A much loved cinema complex in Santa Rosa could soon close and be converted into a fitness center. Neighbors around the Summerfield Cinemas received notice that the property owners intend to rent the facility to Planet Fitness, who will renovate the five-screen complex. There will be a public meeting on May 16th before the city's Zoning Administrator according to the notice. It is not clear when the current lease with Santa Rosa Entertainment Group runs out.

A federal judge ruled that flood control measures taken by the Army Corps of Engineers at the Coyote Valley Dam on Lake Mendocino violated the endangered species act. Releases from the dam stir up sediment, causing the water to turn a muddy brown, increasing turbidity and harming endangered Central California coast steelhead, coho and Chinook salmon. The Corps is now engaged in drafting a new plan to manage releases in a way that mitigates impacts to the salmon.

In January of 2024, the Santa Rosa Police Department launched a social media campaign to highlight missing adult cold cases. Over the course of six weeks, 30 cases were highlighted, with the oldest being from 1984 and the most recent being reported just before the start of the program. So far, 5 individuals have been found with strong leads on 4 more. The Missing Person Monday program now has additional resources and looks to continue it's success in the future with a twice a year campaign.

Great news for California's water supply heading into summer. Lake Oroville, the second largest reservoir in the state is at 100% of it's capacity. Lake Shasta, the largest storage reservoir is at 97% of capacity... both lakes are well over 110% of historical average for this time of year. Locally Lake Sonoma, Mendocino and Berryessa are in very good shape.

You have the opportunity today and tomorrow to watch as the Santa Rosa City Council holds a two day study session in advance of adopting a nearly $500 million dollar budget for the coming year. The meeting today starts at 12:30 at city hall, tomorrow's session starts at 9am. The council will hear from various departments on ways to curtails spending, increase revenue and try to avoid budget cuts and layoffs. You can attend the meetings in person or watch remotely through zoom or the city's YouTube channel.

Two black bears were spotted in the North Bay about 70 miles apart on Monday. First, in Napa near Silverado Resort a man drinking coffee watched as a bear wandered through his back yard. Then in Guerneville, a man watched as a bear strolled up his driveway the same day. Sightings of bears are rare, but becoming more frequent in Sonoma county. A wildlife specialist told the Press Democrat that the bears were most likely looking for food, much like what happens in Lake Tahoe in the spring. Black bears usually avoid conflict, if you see one, make yourself big and make noise according to the expert.

To kickoff National Wildfire Preparedness Month, State Senator Mike McGuire will be joined by Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler for his annual virtual Town Hall on Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention this Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m. The town hall is open to the public and will be livestreamed. Senator.McGuire@senate.ca.gov. What: Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention Town Hall When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Where: Virtual (https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/videos) Senator.McGuire@senate.ca.gov.

To kickoff National Wildfire Preparedness Month, State Senator Mike McGuire will be joined by Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler for his annual virtual Town Hall on Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention this Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m. The town hall is open to the public and will be livestreamed. You can submit questions in advance through the RSVP link which we will have up on the KZST website under news. Senator.McGuire@senate.ca.gov. What: Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention Town Hall When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Where: Virtual (https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/videos) Senator.McGuire@senate.ca.gov.

You may have seen, or been stuck in, the long traffic nightmare on Friday evening when I-80 was shut down while the CHP surrounded a car. That car, and the entire situation, started in Santa Rosa earlier in the day when a woman reported someone firing a gun at her on highway 101. Later on, the same car, a 2001 Toyota Corolla, was spotted in Rohnert Park, and the chase was on. From there, the driver made it all the way to I-80 at Cordeilla, where spike strips were used to stop the car and armored vehicles were brought in. The standoff lasted over two hours before the man eventually shot himself.... he was critically injured, we are waiting on an update on his condition sometime this morning.

Graton Resort & Casino was named as one of the luckiest Casinos in California by Casinos.com It came in at number 5 on the list... Yaa-ma-va Resort and Casino in Highland came in at number 1. Graton recently started a $1 billion dollar expansion that will add a new hotel wing, expanded gaming, new restaurant, theater and parking garage that is already under construction.

You may have read the article in the Press Democrat about the city of Santa Rosa's plan to try and redevelop garage number 5 on Third Street in downtown Santa Rosa. They have entered into an agreement with Keith Rogal from Napa to transform the garage into housing over the objections of downtown business owners and shoppers, who correctly note that losing a parking garage adjacent to Fourth Street and Old Courthouse Square will negatively impact their businesses. Plus, a lawsuit has been filed challenging the city's designation of the garage as surplus property. There is a hearing on May 24th in Sonoma County Superior Court over that issue.

You may have read the article in the Press Democrat about the city of Santa Rosa's plan to try and redevelop garage number 5 on Third Street in downtown Santa Rosa. They have entered into an agreement with Keith Rogal from Napa to transform the garage into housing over the objections of downtown business owners and shoppers, who correctly note that losing a parking garage adjacent to Fourth Street and Old Courthouse Square will negatively impact their businesses. Plus, a lawsuit has been filed challenging the city's designation of the garage as surplus property. There is a hearing on May 24th in Sonoma County Superior Court over that issue.

The Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is in the running to be named as the best small airport in the country as voted on by readers of Newsweek. Voting is now open through May 23rd. 10 winners will be announced on May 30th. To vote for our airport, go to newsweek.com and look for readers choice.

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.