The Hopland Public Utility District is considering a 40 percent rate hike for water and wastewater services, and residents can weigh in at a public hearing Thursday night. The district says the increase would help pay for infrastructure upgrades, rising operational costs, and a utility relocation project required by Caltrans. If approved, rates would jump from $1.90 to $2.66 per 1,000 gallons starting November 1, with gradual increases each year through 2029. The hearing starts at 6:30 p.m. at Brutocao Cellars in Hopland, and written protests must be turned in before the meeting wraps up.
Vote-by-mail ballots are now on their way for Lake County’s November 4 Statewide Special Election. Every registered voter will get one, and those who are newly registered to vote will receive theirs in later mailings. The Registrar of Voters is reminding residents to double-check their registration details online to make sure their ballot arrives on time. Ballots can be mailed back, dropped off at official sites, or turned in at any of the 19 polling places open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day.
A Clearlake man is behind bars, accused of setting four fires across Clearlake and Clearlake Oaks over the past two months. Cal Fire investigators say 53-year-old Ronald Millard sparked several blazes along Sulphur Bank Road and Drive, including one that burned 11 acres in August. He’s also charged with illegally having a rifle and ammunition because of a prior drug conviction. Millard’s being held without bail as he waits for his next court date.
Congressman Mike Thompson is holding a virtual town hall Wednesday night to talk about the government shutdown and what it means for health care access in California. The event starts at 6 pm and will include Covered California’s Executive Director Jessica Altman. They’ll answer questions about how the shutdown is affecting health coverage and services statewide. You can watch the discussion live on Thompson’s Facebook page or RSVP online to take part.
Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill to tighten rules on police use of license plate readers, saying it would make solving crimes harder. The measure followed reports of officers misusing the technology and sharing data illegally. Newsom said deleting data after 60 days could hurt cold case investigations. Privacy advocates argue the veto leaves police surveillance with too little oversight.
Governor Gavin Newsom has approved a new law cracking down on blaring ads in streaming shows. It bans commercials from being louder than the programs they interrupt, with the attorney general set to enforce the rules. Streaming companies have until July 2026 to turn down the volume, and experts think California’s move could set the tone for the rest of the country.
