Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor Walmart Neighborhood Market has been shut down since Friday due to a burst pipe in the sprinkler system One of Rohnert Park’s most popular grocery stores has been shut down since Friday due to a burst pipe in the sprinkler system a sprinkler riser in the store failed and water leaked inside an electric panel “I was waiting in line to buy some shredded cheese and all the sudden the strobe and sirens started going off Nobody knew what to do,” said Veronica Madsen a Rohnert Park resident who lives right behind the store Rohnert Park Building Department issued a red tag and put up a Stop Work Order due to the market being uninhabitable One resident went to Facebook and posted pictures of the red signs and two refrigerator trailers in the parking lot “It’s totally an unusual thing,” said City Councilmember Susan Adams Most of the time you can’t even find a parking space It’s one of the most active shopping centers in Rohnert Park.” though no specific date has been set,” said the Walmart Press Team in an email You can reach Staff Writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or alana.minkler@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter,) @alana_minkler The remodeling initiative that includes nearly five dozen locations in Solano Sonoma and other California counties is part of a broader $800 million investment Walmart has made in Golden State store upgrades over the past five years Walmart plans to remodel four of its North Bay locations as part of upgrades to 57 stores across California this year The updates are scheduled for these local stores: Rohnert Park and Vacaville stores are Walmart Neighborhood Market smaller-sized locations typically having 40,000 to 50,000 square feet The grocery-focused format has a deli and bakery plus household staples such as pharmacy items The Windsor location on Hembree Lane is a larger-format Walmart that includes general merchandise in addition to grocery items Construction is expected to begin between early summer and early fall and be completed between fall and January 2026 A spokesperson said this was part of the Arkansas-based retail giant’s ongoing efforts to modernize its over 4,700 stores and clubs nationwide “We remodel several hundred stores every year to keep stores up to date on technology and customer needs we plan to remodel more than 650 stores,” Anne Hatfield wrote in an email For example, last year the retail giant renovated its other Rohnert Park store one of its Supercenter large-format locations with a grocery emphasis The remodeling initiative is part of a broader $800 million investment Walmart has made in California store upgrades over the past five years Enhancements in this year’s remodels will include bold new signage improvements to pharmacy areas — such as wider aisles and privacy features — and better support for online pickup and delivery services San Francisco Bay Area locations set to get upgrades this year are in Richmond Walmart executives for the past few years have been talking about changing consumer behavior reflecting economic pressures and evolving shopping patterns “You can see that the money runs out before the month is gone, you can see that people are buying smaller pack sizes at the end of the month,” CEO Doug McMillon said at the Economic Club of Chicago on Feb. 27, according to Forbes Walmart highlighted its commitment to maintaining strong community ties and improving both customer and associate experiences “Our stores often serve as the heartbeat of the communities we operate in and these remodels are a testament to our dedication to enhancing that role,” said Jay Cordray Reach him at jquackenbush@busjrnl.com or 707-521-4256 They say every new moon is a chance to set new intentions and every full moon is a time to let go of what no longer serves us I’m excited to introduce myself as your new Rohnert Park Rumblings writer I’m a recently retired elementary school teacher and thrilled to connect with you Think of this as an informal tarot card reading — like the ones my friends and I did in the ’90s — reflecting on the past Maybe your past included major life changes — getting a flu or COVID vaccine the past 20 years were dedicated to teaching What do you want your daily life to reflect or creating something new that brings you joy Rohnert Park offers so much — the creek trails and even e-bikes for a weekend ride with friends I know I am — retirement allows me to follow my passions and fully appreciate the present moment I’ve embraced this by joining new activities — writing for the Sonoma County Gazette joining the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA Division 39) supporting affordable housing through Generation Housing and becoming a member of the Rohnert Park Senior Center Our city’s future is just as promising: a new downtown I’ll continue to track the latest rumblings keeping you informed about why life in Rohnert Park matters Brenda Ann Smith is a recently retired elementary school teacher living in Rohnert Park with her cat The butcher shop will keep its flagship store in Santa Rosa One of Santa Rosa’s longest-running butcher shops is expanding to Rohnert Park — bringing decades of tradition locally made sausages and community spirit to a new storefront near University Park is set to open its second location in early May at 1451 Southwest Blvd The 3,000-square-foot shop will mark a homecoming for owner Chris Peterson who grew up in Rohnert Park and still has deep roots in the community “It’s always been my dream to expand,” said Peterson who has worked in the meat industry for nearly 27 years and took over Willowside Meats in 2019 it’s about trying to provide a good product for the community at an affordable price The shop is known for its custom meat processing — including both farm-raised and wild game — as well as its house-made sausages While Peterson considered enlarging the existing Guerneville Road shop he said opening a new location made more sense financially and logistically The space in Rohnert Park will allow Willowside to offer even more products and keep prices reasonable Production of their signature sausages will shift to the new site and several employees from the Santa Rosa location will transfer over News of the expansion quickly generated buzz online with longtime customers celebrating the move “Willowside Meats will be such an amazing addition to our community!” Claire Chinchilla wrote on Facebook Shannon Kerston added,“It’s worth the trek to (Santa Rosa) but oh my gosh how cool to have the best meats in RP!” Peterson said choosing Rohnert Park felt natural — his kids still play sports in the city and many of his friends and family live nearby has always been part of Willowside’s philosophy “I always tell my staff: once you get a customer in the door you’ll have them for life,” Peterson said An exact opening date hasn’t been announced Willowside Meats plans to share more details about a grand opening event on its social media pages in the coming weeks You can reach Staff Writer Melanie Nguyen at 707-521-5457 or melanie.nguyen@pressdemocrat.com KQED Live Events PRX Podcast Garage Events Events Around the Bay Area Member Benefits with KQED Live Videos from KQED LiveWatch recordings of recent KQED Live events Featured That's My WordAn ongoing exploration of Bay Area hip-hop history See Senior Director of TV Programming Meredith Speight’s recommendations from this month’s KQED 9 Watch recordings of recent KQED Live events Support KQED by using your donor-advised fund to make a charitable gift An unpermitted marijuana grow room discovered by a Sonoma County code enforcement inspector on the property of ex-cop Brendan Jacy Tatum, who is awaiting sentencing for federal extortion and tax evasion charges. (Courtesy Sonoma County )Sonoma County code inspectors discovered a large illegal indoor cannabis operation on the property of former Rohnert Park Sgt according to records recently obtained by KQED especially with my case being for the same issue,” Tatum told officials during the March 27 I’m just trying to make some money and get things squared away for my family before I go to prison.” said his client was renting out a large barn on his multi-acre Santa Rosa property but “he did not know they were growing pot.” According to Hanlon Tatum “immediately reported” the enforcement action to his pretrial services officer Libby said he could not speak to the media The United States Attorney’s office declined to comment The county cited both Tatum and his tenant Hargis could not immediately be reached for comment Neither Hargis nor Tatum faced criminal action or further investigation “I personally know Tatum to have ruined the lives of dozens and dozens and dozens of marijuana farmers out there,” said defense and civil rights attorney Izaak Schwaiger who represented many of Tatum’s victims He said it is hard to see the lack of consequences as anything other than preferential treatment the system has zero integrity if they refuse to follow through and put the hammer on this guy.” This is the latest twist in a legal saga that’s dragged on for years In 2021, Tatum and Huffaker were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly using their authority as police officers to extort people taking large quantities of cannabis “without reporting or checking the seized property into evidence or documenting or reporting the stop and seizure.” Huffaker has maintained his innocence Tatum and Huffaker were among the first former peace officers to be officially decertified under a California law that went into effect in January 2023 Huffaker’s attorney said his client “looks forward to proving his innocence.” As part of Tatum’s plea deal he is expected to testify against Huffaker at trial said it was hard to imagine how the former drug interdiction specialist could fail to notice cannabis cultivation on his own property If federal prosecutors and pretrial services were notified and did nothing “I should have been made aware of this as a victim,” he said inspection was the result of “ a complaint about a chicken coop” and that the discovery of the cannabis was incidental However, the application (PDF) for the warrant shows that code enforcement officer Todd Hoffman had acquired aerial footage of Tatum’s property and saw evidence of cannabis cultivation including large AC units running on a “relatively cool [53 degrees Fahrenheit] spring morning.” He also noted obscured windows “presumably to stop the entry of light and create a vestibule entryway,” another hallmark of indoor cannabis cultivation Hoffman’s declaration details additional unpermitted construction but it is largely focused on suspected cannabis violations Hoffman cited Tatum’s federal conviction related to “a series of traffic stops and marijuana robberies” and attached Tatum’s federal indictment Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Shelly J. Averill signed the inspection warrant (PDF) Code enforcement officials were accompanied by a Sonoma County deputy sheriff to search Tatum’s Santa Rosa property Tatum told inspectors that “the front barn was being rented out to an acquaintance for the purpose of growing cannabis,” according to documents The barn’s electricity was supplied through an unpermitted trench running from Tatum’s 6,000-square-foot agricultural structure “I could smell the strong odor of cannabis,” Hoffman noted in documents At some point, Hargis arrived to let inspectors into the barn, where three rooms for cultivating cannabis had been constructed. Inspectors found (PDF) about 500 plants growing in one of the rooms A second room had “an abundance of black trash bags full of recently harvested and dried stems.” The third smaller room contained four or five large “mother plants” for the purpose of cloning you don’t have a thousand marijuana plants so that you can treat glaucoma,” said Schwaiger who questioned why the county didn’t bring charges against Tatum Code enforcement manager Tyra Harrington said it’s county policy to treat cannabis cultivation as a land-use issue even though state law still forbids the unlicensed commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana Harrington said her department does not investigate potential illicit cannabis sales or tax evasion issues She pointed out that the sheriff was part of the inspection and if they considered it “a criminal matter they certainly would have taken action at the time.” spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said cannabis enforcement “has nothing to do with us” and that a deputy was present simply to provide security in case the property owner had guns or resisted in some way He referred all questions to Harrington’s department The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office said in an email it did not receive “any police reports” about Tatum or Hargis’s cannabis violations Tatum told me that he was growing cannabis for the money and as well as renting out the trailers for the money,” Harrington said She said she had no interaction with Hargis Tatum removed the plants within one day and paid the fine Harrington said Tatum’s property is still out of compliance with other county codes inspectors found a host of additional violations electrical service to the agricultural barn and three travel trailers being used as housing She said Tatum has been working with the code enforcement ombudsman and the building and planning department to try and bring everything into compliance “ I’m not a big fan of locking people up in boxes,” Schwaiger said “But I’m a lot less of a fan of the hypocrisy attendant to this kind of a case where you have someone charged with enforcing the law and who has put countless people in jail for the exact same thing now profiting off of it To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. There’s good news for Rohnert Park residents who want to get out of their cars and onto trails Plans are underway to extend Copeland Creek Trail across U.S linking the south end of the trail directly to Redwood Drive This new overpass will be exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists It’s a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day 2025 by helping reduce our carbon footprint now and for future generations the Public Works Department presented an informal report about upcoming street and pavement projects Among the more than 70 proposed projects is an overpass extension of Copeland Creek Trail across U.S Consultants Taylor McAdam and Kelly Bond from Fehr & Peers are conducting the Central Rohnert Park Community-Based Transportation Plan (CBTP) for the Sonoma County Transportation Authority Details of these plans are included in the official City of Rohnert Park Active Transportation Plan This 67-page document outlines 71 projects aimed at improving active transportation from safer crossings to upgraded bike lanes Project 55 specifically focuses on Copeland Creek Trail improvements including the new overpass and separate bike lanes along the west side of Commerce Boulevard the City Council reviewed adopting the final Rohnert Park Active Transportation Plan there will be a community pop-up event at Copeland Creek Apartments on March 19 Eleanor Leshner of Leshner Planning will lead the discussion inviting senior residents to share their transportation experiences and feedback The goal is clear: encourage residents to get off their couches you deserve a safe and enjoyable experience that lets you embrace the joy of being active outdoors Brenda Ann Smith and her cat Oliver live in Rohnert Park The city and Burbank Housing are seeking some $30 million to turn the inn into permanent housing through California’s Homekey+ program Seventy new apartments could be available by December 2026 in Rohnert Park for seniors and veterans experiencing homelessness should city leaders and Burbank Housing mount a successful bid to tap a statewide pool of funds for low-income housing projects The city and the affordable-housing developer are seeking just over $30 million to renovate the Best Western Sonoma Winegrower’s Inn at 6500 Redwood Drive Burbank has already entered into an agreement to buy the hotel, which remains open, from Poppy Bank, which now owns it, city officials said. That sale would finalize upon the city and Burbank Housing getting the grant from the Homekey+ program About $2 billion in Homekey+ funds became available in 2024 through the passage of Proposition 1 which expanded a pandemic-era program focused on adding permanent supportive housing ― meaning beds or apartments in developments that also offer rehabilitative services ― for homeless individuals The cities of Santa Rosa and Napa have applications for Homekey+ projects as well Homekey already has funded some 250 projects resulting in the construction of more than 15,000 affordable homes “This is like this boat of opportunity that went by Rohnert Park and you reached out and grabbed it,” Council member Susan Adams told Rich Wallach of Burbank Housing Tuesday night The City Council voted unanimously to partner with Burbank The pair submitted their grant application to the state on Wednesday The state will announce grant awards in July the city’s role would be to manage the permitting process to ensure Burbank could start construction in September 2025 and complete the transformation of the hotel into apartments a year later The city would not be financially responsible for any part of the project Wallach told the council that the grant money would allow Burbank to convert the 142-room hotel into a 71-unit site that would offer permanent housing to 60 seniors and 10 veterans who otherwise do not have it Per the Homekey+ requirements, the project would target individuals who also struggle with behavior or mental health problems. That support would be provided by HomeFirst, a Santa Clara-based mental health provider. HomeFirst currently provides such services to residents at Rohnert Park’s Labath Landing a sort of midway-housing option for people also experiencing homelessness Tuesday night’s approval marks another step for the city, toward meeting state-mandated housing development requirements city leaders have met just 17% of the required housing units the state has mandated for low-income and moderate-income residents within Rohnert Park just 66 housing units have been permitted out of a required 399; 60 of those units are for temporary houses at Labath Landing “We are listening and we are trying,” Council member Jackie Elward said “We have a lot of veterans who are outside on the street I am hoping that this will be some peace of mind while they are waiting.” Unlike Labath Landing, the proposed Burbank site would offer a permanent housing solution. City staff say that future tenants would need to contribute 30% of their income toward rent. Tenants would also be able to utilize vouchers from outside sources Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for rent While the City Council lauded its partnership with Burbank “As a resident [of] Rohnert Park and possible neighbor to the project … I'd like to say that my hope is that if safety issues occur we can come together and find possible solutions,” said Sylvia Rodriguez Rohnert Park City Manager Marcela Piedra noted that the both Burbank and HomeFirst have proven track records within the city Burbank Housing has five other housing projects within the city and HomeFirst has operated Labath Landing since it opened in October 2022 “I think there are also lessons we’ve learned You’ve got an A-team here with Burbank and HomeFirst I think if you look at Labath Landing and the success in terms of the management and responsive of HomeFirst … that’s a very good example of how we would respond.” 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 Drivers heading south on Highway 101 through Sonoma County on Thursday morning are facing delays of up to 30 minutes after a crash blocked multiple lanes north of Rohnert Park The collision occurred just before 6 a.m. near the Golf Course Drive offramp and left two lanes blocked, according to the California Highway Patrol. As of about 7:20 a.m. Details about the crash were not immediately available Traffic is backed up to around Baker Avenue, exit 488A, according to Sigalert You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com A 2,444-square-foot house built in 1978 has changed hands The spacious property located at 847 Santa Dorotea Circle in Rohnert Park was sold on April 9 The property occupies a lot of 8,200 square feet Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include: 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 The 11,000-square-foot space by Roberts Lake has been vacant for over two years The expansive indoor-outdoor space offers views of Roberts Lake a feature that was particularly appealing to Brewsters co-owner Mike Goebel "We're giving the place a face-lift and breathing life back into the space We're really leaning in to being on the water," he said Goebel added that the new restaurant will share some elements with its Petaluma counterpart but will have its own name and vibe when it opens later this year North) opened in 2016 with 350 seats in the heart of downtown Petaluma The picnic-style tables and open-air dining became especially popular during the pandemic providing a much-needed respite for families and diners when lockdown restrictions were eased General manager Ben Hetzel and beverage director Cappy Sorentino are co-owners and its Healdsburg restaurant and brewery operated until 2019 the company opened the Rohnert Park lakeside taproom (formerly Latitude) but struggled during the pandemic and closed permanently in 2022 Stay tuned for updates regarding the opening of the new Rohnert Park taproom later this year You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com The new clinic opened April 3 and is the first of an additional 19 the medical provider plans to open by 2028 Sutter already operates nearly 30 in California Sutter Health has opened a primary care and urgent care clinic in Rohnert Park the Sacramento-based health care system recently announced It is the first of an additional 19 clinics in the works to open in the next three years Sutter already operates nearly 30 in the state The Rohnert Park Care Center and diagnostic and lab services to adults and children 3 months and older with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries has two procedure rooms and 24 exam rooms — 16 for primary care and eight for urgent care Urgent care is available on a walk-in basis seven days a week Primary care is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m Appointments are required and can be made by calling 707-588-3030 The clinic also offers osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) a specialty service that involves a hands-on technique to treat conditions that include chronic pain Sutter plans to expand upon its specialty service offerings at the clinic in the future The new care center is staffed with seven primary care physicians from the Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods along with a team of advanced practice clinicians “This investment in Rohnert Park is about bringing more local physicians and advanced practice clinicians into the community so people and families can flourish and lead healthier lives,” said Dr CEO of Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods having imaging and lab services on-site is a big benefit as it means faster results for both patients and clinicians helping them make informed decisions more quickly.” Sutter invested nearly $17 million to transform the 17,000-square-foot facility that formerly housed a Pac Bell call center The project was led by Layton Construction and completed in eight months “As the city of Rohnert Park continues to grow the opening of this new care center is a significant step forward in meeting the health care needs of our community,” said Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice “This new center will not only enhance health care delivery but also contribute to the well-being of our entire community ensuring that families can receive the care they need close to home.” Sutter’s nearest hospitals to Rohnert Park are Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital and Novato Community Hospital The health care system states it serves more than 3 million patients throughout California The property located at 929 San Francisco Way in Rohnert Park was sold on April 10 The $1,128,000 purchase price works out to $714 per square foot has an interior space of 1,580 square feet The property occupies a lot of 6,500 square feet Other houses have recently changed hands nearby: Newsom and California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia is yet another response to a wave if cuts proposed at Sonoma State University For more stories about SSU cuts, go to pdne.ws/4jp7Znc Moved by more than a dozen pleas from student-athletes and coaches the Rohnert Park City Council sent a letter to Sacramento this week asking state legislators to “explore funding solutions” that would enable Sonoma State University to restore academic and athletic programs slated for the chopping block in 2025-26 “It’s really disheartening to see,” John Sprague a freshman on the SSU men’s golf team told the council Tuesday night “The cuts made by the interim president seem really unfair not knowing the culture and environment of Rohnert Park being surrounded by SSU I was really hoping to spend the rest of my years here And now I have to find somewhere else to play the council reminds Newsom and Garcia that “the presence of the university in the North Bay region is significant While making a statement, the city’s letter does little more than add additional pressure to lawmakers who are frantically searching for ways to save the university’s athletic and academic programs amid a statewide budget crunch Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice said he has spoken to state legislators including Senator Pro Tem Mike McGuire — an SSU alumnus — and Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry about the school’s plight and how it would affect the city “You’ve got some of the most capable and powerful people working on a potential solution,” Giudice said Tuesday night Giudice and Council members Jackie Elward and Susan Adams pledged their personal support to helping the students affected by the proposed changes but we do not have $5 million to give you,” Adams said “I have spoken with our legislators face to face explaining how important it is to keep SSU athletics on campus and we’ve had no pushback “I feel like we have let you guys down,” Elward added I will do whatever I can to fight with you to stand by your side until the end.” The property located at 626 Racquet Club Circle in Rohnert Park was sold on April 15 has an interior space of 1,284 square feet The layout of this two-story home consists of three bedrooms and one bath The lot of the property covers an area of 1,121 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 The property located at 5756 Dexter Circle in Rohnert Park was sold on April 15 The $910,000 purchase price works out to $506 per square foot has an interior space of 1,800 square feet The property is situated on a lot spanning 8,300 square feet won gold at the 2nd Pan American Championship of Saltwater Kayak Fishing representing Team USA and promoting women's participation in the sport saltwater fishing off the Sonoma Coast is no joke feisty fish and manic weather can come together to challenge even the most intrepid outdoors person Now consider this diversion while sitting alone atop a kayak floating mere inches from the surface of the ocean with absolutely no deckhands to help haul in a catch The combination is an average Saturday for Annie Nagel has become a big deal in the small-but-intense world of kayak angling She also is one of the only women on Team USA Saltwater Kayak Fishing and last month she won a gold medal in the women’s division at the 2nd Pan American Championship of Saltwater Kayak Fishing in La Paz Nagel works as the office manager for a middle school in Petaluma living this dichotomy life has provided a very fulfilling life love that I’m helping to raise awareness of a really cool sport and I absolutely love being out on the water,” she said “I also love how being outside mixes things up but when I’m in the kayak it’s the one time I put my phone down I don’t think I get that with anything else I do with my life.” Nagel grew up in the R Section of Rohnert Park always playing with the boys in her neighborhood Fast-forward to the end of high school (she graduated from Rancho Cotate High School) and tragedy enabled her to discover her love for kayak fishing and the ocean Nagel went out with some friends in San Francisco and on the drive home their vehicle was involved in a horrific accident at a high speed The car flipped end over end and rolled sideways several times But Nagel describes the moment as the scariest of her life I knew nothing would ever be the same,” she said “I wanted to make the most out of life from that moment on.” and said she could feel her heart thumping in her chest Nagel said she remembers the moment like it happened yesterday “The fish was jumping around and it was so acrobatic on my line,” she said “That was the very first adrenaline rush after my car accident and that was when I was like Over the course of the dozen years that followed Nagel spent as much time on the water as she possibly could She signed up for as many fishing tournaments as she could muster She spent free time fishing the waters near Salt Point and Fort Ross state parks Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve and Doran Regional Park she’s sitting in the boat for as many as six to eight hours a pop Her love for kayak fishing became so intense that if she wasn’t at work pretty much everyone in her life assumed she was out on the water Nagel explained her obsession by tapping into that adrenaline rush she always does her best to keep me on my toes,” she said noting that her primary kayak right now is an Old Town/ BigWater PDL Bodega Tackle in Petaluma is her local go-to spot for equipment Nagel added that she appreciates how different kayak fishing is from fishing from a large motor vessel the experience has more of a teamwork vibe since there are others to help tie lines You’re picking up the fish right at your side It couldn’t be any more different from the charter fishing boat experience Another reason Nagel loves saltwater kayak fishing: harvesting wild food Having all this fresh fish at her disposal and said she will eat just about anything she is legally allowed to remove from whatever body of water she’s fishing She said she enjoys experimenting with new recipes and she loves the idea of eating what she has caught Nagel’s success on the water has thrust her into a leadership position of the national team Her selfless style also has won her respect from fellow anglers in the local fishing community founder of the NorCal Kayak Anglers and president of the USA Saltwater Kayak Fishing Team said he has watched Nagel grow from a beginner in the sport to one of its most accomplished anglers He added that Nagel’s skills and name recognition make her a great resource for the sport “What makes her special is her passion for introducing new people to the sport and creating networks to grow it,” Sansano wrote in a recent email who helms a charter fishing boat out of San Francisco She met Nagel several years ago and the two have gone fishing on the ocean and Lake Berryessa several times since it’s important that we exist,” Salvador said Another byproduct of Nagel’s success: Sponsorships with several different outdoor adventure and outdoor gear companies These types of relationships are critical in today’s marketing-heavy world Some of Nagel’s most trusted sponsors include Edge Rods and the American Fishing Tackle Company One of her biggest sponsors, Mustang Survival, made Nagel the subject of an online video that was part of its “Live Beyond Land” campaign the video remains one of the most watched episodes of the series There’s no question the future is bright for Nagel always looking for opportunities to sharpen her skills Nagel also hopes to help raise awareness about kayak fishing as a sport; she likes to mention she didn’t start until she was 19 Nagel is taking her saltwater kayak fishing expertise international again she was invited to represent the USA once again this September in Italy for the World Cup of Sea Kayak Fishing She said she is eager to bring home another gold When asked to reflect on the gravity of representing the country in yet another multinational competition Nagel waxed poetic and noted she was aware of the responsibility that comes with the honor “I see this as an opportunity to inspire the next generation to pursue their passions and step into spaces where they may not have always seen themselves represented,” she said and I hope to shift perspectives and encourage more diversity in the sport.” British writer’s intimate drama explores the complex lives of three women at the dawn of the 21st century Information & Tickets: SpreckelsOnline.com “Am I safe?” That’s the opening question in “Morning Sun,” the intimate drama now playing at Spreckels Theatre It’s one that many people may be asking themselves right now “Morning Sun’s” central character is Charley (Sandra Ish) a single mother who lives in New York City with her mother and daughter Through the varying lenses of these three women we are shown the arc of Charley’s life – from a child growing up in the 1930s to a mature woman approaching the end of her life at the start of the 21st century Charley’s story is marked by several key events A chance meeting leads to her daughter’s unplanned conception A connection made over Edward Hopper’s “Morning Sun” painting leads to a relationship that defines the later part of her life she is working at St Vincent’s Hospital – the real-world place of last resort for many young men dying of the disease in the 1980s her mother Claudette (Molly Noble) and her daughter Tessa (Taylor Diffenderfer) offer their perspectives on her story Noble and Diffenderfer also play several additional characters that help move the narrative along Simply staged and lit by Eddy Hansen (as playwright Simon Stephens indicates in the script that it should be) “Morning Sun” is a constantly flowing dialog between the three women Other characters wait in the shadows for their turn to take part in the narrative It’s a lot of words for the audience to digest the action and interest picks up significantly in Act 2 Sandra Ish plays Charley with affection and largely good humor But none of the events of Charley’s life seem to impact her deeply You might have expected the playwright to give her something more to say about what it was like to work in a hospital full of patients infected by an unknown and terrifying disease Or about her own reaction (as opposed to someone else’s) to the horror of 9/11 in the moment that it happens Charley’s personal life has its share of drama and sadness but essentially it’s the story of an “everywoman,” with nothing very remarkable about it Diffenderfer suggests a more complex character for the daughter – warm and loving but uncertain of where her life is going and how to live it She’s also excellent at embodying other characters with a gesture or a vocal tone that give them life and color Molly Noble is a mostly sympathetic mother When she does interject a sharp observation or contention There’s no doubting the love that exists between this trio of women – and surprisingly little sign of the tensions and pent-up frustrations that in another play might have created the backbone of the drama Director Lauren Heney keeps the pace going nicely and has a good eye for movement but at the performance I saw the cast hadn’t yet found the rhythm of the play there were times when the actors needed to pull back for a beat and let each other (and us) sit with what had just been said Adriana Gutierrez cleverly uses plenty of white for the costumes which together with Hansen’s lighting design gives these women a touch of the lightness found in a Hopper painting The play’s setting and the passage of time is highlighted by projections (Lauren Heney and Nick Lovato) and period music (Jessica Johnson) I also wondered if this script would have resonated better with me – a mother and a daughter – if it had been written by a woman At the risk of being politically incorrect here I would argue that in general women writers do a better job at writing about women (with many huge exceptions the predominately female audience clearly felt a connection to this loving family of women In Edward Hopper’s “Morning Sun,” a woman sits on a bed lit by morning sunshine and gazes out of the window and what kind of life has brought her to this moment the woman in Hopper’s painting was his wife 2025 at 9:06 pm PTRohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice speaks at a preview event for the new health care facility (Sutter Health)A preview event was held before opening day (Sutter Health)Artwork for Sutter Health's new Rohnert Park Care Center was created by Julie Coyle Art Associates in collaboration with curator Nancy Witherell (Sutter Health)Imaging among the services provided at the new Rohnert Park Care Center CA—Sonoma County residents have more access to health care with the opening Thursday of a new Sutter Health care center in Rohnert Park The new facility at 6000 State Farm Drive offers primary and urgent care Sutter Health sees the expansion as part of its commitment to bring integrated health care closer to home for more Northern California residents “Rohnert Park is a growing community and we’re excited to open this new primary and urgent care to grow along with it,” said Erin Neal ambulatory CEO of Sutter’s Greater San Francisco Division “By increasing Sutter’s presence in Rohnert Park especially for high demand services like lab and imaging coordinated care in a modern setting designed for convenience and efficiency.” Sutter invested nearly $17 million in transforming the former Pac Bell call center into a modern healthcare facility The project was led by Layton Construction and completed in eight months The new 17,000-square-foot care center has 24 exam rooms: 16 for primary care eight for urgent care and two for procedures It is staffed by seven primary care physicians from Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods Family medicine providers from Sutter’s Snyder Lane location were expected to transition Thursday to the new care center at 6000 State Farm Drive Healthcare services offered at the new Rohnert Park facility include: “We’re committed to helping ensure patients have a trusted care team close to come so they can easily access the right care and services when needed visitors are greeted by a collection of notable signs from around Rohnert Park alongside a mural featuring native Sonoma County plants Each exam room showcases artwork depicting familiar regional scenes Local artist Bob Nugent also contributed two large-scale tapestries to the space The Rohnert Park Care Center is one of the first in a plan to open 19 urgent care locations across Northern California by 2028 The intention is to reduce strain on local emergency departments and provide timely treatment for non-life-threatening conditions the opening of this new care center is a significant step forward in meeting the healthcare needs of our community,” Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice said “We are thrilled that Sutter Health is expanding its services here providing our residents with greater access to high-quality care in a convenient This new center will not only enhance healthcare delivery but also contribute to the well-being of our entire community See more information about the new Rohnert Park facility Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Sonoma County-based Northern California Public Media has begun renovations at its new 24,000 square-foot headquarters in Rohnert Park Lea el artículo en español aquí. Sonoma County-based Northern California Public Media began renovations this week at its new headquarters in Rohnert Park The two-story Professional Center Drive building about three times the size of the public media organization’s original headquarters in Rohnert Park NorCal Public Media, now in its 40th year, operates the local NPR station KRCB 104.9 FM, as well as KRCB-TV (Channel 22), a news website and six other free TV channels and streams for the nine-county Bay Area The renovations are expected to take several months and include installation of a broadcast engineering facility a new event-focused lobby and several multipurpose meeting spaces The second floor contains meeting rooms and more offices The project architect is Nate Bisbee of Santa Rosa firm Bisbee Architecture+Design and the general contractor is Holly Construction of Santa Rosa “We are building something together that will help the next generation of public media innovators to educate children to highlight the diversity of the communities we serve and to bring people together despite societal forces that attempt to separate us from each other,” NorCal Public Media President and CEO Darren LaShelle said in a written statement 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 3-year-old boy died after being run over by a tractor just outside of Petaluma The operator was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter A Rohnert Park man arrested after a 3-year-old boy was fatally struck by a tractor Sunday is expected to be released from jail as investigators continue reviewing the case William Lionel Medrano appeared briefly in Sonoma County Superior Court on Tuesday He was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and driving under the influence following the crash which killed Ian De Jesus on a rural property near Petaluma Prosecutor Matthew Hobson told the judge the investigation is ongoing and Judge Mark Urioste scheduled a follow-up hearing for May 6 Medrano was accompanied by a defense attorney though it’s unclear who will represent him moving forward a quiet agricultural road northwest of Petaluma Ian and his family lived in a unit on the property said California Highway Patrol Officer David deRutte though investigators aren’t sure whether he was employed or simply helping a friend DeRutte said Ian was with his family when he wandered off and was struck by a Bobcat tractor Medrano was operating Officers arrested Medrano after observing what they described as signs of intoxication He had been held at the Sonoma County jail on $100,000 bail Ian’s family has launched a GoFundMe memorial fundraiser to help pay for funeral expenses and hopes to return his body to Mexico for burial “His family is beyond broken and devastated,” the fundraiser says CHP’s Santa Rosa office is asking anyone with information to call 707-806-5600 You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com You probably heard it in high school: “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” It’s a reminder that teamwork and collaboration are key to success they’ve taken that idea a step further — literally When city planners laid out the town’s grid in the 1950s they deliberately skipped the letter “I” when naming the sections and streets While this was done to avoid confusion between the letter and the number “1,” it also serves as a fitting metaphor for the community spirit that defines the town the focus has always been on the collective on creating a place where people work together to make the city more than the sum of its parts The concept was to create a model community with carefully organized residential sections This system was intended to create a structured easy-to-navigate city layout that would appeal to the growing suburban population Rohnert Park was one of the first planned communities in Sonoma County reflecting the mid-20th century vision of suburban development that emphasized order The city’s planners aimed to create a community that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing Rohnert Park’s grid and planning might seem sterile but the story behind its development is more complex and rooted in the optimistic visions of mid-20th century suburban America The city was planned and developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s by a group of investors led by Maurice Fredericks They envisioned Rohnert Park as a “model city” that would embody the ideals of suburban living which were rapidly gaining popularity during that era The city’s layout was meticulously designed to ensure convenience Each section was given a letter designation to help residents navigate easily schools and parks strategically placed within each section to create self-contained neighborhoods this design promotes a strong sense of neighborhood identity and makes it easier to navigate within each section But for outsiders or even residents trying to get from one section to another flowing street system between sections adds to this effect reinforcing the feeling that you’re moving through a series of interconnected but distinct areas The name “Rohnert” in Rohnert Park originates from the Rohnert family Waldo Rohnert was a successful business owner who purchased a large ranch in the area in 1929 He implemented a drainage system to reduce flooding on the land which laid the groundwork for its development into agricultural use his son Fred Rohnert continued to manage the property and developed it into the Rohnert Seed Farm which became a significant horticultural operation in Sonoma County The farm specialized in growing flower seeds and vegetable seeds When the planned community was being developed in the 1950s the area was named Rohnert Park to honor the Rohnert family’s contributions to the region The Rohnerts were well respected in the community and their agricultural success made them notable figures in the area When someone tells you there’s no “I” in Rohnert Park they’re not just talking about the alphabet — they’re pointing to a deeper sense of community where collaboration is key It’s a small but telling detail in a city that prides itself on being “The Friendly City,” where the absence of “I” is a point of pride The Rohnert Park People Services Center provides counseling domestic-violence intervention and parenting services the city lacked a central spot for such services Rohnert Park residents who can’t find housing don’t understand their rights as renters or simply might need a hand filling out SNAP food assistance forms now have a dedicated spot to do all of the above .. Dubbed the Rohnert Park People Services Center the hub is “a one-stop-shop for ‘I’m teetering on the edge and need help,” Rohnert Park Mayor Susan Adams said we were a flyover town,” Adams told the roughly three dozen people who attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the center on Wednesday you had to go to Petaluma or Santa Rosa or the county to get services.” The city took a vacant office building it owns freshened it with $100,000 in taxpayer-funded renovations and has made it the central home of social service programs the overwhelming majority of them funded with a mix of county Residents seeking assistance can drop by the center Appointments can be made by calling 707-765-8488 including individual and family counseling parenting classes and help navigating financial literacy Rohnert Park lacked a single place where residents could get help The center’s opening comes nearly a decade after a report called the Portrait of Sonoma County exposed pockets of the city as lacking social services prompting city staff and local leaders into action “In 2014, then-assistant city manager Don Schwartz said, ‘If we can figure it out, can you bring your services?’” Elece Hempel, executive director of Petaluma People Services Center said But Majid says the distance between the nonprofit’s base in Petaluma is a barrier “Between 50% and 55% of clients we serve don’t have access to wheels,” Majid said We’ll have the ability to meet with clients and provide more services for them.” The Rohnert Park Regional Library is also likely to partner with the new hub communications manager for the Sonoma County Library The center’s goal is to serve around 350 households in its first year the center’s services are geared toward residents whose incomes are between 30% to 80% of the area median income which is $128,100 for a four-person household King also expects that residents making less than 30% of area median income will likely make up one in five of the center’s clientele base “It’s important to take note it’s not normal for cities to do this,” Third District Supervisor Chris Coursey said but it’s absolutely necessary to take care of residents of the city.” someone broke into the school and ransacked about half the student spaces Lea el artículo es español aquí. A man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the break-in and vandalism at John Reed Elementary School in Rohnert Park which forced the school to close for a day earlier this week The damage was so extensive that school officials canceled classes for the day to allow time for cleanup was taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of vandalism While police provided an initial damage estimate as part of their investigation the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District is still assessing the full extent of the costs Superintendent Maité Iturri said Monday that the impact would likely be “significant.” Beyond repairs, the closure also cost students a full day of learning, which Iturri said is especially critical for young children still developing reading skills “One of the most important things that we do is teach kids how to read and we have 180 days to do that at each grade level,” she said Monday Police did not say whether additional suspects were being sought The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is asking that anyone with further information on the case contact Detective Ashley Freyer at 707-588-3513 A house located at 520 Santa Alicia Drive in Rohnert Park has a new owner The $480,000 purchase price works out to $364 per square foot This two-story home has three bedrooms and one bath The property is situated on a lot spanning 1,008 square feet The nearly 70 proposed projects include crossing upgrading regular bike lanes to protected bike lanes and creating new bike lanes along roads that currently have none If you’re a Rohnert Park resident with a bike that’s collecting dust the City Council is looking to make it easier and safer to get around the city on two wheels As part of a countywide effort, the city is updating its decade-old bicycle and pedestrian safety plan, which serves as a blueprint of projects meant to expand and improve walking and biking routes throughout Rohnert Park The goal with the update is to get cyclists who wish roads were “just a bit safer” to feel confident enough to strap on a helmet and hop on bike to run an errand in lieu of driving their car told the City Council during its meeting on Tuesday Tacata said those cyclists who currently lack such confidence account for the majority of all possible riders in the city “We’re thinking in terms of providing for those just on the edge of ‘I would bike if it were safer,’” she said “We’re not building facilities for the strong and fearless Proposed projects — there are nearly 70 in total — include feasibility studies “I’ve heard a lot,” Tacata said of the community feedback and concerns she’s heard during her 20 years serving as staff liaison for the city’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee She said the active transportation plan is a rundown of “ways to address these concerns over time.” Mayor Gerard Giudice said he would like to see the city focus its efforts on making Snyder Lane safer “Snyder … is home to the majority of our children,” he said “I think we need to (prioritize) improvements there to keep children safe.” a one-mile section between Hinebaugh Creek and East Cotati Avenue has been home to 16 crashes which is 11% higher than the state average The street serves Lawrence Jones Middle School Rancho Cotate High School and Sunrise Park The California Office of Traffic Safety recorded 18 crashes involving pedestrians in the city in 2022 the latest year for which there were full statistics; two of the injured people were under the age of 15 and two were over age 65 14 cyclists were involved in collisions in the same year with four of those being children 15 or under The California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Rohnert Park as the 10th most dangerous city for cyclists 15 and under in 2022 The city has since invested in some improvements including more than $1 million on a redesign to make Southwest Boulevard between Commerce Boulevard and Adrian Drive safer for cyclists and pedestrians The mayor also wants the city to prioritize walking and biking accessibility as it embarks on building its new downtown corridor The Sonoma County Transportation Authority is leading the way to help identify projects in seven of the county’s nine cities with the idea that these plans will eventually lead to funding by state The deadline for finalizing every city’s plan is the end of February 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 Point West Flower Market is the only flower wholesaler in Rohnert Park that also fosters kittens in partnership with a local animal shelter Walk into the Point West Flower Market in Rohnert Park and you’ll spot one kitten playing with the drapes in the storefront’s window; one cozied up against a blanket on a sofa; and one on a table next to several potted orchids These are some of the nine kittens the Rohnert Park flower wholesaler currently has available for adoption As staff for Point West and Bella Vita Floral Production prepared flowers for arrangements co-owner Christina Zegrean talked about bringing her love for flowers and animals together under one roof Zegrean has always wanted to be a florist When she started Bella Vita Floral Productions she drove to the San Francisco Flower Market in the middle of the night to get flowers for her bouquets she said she saw a need for a local flower wholesaler in Sonoma County Zegrean started Point West with her parents I feel it’s helpful for other people who are going through the same thing that I was in terms of having to be up all night and then processing flowers all day Her shop specializes in sourcing flowers from Sonoma County when they are available with Zegrean saying she doesn’t think flowers have to be luxury items but instead can be incorporated into everyday life “I think that flowers offer a moment of stillness because even if you’re rushing or really busy most of the time people will stop to look at them and they can evoke pleasant feelings,” she said Point West is the first business in Rohnert Park to foster kittens for adoption in partnership with Rohnert Park Animal Services They began fostering kittens at the shop on accident a mother cat and seven kittens were found behind the store As a “die-hard animal lover” she felt compelled to help Rohnert Park Animal Services supervisor Mickey Zeldes said Zegrean would call to check on the cats and later offered to foster the kittens at the flower shop “We’ve never had a partnership like this and I thought it’s certainly worth exploring It sounds very creative and a good opportunity for our cats to be seen in a new environment,” Zeldes said After Zegrean filled out an application and her shop was inspected Zegrean said there have been 58 cats adopted from the flower shop — most of which were adopted in pairs to better socialize the cats “I love it because it offers a lot of energy to a space and most people aren’t expecting to find cats in a flower shop,” Zegrean said Zegrean said if a customer sees a kitten that they want to adopt at Point West they can either fill out an application online or at the Rohnert Park Animal Services shelter the kitten can leave the flower shop to its forever home Zeldes said Point West is the only business that fosters kittens for them but Zegrean would like to see more businesses foster kittens “Her dream is to get all the businesses to do it but it really takes a special person to be as committed as she is,” Zeldes said Point West will have ready- made floral arrangements available for Valentine’s Day and Zegrean has accepted requests for custom orders Point West will move its wholesale flowers to online ordering only Their sister store Bella Vita will be open for floral designs and walk-ins and the kittens will still be available to adopt at that store Zegrean said she also hopes to expand her kitten fostering efforts but does not have details on those plans yet want to nominate me for Pet of the Month — please make their wish come true It’s a great reminder of all Sonoma County has to offer Breed: Mysterious domestic shorthair Age: 8 years old Hometown: Rohnert Park Likes: I love crunchy foil balls and sometimes running around like a pony just to confuse my parents Dislikes: I don’t like when other animals come to the gate or when I’m not allowed to lie on everything in the house My story: I’m a handsome black cat with a rootbeer-colored undercoat when they visited the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter I touched my dad’s arm through the cage door I feel great after losing my teeth two years ago Thanks for considering me for Pet of the Month 2025 at 9:11 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Nearly 6 miles of new pathway segments connect Petaluma to Penngrove and Rohnert Park with Santa Rosa (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit)SONOMA COUNTY CA — Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit invites the public to help celebrate the completion of two Sonoma County segments of pedestrian and bike pathways Community walk/rides are set for April 26-27 on the new pathway segments between Petaluma and Penngrove and from Rohnert Park to Santa Rosa. The segments are part of the SMART Pathway/Great Redwood Trail and provide a more direct route pedal or glide" at their own pace for 3.4 miles from the Rohnert Park SMART Station where a Día del Niño celebration is taking place that afternoon The Moorland Neighborhood welcomes everyone to the family-friendly event SMART invites the community to walk or ride along the 2.25-mile path from the Petaluma North Station SMART staff will greet participants with well-earned swag and refreshments "Celebrate with us by bringing your bicycle "These events offer a unique chance to be among the first to ride and walk along the newly completed pathway segments." SMART encourages community members to carpool or travel by train to one or both of the events Complimentary day-use parking will be available Just after opening a showroom in Fairfield Granite Expo filed planning documents filed with Rohnert Park to open a location in a former Burlington store sometime over the next 12 months A Bay Area home improvement warehouse and showroom is moving into the former Burlington storefront in Rohnert Park Planning documents filed with the city show that Granite Expo a home improvement firm headquartered in Emeryville has plans to take over the discount retailer location some time in the next year The business was approved to move into the space by the planning commission and received a building permit in July for the installation of some exterior siding The website lists a Rohnert Park location at the former Burlington site as “coming soon,” although representatives with the business could not be reached by publication time Granite Expo has served the Bay Area since the late ’90s with locations throughout the region although the company recently opened a ninth location in Fairfield Rohnert Park will be the company’s 10th location Burlington previously occupied the storefront at 311 Rohnert Park Expressway until it closed earlier this year There is still another Burlington location on Santa Rosa Avenue You can reach Staff Writer Sara Edwards at 707-521-5487 or sara.edwards@pressdemocrat There is always plenty to choose from when it comes to how to stay busy in this area August is taking summer to the next level and finishing out strong with multiple events at the end of the month I’m continually impressed with the amount of support poured into so many community events here August is taking summer to the next level and finishing out strong with the African Soul Festival (10 a.m to 4 p.m.) and a Fundemonium Anniversary Party (10 a.m The Community Equity Foundation is hosting their 3rd Annual African Soul Festival The curated music is the Purifiedment Funkensurance Band Admission and parking are free at 500 City Center Drive Fundemonium opened 20 years ago in Petaluma the store grew from 6,000 square feet to a “community hub” in Rohnert Park of 14,000 square feet Steven and Jean Elliott are hosting a 20-Year Anniversary Party and with any purchase you get a gift bag and raffle prize Everyone is invited to their huge celebratory sale including 20% off baskets and party reservations The “Party on the Plaza” and evening Farmers’ Market is in its last month for this year’s season It’s hard to believe we’re wrapping up recurring summer festivities already but we know the fun doesn’t ever end in this Friendly City If you haven’t made it out in the last couple months now is your chance to catch the good vibes Contact Eva Granahan at emgranahan@ucdavis.edu The new roundabout aims to reduce speed in the A section neighborhood A pilot project to reduce speeds in Rohnert Park’s A section is near completion as the city’s Department of Public Works puts the finishing touches on its first “quick-build” roundabout While roundabouts aren’t new to Rohnert Park — the city welcomed its first at Southwest and Commerce boulevards in 2022 — the latest project is new for the public works department including the center circle and other barriers is effectively snapped over the road like Lego pieces located in a residential neighborhood at Arlen Drive and Almond Street was initiated after the city received “generalized concerns” about the intersection from neighborhood residents Staff from John Reed Elementary School also raised red flags about speeding drivers during school hours City staff spent months conducting speed surveys before installing the new roundabout They found that between April and May 2023 60% of the vehicles in the area exceed the 25 mph speed limit and 16% exceed 30 mph along Arlen Drive Sampietro knew from time spent in Caltrans training sessions that roundabouts are known to slow drivers down and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Federal Highway Administration studies have shown that roundabouts can reduce fatal and injury crashes by 78% to 84%. The goal is to see if the new roundabout effectively decreases speeding in the area, said Rohnert Park Director of Public Works Vanessa Garrett. “We’re starting to do these quick-build programs as part of our long-term roads plan,” she said. The quick-build process allows the public works department to get a project finished in six months and for about one-fourth of the cost of a regular roundabout. Garrett estimates the roundabout at Southwest and Commerce cost the city $2.5 million and took five years to complete. She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down progress of that roundabout. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohnert Park DPS (@rohnertparkdps) The quick-build roundabout is costing the city about $70,000 in comparison “What’s also great is that it can be moved,” Garrett said adding that if the project ends up not working for the neighborhood and other neighborhoods are interested in speed reduction measures the Public Works Department can utilize the roundabout elsewhere Sampietro said quick-build roundabouts are also slated for the intersections of Adrian Drive and Alison Avenue the city does not yet have funding for those projects Garrett and Sampietro urged residents to provide feedback once the project is complete at the end of the week Residents can connect with either of them by calling the Public Works Department at 707-588-3300 The suspect appeared to be under the influence of drugs when officers approached him Monday He’s accused of driving in reverse while his car door was open and it hit an officer A 36-year-old Santa Rosa man is accused of hitting a Rohnert Park police officer with an open car door Monday night before leading authorities on a chase that ended with officers pulling him from his vehicle Alex Reed was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon according to a Tuesday statement from the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety He’s being held at the Sonoma County jail and is scheduled to appear in Sonoma County Superior Court Wednesday Police say they encountered Reed about 9:40 p.m A Rohnert Park police spokesman said he did not have information on what attracted officers’ attention to the suspect He was sitting inside a silver Hyundai SUV and appeared to be under the influence of drugs Reed is accused of putting his vehicle in reverse while his car door was open and hitting an officer at the scene The officer was treated at a local hospital for moderate injuries Officers chased Reed around the city at speeds reaching 50 mph before getting onto northbound Highway 101 Other law enforcement agencies assisted and he was arrested in Santa Rosa Santa Rosa police got involved 9:55 p.m.and tried to stop the suspect near Petaluma Hill Road and Yolanda Avenue officers deployed a spike strip that punctured the suspects tires and he continued to drive He briefly stopped on Petaluma Hill Road before driving off and leading police on a chase at speeds of 20 to 30 mph The chase continued onto Yolanda and then to Santa Rosa Avenue where Reed is accused of running a red light where an officer performed a Pit maneuver on the suspect as he drove 20 mph This involves an officer connecting with a suspect vehicle and forcing it to spin out Reed refused to come out of his vehicle and a Santa Rosa hostage negotiator communicated with him for over an hour Police used a drone to survey the scene and it showed the suspect talking on his phone with a “small dog” in the vehicle Police deployed pepper spray into the vehicle Reed still refused to come out and a team of officers had to “physically remove him,” Seffens said Paramedics treated the suspect at the scene for pepper spray exposure and his dog was turned over to animal officials Court records show Reed has previous misdemeanor convictions of obstructing police and giving police false identification Reading Cinemas in Rohnert Park closed in November 2023 and the building has largely sat vacant since It’ll be turned into a pickleball and gym complex The building that once housed Rohnert Park’s sole movie theater will be converted into a large pickleball and health club facility sometime next year. The space has largely sat vacant since Reading Cinemas abruptly shut its doors last November CenterLine 33 plans to convert the 16-screen theater space into a membership-based pickleball arena with other health club and wellness amenities The project was approved for an Administrative Use Permit in June A site plan and architectural review for additional outdoor courts was approved by the Rohnert Park Planning Commission Thursday night The partners behind the project — Richard Coombs Bill Carson and Jack Weaver — say this development will be the largest pickleball facility in the North Bay Coombs is a general partner of Airport Business Center, a major commercial landlord that owns many businesses around the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport and the Windsor Golf Club. The property firm is also suing the City of Santa Rosa to prevent the sale or leasing of the city-owned Garage 5 on Third Street in downtown Santa Rosa Carson is the director of operations at the Windsor Golf Course and golf course administrator at the Rooster Run Golf Club in Petaluma Weaver is a managing partner for the law firm Welty, Weaver and Currie and previously worked on wildfire litigation in Sonoma County “It’s wonderfully located to serve the entire county and we’re excited to build a facility that will hopefully be an amazing pickleball experience for people of all ages,” Coombs said during a phone call Friday about the pickleball arena The building at 555 Rohnert Park Expressway has four tenant spaces on a 12.08-acre lot with 758 parking spaces The theater space on its own totals approximately 74,000 square feet with 16 theaters and around 3,000 seats Read the full proposal here Other businesses in the building include Rebounderz indoor trampoline park Cheer Obsession Athletics and Southern Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Plans filed with the City of Rohnert Park show that the building’s exterior would largely remain the same the theater space would house 17 indoor pickleball courts Other games such as pingpong and cornhole will have space inside as well which housed the theater’s movie projectors the facility will also have a 2,000-square-foot gym and health club with saunas 138 of the theater’s parking spaces will be turned into an additional 16 outdoor pickleball courts enclosed by a 12-foot fence that’ll require a key fob to enter A 25-by-60-foot shaded structure with seating will be on the east side of the outdoor space for members to rest watch matches or wait for a court to become available The plan also took into account noise concerns for the outdoor courts noting the facility’s location is in a commercial district and a noise study will be part of the process An estimate for how much the project will cost was not available Following the planning commission’s decision Thursday developers can begin preparations for the conversion Weaver estimates it will take a few months before demolition of the space’s insides and construction can officially begin “We’re taking what is now empty space that was family friendly and replacing it with something health and wellness based and still family friendly,” Weaver told the planning commission Few concerns were raised by planning commissioners and the site plan and architecture review was approved by all members minus Matt Epstein Vice chairperson Chuck Striplen raised concerns about the fate of the project “when the fad is over when people move on from pickleball to something else.” “It’s a pretty significant change for this community,” he said during the meeting Rohnert Park’s only movie theater for 25 years the movie house was once owned by Pacific Theaters and was known as Stadium 16 before Reading International bought it in 2008 and renamed it Reading International removed the projectors Weaver said that would have made it difficult for another movie theater to move into the same location Economic analysis from the city of Rohnert Park staff found that health and wellness focused businesses are a key component of revitalizing retail centers The re-use of the space would be an economic development opportunity for the city planning manager Mary Grace Pawson said during Thursday’s meeting “(We’re) excited to see a project that brings a new use to that center,” she said after the meeting “There’s definitely been some concern in the community about the large vacant building and we feel like this is a really exciting and healthy way to revitalize the center.” Pickleball courts have been eyed for empty big-box retail stores and vacant anchor stores in shopping malls, leading to what the National Association of Realtors calls a “pickleball gold rush” for the commercial real estate industry chief marketing officer for the Association of Pickleball Players said an estimated 330 pickleball courts per month were coming online The Sports & Fitness Industry Association estimates nearly 25,000 courts must be built to keep up with demand Pickleball is a combination of tennis and pingpong and has seen rapid growth since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic The sport was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum in Washington state. The three wanted to create a fun activity for their kids to play during the summer, according to USA Pickleball’s website the sport was largely popular among retirees Webb said that the low barrier to entry and overall inclusiveness associated with the sport have been some of the factors contributing to its rise in popularity Research from the Association of Pickleball Players found that in March 2023 over 48 million American adults had played pickleball in the previous year a 35% increase since the prior year’s August findings Oakland and San Jose regional area saw 1.4 million adults play pickleball at least once during the same time period The average pickleball player is around 34 years old but the 18- to 24-year-old demographic is the fastest growing age group “Even though the 48.6 million people number is from midway last year I think it’s very safe to assume that the number has continued to increase,” Webb said The Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa announced last year plans to add two pickleball courts as part of a partnership with a French Champagne house The Montage Healdsburg also debuted two pickleball courts in January 2021 Santa Rosa parks staff proposed to redesign a share of tennis courts at Howarth Memorial Park and Galvin Community Park to accommodate pickleball courts Rohnert Park also has its own pickleball club that meets at Sunrise Park on Snyder Lane where they hold clinics matches and open play times for anyone interested in the sport 2025 at 11:57 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Police choose the location of checkpoints by reviewing the history of impaired driving-related crashes in the city and where they occurred CA—The Santa Rosa Police Department announced it will hold a DUI checkpoint Friday while the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety held one Friday This March 21 checkpoint is planned from 6 p.m at an undisclosed location within Santa Rosa city limits The Santa Rosa Police Department chooses where to hold checkpoints by reviewing the history of impaired driving-related crashes and where they occurred "The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road," Sgt "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.” Santa Rosa police reminded the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol; some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving And while medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal In the DUI checkpoint held March 14 on eastbound Rohnert Park Expressway east of State Farm Drive in Rohnert Park officers screened 967 of 1,034 cars that entered the checkpoint The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety arrested one person who was driving on a suspended license due to a prior DUI and cited 10 people for driving unlicensed Drivers convicted of a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties it is unacceptable to drive intoxicated," Rohnert Park DPS Deputy Chief Aaron Johnson said Funds for the checkpoints in both cities were provided by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The National Weather Service is reviewing radar data to assess wind strength at the time of the collapse though initial findings show speeds were below tornado levels Powerful rain and wind Friday afternoon brought down part of a large eucalyptus tree in Rohnert Park Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety responded to a house on Myrtle Avenue where the tree had crashed through a major portion of the structure the National Weather Service attributed the damage to heavy rain and wind but said radar data showed wind speeds below tornado levels Officials are now reviewing damage photos and additional radar data to assess wind strength at the time of the collapse Contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or anna.armstrong@pressdemocrat.com A scammer convinced the man that his grandchild was in jail and he needed $6,000 to get out A Rohnert Park man lost $6,000 last week after falling victim to the “grandparent scam,” police said The man received a call last week from someone claiming to be his grandson who said he had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said in a Tuesday news release who claimed his voice sounded different because of injuries from an accident pleaded for help and said he was too embarrassed to call his parents The Rohnert Park man then received another call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement representative who said the “grandson” needed $6,000 cash to bail out of jail The man withdrew the amount from his bank account and gave it to someone who drove to pick up the cash believing it would be used to help his grandson Rohnert Park Public Safety spokesperson JP Pritchard said the man realized the situation may have been a scam and contacted police The $6,000 has not been recovered and no suspects have been identified in the case Scams similar to this one are reported weekly to Rohnert Park police The scammers target people across multiple demographics but they seem to focus on older adults and occur mainly over phone calls The perpetrators have also been using personal details pulled from the internet to “create urgency and confusion tricking even the most intelligent and careful individuals,” the agency said in the release “This really is targeting our senior populations,” Pritchard said Rohnert Park police provided these tips to help the public avoid scams: 2025 at 4:16 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Gino Beccaria was arrested Thursday and booked into Sonoma County jail CA — The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety issued a statement Tuesday regarding the arrest of a Santa Rosa teacher who also works at a school in Rohnert Park The Santa Rosa Police Department announced the arrest Friday of Gino Beccaria a teacher at Cesar Chavez Language Academy in Santa Rosa Police said Beccaria was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of lewd acts with a child contact with a minor with the intent to commit lewd acts and arranging a meeting with a minor with the intent to commit lewd acts The Santa Rosa Police Department launched an investigation Thursday when it received reports that a male teacher at the Language Academy was suspected of lewd acts with a student was arrested by a uniformed Santa Rosa police officer during a traffic stop at Rohnert Park Expressway and State Farm Drive in Rohnert Park "Due to the age of the victim and the traumatizing nature of this incident and grade will not be disclosed," Santa Rosa police said Rohnert Park DPS said in a statement Tuesday that it was aware of the allegations against Beccaria a sports coach at Rancho Cotate High School "RPDPS wants to remind the community that if you or someone else you know has been the victim of sexual assault in our community please contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety to report the crime in person or via telephone at 707-584-2600," Rohnert Park police said The investigation was ongoing as Santa Rosa detectives were working to determine if Beccaria victimized additional students Santa Rosa police asked anyone with information about the case to call its tip line at 707-543-3595 or submit a tip online at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips 2025 at 5:02 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Customers can get two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult entrée CA — Turn family mealtime into an Easter egg-stravaganza and celebrate Easter with free kids' meals at Applebee's restaurant in Rohnert Park In celebration of the holiday, Applebee's locations owned and operated by Flynn Group will offer a "Kids Eat Free" special on Sunday Customers can get two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult entrée The dine-in only deal is limited to two children Kids can choose from a variety of entrées from the Applebee's kids' menu accompanied by their choice of a side dish The Rohnert Park location is at 501 Rohnert Park Exressway Gerard Giudice is focused on getting Rohnert Park’s downtown project advanced in his second turn as mayor The 62-year-old owner of Sally Tomatoes catering service and event space, just claimed his second term. Like two other incumbents, he ran uncontested. As Rohnert Park looks to complete its landmark downtown project Giudice knows he has his work cut out for him “I equate this project to building the Golden Gate Bridge,” said Giudice who serves on two Bay Area transportation boards “People may understand it’s an undertaking but they don’t understand the scale of it.” The project includes transforming 28 acres of city-owned property — the former State Farm Insurance campus, at 6400 State Farm Drive — into a mix of homes In October, the council chose to partner with El Segundo-based CenterCal Properties as the developer Giudice said the start of the year will be focused on completing the negotiated agreement with CenterCal the developer will submit a draft project design to the city which will then have 30 days to discuss the design in a public meeting and another 30 days to approve it While the downtown project is a main focus of the upcoming year, Giudice also has other priorities, namely the prevailing concerns and welfare of his constituents in District 3, including the north-central and western corner of the city “A rising tide lifts all boats,” he said in a recent interview will be an effort to “lift up all voices.” That includes continuing the city’s efforts to assist its unhoused population Rohnert Park has been working on getting people off the streets and into services and temporary housing roughly 250 individuals were living on city streets a “one-stop-shop” for residents in need of housing Giudice and his colleagues are focused on long-term housing for the city’s unsheltered residents The city is poised to apply for state grant money that would help it add more units for low-income residents “It’s the whole continuum of care,” Giudice said Also slated for 2025: completing an update of the city’s general plan its blueprint for long-term growth and land use Giudice says the update will codify racial with an eye on addressing long-standing disparities it’s really important,” Giudice said of the general plan “Anytime an item goes in front of the council staff has to put it through findings in the general plan Some key statistics underpin that blueprint The median household income in Rohnert Park is over $118,000 The roughly 44,200 residents are split in half between renters and homeowners Less than 2% of the city’s residents identify as American Indian The next four years will bring untold challenges and Giudice said he’s cautious about that outlook “What will the incoming president do?” he said We have tens of millions of dollars tied to federal funding.” sales tax and property tax revenues have not “We’ve noticed a flattening and slight decline,” he said Sales tax revenue makes up 36% of the city’s general fund budget supporting public safety and administrative services Property taxes account for over 24% of the general fund Giudice signaled that he’s hoping to improve those fiscal trendlines by more outreach to the city’s local business community “We’re out there asking how we can help you be successful,” he said “We want to make sure Rohnert Park is thriving including the effects of climate change and associated disasters The city’s eastern front was right in the rampaging path of what became the Nuns Fire seven years ago if not for a change of wind The COVID-19 pandemic also had the city scrambling during his first turn as mayor in 2021 “There was nothing to be celebrated at the time,” he said “The focus was on making sure we could get a vaccine clinic to the city and ensuring our residents were safe Fast-forward four years: Residents seem to be happy with the direction of the council — nearly half think the city is “headed in the right direction,” according to a Press Democrat/ Northern California Public Media poll conducted Oct But Giudice said he’s learned enough in his first term as a council member and mayor to not take that for granted “I’ve often said that political trust is extremely hard to build but it can be taken away in an instant,” he said Gospel Mission opened the store last month Redwood Gospel Mission is having the grand opening Saturday for its thrift store in Rohnert Park after it announced last year a planned expansion to a second location “Clearly there was a need in that community and people really responded and it’s been better than we’ve ever could have hoped for,” Gilman said The 10,000-square-foot space at 375 Southwest Blvd There is also a recycling center and a processing center Gilman said it was a long journey to find the right spot and it took a few years The ministry previously looked for a space in Petaluma but he said when they found the Rohnert Park location After they secured the location, Gilman said the owners renovated the space, which took longer than expected. The ministry originally announced its expansion plans last January airy and open,” and he said it quickly became an anchor store for the shopping center He said he hopes the thrift store will also serve as a center to provide resources for those in need he said the ministry will have several of its resources on hand including its own coffee vendor and mobile service centers Gilman said they had several smaller thrift stores in the past He also mentioned they are not looking to expand elsewhere in the county yet is accused of using company funds to pay for personal items and services Petaluma police announced the arrest of a Rohnert Park woman suspected of embezzling $180,000 from a local construction company In a community message released Thursday, police said management from Tomrose Construction called them on March 28 to report a fraud company management reported that one of their employees had embezzled a significant amount of money over the course of about two years police determined they had enough information to arrest 40-year-old Gina Banducci of Rohnert Park “The information and documentation provided showed Banducci had used company funds to pay for personal items and services that were not authorized by Tomrose Construction,” police said “The unauthorized transactions dated back to 2023.” April 4 at her residence in the 5100 block of Dowdell Avenue in Rohnert Park She was booked into Sonoma County jail on a felony embezzlement charge Tomrose Construction is a family-owned company with projects around the North Bay that has been in business for three decades Its office is located at 1270 Petaluma Blvd Amelia Richardson is a staff writer for the Argus-Courier She can be reached at amelia.richardson@arguscourier.com or 707-521-5208 A 1,190-square-foot house built in 1980 has changed hands The property located at 4359 Goodson Way in Rohnert Park was sold on April 1 a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area The property occupies a lot of 4,794 square feet Sonoma County Go Local moved to a new space in Rohnert Park’s Somo Village A local cooperative focused on bolstering local businesses in Sonoma County has obtained federal nonprofit status and released its plans for growth in 2025 About 20 people gathered at the Go Local Sonoma County event Thursday night to celebrate its 15th anniversary during its annual meeting held at SOMO Village in Rohnert Park The Santa Rosa-based co-op assists local businesses and organizations with marketing efforts “Folks join Go Local for the logo and stay for the relationships,” said Merith Weisman, who took over as director in the fall Previous director and current board member Janeen Murray said although the convenience of online shopping has become more popular it is important to buy from shops owned by local neighbors “It’s not something that ever goes out of style because it just makes sense,” Murray said The organization is undergoing several changes including a new staff the Communications and Administrative Coordinator Weisman had previously worked with Simon Alvarez and Karmally when they were students at Sonoma State University and Weisman was Director of Community Engagement Go Local merged with Sustaining Technologies a consulting group focused on economic development and sustainability Go Local has new office space at SOMO Cowork on the second floor of 1500 Valley Drive in Rohnert Park The co-op has rented one designated office and is able to rent out conference rooms and allowed the use of the communal space Weisman said the organization attained 501(c) 3 status and will be able to start grant writing and charitable giving campaigns this year While Go Local has been a nonprofit for tax purposes she said they are still a cooperative and are owned by their members Beginning next month, Weisman and her team will overhaul the website. They plan to merge with Made Local Magazine’s website and then developing its e-commerce capabilities for advertising They plan on creating a new members directory and building a mobile app Weisman said they also have rewards cards discounts exclusively available to members there was also a panel of Go Local participants who spoke about the benefits of being a member The panel was led by Matt Reynolds from Indigenous Designs general manager of billboard company Veale Outdoor Advertising; Melissa Durfey chief operations officer of Copperfield Books All speakers agreed one of the most beneficial aspects of Go Local is the collaboration with other businesses “It’s just being a part of the larger community and recognizing that we’re all in this together And it doesn’t really matter what industry that you’re in we have tremendous amount of learning that we can all gain from each other,” Reynolds said her short term goal is to build stability in the organization and long term to build a solid organization that will eventually be headed by another director one day “We are keeping our money here in the county and that leads to a thriving community a thriving economy and that’s what we’re here for,” Weisman said The woman was identified in a complaint filed by the Sonoma County District Attorney against the man authorities suspect caused the crash Authorities on Monday identified a woman who was killed Saturday afternoon in a road rage collision near Rohnert Park that investigators say was part of a series of crashes caused by the same driver Carena Lashey Piccinotti was identified in a complaint the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office filed Monday afternoon against Diego Diaz Hernandez reckless driving and hit-and-run causing death or injury A makeshift memorial of flowers and about 50 candles now sits along Stony Point Road where Piccinotti died Rosey Garcia was working at a drink stand just a few yards north of the crash site the same spot where she stood during Saturday’s collision Like an exploding sound,” she told a Press Democrat reporter Piccinotti was pronounced dead Saturday after the California Highway Patrol said Diaz rammed his Mazda SUV into the back of a Volkswagen SUV where Piccinotti was riding in the front passenger seat The southbound Volkswagen was then pushed into the oncoming lane of Stony Point Road where a Mercedes-Benz heading north hit its right side The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau has not yet confirmed the crash victim’s identity and the driver and passenger of the Mercedes suffered major injuries and were rushed to Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital CHP-Santa Rosa Officer David deRutte said Tuesday that he did not know their conditions but said that none of the injuries had been life threatening Diaz fled the scene but was arrested shortly after another crash about 2:15 p.m where witnesses reported seeing a Mazda ram a vehicle south of Pepper Road Investigators also suspect that Diaz was involved in a crash early Saturday in which a Toyota Camry was run off Highway 12 and overturned near Stony Point Road Diaz was booked into the Sonoma County jail Assistant District Attorney Brian Staebell said the complaint filed Monday could be amended pending the results of substance use tests on Diaz’s blood Diaz was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning but refused to attend Piccinotti’s family has set up a GoFundMe memorial fund to support the future and care of her 3-year-old son