Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters are camping out on the campus of Sonoma State University. The so-called SSU Gaza Solidarity Encampment was set up on the university’s Person Lawn on Friday and now has about a dozen tents. SSU President Mike Lee says the encampment has been peaceful, adding that university staff and police have not found any reason to act against it. The group of protesters is calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.
Police are investigating after a body was pulled from the ocean near Fort Bragg. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report just before 3pm on Friday of a body floating in the ocean just south of Fort Bragg. Deputies and first responders were able to locate the body and recover the victim with help from the California State Parks water rescue lifeguards. They were unable to identify the victim, other than to say it’s an adult female. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
An ex-Willits police officer has been awarded over 2 million dollars in a sexual harassment case. Natalie Higley filed a civil lawsuit in June of 2023 accusing her former employer, Lieutenant Derek Hendry, of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. In February, the City of Willits approved a conditional settlement agreement, and that agreement became effective on April 18, according to a press release. Higley settled for 2.25 million dollars in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit. It’s not the first time the City of Willits has been involved in a lawsuit that involved Lieutenant Hendry. Mendo Fever reports another suit was filed in December of 2022. In that suit, the city settled with former Willits Police Chief Alexis Blaylock for 250 thousand dollars after she said she experienced a hostile, sexist, and racist work environment. The actions of Lieutenant Hendry were also mentioned in that suit.
Boating restrictions have been lifted for Clear Lake. The Lake County Water Resources Department, Lakebed Management, and Lake County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol sent out a press release on Friday announcing the lifting of boating restrictions, saying Clear Lake has dropped below 8 feet for more than 24 hours. Boaters are no longer required to operate at idle speed and can go back to normal boating activities on the lake, effective immediately. Officials remind boaters to be cautious while on the lake. They said you should still look out for floating and submerged debris from the Atmospheric River storms over the winter. Be vigilant, stay aware of your surroundings, and maintain a safe speed when navigating the lake.
The Mendocino County Assessment Appeals Board will meet this morning. The meeting is scheduled for 9am in the Board Chambers at the County Administration Center. The agenda and meeting minutes can be found online at Mendocino County dot Gov. The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will gather again for their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7th.
California lawmakers are blocking a bill that would have banned the use of non-disclosure agreements in the legislative process. Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong wrote the bill, which would have banned public employees from signing NDAs in their official capacity when negotiating proposed laws. The bill failed on a party-line vote, missing a Thursday deadline. The transparency effort was inspired by last year’s negotiations over the new fast food minimum wage law.
Let your voice be heard by the Mendocino County Cannabis Department. They’re looking for public input on the best way to use the 1.3 million dollars available for Round 5 of the Local Equity Entrepreneurial Program. The money is earmarked to assist those impacted by the War on Drugs. There’s an online survey you can take in order to give feedback on the program. The survey is open until this Friday, May 3rd at 5pm. The Department is also accepting Cannabis Tax Appeals, applications must be in by 4pm tomorrow.
The City of Lakeport is holding a homelessness and housing resource fair this week. Pathways to Stability is being held in collaboration with the Lakeport Police Department and Lake County Behavioral Health Services. The resource fair aims to connect the community with vital resources and support services. You can attend the fair on Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at 800 North Main Street in Lakeport. The event is open to everyone in Lake County and the surrounding area. The fair will feature organizations including Lake Family Resource Center, Redwood Community Services, Nation’s Finest, Adventist Health, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, and many others. Free dinner is being provided by the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport.
A special closed session of the Fort Bragg City Council will be held today. The meeting is scheduled for 4pm at Town Hall and online over Zoom. Agenda items include a conference with legal council to discuss litigation concerning the City of Fort Bragg and the Mendocino Railroad. The next regular City Council meeting is set for Monday, May 13th at 6pm.
Cal Poly Humboldt is closing its campus for the rest of the semester. The announcement, made over the weekend, comes as pro-Palestinian protesters continue to occupy two academic buildings at the university. Officials say anyone on campus without the authorization of university police could face citations or arrest. Students living on campus are asked to limit their movement between their residence hall and dorms, and they are not allowed to be on other parts of the campus. All classwork will be done remotely.
