Regional
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
NAPA, Calif. — On Thursday, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) joined Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and every member of the Bay Area delegation to introduce legislation to help designate the 550+ mile Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.
This designation would enhance the trail’s visibility as a world-class recreation opportunity and attract new visitors, in addition to helping connect the different routes within the trail.
“The Bay Area Ridge Trail provides over 400 miles of public trails and counting, opening our beautiful outdoors to walkers, hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders,” said Thompson. “The beauty and ecological diversity of the San Francisco Bay ridge is unparalleled anywhere else in our country and I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this critical first step toward designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.”
“The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a crown jewel of our region, providing millions of people with access to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country and connecting our communities to the outdoors,” said Huffman. “Designating it as a National Scenic Trail would not only help complete it – it would set it on par with iconic trails like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest and elevate the incredible and diverse Bay Area landscapes. This would be a major boost for the recreation economy, and our bill gets that ball rolling.”
“The Bay Area Ridge Trail gives visitors to the Bay Area and its residents the opportunity to enjoy more than 500 miles of some of California's most incredible outdoor beauty, including parks and preserves. Providing federal recognition to this ridgeline trail will help preserve it for future generations, and I'm proud to partner with Congressman Huffman and our Bay Area delegation in the effort to make it so,” said Schiff.
“This legislation kicks off a quest to add the Bay Area Ridge Trail to an elite group of National Scenic Trails, like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. The Ridge Trail traces the ridgelines around San Francisco Bay, offering hikers, equestrians, and cyclists access to stunning views and diverse scenic, historic and cultural landscapes, for both close-to-home jaunts and epic adventures,” said Janet McBride, executive director, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. “NST status would raise awareness and expedite completion of this world-class trail, which boasts over 400 completed miles, on the path to a 550-mile fully connected loop. We applaud Congressman Huffman for spearheading this legislation, and the entire Bay Area delegation for signing on as co-authors. We invite everyone to join us on this journey!”
The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a scenic multi-use trail stretching 550 miles along the natural features that surround the San Francisco Bay. With over 415 miles already complete, the trail connects more than 75 parks and open spaces and provides recreational opportunities for hikers, cyclists, tourists, and more across nine Bay Area counties. This bill directs the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study on making this designation, which is currently held by only 11 trails across the country.
The legislation requires the National Park Service to complete the feasibility study within one year, in consultation with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and relevant federal and state agencies. The trail meets all the required criteria established in the National Trails System Act of 1968 for National Scenic Trail designation, including:
• Extended trail route of more than 100 miles;
• Provides maximum outdoor recreation potential;
• Provides for enjoyment of nationally significant scenic, historic, and cultural qualities;
• Represents desert, marsh, grassland, mountain, canyon, river, and forest;
• Represents landforms that exhibit significant regional geographic characteristics;
• Connects with side trails, which provide additional public access.
Full text of this legislation can be found here.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
TRINITY COUNTY, Calif.— Four people died, and two others suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash on State Route 299 near Del Loma on Saturday evening, Jan. 24.
At about 6:50 p.m., the California Highway Patrol received a report of a crash on SR-299 west of Big Bar.
Officers from the CHP Trinity River Area responded and found two vehicles involved in a head-on crash.
Investigators said a white Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling westbound when it crossed into the eastbound lane while negotiating a curve.
The Jeep struck a red Chevrolet Impala traveling eastbound. Five people were inside the Chevrolet.
The crash killed four occupants of the Chevrolet. A fifth occupant suffered major injuries and was transported by air ambulance to a hospital. The driver of the Jeep also suffered serious injuries.
Investigators are evaluating alcohol as a possible factor in the crash.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones who lost someone in this tragic crash. This is a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be changed on our roadways. We urge everyone to drive safely, obey the speed limit, and never get behind the wheel while impaired,” said Lt. Commander Paul Gullick.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office is handling the coroner’s investigation.
The CHP Trinity River Area continues to investigate the cause of the crash. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the CHP Trinity River Area Office at 530-623-3832.
The CHP thanks its partner agencies for their help at the scene.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
ANDERSON, Calif. — Multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were recovered in Anderson following a tip and subsequent investigation that led to an illicit cannabis cultivation operation and underground bunker.
In December 2025, the California Highway Patrol Northern Division Canine Unit received information about a suspected illegal marijuana cultivation operation on a property in Anderson.
After securing a search warrant, CHP Air Operations conducted an overflight of the area, further confirming the information received.
Following an approximate month-long investigation, members of the CHP Northern Division Warrant Service Team executed a search warrant at the property on Jan. 20.
During the search, officers discovered an underground bunker accessible through a 100-foot-long culvert. The bunker was equipped with power, ventilation, a concrete floor with built-in drainage and the necessary supplies to cultivate marijuana.
In addition to the bunker, officers seized 13 firearms, four soft body armor vests, 30 high-capacity magazines, and approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds.
Among the seized firearms were a sawed-off shotgun, three AR-15 style assault rifles, one with an obliterated serial number, and two firearms reported stolen in 2016 and 1978 respectively.
“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow. The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety. I am proud of the tireless work of our Northern Division personnel that led to this arrest,” said CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli.
Michael Jay Kamfolt, age 40, of Anderson, was arrested and booked for possession of an assault rifle, manufacturing of an assault rifle, manufacturing of a short barreled rifle, possession of a machine gun, converting a firearm into a machine gun, possession of an altered firearm serial number, manufacturing and possession of an undetectable firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, manufacturing of a “ghost gun,” possession of armor penetrating ammunition and possession of high capacity magazine.
This investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to follow up on additional leads.
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- Written by: Mendocino Land Trust
NORTH COAST, Calif. — Mendocino Land Trust has received a generous donation of property from longtime MLT supporter and environmental advocate Gabrielle Levine MD, who has been a stalwart champion for the protection of the Albion River since she transitioned from healing people as a doctor to healing the planet as an environmental steward.
The donated land is an undeveloped 20-acre parcel, located on the east side of Highway 1 in Albion, and features meadows, wooded terrain and ocean views from its elevated areas.
The land is now listed for sale by Tracy Wolfson of Engel & Volkers. Proceeds from the sale of the land will fund MLT’s Albion River Fund.
This fund focuses on MLT’s work in the Albion River watershed, including land conservation, habitat restoration, public access projects, and acquisition of conservation easements.
Matt Franks, MLT’s land protection manager, worked with Dr. Levine to make this remarkable gift possible.
As Franks explains, "Mendocino Land Trust is profoundly grateful not only for Gabrielle's generous donation to support our conservation work in the Albion area, but also for the stewardship and restoration work she has done on this property and more broadly. Her tireless advocacy, work, and innovation continue to benefit sensitive species and habitats in Mendocino County, and MLT is thrilled to partner with her in these efforts."
Mendocino Land Trust is honored to work with environmental champions like Dr. Levine to preserve and protect vulnerable habitats, and to ensure that stewardship of these precious waterways and riparian landscapes remains in place well into the future.
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- Written by: CALTRANS
COLUSA COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans has closed both the northbound and southbound Maxwell Rest Areas off Interstate 5 due to failed critical water and wastewater control systems.
The closures are necessary to protect public health and ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
The control systems that operate the well and sewer lift station have failed, preventing the facility from safely operating.
Replacement equipment has been ordered, and delivery is currently estimated to take approximately six to 11 weeks. Repairs will begin once the equipment arrives.
The northbound Willows Rest Area remains open at this time. However, the wastewater monitoring system has failed at the southbound rest area and it is also currently closed.
While the northbound rest area is still operational, Caltrans is closely monitoring conditions in the event additional repairs become necessary.
These emergency repairs focus on restoring electrical and control systems that manage water supply, wastewater flow, and monitoring systems essential for safe rest area operations. A separate, planned construction project scheduled to begin this spring at the Maxwell Rest Area does not include repairs to the well or lift station systems and is unrelated to the current closure.
This $22.4 million project at the Maxwell Rest Area is scheduled to begin later this year and will modernize infrastructure at the facility to better serve motorists in the future.
This project proposes improvements to extend the operational lifecycle of the rest area, including upgrades to comfort station facilities to meet changing traffic demands.
While this project will enhance the rest area overall, it does not address the emergency water and wastewater system repairs that caused the current closure.
Caltrans will provide updates as more information becomes available and once a timeline for reopening the Maxwell Rest Area can be confirmed.
Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.
Caltrans issues construction and road condition updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic information, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
NORTH COAST, Calif. — The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has provided an update regarding the unidentified human remains that were recovered from the Eel River on Jun. 25, 2025, near the Williams Grove Day Use area in Myers Flat.
The remains were submitted to the Chico State Human Identification Laboratory for examination and analysis, officials said.
The remains were determined to be of a male, believed to be middle aged or older, with an estimated height of 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall.
The examination revealed very poor oral health, with evidence that at least 19 teeth were lost prior to death. The remaining teeth showed signs of dental restorations, indicating the individual received dental care at some point in their life.
Degenerative changes were observed in the skeletal remains, suggesting the individual may have experienced chronic pain of difficulty with mobility.
One possible explanation for these changes could be rheumatoid arthritis, though this cannot be confirmed.
No major trauma was identified on the recovered remains; however, this does not exclude the possibility of soft tissue injuries that would not be detectable through skeletal analysis.
“At this time, the cause and manner of death remain undetermined. The individual has not yet been positively identified,” the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said it is continuing to investigate this case and is seeking assistance from the public.
Anyone with information regarding a missing person who may match this description, or who has information that may assist in this investigation, is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539 and reference case number 202502721.