Redwood Empire Food Bank needs volunteers

[caption id="attachment_105454" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Sonoma Vice Mayor Rachel Hundley was part of a group of elected officials packaging food at Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Photo: Erik Castro[/caption] The demand for food assistance is as high as it... Continue

County must extend eviction protections

As the Board of Supervisors once again takes up a review of Sonoma County’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium, Sonoma Valley Housing Group urges [it] to strengthen the ordinance to reflect the ongoing rental housing crisis. While there are no statistics to adequately measure the current COVID-19... Continue

Early morning brush fire near Sonoma Valley church

The cause of this morning’s 2:30 a.m. fire in the field behind Saint Leo’s Church, on West Agua Caliente Road, is under investigation, according to Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue. No buildings were threatened or damaged. The fire burned about one acre. Crews remained on... Continue

Fire quickly contained along Hwy 12 in Sonoma

Crews quickly contained an ominous-looking, traffic-snarling fire in the largely wooden structure along Highway 12, at the foot of West Spain Street, just before 6 p.m. Thursday. Sonoma Valley firefighters responded to multiple reports of smoke and flames at the site, which consists of a... Continue

You have until Wednesday to run for Sonoma City Council

The filing period to run in November for Councilmember in the City of Sonoma has been extended until Wednesday, August 12, at 5 p.m. Interested residents must file nomination papers for the General Municipal Election of November 3 by the new deadline, at City Hall... Continue

‘Transcendence’ goes virtual

When the show must go on, it goes online. Transcendence Theatre Company, known for its Broadway Under the Stars summer series at Jack London State Park, was forced by Covid-19 rules to cancel its live season. Instead, it will stream 'greatest hits' from its extensive... Continue

Tourism outlook bleak for Sonoma County

While the still-bad occupancy rate for Sonoma County has ticked up slightly over the last month, the longer-term outlook for Sonoma County tourism is grim, according to stats released by the Sonoma County Tourism board. Among key findings from a survey by the firm Destination... Continue

No mask? $100 fine — Sonoma County adds teeth to health rules

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a code enforcement ordinance that allows for citations -- ranging from $100 for individuals up to $10,000 for businesses -- for violating Covid-19 health orders. The ordinance, “to encourage public compliance” with existing rules, was approved unanimously.... Continue

Off and picking — Sonoma Valley wine harvest begins

With the first grapes of the season picked just before dawn Thursday morning, about 20 tons of Pinot Noir grapes at Sasaki Vineyards, the 196th Sonoma Valley winegrape harvest officially began. This is the 30th harvest for grower/owner Janet Sasaki, whose load (above) is destined for... Continue

Free Covid testing ‘pop up’ on Saturday in the Springs

The Sonoma County Department of Public Health will host an afternoon of Covid testing -- free but by appointment only -- on Saturday, August 8, in Boyes Hot Springs. You need not be symptomatic, and no physician referral is required. Appointment required: 707.565.4667 (m – f,... Continue