In Your Town for April 4, 2024
NOVATO
Hate crime alleged
in neighbors’ dispute
Novato police arrested a resident on suspicion of a hate crime after an alleged argument with a neighbor.
The incident happened at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, when police received a report about a dispute about a parking space on Olive Avenue. Police allege that Douglas Shannon, 64, threatened to report his neighbor to authorities about being in the country illegally, an assumption based on the person’s race. The neighbor also alleged that Shannon threatened to shoot him.
Police learned that Shannon owns a registered gun, and he surrendered it.
“The firearm was not used during this incident and was taken to ensure the safety of the involved parties,” the Novato Police Department said in a statement. “Officers later obtained an court order, more commonly known as a Gun Violence Restraining Order, to prohibit Shannon from possessing firearms temporarily as a result of this incident.”
Shannon was booked into the Marin County Jail on the hate crime allegation and released on bail, sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Brovelli said Wednesday. Shannon, reached by phone, declined to comment.
MILL VALLEY
City to pay more
for legal counsel
The City Council has agreed to an increase of about 10% in fees it pays for city attorney services.
The city attorney, Inder Khalsa, is a member of the Richards, Watson & Gershon law firm. The city has contracted with the firm since 2000, and the rates have not been updated since 2015, according to a report by City Manager Todd Cusimano.
At its meeting on Monday, the council approved a resolution for higher rates. The rate for general city attorney services will rise from $240 an hour to $265, and other specialized rates will also rise.
The city also agreed to an annual inflationary increase of up to 4.5% starting in April 2025.
SAN RAFAEL
Cleanup event set
in waterfront areas
The city is seeking volunteers for a litter cleanup event in conjunction with Earth Day.
The cleanup is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon April 20 in the Canal, Spinnaker and Baypoint Lagoons neighborhoods. Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati is slated to participate.
The city encourages participants to bring water, gloves and a hat, and to wear closed-toe shoes. Organizers will provide litter sticks and bags.
The meeting place is the path near the Tiscornia Marsh sign just past Pickleweed Park. More information is online at shorturl.at/gls09.
THE COUNTY
Annual tomato sale
planned at 2 sites
The UC Marin Master Gardeners program plans to hold its annual tomato sale on April 20.
The fundraiser will take place at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae and Pini Ace Hardware at 1535 S. Novato Blvd. in Novato. The markets will open at 9 a.m. and continue while supplies last.
The price is $6 per pot. Organizers plan to offer 16 tomato varieties. More information is at shorturl.at/cdkOP.