A messy chain of crashes unfolded before dawn on Highway 101 south of Leggett, where several vehicles hit multiple cows and left the southbound side backed up for hours. Four people reported minor injuries and turned down ambulance rides while crews dealt with a flipped car, damaged vehicles and several downed cattle. The highway finally cleared just before 9am
A motorcyclist wound up in handcuffs Saturday after Ukiah CHP officers saw him tearing down US-101 near Burke Hill at more than 100 miles an hour. They say he was weaving over double yellows and even passing cars on the shoulder before he finally stopped. The rider was arrested for reckless driving and, as it turned out, had a warrant for the same thing. CHP says the case shows why they stay focused on keeping the roads safe.
PG&E is sounding the alarm on a surge of utility scams this holiday season, saying more than 21,000 customers have already been targeted this year. Scammers are posing as PG&E workers, threatening fake shutoffs and draining nearly 300 thousand dollars from customers who get pressured into quick payments. The utility stresses it never demands payment through gift cards or popular payment apps and doesn’t call customers last-minute before a disconnection. PG&E says if something feels off, hang up, check your account directly and report the scam to the utility or law enforcement.
Lake County leaders are asking residents to step up and fill open seats on the Big Valley Advisory Council and the Animal Control Advisory Board. Two spots are open on the Big Valley council, which weighs in on everything from public health to land use in the area. The Animal Control board has one vacancy for District 5 and helps guide animal care policies, budgets and community needs. Each role comes with a two-year commitment, and applications are available online or at the courthouse in Lakeport.
Mendocino County is taking center stage in a new batch of state coastal grants, which together total more than 7.3 million dollars across the region. The Fire Safe Council is getting 803 thousand dollars to keep its free chipping program running and support community fuel-reduction work, and the Mendocino Land Trust will use 565 thousand dollars to build a new section of the California Coastal Trail at Arena Cove. The county will also benefit from a new native plant restoration network tied to the coming removal of the Potter Valley dams.
A murder suspect was found dead after a tense, hours-long standoff with law enforcement in Santa Rosa. Investigators say Lawrence Cassidy was wanted for a killing in Cloverdale on Saturday and holed up in a home where he fired repeatedly at SWAT officers. Two people were pulled out safely while Cassidy kept authorities pinned down for more than three hours. A drone later gave officers a view inside, where they say Cassidy was found dead from a gunshot wound.
The Rotary Club of Clear Lake is planning its 32nd annual Christmas Celebration later next month, turning Burns Valley Elementary into a holiday stop for local families. The gathering runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 13 and includes a free hot meal, kids activities, health checks and a small toy for every child. Organizers say the whole idea is to bring people together and make the season feel a little warmer.
