OPERATIONS RESUME » Sonoma County Superior
Court reopens 9 courtrooms for proceedings. A3
z
SANTA ROSA » PROTESTS OVER GEORGE FLOYD’S KILLING
Rallies peaceful as
city imposes curfew
Demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd, a black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis, march on Monday evening along
Armory Drive in Santa Rosa in violation of an 8 p.m. curfew declared by the city manager.
Order issued
as city tries to
curtail looting,
vandalism
By CHANTELLE LEE, AUSTIN
MURPHY, LORI A. CARTER
AND WILL SCHMITT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
P
rotesters marched peace-
fully in downtown Santa
Rosa Monday night, de-
spite the 8 p.m. until dawn cur-
few the city imposed hoping to
prevent vandalism and violence
that occurred during demon-
strations over the weekend, as
the national wave of anger and
unrest over the Minneapolis kill-
ing of George
INSIDE Floyd last week
■ Hundreds pierced
of young people heart of Sono-
march in ma County.
Santa Rosa / A3 Up to an esti-
mated 400  peo-
■ Governor ple gathered
voices support for in Old Court-
protests, calls for house Square
peace / A6 at 7 p.m., hold-
■ President ing a moment
Trump calls on of silence
military to quell for Floyd, a
violence / B1 46-year-old
black man who
died when a white police offi-
cer in Minneapolis held him
face down on the street with
a knee on the back of his neck
while arresting him on May 25.
The moment of silence lasted
9 minutes — one for each of the
minutes officer Derek Chauvin
knelt on Floyd’s neck, said Ama-
ya Ramos, who helped organize
the protest, the third downtown
since Saturday night.
“Things aren’t changing,”
said Sy’rai Mims, a 16-year-old
Rancho Cotate High School stu-
dent. “It’s the same headlines;
it’s the same videos over and
over again and we’re tired of it.”
Some good Samaritans
distributed N95s masks and
warned curfew violators that
they were putting themselves in
TURN TO CURFEW » PAGE A2
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TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020 • SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA • PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM
Sheriff
relents
on virus
order
Statement with county
leader appears to ease
rift over enforcement
By MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Reversing a position that put
him at odds with public officials
around Sonoma County, Sheriff
Mark Essick agreed Monday to
stand behind local restrictions
on business operations and per-
sonal activities intended to curb
the spread of coronavirus after
a whirlwind weekend of nego-
tiations that he said convinced
him the county
was now on the
right path for-
ward.
The sheriff
said he and his
deputies would
enforce the
current health
order until
Mark
June 8, to the
Essick
limited degree
that enforcement has been need-
ed, with the understanding that
county officials would work to-
ward a more inclusive, balanced
approach to reopening the econ-
omy than has been the case.
“I am now confident in the
process moving forward, that
CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
we’re going to move from an es-
sential/non-essential stance to a
risk-based approach, and that a
risk-based approach will better
align Sonoma County with the
state guidelines,” he said.
Essick, a 26-year sheriff’s of-
fice veteran, said he also under-
stood “that medical decisions
TURN TO SHERIFF » PAGE A5
SONOMA COUNTY
New data
shows
pandemic
patterns
By PHIL BARBER
the THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Santa Rosa Police Chief Ray Navarro, left, and Lieutenant Jeneane Kucker kneel with protesters in a show of Health officials released a
solidarity on Monday in Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. trove of new data Monday docu-
SR Police Chief Navarro
menting the spread of the coro-
navirus in Sonoma County, re-
vealing broad information about
patients’ underlying medical
joins protesters, talks peace
conditions and how the disease
has spread in clusters through
families and co-workers.
The data, released by coun-
ty Health Officer Dr. Sundari
By LORI A. CARTER But at the same time, Navarro, a 28-year vet- Mase, comes as hundreds of pro-
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT eran of the police department and the agency’s testers gathered in large groups
first Latino chief, decided it was time to show sol- in downtown Santa Rosa for the
Only 10 months into his role as Santa Rosa po- idarity and sympathy with peaceful protesters. third straight day to protest po-
lice chief, Ray Navarro has encountered a fine So, in the sunny, noontime expanse of Santa lice treatment of minorities.
line: with sometimes-violent protests washing Rosa’s downtown square, Navarro took a knee Mase said there is no way to
over the city the past two nights, clamp down or Monday with a large group of young people know if the protests that have
work with the demon- staging a sit-in at Old erupted in the wake of the kill-
strators?
He’s chosen both.
“I wanted to let them know Courthouse Square.
“I wanted to let them
ing of George Floyd by a Minne-
apolis police officer are affecting
After two nights
of increasingly vio-
we’re taking this seriously. know I was supporting
them,” Navarro said. “I
transmission rates of the coro-
navirus in Santa Rosa or other
lent demonstrations
throughout mostly
It’s a personal thing for me. don’t think what hap-
pened in Minneapolis
U.S. cities.
“Generally speaking it takes
downtown Santa Rosa,
the city declared a state
This is impacting us all.” was right and I don’t
think you’re going to
about two weeks to see the im-
pact of anything that happens,”
of emergency and City RAY NAVARRO, Santa Rosa police chief find any police officer Mase said. “Since, I believe, the
Manager Sean Mc- that says that was right protests have just been happen-
Glynn imposed a three-day citywide nighttime thing to do.” ing for the past six days or so,
curfew starting Monday evening. The act mirrored the gestures of demonstrators I’m not sure that we’d see the
Officers from throughout the area will patrol across the nation, which has been gripped by impact of that yet.”
Santa Rosa from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in an effort to protests over the killing of a black man, George Some protesters are comply-
stamp out protests before they have the chance Floyd, by a white Minneapolis police officer. ing with public health guide-
to turn violent. Anyone out between those hours lines to wear face coverings in
risks arrest. TURN TO CHIEF » PAGE A2 public and stay 6 feet apart, but
others are ignoring recommen-
dations designed to reduce the
TURN TO PANDEMIC » PAGE A8
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THE PRESS DEMOCRAT • TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020
SHERIFF
CONTINUED FROM A1
remain medical decisions,
and that is something that
I absolutely respect, but
there’s a broader need to
evaluate the impacts on
our communities.”
The sheriff’s remarks
came four days after his
bombshell announcement
that his department would
no longer
enforce
the cur-
rent order
issued by
Health
Officer
Sundari
Mase, but
prioritize
Sundari
educating
Mase
the pub-
lic, saying he could not
support what he deemed
unnecessary restrictions
on personal freedom that
were “crushing our com-
munity” economically and
socially.
He also complained that
Mase and the county health
department had ignored
repeated requests for more
information — from him,
the public and the media —
about the rationale behind
continued constraints on
certain business and activ-
ity, given the county’s suc-
cess in keeping the corona-
virus infection rate low.
Last-minute pullback
But Monday, after “a lot
of people working collab-
oratively on this through
the weekend and certainly
through most of today,” he
said, he and Board of Su-
pervisors Chairwoman Su-
san Gorin released a joint
statement celebrating their
commitment to a “trans-
parent and open process”
aimed at “facilitating a safe
economy and society in the
pandemic era.”
It came hours into the
same day that Essick’s
original pledge — to pull
his deputies back from en-
forcement of Mase’s order
and rely instead on the
state’s less restrictive mea-
sures — went into effect.
And it was announced
on the eve of his much-an-
ticipated Tuesday appear-
ance before the Board
of Supervisors, where
most members in the past
four days had rebuked
his stand, calling it “tone
deaf,” “reckless” and “a
dereliction of duty.”
No other local law en-
forcement leaders came
forward publicly to back
him, and many vowed to
support Mase and continue
enforcing her health order.
But Essick and Gorin,
in their statement and in
interviews, sought to put
that bitter and divisive
pandemic moment behind
them, saying the county
was more dedicated to a
“risk-based approach” to
economic reopening that
would allow more busi-
nesses to operate under
safeguards rather than
blanket bans on certain
sectors.
Some county officials
painted it as a milestone
transition, while others,
including Mase, indicated
they felt a risk-based ap-
proach had been their ob-
jective all along.
“This is something we’ve
been championing proba-
bly since the second week
of the shutdown,” said
Supervisor David Rabbitt,
who, with fellow Super-
visor Lynda Hopkins, is a
liaison to the county busi-
ness community.
He cited, for example, the
fact that people continue to
line up to shop inside Cost-
co, Home Depot, Friedman
Brothers and other stores,
yet small local retailers
still aren’t permitted to sell
goods beyond curbside.
“Where does that fit into
a health risk perspective?”
Rabbitt asked.
Hopkins said county eco-
nomic officials have been
hard at work with the busi-
ness community on best
practices that would allow
people to reopen but do so
safely.
“We all want to have
a common vision for the
county going forward,”
said Hopkins, who among
board members last week
penned the most withering
public critique of the sher-
iff’s stance.
“At the root of it, we
do share the priorities of
keeping the community
safe and healthy,” she said
Monday.
The joint statement from
Essick and Gorin came af-
ter a hastily arranged se-
ries of meetings last Friday
with top county lawmakers
and health authorities who
failed to produce an accord
with Essick — though one
was at hand several times
that day, according to sev-
eral participants.
For Gorin, a seasoned
local officeholder, it was a
particularly confounding
moment — an open polit-
ical rift with the county’s
top law enforcement of-
ficer, a first-term elected
official who was publicly
questioning the veracity
and basis for the health or-
der that has governed local
life since mid-March.
“As your elected Sheriff,
I can no longer in good con-
science continue to enforce
Sonoma County Public
Health Orders, without ex-
planation, that criminalize
otherwise lawful business
and personal behavior,” he
wrote in the initial state-
ment posted to the sheriff’s
office Facebook page.
A day later, in an in-
terview after the pair of
meetings with lawmakers,
he grew emotional and
profane in describing the
economic pain he saw re-
sulting from the local shut-
down: “I’m not following
this f--king health order,”
he said, “and my original
statement that we’re done
on June 1 stands until Dr.
Mase is able to provide me
with enough information
that we’re on the right
path.”
After the fallout, at-
tempts to reach the sher-
iff for interviews over the
weekend were unsuccess-
ful as still more elected
leaders lined up to criticize
him.
But when he and Gorin
did resurface on Monday,
they did so apparently
hand in hand.
Said Gorin, “I think tak-
ing a pause with the sheriff
was good. … I think we got
to a better place.”
Mase, in her regular
Monday press briefing,
had little to say about the
episode, except that she
saw “no difference” in how
the county was planning to
proceed.
“I think that we’re in a
good place now in terms of
bidirectional communica-
tion,” she said.
Education before fines
Essick and his depart-
ment’s chief spokesman,
Lt. Juan Valencia, noted
that there was significant
support for the sheriff’s
action, clearly visible on
social media and voiced by
residents and business peo-
ple throughout the county.
They said the department
has pursued education
over enforcement since the
first shelter-in-place order
was issued almost 11 weeks
ago anyway.
As of Friday, the depart-
ment had issued or made
13  arrests or citations, al-
ways in conjunction with
some other criminal of-
fense, such as drug use,
drugs sales or theft, for
example.
The agency also had is-
sued 19 warnings related to
unauthorized construction
earlier in the pandemic or
rental of vacations homes,
which remain prohibited
under the order.
Essick and Valencia also
emphasized that even if the
department wasn’t going
to enforce the local health
order, it still supported
precautions like wearing
masks, physical distancing
and other measures sup-
ported by the state.
Essick’s decision to part
ways with Mase and the
rest of the county last week
followed her announce-
ment last Tuesday that she
would not be making any
additional move to reopen
the economy for at least
two more weeks because
of a spike in COVID-19 cas-
es and hospitalizations, as
well as concerning clusters
at several work places and
a marked concentration
of cases within the Latino
community.
When Essick dropped his
sudden announcement two
days later, he said too many
of the restrictions that re-
mained in place seemed ar-
bitrary, citing, for instance,
rules that allowed people
to dine on restaurant pati-
os but not assemble outside
for church.
Essick on Monday de-
clined to address other
complaints about commu-
nication. He said that Mase
was among those he spoke
with on Sunday.
STATE
“I really want to take a
step moving forward,” he
said. “This is a new week.”
Essick will be speaking
to the Board of Supervi-
sors during its regular
COVID-19 update at 9:15
a.m. on Tuesday, in part to
show the public “that we
are unified,” he said.
Also Tuesday, the board
has scheduled a closed-
door performance review
for Mase, a late addition to
the meeting made on Mon-
day.
A similar review for
County Administrator
Sheryl Bratton was held
Monday.
In Mase’s case, Gorin de-
scribed it as a routine eval-
uation commonly made
early in a new employee’s
tenure, “to talk about how
we move forward together
as an employer and an em-
ployee.”
Mase, an infectious dis-
ease expert with experi-
ence at the Centers for
Disease Control and Pre-
vention and World Health
Organization, joined the
county as health officer on
an interim basis at the be-
ginning of March and was
promoted into the full job
two weeks later.
You can reach Staff Writer
Mary Callahan at 707-521-
5249 or mary.callahan@
pressdemocrat.com.
Life Tributes
IN THIS SECTION
GRAEBER, Roger Ronald
LEVESQUE, Rosalie Ann (Joubert)
SEIM, William Michael
Roger Ronald Graeber
At the age of 75, Roger Ronald
Graeber died peacefully in his
sleep at Santa Rosa Memorial.
Roger was born in Oakland, CA,
and raised in Novato, CA. He
attended Novato High School,
College of Marin and UC Davis
where he received an Electrical
Engineering Degree. He was em-
ployed as an electrical technician
and engineer at Varian Associ-
ates, Hewlett Packard and Agilent.
He is survived by his wife of 54
years, Connie, and two children,
Larisa Plaga (John) and James
Graeber (Jennifer) and was a de-
voted grandpa to his four grand-
children - Brandon, Christian,
Zachary, and Calista. He is also
survived by one brother, Jeffery,
a number of cousins, nieces and
nephews. He was predeceased in
death by his parents, Ralph and
Jeane Graeber and his brother,
David.
Roger was a train fan from his
childhood until death. Didn’t mat-
ter if it was steam, diesel, minia-
ture or outdoor railroad. The yard
reflected this as he had a several
working train signals on display as
well as a restored Southern Pacific
Caboose. Inside a garage, he built
a train board with four pieces of
plywood end to end. He could run
three O gauge trains at one time
with one disappearing.
He belonged to Motor Car
Operators West, Northwestern
Pacific Railroad Historical Society,
California State Railroad Museum,
the Oregon Rail Heritage Founda-
tion in Portland, OR and as well
as other train museums. He was
co -founder of the Green Valley
Railroad that operated for a short
time on a portion of the West
County Trail in Forestville.
He owned a ‘32 Nash, 1925
White Truck, both of which he
Elaine Barbara (Gilbert) Wollitz
August 8, 1947 - April 15, 2020
Elaine Barbara (Gilbert) Wollitz
lost a short battle with cancer and
passed away peacefully surround-
ed by the love of her family on
Wednesday April 15, 2020, at
the age of 72. Born and raised in
Petaluma, CA to Arthur and Dor-
thy Gilbert. Elaine graduated from
Petaluma High School in 1965
and built a career for herself as
a manager with the United States
Postal Service, where she met her
husband Michael Wollitz. Elaine
was a loving wife, mom and
grammy to four beautiful children
and six amazing grandchildren.
Elaine retired from the Postal
Service after 37 years and moved
to Laughlin, NV where Michael
and she enjoyed the retirement
life. Grammy loved to spend time
with her grandchildren, baking
for the holidays with family, sun
tanning by the pool, spending her
Fridays bowling with her friends
in the senior color pins league,
and just being the best Grammy.
Newsom urges peace in
roiled California cities
Governor pledges to address
‘systemic problems’ that
afflict minority communities
By TARYN LUNA
LOS ANGELES TIMES
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin New-
som met with faith leaders Monday
and urged peace as the death of George
Floyd in Minneapolis continued to ignite
protests by day and violence and looting
by night in many cities across California
and the nation.
Newsom implored Californians to
show empathy to one another in his
first news conference since before he
deployed the California National Guard
to Los Angeles early Sunday morning,
marking the third time in more than
half of a century that troops have re-
sponded to unrest in the city over vio-
lence against a black person in police
custody.
“You’ve lost patience. So have I. You
are right to feel wronged. You are right
to feel the way you are feeling,” Newsom
said to protesters, adding that “society
has a responsibility to you to be better,
and to do better.”
Hours earlier, President Donald
Trump spoke with governors and called
for a harsher police crackdown.
Asked several times about the presi-
dent’s comments, Newsom declined to di-
resurrected from the dead, and
numerous ‘56 De Sotos. Some
were for parts for the others that
he got running. His De Soto
Adventurer is a very good original
that still runs today as does the
other three cars he owns.
‘56 De Sotos were his favorite as
his grandfather was a mechan-
ic for Waters De Soto in San
Francisco and taught him to repair
the cars.
He and his wife founded the
Northern California Chapter of the
National De Soto Club which later
expanded to the California Chap-
ter. He was also very involved with
the Nor Cal Region of the Nash
Car Club of America.
While frequently making movies of
trains in the area, he also started
making DVD’s which he donated
to various train organizations at
no cost to them as a part of their
fund raising activities.
He loved running trains with his
grandchildren. He lived a very full
life despite many health issues.
A funeral mass will be said when
we can get together again. E
mail: rgraeberservice@gmail.com
for information as plans become
available. Donations in Roger’s
name may be made to NWPRRHS,
P. O. Box 667, Santa Rosa, CA
94951-9524
May you rest in peace, my love.
Connie Graeber
Elaine’s love and compassion will
be carried on by her spouse Mi-
chael Wollitz, daughter Shannon
Wagner (Wollitz), son Ryan and
Michelle Wollitz, son Chad and
Brenda Wollitz, son Patrick and
Tamara Wollitz, brother Arthura
and Marcia Gilbert, and sister
Judy and Wayne Anderson.
A celebration of life will be held at
a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made to any cancer or pet
foundation of your choice.
A5
rectly respond to Trump or criticize him.
In just his second year in office, New-
som faces the delicate task of helping
to lead California through yet another
crisis, this time brought on by decades
of pain and suffering in the black com-
munity.
Standing at the Genesis Church in
South Sacramento with Pastor Tecoy
Porter Sr., Newsom committed to ad-
dressing “systemic
problems” in the United
States.
Newsom said Mon-
day that outside groups
were seeking to “create
havoc in the areas expe-
riencing protests, but he
declined to name specif-
ic groups.
Gavin
Residents of Los An-
Newsom
geles complained of
lawlessness and a lack of police pres-
ence, while others said law enforcement
had escalated violence toward peaceful
protesters.
In Oakland, police arrested three peo-
ple early Monday in a shooting at Police
Department headquarters.
In Walnut Creek, a woman was shot in
in connection with the unrest, police told
the San Francisco Chronicle.
California closed state offices in down-
town or city locations Monday, and the
state Legislature canceled nearly all of
its scheduled hearings.
WOLLITZ, Elaine Barbara (Gilbert)
William (Bill) Michael Seim
October 28, 1940 - May 23rd, 2020
William (Bill) Michael Seim passed
away peacefully on May 23,
2020. He was born in October,
1940 in Howell Michigan to
Lawrence and Maxine Seim. He
was one of 6 children, growing
up on rural property in Howell.
He graduated high school in June
1958 then attended Western
Michigan University where he met
his wife, Joan Elizabeth Bennett.
They married in August 1962.
He served in the Air Force for After selling the gym in 1986, Bill
six years then attended Chicago
went back to being a painting
Art Institute. Joan took a job in
contractor, which he did until he
California, moving them and their
retired in 2007. After retirement,
daughter, Michelle, born in 1967
he spent his days golfing, bowling,
to Santa Rosa in 1968. He taught
playing pool, volunteering for Fish
High School art for a few years,
in the city of Sonoma, lunches with
then decided to try his hand at
his SERS group, art classes, and
being a painting contractor. He
time with his grandchildren. He
started Pro-Tech painting and was
was a kind, hardworking, and
a successful painting contractor for
generous man that will be greatly
years. Always a lover of sports,
missed by family and friends. Bill
and happiest playing softball,
is preceded in death by his wife
broomball, golf, and racquet-
Joan (2006), his brother Larry and
ball he had the opportunity to
sister Diana. Bill is survived by his
purchase Anastasias Racquet club
daughter Michelle, his son-in-law
in the early 80’s. He and his wife
Jason, his three grandchildren,
owned and operated the club for
Eden, Cooper and Walker, his
a number of years, enjoying the
brothers, Carl, Tom and Joe, and
love of the club and the people
numerous nieces and nephews.
they met. The two also enjoyed
No services will be done at this
riding Harley Davidson motor-
difficult time. Always a lover of
cycles, often traveling with large
art and children, donations can be
groups around the United States.
made to Art Escape of Sonoma.
Rosalie Ann (Joubert) Levesque
Rosalie Ann (Joubert) Levesque
was born April 7, 1929 in
Kankakee, Illinois. After being
cared for at home by her children,
Rosalie passed away on May 16,
2020. While still a young girl, her
family moved to San Francisco,
CA. Rosalie attended Presentation
High School and then City College
where she met the love of her life,
Raymond Levesque. Rosalie and
Raymond were happily married
for 69 years before Raymond excellent cook, loved to play cards
passed in January of 2016. Rosa- and dig in her garden. She was a
lie is survived by six of her eight great mom who gave all she had
children, Christine, Denise, Greg- to her family. We will all miss her
ory, Christopher, Michelle, and terribly. You could say she was the
Nicole. Rosalie is predeceased by glue that binds. Mom, say hi to
two of her sons, Peter, and Andre. Dad and our brothers for us.
She was a grandmother of 17 Services will be announced at a
and a great grandmother of 15. later date.
After raising most of their children In lieu of flowers the family
in San Francisco, Raymond and requests contributions be made to
Rosalie moved to Sonoma where Hospice by the Bay or the Cancer
Rosalie worked for St Leo’s Church Society.
nearly 24 years. Rosalie was an
For information on how to submit a Life Tribute:
• Call (707) 526-8694 to talk to our Life Tributes specialist
A8
PANDEMIC
CONTINUED FROM A1
spread of the virus.
Mase said California’s
latest statewide shelter-
in-place order allows for
protests of up to 100 peo-
ple — a number exceeded
all three days in Sonoma
County.
Studies have shown that
singing spreads a virus at
a higher rate than talking
— a factor in officials’
wariness in opening up
church services — but it
is not clear if the shouting
and chanting at the Floyd
protests could increase the
risk of transmission, Mase
said.
“It’s a novel coronavi-
rus. We don’t know ex-
actly how much greater
risk there would be with
one activity or another,”
she explained. “I will say
that all of the activities
— whether it’s singing or
talking, sneezing, cough-
ing, chanting, whatever it
is — it could potentially
threaten more transmis-
sion if that were the case.
So we just need to be real-
ly clear that any of these
things poses risk.”
Mase’s office, which has
been criticized most prom-
inently by Sheriff Mark
Essick for withholding key
data on the spread of the
virus, released new statis-
tics Monday that provide
insight to how the virus
has moved through Sono-
ma County.
The county’s pandemic
dashboard now includes
broad descriptions of
where people infected with
the virus were employed.
Mase emphasized this
data does not mean people
were exposed to the coro-
navirus at work, but it does
reveal the sector of the lo-
cal economy where they
worked.
The largest single cate-
gory, at 23%, were not cur-
rently working (which pre-
sumably includes retirees).
Fourteen percent worked
in service and sales, 12% in
agriculture and farming,
9% in health care and 8%
in manufacturing. Among
z
WIND A WORRY » Gusts
to pick up this weekend
Path of destruction
SHOWING NORTH BAY SPIRIT »
Sebastopol teacher, activist shows
others how to reduce waste. D1
A home burns off Geysers Road early Thursday from the Kincade fire that started in The Geysers on Wednesday night and rolled onto the Alexander Valley floor.
Ominous warning
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 • SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA • PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM
for weekend as even
worse winds »forecast
WIND THREAT 80 mph
gusts expected
Fire threat forces
By JULIE JOHNSON
SCOPE OF THE
AND GUY KOVNER
KINCADE FIRE
16,000
Acres burned
5%
Containment
historic exodus
as of Thursday
evening
2,000
People under
mandatory
evacuation
49
Total structures
reported
destroyed
76 MPH
Top wind gusts
overnight
Wednesday
80 MPH
Strongest wind
gusts forecast
for Saturday
Wine properties destroyed
ALEXANDER VALLEY »
Sprinklers just weren’t
enough to save vines
By TYLER SILVY
AND MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
The Kincade fire, driven by
fierce winds, whipped through
choice vineyards and Sonoma
County Wine Country estates,
damaging or destroying some of
the region’s most valuable prop-
erty.
In the midst of the smoke and
haze that hung thick as the mer-
Novato firefighters relax near the 6000 block of Pine Flat Road as the Kincade fire illuminates the horizon Saturday. By Saturday night, the nearly
26,000-acre Kincade fire was only 11% contained,
Crews battle
Advice B7 Comics
Business B8 Crossword B7 Lotto
to contain
Classified D11 Editorial
massive blaze
By CHANTELLE LEE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Firefighters aggressively fought the
out-of-control Kincade fire north of Sono-
ma County on Saturday, hoping to make
progress and establish containment lines
in anticipation of historically high winds
that could fan the flames and push embers
miles ahead overnight.
By Saturday night, the nearly 26,000-
acre Kincade fire was only 11% contained,
even with the help of four large air tankers
during the day. The blaze had already de-
stroyed 77 structures — 31 of them homes
— and damaged another 14. At least 23,500
structures were threatened to be overrun
by the fire Saturday.
Public safety officials worried that the
massive blaze would spread at an even
more dangerous rate as strong winds — the STAY OR GO: County residents in
Chrissy Pierce of Windsor packs her family’s belongings as
she prepares to evacuate Saturday over the Kincade fire.
Business E1 Crossword
Classified E4 Forum
Community B10 Lotto
1st place
Breaking
News
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 • SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA • PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM
RAMPING UP » Fire crews
overnight
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A ravenous, wind-driven
wildfire descended on the pic-
turesque north Sonoma Coun-
ty Wine Country on Thursday,
forcing about 2,000 people to
flee during dry conditions that
reminded people of the deadly
North Bay firestorm two years
ago, with more ominous weath-
er expected this weekend.
The Kincade fire, expanding
by about 1,000 acres per hour,
burned down one of the steepest Susan and Ed Moore evacuate their home in Geyserville on Thursday. Zac Lewis, below, of
flanks of the Mayacamas Moun- the Cloverdale Fire Department battles the fire off Geysers Road early Thursday.
tains into the Alexander Valley,
a patchwork of vineyards, farms
and ranches known for produc-
ing world-class wines.
A firefighting force of about
1,300 battled the fire that had
burned 16,000 acres near Gey-
serville and was 5% contained
Thursday night, Cal Fire Inci-
dent Commander Mike Park-
es said at a news conference
Thursday night in Geyserville.
Forty-nine structures, includ-
TURN TO OMINOUS » PAGE A7
cury rose over the Alexander
Valley, Jackson Family Wines
scion Julia Jackson’s home,
and numerous buildings on the
Jackson Family estate, were de-
stroyed.
At least a half-dozen homes
— and more structures — were
destroyed in areas around High-
way 128, Red Winery Road and
Geysers Road.
By midday Thursday, smoke
still seeped from intact tree
trunks and fire crackled along
wooden fence lines. With winds
dead, sticky smoke clung above
its source material — buildings
that succumbed overnight.
ONLINE: SEE MORE
evenPHOTOS,
with theVIDEOS
help of AND
B6 Legals C5 Nation-World B1
A2 Obituaries B3
A12 Movies D6 State news A10
Thousands of vehicles make their way south on Highway 101 in Windsor on Saturday during
mandatory evacuations because of approaching danger from the Kincade fire.
mandatory evacuation zones face
TURN TO BLAZE » PAGE A10 dilemma in emergency notices / A2
KENT PORTER / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
INTERACTIVE MAPS ONLINE: TRACK THE KINCADE FIRE AND SEE MORE PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND PAST STORIES AT PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM
T7 Movies D6 Sonoma Life D1
B11 Nevius C1 Smith A3
A2 Obituaries B4 Towns T1
other job categories com-
monly associated with
the virus, 2% were private
caregivers and 2% were in
food and beverage produc-
tion.
A full 28% reported
no underlying medical
conditions.
Diabetes was the most
common condition, at 38%,
followed by cardiovascular
disease (23%), chronic
lung disease (18%) and
hypertension (18%). Ten
25
WINNER
CNPA
WINNER OF THE 2018 PULITZER PRIZE
HELP ON WAY » Firefighter MALFUNCTION » PG&E
force to swell on Friday tower under scrutiny
PAYING IT FORWARD
IN REBUILD EFFORTS »
After catastrophic fires
in North Bay, groups
offer insight and hope
in Butte County. H1
WINNER OF THE 2018 PULITZER PRIZE
PG&E tower
broken near
fire’s origin
EVACUATIONS » 84,000
double as tankers arrive ordered toByleave homes
RANDI ROSSMANN
BETH SCHLANKER / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
MORE INSIDE
■ Geyserville area residents
describe fleeing from the fast-
moving blaze / A3
■ PG&E turns power back on
for customers in county / A3
■ Chefs pitch in to feed first
responders and evacuees / A3
■ Vegetation fires quickly
contained in Santa Rosa and
Marin County; SR duplex fire
also extinguished / A5
KENT PORTER / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Nearly 84,000 Sonoma County
residents — almost a fifth of the
population — were ordered to
leave their homes Saturday un-
der threat of catastrophic wild-
fire, an unprecedented evacu-
The acrid smell hung rich in ation that jammed roadways
the air, clashing with the leafy,
ahead of a powerful windstorm
green and yellow rows of grape- that authorities feared could
vines. Many vineyard owners, drive the uncontrolled Kincade
even those who had already har- fire all the way
vested, turned their sprinklers to the ocean.
on Wednesday night in an effort The mass KINCADE FIRE
to keep the wind-driven fire at departures
bay, Supervisor James Gore
from Healds-
said. burg and Acres burned
It wasn’t enough. Windsor west
Gore toured the destruction to the Sonoma
about noon, checking up on con-
Coast escalat- Containment
stituents’ properties.
ed tensions in as of Saturday
Some of the affected land-
a fire-scarred evening
owners were among the wealth- region alreadyTYLER SILVY / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A building smolders in ruins on the Jackson Family
on edge Wines property
follow-
TURN TO WINE » PAGE A2 Thursday along Red Winery Road in Geyserville.
KENT PORTER / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
ing two PG&E
blackouts in Total structures
a single week reported
INTERACTIVE MAPS FROM
theTHE
day.KINCADE FIRE AT PRESSDEMOCRAT.COMand the omi- destroyed
four large air tankers during
nous return
of smoke and
SANTA ROSAash that dark- Customers©2019
WARRIORS’ SEASON KICKS OFF: Golden State
makes poor showing, losing badly to Clippers High 92, Low 44
ened the sun.
in first game at brand-new Chase Center / C1 THE WEATHER, C8 Authorities
warned the county
public to brace
for winds of
historic pro- Firefighters on
portions Sat- hand Saturday
urday night,
with gusts
up to 80 mph, Top wind gusts
that could forecast for
rapidly send overnight
a wildfire al-
ready blazing in the hills east of
Geyserville into neighborhoods
and business districts along the
Highway 101 corridor and be-
yond.
“We all need to be aware that
this fire, when the winds pick
up tonight, can move extremely
fast,” Sonoma County Super-
DARRYL BUSH / FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT visor Lynda Hopkins said Sat-
urday. “There is no part of the
county between the fire and the
coast that is safe from this fire.”
INSIDE Residents, if not always de-
lighted, were largely compliant
and orderly in their exodus,
PG&E SHUT-OFFS: 256,000 North IN IMAGES: PD photographers
Bay customers left without power capture rush of county residents
in second outage in two weeks / A3 urgently fleeing homes / A13
JOHN BURGESS / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Evon Reddy uses a hose to douse his home before leaving LuAnn Schend, left, and Phil LaParne pack the trunk of their
Healdsburg in anticipation of the approaching Kincade fire. car in preparation to evacuate their home on Chalk Hill Road.
CIDERMAKERS GOING FOR CANS: Golden State SANTA ROSA
High 76, Low 38
and other producers join aluminum container
trend to capitalize on skyrocketing market / E1 THE WEATHER, C8
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT • TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020
Group singing
quired hospitalization. The
BREAKING DOWN SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS breakdown by age group:
31% between the ages of
can spread virus,
Sonoma County public health officials continue to urge
residents to call their doctor if they are ill, think they have 18-49, 36% from 50-64 and
flu-like symptoms and want to learn whether they should be 33% were 65 or older. Those
hospitalizations revealed
scientists warn
tested for coronavirus.
no gender gap; Mase said
566 4 566 it was roughly 50/50. Elev-
en people have required
Total cases
as of Monday
Deaths
as of Monday (2%) treatment in intensive care
units. Trump deemed religious
Positive results By RICHARD READ
258 304 Finally, Mase provid- LOS ANGELES TIMES institutions essential,
Active cases Recovered 26,409 ed information on the six
largest clusters of coro- Scientists studying tiny
calling on governors to
reopen them from corona-
as of Monday as of Monday
(98%) navirus in the county, exhaled particles that virus lockdowns.
26,975 Negative results outbreaks involving 15 or
more cases. They demon-
could transmit the coro-
navirus say a Centers for
“Removing that guid-
ance is extremely dan-
Tests finished strate the layered overlay Disease Control and Pre- gerous and irresponsi-
as of Monday of family, work and com- vention decision to drop ble,” said Jose Jimenez,
munity life. warnings against choral a University of Colorado
INFECTIONS IN COUNTY BY REGION “As you might under- singing is dangerous, risk- chemistry professor who
stand, these worksite in- ing more “super-spread- studies aerosols.
50 22 349 vestigations are quite com-
plicated, and difficult to
ing events” such as a
Washington state choir
Donald Milton, a Uni-
versity of Maryland
North East Central sort out exactly where cas- practice linked to two bio-aerosol researcher,
(Windsor north (Kenwood, Glen (Santa Rosa, es occurred and how much deaths. spoke during a May 5
to Cloverdale) Ellen, Sonoma) Rohnert Park, of it contributed as far as The researchers say webinar sponsored by
Cotati)
116 27 household vs. worksite,” that the coronavirus can multiple national mu-
South West 2 Mase said. “(Those) are
things that we’re working
spread in respiratory
aerosols, which may lin-
sic organizations — and
since watched by more
(Penngrove, (Sebastopol, Under to explain better, but there ger in the air for an hour than 100,000 people — that
Petaluma) Guerneville) investigation may be no clear sort of an- or more, floating farther stunned the choir world.
swer to that.” than the six feet common- Experts advised choirs
VIRUS CASES IN COUNTY BY AGE Three of the clusters ly prescribed for social and performing arts
have involved events such distancing. They say that groups not to gather again
91 319 99 57 0 as a funeral or Mother’s
Day party, though the
choir members are partic-
ularly vulnerable to infec-
to sing in person until a
vaccine or treatment for
0-17 18-49 50-64 65+ Unknown
health officer did not say tion from airborne parti- COVID-19 becomes wide-
which ones. cles, because they exhale ly available, even if that
VIRUS CASES IN COUNTY BY MALE, FEMALE The largest cluster of and inhale deeply to sing, takes two years or more.
291 275 cases traced in Sonoma
County is still ongoing,
often at close quarters in
poorly ventilated rooms.
“The CDC’s earlier
recommendations were
Male Female Mase said. The outbreak, The CDC generally dis- spot on, and I’m sorry to
which came to light misses the potential for see that they’ve changed
HOSPITALIZATION May 10, currently compris- airborne transmission be- them,” Milton said in an
Currently hospitalized: 5 confirmed cases, 44 suspected es 36 cases spread among yond six feet, although a interview. “This is very
cases, 2 confirmed cases in ICU, 8 suspected cases in ICU; as nine households and three study it published recent- hazardous, and we really
of Sunday worksites. ly said the “act of singing” need to not be getting to-
The others include: likely contributed to 53 of gether to sing.”
Total hospitalized during pandemic: 42 March 28 to May 5: 33 61 people who attended a The novel coronavi-
Sources: Sonoma County health department; state of California; cases, with 82 contacts in- choir rehearsal in March rus surfaced a little more
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Press Democrat reporting volving seven households, getting sick, two of whom than five months ago in
ONLINE: See more coronavirus-related data and charts at five worksites and one died of COVID-19. Since Wuhan, China, therefore,
pressdemocrat.com/coronavirus-numbers home-based day care. that incident north of some degree of uncertain-
March 15 to May 7: 23 Seattle, reports have sur- ty about the pathogen is to
cases, 17 contacts, eight faced of other outbreaks be expected, as scientists
percent told investigators households, one worksite. after choir performances, study its characteristics.
they had smoked at May 1 to 24: 17 cases, including one in Amster- But the conflicting advice
some point, while 8% 24 contacts, seven house- dam that claimed four from domestic and inter-
reported being immuno- holds, one worksite. lives. national health agencies
compromised. March 1 to April 7: Without notice on its is striking, creating con-
As of Monday, 566 people 15 cases, 39 contacts, six website May 23, the CDC fusion as the U.S. death
in Sonoma County have households. altered guidance for re- toll continues rising above
tested positive for the coro- March 9 to April 5: 15 opening houses of wor- 100,000.
navirus. Of those, 258 cases cases, 13 contacts, seven ship, deleting a warn- The White House, re-
were active and 304 had re- households, one worksite. ing posted the previous ported by the Washington
covered. Four people have day that said the act of Post as having directed
died. You can reach Phil Barber singing may contribute the CDC to substitute ap-
No children under the at 707-521-5263 or phil.bar- to the transmission of proved guidance omitting
age of 18 are among the 42 ber@pressdemocrat.com. COVID-19. The warning the choir warning, de-
local patients who have re- On Twitter @Skinny_Post disappeared as President clined comment.
WINNER Breaking News Coverage - 1st place
Coverage of the Kincade fire - Staff
of Local Government Coverage - 1st place
Coverage of homeless camps along the Joe Rodota Trail - Staff
California
Business Coverage - 1st place
Insurance issues impacting people rebuilding from the 2017
wildfires - Bill Swindell
Journalism Youth and Education Coverage - 1st place
Awards
Coverage of racial and academic divisions in Healdsburg schools -
Susan Minichiello
Photo Story/Essay - 1st place
“These awards are a reflection of the skill Photography documenting efforts to defend Windsor from
and effort that is devoted to our news report the Kincade fire - Staff
every day in every corner of the newsroom.”
Catherine Barnett, Artistic Photo - 1st place - Kent Porter
Executive Editor of The Press Democrat.
Breaking News Coverage - 2nd place
Coverage of the 2019 floods - Staff
Photojournalism - 2nd place
CNPA Coverage of the 2019 floods and the Kincade fire - Staff
WINNER WINNER
Front Page Layout and Design - 2nd place - Staff
1st place 3rd place
Sports Action Photo - 2nd place - Chris Chung
Sports Feature Photo - 2nd place - Kent Porter
Coverage of Public Service Home Page Layout and Design - 2nd place - pressdemocrat.com
Business News Journalism General Excellence - 3rd place - Staff
CNPA CNPA
Public Service - 3rd place
RANCHO COTATE HEADS
TO STATE TITLE GAME »
Cougars shut down
Coverage of homeless camps on the Joe Rodota Trail - Staff
DOWNTOWN CHALLENGES » Heart
Sierra in muddy, rainy
of SR struggles to keep vibrancy conditions to advance
Inside Page Layout - 3rd place
enjoyed by smaller cities, towns. E1 to championship. C1
WINNER OF THE 2018 PULITZER PRIZE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 • SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA • PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM
JOE RODOTA TRAIL » PROBLEMATIC MAKESHIFT VILLAGE
“Last Roar at Oracle” poster pages - Elissa Torres
Pressure mounts for
KHOLOOD EID / NEW YORK TIMES
Lt. John Pizzuro, who took part
in a raid of online predators in
New Jersey, pulls up the game
“Fortnite” on a computer Thursday.
encampment solution News Photo - 3rd place - Kent Porter
Predators
targeting
online Column Writing - 4th place - Kerry Benefield
gamers
TECHNOLOGY » Kids
Sports Game Story - 4th place - Kerry Benefield
subjected to ‘sextortion’
through chat world
By NELLIE BOWLES
BEARH.REPUBLIC
AND MICHAEL KELLER TO CLOSE BREWPUB » NEW DOC FOR WARRIORS » SR sports
1 month left for Healdsburg spot. A3
NEW YORK TIMES medicine doctor joins team’s staff. C1
When Kate’s 13-year-old son
took
z up “Minecraft” and “Fort-
nite,” she did not worry. WINNER OF THE 2018 PULITZER PRIZE
TRIAL STARTS IN MURDER CASE » SECOND STRAIGHT The video games were hardly
Sports Feature - 4th place - Phil Barber
KENT PORTER / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Healdsburg man accused of killing LEAGUE WIN » “Grand Theft Auto” — banned
in their home because it was
another over a disputed pot deal. A3 Rancho Cotate too violent — and he played in
seals the deal in a room where she could keep an
eye on him.
IT’S TIME TO PLANT BULBS FOR SPRING » NBL-Oak clash But about six weeks later,
against Maria Kate saw something appalling SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019 • SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA • PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM
Sowing seeds for annuals makes for a
strong second act for future garden. D1 Carrillo, 55-21. C1
pop up on the screen: a video of
bestiality involving a young boy.
Horrified, she scrolled through
PHOTOS BY ALVIN JORNADA / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
JOE RODOTA TRAIL » PROTECTIONS
HEALTHFROM
her son’s account on Discord,
AND SAFETY CONCERNS
Homeless camping
a platform where gamers can THE RAIN: Nina Butterfly tidies up around her tent to make room for a doghouse for her friend’s pet, Scooby, on Wednesday at the homeless
WINNER OF THE 2018 PULITZER PRIZE
chat while playing. The conver- camp along Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa. The trail has become the largest homeless camp the city has known, raising concerns from neighbors and homeless advocates.
sations were filled with graphic
Online Coverage of Youth and Education - 4th place
Elected officials pivot
AND WILL SCHMITT language and imagery of sexual
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT acts posted by others, she said.
A PG&E transmission line
Her son broke into tears when
she questioned him last month. as calls for action swell Jerry Threet
swells along SR path
Push for
experienced problems mo‑
over array of issues with
“I think it’s a huge weight off
ments before the 16,000‑acre
Kincade fire started inside The
them for somebody to step in
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019 • SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA • PRESSDEMOCRAT.COM and say, ‘Actually this is child
homeless population
Geysers, a sprawling complex
oversight
abuse, and you’re being abused,
Reprieve for some fire victims
of geothermal energy facilities
Susan Minichiello
and you’re a victim here,’” said
nestled in the mountains be‑ Kate, who asked not to be iden-
tween Sonoma and Lake coun‑ tified by her full name to protect
By WILL SCHMITT AND TYLER SILVY
ballot
ties, according to a utility filing
F
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
her family’s privacy.
with state regulators. Sexual predators and other or 10 years, Patty Alden has lived in
Cal Fire later discovered a
bad actors have found an easy a small home near the Joe Rodota
broken piece of equipment on a access point into the lives of Trail, a Sonoma County park path on
measure
PG&E transmission tower that
was not deactivated during a
young people: They are meeting an old railroad line stretching more than
power shutdown initiated by the 26 insurers to pay third However, three of the region’s
biggest property insurance com-
Valley home
is not yet com-
coverage for a third year to
match a state law that took effect
extend benefits, said her Wikiup
home was among dozens that
them online through multiplay-
er video games and chat apps,
8 miles from Santa Rosa to Sebastopol.
In recent months, more than 150 home-
San Francisco‑based utility be‑
fore the fire broke out Wednes‑
year of living costs, but panies — State Farm, Allstate plete. “That last year. Many people who lost burned in a geological hazard making virtual connections less people have set up camp along the
day night, the company re‑ 3 big companies will not and Nationwide — are among the remaining homes in the 2017 fires — includ- zone, adding red tape to an al- right in their victims’ homes. trail in Santa Rosa between Stony
REKINDLED TENSION »
Departure of
ported in a filing with the state
By BILL SWINDELL
a group of 12 insurers who re-
buffed a request by Insurance
insurance com-
panies have
ing the fierce Tubbs blaze that
burned through a wide swath
ready laborious rebuilding pro-
cess. Frazee is more than a year
Criminals strike up
conversation and gradually build
a Point and Wright roads not far from the
64-year-old Alden’s house. Sheriff Essick vows to test
Feature Photo - 4th place - Beth Schlanker
Public Utilities Commission.
thousands
Commissioner Ricardo Lara chosen to turn of Santa Rosa — are in a bind away from moving home, and is trust. Often they pose as children, Her 40-year-old son is one of the camp’s
PG&E said it became aware THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
to voluntarily continue paying their backs on because they have encountered trying every conceivable avenue confiding in their victims with residents. initiative’s legal grounds
of a problem on a 230‑kilovolt
jams roads,
transmission line running
through The Geysers at about
Twenty-six home insurers
have extended payments to cov-
temporary housing costs for fire
survivors beyond the two-year
Ricardo
Lara
people at their
most vulner-
numerous construction delays
on account of a labor shortage,
to get her benefits extended, in-
cluding blaming the insurance
false stories of hardship or self-
loathing. Their goal, typically,
He became homeless about three years
ago, and extended time living outdoors CONCERNED NEIGHBOR: Patty Alden walks past tents at the homeless Byencampment
NASHELLYbyCHAVEZ the trail on Thursday
raises tension
9:20 p.m. Wednesday. The fire
was first reported at 9:26 p.m.,
er temporary living expenses
for 2017 North Bay fire survi-
state requirement.
“That 26 of the 38 have chosen travesty.”
able time is a permitting snafus and environ-
mental issues.
company for delays and poten-
tially seeking mediation.
is to dupe children into sharing
sexually explicit photos and
videos of themselves — which
and past periods of substance abuse
have worsened his preexisting mental
health problems, Alden said, leading him
in Santa Rosa. Alden has lived on Brittain Lane near Joe Rodota Trail forTHE yearsPRESS DEMOCRAT
and her son, Israel, who struggles
with addiction and mental health problems, is among the people who choose to live in tents on the public path.
Sonoma County’s former law
vors whose new homes are still to do the right thing is admira- Lara made his request this Lisa Frazee, a State Farm cus- “The only way, at this point,
when firefighters
By MARY CALLAHAN
AND TYLER SILVY
were sent to a
unfinished, the state insurance ble,” said Brad Silvestro, an All- summer, asking insurers to ex- tomer who organized a rally at they use as blackmail for more
imagery, much of it increasingly
to “short-circuit” when he tries to live
indoors. She’s able to meet him about once
— that was somebody’s kid.”
The makeshift village where Alden’s son
“There’s a lot of concern,
enforcement watchdog is spear-
heading a push for a ballot mea-
commissioner said Friday. state customer whose Rincon tend temporary living expense the Capitol urging insurers to
TURN TO ORIGIN » PAGE A8
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
TURN TO REPRIEVE » PAGE A9
graphic and violent.
Reports of abuse are
a week, usually on a Wednesday, when she
offers him some money, encouragement
lives has grown in recent weeks to include
more than 100 tents and shelters serving a
and it looks like there’s
sure that would vastly expand
the power and budget of his
not a lot being done.”
emerging with unprecedented and another chance to visit her, if only for population of as many as 200 people. It has former office, changes he said
frequency around the country, a meal and a shower. become a burgeoning humanitarian crisis the Board of Supervisors has
HOUSING » ST VINCENT DE PAUL BUYING MOTEL TRUMP DECISIONS with some perpetrators “I just let him know he’s still loved,”
RAY NAVARRO,
declinedchief
toof the Santa
make despite Rosa
his rec-
Repairs delay evictions Photo Illustration - 4th place - John Burgess
Some
Police Department about criminal
ommendations. Jerryactivity
Threet, at
Alden said, pausing. “All of those people TURN TO ENCAMPMENT » PAGE A12 the homeless camp on thedown
Joe Rodota Traildi-
who stepped as the
TURN TO GAMERS » PAGE A11
rector of the oversight office
in February because of health
in GOP
concerns — and others backing
FBI widens probe into Florida air base rampage
the effort — will need to collect
for now at Gold Coin
upward of 21,000 signatures in
the next six months before the
losing
SCOPE OF measure makes it onto the No-
vember 2020 ballot.
NAVAL FLIGHT SCHOOL » Authorities discover If passed,
military the measure
student blasted his would
way
25,955 require
through the Board of Supervi-
a classroom building
patience
gunman showed videos of mass shootings at party sors
earlyto overhaul
Friday, killingthethree
ordinance
people
Special Section - 4th place - “Year in Photos” magazine
that establishedeight.
and wounding the TheIndepen-
gun-
11%
PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
By T.S. STRICKLAND that several of the alleged gun- dent man,Office of Law
identified as Enforcement
Ahmed Mo-
UNSANCTIONED CAMPING: Zowie Kauffman, from left, “Thor” and “Squeaks” talk atAND their ELLEN
camp Monday along the Joe Rodota Trail,
NAKASHIMA man’s westSaudi Point Road, in took Review
of Stonycompatriots hammed and Outreach,was
al-Shamrani, which
shot
video footage as the killings was approved indeputy.
2015 under
Santa Rosa. The encampment, spanning about a quarter mile of the multiuse path, has ballooned in recent weeks. dead by a sheriff’s
WASHINGTON POST
pressure from community activ-
Republican lawmakers were underway. Law enforcement officials
appear increasingly Sprawl of 100-plus tents PENSACOLA, Florida — FBI The shooting at the Naval Air ists
officials broadened their inves- Station Pensacola was labeled an ing
combedenergized
throughby the
of 13-year-old
the2013 shoot-
suspect’s
Andy Lopez
77 belongings and social media
frustrated by president becomes flashpoint over JOSH BRASTED / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
The gates at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida were shut Friday after
tigation Saturday into the dead- act of terrorism by congressional accounts on Saturday while
ly shooting rampage at a Navy officials, even as investigators deputy.
by a Sonoma County Sheriff’s
enforcement, housing
The ballot measure would
a shooting. The FBI expanded its probe Saturday into the deadly attack. flight school here amid reports continued to explore why a Saudi TURN TO FLORIDA » PAGEof A2
significantly boost how much
By RACHAEL BADE
AND MIKE DEBONIS the county’s general funds go to
94,452
WASHINGTON POST By WILL SCHMITT the oversight office, which cur-
Business E1 Crossword T7 Movies D6 Sonoma Life D1 WHERE TO HIKE IN WINTERTIME: Enthusiasts SANTA ROSArently has one full time auditor ©2019
of THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A
In-Depth Reporting - 5th place
WASHINGTON — A growing Classified E4 Forum B9 Nevius C1 Smith A3 offer insider’s tips on best places to explore, High 60, Low who
39 also serves as the office’s The Press
di-
PG&E without Democrat
The Press
number of congressional Re- Community sprawling homelessA2camp
B10 Lotto of more B4 Towns
Obituaries T1 how to enjoy damp weather in comfort / D5 rector. It would expand the audi-
THE WEATHER, C8
power in Democrat
publicans expressed exaspera- than 100 tents and makeshift tor’s access to investigative files
tion Friday over what they view dwellings has overrun a public trail when evaluating complaints of
2,830
as President Donald Trump’s in- in west Santa Rosa, spurring a flood of alleged deputy wrongdoing and
defensible behavior, a sign that complaints about safety and squalid living grant them subpoena power,
the president’s stranglehold on conditions and stoking public debate over among other measures.
his party is starting to weaken what many local residents decry as an- “Strengthening (the over-
80 MPH as Congress hurtles toward a other example of government’s failure to sight office) is strengthening the
Coverage of the rebuilding underway after the 2017 wildfires
historic impeachment vote. respond to an intractable problem. Sheriff’s Office,” Threet said of
In interviews The camp, which now spans about a the prospective initiative.
with more than INSIDE quarter mile of the Joe Rodota Trail west Threet’s effort drew strong
20 GOP law- ■ Snapshot of of Stony Point Road, has swelled to at least opposition from Sonoma Coun-
makers and Trump's 1,001st 110 people in recent weeks amid a growing ty Sheriff Mark Essick, who
congressional day in office / B1 list of calls taken by Santa Rosa police. said the changes, if approved
aides in the The tally now tops more than 80 reports PATROLLING THE TRAIL: Santa Rosa Fire Department assistant fire marshal Paul Lowenthal, left, and battal- by voters, would alter an ordi-
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past 48 hours, ■ Trump defends regarding homelessness on the trail ion chief Mike McCallum walk through a homeless encampment along the Joe Rodota Trail, west of Stony Point nance that was carefully crafted
many said they plan to host G-7 over the past few months, with incidents Road, while looking for potential hazards on Monday in Santa Rosa. by the community group with
were repulsed at his resort / B2 ranging from outstanding warrants to an input from county leaders, the
by Trump’s
decision to host an interna-
assault with a deadly weapon.
Local officials acknowledge the unsanc-
HOTBED FOR CAMPERS AND CALLS TO POLICE
Police records indicate 163 calls for service along the Joe Rodota Trail
“If somebody Sheriff’s Office and county law-
yers after the Santa Rosa teen’s
tional summit at his own re- tioned camp is rife with health and safety in Santa Rosa since July 1, nearly 90 of which were homeless-related. doesn’t start to shooting. He also said compo-
Business Coverage - 5th place - Julie Johnson
sort and incensed by acting issues, including the spread of untreated Nearly half of all calls along the trail since July 1 originated near the nents of the proposed measure
White House chief of staff Mick
Mulvaney’s admission — lat-
human waste, substance abuse and gar-
bage strewn around the area.
path’s intersection with Stony Point Road — close to the encampment. provide services,
TURN TO OVERSIGHT » PAGE A2
PHOTOS BY JOHN BURGESS / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
er withdrawn — that U.S. aid Some residents say the settlement has whatever kind
California News Publishers Association (CNPA)
Stony Point
Stephen Ploski cracks the door in his darkened room Oct. 3 at the Gold Coin Motel to talk with city inspectors about repairs needed in the unit. to Ukraine was withheld for become a blight on the popular public Encampment Santa Rosa
The motel’s rooms were so dilapidated, city officials said, that they deemed the Gold Coin uninhabitable. political reasons. Others trail — a converted former rail right of
way overseen by the county. The impact
zone
Incident call
W. Third Street
of help is possible INSIDE
expressed anger over the
Nonprofit to refurbish units to provide housing for homeless, low income
frequency 34
... then it will
Road
president’s abandonment of on nearby residents and businesses has 12
8 Trail
also become increasingly clear. People in 11 Joe Rodota
Occidental Road 77
just become
Dutton Avenue
TURN TO EVACUATIONS » PAGE A14 TURN TO GOP » PAGE A2 the camp area apparently have used drugs
in broad daylight on multiple occasions,
By WILL SCHMITT
out of control.”
Brittain
Lane
and one longtime camp denizen said this l Road
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT stopo
M
Seba
N
ARLIE HAIG, advocate with
ost of those living at the Gold Coin
Motel in Santa Rosa have been PG&E gets TURN TO CAMPING » PAGE A14 THE PRESS DEMOCRAT the Homeless Action group
earful over
there for years, including several
Trump campaign’s digital ad onslaught
tenants who have stayed for decades.
For Tammy Bishop and her husband,
Robert Fuller, the stay at the low-budget
inn with roughly 50 rooms has lasted for
20 years.
blackout plan BEST OF SONOMA COUNTY:
Press Democrat home
delivery subscribers will
Their room is opposite a popular Thai By IVAN PENN find the 2019 Best of Sono-
restaurant, which is owned and operated NEW YORK TIMES TECHNOLOGY » Dems gard facts.
Even seemingly ominous de-
ma County issue included
by the same family that owns the Men-
docino Avenue hotel property. Bishop and PG&E executives received struggling to keep pace velopments for Trump become
with today’s newspaper.
CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Fuller, who also have worked as caretak- withering criticism from state with incumbent’s efforts fodder for his campaign. When
news broke last month that
SANTA ROSA
ers and cleaners at the Gold Coin, raised regulators Friday over a pre- High 79, Low 46
two sons at the motel near Steele Lane El- emptive blackout that left mil- By MATTHEW ROSENBERG congressional Democrats were
opening an impeachment in- THE WEATHER, C8
ementary School — a neighborhood close lions without power, some for AND KEVIN ROOSE
to health care providers and next door to a days. quiry, the campaign responded
NEW YORK TIMES
with an advertising blitz aimed Business E1 Movies D6
Safeway. Pacific Gas & Electric, the Classified E4 Nevius C1
Four weeks at the Gold Coin can run state’s largest power compa- On any given day, President at firing up the president’s base.
Donald Trump’s campaign is The campaign slapped Community B10 Obituaries B4
©2019 nearly $2,000, but for most of their time ny, was rebuked at an emer-
there, Bishop and Fuller have worked in gency meeting convened by plastering ads all over Face- together an “Impeachment Crossword T7 Sonoma Life D1
The Press
Democrat
exchange for rent. With seven or eight oth- the state’s Public Utilities book, YouTube and the mil- Poll” (sample question: “Do you Forum B11 Smith A3
Santa Rosa city senior code enforcement officer Mark Maystrovich inspects occupied units
er long-term residents, they’ve built their Commission to examine how lions of sites served by Google, agree that President Trump Lotto A2 Towns T1
Oct. 3 at the Gold Coin Motel. The city hopes to identify issues to be corrected by volunteer hitting the kind of incendiary has done nothing wrong?”). It
own little community at the Gold Coin. contractors so residents can stay in their homes. decisions were made and car-
“Everybody’s like family,” Bishop said. ried out in last week’s power JEFFREY MCWHORTER / ASSOCIATED PRESS themes — immigrant invaders, invited supporters to join the
“It’s not a bunch of stragglers that’s off shut-off. The operation affected the corrupt media — that play Official Impeachment Defense
President Donald Trump addresses supporters during a campaign rally
the streets. We’ve been here for years, and “The reason why we’re cautious is we don’t more than 700,000 customers Thursday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
best on platforms where algo-
rithms favor outrage and politi-
Task Force (“All you need to
we stick together.” of the utility in Northern and
want a Ghost Ship situation.” Central California and about INSIDE Amid criticism, president says his golf resort will not host G-7 summit / A9 cal campaigns are free to disre- TURN TO TRUMP » PAGE A9 ©2019 The Press Democrat
TURN TO MOTEL » PAGE A8 VICTORIA FLEMING, city councilwoman whose Santa Rosa district includes the Gold Coin
TURN TO PG&E » PAGE A9
Advice B7 Comics B6 Home D1 Movies D2 EXPLOSION IN WEST COUNTY: Suspected hash SANTA ROSA ©2019
Business B8 Crossword B7 Horoscopes B5 Nation-World B1 oil facility leads to Sebastopol-area fourplex High 72, Low 42 The Press
Democrat
Classified D6 Editorial A10 Lotto A2 Obituaries B3 blast that sends 2 to hospital, displaces 14. / A3 THE WEATHER, C8