Two women who were killed in a head-on collision last week in Lake County have been identified. Lisa Lopez of Lakeport was driving a Nissan east on Highway 20 on December 26th just before 9pm when she veered over the double yellow lines and crashed into Kimberly Mitchell of Redwood Valley driving west in a Honda, according to the Press Democrat. They collided west of Bachelor Valley Road near Upper Lake. Emergency personnel and CHP found the two women and pronounced them dead at the scene. CHP is investigating whether alcohol was a factor. The families of both Lopez and Mitchell started GoFundMe pages to support the families and funeral expenses.
Over 900 acres of formerly private land has been transferred to public ownership in the Sanhedrin Wilderness. In a release from the Wilderness Land Trust in MendoFever, the group says the property is known as the Thomas Creek Project and is a link between lower elevation habitats and mature fir forests and is a vital wildlife corridor between the Sanhedrin Wilderness to the north and National Forest lands to the south. The project is a high conservation priority for the Trust and National Forest due to its resilience and high threat of development. The Trust with the Forest Service at Mendocino National Forest along with federal officials have been working on the transfer, that was made possible by Land and Water Conservation funds, with support from Representative Huffman, and the late Senator Diane Feinstein.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife along with Trout Unlimited and Cal Fire are holding a public salmon spawning survey. It’s happening at the Jackson State Demonstration State Forest on the 6th of January at Camp 1 at 10am. Salmon will be headed up stream after circling in the estuary. The first several fish were seen at the monitoring station on December the 3rd. Recent storms motivated the salmon to move, and officials say January the 6th will be an active day for the monitoring team in action.
The Deep Valley Arts Collective is announcing its first exhibition of 2024 called “Big Works” on display at the Medium Art Gallery in Ukiah from the 5th through February 18th. They’re looking for artists to submit works in all mediums. Artists can showcase their skills with size the only limit. In a release issued in MendoFever, the collective says the opening reception will be during First Friday Art walk this week from 5 to 8pm with music beer and wine and more.
Get a look inside the new CHP training facility in a new reality series called “Cadets.” Lake County News reports the show based on a live-in CHP training program will premier on January 17th on the CHP’s YouTube page. It’s a nine part series on a new cadet class and their six month training CHP Academy to become officers with the department. The series features “ride-alongs” with cadets as they work to become physically strong and knowledgeable on the way to earning their badge. CHP says the docu-series is a testament to the CHP’s commitment to excellence, diversity and pursuit of transforming people from all walks of life into dedicated officers ready to serve.
Crab season is still on hold. The season starts today from the Sonoma County line north to the Oregon border, but with high swells of 15 plus feet, crabbers are waiting for safer seas. The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement yesterday, so some are delaying their foray out into the waters. MendoVoice reports Northern California crabbers have dealt with delays due to whale migration, causing crabbers valuable income. There is a delay for crabbers south of the Sonoma and Mendocino Counties as whales are feeding near the surface in fishing zones around the Bay Area.
The first day of California’s legislative session was interrupted by protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel Hamas war. The AP reports the Assembly was forced to adjourn soon after convening. Protesters were heard saying “Cease fire now” and “Let Gaza live.” There were some banners saying “Jews say never again for anyone.” Assemblymember Jim Wood tried to continue despite singing from the crowds, presiding over the session he ended up calling for a recess. Almost all the lawmakers left the floor. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said he supports First Amendment rights, but the only impact from the protest was a delay in the legislature doing the people’s work.
New Clearlake City Mayor David Claffey took his seat for the first time last night in the City Council Meeting. Claffey honored outgoing mayor Russ Perdock, saying 2023 was one of the city’s most successful years. The first meeting of the year also yielded new appointments, with the new mayor saying they’ll remain the same. The City Manager asked for two more committees in partnership with the Elem Indian Colony which recently came to an agreement with Clearlake for a new travel center. Lake C ounty News reports former mayor Perdock would sit on that committee with the tribe. There was an update on the mixed income project near the senior center that is almost done with a temporary certificate of occupancy. The 79 affordable units will be ready for move-in on the 20th. City hall renovations are also almost done and staff is moving back into city hall.
More rain and hazardous beach conditions will continue along the coastline with near freezing temperatures at the end of the weekend. High surf is expected today, with risk levels categorized as moderate. The Press Democrat reports there could be areas with waves up to 25 feet tall, and swimmers and boaters are urged to stay on shore. Forecasters say ocean conditions should ease tomorrow but a quarter inch of rain is possible. Sunday, rain should move out but low temperatures will creep in with frost advisories in some areas.
PG&E began charging 13 percent more for power on the first day of the year. The hike, expected to cost families about $30 a month more, is slated to underground power lines and other fire mitigation efforts, according to NBC. The utility has filed another rate hike request for an additional $14 a month for the average customer, to pay for storm repairs and more. And more hikes may be on the way, with shareholders information noting even more is needed to recoup billions PG&E already spent. Some report the rate hikes may increase up to about $100 a month by the end of the year, for the average family. PG&E says it has storms and other unexpected events to deal with that have cost the company significantly, as well as undergrounding lines to secure them from wildfire and more.
The highly pathogenic avian flu is devastating some Sonoma County poultry farms, and across the state. More than three million birds have been put down in the state now. A month ago, outbreaks in Petaluma resulted in a quarter million birds euthanized. It’s affecting the egg market locally. The Executive Director for Sonoma County Farm Bureau says the illness is crippling the entire poultry industry in the county. KGO reports after some of the largest outbreaks last month, there was two more last week. It may result in higher prices of eggs. Bay area restaurants depend on local duck and other poultry production but that has stopped. The California Poultry Federation reports they’ve likely lost over three million chickens, ducks and turkeys. Farms are taking extra measures to keep their flocks protected.
The Ukiah Photography Club is announcing its first meeting of the year will be tomorrow at the Medium Art Gallery from 10am till noon. The Willits News reports the club has a new theme each month, and January is “Windows.” All submissions are welcome in any perspective the photographer wants. The club is a group of Mendocino County digital and film photographers with ranges in style, experience and skill. Monthly meetings include instruction, critiques and discussion with professionals and amateurs alike.
