Since there’s been less rain than normal, water resources in California may be limited. The state’s water supply is currently stable, but the dry and warm conditions over the past few months have caused mountain snow to melt faster than usual. California’s Department of Water Resources says some watersheds are expecting only about 70 percent of the usual runoff.
The wildfire risk across the state is rising due to conditions drying out vegetation following a less than average rainy season this spring. While coastal grassy areas have stayed green, the inland areas are turning brown and those dry grasses can ignite quickly as we all know. Officials are expecting a hot summer, which means a higher fire risk with June nearly here.
The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) meeting is set for tomorrow morning. Included in tomorrow’s agenda is approval and adoption of the FY 2025-26 budget and an amendment to the Service Agreement between MSWMA and Ukiah Waste Solutions along with a proposed rate adjustment. The meeting begins at 9 at the Ukiah Civic Center. You can also attend it virtually.
The prescribed burn at Red Bluff Recreation Area this week has been cancelled for now. The Forest Service says it’s too dangerous due to the upcoming weather conditions and an increase in fire activity nationwide. Officials say resources could be limited due to the potential fire weather forecast in Southern California this week and protecting life and property is their number priority before conducting prescribed burns.
A Ukiah High School sophomore is headed to the California State Finals of the Lions Club Student Speakers Contest. Amaya Upchurch will get to compete for a $21,000 scholarship. She recently placed first in the Regional competition that was held in San Marcos.
Her 10-minute speech was on Artificial Intelligence. Her coach, Corina Edwards, praised her saying she’s a hard worker and well prepared, and credits her success to being committed to being the best. You should know that Ukiah High has made a name for itself in prior years in the State Finals. UHS student Indigo Funk, won the top prize in 2017. His speech was on National Security vs. Privacy.
Last-second changes are being made to the state’s upcoming high school track and field championships regarding transgender athletes. The CIF is allowing any biological female athlete who would-have earned a spot for the competition to participate. A biological male from Southern California was set to compete in the CIF State Finals in the Triple Jump this coming weekend. President Trump called the event unfair because he’s competing against the girls. Now, CIF officials say they will allow the second place-finisher, a female, to compete and the event will be scored differently.
