Clearlake Man Facing Arson Charges

Ronald Neil Millard, 53, of Clearlake, faces 17 felony charges including arson and weapons possession. He allegedly set four fires in Clearlake and Clearlake Oaks over two months, including the 11-acre North Fire. Millard, a convicted felon, is being held without bond in Lake County Jail.

Ukiah Moves Forward With Fiber Project

Ukiah, with a $5.6 million state grant, is partnering with Vero Fiber Networks on the “Ukiah Gigabit Fiber Project.” The initiative will deliver affordable, high-speed fiber-optic internet to ~1,700 locations and free internet to 14 city facilities by late 2026. The city will own the infrastructure, leasing it to Vero for 35 years. Construction starts … Read more

Hopland Holding Public Hearing on Rate Increase

The Hopland Public Utility District will hold a public hearing tomorrow, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Brutocao Cellars in Hopland on a proposed 40% water and wastewater rate increase that would help pay for aging infrastructure, inflation costs and a utility relocation program.

Rep. Mike Thompson Holds Town Hall Tonight

Congressman Mike Thompson will host a virtual town hall this evening at 6 p.m., discussing the government shutdown and health care . The event, which will also be streamed on Thompson’s Facebook page. To RSVP, go to mikethompsonforms.house.gov.

Ukiah Settles Suit Against City, Former Police Chief

The City of Ukiah is has settled a federal lawsuit with Jane Doe, whose suit accused Police Chief Noble Waidelich of assault and the city of enabling misconduct by ignoring past warnings against him, and promoting him to chief. Waidelich, terminated four days after the incident, was not criminally charged. The city denied culpability, calling … Read more

Lakeport PD Hosts National Night Out Starting at 4 This Afternoon

The Lakeport Police Department and community partners will host National Night Out Against Crime this afternoon, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Lakeport’s new Xabatin Community Park.  Attendees can enjoy games, face painting, raffle prizes, music, and free hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and drinks. Guests receive two raffle tickets, with chances for more. Safety … Read more

Repeat Offender from Clearlake Oaks to Stand Trial

A Clearlake Oaks man will stand trial for an August kidnapping and rape. Clifford Merle Cutrell, 55, faces 10 felonies, including kidnapping with intent to commit rape and multiple sexual assault counts. Cutrell also faces two felony counts for an assault on a separate victim. A registered sex offender with a high risk of reoffending … Read more

Lake County Planning Commission Meets On Thursday

The Lake County Planning Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9th,  to discuss and hold a public hearing to consider a major use permit for a 150-foot-tall monopole wireless communication tower at 6720 Leslie Place in Lucerne, get an update on cannabis regulation, and discuss a new county climate action plan.

Hale Fire in Lake County Contained

The Hale Fire closed Highway 29 at Clayton Creek Road in Lake County for a time on Monday. Fire crews worked to  structures, though initial reports of a structure fire were later contradicted. The fire, initially a quarter-acre, was reported around 10:30 a.m. and its forward progress was stopped by 10:56 a.m. , with full … Read more

Brace and Bolt Seismic Retrofit Program Extends Application Deadline

The California Residential Mitigation Program has extended its Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant deadline to the 17th of this month, offering up to $10,000 for seismic retrofits. This is the first time landlords of non-primary residences are eligible. Grants of $3,000 are available for foundation bolting and crawl space bracing. An additional $7,000 is available … Read more