MENDOCINO CO., 1/1/26 – A year’s worth of clicks, comments and likes can say a lot about what is important to readers, and 2025 was no exception.
At The Mendocino Voice, our most-read stories in 2025 reflected readers’ concerns with public safety, government accountability, development and daily life in Mendocino County –– alongside moments of community pride and connection.
This list highlights original reporting from The Mendocino Voice that resonated most with our over 1.5 million views by 652,000 readers.
California Local News Fellow Sydney Fishman’s coverage of county governance enables us to hold local officials accountable for their actions — the good, the bad and the ugly. In this article, Fishman explained how anonymous complaints, especially about cannabis grows, is leading to internal reform on how the county collects complaints, while retaining resident’s anonymity. Check out our politics and government coverage here.
It’s not every day a daughter accuses her father of being a serial killer — but that’s what happened when Galina Trefil posted on social media that her 85-year-old father had allegedly killed numerous people in five states and five countries, including in Mendocino County. Trefil’s accusations went viral — and so did our coverage. According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the claims made by Trefil remain under investigation. Check out our crime coverage here.
“Controversial Fort Bragg Grocery Outlet slated for spring groundbreaking” by Devon Dean
Freelancer Devon Dean’s hyperlocal coverage of Fort Bragg’s soon-to-be-built Grocery Outlet led to this article being one of our most widely shared articles on social media, showing the need not only for more development coverage by local news outlets, but also a desire for more affordable shopping options in our rural country. Read Devon Dean’s articles at The Mendocino Voice here.
In November, Ukiah High School teacher and local journalist Matt LaFever was arrested for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a 17-year-old girl. As of today, LaFever is awaiting formal charges and slated to appear at a closed-to-the-public arraignment hearing on Monday. Check out our ongoing coverage of the LaFever case here.
Just one missed distributor delivery to a rural grocery store can have major impacts on rural communities, as freelancer Jenn Procacci found when a cyberattack left grocery stores in Covelo and Point Arena scrambling to fill their shelves. Check out Jenn Procacci’s articles at The Mendocino Voice here.
“Mendocino County urges residents to know their evacuation zone” by Sarah Stierch
Do you know your evacuation zone? This article helped over 9,000 readers learn how to identify their county-issued evacuation zone and learn how to be better prepared in case an evacuation is required in an emergency. Check out our emergency preparedness coverage here.
“Fort Bragg to test the state’s first wave-powered desalination system” by Mary Rose Kaczorowski
Fort Bragg is leading the way in desalination technology, with hopes of converting the coast’s plentiful seawater into much-needed freshwater. Freelancer Mary Rose Kaczorowski toured the new desalination project and interviewed the scientists and local leaders overseeing the unique project. Check out Mary Rose Kaczorowski’s articles at The Mendocino Voice here.
“Lawsuit challenges Trump’s new immigration rule; local advocates respond” by Sydney Fishman
The Mendocino Voice’s ongoing coverage of the Trump administration’s immigration policy and its local impacts have led to intense conversations on social media and our website. It also reached over 8,000 readers, who benefited from our Spanish-language coverage. Check out our immigration coverage here.
“Mendocino fisherman lands 10.25-pound canary rockfish, likely setting state record” by Lin Due
The Mendocino Coast is known for its world class rockfish — and now a rockfish that is likely world-record breaking. With a tip coming in from the fisherman’s grandpa, we were the first to break this newsmaker, which was picked up by ABC7, the New York Post, and the Independent. Check out more of our fishing and crabbing coverage here.
Live tsunami coverage by Sarah Stierch
When an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia in July, we provided live updates as the National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning, which brought 3-foot waves to parts of the Mendocino Coast. Check out our weather coverage here.
“Noyo Harbor’s Wharf restaurant gets a new lease on life” by Mandela Linder
When one of the Mendocino Coast’s most beloved restaurants gets new owners promising big things, freelancer Mandela Linder rushed to get the scoop on what’s to come. Check out Mandela Linder’s articles at The Mendocino Voice here.
“Sold-out cannabis-loving crowd packs the Grange at inaugural Mendo Cup in Willits” by Sarah Stierch
Our coverage of the first-ever Mendo Cup in Willits reminded readers that while the cannabis industry is struggling to gain its footing after legalization, the underground culture is still vibrant in the Emerald Triangle. Check out our cannabis coverage here.
“Letter to the editor: Ukiah’s ice rink comes with big consequences” by Bruni Kobbe
This letter to the editor by reader Bruni Kobbe was one of our biggest draws on social media. Kobbe’s letter unleased comments ranging from support to opposition for the city-sponsored ice rink that pops up every winter in downtown Ukiah. We accept letters to the editor on any subject impacting Mendocino County — send your letter to info@mendovoice.com.
Freelancer Savana Robinson’s coverage on how government policy impacts Mendocino County has brought subjects like health insurance costs and mental health care to the forefront of our newsroom, including her coverage of a local nonprofit receiving a major grant to expand mental health services across the county. Check out Savana Robinson’s articles at The Mendocino Voice here.
“Trump administration steps into review of proposed Potter Valley Dam removal” by Sarah Stierch
Our coverage about the proposed dismantling of the Potter Valley Project is a hot topic with readers, who shared their often contentious thoughts on the project’s future via comments on our website and social media. In fact, when US Department of Agriculture Brooke Rollins wanted to pgive her opinion on the project, she chose The Mendocino Voice as the outlet to send her letter to the editor. Check out our coverage of the Potter Valley Project here.
“Mendocino County receives $408K gift to expand spay, neuter services” by Lin Due
Lin Due’s coverage of the county’s animal shelter crisis continues to resonate with readers, who have stepped up to adopt, foster and contribute to the saving and care of pets across the county. Her coverage included this bit of good news when a generous animal lover donated almost half a million to expand spay and neuter services in the county. Check out our coverage about pets and animal care here.
“Three Northern California hot springs to keep you warm in the winter” by Sydney Fishman
Finally, if you’re feeling a little exhausted after such a whirlwind year, treat yourself to an afternoon at a local hot spring. This article was the most read article on our website, with over 33,500 readers clicking through to find their own little piece of liquid paradise.