The Lakeport Volunteer Fire District is buying a new utility vehicle and trailer, after a donation. The District volunteer association raised more than $36,000, which will go toward a UTV that the district will use in an off-road rescue program. The volunteers held a variety of fundraisers over the past couple of years to come up with the donation.
The Mendocino Land Trust is getting a big grant for a small butterfly. The state Wildlife Conservation Board is putting up 1-point-6 million dollars to help get the Behren’s Silverspot butterfly off the federal endangered species list. Butterfly experts from several agencies will work together across 53 acres to restore the butterfly’s habitat by getting rid of invasive species and putting in 35,000 pollinators like native grasses, violets, and other nectar-rich species. That restoration will take several seasons. The Behren’s Silverspot was once a common site along the coast, but its population has dwindled as its habitat diminished.
It doesn’t feel like fishing time out on the lake right now, but the bass season is just a couple of months off. Registration opened today for the 36 annual Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament on March 16 to 17. The early birds get the early worm, with the blast start of the tourney going in the order that anglers sign up. There is an entry fee, with 80 percent of the money going back into the prize pool. The event is run by the American Bass Association and is sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has information on its website.
Getting a permit from the Mendocino County Division of Environmental Health and Planning and Building Services might seem like a challenge but you’ll have a chance next month to learn more about the process and suggest changes.. They’re inviting stakeholders to a workshop on February 13, where they’ll give an overview and take feedback on how to make permitting more accessible. The meeting is at 10 AM at the County Administration complex in Ukiah. You can also comment and take part in a webinar online. We have the links on our website.
(comments: pbs webinar: https://mendocinocounty.zoom.us/j/88169347865)
California is getting a boost to its EV charging infrastructure. The US Department of Transportation is giving CalTrans almost 64 million dollars to fix and install more than 1,000 chargers at 300 sites statewide. CalTrans Tony Tavres says the money will help build a more modern transportation system and help the state reach its climate goals. California has more than 42,000 chargers already, more than any other state.
We need to get past the 2024 election first, but one veteran California politician already has her eyes on 2026. California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins has put in her papers to run for governor in two years. She is one of the few people to have led both the Senate and Assembly and has filled in for the Governor several times. The first way back when Jerry Brown led the state.
