After the Infrastructure Bill was passed in the house, Congressman Mike Thompson set a press conference on the matter. Along with Thompson this afternoon Lake County Board of Supervisors Chair Bruno Sabatier, Supervisor Tina Scott, Chief Administrative Officer Carol J. Huchingson, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Public Works Director Scott De Leon and Lake County Planning Council Representative Lisa Davey-Bates will also be there. They’re discussing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act from 2-2:30 today at Ackley Bridge Over Manning Creek in Lakeport.
Grace Hudson Museum is getting back some of its namesake’s work. A prized collection of artist Grace Hudson’s paintings will be at the museum as part of an agreement with the Palm Springs Art Museum in Southern California. 16 Hudson works are coming to Ukiah, as well as a long-term loan of two other oil paintings. Apparently the Palm Springs Art Museum staff contacted the Grace Hudson Museum about the possibility of gifting the collection last May.
In order to attract more substitute teachers to Ukiah, they’ve upped the ante. Ukiah Unified is paying more to get more teachers here. The daily pay rate for substitute teachers is going up $50/day, from $150 to $200 starting next week. Anyone in college already who’s finished up 90 units or has a bachelor’s degree can apply. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is waiving the substitute credential application fee right now too. Those interested should contact the Ukiah Unified School District human resources department at 707-472-5030. You can find more specific information on qualifying to be a substitute teacher in California at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/req-substitute.
All adults in Mendocino County are now eligible to get a COVID booster vaccine shot. Anyone 18 or older who has received either of the two shot vaccines, Pfizer or Moderna can get their 3rd shot. You have to have had the 2nd shot at least six months ago. That is the only requirement as the county and state are looking to help residents get that extra layer of protection against a potential holiday surge. Dr. Andy Coren says there has already been an increase in cases, which could mean the more vulnerable in the community, end up in the hospital, even if they are fully vaccinated. For more info on the vaccine, visit www.mendocinocounty.org/covid19 or call 707-472-2759.
Gunfire erupts in Redwood Valley. Seven people reportedly called 9-1-1 and police quickly got there and cordoned off the area. Security cameras caught the action. Mendo Fever reports neighbors on Road B heard the gunfire. Police went to the area, searching a cannabis garden where folks said the gunfire may have been coming from. But deputies said there was no evidence of a shootout. A neighbor also told the news site there was a local family maybe doing some target practice.
Forecasts show those taking water from the Russian River won’t have to curtail their intake. The Division of Water Rights had announced a temporary suspension of the curtailments due to all of the recent rain and upcoming forecasts. The temporary hold is through December 15th and could go through the entire month. They will make another announcement by around December 15th about when the cutbacks will resume. Right holders are supposed to be monitoring the Russian River Drought Response website on their own until that time.
A hiker reported missing in Covelo has been found safe. Mendo Fever reports the Sheriff’s dept. was called to the 3000 block of Airport Road this weekend to a female hiker out mushroom hunting with a friend who lost sight of each other. A few hours after the dispatch report deputies reported finding the hiker before temperatures were forecasted to get near freezing overnight.
The Lake County BOS is reportedly considering sending a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission against a proposed rate increase for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The Board was set to take up the matter last week but tabled it until tomorrow. The rate increases were reported related to wildfire mitigation efforts by the utility company. The 4.9% rate increase is opposed to especially for the most vulnerable residents and because of poor energy reliability in recent years. The board’s draft letter to the PUC sites hundreds of outages this year, over 200 alone just at the Middletown Substation.
The Governor has granted pardons to two California Indian Tribe members. One from the Koi Nation of Northern California and the other from the Resighini Rancheria. The Governor’s Office reported being in touch with the tribal leaders who supported the pardons. They’re also happening at the same time as Native American Heritage Month. The pardons for Koi Nation member Robert Morgan of Lower Lake for assault with a deadly weapon, and Frank Spa-ghe Dowd, a member and elected leader of the Resighini Rancheria, based in Klamath, also for assault with a deadly weapon.
A mountain lion has reportedly attacked a couple of goats at Boonville High School, killing them. An administrator at the school says they’re concerned about the safety of students after the attacks. The superintendent for the Anderson Valley Unified School District called into the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors saying last week the goats were killed, and a third was injured and all she got was a hazing permit, allowing her to try to scare the lion off, if it reappears. Experts in the field, said keeping the goats safe was paramount, not finding a way to scare off the lions.
A man from Lakeport has pleaded no contest, essentially admitting, he had child pornography on him. 59 year old Jeffrey Scott Cramer of Lakeport was not held in jail due to the pandemic after entering his plea back in March. He’s due to be sentenced December 15th in the case after a September court appearance. The court has also asked for more evidence after Cramer was charged with two counts of possessing obscene matter of a minor in a sexual act and another was tossed with a special waiver. The case stems from social media accounts with child pornography uploaded from them in Cramer’s name. He’s the former owner of Main Street Bicycles, which has new owners.
The Ukiah City Council has put together an ad hoc committee during their regularly scheduled meeting for complete streets. The complete streets policy so that bicyclists and pedestrians are a priority like drivers of vehicles on city streets as the city considers a redesign, or a new street. The city manager said they were in support of forming the ad hoc committee and there will be more educational materials, and maybe a workshop too.
