Solitary confinement stays in prison could be limited after lawmakers passed a bill with strict guidelines. The Assembly Bill was sent to the Governor Tuesday to limit solitary confinement in jails, prisons and private detention centers and for it to never be used for vulnerable populations like pregnant and elderly people. There had been push back that the bill would cost the state too much. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pegged it about one billion dollars or more in one-time fees. That’s to make space in exercise yards and other areas for the inmates. It would also cost another $200 million a year they say for staffing purposes. But advocates said those numbers were exaggerated and the new restrictions were necessary.
They have a permanent Director of Lake County’s Community Development Dept. With this it means Mireya Turner, a current Lakeport City Council member will resign her seat. Turner was appointed interim director recently, then this past Tuesday, the job became permanent. She says she’s committed to promoting “responsible development, and creatively working with people looking to invest in Lake County.” She comes with almost a decade of County and City Planning experience. And has worked throughout Lake County in various roles and in Ukiah for a few years too. Turner said she would step down from her council seat due to time constraints.
Those who are victims of last summer’s Hopkins Fire still have time to have their property assessed. But the Assessor’s Office says they only have until September 12th, a week from this coming Monday. The Prevention, Recovery, Resiliency, and Mitigation (PRRM) Division is encouraging residents from Mendocino County impacted by the 2021 Hopkins Fire to file the “application for reassessment of damaged or destroyed property”. You must have had at least $10,000 or more of damage.
The Konocti Fire Safe Council has received a grant from Lake County from Cannabis funds. $10,000 was presented by the District 5 Supervisor to the Fire Safe Council (KFSC) Board. Supervisor Jessica Pyska says Homeowners Associations in the Kelseyville-area known as the Rivieras have been leading and working effectively to reduce the risk of wildfire. The council chair said they look forward to working with residents in the area, also the government and business leaders to promote strong collaboration. The council touts itself as an organization that increases preparedness and surviving a fire through education, project and resource development, evacuation readiness and hazardous fuels reduction.
The application may be obtained at:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/assessor-county-clerk-recorder-elections/assessor-services-forms
You can also call the Assessor’s Office at (707) 234-6800 and get an application mailed to you.
State Senator Bill Dodd had another bill passed by fellow lawmakers this session. This one to help spur more broadband deployment. Dodd says it’s absolutely critical for all residents to have adequate connectivity for business and in their regular daily lives. The bill would provide an expansion of wireless access, especially for low-income Californians and the underserved. Since the pandemic folks have been depending even more on broadband for distance learning, telehealth, public safety, remote work and accessing vital government services. Dodd’s Broadband Access Point Investment Acceleration Study Act would uncover the state’s broadband infrastructure needs then address it with the Legislature.
Get a designated driver for the last long weekend of the summer. It’s Labor Day weekend and as per usual, the California Highway Patrol will have one of those Maximum Enforcement Periods anticipating more traffic starting tomorrow night at 6:01 p.m. and ending Monday night at 11:59 p.m. Besides beefing up patrols to help drivers, they’ll be looking for offenders through the holiday weekend, driving drunk or high, distracted, or not wearing a seatbelt. Last Labor Day weekend there were 43 people killed in crashes on California roadways and 935 DUI arrests were made. Another 6,000 speeding tickets were handed out too.
A new court program is being set up by the state of California so that the unsheltered who are suffering mental health crises get into treatment. Legislators pushed the bill to the Governor’s desk after he first broached the subject last spring. It was a unanimous approval from the Senate after tweaks by the Assembly earlier this week. Civil liberties advocates were poo pooing the bill though saying if it becomes law it could be used to force homeless people into care they’re not interested in. But Newsom says it means hope for thousands with severe mental illness who languish on the street without the treatment they desperately need and deserve. If the Governor signs it into law with a slew of other bills on his desk, it would mean counties would have to set up a special civil court to put up petitions for help for these residents.
A Flex Alert is in place due to the expected heat wave these next days. The California Independent System Operator said the high temperatures will expand energy demand mostly from air conditioners which will tax available power supplies. The alert could continue all weekend if there’s not enough voluntary conservation. The agency says it’s doing what it can to bring all available energy resources online, including restricting maintenance from noon to 10 p.m. through Sept. 6th, Tuesday. They’re hoping for conservation measures between 4 and 9 pm each day during the alert. At the same time the Governor is considering extending the life of the Diablo Nuclear Plant, the state’s only nuclear power plant, another five years so there are more reliable power supplies during the climate change era.
Free Fishing Day is coming, where if you’re an angler you get a day on the state. This Saturday is the second and last Free Fishing Day of 2022. The Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Fishing in the City program is also to help folks learn fishing techniques and skills from department experts. There are in-person beginner fishing clinics in some areas. If there are no clinics in your area, you can check online for a regional event or virtual events. All of the regular restrictions apply, like bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements and fishing hours and stream closures.
Something to do this long holiday weekend… Grace Hudson Museum has a new special exhibition with Pomo artists from Lake and regional counties. The “Gathering Time: Pomo Art During the Pandemic” exhibit opens tomorrow featuring the artwork of 15 different contemporary Pomo artists, for 10 Pomo tribal groups in Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties. There are multiple art forms on display, paintings, photography, basket weaving, regalia, jewelry and digital media. The opening reception tomorrow is from 5 to 8 p.m. and is part of the city of Ukiah’s monthly First Friday Art Walk. There will also be a special performance by the Hopland Pomo Dancers. The exhibition runs through Jan. 15th.
A man from Lakeport has been deemed a person of interest for several crimes including leaving a suspicious device near a church. Police arrested 27-year-old Kayden Collins who they say was involved in a rip off at a bicycle shop. They’re also asking for the community’s help finding an expensive bike they say he stole last Saturday. The report of a burglary of a $2,300 Scott Scale bicycle and the window of Konocti Bicycles on Main Street broken out. Collins was booked into jail. Police also say it will cost $2000.00 to replace the broken window. Police also say they have had more than 25 interactions with Collins this year, with multiple cases, seven warrants issued and five arrests for crimes like domestic violence, brandishing a weapon, burglary, resisting arrest, and assault with a deadly weapon.
A man arrested for the murder of another man from Lucerne had a court appearance in the case. 26-year-old Nova Maye Deperno from Occidental was arrested and charged with killing Ronald Meluso a year ago. Deperno was arrested this past January and also charged with burglary, vehicle theft and buy/sell/receive stolen property. The prosecution told the court they would not be seeking the death in the case. And Deperno has pleaded not guilty. He’s also charged with flight from a traffic officer with disregard for safety, assault with a firearm on person, threaten to commit crime, abuse (endangering child with great bodily injury) and prevent/ dissuade witness/victim with force/threat. He’s held without bail in Lake County jail.
