There’s a storm headed our way. The National Weather Service is reporting a strong storm brewing off the coast of Alaska and is headed towards the Redwood Coast. KymKemp reports a wind advisory is in effect from tonight through tomorrow. Travelers in the area are advised to prepare for hazardous conditions. Northern Mendocino County coastal areas are forecasted to experience high winds mainly early tomorrow through about 4pm. Weather Underground is warning of high surf tomorrow with dangerously large waves. Life threatening surfing conditions and significant beach erosion are expected. A Gale Warning is in effect through 3pm tomorrow with gusts up to 30 knots and seas 13 to 15 feet from Cape Mendocino to Point Arena out to 10 nautical miles.
Adventist Hospitals in Mendocino County will now fully accept Blue Shield medical insurance again. MendoVoice reports the insurer is one of the primary companies in the county. The agreement will impact many hospitals throughout the state, including Howard Memorial in Willits, Adventist Health Mendocino Coast and Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. The decision came down last week with a public announcement by Blue Shield and is effective as of the beginning of this month. Blue Shield covers nearly 5 million Californians through network relationships and hundreds of hospitals and providers across the Golden State.
The Lakeport Police Department is setting a meeting for December to discuss the use of military equipment. Lake County News reports they’ve scheduled it for December 28th at 1:30pm in Lakeport City Hall. The meeting will be open to the public with a question and answer session on the annual military equipment report.
As health authorities are urging people to get vaccinated for respiratory viruses, an area veterinarian is clearing up recent respiratory infections making dogs sick. In an article submitted in the Advocate News, Veterinarian Dr. Colin Chaves notes that there are recent, relatively infrequent, but significant reports of dogs a with respiratory disease that seems to be resistant to standard treatments. Tests for common respiratory agents are not positive. The un-named respiratory disease in dogs has seen a steady upward trend over the past two years. Dr. Chaves suggests previously known organisms, bacteria, viruses or fungal infections may have mutated. He suggests keeping away from areas where dogs gather, like dog parks. Ask your vet about the kennel cough vaccine, other vaccines and keep your dog clean and well fed.
There are more details into the man who fled from Pacifica into Ukiah after reportedly murdering a man and injuring his ex-girlfriend. Last Thursday afternoon Jason Gillenwater shot himself in front of Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies when they tried to pull him over on Highway 101 at Perkins Street. He was wanted for the brutal attack in Pacifica after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend and her boyfriend that morning, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries, and leaving the other man dead from his wounds. MendoFever reported that no CHP deputies fired their weapons and Highway 101 was shut down for hours.
The breach of the Navarro River earlier this month is putting some residents in trouble with the law. State Route 128 had closed a few weeks ago for six days because of flooding on the road. Sheldon and Zalmon Schultz jumped in their kayaks to try to help by opening up a sandbar that was failing. MendoVoice reports the two men dug a trench across the sandbar and allow the water to flow. After getting clogged again with driftwood and other debris, they got back in their kayak and cleared a passage again. Within a few hours, the river flowed into the ocean and the highway was cleared. The California State Parks Chief Ranger says it’s prohibited by law to breach a river. Environmental agencies as well as CalTrans monitor the situation to preserve the ecosystem and control water on the roads.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing the award of $9 million statewide for 103 projects including in Lake County. Lake County News reports the department, through the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, will fund energy efficient and climate friendly refrigeration equipment for small businesses and food donation programs in low income areas in California. Awardees will get new refrigeration and freezer units to stock California grown dairy, meat, produce and more. The Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Kelseyville Food Pantry are recipients of grants to replace aging equipment and allow them to increase the quantity of foods they can distribute.
The Change Our Name Fort Bragg is inviting residents to what they’re calling a “Teach-In” a week from tomorrow, on the 3rd at 7:30pm in the Fort Bragg Library Community Room. The non-profit’s goal is to engage with the public about the education and historical processes to change the name of the city so that it does not honor a military Fort that abused Indigenous people, or of Braxton Bragg, a Confederate General. MendoFever reports the meeting is set to last about an hour and will present a couple of speakers and a conversation with answers to questions. The program is not affiliated with the Mendocino County Library or Museum and is free and open to all.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is reminding licensees to prevent DUIs and check id’s to prevent underage drinking. The department is also reminding people to find a ride if you aren’t sober. ABC agents with local law enforcement will be out to monitor compliance in an effort to increase the safety to the public. In a release in Lake County News, the department has plans for increased public engagement, education and prevention programs available to promote responsible service of alcohol.
California’s Secretary of State is responding to the lieutenant governor’s call to remove Donald Trump’s name from the presidential ballot. CBS news reports Secretary Weber wrote an open letter saying it is more critical than ever to safeguard elections in a way that transcends political divisions. Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis called for the former president’s removal after the Colorado Supreme Court barred him from holding office in the state for violation of the insurrection clause. Secretary of State Weber says the decision to omit or include Trump on the ballot must be grounded firmly in the laws in place as well as the constitution. The certified list of candidates for the March primary must be turned in by December 28th, this Thursday.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors is voicing concerns about new legislation that would change juvenile justice. Assembly bill 702 would take the Lake County Probation Department out of the process that provides teens and young adults with treatment and support. The Record Bee reports the legislation would make three key changes. It would remove funding and coordination of the local juvenile justice system. Instead, it would direct the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act funds to change elements to multi-agency juvenile justice plans. The Chief Deputy County Administrator says if the bill is approved as written maintaining current services would become more difficult. Supervisors approved a letter of opposition to the sponsor assemblyman.
Wood burning pollution in the Bay Area has prompted a Spare the Air Alert for today; banning indoor and outdoor wood burning. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a release saying off shore winds could push the air pollution further inland. There is a high pressure system over the state that will act like a lid today. The Press Democrat reports wood smoke has carcinogens, benzene and formaldehyde that is harmful when inhaled and exposure to it has been linked to increased health risks. People can use a wood stove or fireplace if it is the only source of heat, and must be EPA certified or pellet fueled and registered with the Air District. Open hearth fireplaces do not qualify. Check MendoAir.org for more details throughout the day.
California’s jobless rate increased last month. The California Employment Development Department says the unemployment rate increased by a percentage point to 4.9 percent in November, despite the 9,300 jobs added to the economy. Lake County News reports the unemployment rate in Lake County rose to 6.1 percent, up from 5.7 percent in October. A year ago, the county jobless rate was at 5.3 percent. The EDD notes California gained over 3.2 million jobs since April of 2020.
