Experts say low oxygen in the water likely caused the mass fish die-off at Clear Lake back in September. Luis Santana, who’s leading the study, told county supervisors this week that oxygen levels dropped too low for fish to survive, affecting species like bass, crappie, and catfish. Scientists think a natural lake turnover event, when water layers mix and disrupt oxygen, was to blame. Officials say the conditions were strange this year but seem to fit a pattern tied to droughts, floods, and seasonal shifts.
A new poll suggests majority support for Proposition 50. The survey of likely voters from the Public Policy Institute of California says 56 percent of those asked are for the measure, with 43 percent against. That lines up with the results of other recent polls. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom, who is behind the plan, says supporters have raised enough money and don’t need any more donations. . Opponents say they aren’t surprised by the poll numbers because they’re being outspent two-to-one.
California Congressman Mike Thompson is pushing to bring back the clean energy tax breaks that were wiped out earlier this year. His new proposal, the Energy Independence and Affordability Act, would restore credits for solar, wind, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient homes, incentives he says helped lower costs and create jobs. Thompson argues the move will boost U.S. manufacturing and keep America competitive in the global energy market. More than 100 Democrats have signed on to the bill, which is already drawing support from major environmental organizations.
Firefighters battled a major house fire late Wednesday on Leafwood Drive in Mendocino County. The Redheaded Blackbelt reports the blaze started around 9:15 p.m. and quickly tore through the home’s second floor before crews pulled back for safety. Multiple departments spent hours working the fire, finally knocking it down just before midnight. Deputies said no other homes were threatened but asked neighbors to steer clear while crews cleaned up. No word of any injuries.
We’re learning more about that tense police standoff in Ukiah earlier this week. Police say 43-year-old Armando Garcia of Santa Clara forced his way into a woman’s apartment on East Gobbi Street with what looked like a gun, triggering a shelter-in-place order. SWAT officers later found Garcia inside and arrested him without incident, recovering an imitation firearm and suspected narcotics. He’s now facing a long list of charges, plus several outstanding felony warrants from other counties.
Street vendors in Mendocino County will soon have more privacy protections under a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Street Vendor Business Protection Act stops local governments from sharing vendors’ personal data with law enforcement unless there’s a warrant. It also blocks agencies from asking about immigration status or requiring background checks for vending permits. Ukiah vendor Adrian Mata says the change will let immigrant-owned businesses keep doing what they love — serving up food and culture without fear.
A Sonoma County animal rights activist could spend time behind bars after being found guilty of taking live chickens from a poultry plant. Zoe Rosenberg was found guilty of trespassing and other counts this week following a seven-week trial. Prosecutors had said she took four chickens from a Perdue Plant poultry farm. She could get up to five years in prison when she is sentenced. Rosenberg hasn’t denied taking the birds, but claimed she wasn’t breaking the law because she was rescuing the chickens.
Eric Sharp
(361) 652-1993
