Housing & Development · Ukiah, CA
Ukiah city officials are holding community workshops to determine locations for 1,500 new housing units mandated by the state of California. Community Development Director Craig Schlatter clarified that the city will not build the units but must adjust zoning to accommodate them within existing fire, flood, and airport constraints. City Manager Sage Sangiacomo noted this requirement represents a potential 24% population increase over the current footprint. A draft housing element update is scheduled for presentation to the Planning Commission and City Council by early December 2026.
Local Politics · Mendocino County
The Anderson Valley Health Center Board of Directors published a letter urging residents to vote NO on Proposition 44, which would require clinics to spend 90% of revenue directly on healthcare services. The board argues the mandate fails to account for costs of technology, facilities, staffing, and regulatory compliance essential to operating a rural clinic. Statewide, Prop. 44 is projected to remove $1.7 billion from community health centers in its first year, with the board warning that small rural clinics could face fewer services, fewer providers, or closure. The letter states that loss of the local center would force Anderson Valley residents to travel farther for care or rely on emergency departments.
Local Politics · Mendocino County
A letter to the editor endorses Eric Hart for the open Mendocino County 3rd Supervisorial District seat being vacated by retiring two-term Supervisor John Haschak, opposing candidate Buffey Wright Bourassa. The writer cites a September 24 Facebook post attributed to Sherwood Valley Rancheria tribal leader Hazel Ramirez criticizing Bourassa's prior tribal council service, and references a September 23 Mendo Local investigation finding two $1,000 campaign contributions to Bourassa from individuals with pending business before the county. The letter also references a September 20 candidates forum in Willits where both candidates were asked about donor connections. All claims regarding Bourassa's record are presented as the writer's assertions or attributed to third-party sources.
Social Events · Mendocino County
Jug Handle Creek Nature Center in Mendocino County, California, is hosting a free three-part educational series called "The Creatures That Spook Us" this fall. Sessions include Bats with NorCal Bats on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.; Owls & Native Birds with Native Bird Connections on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.; and Insects featuring speaker Kevin Huntley and Humboldt County's largest insect collection (400+ species) on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. The bat and owl programs are funded by the Community Foundation of Mendocino County and Mendocino Coast Audubon; the insect program is funded by the nature center.
Social Events · Ukiah, CA
Armand Brint, Ukiah's first poet laureate (appointed 2001), will present his ninth poetry collection, "Traveling in Place: 30 Years in the Making," at a free reading and book signing on Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sudhana Center, 225 S. Hope St., Ukiah. Brint, who has lived in Ukiah since leaving a career at the Mendocino County Public Health Department and teaching creative writing at Mendocino College, describes the book as representing 50 years of writing. He also helped create the Ukiah Haiku Festival in 2002, now approaching its 25th anniversary.
