California’s budget deficit has leapt from previous estimates of over $14 billion to $68 billion dollars. The unexpectedly low tax revenues could force the state’s deepest cuts in spending in nearly a century. The figure coming from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office released yesterday is going to drastically change 2024’s spending. State budget analysts say there are options, liking dippi ng into cash reserves. According to Politico, the department says the administration will present a plan to close the budget gap when Newsom sends his proposal to the Legislature next month.
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is hearing a deafening roar from organizations about the future of the Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Cal Fire, the Jackson Demonstration State Forest Advisory Group, The Save Jackson State Forest Coalition, Tribal members and more went over future decisions about timber harvests in Sacramento this week. MendoVoice reports several groups demanded more open hearings where the public can have a real voice. Cal Fire representatives described a wild JAG meeting in September when things got out of hand. The former facilitator, Cal Fire’s Kim Rodrigues attempted to work the meeting but groups felt that Cal Fire rushed the approach of a broadened collaboration. Many attendees demanded fewer timber harvests to protect the ancient old growth trees, roads, waterways and more. Tribal advocates listed violations to treaties in place, including no consultation with them on the future of the forest.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified a woman who was killed after being hit by a car on Highway 29 last week in Middletown. Susan Johnson-Cline was pronounced dead after crash, after being hit by a Tesla last Friday evening. Lake County News reports she was walking along the highway in wet, rainy conditions. Authorities believe alcohol may have been a factor in the woman’s death, as she may have been under the influence when she decided to walk along the highway. She died of her injuries at Adventist Health Clear Lake according to CHP.
Cal Fire’s Wood Products and Bioenergy Grants Program is announcing $15 million has been awarded for 16 projects across the state. The projects aim will be to fund expansion in workforce development and businesses involved in creating healthy, resilient forests as part of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. A Cal Fire spokesman says projects not only support forest health and wildfire resilience but also support the people who depend on the state’s forestlands including tribal communities. Some grants will fund transporting low value forest biomass that would otherwise be cost prohibitive. Other projects include further reforestation efforts and projects to develop a new forest bioenergy production facility.
The Mendocino Board of Supervisors are holding a public hearing on December 19th at 9am to consider a changes in property tax benefits beginning in 2024. The board will consider implementing AB1265 to establish new Williamson Act Contracts including reduction of property tax benefits and related reduction of the term of contracts to nine years, effective in the new year. Residents may be limited to raising issues at the hearing or in written correspondence to the board before the meeting. You can elect to serve notice of non renewal instead of accepting a nine year contract.
Josefina Duenas is the first deaf Latina to serve as mayor after being ceremoniously sworn in this week. Tribal performers danced with singing and drums in City Hall for the first time to celebrate the beginning of a mayor’s term in office. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports outgoing Mayor Mari Rodin stood next to Duenas with a mix of Spanish and Tribal rituals Wednesday. Duenas sat as Mayor for the official council meeting saying she was happy with Vice Mayor Doug Crane’s help and grateful for her fellow council members helping her in the new position.
For the very first time, state officials broadened redeemable cash for recyclables like wine and alcohol bottles and more. Starting on January 1st people can redeem from 5 cents to 25 cents for each clean wine or liquor bottles, bladder and pouch packaging for wine and more. The Press Democrat reports if every eligible item were recycled for redemption, they estimate 500 million more containers would be recycled instead of heading to the dump or on the streets. There are a couple of new laws set to reform the state recycling program and increase access to cash in. California is investing $285 million to support CRV centers so that when you pay the deposit with the cost of a beverage you can get that back. Sonoma County is set to get some new technologies to recycle for redemption initiative.
Matthew Burton of Laytonville is set to be sentenced after being found guilty by a Mendocino County jury of drunk driving. He had been in a traffic accident in September on Branscomb Road while under the influence of alcohol after an investigation with CHP and the California Department of Justice forensic lab. KymKemp reports it was a three day trial with Judge Pekin presiding in Mendocino County Superior Court.
The Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service will hear from the community in a public meeting in Woodland next week on the region’s public lands. Lake County News reports the meeting will include a proposal to designate existing public lands as a national monument in the state. The gathering is a response to requests from local, state and tribal officials in addition to pending legislation in Congress for the protection of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument’s expansion area. The meeting is set for next Wednesday the 13th at the Community Services Department in Woodland from 2 to 4pm.
The Clearlake City Council is green-lighting the sale of a property at the former Pearce Field airport to Adventist Health Clear Lake for development of a medical facility. The $50 million investment is expected to increase health outcomes and access along with the city’s economy. Lake County News reports during a special meeting yesterday morning, the council voted unanimously on the project. The property is about three acres at the former airport on Old Highway 53 across from the main hospital. The purchase price… was $1. But the city is set to cash in on tens of millions of dollars with the facility and draw in more. Adventist Health is planning a 38,000 square foot rural health clinic aimed at family medicine, pediatrics and other various specialties. The new facility is set to open in 2026. The city is reserving an additional 10 acres for future development.
A Mendocino County jury announced it found a man from Willits guilty of committing perjury trying to illegally transfer a title to a car that didn’t belong to him. David Foster was also found guilty of submitting a forged document to seize the title to the vehicle, making it two felony counts he is guilty of. It took the jury only 20 minutes, according to the Mendocino County District Attorney. An evidentiary hearing is set for December 15th for the prosecutor to present evidence showing Foster has a prior “Strike” conviction. If the Strike allegation is found true, then the Three Strikes law will mean he’ll receive an enhanced sentence.
Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Jeanine Nadel has announced her retirement, to begin on the 1st of the year. Judge Nadel was appointed to the bench by Governor Jerry Brown in 2012. Before the appointment, Nadel served as deputy county counsel in the county from 1990 to 2000. She was a deputy public defender in the Mendocino County Public Defender’s Office and was assistant county counsel for Alameda County. Her career spans over 40 years. Nadel was instrumental in building a close and effective working relationship with the court, building strong intergovernmental work that continues today. MendoFever reports Judge Nadel says it has been a pleasure and rewarding experience to have worked in public service and she looks forward to pursuing new opportunities to help continue to serve the community.
