> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mendolocal.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mendo Local Weekly News — February 22, 2026 - URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/weekly-news-february-22-2026/ - Published: 2026-02-22T17:01:13.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-13T20:00:13.000Z - Description: A new focus for state forests, steep increases in water rates for members of the Ukiah Valley Water Authority, and a tax to fund the college - Author: Elise Cox - Tags: Weekly News ## 🌲 MENDOCINO COUNTY ### Bill Would Shift Focus of State Demonstration Forests from Logging to Restoration *By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice* Assembly Bill 2494, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Rogers and co-authored by state Senator Mike McGuire, would redefine the mission of California’s 14 state demonstration forests — including Jackson Demonstration State Forest — prioritizing research, restoration and recreation over logging. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2026/02/bill-would-shift-focus-of-state-demonstration-forests-from-logging-to-restoration/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### James Schnitzius to Lead Mendocino County DA’s Bureau of Investigations *By Mendocino County District Attorney*Senior Investigator James Schnitzius has been selected to lead the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations, succeeding retiring Chief Investigator Andrew Alvarado on March 1. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.facebook.com/MendoDA) --- ### Mendo Spends $160K on County Counsel “Assessment” *By Mark Scaramella, The Anderson Valley Advertiser* Approved without discussion on the December consent calendar, Mendocino County authorized a $160,000 contract for “management and County Counsel assessment services.” South Lake Tahoe attorney Charles J. McKee will bill $325 per hour (plus $100/hour travel) to evaluate the office and assist with leadership transition. The move comes amid tight budgets and recent State Auditor guidance recommending competitive bids for high-value contracts. 🔗 [Read more](http://theava.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) (Subscription required) --- ### Mendocino College Bond Approved for June 2 Election *By Jennifer Poole, Willits Weekly* Trustees voted unanimously to place a $98 million bond on the June 2 ballot. The measure would fund repairs to classrooms and labs, address mold and lead paint, maintain drinking water systems, and expand career training programs. Property owners would pay $24 annually per $100,000 of assessed value. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🌳 ANCHOR BAY ### 44-Year-Old Man Dies in Car Accident Near Anchor Bay *By David Torres, Independent Coast Observer* David Alexander Printz died February 16 when his GMC Sierra left Highway 1 and struck a tree near mile marker 8.5\. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 🔗 [Read more](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🚓 FORT BRAGG ### Fort Bragg Police Chief Eric Swift Responds to Questions About ICE *By Mary Rose Kaczorowski, The Mendocino Voice* At a recent meet-and-greet, Police Chief Eric Swift and City Manager Isaac Whippy fielded questions about youth programs, housing, racism, and immigration enforcement. Swift said if ICE were involved in a local matter, the department would have the legal authority to investigate. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2026/02/wednesdays-fort-bragg-meet-greet-focused-on-conversation-not-speeches/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### What’s Next for The Wharf at Noyo Harbor? *By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News* Under new ownership by Bob Hunt and Pamela Amante, The Wharf — a Fort Bragg institution for more than 70 years — is undergoing renovations. The owners are inviting community input on everything from menu ideas to preserving long-standing traditions like dog-friendly dining. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendocinocoast.news/whats-next-for-the-wharf-at-noyo-harbor-as-it-reinvents-itself-the-harbor-wants-to-hear-your-wishes/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🏥 GUALALA ### South Coast Becomes a ‘Pharmacy Desert’ After Fourth Closure in 12 Years *By Alessandra Rizzo, The Mendocino Voice* The November closure of Genoa Healthcare in Gualala leaves a 60-mile stretch of the South Coast without a pharmacy. Residents must now travel more than 90 minutes for prescriptions. The closure reflects a nationwide trend: nearly 30% of U.S. pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2026/02/mendocinos-south-coast-has-become-a-pharmacy-desert-2/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🌱 HOPLAND ### GrizzlyCorps Returns After Federal Cuts *By Mary Rose Kaczorowski, The Mendocino Voice* After abrupt termination due to federal cuts, GrizzlyCorps has resumed operations at reduced capacity. Fellows are now serving at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center and the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, supporting wildfire prevention and environmental projects. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2026/02/grizzlycorps-fellows-are-back-serving-mendocino-county-after-funding-reinstated/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🚗 LAYTONVILLE ### One Person Found in Vehicle Pulled from Eel River *By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice* A vehicle that drove off Highway 162 into the Eel River east of Laytonville was recovered Tuesday morning. The victim was identified as Gary Niesen of Covelo. His wife, Yvonne Niesen, was reported missing. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2026/02/one-person-found-in-vehicle-pulled-from-eel-river/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🏫 MANCHESTER ### Historic Manchester Schoolhouse Has a New Owner *By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer* The 1907 Manchester schoolhouse has been purchased for $275,000 by Lauren Dowling. The building requires extensive renovation, including plumbing and electrical upgrades. 🔗 [Read more](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Internet Outages Caused by Vandals *By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer* Thousands of AT&T customers from Manchester to Gualala lost service after vandals cut a fiber optic cable February 13\. Connectivity was restored early February 16. 🔗 [Read more](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🌊 POINT ARENA ### Sea Level Rise Polices Before Point Arena City Council *By Katy St. Clair, The Mendocino Voice* The Point Arena City Council is considering amendments adding sea level rise policies to its General Plan, following a $100,000 Coastal Commission grant that funded a vulnerability study of Arena Cove. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2026/02/point-arena-city-council-weighs-general-plan-changes-tuesday-over-sea-level-rise/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🔥 REDWOOD VALLEY ### Homebuyer Program Offers Funding for 2017 Fire Survivors *By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice* The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program is offering support to low-income Redwood Valley residents impacted by the 2017 fires, helping eligible buyers secure stable housing. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.gsfahome.org/programs/ReCoverCA/fire/2017/overview.shtml?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 💧 UKIAH ### Water Bills Set to Climb 60% Over Five Years *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* The Ukiah Valley Water Authority approved rate increases exceeding 60% over five years, despite more than 200 protest letters. Some residents will see hikes as high as 30% this year. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/ratepayers-rue-consolidation-of-water) ### Ukiah Planting 700 New Trees in Urban Forest Initiative *By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal* Backed by a $1.4 million Cal Fire grant received in 2024, the City of Ukiah to plant more than 700 trees as part of a climate resilience effort. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/02/20/new-city-staff-share-plans-for-growing-maintaining-ukiahs-urban-forest/?ref=mendolocal.news) (Subscription required) ### Ukiah Man Charged with Human Trafficking After Oakland Incident *By Nate Gartrell, Bay Area News Group* Alexander Barger, a 22-year-old Ukiah man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly holding a woman hostage in Oakland and forcing her into sex work. He remains in Santa Rita Jail without bail. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/19/police-ukiah-man-kept-woman-hostage-at-oakland-hotel-to-force-her-into-servitude/?ref=mendolocal.news) (Subscription requird) --- ## 🚂 WILLITS ### Federal Railroad Board Blocks Great Redwood Trail Abandonment *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* The Surface Transportation Board denied the Great Redwood Trail Agency’s request to abandon a 40-mile rail line between Fort Bragg and Willits, preserving the corridor’s freight potential. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/federal-railroad-board-blocks-grta) ### Dispute Over Century-Old Alley Heads to April Hearing *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* The Willits City Council is moving toward resolving a dispute over a back alley that dates to 1902, while also debating public art relocation and community concerns about ICE enforcement. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/century-old-alley-dispute-in-willits) ### Willits Man Arrested After Allegedly Posing as Uber Driver *By Ukiah Police Department* Police arrested a Willits man accused of posing as an Uber driver to lure a woman into his vehicle. Additional allegations involve secretly recorded videos of a minor. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=ukiah%20police%20department) --- ## 🏛️ CALIFORNIA ### Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs *By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters* In a 6–3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacked authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — a decision with significant implications for California’s economy. 🔗 [Read more](https://calmatters.org/economy/2026/02/trump-tariffs-supreme-court/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### California Mountain Lions Get Protected Status—But Only in Certain Regions *By Rachel Becker, CalMatters* California’s Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to list mountain lion populations in the Central Coast and Southern California as threatened under the state’s endangered species act. The move protects about one-third of California’s estimated 4,200 mountain lions, which face threats from habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, rat poison, and inbreeding. Scientists warn that isolated populations show alarming signs of genetic decline, including kinked tails and reproductive defects. [Read more](https://calmatters.org/environment/2026/02/facing-extinction-vortex-california-grants-new-protections-to-more-mountain-lions/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Senior Centers Becoming Lifelines Against Isolation *By Joe Garcia, CalMatters* As California’s population ages, senior centers are emerging as essential community hubs, offering recreation, meals and vital social connection to combat isolation. 🔗[Read more](https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2026/02/senior-centers-aging-health/?ref=mendolocal.news)