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 from Arkansas State, and an MBA from Kansas Wesleyan 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.
A large housing development in the south end of Ukiah that was previously called Garden’s Gate got approved for a modified version this week. The project had been approved nearly 15 years ago as a 197-lot subdivision across from Plant Road. The revised project designed by Chico developer Guillon, Inc. building 172 single-family lots, 39 of which will be for seniors. The new owners began applying for the revised plan in 2020.
According to Child Care Resource Network, light-hearted play leads to profound child development benefits. The Nokomis Elementary School principal is encouraging parents to play board games with their kids. Taking the time to sharpen their thinking skills through old style board games has shown a measurable cognitive benefit to growing minds.
PGE is saying a new billing system may lead to higher bills, in the short-term, while they develop the two-part system. Customers could pay up to $100 dollars more a month for utilities. The new proposal recommends an independent state agency or third party be responsible for verifying customers’ total household incomes. Electric rates would be based on a tier system with customers who make less, pay less.
A dog was rescued from a drain by Willits Police Officer Basurto on Thursday. The poor pup was found in a storm drain on Baechtel Road. Officer Basurto found the yellow lab stuck with just enough of his muzzle to be seen deep down the drain. Helpful residents were on hand to help with tools, and helped the officer as he lifted the 80 pound concrete lid to free the dog. The rescued lab was held at the police station and returned to its owners.
Lake County OES is asking residents to review and comment on the working draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. The office would like the public to participate before they submit the final draft to Cal OES by early summer. They’re asking for your thoughts via email at lakesheriffoes@lakecountyca.gov by May 1st. More information will be released during another upcoming round of public comment soon.
The Fort Bragg Fire Department has a forty-foot fire training tower almost finished along the coast, with a second tower near completion in Ukiah. For the first time, the county will have access to two “in-house” sophisticated fire training structures so firefighters don’t need to travel away to train. The coast tower is located on Holquist Lane on an old mill site. The Board of Supervisors awarded county fire chiefs $1 million from PGEs payout for its responsibility for wildfires over the past few years. Among the new training features, they’ll have two burn rooms with an obstacle course. There firefighters can practice forced entry, wall breach, and roof venting.
In more firefighting news, the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board has approved repairs to Station 52, damaged by a vehicle crash in the fall. Last November, a car crashed into the building, after veering off the Hill Road exit off Highway 29. The crash caused a lot of damage to the buildings steel framework and bay doors. Fort Bragg Electric got the contract to fix the station, and will install new metal columns, siding and more.
The Mendocino Board of Supervisors are proclaiming May 5th as Mendocino County Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People. The Tribal Chairwoman of the Little River Band of Pomo Indians, Deborah Ramirez discussed people suffering from a variety of crises, from domestic violence to sexual assault. She says they need more help from federal agencies. Ramirez said local law enforcement is recognizing and responding, and hopes to increase cooperation in the future. The board responded with the proclamation, vowing to keep the community safe, including indigenous people.
Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire’s legislation to increase offshore wind development passed Tuesday in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. McGuire says the bill expedites the permitting process, and protects the state’s coast and fishing fleet. The bill brings infrastructure in place and get career training going. SB 286 now continues to the Senate Energy Committee.
