YOUR 7/16 THURSDAY PAPER: EVERYBODY MUM ON CAPT. O’NEAL + GREY WHALE OWNER UNEARTHS OLD PLAQUE INVITES NATIVE DAUGHTERS REDEDICATION + WHEELCHAIRS ON BEACH + POLICE CHIEF RESPONDS ABOUT ICE BEING IN FORT BRAGG+ guys drive off cliff in LR
FORT BRAGG MAN SPOTS FEDERAL AGENTS IN FORT BRAGG TOLD THEY WERE DOING SURVEILLANCE
In earlier years, local newsrooms often avoided publishing details involving federal law enforcement. They were enforcing a wide spectrum of laws back then. That norm has shifted. Today, residents expect transparency when unfamiliar law‑enforcement activity appears in public spaces. People want to know whether their town is facing a political threat, undergoing an enforcement action, or simply witnessing routine federal work.
This is NOT Ronald Reagan, George W Bush, Bill Clinton or Joe Biden’s ICE. And certainly the FBI is totally unfamiliar now to those of us who knew them through those regimes.
On Wednesday morning, Jesse Martin — a reliable source — posted a photo on social media and a warning about two federal agents in the alley behind El Yuca Mexican Grocery in Fort Bragg. In his social‑media post, he wrote that he had confronted “an unauthorized car” parked in his employer’s lot. Inside, he said, were “two fully kitted law‑enforcement officers” who identified themselves as Homeland Security and told him they were “doing surveillance.”
We spoke to Fort Bragg Police Chief Eric Swift about the incident Thursday morning. He said ICE had been in Fort Bragg on Wednesday. He said they notified Fort Bragg Police that they were in town after they arrived (about 9 a.m. and when they left, just after noon.
Swift said he didn’t know what vehicles ICE had been driving, but if someone sees anyone allegedly doing law enforcement operations in a vehicle as Martin saw, do call 911. Especially if they are making stops in a vehicle like that,Swift said. Swift said they were here looking for specific people they had warrants to arrest. ICE was not doing a random immigration sweep, he said. Fort Bragg Police were not involved. We have also belatedy contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department, as we found out one person was detained in Cleone on the warrants.
Our advice is also, If you have reason to believe someone may be impersonating a law officer or are threatened or confronted or see them doing surveillance and such, call the police or sheriff’s office and ask them to check. Do turn your camera on and take photos but don’t interrupt what they are doing when you are not sure of what is going on.
It is making the rounds all over social media. We clarified the photo a bit and we contacted Fort Bragg Police about it as soon as we heard this.
On Thursday, we received this press release second‑hand and later confirmed it was authentic.
Unlike prior administrations of both parties, the facts show President Donald Trump has used federal power in ways that feel punitive toward a wide range of people — including liberals, federal workers, Canadians, former Republicans, and especially Latino immigrants. He has publicly called for the arrest of many critics, and some have indeed been detained. At the same time, we do not support secretive efforts by the left, such as the Rapid Response Network, to operate without public transparency. What unfolded here was largely rumor, confusion, and a lot of upset people. There has to be a better way.
As reporters, we’ve seen many federal agents over the years and never treated their presence as newsworthy and in fact, held them in confidence. Reporting “agent sightings” was something some journalists did in the 1970s — a practice I always found questionable but sometimes warranted — and it persisted at KMUD during the long era of pot‑farm air raids. It made a very us and them vibe about anytime authorities used aircraft or any SWAT raid. We’re reporting now because expectations have changed. If unfamiliar federal officers (or people pretending to be such) appear in public spaces, my first step would be to photograph them, request identification, and ask them to remain on scene until Fort Bragg Police arrived — if local police were unaware of their presence.
We no longer have confidence in an FBI that, in our view, has largely abandoned white‑collar prosecutions, pushed out key counter‑terrorism personnel for political reasons, and is now arresting Democrats, journalists, and people accused of involvement in what some call a “coverup” of the 2020 election — a claim for which no evidence has ever been produced. Whatever legitimate work federal agents may be doing, the public climate has changed. When we see unfamiliar federal officers now, our first concern is that it may be a politically driven operation or poorly trained ICE personnel who could put residents at risk. That makes these sightings worth warning people about. We need to talk to each other and have a plan. I’m not going to work with the Rapid Response Network; their secrecy leaves the community with no information and more fear. We need openness, even if I’m not confident we’ll get it.
On Thursday morning, the Trump Administration announced a crack down on LEGAL immigration
CAR FLIES OFF HIGHWAY 1 AT LITTLE RIVER JUST BEFORE 10 PM WEDNESDAY
Three young men in a car went off the cliff just above the Little River Bridge on Wednesday night, just before 10 p.m., landing on Van Damme Beach. All three were sitting on a wall when fire crews, an ambulance, and the CHP arrived. Witnesses reported the vehicle driving erratically before the crash, including crossing the double‑yellow line. CHP reclassified the incident as an injury accident at about 10:10 p.m., and a tow truck removed the vehicle around 11 p.m. The car crashed through the guardrail, leaving it twisted into the roadway and blocking one lane. The drop to the beach at that location is roughly 30 feet.
THURSDAY NOON FIRE IN UKIAH- SITUATIONAL AWARENESS WARNING
Advisory: Situational Awareness: Wildfire, in the Ukiah area
Dear Nixle User,
Situational Awareness: Wildfire in the Ukiah area, near 2600 Block Robinson Creek Rd, No further action needed at this time, use caution and avoid the area. We will publish updates to mendoready.org as more information becomes available.
Wildfire Information Resources: Twitter: @MendoSheriff, Facebook: @MendocinoSheriff, Twitter: @CALFIRE_MEU Facebook: @CALFIREMENDOCINOUNIT Instagram: @calfiremeu, https://www.fire.ca.gov/, https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
NEW OWNERS OF GREY WHALE INN REVEAL PLAQUE, INVITE NATIVE DAUGHTERS BACK
The Native Daughters of the Golden West will rededicate the historical plaque at the Grey Whale Inn on August 8, beginning at 12 noon, alongside local members and community guests as part of a ribbon‑cutting celebrating the inn’s grand opening. The Grey Whale was packed, and the work completed there is impressive.
The Native Daughters of the Golden West is one of Fort Bragg’s surviving old‑school lodges. The local Native Sons chapter dissolved years ago, but the Native Daughters have continued their work. Two years ago, Linda and I even considered joining; we appreciated the members and the mission. At the time, membership required being born in California. I qualified by birthplace but not by gender, and Linda qualified by gender but not by birthplace — yet they were willing to welcome us.
Membership rules have since changed. Now, anyone who is a U.S. citizen may join. For more information, visit NDGW.org. Its a bit odd considering the somewhat sordid early history of the Native Daughter and Sons and Nativist stances that they would do the “citizen” thing. Are there non citizens wanting to join? Disappointed here, but don’t have all the facts. I am with them on moving on and doing the good they do now, great group locally! But the new “citizen” rule is a bit strange. Being from Maine is Ok but not Mexico or Canada? We would still want to join, its a great local bunch and they didnt make the rule.
We’ll have more coverage of the Grey Whale in upcoming issues — it’s a fun, stylish place for visiting family, easy walking distance to downtown Fort Bragg, and full of history.
GREAT CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT DISABILITY SERVICES!
Art Explorers is hosting a Disability Services Panel this Friday, July 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The discussion will highlight service organizations in Mendocino County. Representatives from Compass, MATCH, Circle of Horses, Redwood Coast Regional Center, CBEM, UVAH, and Parents & Friends will speak about their programs.
The event takes place at the Art Explorers Gallery in downtown Fort Bragg. Community members are welcome to attend.
A CARPET ON THE BEACH EVENT FOR WHEELCHAIR DISABLED FOLKS!
The Mendocino Land Trust, Mendocino Area Parks Association, California State Parks, and Leslie’s Accessible Walks have worked together to sponsor ‘Roll Out the Mat’, a new beach accessibility event at Big River near the boat launch!
On Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will roll out 500 feet of wheelchair‑accessible mats to provide easier beach access for people who may otherwise have difficulty reaching the sand. Beach wheelchairs, beach walkers, and Freedom Trax power‑assisted track attachments will be available, along with seating, shade tents, light refreshments, speakers, and bird‑watching with Paul Miller.
To reserve equipment, please RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdU5…/viewform…
POLICE CHIEF GIVES UPDATE, WE HAVE CONFIRMED CAPT. THOMAS O’NEAL IS GONE FROM FBPD BUT NOBODY WILL SAY IT
We asked Fort Bragg Police Chief for updates on a few stories we have been following.
Hi Eric, I heard Thomas O’Neal was no longer with the city. Is that so and as of when? Did he resign or fired and anything releasable about this?
No comment.
We also sought comment from Capt. O’Neal, and if we receive a response, we will add it to this report.
How about other goings on in the PD?
I’m sure you’ve seen that we’ve started our College Internship Program, and we currently have one student in that program.
Promotions? Our last promotion was Sergeant Franco.
Editor’s note: FBPD now has two officers named Ferris and one named Franco, but no longer an Officer Frank, who transferred to a department in the Sacramento area. It’s a bit amusing, given the department’s long‑standing habit of not listing officers’ first names — a practice originally meant to reduce harassment of female officers, who still face that behavior today. But with both Paidric Ferris and the second Ferris now on the force, the tradition gets complicated. It’s reminiscent of the old Los Angeles Rams moment when two unrelated players named Youngblood, sharing the same first initial, required their full names stretched across the backs of their jerseys.
New officers since the last post on Facebook?
“We were able to hire a police officer trainee and sponsor him in the Redwood Police Academy which started on July 6th”
Any of your new initiatives you would want to mention?
“The City Council approved us for one Community Service Officer (CSO) position. So we currently have openings for a CSO, part-time Transport Officer, and Police Officers. “
“We will be launching our Community Academy this Fall. The classes will be for two hours, (1) day a week for 5 to 6 weeks. And it’ll allow community members to get an introduction and behind-the-scenes look at what our police officers do.“
We are concerned by the constant churn of criticism from a highly motivated group that continues to amplify issues involving Capt. O’Neal, Sgt. Jared Frank, and former Police Chief Neal Cervenka. While some of those concerns may have had merit at one time, nothing new has been presented to us beyond the kinds of disputes that routinely arise in police work — not to say those disputes were right, only that they are not unique.
At the same time, we believe there are far larger structural problems facing Mendocino County. The District Attorney’s office controls nearly all information about who is prosecuted and why, and that power is reinforced by at least one county supervisor. Their approach is not far removed from the broader posture of the current federal government.
In our view, the community’s focus should widen. The issues raised about individual officers may matter, but they exist within a much bigger system that shapes what the public is allowed to know.
WOW, CHECK OUT THIS REPORTING ON THE SENIOR HOUSING PROBLEM HERE
We continue to call out bad journalism, including the growing use of AI‑assisted reporting — especially at the Mendocino Voice. Increasingly, articles labeled as “Mendocino” are generic, Wikipedia‑style pieces produced elsewhere, like the recent Mountain Beaver story. I went into that one hoping to learn something new; instead, it was reprocessed pablum with no sources.
On the positive side, the Voice has reduced its reliance on pure press‑release content. Still, we regularly see rewritten press releases with a reporter’s name on top. That presentation makes readers think the facts have been checked, but they haven’t.
We’ve also been critical of Elise Cox at times for the practice of putting her name on press releases, but she does far less of that than the Voice. And to her credit, she’s done strong work launching a story on the housing crisis facing senior citizens. Our friend Jeannie and her late husband Wayne were articulate, widely respected people, and Jeannie’s account — paired with Elise’s reporting — shows clearly what it’s like to be evicted in a town where senior‑housing waiting lists are long and, in some cases, filled with people who aren’t local at all.
Elise Cox story on senior housing
We have a letter to the editor prompted by Elise’s excellent reporting on this story:
BANG! CRASH! COPS CHARGE INTO SCHOOL!! DON’T WORRY UKIAH, ITS A DRILL
From Ukiah Unified:
The Ukiah Police Department (UPD), in partnership with Ukiah Unified School District, will conduct emergency response training exercises at Pomolita Middle School on July 21 and 23, 2026. The multi-day training is designed to provide first responders with realistic opportunities to practice coordinated emergency response procedures in a school environment while students and staff are not present. Training activities will include classroom and hallway response drills and scenario-based exercises. Portions of the training will involve the use of blank rounds, which may create loud noises audible from areas surrounding the campus. Emergency vehicles will also be present as part of the exercise. No actual emergency is taking place.
Community members who hear loud noises or observe law enforcement activity at Pomolita Middle School on these days should be aware that the activity is part of a planned training exercise and that no actual emergency is taking place.
Elise Cox also produced a piece on a strange turn in the civil case between the City of Fort Bragg and the Skunk Train. The idea that there would be secret city documents is hard to imagine, but the courts have become increasingly opaque, so it’s not exactly a surprise.
ANOTHER NEWS ITEM ABOUT THE FAMILY OF THE MURDERED WOMAN IN COVELO:
The family continues to press for answers in the case, and we’ll include their latest statements and concerns as soon as they are available. She has now been identified as 31 year old Josepha Littlewolf Basurto.
https://www.mendolocal.news/p/fundraiser-launched-to-support-murdered
CALIFORNIA, FEDERAL COURT, SEEK TO BLOCK TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS TO DEFUND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
From California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s weekly newsletter: California has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. CoC is the federal government’s primary funding stream for affordable housing and services for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The coalition argues that HUD’s 2026 CoC NOFO attempts to steer funding away from permanent supportive housing projects, despite a federal court order issued last week blocking HUD’s 2025 CoC NOFO, which sought to divert more than $3 billion from those projects. Congress has also acted to protect renewal funding for permanent supportive housing.
This affects both “housing first” projects and programs like the Plateau in Fort Bragg — already built, but part of the broader category of projects that require participation in services before receiving housing.
And as all of this unfolds — the lawsuits, the housing fights, the courthouse shadows, the small‑town reporting wins and misses — Mendocino County keeps doing what it always does. People show up, speak up, and try to make the place a little more livable for the next person in line. It’s never tidy, rarely simple, and often maddening. But it’s ours, and the work continues.
