Officials with the SMART Train reported more than 80,000 passengers in the month of April, marking the highest ridership in one month in the agency's history. To increase accessibility and affordability, SMART implemented fare-free travel for individuals under 18 and seniors 65 and older starting in April. Additionally, the agency reduced regular fares by 40%.

The Eastbound closure of Hwy 37 from Sears Point to Vallejo for paving work has been cancelled for this weekend due to weather. Rain is expected to start tonight and last into Saturday. Caltrans has not announced a new date for the work to begin.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies from Florida has acquired Pure Luxury Transportation of Petaluma. Pure Luxury has operated since 1991 and has a fleet of over 90 vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, sprinter vans, mini-buses, and motor coaches, it was named one of the 10 best wine tour companies in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best.

The City of Santa Rosa has released a draft environmental impact report on converting a 20-acre parcel in Southwest Santa Rosa into a community park, now, a 45-day comment period is open for residents to give their feedback. The land is between Burbank and McMinn Avenues in Roseland and was previously considered for development before a small group sued the city to stop the process.. The Roseland Creek Community Park Master Plan is available through the city's website.

An ambulance was stolen in Santa Rosa while paramedics responded to a medical emergency call Wednesday night, according to the Sonoma County Fire District. It happened about 8:40 p.m. when emergency crews responded to a 911 medical emergency call on Fourth Street. The paramedic was with the patient outside of the vehicle, when the patient then suddenly ran and jumped into the driver's seat of the ambulance and took off. Another EMT was still in the back of the ambulance during the vehicle theft. The Santa Rosa Police Department pursued the stolen ambulance and used spike strips to eventually stop it.... the suspect was arrested.

Her name is on the invitation and newspapers along with TV stations in Kentucky make reference to her, but according to the Press Democrat, Barbara Banke, owner of Kendall-Jackson, is listed without her consent as a host of a fundraising dinner on May 15th in Lexington for Donald Trump. Banke has donated to many campaigns in the past, both Republican and Democrat, but says she is not attending nor donating to to Trump's campaign event.

A motorcyclist remains hospitalized this morning after being hit by a silver Ford F-150 pickup truck yesterday at the intersection of Hopper Ave and Airway Drive in Santa Rosa. The crash occurred about 3pm, the motorcycle rider suffered life-threatening injuries. The truck continued driving and left the accident, anyone who sees the truck or has information about the crash should call Santa Rosa police.

California's population grew for the first time since 2019 according to new data from the California Department of Finance... however the 2023 numbers are not good for Sonoma County. The county saw a decline from 479,445 to just over 478,00, with no town or city seeing an increase in population. Several cities, including Santa Rosa saw an increase in housing stock, but still lost residents.

A motorcyclist remains hospitalized this morning after being hit by a silver Ford F-150 pickup truck yesterday at the intersection of Hopper Ave and Airway Drive in Santa Rosa. The crash occured about 3pm, the motocycle rider sufferd life-threatening injuries. The truck continued driving and left the accident, anyone who sees the truck or has information about the crash should call Santa Rosa police.

The US Department of Justice has indicted two men from China charging them with attempting to illegally export US technology from a company in Santa Rosa to China. 44-year old Han Li was arrested in Chicago while his accomplice 64-year old Lin Chen is believed to be in China. The two men were attempting to acquire technology related to semi-conductors from Dynatex International and send it through a proxy company back to China.

Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore is hosting a virtual town hall on Zoom today at 6pm...it is open to residents to discuss homeowners insurance or the lack thereof following multiple companies pulling out of California. AAA, USAA and State Farm among many other who have dropped thousands of customers in Sonoma County. He will be joined by two experts, Ada Welder, the legislative advocate with California State Association; and Annie Barbour, who is a California liaison with United Policyholders. You can register through the board of supervisors website.

The Railroad Square Association in downtown Santa Rosa is going to have new leadership. On Wednesday, current executive director Kris Wilson will step down and Amanda Janik will take over. Wilson has guided the association since 2019. Janik is a longtime Santa Rosa resident who has been involved in many projects in the county.

Cal Poly Humboldt has announced the hard closure of the campus after protestors occupied two halls and declined to vacate the buildings. No one is allowed on campus other than students, classes are cancelled and roads around the school are closed. Police currently do not plan to forcefully evict the protestors from the buildings.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo has ruled in favor of Sonoma Community Advocates for a Liveable Environment in their suit against the county and developers of the Sonoma Developmental Center. DeMeo found fault in the environmental impact report, projected traffic impact, evacuation plan, biological resource issues and violations of the California Environmental quality Act. This delays the possible 1,000 unit housing project while the developer and the county address the plans deficiencies.

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board announced on Friday it was spending almost $500,000 to improve the curb appeal of Maria Carrillo High School, the city's newest school. This morning, that decision is still not sitting well with many parents and staff of other schools. In reality, the money is going towards finishing the landscaping around the track and football field, and some for visual improvements. But for the other schools in the district, it still seems like there are other projects at other schools that desperately could use the money instead.

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff was in San Francisco for a fundraising dinner on Thursday when he got a most SF welcome, someone broke into his car and stole all his luggage. So he had to attend the dinner in short sleeves and an insulated vest, looking most casual when the rest of the crowd was in a suit and tie.

The pro-Palestinian movement has now spread to Sonoma State University as students there have set up tents on campus in protest over the violence in Gaza. About a dozen tents went up on Saturday, with more expected over the week. So far the demonstration has been peaceful, according to SSU officials, and as long as it remains that way it will be allowed. At other universities, about 275 people were arrested on Saturday at campuses including Indiana University at Bloomington and Arizona State University, pushing the number of arrests nationwide to nearly 900 since April 18.