California’s reparations task force voted to approve recommendations on how they can compensate and apologize to Black residents for generations of discriminatory policies. On Saturday, the task force approved proposals that will now go to state lawmakers to consider legislation. The panel acknowledged and apologized for historical discrimination against Black Californians in voting, housing, education, policing and more. Other recommendations ranged from the creation of an agency to help descendants of enslaved people to calculations on what the state owes them, according to the Associated Press.
Power outages were reported overnight at both ends of Clear Lake over the weekend. The outages in Clearlake and Lakeport were reported about 15 minutes apart. Early Saturday morning at about 4:16am. Over 2,800 customers in Clearlake were impacted according to PG&E. Minutes later in Lakeport multiple transformers were seen malfunctioning causing electrical fires. In Lake County news, fire radio traffic reported a big part of the city was dark. The incident was narrowed down to a power pole at the corner of Armstrong and Main Streets, firefighters reported. PG&E said power was restored by 5a.m.
Mendocino County is included in the Small Business Administration disaster assistance loan program for the second set of winter storms that began in late February. Residents who went through the winds, flooding, landslides and more from the severe winter storms of late February through March can apply up until June 2nd. The up to $2 million dollar loans apply to businesses that were damaged in the emergency. Additional resources may be available to upgrade properties so that they are more resilient to climate change. To apply and get the requirements and information about additional resources, go to disaster loan assistance.sba.gov.
The Ukiah Planning Commission will meet to consider a new Redwood Credit Union branch at the corner of East Perkins and South Main streets at it’s meeting on Wednesday. The project calls for demolishing the two buildings at the former home of Dragon’s Lair to build a 4,500 square-foot facility at 101 S. Main Street. The property plan will also include lot space for parking and EV charging stations. Opponents to the planned work say the project isn’t right for the city, saying the four-way stop near the location will further congest traffic. They also say it sets a danger precedent for developers on single-use buildings rather than mixed use developments that would better walk-in traffic and maximize public access, according to the Ukiah Daily Journal.
May is Military Appreciation Month, and will be proclaimed so at the Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting tomorrow morning at 9am. The board will also get updates about the library and community visioning forum. The agenda, in Lake County News today, includes plans to amend the county code to exempt agricultural building permits for temporary hoop structures for cannabis cultivation. When the board meets tomorrow, they plan to address the 9th of May as Fentanyl Awareness Day in the county. The meeting will be streamed and can be seen live on Channel 8.
The recent murders in the community of Covelo prompted the Round Valley Indian Tribe to call a state of emergency. The homicides of Nicholas Whipple and teenager Ruby Montelongo have shaken the area in Mendocino County. In the LA Times today, missing information makes it difficult to number Native people who’ve gone missing or been killed, but federal officials estimate some 4,200 cases have gone unsolved across the country. The emergency declaration aimed to raise awareness on the violence plaguing the state’s tribes, especially those in Northern California. The calls for help reached the state Capitol, where lawmakers participated in events last week to learn about the crisis and solutions they can pass into law. The effort was led by Assemblymember James Ramos, former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Tribal leaders urged lawmakers to pass bills to improve public safety on tribal lands and dedicate $200 million to prevent more violence. They also asked for changes to the state’s foster-care system and an overhaul to a federal policy that stripped tribes of prosecutorial authority over crimes that occur on their reservations.
Redwood Waste Solutions (RWS) will start a new Mobile CRV Redemption Facility next week. In a Mendocino Press Release, the pilot project is 1 of 10 allotted in the state. In addition to the new mobile operation, the search continues for a permanent location in the Fort Bragg area. RWS will also be looking to expand the operational days and locations of the mobile service. Starting on May 14th, the Mendocino K-8 School will have a center open each Sunday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The Caspar Community Center will have the mobile CRV center open each Monday starting next week, from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Residents are asked to be patient with the new service that may be busy at first.
Hall of Fame Horse Seabiscuit will be permanently memorialized in Mendocino County, according to the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation. The non-profit created nearly twenty years ago was made to preserve the legacy and home of the legendary racehorse. The memorial will be in the original barn from the 1930s, a National Historic Site, and home to Seabiscuit. The opening will be May 27, from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Ridgewood Ranch in Mendocino County. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the event. According to James Patrick in Newsbreak, organizers have restored the 5,000 ranch and announced that their Carriage House will now be open for weekend stays. There will be photos and paintings and films celebrating Seabiscuit’s history during the memorial.
The Center for Biological Diversity and other organizations petitioned the California Court of Appeal to review the state’s new rooftop solar policy. Last Wednesday, the group’s petition says a new policy, that took effect April 15, slashes the credit to new solar users. In MendoFever online, the action comes after a request to delay the start date was ignored. Filers of the petition say the new rooftop solar policy will hurt working class Californians. The new policy cuts credits up to 80 percent. State law requires the policy be more competitive, according to supporters. Opposition to the policy cites more power will be given to utilities like PG&E, also named in a lawsuit. PG&E, along with two other southern California utilities have 30 days to respond to the petition with the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Fransisco.
A new assembly bill may help young Californians in extended foster care with relief from rising housing costs. In The Record-Bee today, the new bill seeks to create a housing supplement that would increase the monthly amount of financial assistance youth in extended foster care can get. The increased amount would add the base rate of just over $1,000 regardless of where they live. Extended foster care coverage was set up a decade ago to help independent foster kids get into housing. There are some requirements to the new policy, if enacted. Lack of sufficient funding for basic needs is a long-established barrier for low-income youth, sometimes eliminating the chance to go to college or work towards higher education possibilities. AB 525 would include fair market rate housing allotments to be paid monthly.
Over 11,000 of pounds of garbage were gathered at the Lake County Spring Community Cleanup Day. The Lakeport Public Works Department recognized and thanked the volunteers who helped in the community cleanup on the last Saturday of April. Lakeport Disposal reported many residents volunteered to help clear out unwanted trash. The Community Cleanup Day began about 6 years ago, and has continued the semi-annual event that includes the community working to beautify the area. Since its inception, 15,000 pounds of recyclables have been diverted away from the county landfill. The next Community Cleanup Day will be autumn, according to Lake County News.
The 2nd Annual California State Fair Cannabis Awards are on the horizon, and there’s only about 10 days left to enter. Licensed cultivators have until Friday, May 19th to enter. The competition has a variety of categories for indoor, mixed light, and outdoor grown cannabis. In a press release for the competition, organizers say it’s an opportunity to bring the cannabis industry a seat at the ag table with the state’s prized wine, olive oil, craft cheese and craft beer. Entry cost is $715, but discounts will be given for multiple entries.
The Mendocino Board of Supervisors has another candidate for next year’s election in March. Carrie Shattuck announced her candidacy in MendoFever online, as one focused on streamlining the budget, repairing roads and focusing business development.
The 16th Annual Mendocino Film Festival has just announced this year’s schedule of films and events for June 1st through the 4th. The lineup includes 60 films, live music, panels, and visiting filmmakers. Mendocino Film Festival members can catch a special preview screening on Thursday, June 1, of this year’s “Feel Good Shorts” program with stories from around the world. According to the organization’s press release, the festival’s Gala Jazz Night follows on Friday, June 2nd. That event will feature local chefs, beer, wine, and craft cocktails, followed by live music. For more information, including this year’s complete program and how to buy tickets, visit mendofilm.org.
The Navarro estuary received $8 million in grant money by The Nature Conservancy recently, to reconnect the floodplain and restore habitats for threatened salmon at sites throughout Mendocino County. In MendoVoice online today, a new project will expand its program to start work in the Navarro in a project expected to last about four years. The Department of Commerce recommended funding approval for the project, in addition to another $52 million for Northern California climate resiliency efforts. The aim of the project is to better control and retain water to minimize flood impacts, and restore salmon habitats.
In Sonoma County, the Joe Rodota Trail reopened on April 21st, after about $200,000 was spent on cleanup and upgrades. Stretches along the trail were repaired and fenced to ward off homeless encampments. The 8.5 mile paved path has new security measures as officials try to keep the trail clear. In March, the county closed a 2.5-mile stretch and cleared a camp with roughly 90 tents. In the Press Democrat today, the county relocated dozens of people to a county administrative campus. A new county ordinance restricts overnight camping on public property. Sonoma County Regional Parks also added boulders to the trail, after reaching out to the Oregon Department of Transportation, among other agencies across the country. County officials say the large rocks are cheaper and a low maintenance alternative to hardscaping or fencing the landscape.
