Mendo Local Weekly News Roundup — September 20, 2025
Urgent warnings about child welfare in Mendocino County, new FEMA flood maps in Ukiah, Native storytelling on the Coast, and pirates in Noyo Harbor.
Hello friends,
This week brings urgent warnings about child welfare in Mendocino County, new FEMA flood maps in Ukiah, Native storytelling on the Coast, and pirates in Noyo Harbor. Also, the coroner ruled Nicholas Bakewell’s death a homicide.
Here’s the scoop:
MENDOCINO COUNTY
👶 Major Crisis in Family and Children’s Services
By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Thirty-six social workers have signed a petition warning that a planned restructuring of Mendocino County’s Family & Children’s Services will endanger children, erode morale, and repeat past failures. A Grand Jury complaint from inside the department surfaced as well, echoing concerns about chronic staffing problems.
read the full story
CASPAR
🔥 Sacred Flame storytelling series brings Native American voices to Mendocino Coast
By Mandela Linder, Mendocino Voice
The Sacred Flame storytelling series continues Sept. 28 at Jug Handle Creek Nature Center. Launched last fall with nonprofit Xa Kako Dile, the series features Indigenous storytellers sharing history and culture around a campfire. This month, Eric Wilder of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians will present interactive stories and songs.
read the full story
FORT BRAGG
⚖️ A Fort Bragg murder trial shows the limits of Snapchat evidence
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
Prosecutors are pursuing second-degree murder charges against a drug dealer linked to the fentanyl overdose death of a 17-year-old college-bound student. The case relies on Snapchat records — including location data and messages — to trace the drug transaction.
read the full story
🏴☠️ Ahoy, Fort Bragg! Get ready for the Noyo Harbor Festival this weekend
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
The third annual Noyo Harbor Festival wraps up Sunday with pirate-themed fun, from treasure hunts and sandcastles to live music and a kayak cleanup. The highlight: a fish filleting contest featuring Chili Pepper Rockfish, once the top commercial catch out of Noyo Harbor.
read the full story
🐟 Mendocino Coast fishermen hook a win with a new seafood label
By Matt LaFever, MendoFever
The county’s fishing fleet now has its own brand: North Coast Catch. The bright orange label marks local seafood from salmon and sole to Dungeness crab, now sold at seven regional markets including Harvest Market, Surf Market and Princess Seafood.
read the full story
HOPLAND
🍺 **This Mendocino County town just got a national shout-out on Jeopardy! **
By Matt LaFever, MendoFever
On Sept. 8, Jeopardy! featured a clue about Hopland: “This type of place that makes & serves beer foamed up in the ’80s, with California’s first being fittingly in Hopland.” The answer: What is a brewpub? The clue spotlighted the historic Mendocino Brewing Company, California’s first brewpub, which opened in 1983.
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MANCHESTER
🔥 Case against Manchester arson suspect fizzles
By Matthew LaFever, Independent Coast Observer
The Mendocino County D.A. declined to file charges against Steven Ronald Harper, 41, who was arrested last week for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed structures on Manchester Rancheria. Harper had faced arson, vandalism, and probation violation charges.
read the full story
POINT ARENA
🌊 “The Power of Public Lands” lecture this Saturday at the Point Arena Lighthouse
By Editorial Staff, Independent Coast Observer
The Point Arena Lecture Series continues Sept. 20 with a talk by Jora Fogg of the Conservation Lands Foundation and Leisyka Parrott, California Coastal National Monument Manager for the Bureau of Land Management.
read the full story
ROUND VALLEY
🚶 March to Round Valley honors survivors of 1863 forced relocation
By Matt LaFever, MendoFever
The 30th annual Nome Cult Walk retraced the 100-mile trek that forced 461 Native Americans from Chico to Round Valley in 1863 — only 277 survived. Descendants from many tribes walked through Mendocino National Forest toward Covelo this week, honoring those who endured.
read the full story
UKIAH
💧 Ukiah sewer rates poised for huge jump after one-minute protest hearing
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
Ukiah sewer service rates are set to rise 22% by 2030, after a nearly 14% increase last year. Together, the hikes total a 36% jump — sparking concern among fixed-income residents already struggling with costs.
read the full story
🌊 New FEMA flood maps expand risk zones in Ukiah
By Sydney Fishman, Mendocino Voice
FEMA’s new maps, effective Sept. 19, expand flood risk areas in Ukiah, potentially requiring many homeowners to buy flood insurance. City officials argue the maps are inaccurate and could disproportionately impact middle-class and low-income residents.
read the full story
☕ Assemblymember Chris Rogers talks Proposition 50 and more at Ukiah event
By Savana Robinson, Mendocino Voice
About a dozen residents joined Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D–Santa Rosa) for coffee on Sept. 17 at Black Oak Coffee Roasters. Rogers discussed Proposition 50, wildfire insurance, education access for rural families, and rising nitrous oxide abuse among minors.
read the full story
WILLITS
🏛️ City announces retirement of Cathy Moorhead
By B.B. Kamoroff, Willits Weekly
Assistant City Manager Cathy Moorhead retired Sept. 15 after 20 years of service. She began as an office assistant in 2005 and rose to become Willits’ first assistant city manager in 2022. Her departure follows former City Manager Brian Bender’s exit and a Grand Jury report citing a toxic work environment.
read the full story
🏈 Student athletes show courage and kindness
By Carole Hester, Ukiah Daily Journal
Willits High team manager Ep Beltran collapsed during a football game accident last week and was twice resuscitated before being airlifted to Santa Rosa Sutter Hospital. Remarkably, he recovered and returned to the field days later, inspiring players and community alike.
read the full story
NOTABLE PRESS RELEASES
⚠️ Death of Willits man shot with Taser ruled a homicide
By Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff-Coroner ruled the June death of Nicholas Bakewell, 36, a homicide caused by restraint-associated asphyxiation and a heart injury, with drugs and obesity as contributing factors. The findings were forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.
read the full story
🚓 Serial car thief sentenced in Mendocino County
By Mendocino County District Attorney
Peng Yang, 46, of Rancho Cordova, was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing a Toyota Camry from a Sacramento mother. Yang’s record includes four prior auto theft convictions plus burglary and theft crimes dating back to the 1990s.
read the full story
CALMATTERS
💉 California releases its own vaccine recommendations as RFK shifts federal policy
By Ana B. Ibarra and Kristen Hwang, CalMatters
California issued independent COVID-19 vaccine guidance to counter federal restrictions, requiring insurers to cover the shots. Officials said the move ensures broader access and protects public health.
read the full story
🤖 Why California backed off again from ambitious AI regulation
By Khari Johnson, CalMatters
Assembly Bill 1018, which would have required disclosure of AI-driven decisions in housing, jobs, and healthcare, has been delayed until next year. Lawmakers plan more consultation with Gov. Gavin Newsom before moving forward.
read the full story
Nowhere in that article you linked does it say anything about Nicolas Bakewell's death being rule a homicide.
These summaries are great.