The Mendocino Environmental Center in downtown Ukiah will host a Juneteenth celebration this week. The event will include live music by the Mendocino Jazz Collective and a dinner with all the fixings. Juneteenth, recognized as a federal holiday since 2021, commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., specifically marking June 19, 1865, when Union troops declared freedom for enslaved people in Texas. It runs from 4-6:30 Thursday evening. The Mendocino Voice says it’s the only confirmed Juneteenth event in Mendocino County celebrating the national holiday.
The fifth annual Redwood Coast Region Economic Development Summit will be held for the first time in Lake County this Fall at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. The event gathers leaders from Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Trinity counties, along with tribal communities, to discuss innovation and regional development. This year’s theme, “Harvesting Growth: Transforming Rural Economies,” will focus on downtown revitalization, tourism, agri-tourism, and the blue economy. Early bird registration is available through September 1.
Kevin Case, principal partner of Mahaman, promoted the proposed resort and residential development in Guenoc Valley during a joint Lake County–Calistoga Chamber of Commerce mixer. He emphasized that the project will generate numerous job opportunities and would boost the local economy in a big way. Case also highlighted the project’s minimal environmental impact, claiming it would disturb less than 5% of the land while conserving 3,000 acres for open space and wildlife. Amanda Martin, Lake County Chamber executive director, says she’s thrilled to welcome the Guenoc Valley Project Resort and that it will be a game changer for the community, economy and the future of Lake County. The Lake County Record Bee quoted Case, who says the project has been approved for 400 hotel rooms, 450 residential resorts, 1,400 residential estates and workforce housing, adding he wants to employ locals to work at the resort.
A 29 year old Ukiah man who died in February following his arrest in custody, died from an accidental overdose. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office says methamphetamine and GHB was found in Emil Redzic’s system. He had been arrested for possessing a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, and violating probation. Redzic showed signs of an altered mental state during the arrest, lost consciousness, and was given Narcan. The Mendocino Voice says he died shortly after being transported to Ukiah Valley Hospital.
California’s GOP lawmakers announced they’re demanding an independent audit of the California Air Resources Board for its overhaul of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulations, (LCFS) which will raise gas prices by up to 65 cents per gallon when it takes effect on July 1st. The fight over LCFS regulations began in November of last year when new amendments were adopted to create a cleaner gasoline blend targeting long-term emission goals. The California Globe reports that the California Air Resources Board projected a 47-cent per gallon price increase, however, independent studies, pegged the increase to be as high as 65 cents per gallon, raising consumer concerns.
