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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
As part of the ongoing investigation into the July 1 fireworks facility explosion in Esparto, Cal Fire – Office of the State Fire Marshal has taken action to revoke the various pyrotechnic licenses of the individuals and companies involved with the facility.
Following a thorough administrative investigation, the State Fire Marshal determined there was evidence that Kenneth Chee, his company Devastating Pyrotechnics Inc., and Craig Cutright, and his company Blackstar Fireworks had violated California’s firework laws and regulations.
“Since the explosion, our arson and bomb investigators and deputy state fire marshals have been laser focused on not only determining the circumstances leading up to the incident, but also whether or not the operators were working with their state issued licenses,” said Chief Daniel Berlant, California state fire marshal. “While this concludes our administrative license investigation, we continue to make progress in the post blast investigation.”
The decision to revoke the operator’s licenses was based on the Office’s determination that several fireworks laws and regulations were violated including not filing proper importation documents to the office, not reporting lost fireworks, possession of fireworks without a local fire permit, and numerous additional allegations that remain part of the criminal investigation still underway.
This week’s action follows the recent announcement that the State Fire Marshal will be convening a Public Safety Fireworks Enforcement Task Force to thoroughly review existing fireworks enforcement efforts and state fireworks regulations.
The Task Force will be asked to provide proposed amendments to the state’s regulations to enhance compliance and public safety.
The group will also be tasked with creating a plan aimed to improve coordination among local, state, and federal agencies, increase public awareness and education, and strengthen penalties for violations.
The Task Force’s work will be sent to Cal Fire – Office of the State Fire Marshal General Fireworks Advisory Committee to get industry and stakeholder feedback.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state’s Sites Reservoir infrastructure project is advancing forward and has received a nearly $219 million funding increase from the California Water Commission to ensure the project moves forward as quickly as possible.
The additional funding is needed as a result of added costs from delays — including inflation and expected construction cost increases.
“We can't wait to protect our state from water shortages – there are 40 million Californians depending on us,” said Newsom. “I am pleased to see the Sites Reservoir project move forward with additional funding, and urge the Legislature to continue to make our state’s water future a priority. Each day that we delay these projects costs our state more money. The Legislature has an opportunity to make history by fast-tracking critical water infrastructure that will ensure we are resilient against droughts and can continue delivering necessary water – a basic human right — to all Californians.”
Sites Reservoir is a key component of the governor’s water strategy and will capture water from the Sacramento River during wet seasons and store it for use during drier seasons — holding up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, enough to supply over 4.5 million homes for a year.
The project will help California maintain a resilient water supply in the face of climate change, weather extremes, and water scarcity.
With this new infusion of funding, Sites is eligible for $1.094 billion in Proposition 1 funding. The total project cost is estimated at up to $6.8 billion, of which roughly $780 million will be financed through the federal government.
Gov. Newsom previously streamlined the project, allowing the project to swiftly defeat a CEQA legal challenge. More information about the project can be found at build.ca.gov.
Preparing California’s water infrastructure
Over the last few decades, the California climate has warmed, with the effects felt strongly in water resources.
The state has already experienced a marked increase in the variability of precipitation, with wild swings from drought to flood. These threats were outlined in a recently released State Water Project Adaptation Strategy which assesses and details over a dozen different state actions to protect the state’s water supply through the State Water Project.
Completing water infrastructure projects quickly is more important than ever. Through Newsom’s streamlining efforts, the administration said it is working to mitigate future cost increases and prepare California for a new climate reality.
Conveyance infrastructure will also be needed to move that water to where it is needed to take advantage of fast-moving storms.
This is why Gov. Newsom has also announced a legislative package to fast-track another key water infrastructure project, the Delta Conveyance Project, which will also help offset and recover California’s future climate-driven water losses.
The Delta Conveyance Project would expand the state’s ability to improve water supply reliability, while also maintaining environmental and water quality protections.
During atmospheric rivers last year, the Delta Conveyance Project could have captured enough water for 9.8 million people’s yearly usage — further enhancing California’s ability to provide water to its 40 million residents, in conjunction with other water infrastructure projects like Sites Reservoir.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Authorities are prosecuting the parents of a child who died a year ago of fentanyl poisoning.
Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley on Monday announced that Belen Marie Shroyer, 42, of Napa, has been charged with murder and child abuse in connection with the 2024 death
of her 3-year-old son, Zayden Schultz.
Shroyer and her co-defendant Timothy Daniel Schultz, 47, of Napa, the boy’s father who is charged with child abuse, face several allegations linked to the death of their son.
Those allegations include that they willfully caused harm or injury resulting in Zayden’s death; that the crimes exhibited violence, cruelty, viciousness or callousness; involved a vulnerable victim; that they were in a position of trust; that the crimes represent an escalation in criminal behavior; and that they have had prior poor performance on probation or parole.
On the evening of Aug. 15, 2024, Napa County Sheriff’s deputies went to a home on the 1600 block of Mary C Drive, Napa, in response to a report of a child who was not breathing.
Despite life-saving efforts, the toddler was pronounced dead at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center. Zayden, who was under the care of his parents at the time of his death, died from fentanyl poisoning.
Napa County Chief Deputy District Attorney Taryn Hunter appeared in court Monday afternoon on behalf of the people for an arraignment hearing in which the court assigned counsel to both
Defendants.
Napa County Superior Court Judge Elia Ortiz ordered the defendants back to court on Friday, Aug. 8, 8:30 a.m., in Department 1 for the entry of a plea and the setting of a preliminary hearing.
Schroyer is being held at the Napa County Department of Corrections without bail and bail for Schultz is $1 million.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The California Highway Patrol has taken a Sacramento man into custody in an online child exploitation case.
The CHP said it has arrested Michael Dominic Thomas Lumsden, 39, following an undercover CHP operation targeting individuals who engage in sexually exploitative behavior toward children online.
On July 24, a suspect began communicating online with someone he believed was a 13-year-old female.
The child was, in fact, an undercover investigator with the CHP’s Computer Crimes Investigation Unit, or CCIU.
Authorities said the suspect sent sexually explicit messages and made arrangements to meet the child in person. Over the next several days, CHP investigators conducted additional follow-up and collected evidence.
On July 31, just before 4 a.m., CCIU investigators arrested Lumsden after he attempted to meet the child in person in Sacramento.
Officers booked Lumsden into the Sacramento County Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including arranging a meeting with a minor under the age of 18 with the intent to engage in sexual conduct, attempted lewd acts with a child under 14, and sending harmful material to a minor.
The suspect was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
“This arrest highlights the relentless work of our computer crimes investigators. Their dedication protects our most vulnerable, and their efforts to bring predators to justice will not stop,” said Chief Josh Ehlers.
The CCIU specializes in investigating computer-facilitated crimes and supports state agencies and allied law enforcement partners throughout California.
In addition to assisting with digital forensic analysis and cyber investigations, the unit actively conducts proactive child exploitation and child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, investigations, including identifying individuals who distribute or download high volumes of CSAM while attempting to avoid detection.
With increased staffing and resources, the CCIU is expanding its capacity to conduct proactive investigations, surveillance, execute search warrants, and recover digital evidence.
The unit also works closely with the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to combat the growing use of the internet to exploit children sexually.
The CHP said it remains committed to protecting children and providing the highest level of safety, service and security to everyone in California.