A pack of dogs accused of attacking a man in Covelo and sending him to the hospital have been caught. Five dogs have been cornered according to Mendocino County’s Animal Services Department. The animals will be put down as a result of the attack that left the victim with multiple wounds on his legs. Round Valley Tribal Police, tasked with finding the dogs reportedly captured the dogs after the victim of the attack identified them. Animal Services reports all of the dogs were impounded because of their aggressive behavior, adding they pose a risk, threat, and liability to the community, so with that, they will all be euthanized.
As progress is made on the Great Redwood Trail, environmentalists are complaining about plans to take out some oak trees. But about forty valley oaks could be removed south of Ukiah. City staff say many can be saved because the plans have not been solidified. The City of Ukiah is planning to pick up construction of the trail from Commerce Drive in Airport Park out to Norgard Lane, paid for with a grant received from the state Urban Greening Program. The trail will be adjacent to the tracks since the city never got the nod to railbank the trail, like other sections. 43 trees are in the way though. The city emphasizes there’s been no final decision on the plans, and they are listening to the concerns.
The City of Ukiah is partnering with the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council and the Western Hills Fire Safe Council to remove invasive weeds in the Western Hills. They are working together to get volunteers to help remove French Broom, which is flammable, from a shaded fuel break, on two sites. The first outing will be Saturday, March 4th at 8:30 AM. They are asking interested Volunteers to meet in front of City Hall. The fuel break was created by CalFire over a couple of years to help with wildfire containment. But the invasive weeds could get in the way of the plan.
The state of California is allowing more water to be allocated from the State Water Project in 2023 after so much rain. Since another major winter storm is hitting the state, following a string of storms earlier this winter, reservoirs and the Sierra Nevada snowpack are looking pretty stealthy. So, yesterday the California Department of Water Resources announced the State Water Project, which essentially serves 27 million Californians can up the water supply at 35%. State water officials are warning though, that’s still pretty early and not time yet to declare the drought, now in its third year, over. Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada as of yesterday measured 173% of normal for the date. And Lake Oroville’s water level is at 115% of its historic average.
After the latest storm swept in, Boonville lost some power. On Tuesday for about an hour or so some downtown businesses had to close because they were in the dark. It went out around 1:40 and lasted until almost 3 pm. There were reports some folks still had no power for “extended periods.” And reports of power out the same day from Caspar to Little River and in the area of the Woods. PG&E reported trees into power lines.
The man accused of starting the Hopkins Fire in Calpella a year and a half ago will not be tried in Mendocino County. Devin Johnson is charged for the Sept. 2021 arson fire after he was seen in the area where it started about 5 miles north of Ukiah. Several homes burned in the fire. Back in 2021 the Public Defender’s office filed to change venues, claiming Johnson wouldn’t get a fair trial. The judge currently overseeing the case announced possible venues of Marin or Colusa counties. Last month a jury was not seated, but attempted since all questioned knew about the fire. The judge approved the defense request at that time for a change of venue.
The federal government has given approval to help pay for one of two large dam projects in Santa Clara County. One of them is the Anderson Dam. Which was drained for earthquake repairs in 2020. The EPA is set to announce approval of a $727 million low-interest loan to the Santa Clara Valley Water District to help rebuild the dam near Morgan Hill. But it’s only about half of what the water district asked for so they could build a new dam near Pacheco Pass and Henry W. Coe State Park.
After searching for two weeks for a woman in a remote forest, her body was found. The Del Norte County Sheriff reported 71-year-old Vana Sisopha, who had disappeared Feb. 3rd, mushroom hunting, died. It happened during cold nights alone, as the woman had become separated from her husband and daughter in the Smith River National Recreation Area. The trio were experienced foragers who had been to the area before from Tacoma, WA.
It was a big thumbs up from the Lakeport City Council for a new recreation agency. At their meeting this week the council gave unanimous approval to City Manager Kevin Ingram’s presentation on the joint exercise of powers agreement for a Lake County Recreation Agency. Lakeport followed Clearlake with its approval of the agreement. Now it moves to the Board of Supervisors next month for their decision. The idea bloomed after a group of folks started meeting regularly a few years ago to enhance recreational opportunities in Lakeport. That turned into a countywide effort which became known as the Recreation Task Force.
The state of California is reportedly considering no longer paying for medical screening for migrants. CalMatters reports when they come in from other countries they’re given facemasks, food and water. They are also tested for COVID and offered vaccines and areas to isolate if they’re sick. But now the Governor says the state can’t afford it anymore. The centers are funded by the state and federal governments. Gov. Newsom has proposed phasing out aid for some medical services in coming months, then totally stopping unless the Fed steps into help.
The state of California is reportedly working with the Biden Administration on offshore wind energy. The White House announced a program to speed up offshore wind development across the country. And with that California added its name to a 13-state Federal State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership. The effort to fast-track work for cleaner and cheaper energy, create higher paying jobs and build an American supply chain for offshore wind. Governor Newsom commented on the project saying, “we’re in the midst of a clean energy revolution, and ramping up the development of offshore wind energy will help move our state off dirty fossil fuels”.
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