Whatever the final plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center, it concerns only the 180-acre footprint that is already built out (though most of those old structures will have to come down). The rest is open space. Included in the state budget and pushed by Sens.... Continue

The way he continues to acquire Sonoma Valley land and buildings, Ken Mattson is going to need a bigger Monopoly board. The latest acquisition is Duggan’s Mission Chapel on West Napa Street, reportedly for some $6.5 million. The venerable funeral home was founded by the... Continue

While 115-degree temperatures were burning this month, city and county officials did a bit of fiddling over dealing with the record-breaking heat. The County announced the opening of several Cooling Centers, public places that were air conditioned, had water, and offered a bit of relief.... Continue

When PG&E isn’t burning down the countryside or settling lawsuits, it’s promoting cleaner, cheaper, less-flammable power. The City of Sonoma just completed an energy upgrade, replacing lighting in city-owned buildings with higher-efficiency LED lighting. It’s cleaner, easier to maintain, and saves the city about $14k.... Continue

It’s not a pretty picture at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, at least behind the scenes, where workers have taken steps to unionize. In late March, staffers that said they represented a supermajority presented a letter to Executive Director Linda Keaton requesting recognition of... Continue

That .05 percent sales tax on every dollar you spend in Sonoma County? It really adds up. Approved by voters in 2018 as Measure M – the Parks for All initiative – the fund totalled $8.3 million last fiscal year, money that goes directly to... Continue

Embattled School Board trustee, accused of shady dealings on a construction project, implored to resign by past and present peers. A counter-offensive lawsuit over Brown Act violations. Open hostility and acrimony at public meetings. The histrionics are to the point that all players should get... Continue

The Sonoma house at 1405 Old Winery Court, purchased last year by Pacaso, which then attempted to sell 1/8th shares in a “don’t-call-it-a-timeshare” scheme, has been removed from the company’s online listings. Has the company given up on its initial strategy of “democratizing second home... Continue