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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OnlyInYourState •

This Historic Old Tavern In Indiana Has Served Hoosiers Since 1889

A long, long time ago, in a Hoosier State long gone away, the Hamilton County Courthouse opened up in 1879. Ten years later, in 1889, a tavern would open up - and a tavern it would stay (except for during prohibition, when serving alcohol became illegal from 1909 until 1903) until, well, now! Syd's Fine Foods occupies the historic old J.L. Evans Building and has for a long, long time (and before it was Syd's, it was somethin' else - but still a tavern). Join countless folks from throughout the l...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Ukiah man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Thursday • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

A man was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of attempted murder in Ukiah, according to police. A woman called dispatch at 4:49 a.m. Tuesday reporting that her brother stabbed her boyfriend at a home in the 200 block of Irvington Drive in Ukiah.  Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the victim, a 28-year-old man from Ukiah, standing in front of the home. The victim was covered in blood and holding the left side of his face. Deputies from the Mendocino County Sherif...
Local News Matters •

Break out the marshmallows: Campfires are allowed again in Mendocino National Forest - Local News Matters

It’s OK to gather around the campfire on a cool autumn night in the Mendocino National Forest once again, after the U.S. Forest Service lifted fire restrictions there this week.As of Wednesday, the Forest Service will now allow campfires, fuel stoves, lanterns and heating devices on forest land. Valid campfire permits are required for visitors to have open campfires or camp stoves outside of designated campgrounds.Wet weather, longer nights and cooler temperatures, all which reduce wildfire risk...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

“Dear America ‘24” art exhibit explores the upcoming election, nation’s challenges • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

In his first inaugural speech in 1789, George Washington called democracy “an experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”  That experiment has led America to one of the most consequential times in its history, specifically the Nov. 5 election, during which voters will choose between polar opposite candidates with different visions of what the country is and what the future may hold. To address and explore this grand experiment known as democracy, the upcomin...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Point Arena nonprofit falls victim to catalytic converter theft leaving coast seniors without vital transportation services  • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

A Point Arena nonprofit has fallen prey to catalytic converter thieves, who left the organization with the inability to provide older adults living on the Mendocino Coast with free transportation to and from medical appointments.  According to Coastal Seniors, a Point Arena-based nonprofit that provides programs and services to older adults and individuals with disabilities living in bicounty, Mendonoma, three buses owned by the organization had catalytic converters...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Psychological thriller “The Whisperer” world premiere in Willits, starts Friday  • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Spooky season is in full swing, and the Willits Community Theatre is embracing it with the world premiere of “The Whisperer” on Friday.  The play centers on Lena Patrick (Zoe Robertson), a teen newly released from a mental hospital where she received electroshock therapy, which renders her unable to remember why she was hospitalized in the first place.  Prescribed pills to address her health issues, Patrick spirals into sleeplessness filled with terrifying nightmares. Ev...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Three SoCal men arrested for allegedly stealing highly addictive opioids from local pharmacies • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Three men were arrested last Tuesday for allegedly burgling two pharmacies in Mendocino County, said the Ukiah Police Department. The men are believed to have burgled other pharmacies in other parts of the state.  According to Ukiah Police, officers responded to an alarm at Myers Medical Pharmacy in Ukiah last Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, officers found evidence of a burglary, including a broken window. No suspects were on scene. It was the second burglary at the pharmac...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Three prescribed burns taking place this week in Mendocino County  • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Three prescribed burns are taking place this week in Mendocino County. It’s the third week in a row that significant burns have been scheduled.  The first is the continuation of a series of prescribed burns at Shamrock Ranch near Laytonville. According to Cal Fire, the burn started Monday morning and will continue through Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Cal Fire will be treating an estimated 600 acres to create “a mosaic of variously burned vegetation and islands of un...
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Two Mendocino County Board of Education trustees step down   • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA

Two trustees of the Mendocino County Board of Education will step down from their service in December. Charline Ford and Drew Duncan have chosen not to seek re-election, meaning the board will welcome new trustees after the Nov. 5 election.  Both soon-to-be former trustees are educators, according to the Mendocino County Office Education. They have used their roles to help develop educational policies for public schools in the county while advocating for the areas each rep...
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...
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