Winemakers and animal-lovers breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday with the passage of the California state budget. The budget isn’t pretty, with hikes in sales tax, vehicle fees and more, but it doesn’t include two proposed taxes that locals had been watching closely. One... Continue

The City of Sonoma’s planning commission recently extended a use permit allowing the Blue Moon Saloon to have an enclosed outdoor patio. “Bars will be bars, boys will be boys,” said Randy Cook, chair of the planning commission, “But it is the question of control.... Continue

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC) has appointed Cas Ellena as Redevelopment Manager for the Sonoma County Community Redevelopment Agency. She joined the agency at the end of December as a redevelopment associate and was recently promoted to manager, replacing Boris Sztorch. Ellena began... Continue

Ellen Akre is looking for a few good primary care physicians. Akre, director of physician relations for Sonoma Valley Hospital, wears a lot of hats, but one of the tasks she’s been focusing on lately has been recruiting physicians to the Valley. “It is so... Continue

The California legislature may have finally passed the state budget on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean the way forward is entirely clear. Officials at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District are trying to figure out exactly how local schools will be affected on a day-by-day... Continue

The general feeling around the Valley of the Moon Children’s Home these days is elation. Following months of construction, the third and final phase of construction is complete and the moving and unpacking can commence. Meg Easter-Dawson, the volunteer coordinator and community program manager is... Continue

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Department is issuing this safety alert for the Calistoga Rd. / Porter Creek Rd areas. The Sheriff's Department has recently learned of suspicious, nighttime incidents involving a male motorist following female drivers along this rural route. On two occasions, the male... Continue

Somebody might be passing counterfeit hundred-dollar bills in the Sonoma Valley area. Deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department has asked residents to be on the alert. On Feb. 17, an employee of a retail shop on the 100 block of First Street West, tried... Continue

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors recently approved permits for a 12,000-case wine production facility at Caton Vineyards up Mountain Road. The 5,000 sq. ft. metal building will not be visible from the road. The facility will not hold events nor have a public tasting... Continue