Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor The median price per square foot for a home in Cotati in the past three weeks was $489 That’s $29 less than the Sonoma County median The most expensive community in Sonoma County is Kenwood where the median price per square foot in the past three weeks was $755 where the median price per square foot of a home sold was $375 a 1,328-square-foot home on Breen Way in Cotati sold for $650,000 The figures in this text are based on sales registered during the week of Apr This automated story was produced for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat using artificial intelligence and data science. Property information is compiled from municipal assessors in Sonoma County. For any errors email info@pressdemocrat.com Cotati’s first Climate Ready Fair brings the community together March 29 to explore sustainability bike sharing and waste reduction – plus free resources Cotati’s first Climate Ready Fair kicks off Saturday Organizers hope this free event becomes an annual tradition bringing the community together to take action on climate resilience and sustainability empower and activate people to reduce their environmental footprint connect with resources and take steps toward a more sustainable future from Cotati’s Community Development Department helped organize the event and sees it as a team effort Several city of Cotati departments joined forces to make it happen emphasizing the need to act on climate change now we have to focus on climate resilience — coping with what’s coming like severe weather and rising energy costs,” Buss explains “This fair helps people prepare for the future.” More than 30 community organizations and agencies are stepping up to provide information The fair welcomes everyone in Sonoma County Attendees who fill out a short sustainability survey will be entered into a drawing for gift cards from local businesses but meals will be served in reusable dishes provided by Sparkl Reusables the company collects and washes the dishes and you might find something new in return Just a heads-up — there won’t be a dressing room hosted by Santa Rosa Junior College Fashion Studies and Fashion Club They’ll also demonstrate mending techniques at 11 a.m along with any thread or supplies you have Sign-ups are recommended on the city of Cotati website A Reuse Alliance repair coach will fix it while showing you how it’s done A volunteer bike mechanic will handle flat tires plus a plant giveaway hosted by Sandy Loam The fair also highlights Cotati’s new bike-sharing service Attendees can take free e-bike rides from the pod at the Cotati SMART Station For details or to sign up, visit the city of Cotati website Marilyn Lane is a Sonoma County resident and former newsroom employee at The Press Democrat photo credit: Michelle MarquesThe Lounge at Mercy Wellness is Sonoma County's first cannabis consumption lounge Sonoma County’s first cannabis consumption lounge is opening this weekend in Cotati Mercy Wellness was founded in 2010 under California’s Proposition 215 that allowed for medical cannabis dispensaries Mercy Wellness expanded into the recreational market after voters in the state approved Proposition 64 Now the company has opened the first cannabis consumption lounge in Sonoma County “This was put in motion probably 5 years ago So the start of it was talking with the city of Cotati and getting them to create an ordinance that allowed for consumption work around all of the hurdles that come along with that to today where we're actually going to open.” who spoke with me in the new lounge minutes before the doors opened for their soft launch He says the permitting process was fairly smooth with the city of Cotati due to a long-established record as a local business Levine says much of the delay came from building permits and issues unique to a cannabis consumption lounge “It had to have a really robust HVAC system to remediate the smoke and make it a safe environment and comfortable environment,” said Levine “So the engineering took us probably a year to really come up with a system that we felt very confident that was going to be safe for people to be in here and consuming and whatnot.” I asked whether there were concerns from neighbors about the weedy smell we don't have any neighbors,” Levine said with a smile And the Chinese restaurant is across the street We do have a cultivation on site and we've gone during our events where we have 420 and checked with the neighbors They want to also make sure that it's not impacting the - what neighbors we do have I don't think it's going to be a problem.” Levine says he designed and built much of the interior of the lounge and a curved bar where budtenders can help customers He says he has plans to curate special events in the space “We'll try and be inclusive of everybody because that's really my what draws me to cannabis is - it's everybody 21 to 90 or older and of every walk of life And we wanted this to be a place where everybody can come and feel comfortable because social consumption just hasn't exist until recently and there's nothing anywhere in our area in the North Bay,” said Levine They are also offering equipment like bongs and electric rigs for customer use He says they have trained budtenders to look for over-intoxication similar to the ServSafe certification that bartenders and hospitality workers take we worked directly with the Highway Patrol to help them create their ‘Drive High equals DUI’ program and getting that message out there to our customers and then educating our staff,” explained Levine And so it's this is actually started quite a while ago as far as just getting the message Our staff is all taking responsible beverage certificates and then that group that does those certificates for alcohol is going to work with us to create a program for cannabis in specific if somebody's intoxicated and needs a ride we'll have a Uber code that will make sure that they can get home safe and we're going to accommodate people.” The doors officially opened as I wrapped up my conversation with Levine and the tell-tale whiff of a lit joint wafted through the air “I think we just opened the doors,” said Levine “It smells a little different in here,” I said with a laugh Here are links to what's happening RIGHT NOW in Sonoma County Start your weekday mornings with the Sonoma County First News podcast bringing you the top local headlines and a detailed weather forecast to kick off your day Stay informed with the latest breaking news and stories from communities across Sonoma County—from Petaluma to Cloverdale Subscribe to the Sonoma County First News podcast through the NorCal Mobile App Get the latest updates on programs and events The new restaurant takes a slow approach to pizza Valley Ford Estero Gold Reserve cheese topped with arugula rom Slow Co Pizza offers a simple healthy menu with salads and seasonal veggies with a selection of beers and wine Fri. The Living on the Veg pizza with white sauce greens and estero gold reserve cheese from Slow Co Crispy Broccolini charred in the pizza oven with a housemade chili sauce from Slow Co The seasonal Greens Salad with local greens house vinaigrette and house-made savory “Crunchies” from Slow Co three-day fermentation of their sourdough crust Fri. Pizza emphasizes working with the local farming community with a simple Living on the Veg and the Pretty Fly for a Fungi pizza from Slow Co Pizza brings a fresh look to an old cinderblock building between 33% and 41% of Americans eat pizza once per week spending more than $47 billion annually on our favorite fast food But some eyebrows were raised when the tiny town of Cotati (population 7,500) got its fourth pizzeria — Slow Co Could there be such a thing as too many pizza restaurants The answer is a resounding “no,” as Slow Co Pizza co-owners Dane Baratta and Dany Cleland take a bite out of not only Cotati’s pizza scene but are impressing pie-eaters throughout Sonoma County Their focus is on a “slow” mindset of cooking and eating — using long-fermented dough The literal opposite of “fast food.” Though the cartoon snail logo for Slow Co Pizza isn’t a direct reference to the iconic snail of the Slow Food movement “I don’t know if I can claim that we are doing something that doesn’t exist more so a concept that I don’t think there can ever be enough of,” said Cleland (whose pronouns are they/them) “Local seasonal food that is simple and done well Supporting local agriculture and producers and honoring the work they do by making bomb pizza that is served in an environment that is a hang for the community A pizza spot that is all about ground-up connectedness,” they added where they developed a passion for woodfired pizzas Baratta moved back to Sonoma County with his family and invited Cleland to open Slow Co “Seasonal foods that I could create and be connective with were always the thing that … hit home And pizza spoke to this simple and beautiful point … especially doing so in Sonoma County where everything to make pizza is produced within a 50-mile radius,” said Cleland Pizza sources flour from Central Milling in Petaluma produce from nearby Coyote Family Farm and FEED Cooperative a food hub for more than 50 North Bay farms in Santa Rosa and Zoe’s Meats in Petaluma “I’ve always been drawn to farming and good vegetables on the canvas of a pizza,” said Baratta who worked on a farm outside Seattle for several years “I’ve been obsessing about pizza and dough for 12 years,” said Baratta The dough uses a sourdough starter and is fermented for 48 to 72 hours Regular pizza dough is typically ready to use in a few hours slightly sour taste to the dough and creates air pockets for a crisp crust The pizzas are cooked in a specially-made Pavesi dome oven that uses gas rather than wood to cook the pies in three to four minutes enough for one hearty eater or two with a side salad and a small plate The menu is curated to include seven traditional styles of pizza — pepperoni Creating a family-friendly space is also a focus for Slow Co.’s owners and wanted a space where kids were welcome and the food was approachable Though there are some more adult gourmet-style pizzas there’s plenty to love for younger eaters too (including Valley Ford soft serve) for the Clean Plate Clubbers So, while there’s plenty of great pizza in Cotati and around the region Pizza’s warmth and inclusivity make it a welcome addition “We just want to encourage people to take things slow and enjoy the good stuff,” said Baratta $13: A great pizzaiolo once told me that cheese pizzas are the true measure of a pizzeria There’s nothing extra to get in the way of tasting the sauce This pizza is stripped down to its core elements and weighs in strong with a sturdy $18: Consider this the classy older sister to the standard cheese pizza Adding Estero Gold Reserve cheese from Valley Ford Creamery — an aged Parmesan-style cheese with a nice bite — adds depth and umami You get the sense this pizza could hold her own at a cocktail party mostly because I can justify eating a vegetable with my carbs and cheese using pesto and white sauce instead of red sauce cream and basil set the stage for a restrained layer of cheese (including Estero Gold Reserve) that lets the mushrooms take center stage $20: Seasonal veggies are the star of this show My pizza included half-moons of sweet Delicata squash atop white sauce Fresh mozzarella (not the shredded kind) plus Estero Gold Reserve with Calabrian honey and radicchio $10: This is where the kitchen gets to flex a new star gets its moment in the spotlight roasted stalks of bitter broccolini got a drizzle of creamy miso aioli and dots of chili crunch to add the heat Caesar salad $15: A lovely mix of local greens The breadcrumbs use the day’s leftover uncooked dough which is baked and crumbled so nothing goes to waste $3: I remember a pizzeria in Sebastopol with a chef who refused to serve ranch dip with his pizza That pizzeria quickly went out of business because ranch dip’s sole purpose (in my opinion) is for dipping pizza crusts crew get it and make their herby sauce with so much garlic you could burn someone’s eyes by saying “hello” a little too enthusiastically after a dip or two 8197 La Plaza, Cotati, 707-796-5124. Order online at slowcopizza.com You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats one of the most popular events at Petaluma Butter and Egg Days were among 66 contestants who lined up at Judy's Barnyard Stage and did their best to impress the judges some cried when it was their turn to go on stage in front of the large crowd the judges decided Aniya and Aurora were the cutest of them all Just in time for the start of the 42nd annual Petaluma Butter and Egg Days Parade all the contestants were invited to parade around on the Barnyard stage Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The property located at 8572 Lakewood Avenue in Cotati was sold on April 14 The $661,500 purchase price works out to $492 per square foot has an interior space of 1,344 square feet The property is situated on a lot spanning 6,000 square feet Other houses have recently changed hands nearby: A house that sold for $880,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Cotati in the past three weeks five residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past three weeks The average price per square foot ended up at $454 The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of Apr 7 to the week of April 26 even if the property may have been sold earlier A 650 square-foot condominium at 35 Arbor Court in Cotati has been sold The transfer of ownership was settled in April and the total purchase price was $345,000 The property at 6327 Santero Way in Cotati has new owners The house was built in 2004 and has a living area of 1,553 square feet The 1,328 square-foot single-family house at 20 Breen Way in Cotati has been sold The transfer of ownership was settled in April and the total purchase price was $650,000 The sale of the single-family residence at 8572 Lakewood Ave and the new owners took over the house in April The house was built in 1972 and has a living area of 1,344 square feet The sale of the single family residence at 111 Oretsky Way in Cotati has been finalized The house was built in 1996 and has a living area of 2,135 square feet The jury of six men and six women deliberated since Friday before delivering their verdict Tuesday Lea el artículo es español aquí. The jury of six men and six women deliberated since Friday before delivering their verdict Tuesday Kimberly’s parents as the verdict was read before Judge Vernon Nakahara in Sonoma County Superior Court Kelly Kimberly held his wife’s hands and shut his eyes as the decision was announced his mind was on his wife and the toll the case had taken on their lives “We’ve had our whole life on hold for eight years This murder literally caused me to have open heart surgery,” he said shortly after the verdict Kimberly was last seen alive the night of Oct a university groundskeeper found his body buried near Rohnert Park Expressway Prosecutors painted Carrillo as a calculated killer who lured Kimberly, a former Rancho Cotate High School classmate, to a secluded spot near SSU under the guise of selling him marijuana. Instead, they argued, Carrillo stabbed him at least six times buried his body and fled on Kimberly’s mountain bike Carrillo, 16 at the time of the killing, was arrested in 2020 and has spent much of the past four years in Sonoma County’s juvenile detention facility The prosecution’s case leaned heavily on digital and physical evidence including a Snapchat message believed to have been sent by Carrillo to Kimberly saying You still not here.” They also pointed to journal writings they argued hinted at violent intent as well as a knife containing DNA from both Carrillo and Kimberly though the defense questioned their credibility Defense attorney Gabriel Quinnan countered that the evidence was circumstantial at best arguing there was no definitive link between Carrillo and the killing created “reasonable doubt,” and the Snapchat message lacked clear context and prosecutors overlooked other potential suspects by fixating on Carrillo “This is tunnel vision,” Quinnan told jurors during his closing arguments Friday Jurors left the courtroom through an internal hallway Tuesday and could not be reached for comment on what led to their verdict Carrillo faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 27 The case was marked by years of legal delays including debate over whether Carrillo should be tried as an adult A state law raised the standards for prosecuting juveniles as adults a judge ruled that Carrillo’s case would remain in adult court ended in a mistrial after issues arose with DNA evidence had been found to have flawed DNA analysis that affected hundreds of cases statewide A new trial began in December with a different jury It played out over several weeks and was briefly delayed last month when a juror was struck by a vehicle outside of court Jurors began deliberating Friday afternoon and continued through Monday and most of Tuesday Kelly Kimberly said he and his wife empathize with Carrillo’s family and understand they You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com The property located at 6327 Santero Way in Cotati was sold on April 11 The $650,000 purchase price works out to $419 per square foot has an interior space of 1,553 square feet The layout of this two-story home includes three bedrooms and one bath The property's lot measures 2,903 square feet square feet in area Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include: who has served as a member of the planning commission since 2022 and most recently served as the commission’s chair was appointed to the Cotati City Council Tuesday night following the resignation of Kay Rivers in January Cotati Planning Commissioner John Savage has been appointed to fill an open Cotati City Council seat vacated in January by the resignation of Kay Rivers who has served on the Planning Commission since 2022 Rivers cited the pressures of work-life balance in resigning “I am pleased,” Savage told The Press Democrat after his appointment Among those who applied to fill the vacancy was former Council member George Barich, who was recalled in 2009 Barich was recalled after a series of controversies that included his unauthorized use of city stationery to write a letter to then-President Obama critical of Obama’s federal economic stimulus package He also posted a photo on his personal blog of himself in blackface and wearing an Afro wig an act that caused outrage because it is reminiscent of performers in the 1800s who darkened their faces to create bigoted characters of Black people Barich removed the photo and apologized, writing in a Press Democrat op-ed that “I intend to condemn racism wherever I find it and I apologize if I gave anyone the wrong impression.” told council members he was upset because the first few pages of his application were missing from the PDF portion of a digital agenda packet available to council members He said council should postpone the appointment until the glitch was fixed City officials called it a “technical glitch” in the agenda management system and said Barich’s full application was available in the HTML portion of council’s agenda packet Barich said he believes the problem with his application was intentional City Manager Damien O’Bid said council did receive and review Barich’s full application and there was no violation in the selection process there was no need to postpone the appointment With Barich “having previously been recalled from the council I would never overrule the voters of Cotati in that decision,” Mayor Ben Ford said in explaining why he did not choose Barich to fill the vacancy there were two clear front-runners: Savage also a member of the city’s Planning Commission citing his experience and service to the city “I have been very impressed with his service on the Planning Commission,” said Council member Laura Sparks and Ford led the council in a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous decision for Savage An alum of Ball State University in Muncie Savage first purchased his home in Cotati in 2005 Savage has served as the secretary of the Santero Way Homeowners Association “Every community in Sonoma County has different challenges right now and I am very anxious and excited to learn and try to hit the ground running and do what I can to move our agenda along,” he said Contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or anna.armstrong@pressdemocrat.com Highway 101 northbound near Cotati was temporarily closed Friday afternoon after the California Highway Patrol said a man shot himself following a car fire A driver is suspected to have shot himself on northbound Highway 101 near Cotati Friday afternoon after his vehicle caught fire according to the California Highway Patrol said CHP spokesperson Officer David deRutte The driver then pulled out a firearm and shot himself The incident was reported just before 3:30 p.m near the northbound Railroad Avenue offramp and did not involve any other vehicles or passengers First responders pulled the man from the vehicle and he was transported to Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital He did not have any details about the man’s condition CHP dispatch logs indicated the involved vehicle was a white Kia sedan All lanes of northbound Highway 101 near Cotati reopened by 5 p.m after a temporary closure that also affected southbound traffic The vehicle fire was extinguished by Rancho Adobe and Petaluma Fire crews the county’s fire and emergency medical dispatch center The Cotati City Council is moving quickly to fill a vacancy created by the resignation last week of Kay Rivers The Cotati City Council is moving quickly to fill a vacant seat following the resignation last week of Kay Rivers the council unanimously opted to begin accepting applications for those interested in serving out the remainder of Rivers’ term The council is hoping to make its appointment by mid-February Applications for the position will open on the city’s website Thursday and will close Feb City Manager Damien O’Bid explained to the council two options for filling the seat — appointing a new member or holding a special election A special election would have cost the city $18,000 to $76,000 according to estimates from the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters and the seat would remain vacant until at least August due to the time needed to arrange for an election and allow interested parties to formally file the four incumbents unanimously voted to appoint someone to fill the vacancy as soon as possible “There are a lot of potential leaders here,” said Council member Laura Sparks advocating for at least a two-week application window to give residents ample opportunity a former council member who has long sought to regain his seat is already vying for the post and made his case to the council Tuesday night He told the council that because he was the fourth highest vote-getter during the 2024 election cycle trailing Sparks and incumbents Susan Harvey and Ben Ford he was the clear choice to be the next appointee “I have 27 years of outstanding service to the city and I have run for council nine times,” he said at the meeting He won in 2008, but his time in office was cut short amid scandal and he was recalled in 2009 Two people spoke in support of Barich, including Laurie Alderman, who together with Barich in 2023 won an $80,000 settlement in a free-speech case they waged against the city Barich wrapped up his comments by informing the council he’d already submitted an application decided to honor his submittal despite it coming before the official application period The council will review applications after the deadline and make its decision at a special Feb Applicants will be invited to be present at the meeting and will be given the opportunity to give a statement and introduce themselves to the public The applications also will be linked in the published agenda a few days before the Feb Community members will be able to comment on the appointment before the council deliberation and decision The appointee will be sworn in the same day and participate in the city’s budget planning meeting that night after they take their seat In what has been a three-against-one race in Cotati three incumbents are set to win re-election to the Cotati City Council In what has been a three-against-one race in Cotati three incumbents are set to win reelection to the Cotati City Council who was previously elected to council in 2008 before he was recalled in 2009,challenged three current council members — including Mayor Laura Sparks — for a seat on the five-member dais With over 80% of the total potential vote counted Ben Ford has 27.6% and Barich is trailing with 11.5% The Press Democrat will rely on information from election officials and the candidates themselves before naming a winner as not everyone who received a ballot will have voted There are 5,050 registered voters in Cotati is an astronomy instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College She was first elected to the council in 2020 She is running on platforms of housing affordability supporting local businesses and roundabouts and traffic safety as noted in her vocal support of Measure S was also elected to the council in 2020 and works as a math professor at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park Ford is running on platforms that support climate and environmental sustainability was first elected in 2009 to replace Barich She supports efforts that will improve the city’s infrastructure increase local economic development and maintain funding of essential services such as public safety and parks and recreation but following multiple scandals that called into question his ethical use of the city’s logo as well as his racial sensitivity after he wore black face as part of a Halloween costume has openly criticized the current council and described it as a “complete and utter disaster.” He believes the council is unethical and has said the FBI should investigate City Hall the trio of incumbents are poised to reclaim their posts Fun fact: Played trombone in a musician’s union jazz band as a teenager Fun fact: Enjoys exploring Sonoma County on his bicycle Fun fact: She once traveled around the world in eight days For The Press Democrat’s Voter Guide go to election.pressdemocrat.com/guide Cotati voters on Nov. 5 will have four candidates to choose from to fill three City Council seats and only one of them is running on a platform that says the FBI needs to investigate City Hall That would be George Barich, a former council member hoping to win back a seat on the five-member dais that he last held in 2009, before voters recalled him in a special election A frequent council candidate and a lightning rod in Cotati politics His opponents are first-term council members Ben Ford and Mayor Laura Sparks who was elected in 2009 to replace him when he was recalled A vociferous council critic even when he was a member almost invariably found in positions contrary to his then-colleagues “City Hall is a complete and utter disaster,” he said in his candidate statement this year While none of the incumbents mention Barich in their candidate statements or in interviews “I don’t always agree with the other incumbents about every issue but I strongly feel that all three of us care deeply about Cotati and want what’s best for it,” said Sparks “I hope people will support the three incumbents,” said Sparks a Santa Rosa Junior College astronomy instructor As elsewhere in Sonoma County and the Bay Area the city faces a severe affordable housing shortage that is Asked what the next council’s most important challenge will be the three incumbents said attending to that crisis it's a huge challenge to do what we can to bring down the cost of housing And we need to be very creative and try to find ways to do that that are impactful,” said Sparks “It’s an existential problem for the people who live here.” Streamlining the development process by standardizing design requirements to speed project approvals is one tactic she would favor The current council has advanced a number of proposals to shorten development timelines including a “cottage ordinance” that gives developers who build smaller The city has to build a total of 234 housing units by 2031 to meet its state-mandated goals 94 of which must be for very low income and low income residents and 39 of which must be for those with moderate incomes It has seven residential developments either awaiting review or approvals or Making sure whatever development goes forward protects the city’s character while also benefiting it a Sonoma State University mathematics professor is “ensuring that the city infrastructure around those (developments) is up to the task of preserving the sort of small town feel that people love about Cotati while incorporating new people and hopefully bringing some needed density and more people to support our downtown businesses.” said the cottage ordinance was an example of steps the council might be able to take to help tackle housing needs but also cautioned the council’s options are limited and even projects approved years ago have yet to get underway asked what the next council’s top challenge will be in an email echoed his candidate statement: “An investigation by the FBI and the Sonoma County grand jury for weaponizing city departments to retaliate against their critics A licensed contractor who owns a video security company Barich has won at least two financial judgments against the city in lawsuits over free speech and civil rights violations — and in an email to The Press Democrat promised another related to civil rights again and election interference He was embroiled in controversies almost from the moment he took office in 2009 Those ranged from his unauthorized use of city stationery to write to President Barack Obama criticizing the federal stimulus package to a photo of himself in blackface that he posted on a personal website He also infuriated opponents by casting a vote to prevent the city from considering whether to pursue a sales tax measure (which it successfully did after his recall) A list that Barich provided The Press Democrat of additional grievances included charges that repeated city budgets are “fake and fraudulent”; that the city hasn’t offered warming or cooling stations during extreme weather; and that City Hall is seismically unsafe and would pose a danger in the event of even a moderate earthquake an assertion City Manager Damien O’Bid said was incorrect “based on the information I have.” You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Hay at 707-387-2960 or jeremy.hay@pressdemocrat.com The store will receive a $150,000 bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket One lucky SuperLotto Plus player in the North Bay defied 1-in-41-million odds — and is now $30 million richer The winning ticket for Wednesday’s SuperLotto Plus drawing was purchased at My Good Market a 76 gas station at 8510 Gravenstein Highway in Cotati This is the first time the SuperLotto jackpot has been hit since December and the winner for that draw has not yet been identified the odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 41,416,353 while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 23 the ticket holder must submit a claim form undergo a background check through law enforcement and be declared the rightful winner A second winning ticket — worth $11,609 — was sold at Fast Mart at 7285 Snyder Lane in Rohnert Park Winners will have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes Claims can be submitted at a Lottery District Office or by mail to the California State Lottery headquarters in Sacramento. Forms are available online and at lottery retail locations Reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com replacing it with a food festival called “Grub in the Hub,” featuring local vendors and a movie screening The third annual Cotati Car Show and Summer Movie in the Park With three other car shows taking place on the same day the City of Cotati decided to switch gears and stage a food festival instead and is called “Grub in the Hub” because Cotati is the hub of Sonoma County While organizers would have preferred a food-themed movie they had already purchased the $500 licensing fee for “Herbie: Fully Loaded.” Recreation Coordinator Kelly Betts (Patterson) said they chose this event model because it has become popular in Sonoma County as well as in the Bay Area Food festivals bring people together and create a sense of community They provide a chance for local talent to be showcased allow food businesses to promote their cuisine and attract new customers and give attendees the opportunity to find a new favorite place to dine If you’ve never attended a food festival before it’s a good idea to look at all the offerings before deciding what to eat Wear comfortable clothing if you plan on sampling a lot of food; pants with an elastic waistband would be an excellent choice Betts described the food that will be available: “There will be dessert and anything and everything you can think of.” The type of food and prices will vary Organizers have reached out to 42 vendors in all and estimate having 20 to 30 vendors There will be food trucks as well as booths “Never say never.” It was unfortunate that so many other car shows were happening on the same day the Cotati Car Show probably would have been a success it is unlikely that people will pass up tasting some of the many treats offered Betts said she isn’t sure if it will come together in time Word of the switch from car show to food festival is posted on the City of Cotati’s Facebook page food vendors will share the information on their pages and brick-and-mortar establishments will have fliers available for their customers call Kelly Betts at 707-796-7301 or email kbetts@cotaticity.org Marilyn Lane is a Sonoma County resident who worked as a newsroom employee at The Press Democrat for 27 years Cotati’s approval of a 5G cellphone antenna structure on top of a health club comes despite a wave of complaints from angry residents Cellphone service is poised to get better in Cotati … but not everyone is pleased about that The Cotati City Council’s approval of the installation of a T-Mobile 5G cellphone antenna structure on top of Energy Health Clubs came despite more than a dozen residents voicing concerns of perceived health risks and the potential for decreased property values Another 300 residents, business owners and real estate agents, dubbed the Village Walk Alliance, signed a petition against the installation of the rooftop structure that will consist of six antennas. Village Walk, one of the city’s newer housing developments The nearest houses are estimated to be 90 feet from the antennas T-Mobile representative Eric Lentz said that although the base station and antennas will be installed on the tallest building in the area the six antennas will be encased in a 15-foot-high box and “fully screened from view.” Lentz said more than 3,600 additional residents are expected to receive service from the new antennas “We have been sold a bill of goods that this is going to make our cellphones better but it's not,” Dawna Gallagher told the city council Tuesday Gallagher is a nutritionist and real estate agent who was spurred into action after learning about the T-Mobile application in September she penned two appeals against the antenna structure “I believe in our democracy and our right to do this,” she told The Press Democrat Gallagher explained that she and her neighbors are concerned about property values dropping and that perceived exposure to electromagnetic fields — commonly referred to as EMF — emitted by cellphone antennas could put those living in the neighborhood or visiting the nearby shopping center at risk She first appealed to the planning commission saying the city failed to properly notify the neighborhood “I went to the nearby businesses and many of them had no idea this was going on,” she told The Press Democrat The Cotati Planning Commission heard Gallagher’s appeal in early October but took no action after their discussion ended in a 2-2-0 stalemate saying property values near cellphone towers or structures often decline and she didn’t want that to happen to the Village Walk development “Property values near towers may decrease by up to 20% according to the National Association of Realtors,” she told the council a real estate agent and Village Walk resident noting that she has “witnessed buyers insisting on a price reduction” after learning that a house is next to a cell tower or cell structure “It will reduce the number of buyers and possibly employees willing to live or work [here],” she wrote Other residents were concerned about the perceived health risks of EMF “I’m right behind the complex and we walk through there all the time,” Esmeralda Flores told the council The [federal safety] standard is not enough.” Bill Hammett, a Sonoma-based engineer who was hired by T-Mobile to evaluate EMF exposure levels of the project, said the maximum exposure to radio wave frequency from the antennas would be 35% of the FCC’s limit. The limit for exposure, as established by the FCC “Federal law allows for 100%,” Hammett said The concerns about the perceived health risks of EMF did not fall on deaf ears the Telecommunications Act of 1996 bars municipalities from denying an application on the basis of health risks “I’m not happy with not being able to take into account health concerns and radio frequencies,” Council member Kay Rivers said the council didn’t go for Gallagher’s property value argument “I don’t think there’s enough evidence to find that property values drop,” Mayor Laura Sparks said “Studies are based on eyesore-style cell towers There’s no substantial evidence of 5G towers shaded from view I just don’t think we can legally make that finding.” The council voted 4-1 to allow the antennas with Council member Rivers abstaining from the vote “Don’t they realize this is their tax base?” she told The Press Democrat regarding the city council Amie Windsor is the Community Journalism Team Lead with The Press Democrat She can be reached at amie.windsor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5218 The arrested driver was found ‘down the road’ from the collision and was reported to have a blood-alcohol content more than 3 times over the legal limit Cotati police officers on Christmas Eve arrested a man on suspicion of felony hit and run and DUI after his car struck another vehicle occupied by a family near Highway 116 and the northbound Highway 101 off-ramp The first officers to arrive found the family’s vehicle “flipped on its side with children trapped in the car,” according to a Facebook post by the Cotati Police Department Police said the family members had to be extricated from the vehicle and were treated for unspecified injuries at a local hospital Police did not say how many people were in that car or give the ages of the occupants was found “down the road from the collision.” His car had front-end damage officers suspect was caused by the crash His blood-alcohol content was found by officers to be more than three times the legal limit He also is suspected of “willfully fleeing” the scene and faces a felony hit-and-run offense The social media post did not provide any information about the identify of the suspect or the condition of the injured family members Cotati police officials could not be reached for comment by 4 p.m You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com Indian and Chinese dishes showcase the culinary diversity of the Himalayas at Cotati's Everest Restaurant A selection of dishes from Everest Restaurant Wednesday Apricot Shrimp with brown or white rice and naan on the side from Everest Restaurant Wednesday (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat) The new Everest Veggie Pizza with housemade sauce from Everest Restaurant Wednesday lemon juice sautéed with fresh curry leaves mustard seeds and yogurt with a Mango Lassi from Everest Restaurant Wednesday Nepalese and Tibetan foods during the grand opening of the Everest Restaurant in Cotati Everest climber and guide Kami Rita Sherpa talks with his cousin and restaurant owner Pemba Sherpa and guests during the grand opening of the Everest Restaurant in Cotati Lamb and Chicken Momo dumplings from Everest Restaurant Wednesday Traditional India Thali is a complete meal on one dish with main vegetable dishes sides and chutneys from Everest Restaurant Wednesday Paneer Tikka Masala with a blend of spices onion and creamy sauce with rice and naan from Everest Restaurant Wednesday Nepalese and Tibetan foods during the grand opening of the Everest Restaurant in Cotati Pemba Sherpa has never summited Mount Everest In May, legendary Everest climber Kami Rita carried a small flag bearing the logo for Everest restaurants in Petaluma and Cotati on his record-breaking 30th ascent up the 29,032-foot peak With eyebrows and lashes encrusted with ice Rita snapped a quick picture at the snowy summit planting the small banner and smiling like a man ready for a warm cup of daal “He visits our restaurants whenever he comes to California and enjoys traditional Nepalese food the owner of several restaurants in Sonoma County and a relative of Kami Rita so he decided to take our logo to the summit to support us,” Sherpa said When the Cotati outpost of Everest restaurant opened in July Rita was an honored guest and climbing community celebrity Flag-planting on Mount Everest has become a thing for the Sonoma County Sherpas Sherpa (Pemba Sherpa’s brother and co-owner of Everest) planting a flag for Sonoma Grille in 2022 and Mingma Dorchi Sherpa (the fastest person to summit the highest mountain on Earth) toting a flag for La Casa restaurant in 2023 Pemba and Pasang Sherpa worked their way up through the restaurant industry like many of their friends and family the brothers decided not to become porters or guides Pasang has cooked and trekked for Everest expeditions and co-owns Sonoma’s La Casa with Pemba Pemba also is involved with Yak and Yeti restaurant in Napa and Himalayan Kitchen in San Rafael Like many other Nepalese in the burgeoning Sonoma County immigrant community they share a common surname that means “east people” in Tibetan “We are all proud we can bring our hospitality and flavors to our guests We are also very fortunate this country gives opportunities to everyone who wants to work hard,” said Pemba Sherpa Nepalese cuisine was a rarity 20 years ago I tried yak butter tea and momos for the first time in the late 1990s shocked by the unfamiliar flavors and textures Though I’ve never seen yak milk on a menu again (and its gamy flavor wasn’t for me) Sharing common influences with Indian cuisine dishes from Nepal often use fresh spices (rather than dried) and signature dishes like momo (stuffed steamed dumplings) and chow mein are more Chinese than Indian Everest restaurants in both Cotati and Petaluma bring together the three cuisines seamlessly chicken soup with Nepalese spices (thukpa) Children and newcomers to the cuisine will find plenty of choices Dietary restrictions are also easy to work around here with plenty of plant-based and gluten-free dishes Thakali Thali ($18-$20): Think of this as a combo platter veggies and a choice of protein plus dessert It’s an efficient menu sampler with smaller portions neatly served on a round metal tray that looks cool Chicken Tikka Pizza ($22): Italy meets India in this mashup of creamy tikka masala or red curry sauce paired with marinated chicken tomatoes and green onions — a great introduction to Indian food Lamb Chili Momo ($18.99): Ten lamb-filled momo dumplings covered in a sweet-spicy chili sauce with fresh bell peppers and green onions Paneer Tikka Masala ($17): If you’re going for this classic creamy tomato sauce dish try it with cubes of Indian cheese rather than the usual chicken or lamb I like the chew and squeakiness of paneer that straddles the line between cheese curds and cottage cheese You can also try it with tofu and coconut cream for a vegan version this hearty lentil soup is a flavor bomb rather than the watery flavorless broth I’ve endured at other restaurants (and put me off the stuff for years) ($20): Strips of boneless chicken are bathed in ginger then sautéed with fresh curry leaves and mustard seeds Light and crisp without heavy batter and oiliness Apricot Prawn ($18.50): I’m not going to lie; there was a lot more of the creamy apricot sauce than prawns but the sweet-savory dish is reminiscent of the coconut milk apricot chicken served long ago at the now-shuttered Pamposh restaurant in Santa Rosa Chapati ($3 to $4.50): Indian-style breads are for sopping up every last bit of sauce often stuffed with cheese or onion) is a runner-up Roti is an unleavened bread cooked in a tandoor while chapati (also unleavened) is cooked on a griddle with ghee or butter Everest Restaurant in Cotati is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. daily. 572 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-795-7680, everestcotati.com Heavy rain and powerful winds drenched the North Bay this week shattering windows and toppling trees and fences as the North Bay braces for more rain in the coming days parts of Sonoma County received between an inch and a half and two inches of rain while totals in Napa recorded just over an inch The effects of Friday’s storm were particularly felt in Rohnert Park and Cotati, where residents reported powerful storms that caused significant damages to roofs, fences, windows and downed trees. the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety was dispatched to a home on Myrtle Avenue in Rohnert Park after part of a large Eucalyptus tree fell through a residence The downed tree caused significant damage to the home which was red-tagged by county officials after being deemed uninhabitable The resident inside was not injured and the American Red Cross was contacted to help the resident with resources, the department announced in a post on its official Facebook page residents Bill Feller and Nancy Higgins said the force of the winds caused a window in the front of their house on Linden Avenue to shatter Higgins was home alone with their dogs when a gust of wind came and shattered the window filling the living room with pieces of glass and causing the blinds to come crashing down Feller said Higgins called him to come home since he was at work Higgins and her dogs were not injured when the window shattered but she said the situation was scary because her dogs usually sit on a couch by that window and she had moved them only minutes prior the window is covered with plywood until the couple can get it fixed during the week Several of their neighbors also reported damages like downed trees and branches and damaged roofs and fences the National Weather Service said it was investigating whether the winds were strong enough to be classified as a tornado on Saturday the weather service said radar data did not indicate the winds were strong enough to be deemed a tornado and that the damage was likely caused by the rain and wind Sunday and Monday are expected to bring an additional half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain to the North Bay with gusty winds between 35 and 40 miles an hour National Weather Service Monterey Meteorologist Dalton Behringer said The coastal mountains could see an additional inch and a half or two of rain Scattered showers will begin Sunday with a cold front hitting in the evening forecasters do not expect the region to have any issues with flooding other than minor ponding on roadways A caller told Cotati police about 3:10 p.m Friday that a man who had stolen from Lowe’s earlier that day had returned to the store at 7921 Redwood Drive and was trying to take more products Two men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing from a big box home improvement store in Cotati, then crashing a vehicle into a police car and leading authorities on a chase into Marin County, according to authorities Cotati police were alerted at about 3:10 p.m. Friday that a man believed to have stolen from Lowe’s, 7921 Redwood Drive, earlier in the day had returned to the store and was trying to take more products, official said in a news release one of the agencies that assisted in this incident to the store and found a man getting into a vehicle believed to be that of the suspected thief The vehicle had been identified through Lowe’s security system police said Beardsley drove the vehicle into a Cotati police car before fleeing south on Highway 101 Other details about what happened prior to the crash were not immediately clear Sunday police said Beardsley exited onto De Long Avenue in Novato and soon after crashed into a passing vehicle was arrested on suspicion of felony charges of grand theft reckless evading and assault on an officer with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest Beardsley also was wanted in three outstanding warrants for a number of suspected theft-related charges Both were evaluated for injuries at a local hospital and then were booked in the Sonoma County jail Cotati police are continuing to investigate You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com New regulations allow dispensaries to become Amsterdam-style hangouts another business lane and possible bright spot for the struggling cannabis industry Sonoma County marijuana users can now buy their blunt and smoke it too — all at the same place A Cotati cannabis lounge that is the first of its kind in this corner of the North Bay opened Thursday allowing customers to purchase and legally consume cannabis products on site when the doors opened to the Mercy Wellness Lounge she was sitting in a cozy club chair watching a DJ spin reggae Psychedelic images swirled and oozed on a giant screen The Santa Rosa resident said she was celebrating her 30th birthday with her sister Mercy Wellness is the first Sonoma County cannabis retailer to take advantage of a 2024 state law allowing dispensary owners to prepare and serve hot food and nonalcoholic drinks on site creating a more club-like atmosphere like those in Amsterdam new bright spot for California’s sagging marijuana industry plagued in recent years by high tax burdens Mercy Wellness founder and CEO Brandon Levine sees his 9,500-square-foot lounge as a way to attract customers looking for an immersive “I feel like its always been a dream to create a place where it’s normalized to socially consume Levine opened the first Mercy Wellness medical marijuana dispensary in 2010 manufacturing and distribution in Sonoma County with dispensaries in Cotati and Santa Rosa a stage and state-of-the-art sound system the space feels like a nightclub That’s something that Comora said she’s been missing and this is a safe environment for me,” she said said that many people — sober or not — like the idea of a place where alcohol isn’t a focus the lounge will be open Thursday through Saturday from 3 p.m with expanded hours after the final phase of construction on a 6,000 square-foot patio Though cannabis smoking lounges have been around since 2018 the 2024 law — Assembly Bill 1775 — also enables businesses like Levine’s to host live events including music shows and sports viewing parties and — a game changer along with DJ’s and a lineup of food trucks and caterers including Galvan's Eatery and War Pigs BBQ as they soft open of Lake County happened upon the opening by accident he said remembers the days before legalization and is excited to come to a lounge with music and cannabis “There was such a stigma in my era,” he said noting that the air filtration system inside was going the extra mile for customers Although there are several cannabis lounges in San Francisco and Los Angeles educating themselves and local officials throughout the process Both the state and the city of Cotati have oversight on the project "This is five-plus years in the making and there were a lot of unknowns How do you put something together that doesn’t exist There are also concerns about potentially impaired drivers leaving the business Staff have been trained similarly to bartenders Staff and security officers monitor access and guests are encouraged to use ride-sharing or public transportation rather than driving "We’ve been dedicated to normalizing cannabis and breaking down lingering stigmas and launching the first licensed consumption lounge in the North Bay is a pivotal step in that journey," said Levine The lounge is at the Gravenstein Business Center (7950 Redwood Drive) near the Mercy Wellness Dispensary and cannabis cultivation room You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com Survey results show 47% of Rohnert Park and Cotati residents thought their local governments were headed in the right direction Concerned about municipal budgets, housing needs and local infrastructure, Sonoma County residents are largely mixed on the directions in which their communities are headed, with residents in Rohnert Park and Cotati being the happiest, a Press Democrat/Northern California Public Media “virtual exit poll” found The survey showed 47% of Rohnert Park and Cotati residents thought their local municipality was “headed in the right direction.” Nearly 40% said they were “not certain,” and 13% said the community in which they lived was “headed in the wrong direction.” “The more growth-oriented cities are a little bit more optimistic than the legacy cities,” said Richard Hertz a longtime public opinion pollster and professor at Sonoma State University whose students conducted the PD/KRCB under his supervision Of the 2,890 people who answered questions about their local governments The survey grouped some cities and communities together based on natural geographic areas that local pollsters frequently use “You have to combine them much the way that we did The Press Democrat and KRCB conducted the online survey between Oct The nonscientific poll drew 2,915 respondents most of them Press Democrat readers and KRCB listeners throughout the North Bay some 2,500 reported living in Sonoma County northern Sonoma County residents also had a largely positive view of their municipalities 40% said their communities were “headed in the right direction,” nearly 33% said they were “not certain” and 27% said things were “headed in the wrong direction.” Here’s a closer look at what survey participants had to say about their local governments: Santa Rosa residents were largely unsure of how they feel about the city’s direction Of the 1,157 residents who answered the survey 29% said the city was heading in the wrong direction and nearly 28% said it was heading in the right direction homelessness and roads were the common concerns among people who said they were uncertain or feel the city is heading in the wrong direction “This is becoming a city (and county) that's losing families and middle incomes while becoming heavy with retirement-aged population and .. not focused [on] how to retain college-aged and young middle-aged professionals,” wrote one resident Another said the city needs to direct more funding to schools curbing homelessness and fixing “terrible roads.” Other residents praised the city as being “progressive” on difficult issues “Santa Rosa is measurably better than it was 10 and 50 years ago,” a Santa Rosa resident wrote From police reform to bike lanes to the SMART train almost everything in this city has improved Of the 324 Petalumans who answered the survey questions nearly 38% said the city was heading in the right direction nearly 33% said it was heading in the wrong direction and nearly 30% said they were not certain Survey participants who were happy with the city‘s direction said they were happy with the downtown and local business economy “I think Petaluma is one of the best cities of it's size in the state,” one participant wrote plenty of local businesses and is a great community to raise a family.” other residents said they were concerned about the cost of housing in the city The overlay would create three zones within the city’s historic central core offering developers like Palmer the opportunity to bypass regulations including ones that limit new buildings to four stories “Don't like the overlay idea,” a Petaluma resident wrote “A celeb comes to town and wants to build a monstrosity and some pols can't move fast enough to revise longstanding zoning principles to accommodate them.” Residents in Sebastopol and West County’s unincorporated communities were mixed about the direction of their communities Of the 387 survey participants who said they lived in either Sebastopol or West County nearly 46% said they were unsure about their community’s direction 34% said it was headed in the right direction and 20% said it was heading in the wrong direction Some residents said the city is heading in the right direction so long as local leaders resolve the financial situation while others said the city was heading in the wrong direction because of its struggling budget the financial situation in Sebastopol is pretty dire Not exclusive by any means to Sonoma County but [this] will have [a] sad and long lasting effect on quality of life I fear,” wrote one resident who said they were not sure of the area’s direction Regardless of how they felt about their community’s direction the abundance of vacation rentals and the need to preserve open space as key issues facing the region Rohnert Park’s downtown development plans figured prominently in the survey comments both among those who said the city was heading in the right direction and those who disagreed or were unsure In August, the City Council selected an El Segundo-based developer to transform a 28-acre site the city owns at 6400 State Farm Drive. The project, which has been described as a once-in-a-century decision will turn a former State Farm Insurance office campus into a mix of homes “The community is growing and I feel excited to see what the next 10 years are like,” a Rohnert Park resident wrote “From an incredible increase in housing supply to a plan for redeveloping the old State Farm campus I am optimistic about Rohnert Park's future.” other residents were more apprehensive about the downtown plans with some saying they were worried about the final result and others saying they were worried that city infrastructure isn’t keeping pace with the city’s growth “We have a tremendous amount of new housing being built and/or under consideration but I don't think traffic patterns and road conditions are being thought through,” another Rohnert Park resident wrote You can reach Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or emma.murphy@pressdemocrat.com is departing after a little over two years in office one of Sonoma County’s few openly gay elected leaders Rivers handed her resignation letter to City Manager Damien O’Bid on Tuesday before the council met for a budget planning meeting “Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community with you as a Cotati City Council member,” Rivers wrote “I am especially proud of our work on the overlay to protect housing for Cotati’s seniors Juneteenth and LGBTQ+ flag-raising ceremonies and purchasing the property off the plaza to secure affordable housing for our residents with lower incomes please accept this letter as my formal resignation from the Cotati City Council effective immediately I’m so glad to have served you and hope our paths will cross again soon.“ The council will discuss the options for replacing Rivers at its next meeting Cotati Deputy City Clerk Kevin Patterson said Those options include appointing a new council member or holding a special election Patterson said the city is still waiting to hear from the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office about how much a special election could cost is a science and art teacher at Sonoma Mountain and Carpe Diem High Schools in Petaluma The organization was dedicated to raising San Clemente Island Goats She was appointed to the council after longtime council members Mark Landman and John Moore chose not to run for reelection. Rivers and current Vice Mayor Sylvia Lemus were the only two candidates who chose to run Deputy City Clerk Kevin Patterson says the two were appointed to the council “Kay and I were really close because we started together,” Lemus said Lemus praised Rivers’ work and dedication, especially for bringing Juneteenth and Pride celebrations to the city we focused on bringing different communities and different perspectives to the council,” Lemus said Sebastopol Mayor Stephen Zollman called Rivers an ally for the LGBTQ+ community along with Sonoma County Office of Education Superintendent Amie Carter are the two only other openly gay elected officials in the county Ford said he was surprised by Rivers’ move but also acknowledged she had been feeling pressure — put on by herself he added — about the commitment required by city council members “She’s been frustrated with not being able to contribute to more regional boards,” he said adding that the level of commitment she wanted to have wasn’t matching up with what her career and personal life were allowing her to do She also held monthly “Coffee with Kay” round tables at Redwood Cafe giving constituents a chance to learn about current affairs with the city of around 7,500 and voice any concerns or problems Cotati Oktoberfest offers it all—from schnitzel to stein-holding contests and a wiener dog race that’s sure to entertain The Cotati Chamber of Commerce and Flagship Taproom are teaming up to present the 13th annual Cotati Oktoberfest at La Plaza Park in downtown Cotati family-friendly event will take place on Saturday Chamber Executive Director Liz Derammelaere noted that Oktoberfest has been a successful Chamber event over the years and continues to grow to create an even more engaging celebration Inlow is optimistic that the community will enjoy the newly revamped event adding that Flagship Taproom is known for throwing a good party The event will feature German-inspired food such as schnitzel Beer imported from Germany will also be available Additional food vendors in the park will offer snack options You can find Bavarian costumes on Amazon at a variety of price points Traditional costumes for men include a lightweight white dress shirt or checkered casual shirt Women’s outfits typically include a blouse and low-heeled loafers or ballet-style shoes here’s a tip: yodeling involves quick and repeated changes of pitch between low (chest voice) and high (head register or falsetto) There are many beginner tutorials on YouTube to help you get started The stein-holding contest is another popular challenge Participants must hold a glass stein filled with one liter of beer in front of them with a straight arm for as long as possible The last person to maintain their form without lowering their arm wins Dachshund owners may want to enter their pets into the wiener dog race The nickname “wiener” comes from the breed’s long and its popularity skyrocketed in the 1990s after being featured in a commercial Dachshund owners can prepare by setting up a practice course at home and using treats don’t forget to raise a glass and say “Prost!” —German for “cheers.” A house that sold for $1 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Cotati in the past eight weeks seven residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past eight weeks The average price per square foot was $451 The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of Jan 6 to the week of March 1 even if the property may have been sold earlier A 944 square-foot condominium at 850 East Cotati Ave The transfer of ownership was settled in December and the total purchase price was $317,795 The 769 square-foot single-family residence at 475 East Cotati Ave The transfer of ownership was settled in February and the total purchase price was $425,000 The property at 13 Pine Tree Circle in Cotati has new owners The house was built in 1985 and has a living area of 945 square feet A sale has been finalized for the detached house at 481 West School Street in Cotati The price was $450,000 and the new owners took over the house in February The house was built in 1930 and the living area totals 1,152 square feet The price per square foot ended up at $391 The sale of the detached house at 108 Oretsky Way in Cotati has been finalized and the new owners took over the house in January The house was built in 1997 and has a living area of 1,379 square feet The sale of the single family residence at 292 Braden Court in Cotati has been finalized The house was built in 1961 and has a living area of 1,158 square feet The property at 90 Jagla Street in Cotati has new owners The house was built in 2020 and has a living area of 2,673 square feet 2025 at 11:25 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Patch spoke with Officer Davis Fox of the Cotati Police Department to learn more about the department life as a police officer and the impact of their work (Shutterstock)First responders are a vital part of our communities keeping us safe and playing an integral role in daily life Patch and T-Mobile have partnered on a Ride-Along series to showcase the important work these departments and individuals do every day We had the opportunity to speak with Officer Davis Fox of the Cotati Police Department to learn more about the department Officer Fox: The Cotati Police Department was founded in 1963 in the southern end of the County of Sonoma We service 1.7 square miles and a population of approximately 8,000 people We are referred to as the Hub of Sonoma County volunteers and the only human tracking dog Officer Fox: A typical day in Cotati consists of a lot of community engagement coupled with proactive policing and public safety education Our primary arrests are related to impaired driving and theft Officer Fox: I was inspired to get into law enforcement with the understanding that it was a career that would challenge me provide the opportunity to create positive and meaningful impact in other people’s lives and to learn more about myself than most people will ever have the chance to Law enforcement really is a front-row seat to the greatest show on earth to be a role model to those who need someone to look up to and to make a positive impact in my time here Officer Fox: The things I enjoy the most about working for the Cotati Police Department is the ability to be proactive in the community and work for a smaller-sized agency where my coworkers are truly my family I get to know people in the city by name and establish rapport that allows me to be more productive at my job make a greater impact on the community and challenge myself with what type of police work I may want to do in any given day We are a well-liked agency within our community and I am thankful for every day to earn the right to serve Officer Fox: The best advice I’d give to someone wanting to get into law enforcement is to do your research Understand the commitment and sacrifice that really go into being good at this profession have a support system and most importantly The Cotati Police Department offers several ways for individuals to get involved For more information, visit the City of Cotati website and explore opportunities to serve your community America’s best 5G network experience for first responders: helping them save while staying connected with America's best 5G network Get more information about T-Priority and the first responder discounts here. A house located at 481 West School Street in Cotati has a new owner The $450,000 purchase price works out to $391 per square foot This single-story home has three bedrooms and one bath The property is equipped with floor/wall heating and a cooling system the home is equipped with an attached one-car garage The property sits on a 6,534-square-foot lot Other houses have recently been purchased nearby: A year after losing out to Solful in Healdsburg Mercy Wellness plans to appeal Petaluma’s selection of three other dispensaries Cannabis businesses vying for retail space in Sonoma County have gotten competitive with the city of Petaluma the latest to face a challenge over its selection process 10 the city had selected three companies to forge ahead with cannabis retail within its boundaries following a selection process officially approved by the city council last June Down Under Industries and Farmhouse Artisan Market — which already operates a delivery network in town The Retail Cannabis Pilot Program decision outraged one of the nine applicants who called the selection process “unfair” and demanded “transparency” about how the three were picked Mercy Petaluma - Letter to Request an Appeal of Decision (Signed).pdf “I have never seen a local permitting process shrouded in such secrecy,” Levine said in a company statement released Dec Levine argued Mercy Wellness already had a solid presence in the local cannabis market with more than 14 years in neighboring Cotati He demanded to see his scorecard measuring his business against the criteria used and to appeal the decision an action the city choose not to take at the time The city says its decision was made by committee using a scoring mechanism without requiring a vote from city council 16 Petaluma City Council meeting armed with what he said were 1,800 letters in support of his operation who spoke during the public comment period after Levine In her comments, she cited a California Auditor Report that urges cities to refrain from “blind scoring” and to allow for an appeals process “There are serious questions to whether what happened here aligned with this recommendation,” Mendelsohn told the council and said Mercy Wellness deserved “a second chance.” 21 “without detailed explanation of its scoring or rationale,” he told the Business Journal He requested an appeal but a letter from the city dated Dec said “it was premature to appeal the outcome.” He plans to again request an appeal “This decision raises concerns about fairness transparency and whether the best candidate is being considered,” he told the city council Mercy Wellness also failed in its bid to establish a Healdsburg location in November 2023 Solful of Sebastopol was selected by a vote by Healdsburg city council said he plans to open his Petaluma locationat 5004 Petaluma Blvd Levine challenged Healdsburg’s decision in Sonoma County Superior Court in February It now rests with the Court of Appeals in San Francisco Petaluma Economic Development and Open Government Director Ingrid Alverde who helped the city select the three operators insisted the city followed the process and did not give preferential treatment She said that Farmhouse Artisan was a known vendor doing business as a delivery service Down Under Industries has operated just outside city limits stood out for its sustainability practices Alverde said the city was unable to share the scoring and reasons behind its decision because of the “confidential” information provided with each application get turned down and then have it known to others why (in public),” she said “We’re not trying to be secretive about it but we fully expect to expand the program.” The city adopted its ordinance regulating commercial cannabis activity within city limits June 17 The code was expanded to add up to three storefront retail locations to certain areas With nearly 40% of the total potential votes counted late Tuesday Click here for The Press Democrat’s full voter guide for the 2024 general election a city of Cotati referendum seeking to repeal the previous ban on the construction of roundabouts and traffic circles within city limits according to early results in Tuesday’s general election The Press Democrat will rely on information from election officials before determining if the measure passes or fails The measure was supported by Mayor Laura Sparks Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition Director Eris Weaver and Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Veliquette The only recorded opposition on the ballot was from paralegal Laurie Alderman repeals Chapter 11.11 of the municipal code that dates back to 2012 when Cotati voters approved Measure U that not only banned roundabouts but “all other similar traffic features in the city.” When the Asiana Market in Cotati was broken into When thieves broke into Asiana Market in Cotati in the early hours of Feb owner KC Park was painfully aware of the routine He drove the 10 or so minutes from his home to the shop on Old Redwood Highway just east of the on ramp to Highway 101 “When I got there the police were already here,” he said the four thieves went through the front door took the money tray from the cash register and made off with what Park described as “starter” money for the morning “They don’t care about the alarms,” Park said it’s happened three times in less than four years The first break-in since he took over the store in 2016 two regular customers of Asiana Market sent a note to The Press Democrat wondering if there was something more afoot here than simple burglary “There is nothing to establish that this was racially motivated,” said Cotati Police Lt “We have no information to suggest that it was a hate crime.” to think that perhaps there was racial animus behind the break in That’s exactly where customers Sachiko and Michael Knappman of Rohnert Park went when they showed up at the market to find crews replacing the shattered glass Wednesday “I think it’s important for us to know that possibility can exist,” Sachiko Knappman said “We can be vigilant to when it really starts coming out more strongly A survey released in last fall found that 49% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S Conducted by Stop AAPI Hate and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago the study surveyed more than 1,200 Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults Reports of racially motivated attacks spiked during the pandemic but advocates such as Stop AAPI Hate contend that the current political and cultural climate leading up to and following the election of Donald Trump has kept xenophobic behavior and anti-immigrant stances at the fore “COVID time showed us the prejudice,” Sachiko Knappman said “We need to keep that possibility and be sensitive to what might be happening in the community To that end, lifelong educator and former Santa Rosa City Schools trustee Laurie Fong helped found the nonprofit group Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay in 2021 The group has approximately 500 people signed onto their communication list and about 120 dues-paying members was to both collect information and to disseminate it to Asian business owners She has a scheduled meeting with Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan On the agenda is how to open lines of communication between Asian business owners and law enforcement Communicating and networking can help break that cycle “We are asking ‘How do we disseminate information to Asian and Pacific Islander folks who lots of the time don’t speak English,” she said Slightly less than 5% of Sonoma County residents are Asian and 0.4% are Pacific Islander two-thirds of the Asian community is foreign born Trump’s effort to end Constitutionally guaranteed automatic citizenship for children born on U.S soil to undocumented immigrants — known as birthright citizenship — has advocacy groups like Fong’s working to help people understand their rights Stop AAPI Hate will host a virtual seminar Feb. 11 to help Asian Americans understand birthright citizenship guarantees and their rights Fong said that groups like hers are working with people and communities who are living with generational trauma The end of the Vietnam War 50 years ago sparked a massive wave of migration mostly from Vietnam it is estimated that 130,000 refugees fled to the U.S all of the generations of children of these refugees have lived in intergenerational trauma,” Fong said it perpetuates not accessing services that are freely offered because you don’t want to expose yourself.” “It’s part and parcel of many dozens and dozens of years of repression and internalized repression,” she said And the politics of the Trump administration have spiked the fear even further “This current situation at the federal level in the administration I think it emboldens some people,” Sachiko Knappman said So when she saw the broken glass at the Asiana Market on Wednesday morning in these times when nearly 50% of Asians are reporting enduring a hate attack “It at least put that kind of suspicion in their mind And Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are not alone in the concern in the willingness to fight for their rights “I’m sure every minority community is sensitive right now,” she said You can reach Staff Columnist Kerry Benefield at 707-526-8671 or kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com A house that sold for $1.2 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Cotati in the past five weeks nine residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past five weeks The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of Mar 3 to the week of April 5 even if the property may have been sold earlier A 848 square-foot condominium at 94 Nicholas Court in Cotati has been sold The transfer of ownership was settled in February and the total purchase price was $390,000 The 648 square-foot single-family home at 92 Kingston Way in Cotati has been sold The transfer of ownership was settled in March and the total purchase price was $399,000 The property at 135 Forno Way in Cotati has new owners The house was built in 1991 and has a living area of 1,290 square feet The sale of the single-family residence at 160 West Cotati Oaks Court in Cotati has been finalized The house was built in 1981 and has a living area of 1,492 square feet The sale of the single family residence at 645 West Cotati Ave and the new owners took over the house in March The house was built in 1962 and has a living area of 1,854 square feet A vehicle crashed into a power pole Sunday repair crews have restored power to almost all 5,600 customers whose service was interrupted Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a power pole in Rohnert Park and Cotati power was knocked out for an area that spans from Sonoma State University’s campus in Rohnert Park to Rainsville Road just northwest of Petaluma crews had restored power to all but 15 customers in Cotati with an estimated time of restoration by 4 a.m The outage began after a truck went off Stony Point Road near West Railroad Avenue and struck a power pole California Highway Patrol Officer David deRutte said Sunday afternoon suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital Investigators said alcohol was not a factor PG&E spokesperson Edgar Hopida said crews initially estimated power would be completely restored by 4 p.m “Our team is evaluating the electrical system to identify damaged sections and make necessary repairs in order to safely turn the power back on,” the utility said in a statement on its outage map Tens of thousands of people were likely affected by the outage as a single PG&E customer is identified as a lone business or household that could include multiple people Staff writer Alana Minkler contributed to this report run by Chef Baki Bekci and co-owner Ali Çetin aims to bring traditional Greek food to Sonoma County not only because of the diversity and many options available Their mission statement explains their culinary goals: “At Mezzeluna our mission is to offer a genuine Greek dining experience that goes beyond just eating We strive to create dishes that are true to Greek culinary traditions using the freshest ingredients and authentic recipes.” There is an age-old question regarding if Turkish cuisine influenced Greek food or if it was the other way around that question is moot — his father was Turkish and his mother was Greek He was influenced by the best of both worlds He studied Gastronomy Arts management at Fethiye Cullinary College in Mugla and has an impressive work history in the culinary world he started working at the Sheraton Cesme Hotel in Turkey Athens and Dubrovnik before securing a position at the Four Seasons Hotel in Napa Valley His culinary journey led him to becoming Executive Chef at Mezzeluna Co-owner Ali Çetin also has impressive background He comes from a family of chefs in Istanbul He acquired valuable experience working in his family restaurant while in high school and has gained international experience working in Qatar and the U.S. where he completed his professional training at the Santa Rosa Junior College The story of how Baki Bekci and co-owner Ali Çetin got together is amusing Çetin worked in a restaurant in Santa Rosa that Bekci would frequent at least a couple of times a week He liked the meals but always complained he could do better let’s open a restaurant and see if you can do better.” Çetin trusted that Bekci could perform His skill of blending Greek and California flavors is masterful it makes it difficult to decide what to order Although many people immediately think of Spanakopita or Dolmades when the subject of Greek food comes up Çetin said that the most popular menu items are lamb chops and beef Moussaka Kunefe and creamy rice pudding are all favored choices Location is everything when it comes to opening a business so when he found a location that was available close to the park with a nice patio they were both willing to take the risk and give it a shot Even though they haven’t been open very long Customers travel to dine at their establishment from as far away as Healdsburg and Marin County They also serve beer that is imported from Greece Çetin complimented his servers as being skilled and friendly he feels it gives the restaurant a good ambiance Upcoming plans include adding belly dancing on Tuesday nights Greek wine tasting every month and changing up some of the menu items for summer Information on their website demonstrates their inclusivity “Our menu caters to a variety of dietary needs We’re more than a restaurant; we’re a community hub friends and food enthusiasts gather to share meals and create memories.” The man was arrested with a concealed knife in his possession A Cotati man who threatened online to bring a knife to his son’s school was arrested hours later with a concealed blade in his possession, authorities said. The threat prompted an evacuation Monday at the Occidental campus was taken into custody that afternoon after deputies stopped his car in Penngrove according to Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office He faces charges of making criminal threats resisting an officer and attempting to possess a weapon on school grounds Clark remains in the Sonoma County jail on $250,000 bail He is scheduled to appear Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court Clark repeatedly posted online about his son and warned law enforcement to take notice he wrote that he planned to see his child the next day and urged someone to “tell the sheriff.” Days earlier he claimed he would stop eating until he saw his son again posting that he would go to the school armed with a 4-inch tactical blade Monday and responded to Harmony Elementary School and Salmon Creek Middle School in Occidental School officials locked down the site and later evacuated students all of the roughly 220 students had been reunited with their families superintendent of the Harmony Union School District Morgan said a lockdown drill conducted just weeks earlier helped staff and students respond smoothly with counseling and mental health support available saying a Sheriff's Office investigator had not responded and that he was heading to the school himself Deputies stopped him about 30 minutes later in Penngrove arresting him before he could reach the campus Court records show Clark has a history of legal issues A loved one attempted to get a domestic violence restraining order against him in 2018 his partner filed in Sonoma County court to dissolve their relationship and seek custody and support their children The pair were unanimously chosen for their positions by their fellow council members this month The Cotati City Council reorganized itself this month promoting Ben Ford to mayor and bringing Council member Sylvia Lemus into the city’s vice mayor role “I feel like I know what the job entails.” The pair were unanimously chosen for their positions by their fellow council members during the Dec Ford was first elected to the council in 2020 after serving on the city’s planning commission from 2011 to 2019 and design review board from 2009 to 2010 He has represented the city on the boards of the Russian River Watershed Association and the Sonoma Clean Power Authority Ford moved to Cotati in 2003 with his wife and two kids He teaches mathematics at Sonoma State University where he has served as chair of the Mathematics and Statistics Department and on two occasions as university faculty chair Lemus was elected in 2022 after serving on the city’s planning commission “I’m looking forward to continuing the great work by the Cotati City Council and work with the incoming Mayor Ben Ford and the staff at Cotati City Hall,” Lemus told The Press Democrat. “We have some development projects underway, including a hotel that I’m excited to see reach completion.” Lemus said she hopes that “through example [she] can encourage others of all ages and backgrounds to become involved in their spheres of influence.” She said she’s grateful to have the chance to “champion and recognize others,” and is encouraged that her other council members do so noting that speaking up for the city’s marginalized and vulnerable communities will be more important than ever “These next years will be trying for the immigrant community so I hope to identify and connect resources for those in need of support and information,” she added California Highway Patrol personnel will block some Highway 101 onramps The funeral procession for the late Rancho Adobe Fire Capt Kyle Heard will travel on Highway 101 and could lead to some traffic delays Heard, 43, died Sept. 16 following a medical emergency at his Santa Rosa home The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau determined Heard died of a myocardial infarction the motorcade will escort Heard and his family from Rancho Adobe Fire Station 2 at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa Rancho Adobe Fire District said in a news release Several Sonoma County public safety agencies will travel along the procession on Old Redwood Highway North through Cotati and eventually on Highway 101 before exiting onto River Road California Highway Patrol personnel will block some onramps for northbound Highway 101 for the procession The memorial service Heard worked for Rancho Adobe fire for 21 years from his start as a volunteer in 2003 to becoming captain in 2023 Heard was described as a “hero” both professionally and personally Rohnert Park’s commercial real estate market remains flat in early 2025 with rising vacancies but steady demand for industrial and retail spaces Favorable conditions for tenants and investors present new opportunities amid economic uncertainty Kevin Doran is a partner of commercial real estate brokerage Keegan & Coppin Co based in Santa Rosa with offices in Marin and Napa counties Each March, the Business Journal invites top commercial real estate brokers from around the North Bay to submit analyses of their markets. Here are their insights on what’s being built The commercial real estate market in Rohnert Park and Cotati is off to a slow start high interest rates and global tariff concerns affecting demand this environment presents more options for tenants and favorable terms for buyers While some sectors show modest to flat growth leasing activity and occupancy levels remain stable yet the trend of owner-occupiers acquiring buildings continues Sales and rental prices in this submarket have been steady 2025 remains highly competitive among investors for well-located and -positioned commercial investments Multitenant industrial and strong-tenant retail properties continue to see low supply and high demand Multifamily apartments and housing-related properties remain strong stable investments with low returns on investment It’s a great time for sellers to take advantage of well-located/quality real estate to potentially sell at a high price point Demand remains strong for smaller industrial incubator units (3,000—10,000 square feet) and smaller retail spaces Industrial and retail vacancies are stabilizing while office space absorption (less square footage available for lease) remains minimal due to a lack of new jobs in the area we expect continued movement within the market With plenty of opportunities and a positive long-term outlook Rohnert Park and Cotati remain strong locations for commercial real estate investment A house located at 160 West Cotati Oaks Court in Cotati has a new owner The $839,000 purchase price works out to $562 per square foot The property sits on a 10,063-square-foot lot New details from the California Highway Patrol have revealed what happened after a driver shot himself while his vehicle caught fire on Highway 101 near Cotati The California Highway Patrol on Saturday released new details that have revealed what happened after a driver shot himself while his vehicle caught fire on Highway 101 near Cotati Friday afternoon highway patrol and other agencies were dispatched to Highway 101 near the northbound Railroad Avenue offramp after receiving reports of a white Kia sedan driving while on fire was also on fire and stepped out of the vehicle and shot himself CHP spokesperson Officer David deRutte said recounted seeing Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies with their guns drawn and the man lying on the road deRutte confirmed those details Saturday and said officers drew weapons because the man exited with a gun in his hand before he reportedly shot himself deputies pulled the man away from the burning car The man was transported to Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with “major burns” and a “self-inflicted gunshot wound,” deRutte said The incident temporarily closed all lanes of traffic in both directions of the highway No other vehicles or passengers were involved in the incident 2025 at 7:58 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Here are the current jackpot amounts in the three top lotto games played in California CA — Someone just punched their retirement ticket One ticket worth $30 million matched all six numbers in Wednesday's night's SuperLotto Plus drawing the statewide lotto run by the California Lottery It was sold at My Goods Market on Gravenstein Highway in Cotati The winner has the option of selecting an annuity that will be paid out over decades According to the California State Lottery website, "The fastest way to claim prizes $600 and over is at a Lottery District Office. Lottery District Offices are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m The current processing time for error-free claims is 4 to 6 weeks." Same-day check processing at lottery offices is available for prizes up to $1,000 the jackpot reverts to the minimum of $7 million The multi-state lottos played in California have jackpots that have grown to astronomical levels Friday night's Mega Millions jackpot is $233 million while Saturday's Powerball is $320 million While federal income tax is due on lottery winnings California is one of just eight states that do not tax lottery windfalls A 2,135-square-foot house built in 1996 has changed hands The spacious property located at 111 Oretsky Way in Cotati was sold on April 7 The $880,000 purchase price works out to $412 per square foot The layout of this two-story home includes four bedrooms and one bath The property is situated on a lot spanning 5,785 square feet Other houses have recently been sold nearby: This automated story was produced for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat using artificial intelligence and data science. Property information is compiled from municipal assessors in Sonoma County. For any errors email info@pressdemocrat.com.