Pixar’s Lasseter takes leave after allegations, Sonoma event canceled

After allegations of sexual harassment were published today, John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, announced that he is taking a six month leave of absence. The Hollywood Reporter alleges that the Pixar co-founder is known for "grabbing, kissing, and making... Continue

An update from County permit chief

By Tennis Wick, Director, Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department In the aftermath of the fire, Sonoma County faces an unprecedented need for housing and economic development. Permit Sonoma is changing the way we do business to meet this challenge. Please know this profound... Continue

A call for volunteers to help protect the watershed

Wherever man-made structures were burned in the wild fires, toxic ash and debris was left behind – and is now in danger of washing into streams during heavy rains, polluting our watershed with asbestos, heavy metals and other toxins. That's why the Sonoma Ecology Center... Continue

Reps. Thompson, Huffman: feds denial of fire aid is ‘a new low’

A request for supplemental disaster relief by the federal Office of Management and Budget contains no funding whatsoever for rebuilding the communities in California devastated by the recent wildfires, according to Congressmen Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Jared Huffman (CA-02). For the Administration to not request... Continue

Sonoma’s free Thanksgiving dinner

For years, the Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma’s Rotary and many, many others have teamed up to serve over 400 free Thanksgiving dinners to local residents. Led by an all-volunteer crew, the free dinner has been a tradition in the Sonoma Valley for more than five... Continue

Plaza of light

Sonoma flips the switch on the holiday season on November 18 with the fifth annual Lighting of the Plaza as the eight-acre park will come aglow with 100,000+ sparkling lights. The festive gathering music, holiday treats and more, including a performance by members of the... Continue

Don’t cut those trees!

Sonoma Ecology Center has an urgent message for local residents cleaning up fire-scorched properties: Please don’t cut down those trees and shrubs. They may look dead after last month’s wildfires killed their leaves and blackened their bark. But most are not dead – and more... Continue

Sonoma launches ‘Gratitude Project’

Appreciation, recognition, and gratitude are the theme the City of Sonoma's slate of activities for the community in the month of November, highlighted by a gathering to pay tribute to emergency responders, community volunteers, and fire victims in a civic ceremony on November 18.... Continue

Driver in deadly crash booked for DUI

The California Highway Patrol has identified a woman who died in a head-on collision involving an allegedly intoxicated driver Tuesday morning on state Highway 12 as Estefania Soto, 27, of Boyes Hot Springs. Estefania Soto was driving a 2012 Nissan Sentra east on Highway 12... Continue

Help for parents of troubled teens

A new program to assist parents of teens is being brought to the Valley by the City of Sonoma’s Youth & Family Services program. The Parent Project is a 10-week program specifically for parents of strong-willed, out-of-control children and adolescents, ages 11-18. The program, beginning... Continue