Mendo Local Weekly Roundup — June 13, 2026
Covelo's Green Bridge collapses, North Coast Opportunities cuts programs, and jury no-shows face fines
🏛️ Mendocino County
CAL FIRE Suspends Burn Permits in Mendocino County
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 13
CAL FIRE will suspend all residential burn permits in Mendocino County beginning June 15 as fire danger rises.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
New Book Chronicles Mendocino County’s Cannabis Boom and Bust
By Lin Due, The Mendocino Voice · June 12
British historian Charlie Harris has published Mendo: How an Unlikely Group of Rebels Turned Cannabis into California’s Cash Crop, a history of Mendocino County’s cannabis industry from the back-to-the-land movement to legalization. The book traces the rise of the county’s marijuana economy and the dramatic collapse in prices that followed.
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Youth Turnout Surges as Ballot Count Continues
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 12
Youth voter participation nearly doubled statewide compared to the 2022 primary, with ballots cast by voters ages 18–34 up 96%. In Mendocino County, Buffy Wright Bourassa maintained a narrow lead in the District 3 supervisor race while the community college bond measure remained below the 55% threshold needed to pass.
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Residents Face $600 Fines for Missing Jury Duty Hearings
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 10
About 25 Mendocino County residents will be fined $600 for failing to appear at court-ordered hearings after missing jury duty.
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Fire Safe Council Awards $122,000 for Wildfire Projects
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 10
The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council awarded $122,000 to 14 neighborhood groups, firewise communities, and fire agencies. Grants will fund emergency water supplies, communications equipment, and other wildfire-prevention projects.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
Invasive Pikeminnow Continue to Threaten Eel River Salmon
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · June 9
Millions of Sacramento pikeminnow now inhabit the upper Eel River watershed, where they prey heavily on young salmon and steelhead. Researchers say long-term recovery depends on restoring colder river conditions rather than fish-removal efforts alone.
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Supervisors Approve Budget Despite Deficit Warnings
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 9
The Board of Supervisors approved a $95 million General Fund budget that relies on $2.6 million in one-time funding to balance. Staff warned the county could face a $2.2 million deficit next year, along with rising health care costs tied to federal policy changes.
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No Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Confirmed in Ukiah Samples
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 9
Testing has not confirmed the presence of the destructive glassy-winged sharpshooter in grapevine samples collected from the Ukiah Costco. County agricultural officials say additional testing is underway and monitoring will continue.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
Museum Seeks Submissions for Cannabis History Exhibit
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 6
The Mendocino County Museum is seeking stories, photos, and artwork for a traveling exhibit on local cannabis history. Submissions are due June 27, and the exhibit is scheduled to open in Willits this October.
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🚧 Covelo
Covelo’s Green Bridge Collapses Into Mill Creek
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 13
Covelo’s 101-year-old Green Bridge collapsed Friday evening while a vehicle was crossing it, sending the driver into Mill Creek with only minor injuries. Mendocino County had been working to replace the aging structure since 2012 but had not yet begun construction.
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🔭 FORT BRAGG
Fort Bragg Installs Scenic Viewing Binoculars Along Coastal Trail
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 9
Fort Bragg has installed two free binocular stations near Glass Beach, giving visitors a closer look at whales, seabirds, marine life, and coastal scenery. Funded by the Blue Zones Project, the stations offer 10x and 20x magnification and are located south of the Glass Beach on the North Coastal Trail and on the South Coastal Trail near the parking lot.
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Harbor Seal Pups Need Space at Noyo Beach
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 7
Visitors are asked to avoid the north end of Noyo Beach during harbor seal pupping season, which runs through August. Wildlife officials warn that dogs and people can cause mothers to abandon their pups permanently.
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Free Driftwood Collection Allowed Through June 30
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 6
Fort Bragg is allowing residents to collect up to 50 pounds of driftwood per day from Noyo Beach through June 30. Collection must be done by hand during daylight hours, and officials caution against burning salt-soaked driftwood because it releases toxic compounds.
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🚔 LITTLE RIVER
Little River Man Arrested With Stolen Gun, Drugs
By Katy St. Clair, The Mendocino Voice · June 9
Deputies arrested a Little River man on a felony warrant after finding a stolen handgun and suspected methamphetamine during a stop in Fort Bragg. A vehicle search uncovered a loaded shotgun and additional narcotics, leading to multiple felony weapons and drug charges.
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🌊 POINT ARENA
Point Arena Surf Legend Featured in Telluride Film Festival
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
A short documentary about Point Arena artist and surf legend Lester DaGradi screened at the prestigious Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride. The film, “Lester,” was directed by Point Arena restaurateur and filmmaker Paul Collins, marking his second appearance at the festival.
Read more (subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required)
Vandalism Forces Closure of Downtown Restrooms
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
Point Arena temporarily closed its public restrooms after a string of vandalism incidents. City officials reported extensive damage, including broken fixtures, plumbing repairs, and repeated acts of vandalism inside the facility.
Read more (subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required)
🏢 UKIAH
Residents Pack Annexation Workshop
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 11
More than 60 residents attended a city workshop on Ukiah’s proposed annexation of surrounding unincorporated areas. City officials said property taxes would not increase and noted residents could halt the proposal through a successful protest process.
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North Coast Opportunities Shutters Programs
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · June 10
North Coast Opportunities has eliminated roughly seven programs over the past two years, including food delivery, community leadership and cancer support services. Local officials say the cuts represent a significant shift for one of Mendocino County’s largest nonprofits.
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400-Acre Burn Planned Along Highway 101
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 9
Cal Fire plans to burn about 400 acres of grassland along Highway 101 between Ukiah and Willits later this month. The project is intended to reduce roadside fuel loads and improve firefighter safety.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
Deputy Breaks Arm During Arrest
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 9
A Mendocino County sheriff’s deputy suffered a broken arm while pursuing a wanted man through a cluttered North State Street property. The suspect, Diego Vallejo, was captured with assistance from Ukiah police and booked on multiple warrants.
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No Invasive Sharpshooter Confirmed
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 9
Testing has not confirmed the presence of the destructive glassy-winged sharpshooter in grapevine samples collected near the Ukiah Costco. County agriculture officials say surveillance remains active while additional laboratory results are pending.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
🎓 WILLITS
State Funds Highway 20 Corridor Study
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 10
MCOG has received nearly $188,000 to study traffic flow, pedestrian access and intersection improvements along Highway 20 through Willits. The grant revives discussion of road-diet concepts that predate completion of the Willits Bypass.
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🎓 Rotary Club Awards 12 Student Scholarships
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly · June 12
The Willits Rotary Club awarded 12 scholarships to graduating students, including ten academic awards and two vocational scholarships. Recipients were honored at the Little Lake Firehouse.
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🏛️ CALMATTERS
Democrats Use Budget Leverage in Climate Spending Fight
By Alejandro Lazo and Yue Stella Yu · June 12
California Senate Democrats are blocking several of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget priorities to force him to honor a climate funding deal reached last year. At stake are billions of dollars for transit, affordable housing and clean water programs that could be cut in half under proposed changes to the state’s carbon market system.
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Lawmakers Block DMV Funding Over Immigrant Data Concerns
By Khari Johnson and Wendy Fry · June 12
California lawmakers are withholding $55 million from the DMV to prevent driver license information from being shared through a nationwide database. Critics warn the system could expose data tied to more than 1 million undocumented Californians and increase the risk of federal immigration enforcement.
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