Bay Area residents are saying many did not feel the earthquake that shook the area yesterday morning, but DID get the ShakeApp alert at 3:19am, instead of the planned 10:19am. The Bay Area News Group reports the quake triggered a ShakeAlert for surrounding counties during the 4.1 magnitude quake yesterday, but many say they didn’t feel it. The Press Democrat reports representatives with ShakeAlert, in participation with CalOES had planned for an earthquake drill after 10am today. ShakeAlert officials say it was a mistake, on an X social media post. Apparently, there was a mix-up between time zones in the test alert system. Emergency officials, drill participants and area residents are still waiting for a formal announcement about the errant alarm.
Parts of Northern California could match or break a heat record today, set over a century ago. The Press Democrat reports for those wanting to escape the heat and head to the coast, to be watchful of sneaker waves. The National Weather Service issued a moderate heat advisory through 11pm tonight for parts of Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties. While it’s not a Red Flag warning, high heat could dry out fuels and lead to fires, according to authorities. Yesterday, there was a 3 acre fire near The Geysers that was stopped within an hour. As for the coast, hazardous conditions are expected today with a northwest swell with a lot of energy associated with it. A high-surf advisory is in effect through 7pm tonight.
CHP is offering teen driver safety education classes to help know the dangers the age group faces on the road. Lake County News reports fatal and injury crashes have been increasing, showing the need to educate teen drivers and their parents to keep the roads safe for everyone. Start Smart is a free two hour class to inform new drivers of their responsibilities that come with being a licensed driver in California. Parents or guardians must also attend the class with their teen led by public information officers at local CHP area offices. Taking the class may even lower your car insurance rates. There is a free CHP Start Smart app that has access to the state driver handbook.
The Mendocino Land Trust is holding a Soiree this coming Saturday. The group is looking at six new public access projects including a park in Fort Bragg and trails along the coast. The Land Trust plans to work on a new headlands trail in Albion as well as improving part of the California Coastal Trail, the Cove Trail in Point Arena and improve the Mill Bend Preserve in Gualala. The Sunset Soiree will be October 21st from 4 to 7pm at the Caspar Community Center. There will be a silent auction, local cuisine and live music. The auction is also available online.
CHP Clear Lake is investigating a possible hit and run fatality. Last night, CHP responded to reports of a possibly injured person near State Route 29, north of Hofacker Lane near Lower Lake. MendoFever reports a Hispanic man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Northern Division Investigative Services Unit of CHP is asking anyone with information on the events of Tuesday night in the area, to contact the CHP Clear Lake Area Office.
This week the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved a salary increase for the Sheriff’s Office employees. Salaries were nearly doubled for some positions, while changing some position allocations from funded to unfunded status. It was a slim majority, with some noting the budget negotiations were required to be in public meetings. The Record Bee reports Supervisor Sabatier abstained in the vote noting missing information like increase percentage. There was a Meet and Confer process held at the end of last month including unions representing some. The Board noted a staffing emergency in Sheriff’s Rob Howe’s office and not giving the salary increases could have hurt retention and recruitment. Some want a closed session about the impact of the raises.
The Pear Tree Center in Ukiah is one of the Arts Champions as awarded by the Mendocino County Arts Council. In a release, the Pear Tree Center is this years Business Arts Champion. The business has supported local and regional artists through commissioning and licensing their work and has helped local nonprofits by underwriting the cost of space rental supporting innovation to serve the needs of the Greater Ukiah region. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports Solange Roberdeau is the Arts Champion and is an Elk based printmaker and educator working at Art Explorers Inc, in Fortr Bragg as the Gallery Coordinator and teacher. Jess Thompson is the Arts Champion Individial at the Cider Creek Collective ceramic studio, and the late potter, artist and sculptor Doug Browe is this year’s honoree. The champions will be recognized in a proclamation by the Board of Supervisors at their meeting on the 31st.
In the latest Russian River Water Forum Update this week there is more information on the Potter Valley Project decommissioning proposal and the removal the Cape Horn Dam. The non-binding acceptance in concept of the Sonoma County Water Agency, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission and the Round Valley Indian Tribes proposal will be included in the November 15th initial draft Surrender Application and Decommissioning Plan. The draft will be available for public review next month. The proposal includes co-equal objectives of fish migration and water diversions.
The Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department is hosting a production of Promise of Paradise: Stories from Back to the Land starting today. The show will start tonight at 7:30 with productions Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2pm. The original ensemble performance aims to engage audiences in original story telling by and about our community. The one weekend only performances this weekend will be at the college’s Center Theatre on the Ukiah Campus. Tonight’s show will have a pay what you wish preview. Official opening night tomorrow will include a gala reception starting at 6:30pm. Saturday’s performance will be a fundraiser for Mendocino College Foundation Student Scholarships.
Under a new law signed by the governor last week, public agencies, corporate campuses, industrial parks and others will be banned from watering “nonfunctional turf” using potable water. The new rules will be phases in at the beginning of 2027. The prohibition is currently in place as a temporary measure. The State Water Resources Board started the ban as an emergency regulation during the drought of last year; it is set to expire next June. The Sac Bee reports on the water education aquafornia news release, saying the new restriction will not apply to residential lawns, apartments, sports fields or cemeteries.
The Mendocino County Planning and Building Services is establishing a one year amnesty program waiving all violations and penalty fees related to building permits that don’t have a confirmed code enforcement case. The waiver also applies to permits not already under review or to programs that do not apply to zoning violations. The county issued a release yesterday, confirming the amnesty program from November 1st this year to November, 2024. All amnesty building permit applications must be submitted on or before November 1st 2024 to be eligible. Residents are invited to self-report any unpermitted structures and legalize improvements during the year long program.
The Coalition to Save Jackson Forest issued a release in MendoFever saying the Mendocino Redwood Company has filed a lawsuit against Cal Fire, alleging breach of contract on the Soda Gulch timber harvest plan. The largest landowner in the county employs John Anderson, who is also a member of the Jackson Advisory group, creating a legal or ethical conflict of interest. The lawsuit was filed one year ago but was recently reported on when Mendocino Court Judge Nadel issued a tentative ruling in late September denying the company didn’t follow the correct procedure for dispute resolution. In last Friday’s meeting of the Advisory Committee, there was a listening session for public input. Residents addressed environmental and indigenous co-management concerns.
