Mendo Local Weekly News — December 21, 2025
A scathing state audit. A record-breaking rockfish. And an identity-theft "factory" in Ukiah.
🗞️ MENDOCINO COUNTY
State Audit Reveals Mendocino County’s Financial Fragility and Systemic Weaknesses
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A sweeping state audit exposes Mendocino County’s shaky financial condition, highlighting critical deficiencies in core systems. The 97-page report identifies stagnant tax revenues, delayed financial reporting, problematic property tax collection, and questionable expenditures — including a District Attorney’s steakhouse dinner paid for with asset forfeiture funds. Auditors warn that without corrective action, the county remains exposed to waste, fraud, and abuse.
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State Audit of Mendocino County Cites Improper Spending of Asset Forfeiture Funds
By Mike Geniella, MendoLocal.News
The state audit released Thursday highlights improper use of asset forfeiture funds, including a $3,600 staff dinner hosted by the District Attorney’s Office at a local steakhouse. Auditors deemed the expense an unlawful “gift of public funds” and called for stronger oversight and accountability, particularly regarding forfeiture spending.
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D.A. Defies State Audit, Challenges Findings on Asset Forfeiture Spending
By Mike Geniella, MendoLocal.News
District Attorney David Eyster has submitted a defiant 27-page response to the California State Auditor, disputing findings that he improperly used criminal asset forfeiture funds. The audit criticized annual staff dinners and a $5,000 donation to a religious school as violations of state and federal rules. Eyster argues his spending complies with the law and falls within his office’s discretionary authority.
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Does Mendo Dare Utter the Words “Climate Change” to the Trump Administration?
By Mark Scaramella
A routine update to Mendocino County’s 2026 legislative platform sparked an unusual debate over whether using the words “climate change” could jeopardize federal grant funding. Supervisor Ted Williams proposed renaming a section from “Climate Resilience & Renewable Energy” to “Climate Change,” prompting concerns from his fellow supervisors about using “trigger words” in grant applications. The board postponed action, setting the stage for the debate to return.
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Deadly Death Cap Mushrooms Claim One Life, Sicken 21 in California
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
California health authorities are warning the public to avoid foraging wild mushrooms after a fatal poisoning and 21 reported illnesses caused by death cap mushrooms. Reporter Frank Hartzell urges foragers to know their mushrooms.
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Rob Reiner’s Lasting Legacy: Transforming Early Childhood Support in Mendocino County
By Megan Carson, First 5 Mendocino — The Mendocino Voice
Hollywood legend Rob Reiner’s legacy extends well beyond film, through Proposition 10 and the creation of First 5 California and First 5 Mendocino.
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🎣 ALBION
Local Fisherman Lands Potential Record-Breaking Canary Rockfish
By Lin Due, The Mendocino Voice
Albion fisherman Brendan Walsh landed a 10.25-pound canary rockfish that could set a new California state record.
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🌊 ANCHOR BAY
Anchor Bay Resident Kevin Evans Launches Campaign for County Supervisor
By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice
Community volunteer Kevin Evans has announced his candidacy for Mendocino County’s 5th District supervisor in 2026.
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🚆 FORT BRAGG
Skunk Train Defends Freight Operations Amid Eminent Domain Dispute
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Mendocino Railway CEO Robert Pinoli details freight operations and federal oversight amid an eminent domain case involving a Willits property owner.
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🌲 GUALALA
WWII-Era Practice Bomb Unearthed During Gardening
By David Torres and Karen Elowitt
A World War II–era practice bomb was uncovered by a Gualala resident digging in his garden on Sedalia Drive. The unexploded bomb is thought to have been dropped during wartime training runs along the California coast.
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Coastal Seniors No Longer Part of GCC Rebuild Plan
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
Plans to include Coastal Seniors in the Gualala Community Center rebuild have collapsed over concerns about permanence and governance.
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Rapid Response Network Mobilized to Monitor Local ICE Activity
By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
A South Coast rapid response network is mobilizing volunteers to monitor and document Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
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🍇 HOPLAND
California Vineyard Achieves 100% Solar Power With Floating System
By Kelly Pickerel, Solar Power World
Nelson Family Vineyards has installed a floating solar array, making the estate fully renewable while preserving farmland.
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🚔 UKIAH
Oakland Man Sentenced for Sophisticated Identity Theft Operation
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
An Oakland man was sentenced to four years in prison for running an identity theft operation out of a Ukiah hotel room.
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Ukiah Police to Upgrade License Plate Reader System
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Ukiah police plan to replace an aging license plate reader system with a new $53,000 upgrade funded by parking fees.
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Water Rate Increases Proposed for Ukiah Valley Districts
By Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Multiple Ukiah Valley water districts are can expect rate hikes to address aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance.
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🪵 WILLITS
Haschak Won’t Run for a Third Term
By John Haschak, The Willits Weekly
District 3 Supervisor John Haschak announced he will not seek reelection after seven years in office.
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Brooktrails Board OKs Garbage Rate Increase
By Barbara O’Reardon, The Willits Weekly
Brooktrails residents will see a 1.27% solid waste rate increase in 2026.
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Shelter Action Group Launches Annual Appeal
The Willits Shelter Action Group, The Willits Weekly
The Willits Shelter Action Group is raising funds to support unhoused residents in north-inland Mendocino County.
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Attempted Killer Convicted in Casino Stabbing Case
Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office
A jury found Jason Ryan Omholt guilty on all counts stemming from a stabbing outside Sherwood Valley Casino.
California Appeals Court Expands Public Utility Eminent Domain Powers
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
A California appeals court ruled that a public utility may exercise eminent domain even without actively serving customers.
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🏛️ CALMATTERS
Trump Administration Threatens Crucial Climate Research Center
By Rachel Becker, CalMatters
Scientists warn that dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research will undermine wildfire and weather forecasting.
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CARE Court Struggles to Help Homeless Californians With Mental Illness
By Marisa Kendall, CalMatters
Data shows California’s CARE Court program is falling short in helping unhoused people with serious mental illness.
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