Mendo Local Weekly News Roundup — August 22, 2025
Hello friends — From new food truck rules in Willits to butterflies in Point Arena, and a fiber optic project in Ukiah, there’s a lot of local news to catch up on.
FORT BRAGG
🐕 Noyo Dog Park Gets an Upgrade
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
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The Noyo Headlands dog park has been steadily improving this year with new upgrades. Advocates say the site has the potential to be one of the premier dog parks anywhere on the North Coast.
📡 Customer Opinion Split on MCN Acquisition by City of Fort Bragg
By Matt LaFever, Independent Coast Observer
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The City of Fort Bragg finalized its acquisition of the MCN Internet provider last month. Some residents praise the council for preserving local jobs, while others worry the city is not up to the task. “I am concerned the new owners may be more profit-oriented, have grander ideas that make services more expensive,” resident Sakina Bush told the ICO.
MANCHESTER
📶 Manchester Cell Tower Gets Final Approval From County
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
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A new 100-foot “faux eucalyptus” tower near mile marker 23 has cleared final inspection, improving cell service for Manchester, Irish Beach and Elk. County building inspectors signed off last week, ending a year-long approval process.
POINT ARENA
🦋 Butterfly Conservation Takes Flight in Point Arena
Independent Coast Observer
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The Behrens Silverspot Butterfly is at the center of a conservation program at the B. Bryan Preserve, where biologists and advocates are working to restore the species’ habitat.
UKIAH
🐇 Ukiah City Council Moves Forward on Proposal Simplifying Backyard Animal Rules
By Sydney Fishman, Mendocino Voice
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Ukiah is close to easing restrictions on backyard hens, rabbits and beehives. The City Council gave initial approval to an ordinance amendment that would eliminate the $1,000 minor use permit and streamline the process for residents. Final passage is expected Sept. 3.
🌐 Ukiah City Council Greenlights $3.3 Million Fiber Optic Project
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
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The Ukiah City Council unanimously approved a city-owned broadband project that will deliver speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. Funded through a $5 million CPUC grant and a $1 million private partnership with Vero Fiber Networks, the project must be finished by Oct. 2026 or the city risks losing funding.
WILLITS
🚚 Willits City Council Solicits Opinion on Amended Mobile Vending Ordinance
By B.B. Kamoroff, Willits Weekly
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City officials are weighing changes to restrictions on food trucks and other mobile vendors. Current rules prohibit vendors on Main or Commercial streets and limit operations to 28 days per year. Residents debated the issue at an Aug. 12 meeting.
🍰 Great Cake Soiree
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly
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Thirteen bakers showcased blackberry and chocolate creations at the Great Cake Soiree hosted at Willits Elementary Charter School. Both amateurs and professionals participated in the sweet community event.
🤠 Bringing Wilma to Willits
By Maureen Jennison, Willits Weekly
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Cowboy Willy Willits, the giant rodeo statue, will soon have a companion. Citizens have raised over $31,000 toward creating “Wilma,” with a deposit already delivered to the manufacturer.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
💧 Who Has the Rights to Our Local Rivers and Streams?
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
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The State Water Board canceled CAL FIRE’s application for water rights in Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Groups like EPIC and Save Jackson Coalition had opposed the proposal, but CAL FIRE said the decision was made for other reasons.
⚖️ Mendocino County Opinion Divided on DA Recall Effort
Anderson Valley Advertiser
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Residents remain split over whether DA David Eyster should be recalled. Critics cite his prosecution of exonerated Auditor-Controller Chamise Cubbison, while supporters argue he has been an effective prosecutor and department leader.
NOTABLE PRESS RELEASES
🏠 Radon Detectors Offered at the Library
Mendocino County Library
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Residents can now check out free radon detectors from county libraries to test their homes for the radioactive gas, a leading cause of lung cancer.
🌿 Department of Fish and Wildlife Joins Fight Against Illegal Cannabis Cultivation
California DFW
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A weeklong enforcement sweep in Mendocino and Lake counties resulted in 21 search warrants, more than 46,000 plants eradicated, 13,600 pounds of processed cannabis destroyed, 213 code violations and seven people detained. Sensitive species and archaeological sites were also impacted.
🚧 State Allocates Nearly $40 Million to Mendocino County Road Projects
Caltrans
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The California Transportation Commission approved $3 billion in statewide allocations, including nearly $40 million for Mendocino County. Projects include upgrades on U.S. 101 near Hopland, fish-passage improvements and drainage along Route 128, and emergency culvert and roadway repairs near Laytonville.
💡 Thanks for reading this week’s roundup. We’ll be back next Friday with more stories from across Mendocino County — until then, take care and stay cool.