Lake County supervisors have delayed action on a proposed moratorium for new commercial cannabis grows. Supervisor Helen Owen, who introduced the urgency ordinance, withdrew it Tuesday to allow more time for legal review and public input. The ordinance was intended to pause permit approvals while the county rewrites its cannabis regulations. County Counsel advised continuing the item until August 12 to ensure the process follows proper legal steps. Owen says the goal is to prevent unpermitted grows from moving forward during the rewrite.
Clearlake may stop collecting fire mitigation fees for the Lake County Fire Protection District after more than 30 years. Since 1990, the city has collected the fees as part of building costs and passed them on to the district. But now, the district wants to collect the funds directly, despite not having the legal authority to impose the fees themselves. City officials say they’re evaluating whether to continue handling the process or step away entirely. The City Council will take up the issue at tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting at City Hall.
Firefighters have made enough progress to lift evacuation warnings near Laytonville. Crews held containment lines overnight, and officials say the threat to the area has eased. Highway 101 is fully open again, though drivers should watch for emergency vehicles still in the area. Residents are urged to stay alert in case conditions change.
Fire crews are still working to fully contain the Lake Fire near Borax Lake in Clearlake, which started Sunday afternoon. As of Wednesday, the fire remains at 401 acres and is 78% contained. Cal Fire reports six structures destroyed and five damaged, with 90 personnel still on scene. Crews expect to stay through the weekend as mop-up operations continue.
A Middletown man accused of a violent 2024 assault has been ordered into a mental health diversion program instead of prison. 42 year old Justin Lord was charged with 11 felonies after attacking his ex-girlfriend and being shot during a confrontation with her husband. A Lake County judge approved the diversion plan Wednesday, requiring Lord to complete treatment for substance abuse and mental illness in San Diego. If he fails to comply, he’ll be prosecuted and could face years behind bars.
California’s crackdown on illegal cannabis operations is ramping up, with hundreds of millions in product now off the streets. Governor Gavin Newsom says authorities have seized nearly 270,000 pounds of illegal cannabis and destroyed over 260,000 plants, worth an estimated $480 million. The sweep also led to 112 arrests and the seizure of about $230,000 in cash. Newsom says the black market threatens legal growers and cuts into state tax revenue. The effort is led by the Office of Cannabis Control in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies.
California prison officials are falling short when it comes to investigating use-of-force complaints, according to a scathing review from the state’s prison watchdog. The Inspector General gave the Department of Corrections the lowest possible rating in nearly all the cases it reviewed. In several incidents, investigators failed to interview accused officers or key witnesses and even missed deadlines for possible discipline. The department says it’s working on reforms to improve accountability and transparency.
