Mendo Local Weekly News — December 28, 2025
A massive power outage. A heroic rescue attempt. And Eric Hart enters the race for the District 3 Supervisor seat.
🏛️ Mendocino County
Hundreds of Households Remain Without Power in Mendocino County
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Summary: PG&E reports ongoing power outages affecting more than 500 customers in Mendocino County on Sunday morning due to heavy rain and strong winds earlier in the week. The utility has mobilized approximately 8,000 employees and contractors to restore power, with rural access and scattered outages presenting significant challenges.
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Application Period Opens for Mendocino College Foundation Scholarships
By the Mendocino College Foundation
Summary: The application period is now open for scholarships through the Mendocino College Foundation, with more than $200,000 available for students planning to attend Mendocino College. Hour-long workshops are being held every Friday from Jan. 9 through Feb. 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Workshops are held via Zoom (ID: 853 1609 8768). Questions can be directed to scholarship@mendocino.edu.
Road Tax Accountability: A Proposed Framework for Mendocino County
By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Summary: A detailed proposal outlines accountability guardrails for a future road tax measure in Mendocino County. The plan recommends creating an independent citizen oversight committee, establishing strict project review processes, requiring detailed annual reporting, and implementing rigorous contract approval mechanisms to ensure effective road maintenance and repair.
URL: Read more (paywall)
California Extends Recreational Red Abalone Fishing Closure Through 2036
By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice
Summary: The California Fish and Game Commission has voted to keep the recreational red abalone fishery closed through April 1, 2036. Red abalone populations have declined by about 85% since 2014 due to marine heat waves and purple sea urchin invasions that have devastated kelp forests, the species’ primary food source.
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$800,000 for This?
By Mark Scaramella, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Summary: Despite an $800,000 price tag, a recent state audit of Mendocino County’s financial practices largely confirmed what local observers already knew. County officials have promised to address the audit’s recommendations, though critics note little concrete commitment to meaningful reform.
URL: Read more (paywall)
CAL FIRE Closes Forest Road to Prevent Illegal Dumping
CAL FIRE media release, MendoLocal.News
Summary: CAL FIRE has closed Road 500 in Jackson Demonstration State Forest due to increased illegal trash dumping and concerns about infrastructure damage during wet weather. The road remains open to hikers, bikers and mushroom foragers, but motorized vehicles are prohibited while forest staff work on cleanup and long-term prevention strategies.
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Lions Club Continues Cherished Christmas Tradition, Serving Over 400 Seniors
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
Summary: The Fort Bragg Lions Club continued its 25-year tradition of providing free Christmas dinners to seniors, delivering more than 400 complete meals featuring homemade stuffing and carefully prepared dishes.
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🚑 Fort Bragg
Heroic Rescue: Local Youth Pull Woman From Deadly Riptide at MacKerricher Beach
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Summary: In a dramatic rescue at MacKerricher Beach, a group of young strangers put their own safety aside in an effort to save a 77-year-old Fort Bragg resident caught in a dangerous riptide. A young man swam into the freezing water while others worked together on shore to provide aid as firefighters and emergency responders were en route; the woman died despite their efforts.
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Fort Bragg Seeks Community Input on Fourth of July Celebration
City of Fort Bragg Communications, City of Fort Bragg newsletter
Summary: The City of Fort Bragg is inviting residents to complete a survey to help determine the format of this year’s Fourth of July celebration. Participants can choose between traditional fireworks or a modern drone light show by completing either an English or Spanish survey.
URL: Read more
Laytonville
💊 Laytonville Gets New Medication Disposal Drop Box
Mendo Voice staff, The Mendocino Voice
Summary: A new MED-Project medication disposal drop box has been installed at Branscomb Pharmacy, 51 Branscomb Road, in Laytonville, offering a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications. The installation is part of a broader initiative to add 15 new drop boxes across Northern California to reduce water pollution and protect wildlife.
URL: Read more
🌊 Point Arena
Coastal Seniors Abruptly Changes Leadership
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
Summary: Coastal Seniors has appointed a new executive director following an abrupt leadership transition. Brian Flinn, a former driver for the organization, replaces Rebecca Stewart, who served as executive director for four years. Flinn is an experienced project manager who also served 10 years on a Navy submarine. Board Treasurer Robert Ramers said the board is seeking stronger emphasis on fundraising and public outreach.
URL: Read more (paywall)
A Tiny California Coastal Town’s Culinary Renaissance
By Anh-Minh Le, freelance writer, SFGATE
Summary: This feature explores Point Arena’s growing food scene, highlighting innovative restaurants such as Izakaya Gama and The Record. From Japanese-inspired cuisine to craft beer and artisan bakeries, the article celebrates dining experiences that belie the town’s small size.
URL: Read more (paywall)
💧 Potter Valley
USDA Intervenes in Potter Valley Project Decommissioning Dispute
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Summary: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has filed a notice to intervene in federal proceedings involving the proposed decommissioning of the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project. The move follows concerns from hundreds of elected officials, tribal leaders and residents who warn that dam removal could jeopardize water supplies, wildfire response, and regional economies.
URL: Read more
🚰 Ukiah
Ukiah Valley Water Authority Proposes Sharp Rate Increases Across Districts
By Ukiah Valley Water Authority
Summary: The Ukiah Valley Water Authority is proposing water rate increases across multiple districts, to fund infrastructure maintenance and system reliability. The increases would take effect in March 2026, with annual adjustments planned through 2029. Total planned increases are as follows:
Millview: 57%
Redwood Valley: 51%
Willow: 45%
Ukiah: 18%
Residents may protest through a Proposition 218 process ahead of a public hearing scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026.
URL: Read more
🏕️ Westport
Usal Beach Road Closure Cuts Off Access to Remote Coastal Campground
By Elise Cox, MendoLocal.News
Summary: Mendocino County has completely closed Usal Road (County Road 431), eliminating all vehicle access to Usal Beach and its campground within Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. No estimated reopening date has been provided, and travelers are advised to seek alternative destinations.
URL: Read more
🗳️ Willits
Eric Hart Enters Race for Mendocino County District 3 Supervisor
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Summary: Willits resident Eric Hart has announced his candidacy for the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors’ District 3 seat. Hart, who is active in several local organizations, says he hopes to strengthen community connections and protect county assets ahead of the June 2, 2026, election. Anchor Bay resident Kevin Evans entered the race for District 5 earlier this month.
URL: Read more
📊 CalMatters
Remembering Papa: Northern California’s Hidden Epidemic of Gun Suicides Among the Elderly
By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters
Summary: Between 2009 and 2023, 5,825 Californians age 70 or older died by gun suicide, according to CDC mortality data compiled by the Gun Violence Data Hub. Rates are especially high among older white men in small rural counties — including Trinity, Tehama, Plumas, Lassen, Glenn, Calaveras and Amador — where the rate reaches 35.6 deaths per 100,000, more than triple the statewide average.
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California Implements New Measures to Prevent Sex Abuse in Schools
By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters
Summary: A new California law, Senate Bill 848, will require schools to adopt comprehensive measures to prevent sexual abuse, including a database of credibly accused teachers, expanded reporting requirements and mandatory staff training. The legislation follows more than 1,000 lawsuits against school districts statewide and takes effect Jan. 1, with full implementation required by July.
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Great roundup of local developments this week. The road tax accountability framework really caught my attention becuase it tackles something most places ignore: making sure tax dollars actually fix roads. I remember a few years back we voted for transportation funding in my area and there was zero transparency on where it went. Having an independent oversight committee with strict reporting requirements beforehand could prevent that kind of dissapointment and build actual trust in future measures.