Local Watch Duty App Has Been a ‘Lifeline’ for LA
I don’t know a single person here in Sonoma County who doesn’t already have the Watch Duty app downloaded and poised to start spewing notifications, in case of wildfire. But most of my Los Angeles friends had never heard of it before Jan. 7,...
James Gore Running for State Senate
Looks like California’s second senatorial district, which stretches along the entire North Coast, could belong to a Healdsburg politician for many more years to come!
Hometown kid Mike McGuire has been holding onto the State Senate District 2 seat for more than a decade, but he’s about...
Federal BIA Greenlights Windsor Casino
Koi leaders asked that around 70 acres of vineyard land they own along the southeastern edge of Windsor be placed in “federal trust”—and the Bureau obliged. This means the Koi are allowed to move forward with their plan to build a giant new Wine Country casino on the plot...
Housing Market Shows Sharp Divide
What makes Healdsburg’s market particularly unique is the continued dominance of non-primary residence purchases. In 2024, 61% of all purchases were for second homes or investment properties, with rural properties showing an even higher rate at 76%. This tracks with 2023 when 64% of properties were purchased as non-primary residences, writes a local realtor.
Open Mic: Surprise Raid in Kern County Foreshadows What’s to Come
The Border Patrol conducted unannounced raids throughout Bakersfield on Tuesday, Jan. 7, descending on businesses where day laborers and field workers gather. Agents in unmarked SUVs rounded up people in vans outside a Home Depot and gas station that serves a breakfast popular with field workers. "It was profiling; it was purely field workers,” said the manager of a local gas station.
Police Log, Dec. 30, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
On Jan. 3, at 12:30am, a man on University Street at Haydon Street stated that two teenagers were in a vehicle driving erratically. While on the phone, dispatch heard the RP and 2 other subjects in a verbal dispute. Officers arrived on the scene and contacted both teenagers. An 18-YO man was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a felony and committing a hate crime. The other 18-YO man was arrested for conspiracy to commit a felony, committing a hate crime and battery. They were brought to county jail.
Council Sticks with 5-District, Rotating Mayor Decision
It was Assistant City Manager Andrew Sturmfels' last meeting in Healdsburg before he begins work for Sonoma County, but the same old City Council was on the dais to double-down on their controversial decision to set a 5-district limit for Healdsburg's new government....
Police Log, Dec. 23-29
On Christmas Eve, at 8:40pm, multiple RPs in the city indicated they heard gunshots or fireworks. One RP stated the sound was by the river, and another stated the sound came from the area of March Avenue and Lupine Court. Officers responded, but did not see or hear anything in either area. Aggrieved reindeer?
California To Stiffen Drug, Theft Penalties in 2025
Voters this November overwhelmingly approved Prop. 36, which both modifies and adds key changes to California law. That includes prosecutors being able to charge people convicted of various third-time drug offenses with a so-called treatment-mandated felony, which would direct them to substance use disorder or mental health treatment in lieu of up to three years in jail or prison.
Free Will Astrology: What’s in the Stars for 2025?
"There are experiences, people and places that can either be good for you or bad for you. Which way they tilt at any particular time may depend on your mood or their mood or forces beyond your immediate control. An example for me is social media..." says Rob Brezny, noted astrologer.

















