[PM News Update]
A Lucerne man accused in a fatal fentanyl overdose appeared in Lake County Superior Court yesterday. Prosecutors’ motion to consolidate Ryan John Stahl’s case was denied. The 40-year-old faces murder and drug charges in the February death of 28-year-old Carissa Morton. A trial readiness conference is set for tomorrow; jury trial begins next month.
Beer lovers head to Ukiah this Saturday for the Mendocino County Homebrew Festival at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center. Tickets include tastings from amateur and pro brewers, benefiting the Fire Safe Council. Sober drivers pay five dollars; drinkers thirty to forty. Details and sales at ukiahconferencecenter.com/homebrew-festival.
The Merck Foundation launched a twenty-two million dollar initiative to improve heart care in underserved U-S communities. Lake County’s Public Health Institute received a grant to partner with tribal leaders on the Heart-to-Heart Program targeting Native American and Latino residents. Eleven organizations nationwide will develop scalable solutions over five years.
Mendocino County supervisors passed a revised resolution urging water storage before PG&E removes Potter Valley dams. The three-to-two vote followed debate over stronger language. Supervisors emphasized regional partnerships and community impacts, while critics called the measure too weak. Public calls continue for a larger forum on water security.
State Senate Leader Mike McGuire announced his campaign for California’s First Congressional District. The Democrat pledges to fight for rural affordability, wildfire safety, and healthcare while challenging Republican Doug LaMalfa. McGuire enters with endorsements from Schiff, Pelosi, and local supervisors, vowing a massive grassroots effort across nine counties.
