The immediate reinstatement of Chamise Cubbison in her role as the Mendocino County Auditor was filed in court papers this week, along with lost pay and benefits. The Board of Supervisors is accused of violating the elected auditor’s right to due process. San Francisco labor law attorney Theresa Cannata filed the petition for a writ of mandate with the court demanding Cubbison be returned to her job a day after any ruling. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports the filing claims her personal and professional reputation have been damaged by the action the board took and is also entitled to all interest due to her at the legal rate and more.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an alleged rape that had a woman jumping out of a moving vehicle to escape. KymKemp reports around 6:30pm Tuesday, a woman in need of emergency medical aid near Laytonville at Highway 101 and Davidson Lane was found. She said that she was the victim of sexual assault, when she jumped from a moving SUV into a ditch. Police reported the suspect was driving a white four door SUV and fled the area after the woman escaped. The truck was last seen heading south on 101. The woman was taken to Willits Howard Hospital. The sheriff’s office is investigating and is on the look out for the subject in Ukiah and in Lake County areas as a suspect in a rape investigation.
CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force made over 1,000 arrests in the first 11 months of this year, a 109 percent increase from last year. The governor’s office released the numbers Tuesday, the same day the California Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft met for the first time. ABC reports flash mobs and violent mass looting has plagued the nation, and especially in LA and San Francisco. Newsom also announced that the task force has recovered over 187,000 stolen items. The Committee on Retail Theft discussed Proposition 47 during their meeting; that makes nonviolent property crimes valued under $950 a misdemeanor and debated if that law is too lenient.
California is gearing up for wet weather expected through next week. Multilingual resources and a network of community organizations are sharing work to protect at-risk communities. Authorities say it’s important to stay informed, have an emergency plan and to closely follow guidance and alerts from local authorities. Lake County News reports the state has flood fighting material pre-positioned. The Department of Water Resources has given flood fight training to 38 cities tribal partners and other agencies and groups in 23 counties. The legislature invested about $436 million to support flood response and projects to protect communities as well as $95 million to repair levees, and enhance flood diversion and more.
Lakeport Police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are investigating teens with guns. Officers found images of two youths posing with firearms on social media, as well as indications they are affiliated with a street gang. Last Friday afternoon, Lakeport Police were dispatched to a home on Armstrong Street, on reports of shots fired. On Tuesday returned to the home where another call of shots fired came in before 11am. A 16 year old boy was seen leaving the home and arrested. No firearms were found on him at the time, but he was taken to the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall with Lake County Probation. That afternoon officers and deputies searched the home and found a couple of guns the kids had posed with as well as ammo. A pistol with a laser pointer and a .38 revolver were recovered. The other young suspect, a 17 year old, and with the help of Ukiah Police was arrested and taken to Juvenile Hall. Both teens were charged with a felony of a minor with a firearm and more.
People on Medicare who want to see a therapist often wait up to six months for an appointment, but relief is on the way. Starting January first, licensed marriage and family therapists, known as LMFTs, will be able to accept Medicare insurance. The California News Service reports the therapists can help people who may be lonely and isolated battle anxiety, depression, addiction, mood disorders, stress or trauma. To set up an appointment, people can check with their Medicare provider.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a release in MendoFever announcing the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open from the Oregon state line to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line starting on January the 5th. The commercial fishery will remain delayed from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line south to the Mexican border until at least the next risk assessment because of increased numbers of humpback whales and their entanglement risk. The department is also continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line to Monterey County due to the whales. The department is reminding crabbers who use other methods like hoop nets and crab snares will be allowed during the temporary trap restriction. The next risk assessment will take place around January 11th.Check the department’s website for more details and best practices.
It’s been a heck of a weather year in California, as climate change kicks things up a notch globally. Beginning early in 2023, many atmospheric rivers passed through the area drenching valleys and flooding waterways. The good news was that the drought ended with those rains. Cal Matters reports four hydroelectric dams will be removed by the end of 2024, with more in 2025. The legislature passed first in the nation bills that would force large companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions with an aim to slow climate change and decrease pollution for the health of the planet and its inhabitants. The state met its goals for new electric car and truck sales ahead of schedule and began plans to harness offshore wind. The state is bracing for another wet year and lawmakers may even focus on the out of date water rights systems.
The Ukiah Food Bank Drive is close to its goal of $100,000. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports their total as of yesterday was nearly $97,000. The journal reports the Ukiah Food Bank has been able to improve services and help to seniors, working families, veterans and the disabled. The food bank has also been working on the nutritional content of the food it provides.
Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Shanahan is ordering the recusal hearing in the suspended auditor and her co-defendant’s case to take place on January 12th. Then, the decision is set to be made on whether District Attorney Eyster has a conflict of interest and should recuse himself and his office from the embezzlement case. The Press Democrat reports the hearing that was supposed to happen this week was delayed due to Chamise Cubbison’s injury preventing her from appearing. Cubbison’s attorney filed the recusal motion late last month, alleging that the DA and the former auditor’s relationship stems from financial reimbursement disputes as well as Eyster’s opposition to her initial appointment in the county position.
The Mendocino National Forest staff will continue to seek out public input to help guide decisions on addressing restoration efforts. Over 90 percent of the forest suffered through wildfires in the past five years. Lake County News reports researchers have developed a process to help land managers gather community feedback in a shared vision for post-fire recovery. They’re looking to identify restoration opportunities within areas of oak woodland, conifer and more in an integrated forest wide strategy. They’re asking the community to fill out a survey on their website to share feedback on the places and activities residents care about.
CHP is preparing for another maximum enforcement period through the holiday weekend. It will begin tomorrow evening through Christmas day. Officers will focus on speed enforcement and be on the lookout for impaired drivers. In a release in KymKemp, the CHP Commissioner says everyone should make a collective commitment to prioritize safety, buckle up, drive responsibly and plan for a sober ride if needed. Last year during the Maximum Enforcement Period 26 people were killed in crashes with half of those not wearing a seat belt. Last year, CHP made about 639 arrests for DUI, or one every seven minutes throughout the holiday. They are reminding people to call 911 to report impaired drivers, speeders or unsafe behavior on the roads.
