Capsized Kayakers; Hit-And-Run; Free SMART Rides: 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:

2 Separate Rescues Of Kayakers Made Over Easter Weekend

• Capsized kayakers needed aid near Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, while five others went missing in Tomales Bay, officials said.

Death-Row Inmate Found Dead In San Quentin Cell

• Miguel Angel Magallon was convicted of killing Los Angeles Co. Office of Public Safety Capt. Michael Sparkes in 2004.

Benicia Man Surrenders After 8-Hour Standoff: Police

• The man arrested in Thursday's incident was the same person who prompted the closure April 5 of the Benicia Bridge, police said.

CHP Seeks Driver Who Struck Pedestrian On Old Redwood Highway

• A woman was left lying in the roadway with major injuries in the Sonoma County hit-and-run, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Gang Member Accused In Shooting At Rohnert Park Party

• A 16-year-old known Santa Rosa gang member was arrested in connection with the shooting that left one person injured, police said.

Funeral Fund Created For Former Napa Man Killed On Highway 29

• Erik Woodward was born in Fremont and grew up in Pleasanton. He worked at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards before moving to Napa.

Napa Couple Accused Of Meth Possession, Child Endangerment

• Meth was found in a Napa residence where a 3-month-old baby was living—and a glass pipe in a diaper bag—Napa Special Investigations said.

SMART To Offer Free Rides For Youth During Summer

• Free rides for youth are intended to "grow a generation of transit riders and create a culture of transit within the broader community."

PG&E Giving Away Trees To Benicia, Vallejo Customers

• There is a limit of two trees per family.

Dixie School Board District Votes To Change Name

• Although district was named after Mary Dixie, a Miwok Indian woman from 1800s, many thought it had Civil War and racist connotations.

'Top The Cop' Drag Races Pit High School Students, Officers

• Officers from Fairfield, Novato and Petaluma police departments, CHP and Sonoma County Sheriff, will compete in the Sonoma Raceway events.

Marin County Among Strongest Labor Markets In State

• Four Bay Area counties came in with lowest March unemployment rates in California.

$4.8M Grant For Homeless Services: Marin Co. Supes To Consider

• Plans for the funds would include redeveloping a year-round emergency shelter and a pilot program for newly homeless.

Davis-Based Company Targeting Chronic Pain Gets $5M Investment

• The investment from Open Philanthropy is to move original research from a UC Davis laboratory into human clinical trials.