Man Charged In Fire Deaths; Gas Ban; Bike Champs: 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:

Man Accused Of Starting Markley Fire To Conceal Killing Woman

• Investigators now believe a Vacaville man set the wildfire to cover up his crime. He's now charged with arson and two more deaths.

Serial Child Molester Convicted By Napa County Jurors: DA

• The defendant faces life in prison for the "wide-reaching and long-term web of sexual abuse he wove," the DA's Office said.

Marin Arson, Carjack Case Probed

• Police said they have identified a person of interest in the case but did not release their name.

Fairfax’s Proposed Natural Gas Ban Gains Steam: Report

• The Climate Action Committee initiated the idea for the ban.

Mill Valley Philharmonic Gives A Toast. And A Toaster

• Marin’s volunteer orchestra is crowdfunding in support of future programming.

San Rafael Police Evidence Gets New Digs

• The city’s Facilities team’s move to reconfigure the SRPD’s evidence cage followed a mid-March request from the Police Department.

Novato Suspends Weekend Downtown Street Closure

• The move goes into effect this weekend.

Meet Solano County's Bike Champion Of The Year

• Cande Medrano rode over 14,000 miles last year; he also found time to help out in the community, inspiring others to try cycling.

Meet Sonoma County's Bike Champion Of The Year

• Most recently, Sherry Adams created Changing Gears, a program for inmates at the Sonoma County Jail.

Meet Contra Costa County's Bike Champion Of The Year

• Smitty Ardrey of Concord started the city's first "Bike Kitchen." He went on to start the "Bike Tent," now a fixture at the farmers market.

Meet Napa County's Bike Champion Of The Year

• Kate Miller makes a dedicated effort to ride her bike for transportation, even ditching the car for shopping trips.

Rodriguez High School Named 2021 California Distinguished School

• The school will hold the title for two years.

Credo High Honored As 2021 California Distinguished School

• The school will hold the title for two years.

Here Is The Cheapest Home On The Market In Napa

• This three-bedroom, two-bath manufactured home is listed for $129,950.

Here Is The Cheapest Home On The Market In Benicia

• The 1,700-square-foot manufactured home is listed for $259,500.

Here Is The Cheapest Home On The Market In Petaluma

• The 672-square-foot mobile home with two bedrooms and one bath is listed for $90,000.

Marin Co. Living On The Cheap

• Features include an oversized kitchen and eating area, a formal dining room, newly stained front and rear decks and new carpet throughout.

Mill Valley Masterpiece Designed By Renowned Architect

• One of the first modern farmhouses to be built in Sycamore Park by the master of the genre, celebrated local architect, Kelly Haegglund.