Supervisor Gorin announces new hires

First District Supervisor Susan Gorin has added two new members to her staff, one to replace aide Jennifer Gray Thompson, who resigned in December, and another to fill a new post dealing with the firestorm aftermath. “I am extremely excited to welcome both Liz Hamon... Continue

Rep. Thompson tries to break ‘shameful’ impasse on gun control

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, offered a resolution to force a vote on legislation he said would help keep guns from dangerous individuals. “Background checks are proven to keep our schools and our communities safe from dangerous... Continue

Protesting District’s teaching cuts

For the past two Friday evenings, close to 100 teachers and their supporters have gathered along Sonoma Plaza to protest the move by the Sonoma Valley Unified School District's board to cut 22 teaching jobs to help make up a budget deficit. “The cuts were supposed to happen away... Continue

From SV Hospital CEO: UCSF affiliation is new beginning

There is great excitement and positivity about our affiliation with UCSF Health. This new relationship will definitely take SVH to the next level and, because of this, we are much more optimistic about our future. Today, most hospitals are part of a collaboration and we are... Continue

Teams forming to protect immigrants from ICE raids

Teams are building across Sonoma County as a rapid response network to “witness, accompany and advocate” when immigrants are threatened by ICE raids. The goal is to peacefully observe and document the operation of enforcement officers to aid in defense during deportation hearings – not... Continue

Curriculum change ignites protest from parents, students

Since making the decision to eliminate some Honors-level English classes at Sonoma Valley High School (SVHS), school officials have been on the defensive, trying to explain their reasoning to upset parents who say it eliminates a vital curriculum choice. Honors classes fall between the basic... Continue

Student opinion: Honors English cut hurts students

By SVHS students Nick Biaggi and Aliya Blinman The decision to officially remove Honors English 3 and 4 from the list of classes offered at SVHS has received responses ranging from apathy to outrage. While a few support Principal Kathleen Hawing’s actions, they are sparsely... Continue

Sonoma Valley death notices

Cary Francis Ammann, Sr., 82, of Sonoma, passed away January 25, 2018. Davypheary Blitch, 34, of Sonoma, passed away January 10, 2018. Janet Dey Brockway, 89, of Sonoma, passed away January 5, 2018. Rose Patricia Byersdorfer, 89, of Sonoma, passed away January 6, 2018.... Continue

The growing cost of government

When asked about the unavailability of City Council minutes a month or so ago, it was surprising to hear City Manager Cathy Capriola report that the city was more than six months behind in posting meeting minutes, and had hired a private contractor at $125... Continue

Pour me a river

A few years back, Gov. Brown signed a bill sponsored by Senator Lois Wolk allowing wine sales at Sonoma State University’s Green Center for the Performing Arts. For those not familiar with the Center, its website notes in part: “The crown jewel of the Green... Continue