Authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle versus tractor-trailer crash in Lake County. Last night just after 7pm, CHP reports the collision happened between Lucerne and Pepperwood Grove on Highway 20. A Dodge truck hauling a backhoe hit the motorcycle head-on when the motorcycle crossed over into the eastbound lane. The westbound rider, from Willits was thrown from the bike and crushed under the utility truck. He was pronounced dead within minutes of the accident. The driver and passenger in the truck weren’t injured.
Representative Mike Thompson is urging local residents to get safe storage for firearms as the Commerce Department approved lifting the tariffs on various gun safes. This week, Thompson visited the Clearlake Tractor Supply store in Lake County. He says the tariffs being lifted on gun safes will help save lives and keep firearms in secure locations. Lake County News reports last year there were 355 unintentional shootings by children in the US and Thompson says stats like that can be lowered with a good gun safe.
A newly discovered comet is traveling over the skies in northern California. Tuesday morning, the green comet named Nishimura came the closest to earth with a long white tail. The Sac Bee reports the comet was discovered in Japan last month. Because of its angle, you can only catch it with the naked eye near sunset or sunrise according to NASA. Scientists say to look close to the horizon near to Venus. After today, it may disappear from sight to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
The ‘junk fees’ bill is heading to the governor’s desk. SB 478 expands on the White House proposal banning pervasive and deceptive practices. Attorney General Bonta is supporting the bill that would halt secretive and hidden fees from consumers. Lake County News reports 85 percent of Americans have paid hidden fees of around $28 billion per year. California could penalize companies that fail to comply with new rules, if Newsom signs the bill. Bonta says the bill fights for consumers for a “fair and transparent marketplace.”
The Fort Bragg Food Bank has new hours. In a Mendocino News Plus social media post, the Choice Pantry hours are Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 4pm. The food bank will be closed on Thursdays, but open on Fridays from 10am to 4pm. Curbside distribution will happen Monday through Friday from 10am to noon.
The Noyo Harbor District and Mendocino Coast Humane Society will benefit from the Wonton and Clam Chowder Cook Off this weekend. The event on the north side of Noyo Harbor will include live music and vendors, a corn hole tournament and kids activities. The event runs Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm with winners announced Sunday at 4pm.
Governor Newsom is announcing the state is investing over $267 million to combat organized retail crime. The Board of State and Community Corrections is considering awarding funding to 55 local law enforcement agencies across the state. Lake County News reports from the governor’s office that the funding would help the Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan and is due to be released on October 1st to prevent and investigate cases of organized retail theft and to prosecute more suspects. Newsom says “Californians will soon see more takedowns, more police and more felony prosecutions. Law enforcement departments including Sonoma County are set to get over $23 million each in the efforts.
Firefighters are still battling the Smith River Complex. A fuel mix-up at the base of operations created widespread emergency vehicle malfunctions Friday, according to the US Forest Service. KRCR reports 42 vehicles were filled with the wrong kind of fuel, causing havoc. Sunday, local tow trucks were headed to retrieve 24 disabled vehicles from the fireline. As of this morning, the Smith River Complex is at 21 percent containment and covers over 86,000 acres. Locally, hazy skies may bring down air quality a bit in Mendocino County.
The California State University Board of Trustees is set to vote today on a tuition increase for its schools. The CSU system wants to increase tuition fees by 300 dollars a semester and that could be a heavy burden for some students. students in 5 years could expect to pay an additional $13,000 per year if the tuition increase goes through according to a current student. The increase would generate more than $148 million in revenue in the first year.
Senator Alex Padilla introduced new legislation to improve disaster relief and to help specialty crop farmers recover from catastrophic circumstances. The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act could help California growers who produce high-value specialty crops. High land costs and escalating expenses have pushed many specialty farms out of business. ABC News reports the bill would waive adjusted gross income restrictions preventing some farmers from getting relief under USDA disaster relief programs.
Governor Newsom will decide if food additives in snacks like Skittles will be banned in the state. The California Food Safety Act would ban the manufacture, sale or distribution of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye number 3. The LA Times reports the bill passed the Assembly yesterday and is on the governor’s desk. If Newsom signs the bill, it would take effect January 1st in 2027 and could fine companies up to $10,000 for violations. Lawmakers say they don’t want to ban skittles and other candies, but get them to change their recipes. Former California Governor Schwarzenegger is supporting the bill. He said its common sense, with one of the ingredients banned from lipstick 30 years ago because it caused cancer in lab rats.
The California Department of Public Health is recommending all residents stay up to date on the vaccine for COVID. The department says Californian’s 5 years and older should get an updated vaccine if it’s been 2 months or more since their most recent dose. Health officials are urging vaccination for people who are at high risk of serious illness. They say it’s crucial for everyone to stay up to date with vaccinations including for the flu and RSV. Supplies of the updated COVID 19 vaccine are expected in California in the coming weeks. The vaccines will continue to be free for most Americans through their insurance including MediCal.
West Nile has been confirmed in Cloverdale. The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed the virus yesterday in adult mosquitoes. Officials say the infected bugs are the first to test positive for the virus in Sonoma and Marin Counties this year. The Press Democrat reports a couple of birds nearby also tested positive for West Nile. Vector control officials are looking for sources of mosquitoes and say they are continuing to trap, test and monitor areas of concern. The district is urging residents to report mosquito problem areas and remove any standing water in their yards. As always, wear DEET, avoid skin exposure around dawn and dusk to protect yourself and your family.
The Point Arena Lighthouse feline is making social media fame with her own Instagram account and is listed as one of the lighthouse’s official guest relations managers. Arena Mina can be seen in a TikTok video released last week. A local visiting the lighthouse filmed the kitty walking by the residential lodges and calls the cat fearless. The lighthouse has a couple of books about the cat and merchandise
The California Legislature approved a ban on forever chemicals, or PFAS, used in the manufacturing of artificial turf. AB 1423 is headed to the Governor, and would take effect on January 1st, 2026. Artificial turf has recently been shown to expose athletes in dust from the PFAS used in its production. Lake County News reports as sports fields’ age they give off small particles of the chemicals which can be inhaled or ingested and released into the environment and water sources. Those PFAS can remain in the air, water and soil indefinitely. Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont have also introduced bills to regulate PFAS in turf, California would be the first to approve a ban.
The Mendocino-Lake Community College District is holding the Board of Trustees meeting this afternoon at 4pm. Their agenda includes a conference with a labor negotiator and with legal counsel on existing litigation. The board will consider a challenge to the content of student records. There will be a report on the Mendocino College Foundation and a first reading of the College and Careers Access Pathways. The board may adopt the 2023-2024 budget. The board will go over new personnel and discuss reclassification of the management team and go over the Board of Trustees Self-Evaluation Tool.
