Sonoma County hits 70% vax rate — but Covid rates still climbing

County of Sonoma health officials announced today that more than 70 percent of residents age 12 and older are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 -- a figure higher than state and national percentages. County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase and Vaccine Chief Dr. Urmila Shende... Continue

Sonoma Valley Hospital refinances bonds, will save $2 million

A financial move to take advantage of lower interests rates by the Sonoma Valley Health Care District will save taxpayers $2.1 million over the next 10 years. The board, which oversees Sonoma Valley Hospital, refinanced one of its two general obligation bonds. “We’re delighted with... Continue

Sen. Dodd: Refill Madness is Sonoma County Small Business of the Year

With the goal of reducing plastic waste, Jana Wang, co-owner of Refill Madness Sonoma, opened her shop during the pandemic, giving customers a safe place to fill their own containers with household goods such as soaps and lotions. For her effort to keep tons of... Continue

Stepping back out into the First District

Like many who are fully vaccinated, I am slowly but surely (and safely) returning to in-person events and community gatherings, even though I am increasingly concerned by the resurgence of COVID, especially among those who remain unvaccinated. I have found Zoom to be a very... Continue

Now showing

When Prime Cinemas – the multiplex in the Fiesta Center space last occupied by Sonoma Cinemas – opened this month, the excitement level was high – even before the movie started. “People are happy to be out, happy to be back at the movies,” said... Continue

Supervisor Coursey on latest surge of COVID-19 Delta variant

Please – Let’s all do our part As of July 21 Sonoma County’s daily transmission rate of COVID-19 is 9 new infections per 100,000 people and 48 COVID patients were being treated at area hospitals. These numbers represent the biggest local surge of the pandemic... Continue

Boyes Boulevard Bridge back open after two-year rebuild

[caption id="attachment_110878" align="aligncenter" width="420"] A drone's eye view of the project earlier this year[/caption] The new Boyes Boulevard Bridge opened to traffic Monday after a nearly two-year closure to completely replace the old span, part of the direct east-west route connecting Arnold Drive and... Continue

Under the Sun: Nikita Ducarroz, Olympian

Nikita Ducarroz, raised in Glen Ellen, is a world class BMX rider who will compete in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Here, she speaks with The Sun’s Anna Pier -- her teacher at Woodland Star Charter School for grades one through three. When I met... Continue

West Nile Virus reported as mosquitoes refuse to wear masks

Turf war erupts as West Nile mosquitoes battle East Nile gang Mosquitos repping the West Nile virus are under siege by an upstart gang from the East Nile, according to Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Abatement officials. The turf war began when a brood of East Nile larvae... Continue

Building Sonoma’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Redevelopment funding ended in 2012, and the city was slow to begin to replace it. The 20% portion of redevelopment funding that was dedicated to the creation of affordable housing accounted for millions of dollars used to subsidize larger affordable housing projects. The newly created... Continue