The Governor’s Office is announcing that Newsom is selecting Laphonza Butler to complete the US Senate term of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein through next year. Butler is the president of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to electing women, EMILY’s List. In a release issued in Lake County News, Butler is listed as a senior advisor to VP Kamala Harris, a labor leader and advocate for women and working people. She will be the first openly LGTBQ person to represent California in the Senate. For over 10 years she served as the president of the largest labor union in California, SIEU Local 2015 representing nursing home and homecare workers.
Residents in North Mendocino County felt shaking from quakes over the weekend. A magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck around 8:40am Sunday with the epicenter near Mill Creek. Saturday, there was a 4.7 earthquake south of Petrolia about 24 hours earlier, and another 4.2 quake Saturday morning just after 10am. A third quake of 2.1 shook south of Ferndale off the Coast at 10:30am. KymKemp reports there were no significant damage or injuries. Around 100 people reportedly felt the shaking according to the USGS, with some feeling the quake in Mendocino County.
Clearlake Oaks County Water District officials say they are cooperating with FEMA officials and are denying allegatios they fraudulently kept state and federal emergeny funds. Federal officials say they knowingly held onto the funds in violation of the False Claims Act. The Press Democrat reports on Friday they the water district said they tried to return money meant secure insurance reimbursements for storm damage in 2017. Thursday a whistleblower complaint led to a $1.6 million settlement, according to the US Department of Justice. The water district maintains they were waiting for FEMA to perform an audit before returning the money. A Local Agency Investment Fund was created and administered by the state Treasurer’s Office. The water district said they settled to avoid a lengthy and expensive trial.
Authorities are searching the Point Reyes seashore for a missing person following a possible shark attack. The Press Democrat reports a Coast Guard officials says a group of people called authorities for a possible shark attack after seeing a friend in the water disappear off Wildcat Beach. Sunday morning multiple agencies responded to the call and began a search that ended around 5pm. The beach is only accessible by hiking or using ATV’s for several miles. Officials say it’s too early to formally call it a shark attack, but they continue to investigate and search for the missing person.
The Bureau of Land Management is lifting fire orders on seasonal restrictions in place since the summer. Public lands in Mendocino County are part of the area where limits on internal combustion engines off roads and trails were rescinded. BLM officials urge caution with fire danger still possible even with the beginning of the rainy season. The state year-round fire prevention order is still in place. Those wanting to have a campfire can once again do so with a valid California Campfire Permit. For more details and orders check out readyforwildfire.org or with Cal Fire.
The Mendocino College Foundation Board of Directors meeting this week includes scholarship application process updates and more. On Wednesday from noon to 2pm, at the Ukiah Campus Library Building, the board will go over a land update. They’ll discuss the Friends of the Mendocino College Coastal Field Station Liaison Vacancy and recommend a new Director. They plan to go over directors and affiliates reports and get an update from the Mendocino College Superintendent. It will be the last meeting until December.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors plan to meet tomorrow at 9am and will hear a request to use the Lake County Special Districts property by the Lake County Rodeo. They’d like to use the property northwest of Highway 29 and Whalen Way on a long-term basis. Lake County News reports in other business they’ll hear a presentation on the Lake County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and discuss approval. The board will hear a presentation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on their Clear Lake Hitch Barriers Removal Project. They’ll proclaim this week as National 4-H Week in the county, and next Monday as Indigenous People’s Day. The board will go over the community Economic resilience Fund groups. The Board of Supervisors plants to adopt an ordinance allowing temporary cannabis processing structures and more. The board will go over the Lake County Watershed Protection District for a $2.5 million grant application for the Hitch Habitat Improvement Planning. They plan to consider appointments to the Emergency Medical Care Committee. And in closed session the board plans to confer with legal counsel on potential cases as well as existing litigation between Earthways Foundation, Inc versus the county.
Mendocino County Museum will honor Indigenous People’s Day with free admission to all visitors this Sunday from noon to 4pm. In a news release from the Mendocino County Cultural Services Agency, the public is invited to view Woven Worlds in a permanent exhibit that explores the history and celebrates the culture of Mendocino County’s indigenous people.
Lakeport Police are hosting the National Night Out Against Crime tomorrow at Library Park. Starting at 4pm the department is inviting the community to gather for an evening of fun. Activities include bike decorating on Park Street. There will be about 30 agencies present with informational booths about public resources. According to Lake County News, CHP, PG&E, city services including animal care and school districts will be on hand with the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and more. Everything at the event is free for families. Check the Lakeport Police Department’s facebook page for more information.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service are announcing adding the northwestern and southwestern pond turtles in California, Oregon and Washington as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In a release in MendoFever, the service explains the turtle population is dwindling. They are crucial to healthy rivers and wetlands and losing them would harm aquatic ecosystems. Pond turtles live frequently in rivers, creeks and small lakes, marshes, irrigation ditches and more. The reptiles have been losing habitat and their numbers have decreased with urban development including dam construction, disease and climate change.
The City of Ukiah is announcing the installation of new water infrastructure. New fire hydrants will be put in with perpendicular lines, according to a release in MendoFever. Work will begin from Gobbi north to Mill. There aren’t any city-wide interruptions scheduled next week, but some properties in the area will have temporary interruptions and will know at least 3 days in advance. Starting October 9th, sidewalk demolition is scheduled on the southeast side of State Street, including tree removal. The trees will be replaced in larger spaces with irrigation where they’re less likely to damage infrastructure work. ADA compliant sidewalks are set to be installed. Construction will take place next week from 7am to 6pm, Monday thru Friday. On street parking in the zone will be closed but there will be pedestrian access.
Lakeport Police are changing how they interact with the homeless population. During the Town Hall Meeting last week, the community learned that in Lake County there are about 1,200 homeless. Chief of Police Brad Rasmussen discussed how the department is aiming to hire a licensed clinical social worker as they lean on treatment strategies rather than incarceration. According to the Record Bee, the Chief noted in one case, a 90 day program helped transition a meth addict away from trouble and on to recovery. Lake County Behavioral Health Services were on hand and noted that mental health first aid in high schools is helping deter young adults from abuse. Community leaders expressed hoping for legislation to handle overcrowding in jails by moving some offenders into a Mental Health Court.
There will be a Candidate Forum for candidates in the 1st District Supervisor’s Race at Redwood Valley Grange on Thursday, October 12 at 6:30pm on East Road. Five candidates are on the ballot for the March 5th, 2024 primary election since incumbent Glenn McGourty will not be seeking a second term. The Mendocino Women’s Political Coalition is sponsoring the event along with the Redwood Valley Grange and Redwood Valley Municipal Advisory Council.
