A wildfire that exploded in size in Clearlake seems to have calmed overnight. Firefighters on the scene of the windswept Wilkinson Fire around 5 last night. Cal Fire crews had it 75% contained around 4 hours later and were there all night putting out hot spots and mopping up the contained areas. There were mandatory evacuations that abated overnight, but an evacuation center was set up at Kelseyville High School. A few streets were closed off and the evacuations were lifted after a couple of hours. Cal Fire tweeted the fire was probably caused by a car fire that spread. There were reports that one structure burned, but we’ve not independently verified that. The fire reportedly burned 15 acres. And no injuries were reported. Power lines were not down, but power was cut to nearly 2,600 people as a precaution.
A fire in Redwood Valley destroyed two homes pretty quick in tinder dry conditions. Cal Fire Mendocino reported the 23 acres burned in grass and oak woodland in the 5700 block of Kirk Dr. There were also evacuations on Black Bart Drive where the two homes burned and another was damaged. The fire was named the “Kirk Incident”. There were ground and aerial firefighters on the scene. That included several helicopters dumping water and air-tankers dumping fire retardant above Highway 20. And the Redwood Valley Fire Department, Brooktrails Fire and Cal Fire Mendocino unit fought back the flames as the California Highway Patrol, and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office assisted where they could. There was also a reverse 911 call that went out for the evacuations.
Bizarre incident reported in the 500 block of School Street. Early yesterday reports of a car upside down in the middle of the road next to a damaged truck and SUV. Mendo Fever reports police say they think the person driving the car was under driving age, but they left before they got there. They were found soon after though, injured at a nearby hotel. They were taken to a hospital and cited for the incident. The hotel apparently called police who contacted the juvenile who said yes, he was the driver and he was intoxicated. The CHP reported it as a hit and run in Covelo where a juvenile and a female went to the hospital. The female had a head injury according to the CHP Incident Page.
A new budget has been approved by the Clearlake City Council for fiscal year 2021-22. Lake Co News reports it’s the largest ever budget since the city first incorporated because of investment in infrastructure. The city manager and mayor commented on the size of the budget and its historic nature. It’s for nearly $57.5 million in spending, another 53.5 or so in revenue and the general fund comes in at a little less than $8 million. The projected revenue is at about 3 times what the city got last year, but is also helped by grants and settlements. The infrastructure projects will cost the city about $36 million. The city manager says the capital improvements will have a dramatic effect and some will start next spring.
The state Legislature is working on protecting people who still cannot afford their rent due to the pandemic. Rental eviction protections were supposed to come to an end, but lawmakers are working on an extension of emergency rental aid which will cover all of their rent over the course of the worst of the pandemic. The Press Democrat reports renter advocates are worried if there’s no statewide moratorium on most evictions continued then many won’t be able to stay in their homes. Some chatter in Sacramento is that lawmakers will work to extend the moratorium at least thru September or maybe until the end of the year.
18 cases of the highly transmissible coronavirus strain known as Delta have been confirmed in Sonoma County. Public health officials say the mutation of the virus spreading fast across the United States has some European officials reinstating or extending pandemic restrictions. This is the strain first detected in India. The Press Democrat reports an infectious disease expert at UC Berkeley says the strain is more transmissible than anything we’ve faced so far. Across the pond, it’s causing a spike in cases in those not vaccinated or under-vaccinated. The Delta strain is about 7% of the infections that have been confirmed in Sonoma County this week. Last week it was at just about 1%.
There will be live in person concerts returning to Ukiah. The Daily Journal reports the Ukiah Community Concert Association is starting back up in September with a slate of shows thru next May. They begin with Classical Pianist Lindsay Garritson on Sept. 26th and next year the Professional Pianists Concerts will be back. For more information, visit: ukiahconcerts.org.
To get ready for the July 4th festivities in Fort Bragg, the city’s allowing folks to remove driftwood that’s washed ashore on Noyo Beach. In the past it was removed by the city or burned or by people who got permits to take the wood. This year they’re allowing it with just a beach permit, but weekdays only from 7:30am – 5pm. You have to look at the signs posted on the beach and follow the rules. They ask those taking the wood to do a site cleanup when you’re done and only use hand tools. You cannot drive onto the beach either. You do have to prove you have liability insurance so you can get permission to take the wood.
It’s happening again, a massive backlog of unemployment claims in Calif. Claims up at more than a million, one hundred thousand the week of June 12th. And the backlog of claims was up 1,100 from the week of June 5th. The Employment Development Dept. reports claims for unemployment benefits that require over 21 days to approve or reject were at over 222,500 June 12th, up 1,200 from the week before. Then there are the claims that are just out there in limbo to get certified, there are over 900,000 of those which was down about 100 from a week before. Over 2.5 million people filed claims as the pandemic broke with about a 52% recovery from a year ago, or around 1.3 million jobs regained.
If you’re cruising through Fort Bragg, be ready for some alternate routes. The city has a major storm drain and alley rehabilitation project ongoing. The city announced starting the Maple St. project which continues though the middle of July or so. They’re replacing about 1,000 feet of storm drain underground and putting in new pavement, so there will be some bottleneck driving in the area. Plus they’re putting in some new curbs that are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and repairing bits of sidewalk. Look out for detours if you’re new to the area.
UUSD Food Distribution New Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
We are excited to offer FREE FOOD for every Ukiah Unified student and ANY CHILD 18 years or younger every Wednesday at Ukiah High School, from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Items may include corn dogs, chicken, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, salad, cereal, bread, cheese, and milk. Some menu items are limited, and the selection may vary.
From Mendocino County Public Health Office
The risk for COVID-19 exposures and infections will remain in California beyond June 15th, and the continued use of face coverings helps prevent COVID-19 transmission. California’s updated Face Coverings Guidance is summarized below. The purpose of this guidance is to protect those members of our community who are still vulnerable (those who are not vaccinated, children less than 12 years old, and those who are immunocompromised). For those people, wearing a face covering properly protects themselves and others, particularly in indoor settings.
Current Orders for Mendocino County follow the state guidelines:
- Everyone must wear face coverings in the following settings:
- On public transit and in transit hubs
- In healthcare facilities where vulnerable individuals may be present
- In hospitals
- In nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- In homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers
- Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings
· Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear face coverings in indoor public settings and businesses such as retail, restaurants, theaters, meetings, and state & local government offices serving the public
- Fully vaccinated people do not need to wear face coverings in these settings.. [NT1] Any business may still require face coverings if they choose
Business owners/operators and venue operators have 3 choices to comply with this Order and they should post whichever method they use:
- Require everyone to wear face coverings
- Allow vaccinated people to self-attest that they are vaccinated
- Use a method of verification for vaccinated people such as showing their vaccine card, a photo-copy or digital proof
No person can be prevented from wearing a face covering.
People who are exempt from wearing face coverings include:
· children less than 2 years old
· people who have a medical or mental health condition or disability
· others (including hearing impaired) for whom a mask would cause an increased risk
In workplaces, employers are subject to Cal-OSHA COVID-19 Standards, and should consult those regulations for additional requirements.
