Traffic delays across Mendocino and Lake counties will be back next week as Caltrans launches a wave of roadwork on major highways. Projects include nighttime closures and one-way traffic controls on Highway 29 through Lakeport, where crews will be repairing and paving key sections beginning Tuesday. In Mendocino County, delays are likely on Highways 1, 20, and 101, with emergency repairs, bridge work, and paving scheduled from Westport to Willits. Some work zones may cause delays of up to 30 minutes, especially near the coast and rural corridors. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and slow down in work zones.
The Redwood Empire Fair is back in full swing, bringing four days of rides, animals, contests, and motorsports to Ukiah. The gates open this afternoon, at 3 p.m. and noon both on Saturday and Sunday. Today features everything from livestock contests and a pie-eating competition to monster trucks and motorcycles tearing up the Speedway. Visitors can also explore indoor exhibits showcasing local art, crafts, quilts, and a popular rescued animal display in Carl Purdy Hall. The fair runs through Sunday.
The earthquake off Russia’s east coast triggered tsunami waves across the Pacific, but experts say the quake’s depth and slower seabed shift helped keep the waves smaller than expected. While waves up to four meters hit coastal towns in parts of Russia, causing serious damage, other regions like Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland saw only minor impacts. Evacuation orders and tsunami alerts were issued around the Pacific Rim, but all were lifted by the end of the day. Scientists say the way the seabed moved during the quake reduced vertical displacement, limiting the tsunami’s power.
A 61-year-old woman suffering from severe heat exhaustion this week triggered a multi-agency rescue this week along the remote Lost Coast Trail north of Big Flat Creek. Emergency crews faced rugged terrain and limited access as they responded using off-road vehicles and called in CAL FIRE’s Copter 611 for aerial support. The woman was reportedly experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, symptoms that can quickly escalate into life-threatening heat stroke. Rescuers remind hikers to stay hydrated, protect themselves from the sun, and take extreme caution in isolated backcountry areas.
Governor Gavin Newsom is throwing his support behind a lawsuit challenging Trump-era tariffs, calling them a direct threat to California’s economy. Newsom says the tariffs are driving up prices for families, with a potential $25 billion hit to California households and more than 64,000 jobs at risk. He also warns local businesses are being crushed by $11 billion in extra costs. Trade activity has taken a hit too, with the Port of Los Angeles running at just 70 percent capacity and job postings in logistics down 40 percent in Southern California.
