Your Monday paper: Who shot the horses and why? $1.7 million farm sale in Redwood Valley, Salmon fishing still stinks and There is still time to get a better Albion Bridge

Your Monday paper: Who shot the horse or horses and why?

A disturbing and confirmed story of the shooting of multiple horses was told to us by two concerned citizens and is all over Social Media- why no arrest?

We are looking into the shooting of a horse — and possibly more than one — on private property in Fort Bragg on June 11. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call, but no arrests were made. We expect official information on that to come Tuesday or Wednesday.

The horse that was definitively killed was one of the most recognized horses on the Coast, regularly seen at public events and ridden to rodeo success by a talented young woman now raising funds to replace her mount. The central question remains: why was this horse shot, and were others injured as several independent sources have reported?

Shooting a horse can be an acceptable method of euthanasia when performed correctly, but it is tightly constrained. It is not ever acceptable to shoot and injure an animal, and the possibility that multiple horses were shot — with only one killed — raises serious concerns. If additional horses were wounded, that alone warrants public scrutiny. If not, there are still questions here.

We intend to bring forward all confirmed facts. At the same time, we do not want to fuel unnecessary alarm among readers unfamiliar with rural practices. We have seen that turn ugly. We will continue asking questions to determine what circumstances could justify shooting several horses and leaving some injured. The young woman’s future horse must be safe, and the community deserves clarity when this very real story and also rumors that MAY be true are going all over town..

Please wait for more facts and please contact us if you can if you have facts here.

Yes, it is acceptable to euthanize a horse with a firearm. Outside of a veterinarian using a controlled drug cocktail, it is the only practical and lawful method. But that standard assumes the owner is consulted or present. In this case, the horse appears to have belonged to the young woman who rode it publicly, and several sources say she was not asked. That is generally not acceptable; it is her horse. The additional reports that other horses were also shot and not killed raise even more serious concerns. Shooting and injuring an animal is NEVER considered any part of humane euthanasia, and if multiple horses were wounded, that could justify an arrest.

The young woman, identified below, was Shoreline Riders Rodeo Queen in 2024. She has performed in other rodeos around the area. She just ran for Queen in Potter Valley this year. She has adopted two mustangs. One this year in what’s called the 100 day challenge. A 100-day wild mustang challenge usually refers to the renowned Extreme Mustang Makeover. This competition gives trainers 100 days to gentle, halter-break, and train a totally wild, untouched mustang straight from the range, ultimately preparing the horses for a public showcase, competition, and adoption

“Losing my beloved rodeo horse has left an unfillable void, and the thought of continuing without her is almost too much to bear, but I’ve decided to honor her memory by pushing forward and competing in rodeos this year. Our summer was supposed to be filled with rodeos, horse shows, and playdays, and while she’s no longer by my side, I’m determined to recreate my schedule and ensure that all our plans don’t go to waste. As I strive to stay strong for her” her Facebook reads.

“I know it won’t be easy, its going to feel like im completely starting over, but I want to prove to myself and everyone else that I’m strong enough to overcome this heartbreaking loss and ill find a way to keep going for her,” her Facebook says.

We hope to learn more as the investigation continues, and we fully support efforts to help this talented young rider obtain a new horse. Her loss is significant both personally and within the local rodeo community, and ensuring she can safely continue her work is an important part of this story.

Euthanasia Guidelines – AAEP

Winds will wreck fishing through Wednesday at least.

This week’s weather forecast calls for brisk winds through at least Wednesday, likely spoiling any fishing trips that had been planned. Rockfish action has been excellent, but salmon fishing out of Noyo Harbor has been a flop, with conditions and catch rates both stubbornly poor.

The salmon are still boycotting the Fort Bragg area, sport fishermen are finding. Some say the fish followed the anchovies south toward the San Francisco Bay, while others believe they tracked smelt north toward Humboldt Bay. Reports this week showed good salmon fishing off Shelter Cove and poor results off Bodega Bay, underscoring how uneven the bite has been along the North Coast.

Capt. Tim Gillispie of the Sea Hawk said at the Lions Club barbecue that once the winds finally settle, there’s hope the salmon bite could return. The season opened with four to six days of very good fishing, but since then it has been largely nothing for the sport fleet out of Noyo Harbor.

And beware the temptation of those low tides.

There are some terrific low tides every morning this week, starting around 7 a.m. Monday and getting later each day. But conditions make tidepooling a bad idea. Large ocean swells are keeping the nearshore zone rough, and sneaker waves are in the forecast. Even with good visibility, the tidepools won’t be safely accessible. Best to stay clear of the tidal zone until conditions calm.

Albion is about to get pretty much nothing extra in the Albion Bridge replacement- speak up now!

While a lawsuit has been underway for nine months over the environmental impact report for the new bridge, Tuesday is the final day to take the Caltrans survey on the current plans for the Albion River Bridge. Public input remains open despite the litigation, and this survey is one of the few remaining ways residents can register their views on the project. Albion River Bridge | Caltrans

You can do much more. Encourage your local leaders to get involved in the Albion Bridge process, and take part yourself. Public engagement is still open, and residents who want a better bridge can organize, speak up, and build support for alternatives they believe would serve the community. Leadership on this issue can come from anyone willing to gather facts, rally neighbors, and make sure their views are heard.

Supervisor Ted Williams has not taken a position on the Albion River Bridge project and has not advocated for alternatives such as improved public access, robust eelgrass restoration, or sidewalk connections into Albion. The core conflict for years has been the virulent opposition from preservationists to replacing either of the two bridges Caltrans says will be rebuilt within the next five years — Albion and Salmon Creek. For a long time, there was no middle ground. Replacement was fiercely opposed, and few were willing to consider the more attractive bridge designs Caltrans offered in 2017. Those options are no longer on the table. Albion is now slated to receive a basic bridge, and the meaningful Caltrans comment periods have passed. The deal is effectively done.

However, Caltrans can still be pressed to commit to amenities: sidewalks between the two bridges on both sides of the road, permanent public access under both bridges, and a simple walking lot from the north side of Salmon Creek — all feasible if someone asks. We have advocated for a list of improvements Albion should receive, including finding a way to use the old bridge in some capacity, whether as an art installation, a low pedestrian bridge, or a large viewing platform.

At this point, nobody is asking for any of these amenities except us. Despite years of conflict over replacement versus preservation, there has been almost no public push for sidewalks, improved access, eelgrass restoration, or creative reuse of the old bridge. With the main design now settled, these remaining features are the only elements still realistically on the table, yet no one else appears to be advocating for them.

We have been covering this since 2007, and Caltrans has sounded the alarm numerous times only to walk away without replacing the bridge, which may be shaping local expectations again. After reviewing the photos we reported on last year, we believe it is time for a new bridge. Regardless of whether lack of maintenance contributed to the current condition, Albion should accept the replacement and press for more than what Caltrans is currently offering. Based on years of reporting, we are confident Caltrans would respond if someone in a position of authority SIMPLY ASKED.

Right now, the lawsuit filed last September by the Albion Bridge Stewards against Caltrans has still not reached its first meaningful hearing. The Stewards allege Caltrans did not follow environmental law in advancing the replacement project. Somewhat unusually, both sides have repeatedly agreed to delays, pushing the case further out. A hearing is currently set for July 10.

The Stewards maintain the bridge does not need to be replaced and have presented engineering reports and expert opinions to support that view. They also helped expose lead contamination beneath the bridge and in an embankment at the south end of the Salmon Creek Bridge. Their position is that neither of Albion’s bridges should be replaced.

The Albion River Bridge is unique and historic, with formal historic status. A concrete replacement was planned in the 1940s, but World War II cut off access to concrete and new steel. Caltrans — under a different name at the time — improvised, promising old‑growth redwood and recycled materials. A recycled railroad bridge from the Feather River Canyon became the green steel deck and girders visible today. When it was discovered that all the old‑growth redwood had already been cut, the agency had to return to the Legislature and revise the appropriation to purchase old‑growth Douglas fir from Oregon instead.

The wood has survived in remarkably good condition, but Caltrans has released photos showing deterioration. The agency says the bridge remains safe and sound but needs to be replaced after 80 years of service.

We personally love the Albion River Bridge and understand how deeply the community is tied to its 110‑foot‑high icon. But after reviewing the recent Caltrans photos and considering the uncertain future of federal funding, we now believe it is time to replace it. The opportunity is here, and the community should take it. It is unfortunate that no one in a position of authority has fought for a better replacement bridge so far, but with Caltrans preparing to replace both structures, the agency could still be persuaded to deliver more: a major eelgrass restoration project, permanent public access, sidewalks, and possibly even the purchase of the southwest‑end property for community use. Caltrans could also be pushed to build a more iconic design at Salmon Creek — but only if someone argues for it.

Before 2017, preservationists focused solely on the Albion River Bridge. When the Albion Bridge Stewards formed, their position eventually shifted to firmly opposing the replacement of both bridges.

Manny Machado, Caltrans spokesman, said Caltrans does not comment on ongoing litigation. 

He had this to say about the Albion Bridge project:

“ The Albion River Bridge project continues to make progress developing world class infrastructure to ensure a connected and thriving California. The proposed project will provide multi modal access with a separated pedestrian walkway and wider shoulders for bicycles. The project is fully funded and construction can begin as early as 2028. We are actively inviting feedback from the Albion community regarding proposed improvements for the project. Community members are encouraged to participate by completing the survey at https://www.albionriverbridgeproject.com/.”

Farm property sale in Redwood Valley

Dororth and Keith Bowers, along with Sorrell and Marrissa Harrington, have purchased three agricultural parcels totaling roughly 65 acres off Uva Drive in Redwood Valley for $1.7 million. The seller was Nebula Holdings RV LLC. The property carries the address 9550 N. Highway 101, though Baker’s Creek lies between the freeway and the land. The acreage is farmland — planted vineyards, vacant ground, and a residence. Jamie Restrepo signed the transfer for Nebula from Miami, Florida.

Dont miss the fun of watching the new mural unfold!

Fort Bragg city employees have been having a grand time watching the new mural emerge on the wall across from City Hall. It’s best not to interrupt the artist — she works free‑form, uses a projector only for initial placement, and needs to stay fully focused. Staff say they enjoy guessing what will appear next and like how the theme echoes the Outdoor Store and highlights local, native elements. When asked whether the human figures represented Adam and Eve, the artist offered a firm no — no religious messages.

Very big bang and boom coming Saturday night 

Fort Bragg has announced its biggest fireworks show ever for Saturday night, marking the 250th birthday of the United States. City staff say the show won’t be longer, just more intense. Residents are urged to keep dogs indoors. Some cities have begun switching to drone shows, but that idea hasn’t gained much support in Fort Bragg. I’d like to see one before deciding — maybe Paul Bunyan Days could try a small drone show at the end, if they had the volunteers. And the big question remains: could drones offer something different on the years when fog wipes out the fireworks entirely?

Fort Bragg Lions Club gets new president and names Lion of the Year

The Lions Club is still looking for a co‑sponsor for the hospital’s toy program. Hospital employees — including nurses and sometimes doctors — hand out Lions‑provided toys to children, and the practice is both medically beneficial and genuinely fun. The program needs support to continue at its current level. Please contact us if your organization is interested in helping sustain it.

Mike Price is one of the hardest working LIONS we have. Known and liked all over Fort Bragg – We can’t think of anyone better suited to be our LION of the Year!

In a week when ospreys called across the harbor, a mural bloomed across from City Hall, and fog once again threatened to toy with Fort Bragg’s biggest fireworks show, the county kept moving — through lawsuits that stall, bridges that won’t wait, farmland changing hands, and tidepools best left alone. Yet the through‑line remains the same: this coast still runs on people willing to show up, ask for better, build what’s missing, and keep the small joys alive — from a fledgling’s first flights to a child’s toy handed over by a nurse. It’s the quiet work, done daily, that keeps MendoLand steady while everything else shifts.