A Ukiah High School teacher has been arrested and is accused of sending inappropriate communications to an underage female student, and police don’t think she is the only one to get similar suggestive messages. The Ukiah police arrested Journalism teacher Matthew Lafever after an investigation that started last month, when the 17-year-old’s parents reported the contact. Detectives say the communications included sexually suggestive comments and requests for explicit pictures. They also think Lafever contacted other minors in Mendocino and Sonoma counties, so Ukiah police would like to hear from them, too. The district says it put Lafever on administrative leave once it found out police were involved and that he will be out of the classroom as the case moves ahead. Superintendent Deb Kubin says the district takes any such allegations seriously and will cooperate with law enforcement while conducting an internal investigation of its own. She promises to keep the community informed. Kubin says School counselors will be available on campus to support students who need it.
It’s election day in California, with voters deciding the fate of a democratic backed redistricting plan that could alter congressional voting districts next year. The registrar of voters’ offices in Lake and Mendocino Counties says odd-year elections don’t usually draw this much attention, but that they’re ready for today. If you chose to vote by mail, ballots either have to be postmarked by today and received by November 12, or deposited in an official drop box or returned to any polling place before the polls close at 8 PM. You can also register to vote today at your local polling place. If you aren’t sure where to vote, the website sos.ca.gov can tell you. California voting has national implications because it could shift several seats comfortably into the Democratic column.
California and the other states are still working on a timeline to pay CalFresh benefits for the month, and how much those payments will be. The Department of Social Services is calculating the effect of the release of emergency funds for the program as the government shutdown continues. That money will only cover part of the month, so unless Congress agrees to end the shutdown, recipients will only see about half of their normal allotment when the cards are reloaded–possibly later this week.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors is planning to discuss the delayed CalFresh Benefits. Social Service Director Rachael Dillman Parson will brief the board at today’s regular meeting–and outline options to ease the impact on the county. The department says almost a quarter of county residents receive those benefits every month. That’s just one of the items on the board agenda. Members will also discuss changes to the county’s cannabis regulations. Among the potential changes, changing the distance between grows and homes to 500 feet, limiting commercial operations to 20 acres, and changing other setback requirements for scenic areas, water, and hemp farms. Also up for consideration are rejections of incomplete applications, checking applicants’ background, and warrants and other modifications to rules on construction, permits, and operating hours. The Board of Supervisors will also talk about giving $50,000 to a local non-profit that supports small businesses and development. There have been questions about whether the county can legally give that money to One Team One Dream because of a state law prohibiting gifts of public funds.Supervisors will have to decide if the money is a gift or a legitimate use of public funds for a public purpose.
Officials with the Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest in Lake County are urging proper trail etiquette for trail users. They say a recent incident involving a horseback rider shows that not respecting the rules can cause problems for others who use the forest. For instance, they want mountain bike users to yield to hikers, runners, and riders and allow they to pass safely. They also say it’s good practice–and common courtesy for anyone on a motorized vehicle to be careful around horseback riders, and for all dogs to be kept leashed and under control.
Schedule changes ahead for Mendocino transit Riders a week from today–Veterans Day. There will be NO dial-a-ride services or service on routes 5, 60, and 75. Routes 65 and 95 will be on a Sunday Schedule. mendotransit.org has the information.
