A wet and unsettled week ahead. The National Weather Service says by the time Thursday rolls around, we could pick up between 3 and 5 inches of rain, especially in Mendocino and Southern Humboldt Counties. There is the potential for downpours with damaging winds, especially on Wednesday. There could be ponding and slick roads, increased risk of urban and small stream flooding, and potential rock and mudslides.
CalFresh food benefit recipients in Mendocino and Lake Counties are waiting for word when their EBT cards will be reloaded. The benefits have been delayed because of the ongoing federal shutdown. Two federal courts have ruled that the Trump administration must quickly dip into a contingency fund to pay the states, which administer their benefit programs. It is possible the funds could show up by midweek. Even when they do, the contingency fund doesn’t have enough money to cover the entire federal allocation for longer than just a couple of weeks. Local food banks say they’re expecting more people in need, including many first-time visitors. As for the shutdown, it will likely hit a record 35 days this week with resolution in sight, while both parties are holding fast to their positions.
Election officials in Lake and Mendocino Counties say they’re ready for tomorrow’s voting on Proposition 50, which would redraw the lines in time for next year’s congressional elections. Officials expect a heavier-than-usual turnout for an off-year election. The registrar’s offices report that mail-in votes have been coming in steadily. If voters approve the Democratic-backed plan, there could be a change in your congressional district and who you could vote for. Among the local pols who will be watching closely, Democratic State Senator Mike McGuire, whose district includes parts of Lake and Mendocino counties. He can’t run again for that job, but under a new map, McGuire would be among the leading potential candidates in a realigned local district with a decided Democratic advantage. He hasn’t said if he’s interested, but hasn’t said he is NOT either. Election day 2026 is exactly one year from today.
The Ukiah Design Review Board has approved a plan for a new Urgent Care Facility on Airport Park Boulevard, in a building that was once Mendocino Animal Hospital. Mendocino Community Health Clinics wants to repurpose the building and make outside changes, including more parking and landscaping. They’ve already made some modifications to the existing plan, including adding an ambulance access point to the hospital for patients who need more care elsewhere. The clinic would have seven exam rooms, imaging services, and support areas. The city will continue its review, and the MCHC still needs other approvals.
The Fort Bragg City Council has expanded a program that allows small businesses to spread payments for water and sewer infrastructure. The expansion means more businesses outside the central business district can apply for the deferral up to five years. Until now, the deferral was only available downtown–now it includes industrial and commercial office areas as well. Businesses have to pay into the fund to cover their share of necessary utility expansion with fees that can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. There are still some restrictions; it’s a one-time deferral, and only locally owned small businesses that are financially qualified can apply.
Fort Bragg’s new police chief is responding to concerns about how the city uses license plate readers on the Noyo River Bridge. Because the cameras are near where protests often take place, some residents have asked if the readers capture images of protestors too. Chief Eric Swift has assured the City Council that the snapshots just include license plate numbers and only those of vehicles entered into the system because of suspected involvement in a crime. He says his office only holds that data for 30 days, and its use is restricted to law enforcement for criminal investigations. Chief Swift also told council members he’ll report back about 9-1-1 response times since the city contracted with Ukiah to save money earlier this year. Council members say they’ve been hearing from residents who think 9 1 1 responses have been slowing down. Chief Swift says he’ll review the 9-1-1-call logs and response times to find out.. He is wrapping up his first month on the job.
Still no answers about how a 7 foot 7 inch White Sturgeon ended up in Clear Lake–and why it washed ashore near Kelseyville. The sturgeon’s range doesn’t include Clear Lake, so biologists are studying tissue samples taken when the long, bony fish was found on September 15th. Those results may yield clues, possibly in the next few weeks. One theory is that someone caught it in the bay and then dumped it in the lake, where it died along with dozens of other fish because of low dissolved oxygen. The Lake County Fish and Wildlife Commission plans to report back to the Board of Supervisors once science determines where the sturgeon came from. Fish and Wildlife says it’s never a good idea to introduce non native species into the water or anywhere else into the environment. Anyone caught doing that can face fines under state and federal regulations.
Thanksgiving is coming up fast, and the Kelseyville Rotary Club is kicking off its annual Holiday food drive. Collection barrels are out at Lakeport Grocery Outlet and Nice Sentry Market through November 17th. Food that’s collected will go to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Food Pantry.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office or Emergency Services is offering students a chance for a paid internship with hands-on experience in emergency management, preparedness planning, disaster response, and public outreach. The department says. Interns will work between 10 and 24 hours a week and get paid $23.52 an hour when the program starts in January. Applicants must be in college or planning to be and meet other qualifications. The County’s online Job Portal has more information.
You may still be feeling a little off this morning after Sunday’s switch to Pacific Standard Time. Most people hate the idea, so why do we still do it? One reason is opinions are strong about whether STANDARD or SAVING time is the way to go. In 2018, California voters approved making it PST all the time, but that can only happen if Congress goes along. Of course, in Washington, there isn’t much agreement on anything these days, so for the time being, it’s still “spring forward, fall back”. Look for earlier sun-up and sun-down until the first weekend in March 2026, when we do it again–and lose the house of sleep we picked up Saturday night.
