The FBI is reportedly investigating the California State Treasurer’s Office. On Monday, the FBI reportedly requested documents from the treasurer’s office as part of a federal grand jury subpoena involving a case that has not yet been made public. A spokesperson for State Treasurer Fiona Ma says the office is cooperating. The FBI has yet to confirm or deny that an investigation is taking place.
Cannabis growers and manufacturers in unincorporated Sonoma County could soon be getting some tax relief. Today, county officials are expected to recommend the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approve new tax rates. If approved, cultivation tax rates would drop from 75 cents per square foot to 69 cents per square foot for outdoor cultivation. For mixed light cultivation, the tax rate would fall from $3 per square foot to $2.51 per square foot. And, for indoor cultivation, the tax rate would be lowered from $ 12.51 per square foot to $7.58 per square foot. The tax rate for manufacturers would also drop from 1.8% to 1.5%. The proposed changes are partly due to decreasing prices affecting the cannabis industry.
A Mendocino County Judge upheld charges against a man accused of leaving two children to die in Ukiah. On Wednesday, Judge Victoria Shanahan gave her ruling against Edward Two Feathers Steele in a preliminary hearing that was held on April 5th. Steele is charged with 2nd degree murder and child cruelty. Court records show Steele is accused of leaving two toddlers near the railroad tracks at Brush Street in August of 2022. One of the children was found dead at the scene, while the other suffered serious injuries but survived. The children belonged to a woman Steele was dating at the time. Steele could spend more than a decade behind bars if he’s convicted. He’s scheduled to be back in court on the 25th where they will set a date for the jury trial.
The Woods Co-op Association was awarded a grant this week to help get rid of some dead trees. The Woods is a Resident Owned Community for folks 55 and up. They’ve got a bunch of dead trees in the neighborhood near Little River Airport Road. Some of those trees are leaning against power and phone lines. The Community Foundation of Mendocino County has stepped in and given the Association a $7500 grant so they can pay to have the dead trees removed. WCA Board Member, Susan Holli, said she’s grateful to the Foundation for seeing their need and helping fund the tree removal. The Community Foundation of Mendocino County helps address safety and other common issues in the region.
If you’ve got prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet that you’re not using or have expired, you can safely dispose of them this month. The Lakeport Police Department is holding a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, the 27th. It’s in conjunction with the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The hours are 10am to 2pm and the event is being held at the front lobby entrance of the police station on Main Street in Lakeport. You can bring down any over the counter or prescription medication. They’ll be taking pills, tablets, liquids, creams, and capsules off your hands. You can even bring down Vape pens and e-cigarettes as long as the batteries have been removed. Lakeport Police said in a press release they’ve been doing this event since 2019 and have collected over 1200 pounds of prescription drugs since they started.
If you notice drones flying overhead in Lake County this week, don’t be alarmed. It’s just crews from AirWorks who are collecting data to see how prepared the county is for future broadband work. The drones will be in the air starting on Thursday, and they’ll be working until the 25th. The AirWorks crews are working with CBG Communications Inc to help with Lake County’s updated Broadband Master Plan. You may see ground crews taking measurements and doing safety checks, plus drones flying anywhere between 200 and 3000 feet. The work will all be weather permitting and between 7am and 5pm daily. You can see a map of the work zones at LakeCoNews.com.
California is taking action to slash the budget shortfall by $17 billion. Lawmakers approved that last week and Governor Newsom signed the bill yesterday. He says this positions the state to pass a balanced budget in June that protects key programs for everyone. This means spending cuts for things like vacant state jobs and delaying money for public transit. Newsom estimates the deficit is $38 billion but will update that number when he unveils his revised plan next month.
A new climate partnership between California and Norway is being revealed today. Both share a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-percent by 2050. Norway is known as one of the world’s most sustainable countries and leaders there have been assisting the American private and public sectors to help them achieve this as well. The crown prince spoke at a seminar in San Francisco yesterday on offshore wind and will meet with Governor Newsom today. A fast-food chain with more than 800 locations is coming to California. Bojangles expects to open their first location sometime early next year. The North Carolina-based restaurant started in 1977 and spans across 17 states. It’s known for its chicken, tea, and biscuits. A total of 30 restaurants are planned here over the next six years, and other franchising opportunities throughout the state remain available.
