The Calif. Attorney General has remarked on the recent move by President Biden to forgive as much as $10,000 in college debt for certain individuals. Bonta issued a statement yesterday after the announcement that the US Department of Education would cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those who make less than $125,000/year, plus $10,000 more if a borrower also received Pell Grants in college. Bonta said it would be a “game changer for millions…” And he said as a borrower himself he remembers getting the payment reminders and felt the weight of the moment. The president also extended the student loan repayment date to start again, due to the pandemic, at the end of the year, not the end of this month.
The CDC has put out a statement that the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a good option for children 12 to 17. The recommendation comes after the FDA authorization for emergency use for that particular age group. The Novavax vaccine is available now. The CDC says it’s an important tool that provides a more familiar type of vaccine technology for adolescents. The vaccine has harmless proteins with another ingredient to help the immune system respond to the virus in the future. It’s similar to the Flu and whooping cough vaccine technology.
You better rethink that car purchase in the future as California prepares for a 2035 deadline for all new cars, trucks and SUVs to only be powered by electricity or hydrogen. The move due to climate change will trigger a vote by the California Air Resources Board today. You can still drive a gas-powered vehicle, but they would no longer be sold here. Hybrid vehicles will also be able to be sold in the state, but only one-fifth of car sales. The move could be a game-changer in reducing emissions and air pollutants. The Governor remarked that the “climate crisis is solvable” saying he just need big, bold steps to slow carbon pollution.
A delay in the sentencing of a disgraced former police officer from Ukiah. The judge in the case against Kevin Murray, who’s accused of sexual harassment, false imprisonment, intimidation and more, said instead he will be sentenced, at an undetermined date, without explanation. There were protests outside the court ahead of the sentencing date. Murray’s lawyer said he didn’t know why and the deputy DA on the case didn’t comment. It all comes after reports earlier this week that his plea deal for probation could be upended, and that instead he could get a suspended sentence after one of his victims complained. The DA also dropped three felony sex-related offenses against Murray. There are also other civil complaints against him.
A small fire has been put out between Ukiah and Hopland. Mendo Fever reports yesterday morning firefighters descended on an area along Highway 101 near Nelson Ranch. Officials say the fire was burning in oak woodland adjacent to the highway, but within 10 minutes of their arrival they contained it. It burned about a quarter acre.
As we get closer to the general election in November, in Lakeport there are a couple of open City Council seats. They will also have an initiative regarding the long proposed South Main Street annexation. As far as the council seats, incumbents Stacey Mattina and Mireya Turner are seeking reelection, Mattina for her third term, and Turner, term 2. Apparently, they’re the only pair who have filed for their own seats, which also happened in the last general election. Since the annexation issue is on the ballot, the two city councilors names will also appear. They could have just been re-appointed, but the city manager says, since there was an issue on the ballot already, Mattina and Turner’s seats will also be included. The annexation question is only up to property owners in the area, 20 people get to vote on that.
Since he still has not been found, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for a man wanted for an assault. The agency has been searching for registered sex-offender, 62-year-old Arturo Pedro Gutierrez for an assault last Thursday. The warrant is for $500,000. Deputies say they believe Gutierrez may be around the Willits area, as he’s been seen there in the past.
A special event is planned at the Ukiah Senior Center, and they want the public’s help. The Center is replacing the floors in their thrift shop on Leslie Street after a pipe burst early this month. They are re-decorating but would love some help to replace the floor. Part of the floor they’re replacing is not covered by insurance, so they’re having a parking lot sale Oct. 1st including store sale items. They’re planning games for the kids while their parents shop.
The fire burning across Humboldt County, is still burning. The Six Rivers Lightning Complex has blackened over 27,650 acres as of this morning, with 80% containment. The fire’s continued creeping along but changing weather has helped grow the containment. Clear skies have helped aircraft make more drops, and firefighters have been able to dig more lines to slow the spread. And some of the evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings. Areas are still pretty active due to the terrain, like Horse Range and Waterman Ridge.
They’re still trying to decide what to do as a handful of homeless folks are living at the soon to close Elijah House in Lake County. The Board of Supervisors had a discussion about unsheltered residents in Lakeport after the home closes at the end of this month. The monthly costs to continue running the shelter in the old juvenile detention facility are over $50,000. The Board decided to continue discussing the upcoming closure and what caused it in the first place. The board also heard about early activation permits from the Cannabis Task Force and a request to have them rescinded due to too much red tape. They also heard from the former CEO of Adventist Health Clearlake who now works in Tribal Health. David Santos proposed the board consider an urgently needed youth substance abuse center. They’ll revisit the matter next week.
It’s like before times in Calif. as students at public colleges and universities get back to class without vaccine and mask mandates and nary a test to be taken. After two years of dealing with the pandemic, many restrictions have been lifted or eased big time. Last fall there were indoor mask mandates at state colleges and universities and at community colleges and tech schools statewide. There were also routine tests where waivers were allowed. The protocols will vary by school, as some never had vaccine mandates or they have since been rescinded if they did. Vaccine mandates are still in effect at UC and CSU campuses, but not facial coverings. They will be monitoring Mpox now though.
A woman from Clearlake Oaks connected to an arson fire has been to court. The judge in Tori Brannon’s case has signaled there’s enough evidence for her to be arraigned on the charges. She had to first have her competency restored after her lawyer said they didn’t find she would be able to understand the proceedings against her, and she spent months in a state hospital for that. Brannon faces various charges including aggravated arson, causing fire (inhabited structure), being under the influence of a controlled substance and carrying a concealed dirk/dagger related to another crime last year. Eleven structures burned in July of 2021 in Clearlake Oaks. She apparently admitted it out loud where neighbors could hear.
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