News

Protesters rallying against the Healdsburg City Council’s November decision to require proof of vaccination in order to attend in-person council meetings gathered at the Healdsburg Plaza to march to City Hall Monday night.

A slideshow of the past year might begin with 5th District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, sworn into her second term on Jan. 5. She stepped into her role as chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors that day, before the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

According to a presentation at the Dec. 15 Windsor Town Council meeting, Windsor residents and business owners might consider pursuing rebates for energy efficiency upgrades and appliances at their homes and establishments through the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) program.

Most of the time journalists go around looking for trouble. Lately, we haven’t had to look very hard. Our reporting has focused on the viral pandemic, the wildfires, the drought, climate change, civil unrest, constitutional insurrection and attacks of  “fake news” against our very being and profession. It’s never been more challenging to seek out troubles and alert our public about problems that need solutions. We watchdog our government leaders to uphold our public trust, our laws and our democracy. We sit through endless school board meetings and local government sessions looking for anything that might smell fishy. We count on you, our readers, to act on your civic duties as voters, taxpayers and independent voices. We can’t force you to read our news or speak up, but we will never tire of imploring you to raise your voices to power and to defend our fragile democracy.

 Every year, SoCoNews compiles a list of the year’s most noteworthy events, happenings and newsmakers and writes a comprehensive timeline that looks back at the year.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

This week, the Cloverdale Unified School District is opening some of its major construction projects. The projects include a new two-story classroom building and play structure at Jefferson Elementary and a new multi-purpose room at Washington School. According to Superintendent Betha MacClain, the buildings are set to open on Jan. 5 with a more formal celebration recognizing the completion of the two projects held on Feb. 16.

Ordinary people make the world go ’round whether we’re in a pandemic or not. Here are just a few of the many game-changers in the west county who’ve made an impact in support of their communities through thick and thin in 2021.

A tribute to Rena

Nonprofit organizations, businesses, service agencies, clubs and local leaders joined forces in Windsor to bring food, gift cards and toys to Spanish-speaking families in Windsor, many of them with parents employed in the local agriculture industry.