Mendo Local Weekly News — November 9, 2025
Jury duty woes. A reduction in homelessness. Ukiah teacher arrested.
🐻 MENDOCINO COUNTY
California Voters Approve Redistricting Measure for Congressional Districts
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
California voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to redraw state Congressional districts, with 65% support statewide and in Mendocino County.
🔗 Read more →
Supervisors Narrowly Approve PG&E Dam Decommissioning Plan
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Supervisors voted 3–2 to support PG&E’s plan to decommission the Potter Valley Project’s dams, a move with major implications for Eel River and Russian River water users.
🔗 Read more →
Public Access Denied: County Officials Dodge Citizen Interactions
By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser
County Counsel Charlotte Scott and District Attorney David Eyster were criticized for refusing public meetings. Supervisor John Haschak reminded colleagues the DA “answers to the public.”
🔗 Read more →
Supervisors Approve Separation of Auditor and Treasurer Offices
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
The Board unanimously approved splitting the combined fiscal office into two separate departments to increase efficiency and accountability.
🔗 Read more →
2025 Point-in-Time Count Shows Decline in Unsheltered Homelessness
Editorial Staff, Anderson Valley Advertiser
The 2025 homeless count found 636 people countywide, a 23% decline in unsheltered homelessness since 2021. Officials credit new housing and shelter programs.
🔗 Read more → Pit Count Report→
Jury Duty Frustrations: A Local’s Perspective on Mendocino County Court System
By Erin Wellington, MendocinoCoast.News
A coastal resident describes her frustrating jury duty experience in Ukiah, citing long waits, limited seating, and poor communication from court staff.
🔗 Read more →
NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Reach Air Helicopter Crash
By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
The NTSB’s early findings on the October 6 Reach Air crash detail a sudden power loss before impact. Fort Bragg’s Lions Club is organizing a Thanksgiving CARE package to honor the crew.
🔗 Read more →
⚖️ FORT BRAGG
Civil Court in Fort Bragg Eliminated Without Public Notice
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
Civil court services in Fort Bragg end Nov. 14 without prior notice—continuing a year of quiet cuts to courthouse access, jury trials, and translation services.
🔗 Read more →
Alleged Fort Bragg Prowler/Rapist Headed for Trial
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
Judge Patrick Pekin ruled that Cayden Paul Craig, 23, will stand trial for forcible rape and related charges. Craig admits to the encounter but claims consent.
🗓 Hearing: November 24
🔗 Read more →
Mendocino Railway Rejects Fort Bragg’s Bid for Litigation Pause
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
Mendocino Railway refused Fort Bragg’s request for a 12-month litigation pause over the mill site, calling delays “unreasonable.”
🔗 Read more →
District Attorney Drops Charges Against Fort Bragg Butcher
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
Charges were dropped against Zander Kain Garay, arrested after refusing to hand over his phone without a warrant. The DA declined prosecution.
🔗 Read more →
🚰 HOPLAND
Hopland Public Utility District Faces Legal Challenge Over Rate Hikes
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
Ratepayers led by Vernon Budinger are challenging steep water and sewer rate hikes, citing Brown Act and Proposition 218 violations.
🔗 Read more →
🍎 PHILO
Gowan’s Heirloom Cider Named 2025 Cider Maker of the Year
By Sarah Doyle, The Press Democrat
Anderson Valley’s Gowan’s Heirloom Cider took home gold medals and the title “Cider Maker of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival.
🔗 Read more →
🥕 POINT ARENA
Local Organizations Mobilize to Help Fill SNAP Gaps
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Franny’s Cup & Saucer, Revival Community Church, and Redwood Credit Union are working together to feed families affected by SNAP disruptions.
🔗 Read more →
Point Arena Library Hosts Teen ‘Lock-In’
By Susan Wolbarst, Independent Coast Observer
A murder mystery game brought 22 teens to the Coast Community Library for a night of sleuthing fun.
🔗 Read more →
🏫 UKIAH
Ukiah High School Teacher Arrested on Charges of Annoying a Minor
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local
Teacher and journalist Matt LaFever was arrested for allegedly engaging in inappropriate social media contact with a student. He remains on leave.
🔗 Read more →
Ukiah Considers 3% Water Rate Increase Starting March 2026
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
City officials propose gradual 3% annual increases through 2029 to maintain infrastructure and prevent larger jumps later.
🔗 Read more →
Ukiah City Council Allocates $300,000 to Ford Street Project Expansion
By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
The council approved $300,000 in opioid settlement funds to expand treatment and sober living programs at the Ford Street Project.
🔗 Read more →
🌲 WILLITS
Local Filmmaker Screens “Wrecker” at Noyo Theatre
By Mathew Caine, Willits Weekly
Willits filmmaker Bryan Brooks screened his 2022 action film “Wrecker” on Halloween night at the Noyo Theatre in Willits.
🔗 Read more →
Farmer Mike Adams Grows Extra Potatoes for Willits Food Bank
By Karen Gridley, Willits Weekly
With help from the Grateful Gleaners, farmer Mike Adams planted an extra potato crop for Willits Community Services—donating over 160 pounds so far.
🔗 Read more →
Leak Repaired in Brooktrails; Work Needed on Parcourse Parking Lot
By Barbara O’Reardon, Willits Weekly
A water leak on Tuck Road has been repaired, though residents voiced concerns about maintenance of the parcourse parking lot.
🔗 Read more →
🍄 NOTABLE PRESS RELEASES
Discover the Hidden World of Mushrooms at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Newsletter
Join renowned naturalist Mario Abreu for guided mushroom walks every Monday, Nov. 17–Dec. 22. Each session begins with a 45-minute introduction followed by a 2-hour exploration of the Gardens’ 160+ mushroom species. Limited registration; proceeds support the nonprofit botanical gardens.
🔗 Register →
Tragedy and Joy: A Musical Journey with Soprano Laura Bohn
By Symphony of the Redwoods
Join Symphony of the Redwoods for an extraordinary concert featuring soprano Laura Bohn performing Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine alongside Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne and Richard Bennett’s Serenade. Experience a musical journey from tragic intimacy to joyous celebration. Pre-concert lectures available.
📅 November 15 & 16
📍 Cotton Auditorium, Fort Bragg
🕢 Saturday 7:30 PM | Sunday 2:00 PM
🔗 Learn more →
Monthly Knit & Crochet Group at Ukiah Library
Mendocino County Library Staff
Join the free drop-in fiber arts group every second Thursday at the Ukiah Branch Library, 5:30–7 p.m. All ages welcome.
🔗 Read more →
📰 CALMATTERS
Lawmakers Slip Millions in Pet Projects into Tight Budget
By Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters
Despite a $12 billion deficit, legislators added $415 million in earmarks for local projects, raising concerns over transparency and spending priorities.
🔗 Read more →
Golden Mussels Invade California’s Delta
By Rachel Becker, CalMatters
Invasive golden mussels are spreading rapidly through the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, clogging infrastructure and threatening agriculture.
🔗 Read more →