Mark Prell

Santa Rosa

Host at KRCB-TV (Rohnert Park, CA)

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norcalpublicmedia.org

Articles

150,000 households may now qualify for PG&E's electric rate assistance

1 week ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

In a world of ever-increasing utility rates, Pacific Gas and Electric is expanding the eligibility threshold for one bill assistance program. It's called The Family Electric Rate Assistance, or FERA program. PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland said it's for income-qualified customers and they get about an 18% monthly discount on their electric rates. “Under previous guidelines, only households with three or more people were eligible for the program,” McFarland said.
Sonoma County's Jennifer Bice an early pioneer of NorCal artisan food

4 weeks ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell |Clark Wolf |Greta Mart

The contributions of Jennifer Bice to the 20th and 21st-century advancement of artisan food, specifically dairy products made from goat's milk, cannot be overestimated. Bice is among a small NorCal group - mostly women - who popularized these now-beloved foods. Her goat’s milk kefir, yogurt and fine cheeses are part of the culture of excellence of Northern California. Bice said goats have really hit their moment.
Jennifer Bice on Savoring Sonoma: The Hour

1 month ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

The contributions of Jennifer Bice to the 20th and 21st Century advancement of artisan foods, most specifically goat’s milk dairy products, cannot be overestimated. She is among a small group - mainly women - who brought these now beloved foods to a greater public. Her Kiefer, goat’s milk, yogurt and fine cheeses are part of the history of excellence of Northern California and American food culture (pun only slightly intended).
Expanded carpool lane hours coming to 101 in Marin, Sonoma counties

1 month ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell |Greta Mart

Expanded carpool hours are coming to Highway 101, once the widening of the Novato Narrows project is complete. Currently, in Sonoma County, carpool hours are 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6:30 p.m. in both directions. In Marin County, they are 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. southbound and 4:30 to 7 p.m. northbound. According to Matt O'Donnell, Caltrans spokesperson for Marin County, the new hours will be uniform in Marin and Sonoma counties: 5 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. in both directions, Monday thru Friday.
Black bear killed in truck collision near Forestville

1 month ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell |Greta Mart

It's unknown exactly how many black bears live in Sonoma County, but one had a fatal encounter this week near Forestville. A four hundred-thirty pound male black bear was stuck and killed on River Road. CHP Public Information Officer David deRutte told KRCB News the bear was hit by a Chevy pickup truck at 4:38 am Tuesday morning along westbound River Road at Trenton Road. The driver of the truck was not injured, and the bear initially survived the impact.
A black bear has a fatal encounter on a Sonoma County road

1 month ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

It's unknown exactly how many black bears live in Sonoma County, but one had a fatal encounter near Forestville. A four hundred-thirty pound male black bear was stuck and killed on River Road Tuesday morning. CHP Public Information Officer David Durette said the bear was hit by a Chevy pickup truck at 4:38 am along westbound River Road at Trenton Road. The driver of the truck was not injured, and the bear initially survived the impact.
Ear to the Wild: Adult Female Elephant Seal Sounds

2 months ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

Adult female elephant seals make a number of different sounds. Here’s Marine Ecologist Sarah Codde. “So, you can hear that softer sound she makes is to her pup… And then you can hear kind of that different sound when she’s angry… It’s much like, deeper and, you know, has that kind of aggressive sound. Where this is, we call, warbling, and it’s just this kind of nice soft call to get her pup’s attention.” “Ha, ha, ha… ahh, those pups! I wonder what they’re saying?" asks Hines. “Right…” said Codde.
Ear to the Wild: Musical Geophony at Sugarloaf

2 months ago | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

In soundscape ecology we think of basically, three different categories of sound. One of those, and really the first, is geophony. It can be, really, quite musical, and here’s a good example of it. This is Sonoma Creek, in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. And we’ve gotten a lot of rain; it’s mid-February, 2025. And, so the creek’s flowing quite well, and there’s this great low frequency plunging sound of the water. And then there’s the higher frequency stuff.
Ear to the Wild: Elephant Seal Pups at Drakes Beach

Mar 18, 2025 | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

In winter Elephant seals gather on Drake’s Beach, at Point Reyes National Seashore. Females give birth to pups and nurse them during this time. In this episode of Ear to the Wild Jack Hines talks to Marine Ecologist Sarah Codde about how many pups have been born so far, and what else she’ll be looking for during her survey. Elephant seal monitoring activities at Point Reyes National Seashore are authorized under National Marine Fisheries Service Permit Number 27424.
Matthew Kammerer on Savoring Sonoma: The Hour

Feb 23, 2025 | norcalpublicmedia.org | Mark Prell

Matthew Kammerer has traveled the world to be able to end up in a remote outpost of stunning natural beauty. Chef, partner, and hotelier of the two Michelin starred The Harbor House in Elk, California - population 250 - he knows the rigors of offering a true sense of place on the plate. His sustainability practices are as stunning as they are practical, employing methods often more associated with survival than luxury dining.