The most recent City Council meeting exposed a weakness in local government that may explain why Council seems to accomplish so little so badly: No one knows who is running things, why, in what direction or for what purpose. Specifically, Council apparently lacks a coherent... Continue
By Val Robichaud With a crew coming in from L.A. the next day to shoot a commercial, Jonny Westom, the executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, who also had details of the Plaza Lighting Ceremony to deal with, it was going to be... Continue
The Lighting of the Historic Sonoma Plaza –100,000+ sparkling lights spread over the eight-acre Square – has special meaning this year, as the November 18 event includes a tribute to emergency responders, community volunteers, and fire victims. The festivities begin at 4 p.m., and include a... Continue
The free community workshop “After the Widfires: Emerging Stronger Together” will be held Thursday, November 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Altimira Middle School. The evening will provide hands-on skills to help you and your family alleviate the stress from the trauma of the recent fires.... Continue
Firefighter was maybe the favorite costume this Halloween. You’re a local hero. I’m uncomfortable with that label. The heroes are the crew. Typically on a big fire they would be working 24 hours on, 24 off. We had crews on the line from Sunday evening... Continue
By Anna Pier | Sonoma Sun Bringing together over 30 people from a broad spectrum of interests in the Valley, the group Sustainable Sonoma Council met for the first time as representatives of nonprofits, health, business, wine, tourism, workforce, construction, and city and county government... Continue
Our community has been devastated by the most destructive fire in our state's history and its cost can hardly be defined by numbers on paper. The need for relief is enormous and this is doubly true for our most vulnerable, those without access to private... Continue
Sonoma Valley residents are now experiencing a range of post-fire emotions, one of which is gratitude towards the first responders, and all their support teams, for saving the area from even more widespread destruction. These feelings of gratitude for the fire and safety personnel are... Continue
A motorist drove into and knocked over a fire hydrant Monday evening at the corner of First Street West and Napa Street, sending a geyser of water well over two stories high and flooding the street. Emergency vehicles and personnel were on scene quickly, but... Continue
Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) released this statement following the President’s remarks about Sunday’s mass shooting: “In response to the horrific mass shooting at a Texas church on Sunday, President Trump said it wasn’t a ‘guns situation,’ but a ‘mental health’ problem. While the prevalence... Continue