Public Safety · Mendocino County
The Cooley Fire, first discovered at 5:05 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Elkhorn Road and Cooley Ranch Road west of Cloverdale in Mendocino County, California, burned 1,365 acres before reaching 80% containment by Thursday evening, Oct. 22. Cal Fire Mendocino Unit crews established control lines around the wildfire perimeter. No cause has been determined, and the article notes that 80% containment means 20% of the fire perimeter remains uncontrolled.
Public Safety · Lake County
The NWS Eureka office issued a freeze watch on Thursday at 9:12 p.m. covering Southern Trinity, Northwestern and Central Trinity, Northeastern Trinity, Northwestern Interior Mendocino, Northeastern Interior Mendocino, and Lake County. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 degrees are possible Saturday between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. The NWS warns that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and sensitive vegetation and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents are advised to move tender plants indoors before the cold arrives.
Local Politics · Mendocino County
Mendocino County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Katrina Bartolomie reported receiving over 8,550 ballots as of Thursday, Oct. 22, ahead of the upcoming November election. This figure significantly exceeds the approximately 4,600 ballots received by October 25 in 2022. The county currently operates ballot drop boxes in Ukiah, Willits, and Covelo, with no boxes available in Leggett or Laytonville. Drop box locations must be well-lit and under 24/7 surveillance to ensure security.
Community News · Mendocino County
On Tuesday, October 20, community members including the Mendocino Women's Political Coalition and League of Women Voters representatives visited the Mendocino County Elections Office to honor election staff for national Election Hero Day. Third District Supervisor John Haschak attended, and letters of appreciation were read to Registrar of Voters Katrina Bartolomie and her staff before the group proceeded to the Board of Supervisors meeting where the letters entered the public record. The article also provides actionable early-voting information: the Registrar's Office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended Saturday hours on October 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and ballots may be dropped off at locations across Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg, Point Arena, and other county sites.
Community News · Fort Bragg, CA
The Noyo Center for Marine Science held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, October 18, to open the new Whale House LaBONEatory at the Noyo Headlands in Fort Bragg. The facility houses the skeleton of a 73-foot blue whale that stranded in 2009 and serves as the first building on the center's Ocean Science Center campus. The event included live music, food, and a fundraiser aiming to raise $80,000 for marine science and education programs.
