Underage Sex Case; Labor Strike; New Redwood Preserve: Patch PM

NORTH BAY, CA – Missed today's headlines? Here are the Patch stories from Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties that people are talking about today:

Group Acquires 730 Acres Of Sonoma Old-Growth Redwoods
"It's as if we've discovered an ancient civilization; an oasis of towering redwoods hidden from public view for over a century."

Authorities ID Cockfighting Ranch Shooting Victim
A man fatally shot at a cockfighting arena near Petaluma was identified by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office. Suspects are sought.

Underage Sex Case: Former Catholic Boys Home Director Enters Plea

Longtime Hanna Boys Center counselor Kevin Thorpe, 40, of Rohnert Park, pleaded no contest to
10 counts of oral copulation with teen boys.

Fire In Benicia Shuts Down I-780
A Sig-alert was in effect Thursday night, with the freeway closed at Glen Cove Road and Columbus Parkway.

Cal Berkeley's Vaughn, Of Santa Rosa, Is College Baseball's Best
Andrew Vaughn won the Golden Spikes Award, placing him among the elite players to play baseball at the amateur level.

Bay Area Under Spare The Air Alert

The air quality index forecast for Saturday is "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Checkpoint Planned In Petaluma
Petaluma police announced they are holding a DUI/driver's license checkpoint this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

County Fairs; Halal Fest; Outdoor Concerts: NorCal Weekend Events

Looking for things to do this weekend in Northern California? Patch has you covered.

Marin County Fair Won't Be Affected By Labor Strike

The five-day fair kicks off Saturday, while the county's largest employee union plans to strike for three days starting Sunday.

These Services Will Be Impacted By Marin County Labor Strike

Some facilities and services, including county parks and library branches, will be closed during the strike.

Officer Attacked; Canteen Vandalized: Marin County Police Log

A look at some of this week's police, fire and courtroom incidents from across Marin County. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

(Photo credit: Mike Shoys, courtesy of Save the Redwoods League)