A crash on Highway 101 in Oregon involved a man from Fort Bragg. Ravi Polini was driving north in his Ford-250 when he crossed over a turn lane and veered off the highway, crashing into a Chevy Bolt at a stop sign. Jacob Scott in the Chevy died at the scene, according to an Oregon State Police release in KymKemp. Authorities are investigating
With summer officially here, Cal Fire is staffing up for the holiday weekend and increased temperatures. Cal Fire notes the extra vegetation that grew during last winter’s atmospheric rivers is now drying out and burning. On Monday, CalFire marked the end of residential burning and began increasing staffing levels, saying “The full scope of ground, heavy equipment and aviation resources are fully deployed and ready to respond.” KCRA reports hot weather is forecast beginning this weekend that will further dry grass, brush and timber. An article in the Ukiah Daily Journal last week reported at least two fires have begun the summer in Mendocino County. The two were contained and relatively small. Last Saturday, the Ukiah Valley firefighters held a prescribed burn at the airport to reduce fuels and train firefighters.
Lake County has sent out information on the harmful algal blooms in Clear Lake. They appear as blue green paint streaks and are a cyanobacteria. Information was released in late April from the County of Lake Health Services and Water Resources Departments and the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians. As temperatures increase, the cyanobacteria grow rapidly in to the larger algal blooms that may affect the health of kids, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. The most common types of exposure can produce rashes on your skin, vomiting, coughing and more. People are advised to keep pets and livestock away from waters where you see the blue green organisms. If you are exposed to the cyanotoxic algae you should call your doctor or the County of Lake Health Services.
CalRecycle is looking for public input on new rules of packaging and plastic food service waste. They’re holding a meeting tomorrow and Thursday morning at 10am in the capital. The state’s new law SB 54 aims to cut plastic production 25 percent by 2032, 65 percent of single-use packaging recycled by then and more. In Lake County News, CalRecycle issued a release looking for industry partners to participate in California’s efforts to reduce pollution and protect human health. They also want to hear from local governments, recyclers, nonprofits and community groups during the two day workshop. Remote attendance is possible for the meeting in the Byron Sher Auditorium in Sacramento. They’ll include input through August as well.
The first Elwood Fund Scholarship went to Mendocino College’s Jordan Wegner. The Mendocino College Foundation awarded the student $1,000 to help continue his education. Wegner has an Associate’s Degree in Theatre Arts and a certificate in Technical Theatre from the schools new CTE program, according to the Ukiah Daily Journal. The new scholarship aims to help the Theatre Arts department enhance students education and to support graduates of the Theatre Arts Department at the college. The Elwood Scholarship Fund is named for a character in the play “Harvey” who encourages people to gather together and share their life stories.
The Healdsburg City Council approved a gun safety ordinance that makes gun owners safely secure their weapons at home. The Press Democrat reports the council this year began discussions in May after a cluster of mass shootings in the state and across the nation. The new ordinance mandates that a firearm be stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock. It also requires that if the gun is lost or stolen, they report to the Healdsburg Police Department. The city’s public information officer will reach out to the community with more information on the new ordinance. It goes into effect July 20th.
Bay Area commuters may see increased bridge tolls. The Willits News reports lawmakers announced the plan to increase tolls by $1.50 yesterday. The increased tolls would go from $7 to $8.50 and help BART that has seen revenue fall since COVID. The transportation authority said without state funds they’ll have to cut down scheduled stops on trains, cut service during the weekends and even shut down some lines. Governor Newsom’s proposed budget calls for a $2 billion transportation infrastructure cut as his administration deals with the $31.5 billion deficit. A proposed budget bailout restores the $2 billion. Lawmakers say that even if that deal is approved it only covers half of the transit agencies operational funds.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will present a military equipment report in their meeting next week for the community. Lake County News reports they’ll meet on Thursday, the 6th of July to present their AB 481 military equipment annual report and address concerns by the community from 4 to 5pm in the Board of Supervisors chambers in Lakeport. The meeting will be available online as well via Zoom. AB 481 mandates equipment possessed and used by the Sheriff’s Office identified as “military equipment” be made public.
The Biden Administration announced $97 billion in federal funds for California in the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. The California Department of Technology will award the funds to help advance the development of California’s state-wide middle-mile network to connect high speed internet to rural communities in the state. The Golden State Connect Authority issued a release in Lake County News that they are helping to deploy last-mile infrastructure. The project to connect everyone will use an Open-Access municipal broadband model. More information can be found at the goldenstateconnect.org website.
The Konocti Fire Safe Council is reaching out to the community with resources and information along the Soda Bay Road corridor as another fire season emerges. The council already has signed residents up for LakeCoAlerts, the Lake County Sheriff’s online app for evacuations, according to Lake County News. The council’s president says knowing your zone number is very important in an evacuation, noting the Konocti Fire Safe Council is part of 8 zones. The group has resources and information and will continue distributing fire mitigation and evacuation details. Head to the councils website for more.
California residents who are called to jury duty, could soon earn $100 per day if legislation passes. The increase came from a pilot program in San Francisco that increased the diversity of the county’s jury pools with $100 daily stipends to low and moderate income jurors, according to the NY Times. In the Bay Area, over 30 percent of residents say serving on a jury is an economic burden. Many lower income jurors were excused for financial hardship, making juries predominantly wealthy and white. After excusing low income jurors, the San Francisco’s public defender noted the jury pool when from half people of color to less than 40 percent, giving higher earning white people the majority.
The Auditor of the State performed an audit of the Department of Water Resources and the State water Resources Control Board. In the latest Russian River Water Forum Update the auditor found the Department of Water Resources had only made limited progress in accounting for effects of climate change in its forecasts and planning of the state’s water supply. The auditor reports the department could be more prepared to effective manage California’s water resources as extreme climate events occur. In the forum update, Lake Mendocino is currently at about 88 percent of water storage, with a decline of about 660 acre feet. Lake Sonoma lost over 1,200 acre feet of water and is at about 97 percent storage.
In an effort to consolidate federal land ownership the Forest Service is proposing an exchange of land about 2 miles west of Mendocino Pass for four tracts of land in the area in the McIsaac Ranch Land Exchange. The department wants to consolidate land within the Mendocino National Forest to improve efficiency, wildlife and recreational resources. The Forest Service is looking for public input in the proposal. You can mail your input to the Mendocino National Forest in Willows. They will accept public comment and review the project through July 25. You an email questions or comments on the McIsaac Ranch Land Exchange to Hilda.Kwan@usda.gov
The Mendocino County Unit of Cal Fire is urging everyone to be safe for the upcoming holiday. They are reminding people that fireworks are illegal in Mendocino County. Cal Fire is working with local law enforcement in their zero tolerance policy and will seize illegal fireworks and prosecute those who have them. In addition, if the use of fireworks creates a fire, those who lit them up could be held responsible for any property damage costs. To get alerts and more information, sign up at ReadyForWildfire.com.
A couple of bills have been proposed to make California the first state to mandate corporations disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and report their risks from climate change. Cal Matters reports one bill, so far approved by the Senate, would force over 5,000 corporations who earn more than $1 billion in the state to report their emissions. Another bill also approved in the Senate would require over 10,000 companies with revenues over $500 million to list how climate change poses financial risks to them not only in the state, but throughout the world. California’s Chamber of Commerce and others oppose the bills saying estimates could generate misinformation. Advocates say there are international standards that would help. The bills are headed to the Assembly.
