Downtown Lakeport was packed Saturday as the “No Kings II” protest brought out one of the largest crowds the county’s ever seen. Organizers say up to 2,000 people filled Old Courthouse Museum Park, joining millions nationwide in calling for democracy and rejecting authoritarian rule. Protesters lined Main Street with colorful signs, music, and laughter as passing drivers honked in support. The event stayed upbeat and orderly, a local show of unity in what’s become a growing national movement.
Sunshine, costumes, and candy filled downtown Ukiah Saturday as hundreds turned out for the city’s annual Pumpkinfest parade. Floats and dancers celebrated this year’s “Pumpkins of Oz” theme, keeping alive a tradition that’s been running strong since the early ’90s. Families lined State Street as kids in Halloween gear waved and grabbed handfuls of treats. Even Indivisible Ukiah joined the parade, mixing a dose of activism into the festivities with signs supporting the nationwide “No Kings” movement.
Police say a Lake County man turned LEGO collecting into a full-blown crime ring. Detectives arrested 39-year-old Robert Lopez of Hidden Valley Lake, accusing him of directing thieves to steal expensive LEGO sets and reselling them online. When officers searched his home, they found tubs of loose bricks, boxes of unopened sets, and several illegal firearms. Lopez is now facing a long list of charges, from organized retail theft to being a felon in possession of guns.
Mendocino County artists have a chance to inspire young minds through the Get Arts in the Schools Program. The Arts Council and County Office of Education are offering $18,000 in grants to help bring music, theater, painting, and more into local classrooms. The program reaches thousands of students each year and covers artist fees and travel costs. Applications are open through November 14, with details posted at artsmendocino.org.
Highway 1 through Fort Bragg was a sea of signs, flags, and costumes Saturday as more than 2,200 people joined the “No Kings” protest against the Trump administration. The crowd—families, seniors, and students alike lined half a mile of roadway, cheering as cars honked in support. Organizers said the upbeat rally was part of a growing global movement to defend democracy and stand up for immigrants, LGBTQ+ rights, and social services.
Downtown Willits filled with chants and signs Saturday as more than 800 people joined the national “No Kings” protests pushing back against what organizers call authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration. Locals with Indivisible Willits pointed to immigration raids, threats to use the National Guard, and cuts to health and food programs as signs of danger for working families. Organizer Kate Black said the administration’s agenda threatens rural clinics and other essential services. The protest came as the federal shutdown drags on and similar rallies unfolded in cities nationwide.
Highway 101 traffic came to a standstill south of Benbow Sunday night after a semi-truck went off a bridge near Richardson Grove State Park. Crews rushed to the scene just after 5 p.m. amid reports of smoke and a trapped driver, but CHP says the driver made it out safely and wasn’t hurt. The highway reopened to one-way traffic within about a half hour. Officials are still checking into a possible fluid spill from the crash.
Firefighters are kicking off pile-burning operations today in the Mendocino National Forest. Crews plan to burn up to 17 acres near Plaskett Meadows and another 10 acres this week at Ides Cove Campground. It’s part of a broader fall and winter effort to clear overgrown brush and cut wildfire danger. Officials say some smoke will be visible, and they’re asking visitors to steer clear of active burn sites.
