Petaluma Garbage War Returns as ‘140%’ Rate Hike Haunts City Hall
Petaluma’s infamous 140% trash-rate warning dates to 2005, not a new 2026 contract vote. The city’s hauling system has since changed hands, but the rate debate remains familiar.
Sonoma Casino Power Broker Greg Sarris to Exit Graton Throne After 34-Year Reign
Longtime Graton Rancheria chairman Greg Sarris will step down this year after 34 years leading the tribe’s economic and civic rise in Sonoma County.
Capitol Showdown As Sacramento Moves To Bulletproof Abortion Shields
Sacramento lawmakers advanced AB 2164 to lock shield protections into law and narrow when governors can honor out‑of‑state extradition requests tied to legal care. The bill aims to protect providers and helpers from prosecutions in hostile states.
Sonoma Scraps Jail Plan, Goes All In On $135 Million Mental Health Campus
Supervisors voted July 7 to drop a jail‑focused plan and push a proposed $135M behavioral‑health campus, accepting a conditional $54.6M state award and facing a nearly $50M gap.
Sonoma Supes Back Gender Care After Fiery Showdown
Sonoma County supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution affirming nondiscriminatory access to medically necessary care, including gender‑affirming services, and asked county staff to notify state leaders and local providers.
Santa Rosa Balances $576 Million Budget On Reserves, Job Cuts And Tough Warnings
Santa Rosa’s council approved a $575.9M FY 2026‑27 budget that leans on one‑time reserves and trims staff while warning of possible cuts to police, fire and parks.
Napa Planning Office Stuck In Red Tape And Glitches, Grand Jury Warns
A civil grand jury says staffing losses and a stalled permitting software rollout are slowing Napa’s Planning Division and offered 14 recommendations to speed reviews.












