*edit*
I just realized there was a raid event going on!
I apologize, it's the first time I've seen those in action.
*edit*

After freeing Jinxie (and getting the sheriff killed in the process. Is ..is there a way to prevent that?), I've met up with the fairy queen in the forest, but decided to first finish the last few quests I have running in the Viridian Meadows.
Namely trying to find those supplies and the lost egglings.
I had no issues going into Esior's Haven during this time to heal my pets and check for missions. (With the ....supposedly dead sheriff.)

However today when I logged on and wanted to continue those quests, I found that going to Esior's Haven directs me to the Esior Fields instead. Is something going wrong or is this a belated effect of the new Sheriff not wanting me around town?

I believe you were experiencing a bandit event. The Sanctuary, Esior, or the mushroom area take turns getting attacked once an hour or so, in the cases where towns are being attacked you will be redirected to the mini event instead of the town.