The Ukiah City Council has approved moving forward with an ordinance that aims to protect local agriculture as the city prepares to potentially annex land currently in Mendocino County jurisdiction. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that according to Planning Manager Katherine Schaefers, the ordinance supports both agricultural preservation and future annexation efforts. Also discussed at last week’s meeting, cannabis cultivation, and how to maintain certain county provisions for outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation that stay aligned with the city’s discretionary permitting requirements for cannabis businesses. Schaefers discussed how critical it is for the city to refine commercial cannabis regulations, so it remains in compliance with state law, given California’s dual regulatory system.
Coming up this Sunday is “Sips for the Symphony,” Ukiah’s Symphony Orchestra’s second benefit fundraiser at the Dancing Crow Vineyards. Musicians include guitarists Will Siegel, Phillip Lenberg, Alex de Grassi and members of the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet. Tickets include a glass of Dancing Crow wine along with food catered by Nicholas Petti and the Mendocino College Culinary Arts Program. There will also be an auction to raise money for the Symphony. It all starts at 2 p.m. March 2 and limited tickets available online ukiahsymphony.org.
A preliminary hearing resumes today in the Chamise Cubbison criminal case regarding the participation of key county officials allegedly worked to oust the Mendocino County Auditor-Controller. The Daily Journal reports that Mendocino County CEO Darcie Antle is set to face serious questioning when she testifies about events leading up to Cubbison’s suspension by the Board of Supervisors in back in October 2023. Court documents state that Antle, was part of the county administrators who supported the forced consolidation of two independent county financial offices. It’s said they hoped to eventually create a new Department of Finance under control of the county Supervisors. You should know that in fact, the Board did force the office of the Auditor-Controller Office along with the Treasurer-Tax Collector to consolidate, but the plan to create a new Department of Finance requires voter approval. The political fallout from the Cubbison case signals that a county-wide election is not likely to happen anytime soon.
The Lake County Bookmobile continues to serve the community as it makes its weekly trip around Clear Lake, with its 1 year anniversary. County Librarian Christopher Veach wants everyone to know that if you can’t come to the library, it can come to you. You should know that some reading materials even come in Spanish, and that it also comes with Honor Charge books. Bookmobile driver and library assistant Brandon Mach explains those books are not tracked by the system, and anyone can take those books for as long as they need to finish them. He says it’s incredibly important to make the service available to everyone, including those in wheelchairs as they are ADA compliant. The Record Bee reports that it’s not just books that the Bookmobile provides for rent and reading. You can also lease a Wi-Fi hot spot and Chromebooks if you are unable to do so on your own. Interesting to note, the Bookmobile will soon be available for special events.
The Record Bee reporting that at last week’s Lakeport City Council, discussions centered on changes Cal Fire proposed in fire risk severity assessments. City Manager Kevin Ingram says that the city will schedule public hearings in a month on the proposed changes regarding the city’s mapping at risk areas. Lakeport Fire Chief Jim Wright says they are currently working with a $4 million operating budget, which supports 12 full-time firefighters, three Type 1 structure engines, two type 3 brush wildland fire engines, one ladder truck, two ambulances. He says the department anticipates acquiring another ladder truck within the next one to three years and that they also have two fire rescue watercrafts. By the way, the Fire Department responded to 2,800 calls for service over the past year.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced Sunday that a new program called "Engaged California" will be launching soon. The program is expected to bring together community voices and viewpoints on a digital platform. "Engaged California" hopes to draw interaction from all walks of life to find common ground and help set priorities for government action. Those that wish to participate can visit engaged-dot-C-A-dot-gov to sign up.
Yet another agency will review California’s energy costs. The Little Hoover Commission will meet to discuss rising electricity costs in California. They aim to find ways to make energy more affordable while maintaining green energy goals, focusing on programs funded by ratepayers. The online meeting starts at 10 a.m. on Thursday and includes a 30-minute public comment period. More details are available on the commission’s website at ihc.ca.gov.
California homeowners bank accounts are gonna take a hit with higher insurance costs. Two major companies plan to raise their rates for over 600 thousand residents this year. Mercury General, the fifth-largest insurer, will raise rates by 12 percent in late March. Safeco, part of Liberty Mutual, which is the state’s fourth-largest insurer, will increase rates by seven percent in May.
