The Mendocino County Sheriff’s office has released a 17-minute narrated video detailing the June 5 deadly encounter with Nicholas Bakewell near Hearst Willits Road. It’s in compliance with state law requiring the release of critical incident footage within 45 days. The video includes dispatch audio, bodycam footage, and a summary of the events leading to the use of "less lethal" force—pepper spray, a Taser, and physical restraint. Mendofever says the cause and manner of death remain undetermined, pending toxicology results, which typically can take six to eight weeks to complete. An independent forensic pathologist is overseeing the autopsy.
A black bear was seen rummaging through garbage on Cypress Street in Fort Bragg Monday night, prompting a police response. Officers say when they arrived, the bear had already retreated into nearby woods. Residents say the bear is a frequent visitor and steals their trash. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been notified, and police will meet with a wildlife officer to plan next steps. Mendofever says residents are encouraged not to approach or feed the bear and to report any sightings.
Officials in Siskiyou County are declaring a state of emergency. The announcement comes as illegal use of toxic pesticides are uncovered at illicit cannabis cultivation sites. Investigations have identified at least 27 different pesticide compounds, most of which are classified as carcinogens. Those substances pose major health threats and could contaminate the county’s water resources. County supervisors are urging Governor Newsom and the White House to step in.
In-N-Out stands alone at the top of Love Food’s 2025 ranking of America’s best fast-food burger chain. The Orange County-based burger joint beat out 41 other restaurants to earn the number one spot. They beat out Steak ‘n Shake, Shake Shack, Tucker’s Onion Burger and Habit Burger and Grill as those chains rounded the list’s top five. Journalist Luke Paton says the list was created by evaluating each chain’s lasting popularity along with insights from "well-traveled" members of the Love Food team.
Households across California that still have one, could lose their landline phone services. A new bill will allow AT&T to stop providing traditional landline phone service and let them stop maintaining their old copper lines. Emergency responders and rural community groups warn landlines are crucial for reliable communication during power outages and other emergencies. The bill also relieves AT&T of its legal obligation to be a carrier of last resort.
Big Picture South Valley says it has received full accreditation from the Accrediting
Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges or (WASC), following a successful site visit this summer. The school received a six-year accreditation term, which is the highest possible. So you know, WASC accreditation is a comprehensive evaluation process aimed at ensuring schools meet rigorous standards of quality and accountability along with ongoing improvement. The six-year term is based on a school’s ability to demonstrate clear goals, effective programs, and measurable student growth. Big Picture South Valley serves students in grades 10–12 and is part of Ukiah Unified School
District.
A man’s body was discovered in a dry creek bed located between S.State St. and Mulberry Street after a citizen reported it to police. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s office is conducting a coroner’s investigation, with an autopsy scheduled for this week. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and toxicology results are expected to take six to eight weeks. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Ukiah Police Department.
Digger’s, a popular bar in downtown Willits, is closing on July 27 after failing to find a buyer over the last year. Co-owners Maureen and Brian Scarbery put the "bar and no grill" on the market in June 2024 for $850,000, which includes the Main Street building with two upstairs apartments, a detached retail space, parking lot, and a full liquor license (worth up to $200,000 alone). The Mendocino Voice says it will shut down while it remains on the market.
A Special Board of Supervisors Meeting will be held in two weeks to present Lake County’s Housing Action and Implementation Plan (HAIP) and Site Analysis Summary Report. The plan was developed by PlaceWorks and County Staff through extensive community engagement and provides a comprehensive, solution-oriented approach to addressing local housing issues. The presentation will cover the detailed analysis and action steps outlined in the HAIP, demonstrate an interactive web map with Geographic Information System layers from the Sites Analysis, and present next steps for implementation once the plan is adopted.
