Kristen Tangren, has been named the California League of Middle Schools State Educator of the Year. The award honors outstanding middle school teachers who inspire students, earn the respect of their communities, and exemplify educational excellence. Tangren is a math teacher at Eagle Peak Middle School. The Ukiah Daily Journal says her acceptance speech last week during an assembly focused on the importance of self-care in teaching and the need for strong academic structures in the middle school classroom. Principal Stearns called Tangren an exceptional teacher who cares deeply for her students. Tangren, who’s in her 21st year of teaching, says she’s part of a great team at Eagle Peak and the award is not just for her, but for all teachers and staff at the school.
The state’s Medicaid program, Medical, has borrowed $3.4 billion from the state’s general fund and will probably need even more to cover the rising cost of healthcare for 15 million residents with low incomes and disabilities. The state Department of Finance disclosed the loan to California lawmakers last week, saying the money is needed in order to pay health care providers. Public health officials in Sacramento claimed last year that the state would spend nearly $6.5 billion in FY 2024-25 to cover illegal immigrants, but that number is actually closer to $9.5 billion dollars and could even go higher.
A new grant program in Mendocino County aims to empower Mendocino’s growing Latino population. The new Luz Latina Fund will support sustainable, long-term efforts to uplift the Latino community through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, college and work-readiness programs for youth, along with access to wellness services. The Community Foundation of Mendocino County points out that the priorities were chosen by a group of Latinos from across the county. The Mendocino voice reports that Latinos comprise 28.1% of the Mendocino County population, which is a 26.5% increase since 2010 and that’s based on numbers from the U.S. Census. You should know that the first grants funded by Luz Latina fund will be handed out next year.
Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus held a grand opening for the expansion of their new Basic Needs Center, even though it’s been in operation since January. The new Eagle’s Essentials Marketplace, which is in a remodeled building on campus, supplies students basic needs including dry goods, frozen meats, fresh vegetables, toiletries and school supplies. Lake County news says it also offers assistance with applying for CalFresh and obtaining medical and mental health support. Dr. Lizette Navarette says the Eagle’s Essentials Marketplace supports the basic needs of around 105 families in the Clearlake community. She goes on to say “no student should have to choose between pursuing their dreams and meeting basic needs.” Looking to add to your family?
Lake County Animal Care and Control has several new dogs and puppies looking for their forever homes. The dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Akita, American blue heeler, Australian shepherd, Belgian malinois, border collie, cattle dog, German shepherd, Great Pyrenees, husky, Labrador Retriever, pit bull terrier and Rottweiler. Lake County News says the dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport. Fyi, license fees do not apply to residents in Lakeport or Clearlake.
Clearlake’s plan to improve a roadway and build a new hotel has hit a roadblock. A new appellate court decision has paused progress on the project. To refresh your memory, In March of 2023, the Koi Nation tribe sued the city because it said officials violated the California Environmental Quality Act, for failing to hold consultation with the tribe. Months later, Lake County Superior Court Judge Michael Lunas ruled in favor of the city’s analysis, finding that the Koi’s claims that tribal consultation procedures were not followed were false and that the Koi had not adequately requested consultation. Lake County News says the tribe then appealed the judge’s ruling and, this past week, the California First Appellate District’s Division Two handed down a 33-page decision siding with the tribe. The case now heads back to Lake County Superior Court.
The only wine competition to focus exclusively on wines from the North Coast will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds this year. In order to qualify, a wine will need to have been produced with grapes grown primarily in the North Coast AVA, which covers Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Marin, Lake and Solano counties. That’s according to the Press Democrat, which is hosting the 13th annual North Coast Wine Challenge beginning April 1. By the way, this year’s judges are all local and the top winners will be announced via Facebook Live April 2.
There’s a new location to redeem your recyclable beverage containers in Fort Bragg. Beginning this Wednesday, Redwood Waste Solutions, the city’s waste collector, says you’ll be able to take your CRVs to Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church at 255 S. Harold St. The Mendocino Voice says they’ll redeem your CRVs for cash every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but will shut down for a half hour lunch from noon to 12:30. It’s Redwood Waste Solution’s first coastal CRV redemption center. Three inland locations are located in Ukiah, Laytonville and Willits.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara says he’s giving State Farm permission to raise home insurance premiums by 22% on average if the company agrees to certain conditions — and wins approval at a public rate hearing next month. Those conditions include committing to pause canceling and not renewing policies through the end of this year. He also wants State Farm’s parent company, State Farm Mutual, to give or loan the California entity, State Farm General, $500 million. That’s not all, he says State Farm must also prove that it needs this latest rate hike at a hearing next month.
