Fourth of July celebrations are a great time for families, friends and neighbors – but can be dangerous for pets. Here are some important tips from the Humane Society and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Sonoma County when celebrating our nation’s... Continue

Due to a large community outcry, Mayor Stanley Cohen, Fourth of July parade chair, reversed his stance Monday on not having Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority and Schell-Visa Fire Protection District fire engines participate in the parade. Cohen had wanted to prevent fire engines... Continue

The Kenwood World Pillow Fighting Championships was put to bed this year, after a 40-year run. submitted photoFans of Kenwood’s World Pillow Fighting Championships will be crying in their pillows this 4th of July. The pillow fights are no more. Organizers several months ago made... Continue

When the famously abundant pollens of the Sonoma Valley have covered your windshield with a thick, impenetrable haze of yellow, you can do like the old-timers do: simply drive around town with your head craning out the driver’s side window like a lucky Labrador and... Continue

Murphy’s Irish Pub has a new owner after 14 years. The pub will be assumed by two long-time Sonoma residents and Murphy customers, Bob Smith and Bill Pollock, who intend to retain the familiar Murphy’s name, staff and comfortable pub setting. Smith has served as... Continue

The Sonoma City Council adopted a two-year base-operating budget for the 2008/09 fiscal years at a special meeting on Wednesday lasting almost 5 hours. The adopted two-year operating budget is $25,082,967, which includes two additional base budget items that came before the council with a... Continue

Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley SunIg Vella, owner of Vella Cheese, on Friday received a Sustainable 6 environmental award from state assemblyman Jared Huffman in honor of the photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the historic cheese-making building at 315 Second St. E. Pictured from left... Continue

Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley SunWhole Foods Market opened its doors Wednesday morning at its new 35,000-square-foot store in the Sonoma Marketplace shopping mall on W. Napa Street and Second Street East. “What a grand opportunity to be opening a new store in one of the country’s... Continue

The owner of the Oaks, a 14-space mobile home park at 171 Siesta Way, proposes to close the park. Eight tenants currently live in the park and they’ll be given a 6-month notice to vacate as well as up to $3,000 in moving expenses and... Continue