Get ready for more rain. Another atmospheric river is headed our way next week. According to the National Weather Service, there’s an 80% chance for what officials are calling dangerous rain across the state. Some areas are still trying to dry out from last week’s flooding. Governor Newsom has already declared a state of emergency for some areas that have been hardest hit by recent storms.
There’s a new push to stop what’s being called the “zombie drug” from spreading across California. The animal tranquilizer also goes by the street name Tranq and it’s often mixed with fentanyl. Congressman Josh Harder says that’s making the opioid crisis even deadlier. He sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday pleading to get the tranquilizer classified as a controlled substance. That would give area police the power to make arrests and restrict drug trafficking. The Congressman said more needs to be done to get Tranq off the streets.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is extending a ban on the removal of dozens of native tree species and oak woodlands through the end of May. The trees that can’t legally be cut down include big leaf maple, black oak, redwood, and six native pine species. The temporary ban only applies to unincorporated areas. The emergency moratorium was initially adopted in December and would have expired tomorrow. The board is expected to hold public hearings about permanent tree protection rules on March 5th.
Changes are coming to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. After over a decade in the same position, Captain Greg Van Patten has been reassigned. He’s been serving as the public information officer for the patrol and investigations division. He will now serve as PIO for the corrections division. Replacing Captain Van Patten will be Quincy Cromer, who was promoted to Captain this week.
You’re more likely to be involved in a deadly crash that involves drunk driving if you live in Mendocino County. That’s according to a new survey by the Simmrin Law Group. They used Cal Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System data to come up with statistics for fatal drunk driving crashes across the state. Mendocino County topped the list. From 20-18 to 20-22, the survey says out of just over 2500 drunk driving crashes in the county, 1 in every 5 were deadly.
Two Clearlake heroes are being recognized. Clearlake Police officer Daniel Eagle and North Shore Fire Protection Captain Chrissy Valdez are local first responders who were recently given the Lake county Public Safety Heroes Awards. Congressman Mike Thompson presented the awards for the two’s outstanding service. Eagle and Valdez were honored along with 8 other locals and one k9 officer by Congressman Thompson.
Lawmakers and Tribal Law Enforcement say the year-old Feather Alert System is working. The Feather Alert assists with locating missing Native Americans across California, much like the Amber Alert System does across the country. Officials said that while the Feather Alert is a great tool, it still has a few flaws that need to be addressed. They said the biggest problem with the system is just that so many agencies still don’t know how to implement it. Officials from the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs said they’ve been holding summits to connect the tribes, California Highway Patrol, and Local Police to make sure everyone is using the Feather Alert System to help bring home missing Native Americans.
Representatives from local tribes will speak today at the Great Redwood Trail Agency meeting. The Kinest’e Community Coalition, made up of Wailaki descendants and their allies, will address the agency to talk about why the local tribes have not been more involved in the planning of the Great Redwood Trail. The planned route for the trail winds through Eel River Canyon, which is the ancestral territory of several local tribes. The KCC is asking to play an active role in the planning of the trail, not just to be asked for their opinion after the fact. According to a press release, the Wailaki’s asked to be added to the agenda for today’s meeting, which starts at 10:30 at the Ukiah City Council Chambers.
