Free range sculpture

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art opens a second season of public art in Sonoma Plaza this summer with the official unveiling of outdoor sculpture on Friday, June 8, at 5:50 p.m. The exhibition “Natural Affinity: California Women Sculptors in the Landscape” features works by Gwynn... Continue

Wait! What?

May was a big month. My check-off list: ✓ Found driver’s license that had disappeared three months ago ✓ Blue auto registration tag came, stuck atop the eight others ✓ New passport arrived, not that I plan to wander away ✓ Renewed driver’s license: test, photo, 15 pounds wider... Continue

The city of make believe

For the past decade the leadership of the City of Sonoma has been living in the land of make believe, largely ignoring the inevitable financial abyss at its feet and pretending that its fairytale will have a happy ending. It's not that there aren't many... Continue

Heat on PG&E as fire investigations continue

By Dan de la Torre The October fires in Sonoma and Napa counties claimed the lives of over 40 people; thousands of homes and structures were destroyed. The process of clean up and rebuilding subsequently began, but the aftermath of the tragedy has sparked new... Continue

Election notes, Tuesday fire wrap, and blanket coverage

The new Sonoma County Sheriff will be the force’s Capt. Mark Essick, who had the endorsement of outgoing Chief Rob Giordano, elected Tuesday with 57 percent of the vote. Former Los Angeles police Capt. and station manager John Mutz had 25 percent and Santa Rosa... Continue

The ongoing recovery

Last October, we all lost something, even if that something was just a sense of safety. We were all busy before the fires, and now those of us who lost our homes have added daily interactions with insurance, permits, builders, architects, soil samples, and septic... Continue

Petitioning for legal cannabis

Jon Early delivers to City Hall signed petitions backing a ballot measure allowing the controlled retail sale of cannabis within city limits. The campaign collected 793 signatures, above the 695 (10% of registered voters) required by law. The city now has 30 business days to... Continue

UPDATE: Evacuation canceled for Fremont Drive/Hwy 12 fire area

Sheriff's Alert, 3 p.m. EVACUATION LIFTED, ALL CLEAR Sheriff's Alert, 1:04 p.m. "Everyone within a half-mile radius of 1180 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, must evacuate now. There is a large 3-alarm fire at 1180 Fremont Drive. If you are not in the area, please avoid the area to... Continue

Sonoma police chief to retire

After a 28-year career with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, the last 11 as chief of police for the city of Sonoma, Bret Sackett, has announced his plans to retire. Currently the longest serving police chief in the county, Sackett will step down in July. “I... Continue

Arrests made in alleged ride-share rape

An extensive review of cell phone data and surveillance video, including images from the Golden Gate Bridge and local businesses, has led to the arrests of two men for the sexual assault of a woman kidnapped in San Francisco and driven to Sonoma. This incident... Continue