Mendo Local Weekly News — March 28, 2026
Younger protesters join No Kings day in Fort Bragg, supes support a new vision for state forests, and Mendocino County air quality gets evaluated
🌲 MENDOCINO COUNTY
A Different Kind of Harvest: Can California’s Forests Grow Jobs, Too?
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
California Assemblymember Chris Rogers’ AB 2494 would shift state forest management toward biodiversity, fire resilience, and climate goals—away from traditional timber extraction. The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors backed the bill in a 3–2 vote, with Supervisors Bernie Norvell and Madeline Cline dissenting.
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County Moves Forward With New Noise Rules
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Supervisors unanimously advanced a new ordinance setting decibel limits for nighttime noise in unincorporated areas, aiming to give enforcement “teeth.”
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County Adopts First Air Toxics Report
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Officials approved the county’s first state-mandated Air Toxics “Hot Spots” report under AB 2588. The analysis found no areas with high health risks.
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New Financing Tools Approved for Infrastructure
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
The county joined a statewide financing program allowing developers to fund roads, sewer systems, and fees through tax-exempt bonds. Property owners repay via assessments, with limited county risk.
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Roads Crumbling Amid Funding Gap
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
With just $5–10 million annually for road maintenance, the county lags far behind urban counterparts. Supervisors are now advancing a proposed 1-cent sales tax for the November ballot.
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Russell Green Enters District 3 Race
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Dispensary owner and software developer Russell Green has announced a run for the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors District 3 seat.
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DUI Conviction in Mill Creek Crash
Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office
A Ukiah man was convicted of misdemeanor DUI following a 2024 crash on Mill Creek Road in Talmage.
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✊ FORT BRAGG
No Kings Day Draws Large Crowd
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
An estimated 1,500 people gathered in Fort Bragg for a peaceful protest organized by Indivisible Mendocino Coast—equal to roughly 20% of the city’s population.
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Rail Rulings Weaken State Oversight
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Federal decisions are undercutting California’s regulatory authority over Mendocino Railway at the former Georgia-Pacific mill site ahead of an April 15 settlement conference.
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Grey Whale Inn Reopens
By Mandela Linder, The Mendocino Voice
A historic Fort Bragg landmark has reopened following renovations, with more restoration still underway.
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Avian Flu Detected at Point Reyes
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
A dead murre tested positive for avian flu, raising concerns as migratory birds move north. Officials say no spread has been detected in nearby marine mammal populations.
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🪖 POINT ARENA
Veterans Monument Installation Begins
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Six basalt columns have arrived for installation at the Point Arena Lighthouse as part of a new coastal veterans monument.
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🐎 Healing Through Horses
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
A Point Arena practitioner is using hippotherapy to support patients with neurological and physical challenges.
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🌄 UKIAH
Rangeland Rezoned Near Ukiah
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Supervisors approved rezoning 160+ acres east of Ukiah to allow limited residential division for estate planning by longtime owner Jared Carter.
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Teen Hunter Injured in Accident
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
A 15-year-old was airlifted after accidentally shooting himself while hunting west of Ukiah. He is reported in stable condition.
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Carousel Lane Parcel Back for Review
Ukiah Daily Journal
The City Council will revisit a tax-sharing agreement tied to annexation of a city-owned parcel at a special meet amid conflict-of-interest concerns. (Subscription required)
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Dragon’s Lair Demolition Planned
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
Mendocino College will demolish the former Dragon’s Lair building next month to make way for student housing. (Subscription required)
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Police Warn of Phone System Delays
Ukiah Police Department
Ukiah police warned system upgrade could cause intermittent outages and delays.
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DUI Conviction in Mill Creek Crash
Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office
A Ukiah man was convicted of misdemeanor DUI following a 2024 crash on Mill Creek Road in Talmage.
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🚰 VILLAGE OF MENDOCINO
Water Project Faces Delays, Scrutiny
By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser
A long-planned water storage project has grown increasingly complex, drawing concerns about transparency and governance.
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Dog “Mayor” Campaign Raises Funds
By Lin Due, The Mendocino Voice
A 120-pound malamute named Bodhi is “running for mayor” in a playful fundraiser for local dog parks and the community center.
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🥃 WILLITS
Spirits Fundraiser Supports the Arts
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly
Mendocino Spirits supported a fundraiser benefiting the Willits Center for the Arts.
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🏛️ CALIFORNIA
Lawmakers Move to Fix Environmental Loophole
By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, CalMatters
A budget deal inadvertently exempted some industrial facilities from environmental review. Legislators are now working to close the gap.
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Tech Giants Spend Big on Politics
By Jeremia Kimelman, CalMatters
Major tech firms spent over $39 million influencing California politics ahead of the 2026 election cycle, with Meta leading the way.
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