Elise Cox

1 week ago | kzyx.org | Elise Cox

The City of Willits is facing a financial reckoning after years of fiscal mismanagement and lack of oversight, city leaders revealed during a public meeting last week. Finance Director Manny Orozco reported that the city faced a $4.2 million budget shortfall over the past year. As of last week, the general fund held just $32,000.

1 week ago | kzyx.org | Elise Cox

Saturday's demonstrations in support of constitutional goverment drew record crowds in Ukiah and Fort Bragg with crowd estimates pegging each protest at a minimum of 1,500 attendees. Video footage and photographs suggested that Fort Bragg was the bigger of the two events. The protests were also well attended in places like Booneville, Gualala and Point Arena. Indivisible was the lead organizer.

2 weeks ago | kzyx.org | Elise Cox

For generations, the Yuki people lived by the Eel River — a lifeline flowing through their ancestral lands. That changed in 1908, when the river’s natural course was interrupted by the Potter Valley Project, disrupting their way of life, fish populations, and culture. Now, with the impending decommissioning of the project’s dams, a new chapter is beginning. Joseph Parker, president of the Round Valley Indian Tribal Council and a member of the Yuki tribe, described his deep connection to the river.

2 weeks ago | kzyx.org | Elise Cox

Reports of elder abuse are rising sharply in Mendocino County, with self-neglect and financial scams emerging as major concerns, according to Jesse Vanvoorhis, deputy director of Adult and Aging Services at Mendocino County's Department of Social Services. "Five years ago we were averaging 1,000 reports a year. Now we're up over 1,700 in the last 12-month period," Vanvoorhis said.

2 weeks ago | kzyx.org | Elise Cox

The Fort Bragg City Council on Monday narrowly approved a resolution accepting the Mill Site Development Strategy Draft Report as a guideline for future planning on the city’s oceanfront mill site, a former Georgia Pacific lumber mill now under scrutiny for its toxic legacy. The vote was 3-1, with Councilmembers Chris Hockett and Marcia Rafanan voting in favor, along with Mayor Jason Godeke.