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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LUCERNE, Calif. — A Monday morning fire destroyed a mobile home in Lucerne.
The structure, located on 13th Avenue at Highway 20, was reported on fire at 11:45 a.m. Monday, said Northshore Fire Chief Mike Ciancio.
Ciancio said it took firefights about a half hour to control the fire.
Three engines from Northshore and one from Lakeport Fire responded, Ciancio said.
He said the structure was unoccupied, but it appeared that transients had been staying in it.
Despite being close to other structures, firefighters prevented the fire from spreading and damaging other buildings, Ciancio said.
Fire personnel units remained on scene for a few additional hours in order to conduct mop up.
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The National Weather Service said the storm will impact northwest California from Thursday to Saturday.
Snow levels are forecast to begin above 3,000 feet but gradually drop through the storm event with snow levels below 1,000 feet by Saturday morning, the National Weather Service reported.
The specific Lake County forecast predicts rain will start on Wednesday and continue into Sunday, when there are chances of both rain and snow.
On Saturday morning, the forecast shows a chance of 30 to 50% for snow to fall as low as Clear Lake.
Daytime temperatures will be in the high 40s while conditions will fall into the 30s at night.
A winter storm watch is in effect for the northern third of Lake County, including the mountainous area north of Upper Lake.
That watch remains in effect from 4 p.m. Thursday through 10 a.m. Friday.
Caltrans is reporting that the storm will create “near impossible travel conditions” in the mountains, particularly the Sierras, this week and weekend.
The agency urges motorists to avoid mountain travel if possible. If motorists must travel, Caltrans advises to pack extra supplies in the event of an emergency or if traffic is held for an extended period of time. Those supplies should include extra snacks, water, a blanket, and a flashlight. Motorists should also be prepared for road closures, chain controls, excessive delays, and reduced visibility.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The legislative package is called “Working Together for a Safer California.”
McGuire’s office reported that the package is built upon months of research, input from stakeholders and experts, and feedback from Californians.
The plan focuses on both the fentanyl crisis and retail and community-based crime, and includes increasing access to treatment, offering rehabilitative services for those already in the criminal justice system, preventing trafficking of dangerous new substances, and addressing and deterring retail theft and community-based crimes.
“Alone, these bills are strategic ways to tackle these dual crises of fentanyl and retail theft. But collectively, they are working together for a Safer California. The plan includes a series of targeted policies aimed at stemming the rising tide of retail theft that’s impacting our communities, while also enhancing and protecting the quality of life for Californians and businesses up and down our state,” said McGuire.
He said the package includes a slate of legislation built on months of research and extensive outreach with all sides of the fentanyl crisis – a deadly epidemic that they propose to address through evidence-based treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation efforts.
“When there is a need at hand, as there is with the fentanyl crisis and retail theft in our state, it’s not time for politics as usual — it’s time to come together and find solutions. That’s what the Senate is aiming to do. I’m optimistic about the proposals here today and look forward to continuing to work together for a Safer California,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego).
“We are seeing unprecedented rises in overdose deaths and a rapidly changing drug supply of unregulated substances that we are struggling to keep up with. We need to tackle this crisis with what’s proven to work,” said Dr. Aimee Moulin, professor of emergency medicine in Sacramento. “Rapid access to evidence-based treatment is the only way to address the epidemic of substance use and overdose that will have a lasting and meaningful impact on people and our communities. I’m thrilled to see so many of the Senate’s Safer California policies focused on that and know that this will make a difference. It may take time but it’s important to do this right and continue to work together for a Safer California.”
Keith Humphreys, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University and former White House senior drug policy advisor in the Obama Administration added, “This data-driven plan reflects the intensive thought and study Senator McGuire and his colleagues have devoted to reducing our state's fentanyl addiction and overdose crisis. I am grateful for the strong leadership of the State Senate for their efforts to save lives. We can’t move fast enough to tackle this crisis and this Plan will deploy resources and make a difference in all corners of the Golden State.”
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, led to 6,473 deaths in 2022, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard.
Research on the science of addiction and treatment of substance use disorders has led to research-based approaches that help people stop the cycle of addiction and lead productive lives, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports.
While shoplifting saw a decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial burglary saw a sharp and sudden increase. From 2019 to 2022, commercial burglary increased by 15.7%.
In 2020, commercial burglary became a more commonly reported retail crime than even shoplifting. That, coupled with the increasing reliance on online retail, has created a massive issue for businesses and law enforcement that has been difficult to manage.
The bills in the Senate plan are aimed at stemming the rising tide of property-related crime in California.
The Safer California plan includes bills authored by Senators Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento), Dave Min (D-Irvine), Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), Richard Roth (D-Riverside), Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward), and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).
A list of bills and more information is available here.
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Following the launch of the CHP 1000 recruitment campaign and other recent recruitment efforts and hiring investments — including a new recruitment web series, “Cadets” — CHP reports that January 2024 saw the highest number of monthly applications in seven years, a 94% increase in total applications compared to January 2022.
“The California Highway Patrol isn’t just one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the nation, it’s also the best — delivering unparalleled safety, service, and security to all Californians,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. CHP’s successful recruitment efforts speak to the quality of this premier agency, and I encourage all Californians who wish to serve our diverse state to answer the call by visiting CHPMadeForMore.com.”
“The significant increase in the number of applications the California Highway Patrol has received since the onset of our recruitment campaign is encouraging,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.
“To accommodate the surge of interest, the CHP has been holding three Academy classes simultaneously, for the first time in the Department's history. As we continue to uphold our mission of safeguarding California's roadways and communities, the CHP is committed to identifying and recruiting qualified candidates who represent California and its diverse demographic makeup, and we welcome all those who share our dedication to join us in making a difference,” Duryee said.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the CHP is conducting an online hiring seminar at 6:30 p.m. Topics of discussion include pay, benefits, the hiring process, and what to expect during the CHP Academy.
Register today and learn how to become a CHP officer.
The CHP is the largest public-facing state law enforcement agency in the United States with over 6,500 sworn officers assigned across California.
As part of California’s $1.1 billion investment to improve public safety, in 2022, CHP launched a multiyear recruitment campaign to fill 1,000 officer positions by hiring qualified individuals from California’s diverse communities.
Next month, a new class of more than 100 cadets is expected to graduate from the CHP Academy and the total number of CHP cadets in training is currently 332.
Apply today and be one of the 1,000 new CHP officers ready to make a difference.
California has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety.
Last month, Gov. Newsom called for new legislation to expand criminal penalties and bolster police and prosecutorial tools to combat theft and take down professional criminals who profit from smash and grabs, retail theft, and car burglaries.
In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.
