Mendo Local Weekly News — February 15, 2026
Young artists challenge the status quo in Fort Bragg and a jury convicts a serial rapist in Ukiah
🏛️ MENDOCINO COUNTY
Court Docket Unsealed in Journalist Arrest Case
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A previously inaccessible court docket related to journalist Matthew LaFever’s misdemeanor arrest last year has been made public following a motion to intervene filed by the editor of MendoLocal.News. LaFever, a working journalist and high school teacher, was arrested in November 2025 on a misdemeanor charge of annoying or molesting a minor. The case has been marked by an unusual leak to a Youtuber who, by his own account, is on friendly terms with the command staff at the Ukiah Police Department. The Youtuber produced a 44-minute segment on the day of LaFever’s arrest based on the confidential police investigation. No charges have been filed to date.
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LaFever Special Master Request in Limbo
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
An order approving the appointment of a special master to oversee an investigation into the devices and data seized from journalist and teacher Matthew LaFever has not been signed, according to the newly accessible court docket. Meanwhile, a Fort Bragg police department law enforcement employee who was the target of a confidential memo sought by LaFever says he was cleared by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). A POST spokeswoman said the law authorizing POST does not define off-duty acts as “serious misconduct.”
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Mendocino College Professor Faces Child Sexual Abuse Charges
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Jason Davis, a 54-year-old English professor at Mendocino College, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on February 18, facing six felony charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. Prosecutors allege the abuse began when the victim was 13 years old, and said additional charges may be forthcoming.
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Federal Proposal Aims to Reduce Whale Entanglements in West Coast Fishing
By Sarah Stierch , The Mendocino Voice
NOAA Fisheries is proposing new gear-marking requirements for commercial fishermen in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery to reduce whale entanglements. The proposed rules would allow pot gear operators to mark only one end of a line instead of both, potentially reducing the amount of line in the water. Public comments are being accepted through March 9, 2026.
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Ambulance Service Remains Fragile in Mendocino County
By John Haschak, The Mendocino Voice
Mendocino County 3rd District Supervisor John Haschak discusses the ongoing challenges with ambulance services in rural areas, highlighting efforts to address EMT shortages. A recent EMT class in Covelo will graduate nine students, and the Round Valley Health Clinic is now receiving low-acuity ambulance patients, offering hope for improved emergency medical services in outlying regions.
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$2.4 Million Allocated for Highway Improvements in Mendocino County
By Caltrans
Caltrans has announced a $2.4 million investment in state highway improvements, including $1.3 million for road and guardrail upgrades along Highway 1 from Rockport to DeHaven, and $1.1 million for road and drainage improvements along Highway 271 near Leggett. The funding comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act, which has supported transportation improvements statewide since 2017.
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State Report Reveals Thousands of Cannabis-Related Environmental Violations in 2025
By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife documented over 2,100 cannabis-related environmental violations across 27 counties in 2025, highlighting significant impacts on waterways, wildlife habitat, and public lands. The report emphasizes illegal cultivation’s role in unauthorized water use, banned pesticide application, and abandoned infrastructure, with a specific example from Mendocino County showing water diversion affecting critical habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs and winter steelhead.
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🍷 ANDERSON VALLEY
Anderson Valley Wine Shop Debuts New Tasting Experience
By Sarah Stierch | The Mendocino Voice
Disco Ranch will offer guided flights spotlighting limited-production wines from boutique wineries without public tasting rooms.
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Crowd Turns Out to Learn About Beneficial Burns Inland and on the Coast
By Sarah Reith, The Mendocino Voice
The Mendocino County Prescribed Burn Association hosted a Q&A at Anderson Valley Brewing Company on beneficial burns on Feb. 7, 2026.
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🌲 CASPAR
Trash Dumping Prompts Closure of Jackson Demonstration State Forest Road
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
CAL FIRE has closed Road 500 in Jackson Demonstration State Forest due to extensive illegal dumping, including sulphuric acid barrels and massive amounts of household trash. The closure affects motorized vehicles and is intended to prevent further environmental damage. Local activists are calling for community involvement to identify and stop the polluters responsible for ongoing environmental vandalism.
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🎨 FORT BRAGG
Fort Bragg Man Convicted of Assault and Kidnapping with Intent to Commit Rape
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
A Mendocino County jury found Willy Hill — described by District Attorney David Eyster as a “serial rapist” — guilty of assault with intent to commit rape and kidnapping with the intent to commit rape. The verdict came after jurors heard forensic evidence, including Hill’s DNA found on the victim, and testimony from other women describing similar alleged conduct. Hill will return to court on March 20 for trial on aggravators, including prior sex offense convictions.
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Noyo High Students Unleash Raw Creativity in “Word Vomit” Art Show
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
Noyo High School students shattered artistic boundaries with their provocative “Word Vomit” exhibition at Cobalt Gallery. Twenty-five students created approximately 60 pieces exploring themes of generational frustration, women’s experiences, and societal challenges.
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🥏 GUALALA
CCC Rejects Streetscape Permit Appeals
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously at a February 4 hearing to uphold the Coastal Development Permit for the Gualala Downtown Streetscape Project. Bower Limited Partnership and Save Gualala had appealed. The project will add sidewalks and bike lanes to an approximately half-mile stretch of Highway 1.
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Wetland Restoration Underway at China Gulch
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
The Gualala River Estuary Habitat Enhancement Planning Project has gained momentum as culvert repairs at Highway 1 and Old Stage Road align with long-planned wetland restoration work.
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Professional Disc Golf Competition Raises Funds and Heart Rates
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
An Ice Bowl Disc Golf Competition at Ocean Ridge Park attracted 70 golfers and netted $3,600 for the Redwood Coast Recreation District.
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🚓 LAYTONVILLE
Arrest for Attempted Murder in Rural Mendocino County Shooting Incident
By the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly shooting at a 68-year-old man on Branscomb Road. Brandon Lee Langenderfer was booked into county jail on multiple charges, including attempted murder and parole violations. A female companion, Miranda Marie Mullins, was also arrested on related charges.
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💧POTTER VALLEY
Water Storage Options to Be Discussed at IWPC Meeting
By Justine Frederiksen, The Ukiah Daily Journal
The Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission will meet Feb. 19 to discuss potential water storage options following the planned removal of the Potter Valley Project dams. The meeting follows controversy surrounding First District Supervisor Madeline Cline’s representation on the board.
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🏫 REDWOOD VALLEY
Redwood Valley Seeks to Transform Closed School into Youth Recreation Center
By Sydney Fishman ,The Mendocino Voice
A volunteer group is proposing to lease and eventually purchase the closed Redwood Valley Elementary School campus to create a youth recreation center offering exercise, classes, gardening, and cooking programs.
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🫖 UKIAH
Downtown Ukiah’s Hometown Store and Kitchen Gifts to Close After 25 Years
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
After 25 years in business, Hometown Store and Kitchen Gifts will close by the end of March 2026. The family-owned store plans a closing sale with discounts up to 60%.
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New CNA Training Program Launches in Mendocino County
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice
The Mendocino County Office of Education has opened a new medical training center featuring the county’s first Certified Nursing Assistant program in a decade.
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Oakland Man Arrested in Ukiah for Alleged Attempted Murder of Elderly Friends
By the Ukiah Police Department
Ukiah police arrested Clarence Wells, 37, on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly attacked two elderly friends with a skateboard at their North Oak Street home. Both victims were hospitalized with serious head wounds. Bail was set at $1 million.
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New Family Doctor Joins Adventist Health Ukiah Valley
By The Mendocino Voice
Dr. Holly Astin will see patients in the clinic and hospital and teach in the Family Medicine Residency Program.
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🦀 WILLITS
Third District Supervisors Race Off and Running
Jennifer Poole, Willits Weekly
Four candidates — Buffey Wright Bourassa, Russell Green, Eric Hart, and Clay Romero — have announced campaigns for Third District supervisor ahead of the June 2 election.
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Crab Sale for the Rotary Club
Mathew Caine | Willits Weekly
The Willits Rotary sold 2,000 crabs during its popular two-day crab sale earlier this month.
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Lake County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Deputy Arrested Following Sexual Assault Investigation
By the Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies arrested Daniel Constancio Jr., 35, of Willits on Feb. 12. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted an inmate at the Hill Road Correctional Facility in 2024.
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🏛️ CALMATTERS
Newsom’s Spending Surge Creates Chronic California Budget Deficit
By Dan Walters, CalMatters
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has created a multibillion-dollar structural budget deficit, with spending increasing 72% over seven budgets. The Legislative Analyst’s Office warns of annual deficits ranging from $20 billion to $35 billion.
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Glenn Medical Center Gets Congressional Lifeline, Still Needs Millions to Reopen
By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters
Congress restored critical access status for Glenn Medical Center, but the shuttered hospital still needs $40–50 million to reopen. A proposed state bill could help fund distressed hospitals.
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Factory-Built Housing: California’s Next Big Housing Solution?
By Ben Christopher, CalMatters
Lawmakers are exploring factory-built housing as a potential solution to California’s housing crisis, with proposals that could cut costs by up to 25% and reduce construction timelines.
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