NOVATO

Police accuse teen of sexual extortion

A 15-year-old Novato boy was arrested for allegedly stealing another teen’s private photographs as part of an extortion scheme, police said.

The alleged victim, a 13-year-old Novato resident, told police the images were stored on social media. The suspect allegedly threatened to share the pictures if he did not receive sex acts, Lt. Alan Bates said.

Officers arrested the suspect at his residence, police said. He was booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse images, extortion, contacting a minor for sex acts, impersonation with the intent to defraud and violating his probation conditions from a previous case.

HEALTH

Former Marin official gets UC fellowship

Dr. Matt Willis, the Marin County public health officer from 2013 to 2024, has been named to a fellowship at the University of California at Berkeley.

The Impact Fellow program, which is in its second year, is part of the university’s School of Public Health.

“Through this fellowship, they engage in deep reflection, connection, and innovation, leveraging their expertise to address pressing health challenges,” the program website says. “Fellows collaborate with faculty, students, and partners to develop new initiatives, shape strategy, and mentor the next generation of changemakers.”

The program selected 10 fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year. It said Willis “will develop new methods for public health leaders to listen to the communities they serve.”

The fellowships are volunteer positions, said Elise Proulx, communications director for the public health school.

WEATHER

Rising temperatures in forecast for Marin

Temperatures are projected to spike in the North Bay as part of a regional warming pattern this week, according to the National Weather Service.

High temperatures could reach the middle 90s on Thursday and Friday in the upper parts of Sonoma and Napa counties, the agency said. In Marin, high temperatures are expected to hit 86 degrees on Thursday and 82 on Friday in San Rafael. In Novato, the expected high is 88 degrees on Thursday and 83 on Friday. The highs will be about 10 degrees lower in southern Marin.

Milder temperatures are in the forecast on Saturday.