> ## 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 6, 2025 - URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/weekly-news-december-6/ - Published: 2025-12-07T01:48:08.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-13T20:11:54.000Z - Description: Bookmobile Dave retires. Ukiah appoints a new mayor. And this is the last week for input on the JDSF forest management plan. - Author: Elise Cox - Tags: Weekly News ## 🏛️ 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. 🔗[ Read now](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/mendocino-bos-approval-stinks) --- ### 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. 🔗[Read now](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/draft-forest-management-plan-jackson-demonstration-state-forest) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/2b/652bc5ac-05cb-46a1-8194-e7dee6ac7adf/content/images/2026/08/15916665-6448-408e-8007-b93355751762_300x250-jpeg.jpg) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read now](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/from-cannabis-to-campgrounds) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read now](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/california-ag-bonta-skunk-train-challenge) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read now](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/should-the-skunk-train-be-part-of) --- ### 🧀 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. 🔗 [Read now](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/shredded-cheese-sold-in-mendocino-county-recalled-due-to-potential-for-metal-fragment-contamination/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) # 🍇 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. 🔗 [Read now](https://theava.com/archives/277114?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read now](http://www.mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- # 🏓 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendocinocoast.news/graffiti-hate-crime-and-the-digital-lynch-mob-youths-target-homes-near-middle-school-online-mob-reacts/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗[ Read more](https://theava.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) --- # 💧 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendolocal.news/p/ready-to-go-to-court-hopland-residents) --- # 🌲 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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.” 🔗 [Read more](http://www.mendonoma.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- # [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) # 🏫 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/ukiah-city-council-appoints-susan-sher-mayor-and-juan-orozco-vice-mayor/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/ukiah-hosts-meeting-thursday-on-downtown-project-that-could-remove-pistache-trees/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.mendovoice.com/2025/12/04/sixteen-ukiah-high-football-players-earn-all-league-honors/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://mendovoice.com/2025/12/letter-to-the-editor-ukiahs-ice-rink-comes-with-big-consequences/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2025/12/02/mcso-ukiah-man-arrested-for-alleged-assault-with-vehicle/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- # 🌿 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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. 🔗 [Read more](http://www.willitsweekly.com/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) # 🏛️ 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/](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/11/gubernatorial-health-care-california-2026/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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/](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/12/immigration-poll-criminal-record/?ref=mendolocal.news) --- ### 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/](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/10/men-in-crisis-california/?ref=mendolocal.news)