North Bay Report 3

Sonoma County sheriff Steve Freitas says he won’t seek re-election in 2018. But some local critics want him out even sooner.

Sheriff Steve Freitas’s six-plus years in that office have been tumultuous on multiple fronts. Now a group of local activists is pushing to recall him, even before his announced retirement at the end of his current term next year.

You can hear more about the campaign on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Dry-farming vineyards saves water. But it yields other benefits as well.

For vineyards, dry farming means no irrigation, relying only on what Nature provides—with an assist from composting and other supportive measures. An experienced practitioner shared his insights at an onsite workshop yesterday, and KRCB’s Bruce Robinson sat in.

Find out more on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Proposed legislation in Sacramento has Marin’s coastal communities fearing they’ll lose the ability to protect their homes from sea level rise.

A new bill - set to be heard in the California Assembly tomorrow (Wednesday) - addresses sea level rise and aims to protect public access to shorelines up and down the state. But it would also penalize many coastal homeowners who have illegal or unpermitted seawalls. KRCB’s Tiffany Camhi reports, not all coastal communities are happy about it.

Find out more about the bill on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

With ample water available this summer, how much will be flowing through the Russian River?

In recent years, lower summertime flows in the Russian River have been necessary for water conservation as well as the benefit of young salmon preparing to head out to sea. But this year, with ample water available, the calculus may be different.

The county water agency will hold its annual community meeting on the condition and management of Russian River estuary tonight in Monte Rio. You can find details about that, and hear more about the river and its fish on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Getting to Zero waste is more of a mindset than a specific goal, but it helps to focus on sustainability in all aspects of life.

Recycling is up in California and so is composting. But we are still sending millions of tons of garbage to landfills. Various ways to cut that back were on the agenda at a Zero Waste Symposium at Sonoma Mountain Village yesterday. KRCB’s Bruce Robinson was there, and has this report.

Hear more from the Zero Waste Symposium on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

A legislative response to the Wells Fargo scandal takes narrow aim at mandatory arbitration requirements.

Nearly half of the 2 million Wells Fargo bank accounts that were opened without the customers’ knowledge or consent are here in California. A new, narrowly tailored bill in the state legislature would give those fraud victims some additional leverage to fight back.

Find more about this issue on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Santa Rosa’s reunified Old Courthouse Square aims to be the new heart of the city.

Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square reunification project is nearly finished. KRCB’s Tiffany Camhi reports the new plaza - which city planners hope will revitalize and unify the city -will be dedicated this Saturday.

Find out more about the Old Courthouse Square dedication celebration on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

The next international expedition for Santa Rosa’s Climbers for Peace faces challenges that are more political than geological.

Santa Rosa-based Climbers For Peace organizes and leads multi-national teams in bond-building ascents of major mountains. Their next trip will take them up the highest peak in the Middle East—assuming the government of Iran allows it.

There’s more information about Climbers For Peace, including pictures from some of their past international expeditions, on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

What do Americans think? Chris Register is out to find out—by asking them, everywhere he goes. We’ll hear from him on the next North Bay Report, airing at 6:18 and 8:18 am and 5:30 pm. Or find it online at krcb.org.

Riding a bicycle through all 50 states is a good way to get acquainted with America. And talking with folks, in depth, everywhere along the way is an even better way. Today we meet a man who is doing just that.

See photos and find out more about the Conversations with US project on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Will genetic analysis of cannabis aid big pharma in making expensive new products? Or hold down prices by protecting generic strains.

Genetic analysis of varying cannabis strains may aid in the development of narrowly targeted pharmaceutical products. But using the same tool to protect generic strains could help hold prices down.

There’s more on the subject on the North Bay Report webpage at KRCB dot org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.