Monte Rio
GOVERNMENT
How to Spend 24 Food-Filled Hours in Guerneville Like a Local
Just an hour and a half north of San Francisco, tucked underneath some redwoods and nestled next to the Russian River, a former logging town is the perfect destination for a day (or two) out of the city. Whether you’re looking for fresh air, strong drinks, or really, really good food — Guerneville’s got a little bit of something for everyone.
County wants community input on solutions for Russian River watershed’s aging septic systems
Sonoma County officials are inviting the public to discuss potential solutions for tackling extensive government regulations that soon will require homeowners in Monte Rio and Villa Grande to implement costly updates to their septic systems to limit the amount of wastewater that goes into the Russian River. The meeting is...
Rohnert Park Approves Development Project Near Dangerous Intersection
The city of Rohnert Park is approving a townhome development near an intersection that’s known for crashes. The zero-emissions development, called Snyder Lane Commons, will have 36 homes. It will be built at the corner of Snyder Lane and Keiser Avenue, next to Lawrence E. Jones Middle School and near Rancho Cotate High School. Residents have argued against the development, saying the area is already dangerous for kids walking or riding bikes. The city says several planned road and sidewalk projects are expected to make the intersection safer for drivers and pedestrians.
'We were here': Sonoma Co. historians look to preserve LGBTQ history in North Bay
We celebrate Pride every day at ABC7 News, and during the month of June, we're recognizing groups and individuals who are letting their Pride shine.In the North Bay, local historians are working to preserve the past and answer why members of the LGBTQ community first flocked to Sonoma County and the Russian River."'It was the perfect time of year for romance,'" said Tina Dungan.Dungan was reading a love letter written by North Bay lesbian poet, Martha Courtot.It's one of several items being preserved at the Sonoma County History and Genealogy library. The region, world famous for its natural beauty, has...
Large Housing Bond Measure Coming to Bay Area Counties (Including Sonoma) for a November Vote
This November, voters in Sonoma and Napa Counties will decide on whether to approve a 20-billion-dollar affordable housing bond. On Wednesday, the Bay Area Housing Financing Authority board unanimously approved putting the measure on the ballot. If approved, the unprecedented bond would pay for the construction and preservation of up to 90-thousand homes across the nine-county Bay Area region. Counties in the North Bay would get a combined two-point-three-five-billion-dollars of the funding. The city of Santa Rosa would get 242-million-dollars and the city of Napa would get 246-million-dollars.
Montgomery Village announces new general manager
Jun. 27—There's a new person at the helm of Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa as Kris Miller assumes oversight of the open-air shopping center. "I believe my extensive experience working in hospitality, restaurants, wineries, and retail will provide a unique and fresh perspective at The Village," Miller said via email. "Being a long-time resident of Sonoma County, Montgomery Village has always ...
Gravenstein Commons, St. Vincent de Paul's controversial Sebastopol housing project, gets last stamp of approval
Jun. 27—A 22-unit housing development for low-income and unhoused people got its final stamp of approval this week from Sebastopol's design review board, but not before members of that panel got one last earful from residents who oppose the project. St. Vincent de Paul of Sonoma County's Gravenstein Commons development was revived by the Sebastopol City Council last week after the nonprofit ...
Rohnert Park Council approves Snyder Lane Housing project
Rohnert Park’s City Council meeting held on Tuesday, June 25th at 5:00 PM had a major focus on a new housing project proposal, along with other important items for the public. Beginning with a land acknowledgement, roll call, and a pledge of allegiance, the City Council meeting began with a presentation from the city’s Director of Public Works, Vanessa Garrett, on the Public Works Department’s accomplishments of the last year and goals for next year.
Providence to pay $12M as plan to reopen birthing center fizzles
Renton, Wash.-based Providence has agreed to pay $12.3 million to support women's health, behavioral health and community benefit services in Southern Sonoma County instead of reopening the family birthing center at its Petaluma (Calif.) Valley Hospital. The investment is part of an amendment to the asset purchase agreement between the...
After decades of financial losses, the City of Sonoma finally hires a professional Cemetery Fund Manager
After decades of deficits, subsidies, uneven management and a blistering report issued in 2023 by the Sonoma County Grand Jury, an experienced cemetery operations professional has been hired to run the City of Sonoma’s Cemetery Enterprise Fund. Carolyn Fulton, with two decades of experience in cemetery management, served as...
Rough waters--controversy brewing over riverbank access in Forestville
photo credit: Courtesy UC San Diego, NOAA, Scripps, Shawn BolandThe Russian River downstream of the Hacienda Bridge in Forestville Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water, there's a new kerfuffle brewing along the Russian River. Lynda Hopkins is the Sonoma County supervisor representing the area. Hopkins looked into a series of complaints aired on social media about incidents along a stretch of riverbank in Forestville after KRCB News reached out to her, Sonoma County Regional Parks and California State Parks. "What we're sort of hearing about is folks attempting to access the beach from the river...
Santa Rosa City Schools selects new superintendent
photo credit: Santa Rosa City Schools Santa Rosa City Schools have a new superintendent, but not everyone is in support. On Wednesday, Santa Rosa's City School Board approved the hire of Daisy Morales. She most recently served at the head of the Live Oak Elementary School District in Santa Cruz. School board president Omar Medina said he looks forward to Morales' future with the district. "We are confident that Dr. Morales is the right leader to guide our district into the future," Medina said. "Dr. Morales is not only focused on academic excellence, but also on the overall well being of our students." But the...
Stretch of College Avenue in Santa Rosa Closed Due to Gas Leak
A stretch of College Avenue west of Downtown Santa Rosa is closed due to a gas leak. PG&E closed College Avenue between Dutton and Cleveland avenues at six o’clock Wednesday afternoon. From that time, it was not expected to reopen for between 48 and 72 hours. Utility officials say there is no imminent danger and there is no interruption to gas service, but traffic will be impacted. The cause of the leak has not been determined.
Cotati Council plans housing development on Cotati Avenue
Robin Zimbler, the founder of Freebird Development LLC, presented Cotati’s biweekly council meeting this week. She discussed the 100 percent affordable housing project for the city owned property at 120 E Cotati Avenue. Council member Ben Ford excluded himself from the item because he lives too close to the development. The proposed project would provide housing for low-income residents including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Edge Esmeralda: My Experience
As you may have seen, I wrote a story for this week’s issue of the Healdsburg Tribune about local impressions of Edge Esmeralda, the “popup village” that came to Healdsburg for the entire month of June. This elaborate conference-meets-festival brought hundreds of international “techno optimists” — between...
Rohnert Park, SSU celebrate Juneteenth
A partnership between the City of Rohnert Park and Sonoma State University produced the second annual Juneteenth Luncheon celebrating freedom and honoring progress on Wednesday, June 19, at the Rohnert Park Community Center. For 2024 Juneteenth Freedom Day, award recipients Andre Bailey and Marilyn Hutcheson were honored before a packed room of 225 people, the maximum allowed in the center.
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