Mendo Local Weekly News — November 23, 2025
Toxic tire runoff. Poetry cuts. And Point Arena gets a new mayor.
💰 MENDOCINO COUNTY
Following the Bouncing Budget
By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser
At the Nov. 18 Board of Supervisors meeting, CEO Darcie Antle reiterated that last year’s $11–$16 million carryover was one-time money and cannot be used to address current-year deficits. Meanwhile, new projections show vacancy savings rising by nearly $2 million, but first-quarter data suggests major salary overruns: roughly $2 million in the District Attorney’s Office and nearly $3.8 million in the Sheriff’s Office. Supervisor Ted Williams urged prioritizing fixes to the county’s financial reporting system. But no action was taken.
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Mendocino County Halts Poetry in Schools Program
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
The Mendocino County Office of Education has paused the long-running Poets in the Schools program, active since 1974. Program director Blake More is calling for community support, including a petition and emails to education officials urging the program’s reinstatement.
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Residents Debate Role of Excursion Train in Regional Transportation
Mendo Local, Public Comment Section
Two opinion pieces present contrasting visions of rail in long-range regional planning. Mendocino Railway president Robert Pinoli argues the Skunk Train deserves a place in the Regional Transportation Plan, while Peter McNamee says restoring freight or passenger rail would be prohibitively expensive and functionally ineffective.
Read more: Robert Pinole and Peter McNamee
👮 FORT BRAGG
Fort Bragg Launches Long-Promised Flock Transparency Portal
By Frank Hartzell , Mendocino Coast News
Fort Bragg has launched a public transparency portal for its Flock license-plate reader system. Interim Police Chief Eric Swift emphasized the ALPR cameras are not real-time surveillance tools: they capture still images of vehicles, retain data for 30 days, and cannot (in theory) be shared with ICE or out-of-state agencies. Each investigative search now generates a public audit trail.
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Elderly Woman Found Safe After Getting Lost Near Humane Society
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
An elderly woman who became lost near Summers Lane and Highway 20 was located by deputies around 10 p.m. She was able to contact 911 using her phone’s emergency function despite low battery and limited cell reception. She was cold but unharmed.
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🌊 GUALALA
Streetscape Plan Adjusted to Address Toxic Tire Chemical
By Karen Elowitt, Independent Coast Observer
A toxic compound called 6PPD-Q, formed when tire particles break down, is prompting revisions to Gualala’s streetscape plan. The chemical washes into stormwater that reaches the Gualala River, where extremely small concentrations can kill coho salmon within hours.
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Gualala Community Center Grant in Question
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
The Gualala Community Center’s $1 million federal Community Project Grant may be in jeopardy. The grant application, filed earlier this year, was based on an older version of the rebuild plan. Substantial changes since then are raising concerns about whether the funds can still be used.
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🏖️ IRISH BEACH
Irish Beach Improvement Club Cited for Unpermitted Coastal Development
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
The California Coastal Commission has issued a Notice of Violation to the Irish Beach Improvement Club and three property owners for unpermitted development along a beach access road. Alleged violations include gate installation, road grading, vegetation removal, signage, and other work requiring coastal development permits. Penalties could reach into the millions.
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🌅 POINT ARENA
Point Arena Appoints New Mayor Barbara Burkey
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Barbara Burkey was unanimously appointed mayor following the resignation of Anna Dobbins. Burkey, who previously served as mayor, will hold the position through December 2026.
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🏫 UKIAH
Ukiah Considers New Street Vending Rules
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
The Ukiah City Council is working on a new ordinance regulating street vendors through business licenses, location standards, and health-and-safety permits intended to balance public needs with support for small vendors.
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Palace Hotel Owner Updates Ukiah City Council on Progress
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
Owner Tom Carter reported ongoing progress to clean and stabilize the historic Palace Hotel. Council members praised the improvements made since Carter took ownership last year.
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More Parks for Humans and Dogs
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
City officials sought public input on potential grant-funded recreation improvements. Residents called for additional sports fields, more dog parks, and expanded access to outdoor space.
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Ukiah Police Arrest Mendocino College Professor on Child Sex Abuse Charges
Source: Ukiah Police Department
Jason Davis, a 54-year-old Mendocino College English professor, was arrested on allegations of an unlawful sexual relationship with a minor beginning when she was 13. Search warrants reportedly uncovered evidence the two later lived together.
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DA Eyster Recuses Himself from Case of Former Ukiah High Journalism Teacher
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
District Attorney David Eyster recused himself from evaluating charges against former Ukiah High journalism teacher and MendoFever publisher Matt LaFever, who was arrested for allegedly sending explicit images and messages to a 17-year-old student. Eyster said he wished to avoid any appearance of conflict.
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♖ VILLAGE OF MENDOCINO
Main Street Water Tower Demolition Challenge Moves Forward
By Scott Roat
A CEQA challenge to the proposed demolition of Mendocino’s Main Street water tower advanced during a Case Management Conference on Nov. 21. The County’s response is due in early February. Roat noted the water towers are central to the town’s historic identity and said he will continue sharing updates.
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🎁 WILLITS
Operation Christmas Child
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly
Calvary Chapel volunteers spent November 15 packing donation boxes for children in more than 160 countries as part of Samaritan’s Purse’s annual holiday outreach effort.
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📰 CALMATTERS
California’s Sky-High Living Costs: A Deepening Economic Challenge
By Dan Walters — CalMatters
New studies highlight the severe economic pressures facing Californians, with home prices more than twice the national median, mortgage qualification often requiring over $220,000 in annual income, and household debt rising sharply.
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California Expands Civil Rights Protections in K–12 Schools
By Carolyn Jones — CalMatters
The state has created a new Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Education to investigate discrimination complaints, train staff, and enforce anti-discrimination laws, responding to a rise in antisemitic incidents and decreased federal enforcement.
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