The federal budget impasse could impact senior citizens in Mendocino County. It’s because of the Older Americans Act, which funds programs like the free lunches at Fort Bragg’s senior center through the Area Agency on Aging, or Triple A, of Lake and Mendocino Counties. The Mendocino Voice says if it’s not renewed, the budgets of all the senior centers in Lake County and three in Mendocino County would be gutted. Redwood Coast Seniors Executive Director says they received $268,000 in federal money last year through AAA, which she says mostly pays for one of the county’s largest Meals on Wheels and senior center dining programs.
Ukiah Unified School District (UUSD) has issued a Request for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/P) to select a qualified real estate firm to market and sell or lease of the former Redwood Valley Elementary School property in Redwood Valley. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that
the 12-plus acre property did well as a school for more than a century, but changes in state building codes and declining enrollment ultimately forced its closure. The decision to sell it followed several public meetings, and the Ukiah Unified Board of Trustees made the decision to designate the property as surplus. UUSD is looking for a real estate firm with experience in marketing and selling or leasing surplus public properties for the site. Qualified firms should submit proposals by March 21 by 5 p.m.
The Eel River Recovery Project and the Northern Mendocino Ecosystem Recovery Alliance are hosting a free community event at Harwood Hall in Laytonville. The Ukiah Daily Journal says it aims to celebrate and educate Mendocino County locals about forest management happening in the area.
Organizers say the Forest Health Extravaganza is your opportunity to meet the experts working in the field, learn about the exciting work happening in our forests and watersheds, and find out how to bring vital restoration and fire protection resources to your own neighborhood. It kicks off with a keynote address by Margo Robbins, co-founder of the Cultural Fire Management Council and Yurok tribal member, who was featured in the recent documentary “Firelighters.” It’s free and happening March 29. For more information, you can contact Alicia Bales at abaleslittletree or Eel River Recovery Project Executive Director Pat Higgins at phiggin.
Another Starbucks in Ukiah. The Ukiah Daily Journal says the fourth one is proposed for a lot in the Pear Tree Shopping center near what is about to become the new local branch of the Redwood Credit Union. The new Starbucks structure will be 1700 square feet, with no dine in options, just carry out or drive through. That’s according to the latest Planning Director’s report which will be featured at Wednesday’s Ukiah Planning Commission meeting.
The Record Bee reported that the 22nd annual Seafood Boil and Auction fundraiser from Clearlake’s Rotary Club on Saturday was another major success. The event, held at the Cornelison Event Center on the Konocti Education Center Campus, raised money for projects in the community… including the annual Christmas dinner, Keep Well Kids Club Wellness program and $20,000 in scholarships for KUSD seniors and Woodland Community College students, among other worthy causes. Sponsors for the gala included Action Sanitary, Blue Zones and Friends of KUSD, Community First Credit Union, Calpine, Fults Family Vineyards and Thompson Gas, among many others. Rotarians meet at the Clearlake Rotary Club the first and third Tuesday for lunch at the Highlands Bar and Grill and all visitors are welcome.
California lawmakers are proposing new laws aimed at strengthening property insurance. One bill would extend protections against policy cancellations for commercial properties near fire zones, along with homeowners associations, condominiums, affordable housing units, and nonprofits. Another bill relabels manufactured homes in the California FAIR Plan by changing the definition of basic property insurance. A third proposal would create a new Community Hardening Commission so the state can develop wildfire safety standards and share risk data with local agencies by July 2027.
