Le Journal

Sunday’s local events No events scheduled Monday’s local events Girls basketball San Rafael at De Anza, 5:30 p.m., El Sobrante

The 49ers elevated place kicker Matt Gay and linebacker Jalen Graham Saturday from the practice squad to face the Cleveland Browns. Gay kicked field goals of 47 and 29 yards without a miss and converted two extra points in the 49ers’ 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night in place of Eddy Piñeiro, who is out with a hamstring strain. The forecast in Cleveland Sunday calls or a high of 38 degrees with the possibility of snow and freezing rain. Depending on how fast Piñeiro heals, it could be Gay’s finale with the 49ers. The 49ers have their long-awaited bye week coming up, and resume play on Dec. 14 against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Piñeiro has yet to miss a field goal attempt in 22 tries. Graham, in his second season out of Purdue, was active for the first time this season and played seven snaps on special teams, getting no time on defense behind Curtis Robinson and Dee Winters. Tatum Bethune, who replaced the injured Fred Warner, started five games but sustained a high ankle sprain against Arizona. It’s not known when Bethune will return, but the 49ers added some insurance this week with the signing of 33-year-old veteran Eric Kendricks to the practice squad. Kendricks started 15 games for Dallas last season and had 138 tackles. Related Articles 49ers’ 5 keys to winning at Cleveland for first time since 1984 Kurtenbach: 49ers can exploit Shedeur Sanders’ weaknesses, but they can’t overlook the rest of the Browns How to watch 49ers vs. Browns on Sunday 49ers’ defense has penchant for red zone takeaways; McCaffrey resumes practicing 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk returns to Ohio roots on cusp of another milestone By the time the 49ers play their next game against Tennessee, Kendricks should be acclimated to the defense and able to play and perhaps start assuming Bethune will not be available. The 49ers thought they had an agreement with Kendricks last season with Dre Greenlaw rehabbing from a torn Achilles but Kendricks instead signed with Dallas. That led to the 49ers’ ill-fated signing of De’Vondre Campbell, who played poorly in 12 games before refusing to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 12.

In the face of fierce opposition, San Rafael and Marin County officials are pressing forward with plans to construct a temporary village of cabins for homeless people in Terra Linda. Read the story

Building a new library has been a long-held vision of many Larkspur residents. Replacing the old library on the ground floor of City Hall with a new, modern and large library is already taking place. Construction has reached a point where that vision appears to be closing in on the reality of the day – projected for this spring – when the new library’s doors will be open to the public. The City Council has budgeted an additional $1.7 million to keep the library, a landscaped commons area and a large native plants habitat moving forward. The additional funding boosts the projected cost of the library to $19.7 million, still mostly funded by the Commons Foundation local fundraising campaign and state grants. Nearly half the funding for the latest budget move is coming from donations from the foundation and Refugia Marin, the nonprofit native plant gardening and educational foundation founded and led by local teacher Dana Swisher. The city’s general fund reserve is being tapped by $852,295. The latest budget move is needed to build the first phase of the habitat garden, landscaping for the parking lot, upgrades needed to add an alternate council meeting room to the library building and security improvements. At the council’s recent meeting, Councilmember Scot Candell expressed concerns about the city spending more money on the project. But, he added, “The other side is that so many people are stepping up and donating privately to make this a phenomenal project. I kind of feel like we kind of owe it to these people to set up, as well.” The city’s boost in funding maintains the construction’s forward momentum toward a completion of the entire promised project, not just the library. The library complex is a legacy project that will serve the community for generations. For many residents, the spring opening cannot come soon enough. They have been working and raising funds toward that day for more than a decade. New costs are not unexpected, especially in today’s economy of inflation, growing labor costs and the unpredictability of tariffs. Moving forward toward completing the vision today is likely going to save money compared to what that work might cost if delayed for years or decades. Related Articles Larkspur allocates additional $1.67M for new library ‘Reading Rainbow’ returns after nearly 20 years with new host Mychal Threets Marin Voice: It’s time to celebrate important upgrades for San Rafael libraries The impressive and inspirational fundraising work of the foundation has created a civic imperative to fulfil this community vision. Other Marin communities have built impressive libraries – a civic commitment to learning and literacy. Libraries in Mill Valley and along the Tiburon Peninsula are prime examples. In addition, San Rafael is on track to build a new voter-supported library and community center, moving from the Carnegie building that served the community for more than 100 years. Larkspur’s new library will amount to a dramatic increase in both size and function from its longstanding and cramped quarters on the first floor of City Hall. The modern design of the new building anchors the outdoor community commons, native plant habitat and ample parking, complete with electric-vehicle charging stations. It is a big project for a small city, but one that’s been a long-held goal. As the project has progressed, so has the list of generous donors. This has been a community-driven project – even during the years of debate over its size, scope and cost. The latest budget adjustment reflects that commitment and a goal of, within months, opening the doors of Larkspur’s new modern and more expansive library that promises to be a treasured community hub.

A new Dead Rising game is reportedly in development. Read more