Insecticides that can kill bees and harm birds are about to be restricted. The Calif. Dept. of Pesticide Regulation is considering restricting four chemicals. They would regulate how much and when they can be used, depending on where and when it’s used. They’re looking over public feedback on the matter and have no timeline for when they will make their final determination. The pesticides known as Neonicotinoids are the most popular in the world, but not here in Calif. The state says they could be harmful to pollinators. Some other states have banned its outdoor use in gardens and residential areas. In New Jersey, it’s not allowed in commercial landscapes too, such as in golf courses.
Another year with the Redwood Empire Summer Fair in Ukiah. It’ll be back in a couple of weeks with things for the whole family to enjoy. Starting Thursday, Aug. 4th, going until that Sunday, the 7th, with a traditional livestock auction and loads of exhibits and live entertainment. There will also be carnival rides, games and fair food. There will also be multiple workshops and classes on quilting, painting, baking and more.
The massive retirement system in Calif. for Public Employees, known as Cal PERS has announced a major loss, the first since the Great Recession. Stocks and Bonds lost the most value. There was a preliminary drop overall of 6.1% for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. It wasn’t all terrible news though as private equity and real estate investments gained. The fund currently has a value of $440 billion. That’s 72% of what’s needed to pay all long-term obligations, and down from 80% a year ago. The retirement system is the biggest in the nation. Over 2 million state and local government employees, retirees and beneficiaries pull from the system. The loss means the state has to find a way to fill the budget gap for Cal PERS, pulling money from other areas like roads, parks and other budget items.
3 men on the run after a case of road rage on the southbound 101 near Ukiah. The CHP pulled a car over which reportedly had three Black men inside. Some reports say they had automatic weapons with them, got out and ran. It happened near the Burke Hill Rd. exit south of Ukiah. Many law enforcement agencies were searching for the men, and a drone was used to look down from above. Mendo Fever reports there were three vehicles associated with the incident, a black Honda, black truck, and either a U-Haul trailer or a U-Haul Box truck. There was a shelter in place for some neighborhoods during the incident as helicopters flew above.
If you can’t get to the Lake County Library, they have a new “Books by Mail” service. It’s for those who to get want books, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks through the mail for free. You can sign up online or call any of the branches in the county, in Lakeport, Clearlake, Middletown or Upper Lake. You have four weeks to keep the items and then send them back in the same bag they came in.
A man from Fort Bragg has been reported missing for a couple of days. The Sheriff’s Dept. along with other law enforcement were searching the 24000 block of State Route 20 for 74-year-old Thomas Arrants, who has dementia. His family says he’s not been seen since Wednesday afternoon. His family called that night after searching for several hours. Cal Fire jumped in in the evening hours to help look, then yesterday morning they were joined by the Mendocino County’s Search and Rescue team and the National Guard. His family says he’s known to go on long walks and had been missing in the past too. He’s described as having shoulder length, grey hair and a grey beard. He was last seen in a camo jacket, black sweatpants, and black/red tennis shoes.
The Lake County Grand Jury has come back with a scathing report on the Lakeport Fire Protection District. The jurors say the district was not following Measure M accountability requirements, didn’t adhere to Brown Act open-meeting rules and didn’t have any clear or updated procedures for Board governance. That’s not it though, the report also showed there was high employee turnover and some financial problems. The report went on to say the District continually dealt with stress because of sketchy financial reporting, but noted, they were not being, in any way, “critical of the firefighters”. They did add a note of positivity, giving a thumbs up for improvements the District Board made during the Grand Jury investigation.
A man from Occidental who was arrested in connection to the murder of a man from Lucerne has made a court appearance, but there was no judge available. The case against Nova Maye Deperno had to be continued until next week. Deperno’s lawyer also asked for a continuance last month because of missing discovery in the case. Deperno’s charged with the murder of Ronald Meluso in Sonoma County this past January. Deperno led cops to the body in northern Lake County. He also faces multiple other charges including flight from a traffic officer with disregard for safety, assault with a firearm on person, threaten to commit crime, abuse (endangering child with great bodily injury) and prevent/ dissuade witness/victim with force/threat. He’s pleaded not guilty to the murder and is in jail without bail.
The Ukiah Mayor Jim Brown along with councilmember Mari Rodin are helping pick a new police chief. They are on the ad-hoc committee to help the City Manager Sage Sangiacomo to replace the recently fired Chief Noble Waidelich. Sangiacomo says there will be a wide net cast for the recruitment. There had been four city council members who wanted to serve on the ad hoc committee, but the Brown Act limits it to two council members. All of the members went through their applicable backgrounds before the Mayor and Rodin were chosen.
The Corner Gallery in Ukiah is hosting Mendocino County Art Association members. The front windows of the Gallery will be dedicated to the show for the entire month of August. And many of the artists will be at the Gallery to discuss their works. The Mendocino County Art Association touts itself as the oldest art organization in the county, established in 1954. . They provide lectures, workshops, classes and art exhibits. Members get reduced rates on the offerings. Right now they have 77 members.
A state proposal would give almost all psychiatric technicians at California state mental hospitals raises of up to 10.5% over three years. That’s part of their new contract negotiations their union announced yesterday. The tentative agreement between the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians and the state of Calif gives them stipends and raises so they stay on the job. The union’s 5,500 members still have to approve the agreement, and so do lawmakers. The state Human Resources Department has yet to reveal the total cost. Those working at these facilities providing care to mentally ill and developmentally disabled patients currently make between $45,000 to $92,000 per year.
Pacific Gas and Electric says it’s time to enroll again in their alert service if you want to continue being notified about public safety power shutoffs. The utility company sent out a text to remind customers recently, saying it’s time to re-enroll in the automated alert service. Customers can sign up at pge.com/addressalert. Alerts can come in multiple languages and are available by a phone call or text.
A San Francisco man says he had Covid and monkeypox at the same time. After testing positive for Covid, Mitcho Thompson said lesions started to erupt on his body, so he thought he might be infected with monkeypox too. He says he was ill for several weeks and during the worst days, it was hard to get out of bed, or even drink water. Experts say it’s rare to get both at the same time.
Fire crews getting ahead of a fire at Yosemite National Park. Fire officials say they’ll reopen the main entrance to the park tomorrow, at Wawona Road-Highway 41. All other parts of the park are open, but the town of Wawona is only open to residents, property owners, and park service employees. The Washburn fire is 58-percent contained after burning almost 5,000 acres.
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