The Ukiah downtown Streetscape project continues next week. Crews will be working as weather permits. One important note from the city, the stop sign on State Street at Norton is being removed. Use extra caution in the area, as it’ll take time to adjust to the new traffic pattern. Next week crews will continue to work on curbs, gutters, and sidewalks plus electric infrastructure and irrigation. On the north side, they’ll be busy installing the brick band on the sidewalk. Crews are scheduled to be on site Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm. The city of Ukiah announced they’re applying for a grant that would close the gap on State Street between Norton and Low Gap. It’s the only part of the street that won’t be redone once the Streetscape project is finished. You’ve got a say in the project, city officials will present the plans and you will be invited to give input at a community forum on May 8th. The forum will be held starting at 5:30pm at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.
A man wanted for murder in Oregon has been arrested in Mendocino County. The MCSO reports a deputy who was on a routine patrol Thursday morning in Yorkville found a man sitting in a vehicle on the side of the road. It turns out, the man is the subject of a BOLO that was issued Wednesday morning. John Kelley, of Eugene, Oregon, had an outstanding warrant for homicide. The warrant had just been issued after police discovered a female who died of suspicious injuries in Junction City. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reports Kelley was arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he will be held without bail until he can be extradited back to Oregon. The investigation into the woman’s death continues, and police have impounded the vehicle Kelley was driving to be processed for evidence.
If you’re a dog owner, there’s a new warning out from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The warning reminds dog owners to be cautious and keep pets away from salmon, steelhead, trout, and other freshwater fish carcasses. Eating dead fish can expose dogs to Salmon Poisoning Disease, which is potentially fatal. The disease has been shown in dogs who eat certain types of raw or cold smoked fish. If your dog eats raw fish, watch for symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, and listlessness. If you notice these signs, take your dog to the vet immediately, Salmon Poisoning Disease is treatable if caught early. Find more information at Wildlife.ca.gov
Some Californians are about to pay a lot more to protect their homes. Rates are going up for those on the FAIR Plan, also known as the state’s “insurer of last resort.” Many in high risk areas for wildfires are covered by this after being dropped by major insurance companies. It means they’re likely already shelling out thousands extra because of the switch and now the FAIR Plan president says to expect a substantial increase on your bill.
A bill targeting California’s insurance crisis is advancing. It requires companies to consider wildfire mitigation efforts when setting the price of property coverage for homeowners. Lawmakers say this will address the cost and availability of fire insurance in the state. The bill passed one committee this week and now moves on to another. This comes as several providers have either stopped writing policies or left the state altogether.
The state is celebrating a major clean energy milestone. Governor Newsom says California has increased its battery storage capacity more than tenfold, surpassing ten-thousand megawatts in just five years. He was in Yolo County yesterday to share the news during Earth Week. Adding batteries not only helps maintain a clean and reliable power grid, but also puts the state on track to achieving its goal of 100-percent clean electricity by 2045.
Dozens of first responders spent their Thursday training for a mass casualty event at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. More than ten agencies’ firefighters, paramedics and EMTs trained to respond to a simulated crash landing. Firefighters rushed to the burning fuselage of a plane, while paramedics and EMTs practiced treating Red Cross volunteers lying on the asphalt near the charred plane, acting as victims. The training, mandated by the FAA, is held every three years.
The Sacramento International Airport is seeking submissions for public art as part of its one-point-three-billion dollar expansion plan. The airport is looking for four permanent artworks to be installed at two sites. One will be installed in a new parking garage, and the others along a new pedestrian walkway. Any artist in the US can submit a proposal. The deadline is Thursday, May 7th, by 4 p.m. Forms are available on the Sacramento County Department of Airports website.
