Good morning to you Mill Valley! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: "Mahjong Social" at The Village! and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Vegetation Fire Breaks Out Near Mill Valley Trail: FD (patch.com) — Mill Valley residents saw and smelled smoke Thursday as a vegetation fire near Wolf Ridge Trail in the Marin Headlands sent drift smoke into town, prompting a police alert. Fire crews quickly stopped the blaze's forward progress at about 3 acres, and officials stressed there was no immediate threat to Mill Valley, asking residents not to call 911 unless they faced a real emergency.
2. 286 Planning Meetings Later, Longtime Mill Valley Director Calls It A Career (patch.com) — Mill Valley is saying goodbye to longtime planning and building director Patrick Kelly, whose four decades in public service included steering many of the city's most debated housing and commercial projects. City leaders praised his role in keeping the Mill Valley 2040 General Plan on track, securing state-certified housing elements, and guiding hundreds of often-heated Planning Commission meetings with steady leadership.
3. Police Chief Leaving Mill Valley For New Bay Area Job (patch.com) — Mill Valley residents are seeing a major leadership change as longtime Police Chief Rick Navarro departs to lead public safety in Rohnert Park, prompting an immediate search for his replacement. City leaders praised Navarro's decades of service and noted simultaneous turnover in other key roles, while assuring the community that a succession plan and broad recruitment effort are underway through the fall.
4. Years Of Wildfire Prevention Put To The Test In Mill Valley (patch.com) — Mill Valley's years of wildfire prevention work, including the local fuel break, were credited with helping firefighters contain the recent Hillside Fire, but officials warn that a "normal" 2026 season still brings serious danger. Fire leaders urged Mill Valley homeowners to maintain defensible space, prepare go-bags, secure ongoing funding for vegetation projects, and stay ready to call 911 and receive Alert Marin warnings.
5. Homeowners Could Get Help Paying For Sidewalk Repairs In Mill Valley (patch.com) — Mill Valley homeowners may now qualify for up to $1,000 from the city to fix hazardous sidewalks under a new cost-sharing pilot program. Public Works will survey the city zone by zone, notify property owners needing repairs, and share eligible costs 50/50, aiming to cut injuries, insurance claims, and confusion over who must maintain sidewalk panels.
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Ok Mill Valley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
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