That PG&E is ill-prepared to cope with periods of hot, windy weather is now painfully obvious. That the utility has spent its profits on shareholder dividends and executive bonuses, instead of upgrading and improving the safety of its infrastructure, is shameful. And its reliance on... Continue
Editorials
With the popularity of the Internet came the rise of the use of aliases, and anonymous attacks using online comment systems and other social media platforms have become commonplace, even in Sonoma. It is understandable that people would take advantage of aliases to advance a... Continue
Sonoma is a lovely little town that attracts visitors from around the world. They come here to enjoy our fine weather, pleasant parks, excellent wine, good food, and friendly atmosphere. Residents enjoy the very same things, and these residents include the homeless. It may be... Continue
The recently released audit of the City of Sonoma by the auditing firm of Richardson & Co. is nothing the City should be proud of. Its conclusions were that financial activity, procedures, and transactions during the 2016-2017 fiscal year were improper, inadequate and, in the... Continue
PG&E is planning to shut down electricity to the Sonoma Valley to prevent wildfires in the event of a major wind event that might knock down high-tension power lines. Their advisory says the electricity might be off for as many as four days to a... Continue
Guest editorial by Dean Szanyi | Student Reporter It is no secret that a certain number of young people attending Sonoma Valley High School are affiliated with gangs, and the school district is making clear attempts to curb such affiliations in their students. However, one... Continue
Building a big business requires venture capital, an infusion of wealth that is used to fund a business while it grows. Unlike loans, venture capital is an investment and its payoff is usually in the form of dividends or shares of stock that can be... Continue
Solving the housing problem – too little housing for lower-income residents – requires solving the parking problem – too much real estate devoted to the automobile. The single-family home has a long tradition in America, and as suburbs and commuting established themselves as dominant development... Continue
Democracy is under assault all over the globe, suffering at the hands of a combination of authoritarian, nativist, and fundamentalist movements. In some cases these movements are a reaction to the historical excesses of capitalism, an economic system often allied with democracy and its emphasis... Continue
It’s all too easy to become complacent, and the early high temperatures and smoke from regional fires filling the valley on the first red flag warning day were a needed reminder. Fire preparedness comes to mind: reducing flammables on your property and organizing your resources for evacuation... Continue