‘Legal observer’ teams forming to protect immigrants

Teams are building across Sonoma County as a rapid response network to “witness, accompany and advocate” when immigrants are threatened by ICE raids. The goal is to peacefully observe and document the operation of enforcement officers to aid in defense during deportation hearings – not... Continue

Will the Amazon-Whole foods deal mean better food for all?

Amazon’s move into the grocery marketplace signals that the giant appears poised to realign consumer habits around how we buy quinoa, cereal, and meat in precisely the same way it changed the way we buy books, clothes, and detergent. It may be the first step to... Continue

Chapter 5: Single family residence

The continuing saga of a beleaguered Sonoma mother of five on the trail of a missing emerald necklace – the legendary Green Tara. Rachel often fantasizes about living in a Buckeye Creek Estates home. She admits this to no one. She imagines the luxury of having... Continue

County Farm Bureau names Farm Family of the Year

By Rachel LaFranchi -- The Walker family has been farming in Graton for over 100 years and this year they are being honored as Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Farm Family of the Year. Lee Walker, 86, is a sixth generation apple farmer in Graton whose 50... Continue

Common view of education ignores unjust, racist concepts

In the editorial "The Meaning of Education" which appeared in the Sun's July 6th edition, it's frustrating to see the familiar, glowing descriptions of the founding fathers and a romanticized view of literacy and education in 18th Century America. I understand the urgency of addressing systemic... Continue

Public meeting to roll out plan for Maxwell Park

After several years in the making, the draft Master Plan for Maxwell Farms Regional Park will be rolled out at a public meeting on Wednesday, July 12 at the Boys and Girls Club. Supervisor Susan Gorin invites public comment on the plan before it comes... Continue

Hospital land sale would be short-sighted choice

A letter to members of the Sonoma Valley Hospital District Board: I am writing to express my strong support for the Community Option for the SV Hospital south lot. This is the time you must be your higher selves in creating a lasting vision for... Continue

Under the Sun: Matt Metzler, city commissioner

I understand you were a teacher, Matt? Yes. Though I've lived in Sonoma County for 40 years, and the City of Sonoma for twenty-seven years, I taught mostly in the Vallejo school system all that time, in the elementary grades. I retired one year ago,... Continue

Springs Farmers Market debuts this Sunday

The Springs debuts its Farmer’s Market this Sunday in Larson Park, from 4 to 7 p.m. A project of Supervisor Susan Gorin, the Springs Community Farmer’s Market begins July 9 and runs for 10 Sunday evenings. The market manager is Kelly Smith, of the nonprofit Agricultural Community Events... Continue

New land-use concept emerges as Hospital Board votes to sell empty lot

The Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board board voted Thursday to definitely sell its empty 2.83-acre lot along MacArthur at Fourth Street West. The board has three bids in hand from commercial developers, but a new proposal emerged that instead calls for workforce housing project at... Continue