An earthquake is leaving residents shook up today. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake centered near Fall River Mills in Shasta County was nine miles deep, according to the US Geological Survey. NBC reports the quake today hit just before 10:30am with a couple of smaller aftershocks registering at over 3.0. Close to 200 people felt it from Chico to Southern Oregon. Today’s quakes follow a smaller quake that was reported on the north Mendocino County line registering at about magnitude 3.2 yesterday.
Nancy Pelosi is confirming she will run for reelection next year. Her announcement today was made before labor allies in San Francisco. The Press Democrat reports Democrats believe they have a chance to get control of the House with next year’s election. She was the first woman to become Speaker of the House in 2007. Though Hakeem Jeffries holds the position now, Pelosi says there is more work to be done in San Francisco, California and the nation. Some thought she’d retire, especially after her husband was attacked last year in their home.
The Creek Fire near Lower Lake is now at 85 percent containment s of last night. Cal Fire issued an update on the 28 acre blaze burning north of Highway 29. Around 100 personnel were assigned along with 13 engines and air resources. All evacuation warnings were lifted. Firefighters remain there to fully contain the blaze and work on putting out hot spots. By the end of the day Thursday, resources were beginning to be released.
The Mendocino County Sheriff began the installation of the Mendocino County Peace Officers Memorial outside their office in Ukiah. This week, the office announced an unveiling to be held today at 5pm at the Sheriff’s Office on Low Gap Road. The public is invited to join local law enforcement officials and families and friends of fallen peace officers.
The City of Clearlake is approving the city police chief’s response to the Lake County Grand Jury Report. Lake County News reports the 303 page report on multiple topics was released in July. Part of topics covered included sex trafficking and school shootings arguing the Clearlake Police Department needs to respond. Police Chief Hobbs offered a response and thanked the grand jurors for the detailed information. Hobbs maintained he will work with the Police Department in training. The council unanimously approved his response. The council proclaimed September 22nd as Native American Day and this month as Senior Center Month. The council also approved a contract to work on city Double Chip Project for over $600,000.
Under new legislation approved by the state Assembly Wednesday, Californians 21 and older would be able to possess magic mushrooms legally. Veterans who support the proposal say they rely on plant-based psychedelics to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. KBAK reports the bill would require the state’s health agency to study and make recommendations on the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Oregon and Colorado have already approved similar measures.
Mendocino County residents in the north may have felt shaking from a 3.2 earthquake yesterday. Around 10:45am a minor quake was reported by the US Geological Survey near the Humboldt and Mendocino County line, west of Highway 101. Reporting in KymKemp notes the tremor went fairly unnoticed with few people saying they felt it. The epicenter of the quake was in a remote area.
Students at the Anderson Valley Service Learning Team are working to fund a skate park next to the Community Park. MendoFever reports the team works under the Community Services District that purchased land from the school district last spring for a dollar. The students say a skate park will help kids stay busy in a productive way. Students hope to get a $1.3 million grant from CalTrans. The students know a lot of work will have to be done including drainage and concrete. They say even if they don’t get this grant, the skate park will be built. The group of students has raised nearly $50,000 selling merchandise like tee shirts and tote bags. They’ve been to the capital with Senator Mike McGuire and asked state representatives for a letter of support. The kids are looking forward to a space to be shared by the community and for kids to be engaged.
The Ukiah Valley Trail Group is planning an inaugural fundraising event next month. In a release issued in KymKemp, the group with the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance is planning a gala on Friday, October 6th. Inspired by Kelseyville’s farm to fork dinner, the Ukiah Valley Trail Group will host a “Gala In The Street.” Local catering will include seasonal and local produce, wine and more. There will be an auction with the Mendocino Grain Project and include coastal vacations and local getaways with culinary talent. The organization is raising funds to continue preserving and upgrading trails in the inland parts of Mendocino county.
The City of Fort Bragg is meeting on Monday at 6pm. In their agenda they’ll consider approving the position of Public Works Administrative Assistant and confirm all City of Fort Bragg Established Classifications. They’ll go over the master salary schedule. They’ll go over an agreement with the Noyo Harbor District and adopt a resolution to use funds in the Community Resiliency to Climate Change and Emergencies. The council will go over work for the Bainbridge Park Enhancement Project and hear a report on the Fort Bragg School District’s repairs to the Tennis Courts and new Pickleball courts. And in Closed Sessions they’ll hear from legal counsel on anticipated litigation with the Mendocino Railroad.
California’s COVID test positivity rate is 14 percent, the highest since last summer and fifth highest since the beginning of the pandemic. The Bay Area News Group reports some schools are requiring masking in the east. Hospitalizations have increased as well, but not at the high rates of the winter surges in 2020 and 2021. There has been a steady amount of deaths, averaging about 10 each day since the spring. The FDA is poised to approve new vaccines against the newest omicron variant. Moderna’s new COVID vaccine appears to be working on the new highly mutated variant. Wastewater data is confirming the upward trend. Public health officials are urging masking return to healthcare facilities in November.
The Jack London State Historic Park, Sugarloaf Ridge and Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve will continue to stay open under local management if Senate Bill 668 is signed by the governor. The Press Democrat reports the legislation would allow the parks to stay open beyond the existing expiration in January 2025. The parks in Sonoma County remained open during the pandemic, with nonprofits supporting the public spaces. Senator Dodd introduced the bill that passed the State Assembly unanimously in the last week of August. SB 668 hit the governor’s desk on August 30th.
Police are looking for a Redwood Valley man who was charged in a shooting that left a man with life threatening injuries. Jesse Connolly was charged in Mendocino County Superior Court with a felony count of attempted murder. The Press Democrat reports Connolly has two felony and one misdemeanor warrants already issued along with this week’s additional felony warrant. He is alleged to have shot a Hopland man in July in a home in the Hopland Rancheria. Cal Fire was one of the first responders to the injured man who was airlifted to a local hospital.
CHP is increasing efforts to crack down on widespread retail theft. KCRA reports the department is ramping up efforts in cooperation with the Organized Retail Crime Task Force. CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee says there are multi-agency partnerships to working together on the issue. Since the Task Force began in 2019, the state has recovered over $30 million in stolen items.
In a report from the US Geological Survey restoration efforts of watersheds were studied with dam removal. In Maven’s Notebook this week, aquatic habitat impacts with high risk infrastructure removal showed profound effects. The report notes changes in sediment deposits and how they shape the habitats of coastal ecosystems. The report calls for careful management strategies during dam removal to mitigate the harmful effects.
