A fatal airplane crash is being investigated after it crashed in Covelo on Friday. In a release from the Mendocino County Coroner, the flight went down on Airport Road in Covelo Friday evening that left its two passengers dead. The crash caught on fire that spread to nearby brush. Authorities from many agencies were looking into how and why the accident happened, and who the passengers are. The Mendocino County Coroner is investigating along with the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA in conjunction with Cal Fire, CHP, the county sheriff’s office and the Round Valley Tribal Police.
The Mendocino County Cannabis Department is opening an eligibility window for applications for people who have been previously convicted of a non-violent cannabis related offense. Due to confusion at a recent public meeting where the county says inaccurate information was given the department will accept submissions for equity applicants, November 13th through the 17. The department reports that more information will be ongoing through Canna Notes. They continue to streamline and coordinate state and county regulations on legal cannabis cultivation and permitting.
The Fort Bragg City Council meeting set for today at 6pm will include discussion on appointing a director and alternate to represent the city on the Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund Board of Directors. The agenda also includes adding an additional Engineering Technician to the Fort Bragg Employee Organization and remove the position of Public Works Administrative Analyst. Business of the council will include getting an update on the end of the CV Starr Operating Agreement with Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District. The council will also get a presentation on the Noyo Harbor Blue Economy Visioning, Resiliency and Implementation Plan. During closed session, the city council plants to go over the employment of City Clerk and City Manager positions.
Governor Newsom is traveling after a surprise visit Friday to Israel on his way to China. Newsom had no official diplomatic agenda, but raised speculation about his political ambitions. Newsom said he will be meeting “with those impacted by the horrific terrorist attacks and offering California’s support.” The Mercury News reports Newsom’s visit is welcome news to a Southern California woman who flew to Israel after her daughter and her father other family members, including children were taken hostage during the deadly Hamas massacre two weeks ago. Newsom began his climate-themed visit at the University of Hong Kong today touting the US and China’s partnership on climate change. He is now headed to Beijing, Shanghai and other provinces.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is facing scrutiny over the suspension of Auditor Chamise Cubbison. Over the weekend her lawyer told the Ukiah Daily Journal that they’re in touch with an employment attorney and will follow up today. DA David Eyster filed felony charges of misappropriation of public funds against Cubbison as well as Payroll Manager Paula Kennedy from reports that Kennedy received $68,000 over a couple of years in extra pay. Cubbison says she and her council will fight the charge. A court hearing to enter her plea was delayed until next week. Now the board’s decision may have been an illegal one as Cubbison is an elected official who has not yet pled in the case. Cubbison’s lawyer says she never received any funds and there is no claim that public money is in jeopardy. Cubbison’s title at the time of her employment is also a contentious issue as the board cited a state code specifying a county treasurer, and not an auditor. The history of the relationship between DA Eyster and Cubbison has been a tumultuous one for many years. The county is waiting for the State Controller’s Office audit of its finances for more information.
Across the Bay Area, homebuyers are seeing rate increases and their budgets shrink. People are paying more money for fewer square feet than they did last year. A half percentage point increase raises monthly payments by hundreds. The Bay Area News Group reports mortgage rates, at their highest level in 23 years, also have discouraged possible sellers from moving, creating tight supply. The lack of inventory has increased prices for a second month in a row. The median home price in the Bay Area was $1.3 million in September, a 6.6% increase from last year, according to new data from the California Association of Realtors.
Senator Mike McGuire is traveling throughout his district and visited the newly named Xabatin (Ka-bah-ten) Community Park in Lakeport last week. City officials accompanied McGuire after the Lakeport City Council officials changed the park’s name at their meeting on Tuesday. There is a grand opening ceremony planned for this coming Thursday at 4pm. Lake County News reports the official re-naming campaign was funded by a nearly $6 million grant through Prop 68. The public is invited to the ribbon cutting of the former Natural High School property. The Big Valley and Scotts Valley Bands of Pomo Indians will be performing native dances and more.
The Koi Nation of Northern California has an advocate with the Attorney General. In the Koi Nation lawsuit against the City of Clearlake, the tribe alleges officials did not adequately consult with them on preservation of cultural sites in the development of a new hotel. The quarter mile extension of 18th Avenue west of Highway 53 is part of the hotel development project. Last year, the city council decided a full environmental analysis was not needed, according to reporting in the Press Democrat. The Koi Nation says the project requires meaningful consultation according to the California Environmental Quality Act. Attorney Rob Bonta says he agrees. A brief was filed Tuesday with the state arguing the city’s inattention to tribal involvement violates the law. The tribe wants to factor in values like spiritual, cultural and related resources to be taken in account and included in the management of the Airport Hotel and 18th Avenue Extension Project.
A prominent Ukiah realtor will spend a year in jail, and register as a sex offender. David Ryan was arrested by Ukiah Police two years ago for felony sexual behavior and burglary. MendoFever reports last week Ryan pled no contest in Mendocino County Superior Court. He’s sentenced to a year in county jail and will be on probation for two additional years, as well as registering as a sex offender. The realtor had been buying and selling homes locally for years. In a victim impact statement a woman told the court how he sexually attacked her, in front of her 7 year old child; an additional charge of misdemeanor child endangerment had been dropped. The journal reports several women filed police reports as far back as 1998, accusing Ryan of sexual crimes, alleging he kept keys to several residences and harassed women in their own homes.
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar Curry is reaching out to local officials on ongoing work in Lake County. She is running for re-election to continue representing District 4. Aguiar Curry says she helped bring $40 million to Lake County and discussed a partnership with UC Davis and economic development projects. The Record Bee reports she is championing the Internet for All initiative saying every child deserves quality internet in the state. She talked of mental health during the Judge’s Breakfast on Thursday in Clearlake and talked about continued efforts to recruit medical professionals. Aguiar Curry touted the need for increased wildfire mitigation and how state and federal resources can help fund efforts to reduce risk.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is addressing cannabis policies. The meeting last week included discussing cannabis prohibition zones. The current policy allows people to petition the Planning Commission and the Board to create special zones if 60 percent of neighborhoods get enough signatures, to prohibit cannabis. So far this year, two groups have tried to petition for prohibition zones, but were denied by the board. MendoFever reports the process of overlaying already zoned areas into cannabis free areas involves many levels of staff review, so the board decided if residents want to opt in or out of a zone, they must ask the Planning Commission or Board to start the process. Some supervisors said the zoning question is not a priority. At the end of their meeting they decided to table the topic and come back with a policy in the future.
The Lake County Burn Ban is lifted as of 9am this morning. Cal Fire decided the wildfire risk has been sufficiently reduced. Burn permits are still required for outdoor burning with the Lake County Air Basin. Lake County News reports for those seeking multi-day burns, overnight burns, standing vegetation burns and more a smoke management plan is required and is available at the Lake County Air Quality Management District.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors will work on a response to state regulations that would mandate water right holders give information on wells and water usage as part of an effort to preserve Clear Lake hitch. Lake County News reports they’ll beet tomorrow morning at 9am. Board members will take written comments on the draft regulations through the end of this month. The board will also consider approval of the Facilities Capital Improvement Plan through fiscal year 2027-2028. Regarding the Lake County Watershed Protection District, the group plans to adopt a resolution to accept a State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Mussel Infestation Prevention agreement with over $330,000 in grant funding. In closed session, the board will confer with a labor negotiator and go over litigation with Earthways Foundation, Inc.
