Good morning, Santa Rosa.

A new apple press opened at Ethic Ciders in Sebastopol today, offering free processing for local growers amid challenges from fire blight.

The project (partnering with Slow Food Russian River and state grant funding) lets farmers convert up to a ton of fruit per day into juice, syrup, and cider.

Sebastopol residents are calling on local leaders and school officials to boost safety near a Safeway after hate graffiti was found on its wall — Safeway has started daily patrols while the city council will soon consider an ad hoc committee and school officials have adopted new anti-hate policies.

Alaska Airlines has canceled its planned Salt Lake City service and will end its Ontario route on Oct.

31 while planning new seasonal flights to Boise and Phoenix on Nov. 1. Delta will begin Salt Lake City flights on Oct. 6 amid record airport traffic recorded in August.

Greg Sarris, a Santa Rosa native and longtime tribal leader, will retire from his 34-year role as chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and return to writing.

He released a new book, The Last Human Bear, and will speak at a literary talk (222 Gallery, Healdsburg, Sept. 25).

Jerry Seinfeld will perform twice on November 14 at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, with an added show at 5:00 p.m. joining the nearly sold-out 8:00 p.m. set.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 a.m. with prices from $81 to $597.

Santa Rosa Language Academy will choose a new official name this academic year after dropping its former name.

Principal Francisco Manriquez said a community advisory committee will gather feedback to guide renaming efforts (including new signage and apparel).

Rincon Valley Union School District superintendent Mike Herfurth (after 25 years of service) is stepping down effective Oct.

8 amid a challenging financial period; a board meeting will be held Sept. 29 to name an interim leader as he transitions to a new role with Redwood Empire Schools’ Insurance Group.

Firefighters halted the 340-acre Chileno Fire along Chileno Valley Road Sunday evening and contained the blaze just before 7:00 p.m. with no evacuations or structural damage, although drifting smoke caused unhealthy air warnings in Petaluma.

Los Cien’s BRIDGE program trains local Latino leaders in governance, finance, and leadership skills for nonprofit boards and government commissions.

Nearly 40 fellows have secured roles as the fourth cohort is underway after fresh grant funding was received this summer.

Santa Rosa police and federal highway officials are urging local parents to double-check car seat installations during Child Passenger Safety Week.

Experts advise keeping kids under 13 safely buckled in the back seat and recommend scheduling online inspections with certified technicians (via NHTSA guidelines).

Gallaher Community Housing has scaled back its affordable housing plan for the shuttered Windsor Creek Elementary School to address neighbor concerns, reducing the design from 384 to 245 units.

Formal town approval is pending and an environmental report will study traffic and evacuation impacts.