Clearlake’s City Council has a full agenda Thursday night, starting with a public hearing on the police department’s military equipment policy. The department already has a mobile command unit and wants to add a drone for rescues, with an armored vehicle also being considered. Councilmembers will also look at a draft proposal for new animal control services after cutting ties with North Bay Animal Services last month. Two new middle-management jobs, building services manager and finance manager, are also up for a vote, with city staff saying the added costs will be offset by grants and reduced consultant hours. The meeting begins at 6 pm at City Hall, and the public can follow along in person, online, or through Zoom.
We’re learning more about the wild Highway 101 chase we reported earlier this week. Police say the two men, identified as 28-year-old Elie JeanBaptiste and 23-year-old Dominique Gulick sped south from Humboldt County in a stolen car, swerving into oncoming lanes before stop sticks finally brought them to a halt near Hopland. Along the way, cops say Gulick ditched a backpack with an assault rifle, while JeanBaptiste turned out to already be under supervision for a past gun conviction. Both are now in the Mendocino County Jail, JeanBaptiste held without bail and Gulick’s bail set at $300,000.
The Grace Hudson Museum’s annual gala is nearly sold out, with the big night set for Saturday in Ukiah. Money raised will keep programs, exhibits, and outreach running while also starting a fund to tackle long-needed fixes to the historic Sun House. The evening promises live jazz, seasonal food and drink, a lively auction, and plenty of time to catch up with old friends. This year’s theme is “The Wonder of It All,” and is inspired by the museum’s current show highlighting the playful and awe-filled work of local artists.
Ukiah’s City Council will take up a controversial change today that could make it easier to clear homeless encampments, even if no shelter space is available. The move follows a Supreme Court decision and state guidance that give cities more leeway while still requiring officials to connect people with services. The proposal also bans blocking sidewalks and paths under the ADA and lets the police chief delegate enforcement to other city staff. The meeting starts at 5:15 p.m. at the Civic Center, with residents able to join in person, by Zoom, or by phone.
Clear Lake locals were stunned Monday when a massive white sturgeon, stretching seven feet long and possibly over 100 years old, washed ashore near Horseshoe Bay. The ancient fish, full of eggs but otherwise empty, was checked by anglers before a biologist collected samples to see if it once lived in salt water. White sturgeon usually stick to rivers and estuaries, making a find like this in Clear Lake almost unheard of. Longtime fishermen say they’ve heard stories of mystery fish snapping lines over the years, and this fish has confirmed the legends.
More California seniors are applying for college financial aid, with nearly three out of four submitting forms this year. The Student Aid Commission says 340,000 applications went in—about 40,000 more than last year—thanks in part to a law requiring high schools to guide students through the process. Skipping the paperwork can mean leaving over $22,000 in state and federal aid on the table. Looking ahead, California is setting aside almost $3 billion for student aid in 2025-26 to help those heading to public universities.
California lawmakers have approved a bill aimed at fixing what critics call a dangerous loophole in the state’s sex offender registry. Senate Bill 680, from Sen. Susan Rubio, would make sure adults who sexually abuse minors can’t sidestep registration because of outdated legal language. The measure passed with wide support after cases showed some offenders were avoiding the list altogether, despite convictions. Now it’s up to Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign it into law.
