Sarah Stierch

I'm a journalist, opinionist, photographer and polymath based in northern California. I am currently seeking freelance opportunities in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties in Northern California. I am currently a contributor on breaking news, arts/culture and food/drink for The Mendocino Voice.

I write about wildfires, food, beverage, travel, history and the local culture of regions in Northern California. I also photograph a lot of these subjects.

I am the former Food & Wine Editor of the Sonoma Valley Sun and beverage and travel writer for Sonoma Magazine. I have contributed to North Bay Woman,the Press-Democrat, the North Bay Bohemian, Huffington Post, Wine Enthusiast, the Sonoma Index-Tribune, and NorthBay Biz.

My wildfire work was called "groundbreaking" by KQED Forum's Michael Krasny in 2017. In my wildfire coverage, I have appeared on KQED Forum, WNYC's The Takeway, the Weather Channel, KPFA, KSVY, KSRO and in the Washington Post, St. Helena Star, SF Gate, San Francisco Chronicle and ABC Weekend Nightly News.

My photography has been published by The Washington Post, Utne Reader, Motorburn, Nature World News, the Christian Post, Buzzfeed, KNPR, KQED, Thrillist, Frommers, Lonely Planet, the Financial Observer, Country Queer, ROAR, WAMU, the National Park Service, California State Parks, the NBA, Joie de Vivre Hotels, PETA, Hilton and more.

You can contact me at sarahstierch at gmail.com and find me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Save the Redwood League acquires 750 acres of land to expand Montgomery Woods, Armstrong Woods • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Two state natural reserves in Mendocino and Sonoma counties will grow in size after a Bay Area nonprofit acquired forest land adjacent to the reserves. Save the Redwoods League announced Thursday morning that it acquired 750 acres of forest land in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, all of which will be leased or transferred to California State Parks to be protected indefinitely.Founded in 1918 and based in San Francisco, Save the Redwoods League is dedicated to protecting...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Myco Country Fair brings ‘shrooms, songs and science to Laytonville on Saturday • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Mushrooms of all shapes, styles and sizes have grown in popularity over the past decade, including the use of magic mushrooms (psilocybin) to treat mental and behavioral health challenges and to allow humans to explore their spirituality and connections to the natural world.  Now in its second year, Saturday’s Myco Country Fair will draw researchers, therapists, artists, growers, enthusiasts and the just plain curious to Laytonville for a celebration and exploration of...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Weekly dinner pop-up in Mendocino channels old school vibes   • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Two years ago, chefs Stephanie Butler and Nick Dorgan started taking over the Waiting Room in Mendocino each Sunday evening, churning out self-described “New school Americana.” Now, the pair is taking over famed Café Beaujolais every Sunday and Monday to turn a fine dining favorite into a colorful tribute to the heyday of midcentury supper clubs and steakhouses.  “We will be serving an expanded dinner menu, desserts, a full wine list curated to match our food, beer — th...
Local News Matters •

California deploys first responders to aid Florida ahead of ‘destructive’ Hurricane Milton - Local News Matters

While millions of residents are fleeing Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending task force teams from California, including some from the Bay Area, to respond to the hurricane.  According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Milton will bring damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall to Florida. “Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” said the weath...
Local News Matters •

Willits council race: 4 candidates, including ex-police chief, educators compete for seats - Local News Matters

Four candidates are running for three open seats on the Willits City Council this year.  Two of the candidates had careers in law enforcement years before pursuing politics.  Incumbent Gerardo “Gerry” Gonzalez is seeking re-election. Gonzalez has been on the City Council for eight years and currently serves as vice mayor. He was mayor in 2016. A native of Willits, Gonzalez served as chief of police for the Willits Police Department for 13 years.  He serves on myriad local boards, including Adven...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Mendocino Flavors: New Mexican cantina in Mendocino, Goldeneye Winery sold, new Ukiah happy hour  • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

I, like many of you, have been keeping tabs on the tragedy known as Hurricane Helene, which pounded through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas late last month with such force that the recovery will take years.  We’ve experienced our fair share of natural and man-made disasters here in Mendocino County, from floods to fires, heat waves and snowstorms. We know how to rally around our neighbors when times are tough and ensure everyone is well fed so we can all re...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Ukiah’s Slam Dunk Pizza to appear on America’s Best Restaurants  • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

A second Ukiah restaurant will be the subject of a national media campaign to garner more attention and support for independently owned restaurants. This week, America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) is filming on location at Slam Dunk Pizza in Ukiah.  Based in Kentucky, America’s Best Restaurants selects local, independently owned restaurants from across the country to feature on its website and social media channels. Restaurants are selected by customers via the ABR website, whi...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Drilling a well in Mendocino County just got easier • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

It was over three years ago when Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency amidst dire drought conditions. There is no doubt the most recent drought, which according to the U.S. Drought Monitor lasted from autumn 2020 to spring 2023, touched the lives of every California resident. Even today, the drought monitor reports that 81% of Mendocino County is “abnormally dry,” meaning the county, and much of the state, is either recovering from or at risk of drought....
Local News Matters •

6 candidates vie for 2 seats on Ukiah council, incumbents Dueñas, Crane face 4 challengers - Local News Matters

Six candidates are running for two open seats on the Ukiah City Council this year.  Two incumbents, Josefina Dueñas and Douglas Crane, are being challenged by four council hopefuls. Dueñas currently serves as mayor. She says her experience as an immigrant, deaf, single mother with a college education offers a unique perspective to the council.  In Dueñas’ last constituent newsletter, dating to 2023, she said, “I want to use my background to help build deeper connections between our minority comm...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

It was so hot this week that Ukiah broke temperature records   • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Anyone who has been in Ukiah on a hot day knows it can be sweltering. Anyone who has been in Ukiah during a 100-degree-plus heat wave knows it’s scorching.  This week, it was scorching. So scorching that the National Weather Service Eureka (NWS) announced Thursday morning that Ukiah broke three temperature records.  According to NWS, Tuesday’s temperature at Ukiah Municipal Airport hit 106 degrees, one degree higher than the 1952 record of 105 degrees on the same date. On W...
NBC Bay Area •

Dungeness crab and banana slug become new California symbols

The California quail, majestic redwoods and glowing orange poppy can now welcome two animal icons to the state's lineup of official symbols: Dungeness crab and banana slugs. On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1797, naming the Dungeness crab the official state crustacean, and Assembly Bill 1850, which established the banana slug as the state's official slug. There is no doubt that both animals have a fanbase in Northern California, whether it's seafood lovers, nature buffs, or bot...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

$2.5 million awarded to Fort Bragg PD, Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center to address homelessness and mental health

FORT BRAGG, CA., 9/27/24 – Resources are limited on the Mendocino Coast when it comes to the complex intersectionality of homelessness, mental health and crime. Limited resources often lead to untreated and unhoused individuals being booked in jail instead of receiving the treatment and dignity they deserve to be healthy and housed.  A $2.5 million grant awarded to two coastal agencies seeks to help solve that challenge by providing unhoused individuals, including those with mental and behaviora...
NBC Bay Area •

Over 28,700 volunteers collected 127 tons of trash during coastal cleanup

Thousands of volunteers flocked to the California coast and waterways on Saturday to participate in the 40th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. The event, which is largest single-day volunteer event in the world, according to Guinness World Records, invited eco-friendly volunteers across the state to pick up trash along coastal areas ranging from Lake Tahoe to the San Francisco Bay. According to the California Coastal Commission, which organizes the event, 28,751 volunteers scoured over 750...
Local News Matters •

Measure T: Sonoma voters consider doubling local sales tax to help maintain city services

City of Sonoma voters will decide on increasing the local sales tax on the November ballot.Measure T would increase the city’s current half-cent sales tax by another half-cent. Combined with a half-cent Sonoma County sales tax to fund firefighting services that was passed by county voters as Measure H in March and takes effect Oct. 1, as well as the county’s Measure I quarter-cent sales tax for child care programs on the Nov. 5 ballot, the overall sales tax rate in Sonoma could go from 9% to 10....
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Ukiah-based disaster relief organization finally secures the forever home it deserves

UKIAH, CA., 9/19/24 – Anyone in Mendocino County who has experienced a wildfire, flood or other major disaster in recent years has likely heard of United Disaster Relief of Northern California (UDRNC).  Since 2017, the Ukiah-based nonprofit has provided services to help victims survive during a disaster and aid them in rebuilding their lives afterwards. UDRNC provides a variety of services ranging from basic needs such as clothing, food and hygienic items, to connecting victims with important re...
Local News Matters •

‘Out of this World’: Sausalito’s 45th Annual Chili Cook-Off heating up this Saturday

Foodies will flock to the Sausalito waterfront on Saturday for the city’s 45th Annual Chili Cook-Off.  During the event, food enthusiasts can enjoy an all-they-can-eat bounty of chili, ranging from traditional Texas-style to vegan. Attendees will vote for their favorite chili to win the People’s Choice Award and a panel of judges will select the winners for Judge’s Choice and Best Booth design.  In addition to the chili competition, a hot pepper eating contest will occur during which brave souls...
NBC Bay Area •

California Coastal Cleanup Day celebrates 40 years with statewide events

Every September, thousands of Californians gather on a single Saturday along beaches, shorelines and inland waterways with one simple task: pick up trash before it becomes part of the fragile coastal ecosystem. This annual event is California Coastal Cleanup Day, which according to Guinness Book of World Records is the largest single day volunteer event in the world. On Saturday, over 750 coastal cleanup events will take place statewide at beaches, bays, rivers, creeks, parks, roadsides and hig...
Local News Matters •

California’s largest union launches Get Out the Vote campaign to elect ‘care champions’ - Local News Matters

Service Employees International Union Local 2015, the largest labor union in California, launched a statewide Get Out the Vote campaign for the November election this week.  The union, which represents nearly 490,000 nursing home workers and home care providers, says it wants to “elect care champions up and down the ballot ahead of the 2024 November election.” The union endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president in July. Events were held in nine cities statewide Wednesday, including San...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Elk named “America’s Best Small Food and Wine Town” by national magazine

The hype around Elk has been mounting over the past few years. The unincorporated coastal community with a population of around 200 has witnessed an evolution from sawmills in the 1960s to fine dining and luxury hotels in the 2010s.  Locals have noticed the influx over the years, as more and more out-of-towners from the Bay Area flock to the area. Most recently, during the pandemic, wealthy city folk escaped stay-at-home orders for fresh ocean air and luxury hotel stays....
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Annual Nome Cult Walk commemorating Konkow Trail of Tears starts Sunday in Chico  • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Dozens of Native Americans will gather Sunday morning in Chico to start a long and emotional walk to Covelo as part of the annual Nome Cult Walk.  The five-day, 100-mile walk commemorates a tragic moment in American history when beginning on August 28, 1863, 461 Konkow (or Concow) Maidu were forcibly marched by the California State Militia from Chico to the Nome Cult Reservation in Round Valley. The walk took almost three weeks, much of it through what is now known as Men...
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