Clearlake Police are searching for a missing woman. Lake County News reports Barbara Guzzi was last seen on Saturday afternoon leaving the San Jose area in a white Nissan on her way to Clearlake. The 58 year old has a medical condition and is considered at risk. She is a white female, five foot 6 inches tall weighing around 130 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. Barbara Guzzi was wearing a black jacket, jeans, brown boots and has silver rings on her hands. If you have any information on Guzzi, please contact the Clearlake Police Department.
Chamise Cubbison, the former Mendocino County Auditor/Controller will be back in court this week. On Wednesday, she is expected to plea in the felony case of accused misappropriating of funds. Her co-defendant, Paula Kennedy is slated to appear in Mendocino County Superior Court to face Judge Faulder as well, for over $68,000 in misappropriated money. According to court filings, Cubbison was Kennedy’s supervisor when funds were paid to Kennedy without the Board of Supervisors authorization. The Press Democrat reports the misappropriation supposedly happened between fall of 2019 and summer of 2022. Cubbison’s lawyer says she did not receive a dime in the alleged scheme saying District Attorney David Eyster is politically motivated in Cubbison’s charge. The women will appear in court at 9am Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has extended a hazardous conditions warning along the coast from Monterey beyond the north Mendocino County border. There was an increased risk for sneaker waves and rip currents along the shoreline especially along northwest facing beaches Sunday, and into today. High tides reached up to over seven feet. Forecasters say the tides could also pop up today, according to reporting in the Press Democrat. KymKemp reports there was a water rescue in Humboldt Bay on Sunday. Meanwhile, Fox news reports a five year old girl was caught in a rogue wave and swept into the ocean with her grandpa in Half Moon Bay Saturday. She was pulled from the water, but was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The US Coast Guard called off the search for her grandfather after combing over 100 square miles for over 22 hours.
The Northshore Fire Protection District in Lake County is announcing a critical staff shortage. In a post on social media yesterday, the district announced that there will be a significant reduction in Advanced Life Support services starting today. In their community announcement, the group says almost half of emergency calls need both Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support. There will be delays in the Advanced Life Support as it will be brought in from another district. The district is urging the public to take basic first aid courses to be prepared. The firefighters say their union members are working to provide the best service as they seek to solve the staffing crisis.
There is a search for a missing dog in the aftermath of a boating accident on Pudding Creek. The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County issued a release in MendoFever with details about a pug named Priya. A man had launched a boat on the creek that crashed into breakers Friday afternoon. The man was pulled out of the water and given CPR before being taken to Santa Rosa Memorial. They believe he was trying to save his pet. His wife wants people to keep their eyes out for the Priya the Pug, who had a life jacket on.
A new battery storage project at the PG&E substation on East Road is one topic covered in the Redwood Valley Municipal Advisory Council this month. An iron-air battery, being developed by Form Energy, is being described as a cost-effective energy store that last longer than lithium. The state has set aside funding for long term energy storage supporting non lithium ion energy. MendoFever reports construction is set to begin in 2025. Also at the meeting Cal Trans noted the eastbound lane on Highway 20 has been routed onto the new bridge and that Road 144 exit won’t be open until next spring. The group discussed water issues with an expert who reported a matrix of expertise across existing county departments would help the water management of Redwood Valley. Cannabis zone buffering, re-permitting of a gas station and the sale of the Redwood Valley School were discussed. Their next meeting is set for January 10th.
The wine harvest this year is unusually late, but vintners are seeing relief as they bring in most of the wine grapes. Vineyard management firms are saying this was a good solid year, after experiencing fire, smoke taint, drought and low yields. Grape quality is expected to be better than it has been in recent years. This year spring rains and temperatures that were cooler delayed harvest, but tonnage is up and presses are running. A wine maker from Napa Valley says for the last ten years, there’s been some variation of what he calls monster situations. A vintner from western Sonoma County and Anderson Valley in Mendocino County says this year’s crop is poised for long-term aging with higher acidity and more juice. The Press Democrat reports another Mendocino County wine maker says this year’s vintage already shows balanced ripening.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors is considering funding to purchase the Kelseyville Senior Center building and lease it back to Kelseyville Seniors Inc., in their meeting tomorrow morning at 9am. Lake County News reports it may cost around $118,000 and will need $700,000 in renovations, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The upgraded senior center will be developed into a center servicing surrounding communities. In other business, the group will go over de-escalation training at the Behavioral Health Services Department. They’re expected to approve a Health and Safety Grant use for the Office of Education and upgrade the Mobile Library Vehicle. The board is set to approve an agreement for a life-size bronze cast Lake Pomo family sculpture. And they’ll consider a letter of support for CalWild’s State Coastal Conservancy Grant for work on the Upper Eel River Watershed community visioning process. And in closed session they’ll go over the interview and appointment for the Health Services director. The board will also go over litigation involving the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.
The Mendocino Coast Environmental Scholarship program with Mendocino Eco Education and Events and more are present6ing a conference on the history of the Save the Redwoods League along with an up to date overview of climate change with an emphasis on Jackson State Demonstration Forest. MendoFever issued a release on the event happening this Saturday, December 2nd from 1 to 3pm at Mendocino’s Stanford Inn. Scientists will discuss a paper submitted to Cal Fire and the JAG group on the “New Vision” plan for the forest. They’ll talk about the unique redwood belt and how it’s changed. The event will accept donations to offset costs of the session.
State lawmakers are working to create a ballot measure that would be the largest school construction bond in decades. Cal Matters reports that rural school districts are in desperate need of infrastructure rehab and more. Two bills are under consideration that would bring in billions to make repairs on schools. Assembly Bill 247 would raise $14 billion for K-12 schools and community colleges. Senate Bill 28 would fund $15.5 billion and would include the University of California and CSU. Only one is expected to proceed to the governor’s desk for approval. AB247 may work out because it does not include the university systems. Lawmakers in support of the bill say they’re confident Newsom will approve the school bond to be on the ballot for the general election in a year.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department is heaving a sigh of relief after finding a missing hiker on Friday. A 72 year old man went missing west of Laytonville on a walk. The Sheriff’s posting on social media and a Nixel Alert reported search and rescue teams were in the area of Wilderness Lodge Road. A Sheriff’s Office K9 officer sniffed the man out of the forested area and is reportedly safe.
Giving Tuesday is here and several area organizations are raising funds for their community food banks and more. The Umpqua Bank is hosting their annual Wish Tree for Child Welfare Services in Lake County, according to Lake County News. The Ukiah Daily Journal Holiday Fund Drive began yesterday to provide food to the Ukiah Food Bank. The Mendocino College Foundation is continuing in their food drive for several area pantries. The Mendocino Coast Rec and Park District is holding their 37th annual Aquathon and silent auction this Saturday to raise money for second grader swim lessons. And this Friday the Fort Bragg Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help low-income folks with veterinary services with the Second Chance Project.
