Governor Newsome met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing yesterday. Newsom was joined by the US Ambassador to China. The Record Bee reports Newsom has been touring China discussing how California and the county can work together to advance climate action, promote economic development and tourism and strengthen cultural ties. Newsom also has been discussing human rights violations and anti-democratic efforts in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet and more. He talked about his trip to Israel last Friday and how China can help diffuse tension in the region. He invited China to the Asia Pacific Economic cooperation summit in San Francisco next month.
The Mendocino County Cannabis Department is announcing that Go-Biz is allowing an increase in funding to verified local equity applicants, with over $1 million disbursed for the month of October. The LEEP Round 3 Direct Grant Disbursement has begun, and awardees have been notified and can expect payment before October 31st. Other grant funding opportunities are still expected, including the Local Jurisdictional Assistance Grant Program and future rounds of LEEP. Funding is aimed a lowering barriers to cannabis permitting and licensing. Eligibility includes current Cannabis Cultivation Permit or Business License holders, applicants and those seeking to apply.
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. 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.
A man has been arrested for shooting at people in Clearlake Oaks. Yesterday afternoon Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to shots fired at the Red and White market. Witnesses say a man was shooting his rifle at homeless people in the area. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported. The shooter was identified as Glenn Prasad. The Major Crimes Unit detectives found an unregistered AR style rifle at a home on Shoreview Drive, where he was arrested and taken to jail. Prasad is charged with two felonies: discharge of a firearm in a gross negligent manner and felony possession of an assault weapon. His bail is set at $10,000. Prasad will be arraigned in one week.
The Governor’s Office is announcing $95 million for flood preparation across the state in projects to repair levees, enhance flood diversion and recharge capacity. In a release issued in Lake County News, Newsom’s office is working to get ready for a wet winter. $436 million has been invested to support flood response and projects to protect communities. The funding highlighted yesterday includes $67 million to repair levees impacted by last year’s storms. $14 million is going to the State Water Resources Control Board to help domestic wells that were damaged. Over $11 million in funding is set for the Storm Assistance for Immigrants project. The state has 2.4 million more sandbags ready. Officials’ emergency response coordination across local communities is a priority with more enhanced forecasting and warning data.
An east coast man is free after being found not guilty of two alcohol related driving charges. A Mendocino Superior Court jury found William Britton of Rhode Island not guilty during a three day trial. The charges stem from spring of last year, when Britton allegedly drove under the influence near Talmage.
The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County will have adoption fees reduced this weekend in their Halloween Event. There is also a trunk or treating at the center Saturday and Sunday. They’re open 1pm to 5pm today and tomorrow and 11am to 3pm on the weekend.
Cal Fire Mendocino Unit will be doing a prescribed burn on the Shamrock Ranch area east of Highway 101 near Laytonville. The burning will start tomorrow morning around 10am and continue through the weekend, finishing Sunday around 5pm. The fuel mitigation and reduction goals are part of the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. You can track prescribed burns at fire.ca.gov. Fire crews will monitor the burn areas and weather conditions while in progress.
The state Attorney General Rob Bonta says victims of sexual trafficking deserve support and financial restitution. In a brief filed this week in the First District Court of Appeal Bonta argues according to the state’s broad restitution statue, victims rights and more, that victims of exploitation are entitled to restitution from the person who exploited them. In a release issued in KymKemp, the California Department of Justice continues to combat human trafficking, and Bonta wants to clarify that the statue in the state does not distinguish between labor and sex trafficking. The brief alleges that trafficking victims need a chance to recover physically, mentally and financially.
Mendocino County Residents have a one year amnesty program for building permits beginning next Wednesday. November 1st begins the program to encourage residents to get into compliance and get the right permits. The one year amnesty effectively waives all violation and penalty fees for permits submitted after work has already been started or even completed. In a reminder, MendoVoice says there are some eligibility requirements and more information can be found at the Mendocino County Department of Planning.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is facing legal scrutiny after they unanimously suspended the elected Treasurer Tax Collector / Auditor Controller Chemise Cubbison. The Anderson Valley Advertiser reports at the board meeting last week the supervisors appear to have acted before consulting with county counsel on how to proceed. The suspension came as the county’s former payroll manager Paula Kennedy allegedly misappropriated over $68,000 in public funds for 3 years. Cubbison and Kennedy were supposed to have been arraigned last week, but in order for Kennedy to arrange representation, the move is postponed until next Tuesday. Sara Pierce was appointed as the Acting Auditor Controller/Treasurer. Some argue that Cubbison has rights that were denied to her. She may have been entitled to appear before the Board and respond to the proposed suspension.
As Northern California cools way down, there is snow expected in the Sierras this week. Snow may fall all the way from northern California to the Central Valley with areas below 6,000 feet could get an inch and valley floors will see some rain. The LA Times and National Weather Service measured the first snow of the season near Donnor Pass. The winter wetness moves in as the state and federal officials prepare for El Nino. A storm could bring more cold weather and rain tomorrow through early Saturday.
The Cal Fire Mendocino Unit will be continuing their prescribed burns through Saturday, of a couple dozen burn piles at the unit headquarters on Highway 101 in Willits. Smoke will be visible from Redwood Valley through Willits. Cal Fire is using very tight restrictions and will monitor wind conditions and more to conduct the burns safely.
The CV Starr Center in Fort Bragg is repairing the pool. There is scheduled maintenance that will shut down the pool to the public from November 1st through the 10th. Repairs include the urgent auto-fill system, UV disinfection and backwash maintenance, according to reporting in MendoFever on a release from the City of Fort Bragg. Last week, contractor Knorr Systems Inc. let the center know parts have arrived and they are ready to repair systems that are critically failing. During the closure, the center is planning to recertify lifeguards. The CV Starr center will open the pool back up in time for the Mendocino Sea Dragons swim team meet on November 18th.
