A Mendocino County jury found William Roberts Jr, of Willits guilty of selling fentanyl yesterday, a felony conviction. Roberts Jr. resides in Willits, as well as Missouri, making sentencing recommendations complex, with extensive records in both places. Roberts Jr. has eight felonies combined. He spent a couple years in prison in Missouri before being placed on parole. Judge Shanahan will sentence him on May 12, 2023 at the Ukiah courthouse.
The Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah is hosting the “Curious World of Seaweed” exhibit, and this Saturday, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. is hosting “Pomo Perspectives on Seaweed.” The works of art on display were created by native American artisans showing how they incorporated seaweed into their daily lives. The event is free with museum admission: $5 per person; $12 per family; $4 for students and seniors
The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that the earthquake Tuesday night was 4.6 miles northwest of Cobb, just inside the Sonoma County line. People in Clearlake, Glenhaven, Hidden Valley Lake and Lakeport felt the shaking. The quake was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest at magnitude 3.3 in the area. By Wednesday morning, nearly 700 shake reports were submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey from all around Mendocino County to Nevada.
Tonight at 7pm, the Middletown Area Town Hall will be held at the Middletown Community Library. A topic on the agenda includes an update on cannabis related business from the county. The Cannabis Task Force Committee Program Manager for the Community Development Department, Andrew Amelung, will update the public on the progress of the task force. Also on tap, strategies for community engagement, operating needs and volunteers. The public is welcome.
The EPA reporting that it has finished another step in the process to finish the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Site cleanup plan. The 160-acre site sits on the shore of Clear Lake in Clearlake Oaks. The plan includes cleaning up significant portions of the site, specifically the mine area, the Elem Indian Colony and contaminated soils in the residential area, southwest of the site. Documenting the final plan is the next step, expected to extend into winter.
Highland Springs Recreation Area recently re-opened after closing due to storm damage. There is still some brush that needs to be cleared to allow full use of the park and trails. This Saturday, the Lake County Water Resources will host a Highland Springs Vegetation Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are asked to bring hand tools, gloves, sunscreen and lunch to join the event. They will meet at the Highland Springs disc golf course. The group will work to gather brush into piles, and clear pathways.
Representative Jared Huffman is part of a group of lawmakers sending a letter to Secretaries Tom Vilsack and Deb Haaland, urging the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior to make formal rules to protect mature and old-growth forests. In the letter, they say that old growth forests play a huge role in capturing carbon and have environmental and community benefits like increased water quality and recreation. Last spring, the President issued an Executive Order recognizing mature and old-growth forests as vital to the health and prosperity of communities across the US, saying they’re essential to climate and conservation goals.
The Lake Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, has an opening for a commissioner and is looking for applicants to serve for a four-year term. State legislation created the commission to preserve open space and farm land resources. The group meets the third Wednesday every other month at Lakeport or Clearlake City Halls. Commissioners will earn $100 monthly. Interested residents should write a letter with your background and reasons to become a service member for the commission, before May 5th. The LAFCO website is www.lakelafco.org.
There’s a new principal in town, at Pomolita Middle School. Ukiah Unified School District is welcoming Jon Dewey into the position. Dewey is from Redwood Valley and Ukiah, having attended Ukiah schools. He’s got a degree in history and education and an MBA from Kansas Wesleyan University and an Education degree from Arkansas State University. Dewey played football during college and served as head football coach at Ukiah High School. After serving as the interim principal for Pomolita this school year, the district is formally giving him the title.
