The Ukiah City Council will take up a proposal this afternoon that could cut the red tape and make it easier for residents to keep backyard animals. The ordinance would let people raise hens, rabbits, and maintain beehives without going through the current $1,000 minor use permit process that requires public notice and hearings. Instead, residents would only need an administrative use permit reviewed by planning staff if they want more animals or to go beyond city standards. Roosters, turkeys, geese, ducks, and swine would still be prohibited outside agricultural zones. The meeting starts at 5:15 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center.
Mendocino County supervisors have approved emergency money transfers to keep road projects moving and prevent delays in paying contractors. At a special meeting Monday, the board gave Auditor-Controller the authority to temporarily shift funds between county accounts through April 2026. The move comes as the Department of Transportation faces shortfalls of up to $6 million due to reimbursement delays on major bridge projects. Officials say about $2.5 million in vendor payments are already on hold, with a $4.5 million transfer from the General Fund set for October to ease the crunch.
California is reporting real progress in tackling homelessness, with several major cities seeing declines in unsheltered populations. Governor Gavin Newsom credits state investments and local government efforts, saying California is reversing decades of inaction. Preliminary point-in-time counts suggest overall statewide numbers could be down when final data is released in December. Newsom also took aim at President Trump’s National Guard sweeps of encampments, arguing California’s strategy focuses on getting people into housing and care.
The Mendocino County Office of Education says there is a vacancy for Trustee Area 3 on the county Board of Education. The seat opened after Michelle Hutchins left to work for Willits Unified School District. Interested residents of Covelo, Brooktrails, Laytonville and Willits are invited to apply for the position. The appointed trustee will serve until December 2026 and must live in the area, be at least 18 and a registered voter. Trustees receive $316.77 a month and applications are available online or at the River Campus Office through Sept.4. The chosen applicant will be notified by October 3.
Lake County home care workers packed Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, demanding better pay and investment in long-term care as contract talks continue. The county’s 2,400 In-Home Supportive Services workers, represented by SEIU Local 2015, say low wages and benefits are driving caregivers out of the profession. Union leaders warn the shortage is already leaving seniors and people with disabilities without needed hours of care. Workers urged supervisors to boost support now to keep people safe at home and out of costly facilities.
A Clearlake Oaks man accused of kidnapping and rape is now facing an additional felony charge after a Tuesday court hearing in Lakeport. Prosecutors amended the complaint against 54-year-old Clifford Merle Cutrell, adding sexual battery and revising several counts to oral copulation by force. Judge J. David Markham also ordered that Cutrell, a registered sex offender with a lengthy record, be held without bail after prosecutors argued he poses too high a risk to release. Cutrell has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25.
The Clearlake City Council will meet tomorrow night to discuss next steps after abruptly ending its animal control contract earlier this month. The council voted Aug. 7 to terminate its agreement with North Bay Animal Services, and City Manager Alan Flora has since issued a notice of termination. Thursday’s agenda calls for a discussion on animal care services going forward, along with other business including fire mitigation fees and the city’s delegate for an upcoming League of California Cities conference.
The Ukiah City Council will decide today whether or not to move forward with a multimillion-dollar plan to expand high-speed internet access across the city. The proposal calls for a 35-year public-private partnership with Vero Fiber Networks to design, build, and maintain the Ukiah Gigabit Fiber Project at a cost not to exceed $3.27 million. City officials say the project would bring reliable broadband to more than 1,500 locations, including many underserved homes and businesses. The council meets at 5:15 p.m. at 300 Seminary Ave., with online access available through Zoom.
