KUKI News

Congressman Mike Thompson has been named chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures within the House Committee on Ways and Means. Among other things, Thomspon said this appointment will enable him to continue standing up for communities devastated by disaster, and implement infrastructure and renewable energy policies

Strong winds and heavy rainfall left many without power and roads flooded in Lake and Mendocino Counties yesterday – and more rain is on the way.

In Mendocino County, Caltrans has closed the following: State Route 175 in Hopland at the Russian River due to flooding; State Route 128 from State Route 1 to about Navarro Ridge Road due to flooding of the Navarro River; State Route 1 at the Garcia River, just north of Point Arena, due to the flooding of the Garcia River. There is no estimated time to reopen any of the locations. [Nah-var-row]

There is localized flooding on some streets in Lakeport. Martin Street is closed between Forbes and Russell Streets due to flooding. Road closure signs are up. Use Armstrong Street to detour around the flooded area. Other areas where there has been standing water include: Hartley and 16th Street, and Lakeshore Blvd from Green to Sayer.

A partnership has been announced between the Lakeport Police Department and Lake County Behavioral Health Services. The Lakeport City Council and Lake County Board of Supervisors authorized the agreement which will allow crisis staff to work directly with police officers in the field and at the LPD station. Starting this month, LCBHS crisis staff will be working out of the station and with police officers in the field. This agreement is part of a collaborative spirit between the two agencies and is expected to help police provide better service to those in need of Behavioral Health assistance. Local Lake County statistics show that approximately 60% of behavioral health clients have initial contact with law enforcement prior to being escorted to a hospital.

Butte County has filed a lawsuit against PG&E over the deadly Camp Fire. The county seeks to recover damages and lost resources. That wildfire destroyed over 18,000 structures and killed at least 86 people.

The Lakeport City Council has approved the donation from Bank of America of its property located at 500 North Main Street. The building is valued at $455,000. Under the deal, the ATM will remain at that location. The city’s current plan for the building is to use it as a community center. Futher discussions will be held on the building’s use. All of the remaining legalities involved should completed within the next few weeks.

During today’s meeting, the Ukiah City Council may agree to declare a homeless shelter crisis. The declaration is needed for certain projects to qualify for Homeless Emergency Aid Program grant funding from the state. In order for Ukiah to be able to apply for and use funds for capital improvements that are related to affordable housing or existing service providers’ facilities, the city must declare a shelter crisis by resolution.

A town hall meeting which will address a proposed Dollar General store location in Upper Lake has been moved to a larger venue for this evening. The Western Region Town Hall, which serves Upper Lake, Nice, Blue Lake, Bachelor Valley, and Lake Pillsbury, usually holds meetings at the Upper Lake Senior Center on Mendenhall Avenue. But due to an anticpated larger crowd, the meeting has been moved ot the Habematolel Tribal Room on Main Street in Upper Lake. The meeting starts at 5PM.

PG&E is reassuring its retirees their pension and benefits are safe after announing this week that they intend to file Chapter 11 at the end of this month due to pending liabilities from 2017 and 2018 wildfires. PG&E says no changes are expected to the company’s tax-qualified pension plan or to health or life insurance benefits. The utility also says they don’t expect any impact to electric or natural gas service for customers as a result of the Chapter 11 process
.

A retired superintendent has been named interim supertintendent for the Lakeport Unified School District. On a 3-1 vote, the board selected Patrick Iaccino, who was superintendent of Upper Lake Unified School District until he retired in June of 2017. He most recently made an unsuccessful bid to become Lake County’s superintendent of schools. Iaccino will help in the process of choosing a permanent superintendent for the district.

Pacific Gas and Electric is announcing plans to declare bankruptcy around the end of the month.  Under a new state law, the utility has to give at least 15 days notice to employees. PG&E faces billions of dollars in liability because of recent wildfires.  The company is reportedly in discussions with some of its lenders about a financing package worth up to $5 billion that would allow it to continue operating during bankruptcy proceedings.