News

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood watch for the Bay Area due to predicted heavy rainfall over the coming days. The watch is in effect from Tuesday, Jan. 26 to Thursday, Jan. 28. The weather service is specifically warning about debris flow and flash flood warning in and around recent burn areas. 

Facing criticism for its chaotic COVID-19 vaccine rollout, California has quietly launched a long-promised statewide website to help residents learn when they are eligible to receive the vaccine and schedule appointments. 

The Cloverdale City Council meeting slated for next Wednesday, Jan. 27, is a mix of housekeeping items as well as items that may be of special interest to some community members. In addition to adopting committee appointments and providing direction of support for the Sonoma County Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association, the council will be holding a public hearing about the mitigated negative declaration and design review for the 21 multi-family dwelling units that are planned for 669-679 South Cloverdale Boulevard. It will also be watching a variety of presentations, including one about Sonoma County’s five-year strategic plan and one about the city’s draft capital improvement program.

West county organizations that would like to receive a Rotary community grant must submit applications for the grant by Monday, Feb. 8, according to the club’s website.

Catalytic converter thefts have been increasing exponentially in north county in the past month, with alerts being issued throughout all of Sonoma County. The most common victim of the thefts is the Toyota Prius, whose converters are both very easy to steal and particularly valuable. They contain precious metals, such as platinum, palladium or rhodium.

With the support of the community and individual partners, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin provided over $33,000 in gift cards to 73 families in need this holiday season. 

Sonoma County Sculpture Jam artists Beth Hartmann, David Furger, Jeffrey Zankel, John Packard, John Draper and Gordon Carter, of Sebastopol, have been working together for more than 20 years. The composition of the group changes, but the intent to create interesting public sculptures remains. Members also enjoy sharing resources, camaraderie and the give and take of decision making as they create together.

The Enmanji Buddhist Temple of Sebastopol looked into getting a paint job last year when congregants sheltered at home and various temples of the Buddhist Churches of America embarked on fundraisers, according to Diane Ono, president of its board of directors. The cost of repainting is estimated to be so steep that the temple has been working to raise money to cover it.

Services for (primarily) seniors

At least seven California children have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, more than 350,000 kids have tested positive for the virus and the number of youngsters diagnosed with a new, rare inflammatory syndrome continues to spread.