The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is urgently asking for help to find a missing Clearlake Park man. Deputies say 51-year-old Damion Reynolds was last seen the morning of August 20 at his home on Crestview Drive and has not been heard from since. He’s described as 5’8”, 120 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes, and may have a mustache or goatee. A photo is posted on the Sheriff’s Facebook page, and anyone with information should call (707) 263-2690.
A major North Bay trail project is facing a legal roadblock as dozens of landowners sue to stop it from crossing their property. The lawsuit targets Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, which is building part of the 300-mile Great Redwood Trail between Marin and Humboldt counties. Plaintiffs argue the transit only holds easements for rail use, not recreational paths, while the agency insists it has full authority to proceed. Mediation is planned for November, but the case could go to trial in February if no agreement is reached.
A crackdown on illegal cannabis grows in Mendocino County wiped out tens of thousands of plants and uncovered widespread environmental damage. California wildlife officers, working with local and state partners, served 21 search warrants in the Ukiah and Laytonville areas during the week of August 11. In addition to seizing 13 firearms and recovering a stolen vehicle, officers documented 213 Fish and Game Code violations tied to water diversions and habitat destruction. Seven people were detained, and officials say the investigation is far from over.
A proposal to annex the Redwood Valley County Water District into the Russian River Flood Control District is drawing strong pushback from farmers and landowners. Opponents say the move could pit agriculture against residential users in future droughts, recalling when farms were cut off entirely during the 2021–22 shortages. Farmers have filed a letter demanding a full environmental review, calling the board’s “no significant impact” finding legally defective. Flood Control leaders insist the annexation is not a merger, and Mendocino County will now decide whether the plan moves forward.
Plans to extend the Great Redwood Trail from Marin to Humboldt counties are moving forward, but a lawsuit in the North Bay could slow progress. About 65 landowners are suing Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, claiming the agency lacks the authority to build a recreational path through their easements. Transit officials argue they do have the legal right and say the project, funded by a voter-approved sales tax, is a vital transit and recreation link. Mediation with landowners is set for November, with a trial scheduled for February if no settlement is reached.
Mendocino County libraries are adding an unusual new item to their shelves, radon detectors. In partnership with the California Department of Public Health, the library system now allows residents to check out portable devices for up to 21 days to test their homes for the dangerous gas. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA, and it can seep into any home through soil and foundation cracks. The detectors are part of the library’s “Library of Things” program, which also includes park passes, toolkits, and laptops.
Mendocino County’s oak trees are now under attack from the invasive Mediterranean oak borer, a pest recently confirmed in Hopland and Potter Valley. Experts say the beetle targets large valley oaks, the beloved centerpiece trees of parks, neighborhoods, and rural landscapes. Combined with drought and shifting climate conditions, the pest is fueling a rise in oak mortality across the county. Scientists warn that without intervention, Mendocino’s iconic oaks could face significant losses in the years ahead.
California families could see billions in savings if lawmakers act on utility reform, according to a coalition of business, consumer, and clean energy groups. In a letter to Governor Newsom and legislators this week, the groups urged support for bills AB 825 and SB 254, which aim to cut nearly $4 billion a year from electricity costs. The reforms call for using public financing for transmission and wildfire mitigation projects instead of expensive utility-backed borrowing. Advocates say the changes would lower bills for households already hit by steep rate hikes.
The California Supreme Court has rejected a Republican bid to block Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan. GOP lawmakers had filed a petition to stop Democrats from redrawing congressional districts, a move aimed at picking up five seats in the U.S. House. The ruling comes the same day Texas lawmakers advanced their own redistricting plan to give Republicans a shot at five additional seats. California lawmakers will vote today on whether to place the new congressional map before voters.
