Mendo Local Weekly News — December 6, 2025
Bookmobile Dave retires. Ukiah appoints a new mayor. And this is the last week for input on the JDSF forest management plan.
🏛️ MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mendocino County Supervisors Hit Rock Bottom in Voter Approval
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
A new survey of 660 likely voters shows a steep 50% disapproval rating for the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, with only 4% of respondents saying they hold a “very favorable” opinion. Despite poor confidence in county leadership, respondents showed potential support for a proposed 20-year, 1-cent sales tax—particularly if revenue is earmarked for road repairs and includes strict accountability measures.
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CAL FIRE Seeks Public Input on Jackson Demonstration State Forest Management Plan
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
CAL FIRE is accepting comments on its proposed 2026 Forest Management Plan for Jackson Demonstration State Forest, the state’s largest demonstration forest. The draft plan expands commitments to tribal co-management and climate resilience, but many community members argue it does not go far enough in restricting commercial logging or improving transparency. Public comments close December 12; a revised draft is expected March 2026.
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From Cannabis to Campgrounds: Private Camping Law Offers Rural Lifeline
By Petra Buchanan, Mendo Local News
Assembly Bill 518 allows rural landowners to establish small campsites, glamping sites, and eco-lodges with simplified permitting—creating new economic opportunities for former cannabis properties hit hard by market collapse. Buchanan argues the law could spur rural revitalization throughout Mendocino County.
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California AG Challenges Mendocino Railway’s Federal Carrier Status
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has petitioned the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a ruling affirming Mendocino Railway as a federally regulated Class III rail carrier. The California Coastal Commission contends the Surface Transportation Board erred in granting preemption given that the railway has not conducted interstate commerce for more than two decades.
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Skunk Train’s Role Debated in Regional Transportation Plan
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
A routine update to the Mendocino Council of Governments’ regional transportation plan sparked heated discussion over whether the historic Skunk Train should be included as a transportation asset. Critics argue the privately owned excursion train is economically unviable, while supporters view it as cultural infrastructure worth preserving.
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🧀 Shredded Cheese Recall Affects Mendocino County Groceries
By Sarah Stierch & Michelle Chapman, The Mendocino Voice
Great Lakes Cheese Co. has recalled more than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese—sold at Safeway, Walmart, Grocery Outlet, and other retailers—due to possible contamination with metal fragments. Consumers are urged to review product lists and discard affected items.
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🍇 ANDERSON VALLEY
Boonville: Bookmobile Dave Retires
Anderson Valley Advertiser
Dave Frick retired December 5 after 18.3 years and around 300,000 miles on the Bookmobile. “It’s been a blast,” he wrote, adding he’ll still be cruising the valley on his Harley and will stop to greet Bookmobile visitors whenever he sees the van.
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Elk: Elk Creek Bridge Work Nearly Complete
By Karen Elowitt, Independent Coast Observer
Construction on the Elk Creek Bridge replacement is nearly done. Temporary signals have been removed and both lanes are open; only minor paint touch-ups remain.
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🏓 FORT BRAGG
Graffiti, Hate Crime, and Digital Vigilantism Near Fort Bragg Middle School
By Frank Hartzell, MendocinoCoast.News
Fort Bragg police are seeking information in a suspected hate-crime graffiti incident. Amid intense online speculation, Police Commander Jonathan McLaughlin warned the public to avoid naming suspects on social media, urging respect for due process.
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Outdoor Ping-Pong Tables Proposed for Bainbridge Park
By David Gurney, Anderson Valley Advocate
Fort Bragg’s Community Development Committee discussed adding steel or concrete outdoor ping-pong tables with permanent metal nets. The design eliminates “net balls,” a feature of the traditionally indoor sport, but also prevents homeless individuals from sleeping on the tables. A final decision is pending.
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💧 HOPLAND
Hopland Residents Prepare Legal Challenge Over Public Meeting Violations
By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
HPUD customers say the district violated the Brown Act by limiting public comment to 10 minutes at a meeting granting dramatic rate hikes for water and sewer services,. District attorney Colin Pearce disputes the allegation, while resident Vernon Budinger says he is prepared to take the matter to court within the statutory 15-day window.
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🌲 SEA RANCH
TSRA to Remove Remaining Cypress Trees at Del Mar Center
By Kat Gleason, Independent Coast Observer
The Sea Ranch Association plans to remove another dozen aging cypress trees next week, following the removal of 20 trees in September. Some residents oppose the project, saying it conflicts with Sea Ranch’s “living lightly on the land” ethos.
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Starcross Completes Annual Olive Harvest
By Mia Martins, Independent Coast Observer
With volunteer support from across the U.S., Starcross Monastic Community harvested enough olives this year to produce 113 gallons of fresh “olio nuovo.”
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🏫 UKIAH
City Council Appoints New Mayor and Vice Mayor
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Susan Sher will serve as Ukiah’s next mayor, with Juan Orozco appointed vice mayor. Their terms begin December 17 as part of the city’s annual rotation.
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Meeting Thursday on Project That Could Remove Beloved Pistache Trees
By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Ukiah will hold a public forum on a multimodal corridor project that may require the removal of cherished downtown Chinese pistache trees. Nearly 3,000 residents have signed a petition urging the city to preserve them.
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Sixteen Ukiah High Football Players Earn All-League Honors
By Sarah Stierch, The Mendocino Voice
Ukiah High dominated all-league selections, with Beau David named Offensive Player of the Year and Jordan Schwarm earning Defensive Player of the Year. Six players made First Team honors.
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Letter: Ukiah’s Ice Rink Comes With Big Consequences
By Bruni Kobbe, The Mendocino Voice
A local resident questions the environmental impacts, cost, and disruption caused by Ukiah’s seasonal ice rink, raising concerns about energy use and farmers market displacement.
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Ukiah Man Arrested for Alleged Assault With Vehicle
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
Authorities arrested 26-year-old Eloy Lopez Jr. for allegedly pointing a replica gun at a man and ramming the victim’s vehicle as he was leaving.
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🌿 WILLITS
Commonwealth Garden Delivers Fresh Produce to Food Bank
By Karen Gridley, Willits Weekly
A micro-grant from GROW funded new seeds and garden beds at Commonwealth Garden, enabling production of carrots, radishes, beets, and hardy greens for Willits Food Bank shelves.
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Thank You for Thanksgiving Dinner
By Wendy Copperfield, Willits Weekly
More than 500 meals were served at the annual Willits Community Thanksgiving Dinner, thanks to volunteers from CAL FIRE, CCC, Chamberlain Creek Fire Camp, local schools, and numerous community partners.
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🏛️ CALMATTERS (STATE)
Governor’s Race Centers on Health Care
By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters
Four Democratic candidates—Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee—outlined their visions for addressing California’s mental health crisis, funding gaps, and single payer insurance during a UC Riverside forum.
🔗 https://calmatters.org/health/2025/11/gubernatorial-health-care-california-2026/
Californians Support Due Process in Immigration Enforcement
By Wendy Fry, CalMatters
A new survey shows broad bipartisan support for ensuring immigrants with criminal records still receive a hearing before deportation—84% of Democrats, 61% of independents, and 54% of Republicans agree.
🔗 https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/12/immigration-poll-criminal-record/
Half a Million Young Californians Are Neither Working Nor in School
By Adam Echelman, CalMatters
Nearly 500,000 Californians ages 16–24 are disconnected from both school and employment—a trend Gov. Newsom calls a “crisis” with deep social and economic implications.
🔗 https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/10/men-in-crisis-california/