LATEST STORIES
Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show returns to Boonville Sept. 18
A horse show, two rodeos, sheepdog trials, and the wool show plus a parade down Route 128 add up to three days of fun for all ages.
California’s healthcare affordability office claims power to punish overspending hospitals
New penalties can fine hospitals and insurers up to 125% of their overspending, with enforcement starting as early as 2028.
Mendocino Dance Project to invite audiences on a journey through nature with dance
Aerial and climbing techniques aim to immerse audiences in art and nature.
Mendocino’s sheriff is treasurer of a private nonprofit that funds the county’s trafficking raids
Five county sheriffs and a district attorney run a nonprofit, paid for by a Buffett family foundation, that funds cannabis and trafficking enforcement in five Northern California counties. It has yet to win a trafficking conviction.
Ukiah man held on more than $1 million bail in Sunnycrest stabbing
Deputies found the 23-year old suspect bloodied and arguing outside a Sunnycrest Drive house Friday night; the 53-year-old victim is expected to survive.
Mendocino’s Huckleberry Jam draws crowds back to the redwoods for third year
The bands offered a Dolly Parton tribute to close out a magical weekend.
Featured Pet: Spirit
She loves to play, enjoys other dogs and could be your perfect adventure companion.
The Mendocino Setlist: September 7-13, 2026
Your weekly guide to upcoming music events in Mendocino County.
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.
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.
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FEATURED STORIES
Judge halts logging above Dutch Charlie Creek with most of it already done
Two courts bar cutting on 926 acres west of Laytonville. By the company’s own count, 776 were already down.
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.
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: September 7-13, 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
O’Neill: Singing the seasons
A productive farm creates a harmony of magic.
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.
McNear: Saving Mendocino’s headlands from development took a citizens campaign
A dialed-in artist who “knew everybody,” Emmy Lou Packard spearheaded the effort.
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
Spotted a western monarch? Conservationists are asking public to report sightings
Sightings can be submitted through the free iNaturalist mobile app.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ANIMALS
Featured Pet: Spirit
She loves to play, enjoys other dogs and could be your perfect adventure companion.
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.
These drops kill fleas—but they’re getting into everything
A recent state report says that even high grade systems, such as Ukiah’s wastewater treatment plant, can’t clear fipronil.
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