It’s voting day, if you didn’t send in your ballot, there are plenty of spots to go cast one. The measure for Anderson Valley Voters, whether or not to allow for a tax to help pay to renovate classrooms; upgrade agricultural program facilities; repair or replace roofs, water infrastructure, heating and air conditioning systems; construct a new elementary school multipurpose room; and improve student safety through $13,000,000 in bonds. Also in Mendocino County, 3rd District Supervisor, 5th District Supervisor, 2nd Congressional District, Congressman Jared Huffman is up for re-election. The Governor who is expected to easily win, has 25 contenders against him and room on the ballot for a write in. A contentious battle for Rob Bonta to stay in as the Attorney General. This is just the primary though. Also on the ballot, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer and shall US Senator Alex Padilla get another term? Remember, he took over for Kamala Harris who became the Vice President of the US. In the Legislature Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire is up for another term, as is Assemblyman Jim Wood. Both the state and Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools are on the ballot as is the local DA and Sheriff, neither of which have competitors on the ballot, but possible write in competitors. In Lake County, Congressman Mike Thompson is up for re-election as is Assemblymember Cecelia Aguiar Curry in the 4th District. The DA is also in a tight race and they’re choosing a new Board Member for the Middletown Unified School District.
A former Lake County Social Services staffer is going to jail. Susan Marlowe busted for stealing thousands from the agency. The Lakeport resident will also have to pay the money back. She used to be a deputy public guardian and deputy public administrator for Lake County Adult Protective Services but was arrested last August after the theft of debit cards from the department. The money was stimulus after the pandemic broke out. The cards totaled almost $13,000. So, Marlowe was charged in March with elder abuse, embezzlement by a public officer, embezzlement, larceny and identity theft. She ended up with two years formal probation, 20 hours of community service and 120 days in jail. A restitution hearing is coming in August.
A springtime swell of COVID cases is being reported by the new Lake County Public Health Officer. Dr. Erik McLaughlin sent out notice, the county has been seeing a surge of cases, at nearly 11% of anyone testing for COVID, getting back positive results. Dr. McLaughlin says the number of cases has been going up steadily over the last few weeks, and that some nearby counties were reinstating indoor masking requirements. While he’s not mandating that, he is reminding to wear a “properly fitting mask in indoor public settings” and to get vaccinated if you are not already. As a reminder, if you have symptoms of Covid-19, to please get tested and speak with your health care provider. McLaughlin says the Bay Area has the most cases of all in Calif. mostly due to omicron, which is very contagious.
Cal Fire has put a burn ban in place, suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning in the State Responsibility Area of Mendocino County. The burn ban starts next Monday due to increased fire danger because of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions. Cal Fire Mendocino says the state has been experiencing an unusually early start to fire season because of the ongoing drought and historically low rainfall and reservoir levels. The chief of Cal Fire says it’s imperative we collectively take “preventative steps now to prepare” and they’re asking all Californians to do their part in wildfire preparedness:
• Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
• Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
• Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility.
Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A valid campfire permit is required and can be obtained online at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, Home Hardening, Evacuation Planning and how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
A Nixle alert was sent out to some residents near Comptche due to shots fired in one neighborhood. Residents in the 8000 block of Flynn Creek Road south of Comptche were warned to shelter just after midnight last night. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department reported a man with a firearm had been seen and to avoid the area. But then Mendocino Action News on Facebook posted Deputies were called to the area for a reported arson first, and a possibly intoxicated person who supposedly lit a trailer on fire and fired shots from an ATV.
A warrant for the arrest of a man from Clearlake ended up in the guy’s arrest. Police say 44 year old Robert Flores is accused of sexual acts with a child 10 or younger, and one count of lewd and lascivious acts upon a child. Cops had been following leads to find and arrest Flores and finally found him in Ukiah. Police found him in a business parking lot but he tried to get away. But a police dog named Zeus nabbed the man. Flores was booked in the Lake County Jail. Not a lot more info was released due to privacy concerns for the young victim.
In a surprise move, the Mendocino Railway which operates the Skunk Train has reportedly sent a request to the state Assembly Transportation Committee to note they support legislation by State Senator Mike McGuire to stop a mysterious coal train proposed in the area. It would have coal traveling through Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt counties, after first restoring the old North Coast rail route, long out of service. The bill would ban any money going to operate rail services on the North Coast Rail Authorities (NCRA) or Great Redwood Trail Agency’s (GRTA) rail right-of-way north of the City of Willits, and no state funding could be spent on a coal terminal within Humboldt County. The Skunk Train operator wrote they’ve never supported the transport of coal, they support the remote residences and communities. The operator says any press reports they are working with the “Mystery Coal Train” is fake news.
Several firefighters with CalFire gathering to prepare for the peak of wildfire season. They got together at the Jackson Demonstration State Forest last week clearing brush, putting up shelters and working with tools in timed drills for this fire year. The Crew Readiness Drill to see how quickly they can work and find any potential weak points in their work. The Mendocino unit making sure they’re ready for what may be coming. They report having 430 personnel at the ready for the season. They started hiring back in March and will most likely be on well into fall and possible winter months.
Fort Bragg’s community garden is open for business. The South Lincoln Street Community Garden is located next to the CV Starr Community Center. Last weekend they had their grand opening with treats, music and activities for the whole fam. They opened for planting over winter months. And those attending, just missed a downpour as they left for the day. There are a couple of garden setups that are accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act along with nearly 2 dozen other plots, each are 50 square feet. There’s also a greenhouse, water tanks, a shed and composting section.
The latest on the Measure B, Behavioral Health Regional Training Center. They’re meeting with local tribal leaders from across the County to see how they can help each other out. The agency is also working with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, assessing clients with harm reduction and the Safe RX Coalition. They’re also preparing for a Fentanyl awareness day in a few weeks. And Institute leaders are developing several projects to reduce mental health stigma Countywide. With that, they’re producing a podcast, participating in California’s Adopt a Highway program, and putting together a community education campaign. The money from Measure B continues help individuals without access to crisis after care services the same as non-Medi-Cal recipients.
Work has begun with Lake County Land Trust’s on Rabbit Hill Park to place directional signs up to help travelers along. The Record Bee reports the small peak in Middletown with gorgeous views started to get some signage last weekend. Lake County Land Trust and some locals were working to get the signs up to point out surrounding mountains including St. Helena, Cobb and Harbin. Students from Middletown High helped get the signs up with volunteers. Hardester’s Market donated tools for hole digging to mount the signs, and some spray paint. Students did some gardening too for general cleanup and helped paint. The 9 acre park where they were working was donated to the Lake County Land Trust 2 decades ago.
