Grogan-Robinson found there was enough evidence to try her for the death of Charles Vernon McClelland of Rohnert Park. She first said he raped her. But police later said that was a phony story. She left town and was arrested in Missouri. She was extradited back to Lake County in August. She’s due back in court November 30^th.

They’re finally taking out the hazardous waste from the burn area created by the Hopkins Fire in Calpella. County staff gave a report to the Board of Supervisors this week. The county’s Disaster Recovery Field Operations Coordinator says they’ve cleared debris from several properties after the September 12^th fire which has been deemed arson. They’ve taken out Household Hazardous Waste with the state on 35 properties. And now will start the Phase 2 cleanup, weather permitting. They’re accepting Right of Entry forms for the work unless a property is using a private cleanup crew.

Lake Family Resource Center is accepting donations to West America Bank for their yearly holiday food giveaways.  Lake Family says the donations go to residents in the county and are 100% funded by other community members. Donors can also write a dedication with their donation which is then printed in the Record Bee newspaper and online.  Their holiday program this year is drive through only. You can donate at Foods Etc. in Clearlake, or Bruno’s Shop Smart, in Lakeport. For those who want to receive, you have to bring in a photo identification and proof of physical address. All participants must wear masks, no exceptions.

A man from Texas whose car was found along the side of Highway 101 in Leggett appears to be missing. The Austin Police Department says Zachary Manuel Velasquez has not been seen since October 12^th at his home, and nobody has heard from him since October 16^th. His car was found along the 101 at Mile Post Marker 86.75 near Highway 271 earlier this week, triggering a search of the area. No evidence Velasquez was ever there was found and local hospitals and medical service agencies didn’t turn anything up either. He’s described as a 30 year old man, 5 foot 4, 150 pounds, with short black hair, short black goatee and brown eyes.

News 11/17/2021

The Lakeport City Council working on the redistricting maps after the 2020 US Census. At their meeting last night the city council considered maps released by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission who redraws the State Assembly, State Senate and congressional districts every 10 years. A couple weeks ago the city council asked the city manager to send a letter to the commission to support the latest ideas on redistricting, but new changes came before the letter even went out. Lake County is now with Colusa, Glenn, Napa, Tehama and Yolo counties for the State Assembly, and with Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma and Trinity for State Senate. And for Congress, Lake County is proposed to be bundled with Napa, Solano and Yolo counties.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors has once again gone around the Planning Commission allowing for an appeal of a major cannabis operation, the High Valley Ranch. In a marathon session this week the vote was split, 3-2 in favor of the appeal by neighbors against the project at the old PSI property in Clearlake Oaks. The Planning Commission gave it the green light this summer, but some neighbors appealed because of the potential for dust, odor, traffic and water usage.  Some of their ideas for drying the crops didn’t meet county code.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has jumped into the fray, telling the state to get involved in management of the Jackson Demonstration State Forest. The Board is asking the state to consider the way Cal Fire has been managing the Forest related to the ongoing climate crisis. It was a lengthy discussion with plenty of public comment, ultimately ending with a unanimous vote to send Governor Newsom and the state Natural Resources Agency a letter to review the practices at the Demonstration Forest.

A Sheriff Dept. raid at the home of the former mayor of Windsor, accused of sexual impropriety and possibly rape. Sonoma County sheriff’s investigators at former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli’s home gathering electronic devices with a search warrant. Apparently they were searching for two images that may be connected to the case against the disgraced public official. One of the photos of a Jane Doe #1 in 2002 and another of Jane Doe #5 from 2017. Deputies took about ten items from the home, including a couple of laptops, a cellphone and three tablets.

A woman who police say started a wildfire that gutted over 100 homes in Redding has been found incompetent to stand trial. Two court-appointed psychologists found Alexandra Souverneva would not be able to understand the proceedings so the judge said she should be further evaluated for possible placement as an outpatient at a state hospital. She’s accused of starting the Fawn Fire in Sept. near Shasta Lake.

A woman from Nevada arrested for an arson in Lakeport has been found to be incompetent to stand trial. Nickelina Rosa Williams was arrested by the CHP last month after a fire started along State Route—29 in Lake County. Officers found others trying to extinguish the fire as Williams was seen walking away from the fire’s ignition point. She had a lighter and ignition materials on her. Her lawyer told the judge she didn’t understand what was going on so the judge ordered her to be evaluated for mental competency. The doctor’s report is due back after Thanksgiving.

A pair of virtual job fairs are being held to find firefighters by the USDA Forest Service. They’re happening Tuesday, November 30^th, from 1 – 3pm and again on Wednesday, Dec. 15^th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. They will go over the job openings, training programs and how you can get hired. Following that, the Mendocino National Forest will also have a hiring event next January, followed by basic fire training in February and March.

Participants can register for the program and job fair at https://bit.ly/MNF-fire-register.

The virtual job fairs will be held online via Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/MNF-job-fair.

A longtime teacher in the Ukiah Unified School District has thrown her hat into the ring to be the next Superintendent of Schools. The current Assistant Superintendent, Nicole Glentzer has put out a statement to announce she’d like the job. She says teachers, parents, and administrators from across the county asked her to consider running for the job. Glentzer touts her 26 years of teaching experience as a bilingual paraprofessional, teacher, coach, and administrator. She’s been the Assistant Superintendent of Ukiah Unified School District since 2014.

Ukiah Police say a couple of kids walking to school were hit by a driver who’s vision was obscured by the sun. The accident yesterday morning before school started at the intersection of Oak and Harold Streets. The two kids were treated at the scene, with one being taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. The other child was released into their parent’s custody. Police say the driver stopped after the accident and was cooperative.

A new report says PG&E intends to take down 50 old growth Redwoods near Boonville. Friends of Faulkner Park report seeing giant black X’s marked on the trees by PG& E crews to reduce wildfire risk. The trees are in a 40 acre park and are said to be some of the only remaining old-growth Redwoods in the county. A local architect tells the Daily Journal some of the trees marked to be felled are as much as 8 feet in diameter, and some are centuries old, and as high as 250 feet into the air. Friends of Faulkner Park are requesting PG& E not cut the trees, and instead lay down one-quarter mile of underground wire. Supervisor Ted Williams is talking with PG&E about the plan.

We’re still in a drought and a new report shows most Californians aren’t meeting the moment. The Gov. had asked residents to conserve water by 15% this year, but it was under 4% in actuality. That was for September, down from about 5% in August. In all residents have reduced their water consumptions only 3.6% since July. State officials were looking at monthly improvements on conservation, but instead reports say none of the state’s “hydrologic” regions met the 15% threshold.

Gas prices may start to go down. The International Energy Agency’s last market report showed supplies were up 1.4 million barrels/day in October. That’s globally, and the United States accounted for half that increase due to damage caused by Hurricane Ida in August. So there should be another 1.5 million barrels/day this month and next, but the agency said there should be a reprieve coming, but not until next year when the average of 300,000 barrels/day in the US goes down to 200,000.

News 11/16/2021

The chief of Cal Fire has announced he is leaving the agency. Thom Porter is retiring December 10^th after three years as the chief, some of the toughest years for the agency. He emailed all employees saying he’s going to go back to San Diego to spend time with his family after about 22 years with Cal Fire. He took over after the fires of 2017 and 2018 which included the Camp Fire. Then culminated in PG&E claiming bankruptcy the following year. The Governor put out a statement thanking him for his leadership.

The state attorney general says Calif. has settled a case with Amazon for hiding real COVID-19 case numbers. The company has been ordered to pay $500,000 to better enforce state consumer protection laws. This is the first case under the new “right to know” law so companies are forced to improve workplace safety during the pandemic. The Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta ordered monitoring of Amazon so the company has to improve how they notify workers and local health agencies of COVID cases. The case came about after a complaint the company didn’t tell its warehouse workers and local health agencies of COVID-19 cases throughout the pandemic.

A man in Covelo’s been arrested after a traffic stop turned up drugs. Deputies stopped Foley Azbill Friday and found a pipe for smoking marijuana, processed marijuana and the odor of marijuana wafting in the air. A search was conducted and the guy had a bunch of meth and more packaged for sale. He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on $50,000.00 bail.

A man has been arrested in Willits after a traffic stop finds he’s wanted for a warrant while on Post Release Community Supervision. Freddy Sepeda  was pulled over November 7^th near Highway 101 and Reynolds Highway. The deputy found he had three outstanding warrants out of Kern County, two for stealing a car, the other for grand theft. He’s booked on $75,000.00 bail. 

A man pulled over for making an illegal turn in Willits ends up getting arrested. A deputy noticed Lawrence Ortiz turn on a red light so another driver had to stop so there wouldn’t be an accident. The deputy tried stopping Ortiz, so he drove in a gas station parking lot, then onto the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic to try to get away from the Deputy, while other cars swerved out of the way. There was a short chase, but Ortiz was finally arrested. The deputy gave him a field sobriety test and found he was high. And that he was on probation and his driver’s license was suspended/revoked. He’s booked on $20,000.00 bail. 

A major donation has been given by a Native American Tribe in Lake County for certain legal services.  Lake Co News writes the donation is a first of its kind to help with inadequate and underfunded legal services associated with the Indian Child Welfare Act. The $100,000 donation is going to the Calif. Tribal Families Coalition to launch the Legal Council of Tribes from the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. The news site reports the Legal Counsel for Tribes was formed because tribes are unrepresented in court at times, and they aim to reverse that trend.

A large cannabis operation is being reconsidered by the Lake County Planning Commission near Hidden Valley Lake. The commission will also consider a bunch of other marijuana related projects. The meeting Thursday morning on Zoom and in person. Plus you can watch on the county’s website or Facebook page. The commercial cannabis operation got approval before but neighbors appealed. So the owner of the land for We Grow LLC is reapplying. It’s a massive grow that would mean pulling 100 blue oak trees. The other cannabis items include modifications to ongoing projects.

A 30 year old woman from Ukiah reported missing for about a month in San Francisco is home. Tia Higgins family reports she was found in San Francisco Sunday by her mom. Mom went to the city and put up posters and met with police. Now she says she’s back home in Mendocino County. Mendo Fever reports her mother said the story was shared on social media hundreds of times and she was thankful to those who spread the word.

It looks like the planned removal of the Klamath dam is moving forward after all. The old PacifiCorp dams along the Klamath River would mean another 420 miles of salmon spawning habitat, improved water quality and lowering critical temperature conditions that have been causing disease and death in fish. The slow down last year came when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, only approved a partial transfer of ownership to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, requiring PacifiCorp to stay a co-licensee. But they were supposed to be removed and Calif. and Oregon were to be added. That finally happened this past June. And dam removal is set to start in early 2023.

A Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A” has been awarded to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. The president of the hospital in Mendocino County says “patient safety is most important and top of mind”. It’s their sixth consecutive “A”. The president said even through the pandemic, with all of its challenges, staff still made sure patient safety was their highest priority and he says their dedication to exceptional patient care was a true testament to every person’s work at the hospital.

The Governor has extended an emergency proclamation related to the pandemic for another six months. The first executive order that started March 4^th of 2020 now extends to March 31^st of 2022. It includes allowing the hiring of out-of-state health care workers and waiving some licensing requirements. Newsom says his extension is in advance of a potential new surge in cases and the continued staff shortages at hospitals. There are some opposed to the governor’s continued emergency powers and there are still factions resisting mask wearing and vaccines.

A cellphone company says they’re opening more access to some without internet aimed at students. UScellular has a new “After School Access Project” that features free mobile hotspots and service to nonprofits with after school programs. It’s an expansion of other hotspot donations to increase connectivity needs during the pandemic. They’ve now pledged as much as $13 million for hotspots and service to connect up to 50,000 youth in 2022. The company says so far this year they’ve donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, at a worth of about 2.6 million dollars.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has reportedly approved outside counsel for the Sheriff. Reports say the board approved a law firm from Los Angeles to represent the Sheriff who was not in the room at the time. A local reporter for the Anderson Valley Advertiser says it was a unanimous vote even as the Undersheriff suggested the board wait a week so the Sheriff could be there. The Sheriff for his part has wanted to hire a local law firm, but the board has not approved of the move.