A group of peace activists a protesting what they say are war crimes by the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza. There were a couple dozen people protesting outside the Ukiah courthouse yesterday afternoon. Over 15,000 Palestinian casualties have been estimated, about half, reportedly children. Thousands are missing in the debris of the Israeli offense in Gaza, according to reporting in the Ukiah Daily Journal. One group called Showing Up for Racial Justice Mendocino Coast is calling for a ceasefire. The group includes Jewish activists saying they feel strongly about repairing the world saying people should have human rights. Many attending protesters say they are following the events of the Israel Hamas war, and want to raise awareness about what some see as genocide.
PG&E’s initial surrender plan is open to public review and comment now through December 22nd. MendoFever reports the document includes a proposal to continue water diversion from the Eel to the Russian River. The draft plan was released Friday but did not get to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as requested by some. The utility plans to send the draft to the agency next spring. Advisory and working groups with the Russian River Water Forum are considering several options for what happens after PG&E surrenders the Potter Valley Project. One is a proposal for 700 to 800 foot channel built of boulders to divert water from the Van Arsdale Reservoir in Potter Valley. An additional option would be a mechanical pump. Officials and interested parties are working to study which diversion action will best protect fish passages and water supply.
PG&E says deconstruction of the dams could start as early as 2028 depending on regulatory approval, according to the Press Democrat. The Director for the California chapter of Trout Unlimited says removing the dam will make the Eel the longest free-flowing river in the state and will open up hundreds of stream miles of habitat previously unavailable to the native salmon and steelhead populations. PG&E has agreed to evaluate a regional proposal brought by the Sonoma Water and Russian River water users to keep enough of the smaller Cape Horn Dam with a diversion tunnel to allow wintertime diversions from the Eel to the Russian River open. Lake County officials are fighting a proposal to drain Lake Pillsbury, the 3.5 square mile reservoir. PG&E put all of the lake basin and shoreline under a permanent conservation easement held by the Mendocino Land trust to protect wildlife and prohibit future development.
Ukiah community leaders are urging residents to avoid work downtown this week. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that construction crews will work hard this week, as there is a school break for the Ukiah Unified School District. Today through Wednesday there will be significant work at the intersection of Bush and Low Gap Roads. As part of the Ukiah Streetscape project, there will be many underground utilities crews are working around. The city’s Public Works Director says work on Phase 4 of the Recycled Water, or Purple Pipe Project is happening, with over half of the ponds excavated as they work on the new distribution system.
The Mendocino County Department of Cannabis Control is reminding people to apply for the equity grant, the eligibility window closes this week. The Department also wants residents to know they, along with most county offices will close on the 22nd , the last day applicants can apply for the grant who qualify for the program. The department and most other county offices will reopen next Monday the 27th.
The City of Lakeport is working on a feasibility study to address homelessness. During the city council meeting earlier this month, the council approved an agreement with company Vanir for the work, funded by a state-sponsored program. Lake County News reports city leaders are leaning into navigation centers with temporary shelter, social services and support to help the homeless transition into stability and housing. The Assistant City Manager says homelessness is a complex issue in the city, state and nationwide. The five year plan of research and predevelopment have so far been covered by over $350,000 through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation and officials have plans to seek out additional funds.
More information is coming to light after a murder suspect was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after dropping his insanity plea. Drew Price was found guilty last week of the murder of Deborah Garner Flicker. Price could be released immediately if sentenced to less than the maximum term. He’s served time behind bars that will allow for time served credits with less than four months left in county jail. His decision to drop the insanity plea means he can’t be committed to a state hospital. Instead, the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter rather than murder in the first degree may allow him to be free sooner rather than later. MendoFever reports there have been some ethics issues involved in the case, some pertaining to the judge’s interactions with the jury. Price’s sentencing is set for January 10th at the Ukiah courthouse.
New research says natural disasters and pollution linked to climate change are contributing factors to high rates of anxiety and depression among young people. Researchers from San Francisco-based Hopelab consulted experts and interviewed youth climate activists to determine how climate impacts like wildfire, extreme heat, drought, flooding, and air pollution are affecting young people’s mental health. The California News Service reports the Community Foundation of Sonoma County launched the Environmental Justice Coalition, which partners groups of students with a mentor to work on local environmental issues.
The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College has a new interim dean. The Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Patricia Barba at their board meeting earlier this month. Barba is following Dean Ingrid Larson who left in September for a Mendocino College position. Lake County News reports her position is effective until next May. The board also named a new Director of Department of Supportive Programs and Services and more.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife are announcing emergency regulations to reduce the harvest of white sturgeon in California waters. The new rules reduce the amount of fish that can be kept to one per year and more. The policy was enacted by the California Fish and Game Commission in response to declines in white sturgeon and harmful algal blooms that have devastated their populations in recent years. The two species of sturgeon in the state are on the Federal Endangered Species Act radar, with the green type listed as threatened and white listed as a Species of Special Concern. In a release issued in KymKemp, the department says sturgeon report cards for next year become available soon. The requirements will remain in effect for all of 2024.
The Grass Roots Institute is announcing a new video of the launch of their campaign to prohibit new gas stations in Mendocino County. KymKemp issued the group’s press release. The launch features a co-coodinator of Congas, an organization to prohibit new gas stations working in Sonoma County. The group says new fossil fuel stations can be prohibited easily with simple zoning changes. They say stopping new construction of potentially toxic hazardous waste sites helps communities focus on alternative transportation options.
The Mendocino National Forest is hosting a series of community sessions on post-wildfire recovery to engage with the public and get input that will be used to inform future restoration efforts. Residents are urged to share their input on prioritizing investments in its recovery. Families are encouraged to attend and bring their kids for fun activities and to meet Smokey Bear. The meetings are a first-of-its-kind collaboration with researchers from the U.S. Forest Service’s Region 5, Pacific Northwest and Southwest Research Stations, USDA California Climate Hub, and UC Davis. Next week, there will be a session on Monday, November 27th at the Robinson Rancheria in Nice. Tuesday, the 28th, a session will be held in Covelo at the Library commons, each session starts at 5pm.
The Lakeport City Council is holding a special meeting tomorrow at 5pm to go over appointments and the new courthouse project, according to Lake County News. They’ll also hold their regular meeting tomorrow at 6pm. In the special meeting at 5:00 the Lakeport Police Chief will present a Citizen Commendation to Dalton Harris. The council will consider reappointing George Spurr to another four year term on the Lake County Vector Control District Board through 2027. Other positions will be appointed to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board and the Economic Development Advisory Committee. During the regular meeting at 6, the city manager will confirm the fulfillment between the Judicial Council of California and the City of Lakeport with development of the new Lake County Superior Courthouse. There will also be an update in efforts to mitigate issues with the city’s wastewater collection system.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife are continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line to Lopez Point, and expanding the restriction to the California/Oregon border to Cape Mendocino because of humpback whales and the possibility for entanglement from trap gear. The department issued an announcement in MendoFever on the expanded restrictions. The recreational trap restrictions will go into effect this Sunday, November 26th. All traps in Zone 1 must be removed by this Sunday. Recreational crabbers using other methods like hoop nets and crab snares will be allowed. The commercial Dungeness crab fishery is being delayed until December 16th. The department plans the next risk assessment will happen around the first week in December when more information will be released.
