In Your Town for Jan. 8, 2026
SAUSALITO
Electrical issue
suspected in fire
The cause of a fire that damaged an apartment building this week appears to be an electrical problem in a basement, a fire official said Wednesday.
The fire happened Monday morning at 14 Josephine St., part of a three-level hillside structure. The lower-level apartment has a small basement below it, said Battalion Chief Matt Barnes of the Southern Marin Fire Protection District.
The fire destroyed the lower-level apartment, while another apartment sustained smoke and water damage, Barnes said. He said the preliminary investigation revealed no legal violations and the fire appears to be accidental.
The fire district reported no injuries.
SAN RAFAEL
Board picked for
business district
The city has appointed members to the San Rafael Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board for the year.
Nine of the appointees were on the board for the previous term: Adam Dawson of Mike’s Bikes; Crystal Vargas of ARTT; Jay Yinger of Yinger Studios; Jeff Brusati of T&B Sports; Katherine Erilla of Modern + Avenida Retail; Morgan Schauffler of Youth in Arts; Temple Schauble of Metta Yoga; Terrance Thornton of San Rafael Martial Arts; and Tobi Lessem of Bodywise Massage. The 10th member is a new addition: Rick Lewis of Gold Rush Jewelers.
The City Council made the appointments at its meeting on Dec. 15.
MILL VALLEY
Project proposed
at Tam Valley home
The county planning office is reviewing a residential expansion proposal in Tamalpais Valley.
The project at 304 Deertrail Lane would involve building a 374-square-foot addition, a 71-square-foot deck and an accessory dwelling unit, according to the Marin County Community Development Agency. Also, a carport would be demolished and replaced with a two-vehicle garage.
The county has not set a public hearing. Project details are available online at shorturl.at/sNm9I.
CORTE MADERA
Town fills vacancy
on county board
The town has appointed a new representative to the Marin County Commission on Aging.
Ann Sparkman, a 35-year resident of the town, applied to finish an unexpired term on the commission, an advisory panel to the Board of Supervisors. The prior commissioner, Claudia Wilson, resigned the seat in November after serving a little over two years, according to a report by Lorena Barrera, the town clerk.
The term ends on June 30.
Sparkman is a retired lawyer with a nursing degree who also serves on the Marin Healthcare District board.