State Senator Brian Jones says it’s been a long fight but a bill to monitor predators is finally making headway. By a 4-0 vote in California’s Public Safety Committee, SB 1074, known as the “Sexually Violent Predator Accountability, Fairness, and Enforcement Act” or FAST Act, passed. Jones says he’s been working on this legislation for the past few years. The bill needs to pass in another committee and both chambers to have a chance. Jones knows he’s working on a time crunch. The legislative session ends in August.
A bill to hold porch pirates accountable is moving out of the California Assembly Public Safety committee on its way to possible passage. Evan Low’s new bill will make it a crime to enter the vicinity of a home with the intent to commit theft of any shipped packages. It creates a legal method for law enforcement to charge porch pirates. California law prohibits stealing private property and packages, but there is not a punishable crime for entering the area around the home with the intent to steal. Without harsher penalties, those caught stealing packages from doorsteps get a slap on the wrist and get right back to plundering.
California is launching a campaign to battle Alzheimer’s. The California Department of Public Health says its a push to boost awareness for brain health and break barriers of fear. The statewide campaign is called Take on Alzheimer’s. Doctors are hoping to spark conversations within families and with medical professionals. Officials say Alzheimer’s is currently the third cause of death in California. Doctors recommend you keep your body and brain active, don’t be afraid to talk about the signs of memory loss, and see your doctor regularly. For more info, visit TAKEONALZ.COM.
Crews damaged a gas line and a water main in Ukiah, closing parts of South State Street for a few hours on Monday. The affected area was between Safeway and the Sunrise Inn, according to the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority. It happened on Monday morning just after 9am when crews hit a gas line next to the Safeway building. The grocery store was evacuated, and nearby businesses sheltered in place while the repairs were done. At the same time, a few blocks away crews struck a water main near the intersection of South State and Cherry Streets. Public Works had to close the road there while crews responded. Deputy City Manager Shannon Riley confirmed to Ukiah Daily News that crews working on the Downtown Streetscape Project were responsible for both the gas line and water main breaks.
A recent fight at Ukiah Skate Park involved homemade weapons. According to the Ukiah Police Department, they recovered a homemade spear that was made out of a wrought iron fence post. The fight happened just after 2pm on Friday across the street from Ukiah High School between two large groups of people, some using baseball bats and knives. Most of those involved in the fight were juveniles, and it took UPD and officers from Mendocino County Sherrif’s Office to break it up. The group scattered, and several were detained or arrested. One victim, a 17 year old male who had several visible injuries, was taken to the ER at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. The spear was one of several weapons officers found that were discarded near the scene. The park remains open, but residents were told to expect an increased law enforcement presence while they continue to investigate what caused the fight. Anyone with information is asked to call Ukiah PD.
