Invasive barred owls could be shot and killed in Sonoma County. It’s part of a last ditch effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to save the northern spotted owl. Specialists could be called to park lands and private properties in Sonoma County to kill the large, more aggressive barred owl. Officials say the species is threatening to drive the northern spotted owl, its cousin, to extinction. The northern spotted owl has been listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act since 1990.
A long-delayed affordable housing project in Healdsburg is getting a lifeline from the state. The state has given the developers of the Saggio Hills project a more than 21-million-dollar grant. It will be used to build 48 of the planned 118 apartments. The money comes from California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Growth Community program. In addition to the 48 apartments, the first phase of the project will also include a community building and transportation enhancements.
Valley fever cases are increasing across California. Health officials are noticing more cases reported outside the typical affected areas which are the Central Valley and Central Coast. Experts say the uptick in Valley Fever can be blamed on construction and the drought because the illness is caused by a fungus. The good news is the illness is not spread from person to person.
California is facing an issue with impaired driving, as recent data reveals. A study by LendingTree found that the ten worst places for drunk driving are in California and North Carolina. California has eight cities on the list including Sacramento at number two. Raleigh, North Carolina, takes the top spot. The study’s experts suggest that weather may play a role, as warmer weather tends to lead to more drinking outside the home.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills to increase housing supply and address California’s homelessness crisis. One bill allows unhoused people to stay in motels and hotels for longer than 30 days, and the other focuses on creating smaller housing units within single-family homes. This comes after Newsom signed an executive order allowing for the dismantling of homeless encampments.
California is introducing over 250 new places where you can easily return your empty drink containers for recycling. They’ll stretch over thirty counties. The state is investing in new ways to make recycling more convenient, like using special vending machines, mobile recycling centers, and drop-off locations for bags. This includes areas like Mendocino County, that don’t have as many recycling options as other counties. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California is providing nearly 70-million dollars to support these efforts.
Some homeowners in California are blurring their homes’ online profile on Google Maps to prevent potential robbers from analyzing their properties. Blurring your home can give you some peace of mind against would-be thieves who might be casing your home. If you want to blur your home on Google Maps, find your home on the map, click “report a problem” and ask Google to blur it. Google already blurs out faces and license plates.
California legislators are sending a gender-affirming medical care bill to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The bill expedites licensing for specialists in the field. The possible passage of the bill comes at a time when many states are passing laws restricting such care, especially when it comes to minors. Newsom has been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ issues and the community, fueling speculation that he will sign the bill into law.
A fire that started Sunday afternoon in Ukiah was put out quickly by Ukiah Valley Fire Authority. The fire broke out at a business on Kunzler Ranch Road around 1:30pm. Firefighters at the scene said a large carport full of machinery and lumber was burning. Due to the size of the fire, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office issued a “situational awareness alert” to residents in the area. UVFA was able to contain the fire to the first large carport, and put it out quickly. Officials said they’re working to figure out what sparked the fire, but that there were no immediate signs of arson. Their investigation continues.
CalFire reports the Park Fire is now 89% contained. The latest update says the fire has claimed 429,603 acres across 4 counties. The fire has been burning for just over a month now and was started when a man reportedly pushed a burning car into a ravine. Ronnie Stout will be back in court on arson charges next month.
