Home Care in Mill Valley, CA

Princeton’s mill celebrated not just new owners but a new name as well with the handover of forestry tenures from Weyerhaeuser to West Kelowna-based Gorman Bros on March 19.

The provincial government’s approval of tenure transfer was the last step in a process that began with Gorman’s purchase of the mill and tenures in 2025, which will now operate as Similkameen Forest Products.

The transfer of the timber tenures has happened quickly since being announced in September 2025, as far as tenure transfers go and especially with the new legislative requirements to consider public interest.

“Six months is pretty incredible, and that speaks to the work that Gorman Brothers has been able to do, but also the work of the Forest Service in engaging with all of the stakeholders to be able to fulfill our legal obligations to consult with First Nations and make sure that when a package comes to me, that I can perform the public interest test as well,” Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said.

“Here you have a company that is continuing to make investments in British Columbia in a time where things are tough right now in forestry,” he continued. “You’ve got a company made here in B.C. that is investing $120 million. That speaks well to the future of forestry and gives me the hope and optimism and most importantly the hope and optimism for the workers here.”

Parmar added that tenures used to be traded like hockey cards, without consideration for First Nations, workers and the communities impacted.

Now, in order for timber tenures to be approved, consultation with First Nations, assessments of the public interest including impacts on communities, and the distribution of holdings across B.C. all must be considered.

The Ministry of Forests received nearly 300 letters in support of the Gorman tenure transfer from individuals, businesses, First Nations, contractors, community forests and unions during the public input period.

“This is a good step forward for a sustainable forestry sector, not only for Princeton and the Similkameen but also for the Merritt timber supply area and the southern Interior,” Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne said. “The Princeton mill is a major part of the economic backbone of the Princeton area and has always been an important community partner. Gorman’s has proven itself to be a trusted partner and the Town of Princeton and the community look forward to continuing our relationship.”

Gorman CEO Nick Arkle was also enthused about the announcement, and happy to share the new name for Similkameen Forest Products. He thanked the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands for giving their support, and for the support from everyone else in the community.

“When we purchased this operation, people always talk about oh it’s gonna be a different culture, you’re gonna struggle with it and within a month, it felt like a well fitting glove, we realized we all think along the same lines, we’re all trying to achieve the same thing and we’re gonna do it together,” Arkle said. “Thank you all for for trusting us. The world’s changing and more and more people are wanting a say and some input as to how we are operating out there on the land base, what kind of products we’re producing from that, how we work with our communities, and so I see this as a major support for us in that people are trusting us.”

The transferred tenures total approximately 682,000 cubic metres, with tenures located near Oliver and in the Merritt and Okanagan timber supply areas. It adds to the Gorman Group’s existing tenure of approximately 734,000 cubic metres per year.

Following the announcement and celebration, a brief tour of the mill was held, showcasing the upgraded and automated lines inside. Just five hours into the first shift of the day, one of the two lines had already processed more than 3,400 logs.

The tour included a visit to the nerve centre for the mill’s operations, a startlingly quiet space — for a mill — straight out of the old visions of the future. It had a captain’s chair and an array of monitors displaying dozens of different steps in the mill process. The room itself was located on the roof of the old mill, added on during the expansion upgrades from 2018 to 2020 that all happened without shutting down the lines.

The mill processes a range of trees, with an average diameter of 6.4 inches, up to a maximum 20. Usually the trees are pine or spruce, but the mill also processes cedars.

During a ten-hour shift, 50,000 to 60,000 blocks are produced, with two shifts per day. Most of the wood is turned int two-by-four or two-by-six pieces, but larger ones are also converted into blanks that are shipped to Gorman’s West Kelowna location for further processing.

Prior to recent changes south of the border, the mill’s output was effectively split into thirds, with one-third staying in Canada, one-third going to Asian markets, and one-third going to the U.S. Now, only about 17 per cent goes to the U.S. with the remainder going toward other markets, including potentially to the U.K.

A drafted ordinance phases out commercial sales of tobacco and nicotine products after testimony on health concerns.

MILL VALLEY, CA — After extensive youth and health testimony, the Mill Valley city council on Monday unanimously instructed staff to draft an ordinance phasing out all commercial tobacco and nicotine sales in the city.

The Mill Valley City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance that would end commercial sales of tobacco and nicotine products in the city, following more than an hour of testimony from students, parents and health experts.

Kelsey Rogers, the assistant to the city manager, and Marin County Health and Human Services staff outlined three options: a minimum price law, a complete end to sales, or a hybrid that combines minimum pricing with a scheduled future ban. County staff reported that about half of 11th graders in Marin have tried vaping and that many modern vapes and pouches carry high nicotine doses.

“I’m in complete agreement [with pursuing] a full ban on tobacco products and nicotine products in all forms, present and future,” said Councilmember Urban Carmel.

Other councilmembers expressed unanimous support for a full phase‑out.

“I’m leaning towards the total ban on sales so we have a clear path toward a comprehensive ban on both tobacco and nicotine products with a defined future timeframe,” said Vice Mayor Caroline Joachim.

City Manager Todd Cusimano said staff will now notify the local tobacco retailers, gather input and return with a draft ordinance and timeline. The council did not set an effective date but told staff they want to see the ban implemented sooner than later, according to Cusimano.

High school students presented data to the Novato City Council on March 10 showing that youth nicotine use in their town also exceeds statewide averages, urging the council to strengthen local tobacco regulations.

Students, referencing the California Healthy Kids Survey, pressed the council to strengthen Novato's tobacco retail license with higher minimum prices, increased pack sizes, and a ban on discounts, coupons, e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches, citing similar local measures. The council took no immediate action on the proposed tobacco policy changes.

MILL VALLEY, CA — The long‑running debate over reopening the Alto Tunnel resurfaced at the Mill Valley City Council meeting, drawing numerous speakers both for and against the idea of restoring the former rail tunnel as a bicycle and pedestrian link between Mill Valley and Corte Madera.

Warren Wells, policy and planning director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, asked the council to update and reaffirm its 2000 resolution supporting further study of the tunnel’s reuse. He said reopening the tunnel would connect nearly 10 miles of multi‑use path from Sausalito to Terra Linda, offering a continuous, low‑stress route separate from car traffic.

“We are here to ask that you update that quarter‑century‑old council resolution to reflect the work that has been done to date, and renew the request that the outstanding issues be evaluated by the county,” Wells said.

Supporters emphasized safety for families and commuters currently using Camino Alto and Horse Hill Lane, which they described as steep and uncomfortable routes shared with heavy traffic. One Mill Valley resident said reopening the tunnel would allow his young children to bike to schools and parks without adding to congestion on Highway 101.

Opponents focused on cost, engineering risks and neighborhood impacts.

John Palmer, a Scott Valley resident and homeowners association leader, argued the project would require a full reconstruction rather than a simple reopening, citing tunnel collapse and homes built above the alignment. He suggested total costs could reach $100 million or more once inflation, easements and related work are considered.

“There are alternatives which could be improved,” Palmer said, pointing to the Horse Hill route as a lower‑cost option.

While councilmembers did not deliberate on the item, which was raised during general public comment, several acknowledged the scale of the decision. Councilmember Stephen Burke noted the council would need to balance competing priorities and limited staff capacity when considering if and when to bring a tunnel resolution back for formal discussion.

The city clerk reported receiving 21 written comments on the Alto Tunnel topic prior to the meeting.

MILL VALLEY, CA — A Mill Valley church‑based initiative is moving toward opening what organizers say will be the first “Respite for All”‑model dementia program in California, offering critical support to caregivers and people with early to moderate dementia.

Representatives of Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church briefed the City Council on their “Three Cheers” respite program, which will operate out of the church’s fellowship hall, at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

The program is modeled on the Respite for All initiative founded in Montgomery, Alabama, and will provide structured social activities and a catered lunch while caregivers receive a four‑hour break.

By 2030, one-third of Marin residents are projected to be 60 years old or older, a statistic shared by achurch staff member.

Organizers described a multi‑year effort to secure space, navigate state licensing and assemble funding. Louise Carter reported that the team has obtained startup and capital grants from the Respite for All Foundation, Methodist bodies, the Marin County Board of Supervisors, and the Marin Community Foundation, along with private donations.

“Having my own lived experience with my in‑laws, they would have so needed, wanted, yearned for this program,” said Vice Mayor Caroline Joachim. “[This is] an absolute lifeline to a number of members of our community and beyond.”

Mayor Urban Carmel, noting his father’s experience caring for his mother with dementia, called the initiative “exactly the kind of service that we need” in an aging county where “people don’t move out of Marin, they stay here.”

The council offered to provide additional letters of support for upcoming grant applications and to help promote the program through city communication channels. Organizers anticipate opening in mid‑2026, pending state licensing.