How does Sonoma cope with a projected 400% increase in graffiti cleanup costs? That was the question Mayor Joanne Sanders placed before the City Council last week, urging a creative solution before June’s midyear budget review. “It’s becoming a $50,000-a-year problem,” Sanders said, adding that... Continue

If you drive drunk in Sonoma, Deputy Eric Haufler will be happy to meet you. “He’s a DUI magnet,” police Sgt. Dave Thompson said. “He knows what he’s looking for.” Haufler, an eight-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol and relative newcomer to Sonoma, is... Continue

Sonoma Valley voters who’d rather cast their June 3 ballot from the post office than from the voting booth have until May 27 to notify the county clerk’s office. Vote-by-mail request forms are included with the recently mailed sample ballots/information pamphlets, but voters may also... Continue

At a special meeting Thursday night of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District, the board members discussed when to launch another bond measure and whether to secure the Carinalli property. After active public discussion, the members agreed that they need more time to study the... Continue

Fears recently stirred at a supervisorial debate, that an Indian casino planned for Rohnert Park could end up on Route 37 land, may soon be put to rest. On Wednesday, May 7, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Carl Artman was due to announce that... Continue

Artisan Bakery founder and Bread Bakers Guild of America president Craig Ponsford at work. Ryan Lely/Sonoma valley sun Analysts are predicting that the worst food inflation since 1990 could double this year, according to a May 5 article in the San Francisco Chronicle that cited... Continue

Wednesday, May 7: Among the topics discussed at last night’s Sonoma City Council meeting were graffiti abatement and enfordcement; development of city-owned Affordable Housing Opportunity Sites; and the state-sponsored transfer of Skaggs Island from the Department of the Navy to the San Pablo Bay National... Continue

A pilot project for street improvements got the tentative go-ahead last week from the Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee. “We would be more than glad to be the poster child for neighborhood improvements,” Mulberry Avenue resident Jan Mosgofian told the committee at its May 1 meeting.... Continue

Sonoma firefighters extinguish a fire that burned nearly two acres of land on Arnold Drive. Ryan Lely/Sonoma valley sun The line came down, the field went up – but the driver is safe. That was the situation on Arnold Drive between Olive and Petaluma Avenues... Continue