The man killed in Sunday’s hit-and-run near Covelo has been identified as Bill Baker, the town’s longtime fire chief and a beloved local figure. Investigators say 80-year-old Baker was hit on Highway 162 by a 20-year-old driver who took off but was later found after her family called police. Friends say Baker had spent decades helping others—delivering babies, saving lives, and training new firefighters. One close friend said, “He was always the first to help, no matter the problem.” The CHP is still investigating and hasn’t said yet if charges will be filed.
Clearlake’s biggest health care project has hit a wall.
Adventist Health pulled out of its $50 million clinic plan, blaming a new federal law that slashes Medicaid funding and threatens rural hospitals. The project was supposed to bring much-needed care—and jobs—to Lake County by 2026. City leaders call the setback “deeply disappointing” but say they’re already looking for new partners to keep the clinic dream alive.
A Lucerne man accused of attacking two Lakeport police officers was back in court this week as a judge reviewed his possible mental health diversion. Defense attorney Howard Morrison asked for more time so Cletus Manuel Rouillard could meet with a mental health specialist, and the hearing was pushed to Tuesday. Rouillard’s charges include attempted murder and assaulting officers during a 2024 domestic dispute that left two cops injured. He’s still in the Lake County Jail on more than a million dollars bail while the court decides if he’ll get treatment instead of a trial.
Caltrans District 2 is warning drivers to get ready for another year of wet winter weather. The agency says check your car before heading out, pack chains and supplies, and use the QuickMap app to track closures and chain controls could. On the road, the agency says to slow down, keep your headlights on in the rain, and never try to pass snowplows. Officials say conditions can shift fast, so stay alert and following the direction of crews working to keep roads open.
Two free flu shot events are coming up in Lake and Mendocino counties. Lake County Health Services will be giving shots this Thursday, October 16, from 11 to 1 at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown, and next week, Mendocino County will host a drive-thru clinic on October 25 from 9 to noon in Ukiah. Both are open to anyone age five and up, no appointment needed. Health officials say now’s the time to roll up your sleeves before flu season ramps up.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law to better protect kids in immigrant families. It allows relatives to more easily take over caregiving if parents are deported and stops daycare centers from asking about immigration status. State officials say it’s about keeping families together and protecting privacy. Supporters say the law aims to make sure children stay safe and supported, even in tough situations.
Governor Gavin Newsom just approved a major pay raise for California’s inmate firefighters, bumping their wages from about a dollar an hour to $7.25. The change comes after more than 1,000 prisoners helped battle massive fires near Los Angeles earlier this year, many earning less than $30 a day. Supporters say it’s only fair pay for one of the most dangerous jobs behind bars. The new law takes effect right away, backed by $10 million in state funding.
Governor Gavin Newsom has approved the creation of a new state agency focused on delivering slavery reparations for Black Californians. The move follows years of work by a state task force that studied how the state should confront the legacy of slavery and racial injustice. The agency will handle restitution for descendants of enslaved people, but it’s still unclear if that will mean cash payments, a formal apology, or something else. State leaders say it marks a major shift from research to real action.
