Businesses wilt while awaiting aid
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a devastating economic toll on Sonoma County’s economy: tourism, once a mainstay, is non-existent; 16,000 local workers have filed for unemployment; more than a thousand small businesses have applied for the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) Payroll Protection Plan...
WSCUHSD administrators get raises as budget cuts loom
At its April 8 board meeting, the West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) board gave the superintendent permission to make up to approximately $1.5 million in cuts to next year’s school budget, while at the same time approving a raise of 8% over two years for the administrative staff, including the superintendent and the chief budget officer.
Rotary chooses its teachers of the year
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation and the Rotary Club of Sebastopol recognized their three teachers of the year in west Sonoma County.
Seed bank gives out 1,800 packs of free seed to local gardeners
The Sebastopol Seed Bank, which lives at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on Robinson Road, has always been a quixotic venture.
Local distillers and herbalists make hand sanitizer to sell and donate
From the start of the epidemic right down to this day, certain products have been hard to get a hold of — toilet paper and hand sanitizers among them. We haven’t heard of any local TP makers, but two types of local businesses have thrown themselves into the sanitizer business: distilleries and herbalists, both of whom have access to high-proof alcohol as a part of their regular business practices.
Alby Kass dies from coronavirus
Longtime Guerneville resident Alby Kass, one of the founders of the Russian River Jazz Festival, succumbs to COVID-19
Look out for coronavirus-related scams
A Healdsburg city manager office update issued by the city on March 27 offered a warning to residents on the emergence of COVID-19-related scams and fraudulent calls and emails, many offering coronavirus cures, test kits and fraudulent cleaning services.
Social distancing: A refresher course
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its fourth week locally, early reports indicate that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 19 order to shelter-in-place and subsequent “social distancing” are helping to keep demands on the local health care system below capacity.
Former chief Basurto recovering from COVID-19
Former Windsor Police Chief Carlos Basurto has released a statement on social media discussing his recent battle with COVID-19, which culminated in a 20-day hospital stay, including intubation and six days of unconsciousness. Basurto retired in May 2019 after two and a half years in the post.
