> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mendolocal.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mendo Local Weekly News — December 21, 2025 - URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/weekly-news-december-21/ - Published: 2025-12-22T03:42:33.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-05T19:56:37.000Z - Description: A scathing state audit. A record-breaking rockfish. And an identity-theft "factory" in Ukiah. - Author: Elise Cox - Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1785959471687, #Import 2026-08-05 12:53 ## 🗞️ 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/state-audit-mendocino-county-2025) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/state-cites-das-gift-of-public-funds) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/david-eysters-defiant-27-page-response) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://theava.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) *(paywall)* [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendocinocoast.news/death-cap-mushrooms-kill-one-sicken-21-in-san-francisco-and-across-northern-california-only-forage-mushrooms-you-know-are-safe/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/opinion-rob-reiner-made-an-enormous-impact-on-mendocino-countys-children/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🎣 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/mendocino-fisherman-lands-10-25-pound-canary-rockfish-likely-setting-state-record/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🌊 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/anchor-bay-resident-kevin-evans-enters-race-for-mendocino-county-5th-district-supervisor/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🚆 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/skunk-train-chief-details-freight-deliveries) --- ## 🌲 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) *(paywall)* --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) *(paywall)* --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) *(paywall)* --- ## [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## 🍇 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2025/12/california-vineyard-goes-100-solar-with-floating-pv-system/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ## 🚔 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/identify-theft-factory-kiah-hotelu) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/ukiah-police-to-buy-53000-license-plate-reader-for-parking-enforcement/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2025/12/19/water-rate-increases-proposed-for-inland-mendocino-county-districts/?ref=mendolocal.news) (paywall) --- ## 🪵 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/california-appeals-court-says-public) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) --- ## 🏛️ 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://calmatters.org/environment/2025/12/trump-dismantles-ncar-crowfoot-california-impacts/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/12/care-court-homeless/?ref=mendolocal.news) ---