Regional
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The shadowy rail operation would utilize a portion of the now defunct North Coast rail route, which runs approximately 320 miles between Marin and Humboldt counties. The coal would then be loaded onto ships in Humboldt Bay, sold overseas, and burned.
Sen. McGuire's SB 307, which was introduced last week, would help stop that proposal, or anything like it in the future, in its tracks.
“This toxic coal train would run through the heart of so many thriving communities and along the Russian and Eel Rivers, which are the main source of drinking water for nearly one million residents,” Sen. Mike McGuire said. “This dangerous proposal must be stopped, which is why we have introduced SB 307. This critical bill will ban any state funding from being invested to improve the rail line for coal shipments north of Willits and it bans any state funding to build out a potential coal storage terminal at the Port of Humboldt. No way, no how are we going to let this happen.”
The secrecy behind the toxic coal train is completely offensive, as well as the fact these bad actors have met behind closed doors with some local officials to try and make this toxic dream a reality.
This anonymous group has also filed a request to kill the build out of the Great Redwood Trail. The Trail, which will be the longest contiguous rail-trail in America, would stretch from the bustling waters of San Francisco Bay to the fog-shrouded redwood shores of Humboldt Bay.
SB 307 explicitly states that state money cannot be spent to initiate, improve or operate rail service on the now defunct North Coast rail line north of the City of Willits. Further, it bans state money from being spent on the build out of any new bulk coal terminal facilities within the County of Humboldt.
In addition, Sen. McGuire has made significant progress on the Great Redwood Trail. SB 69, which was approved in the Assembly by a vote of 71-0 and then in the Senate by 38-0, will close down the North Coast Railroad Authority, or NCRA, once and for all, and transfer their property and rights to the Great Redwood Trail Agency and to Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART.
The Great Redwood Trail will meander through ancient redwoods, state and national wild lands, oak-studded golden hills and along our incredible rivers. The trail will also be an economic driver for the dozens of rural communities it runs through.
“Coal is the dirtiest and most damaging source of energy out there. It’s the number one cause of global warming and it’s the number one contributor to our climate crisis. The people of the North Coast won’t stand for this. We rallied against Big Oil to protect our coast from offshore drilling — and won. And we will win this fight against Big Coal,” McGuire said.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The virtual open house outlines the process for developing the SR 70-99 CMCP, which is a long-term transportation plan for the corridors in Butte, Sacramento, Sutter and Yuba counties.
Future projects are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving livability in the community through operational improvements, technological advancements and increased multimodal options such as bike and pedestrian facilities, local and express bus routes, and passenger and freight rail.
The CMCP also is developed with equity in mind to minimize impacts to underserved communities.
In addition to the virtual open house, a survey is currently underway through Sept. 30 to solicit valuable feedback from community members that will guide future project development.
The SR 70-99 CMCP covers approximately 90 miles of the SR 99 corridor — beginning in Sacramento County at the junction of I-5, ending in Butte County at the junction with the north end of Esplanade in Chico.
It also covers 56 miles of SR 70, beginning at the SR 99 junction in Sutter County, through Yuba County and ending at the junction of SR 191 in Butte County.
The corridor also includes the entire 5-mile stretch of SR 149 in Butte County, connecting both SR 70 and SR 99.
The SR 70-99 CMCP website is live and will include the virtual open house video and public survey through September 30 at www.Hwy70-99CorridorPlan.com.
For more information about the SR 70-99 CMCP, contact Will Schilling, corridor planning manager, at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
This award is granted to people and organizations across the country who make lasting differences in promoting adoption, permanency, and child welfare.
“Aldea Children and Family Services is a critical lifeline for children who have faced trauma at home. Over the years, the staff there have helped nearly 4,000 people improve their lives and heal past trauma and we are so proud of their work. That’s why I am thrilled that Aldea has been chosen as this year’s Angel in Adoption for our district and proud to honor its work today.”
Based in Napa and Solano County, Aldea Children and Family Services is a Key Foster Family Agency that helps more than 3,900 people each year.
Aldea helps government agencies support children who are removed from their homes by finding them treatment, foster care and adoption services, and support and mental health treatment.
These services allow children to heal from past trauma and allow families to build healthy relationships.
The Angels in Adoption Program is run by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and honors people and organizations that promote strong adoption, permanency, and child welfare programs across the county.
Each year they recognize individuals who are dedicated to these issues and make a deep national impact.
You can click here to learn more.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Pending family notifications, the California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office did not release the names of the five victims of the crash, which occurred at 11:04 a.m. Sunday on southbound Highway 101 north of the Ridgewood scale facility.
The CHP said officers were dispatched to the scene, arriving to confirm that the male driver of one of the two vehicles involved had died.
The 29-year-old Covelo man who died was driving a 2000 Acura Integra northbound in the No. 1 lane at approximately 70 miles per hour, the CHP said.
At the same time, a 29-year-old Olivehurst woman was driving a 2009 Dodge Ram pickup within the No. 1 lane southbound, also at 70 miles per hour, the CHP report said.
For unknown reasons, the CHP said the Covelo man allowed his vehicle to cross over the double yellow lines dividing the north and southbound lanes, heading directly toward the Dodge.
The left front of the Acura hit the left front of the Dodge, causing the pickup to hit a guardrail and overturn, the CHP said.
The CHP said the Acura came to rest on its wheels within the highway’s No. 2 southbound lane, while the pickup came to rest on its roof within the same lane, south of the Acura.
Firefighters helped the Dodge pickup’s driver and her three passengers — a 9-year-old boy and two girls, ages 7 and 4 — out of the truck, the CHP reported.
The pickup’s driver sustained major injuries and was taken to Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital for treatment, as were the children, who the CHP said had minor injuries.
The Acura’s driver was pronounced dead minutes after authorities arrived on scene, the CHP said.
The CHP said the crash’s cause remains under investigation, however, they’ve determined that neither alcohol nor drugs were involved.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the CHP’s Ukiah Area office at 707-467-4420.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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