Police in Fort Bragg say they’re investigating a reported animal cruelty case. The police department say officers answered a call Thursday afternoon in the 100 block bloc Boatyard Drive, where they say they served a warrant and found a two year old pit bull who was taken to the vet—and later to a shelter where the animal is getting care. Police say they got several tips about the case and while that as of now, no one has been charged or arrested that information has been handed over to the DA for review Investigators want to hear from anyone with additional tips about what might have happened to the dog.
The U S Forest service says a fire ban that had been in effect in the Mendocino National Forest has been lifted. Officials say as of now, anyone with a current California Campfire Permit can legally have open campfires or camp stoves outside designated areas. They say the cooler weather, longer nights and some rain led them to pull back the burn restrictions. In spite of that, the forest service says fire safety should still be top of mind for campers. That includes following guidelines– like making sure the burn area is clear of any nearby flammable material, keeping close watch on your fire and putting that fire completely out before you leave. Those campfire permits are free and available from the forest service, the BLM and CalFire.
A new agreement between CalFire and the Nature conservancy could cut the risk of devastating wildfires. They have announced a memorandum of understanding that stresses the importance of prescribed burns as a forest management tool. Under their plan there will be more training about those burns and more public education about their benefits as well.. Officials say it’s the first time a state firefighting agency and a non-profit environmental group have joined together on a prescribed fire strategy. The Nature Conservancy says the best way to fight wildfires is to practice sound forest management before the flames start.
Officials in Clearlake say the city is missing out on millions of dollars in tax revenue because tax default sales haven’t gone off on a regular schedule. Treasurer Barbara Riggen told the county board of supervisors this week that a tax sale planned earlier this year was canceled but that her office is working on the next one that will take place in March. Clearlake city manager Alan Flora says he’s glad that plans for a sale are moving forward because there are around 3,400 tax delinquent properties in the city—whose owners owe a total of around 5.3 million in back taxes. Ringen says as many as 300 of those properties could go on the auction block in March if those owners don’t pay up
Efforts continue to improve broadband infrastructure in Lakeport. The City council—hearing as report this week from a group that is looking at high speed internet in the city. The Upstate California Connect Consortium says 79 percent of city residents are hooked up to broadband—while the city has set a goal of 98 percent The consortium says reaching that figure will require getting more information from those currently connected—and new policies that encourage providers to expand. City officials say they’re also working with the Lake Country Economic Development Corporation to increased connectivity to the city. Nine providers currently serve Lakeport— but only four of them offer residential service.
The annual Lake/ Mendocino veterans stand down continues today in Lakeport. Around 60 vets showed up at the first day of the stand down on Wednesday, where they were able to get information about programs that are available to them and others who have served. Organizers say the stand down is an important way to reach veterans from any era, many of whom may need assistance but don’t know where to get it. Today’s event runs from 9:00 to 4:00 at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Martin Street.
A new poll says Senator Kamala Harris is well behind in the 20-20 democratic presidential race. The Emerson college survey puts Harris in 5th place among the 21 candidates with 6 percent support of those asked. The poll shows that Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren each come in at 26 percent, while 20 percent favor Bernie Sanders and 7 percent like entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
The president of the University of California is stepping down. Janet Napolitano has led the U C system since 2013 but says the time is right for her to step down. She’ll stay on until August. Before her University job, Napolitano served as homeland security secretary in the Obama administration.
