The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal fall from the cliffs near Point Arena. A man was seen walking his dog when a witness saw him fall from the cliff just before 5pm yesterday. First responders attempted to revive the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene within minutes of their arrival and a helicopter rescue was cancelled.
Some homeless shelters are opening today, with the City Fort Bragg preparing to open their program through local churches and the Hospitality Center as they ready for extreme weather. MendoVoice reports the Fort Bragg emergency weather shelter will open when triggered by weather. City Manager Cervenka says they don’t have service to support everyone and don’t want to see homeless people stuck in the area. Cervenka says he will present the Emergency Warming Shelter program and eligibility at the city council meeting on December 11th. He urges non local people to get to a community that has more resources. The limited shelter services in Fort Bragg are based on the National Weather Service predictions of extreme weather. In Ukiah, the Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center is operating year round, with stipulations. And the Ford Street Project is offering shelter to families.
The Mendocino Coast Environmental Scholarship program with Mendocino Eco Education and Events and more are presenting a conference on the history of the Save the Redwoods League along with an up to date overview of climate change in our ecosystems and management 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.
Sensitive data from Blue Shield of California vision policy holders may be among confidential patient information accessed by criminal hackers. The Mercury News reports the Oakland-based health insurance giant announced the breach this week. Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and possibly diagnosis and treatment details were accessed in a cyber-attack. The insurer is among thousands of organizations affected by the hack. The company hasn’t confirmed how many customers were affected, but Blue Shield has 4.5 million customers with vision plans that may have had their data taken. Blue Shield says it’s taken “immediate steps” to protect its network.
Last night, Governor Newsom faced Governor DeSantis on the debate stage with Sean Hannity moderating. The show began with numbers showing migration out of California in 2021 and 2022. Newsom says the numbers have shifted recently, and told the Florida Governor that California has no peers, being the fifth largest economy in the world. ABC News reports the two discussed abortion with each calling the other extreme on their views. Newsom ended the show by saying that neither of them will be the presidential candidate in the coming election. Instead, political scholars say both were there to boost their national profile.
The attorney representing former Mendocino County Auditor/Controller, Chamise Cubbison, is formally asking the court the recuse District Attorney David Eyster. In her appearance in Mendocino Superior Court Wednesday morning, MendoFever reports lawyer Chris Andrian says that there is potential conflict of interest in the public opposition the DA displayed before the Board of Supervisors, and years of contentious history between the two. He continued saying that the Board summarily dismissed Cubbison without pay with no due process. He forecasts civil litigation on that matter. Meanwhile, her co-defendant, Paula Kennedy also appeared, but pleas were not entered as the formal request for recusal was instead presented to the court. Cubbison’s next court hearing is set for December 19th.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Christmas tree burglary at Foster’s Ranch Market in Laytonville. Wednesday, video footage captured a woman grab their tree displayed at the storefront. MendoFever reports the store’s cameras captured the thief from a couple different angles, with employees identifying the suspect driving away with her door open after breaking the tree as she shoved it into her car and sped away. The tree had just been set up earlier that day. The 8 foot tall artificial tree has stood outside of the business for the last decade. It appeared the suspect was id’ed and contacted as a deputy continued the investigation. Foster’s Ranch Market is getting a new Christmas tree, and says they’ll chain this one up.
The man accused of shooting his assault rifle at the homeless in Clearlake Oaks appeared at the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport for his prelim hearing. Glen Prasad was in court ordered custody. Last month, Prasad entered a not guilty plea to all charges and special allegations. He faces charges of assault with a firearm and two counts of possessing an assault weapon. It comes after an incident at the Red and White Store in Clearlake Oaks when a man reportedly shot at transients nearby. No one was injured, and witnesses helped describe the shooter who was arrested at a home on Shoreview Drive. Prasad remains in the Lake County Jail with bail set at $260,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for next Tuesday, the 5th.
About 600 square miles of the Pacific along California’s coastline has been leased for floating wind farms with more on the way. The state is working on another renewable energy technology in the form of electricity created from waves and tides, called Blue power. Governor Newsom signed new legislation that instructs agencies to work on feasibility and impacts of capturing ocean movements to generate power within the next year. It’s part of California’s goal to be an all renewable electric grid by 2045. Cal Matters reports energy authorities and officials say there is great potential along the coast. The work begins now, to develop ocean based projects from pilot programs to commercial power. The National Renewable Energy Lab estimates the total for Blue power sources would be equal to nearly 60 percent of energy production in 2019. The US Department of Energy’s “Powering the Blue Economy” initiative is helping with grant funding and sponsors to explore the new technology.
The Grassroots Institute is working to derail a new gas station in Redwood Valley, after multiple years of environmental complaints and violations. Sixty four violations of health and safety codes were charged against the Faizan Corporation, which owns stations in NorCal. They are requesting a minor-use permit for a 10 pump gas station and store on North State Street, between Willits and Redwood Valley. MendoFever reports the company paid a half a million dollar settlement for environmental and business practice violations, most in Mendocino County. Swapping out Weights and Measures seals, falsely advertising the wrong octane gas and groundwater contamination have also been reported. The Grass Roots Institute and other locals want a county ordinance prohibiting any new stations in the county. The Planning Commission is set to discuss the issue at it’s meeting next Thursday, the 7th at 10am.
PG&E is being protected from a class action lawsuit stemming from power safety shut-off’s in 2019. Last week, the California Supreme Court ruled that the utility is not liable for damages suffered because the California Public Utilities Commission’s use of planned blackouts. An Energy Policy Program expert at Stanford told the Press Democrat that although PG&E does bear some responsibility, allowing lawsuits for losses would put the utility in an untenable position. Instead, the focus should be on minimizing impacts of future shut-offs working with the California Public Utilities Commission under their authority.
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.
Ukiah’s skating rink will open tomorrow at 5pm. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports after the opening, the Parade of Lights begins at 6pm with 70 participants starting the procession on North State Street at Low Gap Road. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will finish up the parade on a fire truck and light the downtown Christmas Tree around 7pm.
