Lake County has a new Animal Care and Control Director. The Board of Supervisors says following a nationwide recruiting effort Gregory Wilkins was appointed to the job October 24. Wilkins has served in a variety of animal care-focused capacities across six states, working his way from Veterinary and Kennel Technician roles to high responsibility shelter and program management positions. He comes to Lake County from Dallas, Texas, where he led the city’s Animal Care and Behavior Department. The Supervisor’s Board Chair says Wilkins’ strong passion for animal welfare is well demonstrated, and they look forward to his leadership in the department.
There’s reportedly been a drop in emergency service calls related to homelessness in Mendocino County. Officials say new data also shows they have been able to house nearly 1,000 people experiencing homelessness over the past three years. The County says it’s due to a combination of collaborative programs with first responders and new housing developments. The California Homeless Data Integration System shows 969 people in Mendocino County who were living on the streets or in shelters were moved into permanent housing between 2021 and 2023. And the Ukiah Valley Fire Department reports a 28% reduction in calls for service involving homelessness during that time.
The Humboldt County District Attorney says last year’s fatal shooting of a man by two Eureka police officers was justified. DA Stacey Eads says her office has completed a review of the investigation regarding the November 2023 death of Matthew Williams. Officers had pulled Williams over for an expired registration but he ran off. He was later found to have on him some baggies with fentanyl, suspected meth and $6,300 in cash. The officers chased him on foot and one was having a physical fight to arrest him when Williams pulled a gun, all of which was captured on the cop’s body camera. When Williams got both hands on his gun and aimed at one of the cops, they both opened fire. An autopsy showed Williams had been shot 11 times by the two officers.
While the fire season burn ban has been allowed to expire in Mendocino County as of today, Lake County’s burn ban is still in effect. The Lake County Air Quality Management District says although Cal Fire has lifted its burn permit suspension, Lake County is still in peak fire season so the burn ban is still in effect for general open burning. This includes all open waste burning unless you have an exemption burn permit. The Lake County AQMD says the burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season. You can get updates at www.lcaqmd.net.
This evening is the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Ukiah. The walk begins at 5pm at several locations downtown. Many of the venues have live music and opportunities to meet the artists. Art Center Ukiah is featuring a juried show called “Try To Remember,” which features visual arts evoking a time before the electronic age. The Corner Gallery is presenting the Mendocino County Art Association’s Annual Members Show. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports MCAA is Mendocino County’s oldest art organization, established in 1954 with 107 members working in several different mediums so there is something for just about every art lover to enjoy.
More than 40 native artists and performers have participated in the annual Native Arts Expo. Now in its 8th year, the two-day Expo was held last weekend at the Mendocino Art Center. The Mendo Voice reports it featured a performance by the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers, a new collaborative tile project and a handwoven blanket done by an elementary school student. There was also an exhibit to raise awareness for Missing, Murdered, Indigenous Women. Officials say the Native Arts Expo has grown into one of the largest gatherings on the Mendocino Coast providing not just a showcase for artists and performers but also a platform for dialogue, healing, and celebrating resilience.
