A Lakeport man will spend 30 years to life behind bars for killing an innocent woman in a drive-by shooting he meant for someone else. Prosecutors say 22-year-old Nathaniel Hueners thought he was targeting a rival gang member when he fired into Elizabeth Williams’ car in Clearlake last April. Williams, 45, died after being struck once, and Hueners later admitted to second-degree murder. The district attorney called it a senseless act that shows how one bad decision can destroy multiple lives.
Ukiah police say a 16-year-old boy pulled a loaded “ghost gun” on a bystander who tried to calm an argument between him and another teen Thursday night. Officers later tracked the pair down near Yokayo Elementary, finding the gun tossed over a fence. The boy now faces several felony charges, including carrying a loaded firearm in public, and the 16-year-old girl was arrested on a vehicle theft warrant. Both were booked into Mendocino County Juvenile Hall.
The scares and screams are back in Lakeport as Haunted Lake County opens its doors for another Halloween season. This year’s theme, the “Lakeside Sanatorium,” turns a 36,000-square-foot warehouse into a twisted hospital. Started in 2010, the event has since raised over $100,000 for local charities and remains a community favorite. Haunted Lake County runs this coming weekend and again Halloween weekend, with tickets starting at $15.
A major boost in emergency preparedness is coming to Northern Lake County. The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake just received a $2.24 million FEMA grant to build a cutting-edge alert system designed to save lives during wildfires and other disasters. The plan includes new warning sirens, real-time NOAA Weather Radio updates, and the same Everbridge alert technology used by the U.S. military. Tribal Chairwoman Danielle Cirelli says it’s a "new era in emergency communication" for both the tribe and the wider community.
Fort Bragg is stepping up to help residents keep the lights on. The city just launched a $300,000 program offering up to $800 in one-time utility bill assistance for qualifying households. Funded by a federal grant, the aid will be sent straight to utility providers to help families avoid shutoffs. City leaders say they’ll spread the word through social media, local nonprofits, and even paper utility bills so no one misses the chance to apply.
A mansion once built for California’s governors, but never lived in by one, is up for sale. The Carmichael estate, designed by Nancy Reagan and commissioned by Ronald Reagan, is listed for $7.5 million. The 12,000-square-foot home has eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, two kitchens, and a pool you can reach straight from the master bedroom. Finished in 1974, it sits on seven acres just outside Sacramento, serving more as a symbol of history than a home.
California’s two Democratic senators are keeping their campaign coffers full, even with no elections on the horizon. Adam Schiff reported $8.6 million in his account at the end of September, and Alex Padilla isn’t far behind with $7 million. The two spent big last time around, Schiff more than $61 million, Padilla about $4.5 million.
