Mendo Local Weekly News — April 4, 2026
An election forum in District Three, a seawall project nears completion, and a court crackdown on juror no-shows
🗳️ Mendocino County
Four Candidates Vie for District 3 Supervisor Seat
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Four candidates—Eric Hart, Buffy Wright Bourassa, Clay Romero, and Russell Green—outlined positions on economic development, roads, county finances, and public safety during a March 26 forum. The forum will be broadcast on KMUD Tuesday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m.
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County Overhauls Reserve Policy
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Supervisors approved a new reserve structure dividing funds into contingency (5%), rainy day (up to 15%), and infrastructure reserves. About $14 million was reallocated without new spending.
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Great Redwood Trail Master Plan Approved
Great Redwood Trail Agency, Willits Weekly
After three years of planning, officials approved a roadmap for designing, building, and managing the regional trail project.
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Courts Launch Juror Compliance Program
Mendocino County Superior Court, Willits Weekly
Starting April 10, residents who ignore jury summons may be required to appear before a judge under a new enforcement calendar.
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Forest Bill Raises Concerns as JAG Leader Resigns
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
The resignation of Amy Wynn coincides with a proposed state bill that expands forest use but lacks local oversight provisions.
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Opinion: Sales Tax for Roads Criticized
By Alan Stein, The Mendocino Voice
A resident argues new road taxes are unnecessary, citing high gas taxes and flaws in state funding formulas.
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Roadwork to Cause Delays Through April 9
Caltrans
Motorists should expect 5–30 minute delays on Highway 1, Route 20, and U.S. 101, especially near Elk and Westport.
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🚗 Boonville
Fatal Crash Leads to Manslaughter Arrest
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
An 18-year-old passenger died in a suspected DUI crash; the teen driver was arrested and faces manslaughter charges.
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🌊 Fort Bragg
Stories of Shark Attack Survivors
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Following a recent Fort Bragg attack, survivors describe tactics that helped them live through encounters.
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Sea Level Rise Threatens Coastal Roads
By Mandela Linder, The Mendocino Voice
Residents are helping prioritize which vulnerable road segments should be studied as climate risks grow.
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📶 Gualala
Cellphone Service Outages Grow
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Residents along the Mendocino Coast report increasingly unreliable cellphone service, with some attributing the issues to T-Mobile’s acquisition of USCellular last August.
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Bottle Redemption Kiosk Sees Heavy Use
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
A new Bottlebank kiosk in Gualala is processing about 150 bags of CRV containers daily—roughly ten times the volume reported in Santa Rosa, according to staff.
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🏫 Manchester
119-Year-Old Schoolhouse Gets a Second Chance
By Alessandra Rizzo, The Mendocino Voice
After nearly 50 years vacant, the historic Manchester Schoolhouse—built in 1907 from old-growth redwood and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—has a new owner. This news was originally reported by The Independent Coast Observer.
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🎨 Point Arena
Community Honors Slain Pomo Woman with Mural
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Family and community members gathered March 28 to unveil a mural honoring Nicole Florencia Smith, a member of the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians who was murdered in 2017. The case remains unsolved.
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🌾 Potter Valley
Rogers Addresses Dam Removal Concerns
By Monica Huettl, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Residents voiced concerns about PG&E’s plan to decommission Scott Dam at a packed town hall.
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🔥 Ukiah
Ukiah Man Arrested After Late-Night Fire
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A man faces arson and prowling charges after a fire near a business; he is scheduled to appear in court Monday on unrelated an misdemeanor charge for another fire.
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Redwood Credit Union Opening New Branch
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
A new branch will open April 20 in a renovated former bank building on Perkins Street.
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The Lot on Main Returns for the Season
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
The popular downtown market resumes April 3 with vendors, music, and community events.
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Courts Seek Local Photographers for New Courthouse
Mendocino County Superior Court
Residents can submit photos for display in the new Ukiah courthouse; deadline is July 31.
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🌊 Westport
Seawall Nears Completion, Land Transfer Advances
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
A major seawall project at Blues Beach is wrapping up as a long-delayed land transfer to a tribal nonprofit moves forward.
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🌲 Willits
Willits Man Arrested After Allegedly Attempting to Meet Teenage Girl
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A 38-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
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🐟 California
State Ends Salmon Restoration Partnership
By Rachel Becker, CalMatters
Funding cuts halt a major tribal-led effort to restore Chinook salmon to the McCloud River.
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State Considers Insurance for Factory-Built Housing
By Ben Christopher, CalMatters
A proposed bill would have California backstop insurance for modular housing to boost construction.
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Green-card Holders Lose Access to SBA Loans
By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters
Green-card holders are no longer eligible for SBA loans, impacting a large share of California entrepreneurs.
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