The Mendocino County Sheriff’s office and the Office of Emergency service are planning to test the county Mass Notification Systems next week. That test will be from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 26th. Testing will focus on Wireless Emergency Alerts, new online resources, and new predefined evacuation zones. Officials want to be sure everything works right, just in case. They also want the public to know about the new online resources and evacuation zones. The Wireless Emergency Alert system is similar to the Amber Alert system, where you get a special tone and vibration on your mobile device. You will also get a short text message directing you to online resources. The emergency notifications would help the county respond any time the public has to take immediate action
Lake County Tourism Improvement District says visitors add a lot to the county economy. The district gave an update to the Lakeport City council Tuesday night, telling members travelers spent about 180 million dollars in the county in 2019. That added almost 13 million in state and local taxes and helped support 1,800 jobs. Most of those jobs—in food service and accommodation. District Communication person Brian Fisher says Lake County has seen significant growth in travel and tourism over the last few years. He also says 20-20 was a busy year in his office. Among last year’s accomplishments — a new website, twice as many Facebook followers, a redesigned monthly newsletter, and more print advertising. This year’s promotion plans include high-profile billboards in San Francisco and Sacramento. Fisher says the county is competing with other travel destinations with much bigger budgets and much more experience.
The Fourth of July is not that far off and Lakeport’s police chief says his officers are ready for any complaints about illegal fireworks. Lake Co News reporting Chief Brad Rasmussen outlined his department’s plan for the 30 days between June 17 and July 16 at this week’s meeting of the Lakeport City Council. Lakeport’s new fire chief also had input in that plan. It identifies several areas that were problems last year. Those places include parks, school district campuses, and areas around major shopping centers. Police will have extra patrols with a special team devoted just to illegal fireworks. The fire department will also be standing by. Chief Rasmussen says police are also gearing up for the larger city celebration on the Fourth. That celebration starts at 10:00 am at Library Park with vendors selling their wares, along with food and beverage booths. The fireworks display returns at dusk. Vendors who want to take part can find out more at the Lakeport Main Street Association website.
The Lake County Board of supervisors is backing a state child welfare initiative. The Lake County Record-Bee Reports the board has signed a letter of support for the proposal that would give parents of all five-year-olds a list of resources they can use and set up a new support network for pregnant women. State Senator Mike Mcguire told commissioners at this week’s meeting that the initiative would also provide more assistance for academically driven after-school programs aimed at low-income kids. McGuire says the plan would be a big boost to Lake County. McGuire and others in the senate want to spend 50 million dollars to get those programs up and running and another 100 million every year after that.
Heads up in Fort Bragg. The police department says officers will start enforcing two-hour parking in the Business District next week. Parking enforcement will primarily be in the downtown business area between Oak St. north to Pine St. and Main St. east to McPherson St starting on May 25th. On-street parking is limited to 2-hour from 9:00 am. to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Sundays and Holidays are exempt. The police department wants merchants to remind their employees and visitors of the rules and ask them to use off-street parking. Otherwise, they could find a ticket tucked under the wiper.
The Fort Bragg City Council holds a special meeting next week. That session Monday night is for a discussion of the city cannabis ordinance. The virtual meeting starts at 6 on Monday night. The city website has the link and the agenda.
A woman charged for a crash that killed two people from Clearlake is mentally fit for a trial. Lake Co News reports that a Lake County judge says the case against 22-year-old Keilah Coyne of Novato can move forward. She is accused of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other charges for the crash near Middletown on March 13th that killed Clearlake residents Elaine Rolicheck and Miguel Dominguez. Coyne’s lawyer had argued that his client may have been incompetent. That prompted a doctor’s review which found Coyle is fit for a trial.
A man from Willits has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of two people back in April. Christopher Gamble is accused of shooting Ulises Ayala and Anwar Ayala, whose bodies were found at a marijuana farm in Brookdale, northwest of Willits, on April 26th. The Mendocino County DA has also charged Gamble with animal abuse for maiming, mutilating, torturing, or wounding chickens. The judge has yet to set a trial date.
2nd District State Senator Mike McGuire is hosting a virtual town hall to talk about the drought emergency. He says it will focus on state response to the upcoming dry season and unprecedented low water levels. Mendocino County C A O Carmel Angelo is among those expected to take part in that meeting Thursday night. It starts at 6:30. Senator McGuire’s Facebook page has the sign-up details and the link.
The Ukiah Unified School District is giving out food today for any students under 18. That Wednesday weekly distribution is at Ukiah High and it runs until 6:30 this evening. Mask and social distance rules will apply. You can get more information from your child’s school.
