We all know that a lousy night’s sleep can leave us feeling drained the next day. Now a study by UC San Francisco has found another reason to catch more Z’s: poor sleep is tied to significantly higher odds of experiencing atrial fibrillation, or A-Fib — irregular heartbeats that can lead to blood clots, heart failure, stroke and other heart-related problems — the following day.

A bad night of sleep was associated with a 15% greater risk of having an A-Fib episode, and continued poor sleep was associated with longer episodes of A-Fib.

The researchers noted that it is important to treat underlying disease that may be causing A-Fib, which is the most common type of arrythmia – when the heart beats too fast or too slow or irregularly.

The new study shows that strategies to improve general sleep quality also may help.

“Treating insomnia can be challenging, but in many cases, there are things within an individual’s control that can meaningfully improve sleep quality,” said corresponding author Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist at UCSF Health.

He suggested going to bed at a reasonable and at a consistent time, avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime, using the bed only for sleep or romance, exercising regularly, keeping the room cool, avoiding naps and waking up at the same time each day.

Sleep quality: the good, the bad and the horrible

UCSF has long been a leader in cardiology treatment, including for heart rhythm disorders. Although the risks associated with A-Fib have been extensively investigated, this is the first time that researchers have seen an immediate connection to poor sleep.

The study tracked 419 patients in the I-STOP-AFIB trial. They rated their sleep quality each night, as either “amazing,” “good,” “average,” “bad” or “horrible,” and used mobile electrocardiograms to measure A-Fib episodes the following day.

The study appears in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

 

Climate change poses the biggest risks to the most vulnerable people, and the same is true for businesses: Highly leveraged companies – those that have accumulated too much debt – are uniquely susceptible to climate shocks. That’s what we found in a forthcoming study in The Review of Corporate Finance that analyzed data from more than 2,500 U.S. publicly listed companies over 16 years.

As professors who study climate finance and corporate governance, we wanted to understand how climate change affects businesses, and how stakeholders – people who have a stake in a firm’s success, such as consumers, employees and investors – respond to it.

So we and our colleagues Sadok El Ghoul at the University of Alberta and Omrane Guedhami at the University of South Carolina conducted a study to examine how climate risk affects indebted companies.

We found that climate change delivers a one-two punch to highly leveraged firms by intensifying the costs that stakeholders impose on them.

Consider consumers. Researchers know that climate change can push people to mix up their purchasing patterns – by buying greener products, for example, or by engaging in boycotts. And while evolving consumer preferences pose a challenge to all businesses, it’s harder for a company that’s deep in debt to adapt.

Our study suggested as much. Two years after facing intense climate change exposure, highly indebted firms saw sales growth fall by about 1.4% on average, we found. In monetary terms, that translates into an average US$59.7 million loss per company.

Climate change also worries investors, we found. Companies exposed to climate risk face the threat of financial and operational disruptions that may drain lenders’ funds, particularly for firms already burdened with high debt. By examining capital issuance within our sample of companies, we found that climate exposure reduced firms’ net debt issuance – meaning new debt minus retired debt – by around $457 million per firm on average. This is an additional hurdle for indebted businesses trying to raise money.

Why it matters

Researchers have long known that indebted companies are at greater risk of product failures and losing market share when economic conditions go south. Having too much debt can even force companies out of business, as some analysts contend happened with Toys R Us.

Our research suggests that climate change, which the World Economic Forum predicts will endanger about 2% of global financial assets by 2100, will push already shaky companies to the brink. It underscores the immense and asymmetric effects global warming will have on businesses – and the reality that the most vulnerable firms are set to endure the worst.

What’s next

Our study highlights the disproportionate impacts of climate change on financially fragile businesses. Moving forward, we plan to explore the influence of climate change on firms’ business behaviors, particularly in terms of their ethical conduct.

Regarding climate solutions, one of us (Huan Kuang) has shown how companies can use innovation to reduce their climate vulnerabilities. In a working paper co-authored with Bing Liang of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, every 1% increase in climate-related innovation – as measured by patent data – was found to reduce firm-level carbon emissions growth by around 100,000 metric tons.

However, indebted firms may not rush to invest in new technologies without some prodding. That means policy incentives will be key to success, and further research is needed to determine what they should look like.

Climate change could also have more complicated economic effects than many people realize. For example, if it forces companies that aren’t viable out of business, that would be a good thing for the economy – at least in theory, as one of us (Ying Zheng) explored in a recent paper on a related subject.

Many questions remain unanswered, but it’s already clear that climate change will have important and multifaceted effects on the future of business. We encourage other researchers to investigate further.

The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

Huan Kuang, Assistant Professor of Finance, Bryant University and Ying (Cathy) Zheng, Associate Professor of Finance, Bryant University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. — The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District is moving forward with key infrastructure projects.

On Monday, Oct. 30, local state and federal officials all gathered together to congratulate the district on the launching of the water tank replacement project.

The water tank being replaced was original to when the Hidden Valley Lake community was developed, back in the late 1960s. While this tank has certainly done its job well, it is now at the end of its useful life.

With the help from the Federal Emergency Management AGency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the California Department of Water Resources and the community’s ratepayers, staff with the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District, or HVLCSD, was able to make this significant project happen.

Congressman Mike Thompson, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, along with Hidden Valley Lake Association Board President Kathy Maynor and CSD Board President Claude Brown were all present to break ground on the project.

With the aging redwood tank in the background, it was clear to the elected officials the urgency of this infrastructure improvement project.

“This improvement project is incredibly important to the residents of Hidden Valley Lake,” Thompson said. “Access to clean water is essential to the health and safety of our community —and it’s clear that this water tank is weathered and in need of improvement. I am proud that funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are helping to make this project and others like it a reality. The groundbreaking on the new water tank is a welcome step to ensure we maintain access to clean water.”

The tank is the first in a series of infrastructure improvements HVLCSD has planned.

In the upcoming months, the district will replace another redwood tank and install backup generators at water pumping stations.

Aguiar-Curry also acknowledged the challenges that small water purveyors face. “This is a project that I love. This brings me back to the time [as mayor of Winters] when I was on similar projects, and how important those projects were.”

“We need infrastructure projects but they are not cheap and we know that. Every small community battles these infrastructure challenges, but they often don’t have the funding to make it happen. This is a fabulous project, thank you to everyone that helped make this happen, thank you for being here,” she said.

The effort to right-size the tank could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of the homeowner’s association, HVLA.

The newly established HVLA easement will make it possible to build larger tanks at this location.

Board President Claude Brown pointed out that “everything starts and ends with our clients and our customers,” which was appreciated by Board President Kathy Maynor.

Mindful of the fact that District 1 of Lake County is the gateway from the Bay Area, Supervisor Simon expressed pride in his district for these continuing improvements.

“I’m proud to be here with Hidden Valley Lake CSD, a great partner and one of the largest communities in Lake County. Thank you for the great project that’s going to be put together here, and as Congressman Thompson said, it is just the beginning,” Simon said.

“I know that the local community, as they look out their doors, and look at this infrastructure being replaced, will know that every step taken will make their lives better and a little bit safer,” he added.

The current tank replacement project is expected to be complete by late 2024.

On Tuesday morning, more than 500 tribal members, dignitaries and students gathered to unveil the first-ever Capitol monument acknowledging tribes residing in the state and their millennia-long, resilient presence on land now known as California.

The historic tribute specifically recognizes the Sacramento region tribes of Wilton Rancheria, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians and Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

The new monument is the 10th addition to a park memorializing California’s firefighters, veterans and public safety officers.

It is the first addition to the park since 2009, when the statue of Thomas Starr King was brought to California from Boston. King was a Civil War-era minister, orator and abolitionist. The park was envisioned in 1863 as a place to reflect and celebrate the state’s history and natural beauty, according to the Capitol Park website.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos — first California Native American elected to the Legislature since statehood in 1850 — authored AB 338 in 2021, which authorized the monument.

“This monument — now a centerpiece of Capitol Park — adds a new and long overdue chapter to California’s relationship with its tribes,” said Ramos. “As a state, we are beginning to tell our history from a broader, more complete, and accurate perspective by including the voice of California Native Americans.” He added, “As Native Americans, we have been invisible, romanticized, minimized, or disparaged for centuries. That is not easily or quickly undone. But today I am proud to be Native American and proud to be a Californian.”

The Miwok skirt dancer portrayed in the monument is modeled after William J. Franklin Sr., the late respected Miwok leader and cultural dancer.

Franklin played a critical role in preserving Miwok dances and traditions, and helped build three Northern California roundhouses, dedicated spaces for Native American ceremonies, songs, dances, and gatherings. Sacramento sculptor Ronnie Frostad designed the project.

“Mr. Franklin was a teacher of native culture and he understood that our stories, songs and culture need to be shared and taught to new generations,” Ramos said. “He would have been pleased to see so many students here, of all ages — and particularly proud to see students from a school recently named Miwok.”

Until June, Miwok Middle School was named after John Sutter, who enslaved Native people during California’s Gold Rush period.

“Today’s unveiling signifies the start of a new era at the California State Capitol, one where we stop uplifting a false narrative and start honoring the original stewards of this land by telling a true and accurate portrayal of California’s journey to statehood,” said Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango. “Every tribe across the state has their own Bill Franklin, a leader who fought to keep our cultures and traditions alive during a time where it was dangerous to do so. This monument serves to thank and honor each one of them.”

Tarango added, “It also celebrates the power California Tribes have when we work together to achieve a common goal. I would like to thank my fellow tribal Leaders and Assemblymember Ramos for their collaboration throughout this legislative process.”

Sara Dutschke, chairperson of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, applauded the joint tribal effort.

“AB 338 [the law authorizing the statue] paved the way for real collaboration and partnership among many of the Miwok tribes of the Sacramento region,” Dutschke said. “Working together, we have achieved an amazing accomplishment: Installation of the very first monument on State Capitol grounds that honors California’s First People. This sort of recognition for our people is long overdue and represents an important step toward telling the true history of California.”

“We are so excited for this day—for this day and this statue to forever be a reminder of where we came from and that if we stand together, we can accomplish anything,” said Lloyd Mathiesen, chairman of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria.

”AB338 is a step toward healing for the hundreds of thousands of our ancestors who lost their lives due to the genocide of the missions led by Junipero Serra,” said Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians Chairwoman Rhonda Pope.

Dignitaries attending the event included state Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Treasurer Fiona Ma, local school board members and other elected officials, regional tribal leaders, and more than 300 students from area schools.

AB 338 (Ramos, 2021) History

1965: Governor Pat Brown signs AB 1124 into law, paving the way for a Father Junipero Serra monument and its maintenance by the state for 50 years.

1967: The Father Junipero Serra monument erected.

July 4, 2020: Protestors topple Father Junipero Serra monument in Capitol Park Jan. 28, 2021: AB 338 is introduced and paves the way for construction and maintenance of a monument honoring California Native American people of the Sacramento region on the grounds of the State Capitol. Supporters of the measure include Barona Band of Mission Indians, California Tribal Business Alliance, Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-wuk Indians of California, California Nations Indian Gaming Association, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

May 27, 2021: California State Assembly approves AB 338 by a vote of 66-2 and moves to the State Senate.

Aug. 24, 2021: Debate takes place on the Senate Floor. The California State Senate approves AB 338 by a vote of 28-2 and heads to the governor’s desk.

Sept. 24, 2021: Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 338 into law.

Nov. 14, 2022: Groundbreaking for the California Native American Monument.

Nov. 7, 2023: Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony for the California Native American Monument.

About William J. Franklin Sr.: Miwok elder and inspiration for Capitol Park Monument

William J. Franklin Sr. was a Miwok Indian leader and cultural preservationist whose efforts to preserve and promote the Miwok and other Native American cultures — most notably, the traditional dances — will be long remembered. He was born in Nashville, California, located in El Dorado County, on Sept. 20, 1912, and crossed over on May 2, 2000.

Franklin was proud of his Native American roots and championed fostering knowledge and respect of California Indians. This included successful lobbying to create a place where California Indians could practice their traditional heritage on historical lands which led to creation of Grinding Rock Park, also known as Grinding Rock-Chaw’se in Pine Grove, California.

He also served as a consultant to the Department of Parks and Recreation and helped build three California roundhouses — dedicated space for ceremony, songs, dances and gatherings.

In 1979, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Franklin to serve on the Native American Heritage Commission.

Even as a young man, he was a farsighted advocate for his people, and petitioned the United States government for land on which the Ione could build homes without fear of being moved.

In the 1940s, Franklin and others founded the Federated Indians of California to voice Native American concerns. About this same time, he also began researching Miwok ceremonial life by assembling regalia, interviewing elders, and collecting songs.

Franklin had been a dancer since the age of 12 at the Jackson Valley roundhouse and refused to let Miwok traditions die.

His many endeavors helped ensure traditional and historic practices continue and continue to inspire younger generations.

At his passing, Franklin was survived by four sons, seven daughters, 38 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

NORTH COAST, Calif. — Two men — one of them from Lake County — are being held for an attempted murder case, with a third man still sought.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said Roberto Chavez-Souza, 28, of Clearlake Oaks and Jose Panduro-Rodriguez, 22, of Mexico are being held for an assault of a 70-year-old Albion man in December 2021.

The report said authorities are still attempting to locate 31-year-old Jose Morfin Aguilar of Santa Rosa.

Lt. Andrew Porter said that at 1:06 a.m. Dec. 3, 2021, Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a report of an assault with a firearm in the 28000 block of Albion Ridge Road in Albion.

The reporting party was able to call 911 even though he had been shot by unknown assailants through his bedroom window, Porter said. The reporting party also advised that he had returned fire with his own firearm after being shot.

Deputies responded to the area with lights and sirens. Prior to the deputies' arrival, a family member of the victim called and stated that he was now with the victim and at least one suspect was observed fleeing on foot downhill into a wooded area.

Sheriff's deputies from all areas of the county responded to Albion as there was a reported suspect, armed with a firearm, in the woods near the victim's residence.

Once there were sufficient deputies on scene, an Adventist Health Mendocino Coast ambulance responded to provide medical treatment to the victim. Porter said the victim was transported to the hospital where he was later transferred to an out of county hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the head.

The victim survived the incident with moderate to major injuries sustained, Porter said.

Porter said Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, while patrol deputies continued their search efforts for the suspects.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., deputies located two male subjects hiding in the brush nearby. Porter said the subjects had no reasonable explanation as to why they were hiding in the brush near the shooting scene and they were found to be from out of county.

Deputies located a firearm, face mask and latex gloves also in the brush near where the suspects were located, Porter said.

Porter said the two suspects, Chavez-Souza and Morfin-Aguilar, were ultimately booked into the Mendocino County Jail for attempted murder and conspiracy.

Both suspects were ultimately released from custody pending additional investigation surrounding the incident, Porter said.

In May of 2022, after additional investigations had been conducted surrounding the circumstances of this case, as well as receiving additional evidence implicating Panduro-Rodriguez, felony arrest warrants were issued for all three suspects, according to Porter.

Porter said Chavez-Souza was arrested in July of 2023 and has been in custody at the Mendocino County Jail since that time.

Jose Morfin-Aguilar has an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for this incident.

Porter said Panduro-Rodriguez, was arrested at the United States Port of Entry by the Customs and Border Patrol in San Diego in October of 2023 on his warrant and unrelated federal charges.

Panduro-Rodriguez was released from federal custody and subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail on Oct. 31, Porter said.

Every year, thousands of people are seriously injured or killed statewide in vehicle crashes caused by distracted drivers — crashes that are 100% preventable.

To address the problem, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is launching a statewide “Distracted Driving Education and Enforcement for Adult Drivers” traffic safety campaign, boosted by a $350,000 federal grant.

The yearlong education and enforcement initiative continues through Sept. 30, 2024.

Throughout the year, the CHP will conduct at least 90 enforcement operations targeting adult distracted drivers.

In parallel with a CHP program targeted at teen drivers, the adult distracted driving campaign also includes 300 adult traffic safety presentations statewide.

“The CHP encourages drivers to make the conscious decision to drive distraction free every time they get behind the wheel of a vehicle,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Every distraction, even for just a few seconds, increases your chances of being involved in a crash. Ultimately, it is never worth the potentially devastating consequences.”

With multiple modes of communication and instant entertainment, cell phone use is the biggest driver distraction.

Between 2019 and 2021, there were a total of 6,343 fatal and injury crashes within CHP jurisdiction stemming from distracted driving.

During those same years, CHP officers issued more than 200,000 citations to drivers violating California’s handsfree law.

Some of the most common types of adult distracted driving includes texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, grooming, operating a navigation system and adjusting the radio.

Public education and increased enforcement are designed to encourage drivers to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and reduce the number of people impacted by this reckless, preventable behavior.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The effort to get a new courthouse for Lake County, now nearly 15 years in the making, is moving forward, with construction expected to begin next year.

The Lake County Superior Court said the new Lakeport courthouse project is nearing the completion of design.

The four-courtroom courthouse will be built at 675 Lakeport Blvd., purchased by the state in 2011 for $1.1 million, after a lengthy site selection process, which included input from justice partners, local government and the public.

The new building will replace the fourth floor of the current courthouse and will provide a safe and secure courthouse, with a jury assembly room, self-help center and attorney/client meeting rooms.

The Judicial Council of California reported that the courthouse project’s current authorized budget is $83,864,000.

It’s the highest priority trial court capital-outlay project in the entire state, court officials reported.

After the current courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. was ranked in the Trial Court Capital Outlay Plan's “Immediate Need Project Priority Group” in 2009, the process of pursuing a new courthouse for Lake County began.

However, the Judicial Council’s plans hit obstacles, including the state’s financial challenges after the Great Recession.

The Lakeport courthouse project has consistently ranked at the top of the statewide list of projects most in need of replacement.

The latest statewide assessment of Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects ranked Lakeport’s courthouse at the top of the statewide prioritized list of projects based on significant overcrowding, security concerns and accessibility challenges.

Last October, the team of Clark/Sullivan Broward Builders + Lionakis was selected as the design-build entity to design and construct the new building.

The Judicial Council, local court and the design-build team have spent the last year designing the new 46,000 square foot building.

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in late spring or early summer 2024 with completion in early 2026.

Additional information can be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/facilities-lake.htm.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees will visit Clearlake this week for special and regular board meetings.

The board will meet at the district’s Lake County Campus at 15880 Dam Road Extension, Rooms 209 to 211 Thursday, Nov. 9.

There will be a special meeting and study session at 2 p.m. for the Student Access and Success Presentation, to be followed by a 3 p.m. closed session and the regular session at 5 p.m.

Agendas and board documents are here.

Those who wish to attend virtually can use this Zoom link; the meeting ID is 869 6439 7914. To call in, dial 1 669 900 6833.

While the future of the Lake County Campus — aligned with Woodland Community College, which is under the umbrella of the larger Yuba Community College District — is not specifically on the agenda, staff and supporters of the college are asking community members to attend and speak during public comment in support of the campus out of concerns that it is not being given the resources needed to continue.

On the agenda is a presentation about the highly respected Lake County Campus Culinary Arts Program, headed by Chef Robert Cabreros.

The board also will discuss the employment of the Lake County Campus’ interim dean.

Following the departure of Dean Ingrid Larsen in September, Patricia Barba has accepted the role on an interim basis. The board must approve the appointment on Thursday.

Other action items will include approval of the hires at Woodland Community College of Geoffrey Hulbert as director of Department of Supportive Programs and Services and Caren Fernandez as the interim assignment for acting director of matriculation and EOPS/CARE Program, and confirmation of the appointments of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee members.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — The Mendocino National Forest is hosting a series of community sessions on post-wildfire recovery to gather a diverse range of public input that will be used to inform future restoration efforts.

Everyone who lives, works or recreates in the forest is encouraged to attend to learn more about the impacts of recent wildfires and share their input on prioritizing investments in its recovery.

Participants will be guided through stations to identify the places and activities they care about most on the forest and to provide input on future conditions.

Families are encouraged to attend and bring their kids for fun activities and to meet Smokey Bear. A Spanish translator will be available.

Input sessions will be interactive and will take about 45 minutes. Community members are invited to come between 5 and 7:30 p.m. No registration is required.

The sessions are as follows.

Wednesday, Nov. 8
Pleasant Valley Recreation Center
2320 North Ave., Chico

Thursday, Nov. 9
Red Bluff Community Center
1500 S Jackson St., Red Bluff

Monday, Nov. 27
Robinson Rancheria
1545 State Highway 20, Nice

Tuesday, Nov. 28
Library Commons
23925 Howard St., Covelo

Nearly 90% of the Mendocino National Forest has burned within the last five years. Land managers have a unique opportunity to develop a post-fire restoration strategy to help build a more resilient landscape for the future. Public feedback will inform a shared vision for restoration after severe wildfires.

These community sessions are possible thanks to a first-of-its-kind collaboration with researchers from the U.S. Forest Service’s Region 5, Pacific Northwest and Southwest Research Stations, USDA California Climate Hub, and University of California, Davis.

The team is developing an ecosystem-based, post-fire restoration framework and integrating community input to prioritize future projects.

More information about the community sessions is available online.

 

Should it be legal to take away the guns of people who are under a domestic violence protective order, which aims to shield victims from their abusers?

That’s the question posed in one of the biggest cases of the current Supreme Court term, focused on the limits of individual gun rights, which will be argued before the justices on Nov. 7.

The case, U.S. v. Rahimi, comes in the wake of revolutionary changes in doctrine over the past two court terms. Now, justices must grapple with how far the new principles will reach.

Two years ago, the court began what many consider to be a constitutional revolution.

The new supermajority of six conservative justices rapidly introduced new doctrines across a range of controversies, including abortion, guns, religion and race.

When the court announces a new principle – for example, a limit on the powers of a specific part of government – citizens and lawyers are not sure of the full ramifications of the new rule. How far will it go? What other areas of law will come under the same umbrella?

In a revolutionary period, aggressive litigants will push the boundaries of the new doctrine, attempting to stretch it to their advantage. After a period of uncertainty, a case that defines the limits on the new rule is likely to emerge.

Focus on guns

U.S. v. Rahimi may be the limiting case for gun rights, identifying the stopping point of the recent changes in Second Amendment doctrine.

Zackey Rahimi is a convicted drug dealer and violent criminal who also had a restraining order in place after assaulting his girlfriend. The court will decide whether the federal law prohibiting the possession of firearms by someone subject to a domestic violence restraining order violates the Second Amendment.

In the 2022 case of New York Rifle & Pistol v. Bruen, the court announced a new understanding of the Second Amendment. The amendment had long been understood to recognize a limited right to bear arms. Under the Bruen ruling, the amendment instead describes an individual right to carry a gun for self-protection in most places in society, expanding its range to the level of other constitutional rights such as freedom of religion or speech, which apply in public spaces.

However, the court’s conservative justices also tend to argue that constitutional rights are balanced by responsibilities to promote a functional society, a concept known as “ordered liberty.” The practical question is how to know the proper balance between liberty and order. If the right to carry a gun can be regulated but not eradicated, limited but not eliminated, where is the line?

The court’s answer in Bruen is history – a current law does not have to match a specific historical one exactly, but it has to be similar in form and purpose. Whatever gun regulations Americans allowed during the early republic – the critical period from around the 1780s to around the 1860s at the time of the Civil War – are allowable now, with the exception of any that would violate principles added to the Constitution more recently, such as racial equality under the 14th Amendment.

Justice Clarence Thomas, the author of the Bruen ruling, described it this way: The government must “identify a well-established and representative historical analogue, not a historical twin.” Thomas argued in Bruen that no such historical analogue existed for the limits New York imposed, invalidating the state’s ban on concealed carry permits.

The Rahimi case will provide a critical test of this historical approach to the boundaries of constitutional rights.

Historians have presented evidence that there were widespread laws and practices during the early republic limiting gun possession by individuals, like Rahimi, who were judged to be dangerous. However, those dangers did not include domestic violence, which was not deemed the same important concern then that it is now.

The court may consider the laws prevalent in the early republic, which regulated those who “go armed offensively” or “to the fear and terror of any person,” to be analogous to contemporary laws restraining those under a domestic violence restraining order. If so, the ruling will likely uphold Rahimi’s conviction and limit gun rights.

On the other hand, if the court reads those historical standards as more narrow and specific than the contemporary ban on gun possession while under a restraining order, those limits will be struck down.

This story incorporates sections of a previous story about the Supreme Court published on Sept. 26, 2023.

Morgan Marietta, Professor of Political Science, University of Texas at Arlington

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is set to honor veterans and the Indigenous population and discuss recommended changes to the tentative map for a proposed south county subdivision.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8, ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page. ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents, ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link. ‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time, ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌. ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 958 4020 7528, ‌pass code 124311.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,95840207528#,,,,*124311#.

The board will start the meeting with several proclamations, including one designating the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month.

They also will recognize veterans on Veterans Day and present a proclamation commending Clear Lake Gleaners and Redwood Empire Food Bank for invaluable community service.

At 9:15 a.m., the board will address food insecurity in Lake County and consider giving staff direction.

In an item timed for 11:30 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval of a modification to a tentative subdivision map for Valley Oaks Land and Development Inc. located at 18426 S. Highway 29 and 18765 Hartmann Road, Middletown.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt proclamation designating the month of November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month.

5.2: Adopt proclamation recognizing veterans on Veterans Day.

5.3: Adopt proclamation commending Clear Lake Gleaners and Redwood Empire Food Bank for invaluable community service.

5.4: Adopt property tax exchange resolution for proposed annexation to Konocti County Water District .

5.5: A) Approve travel to Sacramento for Supervisor Crandell to attend the RCRC Executive Committee meeting from Nov. 7 to Nov. 8 in an amount not to exceed $300; B) approve travel to Oakland for Supervisors Pyska and Sabatier to attend the CSAC Annual Conference from Nov. 13 to Nov. 17 in a total amount not to exceed $4,100; and C) retroactively approve travel to Eureka for Supervisor Green to attend the North Coast EMS / JPA Meeting from Nov. 1 to Nov. 2 in a total amount not to exceed $275.

5.6: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, authorize the air pollution control officer to extend the temporary counter hours for the district.

5.7: Approve Board of Supervisors meeting minutes from Oct. 17 to 24, 2023.

5.8: Approve agreement between county of Lake and New Life Health Authority dba New Life, LLC. for substance use disorder outpatient drug free services, intensive outpatient treatment services, and narcotic treatment program services in the amount of $10,000,000 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.9: Approve closure of all Lake County Behavioral Health Services clinics and centers for a mandatory all staff training on Dec. 14, 2023, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

5.10: Adopt resolution Authorizing the 2024-2025 Grant Project-Lake County Child Advocacy Center Program and authorize the chair to sign the grant subaward certification of assurance of compliance.

5.11: a) Waive the formal bidding requirement per section 2-38.1 extension of annual agreements; and b) authorize the IT director to issue a purchase order to Carahsoft Technology Corp. for Zoom video conferencing licenses in the amount of $30,860.90.

5.12: a) Waive the formal bidding requirement per Section 2-38.4 Cooperative Purchasing; and b) authorize the IT director to issue purchase orders to Carahsoft Technology Corp. for Center for Internet Security’s Endpoint Security Service for an amount not to exceed $70,422.

5.13: Adopt resolution changing county-maintained mileage for 2022.

5.14: Adopt resolution appointing directors of the Scotts Valley Water Conservation District Board in lieu of holding a general district election on Nov. 7, 2023.

5.15: Adopt resolution amending position allocations for FY24, Budget Unit 8695, Special Districts Administration Deleting One Utility Worker I/II and Adding One Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee/I/II/III.

5.16: Authorize one-time purchase of clothing items in excess of amount provided by uniform and clothing purchase policy in a total amount not to exceed $1,600.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Pet of the Week.

6.3, 9:08 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month.

6.4, 9:09 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation recognizing veterans on Veterans Day.

6.5, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Clear Lake Gleaners and Redwood Empire Food Bank for invaluable community service.

6.6, 9:15 a.m.: Discussion and direction to staff regarding food insecurity in Lake County.

6.7, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, consideration of appeal of notice of nuisance and order to abate (NONOTA) for 11630 Beryl Way, Clearlake Oaks (APN 035-262-33); Property Owner: Aura Thomas (AKA Aura Palma): hearing requested by Arlene Fox, on behalf of Ms. Thomas.

6.8, 11 a.m.: Presentation on CDBG Economic Development grants and Planned Façade Improvements Program.

6.9, 11:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval of a modification (MMU 22-01) to a tentative subdivision map (SD 06-01) for Valley Oaks Land and Development Inc.; location: 18426 S. Highway 29 and 18765 Hartmann Road, Middletown (APNs: 014-260-51 and 014-260-24).

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of holiday greeting cards for the Board of Supervisors to send to Lake County troops in an amount not to exceed $600 and authorize county administrative officer or designee to purchase.

7.3: Consideration of Proposed 2024 Board of Supervisors regular meeting calendar.

7.4: Consideration of (a) board appointment of the 2024 Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), delegate and alternate; (b) board appointment of the 2024 Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) Board of Directors, delegate and alternate; (c) board appointment of the 2024 Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Board of Directors, delegate and alternate; and (d) board appointment to the 2023 RCRC Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) Board of Directors, delegate and alternate.

7.5: Consideration of appointments of a director and alternate to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Board of Directors for 2024.

7.6: Consideration of appointment to the Lake County Vector Control District Board of Trustees.

7.7: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Scotts Valley Energy Corp. (AB 23-01).

7.8: Consideration of National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) funding opportunity to promote harm reduction and strategic patient-centered care.

ASSESSMENT APPEAL HEARINGS

8.1: Consideration of withdrawal on the following assessment appeal applications: a) No. 12-2022 Charles Bellig; and b) 18-2022 Lora Parrish; and c) 01-2022 Yvonne and Richard Riba; and d) 14-2021 Safeway.

8.2: Consideration of stipulation on the following assessment appeal applications: a) No. 03-2022 Elizabeth Robinson; and b) 08-2022 Lyne Lajeunesse; and c) 04-2022 through 07-2022 Jessica Spencer; and d) 17-2022 Jason Tapia; and e) 13-2021 Safeway; and f) 13-2022 Subba and Nirmala Naidu.

8.6: Consideration of the following assessment appeal application: No. 09-2022 - Grauf.

8.4: Consideration to deny Assessment Appeal Application No. 20-2022 Quail Run Fitness for failure to return notice of hearing.

8.3: Consideration of request by the appellant to continue the following assessment appeal applications: a) No. 14-2022 Douglas Messick; and b) 19-2022 Stephen and Diane Holmstrom; and c) 16-2021 Tesla Energy; and d) 02-2022 Good Vibes Only LLC; and e) 22-2021 Worldmark to the May 14, 2024 Board of Supervisors Meeting at 10 a.m.

8.5: Consideration of timeliness of Assessment Appeal Applications 15-2022 and 16-2022 Javier Villalobos.

CLOSED SESSION

9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (d)(1): Earthways Foundation, Inc. v. County of Lake, et al .

9.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – McCormick v. California Public Employees’ Retirement System, et al.

9.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – FERC Project No. 77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week will consider approving an agreement for a study for a navigation center to help address the city’s challenge with homelessness.

The council will meet Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 p.m. for a closed session to discuss property acquisition before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.

If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.

The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

On Tuesday, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nick Walker will ask the council to authorize a professional services agreement with Vanir for a navigation center feasibility study.

Walker’s written report for the meeting explained that the city has secured funding for the study from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program.

“Navigation Centers are emerging as a promising approach to addressing homelessness in many communities,” Walker wrote. “These centers offer temporary shelter, social services, and support designed to help individuals transition from homelessness to more stable and permanent housing situations. By providing a safe and welcoming environment, Navigation Centers aim to bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing, offering a path to stability and self-sufficiency.”

The council also will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed zoning ordinance amendment regarding the time limit for planned development combining district and set a second reading for Nov. 21.

Public Works Director Ron Ladd will ask for the council’s approval of a purchase order agreement to CR Fence Co. Inc. dba Humboldt Fence Company for the Xabatin Park fencing.

In other business, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will seek council authorization to enter into an agreement with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a grant and receive the fourth quarter financial report from Walker, who will seek direction on the treatment of any surplus revenues.

On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances, minutes of the Oct. 17 meeting, the Oct. 25 warrant register and authorization to cancel the regular meeting on Jan. 2, 2024.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.