California’s Proposition One has reportedly passed by a narrow margin. The mental health bond backed by Governor Newsom got enough votes to pass as of Wednesday’s updated vote count. It means California will be using 6.4 billion dollars in bond funding to build housing and residential treatment facilities for people with mental illness. It also requires counties to spend more tax revenue on housing and programs for homeless people with serious mental illnesses. Newsom postponed Monday’s planned state of the state speech because the vote was still too close to call. In a social media post, he called it “a huge victory” and “the biggest change California has seen in decades.”
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputy who was severely injured in a fiery crash at the end of a police chase on March 4th is stable and recovering. That’s according to his labor union, the Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The deputy, Nicholas Dellia, was accidentally hit by a fellow deputy’s patrol car. He suffered severe burns on his back that required surgery. The suspect, who fired more than 50 rounds at deputies, died from injuries he suffered after the crash.
A man with a history of domestic violence stands accused of murder in Mendocino County. Johnathon Draughan is in Mendocino County Jail this morning facing a felony count of murder and other charges stemming from the shooting of a Covelo woman. It happened Wednesday morning when Brandy Mathieson called police to report her boyfriend had a gun. While she was on the phone with dispatchers, they reportedly heard gunshots. Draughan then picked up the phone and reportedly told the dispatcher he’d shot Mathieson. Deputies arrived to find Draughan, Mathieson, and their 2 year old child in the home. According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, he was arrested without incident. Mathieson died at the scene. The child was taken to a hospital to be seen for injuries that were reportedly unrelated to the incident. Court reports said the suspect was under a criminal protective order that was issued last month.
T-Mobile will be handing Ukiah city officials a big check this afternoon. It’s part of T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program. Ukiah city officials will be awarded $50 thousand to help with upgrades to the United Disaster Relief of Northern California Resource Center. The Center serves as a sanctuary for fire and disaster survivors, and the grant money will help create a warm, home like environment for those impacted by disaster, according to a press release. The center will get improvements to their lounge area, including new furniture, upgraded technology, toys and games for children. The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program is a $25 million, five year initiative to support small towns across the country by helping to fund community development projects. They’ll present the check at 2:30 in a public ceremony at the UDRNC Resource Center on Airport Park Boulevard in Ukiah.
The 3rd annual Born to Breath 2024 youth media festival uses young voices to speak out against commercial tobacco use, and they’re looking for entries. The festival is taking submissions now from youth in Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties. Anyone between the ages of 13 and 24 is invited to send artwork, songs, videos, or other media that talks about ways to tackle the issue of nicotine use. Cash prizes are up for grabs. Entries need to be in by April 5th. Get the details here.
