Under the Hood: Napa County’s General Plan Confronts a Growth Model Under Strain
Welcome to Under the Hood, our exclusive Saturday series for Napa Valley Features paid subscribers. Napa County is rewriting its General Plan for the unincorporated area — not the cities of Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga, St. Helena or the town of Yountville — while a wave of resort projects continues to advance....
Rooting for peace at the Sonoma State Peace Tribute
Last Tuesday, Sonoma State University hosted a heartfelt Peace Tribute ceremony honoring the campus’s commitment to peace, resilience, and global understanding. The event marked the installation of three Hiroshima peace trees and a peace pole, symbols deeply rooted in a decades-long global movement for a world free...
Seeking Local Farms for Post-Halloween Pumpkin Donations
A question was recently posed on a social media platform, asking if there were any farms in the local area that would accept leftover pumpkins from Halloween to feed their animals. The individual was keen to ensure that their pumpkins didn't go to waste and would prefer them to be used as animal feed rather than...
Exclusive: North Bay city buys site for new park in ‘once in a lifetime’...
A local coalition has joined forces to buy a vacant boat yard and transform it into green space — and a chance at connection — for one of Marin County’s most crowded and overlooked communities.
Russian River Inflatable Dam to be Lowered Ahead of Increased River Flows
SANTA ROSA – In anticipation of increased river flows, the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) began lowering its rubber dam on the Russian River near Forestville on Nov. 13. Sonoma Water routinely lowers the inflatable dam when flow forecasts indicate the river will exceed 1,600 cubic feet per second to...
Shoppers face checkout fees and bag ban under new 2026 law that hands out...
AMERICANS face extra checkout fees and a ban on plastic bags as part of a 2026 shopping law – which could slap rulebreakers with harsh $5,000 fines. The California county closed a loophole which saw many businesses giving out thicker bags marketed as reusable. Napa County’s Board of Supervisors...
Relocating to Santa Rosa – Any Recommendations for Movers?
A resident is soon to relocate to Santa Rosa from Ukiah and is seeking advice on the best way to move their belongings. They have a two-bedroom apartment's worth of items to transport, including some awkward pieces. They are considering various options, such as renting a truck, using a POD, or hiring professional...
Sonoma County volunteers start ‘Grocery Buddy’ Facebook group to keep neighbors fed
The group has now buddied over 65 different families in two weeks, and packaged 40 emergency boxes, all from Jackson's living room. photo credit: AP With CalFresh benefits still largely paused for the month of November, families band together to make sure their neighbors don’t go hungry. "My name is Erin Jackson and...
Debate continues over calls for Sonoma County sanctuary designation
A couple hundred protesters stand outside the Sonoma County Jail holding signs that read “non-collaboration ordinance now. ICE OUT of Sonoma County.”. By “non-collaboration ordinance,” protesters mean they want a sanctuary ordinance that explicitly prohibits local law enforcement from collaborating with US...
Exploring Sonoma: A Young British Tourist’s Guide to Local Attractions and Social Spots
A 20-year-old British female visiting Sonoma County, California, recently took to social media to seek advice on what to see and where to meet new people in the area. The post, which was shared on Reddit, has since garnered a number of responses from locals and previous visitors, offering a range of suggestions.
