Lake County is getting ready to test their voting machines. With the Primary election coming up March 5th, the Lake county Registrar of Voters will be running a logic and accuracy test on their machines and software. The test is scheduled for a week from today, Friday February 2nd. Testing will begin at 9am in the Registrar of Voters office, according to a news release. Anyone who is interested can stop by to watch. The office is at 325 North Forbes Street in Lakeport.
There’s a work zone to watch out for today in Cobb. From 9am to 3pm you’ll find crews doing emergency work on Route 175 from Estates Drive to Bottle Rock Road. Traffic will be moving in one direction at a time, look for traffic control in the area and expect some delays.
Look out for road work around Mendocino County today. Route 1 at the Jack Peters Creek Bridge from Little Lake Road is still being worked on. It’s down to one lane with alternating lane closures all day. They’ll wrap that up by 5pm. South of Westport, another crew working on Route 1 from the Blues Beach Trailhead to the Overlook, expect delays there all day with lane closures. You can also expect delays on Route 20 from the Cold Creek Bridge to the Lake County line. Utility work has it down to one lane until 6pm.
Get rid of your household hazardous waste next weekend. On February 1st and 2nd Fort Bragg residents will be able to have hazardous waste like paint and fluorescent light bulbs disposed of by Redwood Waste Solutions for free. They’ll be holding a mobile HHW event from 9am to 1pm at Caspar Transfer Station in Mendocino. Follow Redwood Waste Solutions on socials to see what can and can’t be dropped off at the event.
Set yourself a reminder for Monday, February 5th. That’s when you’ll hear a full length test of the warning sirens in Middletown, Anderson Springs, Cobb, Loch Lomond, Kelseyville Riviera, and Riviera West. The warning sirens will blow for 3 solid minutes during the test. In an actual emergency, this is the siren that would alert residents of wildfires, earthquakes, or other hazards. This annual full length test is the only one of the year. Regular 30-second tests happen on the first Monday of the month.
There’s a new candidate running for the open seat on the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. Georgina Avila-Gorman is campaigning for the 4th District spot despite having very little experience. She’s a motivated 20 year resident of Cleone. She may never have held government office before, but she says she’s got a lifetime of business experience. Avila-Gorman will meet her opponent, Bernie Novell in her first live debate next week. The Mendocino County League of Women Voters will host the debate on February 2nd at 6pm. The public is invited to watch the debate at the Fort Bragg Town Hall on North Main Street.
Cal Fire is looking for a few good Environmental Scientists. You can help Cal Fire protect and restore California wildlands and join the Resource Management team. Check out Fire.CA.gov to see the current job listing and get more information.
A large barn fire destroyed several vehicles last night in Willits. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department said several area fire departments responded to the property on Eastside Road around 8pm. Investigators don’t know how the fire started, but it was in a barn that reportedly housed vehicles and ammunition. It took fire crews about 2 hours to put the fire out, and then several more hours to mop up the mess.
If you’re planning a road trip this weekend, you’ll be happy to know local gas prices have come down a little since last week. Right now, the average gas price in Ukiah is $4.35 a gallon, down from $4.53 a week ago. According to AAA, the average price of gas in the US today is $3.10.
Congressman Mike Thompson is one of the sponsors of a bill that would exempt all wildfire relief payments from federal income taxes. The bill would also give tax exemptions on legal fees, emotional distress, lost wages, and additional living expenses. Co-sponsor congressman Doug La Malfa, who also represents parts of Northern California, says the measure is essential for people who have had settlement money reduced by federal taxes. The Bill has cleared committees in both the House and Senate. The congressmen said they’re confident that Democrats and Republicans will come together and pass the bill soon.
The Knights of Columbus 47th Annual Crab Feed is today and tomorrow. It’s being held at Crown Hall in Mendocino. Enjoy a crab dinner with all the fixins, plus wine and dessert. Online ticket sales have closed, but if you show up with cash or a check by 5:30pm wither night you may find an open seat. Dinner service starts at 6:30. The crab feed is a fundraiser benefitting Fort Bragg Food Bank, Hospitality House, and Mendocino Coast Humane Society.
