Mendo Local Weekly Roundup — June 7, 2026
The county settles civil case filed by Chamise Cubbison, plus preliminary election results, ongoing questions about county property tax data, and a rise in dead and stranded sea lions
💰 MENDOCINO COUNTY
Former San Francisco Controller Says Mendocino County Must Overhaul Financial System
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 5
Former San Francisco Controller Ben Rosenfield told county supervisors that Mendocino County’s outdated MUNIS financial system requires a complete overhaul estimated at three to five years and $3–5 million.
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How Many Ballots Are Left to Count? 16,572
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 5
Mendocino County election officials reported 16,572 ballots remained unprocessed following the June 2 primary. The next vote tally is expected at 4 p.m. on June 11.
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400-Acre Prescribed Burn Planned Along Highway 101 from Ukiah to Willits
Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 5
CAL FIRE will conduct a 400-acre prescribed burn along U.S. Highway 101 from south of Ukiah to south of Willits between June 22 and July 9, 2026.
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County Pays $1.5 Million to Settle Cubbison Civil Case
Mike Geniella, MendoLocal.News · June 4
Mendocino County supervisors settled civil litigation with former Auditor Chamise Cubbison for $1.5 million, with the agreement signed in mid-February 2026 but kept confidential until disclosure through a Public Records Act request that was fulfilled after the election.
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Ballot Printer Sues Mendocino County Over Unpaid Election Bills
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 4
Integrated Voting Systems sued Mendocino County seeking nearly $98,000 for unpaid invoices stemming from a ballot printing error in the March 2024 presidential primary.
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Preliminary Election Results for Mendocino County
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 3
With approximately 17% of votes counted in the June 2 primary, incumbent Superior Court Judge Patrick Pekin led in the contested judicial race while the Mendocino-Lake Community College District’s bond measure fell short of the required 55% threshold. In District 5, Supervisor Ted Williams led with 53% of the vote. In the District 3 Supervisors race, Eric Hart held a narrow five-vote lead over Buffey Wright Bourassa in early returns.
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Reports of Dead, Malnourished Sea Lions Are Increasing Along Mendocino Coast
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 3
Dead and malnourished sea lions are being reported in unusually high numbers along the Mendocino Coast, with the Marine Mammal Center sometimes receiving multiple calls a day.
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Mendocino County’s Animal Care Services Took in 294 Animals in the Last Six Months
Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · June 3
Mendocino County’s Animal Care Services (ACS) reported to the Board of Supervisors that it took in 294 animals between Jan. 1 and May 29 with the following outcomes: 115 adopted, 34 returned to their owners, 52 transferred to rescues or the humane societies, and 44 euthanized. ACS received $1,225,106 in the 2026-27 budget and was not asked to make any cuts.
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Drug Store Robber Sentenced After Years as a Fugitive
By the Mendocino County District Attorney · June 4
A man involved in the 2019 armed robbery of a Willits Rite Aid pharmacy was sentenced Wednesday to five years in state prison after years of probation violations, missed court appearances and arrests in multiple states. The robbery involved the theft of more than 4,000 narcotic pills valued at over $30,000.
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One in Three Residential Parcels in Mendocino County Has No Home on It
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 2
Analysis of Mendocino County assessor data reveals that nearly 30% of residential parcels — more than 10,000 lots — lack homes, with 72% owned by absentee investors.
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Your Friendly, Neighborhood Spider-Stuntman
Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 2
Ukiah native Solomon Brende, who served as Nicolas Cage’s body double on Amazon Prime’s Spider-Noir and appeared Captain America, The Mandalorian, and Westworld, has recently purchased a home in Mendocino County.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
🚒 BOONVILLE
Saving a Fentanyl Overdoser Can Be Dangerous for First Responders — What Happened in Boonville
Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 2
A 31-year-old Boonville resident overdosed on fentanyl on May 29. First responders revived Jack Hayward with Narcan. Hayward then became combative and fled. A Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy required hospitalization and surgery following the pursuit.
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🍺 FORT BRAGG
Overtime Brewing’s Future Loomed Over Fort Bragg City Council Meeting
Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · June 4
The Fort Bragg City Council heard from co-founder Stephen Duerr and residents urging the city to support Overtime Brewing as its lease on Elm Street nears expiration.
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What a Million-Dollar Home Sale Means for All of Us — and What the Company Store Actually Sold For
Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 4
A home in the cypress tree tunnel north of Seaside Beach on State Route 1 near Fort Bragg, listed at $1.595 million, is pending sale — representing a roughly 2,085% increase from its $73,000 purchase price in 1996. The Union Lumber Company Store also sold, for $2 million to Sierra Railroad Holdings.
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Fort Bragg City Hall Ballot Drop Box Overstuffed and Unusable Sunday Afternoon
Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · June 2
The ballot drop box at Fort Bragg City Hall was stuffed on Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m., preventing voters from depositing ballots until city staff emptied it at approximately 7:10 p.m.
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🌲 REDWOOD VALLEY
Redwood Valley Community Rallies Behind Recreation Center Project
By Monica Huettl, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Redwood Valley residents gathered at the Grange Hall on June 2, 2026 to support efforts to transform the abandoned Redwood Valley School campus into a community recreation center. The RVRC Steering Committee is pursuing state grant funding and has modeled their vision after the successful Jefferson Community Center in Eureka.
Read more (a subscription to the AVA may be required)
🌊 POINT ARENA
PA Residents Question Proposed Sewer Rate Increases
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Point Arena residents are facing rising sewer charges—the average customer currently pays about $69 per month, this will rise to $92 per month the first year the proposed increase is implemented and reach $146 per month over a five-year rate plan.
Read more (a subscription to the Independent Coast Observer is required)
Trespassing Incident Reported at B. Bryan Preserve
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
A known transient was observed trespassing on the B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena on May 29. The incident was reported to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, however deputies were not able to locate the trespasser.
Read more (a subscription to the Independent Coast Observer is required)
🎭 UKIAH
One Heart Institute Presents the 4th Concert Series, Musicians Retreat
Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 6
The One Heart Institute is hosting its fourth annual Mindfulness for Musicians Retreat June 21–28 at the Sudhana Center in Ukiah, featuring master classes with cellist Barbara Bogatin, jazz pianist Elio Villafranca, guitarist Alex de Grassi, and saxophonist Wenbo Yin. Three public concerts follow June 26–28, featuring world-class performers across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres.
Read more (a subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
Punk Rock Archive in the Making: Community Input Needed
Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 5
Alyssa Ballard, archivist for the Historical Society of Mendocino County, is building an archive of the county’s alternative music scene from the late 1970s through 2010, seeking recordings, zines, flyers, photos, and interviews from punk, metal, and hardcore participants countywide.
Read more (a subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
Two Creative Ukiah Summer Camps Opening in June
Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · June 4 (Ukiah, Willits)
Ukiah Players Theatre is running concurrent summer camps beginning June 8 — a teen comedy session and a series of outdoor skills camps teaching bow-making, fire-starting, and tracking for youth and teens.
Read more (subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal may be required)
Ukiah Holds Annexation Scoping Meeting to Gauge Environmental Impact
Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · June 4
About 20 community members attended the recent scoping meeting, many opposing the proposed annexation. Rincon Consultants is preparing a supplemental environmental impact report.
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💧 WILLITS
Brooktrails Board Hears About Water Issues
Barbara O’Reardon, Willits Weekly · June 4
At the May 26 board meeting, General Manager Tamara Alaniz said Lake Emily has recently stopped spilling and residents will have to be diligent about water use restrictions. Customers who use more than 9,000 gallons per month will receive restrictor notices. Alaniz noted there have been taste and smell issues but assured residents “the water has been safe and treated.”
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Trivia Takeover
Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly · June 4
Northspur Brewing, The Munchery, and Flying Dog Pizza are all hosting trivia nights on the following days: Northspur — first and third Wednesdays starting at 6:30 p.m.; The Munchery — second and fourth Thursdays; and Flying Dog Pizza — second and fourth Mondays starting at 6 p.m.
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🏛️ CALMATTERS & STATE NEWS
Democrat Xavier Becerra Advances to November Race for California Governor
Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters · June 5
Xavier Becerra, California’s former attorney general and health secretary, has secured nearly 27% of the vote in the June 2 primary and will advance to the November gubernatorial election.
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Trump Administration’s New Green Card Policy: 5 Things to Know
Wendy Fry, CalMatters · June 4
The Trump administration issued a sweeping policy directive requiring most temporary visa holders and humanitarian parolees to return to their home countries while awaiting green cards—a dramatic shift from decades of established practice.
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How a California tribal college is opening doors for Native students
Ella Carter-Klauschie, CalMatters · June 4
California is home to over 700,000 residents of tribal ancestry but there is only one confirmed tribal college. Two proposed Assembly bills aim to officially recognize tribal colleges in the state’s education code and ensure student credits transfer seamlessly to other universities—potentially opening the door for consistent state and federal funding.
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California Cannabis Sales Generate $248 Million in Tax Revenue for Q1 2026
By California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
California’s legal cannabis retailers generated approximately $248 million in tax revenue during the first quarter of 2026. Since legalization in January 2018, cannabis sales have contributed more than $8.1 billion to the state, with excise tax revenue supporting childcare, early childhood development, medical research, youth substance abuse prevention, and environmental recovery programs.
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