Latest news with #MarinCounty
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Marin County residents warned about invasive beetle targeting oak trees
Agriculture officials in Marin County are alerting property owners and arborists to be on the lookout for a tiny invasive beetle that attacks oak trees, after the insect was detected last month in Novato. The Mediterranean oak borer (Xyleborus monographus) is about one-eighth of an inch long and bores tunnels into stressed oaks, mostly valley oak but also other white oaks like Oregon white and blue oak, Marin agriculture officials said. "Education about the beetle is important, but unfortunately, it can't be eradicated and it's becoming more widespread in our area," Marin Agricultural Commissioner Joe Deviney said. "It was only a matter of time for the presence of this invasive pest to be confirmed in our county." The beetles carry and grow fungus in tunnels, then feed off the fungus. They can live and reproduce inside the tree for generations. Female beetles can fly, but the males don't. Initially, the beetles attack the crown of a tree, killing limbs as the infestation grows, and eventually it spreads to the trunk and kills the tree. The Mediterranean oak borer (Xyleborus monographus), an invasive species which was detected in Novato on May 23, 2025. County of Marin The borers usually prey on trees that are already stressed. "Lots of oak groves and forests throughout California fit that model," the agriculture department said in a news release. Native to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, the beetle was identified in a valley oak in Novato on May 23, 2025. The insect was first detected in Napa County in 2019 and has since been found in nine counties. Research is still being done on the best control options, including whether any California trees have natural resistance. In Europe, where the Mediterranean oak borer is native, it only attacks trees that are already dying, and it only lasts one generation per year. In California, the beetle infests both stressed and healthy trees and can have multiple generations per year, according to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Department's website. The extent of the beetles' distribution in Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties hasn't been determined, according to the UC agriculture department. It's also spreading rapidly in Sacramento County, and has been detected in El Dorado, Yolo and Mendocino Counties. Officials don't think the beetle has yet spread to other parts of the state. "However, there is considerable potential for the beetle's range to expand as they can be moved in infested wood and the females can fly," the UC agriculture department said in a post on its website. Agriculture officials are working with the Marin office of the University of California Cooperative Extension and Marin County is collaborating with state pest management and wildfire agencies on efforts to detect, study, and educate about the borer. Homeowners are urged to monitor tree crowns, and if they see a decline in leaf growth in one or more branches or observe other symptoms of an infestation, they are encouraged to seek expert evaluation from a certified arborist. UCCE has created flyers about the insect in English and Spanish. More information is available at and .
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Bay Area mall security guard accused of running over juvenile on bike, police say
A security guard at a San Francisco Bay Area mall has been arrested on multiple charges for allegedly running over a juvenile with a private security vehicle during an incident last week. According to San Rafael Police, officers were called to the Northgate Mall around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on reports of a juvenile who was run over in the parking lot. Witnesses told officers that a driver of security vehicle fled the scene. Officers along with paramedics tended to the teen and provided aid. The juvenile was taken to a local hospital and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Witnesses told police that a security guard was yelling at a group of juveniles in the parking structure. The guard then chased the group in the vehicle, which led to one of the juveniles being struck and injured. Police said further investigation revealed that the guard became upset when the group tore down caution tape used to close off a portion of the parking area. During the investigation, the guard returned to the scene and surrendered. The guard, identified as 66-year-old Melvin Anthony Kennedy of Oakland, was arrested without incident. Kennedy was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon involving a vehicle and felony child abuse.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Former San Rafael paraeducator suspected of sexually assaulting student in 2023
San Rafael Police on Tuesday said they arrested a former paraeducator on suspicion of sexually assaulting a student in 2023. Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old San Rafael resident Isai Nicodemo Rodas. The alleged incidents happened in late 2023 while Rodas worked as a paraeducator, similar to a teacher's assistant, at Marin's Community School in San Rafael, police said. Police said they learned during their investigation that Rodas initiated inappropriate contact with a student, and he is suspected of sexually assaulting the student on at least three separate occasions off-campus. Rodas was 20 when the alleged sexual assaults happened, and the victim was 16, according to police. The Police Department became aware of the alleged incidents when the Marin County Office of Education contacted them on June 6 — Marin's Community School is a Marin County Office of Education program. The Education Office told investigators as soon as they learned of it, police said. Rodas left the MCOE in June 2024 and joined the San Rafael City School Board of Education in December. Police said that while he is part of the Education Board, he has never worked for San Rafael City Schools. There have been no reports of misconduct involving SRCS students, police said. The SCRS Administration and Board is working to suspend Rodas from his responsibilities indefinitely while the investigation is ongoing. Rodas was booked on suspicion of sexual assault with a minor with three years of age difference, child molesting and sexual battery, police said.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former San Rafael paraeducator charged with sexually assaulting student
(KRON) — A former paraeducator and current board of education member at San Rafael City Schools (SRCS) has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a student on at least three separate incidents, said the San Rafael Police Department. ID theft duo nabbed with burglary tools, stolen items tied to 30 victims: Livermore police SRPD said Isai Nicodemo Rodas, 22, of San Rafael, was taken into custody and booked into the Marin County Jail for several charges including sexual assault with a minor with 3 years of age difference, child molesting, and sexual battery. San Rafael PD said it was alerted of the encounters on Friday by officials with the Marin County Office of Education. Investigators believe the inappropriate contact started in late 2023 while Rodas was employed as a paraeducator, a role similar to a teacher's assistant, at Marin's Community School in San Rafael. 'The inappropriate contact escalated to at least three separate incidents of sexual assault that occurred offsite from the school campus,' said police. Rodas was 20 years old at the time while the victim was 16 years old. Rodas left MCOE in June 2024. Police said assistance services and resources have been provided to the victim, whose identity will remain confidential. 'While Rodas never worked for San Rafael City Schools (SRCS), he is currently a member of the SRCS Board of Education, having joined in December 2024,' said Sergeant Justin Graham of the San Rafael Police Department. 'Currently, we have no knowledge of any misconduct involving SRCS students. SRCS Administration and Board will work to suspend Mr. Rodas' Board duties for the foreseeable future, pending the outcome of this matter.' Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call San Rafael Police at (415) 485-3000. Tips can also be made online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Age
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Scone on Tuesday
Selections based on a soft track. Race 1 5. Marin County is a UK import that had two starts at Kempton Park late last year and didn't do much in either. She had her first start in Australia when produced at Inverell and ran a solid-enough race to finish midfield. She is better for that run and can go on with the job here. 7. Priscila Statement ran third at Muswellbrook on debut and shouldn't be taken lightly based on that effort. 8. It Stays In Vegas won a trial before resuming with a fifth at Muswellbrook. He could make an impact in this. 1. Hot Chestnut resumes from a spell here and has shown some ability despite not figuring in the placings to date. How to play it: Marin County each way. Race 2 2. Lady Memphis has only had two starts for a debut second behind Private Harry at Newcastle and a strong win at Goulburn as favourite. She resumes from a spell here after two trials and only needs to return in the same form she left in to be winning again. 3. Signatories won at Muswellbrook on a heavy track two starts ago then was down the track in a tougher race here last time. He is set to improve in this. 1. Capital Dancer wasn't beaten far at Newcastle when last produced and has claims, while 8. Ranhita has been midfield of late and is far from the worst. How to play it: Lady Memphis to win. Race 3 9. Ritzsun is a talented performer with two wins and four placings from nine starts. He has finished second at Mudgee and Gosford at his latest two starts and is knocking on the door for another victory after a recent trial in which he ran well. 6. Florida Sky resumes here after two trials and has shown the ability in her career to maintain her good fresh record here. 7. Bodgie has finished third in each of his latest two starts and can get into the money again. 8. In Spades was placed last time out and has claims again. How to play it: Ritzsun to win. Race 4 1. Louisburgh resumed with a solid second at Wyong then started at a short odds-on quote only to finish second again at Gosford when narrowly beaten. He should be at his peak now. 3. Purple Haze debuted with a third in a small field at Wyong and followed that up with a last-start fourth at Gosford. 9. Backward Glance followed a couple of placings with a last-start fourth at Newcastle and that form looks solid, while 5. Omaha Sand resumes here and hasn't been beaten far in each of his three starts. How to play it: Louisburgh to win.
