LATEST STORIES
Flynn Creek Circus comes to the redwoods, and the only way in is a train
Take the Skunk Train from Willits for a 17-run show in Noyo River Canyon.
O’Neill: Singing the seasons
A productive farm creates a harmony of magic. Fall comes early this year with the first moisture and a string of cool nights with temps dipping well below what the hot crops really like for production. I know the heat will return through the long months of harvest to come, but for now I revel…
California Legislature passes bills to expand community college bachelor’s degree offerings
New bills clarify when community colleges can offer bachelor’s degrees already offered at CSU campuses.
Spotted a western monarch? Conservationists are asking public to report sightings
Sightings can be submitted through the free iNaturalist mobile app.
Paul Bunyan Days fills Fort Bragg streets with trikes, classic cars and a giant axe
Saturday brought tricycle races, a kiddie parade, a crafts fair and log-rolling on a plastic log; the logging show and the Belle and Beau coronation are Sunday, the parade Monday.
Opinion: Mendocino County’s data center pause can buy a workforce plan
Supervisors can determine development that creates positive employment while addressing environmental and noise concerns.
California to buy defunct horse track and turn it into the Bay Area’s newest public park
California lawmakers struck a deal to divert $125 million in climate funding to buy the former Golden Gate Fields track and turn it into a park. Gov. Gavin Newsom supports the project.
Round Valley tribal cemetery vandalized north of Covelo; sheriff’s office logs case
Tribal police say flowers, flags and memorial items were damaged or scattered across several gravesites at Headquarters Cemetery; no arrests announced
From a living room idea to a healthcare powerhouse: Winesong celebrates 41 years
This year’s Grand Tasting takes place Sept. 12 at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
Point Arena Fish Fest returns Sunday
Seafood fundraiser for Point Arena pier will feature local music, drinks and food.
Huge crafts fair in Fort Bragg during Paul Bunyan Days on Sept. 5-6
Everything is hand-crafted by artisans, and booth fees go to scholarships and other projects for women and girls.
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FEATURED STORIES
Mendocino County “not following the law” at Fort Bragg mill site
The state has been cleaning the old Fort Bragg mill site since 1995. A county environmental study incorrectly says it is “not currently included” on the state’s list of contaminated sites.
Mendocino County supes ban data centers—for the moment, at least
Supervisors voted 5-0 for a 45-day emergency moratorium.
Ukiah drops annexation proposal after two years, saying public never got behind it
The City Council’s ad hoc committee is suspending work on the plan and won’t revise it again.
Safety standards could be preventing greater safety in Mendocino County’s vineyards?
Organic vineyards can use autonomous machines to fight disease with UV lamps rather than spray. But state code meant to protect workers mandates human direction.
Judge called federal farmworker wage cut unlawful. Mendocino vineyards are still working under it.
The rule lets a grower pay a visa worker less than the worker beside them. Backpay may be coming.
Jackson Demonstration State Forest bill clears the Legislature, but logging could continue
AB 2494 goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Sept. 30 to act. But nothing in it reaches the timber harvest plan opponents want halted.
POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
California sues to block Trump’s mail-in voting rules just days after loss at Supreme Court
California announced a new lawsuit over President Trump’s executive order on mail-in voting, arguing in part that the Constitution gives states’ power over elections.
Letter to the Editor: Ukiah Planning Commission recommends staff redraw annexation map
We congratulate the four commissioners who showed insight and courage.
Mendocino County warns of email scam targeting planning and building applicants
County says officials will never ask for wire transfer as form of payment.
Police & Courts
Mendocino County Supervisors approve taking a $4.5 million state grant to fight illegal cannabis grows
Much of the debate was about ICE, misunderstood board actions and a $150,000 software contract.
Convicted sex offender from Piercy arrested again after detectives find more material
He was arrested for suspected possession of over 600 images of sexual conduct involving a minor
Hay confrontation is no excuse for driving drunk, Mendocino County jury finds
The defense said an armed property owner left her no choice. Jurors took minutes to disagree.
ARTS & CULTURE
The Mendocino Setlist: August 31 – September 6, 2026
Your weekly guide to upcoming music events in Mendocino County.
Ukiah Library mounts show with local artists
Mixed media and paintings by local artists Cottie Morrison and Janet Rosen are on display.
Mendocino College displays new art created by students in first mural painting course
Mural reflecting themes of Mendocino College now on display near campus café.
Ukiah kids triathlon planned for Saturday
Kids will swim, bike and run at Todd Grove Park this weekend.
FOOD & DRINK
The oldest bar in Mendocino County?
One bar at a time, one claim at a time, until the county runs out of either.
On Mendocino Ridge, a winemaker says wine’s real problem is trust
“Regenerative,” “sustainable,” “natural” — they’ve been stuck on so many bottles that a shopper has no way to tell which ones mean anything.
After years of pop-ups, Floyd and Connie’s opens a permanent Fort Bragg restaurant
“We’re telling people it’s like a sexy mid-century steakhouse” — if that steakhouse sported a large deck overlooking Noyo Harbor and personal touches everywhere.
COLUMNS & OPINIONS
McNear: Saving Mendocino’s headlands from development took a citizens campaign
A dialed-in artist who “knew everybody,” Emmy Lou Packard spearheaded the effort.
O’Neill: Laytonville knows how to throw a party—especially when it benefits the community
Many people came together to reinstate the Crawfish Boil after its 6-year hiatus.
McNear: The WPA had a massive impact on Mendocino County
A high school in Round Valley and highways transecting the county were joined by the Mendocino Woodlands, the only Recreation Demonstration Area in the state.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letter to the Editor: Eight candidates, two choices
How we go about choosing is the real question.
Letter to the Editor: Ask your Mendocino County supervisor to vote for a moratorium on data center construction
Noisy AI data centers use enormous amounts of water and electricity. We have none to spare.
Letter to the Editor: Stop wringing your hands over Fort Bragg’s name
The city is a success. Let’s celebrate it.
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Environment & Natural Resources
State recommends ‘danger’ advisory at Lake Pillsbury as toxic algae warnings spread across Lake and Mendocino counties
People and pets should stay out of the lake until further notice — alert signs also recommended on the Navarro and East Fork Russian rivers.
Safety warning issued after toxic algal mats found in North Coast rivers
North Coast rivers under toxic algae advisory as health officials warn visitors, especially children and pets, to avoid contact with algal mats and suspect water.
Conservation Corps traded Ukiah cabins for $68 million campus in Willits
A year after the state opened the corps’ Mendocino Center, the buildings are done, the fire crews are busy and the kitchen garden is overflowing.
Potter Valley Project series
New models say a rebuilt Eel River water link could keep Russian River supplied
Computer models show that a planned water project on the Eel River could move about as much water to the Russian River each year as the Potter Valley Project.
Opinion: A seismic threat to the Potter Valley Project’s Scott Dam
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and PG&E should make public the internal studies of seismic risk to Scott Dam.
Potter Valley update: North Coast residents split on dams, united against Southern California
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s scoping transcripts came out Monday. Residents can’t agree on tearing out the dams, but they don’t want Lake Elsinore buying the water.
COMMUNITY
A parade, a $1,600 cake and a grease pole: Great Day in Elk celebrates 50 years
Hundreds turned out under a cloudless Mendocino coast sky Saturday for the 50th annual Great Day in Elk, a fundraiser for the Greenwood Community Center.
Community BBQ to follow Labor Day Parade during Fort Bragg Paul Bunyan Days
City officials will serve meals to community members to benefit local park and chamber of commerce
Elk hosts its Great Day celebration to benefit Greenwood Community Center Saturday
A parade, Taiko drummers, live music, food and games head up a slate that starts at noon.
ANIMALS
Featured Pet: Olaf
He’s a good-looking howler who likes women. Sound familiar?
Ukiah dog toast of the Big Apple. Welcome home, Jinny Lu!
She got in at 2 a.m. and announced that she was done talking to reporters.
Rescue dog from Ukiah named ‘World’s Ugliest Dog’
Plans are in the works to celebrate Jinny Lu once she returns to Ukiah from New York City.
O’Neill: Laying Trap to rest
Horses sense our energy, and Trap taught me to appreciate the moment.
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