CHP Ukiah is investigating a fatal crash on SR 253. A woman from Redwood Valley was driving her car east on 253 when she couldn’t manage a turn and flew off the road headed downhill 400 feet down, crashed into a tree and rolled several times. Erica Gonzalez was thrown from the car and died of her injuries. Mendocino Sheriff’s Deputies, CalTrans and CHP responded to the scene early this morning just before 3am. They do not think drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory yesterday for the North Bay. A low pressure system is moving in today and will bring in rain overnight. The wet weather has put an end to fire season, but residents should be wary of a wetter than normal winter. The National Weather Service predicts above normal levels from December through February. Local officials are urging residents to be prepared. KRON reports people are urged to sign up for emergency alerts and to know their zone. Officials say people can prepare for increased rain by clearing out gutters and downspouts, turn off automatic water systems and learn your escape route with an alternative, should a road be blocked or flooded.
The emergency shelter in Lake County is going to be open around the clock, all year. Redwood Community Services will operate the shelter at the former juvenile hall in north Lakeport. Lake County News reports the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved the contract that has the Behavioral Health Services Department as the lead administrator along with Redwood Community Services. They’ll get nearly $2.5 million through 2026 to operate it. In the contract approved during the board’s meeting a few weeks ago there will need to be 35 beds to serve 300 people and reach 200 via street outreach. 88 homeless people is the target for the organization to exit the program to permanent housing and more. The initial funding from the Continuum of Care will decrease over time as Redwood Community Services develops enhanced care management with a medical respite benefit to sustain the shelter long-term.
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.
Senate Bill 833 has been signed by the governor in an aim to help small cannabis farmers continue operations. The Cannabis Licensing Reform Act allows growers to pause or reduce their crop size without paying the full annual fees. Senate President Designee Mike McGuire advanced the bill, in hopes of saving smaller farmers money when they need to downsize allowing a pause in their fee but must maintain an inactive license based on crop size. McGuire tells Lake County News that just as with other agricultural crops, cannabis farmers should not go under because of one bad season. SB833 will take effect on January 1st.
Short-term rentals in Mendocino County will be discussed through several communities meetings this month. County officials say short term rentals have implications for transient occupancy tax revenues, housing stock and neighborhood stability, according to the Ukiah Daily Journal. County officials say there are no explicit short term rentals regulations for the inland areas of the county in zoning. The Mendocino County Department of Planning and Building Services is inviting residents to engagement sessions about a proposed Inland Short Term Rental Ordinances. Willits Library on Wednesday, Nov 29th, 6 -7pm and in Ukiah, Conference Room at Low Gap Road on Nov 30th from 6 – 8pm in person and online.
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 Sunday to provide food to the Ukiah Food Bank. The Mendocino College Foundation is continuing in their food drive for several area pantries. And consider supporting another local news outlet with the Snoopy Bag for the Press Democrat, the non profit continues to support community journalism and education. Attorney General Rob Bonta says to be careful on this day of helping others and make sure people don’t fall for scams by giving to organizations you trust and not to be intimidated by telemarketers.
The completion of the Pudding Creek Bridge is the third bridge upgrade of the century on the coast, according to MendoVoice. At the ribbon cutting a few weeks ago, Caltrans officials celebrated the finished project on time and with no injuries. Caltrans says two bridges on the coast are still critically in need of replacement and others need upgrades. Now Caltrans and others can set their sights on the Jack Peters Creek Bridge at the north side of the town of Mendocino. Construction started last week as an 80 foot steel pole was set up that is to carry wires up and away from the project that is estimated to be complete within the next two summers. Jack Peters Bridge has no sidewalks with crumbling railings, having been built during the Great Depression. Another bridge on the list is the Hare Creek Sgt. Emil Evenson Memorial Bridge south of Fort Bragg, but that is unscheduled at the moment. The Albion River Bridge and Albion Salmon Creek Bridge are set to be replaced or renovated. Work is expected to begin there in 2030.
Video recordings of cannabis inspections in Lake County are on hold. The issue stems from when a code enforcement officer didn’t reportedly get permission to record her inspection of Pillsbury Farms in Potter Valley earlier this month, the grower protested. The Community Development Director noted before the inspection, there was a letter submitted that the officer use a body cam for personal safety, but that it is not the department’s standard procedure. The Record Bee reports there was a violation regarding a greenhouse on the 8,000 square foot grow site that the owners are now addressing. The farm apparently had a county permit but not a state permit. Pillsbury Farms is working with the state to fix the problem. The owners of the farm are working with the county team to become legal growers as they shut down for this season and look to next spring, hoping for help with taxes and fees via the equity grant.
A Lakeport man lost his life after his boat capsized last Friday near Fort Bragg. Yesterday, we reported there is a search for a missing dog in the aftermath of the boating accident on Pudding Creek. Lloyd Dennis was pulled from the water, given emergency medical aid and taken to Santa Rosa Memorial; sadly he passed away. When his boat crashed into breakers Friday afternoon, his dog went missing. The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County issued a release in MendoFever with details about a pug named Priya, who was in a life jacket; before it was found nearby yesterday. The family asks that people keep an eye out for the surviving dog and call the humane society if seen.
Applications for state funding begin today in California’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program. The funding out of the state Department of Food and Agriculture will be granting assistance to farmers and ranchers who implement irrigation practices that improve water efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In an update in the latest Russian River Water Forum, the department says the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District will be offering free technical help in applying for the funds. Projects that would fit into eligibility include improved pump energy efficiency, fuel conversion automation, on-farm water storage and irrigation system upgrades. Applications will be accepted now through January 19th.
The Mendocino Wine Company is the first Regenified Certified wine Grape Grower, according to reporting in the Wine Industry Advisor. It’s the first vintner in the country to attain carbon neutral status and is a three time winner of California’s Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for its work on environmentally responsible practices. The company is continuing their efforts now by focusing on soil health. Regenerative farming is founded on imitating nature, minimizing soil disturbance, encouraging plant diversity and more. The Regenification Verification Standard aims to use agricultural practices to restore biodiversity, water quality and more. The vineyards encompass 230 acres in Mendocino’s Ukiah Valley and is a member of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and more.
