Community Corner

Video: North Bay Patchcast

A roundup of the top stories from around the North Bay

Welcome to Patch Cast, a roundup of some of the day's top news stories from the North Bay. In Rohnert Park, Patch editor Angela Hart gets an and is still recovering at a rehabilitation center. Murray’s two year-old daughter, Calli, was killed in the accident, that occurred when another driver was texting and did not see them crossing the street. The accident has prompted discussion about how to discourage cell phone use while driving, including increasing fines.

In Novato, the mystery of a 74-year-old man missing since September added another chapter Friday morning when were hauled away by the Marin County Sheriff/Coroner's Office.

Dale Smith lived with his wife, Evelyn at the home, but his wife told police that her husband was away visiting his brother. When that didn't prove true, the home they shared was declared a crime scene and the body was found Wednesday night. Police said the identity of the remains and a cause of death must come first before anyone is arrested in the case.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Throughout Sonoma County, various police departments have issued a of unlicensed drivers.. if it is their first offense. This week Petaluma police began training officers on the new policy that would give police the option to let first time offenders who are unlicensed go or park the park on the street until a licensed driver can claim it. However, if someone has previously been stopped for driving without a license, their car will still be impounded for up to 30 days.

In San Rafael, a group has alleging the county failed to do an environmental impact review before banning plastic bags. Many stores in the county have already stopped carrying plastic bags as part of the push for users to bring their own bags.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And in Healdsburg, a joint task force made up of the FBI, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and other . The raid was part of Operation Safe Streets, a federal program led by the FBI  that is performing checks on parolees in the area.

And that's it for our Friday Patchcast. Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to take photos in case there is snow!


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