More than 300,000 California homeowners are in for more sticker shock. The state’s sixth largest property and casualty insurer is raising prices. Travelers Insurance was just approved to hike rates on homes by an average of 15% starting next month. Some customers will end up paying almost 27% more while others may see rates drop 8%. This comes as the company drops 6,600 policies across the state with the most extreme wildfire risk.
A man suspected of stabbing two people in Pacifica has been found dead in Mendocino County. Jason Gillenwater died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the CHP. Police said Gillenwater walked away from the scene of the stabbing just before 8am Thursday morning. The two victims, a man, and a woman, suffered multiple stab wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the woman was taken to the hospital. They have not yet been identified. Reports said Gillenwater was arrested last December for domestic violence against the female he reportedly stabbed. He’d been ordered to stay at least 100 feet away from her according to an emergency protective order, and he was not allowed to own a gun. The incident remains under investigation.
Two people have been displaced after an early morning fire. Fort Bragg Fire Department responded to the fire around 5:30 am Monday at a towing company on Airport Road. The structure was the home of a large garage and a converted living space. The Fire Department said they suspect the fire was started by an electrical malfunction, though they are still investigating. The fire was put out quickly, but the two people living in the apartment had to evacuate. Thankfully no one was injured, but the living space was heavily damaged.
Make your voices heard tomorrow at a meeting of the Jackson Advisory Group. The group is part of the Coalition to save Jackson Forest. The meeting starts Wednesday at 9am at the Fort Bragg Lions Club on East Redwood Avenue in Fort Bragg. Agenda items include discussing the co-management agreements with local tribes, cutting oversized fuel breaks in the forest, and the application of herbicides. The group will also discuss whether or not to reappoint John Anderson, the director of Forest Policy for Mendocino Redwood Company, to the Jackson Advisory Group.
The state is marking a water milestone. Last year was the eighth wettest in five decades. A parade of atmospheric rivers helped to end the drought and also bumped groundwater levels, with the first storage increase since 2019. The Department of Water Resources says a significant reduction in groundwater pumping led to ground surface elevation rising in some places where it had previously sunk.
California’s second-largest reservoir is now full. Lake Oroville reached capacity yesterday for a second straight year. Crews have been reducing outflows from the lake in recent weeks, allowing it to slowly fill to its current 899-foot elevation. The Department of Water Resources posted the update on social media, calling it “great news” for ensuring adequate water supply for millions of people. Shasta Lake is the biggest and 97-percent full.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has their regular meeting today. It’s scheduled for 9am in the Board Chambers on Low Gap Road in Ukiah. Items on the agenda include a discussion of the 3rd Quarter Budget Report, and discussion of the priorities and preparation of the 2024-25 Preliminary Budget for Mendocino County. The meeting is open to the public and available on Zoom. The BOS will hold a closed session meeting tomorrow at 10am. Agenda items for the closed session will include the appointment of a Public Defender and a County Librarian. Get more info at MendocinoCounty.gov
