In today's newscast:
An ancient tree will be preserved in Jurupa Valley
A 13-thousand year old oak tree in Riverside County will now be protected after conservation groups sued developers. Anthony Victoria, with our news partner KVCR, reported that environmentalists have battled with city officials for years about how to protect it.
After Jurupa Valley approved a 900 acre housing project that was slated to be built 500 feet from the tree in 2024, conservationists stepped in. They argued the city didn't consider the project’s impacts.
Len Nunney is with the Friends of Riverside’s Hills, "I must say that Richland—the developer—really did negotiate in good faith in establishing a much larger barrier around the oak."
Working together, the agreement will require the project's developer, Richland Communities, to conserve roughly 50 acres near the oak tree. Another stipulation is that they can't develop land within 1,000 feet from the tree.
Jurupa Valley officials say they’re pleased. Richland did not respond to requests for comment.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff pleaded guilty to three felony charges
On Thursday, our California Newsroom partners reported Dana Williamson, Governor Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, pleaded guilty to felony charges. The charges included conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.
Prosecutors accused Williamson of funneling money from Xavier Becerra's state campaign account to Becerra's chief of staff, Sean McCluskie.
McGregor Scott is Williamson's attorney. Scott said, "this idea to take money from the Becerra account originated with Sean McCluskie...He chased my client repeatedly...requesting a meeting with her so they could talk about how to do this."
Williamson now faces up to 38 years in prison.
