The Oakland Motorcycle Club will hold the Sheetiron 300 Dualsport event on the southern end of Mendocino National forest this weekend, May 18-19. The event starts in Stonyford, stays overnight in Ft. Bragg and then returns to Stonyford. Up to 500 riders may participate. Mendocino National Forest Service reminds residents to use caution on roadways and watch for riders.
Kelseyville United Methodist Church is partnering with the Lake County Library Literacy program to address low literacy rates in Lake County. The church will offer its space for new tutor training, family literacy nights, and one on one tutoring, according to a news release. This Friday, the church will offer its first new tutor training session, then on Wednesday, June 12th they’ll host an all ages Family Literacy Night. The program is currently recruiting more volunteer tutors for the Adult, English as a Second Language, and Lake County Jail Literacy programs. Get more details at Library.LakeCountyCA.gov
University of California student academic workers have voted to authorize a strike. On Wednesday, the strike was approved by 79 percent of members of UAW4811, which represents 48-thousand teaching assistants, tutors, student researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and other employees. Union members are claiming unfair labor practices against UC officials. The union can now call for a strike if it feels one is necessary.
California is considering changing how drivers pay their share of highway repairs. Funds from the gas tax cover most of it, but less money is coming in as more people go electric. So, starting in August, the state will test some new alternatives. One would tax the number of miles driven instead of how much gas is bought. Those who want to sign up for the six month pilot program will pay a monthly fee and could earn up to $400 in credit.
Prices are soaring for over a million homeowners in the state insured through Triple-A. In Northern California, the affiliate CSAA was just approved to raise rates by about 7%, but some could pay as much as 23%. Other companies have already said they’ll charge more at renewal including State Farm, Travelers Insurance and Safeco.
Temperatures are rising in the Golden State, and CAL Fire is making sure Californians are prepared for wildfires. Creating defensible space around your home should be top of mind if you live in hill country. Officials say it’s the first line of defense for your home against wildfires. You can also protect your property by hardening your home or retrofitting it with fire resistant materials. For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, visit readyforwildfire.org
Sonoma State University President Mike Lee is on administrative leave due to an email he sent regarding pro-Palestinian protesters on campus. California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia says the campus wide email, sent Tuesday, was not approved. Garcia says Lee was placed on leave because of “insubordination” and “consequences it has brought upon the system.” In the message to students and faculty, Lee announced an agreement between the university and protesters who have been camped out on the campus’ Person Lawn since April 26th. Lee announced four points of agreement, including disclosing SSU’s vendor contracts, and seeking “divestment strategies.” Protesters then agreed to leave the encampment. It’s not known if or when Lee will be back on the job.
A man accused of shooting a two-year-old boy to death in Clarklake has been arrested in Sonoma County. Fernando Lugo-Garcia was arrested on Wednesday. Clearlake police say he shot the boy to death during a party on March 23rd, then fled the scene. Lugo-Garcia lives in Santa Rosa but was arrested in Petaluma. He is being held in Lake County Jail.
Look out for roadwork on Low Gap Road in Ukiah starting today. Crews are replacing valley gutters on the north side of Low Gap Road between State and Bush streets while they get ready for a repaving project that starts next month. Affected side streets include Oak, Elm, and Pine Street. You may want to find an alternate way around the work zone. Get the latest update on the project at CityofUkiah.com
