An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect until 8pm on Saturday for Mendocino County. The heat increases the risk of heat related illnesses like dehydration and heat stroke. Officials remind you to check on family members and neighbors, especially the elderly and those with limited mobility. Several cooling stations are open around the area. In Ukiah, you can cool off in the Lobby of the Civic Center at 300 Seminary Avenue. You can also find relief from the heat at United Disaster Relief of Northern California at 1240 Airport Park Boulevard in Ukiah. Other cooling stations include the Ukiah Branch of the Mendocino Library on North Main Street, and Building Bridges Daytime Drop In Center on South State Street. In Willits you can beat the heat at the City of Willits Administration Center, the Willits Library Branch, and Willits Harrahs Senior Center. Round Valley and Covelo residents can cool off at the Round Valley Senior Center, the Round Valley Library branch, and Round Valley Tribal Offices. In Laytonville a cooling station is set up at the Laytonville library. Find cooling station hours and more information at MendoReady.org
In a surprising last-minute move, Governor Gavin Newsom is dropping his plan for a drug and theft measure that would compete with Proposition 47 on the November ballot. On Monday, Newsom, Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire, and Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas announced a ballot measure that aims to tackle property crime and the fentanyl crisis. Among other things, it would have implemented new penalties for repeat offenders, crack down on serial shoplifters and increased resources for drug treatment programs. But last night, Newsom said there was not enough time to make changes to the proposal and place it on the ballot. The proposal would have competed with the Prop 47 reform initiative known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act that has already qualified for the ballot.
Governor Gavin Newsom is in Washington today for a meeting with other Democratic governors and President Joe Biden. The meeting is designed to show support for the president, who’s under fire for his performance in last week’s debate against former President Donald Trump. Newsom has been a vocal supporter of the president but has said repeatedly he is not running for the White House.
Fire and law enforcement officials are stressing safety during the Fourth of July. State Fire Marshall Daniel Berlant has a message to all those celebrating the holiday. It is illegal to sell, transport or use fireworks that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, as well as possess or use fireworks in a community where they are not permitted. Berlant says they’ve also seen an increase in illegal fireworks sales online. If convicted, a violator could be fined up to 50-thousand dollars, and sent to jail for up to one year. With elevated fire conditions, Berlant says the improper use of fireworks only increases the risk for wildfires.
Mendocino National Forest officials have issued fire restrictions ahead of the 4th of July holiday. According to the new Forest Order, effective today through the end of the fire season, the only fire that is permitted are campfire and stove fires in designated fire-safe campgrounds or Wilderness Areas as long as you have a valid California Campfire Permit. All other burning is prohibited. That includes smoking outside an enclosed vehicle or building, operating internal combustion engines unless on a National Forest System road or trail. Also prohibited is the use of welding equipment or acetylene torches with an open flame. And you are not allowed to possess or discharge any kind of fireworks or pyrotechnic device in the forest. To read the entire Forest Order, visit the Forest Service website.
A Laytonville man has turned himself in on felony crimes against a child. According to a news release from the Willits Police Department, Michael DeJesus, of Laytonville, called the Sheriff’s Office on June 29th and asked to be arrested. He reportedly told dispatchers that he sexually assaulted a 14 year old in Willits earlier that afternoon. DeJesus was arrested and charged with several felonies, including lewd and lascivious acts upon a child at least 14 years old. DeJesus was booked into the Mendocino County Jail and bail was ordered at half a million dollars.
A large fire at the C & S Waste Solutions warehouse in Ukiah is under investigation. The large fire burned over 1200 bales of compressed, recycled materials and caused walls at the warehouse to collapse. Firefighters from multiple departments fought the fire for hours yesterday and said it may take more time to fully extinguish the smoldering embers. Flames reached 30 to 40 feet tall, and smoke and fire could be seen for miles. Firefighters wore self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid breathing in gas from the burning plastic. An investigation into what started the fire has been launched by the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority’s Fire investigator and C&S Waste Solutions insurance company. The fire, dubbed the Taylor Fire, was the second to burn at that location in less than a month.
