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
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 · 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.
