Showers on tap this morning, but should mostly clear up by this afternoon. Along the coast, a high surf advisory is in effect until 2. The Weather Service says there will be dangerous surf with breaking waves between 20 and 22 feet. There could also be some minor beach erosion. The waves will be unpredictable, so the advice is to stay away from rocks and jetties–and for boaters to stay in port until the waves go down.
The ninety-day public comment period is now open for the proposed fire hazard severity zones in Lake County, Clearlake and Lakeport. The Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority, Joint Powers Authority are urging residents within Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) of the Fire Protection Districts to weigh in with comments and concerns. You can view the maps in person at all local planning departments or online at FHSZinformation or by phone at (916) 633-7655.
The Lake County Cannabis Ordinance Task Force says they’ve got some catching up to do in the coming weeks. COTF Director, Mireya Turner says she’s already started working on the draft Article 73, which will contain a list of the updated recommended regulations. She goes on to say, the document will go through an environmental review before it heads to the Agricultural Advisory Board, Planning Commission. After that, it’s up to the Board of Supervisors, which she hopes to have done before the end of the calendar year. The next meeting for the COTF is set for Monday, February 24 from 1 to 4pm.
Konocti Unified School District Superintendent Becky Salato has been named the 2024 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators. She’s taken the approach, since she started five years ago, of getting better at getting better and she’s made a difference. Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg praised her as being committed to improving student outcomes by focusing on a culture of improvement. Fellow Lake County school district superintendent Dr. Nicki Thomas of Kelseyville Unified called her an instrumental leader who’s driven to do what’s best for the kids. The ACSA is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States, serving more than 17,000 California educators. Region 4 covers Lake County, Mendocino County, Sonoma County, Napa County, Marin County, Solano County, and Vallejo City.
The number of California high school seniors turning in federal financial aid applications is way down when compared with previous years. Some analysts claim it’s a sign that students are worried that the federal government will use the data for immigration enforcement. The number of seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA, has dropped by 25%, when compared with the same time period last year. The early data comes from the California Student Aid Commission, the state agency that handles financial aid. No one from the Trump administrations has said they plan to use application information to target illegal immigrants for deportation.
The Lake County Cannabis Ordinance Task Force says they’ve got some catching up to do in the coming weeks. COTF Director, Mireya Turner says she’s already started working on the draft Article 73, which will contain a list of the updated recommended regulations. She goes on to say, the document will go through an environmental review before it heads to the Agricultural Advisory Board, Planning Commission. After that, it’s up to the Board of Supervisors, which she hopes to have done before the end of the calendar year. The next meeting for the COTF is set for Monday, February 24 from 1 to 4pm.
Congratulations goes out to the Mendocino Winegrowers. Mendocino County was officially honored in San Francisco as the American Wine Region of the Year at the Wine Enthusiast magazine’s Wine Star Awards ceremony last month. Bonnie Butcher, executive director of Mendocino Winegrowers Inc., accepted the award saying it’s not just about the wines, but the people who make it, along with the land and the community. The award recognizes the County’s stellar winemaking and its commitment to sustainable practices. You may not know that 25 percent of Mendocino’s planted vineyards are certified organic – which is one-third of all organic vineyards in California. The Mendocino County American Viticultural Area covers more than 275,000 acres.
Wall stabilization work for the Ukiah Palace Hotel is nearly complete. The Ukiah Daily Journal says the interior ground floor is lit up for the first time in years and more than 15,000 pounds of debris have been removed. Tom Carter, the new owner/contractor says he’s focused on fortifying the oldest and most weakened section of the Palace. Carter’s crew is building a four-story interior support tower inside that section, which reached the roof this week. For now, the priority is to stabilize the sagging section of the Palace, which is three structures combined into one. And, he adds he’s determined to preserve major portions of the original building
