Sonoma’s three biggest problems? The candidate questionnaire

What are the City of Sonoma’s three biggest problems, and how would you fix them? These five candidates are running for three seats on the City Council: Thomas Deegan; Patricia Farrar-Rivas; John Gurney; Mike Nugent; and Ron Wellander. The Sun asked each of them to... Continue

Recommendations for Education posts

I want to share some recommendations with respect to the November 8 election that involves educational positions. Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools: Amie Carter Amie Carter is the only candidate for the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools. Her opponent, Brad Coscarelli dropped out of the race... Continue

Artist’s block

After the 2017 wildfires, Katharine Kunst felt the need for her Sonoma neighbors to know each other. So, over a year-and a half period, in full pandemic, she sat masked on her camp stool in front of each, drawing the 19 houses on her... Continue

Police shoot armed vandal suspect on downtown Sonoma street, no other injuries

A suspected vandal who fired on police with a handgun was shot by police Saturday night on the 200-block of West Spain in Sonoma. The adult male suspect, reported to be in his 40s and a resident of Sonoma Valley, is in critical condition in a... Continue

Under the Sun: Maria Colín, from homeless to homebuilder

The Sun's Anna Pier talked with Maria Colín at Homeless Action Sonoma's (HAS) Open House, and again at her job at QuickHaven Tiny Homes. You helped build this tiny home? Yes. I'm the shop lead. I supervised the work on building 27 of them for... Continue

Mattson’s latest; homeless shelter update; Charlie Brown vs. gravity, and more

The way he continues to acquire Sonoma Valley land and buildings, Ken Mattson is going to need a bigger Monopoly board. The latest acquisition is Duggan’s Mission Chapel on West Napa Street, reportedly for some $6.5 million. The venerable funeral home was founded by the... Continue

Goodwill and margaritas

[caption id="attachment_123568" align="aligncenter" width="420"] At the ‘temple of tequila’: Angel Arjona, Hazir Arjona and Francisco Santana.[/caption] By George Webber | Sonoma Stories Long-time successful restaurants are significant parts of the living fabric of a town. It matters to have friends out in the world;... Continue

The Sun endorses Farrar Rivas, Gurney and Wellander for City Council

The City of Sonoma is lucky to have three exceptional candidates for City Council this election: Patricia Farrar Rivas, John Gurney, and Ron Wellander. All three know this town well, and have lived or worked here for many years. John Gurney, past police chief, recent... Continue

Five years After the Fire, national recognition for Sonoma’s Thompson

Jennifer Gray Thompson, CEO of the Sonoma-based nonprofit After The Fire, is on Forbes ‘50 over 50: Impact’ list of national changemakers. The publication called Thompson a leader in the recent field of megafire disasters across the American West. Thompson's path to leadership took several... Continue

Patricia for City Council

Evidence based decision making focuses on using facts and data to make decisions, rather than opinion. Having visited each candidates’ website, read their campaign literature, and attended the recent candidates’ forum, it is clear based on her background and experience, Patricia Farrar-Rivas is the candidate... Continue