A 37.5-hour sewage spill from a ruptured Lake County Sanitation District force main contaminated well water and affected 58 properties, prompting emergency declarations from the Clearlake City Council and county officials. Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora declared an emergency for maximum recovery but criticized the county’s response for poor communication and inadequate ground decontamination. Recovery … Read more
The California Highway Patrol has issued a Feather Alert for missing teenage brothers Wesley Charlo (17) and Xavier Charlo (15), last seen Monday in Nice, near Butte and Sutter streets. The brothers are believed to be on foot. Wesley is 5’9″, 140 lbs, with brown hair and eyes. Xavier is 5’9″, 125 lbs, with brown … Read more
The Mendocino Railway has secured an appellate court reversal, permitting it to pursue eminent domain for a parcel in Willits owned by John Meyer. The railway requires the land to expand its Fort Bragg-Willits service. The January 7 ruling affirms the railway’s public utility and federal common carrier status. If the ruling stands, the railway … Read more
A ruptured 16-inch Lake County Sanitation District force main in Clearlake on Sunday caused a sewer system failure, contaminating wells and affecting 58 properties. The spill was stopped Monday night after four days of round-the-clock work. County officials held a town hall on Wednesday evening to update residents. Health officials advised temporary relocation, especially for … Read more
To mitigate the wastewater incident near Robin Lane, Clearlake, Lake County will treat affected soil with natural agricultural lime (aglime) to raise pH and reduce contamination. Residents will see a white, chalky substance and should allow it to absorb naturally. Hard surfaces will be disinfected with Benefect Botanical Decon 30, a plant-based cleaner. Environmental assessments … Read more
Following Clearlake’s emergency declaration, the Board of Supervisors has issued two county emergency proclamations regarding the 2026 Robin Lane Sewer Spill. The spill affected an estimated 58 properties south of Pond Road and north of Rumsey Road, entering Burns Valley Creek and Clear Lake. The main was repaired Tuesday night, with cleanup ongoing. The board … Read more
A suspected shark attack was reported Tuesday morning, around 8:45 a.m., near the mouth of the Gualala River. Surfer Tommy Civik, 26, of Point Arena, said he was violently struck while in the water, which threw him from his board, breaking it in two. First responders treated Civik for three distinct puncture wounds on his upper … Read more
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake hit eastern Mendocino County early Tuesday afternoon, 6 miles east-southeast of Willits at a depth of under 5 miles, causing light-to-moderate shaking. The USGS reports the main quake was followed by two smaller tremors and a 3.8 aftershock 90 minutes later. No injuries or damage were reported.
A beach hazards statement is in effect through this evening for Coastal Mendocino County. An increased threat of sneaker waves is expected. Beachcombing is not advised.
The Lakeport Planning Commission will consider an ordinance to change city code to allow for temporary cannabis events at the Lake County Fairgrounds when it meets this evening at 5:30 at Lakeport City Hall. The Lake County Fairgrounds’ CEO recently proposed hosting a temporary cannabis event this spring, which would include retail sales, prompting the … Read more