A small earthquake rattled Brooktrails late Monday night, with the U.S. Geological Survey reporting a preliminary 2.1 magnitude tremor just before midnight. The quake was centered about six miles northeast of town at a depth of five miles, hitting at 11:49 p.m. While too weak to cause damage, residents who felt the shaking are encouraged to file a report with USGS. Experts remind the public that even minor quakes are a good reminder to review earthquake safety steps, including the “drop, cover, and hold on” method.
Ukiah’s Planning Commission will review three recently approved development projects at its meeting Wednesday, including plans for a new Habit Burger and Grill at the former Denny’s on Pomeroy Street. City staff say building permits for tenant improvements and landscaping at the burger chain site were submitted in July and remain under review. Also on the agenda is the reuse of the former Savings Bank of Mendocino building in the Pear Tree Shopping Center, along with another project chosen as a case study. The commission will use the session as training to better understand its role in balancing economic growth with zoning rules, infrastructure limits, and community needs.
Fire officials say the Sky Fire in Clearlake is now 95% contained after burning nearly 19 acres off Morgan Valley Road since Sunday. Evacuation orders have been lifted, but drivers are urged to watch for emergency crews still working in the area. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
The Picket Fire near Calistoga is holding at just 15% containment as it grows past 6,800 acres, making it the largest fire in the region so far this season. Cal Fire crews are reinforcing control lines and working steep terrain to protect more than 600 threatened structures, with several evacuation zones still in effect. Fueled by heavy brush, grass, and dead timber, the fire continues to burn intensely, prompting Napa County to declare a state of emergency. Smoke impacts are expected across northern counties, including Lake, Mendocino, and Humboldt.
Fort Bragg’s largest mural yet will be unveiled this winter just in time for the annual gray whale migration. The mural, Titled “The Gray Whale in Kelp,” stretches across the facade of North Coast Brewing Company and depicts a whale swimming through a kelp forest. The mural will be introduced during KelpFest in October. City officials say it’s part of the Alleyway Art Project, which has added more than 25 murals across Fort Bragg to highlight local culture, support artists, and draw visitors downtown.
The former Lake County Code Enforcement officer convicted of bribery has been sentenced to a year in jail. On Monday a judge handed down the sentence to Antonio Chavez Anguiano following a plea agreement that reduced multiple felony charges to two bribery counts. The case centered around a $2,000 bribe from a marijuana grower, which was caught on video during a police sting. Prosecutors called the crimes a betrayal of public trust, while defense attorneys pointed to the man’s lack of a prior record and family responsibilities. He is scheduled to report to the Lake County Jail on October 8.
Two bills aimed at jumpstarting California’s geothermal industry could bring thousands of jobs to Mendocino County if they advance in the state Senate this week. Assembly Bills 527 and 531, set for a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday, would streamline permitting and expand fast-track certification for geothermal projects. If approved, the bills could clear the way for major projects like Sonoma Clean Power’s GeoZone, which promises up to 600 megawatts of renewable capacity and more than 1,000 permanent jobs.
California health officials are warning about a sharp rise in measles cases, with 20 reported so far this year compared to just 15 in all of 2024. Three people have died, and the U.S. is now seeing its highest case numbers in more than 30 years. The disease, once declared eliminated in the U.S., is spreading again as vaccination rates lag, prompting renewed calls for families to stay current on immunizations.
