Federal filings say a Danville event planner and others used Super Bowl tickets and a prepaid “bank” of gift cards to steer which wines appeared on California grocery shelves. The charges connect producers, a major distributor and retail buyers.

A Sonoma Valley commission will spotlight how steep premiums, nonrenewals and FAIR Plan strain are squeezing homeowners and small businesses.

The City of Sonoma has placed free sand at Depot Park and will distribute up to 10 free sandbags per resident as forecasters warn heavy rain and gusty winds this week.

A Bay Area‑born neo‑Nazi organizer has reappeared in Petaluma as an SPLC federal suit accuses his network of assault and harassment during a Nashville intimidation tour.

Petaluma police issued a shelter-in-place advisory for the 200 block of South McDowell Blvd; residents were told to stay indoors and avoid the area.

Prop. 50 moves Sebastopol into a sprawling new 1st Congressional District that runs to the Nevada line, reshaping local politics and the 2026 ballot.

A watchdog audit says Sonoma deputies mishandled a 2023 Guerneville assault probe and questions whether the sheriff’s office properly investigated a discrimination complaint.

EPA's proposed rewrite of WOTUS would narrow which wetlands the Clean Water Act protects, prompting warnings from conservationists and praise from farm groups.

Deputies found stolen credit cards, checks and mail tied to more than 90 victims after a Boyes Hot Springs search. Two people were arrested and investigators are notifying victims.

Rohnert Park's City Council approved preliminary terms with CenterCal to develop the former State Farm campus into a downtown of homes, shops and a hotel.

Healdsburg’s Simi Winery was sold to WarRoom Cellars after a rapid ownership shuffle this year, with the small buyer promising to refresh the historic 1876 label.

A shallow 3.7-magnitude quake shook the Geysers area before dawn, prompting felt reports but no immediate damage reports. Local seismologists revised the initial reading to 3.7.

Queer land stewards in Sonoma County are blending prescribed burns, farming and gatherings to restore forest health and queer community along the Russian River.

SingleThread shares the No.1 spot on LaListe’s 2026 Top 1,000, bringing international recognition to Healdsburg’s tasting‑menu scene.

Healdsburg police arrested a registered sex offender after phones allegedly showed sexually explicit conversations with teens; police say devices are under forensic review.

Christina Whisman pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including giving a minor cocaine and forcible lewd acts. She faces up to 36 years and is due to be sentenced Jan. 8, 2026.

Petaluma's first Chick-fil-A opens Thursday at 6:30 a.m. at 5012 Petaluma Blvd N, promising roughly 70 jobs and a $25,000 donation to Redwood Empire Food Bank.

Pastasciutta, a new Italian bottega from the owners of Diavola, has opened in Geyserville selling housemade pasta, prepared dishes and holiday panettone. It’s a grab‑and‑go complement to the restaurant next door.

Michelin plans to start awarding one‑to‑three “grapes” to wineries in 2026. Napa and Sonoma producers could face fresh market pressure and new attention.

Fieldwork Brewing opened its first Sonoma County taproom at Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa, pairing rotating drafts with pizzas and non‑alcoholic options.

A Lightcast study finds SRJC generated about $1.8 billion and supported nearly 19,000 Sonoma County jobs in FY 2023–24.

Marco Morrone filed a cross-complaint denying misconduct and seeking legal fees as lawsuits and a 2021 investigation continue to unfold.

Elizabeth Olsen told the 'Last Meals' show she lives in Sonoma and named Valley's spicy XO eggs as a favorite, sending local interest to the Plaza spot.

Bob Costarella’s Red Eye Barbecue is smoking Central Texas–style ribs and beef cheek at a Saturday pop‑up in Santa Rosa’s Roseland. Preorders close Thursday at 5 p.m.

Zillow predicts modest, uneven movement for California housing in 2026 — Bay Area softness alongside small gains in San Diego and L.A., with rates staying high.

Alyvia, a 53‑room boutique hotel with 12 residences, will break ground inside Healdsburg’s Mill District and is due to open by mid‑2028. Developers say it will include a restaurant, spa and pool deck.

Yerba Madre has relocated its headquarters from Sonoma County into Oakland’s Tapscott Building, signing a roughly 16,719-square-foot lease that boosts Uptown office activity.

AB 1246 opens California to qualifying out‑of‑state craft distillers in 2026, but new permits, taxes and a one‑year pilot will shape how far that access goes.

Analysis shows the Forest Service treated under 1.7M acres through Sept.—well below recent averages. Senators and firefighters are demanding staffing and mitigation plans.

A nonpartisan report warns California could face a more than $1.8B shortfall next year as cap‑and‑trade receipts fall short of new fixed spending rules. Lawmakers may have to trim programs or shift costs.

A private syndicator paid $17.7 million for Mountain Shadows Plaza in Rohnert Park. The grocery-anchored, 77,651‑sqft center was about 97% leased at sale.

A former Harlem Globetrotter and Petaluma coach says his truck was defaced with swastikas and slurs; police reviewed the report but detectives say evidence is limited.

A surfer was bitten on the hand about 300–400 yards off North Salmon Creek Beach; the beach is closed while authorities investigate.

A Rohnert Park father says 20 days in ICE custody after a missed app check-in pushed him to consider voluntary departure while his lawyer filed a habeas petition.

NOAA's 10‑foot sea‑level visualization shows neighborhoods from the Bay Area to Florida in potential inundation zones, and new research warns thousands of hazardous sites could flood by 2100.

Developers asked Sonoma for a one‑year permit extension as they finish lining up financing and a hotel partner. The Planning Commission will review the request on Dec. 18.

A fight over deed restrictions and loan terms has stalled a county-backed plan to build sober-living homes in Santa Rosa.

Supporters marched through the Mission to demand Gov. Newsom pardon Zoe Rosenberg after she was ordered to serve 90 days in a high‑profile 'chicken rescue' case.

A Santa Rosa memorial on Dec. 19 will honor 43 people who died while experiencing homelessness this year. County officials cite recent housing gains but warn progress is fragile.

Farmhouse Artisan Market opened Petaluma’s first in-person cannabis storefront last week, converting a seven-year delivery service into a visible shop on North McDowell. The opening follows a 2024 City Council vote to allow three storefront dispensaries.

Laura Chenel says it has stopped sourcing milk from Grand Barr Dairy after a PETA investigation alleged neglect. The creamery says it will review supplier animal-care standards while authorities review the case.

Pick's Roadside will reopen in mid‑January, preserving classic burgers and shakes while adding Wagyu upgrades and a curated drinks program.

A new California law requires landlords to supply a working stove and refrigerator for most leases starting Jan. 1, 2026, and sets recall and repair deadlines.

A former Sonoma County Farm Bureau employee was charged after officials say she stole roughly $375,000. The bureau says it will cover unrecovered foundation losses while prosecutors proceed.

A retired Sonoma County deputy alleges years of racial discrimination and repeated pass‑overs for promotions in an 83‑page lawsuit filed in county court.

A pickup plowed through the windows of Hot Couture Vintage Fashion in downtown Santa Rosa Thursday; the building was red‑tagged and one person sustained minor injuries. Investigators are still working to determine how the crash unfolded.

A Civic Lens poll of 400 likely voters puts Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco atop early California governor polling, but strategists say a large undecided vote keeps the race fluid.

Sonoma couple Linda Shore and David Barker have spent years teaching hands-on science in Tibetan monasteries and building traveling exhibits that translate Western science into monastic classrooms.

Sonoma County deputies are searching for 80-year-old George Ginochio after he walked away from his Bodega Bay home last Sunday night. He has dementia and was last seen near Highway 1.

An interactive Chronicle database compiles thousands of California inspection reports and flags possible patient-harm incidents. What Bay Area patients should know before choosing care.

Dave & Buster's will open a 43,000-sq-ft entertainment center at Santa Rosa Plaza on January 26, 2026, promising arcade games, a WOW wall and about 170 jobs.

After school closures and staff reductions, Sonoma Valley Unified’s first interim report projects a much stronger general‑fund balance and new reserve policy. Trustees still warn the gains aren’t guaranteed.

Chef Rob Larman is closing il Fuoco on Jan. 1 after a decade; he cited rising costs and a shrinking customer base. The pizzeria will serve through Dec. 31.

A new California law requires most store‑bought corn tortillas and masa products to be fortified with folic acid starting next week, with small bakers exempted. Officials say the aim is to reduce neural‑tube birth defects.

Rain returns Wednesday through the weekend while king tides Wed–Sun raise coastal flood risk. A cold advisory hits early Tuesday and winds may pick up late week.

A Petaluma man and former Stockton officer was hit with a federal child‑porn charge after explosives and meth were seized during a July arson probe.

A December UC Merced report links summer immigration enforcement to a 2.9% drop in California private‑sector employment — roughly 447,000 jobs lost, with noncitizen workers hit hardest.

A Cotati DUI stop on Dec. 27 led officers to a loaded, unserialized 3D‑printed handgun and multiple bags of cocaine; the driver was booked on weapons and drug counts.

Sutter Health has launched a $10 million renovation next to its Santa Rosa hospital to add exam rooms, imaging and relocated orthopedics as it expands outpatient care. Construction began in December and the clinic is expected to open in phases through late 2026.

A Monday storm will bring the heaviest rain to the North Bay, with up to 4 inches possible in mountain terrain and coastal advisories in effect.

A BOEM draft would put Pacific waters back on the leasing map. Conservationists and coastal businesses warn the move could threaten tourism, sanctuaries and local jobs.

Federal attorneys moved to block Petaluma and Morgan Hill's gas‑ban rules, arguing they violate a 1975 energy law and could raise costs for residents.

Cyrus will open Kisetsu Ramen in its Bubbles Lounge on Jan. 29 — a 12-seat, three-course ramen pop-up priced at $75. Reservations release weekly.

A mudslide on the Russian River undercut Highway 116 near Monte Rio, forcing closures and traffic controls while crews assess the damage.

Flood warnings remain near Mark West Creek in Sonoma even as the Bay Area dries out. Hazardous surf and a late-week chill are on the way.

An overflow at the Russian River treatment plant near Guerneville sent untreated wastewater into the lower river during Tuesday’s storms. Officials have posted warnings and asked people to avoid the water while assessments continue.

Sizzling House has opened on Mendocino Avenue, serving donburi, ramen and sizzling plates with large portions and fast-casual prices. The bulgogi donburi and takoyaki are early standouts.

November brought modest job gains to the Bay Area and California, but year‑to‑date totals through November still show net losses. The rebound is tentative.

A Sonoma man was sentenced to 12 years, 8 months after a 2020 DUI crash that killed a Sausalito driver; the case was delayed for years by competency hearings. Prosecutors urged the maximum term.

BottleRock will drop its 2026 lineup this Tuesday; three‑day general‑admission tickets go on sale Wednesday for the May 22–24 festival in Napa.

A solo-vehicle crash toppled power lines on Point Reyes‑Petaluma Road, closing the route overnight and prompting CHP to ask drivers to avoid the area.

Jean‑Charles Boisset has closed Chateau Buena Vista and the JCB Tasting Salon, trimming his splashy Napa footprint as the collection reshapes its tasting strategy.

Federal prosecutors say a Rohnert Park man built more than 20 AR‑style rifles and supplied them to a Santa Rosa gang, according to court and law‑enforcement documents. The case grew out of a 2025 search that uncovered a makeshift workshop.

A Sonoma company recalled select tamales sold at Whole Foods in California and Nevada after an FDA inspection found inconsistent cooking‑temperature records. No illnesses reported; check date codes 10/22/24–10/22/25.

The Wine Group has quietly listed Imagery Estate Winery in Glen Ellen — a 19.56‑acre, art‑forward property with production infrastructure and a flexible events permit.

A revived 162‑unit housing plan for the Carrillo Adobe parcel has split Santa Rosa between preservationists and housing advocates. Tribes and descendants say the land is culturally sacred.

Arista Winery, a Russian River favorite, will stop producing wine after its 2024 vintage. The family sold the Westside Road estate in 2025 and is releasing the last bottles while supplies last.

Former Sonoma car dealer Adam Kovacs is scheduled to enter a plea in Santa Rosa on charges alleging embezzlement and misappropriation. Prosecutors say the case centers on unpaid sales taxes and DMV fees.

AI‑era fortunes from the Bay Area are driving all‑cash purchases of second homes across Napa, Monterey and the Central Coast.

Patrick Cappiello is bringing a 1,000-bottle wine bar to Jenner next to Café Aquatica, pairing retail bottles with picnic tables and by-the-glass service. The team hopes to open by August 2026.

Dense morning fog will reduce visibility in Sonoma; highs near 64°F with a Coastal Flood Advisory for low-lying bayshore areas until noon Sunday.

Sunny and mild in Marin with a short Coastal Flood Advisory this morning; avoid driving through bayside standing water during the high tide window.

Patchy morning fog and a Coastal Flood Advisory could slow North Bay commutes. Sunny afternoons and warmer midweek expected.

A Spare the Air Alert bans wood burning across nine Bay Area counties this Thursday as officials warn of elevated fine-particle pollution. Exemptions and fines apply.

Caltrans reports nearly 600 encampments cleared and 27,000 cubic yards of debris removed across the Bay Area, with Santa Clara county accounting for 223 sites.

Napa County planners approved Hourglass Winery’s recovery permit, allowing the Calistoga estate to rebuild its cave, add tasting spaces and double production after the Glass Fire.

A magnet fisher pulled a suspected explosive from Sonoma State’s University Lakes Wednesday evening; a county bomb squad removed the device and no one was hurt. Investigators are probing the origin of the object.

SRPD’s Special Enforcement Team served a Roseland warrant and seized suspected cocaine, a Draco rifle, a Polymer80 ghost gun and conversion parts; a 29‑year‑old was booked.

A bicyclist was killed Friday on rural San Antonio Road after being struck by an SUV; CHP says the driver attempted CPR and is cooperating with investigators.

A newly opened 547‑acre Sonoma Coast preserve is overflowing into the Bodega Harbour neighborhood, prompting town halls and possible 'No Parking' rules. Neighbors want quick fixes.

A Petaluma man was arrested after leading police on a residential chase Tuesday evening. Officers deployed a tire‑deflation device and booked him on multiple felony counts.

Clearlake handed management of its troubled city shelter to a local nonprofit, which says it's racing to treat animals and recruit volunteers.

BoDean agreed to a $1.28M settlement after regulators said emissions from its Santa Rosa and Windsor sites produced weeks of foul odors and visible smoke.

A Bodega Bay meet‑and‑greet with Sheriff Eddie Engram turned into a heated immigration forum as protesters demanded an ordinance to end cooperation with ICE.

Parents forced Petaluma trustees to pause approval of site safety plans after spotting "collect intelligence" language about student walkouts and social-media monitoring.

A larger second flu peak has hit Sonoma and Napa counties as H3N2 and rising wastewater signals push test positivity and hospital visits higher. Health officials urge vaccination and early treatment.

Keith Urban will headline Country Summer in Santa Rosa June 12–14. Early‑bird three‑day passes start at $185 and new VIP packages are part of the rollout.

Trustees approved 33 position cuts and will discontinue Napa Valley College’s adaptive physical education program starting in 2026–27, a change administrators say is driven by projected budget shortfalls. The decision drew a packed meeting and hours of public comment.

Santa Rosa approved a master plan to remake MLK Jr. Park, but about $4 million remains unfunded and a fight over synthetic turf persists.

A Sonoma County commission paper warns women and girls face rising mental‑health strain after fires and the pandemic and urges stable funding, more clinicians and clearer care pathways.

Members of the Gallaher family underwrote 15,000 copies of an anti‑SMART book and mailed them across the North Bay as a June 2, 2026 sales‑tax renewal approaches.

An ambitious regional triennial titled "Around Here" will link 80+ Bay Area arts organizations in March–June 2027. Expect a mobile hub, weekend 'Spotlight' programs and a new grant fund.

Gallo will shutter its St. Helena Ranch Winery and eliminate 93 positions across Napa and Sonoma, according to WARN filings and local reporting.

Billionaire-backed and boutique proposals have pushed a statewide debate: build whole new cities or force denser housing into existing ones. Costs, water and population math complicate the choice.

At his murder trial, Varinder Singh told jurors he feared relatives and said he stabbed his sister-in-law — a claim prosecutors sharply dispute.

A Rohnert Park man drew an eight-year prison term after his girlfriend’s femur was broken. Prosecutors say prior convictions and a letter addressed to the victim’s dog were part of the case.

ReCoverCA is offering forgivable loans up to $350,000 to low-income residents who lived in Redwood Valley’s 95470 ZIP code in 2017 to help buy safer homes.

A Santa Rosa man injured in an October crash with a sheriff's vehicle later died, a coroner found. County and CHP investigators are reviewing the case.

A 48-year-old Santa Rosa man was arrested after officers linked him to multiple home burglaries and a stolen vehicle.

A Santa Rosa driver was arrested after her truck hit another car and crashed into a home; police say a breath test showed an approximate .25% BAC. The driver faces DUI causing injury and child‑endangerment charges.

A 35-year-old Napa man was arrested after a solo crash in Petaluma; police say the driver fled on foot and was booked on suspicion of DUI.

Sonoma County deputies arrested three New York residents after a months-long bank fraud probe; investigators say they seized $15,000 and counterfeit IDs at a Vacaville hotel.

Jackson Family Wines closed its Carneros Hill facility in Sonoma and cut 13 jobs, the latest in a string of major industry consolidations. The moves reflect weaker demand and distribution shifts.

Paris Baguette announced two new North Bay cafés in Novato and Vallejo, with work already underway at the Novato site as the chain expands in the U.S. market.

A winter surge of death cap and lookalike mushrooms has hospitalized dozens in California, with Spanish‑speaking and Mayan immigrant communities among the hardest hit.

A 56-year-old man was arrested after reports of indecent exposure on Walker Avenue and the Joe Rodota Trail. Deputies say they found him hiding under a tarp and booked him on indecent exposure charges.

Jeffry Hill apologized in court and received three years of probation after prosecutors said he misrepresented about $2.5 million in Napa grapes and wine.

A nonprofit-run food truck staffed by culinary students began serving global lunches at the Petaluma Fairgrounds, with proceeds supporting training and community meals.

New filings show Measure H sent $45.7M to Sonoma fire agencies in 2024‑25 and county totals top $78M since Oct. 1, 2024.

Wastewater scans and public‑health data show human metapneumovirus rising in parts of Northern California. The virus can cause a seal‑like 'barking' cough in young children.

An SF Chronicle tract‑level map ranks Bay Area neighborhoods by how evenly incomes are spread, highlighting surprising pockets of mix and entrenched zones of wealth or poverty.

Petaluma City Schools approved reductions to alternative‑education staff to help close a $6.1M budget gap and will have a task force review programs in October.

Two drivers were arrested after CHP says they raced at over 100 mph on northbound Highway 101 in Cotati; both BMWs were impounded for 30 days as the probe continues.

Thousands of new apartments are slated for Sonoma County through 2028; vacancy may ease but affordability pressures will persist.

A retired Santa Rosa High coach has pleaded not guilty after prosecutors say they found more than 1,000 illicit images. The district removed his name from the campus track as the case moves through Sonoma County courts.

Tasting‑room and wine‑centric storefronts on First Street are giving way to boutiques, cafes and other non‑wine retail as big hotel and condo projects reshape downtown. Brokers and city records show the market is shifting fast.

A Santa Rosa school aide’s sentencing was postponed after a medical emergency. The defendant had pleaded guilty to charges tied to alleged sexual touching of a participant in a district program.

A late-night hit-and-run on River Road left a pedestrian critically injured. CHP recovered parts that point to a gray Toyota Tacoma and is asking witnesses to call 707-806-5600.

County officials say scammers are posing as planning staff and demanding wire transfers tied to permits. Verify sender addresses and report suspicious messages to IC3.

Analog Reunion, formerly Cosmico, moves to Wildhaven Sonoma for a screen-free weekend of music, tastings and workshops in mid‑May.

Families at Browns Valley TK‑8 say they were blindsided after NVUSD announced a leadership change for Principal Meshach Osborne and have launched a petition.

A Santa Rosa man was sentenced to 50 years to life after a jury convicted him in the 2024 Dutton Plaza shooting; prosecutors say the rifle jammed and no one was hit.

A CHIS briefing shows food insecurity among Bay Area low‑income adults jumped sharply in 2024, with county rates varying widely and charities shifting operations.

A suit by Ron Burkle accuses Sonoma lobbyist Darius Anderson of siphoning millions from a lobbying firm the two once ran together.

Tens of thousands of acres of California vineyards have been ripped out and industry experts warn another wave of pullouts is coming as demand slumps and imports rise. Analysts say the correction could last into 2026.

Napa planners recommended approval for a 79‑room Jackson Family hotel at Freemark Abbey, advancing a plan that includes workforce housing and sustainability pledges amid neighbor objections.

Windsor High School was put on lockdown Friday after a bomb threat forced deputies to block part of Windsor Road and ask families to avoid the campus.

Longtime Supervisor David Rabbitt said he won't seek a fifth term, turning Sonoma County's 2nd District into an open race ahead of the June primary.

Nearly two months after a 16-inch force main broke on Jan. 11, Clearlake households still face contaminated wells, bottled water and slow cleanup.

Napa’s City Council voted 4–1 to adopt a new fee schedule that raises building‑permit costs, adds tiered film fees and adjusts parking and parks charges.

State fire officials say small debris burns have escaped recently; follow permit and pile‑size rules, keep water nearby and call 911 if a burn spreads.

A jury convicted Juan Ferrel-Gonzalez on 27 felony counts; the Sonoma County DA says one victim first reported abuse in 2018 and three more were later identified. He was sentenced to 342 years-to-life.

The Villa will reopen in May as The Junction — a family-friendly beer-and-pizza spot with a 4,000-square-foot beer garden, 30 taps and sweeping hilltop views.

Petaluma’s City Council repealed a contentious downtown overlay after the Appellation hotel was scaled down to four stories, ending a long local fight and sidestepping a referendum.

A mountain lion was seen Tuesday in Rohnert Park's G section. Police say there is no immediate threat while wildlife officials offer safety guidance.

At a Santa Rosa town hall, lawmakers and health leaders warned rural hospitals and maternity services are at risk from funding cuts and razor‑thin margins.

County staff outlined a five‑year paving plan and a potential $70M bond to speed repairs on Lower Chiles Valley, Devlin Road and other rural stretches.

A Santa Rosa police officer shot a man near 10th and B streets on Thursday; the victim was taken to hospital and a third-party probe has been launched.

Providence will stop admitting pediatric inpatients at Santa Rosa Memorial on March 27 and repurpose the eight‑bed unit for adult care, prompting concern from doctors and county advisers.

A new gastroenterology clinic will open in April at Sonoma Valley Hospital, with endoscopy starting in May and expanded Saturday imaging already under way. The changes aim to keep more screenings local.

Santa Rosa maker Orbis Electric says its HaloDrive Cooling Engine can cut data‑center energy use and scale local manufacturing as AI demand grows. The company is lining up pilots and space in Sonoma County.

New data show Santa Rosa's Face to Face supplied 44% of county naloxone and was tied to 66% of reported reversals in 2024.

Alinea co-founder Nick Kokonas is opening Elsewhere, a wine-first bar at 1429 Main St in St. Helena with a large by-the-glass program and stemware options.

Acme Burger founders Todd and Erica Kniess will open Bohemian Bistro in the former Hazel space in Occidental. Chef James Millar will lead multi-course prix‑fixe dinners.

A Napa County judge sentenced Gabriel James Chavez to 10 years after his no-contest plea in the June 8, 2024 Lake Berryessa brawl that killed a Vallejo man.

A Simi Valley supplier sold urinalysis kits missing a preservative for nearly a decade, prompting a state audit and local reviews of a handful of DUI cases.

Napa County officials say several mailed property‑tax checks were stolen, altered and cashed. The county urges residents to use e‑checks or confirm mailed payments online immediately.

A Mendocino County man received a 10.5-year federal sentence after convictions for coercing a minor and child pornography, the FBI says.

A surfer was bitten at Big River Beach in Mendocino. Nearby beaches were closed as a precaution.

NapaSan will raise sewer charges about 3% a year through 2030, pushing a typical single‑family annual bill from $738.60 toward about $856.

A $15 million Royal Jackpot scratcher was sold at a Cloverdale Quik Stop; the prize is unclaimed and the retailer stands to receive roughly $75,000 under Lottery rules.

A two-night string of vehicle burglaries and tire thefts hit Petaluma this week; police are canvassing neighborhoods and asking residents for tips and footage.

The county airport reported 45,804 February passengers as it prepares for Southwest’s April 7 launch; fee updates could also change parking costs.

Juice House Co. will shutter its five Bay Area stores on April 4, founder Tiana Duvauchelle announced. Gift cards remain usable in‑store but refunds won't be offered.

A 19-year-old Petaluma man died after entering the frigid Truckee River near Floriston; search crews later recovered his body. Authorities warn of cold-water danger during snowmelt.

Cotati council will consider rules Tuesday to limit ICE activity inside city limits as residents and faith groups press officials for protections and clarity.

Crews are set to start the long‑planned SMART extension into Healdsburg, but differing cost estimates and lingering funding gaps have locals and critics on edge.

Ben Gongora has sued Napa Valley Unified after his dismissal over a disputed 2025 game, asking to clear his name and be reinstated. The petition seeks removal of 'assault' references from his personnel file.

A bright new brunch spot on East Washington mixes Champagne pancakes, global omelets and a selfie‑ready interior from chef Debra Cargile.

Chef Jason Pringle has opened Juju's, a Moroccan‑inspired pop‑up in the Acorn Café space on Healdsburg Square, serving tagines, mezze and small plates Thursday–Sunday.

Chef Ari Weiswasser is opening SMASH, a fast‑casual smashburger and fried‑chicken spot on Sonoma Plaza. The restaurant will occupy the Taub Outpost and aims to open in May.

Trustees approved exclusive talks with Napa United and Napa Valley 1839 FC to study a privately financed upgrade of the college’s rundown football field into an 1,800‑seat soccer stadium. Backers say the project would be funded by donors and a loan.

A former French Laundry dishwasher filed a representative wage-and-hour lawsuit in Napa County, alleging unpaid hours, missed breaks and inaccurate paystubs. The restaurant group denies the claims.

Staff told supervisors that slowing tax receipts and rising costs have thinned Napa County's budget cushion. A pre‑hearing workshop was requested to weigh reserves, cuts or new revenue.

Festival Napa Valley’s 20th season runs July 4–19, 2026, with a commissioned Jake Heggie opera, Renée Fleming, a Wynton Marsalis gala and new Allegro passes.

Sonoma County Fire District is moving to annex Rancho Adobe and parts of CSA 40; officials say parcel taxes won’t rise and Measure H dollars and crews will shift to the larger district.

No Kings 3 rallies will stage across Sonoma and Napa on March 28, with marches planned from Sonoma Plaza to Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Organizers have posted routes and volunteer sign‑ups.

A high-speed chase that began on U.S. 101 ended in Kenwood when an SUV rolled into a vineyard and the driver surrendered, authorities said.

Three suspicious blazes hit downtown Petaluma in the pre‑dawn hours; police have opened an arson probe and are asking residents to check camera footage.