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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The operation targeted illegal cannabis cultivation sites that threaten the environment, workers, and other members of the public.
The sites in question were associated with suspected environmental violations, including the use of unlawful pesticides and other toxic chemicals.
These dangerous chemicals not only degrade California’s natural resources, but also endanger workers and others exposed to them.
The operation included 24 search warrants, served between July 11 through 13 on unlicensed commercial cannabis cultivation sites in the Whitney Creek, Harry Cash and Shasta Vistas areas in Siskiyou County.
It eradicated 67,045 illegal cannabis plants, seized 8,019.75 pounds of illegally processed cannabis, worth an estimated $68.5 million, and seized a dozen firearms.
The UCETF actively coordinates with federal, state, local and tribal agencies to disrupt the illegal cannabis market. Co-chaired by DCC and CDFW and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the taskforce is bringing together more than two dozen state, local, tribal, and federal partners to protect communities, consumers, and the environment.
- Details
- Written by: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Wildlife biologists for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday morning safely immobilized a large female conflict bear responsible for at least 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2022.
Her three cubs were also captured in the effort.
Pending a successful veterinary check, CDFW has secured permission from the state of Colorado to transport the female black bear, known as 64F, and place it with The Wild Animal Sanctuary near Springfield, Colorado, which has agreed to care for it in its expansive facilities. This large black bear is one of multiple bears identified by the public last year as “Hank the Tank” based on visual observations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has the authority to approve only one such placement and is using that authorization for this bear. Relocation is not typically an option for conflict animals over concern that relocating an animal will relocate the conflict behavior to a different community.
However, given the widespread interest in this bear, and the significant risk of a serious incident involving the bear, CDFW is employing an alternative solution to safeguard the bear family as well as the people in the South Lake Tahoe community.
The sow’s three young cubs, which have accompanied the bear on recent home break-ins, will potentially be relocated to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, a CDFW-permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility in Petaluma, in hopes they can discontinue the negative behaviors they learned from the sow and can be returned to the wild.
All three cubs were given a health assessment in the field before transfer and will receive additional examination at the facility.
One of the cubs is believed to have suffered serious injuries from a vehicle strike earlier this month, though is still mobile. The injured cub will be given a thorough veterinary evaluation.
Bear 64F has been monitored closely by CDFW since 2022. In March of 2023, she was discovered denning under a residence in South Lake Tahoe along with her three male cubs of the year.
Staff from CDFW and the Nevada Department of Wildlife immobilized the bear, collected DNA evidence, attached an ear tag and affixed a satellite tracking collar to the bear.
Staff also implanted passive integrated transponders, known as PIT tags, into the cubs for future identification. The PIT tags contain a microchip similar to what’s implanted into pet dogs and cats for identification.
Bear 64F shed the satellite tracking collar last May. The bear’s DNA, however, has been confirmed at 21 home invasions in the South Lake Tahoe area between February 2022 and May 2023 with the bear suspected in additional break-ins and property damage.
CDFW’s updated Black Bear Policy, released in February 2022, allows for the placement and relocation of conflict bears in limited circumstances when other management options have been exhausted and as an alternative to lethal actions.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“These cities are showing the local leadership California needs to tackle our state’s housing crisis,” Newsom said. “They stand in stark contrast to the handful of locals who are failing their constituents and refusing to help California families struggling with runaway housing costs. We will continue to celebrate cities like Rohnert Park, Santa Cruz and South San Francisco while holding bad actors accountable with executive action and in the courts when necessary.”
Newsom’s office said it is vital for local governments to cut red tape and implement policies that increase much-needed housing in California.
Accountability measures and incentives like the Prohousing Designation are critical to help meet the state’s goal of 2.5 million new homes over the next eight years, with at least one million serving the needs of lower-income Californians.
“We commend Rohnert Park, Santa Cruz and South San Francisco for their commitment to housing forward policies that will remove barriers to building and preserving affordable housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “We are proud to work with these cities to create housing near jobs, transit, and other amenities to build a strong housing market and provide homes to working Californians.”
“I’m thrilled that we now have 30 communities that have achieved the Prohousing designation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “The cities and counties are leading the way by reducing unnecessary barriers and red tape that discourage new housing production, instead they are signaling to developers that they are ready to support more housing production, faster.”
California is the leader in the Prohousing space. Last week the Biden-Harris Administration announced its own Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program designed to provide funding to local jurisdictions to assist them in removing barriers to housing production and preservation.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The investigation by the California Department of Justice, or DOJ, will seek to determine whether Butte County violated the California FAIR MAPS Act and other voting rights laws during the county's 2021 redistricting process to redraw election district boundaries.
"In a democracy, every eligible voter deserves fair and equal representation,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The allegations raised regarding the redistricting process in Butte County are serious and warrant a thorough investigation. We must ensure that the voting rights of all communities are protected and upheld. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the redistricting process, and promote a fair and inclusive electoral system for all Californians."
Under the California Constitution and Government Code, the attorney general has broad authority to investigate any potential violations of the law, and ensure the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced.
At this stage, the investigation will be conducted by California DOJ’s Racial Justice Bureau within the Civil Rights Enforcement Section.
During the course of the investigation, state attorneys will work diligently to consider all relevant information related to Butte County’s 2021 redistricting process and adopted map.
However, it is important to note that the Office of the Attorney General has made no determination at this time with regard to specific complaints or allegations related to the conduct of those involved in the county’s redistricting process. California DOJ is committed to conducting a thorough and independent investigation.