Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Clayton Brennan is hanging up his robe Friday after a long career on the bench. Before becoming a judge, Brennan worked as a deputy district attorney and in private practice, later overseeing everything from criminal cases to the county’s Behavioral Health Court. He spent years at the Willits courthouse before moving to Fort Bragg when that location closed in 2010. His retirement marks the third recent departure from the county’s bench, following Judges Jeannie Nadel and Cindee Mayfield.
Cloverdale’s getting the clinic it’s waited years for. Senate President Mike McGuire told a packed crowd Wednesday night that the state’s putting up $3.5 million to finish funding Alexander Valley Healthcare’s new community health center. It’ll finally replace the cramped downtown offices that have served thousands across northern Sonoma County for decades. The project’s expected to break ground next year, bringing more doctors, dentists, and mental health care to a part of the county that’s gone without for too long.
Ukiah city officials say the rumors aren’t true, no one’s cutting down the trees on School Street. The city just launched a grant-funded study to figure out how to fix sidewalk and utility damage caused by tree roots while keeping the area’s charm intact. The “School Street Multimodal Study” is exploring everything from trimming roots to phased tree replacement. City leaders say it’s only a study for now, with no plans finalized and plenty of public input still ahead.
Lake County Treasurer-Tax Collector Patrick Sullivan says his office has been working overtime to modernize and clean up years of backlogged tax records. Speaking at the Judge’s Breakfast, he highlighted new tech upgrades that make it possible to process more than a thousand tax-defaulted properties and log payments the same day they’re received. Those changes are paying off with county investment earnings jumping to more than $6 million this summer, up from about $100,000 a quarter just three years ago. Sullivan also plans to pitch a “low value ordinance” to the Board of Supervisors next month to help the county stop losing money on worthless properties that never sell at auction.
Lakeport’s Fall Community Cleanup Day is set for Saturday, giving residents a chance to clear out unwanted junk and spruce up the city. From 9 to 2 at the Fifth Street Boat Ramp, folks can drop off household trash, furniture, and old electronics, just no tires, fridges, or hazardous waste. The event’s open to Lakeport Disposal customers, and you’ll need to show ID and a city utility bill. It’s an easy way to tidy up before winter and help keep the community looking sharp.
Ukiah residents are invited to roll up their sleeves Saturday morning and help plant 30 new trees along the city’s trail. The volunteer event starts at 9 a.m. at the end of Cherry Street and will bring some much-needed shade to the path. It’s a team effort between the City of Ukiah and the Ukiah Valley Trail Group, and lunch’s on them. Anyone who wants to join in should RSVP with volunteer coordinator Ed at 707-472-6993.
Open enrollment for Covered California kicks off November 1, but many residents could be in for a shock. Health plan prices are expected to spike as federal tax credits that kept premiums low expire next year. Lawmakers are split over whether to extend the subsidies—Democrats want to keep them, Republicans don’t. If Congress can’t strike a deal, experts say many Californians could lose affordable coverage.
