A Chicago company withdrew its bid to purchase the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. Submitted Photo A Chicago firm has withdrawn its offer to spend $175 million to buy the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa and the Sonoma Golf Club. Walton Street Capital... Continue

Welcome to ‘The Springs’? The Sonoma Valley Redevelopment Advisory Committee voted last month to officially change the name of the Sonoma Valley Redevelopment Project Area to The Springs Redevelopment Project Area. The change effectually unifies the collection of unincorporated communities strung along Highway 12 including... Continue

Mayor Stanley Cohen changed his mind about banning fire engines in Sonoma’s Fourth of July parade. File Photo Due to a large community outcry, Mayor Stanley Cohen, Fourth of July parade chair, reversed his stance Monday on not having the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue... Continue

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