17 cones are placed for each fallen District 1 worker during the annual Caltrans Workers Memorial at the fairgrounds in Ukiah, Calif., on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The event honored fallen highway workers and reminded the public about the importance of safety awareness in work zones. (Caltrans via Bay City News)

UKIAH, CA., 5/21/26 — For the first time since 2018, the annual Caltrans Workers Memorial was held in Ukiah on Wednesday to honor fallen highway workers and remind the public of the importance of safety awareness when it comes to driving in work zones. 

According to Caltrans, 195 employees have died while working on state highways in California since 1921, 17 of which have happened in District 1, which services Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.  

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Savana Robinson is a staff writer and photographer based in Ukiah, California.