Hundreds of medical workers joined tens of thousands of others in a huge multi-state strike against Kaiser Permanente and is the largest health care worker strike in US history. The Press Democrat reports around 1,800 workers in Sonoma County and 200 in Napa are represented by the SIEU United Healthcare Workers West, representing nearly 60,000 workers in the state. Yesterday, those on the picket line said they protesting chronic understaffing they say threatens patients’ safety and are saying a higher minimum wage is necessary. The unions plan to continue the strike for up to two more days at most sites. Kaiser workers at Santa Rosa Medical Center were picketing on Mendocino Boulevard were warned by police not to block entry to the emergency room.
A memorial service is being held today outside City Hall. Mayor London Breed, former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and VP Harris will be there. President Biden will deliver remarks by video during today’s service. The Press Democrat reports a week after her death was announced, US Senator Dianne Feinstein lay in the San Francisco City Hall rotunda yesterday. Pelosi was in attendance along with Vice President Harris. Feinstein was known for getting San Francisco through the AIDS crisis and being a leader who championed civil rights and much more, fighting for a younger generation of women leaders.
California state reservoirs are at 128 percent after a miracle water year, the wettest time in recorded state history. The AP reports after a dozen years in a drought, the series of winter storms thru last January put a stop to the dry conditions. Officials measured nearly 34 inches of rain thru the end of September. The state’s “water year” begins in October with fall and winter months getting the bulk of precipitation. Water restrictions for farms, homes and businesses threatened the economy and ecology of the Golden State. As of last month, reservoirs were holding over 27 million acre feet of stored water. They may drain some of the reservoirs to make room for more water expected this year with the arrival of El Nino.
A Mendocino County Superior Court Judge is ordering state prison inmate Tyson Randall Young be held responsible for over a million dollars in restitution to the Kencke family. In a brief evidentiary hearing yesterday, the restitution amount was calculated and accruing interest began. Young, a former State Park Ranger, had been convicted for felony driving under the influence causing great bodily injury to a child. The inmate is currently working off his six year state prison sentence with the Department of Corrections at fire camp. District Attorney David Eyster says in the short term, half of Young’s prison wages will be garnished. In the long term the California Franchise Tax Board will keep tabs on the collection.
A woman found guilty of murder but not guilty by insanity. Kelley Coan was found both guilty of murder in the first degree with the special allegation she used a gun to inflict death, has also been found not guilty of the crime by reason of insanity. The homicide happened in 2017 near Caspar submitted to psychiatric testing and concluded she was incapable of know the nature of her act and unable to distinguish it from right or wrong. She is expected to be committed to a state hospital with a maximum period of confinement set at 50 years to life. Coan is expected back in the Mendocino County Superior Court on October 19th where a mental health director will make a decision as to the placement for her. She has the right to undergo medicated treatment and if her sanity is restored, can be released.
A Lakeport man is facing a 40 year old murder charge. Monday, Sonoma County authorities arrested Alfredo Carretero Jr. for the 1983 homicide of Noelle Russo. Thanks to DNA analysis and investigators’ continued work, Carretero is behind bars, being held with no bail. Lake County News reports he was arraigned yesterday and scheduled to enter a plea on October 18th. The report comes after 4 decades of searching for the suspect in a murder that left Russo’s body in an area of Rohnert Park, after being beaten to her death. Detectives continued working the case, and between 2010 and this year, submitted several pieces of evidence for DNA analysis. Carretero had been an original person of interest was recently identified as the main suspect. Carretero had been known in Lake County for drug-related assault charges.
Laphonza Butler is working to attempt to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s shoes. Governor Newsom’s choice to temporarily fill her seat is an historic one as Butler is the first LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate. CalMatters reports there will be two sets of elections in both the March primary and the November general election. A special election to choose who serves the final two months of Feinstein’s term, and the regular election to decide who gets the full six year term. US Representatives Adam Shiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee are just some in the field of Democratic candidates positioning for the seat. Butler was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday.
Save the Redwoods League is buying around 400 acres of Russian River Redwoods. The $6.5 million sale means the land will never be developed or logged commercially. The Press Democrat reports the conservation organization closed on the sale Friday on land near Guerneville, including the 2,000 year old Clar Tree. The League hasn’t determined recreational uses on parts of the property including parts of Bohemian Grove. Former landowner Roger Burch was persuaded to sell to the conservation group in a quick 2-month deal. Now the challenge remains on what part of county government will hold the title with possibilities including the Russian River Sanitation District and the Sonoma County Water Agency.
The Konocti Fire Safe Council is holding an event called “Lessons from Lahaina”, a wildfire and evacuation preparedness event for people in the Soda Bay corridor. The event next Wednesday, October 11th will be at Konocti Harbor Resort in Andy’s Tavern. Guest speakers include Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brian York and more. The group hopes to continue in public outreach to educate and prepare people along the Soda Bay Road corridor in case of wildfire. Lake County News reports the council is focusing on the eight designated Zonehaven districts for preparation, mitigation, education and evacuation.
Workers will get at least five paid sick days per year, two more days than before and more. Senate Bill 616 was signed by the governor yesterday that also increases the accrual and carry-over amounts. In a release issued by the governor’s office, Newsom says increasing access to paid sick days reduces health care costs through improved productivity and morale with fewer turnovers. Newsom signed a host of other bills yesterday, including AB 969 on elections and voting systems; SB 568 on exporting electronic waste, and more.
An AmeriCorps fellowship called GrizzlyCorps is sending college grads into rural communities across the state to promote regenerative agri-food systems and fire and forest resilience. There are four new members of the GrizzlyCorps fellowship where they’ll work with U of C Hopland Research and Extension Center along with the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. The organization says they’ll focus on work in Lake and Mendocino Counties to promote agriculture and land based economies that depend on our healthy ecosystem. The region is predicted to see more rain, higher temperatures and more wildfires according to the California Climate Change Assessment. The program has been a positive impact in Mendocino County with the Farm to School program and more.
