California is seeing its lowest drought conditions since 2011. That’s according to new data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The data shows Northern California is free of drought and abnormally dry conditions for the first time in over four years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says drought conditions have been improving across the country this past month, with around 14-percent of the contiguous U.S. currently experiencing a drought. That’s the smallest amount of drought conditions seen since May of 2020.
California is offering up to four hundred dollars to drivers who want to be part of a pilot program to test a pay-per-mile tax system. A tax on gasoline funds 80 percent of highway repairs, and the emergence of electric vehicles is eating into that fund. Lawmakers want to know if the pay-per-mile model can recover some or all of that money. Drivers can sign up for the six-month program at C A Road Charge Dot Com. Once approved, each driver will install a usage meter in their vehicle, pay their monthly tax, and answer surveys about the experience. Drivers of gas-powered vehicles may realize tax savings, while EV drivers, who don’t pay a gas tax, will add to their operation costs. According to state transportation officials, the average driver in California pays about 300 dollars a year in state gas taxes.
The California Transportation Commission will support local infrastructure programs with 1.9 billion dollars. The allocation of funds will focus on Mendocino County projects like the replacement of the Ackerman Creek Bridge. The bridge project will get 600 hundred thousand dollars. The funds come as part of a larger investment from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act of 2021, and Senate Bill 1 the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
A missing man was found dead on the Mendocino Coast. The Mendocino county Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying they were called to the scene just south of Fort Bragg around 11am Friday. They had reports of a car in the parking lot of the Jughandle State Park that had been sitting there for several days. A search of the car’s registration turned up the name Gregory Noyes of Point Arena. Noyes was reported missing on May 15th, he had not been seen since the 12th. MCSO searched the area and found the body of Noyes about 50 feet down the side of a cliff. Officers said there was no evidence of foul play, and the fall may have been accidental. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s non-emergency tip line at 707-234-2100.
A Healdsburg man was convicted of driving under the influence near the Ukiah Fairgrounds. Aaron Mathewson was in court last week where he was convicted of driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater, according to a release from the Mendocino County District Attorney. Mathewson was pulled over October 1st 2023 near the fairgrounds in Ukiah for driving erratically around 2 in the morning. He failed field sobriety tests and was arrested. A blood test later showed his blood alcohol level was .14 nearly twice the legal limit.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced the Fish and Game commission voted to close in-river salmon sport fishing for the year. This is the second year in a row the fishing season has closed early in the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley. Regulations are expected to go into effect on July 1st.
The Flynn Creek Circus is coming back to the Village of Mendocino. The Heavy Lift will be under the big top June 29th through July 7th. There will be family friendly and adult only versions of the circus and tickets are on sale now for both. Visit FlynnCreekCircus.com for more information.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular meeting tomorrow. It’s scheduled for 9am in the Board Chambers on Low Gap Road in Ukiah and online over Zoom. Agenda items include a discussion to approve the appointment of a new Mendocino County Agricultural Commissioner, and the appointment of a new county Librarian. The board will also discuss adopting a new contract for the Mendocino County Public Attorney’s Association Local 856. To see the full agenda and get the Zoom link for the meeting, visit MendocinoCounty.gov
It’s National Safe Boating Week. As we head into the Memorial Day Weekend, the US Coast Guard and the Division of Boating and Waterways want to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable boating experience. Remember the essentials when you head out on the water this summer. Always wear a life jacket, boat sober, take a safe boating course and get your California Boater Card, have proper safety equipment on the boat at all times, stay weather aware, file a float plan with someone on land, and keep the water clean. Get more information and helpful tips to stay safe on the water at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com
