30 April, 2024 20:35

[PM News Update]

The Northshore Fire Fund is a nonprofit that raises money for the North Shore Fire District and they recently held a benefit event called The Ready Fest. The event at Lucerne Middle School raised money to be used for supply tools and services that is beyond what the fire department has in its budget but that is sorely needed now. The Fund also takes on the task of raising public awareness and the need for community outreach. The North Shore Fire District is the largest in the county and now, with the assistance through The Ready Fest, they are able to host paramedics to train every safety class in the curriculum at Upper Lake High School. In addition, the latest tech can now be purchased and utilized in the area to save more lives.

Californians continue to be concerned about the economy and in a new survey, their optimism is the lowest it’s been in two years. The Conference Board polls shoppers each month and California’s confidence index for April was down 11% in a month and off 17% in a year. That was the lowest level since just after the pandemic. Our state’s view of the current economic conditions is weakening and there is less and less optimism about the future of California’s economy. There continues to be a real uneasiness concerning household finances and that could lead to severe consequences economically, socially and politically. The last one could easily lead to a vote for some change in leadership.

One of the biggest needs our state has is the need for fire protection and as we head into the dry season which doubles as fire season, it’s in the forefront of our minds. The Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2024 is legislation is especially designed for the fire season that runs June 1st through October and then beyond. Existing fire insurance did play a role in helping to suppress more fire damage but the need remains for consistent vegetation management. Disaster and insurance companies are leaving our state. Some are failing, some are pulling out of certain areas and some are just won’t write policies. The concern many leaders have is that the absence of policies will have a very negative impact on California’s economy. And that concern is moving as fast as a roaring wildfire.

News for 4/30/24

Authorities are still working to identify a woman who was found dead on the coast south of Fort Bragg. The woman’s body was recovered Friday and transported to Noyo Harbor. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office says the woman was not carrying an ID and did not have any distinct identifying features. The cause and manner of the woman’s death have also not been determined. An autopsy and toxicology tests are scheduled. 

Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up an encampment on the campus of Sacramento State University. Tents were first spotted Monday morning, in the library quad area. There were at least a dozen demonstrators in the encampment at the time. The university acknowledged the protest on Monday afternoon, but says the campus remains open. A group called Students for Justice in Palestine is urging Sacramento State to divest from Israel in protest of the ongoing war in Gaza.

Tonight, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore will host a virtual town hall to discuss fire insurance. The District Four supervisor from Healdsburg says he’s calling the town hall in response to people losing their coverage. Gore says some of his constituents have had their fire insurance policies pulled or not renewed. Since last May, several insurance companies, including Triple-A and USAA, have announced they are pulling out of or limiting their coverage in California. Last month, State Farm, California’s largest insurer, announced it is dropping 72-thousand home and apartment insurance policies in the state.

Today marks the fourth day of a student-led pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of Sonoma State University. Students and community members have been camping on the lawn near the student rec center since Saturday. Close to 20 tents made up the encampment on Monday, with about 15 people having stayed overnight. They are protesting the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, as are students in similar encampments set up at universities across the country in recent days. 

California is ramping up its electric vehicle charging infrastructure.  Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Tesla supercharging network is opening to non-Tesla vehicles. California plans to phase out the sale of new gas-only vehicles by 2035.  Starting in 2026, 35-percent of new cars sold in the state must be electric or plug-in hybrids. 

Kaiser Permanente has announced a data transmission to tech companies that may have included some members’ personal information. The third-party vendors involved are Google, Microsoft, Bing, and X. Kaiser is notifying 13-point-four million current and former members of the breach.  The information released did not include sensitive data like usernames, passwords, or financial information. It did include IP addresses, names, information about a member or patient’s access to Kaiser’s services, and search terms used in the health encyclopedia. An internal investigation is underway.

A man reported missing in Petaluma has been found safe in Ukiah. Steven Allen was reported missing on April 22nd from his skilled nursing facility in Petaluma. The 67 year old was located on Saturday by the Ukiah PD, who said he appeared to be in good health. The Press Democrat reported Allen was using a cane and a walker to get around and one of his arms was in a sling from a previous injury when he went missing. Petaluma police were able to find him with help from Mendocino County and a surveillance video that showed him going into a Ukiah business last Thursday. Petaluma Police are still trying to piece together how Allen got to Ukiah.

California has partnered with Amneal Pharmaceuticals out of New Jersey to get a generic version of Narcan at a 40-percent cheaper rate. Narcan is used to treat opioid overdose by temporarily reversing the effects of opioids. California will distribute the packs to first responders, universities, and community organizations as part of the state’s Naloxone Distribution Project. The program has given out four-point-one-million kits, which have reversed 260 thousand opioid overdoses since 2018. The deal will allow California to buy three-point-two-million packs in one year instead of two million for the same total cost. According to the Newsom administration, California government offices and businesses will also be able to purchase naloxone, and it has plans to make it available for sale to individuals.

Californians may soon be paying more for internet service if a popular program is allowed to run out of money. The program offers 30-dollars off per month for eligible families. At the end of May, the federal Affordable Connectivity Program will run out of cash, leaving nearly three million households in California without a discount. After the days of stay-at-home schooling, internet connectivity is more important than ever. Families may now be forced to cut their internet plans or switch to cheaper, slower service.

A woman was killed in a crash on State Route 20. California Highway Patrol responded to the call Sunday night just after 10. One vehicle had overturned and was blocking the westbound lane of State route 20 just east of Verna Way. According to a release from the CHP, the driver was a 34 year old woman from Clearlake. She reportedly crossed the center line and lost control of the vehicle, hitting an embankment and overturning. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not yet been released. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office had to call the bomb squad after finding a grenade at a home in Lakeport. It happened Friday when a woman called police after finding the grenade in some of her late husband’s belongings. Not knowing the condition of the grenade, LCSO called in help from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. Using special equipment, they confirmed the grenade was inert and not a threat to the public. They removed the grenade from the home so it could be disposed of properly.

News for 4/30/24

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters are camping out on the campus of Sonoma State University. The so-called SSU Gaza Solidarity Encampment was set up on the university’s Person Lawn on Friday and now has about a dozen tents. SSU President Mike Lee says the encampment has been peaceful, adding that university staff and police have not found any reason to act against it. The group of protesters is calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.

Police are investigating after a body was pulled from the ocean near Fort Bragg. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report just before 3pm on Friday of a body floating in the ocean just south of Fort Bragg. Deputies and first responders were able to locate the body and recover the victim with help from the California State Parks water rescue lifeguards. They were unable to identify the victim, other than to say it’s an adult female. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

An ex-Willits police officer has been awarded over 2 million dollars in a sexual harassment case. Natalie Higley filed a civil lawsuit in June of 2023 accusing her former employer, Lieutenant Derek Hendry, of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. In February, the City of Willits approved a conditional settlement agreement, and that agreement became effective on April 18, according to a press release. Higley settled for 2.25 million dollars in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit. It’s not the first time the City of Willits has been involved in a lawsuit that involved Lieutenant Hendry. Mendo Fever reports another suit was filed in December of 2022. In that suit, the city settled with former Willits Police Chief Alexis Blaylock for 250 thousand dollars after she said she experienced a hostile, sexist, and racist work environment. The actions of Lieutenant Hendry were also mentioned in that suit.

Boating restrictions have been lifted for Clear Lake. The Lake County Water Resources Department, Lakebed Management, and Lake County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol sent out a press release on Friday announcing the lifting of boating restrictions, saying Clear Lake has dropped below 8 feet for more than 24 hours. Boaters are no longer required to operate at idle speed and can go back to normal boating activities on the lake, effective immediately. Officials remind boaters to be cautious while on the lake. They said you should still look out for floating and submerged debris from the Atmospheric River storms over the winter. Be vigilant, stay aware of your surroundings, and maintain a safe speed when navigating the lake.

The Mendocino County Assessment Appeals Board will meet this morning. The meeting is scheduled for 9am in the Board Chambers at the County Administration Center. The agenda and meeting minutes can be found online at Mendocino County dot Gov. The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will gather again for their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7th.

California lawmakers are blocking a bill that would have banned the use of non-disclosure agreements in the legislative process.  Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong wrote the bill, which would have banned public employees from signing NDAs in their official capacity when negotiating proposed laws.  The bill failed on a party-line vote, missing a Thursday deadline.  The transparency effort was inspired by last year’s negotiations over the new fast food minimum wage law.

Let your voice be heard by the Mendocino County Cannabis Department. They’re looking for public input on the best way to use the 1.3 million dollars available for Round 5 of the Local Equity Entrepreneurial Program. The money is earmarked to assist those impacted by the War on Drugs. There’s an online survey you can take in order to give feedback on the program. The survey is open until this Friday, May 3^rd at 5pm. The Department is also accepting Cannabis Tax Appeals, applications must be in by 4pm tomorrow.

The City of Lakeport is holding a homelessness and housing resource fair this week. Pathways to Stability is being held in collaboration with the Lakeport Police Department and Lake County Behavioral Health Services. The resource fair aims to connect the community with vital resources and support services. You can attend the fair on Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at 800 North Main Street in Lakeport. The event is open to everyone in Lake County and the surrounding area. The fair will feature organizations including Lake Family Resource Center, Redwood Community Services, Nation’s Finest, Adventist Health, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, and many others. Free dinner is being provided by the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport.  

A special closed session of the Fort Bragg City Council will be held today. The meeting is scheduled for 4pm at Town Hall and online over Zoom. Agenda items include a conference with legal council to discuss litigation concerning the City of Fort Bragg and the Mendocino Railroad. The next regular City Council meeting is set for Monday, May 13^th at 6pm.

Cal Poly Humboldt is closing its campus for the rest of the semester. The announcement, made over the weekend, comes as pro-Palestinian protesters continue to occupy two academic buildings at the university. Officials say anyone on campus without the authorization of university police could face citations or arrest. Students living on campus are asked to limit their movement between their residence hall and dorms, and they are not allowed to be on other parts of the campus. All classwork will be done remotely.

26 April, 2024 21:07

[PM News Update]

It promises to be a busy weekend on Clear Lake. Fishermen will have lines in the water with several bass tournaments on tap. They won’t be alone, though, with regular folks (that’s recreational fishermen) out there as well. And why is that? It’s because Clear Lake is in amazing shape. The lake is full and the water is getting clear. The other tournament scheduled this weekend is a two-day catfish derby sponsored by Lakeport Bait and Tackle. The tournament is Saturday and Sunday and goes out of Library Park in Lakeport. That’s a team tournament. And the weather has been awesome. That makes it great for ALL fishing.

The Affordable Connectivity Program has been available so individuals and families could get Wi-Fi and high-speed internet for just thirty bucks a month. But that program is ending and that same service could now cost 75 dollars a month. About three million Californians now have to decide to pay the new few or give up internet access in their home. Congress failed to allocate more funding, so that money runs out this month. Nationwide, more than 23 million Americans benefited from the program. An additional 30 million eligible people never received the subsidy. The move will affect students, families and individuals and create an even larger digital divide.

Good news for Lake County when it comes to the unemployment rate. The latest report from the California Employment Development Department’s showed a positive pattern. Here’s the specifics. Lake County’s March jobless rate was 6.6%, down from 7.2% in February and 7.4% in January. It was the second month in a row. And like Lake County, California had a better jobless rate in March of 2023, at 4.7%. For March, Lake County’s jobless rate was No. 35 out of California’s 58 counties and that was the same as February. Lowest unemployment rate in the state was San Mateo county at 3.5%.

News for 4/26/24

The Ukiah downtown Streetscape project continues next week. Crews will be working as weather permits. One important note from the city, the stop sign on State Street at Norton is being removed. Use extra caution in the area, as it’ll take time to adjust to the new traffic pattern. Next week crews will continue to work on curbs, gutters, and sidewalks plus electric infrastructure and irrigation. On the north side, they’ll be busy installing the brick band on the sidewalk. Crews are scheduled to be on site Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm. The city of Ukiah announced they’re applying for a grant that would close the gap on State Street between Norton and Low Gap. It’s the only part of the street that won’t be redone once the Streetscape project is finished. You’ve got a say in the project, city officials will present the plans and you will be invited to give input at a community forum on May 8th. The forum will be held starting at 5:30pm at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.  

A man wanted for murder in Oregon has been arrested in Mendocino County. The MCSO reports a deputy who was on a routine patrol Thursday morning in Yorkville found a man sitting in a vehicle on the side of the road. It turns out, the man is the subject of a BOLO that was issued Wednesday morning. John Kelley, of Eugene, Oregon, had an outstanding warrant for homicide. The warrant had just been issued after police discovered a female who died of suspicious injuries in Junction City. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reports Kelley was arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he will be held without bail until he can be extradited back to Oregon. The investigation into the woman’s death continues, and police have impounded the vehicle Kelley was driving to be processed for evidence.

If you’re a dog owner, there’s a new warning out from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The warning reminds dog owners to be cautious and keep pets away from salmon, steelhead, trout, and other freshwater fish carcasses. Eating dead fish can expose dogs to Salmon Poisoning Disease, which is potentially fatal. The disease has been shown in dogs who eat certain types of raw or cold smoked fish. If your dog eats raw fish, watch for symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, and listlessness. If you notice these signs, take your dog to the vet immediately, Salmon Poisoning Disease is treatable if caught early. Find more information at Wildlife.ca.gov

Some Californians are about to pay a lot more to protect their homes.  Rates are going up for those on the FAIR Plan, also known as the state’s “insurer of last resort.”  Many in high risk areas for wildfires are covered by this after being dropped by major insurance companies.  It means they’re likely already shelling out thousands extra because of the switch and now the FAIR Plan president says to expect a substantial increase on your bill.

A bill targeting California’s insurance crisis is advancing.  It requires companies to consider wildfire mitigation efforts when setting the price of property coverage for homeowners.  Lawmakers say this will address the cost and availability of fire insurance in the state.  The bill passed one committee this week and now moves on to another.  This comes as several providers have either stopped writing policies or left the state altogether.

The state is celebrating a major clean energy milestone.  Governor Newsom says California has increased its battery storage capacity more than tenfold, surpassing ten-thousand megawatts in just five years.  He was in Yolo County yesterday to share the news during Earth Week.  Adding batteries not only helps maintain a clean and reliable power grid, but also puts the state on track to achieving its goal of 100-percent clean electricity by 2045.

Dozens of first responders spent their Thursday training for a mass casualty event at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. More than ten agencies’ firefighters, paramedics and EMTs trained to respond to a simulated crash landing. Firefighters rushed to the burning fuselage of a plane, while paramedics and EMTs practiced treating Red Cross volunteers lying on the asphalt near the charred plane, acting as victims. The training, mandated by the FAA, is held every three years.

The Sacramento International Airport is seeking submissions for public art as part of its one-point-three-billion dollar expansion plan. The airport is looking for four permanent artworks to be installed at two sites. One will be installed in a new parking garage, and the others along a new pedestrian walkway. Any artist in the US can submit a proposal. The deadline is Thursday, May 7th, by 4 p.m. Forms are available on the Sacramento County Department of Airports website.

News for 4/25/24

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office may be losing several key jobs due to federal funding cuts. The jobs that are in jeopardy of going away include three victim advocates and an attorney who handles the office’s most serious cases, including sexual assault and domestic violence. This is the first time in 15 years the D.A.’s Office is not getting any grant funding through the federal Violence Against Women Act. That funding pays for the attorney. The D.A.’s Office is expecting to lose more than 780-thousand-dollars in federal funding that pays for the jobs. On Wednesday, District Attorney Carla Rodriguez asked the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to step up and provide the funding instead, so those jobs are saved. 

A 61-year-old Healdsburg resident who had been considered missing for nearly two days is back home safe. Marc Rodriguez returned home at about one o’clock Wednesday afternoon. That was about 39 hours after the last time he had been seen at home on Monday. The incident appears to have been a misunderstanding. Police say Rodriguez was visiting someone out of town.

In response to an Arizona law that bans almost all abortions, California’s legislature is pushing emergency legislation that would allow women from that state to come to California to get an abortion. Flanked by all of the members of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, California Governor Gavin Newsom says this law also protects doctors who could be criminally charged for performing an abortion in Arizona.  The Arizona law, upheld by the state’s Supreme Court, bans nearly all abortions, and makes no exceptions for rape or incest.  It does allow for an abortion only if the mother’s life is in jeopardy.

A Mendocino County inmate has died in prison. Harry Miller, of Anchor Bay, was convicted in the shooting death of his neighbor in 2019. According to state parole officials, Miller died of natural causes in his cell on April 6th. He was 75 years old. Court records show Miller shot his neighbors, Desiree and Paul Palestrini, after an argument over repairs they were doing on the driveway Miller shared with the couple. Miller was sentenced in 2019 to serve 142 months in state prison.

California is celebrating a major clean energy milestone.  Governor Newsom will join other leaders in nearby Yolo County later this morning to reveal details.  The area is the first in the state to completely wipe out its electric bill by installing solar panels on municipal buildings and properties.  The state is on track to reach its goal of 90-percent carbon-free electricity by 2035 and 100-percent by 2045.  That means energy will come from renewable sources like solar and wind, and zero-carbon sources like nuclear.

There appears to be progress in California’s insurance crisis.  Allstate is getting ready to resume writing new home policies, though not immediately.  The company confirmed this yesterday at a public workshop, saying it’s just waiting for the state to enact insurance regulations.  That’s expected to happen by December.  Allstate still renews existing policies but stopped offering new coverage in November of 2022, partly due to wildfire risk.  Other providers have done the same or left the state altogether.

A new effort is underway to crack down on California protesters who stop traffic.  Lawmakers are considering a bill to double fines every time someone is convicted of blocking highways and freeways.  The assemblywoman behind the push calls it a public safety and health care risk.  She took action after 78 protesters were arrested on a San Francisco bridge last year, but only given five hours of community service and 57-dollar fines.  The bill passed one committee and now advances to another.

A Ukiah man died after an apparent medical event behind the wheel. First responders were called just after 5pm Wednesday afternoon for reports of an unresponsive man in the roadway near the Ukiah Co-op. What was initially though to be a pedestrian versus vehicle accident, turned out to be a man who suffered a medical event. A good Samaritan pulled the man from his vehicle and began CPR while another called 911. Emergency personnel on the scene were unable to revive the man. He has not yet been identified, as police continue to investigate the incident.

The California Highway Patrol needs your help with a death investigation in Lake County. CHP’s Clear Lake Area office says they’re looking for leads in the alleged murder of Andrew Gurrola, a father of 3 from Hidden Valley Lake. Back in October, police responded to the side of Highway 29 near Lower Lake for reports of a man with blood on his face trying to flag someone down. By the time CHP arrived, the man was unresponsive on the shoulder of the highway. He was pronounced dead of apparent gunshot wounds at the scene. Anyone with information about Gurrola’s death is asked to call the CHP’s Northern Division Investigative Services Unit. You can also send anonymous tips to 101tips@chp.ca.gov

City workers in Clearlake found a body on the side of the road yesterday. Clearlake PD has not released the victims name, but said it was a man in his 40s. The police got the call around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon from a Clearlake Public Works employee who was removing vegetation along Old Highway 53. Police said the investigation is ongoing, but they have not found any evidence of foul play.

24 April, 2024 17:04

[PM News Update]

The Mendocino Council of Governments has hired a consultant to update Local Road Safety and Action Plans for Mendocino County, and the cities of Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits. The updated safety plans will help local jurisdictions to enhance safety for all modes of transportation for all ages and abilities. It will also help the process of getting state and federal grant funding. MCOG will hold a virtual public workshop tomorrow from 6 to 7:30pm for those who want to hear a presentation on the project and offer input.

Just yesterday Federal officials say that a habitat restoration project in Lake County has received a financial grant. The Tejeda Ranch Habitat Management Project was selected to receive $2.5 million. Department of the Interior officials said the project will clear debris dams and plugged culverts and will also provide sustainable fish passage from Blue Lakes to Scotts Creek. This action will be a huge benefit for several fish species. Officials also said that besides removing the barriers and controlling river flow, the project will reduce flood risk and increase aquifer recharge.

40-year -old Melinda Mildred Fred, of Lakeport, has been arrested on alleged murder charges. She entered a no contest plea to voluntary manslaughter. A no contest plea means the defendant accepts the conviction for the crime without admitting factual guilt. She presented a collection of certified documents, a black and white photo and a DVD. They were all put into evidence and according to Judge J. David Markham felony violations had been committed and there was enough to believe that Fred is guilty. She was alleged to have stabbed Christopher Aaron Burrows back in May of last year. Video surveillance and interviews led to her initial arrest.

News for 4/24/24

A person who was found dead in the Russian River earlier this month has been identified as a 14-year-old boy from San Francisco. Justin Huang was reported missing on April 11th, in the Russian River north of Forestville. His body was found in the water near Steelhead Beach the next morning. The cause of death has not been determined. A second teen who was reported missing the same day pulled himself out of the water and was later taken to a hospital.  

Police now say two teen boys were stabbed during a fight in Healdsburg. The victims, a 16-year-old and 17-year-old, were stabbed late Sunday night and taken to a hospital. Police initially said there was just one victim. The younger victim, who had been stabbed in the back, called 911 from the Foss Creek Pathway near Carson Warner Memorial Skatepark. He told police he and some acquaintances had been in a fight with people they don’t know. Both boys’ injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening. 

A video of a Sonoma County Jail inmate joyfully listening to the music he wrote being played live has gone viral on TikTok. The video, posted by the Press Democrat on April 2nd, has one-point-four-million views and more than 15-hundred comments. The video was taken late last month, as inmates listened to a live Zoom broadcast from New York City. A nine-week program allowed several inmates to compose music, which was then performed live by musicians from The Juilliard School.

Cal Poly Humboldt has temporarily closed its campus after a group of Pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside a building. The closure, which the university says is because of safety concerns, will last through at least today. Classes are being conducted online while the campus is closed. On Monday, hundreds of protesters took over one of the main buildings on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus. At least three people have been arrested. Protesters were still occupying at least two buildings on the campus on Tuesday.

The Mendocino Council of Governments has hired a consultant to update Local Road Safety and Action Plans for Mendocino County, and the cities of Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits. The updated safety plans will help local jurisdictions to enhance safety for all modes of transportation for all ages and abilities. It will also help the process of getting state and federal grant funding. MCOG will hold a virtual public workshop tomorrow from 6 to 7:30pm for those who want to hear a presentation on the project and offer input. You can find the Zoom link here.

Four people in Hopland were assaulted and robbed by masked gunmen. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Sunday around 10:30pm. They found the 4 victims in the 700 block of Highway 175. According to the news release, the victims said they were walking to their car when two people wearing masks approached and held them at gunpoint. The victims said they were all assaulted and the suspects ran off with their belongings. Two of the victims were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Police are still looking for the suspects, and anyone with information is asked to call the MCSO.

A woman whose body was found in Clear Lake has been identified. Lake County Deputies responded to a call of a body in the lake on Thursday, April 18^th. When they got there, they found 83 year old Ellen Burton of Nice unresponsive in the water. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit was able to safely recover her body. According to a news release, Burton was last seen by neighbors around midnight the night before. Officials said they do not suspect foul play.  

23 April, 2024 15:21

[PM News Update]

We told you yesterday that Ukiah PD had arrested a couple of teens for fights that broke out at Ukiah High School. That was on the 15th. A couple of days later, more fights took place at the school. Some of those involved were active gang members and weapons were found on school grounds. Now, the UPD has arrested six of the juveniles, both male and female. All six have been booked into the Mendocino County Juvenile Detention Center.

Just a couple of years ago, California’s budget surplus was in the tens of billions of dollars. That’s when Legislators passed a law to expand our state’s nationally renowned free-tuition and cash aid program for around 137-thousand college students by this fall, but only if there was available money. Fast forward to today as Governor Newsom and the State Legislators deal with a budget deficit which is now estimated at between 38 and 73 billion dollars. Those in the know say it looks like the state will not be able to follow through on the tuition program for the students, now or in the near future as projections show California will be battling at least 30-billion dollar deficits through 2028.

There was a big salmon release this week into the Klamath River. About 500-thousand of them headed straight for the Pacific Ocean following release and that will be the case until the migratory patterns bring them back for spawning season. Yesterday saw the release of about 90,000 coho salmon. The threatened species reside in rivers for about a year before migrating. Today, 400-thousand Chinook salmon will be heading straight to the ocean. And next month, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is going to be introducing yet another 1.75 million Chinook salmon smolts to the river. Officials are confidently optimistic that the fish will survive because the conditions of the Klamath are so much better now that dams have been removed.

It’s kind of like a throwback to the rural roots of Ukiah. It’s the Grapevine Quilter’s Guild. And they are presenting an annual event called “Quilts in Bloom” coming up on Saturday and Sunday May 5th and 6th. The event will be held at the Ukiah Conference Center. The Guild is continuing to come back from the Covid pandemic years. This will be their first quilt show since pre-covid in 2019. There’s going to be over 80 quilts on display, each one created by Guild members. Lots of vendors and other events will be available as well. Regular Guild meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month. Members get together, have lunch and sew together, sometimes working on a community project and sometimes on personal items. For more information on the Guild, visit https://www.grapevinequilters.com.

This Saturday, Grammy-nominated guitarist and Mendocino College guitar instructor Alex de Grassi will be presenting a “Guitar Night” fundraiser for the Friends of the Mendocino College Music Program. All proceeds will go to that program. The event will be held at the Mendocino College Little Theater and begins at 7pm. Featured will be solo performances by de Grassi and other performances by Mendocino College Professor of Music, Ukiah Symphony conductor and guitarist Phillip Lenberg, as well as Ukiah Music instructor and performer John Mattern. Some of di Grassi’s senior guitar students will also be performing solo, duo and ensemble pieces.

News for 4/23/24

Yesterday we celebrated Earth Day. In California, the Environmental Protection Agency marked the occasion by announcing California’s “Infrastructure Economic Development Bank” otherwise known as “iBank” has been awarded over 254-million dollars in federal “Solar For All” grants. The money will allow the bank to develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities who are often left out of residential solar programs. California’s iBank is among 49 state-level awards the EPA announced Monday, as they handed out about five-point-five-billion dollars in total.  

Cal Fire is reminding anyone planning a camping trip to get your burn permit before making a campfire. You could risk violating regulations which may leave you facing a fine or even criminal charges. Illegal campfires can lead to devastating wildfires, endangering lives and property. Permits are also required if you want to burn debris, so that people know how to do it safely. To apply for a campfire or debris burning permit, visit ReadyForWildfire.gov/permits.

California has unveiled over 80 targets for nature-based solutions to fight climate change and reach carbon neutrality by 2045. The state has invested around nine-point-six-billion-dollars since 2020 in nature-based solutions to combat the effects of climate change. The targets by 2045 include over 33 million acres managed to reduce wildfire risk. The state will manage nearly 12 million acres of forest for biodiversity protection, carbon storage, and water supply protection. Just over four million trees will be planted to protect California communities from the climate crisis, remove carbon, and increase access to nature. Other targets include croplands, grasslands, deserts, and beaches. Governor Gavin Newsom says the state is “setting aggressive and ambitious new targets to use California’s lands to fight the climate crisis.”

With temperatures on the rise, experts are reminding homeowners to prepare their trees.  Matt Morgan with Davey Tree in Sacramento says check your trees for any winter damage or disease. Now is also a good time to prune. He says as summer approaches watering is crucial. Getting proper water into the soil will help the trees combat stress brought on by the heat. Morgan says you should remove fallen leaves, branches, and waste around your trees to set the stage for healthy growth. A slow-release fertilizer will help trees fight against pests and diseases. To reduce weeds, conserve soil moisture, and minimize soil erosion, add two to four inches of mulch around the base of your trees.

An armed robbery in Leggett targeted a toll booth. It happened around 5:30pm on Saturday at the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree. A man armed with a gun approached the toll booth attendant, an 18 year old girl and demanded money. He got away with an undetermined amount of cash, while the other toll booth attendants locked themselves in the booths and the nearby giftshop until police arrived. The suspect can be seen in surveillance videos, and pictures of him have been posted at Mendo Fever dot com. Anyone who may have information leading to an arrest is asked to call the Mendocino Sheriff’s Dispatch Center.

The Mendocino Board of Supervisors meets at 9am today in the board chambers on Low Gap Road in Ukiah. The meeting is open to the public, and also available on Zoom. Agenda items include a discussion about whether to authorize submission of an application to the DWR for the Statewide Flood Emergency Response Grant Program. The funding would be used for the Mendocino County 2024 Flood Emergency Response Initiative. The General Government Committee meets tomorrow at 9am. Find the full agenda for both meetings along with the Zoom links at MendocinoCounty.gov

There’s a new effort to change security screening at California airports.  Lawmakers will take up a bill tomorrow that requires third-party vendors use their own lane.  This would stop services like Clear Secure from letting paid subscribers cut in front of other passengers.  Six airlines are against the measure.  Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and Hawaiian all claim the move would “severely restrict” airports from managing checkpoint lines.  They fear if Clear stops operating, the revenue loss could increase airfare tickets.