Columns

We keep being told that we are living in one of the longest running and strongest booming economies of all time. But the story sounds complicated. We have record low unemployment and lots of people are driving around in nice cars. We all have luxury...

Recently, our staff met to go over what we could do better with our coverage at the Old Felta Schoolhouse in Healdsburg.

I recently returned from the Midwest, where I talked to a lot of people about politics. It seemed to be on their minds.

When he was still the managing editor for this newspaper, Ray Holley, had a hand lettered sign on a piece of cardboard like you’d see in the hands of a homeless person on a street corner. His sign read: “Will write for food.” He meant it is a visual joke but he also intended to impart a message that local journalists need to get paid. Holley has moved on and, like two other of his predecessor managing editors, is now working in the public sector and getting paid with taxpayer funds.

The month of May is always jam-packed with the end-of-the-school-year festivities and obligations and occasions: talent shows and book fairs and last meetings and retirement parties. As it winds down, and the remaining school days go into the single digits, we finally start to...

Kudos to the Museum of Sonoma County for this summer’s bonanza marijuana exhibit. It’s called “Grass Roots” and it’s subtitled “From Prohibition to Prescription.”

Even though the Russian River watershed has received roughly 130% of the average rainfall this season, it is time to discuss the impacts of overwatered landscapes as the dry weather returns and irrigation controllers turn on.

Looking for a lost pet or a new four-legged friend? See the list of incoming strays and the slideshow (above) of cats and dogs available for adoption from the Sonoma Humane Society, Healdsburg Center.

As we’ve been telling our news audiences for the past few years, the business of newspapers and reporting local news are facing historical challenges. Thousands of newspapers across America have died, and many towns and cities have become marooned in what are now being called “news deserts.” The loss of journalism jobs has led to communities with no government watchdogs, no local sports coverage and no reliable source to help sort through public conflicts, controversies and celebrations.

The Saturday market is finally open after a very wet winter.