Mendo Local Weekly Roundup — June 28, 2026
A fast-moving fire and a 5.6 magnitude earthquake — but the show goes on for the annual Frontier Days celebration
🏛️ Mendocino County
Mendocino County Superior Court photo contest nears deadline
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 26
The Mendocino County Superior Court is accepting photography submissions in seven categories through July 31. The top two photos in each category will be displayed in the county’s new courthouse when it opens in 2027, with winners announced in September.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/06/mendocino-county-superior-court-photo-contest-nears-deadline/
Supervisors Give Ukiah Annexation Talks More Time
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 25
Supervisors voted 4-1 to preserve the Master Tax Sharing Agreement, allowing negotiations over Ukiah’s proposed annexation to continue despite opposition from county residents in the affected area.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/supervisors-give-ukiah-annexation
Sara Pierce Elevated to Interim CEO
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 25
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to appoint Assistant CEO Sara Pierce as interim chief executive officer, effective July 13, while the county continues its search for a permanent CEO.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/sara-pierce-elevated-to-interim-ceo
As contract nears end, Mendocino County offers its workers 1%
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · June 24
County employees protested management’s offer of a 1% wage increase as negotiations continue ahead of their contract’s June 30 expiration.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/06/as-contract-nears-end-mendocino-county-offers-its-workers-1/
North Coast Opportunities closed seven programs in two years
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · June 22
North Coast Opportunities has closed seven community programs over the past two years, citing funding shortfalls and a shift in organizational priorities. Programs included a community garden, soup kitchen, and food services.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/06/north-coast-opportunities-closed-seven-programs-in-two-years/
🏠 Fort Bragg
Affordable Workforce Housing Coming to South Franklin Street in Fort Bragg
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 26
The Fort Bragg City Council backed Housing Mendocino Coast’s proposal to build 12 to 13 affordable homes using a community land trust model to preserve long-term affordability.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/affordable-workforce-housing-coming-to-fort-bragg
Texas man uses two-way camera to scare off burglars from vacant oceanfront home
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 24
A Texas resident used a Ring camera to stop an attempted burglary at his parents’ home near Fort Bragg by speaking to the suspects remotely before deputies arrived.
Read more: https://mendocinocoast.news/texas-man-uses-two-way-camera-to-scare-off-burglars-from-vacant-oceanfront-home/
🌲 Navarro
Logging truck driver dies after rig hits tree near Navarro Store; community rallies to get his dog home
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 24
Ed Walker, 69, died after his logging truck overturned on Highway 128. His dog Tommy was later reunited with family members.
Read more: https://mendocinocoast.news/logging-truck-driver-dies-after-rig-hits-tree-near-navarro-store-community-rallies-to-get-his-dog-home/
🦒 Point Arena
Critically Endangered Antelope Species Arrives at B. Bryan Preserve
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Three endangered addax antelope have arrived at B. Bryan Preserve, expanding the preserve’s conservation program.
Read more: https://mendonoma.com (Subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required)
💧Potter Valley
Feds take Potter Valley dam “public” comments privately Tuesday evening
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · June 25
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission held private, one-on-one scoping sessions on PG&E’s Potter Valley Project removal proposal.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/06/feds-take-potter-valley-dam-public-comments-privately-tuesday-evening/
🌿 Redwood Valley
The Coyote Fire: A Frightening Fire Drill
By Adam Gaska, MendoLocal.News · June 28
A fast-moving wildfire near the Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley prompted a rapid evacuation order on June 25, 2026, giving residents and emergency responders a real-world test of their preparedness. One resident’s account details the frantic 10 minutes spent preparing their home—from changing clothes to staging valuables and laying out hoses—before fire crews stopped the forward progress of the blaze and the evacuation order was lifted.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/the-coyote-fire-a-frightening-fire
Redwood Valley Residents File CEQA Lawsuit to Block Gas Station
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 25
Residents filed a lawsuit challenging the county’s approval of a proposed gas station, alleging officials failed to prepare an Environmental Impact Report.
Read more: https://www.mendolocal.news/p/redwood-valley-residents-file-ceqa-lawsuit
Mendocino County monks mark 30 years on “Fearless Mountain”
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 23
Abhayagiri Monastery is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Redwood Valley.
Read more: https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/06/23/mendocino-county-monks-mark-30-years-on-fearless-mountain/ (Subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal required.)
🥾 Ukiah
New Ukiah trail celebrated Saturday
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 25
The Gateway Trail Loop has opened on Lookout Peak, becoming the first section of a planned 20-mile trail network.
Read more: https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/06/25/new-ukiah-trail-to-be-celebrated-saturday/ (Subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal required.)
🤠 Willits
Willits Frontier Days kicks off with plenty of fun ahead
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 26
The 100th annual Willits Frontier Days celebration continues through July 4 with rodeo events, truck pulls, art shows, and a centennial parade.
Read more: https://mendovoice.com/2026/06/willits-frontier-days-kicks-off-with-plenty-of-fun-ahead/
Magnitude 5.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Redwood Valley
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 24
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook much of Mendocino County, causing power outages, supermarket closures, and continuing damage assessments.
Read more: https://mendocinocoast.news/5-6-earthquake-rocks-redwood-valley/
🏛️ CALMATTERS
14 Measures on California’s November Ballot: Billionaire Tax, Housing Bond, and More
By Yue Stella Yu and Kristen Hwang, CalMatters
California voters will decide on 14 statewide ballot measures this November, including a high-stakes 5% wealth tax on billionaires, an $11.25 billion affordable housing bond, and a $25 billion homebuying loan program. Other key proposals include making a temporary income tax on high earners permanent, expedited environmental review for development projects, voter ID requirements, and public campaign financing. The measures span taxation, housing, healthcare, elections, and environmental policy—with some facing competing ballot initiatives designed to undercut their impact.
Read more: https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/06/california-ballot-measures-november-election/
How a George Floyd-Inspired California Law Accidentally Weakened Police Accountability
By Nigel Duara and Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett, CalMatters
In 2020, California transferred responsibility for investigating fatal police shootings from local authorities to the state attorney general, promising faster and more credible investigations. But the system has backfired. Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office now takes an average of nearly two years and five months to complete investigations—well beyond the statute of limitations for many charges and the three-year window for officer decertification. Not a single officer has been prosecuted under the law.
Read more: https://calmatters.org/justice/2026/06/police-shootings-attorney-general/