Mendo Local Weekly Roundup — May 31, 2026
Days before the election, $204 million in forgotten interest owed on decades-old college bonds is discovered as voters are asked to approve an additional $210 million to fund Measure A
🏛️ MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mendocino College Owes $204 Million in Bond Interest from Measure W, Which Was Approved in 2006
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 29
Mendocino-Lake Community College District is asking voters to approve a $98 million bond while carrying $203.9 million in existing debt from a 2006 measure, with repayment extending to 2052. One 2022 Capital Appreciation Bond received $17.8 million but will require $87.26 million at maturity.
Check out all our election coverage before you vote: https://www.mendolocal.news/s/elections
Measure A Flyers Suggest Bond Would Fund Fire Academy Already Paid for by State
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 27
Campaign flyers for Measure A, sponsored by the Mendocino College Foundation, claim the bond will fund a fire academy, but California already announced $20 million in state funding for that facility in March 2026. The measure would authorize $98 million in bonds requiring property owners to repay approximately $210 million total over 35 years, with more than half going to financing costs and interest.
A New Vision for Mendocino College Gets Lost in the Fine Print
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 29
Mendocino-Lake Community College District is promoting Measure A to fund new facilities in nursing, fire science, and trades across three campuses, but voter materials obscure those specific projects behind lengthy legal language required by California law. District officials acknowledge a communication gap between the visionary master plan driving the initiative and the dense laundry list of approved spending items voters actually see.
Ballot Measure A: Fort Bragg Resident Questions True Costs to Homeowners
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · May 26
Fort Bragg resident Dennis Miller has presented to local city councils and Democratic clubs arguing that the Mendocino-Lake Community College District’s $98 million Measure A bond conceals its true cost through what he calls “misinformation by omission.” Miller contends the bond could cost property owners up to $400 million in principal and interest, and advocates for a limited-time assessment with a sunset clause as a less expensive alternative.
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Four Candidates Claim ‘No Reportable Interests’
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 30
Four candidates in Mendocino County’s upcoming primary election filed Form 700 disclosure statements reporting no disclosable interests, raising questions about compliance with California’s conflict-of-interest reporting requirements.
Check out all our election coverage before you vote:
https://www.mendolocal.news/s/elections
Supervisors Approve Changes in the Business Improvement District for Lodging
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 26
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved governance changes for the county’s tourism organization and directed staff to investigate eliminating a 3% administrative fee. Board Chair Cally Dym said spending would be directed toward areas where the marketing dollars are generated.
Complaints Mount Over Neglected Vineyards as Mendocino Wine Industry Faces Intensifying Economic Pressure
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 26
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors directed its agricultural commissioner to enforce minimum maintenance standards for vineyards after receiving complaints that neglected properties are spreading pests and disease to neighboring farms.
Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Pests Not Found in Nymph Tests on Grapevines, But Vigilance Is Urged
Mendocino County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
The Mendocino County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has completed inspections of grapevine plants shipped from Burchell Nursery in Fresno County to the Ukiah Costco Wholesale store. While initial laboratory testing by the California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed that nymph samples were not glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), the department continues heightened surveillance to protect local vineyards.
Kittens Are in Season Across Mendocino County
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · May 31
The Mendocino County Animal Shelter expects a seasonal influx of kittens driven by unspayed cats. Despite having funds available for spay and neuter services, a critical shortage of veterinarians is leaving contracts unfulfilled.
Mendocino County Budget Hearings on Tuesday
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · May 30
County supervisors will hold budget hearings Tuesday and Wednesday on a $106.7 million spending plan that relies on $2.6 million in carryover funds to achieve a legally required balanced budget, masking what officials call a structural deficit. The board will also consider an urgency ordinance to accelerate splitting the combined Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector position into two offices by June, rather than January 2027.
Check out all our election coverage before you vote:
https://www.mendolocal.news/s/elections
🚤 FORT BRAGG
Longhorn Ranchers Buy Old Thanksgiving Coffee Site
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · May 28
Longhorn ranchers Evan “Mac” Siller and Andrea Siller purchased the historic Thanksgiving Coffee building at 19350 South Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg for $240,000, with plans to demolish it and build an upscale charter boat operation.
🇺🇸 Mendocino Coast Communities Mark Memorial Day
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News · May 25–26
Memorial Day services were held in Mendocino at Zenith Hill and in Fort Bragg at Rose Memorial Park, where American Legion Post Sequoia 96 drew more than 70 attendees and unveiled a new veterans memorial honoring all six branches of the U.S. armed forces.
The observances also recognized local fallen: Clyde Lucas, a Mendocino High graduate killed by a land mine in Vietnam whose name was recently restored to the school’s football scoreboard, and the Iversen brothers — two Mendocino Coast natives killed aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor — whose names appear among 45 Mendocino Coast servicemen on bronze plaques at Fort Bragg Veterans Hall.
Driftwood Collection Allowed at Noyo Beach Until June 30
By Savana Robinson, The Mendocino Voice · May 29
Fort Bragg is permitting residents to collect driftwood from Noyo Beach through June 30 to reduce fire hazards ahead of the Fourth of July fireworks.
Check out all our election coverage before you vote:
https://www.mendolocal.news/s/elections
📱 GUALALA
From Private Posts to Federal Raids: The Growing Government Dragnet Targeting Online Dissent
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News · May 26
Federal agencies are using administrative subpoenas under a 96-year-old customs law to compel tech companies to reveal the identities of anonymous social media users who criticize government officials or monitor enforcement activities.
Escrow Closes on Gualala Hotel
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer · May 28
Amar Ventures, based in San Jose, has closed escrow on the Gualala Hotel, according to real estate broker Jared Herschler.
🔗 Read more (paid subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required)
📮 LEGGETT
Leggett Post Office Reopens June 15 After Fire Damage
United States Postal Service
The Leggett Post Office will reopen Monday, June 15, 2026, at its original location at 67674 Drive Thru Tree Road following repairs from fire damage. The updated facility will offer full retail and PO Box services during regular business hours, with 24-hour access to the PO Box lobby.
Customers should retrieve any remaining mail from the temporary Garberville location by June 12. PO Box customers will need to present photo identification to receive new key assignments beginning June 15.
💧 POTTER VALLEY
FERC Opens Public Comment Period on Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project Surrender and Decommissioning
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has initiated the environmental review process for the proposed surrender and decommissioning of PG&E’s Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project. The agency will prepare an environmental impact document and is seeking public input on environmental effects and possible alternatives.
Two public scoping meetings are scheduled in Ukiah on June 23 and 24. Written comments must be submitted by July 24, 2026.
🏫 POINT ARENA
Kashia Elementary School to Merge with Horicon
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
The Sonoma County Committee on School District Organization voted on May 22 to permanently close Kashia Elementary School and merge the district into neighboring Horicon School District. Enrollment has remained in the single digits since the 2021–22 school year.
🔗 Read more (paid subscription to the Independent Coast Observer required)
Check out all our election coverage before you vote:
https://www.mendolocal.news/s/elections
🥕 UKIAH
Ukiah’s State Street Garden Closes June 30
By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice · May 28
A nearly 20-year-old community garden in Ukiah operated by North Coast Opportunities is closing June 30 after the property owner terminated the lease with only 15 days’ notice — far short of the 90-day clause intended to allow gardeners time to harvest crops. Gardeners with spring plantings still in the ground say they received no advance warning and are scrambling to find alternative plots.
Redwood Credit Union Offers Community Financial Counseling
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · May 24
Redwood Credit Union has opened a remodeled Ukiah branch offering free financial coaching to members and non-members alike, with five coaches on staff locally and more than 100 across all locations. Programs include a Down Payment Assistance Program with forgivable grants of up to $25,000 for first-time homebuyers and savings tools that helped members save more than $5 million during their first year.
🔗 Read more (paid subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal required)
City of Ukiah to Collect Comments on Annexation Plan Monday
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal · May 29
The City of Ukiah will hold a public scoping meeting June 1 at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center to gather comments on the environmental impacts of its proposed annexation plan, which would incorporate unincorporated territories currently served by two county water districts. Written comments will be accepted through June 8.
🔗 Read more (paid subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal required)
Forgotten Women Revered at Grace Hudson Museum Exhibit
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · May 31
Grace Hudson Museum’s Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women features woodcut and collage portraits of overlooked historical women by artist Julie Lapping Rivera, inspired by The New York Times’ Overlooked obituary series. The exhibit opens June 5 during First Friday, runs through August 16, and includes work from 15 Mendocino County artists.
🔗 Read more (paid subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal required)
Mendocino College Holds 53rd Annual Commencement
By Maureen Jennison, Willits Weekly · May 28
Mendocino College celebrated its 53rd commencement ceremony on May 22, awarding degrees and certificates to 527 students. Student Trustee Sara Munoz delivered the keynote address, and Abigail Strock performed the national anthem.
Redwood MetalFest Celebrating 10th Year
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · May 28
Redwood MetalFest Chapter X returns to Alex Thomas Plaza in Ukiah on June 13 from noon to 10 p.m., featuring 21 performances and more than 100 musicians. The free, family-friendly event is headlined by Holy Divers, a tribute to Ronnie James Dio, and has grown from roughly 150 attendees at its 2012 debut to about 3,000 attendees last year.
🔗 Read more (paid subscription to the Ukiah Daily Journal required)
🚂 WILLITS
Skunk Train Expands Offerings on Their Willits Line
By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal · May 27
The Skunk Train is launching Railcoaster pedal-powered railbikes on a 15-mile round-trip route through the Noyo River Canyon from Willits, along with a new mid-century-styled Presidential Class railcar called The Noyo. This fall, the railroad will also partner with Flynn Creek Circus for performances deep in the redwood forest accessible only by rail.
Willits Car and Bike Show Draws Hundreds
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly · May 28
At least 193 cars and motorcycles participated in the 44th annual Willits Car and Bike Show, held last Sunday along Commercial and Main streets. The event was dedicated to John Yde.
🏛️ CALMATTERS
Homelessness Declines in California and Across the Country, New Federal Report Shows
By Marisa Kendall, CalMatters · May 30
Summary: California and the nation saw homelessness decrease for the first time in years, according to a federal report released Friday. California’s homeless population dropped 2.8% to 181,934 people, while the country overall saw a 3.3% decline.
California Overhauls Carbon Market — Critics Say It’s a Giveaway to Oil
By Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters · May 29
Summary: California regulators approved a controversial overhaul of the state’s carbon market on Friday that could direct billions of dollars in free pollution permits to oil refineries and other major polluters. The changes, backed by Gov. Newsom’s administration amid rising gas prices and refinery closures, are expected to reduce state climate program funding from $4 billion to $2 billion annually.