Firefighters say rising temperatures in the Bay Area could trigger an early start to wildfire season. In the North Bay, many people flocked to the beach Thursday to try and beat the heat. Fire officials say those warm temperatures along with steady breezes have them on high alert. CAL FIRE seasonal firefighting aircraft have been placed back at Sonoma Air Base to be ready. Fire officials say steady rainfall has slowed many hillsides from drying up, but warmer than normal temperatures could speed up that timeline.
State regulators have approved a controversial proposal that changes the way millions of Californians pay their utility bills. Under the new policy, PG&E, and other utilities will charge customers a new monthly flat fee of 24-dollars 15-cents and must reduce the price households pay for the electricity they use by five to seven cents per kilowatt hour. The change will start in early 2026 for PG&E customers.
Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to unveil his updated state spending plan today. Newsom is expected to present his proposal to fill a gaping multi-billion dollar deficit. He could use several strategies to bring the shortfall down, including tapping into the state’s reserve fund, deep cuts to social programs or finding ways to collect more revenue. The governor’s office in January estimated the state would face a 38-billion dollar deficit, while numbers from the Legislative Analyst’s Office show up to an estimated 73-billion dollar deficit as of February. The state legislature must produce a balanced budget in time for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1st.
In a rare event, the Northern Lights could be visible over Northern California tonight into early tomorrow morning. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the auroras would be a result of the first severe geomagnetic storm it has monitored in nearly two decades. NOAA ranks the storm a level four on its five-level scale. Right now, the sun is at an increased period of activity in its eleven-year solar cycle. That is causing more sunspots and coronal mass ejections, which cause solar storms. NOAA says at least four coronal mass ejections have been heading toward earth in the past few days.
Strong winds caused a water main break that led to the shut down of all 21 service connections in the Point Cabrillo Highlands water system. According to a press release from Mendocino County Public Health, residents in the affected area are now under a boil water advisory. The advisory will remain in effect until the water main can be repaired and sanitized, then follow up sampling will be done to make sure there are no contaminates in the water for 2 consecutive days. The advisory is expected to last until noon on the 14th, but another notice will be issued when it is lifted. You can get more information on the Mendocino County Public Health website and social media pages.
A man was arrested in Ukiah on drug and gun charges. Robert Gardner was pulled over by Ukiah PD on Wednesday just after 8pm. UPD Officers saw a controlled substance in the car, and then found a loaded gun during a search. Mendo Fever reports officers also found a digital scale and drug paraphernalia. Gardner is a convicted felon, so he’s not allowed to own a firearm. He was arrested and taken to Mendocino County Jail.
You may have noticed a group of protesters at the intersection of Perkins Street and Orchard Avenue in Ukiah yesterday. It’s a group called Blood Stained Men, who are in town protesting the practice of circumcision on male children. Officials for the group said they’re on a two week tour of Northern California to spread awareness and speak out against the procedure. You may see them again today. They’re scheduled to demonstrate from 10am to Noon at the corner of 5th and I Streets. Tomorrow, they’ll be in McKinleyville from 2-4pm at the intersection of Central Avenue and School Road.
