Intro: California did not fare as well as expected on the Environmental Scorecard, a report card put out every year since 1973 by the nonprofit California Environmental Voters. The low score apparently due to inaction on the many climate bills that stalled in the state Senate, even though Democrats have a supermajority. Mary Creasman with California Environmental Voters says many Democratic lawmakers talk a good game but then vote to delay climate action.
| :15 “We actually have the solution and the technology, and all of those things are actually job creators too, and will advance our economy. What we don’t have is the political will to do it at the rate and scale that science tells us we have to.” |
Tag: Opponents of climate-action bills often cite the costs to business. The scorecard also says Governor Gavin Newsom made pro-climate decisions 82 percent of the time. Overall, state Democrats earned a score of 80 percent, while Republicans got a score of 15 percent.
Second Cut: Assemblyman Steve Bennett says it’s been tough to get colleagues to devote sufficient resources to decarbonize buildings and transportation, switch to renewables or modernize our grid and energy storage.
| (video) “Politicians don’t get popular by asking people to make sacrifices today to solve a problem that’s going to come in 15 or 20 years down the road, And that’s why we’ve been so slow in taking action on climate change.” |
Third Cut: Former Assemblyman David Chiu, now City Attorney for San Francisco, says there is hope – if Californians work together.
| :14 “There is enough wind off the coast of California to power the entire grid with clean power while creating great jobs for tens of thousands of workers. But there is so much work we need to continue to do to advance clean-energy solutions.” |
Tag: You can look up your representative’s score and read the entire report at envirovoters.org/scorecard.
In one of her final acts on the job, Mendocino County Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carmel Angelo appointed Julia Krog as Director of the Department of Planning and Building Services. Crog is a county native, hailing from Elk on the coast. She’s been with the county for 9 years, starting as a planner with the Department of Planning and Building Services. Over the years, she’s served in several different positions, but has been the Assistant Director for the last year.
A teenager in Willits has been arrested after threats were made to Willits High. Police say they got a call from a concerned citizen who also provided them with a screenshot off of a social media site, posted by a student Tuesday. Police say the post was serious in nature and deemed a credible threat. The principal was told about the incident and called the kids home. Police further investigated and found evidence supporting what the threat apparently was. The child was arrested and taken to Juvenile Detention for making criminal threats. Police say there are no more threats to the public now, nor any other suspects.
A young man from the Fort Bragg area has been found guilty of vandalism. Mendo Fever reports the 21-year-old, identified as Fabian Sanchez is a member of the Sureno Street Gang. Police say he caused over $1,000 damage to the red colored “Buddy Bench” at the playground at Redwood Elementary School. Apparently the Sureno Gang identifies with the color blue and have damaged other items with red in the past. Mendo Fever reports there were at least two others with Sanchez that night, but they have not been identified. Sanchez’s case has been referred to the Adult Probation Department for a sentencing recommendation. He’s due back in court at the end of next month.
State Senator Mike McGuire has reportedly teamed up with the City of Clearlake, Lake County Supervisors Sabatier and Simon and local water districts to bring in state money to pay for an intertie between some water districts near the City of Clearlake. An intertie is a passage between utilities. Lake Co News reports the Senate Majority Leader and city, and county began working together after the Cache Fire last summer to help upgrade infrastructure. The intertie would allow the sharing of water in an emergency between three water districts, the Lower Lake County Waterworks District, the Highlands Mutual Water Company, and the Konocti County Water District. McGuire says the county’s had some of the worst wildfires in the state, so upgrading and building resiliency within local water systems “is an absolute must”.
The Building Bridges Community Center in Ukiah transformed into an all-day shelter too. The facility’s manager told the Ukiah Planning Commission they’ve seen better behaviors, allowing them to transition to 24/7. The shelter managed by Redwood Community Services was just overnights and closed during the day and used as a resource center. Management says they were finding some of their regulars were congregating in one spot or another and it led to a lot more conflicts, but when they transitioned to all day access, they saw a significant drop in conflicts, assaults and violence. They’ve been open for a few years with funding to stay open year-round, not just in the winter. Because of that, they have to report to the city with an update every six months as part of their use permit.
At a hearing of the Lake Local Agency Formation Commission, they discussed the city of Lakeport’s plans to annex the South Main Street corridor, but made no decision. Lake Co News reports the decision on the matter was tabled because they want to formally protest it and need to figure out what the protocol is. The commission mulled the matter at their meeting for a couple of hours and plan to consider it again March 30th, in two weeks from yesterday. The news site reports they’re concerned with whether properties along the edge of the annexation area can be removed, as the property owners are protesting the issue. Then the annexation may be able to move forward after all.
The CHP is reminding to get yourself a designated driver for St. Patrick’s Day if you’re planning on green beer or the like. The patrol says to avoid taking chances and make the right decision to get a sober ride home if you plan to imbibe. There were three deaths on this holiday last year and another 76 were injured in the state due to DUI crashes. The patrol also says, not only will you be impacted by a loss or injury, but the costs add up if you get a DUI, with attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and car repairs can reach $15,000 or more in California.
It went off as planned… at 15 Sutter Health facilities in Northern Calif., Registered Nurses held an informational picket. There were about 30 in Lakeport Tuesday with signs. The nurses protesting staffing numbers, work-place violence, and pandemic readiness. They’ve been negotiating a new contract since last summer. Their union, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/ NNU) released a statement regarding their members being front line workers before and all during the pandemic. The Record Bee reports some nurses said the hospital system has made more money but refused to invest in resources they need to provide safe and effective care to patients and the community. Nurses told corporate officials they would be having the informational picket.
If you’re looking for a new job in Ukiah, you may be in luck. The county’s having an Education Job Fair March 26th. The fair put on at the Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) Cedar Building at 9am with employers from local school districts from both Mendocino and Lake Counties. Together they have over 50 open positions. Those looking for work are invited to meet and possibly interview with the prospective employers and should bring multiple copies of their resume, any credentials or licenses, letters of recommendation, and copies of academic transcripts. Representatives from Mendocino College and National University will also be on hand to talk to applicants about requirements for teaching credentials and opportunities to acquire additional education and job skills.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office following in their neighbor, Lake County’s, footsteps, donating gear to the battle in Ukraine. Sheriff Matt Kendall says they’re working with the Calif. Office of Emergency Services and the National Guard to get them 20 sets of surplus ballistic vests and helmets. Fire Chiefs in the county are also reportedly gathering trauma response supplies to send over too, that could include items like ice packs and bandages. The Sheriff posted on Facebook that the donated items are being picked up by the state and will get to residents of Ukraine within two weeks. Kendall says the vests are older and need replacing, and he says at least they can save lives. He also says he doesn’t believe in what the Russian president is doing. We reported yesterday that Lake County was also sending items after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the move last week.
