Civil Grand Jury News

Dennis L. Taylor wrote in The Monterey Herald on March 27, 2024 that “Some recommendations from a 2023 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury report aimed at improving county government have been implemented. Others just aren’t going to happen….The jury focused on four county departments.” Read the article here: https://www.montereyherald.com/2024/03/27/many-civil-grand-jury-recommendations-accomplished-some-wont-be/

Tim Redmond wrote in 48hills.org on March 24, 2004 that “The San Francisco Civil Grand Jury pointed out in 2022 a major time-bomb of an issue at the Hunters Point Shipyard, which developers still want to turn into housing….The US Navy now agrees it’s a problem.” Read the article here: https://48hills.org/2024/03/can-sf-get-an-independent-study-of-toxic-risk-at-hunters-point/

On 3/19/2024, Brittany Maldonado, CaliforniaCityNews, reported that contract negotiations with a new city manager had failed. A grand jury report released this month referred to the city’s dysfunction, citing the constant turnover in management. Read the full article here: https://www.californiacitynews.org/2024/03/california-city-hires-another-manager-after-latest-contract-negotiations-break-down.html

On 3/2//9/24, Patti Orr, Mojave Desert News, reported that a March 7th Kern County Grand Jury report indicated the need to establish and approach consistent cannabis code compliance and enforcement before July 1st of this year including the collection of approximately $500,000 worth of back taxes that is due to the city. Read the full […]

Reporter Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 3/19/24, writes that “a withering grand jury report found that pilots fly in terror of the very tall pine trees that stand uncomfortably close to the runways” at the county’s Georgetown airport. Read the full story at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article286646365.html

Ariane Lange wrote in the Sacramento Bee on March 19, 2024 that “At a small Northern California airport managed by a county department’s division of “airports and cemeteries,” a withering [El Dorado County civil] grand jury report found that pilots fly in terror of the very tall pine trees that stand uncomfortably close to the […]

Christopher Damien writing for the Palm Springs Desert Sun, 3/18/24, reported that at the County Board of Supervisors meeting, Undersheriff Don Sharp and Count Supervisor Chuck Washington exchanged views about the high number of deaths in the county jail which had been the subject of a civil grand jury report. Read the full story here. […]

Chirstopher Damien writing for the Palm Springs Desert Sun, 3/18/24, reported that at the County Board of Supervisors meeting, Undersheriff Don Sharp and Count Supervisor Chuck Washington exchanged views about the high number of deaths in the county jail which had been the subject of a civil grand jury report. Read the full story here: […]

Chris Coulombe wrote in The California Globe on March 13, 2024 that “On Feb. 6, Pacific Gas and Electric…announced it will request the decommissioning and destruction of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam, removing a major water source for … 600,000 residents… In June 2022, the Marin County civil grand jury called into question Marin […]

Elena Kadvany wrote in The San Francisco Chronicle on March 12, 2024 that “Last April… Brittany Dunn Holden finally found a permanent home for Saltwater Bakeshop. But eleven months later, the bakery is still an empty shell. A 2023 civil grand jury report called Prop H’s timeline “confusing.” There is no “reliable mechanism” to comprehensively […]

On March 05, 2024, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted a gold resolution proclaiming March as Civil Grand Jury Appreciation Month and endorsed the ongoing drive to recruit new civil grand jurors. Read the full article here: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-highlights-critical-work-of-civil-grand-juries-encourages-people-to-volunteer-for-service

Momen Zellmi wrote in BNN on March 4, 2024 that “amid ongoing payroll discrepancies and operational challenges, San Francisco United School District announces a significant shift in its administrative infrastructure… A civil grand jury report criticized the system for its role in exacerbating the district’s recruitment and retention challenges, spotlighting the need for a robust […]

Carole Hester wrote in The Ukiah Daily Journal on March 3, 2024 that “Annually in California 58 county grand juries investigate and report on the operations of local governments within the county – a process called the “watchdog” function.” The Board of Supervisors of Mendocino County recognized the jury’s work by proclaiming February 2024 “Grand […]