A tsunami warning issued Tuesday evening after a powerful earthquake off Russia’s coast brought concern but no damage to the California coast. In Mendocino County and other coastal areas, residents were urged to stay away from the water, though no significant waves or flooding were reported. By Wednesday morning, the advisory was lifted for most of the state, with officials confirming conditions had stabilized. Authorities thanked the public for taking the warning seriously and reminded coastal communities to stay prepared for future events.
A North Coast man was caught hauling 400 pounds of hallucinogenic mushrooms and more than $370,000 in cash during a weekend traffic stop in Lake County. Deputies arrested 31-year-old Alexander Abare early Saturday morning after pulling him over on Highway 20 in Upper Lake. A search of his van turned up bags and totes of psilocybin mushrooms, labeled by strain, along with vacuum-sealed bundles of cash, a switchblade, and marijuana. Abare faces multiple felony charges, and the investigation is still active.
The Medicine Fire burning northwest of Covelo has scorched 263 acres and is now 55% contained, according to Cal Fire. Three firefighters have been injured battling the flames, though their conditions have not been released. Mandatory evacuations ordered Sunday were lifted that night, but crews remain on scene working hot spots. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A Ukiah man who slashed another man across the face and arm during a violent knife attack has been found guilty of felony assault with a deadly weapon. A Mendocino County jury delivered the verdict Thursday in less than an hour, wrapping up a three-day trial in front of Judge Keith Faulder. Prosecutors say 54-year-old Karl Douglas Gage attacked the victim during a pre-dawn argument in April, then fled the scene before deputies arrived. Gage remains in custody and is scheduled for a parole violation and sentencing hearing next month.
A weekend traffic stop in Upper Lake led to the arrest of a man caught with 400 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms and hundreds of thousands in cash. Lake County deputies say 31-year-old Alexander Abare was pulled over early Saturday on Highway 20 and found with labeled bags of psilocybin, vacuum-sealed money, a switchblade, and marijuana. Investigators say the drugs were sorted by strain and packed in totes and duffel bags. Abare is now facing multiple felony charges as the case remains under investigation.
Wildfire prevention work gets underway Monday at Low Gap Park. The County of Mendocino and Ukiah Valley Fire Authority say the initial phase will use only hand tools to minimize impact while reducing fire risk. Crews will work in small sections to clear overgrown grass near homes over several days along the park’s back gate and residential border. Future phases will target hazardous tree limbs and dense vegetation throughout the park
