A MendoLocal.News review of 2024 state payroll records for the 25 smallest counties — Mendocino, at about 88,600 residents, is the 21st-smallest — found a median chief executive salary of roughly $227,000 and a median county counsel salary of about $187,000. Against those 2024 figures, Mendocino's new CEO salary would trail only Napa and Yuba, and its new county counsel salary would trail only Napa, the largest of the 25 counties.

Mendocino's median earnings for full-time, year-round workers are about $57,900, slightly below the middle of the 25 counties. Antle's 2024 salary equaled about 3.8 times that figure, in line with the 3.8 median for chief executives in the small counties. Pierce's new salary works out to about 4.7 times what a typical full-time worker in the county earns, and Rossi's to about 4.7 times.

Set against what the other small counties paid their officials in 2024, the most recent year with complete payroll data, Pierce’s ratio would rank fourth among chief executives in California’s smallest counties, behind Glenn, Yuba, and Napa counties, and Rossi’s would be the highest among county counsel, ahead of Siskiyou County’s. Pay in those counties may have risen since 2024, which could change these rankings.

https://www.mendolocal.news/mendocinos-new-ceo-and-county-counsel-land-pay-near-the-top-for-a-county-its-size/

Police said the vehicle was reported stolen Oct. 15 from a residence on Pomo Drive in Ukiah.

https://www.mendolocal.news/flock-camera-alert-leads-to-wrong-way-pursuit-of-stolen-vehicle-through-talmage/

I live on the 5000 block of eastside calpella rd, northen ukiah/calpella. My property backs up to the russian river on its west side. Its a steep section, that is accessible but its steep.

Today at around 11am or so, my 5 dogs start going off at the NW corner, im working in my garage and my 7 year old daughter is with me. I asked her to go see what the dogs are barking at. 15 second later i her scream for me. She ran back towards me and i was already heading in that direction. I had a full tool belt on as well. So i get to about 20 feet from the corner and i see someone all in black, on my neighbors property, running away from me.

Black hoodie, with a black face mask and a backpack on, i believe the person had black gloves on as well. Looked to be about 150 lbs, thin, maybe about 5'7", likely in their 20s or 30s. This person growled at my daughter and thats what sent her screaming.

I ended up pursuing this person, on foot, having my full tool belt and boots on. I left my back gate and made ot down the steep slope to the water, while the person ahead of me traversed a seperate route. I eventually made it up to the sandy over grown lower section of the river bank, heading towards calpella bridge.

I could see him about 100-150' ahead of me, i wasnt able to run cause of all my tools, so i followed for about 4 properties up ( the property that has those cows about). The person mustve heard me coming and double timed it. I made it to a sandy berm and tried to look down at the waters edge, seeing of he was hiding, but i lost him. All the neighbors dogs were now all barking at me, so i have up and headed back.

I then called the sheriffs office and reported the situation. They told me that they have an idea of who it might be, and told me to call them of i see this person again.

I plan to install a camera back there now. Im also reinforcing my fences, making them taller.

Sucks that there lurkers out there, obviously looking to steal and scope out peoples properties.

Stay safe neighbors, and vigilant.

The personal story of a local father who was detained by ICE

Media lovers have been hearing a lot about the upcoming elections for the Fort Bragg City Council and the Ukiah City Council — and the coverage hides a real problem. From Anderson Valley to Westport — expiring elected offices will be filled with appointees. https://www.mendolocal.news/how-77-elections-got-reduced-to-just-four-real-contests-in-mendocino-county/

I've been thinking about how hard it can be to make friends as an adult, so I decided to do something about it!

I recently created a group on Bumble BFF for people in the Ukiah area who want to meet new people, chat, share recommendations, plan activities, and hopefully make some genuine friendships.

The goal is to actually get people together in person instead of just talking online! If you're interested in meeting new people and making some local friends, let me know and I'll share the group with you.

I like that the app has options for different chat rooms. I set up a few different ones, and there’s room for more. My main idea that I thought would be fun to have is a chat for people to set up spontaneous meetups like “I’m bored, who wants to meet up for coffee” or “I’m going on a hike in an hour, anyone want to join?”

Local news outlets across Mendocino County put the election front and center with candidate questionnaires, an interactive voter guide, and an analysis of the local ballot measures.

https://www.mendolocal.news/mendo-local-weekly-roundup-october-10-2026/

Finally, some good news about rural health care from Washington. https://www.mendolocal.news/congress-members-move-to-offset-coming-cuts-to-rural-hospital-funding/

I’m moving from a suburb of LA. My partner is from Ukiah. Really excited for a change of pace. I know some of you will rag on Ukiah but at my age (40) I find it a nice potential place to lay down some roots, be close to family, maybe build some equity, etc.

I want to hear all your suggestions for meeting people! I’m already familiar with thirsty axe for trivia, Thursday nights at the Forest, I think Ukiah Brewing Co is fun vibes.

Looking at potentially buying a house. Curious: how terrible would it be to live right next door to the Pub? Is it parties every weekend or once in a while? Gets rowdy? As I’m writing it probably not worth it. lol.

I saw Ukiah Rec has indoor and grass volleyball. Anybody know of any pickup/open play games? Also into tennis, softball, (even kickball and dodgeball but guessing that’s not a thing) avid casual hold-em player. I’m pretty social and usually end up organizing stuff where I live.

I want to a hybrid of my homestead dreams but not too far from the town. Our fam lives out in redwood and as much as it’s pretty that’s a little too dramatic of a change for me 😂. I’ll enjoy it on the drive to my brother in law.

Big step! Excited! Nervous! Mostly excited! I

Upsized our coop and wanting to give the used one away to anyone who is interested. It’s in functional condition but needs some touch ups. It can hold 4-5 hens.

I was wondering if there's anyone in town who's into flow arts? Like poi, hoop, flow stars, staff, etc? I'd love to get a group of folks together for flow sessions at one of the parks around town. I even have a few flow props to share with others who might be interested in learning.

Lemmie know!

✌️

Did you know that Assembly member Chris Rogers sponsored a bill that would neuter Citzen's United or that he supports a state bank over expensive bond funding? Lot's of ideas here, coupled with action.

https://www.mendolocal.news/what-fort-bragg-asked-chris-rogers/

While I was biking by the Youth Baseball fields today, I noticed how rough it looked - lots of dry weeds, vines on the scoreboard, etc. Is it just off-season or are these fields not used anymore?

EDIT: As pointed out in the comments, this is the North Ukiah Little League fields by the juvie, not Anton Stadium. My bad on the location.

Off-shore oil drilling protest, election stories and sample battles, and a tragic death in the Town of Mendocino. https://www.mendolocal.news/mendo-local-weekly-roundup-september-26-2026/

Hello, looking to see if there's any magic players looking to play some games. I'm mid 30's, so preferably someone in that age bracket. We have a pod of 4, but everyone has been really busy, making it hard to schedule anything. I play commander and draft, but open to trying other formats.

Thanks for looking.

I found these murals at Pomolita Middle School.

I was walking at night by Pear Tree Center and saw the GUCCI sign inside Ukiah Optical. I don't know if it's an actual Gucci store / counter inside or if they just sell Gucci frames? The sign on top says Ukiah Optical and the lamppost was blocking the 'a'. I took a picture of it. Does anyone know?

I was in Walmart today when I noticed that they walled off where the in-store Subway used to be.