So many power outages, trees down, and slippery roads, something most of us aren’t used to in these parts. Starting in Lake County last night and early this morning, PG&E confirmed tens of thousands of customers indeed without power due to the winter weather. Lake Co News reports most of the outages had no estimated restoration time. Power blinked on and off a couple times in Lucerne until staying that way last night. And scanner reports said downed trees or trees into power lines took down the power. The news site reports PG&E was urging customers to be prepared for outages. Also check with your kiddo’s school as some schools called for an unusual snow day.
In Mendocino County we heard reports of some people trapped by downed trees on Highway 128 between Boonville and the county line. Snow on 20 in Lake and Mendocino counties, closing the stretch between Upper Lake and Ukiah; Highway 29 in Napa County: North of Calistoga was closed; Highway 175/Hopland in Mendocino County: Between Lakeport and Hopland was closed; Highway 101: From Branscomb Road in Laytonville to the junction of Highway 271 was closed. There’s a winter shelter opened in Laytonville at Harwood Hall for anyone stranded. 300 trees down around Leggett too, so there may be a full closure of Hwy 101.
In Sonoma County, the Santa Rosa Fire Department was warning to stay off the roads due to heavy rains causing dangerous road conditions. Rain turned to snow in and around Cloverdale with accumulation of up to 1 ½ inches. People were reporting a treacherous ride from Ukiah into Cloverdale with heavy snow at times, and white knuckle like travel. The National Weather Service reported the weather was tapering off this morning but around 11 pm said overnight hours would see rain and snow showers on and off. Drivers reported heavy rain near Windsor and concern around hydroplaning. Water was seen pooling in areas like overpasses along Highway 101.
Nonnative carp and goldfish will be removed from Clear Lake as part of partnership with the Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The tribe is attempting to restore minnow also known as the Clear Lake hitch, or “Chi” to its native habitat. The Big Valley Band of Pomos and the Lake County Water Resources Control Board are also helping with the project. The fish have been identified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, but they’re also designated by indigenous tribes of Lake County as culturally important. At one time they were swimming along in the tens of thousands.
Anyone who had a loss of food they purchased with CalFresh dollars and lost because of recent natural disasters, like long power outages, can apply to get replacement CalFresh funds. Social Services offices are able to issue replacement benefits on a case-by-case basis to participating CalFresh households, upon request. The replacement benefits are up to a maximum of one month’s allotment. Those who want to apply have to submit a signed Replacement Affidavit within 10 days of the loss of food. They will accept it in person, by US mail, or by calling them. You can also do it all online at BenefitsCal.com. For more information, please call (707) 463-7700 or (707) 962-1000.
Due to the widespread doctor shortage nationwide, MCHC Health Centers have announced a new family physician. Dr. Kelly Tracey, specializing in women’s health and preventive medicine will be serving Lakeport. The hospital says before coming here, Dr. Tracey worked in Phoenix, Arizona, but before that she had worked across the state, in Oroville, Colusa, Oakhurst, and Clovis. She says she wanted to come back to Calif.
The Lake County BOS is looking for people to apply to be on the Lake County Public Defenders’ Advisory Committee. Those who are chosen will be involved in reviewing indigent defense services in Lake County, advising the Board of Supervisors on equity and social justice related to those individuals and help put together reports for the Board each year on indigent defense services in Lake County. Those who apply should have experience and expertise in indigent public defense services and reflect the diversity of Lake County. They’re looking for people who can regularly commit and attend meetings, and they cannot be a prosecuting lawyer or an employee of the Lake County Superior Court.
We’re not done yet, as more winter weather is expected in Mendocino County through the weekend. Be safe on the roads, and if you can stay inside, you should, according to emergency responders regionally. They advise to have a supply of food, water, medications, fuel for generators, if you have them, and other essential items handy. Hazardous weather conditions are supposed to continue and there have been widespread reports of downed trees and powerlines. If you do have to travel, please be sure to carry chains, slow down, watch for road closures, and don’t go thru closed roads. Also, consider any downed power lines is still energized. You can check http://www.mendoready.org and follow the County of Mendocino Facebook page for any updates.
A fire took down a home in Potter Valley due to a stove catching fire and spreading. The warming stove lit the home up yesterday afternoon in the garage of the home. Firefighters say the fire spread to the second story then the entire home caught fire. Potter Valley, Ukiah Valley Fire, Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire, and Hopland Fire were all on the scene. The fire was out in about three hours.
Two meetings have been set to hear from the public after the Sonoma County BOS voted unanimously to set up homeless encampments on county land over two sites. Up to 100 tents and 25 RVs would be set up in Santa Rosa, in the Veterans Memorial Building parking lot and lots on the county’s administrative campus so the continued camping around the Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa would end once and for all. But yesterday there was an impromptu announcement there would be a virtual town hall this afternoon to discuss the proposal with residents. Another meeting is set for Monday. Each of the meetings will focus on one of the two sites after neighbors complained. The meetings today at 3 and Monday at 5.
Register for the Zoom meetings by going to: tinyurl.com/3stc7p4n.
The City of Ukiah is preparing the next budget, as the City Manager announced revenues were way off. Earlier this month Manager Sage Sangiacomo told the city council tax revenue had a major decline over what was anticipated. He added it was from the city’s tax consultant, and it was the second quarter in a row. He pinned it on the drying up revenue stream from the cannabis industry. Sangiacomo added employment in the same industry and less people going to restaurants had also impacted revenues, saying it was unique to Northern Calif., in Mendocino and Humboldt, and probably also in Lake and Trinity counties. At the same time he says the City of Ukiah has reserves and a budget surplus.
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