Police in Fort Bragg say a road rage encounter turned dangerous when an 18-year-old allegedly flashed a stolen gun and later vandalized another driver’s car. Officers arrested Javier Almazan-Naal early Wednesday after finding him in a vehicle matching witness reports. Inside his backpack, police say they discovered a stolen Glock 9mm and suspected gang-related items. He’s now booked in Mendocino County Jail with bail set at $250,000.
The Pickett Fire in Napa County, just over the Lake County Line, is close to containment. Cal Fire puts it at 92 percent contained over its 6,800 acres as of last night. Evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, but no one is allowed inside the fire line other than emergency personnel. Also off limits, the Trail System in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. You can visit the park’s website for more
Amanda Martin is stepping down as head of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce after less than a year on the job. In a letter to members, she said her final day as CEO will be September 26 before moving into a new role with Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Martin called her time leading the Chamber an honor, noting progress on major issues like the Potter Valley Project dams and support for the Guenoc Valley Project. She also thanked the board, staff, and local businesses for their backing, saying the Chamber is well positioned to keep moving forward.
The PumpkinFest Parade in Ukiah is gearing up for its annual parade. Organizers say this year’s theme is “Pumpkins of Oz” and floats will roll out rain or shine at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, starting from the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. Entries cost $25 and must be submitted by October 10, with applications available online or at the City of Ukiah Recreation Office on West Clay Street. For applications and more information go to cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest
Award-winning poet Michelle Peñaloza is coming to the Lakeport Library later this month to share from her brand-new book, "All The Words I Can Remember Are Poems." The reading happens Saturday, September 27, at 2 p.m., followed by a Q&A with the audience. Peñaloza, who lives in Covelo, has received national recognition for her work, including the James Laughlin Award and the Lexi Rudnitsky Editor’s Choice Award. The free event is supported by the Friends of the Lake County Library and the Lake County Literacy Coalition.
California parents could soon get an alert if federal immigration agents come onto their child’s school campus. Lawmakers passed what’s being called the Sending Alerts to Families in Education Act, which would apply to everything from elementary schools to universities. The goal is to ease fears for immigrant families at a time of increased enforcement, giving them notice and protection. The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, where he has until October 12 to sign it, and lawmakers also approved a related measure blocking ICE from entering private areas of schools or hospitals without a warrant.
