How the state — and you — will help PG&E pay for the fires

By Dan de la Torre At the one-year anniversary of the fires which burned nearly 200,000 acres and claimed the lives of over 40 people in Sonoma and Napa counties, the cost of rebuilding is beginning to take shape -- as is PG&E’s ultimate responsibility... Continue

New plans for Sonoma’s Breakaway Cafe

The Breakaway Cafe is closing, temporarily, to be reborn as Mint & Liberty. The concept is “a modern twist on a classic diner,” according to owners James Hahn and his wife Mila Chaname. Also on the team: Managing Partners Melissa Cameron and Aaron Mills. The executive... Continue

Water Board president refutes candidate’s claims

I am concerned about a flyer recently put out by Steve Rogers, a candidate for VOMWD Water Board. I am currently President of that Board and would like to set the record right. Steve, in his flyer states that the Board “voted a massive raise”... Continue

An alert for ‘fire weather’ this weekend

On the weekend exactly one year after the start of the Wildfire disaster, the National Weather Service has issued this unsettling alert: A Red Flag Warning for Sonoma Valley and other areas is in effect from Saturday night at 8 am to 9 pm on... Continue

A letter to the grape-growing community

As we near the one-year anniversary of the firestorms that devastated our community last October, I wanted to reach out with a personal message. It is hard for many of us to imagine or even comprehend the changes to our Sonoma County community over the... Continue

Installing the ‘Love’

The outdoor sculpture "Love," commemorating the one-year anniversary of the wine country fires, is placed on Sonoma Plaza. Created by Laura Kimpton with Jeff Schomberg, the work embodies "the love in the air is thicker than the smoke" community spirit of a year ago. The tribute to the... Continue

A version of self-rule for the Springs?

Sonoma County is in the process of forming an official panel to advise the Board of Directors on issues affecting El Verano, Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente. Called a Municipal Advisory Council, the panel would give the Springs a level of representation it... Continue

Here comes Vintage Fest!

[caption id="attachment_90678" align="aligncenter" width="420"] The Vintage Gala at the Sonoma Barracks[/caption] This year’s Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, a celebration of bountiful grape harvests, amazing local culinary creations and rich cultural history, gets underway on Friday, September 28. Kicking off the weekend festivities is... Continue

Sonoma City Council candidate forum Thursday night

The seven candidates running for three open seats on the Sonoma City Council will participate in a free public forum on Thursday, September 27. The event will be held in Burlingame Hall, 252 W. Spain Street, at the First Congregational Church of Sonoma. Doors open... Continue

Sonoma commuter pulled from car, beaten

[caption id="attachment_90657" align="aligncenter" width="420"] The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office released this mugshot of suspect Robert Lind.[/caption] A Glen Ellen man was arrested Tuesday after pulling another driver from his vehicle in Highway 37 commute traffic and beating him with a flashlight. The brutal road rage attack... Continue