In Your Town for March 3, 2026

SAN RAFAEL

Man sentenced
in assault cases

A San Rafael man received a five-year prison term Monday for a shooting downtown and a separate attack against a jail inmate.

San Rafael police arrested Andy Isoias Arevalo in May 2024 on allegations he fired at a group of people following a dispute on D Street. The gunfire did not injure anyone and Arevalo drove off, but then he shot and injured someone in a vehicle that chased him, police said.

While he was in jail, Arevalo was accused of striking an inmate with a bar of soap in a sock.

Arevalo, 19, pleaded guilty last month to assault with a firearm and assaulting an inmate. The sentence by Judge Kelly Simmons covers both cases.

“It closes the door on a chapter in this young man’s life,” said Jon Rankin, one of Arevalo’s defense attorneys. “Hopefully, he will take the righteous path forward.”

MILL VALLEY

Hearing planned
on tree removals

The Tamalpais Design Review Board has scheduled a hearing on a tree removal plan off Alta Way.

The applicant, Eric Nuttall of Equity Smart Investments LP, filed for a permit to remove one heritage coast live oak, five protected coast live oaks and five protected California bay trees from the vacant lot, according to the Marin County Community Development Agency. The company also wants to remove 20 native trees and 49 nonnative trees, but those don’t require a permit.

The county has published no construction plans in connection with the property. Nuttall did not respond to an inquiry Monday.

The board hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Homestead Valley Community Center at 315 Montford Ave.

NOVATO

Permit granted
for restaurant

A city zoning administrator has approved a use permit for a family entertainment site at Grant Avenue and Seventh Street.

Kitsch + Sync plans to operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at the Downtown Novato Center. The business plans to offer play areas for children and a restaurant with beer and wine sales for onsite consumption.

The city official held a hearing on the proposal on Thursday. The proposal generated no public comment. The appeal period ends March 9.

KENTFIELD

Board backs plan
to expand school

The Kentfield Planning Advisory Board is recommending that the county approve a plan to expand Ross Valley Nursery School.

The school at 689 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. has proposed a 538-square-foot addition to the 2,615-square-foot building, according to the Marin County Community Development Agency.

The board held a hearing on the project on Wednesday.