The Mendocino Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing on December 19th at 9 am to consider changes in property tax benefits beginning in 2024. The board will consider new Williamson Act Contracts to promote land conservation. The changes would include a reduction of property tax benefits and a 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 nonrenewal instead of accepting a nine-year contract.
Lake County nonprofits and schools are getting a boost from the Lake County Wine Alliance. The alliance has handed out the proceeds from its wine auction, totaling $226,000. 41 organizations benefitted from this year’s auction. It has been held every fall since 2000. Treasurer Rob Roumiguiere says the help wouldn’t be possible without those who support the auction, including the donors and nearly 200 volunteers who help out. Planning starts soon for the 2024 auction, which is already set for next September 21st in Kelseyville.
Home sales in Lake County were up in October. According to the The Lake County Association of Realtors. The most recent sales figure shows 78 single-family homes were sold through the multiple listing service, compared to 65 in September and 83 in October 2022. The trade group says there were 427 homes on the market at the end of November, which they classify as a seller’s market. Agents are reporting a bit of a slowdown in interest, which is in line with what’s happening nationwide. October’s median sales price in Lake County–half sold for more, half for less–was just under $318,000. The numbers also show that the median time homes were on the market was 36 days.
It’s now up to the judge to decide if Mendocino County DA David Eyster can prosecute former auditor Chamise Cubbison. That’s after California AG Rob Bonta tossed out a request from Cubbison’s lawyers to disqualify Eyster because of past conflicts between the two. The next move in the case could come Tuesday when Cubbison and a co-defendant are due in Mendocino County court to enter a plea to a charge of misappropriation of funds. Cubbison’s attorney says he understands the legal reasoning behind Bonta’s decision but is not sure Bonta gets the politics involved in such a high-profile local case. DA Eyster says he has evidence to prosecute the case. He alleges Cubbison and co-defendant Paula Jane Kennedy worked together to cover up an additional $68,000 pay for Kennedy. Kennedy is the former county payroll manager. The two are expected to plead not guilty in Tuesday’s appearance in front of Judge Judge Keith Faulder.
Plans for Ukiah to annex 40 acres in the western hills are moving forward. The city council has voted to continue negotiating to take over the land from the county and allow development there. It is the final piece of 700 acres that the city decided to annex two years ago. Some property neighbors are worried that more development will lead to a higher risk of wildfire with limited access to and from future homes. City manager Sage Sangiacomo will negotiate the terms of the annexation of the remaining land.
Caltrans is hosting a large-item dump day event this weekend in Caspar in partnership with the county and Solid Wastes of Willits as part of the Clean California initiative. Residents can drop off large items for free at the transfer station from 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, or until they reach capacity. The free Dump Day collection is limited to household items like furniture, appliances, mattresses, scrap metal, and other bulky items. They will not accept tires, construction debris, electronics, business waste, hazardous waste, or asbestos. Caltrans is reminding people to cover their loads for safety.
The deadline to file for Mendocino County offices up for a vote in the March 5th primary has passed, and the list of those running is out. . The deadline was extended until Wednesday because several incumbents decided not to run. Among the open positions – California Assembly in District 2 and Mendocino County Supervisor in Districts 1 and 4. You can see the whole list and learn more about the primary election on the Mendocino County elections website.
The booming stock market is benefitting a trust set up to help wildfire victims. The Fire Victim Trust has dumped its remaining shares of PG&E, which brought in 1.2 billion dollars. The trust covers victims of utility-caused wildfires between 2115 and 2018. Part of the settlement that created it included PG&E stick, which has gained significantly since then. The fund is now worth about $14 billion–still $4 billion short of what claim administrators have paid to fire victims.
A new report is outlining the next steps to develop the infrastructure to support wind energy off the Northern California Coast. Kymkemp.com reports the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt looked at several scenarios for transmission of the power the offshore turbines would generate. The study finds that it will be VERY expensive, no matter how it’s done. Depending on the size of the wind farms, it could cost anywhere from 7.5 billion dollars to 41.3 billion dollars. There would also be varying degrees of difficulty approving transmission lines based on where they go. The report also says it will be decades before the first watt is generated from offshore wind, so planners should think long-term considering the transmission options. California Energy Commission and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation of the U.S. Department of Defense paid for the study.
A man from Cloverdale has been arrested and accused of illegal weapons and drug possession. Healdsburg Police executed a warrant as part of an investigation into a stolen vehicle, which led to the discovery of three rifles, a handgun, and several pounds of marijuana.39-year-old Ramon Macias faces charges of illegally possessing an assault weapon, marijuana sales, and violating pre-trial terms. He was booked into the Sonoma County jail after his arrest.
The USDA has awarded more than $700,000 for some new tech gear in the Upper Lake Unified School District. Congressman Mike Thompson announced that grant, saying it would provide education opportunities for more than 1,000 students. School leaders agree, calling the grant a chance to make sure students have all the tools they need for success. The equipment includes computers, software, and network equipment to set up a hub site and three end-user sites throughout the county. Upper Lake Elementary, Upper Lake Middle School, and Upper Lake High School will offer distance learning courses to about 970 students. The distinct is contributing nearly $110,000 to the project which will cost $825,000.
Lots of folks have New Year’s resolutions that include getting more active, and there’s an upcoming opportunity to do just that–outdoors. State parks including Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Clear Lake State Park are taking part in the annual First Day Hikes, along with more than 60 others across the state. It’s part of a national program to get outside with an experienced guide to explore state parks. There is a new website to learn more about state parks with a searchable map and other resources to help visitors. You’ll find it at parks.ca.gov
The state is launching a revamped website to serve as a starting point for people dealing with opioid addiction. http://opioids.ca.gov is part of the state’s multi-pronged approach to dealing with the crisis. The site will offer sections on treatment and support options, data, and information, along with other information about what the state is doing to tackle the epidemic. In 2022, overdoses killed almost 7,000 people in California, and health leaders think this year could end with equally tragic numbers.
