A potent animal sedative called xylazine, commonly referred to as ‘tranq’ is making a harmful impact in the state. In a KFF article, California’s overdose epidemic has evolved to include tranq. California’s Department of Public Health is coordinating with medical clinics and first responders to share information, and regularly text for xylazine. The appeal of the drug to addicts extends the effects of a fentanyl high. Tranq is powerful enough to knock someone out of consciousness for up to 18 hours and leaves behind rotted skin that can lead to infection and even amputation. Even worse news, it does not respond to naloxone. California lawmakers introduced a bill to classify xylazine as a controlled substance in March with some saying it has a good chance of passing.
There was a fatal fire in Redwood Valley yesterday afternoon. Firefighters scrambled to a home on Colony Drive just after 3:30pm to a house in flames. In a report from the incident commander, according to KymKemp, firefighters said the home was engulfed, and have called for a coroner.
A Lake County man was sentenced to three years in prison in a felony charge of a lewd act on a child under 14 years old. Andy Hopper’s charges were from a report of inappropriate touching of a 13 year old girl at a store in Lakeport last February, according to the Lake County Sheriff. In The Record Bee, Hopper was charged with the lewd act and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Yesterday, we reported on a missing Lake County man. Jack Daniel Inong has been found dead in LA, according to the Press Democrat. Inong was last seen May 15th at his home in south Lakeport. He was reported missing about two weeks later according to the Lake County Sheriff. Inong’s family reported his death. The cause of his death is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Lake County has begun an action plan to address extreme heat events and harmful aglal blooms in a project dubbed The Climate Health Adaptation and Resilience Mobilizing program or CHARM. The project involves Clear Lake that provides drinking water to about 60 percent of the county’s residents, and is a cultural and natural resource for local tribes, including the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, according to Lake County News. Additionally, with increased heat due to climate change, there is a need for cooling centers in the area to help those vulnerable. The CHARM Project establishes a working group of people from tribes, county government and community organizations to help in putting out an emergency response. The two-year project, funded by the National Institutes of Health’s Climate and Health Initiative will analyze data and review emergency response plans and incorporate information from residents.
Federal agents arrested an ‘Orgasmic Meditation’ leader in Mendocino County Tuesday. The so-called ‘sexual wellness’ company OneTaste was the target of an FBI investigation into abuses of employees and others, including economic, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse. Head of Sales for OneTaste, Rachel Chewitz was arrested on charges of forced labor conspiracy. The co-defendant, Nicole Daedone remains at large, according to KymKemp. Cherwitz was in a San Francisco court Tuesday and will be indicted in New York soon, as their dealings were nation-wide. The group also operated a program in Mendocino County Jail and Juvenile Hall called “Unconditional Freedom” and was involved in a retreat center in Anderson Valley called “The Land” where Cherwiz was arrested Tuesday morning. Each defendant is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
There was a crash in Covelo yesterday afternoon involving a group of motorcycles near Tabor and Henderson Lanes. Little is known about the outcome yet, but just before 6:30pm, CHP reported a group of bikers driving recklessly crashed into a truck. Scanner traffic reported on MendoFever says a woman had been assaulted by the riders and threatened with death if they called police. Fire, medical, and law enforcement officers were staged and reported to the accident scene to secure the area. At around 7pm a Round Valley Tribal Police officer reported the crowd formed around the collision and were hostile. At about 8:30, CHP reported one of the bikes hit the truck, with a 14-year-old boy on a motorcycle injured in the crash.
The Mendocino Board of Supervisors met Tuesday and passed a $421 million budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and 2024. MendoVoice reports it was a long public hearing that involved cost-cutting measures and revenue discussions. Local Union Number 1021 of the SEIU was there to push for a cost of living adjustment in their next labor contract. The county has agreements with eight unions, all of which expire this year. Ideas submitted for cutting costs and increasing revenue included selling up to 80 properties owned by the county as well as their over 300 vehicle fleet. The board discussed increasing tax revenues on short-term rentals and buildings not registered with the county. The board also considered merging the Air Quality Management District with Lake or Sonoma Counties to save money and help in hiring capacities.
The Fort Bragg City Council approved the Grocery Outlet store to be built on South Franklin Street. It was approved in a unanimous vote Monday. The company’s Environmental Impact Report was also approved at the meeting. Dozens of conditions were recommended for the approval including traffic, tree-planting among others were discussed. In MendoVoice, speakers at the meeting discussed including a bus stop and bike racks. City staff suggested the new Grocery Outlet include a generator on hand for power outages, shared parking and traffic signals. Some wanted limits on automated checkers in favor of providing employment. The store promises 15 to 25 jobs. Grocery Outlet said the store would be somewhat locally owned.
The Healdsburg City Council approved applications for one of the city’s two cannabis dispensaries on Monday. Those interested can apply starting June 15th through July. City staff will decide on eligibility followed by a rigorous evaluation and interviews. In the Press Democrat, those who qualify would then meet with the council for a public hearing later this year. The dispensaries would then be subject to Measure M, a voter approved city business tax on cannabis businesses. The City Council announced its cannabis business tax rates last month. Commercial grows won’t be allowed, although residents can grow up to six plants indoors or 3 outdoor plants for medical use.
A Mendocino County man who won an eminent domain case against owners of the Skunk Train will be paid for his legal fees and court costs. In the Press Democrat, John Meyer estimated his attorney fees and court costs were around a quarter of a million dollars. His 20-acre property was the target of the Mendocino Railway eminent domain pursuit that ultimately failed due to the railroad being a tourist attraction rather than a common carrier railroad. A Mendocino County judge also denied the railways request to air objections over the April decision.
The state of Florida yesterday confirmed it flew two private planes of migrants to California. Multiple sources are confirming the migrants were coerced under false pretenses. Governor Newsom and California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta have threatened kidnapping charges against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The flights arrived in Sacramento on the 2nd, and 5th of this month carrying asylum seekers who were pick up in El Paso Texas. The DeSantis administration confirmed it coordinated the flights with a spokeswoman for the Florida Division of Emergency management saying the migrants signed consent forms to travel here.
Unions, environmental groups and other progressive organizations are leading the charge to reform California’s referendum process, which allows voters to repeal laws passed by the legislature. Assembly Bill 421 came about after the oil industry gathered signatures to repeal a law that would block new drilling in neighborhoods. Under the proposed bill, voters would simply decide whether to keep or repeal the law. The California Chamber of Commerce opposes A-B 421, arguing that it would make signature gathering more expensive and should require a constitutional amendment.
The Redwood Forest Foundation wants the community to participate in the Usal Redwood Forest in a Sudden Oak Death Blitz next Sunday. In The Willits News, the forest west of Leggett may have a fungal pathogen as the syndrome has been spotted in the state. The goal of the blitz on June 11th, is to gather samples to determine if there are signs of the disease. There will be a webinar today at 4pm on Sudden Oak Death and more information from Berkeley’s Sudden Oak Death Blitz Program. For more information, call the foundation at 707-813-1704.
$500 in monthly payments will continue within the next two weeks in Sonoma County. The Pathway to Income Equity pilot program chose about 300 families who have at least one child under 6 who’ve been affected by the COVID pandemic and low household income according to a report in The Washington Examiner. The Executive Director for First 5 Sonoma County confirmed that payments will be sent out on the third Wednesday of each month. In a study by the United Ways of California, just over half of Sonoma County households struggled to cover basic needs and that single moms were the group struggling the most.
The three-day Hog Farm Hideaway festival in Laytonville begins this week, with over 30 bands. The festival will have three stages of music with camping, food and craft vendors, cocktails, performers and kids activities at Black Oak Ranch. The weekly Caspar Beach Summer Concert Series also begins this Saturday. Sunday in the Park Free Concert Series is slated to begin in Ukiah on the 11th.
Mendocino County’s 3rd District Supervisor John Haschak has released his monthly newsletter in MendoFever. In it, he talks about the upcoming Frontier Days. The history of Mendocino County through the Museum is celebrated starting on July 1st with activites and the E. Commercial Street Art Walk. Haschak says that cannabis revenues are coming in higher than expected as the county continues to work with cultivators and the state with better policies for annual license renewals. He writes that the county budget is balanced, but in balancing it, used about $7 million of one time only funds. Haschak cites rising inflation as the cause. There are proposals to increase revenues and cut costs. His next monthly table talk will be tomorrow, June 8th at 10am at the Brickhouse Coffee in Willits.
Disneyland is bringing back discounted tickets for California residents this summer. As of yesterday, residents can buy multi-day tickets at about a 15-20 percent discount. The Press Democrat reports that local residents were offered discounts for slower winter months before the pandemic. After the COVID emergency Disney began offering peak season discounts to all Californians to build back volumes lost during the pandemic. The discount tickets are available through reservation only, with weekday tickets good Mondays through Thursdays. The discount will be available through the end of September, with proof of California residency.
The 11th annual WON BASS California Open pro-am bass tournament opened today and will run through Friday in Lakeport. The prize is a new 2023 Bass Cat Sabre FTD boat plus $30,000 in cash in a 200-boat competition. In the Record Bee, each morning boats are inspected then lined up to launch at 6:30am. This morning, 148 boats began the competition. Each boat has a two-person team and can weigh in five fish per day with a pro and an amateur. Weigh-ins are open to the public daily with an awards ceremony Friday at 6:30 at Library Park
