State Route 175 was reduced to one way traffic this afternoon after a box truck collided with a Tesla between Hopland and Lake County. In MendoFever online, the crash was reported right around noon from CHP. Thankfully no injuries were reported. And as the three-day weekend begins keep in mind some roadwork in the area. Caltrans posted updates for traffic changes. Bridge work continues south of Willits on US 101. Route 162 has delays with road work south of Dos Rios. Check the Caltrans Quickmap if you plan to travel this weekend.
It is graduation season and in California, some Native American students continue to face bans on native regalia during their ceremonies. In a press release from Assemblyman James Ramos, some local cases of school districts are setting unnecessary conditions on students’ rights to wear tribal garb, like eagle feathers, during graduation ceremonies. In a news briefing yesterday Ramos reminded Californians of Assembly Bill 1248, passed in 2018. The bill says a student may wear traditional adornments at school graduation ceremonies. Ramos said “Eagle feathers and other symbols of Native American significance are often presented by a proud community to the student as a way to recognize personal achievement.”
The California Air Resources Board approved a landmark ban on a toxic chemical used for chrome plating. Hexavalent chromium, has been shown to be 500 times more carcinogenic than diesel exhaust. In the Ukiah Daily Journal, it only took about two hours of debate and public comment. An air board member compared the ban to a rule passed over 45 years ago when lead was phased out of gasoline. The ruling makes California the first state to ban the substance also known as chromium 6. Less-toxic trivalent chromium could be used as an alternative. The legislature set aside $10 million to help the chrome industry change over to the less hazardous material.
The Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce announced it seized over $52 million in illegal cannabis in the first quarter his year. The take was a 43 percent increase in the number of plants pulled. In a press release, the Department of Cannabis Control says they targeted larger cultivations with 30 percent fewer search warrants. The organization says they focused to eliminate unlicensed grows, manufacturing, distribution and retail operations that undercut the licensed and legal cannabis market in the state. In a press release in KymKemp online, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration helped the task force take the actions to combat illegal activities and deter tax evaders.
We announced earlier that the Fort Bragg Animal Shelter will close. There is new information that may help those who are worried. The Mendocino Coast Humane Society issued a press release saying the shelter is closing immediately. In MendoFever, the local Humane Society says the closure of the animal shelter will strain an already tight budget and limited space, but they’ll continue to work with plans to expand their services including veterinary care. The organization says they are in dire need of community support through donations, volunteering or spreading awareness.
Caltrans will host a virtual open house for the Pudding Creek Bridge Widening and Rail Upgrade Project next week. The meeting will happen next Wednesday, May 31st from 5:30 to 6:30 pm and discuss the work on State Route 1 north of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County. They’ll talk about the traffic impacts they plan on this summer. The project aims to improve safety for everyone on the road. The plan is to widen the bridge to2 lanes with a pair of 8 foot wide shoulders. It will include new sidewalks on SR1 from the briedge south to Elm Street and north to Pudding Creek Drive. To join the meeting next Wednesday, call 408-418-9388.
The Ukiah High School Fashion Show is going on today. It was put off for several years, according to the Ukiah Daily Journal, but this year it’s on again. Today’s show will feature fashion created using conventional materials and will also feature upcycled materials. One student is upcycling from local thrift stores and will display a skirt made of men’s ties. Other students are upcycling jeans into new pieces. The show is from 7-9pm tonight at Ukiah High, admission is only $5. They’ll have some merchandise they created for sale.
Tuition hikes may be needed as California State University finds itself in a budget deficit. In a new report CSU’s revenue accounted for only 86 percent of the total costs, with a gap of nearly $1.5 million last year. On top of that gap, there is about $6 billion backlog in maintenance projects. In the Record Bee, the school plans to raise tuition for only the 3rd time in 12 years that would begin in September of 2024. During a Board of Trustees meeting this week, revenues from tuition and state support will only cover about 30 to 40 percent of what it needs to operate. One analysis makes clear that Cal State will fall $1 million short of its costs next year. In addition to a tuition increase, the unionized workers at the school want a 12 percent raise. With the state working out its own budget, CSU will have to consider more options to stay afloat.
A new poll shows 2 out of 3 voting Californians think it’s time for Senator Dianne Feinstein to step down. In the Mendocino Beacon, the poll finds 42 percent of voters think the senior Senator should resign now, and let Governor Newsom appoint a successor. The primary election is less than a year away, and the poll shows Democrats should hold the seat with a 2 to 1 party registration advantage. Representative Adam Schiff follows at about 14 percent, according to the poll. Feinstein’s term has been plagued with health concerns as she dealt with complications from shingles. She returned to the Senate earlier this month, and cast votes that were delayed because of her absence.
A Lakeport woman has pled not guilty this week, in the murder of her boyfriend. Melinda Fred was in Lake Count Superior Court on Tuesday after being arrested for stabbing her boyfriend, Christopher Burrows last week. Fred was charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon and domestic abuse, according to Lake County News. The District Attorney says her bail was set at $1 million at her arraignment last Thursday. She will return to court June 13 for a bail review hearing to ask for a reduced bail.
Governor Newsom announced a plan to increase the state’s clean energy capacity to 100 percent by 2045. In California Insights today, Newsom’s plan is called “Building the Electricity Grid of the Future: California’s Clean Energy Transition Plan.” The roadmap outlines the state’s challenges and how they plan to tackle them. This week, one bill aimed to reduce gasoline only vehicle sales significantly. This month, bills were introduced to lower rail road and big rig emissions.
Mendocino County Museum will honor Memorial Day with extended hours and free admission on Sunday May 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Museum invites the public to visit the 2023 Car Show and Community Festival, at Recreation Grove Park from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., where a special entry from our education collection will be on display. For more information, check out the Mendocino County Museum online.
California utility regulators say electricity shortages and rolling blackouts are unlikely to happen this summer. In the Press Democrat, two new power sources have been secured and the state’s reservoirs are full enough to restart hydroelectric power plants that were dormant during the drought. Also an added 8,500 megawatts of power from wind, solar and battery storage will come online this September. The vice chair of the California Energy Commission says they are relieved to be in a much better position that they were last year. Flex alerts may be issued in the case of wildfire threats to transmission lines.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported two new packs of wolves have been spotted in Northern California. They may become the fifth and sixth confirmed wolf groups in the state in the last century. In Lake County News, the department will monitor the groups to see if either had pups this year and if they are related to the state’s known packs. California has three existing wolf families in Lassen County, Siskiyou County and in eastern Plumas County. When the Lassen pack began from an Oregon litter the state decided to protect wolves under the California Endangered Species Act.
The Bureau of Land Management is reminding people to play in NorCal’s waters with caution. Water-related accidents are some of the most common cause of death in parks, forests and waterways. Streams are especially cold and fast this year with the heavy snowpack and epic rains. People going into the water should be wary of the cold currents and go in groups. Life jackets are essential for kids in boats, and really for everyone wanting some water fun this weekend. Officials are urging people to know about closures and warnings. They also say stay hydrated and watch out for rattlesnakes.
The Lower Lake Community Action Group is getting ready for its Lower Lake Daze & Street Fair on Sunday from 10am to 3pm. This year’s theme is “Then & Now.” The parade takes place at 11 a.m. For more information visit the Lower Lake Community Action Group’s website.
The Lake County Public Services Department announced that the Middletown Pool will open tomorrow. The pool on Big Canyon Road will be open from noon to 5pm daily from Wednesday through Sunday. In Lake County News, season passes for families are $84. Daily pool fees will be $2 or less.
Lakeport will hold their annual Memorial Day celebration tomorrow beginning with a pancake breakfast at the Lakeport Community Center, hosted by the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Lakeport. The Lakeport Memorial Parade begins at 11am.
The Konocti Bay Sailing Club will have a sailing swap meet at Braito’s Marina in Kelseyville tomorrow from 9 to 11am. The club is cleaning out old inventory including regatta shirts and other club merchandise. Members can bring used but working sailing gear and hardware to swap, sell, trade or donate. In Lake County News today, community members say it’s a good time to get advice from club members. They are asking people to not bring boats to the marina to sell, due to space issues. There will be a boat race slated to start at 1pm, and there may be crew opportunities to join.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a more than $20 million dollar grant for 15 projects to support salmon habitat and support wetlands restoration. It’s the third round of grants made this year bringing the total funding awarded to nearly $80 million. In KymKemp online, the department says strategies for new projects must adapt as challenges to the state’s biodiversity continually changes. The department has streamlined the grant process as projects awarded in the past few months have already begun. .
The “Castle” property in Lucerne is on the market again, after the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians released the property to its owner several weeks ago. In the Record-Bee, Andrew Beath is looking for a buyer and is listing the 68,000 square foot property. A tribal administrator confirmed Thursday had planned to use the property with a $5.2 million grant from the California Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency for a youth homeless facility. But, area residents and changes within the tribal administration have stalled the project. They are looking for a different site and will continue trying to find the best spot for the program. Now, “Castle” owner Mr. Beath is looking into rehabbing the property after settling a tax dispute with Lake County.
