Mendo Local Weekly News Roundup - August 15, 2025
A weekly compilation of news from around Mendocino County.
This roundup was updated on August 15, 2025 at 12:57 p.m. to include the Willits Weekly and the Independent Coast Observer.
Hello friends,
In the last week, we learned about progress on the Great Redwood Trail, a volunteer effort to restore Caspar Headlands Trails, and new owners for the Coast Cinemas. Reporters spotlighted concerns about murdered and missing indigenous people and toxic chemicals in artificial turf in local soccer fields. We read about new rules for vineyard runoff, a plan to address jury duty noshows, policy shifts that will dramatically affect health care, and more.
Thank you for caring about our county.
Let’s get into it.
🦓 B. Bryan Preserve Welcomes Grevy’s Zebra Foal
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer (Paywall)
A Grevy’s zebra foal named Kira, born July 24, is thriving at the B. Bryan Preserve. Animal care specialist Mackenzie Spencer said Kira has inherited the personality of her mother, Karen, an opinionated zebra mare. “She is such a sassafras, it’s crazy,” Spencer said, explaining that Grevy’s zebras often communicate with their tails and ears.
🚴 Great Redwood Trail Officials Report Progress, Field Questions at Town Hall
By Sage Alexander, Ukiah Daily Journal
Four years after the Great Redwood Trail Act became law, state and local officials updated residents on the 320-mile project at a town hall hosted by Sen. Mike McGuire. One-third of the trail is completed, under construction or in final planning, with recent segments added in Humboldt, Willits and Ukiah. Officials emphasized environmental cleanup of the former rail corridor, plans to address homelessness along undeveloped sections, and the absence of a completion date.
🪶 Advocates Urge Sheriff to Add Tribal Liaison in Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Cases
By Mandela Linder, The Mendocino Voice
At an Aug. 2 Fort Bragg conference, Pinoleville Pomo Nation MMIP program director Tatiana Cantrell called for a dedicated tribal liaison in the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office to address longstanding distrust between law enforcement and Native communities. Cantrell cited more than 160 unsolved cases in three counties and said better relationships could improve response times and outcomes. Sheriff Matt Kendall said resources are limited but acknowledged the need for trust-building.
⚖️ Mendocino County to Issue Warrants for Repeat Jury Duty No-Shows
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
Citing high no-show rates since the pandemic, Mendocino County courts will begin issuing warrants for residents who repeatedly skip jury duty, Court Executive Kim Turner said. The court has also merged its coastal and inland jury pools, meaning more residents will travel across the county to serve. Turner hopes the policy change will boost appearance rates, though it comes amid broader criticism of state court policies limiting public access to records of criminal cases.
🌊 Las Vegas Woman Dies After Fall From Mendocino Cliffs
By Matt LaFever, MendoFever
A 66-year-old Las Vegas woman died Tuesday after falling from the cliffs above Portuguese Beach in Mendocino, the sheriff’s office confirmed. Investigators believe she intended to end her life, and no foul play is suspected. The remote beach is known for its dramatic scenery but also poses hazards with steep, unstable bluffs.
🛒 Cyberattack on Major Distributor Empties Shelves in Remote Grocery Stores
By Jenn Procacci, The Mendocino Voice
A June cyberattack on United Natural Foods, Inc. disrupted deliveries to rural Mendocino County markets, leaving shelves bare for weeks in Round Valley and Point Arena. Store managers described poor communication from the distributor and resorted to hauling supplies from distant warehouse stores to keep communities fed. Larger markets with diversified suppliers saw little impact, highlighting the vulnerability of remote areas to supply chain disruptions.
🏥 Five Policy Shifts Could Reshape Mendocino County Health Care
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
Mendocino Coast Clinics Executive Director Lucresha Renteria warned Fort Bragg city officials of five looming federal and state policy changes that could restrict Medicare and Medi-Cal eligibility, impose work requirements, add co-pays, cut provider tax revenue, and alter immigrant coverage rules. She said the changes threaten access to care in rural areas, though a new $50 billion Rural Health Fund could offer partial relief.
👮 Supervisor Praises Fort Bragg Police Chief’s Tenure Ahead of Departure
By Bernie Norvell, Letter to the Editor, MendoFever
In a letter, Mendocino County Supervisor Bernie Norvell credited retiring Fort Bragg Police Chief Neil Cervenka with building programs for homelessness, mental health and community safety while reshaping the department. Norvell said his initial doubts gave way to support after seeing Cervenka’s collaborative approach and commitment to long-term change. The city now faces a months-long search for his replacement.
🌲 Volunteer Effort Launches to Restore Caspar Headlands Trails
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
A new State Parks-sponsored program, Caspar Cares Trail Stewards, began work Wednesday to clear and maintain the little-known Caspar Headlands trail system north of Caspar Beach. The area, rich in natural beauty and historic artifacts, has seen significant invasive plant removal and restoration in recent years. Trained volunteers can help maintain the network, which offers sweeping ocean views and glimpses of the region’s logging past.
🦭 Sick Sea Lion at Noyo Beach Raises Alarm
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
Visitors and dog owners were urged to avoid Noyo Beach Wednesday after a lethargic California sea lion came ashore, possibly infected with leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmissible to dogs and humans. The Marine Mammal Center reported an ongoing outbreak among sea lions and advised staying at least 50 yards away. The animal’s unusual behavior and injuries are also being investigated.
⚽ Resident Opposes Artificial Turf Soccer Fields in Bainbridge Park
By David Gurney, Anderson Valley Advertiser
In a letter to the Fort Bragg City Council, resident David Gurney objected to plans for two artificial turf soccer fields in Bainbridge Park, citing environmental hazards from toxic materials, groundwater contamination risks and the absence of an environmental impact report. Gurney urged the city to preserve the park’s natural open space.
🤠 Rodeo Queen Contestant Seeks Community Support for September Event
By Abigail Jones, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Fort Bragg’s Shoreline Riders Rodeo returns Sept. 6–7, and contestant Abigail Jones is seeking sponsorships in her bid for the 2025 Miss SRI Rodeo Queen title. Jones said proceeds from ticket and raffle sales will help ensure the event’s future after its revival last year through local fundraising.
📜 Letter Calls for ADA Lawsuit Reform to Protect Small Businesses
By Jacob S. Brown, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Mendocino County Republican Party Chair Jacob S. Brown urged state lawmakers to rein in what he described as abusive Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits that exploit minor violations for large settlements. Brown called for a correction period before litigation and reduced fines to balance accessibility needs with small business survival.
🏛 Fort Bragg Council Cancels Closed Session After Brown Act Questions
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
Public concerns over a vague “anticipated litigation” item prompted the Fort Bragg City Council to cancel a planned closed session on Aug. 11. Legal experts said the Brown Act generally requires naming the parties in such cases unless disclosure would harm settlement prospects. The meeting also included community updates, infrastructure news and public debate over artificial turf at Bainbridge Park.
🍇 New Rules Limit Vineyard Runoff to Protect Mendocino Waterways
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has adopted new rules restricting sediment and nutrient runoff from vineyards in Mendocino County to safeguard salmon-bearing streams and other waterways. The regulations require growers to implement erosion control measures, monitor water quality, and report compliance. Supporters say the rules will help restore aquatic habitat, while some vineyard owners raised concerns about costs and feasibility.
🎥 Fort Bragg’s Coast Cinemas Saved from Closure Under New Owners
By Mandela Linder, The Mendocino Voice
Fort Bragg’s Coast Cinemas, the last movie theater on the Mendocino Coast, will remain open after new owners stepped in to buy the business from the family that has operated it for decades. The deal comes just months after rumors of a shutdown fueled community concern over losing a key cultural venue. The new owners plan upgrades to the facilities while maintaining its role as a gathering place for first-run films and community events.
🏫 North County Center Expansion
By Jennifer Poole, Willits Weekly
State Sen. Mike McGuire recently visited Mendocino College’s North County Center in Willits to discuss the planned Phase 2 expansion of the campus. Funded by the 2024 school facilities bond measure (Proposition 2), the $28.6 million project will add an 18,800-square-foot instructional building with classrooms and labs for Construction Craft, Fire Technology and Lab Service Technology programs. The state will provide $14.6 million, while the Mendo-Lake Community College District will cover $14 million.
📚 New Library Roof Project to Start Monday
By Jennifer Poole, Willits Weekly
Demolition of the leaky roof of the Willits Library is set to begin Monday April 18. “We are finally getting the new metal roof after too long with blue and white tarps and buckets to collect drips,” Supervisor John Haschak said. He noted the project has been a long time coming, but the new roof should last for many years. The $271,945 contract was awarded to Solano County Roofing. Haschak added that the county will next pursue solar panels and battery backup for the library.
🧓 Coastal Seniors Dealt Another Blow as Federal Cuts Eliminate Grant Funds
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer (Paywall)
Plans by Coastal Seniors to offer line dancing and “Bingocize” — programs designed to help older adults stay active and healthy — have been halted after federal budget cuts eliminated funding. Coastal Seniors had submitted the proposal in response to an RFP for CalFresh healthy living programs through the Area Agency on Aging for Lake and Mendocino Counties. On Aug. 6, Executive Director Rebecca Stewart was informed by email that the RFP was canceled due to the elimination of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) funding, known in California as CalFresh.
🐋 Dead Whale Attracts Scientists, Vultures and Looky-loos
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer (Paywall)
A dead female humpback whale that had been drifting offshore near The Sea Ranch since Aug. 1 finally washed ashore on Dune Drift Beach on Aug. 12. Scientists and onlookers gathered as vultures descended on the carcass. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
I love these summaries. Superb idea and I know its hard work to get together. Keep doing it!
Thank you! So informative.