The National Weather Service is warning of hot temperatures this weekend in the region. Through Sunday interior valleys of Northwest California will be under a Major Heat Risk. The organization posted an update on social media saying if you’re on a job site to take breaks and drink water regularly. Never leave kids or pets in parked cars. Check on those without air conditioning and limit strenuous outdoor activities. Signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, weakness and nausea. Those experiences those symptoms should sip cool water, more to a cooler area and loosen clothing. The more intense heat stroke happens and causes confusion, dizziness and can make people pass out; in that case, you should call 911.
The Lake County Libraries and County-operated Peer Support Centers will be open today and part of this weekend. The Big Oak Peer Support Center in Clearlake Oaks will be open Sunday and on the 4th of July, Tuesday if residents need a cool place to be in. Libraries will be open Saturday through 5pm, but will be closed on Independence Day.
The Upstate California Creative Corps announced a grant of over $33,000 to the Deep Valley Collective in a new pilot program for the state’s underrepresented communities. The Deep Valley Arts Collective is one of 81 groups chosen among 300 applicants. The Collective plans to develop a project called “Pieced Together: Recovery Through Art Therapy” to help those recovering from drug abuse via art therapy workshops. A series of collage workshops will end with an art exhibition, a book and a multimedia art presentation. The non-profit in Ukiah has a mission to nurture artists’ development and contribute to the community.
A bill is working through the Legislature that could give firefighters a raise in pay. The bill would require California to increase salaries automatically. CalMatters reports Cal Fire has had problems with retention due to below market pay and have lost 10 percent of their workforce last year. Lawmakers have advanced the bill to compel the state human resources department to detail salary increases for approximately 8,000 firefighters annually based on what other fire departments pay. Cal Fire employees salaries would increase to be within 15 percent of the top 20 highest paying departments in the state. If passed the union representing fire fighters would join CHP’s new wage guarantee. The bill is on its way to the Senate appropriations committee with no opposition.
The Russian River Water Forum held a Technical Briefing on Water Supply and Fisheries in the Eel and Russian Rivers last week. Topics included declining fish populations, indigenous water rights and more. MendoFever reports alternatives for fish passage at Cape Horn Dam were studied, including a new fish ladder, a pump station, a roughened channel and upstream diversion. The forum is applying for another grant from the California Department of Water resources for continued funding. The forum included an engineer who discussed Lakes Mendocino and Sonoma. Also at the briefing were representatives for the Round Valley Indian Tribe.
It’s been a good year to grow mosquitoes with all the rain we received. The California Department of Public Health is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. The department is urging people to practice the three “Ds” Use repellent with DEET for everyone 2 months and older. At Dawn and Dusk mosquitoes are the most active, so avoid being outside, or wear long sleeves and repellent. Drain any puddles or pools of water so mosquitoes aren’t able to lay their eggs in the standing water. Malaria and West Nile Virus have been detected out east. No reports of the illnesses have been made in the state, but people should be mindful of those diseases.
California resources are gearing up for what could be a serious wildfire season. The Governor announced yesterday that the state has the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world ready. In addition to those resources new tools including satellites, cameras, drones and even AI will help fight fires more quickly and with more intelligence. Newsom said “In just five years, California’s wildfire response has seen a tech revolution.” California is working with Lockheed Martin to potentially develop Department of Defense technology to fight wildfires, according to MendoFever. Cal Fire has a drone based system that includes AI tools and analytics to give fire information more rapidly. Infrared camera on aircraft is helping build the operating picture for near real time fire modeling. LiDar, low-orbit satellites and increased staffing at Cal Fire are also helping in the wildfire mitigation efforts.
CHP and the California Office of Traffic Safety are discouraging drivers from speeding. The Lake County News reports the two agencies are working ahead of the 4th of July holiday to encourage safe driving through education and enforcement. CHP is implementing a statewide maximum enforcement period beginning Friday evening through midnight on the 4th. Last year, there were about 1,000 arrests for DIU in the holiday enforcement period and 44 people were killed. They are urging people to call in any suspected impaired drivers.
There are plans for a new movie theatre in Healdsburg next year. The Healdsburg Planning Commission approved a conditional-use application from AVFilm for a theatre called the Plaza Cinema Center downtown. The company that founded the Alexander Valley Film Festival raised $1.5 million in less than a year in their efforts of development. The Press Democrat reports the city hasn’t had a theater since the Raven Film Center closed in 2020. Plans for the theatre include three auditoriums, a classroom, offices and meeting spaces. They plan to open the cinema in the middle of the 300 block of Healdsburg Avenue, with the Healdsburg Farmers market behind it.
A challenge to Prop 22 that classified gig drivers as independent contractors is being heard by the California Supreme Court. The case was brought by a group of union-supported drivers hoping the court will strike down an appeals ruling that upheld Proposition 22 as state law. Council for the drivers have argued the California Constitution requires the Legislature to enforce a complete workers’ compensation program, with independent contractors status violating that law. The Press Democrat reports supporters of the proposition should change employment benefits laws via a constitutional amendment. The court has not yet set a date for oral arguments.
The 61st Annual Black Bart Day Parade is set for tomorrow in downtown Redwood Valley. The parade begins at 1pm and is themed “All American Pie” this year. There will be an awards ceremony, food and music at the riding arena, according to the Ukiah Daily Journal.
In Fort Bragg any child can get a free breakfast and lunch at Dana Gray Elementary School through July 13th. Breakfast is served from 8-8:30am, with lunch at 11-11:45am on weekdays. The Advocate News reports groups of kids can come in, and are asking parents to call ahead so the kitchen can accommodate them. Additional Summer Feeding Sites can be found by calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY.
Representative Mike Thompson announced applications are open for the $7 Billion Solar For All grant competition. The Record Bee reports the funding is aimed at investments in residential solar projects, lowering costs for municipalities and environmental justice efforts. The money is coming from the Inflation Reduction Act. This morning, Thompson announced “All communities deserve to participate in America’s growing clean energy economy…” saying this competitive grant process brings more communities together. Up to 60 grants will be available to nonprofits, Tribal governments, municipalities and more to expand low-income solar programs. Applicants are directed to submit a Notice of Intent with a July 31st deadline for states, August 14th for municipalities and nonprofits, and August 28th for Tribal governments.
Project restoration is planned along the Big River Haul Road in Mendocino Headlands State Park this summer. The Mendocino Beacon reports the projects will reduce sediments and improve fish passage. Work is scheduled to begin July 10th and will continue through the end of October. There will not be public access at several spots along the Big River Haul Road on weekdays during the work. Weekend access will be available on a limited basis. Dry Dock Trail is closing on August 1st. The M9 or High Chute Road are alternative trail routes. Officials are asking people to obey sign s that will change as the project needs. California State Parks, Trout Unlimited, Mendocino Conservation District and more are helping to restore the Big River Unit of Mendocino Headlands.
A couple of workshops will be held by Lake County Economic Development supporting entrepreneurs. The first workshop is planned for July 10th at the Lake Center of Mendocino College at 5pm. The class “Borrowing for Business” will be a hybrid workshop on the basics of borrowing money to grow your business as well as tops on how to apply for different funding. Panelists from local banks and economic development specialists will be on hand, according to Lake County News. The second workshop will be on July 17th at the A+H General Store in Kelseyville at 5pm. It will focus on a “Marketing and Photography for Small Business” class. Topics will include communications, social media strategy and trends as well as basic graphic design.
Fort Bragg will have their Independence Day Fireworks tomorrow, on the 1st of July at 9:30pm. People can watch from the South Coastal Trail at Noyo Headlands, Pomo Bluffs Park, and the Todd Point Parking Area. The city is reminding people that they will enforce a zero-tolerance approach to illegal fireworks as well as open containers of alcohol. There will be the Point Arena Fireworks Extravaganza at Arena Cove tomorrow as well.
Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall announced the launch of the Citizen Connect platform. The program allows people to see incidents and events throughout the community and interact with the software. The Sheriff says they will also have alerts and other public information posted there. Users can see a map with filters for date, locations and more. With different map views and data points, Kendall hopes the platform will help people better protect their home and families throughout the county. You can get to the program by going to the Sheriff website, click on publications, and choose Citizen Connect.
