A much-anticipated plan to bring sidewalks and other improvements to Highway 12 through the Springs may cost “a little over a million dollars” less than expected, county redevelopment director Boris Sztorch said yesterday. Petaluma-based contractor North Bay Construction tendered the lowest of five bids Wednesday... Continue

Sonoma schools seem caught in a paradox: high standards, low test scores, tight budgets, expensive penalties. What do test scores say about the schools’ overall performance? Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) results recently released by the California Department of Education place the Sonoma Unified School... Continue

A 19-year-old Sonoma man was booked into county jail for resisting arrest after he reportedly buzzed several participants in Sunday’s Vintage Festival parade. “We don’t pick the place or the time that these things happen … it’s unfortunate that happened in front of a whole... Continue

When a major earthquake hits Creekside Village at 1 p.m. Saturday, no one is quite sure what will happen – and that’s the point. “I hope that … what works, works – and what doesn’t, we’ll learn from and revise our plan to hopefully make... Continue

State officials warn of fire danger The weather’s cooling off, but things could be heating up – that’s the word from California fire officials, who are reminding residents that fire danger remains high across the state. “Historically, late September and October are when we see... Continue

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed SB 1699, the legislation that will save the Sonoma Valley Hospital about 35 percent of its construction costs for the new renovation. The bill, by State Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), authorizes the Sonoma Valley Health Care District (SVHCD) to... Continue

Although Sonoma’s two incoming City Councilmembers won’t be campaigning this year, they’re not shy about expressing their opinions on the city’s future direction. The council voted 3-2 on Aug. 20 to forego a November general election and appoint sole candidates Laurie Gallian and Joanne Sanders... Continue

Sonoma-to-Santa Rosa commuters will add at least a quarter-hour to their daily drive this week as Caltrans starts one Valley project and continues working on another. Crews will begin work today on utilities along Highway 12 between Kunde Winery Road and the Kenwood Inn from... Continue

With about two minutes left in Friday night's varsity football game between Sonoma and Maria Carillo, the Dragons had just scored a touchdown to pull within one point of the Pumas. Staring an 0-3 start right in the face, head coach Mick O'Meara pulled off... Continue