Local health officials are warning allergy medication users about possible side effects. Oral medications and nasal sprays are only for temporary use, and allergy sufferers should stay inside when pollen counts are high. It’s also a good idea to change out your furnace filter regularly and one that filter allergens. Taking off clothes exposed to allergens and washing them can help reduce attacks.
The new chairman of the California Assembly Education Committee wants to raise the pay of teachers and school workers by 50 percent over the next seven years. Money to pay for it would come from increased base funding, which legislation was introduced for last week. With over worked teachers and under staffed schools, local administrators say the pay increase would help retain good people.
Sonoma County’s Regional Climate Protection Authority held a virtual public meeting, on Wednesday evening. It was intended to test public support to move toward becoming a carbon-neutral county by 2030. The polls focused on buildings, land and water management, and transportation. 140 people that participated in the poll said some goals include; financial assistance for low income households, tenants and landlords to reduce carbon emissions, improving paths for bicyclists and pedestrians and supporting agricultural practices that would limit greenhouse gas emissions. Those and other programs will help make a summer survey, asking county residents if they would support public funding to pursue those priorities. If approved, recommendations would then go to voters.
There’s a new mural in the works at Pear Tree Center on Perkins Street, on the south facing wall of Lucky Supermarket. In the Ukiah Daily Journal, artist Anthony Ortega, says his unique interpretation was inspired by fruit crate labels of the 1920s. The huge 3,175 square foot work of art will face Perkins, the gateway to downtown Ukiah, with maximum visibility. Wednesday night with he projected the image onto the wall. Over the next few days, he will spray in the colors, the highlights and drop shadows, and put in any last details, hoping to complete it by Sunday.
The Lyrid meteor shower will peak this weekend in NorCal. It’s time to start watching for falling stars in the skies this weekend. The best times to view this meteor shower, known for producing fireballs that blaze across the sky and leave dust trails that last for several seconds, are from evening to dawn Friday through Monday morning. Forecasters are expecting clear skies on Friday night. The moon will barely shine, at 2 percent illumination and will set around 10 p.m. Friday, 11 p.m. Saturday and midnight Sunday. The Lyrids continue through April 29, intersecting with the Aquariids, which also started on April 5.
William T. Frederick Junior has been arrested for the attempted murder of a police officer after he fired at police while fleeing as a passenger in a car. Frederick was found in Red Bluff around 4:15pm yesterday, and was taken into custody without incident. The driver of the car, 21-year-old Rylan Witmer of Wilson, Kansas was arrested and charged with possession of meth and felony evading.
A suspected hit-and-run driver, William Len has been charged in the incident that killed Amanda Arney’s body was found down an embankment on Highway 20, several hours after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. William Len was charged for the crime, but failed to appear at a preliminary hearing. A bench warrant was issued and bail set at $20,000. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant, and after an investigation by the CHP, Len was arrested and booked into Lake County Jail. He posted bond and was released. He is being charged with felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Healdsburg Police arrested two kids Tuesday afternoon, after finding a handgun in a backpack following a chase through town. The young men, who police say were a 15- and 16-year-old from Healdsburg, jumped fences and ran through yards trying to get away from police. A pistol and a loaded magazine were found during a search of one of the boys’ backpacks, according to the news release. The unidentified boys were booked into Juvenile Hall on possessing a loaded firearm, possession of a concealed firearm in public, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest charges.
A group of U.S. attorneys general led by California’s Rob Bonta urged federal transportation officials to recall millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles yesterday, due to highly susceptible theft thanks to a security vulnerability. The state law enforcement leaders called for the NHTSA to institute a recall of unsafe Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022, whose easily bypassed ignition switches and lack of engine immobilizers make them vulnerable to theft. A viral TikTok “challenge” in recent years has shown users how to bypass anti-theft measures in Hyundais and Kias. Anti-theft software upgrades, announced in February will make their way to owners in phases.
Another 100 percent live release rate for the North Bay Animal Services was announced at the Clearlake City Council meeting last night. Clearlake Animal Control announced that more dogs are being adopted. In Lake County News today, over 100 dogs have come to the shelter from the first of the year thru this week. There are 62 dogs at the shelter now, down from 80 when last reported in March. North Bay Animal Services began several directives in response to issues with conditions at the shelter, which is contracted through the city.
The state’s Department of Water Resources is maximizing the capture and storage of the huge snowpack across the state. Known as Article 21 water, this additional water does not count toward State Water Project allocations. Since the end of March, the SWP has delivered over 200,000 acre-feet of water to local water agencies with an additional 37,000 acre-feet planned for next week. While California’s surface water conditions have grown a lot this year after three years of historic drought, several water supply challenges remain in the northern part of the state and in overused groundwater basins. Millions of Californians rely on groundwater supplies as a sole source of water.
Sales tax revenue is decreasing in Ukiah and Mendocino County as a whole, giving new challenges to local governments. In Mendofever online today, Ukiah city officials said they expect a $1 million shortfall in sales tax revenue this year. The latest sales tax report shows a decline of about 10 percent during the fourth quarter of 2022. The spiraling numbers signal a slow local economy as people aren’t spending as much, affecting the county’s struggling weed industry. The updated figures show a local economic slowdown continues at a greater pace than throughout California.
Mendocino County’s overall budget status is murky showing a decline in sales tax revenue. County officials are stuck in budget delays and uncertainty about the revenue projections, and a sharp shrinkage in the local cannabis industry because of consistent concerns about a local regulatory framework. Researchers in a special report named ‘Cannabis Supply and Demand in 2023’ released two weeks ago announced “California’s cannabis industry is not dead, and it’s not dying. It’s just realizing that the market is not large enough to support everyone hoping to get a slice of the piece.”
Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Jeanine Nadel just issued a decision three years in the making. Mendocino Railway tried to use eminent domain to buy private property in Willits. The Judge in the case decided in favor of property owner John Meyer, this week. Meyer will not be forced to sell his twenty-acre parcel to the railroad, who sued him for the right to purchase and use it for a loading station and more. In her decision, Judge Nadel mentioned that 90% of Mendocino Railway’s revenue comes from its tourism offerings, saying there was no explanation to distinguish the private operations from “proposed” freight and passenger enhancements.” The City of Fort Bragg is suing the Skunk, arguing that “Mendocino Railway is in fact an excursion only railroad, and therefore is subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Bragg.” It’s scheduled to come before a local judge in June.
California lawmakers voted to protect sexual assault survivors from retaliatory lawsuits Thursday. Supporters of the legislation hope it will halt efforts to silence victims. The bill would make it clear that a victim’s comments about sexual assault or harassment are protected against defamation lawsuits if the allegation is not knowingly false or reckless. It would also help victims who successfully defend themselves in a defamation lawsuit to recover financial damages. The bill has to pass in the Senate before reaching Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Lake County has a new deputy county administrative officer. Certified Economic Developer Ben Rickelman has been appointed to the position and will manage the creation of a countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan. His many years of administrative work along with a masters degree in public administration from George Washington University have officials hopeful about the future.
Clear Lake High School’s varsity football team’s outstanding season they were presented a certificate of achievement at Tuesday’s Lakeport City Council meeting, as the 2022-2023 Coastal Mountain League champions. In Lake County News today, the team got more than accolades. This week parents and community members pitched in, and raised $9000 to get each player their own championship ring.
New artwork will welcome people into Ukiah. On the south facing wall of Lucky Supermarket, artist Anthony Ortega says his vision was inspired by crate labels of the ‘20s. The over 3,000 square foot work of art faces Perkins at the gateway to downtown. In the Ukiah Daily Journal, the artist describes his methods and hopes to have it finished by Sunday for all to enjoy.
California has reached its goal of selling 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles two years ahead of schedule. Gov. Jerry Brown launched the goal of selling that many cars and trucks by 2025, more than a decade ago. California now has a more ambitious goal of requiring all new cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
