Lake County supervisors are pressing pause on a fight over a proposed bioenergy plant in Upper Lake. The hay farmer appealing the project and the company behind it both asked for more time, saying the details need a closer look. Neighbors also spoke up, arguing the site is supposed to be protected under conservation easements. At the same time, the developer said a delay will give state officials a chance to weigh in. The board agreed to push the decision to October 28 before making a final call.
Lake County supervisors have greenlit the massive Guenoc Valley project, clearing the way for a luxury resort and housing development in the south county. After hours of debate over water, roads, and wildfire risks, the board voted unanimously in favor, saying the project could bring billions in economic benefits and thousands of jobs. Developers promised new fire safety measures, conservation agreements, and long-term tax revenue for the county. The plan calls for hotels, residential estates, and workforce housing spread across 16,000 acres. Supporters said it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance for Lake County’s economy, though others warn the community must hold developers accountable to their promises.
The Pickett Fire in Napa County is leaving a massive mark on the wine industry, with early estimates showing at least $65 million in crop losses. Officials say about 1,500 acres of vineyards and other crops have been hit. That’s roughly three percent of Napa Valley’s production. Most of the damage is from smoke, not flames, which could mean even more losses once the harvest is tested. The numbers are still climbing as crews work with growers to get a full picture. As for the cause, Cal Fire hasn’t confirmed anything yet, though dispatch records point that the fire started as a controlled burn.
CHP is setting up a DUI checkpoint in Ukiah Friday night to kick off the Labor Day weekend. The checkpoint will run from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on northbound North State Street, just north of town. Officers say it’s about keeping the roads safe by stopping impaired drivers before crashes happen. Their message is simple: if you’re drinking, don’t drive.
Protesters in Ukiah this week sounded the alarm about federal healthcare cuts they say could endanger both patients and hospitals. Local facilities, including Adventist Health Ukiah Valley and Sutter Lakeside, were flagged on a list of rural hospitals at risk of closing or cutting services because of changes to Medicaid. Hospital leaders say the bill could hit especially hard since most of their patients rely on Medicaid or Medicare for care. To tackle the issue, Mendocino County will host a Health Summit starting Sept. 10 to bring providers, agencies, and community members together to help find solutions.
For the first time since 2017, the Russian River Confluence is holding a Summer Convening today in Geyserville. The group brings together more than 30 partners, from tribes and nonprofit s to agencies and landowners to talk about protecting water and strengthening communities across the watershed. Leaders say the day will be about swapping lessons, closing coordination gaps, and setting clear next steps. A full recap will be posted online for anyone who can’t make it.
California schools could be saying goodbye to ultra-processed foods in the lunch line. Lawmakers will take up the bill Friday in the Senate Appropriations Committee, with changes set to start in 2028 if it passes. Governor Gavin Newsom is already on board, having ordered state agencies to study how to boost nutrition in school meals. Supporters say the move would put California at the front of the pack in making school lunches healthier.
