The Lake County Board of Supervisors is looking for residents who live in Southern Lake County to fill a vacancy on the Cannabis Ordinance Task Force. They are aiming to appoint someone during their December 19th Board of Supervisors Meeting. The county is asking that interested candidates should apply be December 13th. Applications are at the Lake County Courthouse in the Clerk of the Board Office in Lakeport. Interested residents can also check out more information on the position at Lake County’s webpage. It is a volunteer position for the Cannabis Ordinance Task Force advisory board.
The Mendocino Transit Authority Board of Directors will get a presentation on the draft Ukiah Transit Center feasibility study at their meeting next week, December 6th at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center at 1:30pm. Information published in the Ukiah Daily Journal reports the plan will focus on a recommended transit center site, north of Kohls on North Orchard Avenue in Ukiah. The public is invited as the project is aimed at including community and stakeholders input. The final plan is expected to be finished in January. The feasibility study is funded by the Mendocino Council of Governments with Local Transportation Funds.
This Friday the Mendocino Ballet Company will be performing the Nutcracker with local performers from Ukiah, Willits and surrounding communities. Trudy McCreanor is the Artistic Director and is planning the performance for Friday at 7pm. Tickets are available at the Mendocino Book Company this week or on the Mendocino Ballet Company’s website.
Lake County is announcing a disturbing trend that is killing young people. In a release issued by the county, officials say there have been multiple incidents of youth opioid overdoses, some fatal. We reported last week on the urgent and dangerous uptick in a powerful sedative, xylazine, known on the streets as tranq. Between fentanyl and xylazine communities across the county have been rocked to the core, including right here. 100,000 people nationwide were killed by the fatally dangerous illicit drug use, 79 of those in Lake County. It’s becoming increasingly clear that even one dose can kill. Dangerously fake pills are making the situation increasingly dire. Lake County’s Behavioral Health Services Director is urging the public to talk to your kids and everyone around you about the overdose reversal drug, Nalaxone or Narcan.
The Ukiah City Council will hold a public hearing on December 6, 2023. They plan to review the Fee Schedule for the Planning and Building Services Divisions of the Department of Community Development. Changes could include alterations to the initial deposit amount for major planning permits, pre-zonings, annexations, and re-zonings. The council may also remove the initial deposit range of $1,000 – $3,000. California Insights reports the council is also considering establishing a single minor permit level. The flat fee for minor permits may also increase from the range of $500-$900 to a flat $1,000. City Staff are recommending a new 5% fee of the total building permit cost for planning consultation services. They are also suggesting an increase in the hourly rate for building division staff services, under the annual rate published by the City of Ukiah Finance Director.
Cal Fire is announcing a new online platform in their monthly newsletter. Cal Fire has started a new feature on social media called Cal Fire Callings. The application allows the department to celebrate the individuality of their personnel and recognize the talents that contribute to the overall culture. This initiative provides a window into their lives, offering insights into outside accomplishments, hobbies, and passions that go beyond the scope of firefighting and emergency response.
Lake County issued a press release listing the number of vacancies they are hoping to fill on advisory boards and commissions. From the Central Region Town Hall and Emergency Medical Care Committee, the Heritage Commission and Lake County Ag Advisory Committee to the Library Advisory Board, there are many openings available to eligible county residents. Applications and the vacancy listings are available on the county website. You can also reach out in person at the Lake County Courthouse. All the positions are voluntary, but are valuable to the community.
Cal Trans and Mendocino County are offering a Free Clean California Community Dump Voucher in Laytonville, a week from this Friday, on the 15th. Vouchers will be handed out at Harwood Hall on the 15th, from noon to 5pm. The voucher allows residents to drop off large items for free. There is a limit of one voucher per family and is good for a load of household items to be taken to the Willits Transfer Station on Franklin Avenue. Hazardous waste, tires, business waste and construction debris will not be allowed. Cal Trans is reminding people to secure and properly cover your load to keep the roads and waterways clean.
The Lake County Registrar of Voters issued information about the Kelseyville United School District’s Bond Measure Q. In the notice to voters, the Registrar notes that the deadline to submit arguments for and against the measure is December 12th. You can visit the Registrar of Voters for more information on the measure and more as upcoming elections are getting close.
Redwood Community Services is now operating the emergency shelter in Lakeport as of last Friday. Lake County Behavioral Services with the Lake County Continuum of Care say Redwood Community Services have approved a new name to mark the new chapter. Xamatin (hah m-i-tin), a northern Pomo word meaning lake. The transition to 24 hour service is a significant change, and much needed in the community. The Integrated Health Director says they’re n ot able to take new guests for at least a week and staff is working to connect with new people encouraging them to return the week of December 11th for information and resource details. The shelter is able to provide up to 35 guests with food, and other valuable support services.
The National Weather Service says the high pressure system west of the central coast is ushering in a strong lower pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska. That means more rain is on it’s way being funneled between the two systems. Weather officials say there is a good likelihood that one to three inches is possible with most of the precipitation headed toward northern areas of Mendocino County and north.
The Mendocino County District Attorney is urging stronger recruitment of attorneys to face the shortage of applicants. Vacancies are slated to continue through the next year nationwide and especially in Mendocino County. The DA posted a Reuters Article on social Media over the weekend discussing the issue facing the county as prosecutors are headed to nearby areas for greater compensation packages with what he calls serious competitive lawyer poaching. He notes Mendocino County’s access to nature and high quality of life scores.
Senator Mike McGuire is sharing his plans for the next three years. During the Judge’s Breakfast in Clearlake last Thursday, he went over projects and goals for the near future. He touted achievements in growing tourism, affordable housing and the roll-out of high-speed internet aimed at covering 10,000 miles. McGuire talked about bridging the digital divide and growing the Golden State Internet, to be owned by state tax payers. The Record Bee reports he shared the process of creating more housing units within the next year and talked about the City of Clearlake and other areas moving forward on that front. McGuire talked about state programs including the Care Court program that pivots mental health and substance abuse experiences away from judicial penalties and into behavioral health solutions. The Senator discussed how home insurers are leaving or limiting service in the state, and hardening properties to mitigate wildfire risk. Next month, he’ll move into the State Senate Pro Tempore position.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors are planning to go over PG&E’s initial decommissioning plan for the Potter Valley Project. They’ll meet tomorrow morning at 9am and discuss the fate of Lake Pillsbury and residents of the county in how the future of the Eel and Russian Rivers diversion plans will affect them. They‘ll consider adopting the Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan and appointments to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Lake County News reports they plan to adopt a resolution to approve the County Sheriff’s Office to apply for grant funding including a Homeland Security application. The board plans to present a Revised State Water Resources Control Board’s regulations for the Clear Lake Watershed. In closed session they plan to work on interviews and appointments for the Health Services Director and more.
