> ## 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 β€” March 16, 2026 - URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/weekly-news-march-18-2026/ - Published: 2026-03-16T05:03:03.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-05T19:56:10.000Z - Description: A new culvert cum fish ladder in Gualala, an ADA project in Hopland, and a fiscal emergency in Willits - Author: Elise Cox - Tags: News, #Migrated-1785959471687, #Import 2026-08-05 12:53 # πŸ—³οΈ Mendocino County ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/2b/652bc5ac-05cb-46a1-8194-e7dee6ac7adf/content/images/2026/08/57aa2cf4-0ff9-4e59-a6eb-e546b95ee995_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg) Looking down on the culvert connecting China Gulch and the Gualala River (Photo by Elise Cox) **Local Office Candidate Update: June 2026 Ballot Shaping Up** *By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser* The June 2026 ballot is taking shape with several notable developments. Assistant Assessor Tonya Mounts is running unopposed to replace retiring Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Katrina Bartolomie. The county has also completed the β€œdeconsolidation” of the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector office. Megan Hunter is the sole candidate for Auditor-Controller, while current officeholder Chamise Cubbison is running for the newly recreated Treasurer-Tax Collector position. The Third District Supervisor race includes Russell Green, Buffey Wright-Bourassa, Clay Romero, and Eric Hart. In the Fifth District, incumbent Ted Williams faces Kevin Evans and Todd Lyly. πŸ”— [Read more](http://theava.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- **πŸ’° Proposed Sales Tax Pits County Residents and Businesses Against Residents of Incorporated Cities** *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.news* The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors voted to place a 1-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot that would generate an estimated $5–6 million annually for road maintenance in unincorporated areas of the county. The measure is sparking debates over fairness and which roads get repaired. πŸ”— [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/proposed-sales-tax-approved-by-supes) --- **🌲 California Attorney General Challenges Federal Forest Plan; Local Panel Planned** *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.news* California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined eight other states opposing a federal proposal that would cut public comment periods by more than half and eliminate neutral review of national forest decisions. The coalition argues the rule would weaken transparency in the management of California’s 20 million acres of national forests. Locally, the Mendocino County Vision Workgroup and the League of Women Voters will host a March 19 panel on Assembly Bill 2494 and the future of Jackson Demonstration State Forest. πŸ”— [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/bonta-challenges-forest-rule) --- # πŸŒ‰ Caspar **πŸš— Three-Vehicle Collision Closes Caspar Creek Bridge for Hours** *By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News* A three-vehicle crash on Highway 1 at Caspar Creek Bridge shut down traffic Monday afternoon. Authorities say a white sedan attempting to pass traffic struck a pickup truck before colliding with a Pacific Towing tow truck. The sedan and tow truck remained stuck together for several hours, leaving the highway blocked during the response. πŸ”— [Read more](https://mendocinocoast.news/caspar-creek-bridge-closed-for-three-car-crash-more-details-coming-many-crashes-recently/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- # 🐟 Gualala **New Culvert Could Reopen China Gulch Salmon Habitat** *By Elise Cox, Independent Coast Observer* The Gualala Municipal Advisory Council unanimously recommended approval of a coastal permit for the China Gulch emergency culvert replacement project. Caltrans says the project would restore fish passage that has been blocked for decades, reopening upstream spawning habitat for salmon. πŸ”— [Read more](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- # 🚧 Hopland **Hopland ADA Improvement Project Begins** *Caltrans* Caltrans has begun work on an $11.2 million project to upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks, and driveways in Hopland to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Hopland Public Utilities District cited the project when it voted last year to triple water rates. πŸ”— [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/hopland-public-utility-district-faces) --- # 🏫 Point Arena **Point Arena Advances Windy Hollow Road Rehabilitation** *By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer* The Point Arena City Council approved a professional services agreement with engineering firm Lumos & Associates to complete design work for the long-delayed Windy Hollow Road Rehabilitation Project. πŸ”— [Read more](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- **Kashia Elementary Faces Closure as Enrollment Collapses** *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* The one-room Kashia Elementary School District, serving the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, could be ordered to shut its doors after enrollment fell from 15 students to just 6 in seven years. During the same period, operating costs climbed from $340,000 to nearly $1 million annually. πŸ”— [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/kashia-elementary-a-feeder-to-point) --- # πŸŽ“ Willits **Willits Declares Fiscal Emergency, Lays Off Seven Workers** *By B.B. Kamonoff, Willits Weekly* The City of Willits declared a fiscal emergency and permanently laid off seven employees during a special meeting Monday. Workers were released without severance. πŸ”— [Read this](http://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- **$20 Million Plan Would Turn Mendocino College Willits Campus Into Career Training Hub** *By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal* Nearly $20 million in state and federal funding will support construction of a new 18,843-square-foot career training facility at the Mendocino College Willits campus, expected to open in spring 2029\. Programs will include construction trades, lab service technology, and fire science, including a new Fire Academy. πŸ”— [Read this](https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/03/12/plans-for-career-training-hub-in-willits-announced-tuesday/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- **Willits Indivisible Prepares for β€œNo Kings” Protest** *By Savana Robinson , The Mendocino Voice* More than 20 members of Willits Indivisible took part in a nonviolence training workshop Saturday in preparation for the group’s planned β€œNo Kings” protest on March 28. πŸ”— [Read this](https://mendovoice.com/2026/03/willits-indivisible-hosts-nonviolence-training-ahead-of-march-protest/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- # πŸ”₯ CalMatters **State Farm Settlement Could Save California Policyholders $530 Million** *By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters* A settlement between State Farm, the California Department of Insurance, and Consumer Watchdog could save policyholders roughly $530 million following emergency rate hikes tied to the Los Angeles County fires. The agreement lowers proposed increases for condo and rental property owners and temporarily prevents certain wildfire-area policy cancellations. A decision from an administrative law judge is expected April 7. πŸ”— [Read more](https://calmatters.org/economy/2026/03/state-farm-insurance-rate-settlement/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- **San Diego County Sues Trump Administration Over ICE Facility Inspection** *By Wendy Fry, CalMatters* San Diego County has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the Trump administration illegally blocked a public health inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center, a privately operated ICE facility. County officials say inspectors were initially cleared to enter but were turned away upon arrival. πŸ”— [Read more](https://calmatters.org/justice/2026/03/san-diego-otay-mesa-lawsuit/?ref=mendolocal.news)