Mendo Local Weekly News — March 1, 2026
A huge slide on U.S. 1 in Elk is cleared in record time, donkeyball in Booneville, and teacher layoffs in Ukiah
🌲 MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mendocino County’s Structural Deficit Continues to Widen
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Mendocino County faces a deepening structural deficit with expenses projected to outpace revenues through at least 2030. The county begins fiscal year 2026–27 with a $4.5–$5 million budget hole before new departmental requests, driven largely by rising salary and benefit costs ($93.5 million projected) and increased public safety spending.
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Money for Lobbyists and Lawyers or for Fixing County Roads?
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
County supervisors unanimously approved a $500,000 allocation to the Inland Water and Power Commission for legal and lobbying expenses related to the Potter Valley Project decommissioning, despite limited details about how the funds would be spent. The decision came amid a projected budget deficit of at least $4.5 million and pushback from Supervisor Ted Williams, who proposed redirecting $450,000 of the allocation to road repairs. Supervisor Mo Mulheren argued the expense was necessary for the county to continue participating in ongoing water management conversations.
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Donation Letters Returned After Post Office Deactivates PO Box Without Notice
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Mendo Local Public Media’s fundraising campaign was disrupted after its Mendocino post office box was deactivated without prior notice. Supporters whose contributions were returned are encouraged to resend them. The episode raises broader concerns about communication practices and customer service at the local post office in the Village of Mendocino, particularly for small organizations and individuals that rely on mail for essential operations.
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Good Farm Fund Opens 2026 Farm Grant Applications for Mendocino and Lake County Farmers
By Good Farm Fund
The Good Farm Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 Farm Grant Program, which supports economic development and food security in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Small farms can apply for capacity-building grants in three tiers:
• Up to $3,000 (Tier 1)
• $3,000–$5,000 (Tier 2)
• $5,000–$10,000 for collaborative multi-farm projects (Tier 3)
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Mendocino County Opens Fish and Wildlife Propagation Grant Cycle
By Mendocino County Department of Planning and Building Services
The Mendocino County Fish and Game Commission is now accepting applications for the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund, opening March 1, 2026. Eligible projects include wildlife education programs, habitat improvement, hatchery operations, wildlife research, and emergency animal care. Applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
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🍇 ANDERSON VALLEY
Pioneers of Anderson Valley Wine: Allan Green Shares Winery History
By Terry Sites, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Allan Green, founder of Greenwood Ridge Winery, has published Pioneers of Anderson Valley Wine, a documentary book chronicling the early days of commercial winegrowing in Mendocino County. The book features interviews with pioneering winemakers and archival family photos.
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An Hour of Nothing But Smiles and Laughter: Donkey Basketball Comes to Boonville
By Antoinette von Grone, Anderson Valley Advertiser
The Boonville High School gym hosted an unforgettable evening of community fun as local high schoolers challenged the Anderson Valley Fire Department to a game of donkey basketball — players competing while mounted on live donkeys outfitted with protective “shoes” for the gym floor.
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🌄 COVELO
Covelo Man on Felony Probation Held Without Bail After Crash, Weapons Charges
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A 26-year-old Covelo man was arrested after fleeing a traffic stop, crashing into a tree, and being found hiding in a field with a loaded stolen handgun. Oscar Lil Bear Martinez, on felony probation for assault with a deadly weapon, was prohibited from possessing firearms.
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Drug-Impaired Driver Convicted at Trial
By Mendocino County District Attorney
A Mendocino County Superior Court jury convicted a Covelo man of driving under the influence of drugs following a three-day trial. Jurors found 46-year-old Alexander Jacob Aaron guilty of a misdemeanor charge stemming from a February 28, 2025 traffic stop in Willits.
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Round Valley Library Receives Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant
By Round Valley Branch Library
The Round Valley Branch Library has been awarded the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant. The library will celebrate Eisner Week with a March 7 graphic novel open house featuring a comic-making station, scavenger hunt, bilingual crafts, and book recommendations.
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🌊 ELK
Caltrans Clears Massive Highway 1 Slide in Hours; All Roads Open After Days of Storm Damage
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
After days of severe weather, Caltrans crews worked through the night to clear a massive landslide that had blocked Highway 1 south of Elk, reopening the critical coastal route by early Thursday morning.
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🌸 FORT BRAGG
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Named Among Nation’s Best
By Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens has once again earned national recognition. A panel of experts in American public gardens, working alongside editors at USA TODAY, selected the top 20 botanical gardens in the country — and MCBG was named a finalist in the annual USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
🔗You can cast your vote here:
🌊 GUALALA
Regional Water Board Approves Gualala River Sediment Action Plan
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
The North Coast Regional Water Board expanded a Roads Permit to encompass the entire north coast region, aiming to reduce sediment pollution and aid in the resurgence of coho salmon in the Gualala River watershed.
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🏙️ UKIAH
Ukiah Unified Approves Staff Cuts Amid Funding Losses, Enrollment Shifts
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Ukiah Unified approved layoffs of nearly 20 teaching and counseling positions for 2026–27, along with six non-teaching roles. Officials cited declining enrollment and the loss of federal grants.
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“Don’t Disturb This Groove” Exhibition Opens at Mendocino College
By Laura Fogg, The Ukiah Daily Journal
Cal Poly Humboldt art professors Eliseo Casiano and Gina Tuzzi bring their creative vision and 15 painting alumni to Mendocino College in an exhibition celebrating 15 years of artistic collaboration rooted in color and the north coast landscape.
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Women’s History Gala Honors Four County Leaders Shaping a Sustainable Future
By Carole Brodsky, The Ukiah Daily Journal
The 42nd annual Women’s History Gala on March 1 will honor four Mendocino County women for their decades of service across food systems, healthcare, arts, and community building.
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Mendocino County Shelter Launches Major Spay/Neuter Initiative with Animal Balance
By Carole Brodsky, The Ukiah Daily Journal
Mendocino County Animal Care Services is partnering with Animal Balance, an international nonprofit organization, to perform 600 affordable spay and neuter surgeries across three separate three-day clinics in 2026. The events are scheduled for March 6-8, May 1-3, and July 31-August 2, with services costing just $122 per animal—a package that includes microchipping and vaccinations.
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⛳ WILLITS
Brooktrails Golf Course Under New Management
By Mathew Caine, The Willits Weekly
Brooktrails Golf Course is under new management, with plans for monthly tournaments (including disc golf), live music, and a bistro.
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🏛️ CALMATTERS
Californians Staying Insured—But at What Cost?
By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters
California’s health insurance marketplace proved more resilient than expected after the loss of enhanced federal subsidies, but many residents are making painful trade-offs to remain covered.
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California’s Heat Pump Conundrum: Climate Goals Meet High Electricity Bills
By Ben Christopher and Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters
California aims to install six million heat pumps by 2030, but the state’s high electricity rates are making the switch financially difficult for many homeowners.
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Hidden Cameras on California’s Border: What You Need to Know About License Plate Readers
By Wendy Fry and Khari Johnson, CalMatters
Federal agencies have installed dozens of hidden license plate readers along California’s southern border, raising serious privacy concerns about widespread vehicle tracking.
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