Mendo Local Weekly News — May 10, 2026
The county's financial position has improved, but Ukiah's proposed annexation could be costly. Also, a human trafficking arrest in Navarro and a new report on mill site contamination in Fort Bragg.
💰 MENDOCINO COUNTY
County Projects Balanced Budget with Reduced Reliance on One-Time Funds
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Mendocino County’s fiscal outlook has improved significantly, with the general fund now projected at $100 million — roughly $5.4 million higher than anticipated.
🔗 Read More
Proposed Ukiah Annexation Could Cost County Up to $27 Million
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A preliminary analysis estimates the proposed City of Ukiah annexation could reduce county revenues by as much as $27 million over 16 years, largely through lost sales tax revenue.
🔗 Read More
County Overhauls Cannabis Tax System
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Supervisors voted 3-2 to forgive millions in delinquent cannabis taxes and eliminate controversial “true-up” minimum payments that growers argued created crushing tax rates of 50 to 100% of revenue.
🔗 Read More
Sheriff Warns of Staffing Shortages and Safety Risks
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Sheriff Matt Kendall warned that severe staffing shortages are creating dangerous working conditions and reducing backup coverage for deputies in the field.
🔗 Read More
Supervisors Cancel Solar Project After Financial Review
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
The Board of Supervisors unanimously canceled a solar contract with Ameresco after concluding the project would lose money instead of generating savings.
🔗 Read More
🌱 ANDERSON VALLEY
Human Trafficking Arrest Linked to Illegal Cannabis Operation
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A Navarro man is under investigation after deputies uncovered an alleged forced-labor trafficking operation tied to an illegal cannabis grow on Sea Biscuit Drive.
🔗 Read More
🕊️ CASPAR
Memorial Planned for Norm de Vall
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Community members will gather May 22 at the Caspar Community Center to remember former Supervisor Norman de Vall, a longtime advocate for worker rights, environmental protections, and public participation in county government.
🔗 Read More
🌋 COVELO
3.5-Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Covelo
The Mendocino Voice
A shallow 3.5 earthquake struck east-northeast of Covelo on May 8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
🔗 Read More
Deputies Arrest Covelo Man for Alleged Arson
By Katy St. Clair, The Mendocino Voice
A Covelo resident was arrested on suspicion of felony arson after allegedly setting a vehicle on fire near Highway 162.
🔗 Read More
☣️ FORT BRAGG
How Toxic Is the Fort Bragg Mill Site?
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A new review of the former Georgia-Pacific mill site identified significant unanswered environmental questions despite regulators granting large portions of the property “No Further Action” status.
🔗 Read More
Fort Bragg Police Settle Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
The Fort Bragg Police Department settled a federal lawsuit while also facing staffing changes and a legal claim from former Police Chief John Naulty.
🔗 Read More
Stanley Creek Renamed to Honor Tribal Leader and WWII Veteran
The Anderson Valley Advertiser
A stream south of Fort Bragg will officially be renamed Stanley Creek in honor of Clyde Stanley, a Pomo tribal leader, WWII veteran, and longtime mill worker.
🔗 Read more (subscription to the AVA required)
🌼 LAYTONVILLE
Second Sunday Market Celebrates Mother’s Day
By Lin Due, The Mendocino Voice
Laytonville’s community market returns with local vendors offering handmade crafts, practical goods, and budget-friendly finds.
🔗 Read More
🚓 Break-In Leads to Arrest
By Gabe Agcaoili, Bay City News/The Mendocino Voice
Deputies arrested a Willits man after responding to a reported burglary at a commercial property along Highway 101.
🔗 Read More
📚 POINT ARENA
Kashia Elementary Likely to Shut Down
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
The California Department of Education is expected to close Kashia Elementary this fall due to declining enrollment. The school primarily serves Pomo children in Stewarts Point Rancheria. It is a feeder to Point Arena High School.
🔗 Read more (subscription to the ICO required)
Commercial Salmon Fishing Reopens
By Alessandra Rizzo, The Mendocino Voice
Commercial salmon fishing has resumed from San Francisco to Point Arena for the first time since 2022, though Fort Bragg’s fishery remains closed.
🔗 Read More
🏡 THE SEA RANCH
Remembering Architect Donlyn Lyndon
By Andrea Lunsford and Christine Kreyling, Independent Coast Observer
Donlyn Lyndon, one of the founding architects of The Sea Ranch, died April 5 at age 90. His work helped define the iconic coastal development’s design philosophy.
🔗 Read more (subscription to the ICO required)
🥬 UKIAH
Missing Ukiah Man Found Dead Near Low Gap Park
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Joshua W. Retallick, a Ukiah resident reported missing in April, has been found dead near Low Gap Park.
🔗 Read More
Ukiah Co-op Faces Questions Over Hiring Practices
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice
A controversy surrounding the hiring of a former Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op manager has sparked broader questions about oversight.
🔗 Read More
🛂 WILLITS
Federal Immigration Dragnet Expands
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A Willits soccer coach with protected immigration status was arrested by federal agents, raising concerns among advocates and community members.
🔗 Read More
Railcoasters and Highball Express Debut
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly
Mendocino Railway launched new railbike experiences and a seasonal “bar train” departing from Willits.
🔗 Read more
First Friday Concert Series Begins
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly
Willits kicked off its summer concert series with live music downtown, with additional performances planned throughout the season.
🔗 Read more
🏛️ CALMATTERS
Did California’s Hotels-to-Housing Program Work?
By Lauren Hepler and Marisa Kendall, CalMatters
A major investigation found California’s Homekey program housed thousands but also left many promised housing units unfinished or still temporary.
🔗 Read More
How California’s Next Governor Plans to Address Homelessness
By Marisa Kendall, CalMatters
Leading gubernatorial candidates outlined competing approaches to homelessness, mental health, and housing policy.
🔗 Read More
Transfer Taxes Face Statewide Ballot Challenge
By Ben Christopher, CalMatters
A new statewide initiative would limit local real estate transfer taxes, targeting Los Angeles’ controversial “mansion tax.”
🔗 Read More