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Retire Stars & Stripes Properly on Flag Day, June 14

If your faded or tattered Old Glory is appearing less than glorious, members of the Marin County United Veterans Council will gladly accept flags on Flag Day, June 14, in front of the military monuments at the Marin County Civic Center and make preparations for their proper disposal.
The veterans council receives sponsorship from the County of Marin government and support from the County’s Veterans Service Office. Council volunteers will be stationed in front of the memorials at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accept flags. The location is just off Civic Center Drive in front of the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, just north of the Marin County Civic Center.
If you can’t make it on Flag Day, you can bring your old flag to the council’s booth during the Marin County Fair, set for June 30 to July 4 at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael.
“There comes a time when a flag is no longer fit for display,” said Novato resident Ray Mullin, president of the council. “We remind people that you should not just throw an old flag in the trash.”
“The flag is a symbol of the men and women who gave their all for our freedom,” said Sean Stephens, the Marin County Veterans Service Officer. “We ask that people show respect by replacing flags before they become tattered.”
Traditional military etiquette dictates that an American flag made of cotton or wool should be folded in a customary manner before being burned in a large fire. Witnesses should come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a moment of silence. Ashes from flag burnings should be buried. Flags made of synthetic material should be recycled because burning them creates hazardous gases.
Mullin said several locations that previously incinerated flags for the council no longer offer that service. Many collected flags are made of synthetic materials such as polyester and should not be burned. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops have committed to accepting and properly disposing of the flags collected on Flag Day and at the Marin County Fair.
The Veterans Council receives most of its financial support from the Marin County Administrator’s Office. The council is comprised of representatives from various groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, Elks Lodge 1108 in San Rafael and Blue Star Mothers of Marin. The council’s mission is to support all veterans’ causes and host events on public holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Learn more about the council on its Facebook page.
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Headlines & Hot Topics w/J. Anthony Brown. Stacy Brown is on hiatus today. Join the conversation with Niele and J. Anthony.

Headlines & Hot Topics w/J. Anthony Brown. Stacy Brown is on hiatus today. Join the conversation with Niele and J. Anthony.
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It Just Got Even Better 2026 Toyota RAV4 AWD GR Sport Walkaround
2026 Toyota RAV4 Debuts: All-New Electrified SUV Packs Power, Style, and Tech for Every Lifestyle. PLANO, TX – May 20, 2025 – The best-selling compact SUV in America is getting a bold new reboot. Toyota has officially pulled the wraps off the 6th-generation 2026 RAV4, introducing an all-new design, advanced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, […]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tyL01BhlHaw&autoplay=0&cc_lang_pref=en&cc_load_policy=0&color=0&controls=1&fs=1&h1=en&loop=0&rel=0
2026 Toyota RAV4 Debuts: All-New Electrified SUV Packs Power, Style, and Tech for Every Lifestyle.
PLANO, TX – May 20, 2025 – The best-selling compact SUV in America is getting a bold new reboot. Toyota has officially pulled the wraps off the 6th-generation 2026 RAV4, introducing an all-new design, advanced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, enhanced off-road capability, and the debut of new technology that sets a benchmark for the segment. While the vehicle wasn’t available for test drives during the media preview in Plano, Texas, Toyota provided a comprehensive look at what’s coming—a game-changer.
Electrification Without Compromise
The entire RAV4 lineup will be 100% electrified for the first time ever, available exclusively as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) or a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). This transition aligns with Toyota’s strategy to offer more electrified models without forcing customers into full EVs.
Two advanced powertrains anchor the 2026 RAV4:
5th-Gen HEV System: Upgraded with increased output—236 hp with AWD, 226 hp with FWD, a first for RAV4 hybrids.
6th-Gen PHEV System: Now with up to 320 hp and an estimated 50-mile all-electric range, a 20% bump over the previous 42 miles.
DC fast-charging is now available on PHEV XSE and Woodland models, with onboard Level 2 charging up to 11 kW.
Three Styles, Seven Grades, Endless Possibilities
The new RAV4 lineup caters to a broad spectrum of lifestyles, divided into three distinctive styles: Core, Sport, and Rugged.
Core Design
Grades: LE, XLE, Limited
FWD or AWD (FWD now available for HEV LE/XLE)
Features Toyota’s signature hammerhead front fascia, body-colored grilles, and up to 20-inch wheels.
Rugged Design
Grade: Woodland (HEV or PHEV, AWD only)
Higher ride height, all-terrain tires, black split grille with Rigid LED lighting
Exclusive Urban Rock color and rugged interior with red-orange accents
Sport Design
Grades: SE, XSE, GR SPORT
GR SPORT debuts with motorsport-inspired design, GR-tuned suspension, aluminum pedals, and summer tires
Exclusive Supersonic Red with black roof color combo
A Technological Leap
The 2026 RAV4 is the first Toyota to integrate the Arene software platform from Woven by Toyota. This brings major tech upgrades:
Toyota Safety Sense 4.0: Improved hardware and detection capabilities
Toyota Audio Multimedia: Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, voice assistant, dual Bluetooth, integrated navigation
Touchscreens: 10.5″ standard on lower trims, 12.9″ available on top trims
12.3″ Digital Gauge Cluster: Now standard across all trims
Optional Head-Up Display on Limited and XSE
Interior Comfort Meets Utility
Inside, RAV4 strikes a balance between comfort and utility:
Materials range from fabric to SofTex® and microsuede
Sport models feature bold contrast stitching and GR branding
New center stack integrates drive mode selector, climate controls, and storage
Shift-by-wire selector standard on select trims
Premium audio: 6-speaker standard, JBL 9-speaker optional
Built for the Real World
Underpinning the new RAV4 is the TNGA-K platform with increased structural rigidity, revised suspension, and high-damping adhesives for improved NVH. The result? A quieter, more composed ride both on-road and off.
Towing capacity is up to 3,500 lbs on select AWD grades, while FWD and base AWD models are rated at 1,750 lbs, enhancing weekend utility.
Color and Customization
Toyota is offering nine single-tone and four two-tone color combos. New additions include:
Urban Rock (exclusive to Woodland), Meteor Shower, Storm Cloud, and Everest.
GR SPORT models get exclusive red-on-black themes, while SE and XSE offer two-tone paint and blue interior accents.
Coming Soon
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 will hit showrooms later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. With its all-electrified lineup, enhanced performance, rugged capability, and state-of-the-art tech, the RAV4 is poised to maintain its title as America’s favorite compact SUV—and maybe expand its lead.
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