Fresh Harvest Crates and Evening Two-Stepping Fill Saturday

Ukiah, CA · September 5, 2026

The morning chill will burn off fast once the sun clears the ridge, just in time to catch the best produce downtown.

The Lead

Mendocino County’s overall tourism economy may be flatlining, but Ukiah’s digital footprint just surged. Presenting the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance’s annual report to the City Council, Executive Director Katrina Kessen shared that Visit Ukiah saw an 89% leap in social media engagement over the past year, boosted by a full-page feature in the state’s official travel guide.

For local merchants, online clicks only matter if they translate to foot traffic. The alliance—funded in part by downtown business improvement fees and municipal hotel taxes—is leaning into signature local events to lure visitors beyond the summer peak, backing community staples like Sundays in the Park, the upcoming Country Pumpkinfest, and winter ice skating. City leaders are now reviewing conversion metrics to determine how to turn viral views into steady register rings along State Street.

Local Pulse

Supervisors Secure Cannabis Enforcement Grant Mendocino County supervisors accepted a 4.5 million dollar grant Tuesday to combat illegal grows while safeguarding licensed farmers.
Ukiah Library Unveils New Community Showcase A two-month exhibition titled People and Places opened Friday, celebrating regional painters through expressive portraits and local landscapes.
Tribal Forest Management Bill Awaits Signature Legislation establishing tribal co-management partnerships across Jackson Demonstration State Forest now rests on the governor's desk for approval.

Today's Outlook

High 81°F · Low 48°F — Partly cloudy
- Grab a jacket for the cool morning before comfortable afternoon warmth sets in.

What's On Around Town

Ukiah Certified Farmers Market Alex Thomas Plaza (School & Clay St), 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
Stock up on late-summer produce and enjoy live local music downtown.
Farmers Market Story Time Alex Thomas Plaza (School & Clay St), 10:00–11:00 AM
Free volunteer-led read-aloud session for young readers and visiting families.
Fort Bragg: Noyo Food Forest Plant Sale Learning Garden (300 Dana St), 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Pick up cool-season starts while supporting youth garden and farm education.
Willits: Spinning & Knitting Circle Willits Branch Library (390 E Commercial St), 1:00–4:30 PM
Bring your current fiber craft project for open social crafting time.
Johnny Young Country Dance Bartlett Event Center (495 Leslie St), 6:00 PM
Dust off your dancing boots for an evening of live country tunes.

Spotlight & Story

Perkins Street
- Absalom T. Perkins arrived in the valley in April 1857, purchasing Samuel Lowry’s rough log cabin at Main and Perkins. The following year, Perkins teamed with John R. Short to donate the land and build Ukiah’s very first public schoolhouse.

Ukiah Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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