How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced a new initiative that encourages and helps men step up and serve their communities through the California Service Corps and volunteer and service opportunities with partner organizations.
The action continues Newsom’s effort announced through a statewide executive order to address disconnection in young men and boys.
Prompted by the rising suicide rates, disconnection, and declining career options among young men and boys, these efforts aim to address this generation’s mental health crisis, while creating pathways for purpose, leadership and belonging.
“Too many young men and boys are suffering in silence — disconnected from community, opportunity and even their own families. This action is about turning that around. It’s about showing every young man that he matters, he has purpose, and he has a community,” said Newsom.
“Our boys are growing up in a time when too many feel disconnected and unseen. Women and men may face different challenges, but we share a responsibility to lift up the next generation, and that work will take all of us. The California Volunteers Men’s Service Challenge calls on 10,000 young men to step forward as mentors and coaches, offering the care and connection that can combat isolation and build belonging. In doing this work, we embody the very best of California, lifting up the next generation and reshaping our culture for the better,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
In partnership with Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement, or GO-Serve, Director Josh Fryday, the state is partnering with leaders already doing the work, including Improve Your Tomorrow, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentor California, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Giants Community Fund and the American Institute for Boys and Men.
California Men's Service Challenge participants will engage young men directly, helping them build connections to education, careers and community.
The effort advances Gov. Newsom’s broader commitment to create more pathways for youth success. By combining service with mentorship and skill development, the initiative provides a sustainable model to ensure young men feel valued, supported and equipped to thrive.
“Young men across California are struggling with disconnection, loneliness and a lack of direction. Through service, we can give them a sense of purpose and the opportunity to build careers while making a difference in their communities,” said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. “We need 10,000 men to step up and lead in their communities. We’re also calling on organizations to join us as partners. This initiative is about investing in the next generation of men as leaders, teachers and mentors.”
The California Men’s Service Challenge builds on the California Service Corps, the largest service force in the nation, which empowers Californians to tackle the state’s toughest challenges while building skills for the future.
Together with local partners, schools and community organizations, this new effort will ensure more young men see themselves as leaders with the power to create lasting change.
The crisis of loneliness
Young men are more disconnected from school, work, and relationships than ever before, with nearly one in four men under 30 years old reporting that they have no close friends, a five-fold increase since 1990, with higher rates of disconnection for young Black men.
A lack of social connection is associated with increased risk of poor health, including mental health disorders, poverty, and even premature death.
This disconnection has pulled men out of the workplace. Labor force participation among men without a college degree is currently at historic lows, with about one in nine men aged 25-54 neither working nor looking for work.
The unemployment rate for men in California is also higher than the rate for women, and college enrollment and completion rates for men have dropped significantly over the past decade.
What others are saying
“Mentorship is how young men transform isolation into connection and purpose. At Improve Your Tomorrow we’ve seen that service and brotherhood are powerful antidotes to the loneliness so many boys face today. That’s why we strongly support the Governor’s California Men’s Service Challenge. When young men are given the chance to be seen, be supported and serve their communities, they not only change their own lives — they help shape the future of our society,” said Michael Lynch, CEO and co-founder, Improve Your Tomorrow.
“As bell hooks reminds us, ‘Love is an action, never simply a feeling.’ Our boys are in crisis — starved for belonging, aching for someone to see them and stand with them. True connection, that active love, can be their lifeline. MENTOR California is proud to join Gov. Newsom, GO-Serve and partners statewide in shining a spotlight on belonging, unlocking opportunity and igniting hope,” said Marcus L. Strother, executive director, MENTOR California.
“At a time when so many young men face disconnection, dwindling opportunity and unmet needs, Big Brothers Big Sisters is ready to answer the call — together with our community. We need more men to step forward as mentors, so every young man has the consistent support he deserves. As mentors, as role models and as a community, we can harness the power of mentoring and social connection to drive real, lasting change,” said Sloane Keane, CA Association Chair, Big Brothers Big Sisters, California Volunteers Commissioner.
“Now more than ever, there is a need for boys and young men to feel a sense of purpose and connection. As the Center for Community Well-Being across the LA region, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles knows the power of service in shaping healthier, more connected communities and has long been a source of great mentorship and volunteerism. The LA Y is proud to partner with the California Men's Service Challenge to call on our male Californians to join in, inspire service, and to foster roles that inspire leadership, resilience, and build brighter futures for all.” said Victor Dominguez, president and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
"In a healthy society, everybody knows that the community needs them. Too many men today do not feel that. As a result, they can become detached, even despairing. But we need men in our families and in our communities, bringing their energy and talents to the table. Right now, many organizations say they don't have enough men stepping forward to serve; meanwhile, many men say they are unsure of their purpose and role in our communities. This is a timely call to men: We need you,” said Richard Reeves, president, American Institute for Boys and Men.
“We’ve seen firsthand how young men, whether stepping onto a field as a coach or serving as a Junior Giants Ambassador, gain confidence and a stronger sense of purpose. These opportunities change not only the lives of the players but also the young men who choose to serve — and that’s why this work is so important,” said Cassandra Hofman, program director, Giants Community Fund.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Clearlake man has been ordered to stand trial for separate arson cases that happened about two weeks apart.
Patrick Blaine Squier, 66, was in Judge J. David Markham’s courtroom on Monday afternoon for his preliminary hearing in the two cases.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Rotow said Squier has been ordered to stand trial in the cases. He’s set to return to court later this month.
Squier is facing arson charges for fires authorities said he set on Aug. 23 and Sept. 6, both in Clearlake.
The fire on Aug. 23 was reported at about 11 p.m. behind Foods Etc., located at 15290 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
A trash can was set on fire behind the store, against a building and near numerous propane tanks, between the store and the Adventist Health clinic, as Lake County News has reported.
Squier was arrested a short time after that fire and, after his arraignment on Aug. 26, was released on his own recognizance.
Then, at around 4 a.m. Sept. 6, a debris fire was reported behind the Grocery Outlet, located at 14806 Olympic Drive. Police again arrested Squier shortly after that fire.
He was arraigned on Sept. 9 for that second incident.
As for why Squier set the fires, “I have no information on motive,” Rotow told Lake County News on Monday afternoon, following the preliminary hearing.
Squier remains in custody in the Lake County Jail. At the Sept. 9 arraignment, the District Attorney’s Office argued for Squier to remain in custody without bail and the judge agreed.
Rotow said Squier could file a motion for reconsideration of bail but so far he has not done so.
“I think that would be an uphill battle, but legally he could make the request. We’ll strongly oppose it,” Rotow said.
Squier is scheduled to return to court for arraignment on Sept. 30. Rotow expects the case to be set for trial after that.
“We intend to put the cases together so they’re tried as one case,” he said.
Rotow added that he expects the case to go to trial because the District Attorney’s Office does not plan to offer a plea agreement.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died in the custody of deputies at a Kelseyville park last week.
The agency said the man who died was Ryan Vandever, 50, of Colorado.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, sheriff’s deputies responded to Kelseyville Community Park on the report of an individual acting erratically and harassing people in the park, as Lake County News has reported.
That individual, identified as Vandever, was lethargic and having difficulty answering questions, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies requested medics respond, but when they arrived and attempted to treat him, Vandever became combative. As a result, the deputies placed Vandever in handcuffs.
Vandever became nonresponsive, medics attempted CPR and he died at the hospital a short time later.
Because it considers Vandever’s death as having taken place in custody, the sheriff’s office activated the critical incident protocol. Under that protocol, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office is the lead investigating agency.
The sheriff’s office also is continuing to conduct an internal investigation to ensure all policies and procedures were followed.
The last in-custody death the county reported occurred in June of last year and involved a Lake County Jail inmate.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Editor’s note: This story has been updated regarding the decision to drop the Kelseyville and Middletown sites. There is also new information on how to sign up for the local event.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Community members are invited to join the effort to keep the county’s waterways clean.
Lake County will once again participate in the California Coastal Clean-Up Day, which takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 20.
More than 50 California state parks and the Division of Boating and Waterways will participate in the event in coordination with the California Coastal Commission.
This year marks the 41st annual cleanup event, which is California’s largest annual volunteer event.
Organized by the California Coastal Commission, more than 45,000 volunteers are expected to gather at 700 locations throughout the state, including beaches and shorelines.
But the event is not limited to coastal regions; there are cleanups along inland waterways as well, including in Lake County.
New this year, California Coastal Cleanup Day will become the world's largest scavenger hunt. Special "trashure" items will be hidden at cleanup sites across the state. Volunteers finding one of these items can redeem them for valuable prizes.
In Lake County, cleanup sites are:
• Highland Springs Recreational Area, Lakeport;
• Library Park, Lakeport;
• Rodman Slough at the Nice/Lucerne Cutoff;
• Habematolel EPA Department, Upper Lake;
• Lucerne Harbor;
• Austin Park, Clearlake.
Linda Rosas-Bill of Lake County Water Resources said anyone wanting to volunteer can head to the site of their choice, sign a liability waiver and start helping.
Following the cleanup, there will be an appreciation barbecue for the Coastal Clean-Up volunteers at Highland Springs Recreational Area from noon to 2 p.m. Captains will have a ticket for volunteers at their sites.
All volunteers’ names will be added to a drawing for a chance to win a prize. The winner will be announced Friday, Sept. 26.
For more information on the Lake County cleanup, reach out to Linda Rosas-Bill at
California’s event is also part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
Last year, more than 47,000 volunteers removed over 400,000 pounds, or 200 tons, of trash and recyclables from our waterways, beaches and lakes.
In addition to individual volunteers, 40 boating facilities and groups participated with 1,391 volunteers collecting 9,745 pounds of trash and recyclables on land and from 95 kayaks, canoes and dinghies.
The event also provides hands-on educational experiences about the damage that trash, especially single-use disposable plastics, can cause to California’s wildlife, economy and human health.
According to past cleanup data, 75 percent of the debris volunteers remove is composed of plastic, a material that never completely biodegrades and has numerous harmful consequences in the environment. Plastic debris can kill wildlife, leach toxins into the environment and introduce them into the food chain.
To join this statewide effort, the California Coastal Commission has an interactive map of cleanup locations throughout the state, available here. Volunteers can check the website for updates and share their cleanup experiences on social media using the hashtag #coastalcleanupday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2025, as "Latino Heritage Month," and released a video with First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom commemorating the observance.
The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below, in both English and Spanish:
PROCLAMATION
California is proudly home to more than 15 million Latinos who are foundational to our state’s identity, success, and future. During Latino Heritage Month, we celebrate the central role of Latinos throughout every chapter of our history, and in our rich culture and prosperity as a state and nation.
Since the very beginning of statehood, Latino heritage and community have been irrevocably intertwined with our democracy – and with our state as a whole. In 1849, California approved its first constitution, written in both English and Spanish, and included a provision requiring that all laws and official state documents must be published in both languages.
That provision was nullified in 1879, with an amendment that allowed official writings and proceedings to be conducted and written only in English – part of a rising tide of anti-Latino and xenophobic sentiment. Today, we face a similar sentiment, an anti-Latino, anti-immigrant movement that has been fueled by misinformation and hate, and supported by laws, policies, and rulings that ignore the humanity, the civil rights, and many contributions of the Latino community.
But that sentiment is not in the majority. Here in California, we understand that our diversity is a source of strength. The contributions of generations of Latinos are fundamental to the success and scale of California’s society, economy, culture, and values. The leadership, service, sacrifices, and vision of Latinos continue to enrich all facets of American life.
The Latino community is strong and resilient, and their legacy and foundational role in the prosperity of this nation and California will not be extinguished by hate – as a state, we will not allow it. California stands firm in our support. We are a majority minority state – 40% of Californians are Latino, and we are simply not the same state without them.
In California, we know and believe that our state is better off when all our communities can thrive. This Latino Heritage Month, we reaffirm our commitment to making the California Dream a reality for everyone, defending our families and communities, pushing back against hate and injustice, and protecting our collective progress.
This month and every month, let us recognize and celebrate the countless contributions of Latino communities to our California story throughout the centuries and for generations to come.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim September 15 to October 15, 2025 as “Latino Heritage Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 11th day of September 2025.
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State
PROCLAMACIÓN
California se enorgullece de albergar a más de 15 millones de latinos, quienes son fundamentales para la identidad, el éxito y el futuro de nuestro estado. Durante el Mes de la Herencia Latina, celebramos el papel central de los latinos a lo largo de cada capítulo de nuestra historia, así como en nuestra rica cultura y prosperidad como estado y nación.
Desde el inicio de este estado, la herencia y la comunidad latina han estado irrevocablemente entrelazadas con nuestra democracia y con nuestro estado. En 1849, California aprobó su primera constitución, escrita en inglés y español, e incluyó una disposición que exigía que todas las leyes y documentos oficiales del estado se publicaran en ambos idiomas.
Esa disposición fue anulada en 1879 con una enmienda que solo permitía que los escritos y procedimientos oficiales se realizaran y redactaran en inglés, como parte de una creciente ola de sentimiento antilatino y xenófobo. Hoy, nos enfrentamos a un sentimiento similar, un movimiento antilatino y antiinmigrante alimentado por la desinformación y el odio, y respaldado por leyes políticas y fallos que ignoran la humanidad, los derechos civiles y las numerosas contribuciones de la comunidad latina.
Pero ese sentimiento no es mayoritario. Aquí en California, entendemos que nuestra diversidad es una fuente de fortaleza. Las contribuciones de generaciones de latinos son fundamentales para el éxito y la expansión de la sociedad, la economía, la cultura y los valores de California. El liderazgo, el servicio, los sacrificios y la visión de los latinos continúan enriqueciendo todas las facetas de la vida estadounidense.
La comunidad latina es fuerte y resiliente, y su legado y papel fundamental en la prosperidad de esta nación y de California no se extinguirá por el odio – como estado, no lo permitiremos. California se mantiene firme en nuestro apoyo. Somos un estado mayoritariamente minoritario: el 40% de los californianos son latinos, y simplemente no seríamos el mismo estado sin ellos.
En California, sabemos y creemos que nuestro estado prospera cuando todas nuestras comunidades pueden sobresalir. Este Mes de la Herencia Latina, reafirmamos nuestro compromiso de hacer realidad el Sueño Californiano para todos, defendiendo a nuestras familias y comunidades, combatiendo el odio y la injusticia, y protegiendo nuestro progreso colectivo.
Este mes y cada mes, reconozcamos y celebremos las innumerables contribuciones de las comunidades latinas a la historia de California a lo largo de los siglos y para las generaciones venideras.
POR TANTO YO, GAVIN NEWSOM, Gobernador del Estado de California, por la presente proclamo del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre de 2025 como el “Mes de la Herencia Latina.”
EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, firmo la presente y ordeno que se estampe el Gran Sello del Estado de California este 11 de septiembre de 2025.
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State
The California Legislature passed landmark legislation on Saturday that supporters said will save utility customers billions on their electricity bills annually, while ensuring the state’s wildfire fund, an insurance policy for utilities, remains solvent in the wake of claims from the 2025 Eaton Fire.
Mark Toney, executive director at The Utility Reform Network, or TURN, said his organization supports SB 254 as a first step in the right direction for ratepayer affordability, adding that they appreciate the commitment of Sen. Josh Becker and Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris to ratepayer affordability.
“Given the utility affordability crisis that residents, agriculture, industrial businesses, small businesses and older customers face, we need to work harder than ever in 2026,” Toney said. “Voters have been crystal clear in demanding that legislators put customer affordability ahead of utility company lobbying, and TURN is expecting lawmakers to roll up their sleeves to make utility affordability a top priority in the next legislative session.”
SB 254 (Becker, D-13) will help stem the tide on electricity rate increases while replenishing the state’s wildfire fund. The legislation was backed by strong support from voters: Recent polling shows 85% of voters say it's important for their representatives to do everything possible to lower electricity bills this year.
SB 254 adopts multiple key measures to reduce electricity bills:
• Public financing of transmission: Establishes a transmission infrastructure accelerator to expedite infrastructure development and facilitate public financing to reduce project costs borne by ratepayers by up to 50%, or $3 billion per year.
• Securitization: Ratepayer securitization of $6 billion in wildfire safety capital investments will save ratepayers $3 billion over the next ten years, when compared to utility financing.
• Cost effective wildfire mitigation: Restoring CPUC approval of wildfire mitigation plans will set limits on utility overspending.
"This is the most transformative electricity affordability bill in recent memory—one that uses low-cost financing to deliver the same critical infrastructure California needs at a dramatically lower cost. SB 254 will accelerate clean energy deployment while saving ratepayers billions annually. Millions of utility customers across California will benefit from this legislation, and we look forward to seeing Gov. Newsom sign it into law,” said Sam Uden, co-founder and managing director at Net Zero California.
SB 254 also establishes a wildfire fund replenishment mechanism. California's Wildfire Fund could be wiped out entirely by claims from the 2025 Eaton Fire.
Under this legislation, utility shareholders will contribute 50% of the cost of replenishing the fund, and utility customers will cover the other half. This mechanism will ensure utilities maintain financial stability to continue serving customers.
“SB 254 delivers on both fronts - billions in electricity savings for customers and a fair approach to replenishing California’s wildfire fund. The 50-50 split ensures this essential coverage stays intact without unfairly burdening any single party. This bill, supported by environmental groups, consumer advocates, and utilities deserves the governor’s signature," said Merrian Borgeson, California climate and energy policy director at Natural Resources Defense Council.
