The 9th Annual Noyo Headlands Race at Noyo Headlands Park in Fort Bragg. The August 9 event includes a 5K Fun Walk, 5K and 10K runs, a kids’ half-mile, and the return of the Half Marathon. Registration and packet pickup will be at the start/finish line near the West Cypress Street parking lot. Proceeds go to the Mendocino Land Trust’s conservation work, which has protected more than 40,000 acres in Mendocino County and promotes public access to natural areas through trails and preserves. You can register for the race online.
Several local hospitals, including Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, have been identified as being at risk for closure or for major service cuts due to changes in Medicaid coverage under the recently passed Reconciliation Bill. Recently, a list was released naming 338 rural hospitals nationwide that could face closure, conversion, or reduced services, including Adventist Health Clearlake, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, and Adventist Health St. Helena. The Ukiah Daily Journal quotes Health spokesperson Cici Winiger, who says she’s deeply disappointed over the bill’s passage, and warns it could worsen healthcare disparities and threaten the financial stability of critical local hospitals and clinics.
Residents frustrated with the deteriorating condition of Little River Airport Road have launched a grassroots campaign demanding immediate repairs and a long-term maintenance plan. The group is calling themselves Organizing as Citizens to Fix Little River Airport Road, and is pushing county officials to improve safety along the six-mile route, which is vital for residents, emergency services, businesses, and travelers. The Mendocino Voice says they’re being specific in their demands, asking for DuraPatching to fix cracks and potholes. The road is the only access for several communities, including the Woods retirement community, and serves as a key evacuation route during emergencies.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has approved a special election for the Ukiah Unified School District Board of Trustees in Area 6. It will be held on November 4 to replace former trustee Rebeca Orozco who resigned earlier this year. The Mendocino Voice says the special election will be held with other local water district elections. The new trustee’s term will run through December 11, 2026. Area 6 includes neighborhoods just south of Gobbi Street and between South Dora Street and the 101.
Lake County is offering a small and micro business training series at the Middletown Community Room as part of the California CDBG-funded Small and Micro Business Assistance Program. The Basics of Digital Marketing Business Assistance Workshops will be held on July 21 and August 4 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The series will cover digital marketing essentials, including SEO, social media (Google, Facebook, Instagram), content creation, and market expansion. Additional topics include credit building, networking, and local business resources. Registration is available by emailing Andy@cds.consulting or by calling 707-279-1540.
International visitors may see entry fees increase at national parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The increase follows layoffs at the National Park Service that have led to staffing and operational shortages. Non-U.S. park goers using the "America the Beautiful" pass, which grants access to multiple parks, would see higher fees under the planned changes. Funds collected from these fees will support maintenance and improvement projects in California’s iconic parks and others around the country. The initiative is part of the Great American Outdoors Act.
More California fathers are using the state’s paid family leave program. A report by the group Paid Leave for All shows men make up 44-percent of all claims, up from 18-percent in 2005. Similar trends are emerging throughout the U.S., with men taking increasingly substantial time off under state-level paid leave programs. Research shows the time off is improving mental health and reducing infant mortality.
The Mendocino Music Festival kicks off this Saturday in Mendocino and runs through July 26. It features an impressive lineup of international and local talent. Headliners include Grammy winners Charlie Musselwhite and the Villalobos Brothers. There’s something for every type of music lover including classical, country, R&B, and indie genres. Highlights include the Festival Orchestra, Chamber and Choir conducted by Allan Pollack, Ryan Murray, and Francesco Lecce-Chong, as well as pianists James D’Leon, Keisuke Nakagoshi, Sergey Belyavsky, and Rachel Breen. Additional acts include the Calder String Quartet, violinist Julian Rhee, country artist Kelsey Waldron, a cappella group Side Note, R&B singer Jackie Venson, and indie band Foxglove. The Mendocino Voice reports the main concert tent is centered on the Mendocino Headlands. For tickets and information go to https://mendocinomusic.org.
