LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — More than $200,000 in scholarship funds are available for graduating high school seniors, incoming and existing Mendocino College students from the Mendocino College Foundation. 

The application opened on Dec. 2, 2025, and closes on March 1, 2026. 

With one universal application, students and potential students do not have to search for scholarships that they are eligible for; they only need to complete the one application consisting of four short essay questions that can be found by visiting Mendocino.academicworks.com All Opportunities - Mendocino College Scholarship Opportunities. 

Scholarships provide crucial support for students who are living, working and learning right here at home, and therefore spending their money locally. If a Mendocino College student’s car breaks down, they will take it to a mechanic. If they need child care, they will be paying a provider here in Lake and Mendocino counties. All while saving money and time by attending community college.

Recently a donor asked a very valid question: If community college is so affordable, why do students need scholarships? While it is true that tuition and fees at community college are a fraction of a four-year school’s price tag, students still struggle with basic needs. 

Students report experiencing housing and food insecurity, even while working and trying to complete their degree. Gas, groceries, rent and utility prices seem to keep climbing, making it a challenge to juggle going to classes, working part or full time, raising a family or taking care of elders, especially with the cost of living in our area so high.

Scholarships can mean the difference between students staying the course to complete their degree or certificate, or being derailed from their academic dreams or career goals. 

“This scholarship will allow me to continue to focus on my education and pursuit of an engineering degree on my current academic timeline,” Avery Edmunds stated in his acceptance letter upon receiving the Sonoma Clean Power perpetual scholarship. 

This funding, he added, “will allow me to attend college full-time and take the STEM classes that are only offered in the fall semester. Although there is state and local financial assistance available, it is truly through scholarships like this one that I am able to make ends meet while working less so I can attend Mendocino College. The impact of this scholarship for me is significant.”

The Mendocino College Foundation has many philanthropic partners who recognize the tremendous impact that scholarships have and who want to invest in people like Avery right here in our communities. 

Sutter Lakeside Hospital recently created a new perpetual scholarship to be awarded to a hospital employee or their dependent who is pursuing education at Mendocino College. 

“Sutter Health is invested in the well-being of our patients as well as our employees, and we wanted to create this scholarship in order to support those employees who are furthering their education and skills to be able to provide an even higher level of care,” said Timothy Stephens, Sutter Lakeside CEO. “We are proud to partner with the Mendocino College Foundation in order to give back to our community.” 

Another important partnership is with the Ukiah High School Alumni Association. Longtime Mendocino College Foundation Board member Channing Cornell has been instrumental in growing the alliance between Ukiah High and Mendocino College via scholarships for graduating seniors. 

“Mendocino College is a really smart option for local high school students who want to get their Bachelor’s degree because they can come to the College tuition free if they are full time, thanks to the Promise Program,” Cornell said. “The Ukiah High Alumni Association supports five perpetual scholarships that are given annually to a student who is planning to attend Mendocino College, and we encourage any alumni interested in contributing to our funds or establishing their own perpetual scholarship to reach out to Julie McGovern, the executive director of the College Foundation.”

Jaqueline Valencia received a scholarship established by Ukiah High alumni Jeff Banks, in memory of his fellow classmate, Norma Jeanne Gibson.

In her thank you letter to Jeff she wrote, “Because of your kindness, I will be able to focus more on my studies, and worry less about money. I am a first-generation Latina and I cannot express how much this opportunity means for me. My parents have sacrificed lots for me to be where I am today, and I can only hope that I continue making them proud. Receiving this scholarship will help me as I continue to pursue my educational goals, and as I dream of working in the medical field. I would like to be a physical therapist because I know how important health care is; helping people is something that I truly have a passion for. When I think about my future, I can see myself spending my time giving back to my community. As I continue to grow my knowledge, I hope to continue helping others and finding ways to push myself academically.”

She concluded, “My parents never had opportunities like these, therefore having this chance is something I will 100 percent take advantage of.”

For students looking for any assistance with the scholarship application process, there are Zoom workshops planned for every Friday from Jan. 8 through Feb. 27, one in the morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and one in the afternoon from 2:30 –to 3:30 p.m. The foundation said it is committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to apply for scholarship assistance, and help is available online or in person. 

Students who cannot attend the Friday times can schedule a one-on-one meeting by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or drop by the Foundation office, located in the Center for Professional and Visual Arts building, room 5110. 

Foundation Development Coordinator Eliza Grider is part of the Mendocino College Reg2Go team that visits high schools in the College District to talk with seniors about admissions and enrollment, financial aid, as well as scholarships. 

“We highly encourage any senior who thinks they might attend Mendocino College, even if they are not yet sure about their plans, to apply for scholarships,” she explained. “Because if their plans change, we can simply re-award the scholarship to another qualified student; but if they don’t apply and they do and up at Mendocino College, they will have to wait another year to apply and they will miss out on the opportunity for funding in that first year.”

Whether a student is thinking about a future as a firefighter, EMT, registered nurse, engineer, teacher, auto mechanic or a career in the arts, there is a scholarship to support them. Mendocino College is a welcoming and transformative place, and the foundation is here to ensure that scholarships help students get to wherever it is they dream to be. 

A special thanks to the generosity of the many donors who support students learning locally at Mendocino College by donating to the foundation’s scholarship fund or establishing their own perpetual scholarship. Your investments fuel the future for students, and help our communities continue to prosper and thrive. 

For more information on how to contribute, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 707-467-1018 or visit www.foundation.mendocino.edu.  

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — As 2026 begins, it’s a good time to visit Clearlake Animal Control and find a new friend to add to your family.

The shelter starts off the year with 60 adoptable dogs and puppies listed on its website.

This week’s dogs include “Terry,” a 7-year-old shepherd mix with a short brindle coat.

The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit Clearlake’s adoptable dogs here.

This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social. 

Atmospheric river storms across California this month have boosted water supply and snow pack, which had been lagging so far in the early water year.

The Department of Water Resources on Tuesday conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. 

The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 5 inches, which is 50 percent of average for this location. 

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. 

Statewide, the snowpack is 71 percent of average for this date.

Tuesday’s results are welcome news for water managers who rely on the statewide snow surveys to make water supply decisions for the year ahead. 

California’s statewide snowpack had been lacking in early December with above-average temperatures and very little storm activity. Recent storms have turned that around and provided a significant boost to the snowpack and the state’s water supply.

“The dry conditions and warmer temperatures in early December delayed our snow-building season, but the return of storm activity, especially in the last week, helped to build a solid base for this year’s snowpack,” said Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, state hydrometerologist for DWR. “Thankfully, the recent storms that reached the state were cold enough to provide necessary benefits for the snowpack and our water supply. While California is in a better position now, it is still early in the season and our state’s water supply for this year will ultimately depend on a continued cadence of storms throughout winter and early spring.”

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 6.5 inches, or 71 percent of average for this date, compared to 115 percent on this date last year.

On average, the largest snow-producing months in the Sierra Nevada are January, February, and March. Drought and flood always marked the California climate, but extreme whiplash between wet and dry is becoming more pronounced, not just year to year but often within the same season or month.

“It’s great to see so much fresh snow in the Sierra following a relatively dry December,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “More than any other factor, the rain and snow that falls in these critical winter months dictates how much water can be delivered to Californians and farmland statewide. We make the most of what Mother Nature delivers with advance planning that enables Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations and groundwater recharge.”

Major reservoirs statewide are currently 123 percent of average thanks to recent precipitation on top of three consecutive years of above-average snowpack conditions.

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California's “frozen reservoir.” 

Data from these snow surveys and forecasts produced by DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit are key factors in determining how DWR manages the state’s water resources.

DWR conducts four media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May. 

The next survey is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 3.

For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov. 

Several key laws will take effect in 2026 that officials said reflect California’s continued focus on public safety, affordability, transparency and accountability.

The Governor’s Office said the new laws lower prescription drug costs, increase oversight of large corporations, strengthen consumer and worker protections, and protect California’s diverse communities. 

“California is proving once again that progress isn’t something we talk about, it’s something we build. While some in Washington remain stuck debating yesterday’s problems, we’re focused on delivering real solutions for today’s families. These new laws reflect who we are: a state that protects workers, respects students, puts people before politics, and isn’t afraid to hold powerful interests accountable,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.

EDUCATION

Expanding mental health resources for LGBTQ youth
AB 727 (Gonzalez): Requires that student ID cards issued by public middle and high schools, and public colleges/universities include a 24/7 hotline for the Trevor Project. The hotline provides crisis and suicide prevention support to LGBTQ youth. It ensures state education agencies publish and maintain resources for students who face discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

Ban on ultra-processed foods in schools
AB 1264 (Gabriel): California’s first-in-the-nation law will remove the most concerning ultra-processed foods from being served at public schools, giving students healthier, real-food meals to improve nutrition and overall health.

Supporting student literacy
AB 1454 (Rivas): Provides educators and school leaders greater access to the tools, training, and resources needed to help students become better readers.

Streamlining college admissions
SB 640 (Cabaldon): Establishes a California State University (CSU) direct admissions process by notifying eligible high school students of automatic admission to participating CSU campuses. It also requires California Community Colleges to create programs that will support a smoother transfer for community college students to a four-year university.

HEALTH

Alternative birth centers: licensing and Medi-Cal reimbursement
AB 55 (Bonta): Ensures that licensure of alternative birth centers is more accessible to midwives in California by amending or deleting onerous and unnecessary requirements.

State emergency food ban reserve program
AB 798 (Calderon): Expands the state emergency food bank program to include diapers and wipes for families with young children.

Midwifery Workforce Training Act
AB 836 (Stefani): Requires the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer funding for a statewide midwifery education. 

Capping insulin costs
SB 40 (Wahab and Wiener): Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, large state-related health insurers must cap insulin copays at $35 for a 20-day supply, improving affordability for Californians who rely on insulin.

Access to prenatal multivitamins
SB 646 (Weber-Pierson): Expands access to prenatal multivitamins to support healthy pregnancies and infant development.

Perinatal services in rural hospitals
SB 669 (McGuire): Requires, by July 1, 2026, the establishment of a 10-year pilot project within up to 5 critical access hospitals on an application basis to establish standby perinatal services.

IMMIGRATION

Students – know your rights
AB 419 (Connolly): Requires schools to post information about students’ rights regarding immigration enforcement in administrative offices and on school websites, helping families understand that all children have the right to a free public education.

Family Preparedness Act
AB 495 (Rodriguez): Strengthens protections for parents and children by helping families in emergencies, protecting family privacy, and preventing child facilities from collecting immigration-related information, especially if a parent is detained or separated.

HOUSING

Protecting renters
AB 628 (McKinnor): Requires landlords to provide working refrigerators in rental units beginning Jan. 1, ensuring tenants have access to essential appliances.

Transit-oriented housing development
SB 79 (Wiener): Requires each county and city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the development of the county or city, and specified land outside its boundaries, that contains certain mandatory elements, including a housing element.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Statewide ban on cat declawing
AB 867 (Lee): Bans non-therapeutic cat declawing statewide. Only medically necessary procedures performed by a licensed veterinarian remain allowed.

Addressing the puppy mill pipeline
AB 506 (Bennett): Holds pet sellers accountable, requiring them to disclose the pet’s origin and health information.
AB 519 (Berman): Prohibits third-party pet brokers, particularly online pet brokers, from selling cats, puppies, and rabbits bred by others for profit in California.
SB 312 (Umberg): requires dog importers to submit health certificates electronically to the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) within 10 days of shipment, and requires CDFA to provide those certificates upon request.

WORKPLACE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS

Supporting survivors of workplace sexual assault cover-ups
AB 250 (Aguiar-Curry)- Temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for adult survivors of workplace-related sexual assault cover-ups. From Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 21, 2027, survivors may file civil claims regardless of when the incident occurred.

Strengthening equal pay enforcement
SB 642 (Limón): Expands California's equal pay laws by broadening key definitions, extending the statute of limitations to three years (with recovery for up to six years), and clarifying categories of unlawful pay practices.

TECHNOLOGY, AI SAFETY AND DIGITAL RIGHTS

Preventing AI from posing as licensed professionals
AB 489 (Bonta): Prohibits AI chatbots from presenting themselves as doctors, nurses, or other licensed professionals to increase transparency and prevent misrepresentation by AI chatbots.

Addressing artificially generated pornography
AB 621 (Bauer-Kahan and Berman): Strengthens protections against digital sexual exploitation by targeting the creation and distribution of AI-generated sexual content.

Risk-mitigation requirements for large AI companies
SB 53 (Wiener): Requires large AI developers to maintain documented risk-mitigation strategies to improve safety and transparency in the deployment of emerging technologies.

Safeguards for minors using AI chatbots
SB 243 (Padilla): Requires AI companies to include disclaimers that chatbots are not real people when used by minors and mandates safety protocols to prevent chatbots from encouraging self-harm.

Transparency in police reports drafted with AI 
SB 524 (Arreguin): Requires law enforcement agencies to disclose when AI tools are used to draft official police reports. 

Food delivery platforms: customer service
AB 578 (Bauer-Kahan): Strengthens consumer and worker protection on food platforms by prohibiting companies from using tips to offset base pay, requiring clear and itemized pay breakdowns for delivery workers, mandating access to a real customer-service representative when automated systems cannot resolve an issue, and guaranteeing refunds when orders are undelivered, incorrectly or only partially fulfilled.

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT

Updated plastic bag regulations
SB 1053 (Allen and Blakespear): Strengthens California’s plastic bag ban by closing loopholes that allowed thicker plastic film bags to be distributed as “reusable” bags. The law eliminates plastic film checkout bags altogether and requires retailers to transition to truly reusable bags that meet higher durability standards or to paper bags with recycled-content requirements, reducing plastic waste and improving statewide recycling efforts.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County’s chapter of California Women for Agriculture, or CWA, wrapped another successful AgVenture class series with a morning visit to Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill to learn about olive growing from pruning to harvest. 

Proprietor Paul Manuel greeted the participants and led them through the groves explaining the cultivation of the different varieties followed by Emilio de la Cruz, mill master, giving an in-depth tour of the milling process. The visit finished with an olive oil tasting. 
 
After transferring to the Finley Grange Hall, Lake County Agricultural Commissioner Katherine Vanderwall opened the rest of the program, explaining the importance of agriculture in Lake County’s economy. 

Kaela Cooper, from Trans Ova Genetics, followed, captivating all with how modern biotechnology is improving genetics in beef and dairy cows, thus increasing food production.  

An immigration and ag labor panel comprised of Bryan Little, chief operating officer of Farm Employers Labor Service; David Weiss, farm labor contractor and owner/operator of Bella Vista Farming Co.; Bonnie Sears, office manager at Beckstoffer Vineyards Red Hills; and Robert Irwin, owner/operator of Kaos Sheep Outfit gave an overview of seasonal guest worker programs and regulatory challenges, and the ongoing need for skilled agricultural workers in California.  

Farm labor panel members Octavio Jimenez, a foreman at Scully Packing Co.; Juan Cardenas, a supervisor at Beckstoffer Vineyards Red Hills; and Enrique Arroyo, a supervisor at Scully Packing Co., shared their journeys to the US and their road to legality as well as how they each worked their way up in their companies to positions of leadership and great responsibility.  

Recurring themes throughout the day were the increasingly restrictive regulatory environment and the misconception that farm work is not skilled labor, when in fact farms and ranches rely on able, experienced help to produce food for the state and nation.  
  
CWA said feedback from this year’s participants for the entire program was universal: all gained a broader perspective of the scope of Lake County’s agriculture industry and of its economic importance. Many will be applying their new knowledge in their own departments or spheres of influence and to interact with farmers and ranchers more effectively. 

“The AgVenture Program helped me understand the challenges in agriculture; I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” said Becky Salato, superintendent of the Konocti Unified School District.

Participation in AgVenture is by application and invitation. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be put on a waitlist if you are interested in receiving an application and being considered. 

The planning process will begin in March of 2026.