A wildfire near Covelo burned 220 acres Sunday, forcing evacuations and drawing a large response from firefighters. The Medicine Fire spread quickly, damaging structures and injuring one firefighter. Officials said by last night the fire was at 15 percent containment, and all Evacuations have been downgraded to Situational Awareness warnings. Road closures remain in place as officials urge residents in the area to stay alert. The injured 26 year old firefighter was said to have suffered cuts to his face and a chipped tooth.
PG&E is officially moving to tear down two dams on the Russian River, filing its decommissioning plan late last week for the Potter Valley Project. Federal regulators will now review the plan and open a public comment period. PG&E says the project is no longer economical but will keep it running until its license ends. A new facility is proposed to maintain water diversions after the dams are removed. The company says it’s committed to a smooth, responsible transition for both the communities and the environment.
Safeway workers won big and kept stores open, striking a deal with the company just hours before a massive statewide walkout. The agreement, reached early Sunday, delivers raises, stronger job protections, and improved retirement and health benefits for 25,000 employees. Union leaders announced the breakthrough after five months of tense negotiations and a 24-hour deadline extension. The deal comes as Safeway’s parent company, Albertsons, continues to face pressure from its failed merger with Kroger.
Clear Lake is choking on toxic blooms, and tribal leaders say it’s time for action, not just awareness. At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting Big Valley Rancheria environmental director Sarah Ryan revealed sky-high levels of cyanobacteria toxins in the lake, far exceeding state safety limits. She and other local leaders say without tribal-led research and public warnings, the county would be blind to the health risks. Their task force, formed in 2014, continues pushing for better testing, communication, and long-term cleanup plans.
Western Region Town Hall leaders will decide Wednesday what to tell county supervisors about their work since forming. The special meeting runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Habematolel community center on Main Street, with Zoom access also available. Board Chair EJ Crandell invited the group to give a formal presentation to the Board of Supervisors. The only item on the agenda is what that presentation will include. Local leaders say community feedback is encouraged.
Get ready for a week of livestock, racing, and family fun as the Redwood Empire Fair rolls into Ukiah starting Thursday. The Ukiah Shamrock 4H Club will be front and center, showing off animals they’ve raised and selling them at the Junior Livestock Auction. Fairgoers can also enjoy creative exhibits, carnival rides, and four nights of Speedway action. The fair runs through Sunday, August 3, with something different each day.
A porch pirate caught on doorbell cameras is now behind bars, thanks to watchful neighbors and a flood of Facebook posts. Ukiah police arrested 34-year-old Carlos Magana-Macedo after video showed him stealing packages across the city’s Westside and a license plate reader linked him to the crime spree. He faces multiple charges of petty theft and felony conspiracy, and officers say he admitted to several of the thefts. Some stolen items have been recovered, but a second suspect is still on the loose.
