LAKE COUNTY
Lake County Sheriff’s Office investigating shooting in Nice
On March 28, 2023 at 12:30 AM, Lake County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the area of Sentry Market, in Nice, for a reported gunshot victim. Deputies arrived on scene and located an adult male victim who suffered from a gunshot wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Deputies were able to locate the original scene where the shooting took place, which was in the 4400 block of Lakeview Drive, Nice.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded and took over the investigation. Detectives were able to identify a suspect in the case and tracked him to the Lakeport area. In the late morning of March 28th, Detectives served a search warrant at a residence located on Red Feather Lane in Lakeport and gathered evidence related to the shooting. Detectives located and arrested 18-year-old Jesse Gonzalez of Kelseyville. He was booked into the Hill Road Correctional Facility on conspiracy to commit attempted murder and attempted robbery.
Detectives are asking anyone with additional information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Dean Preader by email at dean.preader@lakecountyca.gov or 707-262-4200.
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BAKERSFIELD
Wildflower season is off to a slow start on some BLM lands
Wildflowers may be slow to bloom this year in California as the Golden State recovers from a series of historic storms. The Bureau of Land Management advises wildflower enthusiasts to plan ahead, assess the situation and Know Before You Go prior to visiting public lands.
According to the National Weather Service, some areas in central and southern California have received far more precipitation than normal. The cooler temperatures and wet conditions have resulted in saturated soils and vegetation, resulting in delays of blooming wildflowers on BLM-managed public lands, including at top wildflower destinations like the Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County.
Carrizo Plain National Monument, a well-known and remote wildflower location on BLM-managed public lands, is currently covered in grasses with only sparse blooms due to ongoing wet conditions. The wet terrain also comes with hazardous travel conditions and many impassable roads after storms. For your safety and to enjoy your visit, please check road conditions prior to traveling to the Monument or other destinations.
“The wildflowers are only just starting to bloom on the Carrizo, but more are sprouting every day,” said Monument Manager Johna Hurl. “There are some small patches of goldfields and baby blue eyes on the northern end of the monument. The Temblor Mountains have some hillside daisies in bloom. We hope to have greater blooms by early April. Take notice of road conditions and continue to check our website for updates on the bloom status.”
Know Before You Go: The Carrizo Plain National Monument offers visitors a rare opportunity to be alone with nature, but you need to be prepared as services such as water, food or fuel are not available. Most monument roads are dirt and impassible in wet weather, with some wet for weeks after a rain. Vehicles must be street legal and stay on designated roads. Recreationists are encouraged to ensure their vehicle is in good working order, as roadside assistance is extremely limited and cell phone coverage is spotty.
Recreate Responsibly: Outdoor enthusiasts are reminded that camping and parking are limited and are first-come, first-serve at BLM day-use areas. Parking lots are often full by 7 a.m. on weekends and parking in “no parking” areas, on private land or blocking the roadway is prohibited. The public is encouraged to have an alternate recreation area in mind if parking is full at their preferred location.
For more information on the Carrizo Plain National Monument please call the recorded information line at 805-475-2131 or visit https://www.blm.gov/visit/carrizo-plain-national-monument. For wildflower information, please follow BLM California on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr @BLMCA and @BLMCalifornia.
For alternative wildflower viewing areas, see: Merced River Recreation Management Area in Mariposa County, Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Luis Obispo County, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Lake County, or Fort Ord National Monument in Monterey County.
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LOWER LAKE
CalFresh COVID-19 temporary college student exemptions ending
Federal authority provided temporary flexibilities for CalFresh in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration ending on May 11, 2023, California will no longer be able to exempt college students using the temporary changes to the CalFresh student eligibility rule.
The two temporary exemptions to the CalFresh student eligibility rule expanded eligibility to students who were 1) eligible for federal or state work-study, or 2) who had an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero dollars. These two temporary exemptions are ending.
Permanent student exemptions are not ending.
College students already receiving CalFresh do not need to take any actions at this time. Beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, at their next annual recertification, currently eligible students will be evaluated for permanent exemptions.
Students newly applying for CalFresh on or after June 10, 2023 will be evaluated for permanent student exemptions.
Visit www.facebook.com/LakeCountySocialServices for our current local Food Distribution and Food Pantry List.
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