> ## 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 — May 10, 2026 - URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/weekly-news-may-10-2026/ - Published: 2026-05-10T16:02:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-13T19:50:36.000Z - Description: The county's financial position has improved, but Ukiah's proposed annexation could be costly. Also, a human trafficking arrest in Navarro and a new report on mill site contamination in Fort Bragg. - Author: Elise Cox - Tags: Weekly News ## 💰 MENDOCINO COUNTY ### County Projects Balanced Budget with Reduced Reliance on One-Time Funds *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Mendocino County’s fiscal outlook has improved significantly, with the general fund now projected at $100 million — roughly $5.4 million higher than anticipated. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/county-projects-balanced-budget?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Proposed Ukiah Annexation Could Cost County Up to $27 Million *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* A preliminary analysis estimates the proposed City of Ukiah annexation could reduce county revenues by as much as $27 million over 16 years, largely through lost sales tax revenue. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/proposed-ukiah-annexation-could-cost?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### County Overhauls Cannabis Tax System *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Supervisors voted 3-2 to forgive millions in delinquent cannabis taxes and eliminate controversial “true-up” minimum payments that growers argued created crushing tax rates of 50 to 100% of revenue. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/county-to-overhaul-cannabis-taxes?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Sheriff Warns of Staffing Shortages and Safety Risks *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Sheriff Matt Kendall warned that severe staffing shortages are creating dangerous working conditions and reducing backup coverage for deputies in the field. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/sheriff-warns-of-safety-risks?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Supervisors Cancel Solar Project After Financial Review *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* The Board of Supervisors unanimously canceled a solar contract with Ameresco after concluding the project would lose money instead of generating savings. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/supes-votes-to-cancel-solar?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 🌱 ANDERSON VALLEY ### Human Trafficking Arrest Linked to Illegal Cannabis Operation *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* A Navarro man is under investigation after deputies uncovered an alleged forced-labor trafficking operation tied to an illegal cannabis grow on Sea Biscuit Drive. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/arrest-in-alleged-human-trafficking-navarro?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 🕊️ CASPAR ### Memorial Planned for Norm de Vall *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Community members will gather May 22 at the Caspar Community Center to remember former Supervisor Norman de Vall, a longtime advocate for worker rights, environmental protections, and public participation in county government. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/memorial-planned-for-normdevall?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 🌋 COVELO ### 3.5-Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Covelo *The Mendocino Voice* A shallow 3.5 earthquake struck east-northeast of Covelo on May 8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. 🔗 [Read More](https://mendovoice.com/2026/05/3-5-magnitude-quake-strikes-near-covelo/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Deputies Arrest Covelo Man for Alleged Arson *By Katy St. Clair, The Mendocino Voice* A Covelo resident was arrested on suspicion of felony arson after allegedly setting a vehicle on fire near Highway 162. 🔗 [Read More](https://mendovoice.com/2026/05/deputies-arrest-covelo-man-for-allegedly-lighting-car-on-fire/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## ☣️ FORT BRAGG ### How Toxic Is the Fort Bragg Mill Site? *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* A new review of the former Georgia-Pacific mill site identified significant unanswered environmental questions despite regulators granting large portions of the property “No Further Action” status. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/how-toxic-is-the-fort-bragg-millsite-mill?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Fort Bragg Police Settle Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit *By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News* The Fort Bragg Police Department settled a federal lawsuit while also facing staffing changes and a legal claim from former Police Chief John Naulty. 🔗 [Read More](https://mendocinocoast.news/fbpd-federal-case-ends-with-12500-settlement-in-separate-developments-two-sargeants-depart-and-former-chief-naulty-files-a-claim-against-the-city/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Stanley Creek Renamed to Honor Tribal Leader and WWII Veteran *The Anderson Valley Advertiser* A stream south of Fort Bragg will officially be renamed Stanley Creek in honor of Clyde Stanley, a Pomo tribal leader, WWII veteran, and longtime mill worker. 🔗 [Read more](https://theava.com/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) (subscription to the AVA required) --- ## 🌼 LAYTONVILLE ### Second Sunday Market Celebrates Mother’s Day *By Lin Due, The Mendocino Voice* Laytonville’s community market returns with local vendors offering handmade crafts, practical goods, and budget-friendly finds. 🔗 [Read More](https://mendovoice.com/2026/05/laytonvilles-second-sunday-market-celebrates-mothers-day/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### 🚓 Break-In Leads to Arrest *By Gabe Agcaoili, Bay City News/The Mendocino Voice* Deputies arrested a Willits man after responding to a reported burglary at a commercial property along Highway 101. 🔗 [Read More](https://mendovoice.com/2026/05/from-break-in-to-arrest-laytonville-suspect-nabbed-after-failed-escape/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 📚 POINT ARENA ### Kashia Elementary Likely to Shut Down *By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer* The California Department of Education is expected to close Kashia Elementary this fall due to declining enrollment. The school primarily serves Pomo children in Stewarts Point Rancheria. It is a feeder to Point Arena High School. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendonoma.com/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) (subscription to the ICO required) ### Commercial Salmon Fishing Reopens *By Alessandra Rizzo, The Mendocino Voice* Commercial salmon fishing has resumed from San Francisco to Point Arena for the first time since 2022, though Fort Bragg’s fishery remains closed. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendocinovoice.com/commercial-salmon-fishing-resumes-on-the-mendocino-coast/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 🏡 THE SEA RANCH ### Remembering Architect Donlyn Lyndon *By Andrea Lunsford and Christine Kreyling, Independent Coast Observer* Donlyn Lyndon, one of the founding architects of The Sea Ranch, died April 5 at age 90\. His work helped define the iconic coastal development’s design philosophy. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendonoma.com/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) (subscription to the ICO required) --- ## 🥬 UKIAH ### Missing Ukiah Man Found Dead Near Low Gap Park *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* Joshua W. Retallick, a Ukiah resident reported missing in April, has been found dead near Low Gap Park. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/missing-ukiah-man-found-dead-near?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Ukiah Co-op Faces Questions Over Hiring Practices *By Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice* A controversy surrounding the hiring of a former Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op manager has sparked broader questions about oversight. 🔗 [Read More](https://mendovoice.com/2026/05/crisis-at-the-ukiah-natural-foods-co-op-leaves-unanswered-questions/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 🛂 WILLITS ### Federal Immigration Dragnet Expands *By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News* A Willits soccer coach with protected immigration status was arrested by federal agents, raising concerns among advocates and community members. 🔗 [Read More](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/federal-immigration-dragnet-expands?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Railcoasters and Highball Express Debut *By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly* Mendocino Railway launched new railbike experiences and a seasonal “bar train” departing from Willits. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.willitsweekly.com/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### First Friday Concert Series Begins *By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly* Willits kicked off its summer concert series with live music downtown, with additional performances planned throughout the season. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.willitsweekly.com/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) --- ## 🏛️ CALMATTERS ### Did California’s Hotels-to-Housing Program Work? *By Lauren Hepler and Marisa Kendall, CalMatters* A major investigation found California’s Homekey program housed thousands but also left many promised housing units unfinished or still temporary. 🔗 [Read More](https://calmatters.org/housing/2026/05/newsom-homekey-records/?ref=mendolocal.news) ### How California’s Next Governor Plans to Address Homelessness *By Marisa Kendall, CalMatters* Leading gubernatorial candidates outlined competing approaches to homelessness, mental health, and housing policy. 🔗 [Read More](https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/05/ca-governor-candidates-homelessness/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Transfer Taxes Face Statewide Ballot Challenge *By Ben Christopher, CalMatters* A new statewide initiative would limit local real estate transfer taxes, targeting Los Angeles’ controversial “mansion tax.” 🔗 [Read More](https://calmatters.org/housing/2026/04/proposition-realty-mansion-tax-jarvis/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com)