Contention over the suspension of Mendocino County Auditor/Controller, Chamise Cubbison was apparent in the court yesterday morning. There a room full of supporters in the courtroom as well as in front of the Board of Supervisors. MendoFever reports Cubbison and codefendant Paula Kennedy’s arraignment set for 9am yesterday has been postponed until November 29th. Defense Attorney Chris Andrian said Cubbison was not in the position until after the funds were gone, and that she was summarily suspended without a hearing, according to the Ukiah Daily Journal. The appointee replacing Cubbison, Sara Pierce reported she found outside bank accounts that weren’t fully disclosed. She refused to sign off on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year 2021-22. Pierce also informed state auditors about the accounts they reportedly did not know about. She said the discrepancy will negatively affect the county’s ability to get grant funding and that the current fiscal year close will be delayed.
The Mendocino County Coroner is investigating the discovery of a body found in a burning car near the Covelo Dump yesterday morning. In a release, the Mendocino County Sheriff reports the Covelo Fire Department was dispatched to the dump just before 10am, where the body was found. There are no further details now, but we are monitoring the situation and will give you an update when authorities know more.
The annual count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in Mendocino County is out. At the end of last January, 30 Mendocino County Homeless Services Continuum of Care volunteers collected information and submitted the data to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The numbers this year show that there was 633 homeless people, a nearly quarter decline from last year. A spokesperson for the Continuum of Care says through expanded rental assistance programs, and new funding for low income households and more, the trend is positive for the county.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified a body found two weeks ago. Andrew Cleofaus-Paul Gurrola is the name of the man whose body was found along Highway 29 at Hofacker Lane. The Press Democrat reports a cause of his death has not yet been released. His body was found by CHP about a mile and a half south of Lower Lake.
It’s that time of year, when you can cut your own Christmas Tree out of the Mendocino National Forest. The forest service is announcing that Christmas tree permits will be on sale online starting Friday, the 3rd. The online portal, Recreation.gov is the place to review guidelines and buy the permit. This year it’s $10 per tree with a $2.50 transaction fee. They are good through December 31st. Those wanting to cut a tree should check the forecast and bring the proper tools needed. The Forest Service is reminding people that they can only use designated roads and be careful when driving through a burned area. They recommend cutting early in the season before snow builds up in higher elevations. Permits will also be available for sale at the Willows or Upper Lake Ranger Station.
Cultural burns are planned for today and tomorrow in the Cobb area. The burns are part of a prescribed and cultural fire training exchange with the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance along with Lake County. The collaboration is working with Cal Fire, the US Forest Service and more to reduce fuel loading, support capacity building and training about controlled burns to improve the health of woodlands and grasslands and more. Lake County News reports depending on weather conditions the fires will be started around 8am each day and tamped down by later afternoon. Residents in the Cobb area may see smoke today and tomorrow.
Open enrollment starts today for the state marketplace known as CoveredCA. An estimated one-point-three million Californians are eligible for free Medi-Cal or for low-cost plan through the marketplace. The California News Service reports ninety percent of the enrollees on CoveredCA receive financial assistance, two-thirds of whom have access to comprehensive health insurance coverage, for a cost of $10 or less per month. This year premiums are going up by nine-percent, but many people won’t feel the increase thanks to federal subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act, and the new California Enhanced Cost Sharing program, which lowers expenses for anyone making up to 250-percent of the Federal Poverty Level. That works out to income of about 35-thousand dollars a year for an individual, or about 70-thousand for a family of four.
The Jackson Demonstration State Forest with University of California Coop Extension is hosting a series of field conversations about improvement. The Adaptive Management tour will focus on a different aspect of the forest management with renewed focus as part of Cal Fire’s Modernization Vision. The second tour is set for Friday, on November 3rd from 10am to 2pm. Visitors will learn about work before, during and after fire monitoring protocols that allows for continued refinement of prescribed burns.
California Highway Patrol just got some federal funds to help efforts in reducing reckless driving with a crack down on illegal sideshows, takeovers, and street racing. The $2 million grant called the Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education and Enforcement Taskforce, or STREET II mission is to lower the number of injuries and deaths related to the dangerous events. The money is part of an allocation in the state budget to engage the public in a campaign with specialized enforcement operations. Lake County News reports from January through the end of July this year, CHP issued more than 31,000 tickets to drivers going over 100 miles per hour. The STREET II grant campaign will be active through September of next year. The funds come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Sonoma County authorities have more information about the fatal crash that happened over the weekend in Sea Ranch. The Press Democrat reports the baby who was killed is John Marrufo, who was about a year and a half old. The crash happened Saturday night around 10:30, when driver Colton Marrufo flipped over on Highway 1. Yesterday, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office charged Marrufo with gross vehicular manslaughter, child cruelty, gun related counts, driving under the influence and more. The 19 year old is in jail in lieu of a half a million dollar bail. He was arraigned yesterday and scheduled to appear at a bail hearing Friday. Another 4 year old child was also in the car, but suffered minor injuries.
The California Department of Public Health is warning people at high risk for Mpox to get vaccinated. What was formerly known as monkeypox, is on the rise across the state. Lake County New reports health officials are urging those at risk to get vaccinated and be aware of the signs and symptoms. This week, the department issued a health alert to providers about the increase of cases. Those who should seriously consider getting the two part vaccine for Mpox include those with sexual partners who were diagnosed with the virus, and those concerned about sexually transmitted diseases. Officials say people should have conservations with their sexual partners as well as their health providers. Mpox can cause flu-like symptoms and include a rash.
Fast Food companies throughout the state are increasing prices. The New York Post reports McDonald’s and Chipotle are raising menu prices after California passed minimum wage hikes. The governor signed a law that will give fast food workers $20 an hour minimum, starting next spring. Already, price hikes across the country have decreased fast food sales, especially for people earning less than $45,000 annually with inflation and other economic factors. The new minimum wage would be the highest in the nation for the industry.
