🚧 Petaluma Finishes Rainier Ave Recycled Water Pipeline
The City of Petaluma has finished building a new 6,500-foot recycled water pipeline along Rainier Avenue. This work is part of the city’s long-term plan to expand recycled water use and protect local groundwater.
Thomas Keller Loves This Fast Food Chain So Much, He Opened Up His Own...
Chef Thomas Keller, known for his Michelin-starred restaurants, has opened a fast-casual burger spot inspired by In-N-Out called Burgers & Half Bottles in Yountville, California. There are few American chefs whose reputations loom as large as Thomas Keller's. With more Michelin stars than any other American chef...
Another Reminder of the Futility of Carpool Lanes
Caltrans reduced the morning hours for a carpool lane on Highway 101 by two hours to enable more solo drivers to use the lane during peak commute times. | Sundry Photography / Shutterstock. Contributor's note: This is an update to the October 24, 2025, blog post, "When Carpool Lanes Cause...
Defective Urine Tests From Santa Rosa Lab May Have Led to Some False DUI...
Urine test kits issued by a state-run forensic lab in Santa Rosa were discovered to have been faulty, leading to potential false positives for alcohol intoxication in a small percentage of Sonoma County cases over nine years, and it’s unclear whether other counties were affected. As the Chronicle reports,...
Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti
Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti takes film lovers, classic-car fans, and travelers looking for a slice of small-town Americana to their happy place. Each spring, historic downtown Petaluma celebrates its starring role in George Lucas’ iconic film American Graffiti. Travelers from far and wide enjoy the sights,...
Reviewing the abrupt closure of Sebastopol’s Soft Medicine
"When it opened in 2022, people in Sebastopol were really thrilled because it was like this kind of gorgeous, non-alcoholic elixir bar and event space." photo credit: Soft Medicine A screenshot of the business' interior, captured from the still-active Soft Medicine website on March 12, 2026. On the last day of...
Foster home needed for Beezy after surgery
North Bay Animal Services is seeking a foster home for Beezy, a dog scheduled for leg amputation surgery in the next few days. The shelter hopes to find a quiet home where she can rest and recover instead of staying at the shelter.
This Suburban Santa Rosa Farmer Takes the Term ‘Green’ Seriously
Erica Bergere is a farmer, albeit on a very small scale. In 2023, the Santa Rosa mom of two launched a microgreens farm in her garage and began selling them at the farmers market near her home. Her core six greens include arugula, broccoli, red cabbage — even cantaloupe.
Santa Rosa school district cuts trigger backlash after Montgomery High principal is let go
The district finalized some tough cuts this month, closing six schools, laying off more than 100 staff members and slashing programs. Now, those cuts are being felt at schools and teachers and parents at Montgomery High are fighting back.
Firefighters rescue hiker at Muir Beach Overlook
Firefighters from the Marin County Fire Department responded to a hiker rescue at the Muir Beach Overlook after the individual left the marked trail and became stuck in dense underbrush. There were no injuries, but crews used a chainsaw to clear a safe path to reach the hiker.

















