Rachel Smith was unanimously appointed the new Animal Care and Control director, effective Feb. 9, by the Lake County Board of Supervisors, with a just over $97,000 salary. Smith’s qualifications include nearly a decade of animal welfare experience, a background in criminal justice and psychology, POST, and national animal control officer certifications. Her appointment follows … Read more
Former MendoFever publisher and Ukiah High teacher Matt LaFever, 37, appeared in court Monday following his November arrest for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a 17-year-old. Judge Keith Faulder appointed attorney Traci Carrillo as a special master to review LaFever’s seized devices for privileged information since he is a journalist. Mendocino County DA David Eyster … Read more
Flooding from recent storms has closed State Highway 175 in Hopland (US 101 to west of the railroad crossing) due to the Russian River overflowing, according to Caltrans. State Highway 128 near Navarro is also closed. Drivers should use alternate routes. Residents in flood-prone areas must monitor forecasts, sign up for alerts at mendoready.org, know … Read more
The Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH) will hold its board election this Thursday, January 8th, at 7 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. Two-year terms will be decided after candidates address the assembly; results require Board of Supervisors confirmation. The agenda also features artist Diego Harris presenting a proposed sculpture for Trailside Park and a … Read more
On December 29, authorities arrested Kelseyville resident Kyle Joseph Beck, 34, for the multi-year sexual abuse of children. The Lake County District Attorney’s Office charged Beck on December 31 with four felonies, including recurring sexual conduct and lewd conduct with a victim under 14, and two counts of oral copulation with a victim under 10, … Read more
Volunteers are needed at the Community Food Bank. Blue Zones Project Mendocino County is teaming up with the Food Bank to find volunteers for shifts M-F, noon to 4 pm, and Tuesday,s 8 am to noon. For more information, go to mendocinocounty.bluezonesproject.com
Lake County law enforcement responded Friday morning to a suspicious device report at a Clearlake Oaks business on E. Highway 20. Deputies secured the site and called the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, which safely performed a controlled destruction of the device. The area was reopened after the successful operation. Investigation into the incident … Read more
The Lakeport City Council will meet for the first time in 2026 and will consider the adoption of a resolution appointing representatives to attend and vote on behalf of the city at the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division Business meetings, as well as to represent the city and vote at Division Legislative Committee … Read more
The Lake County Board of Supervisors will convene its first meeting of 2026 at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Key agenda items include the selection of the board’s leadership for the year and the official swearing-in of the new Chief Public Defender, Thomas Feimer. Additionally, the board is set to adopt a resolution appointing Katherine Vandewall as … Read more
Highway 1 in northern Mendocino County was among a series of road closures brought on by recent storms in the area, shutting the road down completely near Leggett. Caltrans District 1 reported the closure is due to a slide between post mile 104.12 and 105.5. Motorists are advised to check QuickMap for the latest updates, … Read more