The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection would like to hear from the public regarding the newly released map of “Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas.” You should know that local governments are responsible for wildfire protection in the portions labeled Local Responsibility AreaThe Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services is asking residents and stakeholders to review the proposed maps, ask questions, and submit comments. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that while Mendocino County and the cities of Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits have no say in the maps, they are required to make sure that the communities have the opportunity to review them and provide feedback. For questions, comments or more information, go to FHSZinformation or by calling (916) 633-7655.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says its arrest of a Lakeport man marks “a significant development” in the ongoing investigation into a series of property crimes across the county. 38 year old Jeremy Griffin, was taken into custody last week. He now faces multiple charges, including burglary, kidnapping, evading a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance for sales, and numerous felony and misdemeanor offenses tied to his outstanding warrants.
Lake County News says Griffin is currently being held at the Hill Road Correctional Facility, with bail set at $636,000. Officials say multiple cases have been referred to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, and the investigation into additional property crimes remains ongoing. Lake County Superior Court records indicate Griffin has a lengthy criminal record, including previous convictions for assault, burglary, drugs and evasion.
Officials say that the Mendocino County Water Agency recently released a comprehensive draft Drought Resilience Plan for public comment. They describe the Drought Resilience Plan as “a stand-alone document that will be implemented along other state, county, and local planning documents, that finds that 84% of domestic wells and 93% of state small water systems are at high risk of being impacted by water shortages and droughts. The Ukiah Daily Journal says the plan lays out several different emergency response actions that would be triggered either countywide or regionally if moderate and severe stages of drought are reached. The plan also identifies long-term mitigation efforts that will be necessary in order to prepare for future droughts.
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has just filed a federal lawsuit and an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to block what they’re calling, the Department of the Interior’s “sudden and unlawful attempt” to reopen the tribe’s gaming eligibility determination for the casino project. Scotts Valley put out a statement saying their reconsideration “seeks to upend years of federal approvals and threatens a carefully planned economic development project that would provide jobs, revenue, and long-term stability for the Tribe and the City of Vallejo.” Lake County News says the tribe describes it as legally baseless, and in direct violation of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, federal trust obligations, and basic principles of administrative law. Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis who says "We will not allow bureaucrats to trample our sovereignty or destroy the opportunities we have fought decades to secure."
California’s snowpack is now 96 percent of normal after a recent storm brought significant snowfall to the Sierra Nevada. Several feet of snow hit the high country this week. The improvement follows last year’s above-average levels and the record winter of 2023, which is good news for the state’s water supply. Consistent snow levels are rare, happening only about every 25 years. The last time the snowpack was at 100 percent of normal or more for three straight years was between 1998 and 2000.
The Clearlake City Council will hold the first reading of an ordinance regarding bingo games and a hearing to close out a city project this week. The ordinance authorizing bingo games is for charitable purposes only. Lake County News says the council will hold a public hearing to discuss the closeout package to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Community Development Block Grant Storm Drain Master Plan. Council members will consider adopting Resolution 2025-14 to authorize the city manager to submit the closeout package, confirming successful project completion and financial reconciliation. The meeting is set for tonight at 6 in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall.
A local farm has walked away with the Best of Show award at this year’s California State Fair’s Commercial Cheese Competition. Boonville’s Pennyroyal Farm won Best of Show other milk type for its Boont Corners Reserve on Monday. So you know, the creamery produces small batch cheeses using milk from goats and sheep raised at its farm in Anderson Valley. The Mendocino Voice says it’s the third Best of Show award for the creamery over the past 10 years. Pennyroyal Farm will be honored at an award ceremony at the fair in July.
It’s National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, the Lakeport Library is welcoming Pulitzer Prize winning poet Forrest Gander for a reading of his work this Saturday. Mr. Gander’s book Be With was awarded the 2019 Pulitzer Prize. Saturday’s event runs from 2-4 pm. An audience Q&A and book signing will follow. It’s sponsored by the Friends of the Lake County Library. You should know next week is National Library Week and you are invited to visit one of the four branches in Lakeport, Clearlake, Middletown, and Upper Lake. You can even stop by the bookmobile!
