FAIRFAX

Person found dead at library

The Fairfax Library was closed Monday after a person was discovered dead outside the building.

The incident was reported around 10:30 a.m., police Chief Rico Tabaranza said. County library spokesperson Andre Clemons said that the person was found just outside the library entrance.

Foul play is not suspected, Tabaranza said. “We believe the patient may have had underlying medical issues,” he said.

The coroner’s office did not identify the person on Tuesday.

The branch at 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. reopened Tuesday.

NOVATO

Church arson suspect arraigned

A woman accused of burning a church’s Nativity scene delayed entering a plea in court on Tuesday.

Denise Irene Roberts, 61, of Santa Clara was charged with felony arson of a structure or forest land and felony arson of property. The charges include hate crime allegations.

The incident was reported early Saturday morning. The fire burned a 30-by-30-foot area outside the Christ Church North Bay building on Redwood Boulevard. The church building was not damaged, police said.

Roberts had “religious delusions” when authorities contacted her, Novato police Lt. Alan Bates said Monday.

At the arraignment, Judge Kelly Simmons accepted the defense’s request to push off entering a plea until July 24.

Roberts remains in custody at the Marin County Jail. Her bail amount was set at $250,000.

SAN RAFAEL

Roundabout work prompts closure

The northbound Highway 101 Manuel T. Freitas Parkway offramp will be closed overnight this week.

The ramp was set to close at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 and again at 11 p.m. on Wednesday as work continues to construct a roundabout at the intersection.

The ramp is scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. the each morning, Caltrans said.

The estimated $11.5 million project is along the east side of the highway at the intersection of Manuel T. Freitas Parkway, Civic Center Drive and Redwood Highway.

In addition to the roundabout, the project involves relocating a bus stop to improve safety and accessibility, and constructing a retaining wall and a two-way pedestrian and bicycle path separated from traffic.

Construction is expected to continue through the end of the year.

Shop evacuated in smoke incident

A pet store was evacuated Tuesday after light smoke seeped into the space.

The smoke was reported around 11:30 a.m. in the Petco store at 375 Third St. The incident was linked to an overheated heating and air-conditioning unit, San Rafael fire Deputy Fire Robert Sinnott said.

Employees, customers and animals were evacuated. Investigators found the malfunctioning unit on the store’s roof, he said. The unit was disconnected.

The business reopened after the smoke was cleared.