A dramatic cliffside rescue at Mendocino Headlands State Park. Just after 8:30 Tuesday night, the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call that a man and his dog were stranded near the Arch. Fire officials say the dog fell into the water, and after the owner got the animal on dry land, both became trapped on a cliff. Volunteers sent out jet skis, a cliff rescue truck, and a medical rig to the scene. The Mendocino Voice says they were able to bring both the man and his dog to safety. Best of all, neither man or his best friend were hurt.
In-Home Supportive Services workers and their union, SEIU Local 2015, are calling on Lake County leaders to approve what is a long-overdue wage increase. During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, union organizer Louisa Acosta pushed members to authorize a raise, saying current wages force many caregivers to juggle multiple jobs, leaving little time for their own families. Acosta pointed out that while the livable wage in California is around $20 per hour, in Lake County it’s closer to $22. Yet, local IHSS workers average just $17.15 an hour. Since the issue was not on the board’s formal agenda, speakers were limited to three minutes each. The Record Bee reports union members claim the county has the money and must act now to support those who care for the county’s most vulnerable population.
Planned Parenthood is challenging a federal court freeze on Medicaid funding for abortion providers. The freeze stems from President Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill," which blocks Medicaid reimbursements for clinics receiving over 800-thousand-dollars annually and offering abortion services. It threatens around 300-million-dollars in state funding, affecting over 100 clinics. A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the ban.
A former Clearlake man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a years-long child sex abuse case. Earlier this week, a Sonoma County Superior Court Judge handed down a sentence of 200 years to life in prison to 40-year-old Gerald Martin Bloom III. According to the Sonoma County DA’s Office, the crimes happened between 2014 and 2020 and involved two victims under the age of 14. Lake County News says Bloom was convicted on multiple counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child, including eight special allegations of sex crimes. The sentence was the maximum Bloom could receive.
California is leaning into artificial intelligence. State agencies are starting to roll out some new tools and that includes a new chatbot from Cal Fire. It’s designed to give residents quicker access to wildfire updates, preparedness tips, and emergency resources. So you know, the tool is already live and pulls information directly from Cal Fire’s websites. The Mendocino Voice says it was built by Citibot, a South Carolina company specializing in AI for public agencies. It’s expected to be used through at least 2027.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is targeting online fantasy sports platforms in the state for allegedly violating state betting laws. Platforms, including PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy, and companies like FanDuel and DraftKings continue operating and remain accessible to state residents. Native gaming tribes want lawmakers to take stronger action against the companies.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” may strip millions of Americans of their health insurance, and adversely impact rural areas like Mendocino County where residents already have a tough time getting access to affordable healthcare. The Trump Administration’s new law makes cuts to Medicaid, which, in California, is Medi-Cal. Governor Gavin Newsom claims nearly 3.5 million could lose their health coverage as a result. The Mendocino Voice reports that the county has nearly 92,000 residents, and as of May, close to half are enrolled in the Medi-Cal program. Additionally, officials with Adventist Health Ukiah Valley hospital say a majority of their patients use Medicaid, so it could threaten the stability of hospitals and clinics that rely on Medicaid funding for services.
California ranks 30th overall among public school systems in the U.S. A recent WalletHub study assessed 32 metrics, including funding, safety, and instructor credentials. In terms of overall quality and school safety, California ranked 29th and 37th. The report did find that California has among the highest average ACT scores in the nation, tied with Connecticut and Washington, D.C.
