Crime · Covelo, CA
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office arrested Jefferey A. Joaquin, a 31-year-old Covelo man on CDCR parole with two felony warrants, on suspicion of attempted murder following stabbing incidents in October. The Oct. 10 incident occurred at Pine Grove Cemetery in the 22700 block of Covelo Refuse Road, where a 31-year-old victim sustained multiple stab wounds and was flown to an out-of-county hospital before being discharged. A separate stabbing of another victim occurred nine days earlier. Joaquin was taken into custody on Concow Boulevard after a foot pursuit involving MCSO deputies and Round Valley Tribal Police; he was booked into Mendocino County Jail without bail.
Housing & Development · Willits, CA
At its Oct. 6 meeting, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved increasing the Willits library branch refresh budget from $600,000 to $2,591,393 after an assessment flagged significant ADA compliance problems and interior wear at the nearly 40-year-old facility. The expanded project will bring walkways, restrooms, and parking into ADA compliance while replacing flooring, lighting, HVAC, windows, ceilings, and furniture, and adding an outdoor patio and children's area. Library administrative services manager Kelly Hansen described the prior plan as a "simple new carpet, new paint refresh" before the scope change. The board also approved the library system's 10-year Capital Investment Plan under Measure O, allocating funds to each branch proportionate to its share of countywide service-area population.
Public Safety · Ukiah, CA
Ukiah Mayor Susan Sher and Council member Mari Rodin responded to a prior letter criticizing the city council's handling of the Palace Hotel rehabilitation. The building, purchased by Tom Carter two years ago, was declared a public safety risk by the council before that purchase; temporary roof repairs and a support tower have been completed but no seismic retrofitting has occurred. At the most recent council meeting, Carter indicated a structural engineer had not yet declared the building sound, prompting officials to express concern about further deterioration from expected El Niño rains this winter. Carter has promised to present the structural engineer's report at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Public Safety · Mendocino County
A fire was reported just before 8 p.m. Tuesday on the west side of the Albion River Bridge on Route 1, prompting responses from CAL FIRE and the Albion Little River Fire Protection District. Caltrans confirmed minor damage but determined the bridge remains safe for travel; the cause is under investigation. Separately, the Albion River Bridge Maintenance Project begins Monday, Oct. 19, with weekday delays of up to 20 minutes (Mon–Thu 6 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri 6 a.m.–3 p.m.) as crews replace damaged timber sections and realign bridge members. Overnight closures between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. may be necessary Sunday night through Friday morning. The project is expected to last approximately one month.
Public Safety · Mendocino County
A wildfire named West Fire was discovered at 2:33 p.m. on Oct. 13 on private land in Mendocino County, California. As of the report's publication, containment status was unknown and the cause remained undetermined. The information was sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Public Safety · Mendocino County
A wildfire named the Marsh Fire was first discovered at 11:07 p.m. on October 13, burning on private land in Mendocino County, California. As of publication, containment status is unknown and the cause remains undetermined. The report is sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
