Lake County has a new, permanent county administrative officer. After Carol Huchingson announced her retirement, her deputy, Susan Parker was announced as the interim officer. Last night Lake County Supervisors announced they had appointed Parker permanent County Administrative Officer. After a closed session yesterday, the announcement was made by the Board Chair, adding that Parker had done an outstanding job so far, and they were excited she agreed to accept the permanent position. She was named Assistant CAO three years ago, after a rigorous nationwide search. Parker has experience outside of Calif. and has a Master’s in Public Affairs and Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin.
The state Assembly has passed a bill that may mean trouble for social media companies. The bill says some children are becoming addicted to social media like Tik Tok or Snapchat. It looks to fine the platforms up to $25,000 per violation if a child is harmed physically, mentally, emotionally, developmentally or materially. Some who are against the bill say it could mean social media companies would stop operating in Calif. for some children instead of facing possible liability. The bill only applies to social media companies with at least $100 million in gross revenue over their last year.
The Governor says he’s looking at possible mandatory water restrictions if residents don’t cut their use in the drought, during the hottest summer months. That word came as the Governor met with water agencies who supply water to the largest cities in the state. So far there have been no mandatory cuts, but voluntary ones haven’t really dented water usage. Instead, water use was up 19% compared to the year 2020. The Governor said all of the state’s water agencies should take a more aggressive approach to get the word out that we are in a drought emergency, and they should implement conservation measures. This is the third year of drought, with most of the state in either severe or extreme drought conditions.
After two years online, we’re back to in person festivities for the Mendocino Film Festival. Organizers have announced they have almost 60 films, panels, workshops, and parties June 2 – 5. That includes 35 features and 23 shorts. As we previously reported there will be an animator who has been nominated for an Academy Award twice on hand to share parts of his upcoming film. Bill Plympton will be joined by other filmmakers, including Academy-Award winning documentary filmmaker Freida Lee Mock who will screen The Choir and Conductor with a live choral performance after the showing.
For more information and to buy tickets, check out: www.MendocinoFilmFestival.org.
After a couple years away the Redwood Empire Spring Fair is back at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. The Fair CEO, Jennifer Seward says they’re excited to bring folks back in person with classic fair food, carnival rides and entertainment, including live music, Monster Trucks and Mudd Boggs. The event June 3rd – 5th is free, but you need a ticket to sit in the grandstands. You can pick up tickets at all Mendo Mill stores in Lake and Mendocino Counties and at the Ukiah Grocery Outlet.
The Willits Unified School Board and Staff have recognized former colleagues who have retired from the district. A couple of weeks ago the Board and others recognized the retirees who gave so much to the district, during their careers. They also took time to recognize Reclassified English Learners, then got on to the business at hand. They discussed issues with their bathrooms, where drug use was occurring, cigarettes were being smoked and more supervision was requested. The school board is also looking at potentially hiring an assistant superintendent but is first going to hire more aides and up the amount of one on one time students get with them. The board also heard a presentation about unsheltered and foster students and discussed resources available to them.
West Business Development Center (West Center) has been appointed as the next Economic Development Liaison for the county. The Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to direct the Executive Office to partner with West Center during the first part of the new economic development program. The Board agreed to pay $175,000 for a one year contract to work in economic development; business recruitment and retention; and workforce development. Any businesses interested in getting a grant or moving to or expanding in Mendocino County would go through the West Center. It’s all part of the MOVE 2030 initiative which is being paid for by the federal Economic Development Administration to help Mendocino County have a more resilient economy.
It’s that time of year again, but it’s a tad odd, a black bear seen wandering about densely populated Bay Area neighborhoods. Recently a bear was seen in Fairfield, by an In and Out Burger joint. The neighborhood contains busy streets, strip malls and Interstate 80 is nearby. A bear was reportedly seen a bunch of times in Vacaville, maybe the same one, maybe not, officials say. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reports the state has up to 40,000 black bears in the state. They say they’re monitoring the Fairfield situation along with police. Residents are reminded to keep pets inside and close up trashcans that may have rotting food or produce in them.
Pacific Gas & Electric has announced they’re undergrounding lines due to the continuing risk of wind mixing with wildfires due to climate change. The project is costing the energy giant $3.75 million a mile, and there are 10,000 miles they are burying. It comes after the company has been continually blamed for starting fires in Northern Calif. as their equipment is taken down in windy weather and ignites. They’re further blamed for destroying thousands of homes and were even criminally charged for deaths in the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County. They’re targeting the highest risk areas first for undergrounding, looking at weather patterns, fire history, tree density, outage data and more. Some of the areas of priority include, Santa Rosa, Rossmoor, Pacifica and the coastal towns of Pescadero and Davenport.
The Planning Commission in Lake County is holding public hearings on multiple projects. This week they’ll consider a cell tower, a business that wants to put on special events and the county trying to use the old juvenile hall as a homeless shelter. The meeting is this Thursday online and in person. The cell tower is being proposed by New Cingular Wireless, or AT&T Mobility in Clearlake Oaks. The special events permit is being proposed by a couple who own Ripe Choice Farm and want to put on a couple of events a month for about eight months of each year. A neighbor is opposed to it though. And finally, the old juvenile hall would be turned into the Elijah House Foundation homeless shelter, if approved.
Governor Newsom says we could be a step away from affordable high-speed internet for all. At least for communities in the state without. The state would hire contractors to build 3,000 miles of broadband infrastructure. It’s part of the plan for the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative. Two vendors have been awarded almost $225 million in contracts and the state will purchase the optical fiber and materials for the 3,000 miles of the network. Newsom says it’s imperative for education, healthcare and employment services. The Middle-Mile network would bring high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities, regardless of technology used, on equal economic and service terms.
You’ve only got a few more days to clean up your yards ahead of peak fire season in Lakeport. The City of Lakeport’s Municipal Code says weed abatement is non-negotiable and has to be done by June 1st. The city will abate if they declare a property a nuisance first, after a property owner doesn’t self-abate. Dry vegetation has to be pulled at least one time between May 1 and June 1 every year, but it’s likely you will have to do it more than one time.
For further guidance on how to maintain your defensible space, please contact the Lakeport Fire Protection District at (707) 263-4369 or review materials available from Cal-Fire at https://www.readyforwildfire. org/preparefor-wildfire/get-ready/ defensible-space/
