Mendo Local Weekly News — November 30, 2025

🏛️ MENDOCINO COUNTY

California Pushes Back Against Trump Administration’s New Offshore Drilling Plan

By Chelsea Randall, Independent Coast Observer
Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Jared Huffman, and Sen. Alex Padilla are opposing the Trump administration’s new draft plan to expand offshore oil drilling along the California coast. The 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program was released on Nov. 20.
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🌲 ANDERSON VALLEY

Anderson Valley High School Celebrates New Track and Field Facility

By Terry Sites, Anderson Valley Advertiser
Anderson Valley High School cut the ribbon on a new $4.7 million track and field complex funded by a CalTrans Clean California grant. Former Superintendent Louise Simson and grant writer Chris Vetrano led the effort to create a multi-use athletic space designed for students and the broader community.
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🍽️ ELK

Mendocino Coast Chef Spotlighted in Apple TV Cooking Series

By Karen Elowitt, Independent Coast Observer
Matthew Kammerer of Elk’s Harbor House Inn — a two-Michelin-starred venue known for hyper-local cuisine and a silent kitchen — is featured in Apple TV’s new series Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars, produced by Gordon Ramsay. Kammerer is one of three California chefs highlighted.
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🚓 FORT BRAGG

Small Town, Big Scrutiny — Fort Bragg’s Path to Selecting a New Police Chief

By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
Fort Bragg adopted a multi-stage, community-centered process to select a new police chief, including three interview panels, standardized questions, and a public meet-and-greet. Interim Chief Eric Swift was ultimately chosen from a strong local pool.
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Fort Bragg City Council Approves Councilmember Pay Raise

By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
The City Council voted to raise its monthly stipend from $510 to $950, effective December 2026. Supporters said the increase will reduce barriers for younger candidates and those with caregiving responsibilities. Councilmembers emphasized the significant workload, which often exceeds 20 hours a week.
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Model Trains Bring Mendocino Coast History to Life

By Carole Brodsky, Ukiah Daily Journal
The Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society’s G-scale layout near the Skunk Train Depot offers a detailed recreation of local logging history from 1885–1950, featuring handcrafted trains, landscapes, and historic buildings.
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Running for Tradition, Feeding for Tomorrow

By Frank Hartzell, Mendocino Coast News
Fort Bragg’s Thanksgiving festivities included a 200-person Turkey Trot and a community dinner serving more than 1,300 meals. Volunteers prepared and delivered more than 1,000 meals from Westport to Albion.
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🎻 GUALALA

Grammy-Winning Violinist Mads Tolling Performs at Gualala Arts Center

Gualala Arts Press Release
Mads Tolling will headline the Whale & Jazz Series on Dec. 6, joined by musicians Adam Klipple, Gary Brown, and Eric Garland. The performance will include a recreation of “Cristo Redentor” and possibly a new piece titled “Coastal Explorations.”
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💧 HOPLAND

HPUD Declines to Acknowledge Cure & Correct Letters, Raising Transparency Concerns

By Elise Cox, Mendo Local News
After approving steep rate increases — 40% for water and 25% for wastewater — the Hopland Public Utility District received multiple “Cure and Correct” letters alleging Brown Act violations. Issues raised include restricted public comment, unavailable protest letters, unclear closed-session reporting, and procedural irregularities. The board failed to acknowledge the letters, potentially violating state law.
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🐚 POINT ARENA

Reading Program Introduces Students to Pearl the Seal

By Karen Elowitt, Independent Coast Observer
Fourth graders at Arena Elementary received copies of Pearl, a coming-of-age story about a baby harbor seal, after hearing the 35-page book read aloud by author Deirdre Harrison. The program was supported by the ICO Children’s Reading Program.
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🏫 UKIAH

Residents Discuss Potter Valley Project Decommissioning

By Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
More than 100 people attended a workshop to discuss PG&E’s plan to dismantle two Potter Valley Project dams. Speakers highlighted concerns over water security, environmental impacts, and the economic effects of ending a century-old water diversion.
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Mendocino College Professor Arraigned on Child Sexual Abuse Charges

By Dan McMenamin & Sydney Fishman, The Mendocino Voice
Jason Davis, a 54-year-old Mendocino College English professor, was arraigned on six felony counts including sexual intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 8.
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Ukiah Police Bust Fentanyl Operation, Arrest Four

Ukiah Police Department Press Release
A coordinated Nov. 18 operation led to the arrest of four Ukiah residents and the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine, firearms, and cash. All suspects were booked on multiple felony charges.
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Local Woman Crashes Into School Gymnasium

Ukiah Police Department Press Release
Alexa Harz, 47, was arrested for DUI after crashing her Mini Cooper into a school building on Nov. 22. No injuries were reported.
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New Storm Drain Tackles Flooding on Perkins Street

By Justine Frederiksen, Ukiah Daily Journal
Ukiah is completing installation of a new storm drain to address chronic flooding near the Pear Tree Shopping Center. Paving is expected to begin in early December.
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🚂 WILLITS

Brooktrails Board Hears Brown Act Update

By Barbara O’Reardon, Willits WeeklyThe Brooktrails Township CSD Board heard an update on changes to the Brown Act taking effect next year and reviewed its annual fire inspection report required by SB 1205.
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‘Train’ber Mixer Brings Community Aboard

By Mathew Caine, Willits WeeklyThe Willits Chamber of Commerce hosted a mixer aboard the Skunk Train, featuring entertainment from Mayor Tom Allman and singer Malakai Schindel.
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⚡ CALMATTERS — STATEWIDE

California Utilities Facing Historic Low Profit Margins

By Malena Carollo, CalMattersThe CPUC is set to reduce profit margins for PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E to below 10%, a historic low. Despite the cut, analysts say customers may not see bill reductions. Utilities warn the change could hamper infrastructure investments.
🔗 Read CalMatters

Rural California Hospitals Revive Maternity Care with New Model

By Kristen Hwang, CalMattersA new state law is enabling a pilot project that allows selected rural hospitals to reopen maternity units by shifting to flexible “standby” models and birth centers, addressing long-standing gaps that forced rural families to travel hours for care.
🔗 Read CalMatters or Read Mendo Local’s original story