In Lake County, the Registrar of Voters reported a steady turnout throughout the day. Early this morning the office had their last preliminary county from last night covering all 80 precincts. They reported about 21% turnout which could still go up with mail in and provisional ballots. The assessor-recorder, district attorney, sheriff and supervisorial races were all decided in the primary, so it was basically local school boards in Konocti, Kelseyville and Middletown. One big issue though was the annexation question, but only 3 ballots were cast by the voters who it impacted, all were against the move. In both Lakeport and Clearlake there were also City Council seats up for grabs. In Clearlake the incumbents Russ Cremer and Dirk Slooten ran unopposed. The Lakeport Mayor won a fourth city council term. She was unopposed, and Mireya Turner, who resigned but was still on the ballot won, and will have to resign again. For all other down-ballot races, check Lake County News online.
In the Ukiah City Council race in late returns Susan Sher had a healthy lead to take at least one of the spots open. She was closely trailed by incumbent Mari Rodin, then Juan Orozco. Jim Brown will probably lose his seat if the numbers hold, as only three were open.
Newsom 57.7% against Brian Dahle with 42.3%
Rob Bonta held on with 67% against his challenger
Alex Padilla won in a landslide with almost 70%
Jared Huffman in a landslide with 69%
Mike McGuire with 69%
Jim Wood 69%
Thurmond holds on to State Superintendent of Schools
Jason Godeke and Marcia Rafanan out front in Fort Bragg, along with Michelle Roberts
Lindy Peters wins the short 2-year term, appearing with Alberto Aldaco who said he was dropping out
Prop 1 overwhelming yes to enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution.
26 – no for certain gambling on tribal lands including sports wagering.
27 – no for certain gambling off tribal lands including sports wagering.
28 – yes more money for arts and music education in schools.
29 – no to have onsite medical professional for kidney dialysis clinics.
30 – yes w/51% tax money would go to fight air pollution from wildfires. But failed in the state.
31 – yes prohibit flavored tobacco sales.
Hopland Fire – 58%
Library Initiative – yes w/60%
Measure P – yes 56% Essential Sales Tax
After the Mendocino County DA asked the state Attorney General’s Office to recuse himself from former police chief Noble Wadelich’s criminal case, the office said no. The Sonoma County DA was investigating the case after a woman complained she was sexually assaulted by the former chief while he was on duty in June. Eyster has not publicly commented on the case, especially after former officer Kevin Murray was fired for several crimes including sex assault and only got probation. Eyster was also named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit by Wadelich’s former girlfriend who claims the former chief also assaulted her. The state attorney general’s letter to Eyster said the perception of a conflict doesn’t mean he has to recuse himself, nor does it disqualify him.
The Bureau of Land Management has rescinded the burn ban on public lands for Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties. Fire restrictions were put in place in June ahead of what’s historically been the peak of fire season in Northern Calif. This means public land visitors can light campfires again outside of campgrounds and recreation sites. They’re also allowing recreational target shooting in designated areas. But visitors are being reminded to check weather conditions because we could still have Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for hot, dry and windy conditions.
Cal Fire is not confirming yet that the recent rain could mean California’s fire season is over. The fire agency says they’re optimistic but are prepared for that not to be the case. Officials with the statewide firefighting agency says they can’t tell yet when exactly the fire season will officially end, with the third year of extreme drought and concerns, we could be headed into a fourth year. Generally, the end of fire season is based on normal precipitation, normal cooling, normal rising of relative humidity for this time of year. But due to climate change those conditions are coming later and later every year, if at all. And if we dry up quick here and get warmer weather, we could be back into fire weather.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed November Native American Heritage Month and agreed to participate in “Operation Green Light” to bring attention to Veterans this week ahead of Veterans Day. The Board also discussed waiving the bidding process so they could move forward with a hazardous tree removal project after the Public Works Department said there was no financial benefit to accept bids because there were no other consultants in the area. And the Board discussed turning an old Yoga building into a Cannabis retailer, but it would have to be re-zoned.
Another two Condors are to be released. This morning, at 7:30am the Northern California Condor Restoration Program is releasing a pair of prey-go-neesh (California condors) into Yurok Country. They have a condor cam where you can watch it. The birds are known as A6 and A7. A6, a male, was born in May of 2021, at the Oregon Zoo and the female, A7, was born the following month, in June of 2-21 at Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey. The two will remain enclosed, with the light first being let in at dawn, then a door will be opened for the birds to wander into a flight pen, where they will take their final steps in captivity. The first bird may only be released today, with the second tomorrow.
The California State Parks Dept. will allow US veterans to go to some state parks for free on Veterans Day. This Friday current service members and reserve personnel can visit any of the more than 130 select state parks. The state parks director says they invite all military, past and present, and their families to visit for free. This comes after a bill was signed into law in 2013 by former Governor Jerry Brown which authorized the parks department to offer vets from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard of any state a reduced fee or free day use at participating state parks.
Some ranchers could be in trouble if they violate water conservation orders. Water officials say they could fine up to $4,000 to prevent illegal water diversions during droughts. But it may amount to only about $50 per rancher. That’s because this area serves just about 80 ranchers and farmers who turned on pumps for about a week in August due to dried out pastures, diverting water from Shasta River. That was a no-no per both state and federal officials, who say it violated an emergency state order, threatened the river’s water quality and its salmon and other rare species. The Shasta River Water Association says the fine was the cheapest way to get by.
It was pretty chaotic at times at the election’s office. The Daily Journal reported they checked in mid-morning yesterday with the Mendocino County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Katrina Bartolomie said they were swamped. On Monday night, she reported they had received 16,734 ballots and got another 1,500 or so by yesterday morning. They also had allowed some folks from the public into watch opening and organizing of ballots which was happening in the main hallway of the county administration building. There was also a large screen set up in case there were too many people to watch the ballot-processing up close and personal.
The Mendocino County library system is asking for feedback on what services are the most popular and what changes, if any, they’d like to see. At last week’s Ukiah City Council meeting, the local library branch manager spoke in front of the panel to announce residents can submit their feedback through the end of the month. She said they welcome input so they can best refine services, programs and collections.
California is the place where the massive Powerball jackpot has been won. The grand prize of $2.04 billion has been won in Altadena. Joe’s Service Center sold the winning ticket, and we will find out who won because the state doesn’t allow anonymity when it comes to lottery winners. Joe’s Service Center is getting a Powerball bonus of $1 million. Then in San Francisco, the 1001 St. Market sold one of three one-million-dollar tickets. That market gets $5,000 for selling that ticket. The Calif. Lottery says Calif. Schools are getting $156.3 million from the jackpot. The winning numbers were drawn yesterday after a one-day delay.
The grape harvest in Mendocino and Lake counties is over just after an early frost and some pretty muggy rainy weather. The harvest just before a harder freeze just a few days ago. Some had to harvest a little early so they didn’t lose their fruit. Just before the end of the season, there were forecasts of a cold snap. The National Weather Service warned about cold temperatures for parts of Lake, Mendocino and northern coastal California counties 2 weeks ago. The unseasonably cold weather mixed with rain could have been a disaster, with temps forecasted well under freezing for all of Lake and eastern Mendocino counties.
The 12th annual Festival of Lights is coming to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Rain or shine each weekend from November 25th to December 18th you can check out thousands of lights along the sparkling lit path. There are treats and a gift shop too. It’s $10 for adults and kids under 16 are free. You have to get your tickets online ahead of time or at the gift shop. They expect it to sell out each night because they have limited tickets. They are also asking for mask wearing in indoor spaces and when you interact with staff. If you’re sick, please stay home.
Visit www.gardenbythesea.org/FOL for full details and to get tickets.
