Mendo Local Weekly News — February 22, 2026
A new focus for state forests, steep increases in water rates for members of the Ukiah Valley Water Authority, and a tax to fund the college
🌲 MENDOCINO COUNTY
Bill Would Shift Focus of State Demonstration Forests from Logging to Restoration
By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice
Assembly Bill 2494, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Rogers and co-authored by state Senator Mike McGuire, would redefine the mission of California’s 14 state demonstration forests — including Jackson Demonstration State Forest — prioritizing research, restoration and recreation over logging.
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James Schnitzius to Lead Mendocino County DA’s Bureau of Investigations
By Mendocino County District Attorney
Senior Investigator James Schnitzius has been selected to lead the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations, succeeding retiring Chief Investigator Andrew Alvarado on March 1.
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Mendo Spends $160K on County Counsel “Assessment”
By Mark Scaramella, The Anderson Valley Advertiser
Approved without discussion on the December consent calendar, Mendocino County authorized a $160,000 contract for “management and County Counsel assessment services.” South Lake Tahoe attorney Charles J. McKee will bill $325 per hour (plus $100/hour travel) to evaluate the office and assist with leadership transition. The move comes amid tight budgets and recent State Auditor guidance recommending competitive bids for high-value contracts.
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Mendocino College Bond Approved for June 2 Election
By Jennifer Poole, Willits Weekly
Trustees voted unanimously to place a $98 million bond on the June 2 ballot. The measure would fund repairs to classrooms and labs, address mold and lead paint, maintain drinking water systems, and expand career training programs. Property owners would pay $24 annually per $100,000 of assessed value.
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🌳 ANCHOR BAY
44-Year-Old Man Dies in Car Accident Near Anchor Bay
By David Torres, Independent Coast Observer
David Alexander Printz died February 16 when his GMC Sierra left Highway 1 and struck a tree near mile marker 8.5. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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🚓 FORT BRAGG
Fort Bragg Police Chief Eric Swift Responds to Questions About ICE
By Mary Rose Kaczorowski, The Mendocino Voice
At a recent meet-and-greet, Police Chief Eric Swift and City Manager Isaac Whippy fielded questions about youth programs, housing, racism, and immigration enforcement. Swift said if ICE were involved in a local matter, the department would have the legal authority to investigate.
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What’s Next for The Wharf at Noyo Harbor?
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
Under new ownership by Bob Hunt and Pamela Amante, The Wharf — a Fort Bragg institution for more than 70 years — is undergoing renovations. The owners are inviting community input on everything from menu ideas to preserving long-standing traditions like dog-friendly dining.
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🏥 GUALALA
South Coast Becomes a ‘Pharmacy Desert’ After Fourth Closure in 12 Years
By Alessandra Rizzo, The Mendocino Voice
The November closure of Genoa Healthcare in Gualala leaves a 60-mile stretch of the South Coast without a pharmacy. Residents must now travel more than 90 minutes for prescriptions. The closure reflects a nationwide trend: nearly 30% of U.S. pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021.
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🌱 HOPLAND
GrizzlyCorps Returns After Federal Cuts
By Mary Rose Kaczorowski, The Mendocino Voice
After abrupt termination due to federal cuts, GrizzlyCorps has resumed operations at reduced capacity. Fellows are now serving at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center and the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, supporting wildfire prevention and environmental projects.
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🚗 LAYTONVILLE
One Person Found in Vehicle Pulled from Eel River
By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice
A vehicle that drove off Highway 162 into the Eel River east of Laytonville was recovered Tuesday morning. The victim was identified as Gary Niesen of Covelo. His wife, Yvonne Niesen, was reported missing.
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🏫 MANCHESTER
Historic Manchester Schoolhouse Has a New Owner
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
The 1907 Manchester schoolhouse has been purchased for $275,000 by Lauren Dowling. The building requires extensive renovation, including plumbing and electrical upgrades.
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Internet Outages Caused by Vandals
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
Thousands of AT&T customers from Manchester to Gualala lost service after vandals cut a fiber optic cable February 13. Connectivity was restored early February 16.
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🌊 POINT ARENA
Sea Level Rise Polices Before Point Arena City Council
By Katy St. Clair, The Mendocino Voice
The Point Arena City Council is considering amendments adding sea level rise policies to its General Plan, following a $100,000 Coastal Commission grant that funded a vulnerability study of Arena Cove.
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🔥 REDWOOD VALLEY
Homebuyer Program Offers Funding for 2017 Fire Survivors
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program is offering support to low-income Redwood Valley residents impacted by the 2017 fires, helping eligible buyers secure stable housing.
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💧 UKIAH
Water Bills Set to Climb 60% Over Five Years
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
The Ukiah Valley Water Authority approved rate increases exceeding 60% over five years, despite more than 200 protest letters. Some residents will see hikes as high as 30% this year.
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Ukiah Planting 700 New Trees in Urban Forest Initiative
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
Backed by a $1.4 million Cal Fire grant received in 2024, the City of Ukiah to plant more than 700 trees as part of a climate resilience effort.
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Ukiah Man Charged with Human Trafficking After Oakland Incident
By Nate Gartrell, Bay Area News Group
Alexander Barger, a 22-year-old Ukiah man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly holding a woman hostage in Oakland and forcing her into sex work. He remains in Santa Rita Jail without bail.
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🚂 WILLITS
Federal Railroad Board Blocks Great Redwood Trail Abandonment
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
The Surface Transportation Board denied the Great Redwood Trail Agency’s request to abandon a 40-mile rail line between Fort Bragg and Willits, preserving the corridor’s freight potential.
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Dispute Over Century-Old Alley Heads to April Hearing
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
The Willits City Council is moving toward resolving a dispute over a back alley that dates to 1902, while also debating public art relocation and community concerns about ICE enforcement.
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Willits Man Arrested After Allegedly Posing as Uber Driver
By Ukiah Police Department
Police arrested a Willits man accused of posing as an Uber driver to lure a woman into his vehicle. Additional allegations involve secretly recorded videos of a minor.
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🏛️ CALIFORNIA
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs
By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters
In a 6–3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacked authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — a decision with significant implications for California’s economy.
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California Mountain Lions Get Protected Status—But Only in Certain Regions
By Rachel Becker, CalMatters
California’s Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to list mountain lion populations in the Central Coast and Southern California as threatened under the state’s endangered species act. The move protects about one-third of California’s estimated 4,200 mountain lions, which face threats from habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, rat poison, and inbreeding. Scientists warn that isolated populations show alarming signs of genetic decline, including kinked tails and reproductive defects.
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Senior Centers Becoming Lifelines Against Isolation
By Joe Garcia, CalMatters
As California’s population ages, senior centers are emerging as essential community hubs, offering recreation, meals and vital social connection to combat isolation.
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