> ## 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 — March 8, 2026 - URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/weekly-news-march-8-2026/ - Published: 2026-03-08T18:34:12.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-13T19:58:05.000Z - Description: Crops that adapt to microclimates, a Ukiah florist with an exhibit at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the Fort Bragg Timberwolves head to Oracle Park - Author: Elise Cox - Tags: Weekly News ## 🏛️ Mendocino County ### Accounting Shift Balances Budget *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Mendocino County closed a **$2.8M shortfall** with a temporary accounting maneuver, counting late state and federal reimbursements as last year’s revenue, but the move borrows from next year’s budget and does not address the county’s structural deficit. [**Read more →**](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/accounting-shift-balances-mendo-budget) ### Fire Safe Council Opens 5th Annual Micro-Grant Program *By Mendocino County Fire Safe Council* **$100,000+ in grants** are available to support community wildfire preparedness **projects**, from neighborhood vegetation management to evacuation planning. Grants range **$2,000–$12,500**. [**Learn more →**](https://www.firesafemendocino.org/the-latest/another-round-of-micro-grant-funding?ref=mendolocal.news) ## 🌱 Caspar ### Farmers Grow Crops That Adapt to Local Conditions *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Local farmers pioneer **“adaptation gardening,”** growing **freely pollinating crops** that evolve to thrive in Mendocino’s climate. These plants are **resilient, nutrient-dense**, and not controlled by corporate patents. [**Read more →**](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/seeds-of-change-mendocino-coast-farmers) --- ## [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## ⚾ Fort Bragg ### Timberwolves Baseball Team Earns Oracle Park Spotlight *By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News* Fort Bragg High’s team will face Napa-based **Justin-Siena at Oracle Park on April 11** after a thrilling comeback win, scoring 6 runs in 2 innings to take the opener 7–5. [**Read more →**](https://mendocinocoast.news/fort-bragg-high-baseball-mounts-big-comeback-against-eureka-to-avenge-shutout-and-this-year-they-will-play-at-oracle-if-you-help/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Taqueria La Oaxaqueña Finds Permanent Home *By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News* The popular food truck run by **Sergio Lopez & Bertha Calleja** now has a **stable spot in Purity Market’s parking lot**, securing Oaxacan-inspired cuisine for Fort Bragg residents. [**Read more →**](https://mendocinocoast.news/good-news-sergio-and-berthas-fort-bragg-food-truck-finds-home-thanks-purity/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### Boy Scout’s Navarro–Noyo Trail: Lost Adventure *By Katy Tahja, Anderson Valley Advertiser (subscription required)* From the 1950s–1995, Scouts hiked **50+ miles across timberlands** from Camp Navarro to Camp Noyo, earning prestigious badges on this legendary 7-day trek. [**Read more →**](http://theava.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### West Business Development Center Opens Fort Bragg Office *West Business Development Center* The Ukiah-based nonprofit now has a new office at 335 N. Franklin Street, supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses. [**Read more →**](https://www.facebook.com/events/1687748562604712?acontext=%7B%22event%5Faction%5Fhistory%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external%5Fsearch%5Fengine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref%5Fnotif%5Ftype%22%3Anull%7D) ### Asphalt Patches on Sidewalks? They’re Temporary *By Mandela Linder, The Mendocino Voice* Fort Bragg sidewalks show uneven asphalt patches, but the city says they’re part of early fiber-optic broadband installation and will be replaced. [**Read more →**](https://mendovoice.com/2026/03/those-weird-asphalt-patches-on-fort-bragg-sidewalks-theyre-temporary/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## 🕊️ Gualala ### Susan Quinn: Sherpa for Life’s Final Chapter *By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer (subscription required)* Susan Quinn, of Gualala and Anchor Bay, guides families through the emotional, logical, and financial challenges of dying. [**Read more →**](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🎭 Point Arena ### Psychic Comedian Packs Arena Theater *By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer (subscription required)* Peter Antoniou drew a full house with an interactive show, attracting audiences from across the Mendonoma Coast & Northern California. [**Read more →**](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 📡 The Sea Ranch ### Sea Ranch Cell Tower Moves Forward Despite Opposition *By George Calys, Independent Coast Observer (subscription required)* Board plans to seek bids for a new tower near Deer Trail dog park. Opponents say they have retained legal counsel. [**Read more →**](http://mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## 🌞 Ukiah ### City Council Cuts Credits for Some Solar Users *By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice* Solar users installed **before July 2021** will now receive **6.75¢/kWh “avoided cost” rate**, down from full retail credits. [**Read more →**](https://mendovoice.com/2026/03/ukiah-city-council-reduces-credits-for-some-solar-users/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Ukiah Florist Featured at de Young Museum *By Monica Huettl, Medium* Wil Gonzalez, owner of W/E Flowers, will showcase a design inspired by Bierstadt’s “The Arch of Octavius” at [Bouquets to Art.](https://www.famsf.org/exhibitions/bouquets-to-art-2026?ref=mendolocal.news) [**Read more →**](https://medium.com/@monicahuettl/local-floral-designer-featured-in-bouquets-to-art-exhibit-at-san-franciscos-deyoung-museum-ff2afeffcd94?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Two New Roads Planned for Ukiah’s Eastern Hills *By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal* - **East Hills Evacuation Route** (north-south, Cal Fire funded) - **Redemeyer Road Extension** (east-west, $40M grant, construction years away) [**Read more →**](https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/03/07/two-new-routes-being-planned-for-ukiahs-eastern-hills/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### County Halts Ukiah Library Feasibility Study *By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal* Ukiah Library expansion/relocation study paused due to funding. Supervisor Maureen Mulheren, who represents Ukiah, plans to continue discussions. [**Read more →**](https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/03/05/county-halts-study-on-possible-move-expansion-of-ukiah-library/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Ukiah Man Held for Sword Attack Over Pit Bull *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* A 23-year-old man stabbed a 33-year-old while attempting to reclaim a pit bull he said was his dog. [**Read more →**](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/sword-attack-over-pit-bull) --- ## 🚓 Willits ### Willits Man Convicted of 11 Child Sexual Abuse Charges *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Christopher Neil Kiger, 42, found guilty of 11 felonies for abuse of a child (2020–2023). Sentencing: March 25. [**Read more →**](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/willits-man-found-guilty-of-11-child) ### Driver Rescued After SUV Plunge *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Bette Loflin, 73, rescued after her Honda Pilot left Highway 101 near Howard Forest CAL FIRE and plunged down a steep embankment. [**Read more →**](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/suv-plunges-down-embankmenthttps://www.mendolocal.news/p/suv-plunges-down-embankment)[](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/suv-plunges-down-embankment) ### Two Rock Lookout Tower Returns With Fire-Detection Cameras *By Sarah Reith, Mendocino County Fire Safe Council* A historic tower near Willits will host 2 wildfire cameras, funded by PG&E. Completion before 2026 fire season. [**Read more →**](https://www.firesafemendocino.org/the-latest/lookout-cameras-going-in-at-two-rock-lookout?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🏛️ California ### Who Pays for AI’s Power? *By Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters* Report warns AI data centers could spike household electricity bills. Little Hoover Commission wants tech companies to fund grid upgrades. [**Read more →**](https://calmatters.org/environment/2026/03/little-hoover-data-center-electricity/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Single-Payer Health Care Returns to Governor’s Race *By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters* Candidates, including Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, revive “Medicare for All” pledges, facing major federal and state hurdles. [**Read more →**](https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/03/california-governor-single-payer-health-care/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### Lawmakers Push to Make Lobbyist Letters Public *By Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters* Two bills would require all lobbying letters to be posted online, improving transparency in California lawmaking. [**Read more →**](https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/03/california-lobbying-letters-public-access/?ref=mendolocal.news)