This week at the judge’s breakfast in Clearlake, District 4 Supervisor Brad Rasmussen spoke about his first impressions of the position as well as what he already has planned for the future. Rasmussen, who’s had a 35 year law enforcement career, shared the amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into this position and says he plans to focus on helping his constituents understand the local governmental processes. You should know, despite the fact that he’s been active in the position for only a few months, Rasmussen referred to some of the bigger projects he’s worked on, including the recent wildfire mitigation project that will help fund the installation of more fire hydrants. The Judge’s Breakfast is held every Thursday morning at 7 at the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake. The Lake County Record Bee reports that next week’s speaker will be Becky Salato, Konocti Unified Schools Superintendent.
The Ukiah Daily Journal is reporting that several apartments were destroyed and nearly 40 people displaced Friday night. The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority says the fire erupted in a large housing complex on Lovers Lane. UVFA Battalion Chief Eric Singleton said that when crews arrived at approximately 8:30, they found two of the three apartment buildings up in flames. He said in order to keep the fire from spreading, crews deployed their deck gun, which is the large nozzle on top of the engine. As a result, the fire did not spread to the third building. 37 people were forced out of their homes, and the Red Cross stepped in and found them all a place to sleep for the night. Singleton credited law enforcement from the Ukiah Police Department, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol for their help, including “going door-to-door” to not only evacuate the buildings, but the surrounding buildings, as well. Fortunately, there were no deaths or injuries. An investigation into what caused the fire is underway, although at this time it is believed to have been accidental.
The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that Mendocino College has purchased property at the corner of Perkins and Main Streets in downtown Ukiah. It launches the first phase of a multi-year initiative to develop affordable student housing and support the local community. The Mendocino College Foundation supplied the money to purchase the property from Redwood Credit Union, and will continue to support the project with additional multi-million dollar contributions for the construction phase. You should know that Mendocino-Lake Community College District has been looking into options in order to develop student housing since 2018, knowing the need for affordable student housing runs deep. The purchase of this particular property will give students needed access to downtown services along with easy transportation to the campus.
Please be on the lookout for 72 year old Daniel Salmond, who was last seen Thursday morning at his home on Middle Ridge Road in Albion. According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Salmond, who has advanced dementia, was reported missing after a caregiver returned and discovered him gone on Saturday. Salmond is 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. He was likely wearing a flannel shirt, khaki pants, and brown boots when he disappeared. Anyone with information is urged to call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
The Mendocino Voice reports that Mendocino County Fire Safe Council micro-grants are now available for several kinds of fire risk mitigations. The window to apply for funding is coming up. Until March 31, local fire departments, Neighborhood Fire Safe councils and Firewise communities can request up to $12,500 for projects targeting their needs. As of today, MCFSC has awarded a total of $287,000 for water tanks, wildfire-safety home assessments, reflective signs, and more. For more information about how to apply for micro-grants, go to the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council’s website at firesafemendocino.org/micro-grants.
The Lakeport Police Department detained a suspect who is linked with 2 late night attacks in Lake County last Friday on North Main Street. The Mendo Fever reports that police arrested 36 year old Markel Plummer. He was booked into the Lake County Jail on several charges including sexual burglary, battery and threatening the life of Public Safety officers. His bail was set at $15,000, but since he’s on active Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) out of San Francisco County, Lake County police want to secure a no-bail hold for his violation of his PRCS probation.
Governor Gavin Newsom is declaring a state of emergency due to growing wild fire concerns. Newsom says he wants to fast track wildfire prevention projects in the state. He issued a statement saying the emergency proclamation will cut bureaucratic red tape – including suspending California Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act – that’s slowing down critical forest management projects. He says the goal is to get these things done in order to get ahead of peak wildfire season.
