Once upon a time in Sonoma, community healthcare actually worked. The functioning model was a locally owned, nonprofit, physician-oriented health maintenance organization called Health Plan of the Redwoods (HPR), and last Wednesday, Sonoma Valley Hospital strategists called on the memory of its success – and... Continue
What’s Happening
Local Sonoma Valley News
Submitted Photo Members of various organizations involved in the Highway 12 improvement project broke ground during a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 20. From left to right; Tom O’Kane representing county public works, Kathleen Kane of theCommunity Development Comission, Eric Schen of CalTrans, Rich Lee and... Continue
A s the world economy continues its tailspin, like many, I am wondering how we got into this mess. While it’s easy to point fingers and demonize politicians and government, target deregulation and find fault in the global capitalist system, assigning blame is always easy... Continue
An online poll and town-hall meeting will soon be gauging the public’s sentiment over whether or not Sonoma should change its official designation from “city” to “town.” “I look forward to a fun discussion on this one tonight,” said Sonoma City Councilmember August Sebastiani, in... Continue
Ryan Lely/Sonoma Valley Sun The city council has approved the addition of a class 3 bike lane from Second Street West to Highway 12. Despite resident concerns about potential parking and traffic problems, Sonoma’s City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday night to remove 91 parking spaces... Continue
Sanford Smith leaves VOM Water District board Sanford K. Smith has announced his resignation, effective Sept. 30, from the board of the Valley of the Moon Water District, citing health as the reason. In his letter of resignation, Smith said that while he has been... Continue
With speeches, applause and carbonated apple juice – not to mention five gold-painted shovels – the long-awaited Springs renovation project broke ground yesterday morning at the corner of Highway 12 and East Thomson Avenue. “After 24 years, what we thought was the first big step... Continue
In a small office at the Sonoma Police Department, YWCA counselor Yuka Kamiishi shows off a few T-shirts bearing various messages of pain and healing: “LEFT ME ALONE IN THE DARK” reads one, while another proclaims, “I am strong!” The shirts – neatly packed into... Continue
By their record alone, Sonoma knew that El Molino was a much improved team this season, backed by their win on October 10 over their rivals, the Analy Tigers, for their first league win in over four years. The Dragons also knew they had to... Continue
It’s been a year since a gang-related homicide in Maxwell Farms Regional Park, and sheriff’s deputies are keeping a wary eye on the Springs with unmarked cars and beefed-up patrols. “Last year, retaliation was threatened,” Sonoma County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Pedersen said yesterday, explaining that... Continue