Eileen Russell

The Round Valley Indian Tribes hosted their annual California Indian Days event at Hidden Oaks park in Covelo last weekend. The guest of honor was tribal member Lt. Colonel Nicole Mann who recently returned from space, and gave a great talk with guests on Saturday afternoon. California Indian Days is a celebration where tribal members come from far and wide to celebrate their culture and share in food, dance, and activities for young and old.

During a series of visits to the Northern part of his district Congressman Jared Huffman made the trek out to Covelo. During a walking tour of recent internet and cell tower upgrades, the congressman learned how the Round Valley Indian Tribes is using funds recently awarded in a National Telecommunications and Informations Administration grant. The 13.5 million dollars is earmarked for their tribal broadband connectivity program.

Sheriff Matt Kendall hosts a monthly community meeting held at the recreation center in Covelo. At the August meeting, updates about the fires caused by lightning strikes were discussed happening to the North and East of Covelo. The meeting was attended by a few members of the public who had the chance to express their concerns about issues like illegal cannabis, mental health in the valley, as well as just connecting with their neighbors. The meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at noon, and are often attended by agency partners as well.

The 40th Annual Blackberry Festival will be held this weekend in Covelo. The event is free and hosts music, art, food, and entertainment both Saturday and Sunday. KZYX reporter Eileen Russell spoke with festival organizers to find out about the legacy of the event, and what is new this year.

Members of the Round Valley Indian Tribes voted once again to remove Tribal President Randall Britton, Council member Joel Merrifield, and Treasurer Tesia Wantt from their seats in a July recall election. The three tribal leaders were first recalled in May, but the election was contested in tribal court and the judge ordered the election process happen again. The recall petition happened following a payment from President Britton to the former tribal business administrator in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars.Once again, the three recalled leaders are challenging the election recall process with a complaint filed in the Tribal Court.

"Past, Present and Future," Covelo's newest local paper, will cover current events as well as the history of the area.

The Friends of the Round Valley Library are holding an art show called Fiber: Form and Function at the Walnut Grove Cafe and Commons. Art shown includes quilts, crochet, wool hanging pieces, and more.

The Not Invisible Act was passed into law by Congress in an effort to identify and combat violence in tribal communities in the United States. The Yurok tribe recently hosted a commission hearing at the Blue Lake Rancheria that focused on the collection and reporting of data.

Free health care services are being offered in Round Valley this week as part of a training program with the Army reserves. Eileen Russell visited the clinic to find out more about the programs that benefit branches of the U.S. military reserves while also helping the public access healthcare.

Folks from Covelo gathered at the recreation center last week to meet with the Mendocino County Sheriff to discuss issues in Round Valley. Issues regarding underage drinking, violence, loose dogs, and the hesitations of people to cooperate with law enforcement were discussed at length.