Apparently, a perk that helped pay off the administrator of a Cal State University campus accused of impropriety is still available. EdSource reports some administrators in the CSU system have been offered perks or retreats as part of their contracts even as they’re investigated for allegations of misconduct or have had disciplinary actions against them. This led to the resignation of Joseph Castro as chancellor. EdSource says an investigation uncovered the Fresno State president was offered a six-figure settlement to leave as he was accused of sexual harassment and bullying. But a new policy is emerging. The California State University Board of Trustees is changing how administrators are allowed to get tenured faculty positions. It wouldn’t be allowed if they’re fired or under investigation for misconduct or policy violations.
Over $2 million dollars is coming to Mendocino County for more electric vehicle charging stations. Two grant programs from the California Energy Commission will pay for the stations over the next few years. The county will spend over $855,000 to install 20 level 2 chargers at the administrative building complex in Ukiah and four more at the social services complex. They’ll be open to the public during daytime office hours, and, at night, the county will use them for its vehicle fleet. The other grant includes $718,500 for rebates to Mendocino County businesses, tribes, low-income housing developers, shopping centers and public entities to install public level 2 and fast-charging EV stations at their properties in Willits, Fort Bragg, Point Arena and Elk. Another $800,000 is for high-speed EV chargers along rural highways and in low-income communities, and $633,000 more for hotels along coastal Highway 1.
Seems like PG&E is still trying to dump the Potter Valley Project. The company has put out a schedule they’d like to follow to finally surrender their application and decommission the Potter Valley Project. The filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) could mean the Project could finally be removed as conservation groups try to heal native steelhead and salmon. They say this is a step in the right direction so the Eel River could be free-flowing again, filled with salmon and steelhead runs again. PG&E says it will take over two years for the application process to play out, and at six months from approval, they’ll send a draft surrender and decommission plan for the Project to FERC. It would include the two Eel River dams, a diversion tunnel where water moves from the Eel watershed and into the East Branch of the Russian River, and a powerhouse.
Due to previous under-burning for fire suppression, it’s said that the famed grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park are safe. Regular undergrowth burning of the trees helped the massive trees survive the first fire that came their way in a century. The info per a forest ecologist who toured the site yesterday. The fires are generally small. They’ve been going on for the last half century to protect the world’s largest trees from flames. The Washburn Fire started last week and threatened campers and those living in the nearby town of Wawona. Some of the trees did get charring scars as flames reportedly reached as high as 70 feet up their trunks. The Washburn has burned more than 3,500 acres and lost some containment. It had been 22% surrounded, but Cal Fire reports it’s now at 17%.
Due to the latest strain of the omicron coronavirus, Calif. is seeing a surge in new infections and hospitalizations. The BA.5 subvariant is more contagious bringing the state’s positivity rate up over recent weeks. The state Department of Public Health reported 36.1 cases per 100,000 residents, which is actually down about 11% from the week before. But the state reports that might be because of less testing, and not less cases as residents use at home rapid tests, which generally go un-reported to the state. Plus there was the Independence Day Holiday. The reported test positivity rate is 16.1%, near the highest point at the winter 2020 surge, which was 17.1% at its highest. This past January’s surge due to omicron was at 22.5% at its highest point.
Gun manufacturers and dealers dealing with new red tape to sales. They have to block sales to anyone they think could be a “substantial risk” of using a gun illegally or for hurting themselves or others. This is part of a new law the Gov. Gavin Newsom announced yesterday. The law creates a “good conduct” code and is more about intuition than actual solid rules. It’s one of over a dozen new gun control laws in the state that the Governor recently signed into law before Legislators left for their monthlong summer recess. Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association says the requirements are vague and the state’s trying “frustrate law-abiding gun owners” and put gun makers and dealers “out of business with frivolous litigation.”
After the retirement a couple months ago of the county’s CEO, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Chair Ted Williams announced a new county leader. Interim Chief Executive Officer Darcie Antle was permanently appointed by the Board as the new Chief Executive Officer. She will get a 4-year contract which became effective yesterday. She’s been in the position in the meantime since March 20th. She had been the asst. CEO since May of 2021, and is also the Disaster Recovery Finance Director. After the announcement of her appointment, Antle said, as a resident for over three decades and with her experience in education, health care, county finances and communications, it will allow her to serve well in the position. But she added, it’s only possible with the direction of the Board of Supervisors and the help of all departments and divisions working together.
After winning in something of a landslide, the Mendocino County 3rd District Supervisor, John Hashak is thanking the community for re-electing him. He says it’s truly an honor to be a public servant in such a beautiful part of the world and to such great people. He reiterated his platform from the campaign, that they need to work on the economy, safer communities, and a more transparent and better functioning county government. He also noted a sales tax up for discussion this week for the Supes. He and Supervisor Gjerde have proposed limiting the tax to a quarter cent, mostly for fire services, and ten percent to fire prevention, resiliency and readiness. But it’s up to the voters in the general election in November.
A man from Clearlake with a warrant for his arrest after he didn’t appear in court from a case a couple of years ago, has been caught. Ronald Raymond Antoni appeared on video for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty. The charges against him included felony reckless evading, felony evading a peace officer by driving in the opposite direction of traffic and DUI. There were also charges against him in a separate case for disorderly conduct and being under the influence of a drug. Both cases were in 2020, one ending in a Deputy chasing the guy who drove recklessly around the patrol car. He said he was afraid to stop and was trying to get to the hospital. He admitted he smoked meth and drank before driving. He’s due back in court next week for a settlement conference and another date was set for a jury trial just in case. He’s held on $161,000 bail.
If you’re thinking of running for City Council in Lakeport, you’re in luck. Nomination papers can be picked up starting Monday for two seats open for a four-year term. Those interested have to be registered to vote and live within the City limits of Lakeport. The filing deadline is Thursday, August 11th. The person running has to have signatures of at least 20 registered voters; but not more than 30. The City Clerk’s office asks you to call ahead for an appointment during the nomination period, from M-Th, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
