Mendocino County officials are hosting several community meetings in order to see if the public would support an ordinance that would allow low intensity camping. The meetings aim to provide a basic overview of the amendment process and to get feedback from the community. The meetings are Wednesday nights with this week’s meeting in Anderson Valley at 6 p.m. at Boonville Veterans Hall, in Boonville.
A hiker injured deep in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park was airlifted to safety Saturday following a team rescue involving eight emergency agencies and a helicopter hoist operation. The Shelter Cove Fire Department says the man fell roughly 10 feet after losing his footing on a marked trail about one mile north of Jones Creek, near the Mendocino-Humboldt County line. The fall left the hiker with a suspected broken leg and stranded in steep, rugged terrain. If your not familiar with the area, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is along a remote stretch of coastline in southern Humboldt and northern Mendocino counties. Mendofever says it’s part of the Lost Coast, an area where trails are quite challenging along with rescues that are sometimes needed due to the terrain and the isolation.
A man from a small Yuba County town not far from Sacramento has gone missing according to authorities in Lake County. 38 year old Albert Herschler told a loved one he planned to walk to the Pacific Ocean. Herschler’s last known contact was on May 18, when he called his grandmother and told her he was “20 miles away from Clearlake” and in need of water. Mendofever reports police say every call since then from Herschler’s phone has gone straight to voicemail. Herschler is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. He has a shaved head, a reddish-blonde goatee, and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lake County Sheriff’s office.
The Mendocino College Foundation says it’s signed a perpetual scholarship agreement with the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department (RVCFD) Volunteers. The RVCFD Volunteers’ $25,000 investment will enable the Foundation to award a $1,000 scholarship annually in perpetuity to a Mendocino College student preparing for a career as a first responder. This year’s recipient is Alex Stoughton, a senior at Potter Valley High School, who says he plans to attend Mendocino College and work towards his EMT certifications and an associate’s degree, likely in fire science. Mendofever quotes Battalion Chief Justin Ebert, who says, “the award represents not only our commitment to fostering the next generation of firefighters but also our admiration for individuals who demonstrate resilience, determination, and passion for serving their community.”
A 63-year-old man died Thursday morning after his kayak overturned off the shore of Clearlake Oaks, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies, including Marine Patrol units, responded to the incident around 9 a.m. and with help from the North Shore Dive Team, the man’s body was found. He was already dead. The Willits News notes the man was not wearing a life vest at the time of the attempted rescue.
The 18th annual Mendocino Film Festival is right around the corner and according to festival organizers, this year’s lineup is bigger than ever. The festival runs May 29 through June 1, and will feature 67 films from 20 countries. You should know there’s a strong showing from Mendocino County creatives, with several local filmmakers and special guests slated to appear. Mendofever says Directors Ana Blanco and Natasha Benjamin will attend the premiere of Sequoias of the Sea, their documentary about kelp forests and the Noyo Harbor community this Friday afternoon at 1. Will Hawkes, from Mendocino is a co-writer of the Oscar-nominated short The Last Ranger. His film will be part of the “Making a Difference” shorts program on Friday morning at 10.
The Senate has voted to block California’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
The resolution is headed for President Trump’s desk and he’s expected to sign it, along with two other measures blocking California’s rules that the Senate is expected to pass. Governor Gavin Newsom and state air regulators claim what Congress is doing is illegal and have filed a lawsuit.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has approved flying the Pride flag at the administration office on Low Gap Road in Ukiah. Last week, Supervisors Maureen Mulheren and John Haschak sponsored the proposal to fly it in recognition of June as Pride Month. Haschakh says it shows the diversity of Mendocino County by representing all the people. The Mendocino Voice says the flag raising is set for June 2 at the Mendocino County Administration Center.
