California is working to improve its wildfire strategies and landscapes. The California Wildfire and Landscape Interagency Treatment Dashboard is a new online tool that brings together details about completed forest and wildfire projects from various state and federal agencies. The interactive platform shows the locations and sizes of projects across the state. Users can explore information by region or county, making it easier for planners to identify where to focus future efforts.
If you missed it, this past Saturday was the 41st annual Catfish Derby, sponsored by the NorthShore Fire Association. Seven-year-old Ashlie Cornilsen from Sutherlin, Oregon, snagged one of the largest catches of the day, a just over 21 pound catfish, which earned her second place in the Under 10 Division. Victor King from Clearlake Oaks, competing in the adult division, hauled in a 22.8 pound catfish. The Record Bee says there were a total of 995 entries in this year’s Derby.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors today will recognize local veterans in a special presentation and consider a contract for tax collection services. The meeting is later this morning at 9 a.m. in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse. This afternoon, at 1, there will be a special veterans mission presentation of a veterans appreciation plaque, along with a separate plaque listing 30 Lake County veterans killed in action since World War I. Lake County News reports you can attend the meeting in person at the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse or on Channel 8 or online.
Great news for California sky watchers. The Milky Way will light up the sky with billions of stars this month. The impressive sight will be brighter than usual for most of the Northern Hemisphere. The best time to view the Milky Way is from Tuesday night, May 20th, through next Friday, May 30th, specifically between midnight and 5 a.m., according to LiveScience.com. To fully enjoy the Milky Way, you’ll need to find a darker spot away from city lights.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s latest filing with California regulators is requesting an 8% increase in revenue beginning in 2027. The company claims it’s their lowest in a decade. The Press Democrat says that would amount to about an $11 increase for non-subsidized customers and $7 for subsidized customers, but PG&E officials claim the bills customers actually see will remain flat, due to sunsetting costs, which are connected with wildfire prevention and mitigation. Interesting to note: The General Rate Case filing is just the first step in an 18-month process, and the PUC rarely adopts their full proposal.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) wants to implement its new clean air rules by July 1st. This after delays due to wording issues. Updates to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard have raised concerns about the price of gas going up, with many experts pointing to the current 10-cent hike per gallon. The proposed changes target a 30 percent reduction in transportation emissions, but experts say they’re likely to lead to higher costs for oil refineries and consumers. Critics point out that CARB did not communicate the financial impacts clearly.
John Pinches, a well known Mendocino County rancher, budget hawk, and three-term county supervisor who many remember for his folksy wisdom has died. Pinches, a fourth-generation rancher from northeastern Mendocino County, served on the Board of Supervisors for a total of 12 years, first from 1995 to 1998, and again from 2007 to 2014. He was known for his cowboy shirt and jeans, he became a trusted figure in local politics and chaired the board three times. Mendofever reports that Former Sheriff Tom Allman remembered him as “a leader who will be quoted in the boardroom for the next 50 years.” and praised Pinches’ down home perspective, especially during the difficult budget years. John Pinches was 73.
The Lakeport City Council is considering a land transfer for tribal burial purposes, reviewing pandemic grant spending and discussing recruitment challenges within the city’s workforce, including police hiring difficulties. Lake County News says tonight’s meeting will introduce Danielle Dizon, the newly hired Finance Director. The meeting begins at 6 tonight in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall.
A town hall is set for next week. It will feature leaders from around the North Coast to discuss the potential decommissioning of the dams in the Potter Valley Project and the impact on Lake Pillsbury. Everyone who’s expressed concern about the future of Lake Pillsbury and the decommissioning of the dams is urged to show up and make your voices heard. Lake County news says the Chamber of Commerce will host the town hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. one week from Wednesday, at the Soper Reese Theater, in Lakeport.
Ukiah Unified School District says four seniors at Ukiah High School have completed four years of study in Northern Pomo Language and Culture. Officials say it marks a major milestone for Indigenous language revitalization along with public education. Nora Frease and Sonny Elliott, have been awarded the California State Seal of Biliteracy in Northern Pomo, while Lily Elliott and Tyeson Ramos, also completed Level 4 of the program, achieving a high level of fluency and cultural proficiency. You should know that UUSD introduced the course in 2021, after partnering with community members and the State of California. It’s the first Northern Pomo Language and Culture class offered at the high school level in the state.
The Mendocino County Art Association is sponsoring the “Art in Our Gardens” tour. It’s happening this Saturday. Five member artists have volunteered to host the event in their gardens in Ukiah and Redwood Valley, and each will include one to three additional artists. You should know that all the art you’ll see is created by Ukiah Valley painters, metalworkers, woodworkers, quilters, mosaicists and assemblage artists. Visitors can start a tour at any location and check out each garden in whatever order they so choose. The Ukiah Daily Journal says you’ve got all day since the tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday.
