California’s population slowed a trend of decline last year. Stable births, fewer deaths and an increase in immigration slowed the state’s loss of people, according to the California Department of Finance. The state’s population is estimated at about 40 million as of the first of the year. Housing grew to it’s highest level in 15 years, at almost 1 percent. Nearby, Lake County lost about 1 percent of its population, one of the biggest losses per county in the state, according to Lake County News. Immigration nearly tripled last year compared to 2021, gaining about 90,300 people in 2022. Forty-six of the state’s fifty-eight counties lost population; some of the largest losses include Lake County.
Records have been released after an ACLU lawsuit against Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster. The civil suit was filed about a year ago, for the DAs refusal to respond to their public records requests. It demanded the release of the documents and expenses charged to the ACLU in their efforts. The records were finally turned over to the organization last month, according to MendoFever online. However, expense requests are still being sought. Recently, Mendocino County rescinded an ordinance charging fees for public records. The suit aimed at the DA involves the “Brady List” or records of officers who aren’t honest in court. Those officers on the list are not able to testify in a case. Eyster’s policies surrounding that list have been a contentious issue with some saying he misused it, in cases in Fort Bragg and Ukiah.
This week is National Women’s Health Week. Medical experts are reminding women to pay attention to their bodies. Several California health organizations and the CDC are urging women on prevention. Medical experts are urging women to know their risk for heart disease, the nation’s number one killer of women. Experts also urge women to make appointments for any screenings they may have put off during COVID, like mammograms or screenings for cervical and colon cancer.
A man accused of sexual assault was sentenced. Last week Antonio Magalhaes of Nice, was sentenced to 6 years in prison, after serving about 3 years already. Magalhaes was convicted of sexual assault in March. In the Record-Bee, Magalhaes was initially charged with a list of assaults including burglary, rape, false imprisonment and more. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deparment along with the Lake County Sheriff and Lake County District Attorney investigated the charges stemmed from crimes in 2018 and 2019, involving two victims. A jury determined that he sexually assaulted and beat one victim many times, while the other victim was raped.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow at 9am in the Lake County Courthouse. In a request from the Registrar of Voters, the board will discuss not participating in a new law that requires ballots list supporters and opponents of measures being listed for voters to see on their ballots. In Lake County News, California law AB 1416 passed last summer, and began in January. The registrar says it will increase the cost of ballots and more. They also say promotion of candidates and interference may happen if they follow the new law. They can opt out due to an Elections Code section that gives them the choice.
Programs to help the disabled, homeless, mentally ill, and addicts opened recently, with a funding from the state. Federal grants have also been made available. County officials recently checked a new four-bed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly. The site is near the Adventist Hospital’s Urgent Care Center. In MendoVoice there will be a ribbon cutting and official opening this week. The old Mendo Realty/Advocate News office is being run by Mendocino Coast Clinics for programs for addiction. A new facility, Parents and Friends will provide Alzheimer’s care. The new building going up on Cypress Street will focus on helping those with the disease and dementia.
Today, the recreational groundfish “offshore-only” season will open in the Mendocino Groundfish Management Areas. For the first time in over twenty years, anglers can fish for groundfish in deeper offshore waters. This year, fishers can access healthy deeper water shelf and slope for rockfish species and lingcod. Nearshore rockfish, greenlings and more will remain prohibited, among other types of fish. The announcement by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages anglers to check out their website for details. The recreational groundfish “all-depth” season will be open through Oct.
A controlled burn got out of hand on this weekend east of Laytonville. Firefighters are converging on an escaped burn around 3pm on Saturday. MendoFever reported the fire burned on property near Laytonville and Dos Rios Road. Within a few minutes, the Fire Incident Commander reported that the blaze was put out. It took another couple of hours for firefighters to mop up the burn.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will consider a sewer rate increase at their meeting tomorrow. In the Press Democrat, the board will consider an increase in rates up to 9 percent, or from about $38 to $172 annually. The increase is aimed at maintaining and replacing infrastructure. The Russian River area would see the highest rate hike. Sonoma County expects revenue to increase by about $2.5 million dollars over this fiscal year. Grants and Sonoma Water General Funds will also help cover the costs. Sonoma Water will offer a Low-Income Program for those who need help paying their bill.
The earthquakes that struck parts of NorCal last Thursday were felt by some nearby, but not all. In an update on the quake in the Sacramento Bee, not everyone felt the same thing. Seismologists say it depends on where you are, if you’re in a building, and what you’re doing at the time. A Cal State professor noted that wooden framed buildings flex more than concrete, and the underlying geology, or ground beneath you can be different. If you live near a river may feel a quake more because of west ground that amplifies the shaking. The 5.5 magnitude quake in Plumas County shook Thursday afternoon, with many aftershocks. It was then followed up early Friday morning with a 5.2 quake.
The Willits City Council updated the community on repairs on buildings damaged by a fallen tree. The damages from the storms of February and March caused the annual event Frontier Days to invest in public facilities because of the damaged infrastructure at the airport. In Willits News, the Community Development Director brought up a proposal to increase housing with updated land use zoning. The city is considering rezoning to add more unincorporated areas into their purview.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year strategic plan for the Mendocino County Museum. In MendoFever online, the museum used public comment to help focus plans to expand exhibits and programs. Seven community forums were held and reported to the planning committee. Just last week, the museum received a half million dollar donation that will help fund their plan. More information on the plan and those who helped get it in place is on the county museum’s website.
The Lakeport City Council consider a contract to replace hundreds of city signs and a ask for state funding for city roads this week. The Public Works Director will ask for about $85,000 to replace 574 signs, at the direction of the Lake Area Planning Council. The director will also propose funding for the South Main Rehab Project for work on curbs and sidewalks to meet ADA standards. The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, in the Lakeport City Hall. The council plans to present proclamations for Police Week, the 50th Anniversary of Menocino College and more, according to Lake County News.
Caltrans has some roadwork this week, in Lake County Route 20 work continues west of Upper Lake near Scotts Valley Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and work continues north of Spruce Grove road. On Route 175 west of Mathews Road roadwork continues. In Mendocino County, Route 1 bridge work is still in progress in Fort Bragg from Manzanita Street to Pudding Creek. On Route 20 work near Three Chop Road is ongoing. On US 101 emergency work south of Willits will continue with lane closures in effect.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services would like public comment on the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update by May 26, before final submission to Cal OES in June. You can submit comments on the Lake County website, or at the Lake County OES Facebook page. Those who would like to comment can also do so in person at Lake County. The Lake County Library will have a copy on hand for you to see in person.
An 18-year-old Kelseyville man is facing attempted murder charges and attempted robbery. There was a prelim hearing on Friday at the Lake County Superior Court. Jesse Gonzalez has retained a new counsel during the hearing. A new hearing is set for Wednesday. Gonzales is facing attempted murder charges, assault with a firearm, attempted robbery and carjacking. In the Record Bee, the charges were for a March incident, when Lake County Sheriffs Deputies responded to the Sentry Market in Nice for where they found a man with a gunshot wound to the arm. Police searched a home on Red Feather Lane in Lakeport and arrested Gonzales. He was booked into jail and is in custody with bail set at over $2 million.
The City of Ukiah is announcing $500,000 in grants and loans for homeowners and landlords for repairs to housing units in City limits. Grants for up to $7,500 are available to qualified homeowners for emergency home repair and/or ADA accessibility improvements. Loans between $5,000 and $80,000 are available per applicant for eligible home repairs, at an interest rate of 0%, and with possible deferment of loan repayments. Loans of $5,000 – $80,000, at an interest rate of 1.5%, are also available for landlords who restrict rent to income eligible households. Incomes from applicants interested in the program must not exceed 80% of Mendocino County Area Median Income, depending on household size. There is no fee to apply. Applications are available at the City of Ukiah’s Community Development Department, Housing Services Division. Applications can also be downloaded from the City’s website at www.cityofukiah.com. This new program is made possible by competitive funding awarded to the City through the State Community Development Block Grant.
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