Mendo Local Weekly Roundup — July 4, 2026
Grand jury report takes Board of Supes to task, and forest management bill and Blues Beach transfer move forward.
Additions: The story on the Civil Grand Jury report , the Point Arena Veterans’ Monument, the sentencing of Cayden Paul Craig, and additional CalFire protections for prescribed burns (July 4, 2026, 2:49 p.m.)
🌲 Mendocino County
Fireworks and other Festivities
By MendoLocal.News · July 4
A Fourth of July cheat sheet.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/fireworks-and-festivities-on-the
State Senate Panel Advances Forest Management Bill
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · July 3
A Senate committee passed AB 2494, a bill that shifts forest management priorities at state forests toward restoration, wildfire resilience, and tribal co-management. It affects Jackson Demonstration State Forest, the state’s largest demonstration forest, and now heads to Appropriations.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/state-senate-panel-advances-forest-management-bill
Grand Jury Report Takes Board of Supervisors to Task
Karen Elowitt, Independent Coast Observer · July 2
The Mendocino County Civil Grand Jury on June 24 released "From Policy to Practice: Digging Deeper into the Board of Supervisors Oversight of Planning and Building Services." The 71-page report concludes that insufficient oversight has left the department without the written policies, procedures, and accountability needed to consistently enforce state law, protect public safety, and maintain public confidence.
Read more: www.mendonoma.com (Subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required.)
CAL FIRE Increases Precautionary Measures Around Prescribed Burns in Wake of the Putah Fire
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 30
After the Putah Fire escaped a 45-acre prescribed burn near Napa on June 8 and grew to 860 acres, CAL FIRE brought extra resources to its own 400-acre roadside burn along Highway 101 south of Ukiah. The caution paid off June 25 when the Arrow Fire briefly slipped containment but was stopped at 1.7 acres in 40 minutes, with one firefighter suffering minor injuries.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/cal-fire-increases-precautionary
Court commits sex offender to state hospital as Sexually Violent Predator
Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office · June 26
A judge ruled Johnny Lee Rain, 51, a Sexually Violent Predator and ordered him to Coalinga State Hospital for indefinite commitment, just as he neared release from a 23-year sentence. Prosecutors cited a decade of escalating assaults from 1992 to 2002.
Read more: https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoCountyDistrictAttorney
📍 Covelo
Covelo woman arrested after victim escapes alleged attempted robbery
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · July 1
A Covelo woman, Abigail Sanchez-Santos, 39, faces attempted murder, attempted robbery, kidnapping, and criminal threats after allegedly striking her roommate with a rifle and pulling the trigger, which failed when the weapon malfunctioned.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/07/covelo-woman-arrested-after-victim-escapes-alleged-attempted-robbery/
🌊 Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg City Council Renews $180K Marketing Contract Despite Brouhaha Over AI-generated Fourth of July Flyer
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · July 3
The Fort Bragg City Council voted 5–0 to renew an $180,000 annual marketing contract despite public outcry over an AI-generated Fourth of July flyer with fabricated images and an incorrect date. Idea Cooperative President Tom Kavanaugh took “full responsibility” and noted the flyer ran only 2.5 hours before removal.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/fort-bragg-city-council-renews-marketing-contract
Investigation finds rodeo horse Caddy killed accidentally by pellet gun
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · July 1
Caddy, a championship rodeo horse belonging to 17-year-old rider Adeline Shattuck, died June 11 after being hit with a pellet from a pellet gun. Investigators found no malicious intent, and no charges were filed.
Read more: https://mendocinocoast.news/your-thursday-paper-circus-in-town-mystery-photo-our-investigation-determined-caddy-the-rodeo-horse-was-killed-by-pellet-gun-caltrans-struggles-with-blues-beach-shutdown/
Floyd and Connie’s opens permanent Fort Bragg restaurant
By Mandela Linder, The Mendocino Voice · July 1
After running a weekly pop-up out of Cafe Beaujolais since 2022, Stephanie Butler and Nick Dorgan are opening a permanent spot at Noyo Harbor serving updated American classics. Soft opening around July 9, full opening July 16.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/07/after-years-of-pop-ups-floyd-and-connies-opens-a-permanent-fort-bragg-restaurant/
Summer programs kick off at the C.V. Starr Center
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · July 2
The C.V. Starr Center has a full summer of youth programming — swim, camps, soccer, and a “Dive into Reading” partnership with the Fort Bragg Library — led by Recreation Coordinator Ann Leach.
Read more: https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/07/02/splash-into-summer-happenings-at-the-c-v-starr-center/
Fort Bragg Man Accused of Prowling Sentenced to Six Years for Sex Crime
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 30
Cayden Paul Craig, 24, was sentenced June 27 to six years under a plea deal after entering a Fort Bragg home through a bedroom window and sexually assaulting the resident — a crime DNA evidence tied him to. With credit for time served he's set for release in June 2030 and must register as a sex offender.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/fort-bragg-prowler-sentenced
🌅 Point Arena
Veterans Monument in Point Arena Nears Completion
Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer · July 2
The project’s six basalt columns were installed in April and concrete work is expected to be completed in early July.
Read more: www.mendonoma.com (Subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required)
🍇 Redwood Valley
$1.7 million farm sale closes in Redwood Valley
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 28
A 65-acre spread at 9550 N. Highway 101 — vineyard, open ground, and a home — sold for $1.7 million to two local couples, the Bowers and the Harringtons, from a Miami-based seller.
Read more: https://mendocinocoast.news/your-monday-paper-who-shot-the-horses-and-why-1-7-million-farm-sale-in-redwood-valley-salmon-fishing-still-stinks-and-there-is-still-time-to-get-a-better-albion-bridge/
🚴 Ukiah
Ukiah City Council OKs moving forward with downtown code changes
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · July 3
The Ukiah City Council approved moving forward with a two-part plan to revise the Downtown Zoning Code, extending the C-1 Commercial zone westward to encourage development along Perkins Street.
Read more: https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/07/03/ukiah-city-council-oks-moving-forward-with-downtown-code-changes/
Ukiah City Council green-lights increasing recreation program fees
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · July 2
The Ukiah City Council voted unanimously to raise fees for community services including youth sports, the Grace Hudson Museum, and the city pool, Low-income discounts for youth sports remain available.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/07/ukiah-city-council-green-lights-increasing-recreation-program-fees/
🌊 Westport
Blues Beach transfers to tribal nonprofit as Caltrans navigates July 4 closure
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · July 2, and Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · July 1
Caltrans is transferring the 136-acre Blues Beach coastal property, at no cost, to Kai Poma, a nonprofit organized by the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Meanwhile, an announced a July 4 vehicle closure was rolled back; pedestrian access remains throughout.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/07/blues-beach-near-westport-transfers-to-local-tribal-nonprofit/ https://mendocinocoast.news/your-thursday-paper-circus-in-town-mystery-photo-our-investigation-determined-caddy-the-rodeo-horse-was-killed-by-pellet-gun-caltrans-struggles-with-blues-beach-shutdown/
🚂 Willits
Willits City Council Grapples with Looming General Fund Deficit
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · July 1
Under a fiscal emergency declared in April 2025, Willits will draw $484,000 from reserves in its 2026–27 budget, with $6.3 million in general fund expenses against $4.6 million in baseline revenue. Council member Bruce Burton pressed for 10% operating cuts.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/willits-city-council-june-24-2026j
Willits Grocery Outlet Gets Yellow Tagged Following Quake
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · July 1
An earthquake damaged a critical support column inside the Grocery Outlet at 1718 S. Main Street, prompting a yellow tag that bars public occupancy until repairs are made.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/willits-grocery-outlet-gets-yellow-tag
Mendocino County Museum expands access, celebrates successes
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · July 2
The Mendocino County Museum in Willits has revitalized itself over the past decade, and now features a room of restored trains from Roots of Motive Power open daily. Administrator Karen Mattson and curator Lindsey Dick are working to raise the institution’s profile as the county’s museum, not just the “Willits Museum.
Read more: https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/07/02/mendocino-county-museum-expands-access-celebrates-successes/
🏛️ CALMATTERS
Gas Prices are High for July 4. Price-gouging Fixes Remain on the Shelf.
By Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters · July 3
Feeling the pinch of high gas prices? The state’s petroleum watchdog has identified a problem that goes beyond refinery capacity: branded gas stations like Chevron are charging significantly more than unbranded competitors, with pricing shaped by algorithms, supplier contracts, and brand power. Meanwhile, California’s most aggressive price-control tools—including a refinery margin penalty—remain shelved after the state backed away from them last year.
Read more: https://calmatters.org/environment/2026/07/california-gas-prices-july-fourth/
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Shift Away from Permanent Homeless Housing
By Marisa Kendall, CalMatters · July 2
A federal judge this week shot down the Trump administration’s attempt to steer billions in homeless funding away from permanent housing and toward temporary shelters and sobriety programs. The judge called the effort “the hallmark of unreasoned decision making.” Last year, California communities spent about 90% their share of federal HUD money on permanent housing. The fight is far from over. Last week, the administration moved to shift 2026 federal funding away from permanent housing and the housing first framework.
Read more: https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2026/07/trump-homeless-funding-judge/