The Lake County Public Services Department announced a few parking lot closures. The Lakeside County Park lot will be closed through June 1. The Alpine County Park lot will be closed on Saturday, June 3rd. The department will be making repairs and improvements and maintenance work.
Lake County High Schools are celebrating their graduations this week. In Lake County News, seniors from Loconoma Valley High, Carle High, Natural High and Richard H. Lewis Alternative schools will graduate tonight. Other high schools in the county will celebrate graduation tomorrow and Friday evening.
A Northern California judge dismissed criminal charges against PG&E, in connection to the Zogg Fire of 2020. The wildfire killed four people and burned about 88 square miles, destroying more than 200 structures in its path. Yesterday PG&E faced 11 charges, including seven felony counts of involuntary manslaughter and more. Shasta Superior Court Judge Daniel Flynn ruled that prosecutors did not put forth sufficient evidence that PG&E engaged in criminal conduct. The utility settled with the California Public Utilities Commission late last year and this month paid $150 million, when they found that poor record keeping prevented PG&E from removing the tree that touched a power line starting the fire.
A good part of California’s coast could be eroded in 73 years, in a new US Geological Survey study revealed. In the Bay Area News Group, Rising global warming is make the sea levels rise, and wash away anywhere from 25% to 70% of the state’s beaches. A lead researcher says management efforts should be done immediately to prevent the loss of one of California’s natural resources. And without coastline, more damages are likely to happen to infrastructure and buildings. Using 20 years worth of satellite images, the report forecast sea levels to rise from about 2 feet to 10 feet along California’s coast. Stretches of Mendocino’s coast including Point Arena could be at a higher risk.
People have been leaving California for other states. The problem is, they’re taking their tax dollars away. The IRS found that California lost about $29 billion in 2021. The Golden State went from a budget surplus, to a deficit. In Yahoo Finance, migration from the state represents a trend that rose during the COVID emergency as high-income workers and businesses looked for lower-tax areas. A lot of Californians are moving to the Lone Star State. Texas has seen an extra $5 billion in increased tax revenue from migrating Californians.
The Clearlake City Council is meeting this week to hear an investigation into the North Bay Animal Services shelter. Clearlake Police Chief Tim Hobbs will present a report to the council on Thursday, detailing numerous allegations and concerns that the shelter is improperly handling animals and more. In Lake County News, there have been complaints about overcrowding, cleaning protocols, donation distribution and veterinary care. The meeting Thursday will also cover labor negotiations with the Clearlake Middle Management Association, road improvement and a proclamation of June as LGBTQ+ month.
The Redwood Valley County Water District Board met earlier this month to talk water. A well has been discovered with a significant amount of water at the Masonite site. Proposed housing development in the Millview County Water District would pull water from one of their wells, representatives from Redwood Valley are going to make a second test pump to see if water rights could be acquired. Redwood Valley has been given permission to divert water from Lake Mendocino, the water will be pumped to the treatment plant. In MendoFever online, the District is planning to have a special meeting to approve lifting the 55-gallon per day limit. They also discussed the first meeting of the Russian River Water Forum and agreed more information needs to be heard from all interested parties as PG&E plans to decommission the hydroelectric dam site.
A California appeals court said yesterday that Leslie Van Houten, a follower and killer for Charles Manson, should be let out on parole. The appellate court is reversing an earlier decision by Governor Newsom. Van Houten has been recommended for parole five times in the past 7 years, all were rejected by former Governor Brown and Newsom. The state’s Attorney General has asked the California Supreme Court to stop her release. AP is reporting that Van Houten is now in her ‘70s, serving a life sentence or helping kill Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The court said she has shown extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse and support from family and friends. AG Bonta may request a stay of the ruling.
Small California businesses, especially those owned by women and people of color, can now apply for a program that offers business advice, mentorship and a chance at seed money. The ICA Fund offers a 12-week program called “The Accelerator at ICA” that focuses on strategy for growth, personnel, capital, and investment readiness. Once participants complete the program they are eligible for seed money. ICA’s business accelerator accepts applications four times a year and the next one is open now. The program is funded by philanthropy and by the feds and is one of ten nonprofit venture capital Certified Development Financial Institutions in the U-S, and the only one in California.
The California Highway Patrol has issued a Feather Alert for Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity and Sacramento counties for an at-risk missing woman. Cassandra Miller is missing, and was last seen in the city of Loleta in Humboldt County. Authorities say she is on foot and wearing a black Bear River Tribal hooded sweatshirt. The Feather Alert is used by law enforcement to investigate the suspicious or unexplainable disappearance of an indigenous person. Miller is 33 years old, five foot 4 and weighs about 210 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is a tribal affiliate of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria. Call police if you see her or have any information.
Art Center Ukiah is hosting an art show about cannabis with 30 pieces by artists from the Ukiah Valley, the North County and the Coast. In Willits news, the ACU with the Willits Center for the Arts and the Gualala Center for the Arts called on artists of all types for a competition to be showcased this Friday in Ukiah. The show opened earlier this month at the Willits Center for the Arts. The show includes photographs, statues and more all involving cannabis. The Arts Council of Mendocino helped guide and support the show, sponsored by Sparetime Supply in Willits.
There will be a special event this weekend to honor Skunk Train singer Greg Schindel who faces cancer. The train will leave Willits at 1:30 Saturday. The event will raise funds for the locally famous singer who’s been performing on the Skunk Train since 1988. The benefit train will take a two hour, 16-mile trip through the redwoods to the Noyo River Canyon and back. In MendoVoice, Schindel helped develop the “Northern California Transcendental Folk Jazz” sound and has worked in Willits’ schools for decades.
Over the holiday weekend, gas prices were higher in reaction to demand. In the Press Democrat, nationally a gallon of gas was about $3.57 on average. In California, current prices are averaging about $4.83, up about 6 percent recently, but lower than last year when gas was well over $6. California has the most expensive gas in the nation, followed by Hawaii and Washington. Bay Area gas is about $5 right now, with Sacramento at about $4.71 according to Stacker statistics.
One week from today, the East Region will hold their Town Hall at the Moose Lodge at 4pm in Clearlake Oaks. The group will introduce new sheriff Rob Howe who will share his goals and talk about his department, according to Lake County News. The meeting will also include a discussion on Lake County’s 10-year road rehab project. An update on the Catfish Derby will be presented. Commercial cannabis projects and task force will have updates along with the Northshore Fire protection District.
As schools close up for the summer, some kids will have to find other ways to get lunch. The Redwood Empire Food Bank is returning to make sure kids have food. The program for kids under 18 will begin next Monday at sites including in Cloverdale and Healdsburg. The Press Democrat reports the food bank is federally funded and supported by the Sonora County Library, Boys and Girls Clubs and more. After COVID era policies, this year the bank is offering sit-down meals. Dial 211 for more information.
The Mendocino National Forest is hiring for a lot of positions. The forest offices in Willows and in Upper Lake have positions they hope to fill by mid-June. In a press release, the Mendocino National Forest lists tribal liaison, information and administrative support, archaeologist, biologist and forester as just some of the jobs they need to fill soon. Check with the local offices for more information.
Short-term rentals like those used in Airbnb and Vrbo could get taxed to support affordable housing in the state. In Cal Matters, lawmakers are considering a measure to help increase housing with Senate Bill 584. The bill would charge a fifteen percent tax on short-term rentals for places that rent out less than 30 days, starting in 2025. It could generate about $150 million annually, with local occupancy taxes. The senate is set to vote on the bill today, but it has to pass by the end of the week to continue in this year’s session. Proponents of the bill say the rental tax could help fund housing projects through new construction and rehab. Opponents, like the California Chamber of Commerce have concerns that larger hotels would have an unfair advantage over local rental owners.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife have announced the expansion of its Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program. The program has three parts to it. Ranchers throughout the state have been able to apply for compensation for livestock loss due to wolf attacks. The department is also helping fund non-lethal deterrent. In a press release from the department today, ranchers with livestock in known wolf pack territories may now be eligible for indirect economic impacts. Reduced calf weight and lower pregnancy rates associated in wolf territories can be compensated. The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program is one of many strategies the state is using to mitigate conflict in the state. The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program website has more information and ways to apply.
Noyo Beach wants people to come get driftwood. In the past, City Public Works crews removed driftwood, or by people who got permits. This year the City of Fort Bragg says the beach west of the Noyo Bridge is open for people to take all the driftwood they can get. Collecting driftwood is not legal in state parks. The free driftwood offer is only for Noyo Beach though June. In MendoVoice online, there are some conditions. Wood can only be removed during daylight hours. People must follow all park rules and make sure to be cautious of people and pets on the beach. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the beach, and must park in paved lots. Officials do warn that you shouldn’t use driftwood as firewood; sea salt in the wood can release toxins when burned.