What's happening: PG&E shut off power to about 2,017 Marin customers, almost all in Mill Valley, starting around 6pm Wednesday, and restored it across the affected neighborhoods by mid-morning Thursday. The County of Marin confirmed the shutoff in advance and activated its de-energization response protocol, including AlertMarin notifications. PG&E said the decision was a response to forecast high winds, low humidity and dry fuel conditions.
The outage map shows impacted neighborhoods around Mill Valley’s downtown area in purple, and a sliver of green where a few houses were not on the projected PSPS outage map but lost power anyway. (PG&E, July 15)
Why it matters: It was the first Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Marin has seen in years. PG&E's post-season reports to the California Public Utilities Commission show no Marin County shutoffs from 2021-2025. Neighboring Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties were all cut in 2024.
Patrick Murphy, a senior scientist at the independent research institute PSE Healthy Energy who lives in Tam Valley, said the more precise marker is 2020, when PG&E last de-energized lines in the area during maintenance work; he noted Marin also saw multi-day PSPS outages in 2019, the worst year for shutoffs statewide.
The shutoff raises a natural question: was this a matter of genuinely unusual weather, or has something changed in how PG&E makes this call for Marin? PG&E did not respond to questions from the Briefing on what specific weather data or thresholds it used for this event.
The conditions: PG&E's outage safety webpage describes wind gusts "in excess of approximately 45 mph" and humidity "generally at or below 20%" as factors, while a separate PG&E customer guide, updated November 2025, describes a wider range: forecast winds above 19 mph with gusts above 25 to 40 mph, and humidity below roughly 30%.
The Briefing pulled weather data from multiple public and PG&E-operated stations around Mill Valley to see what conditions looked like Wednesday, understanding that this is not a substitute for knowing PG&E's own basis for the decision. PG&E has said publicly that its meteorologists and data scientists use machine learning tools to help identify at-risk areas and narrow the scope of a shutoff once conditions warrant one.
The picture was mixed by elevation. PG&E's own summit station on Mt. Tam (2,504 ft) recorded gusts up to 41 mph Wednesday night, while its Blithedale Summit station (602 ft) peaked at 25 mph, and its Panoramic Highway station (754 ft) peaked at 18 mph. A Marin County gauge near the Throckmorton Fire Station on Mt. Tam recorded a peak gust of 27 mph. Humidity fell to 15% at the Mt. Tam summit and was at 33% at Blithedale Summit.
On its FAQ, PG&E states power can be shut off in a community not experiencing high winds if that community's line runs through an area that is, since a single circuit can pass through both calm and high-risk terrain, meaning a circuit serving lower Blithedale Canyon could still be cut if it connects to lines higher on the mountain where wind and dryness were more severe. PG&E has not confirmed whether that is what happened here.
A Community Resource Center was set up by PG&E at the Mill Valley Community Center parking lot on Wednesday and Thursday. It offered residents the ability to cool down, charge their devices and get Wi-Fi access. Staff was handing out small battery packs. (MVB, July 15)
The weather: The National Weather Service placed Mill Valley under a Heat Advisory the day before, from Tuesday morning through 10pm that evening, warning of widespread high temperatures in the 90s. Kentfield, the National Weather Service's closest official climate station to Mill Valley, showed a run in the 70s and low 80s through early July, then 87F on July 12, 91F on July 13, and 94F on both July 14 and July 15.
Separately, the National Weather Service's fire-weather outlook for Wednesday did place a High Risk zone for wind stretching from the coast inland to Mt. Tam, a band that reaches Mill Valley's western edge.
No Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch was in effect at the time, though PG&E's own criteria list a Red Flag Warning as only one of several factors it weighs, alongside wind, humidity, fuel conditions and on-the-ground observations by field crews.
What we asked: The Briefing sent PG&E two written inquiries and left a phone message asking what specific wind and humidity thresholds applied to the circuits serving Mill Valley, which weather stations or models it relied on, and whether this shutoff reflects a change in how it scopes Marin circuits or a one-time response to weather. PG&E did not respond. The Briefing will report back if that changes.
How the community experienced it: The shutoff landed differently depending on the household. Erin McCauley of Blithedale Canyon/Middle Ridge faced a stressful scramble over frozen breast milk. She reached out to friends and fellow parents in the hours before the outage, asking if anyone had freezer space to spare. Several offered. PG&E's later-than-expected start meant a shorter outage than she had feared, so she decided to leave the milk in place; it was still frozen when her power came back around 9:30am. She did not enjoy the experience, she told the Briefing, but also would not enjoy a canyon fire, she said.
Another Blithedale Canyon resident found the shutoff closer to a non-event. They had two backup batteries already in place and said they were fine throughout.
Madrona Bakery and the Mill Valley Library opened late on Thursday as the power outage continued. Restaurant Mamahuhu was forced to close early on Wednesday after it lost power. (MVB, July 16)
What helps: Murphy, of PSE Healthy Energy, said solar-plus-storage remains the most effective backup for a household.
That advice tracks with what the permit record shows. Mill Valley issued 23 residential solar and battery permits in the first half of 2026, according to the city’s monthly Permit Activity Report. The largest system permitted so far this year, 52 panels and eight battery units, is more consistent with a household planning for extended backup. The permit count for 2026 is a floor on local adoption, not a full picture of who in town could ride out a shutoff like Wednesday's.
And such upgrades are out of reach for many renters and lower-income residents, said Murphy, and some Mill Valley neighborhoods are poorly suited to it regardless of cost, since redwood canopy blocks the sun many roofs would need. He pointed to balcony solar, small systems that plug into a normal outlet, as a lower-cost option for some households.
What programs exist: PG&E offers several paths to backup power, with different eligibility rules. Its Residential Storage Initiative provides a free home battery system, valued at more than $15,000, but only to customers with a history of five or more Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) outages since January 2024 and enrollment in a program such as CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline. EPSS outages are a separate category from Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
Its Portable Battery Program, according to PG&E's most recent report to the CPUC, is available at no cost to income-qualified Medical Baseline customers in high fire-threat areas, or to those who have experienced two or more PSPS events in the past, meaning some Mill Valley households may newly qualify after Wednesday's shutoff. PG&E separately offers $300 rebates toward the purchase of a generator or battery for a broader range of customers.
What's next: The Briefing will continue seeking comment from PG&E and will report on what conditions were like the next time a shutoff is called here, to see whether Wednesday's event was an outlier or the start of a pattern.
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This week in Mill Valley history: Five people, one car, no bridges
Someone wrote on the back of a photograph: Betsy. July 12, 1927. Mill Valley. A man and four women, an open touring car, a California license plate, redwoods in the background.
The photograph came from the Anderson family of Mill Valley. Emma and Abraham Anderson had arrived in 1890, among the first buyers at the land auction that founded the town. They purchased property on Lovell Avenue. Abraham was a builder. They had six children. Their descendants lived in Mill Valley for decades and eventually donated the family's photographs and papers to the Lucretia Little History Room at the Mill Valley Public Library, where this one has been kept ever since.
In July 1927 there was no Golden Gate Bridge and no Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. To get to San Francisco you took the ferry from Sausalito. The same week this photograph was taken, opponents of the proposed Golden Gate Bridge were being heard in a Santa Rosa courtroom. Of the 2,307 people who had filed formal protests with the Secretary of State in Sacramento, five were from Marin County.
The bridge would open ten years later. Until then, a car in Mill Valley could take you up the mountain, out toward Stinson, or down to the ferry landing. It could carry five people on a summer afternoon and be worth naming and photographing.
Photo courtesy of the Lucretia Little History Room, Mill Valley Public Library, Anderson/Schwartz Family Collection (MS.2023.042). Sources: Mill Valley Record, July 9 and July 16, 1927, via the California Digital Newspaper Collection (cdnc.ucr.edu).
What we covered this week
⚡ PG&E cut power to Mill Valley Wednesday evening, the county's first Public Safety Power Shutoff in at least five years. We tracked the outage zone, what stayed open and what didn't, and the restoration through Thursday morning.
🚦 Marin County supervisors voted Tuesday on 15 mph school zones at 12 locations countywide, including three in the 94941 zip code. We reported on the safety data behind the push, the funding, and why Miller Avenue is left out for now.
🌲 The Planning Commission approved the removal of a 66-inch-diameter giant sequoia. We tracked the story from March, when the commission continued the item over the tree's fate, through arborist reports and an independent peer review.
🎾 Tam Valley and Larkspur each solved the same tennis-pickleball court conflict this month, differently. We reported on how a single resident's email reshaped Eastwood Park's courts, and how a 300-player pickleball community reshaped Piper Park's.
🚌 Marin Transit's board voted Monday to set a September hearing on ending free transfers for cash-paying riders. We reported on the farebox problem driving the change and what it means for the Youth Pass.
If you want to read about any of these stories as they develop, the daily Briefing lands in your inbox Monday through Friday at 6am (Mon/Wed/Fri in July). A paid subscription makes this reader-funded, local news operation possible. It’s $12 per month, which you can cancel anytime, and the annual subscription comes out to $2.50 a week. Upgrading is only two clicks if you use Apple Pay.
Roads around town
🚧 Guardrail work begins Monday on East Blithedale
Crews work July 20 through August 17 on a guardrail replacement project along East Blithedale Avenue, according to the City of Mill Valley. The city says it received $1 million in Highway Safety Improvement Program funds to replace three deteriorating wood guardrail sections with new custom metal barriers near the Whole Foods shopping center. Contractor O'Connor Pipelines will handle the work, per the city's project page, installing a Midwest Guardrail System, the current Caltrans standard.
Bike lane: Portions of the separated bike lane will close during construction. The city says cyclists will need to share the vehicle travel lane or detour around the back of the shopping center.
Times to avoid: The Briefing reported in May that eastbound delays toward Highway 101 build later around 3pm. The busiest time westbound, into the city, is at 7:45am.
Pedestrians: O'Connor Pipelines' notice states access to homes in the work area will be maintained throughout.
Timeline: July 20 through August 17, per the city's notification.
🚸 Miller Avenue trades dedicated left-turn lanes for shorter pedestrian crossings, for the time being
Council votes Monday on a three-month pilot program removing the dedicated left-turn lanes on both approaches of Miller Avenue at Montford Avenue and La Goma Street, according to the staff report. It will still be possible to turn left in both directions. Dubbed the "Reduced Footprint" concept in a city announcement, the design adds median noses, bollards and tighter pedestrian crossings.
The city's announcement names the intersection as the Police and Public Works departments' top safety priority project, and Kittelson & Associates' technical memo says a full signal was ruled out as impractical for a quick build. Per the staff report, Police and Fire rejected an earlier option over emergency response concerns.
The proposed changes on Miller Ave at Montford/La Goma, showing shared turn lanes and improved crosswalks and buffered bike lanes. (City of Mill Valley, staff report)
The tradeoff: Kittelson's modeling shows average delay rising from 17.4 to just over 28 seconds per vehicle, in exchange for shorter, safer crossings. Staff plan before-and-after data collection, with a keep-or-scrap recommendation expected in early 2027, per the report.
Installation is timed to coincide with paving already scheduled for the corridor, with improvements expected by Labor Day pending approval, according to the city's announcement. Council meets at 5:30pm Monday, with public comment on the item, per the agenda.
📬 Monday's vote decides it. Paid subscribers get the full recap this week: how council voted, what residents said at the hearing, and whether the tradeoff between safer crossings and slower driving, discussed in the meeting documents, comes up in the room. Subscribe here.
Mill Valley's 12U All-Stars beat Napa 5-2, advance to Section 1 semifinal
The 12U All-Stars after winning their second game at the sectional tournament in Concord this week. (Courtesy of Eric Strong)
Mill Valley beat Napa 12U 5-2 Saturday in Concord, advancing to the Section 1 semifinal. Charlie McIntosh's two-run triple in the second inning gave Mill Valley an early lead, but Napa answered right back to tie the game 2-2 by the third.
Mill Valley took the lead for good in the fourth. Paxton King led off the inning with a single, and after Cal Boehle walked, Jack Devlin, Wyatt Droege and Tate Shackleton strung together three straight RBI singles to push the score to 5-2 and put the game away.
Lucas Parrett was the story on the mound down the stretch, coming on to throw two scoreless innings and picking up the win. Tyler Feduska closed it out with a scoreless final frame.
What's next: Mill Valley plays Petaluma today at 2pm in Concord. The winner advances to the Section 1 final. The loser drops into the loser's bracket and would need to win three straight games to punch a ticket to the state tournament in Chico.
📅 Next week in Mill Valley
Tue, Jul 21 – Tuesday Night Comedy, Throckmorton Theatre, 8-10pm. Throckmorton’s acclaimed weekly comedy night brings a theater-style stage and an intimate club atmosphere to 142 Throckmorton Ave. The laugh-out-loud lineup features fresh rising talent alongside top-tier veteran comics Gary Michael Anderson, Mark Christopher, Ivy Vasquez, and Mikey Walz, with Chelsea Bearce serving as the evening's host. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Wed, Jul 22 – Andy Frasco & The U.N. w/ Eric Lindell, The Junction Beer Garden, 7pm. Prepare for a high-octane, foot-stomping party under the outdoor canopy at 226 Shoreline Hwy. Frontman and songwriting party animal Andy Frasco brings his wild, energetic blues-rock showmanship to the valley, with acclaimed roots and soul singer-songwriter Eric Lindell kicking off the night. All ages welcome; tickets are $35 in advance and $41 at the door.
Thu, Jul 23 – Trivia Night, The Depot Cafe and Bookstore, 5:30pm. Co-hosts Lynne and Simon "The Brit" lead a popular night of quiz show fun and playful group therapy on the plaza. Picture trivia, wild categories, and bragging rights await those who know a little too much about obscure topics.
Thu, Jul 23 – Marlon Asher with Chalice, Sweetwater, 8pm. A stellar night of heavy reggae roots and conscious rhythms hits the historic stage at 19 Corte Madera Ave. The Trinidadian reggae sensation Marlon Asher ("Ganja Farmer") performs live alongside the talented backing vibes of Chalice. All ages; doors open at 7pm.
Fri, Jul 24 – Summer Movie Series: Brave, Mill Valley Public Library, 3-4:30pm. Head to the Creekside Room at 375 Throckmorton Ave for a free screening of Disney's Brave. Follow Princess Merida as she journeys through the Scottish Highlands to reverse a mysterious curse. All ages are welcome; no registration required.
Fri, Jul 24 – Creekside Fridays: SunHunter, Tam Valley Community Center, 5:30-8:30pm. Gather at 203 Marin Ave to kick off the Creekside season with a massive community bash! Unwind under the summer sky with a live, full-stage performance by alt-rock favorites SunHunter, alongside a great selection of local food and drinks available on-site. Free entry; all ages welcome.
Fri, Jul 24 – Musical Feast, The Depot Cafe and Bookstore, 5:30pm. An alt-country-folk-rock ensemble blending Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Springsteen, and Petty with guitars, flute, violin, and gorgeous vocal harmonies live on the plaza. Free entry; all ages welcome.
Fri, Jul 24 – Teddy Thompson, Sweetwater, 8pm. Enjoy a rare, intimate seated evening at 19 Corte Madera Ave with acclaimed singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson. Known for his piercingly honest lyricism, sharp wit, and a beautiful blend of folk, pop, and country-inflected rock, Thompson delivers a masterful solo showcase. All ages; doors open at 7pm.
Sat, Jul 25 – Still Crazy: A Simon & Garfunkel / Paul Simon Tribute, Sweetwater, 8pm. Take a nostalgic journey through a legendary American songwriting catalog at 19 Corte Madera Ave. This premium tribute ensemble delivers the beautiful vocal harmonies, poetic depth, and infectious rhythms of Simon & Garfunkel's early folk days up through Paul Simon’s iconic solo career. All ages; doors open at 7pm.
Sun, Jul 26 – Marin Bluegrass Sessions, Sweetwater, 12pm. Kick off your Sunday midday with a lively community picking circle at 19 Corte Madera Ave. Bringing together the region’s best acoustic musicians and traditional roots pickers, these open-vibe sessions offer a foot-stomping showcase of deep-grooving bluegrass. No tickets required; open to all ages. Doors open early at 11:30am.
Sun, Jul 26 – Fermentation Club: Sauerkraut, Mill Valley Public Library, 1-2:30pm. Join Julez Ferments in the Creekside Room at 375 Throckmorton Ave for a hands-on workshop exploring the basic techniques of transforming simple cabbage into gut-enriching, living food. All materials are provided (aprons recommended). Back by popular demand, this class repeats the content from the January session. Open to adults; no registration required.
🔍 Businesses and venues mentioned in this section are covered on editorial merit only. No business has paid for coverage. Promotional content is always labeled.
