Santa Rosa will limit the number of short-term rentals an operator can own but existing operators with more than one property will be allowed to remain in business under prior rules. The carve-out should appease the roughly two dozen operators who own more than one rental and would be affected by the rule change. Some… Keep Reading
When the devastating Tubbs Fire tore through Sonoma County in 2017, Cazadero resident Tony Goodwin found himself unable to communicate with his wife. The terrifying experience inspired Goodwin to equip his home with General Mobile Radio Service and help his neighbors and surrounding communities join the network. Continue Reading on the Press Democrat Keep Reading
A bill that would impose a statewide tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing passed the California State Senate Wednesday. Under SB 584, introduced by state Sen. Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, starting in January 2025, a 15% occupancy tax on the short-term and vacation rentals popularized by such platforms as Airbnb and VRBO would… Keep Reading
Organizers of the Sonoma County Pride parade and festival kicked off this weekend’s celebration with a flag-raising ceremony Thursday at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. Along with the American flag, event organizers raised the Pride flag shortly before 11:30 a.m. on the pole atop the Rosenberg Building at Mendocino Avenue and 4th Street, across… Keep Reading
The city of Santa Rosa, along with local fire and police departments, will conduct a test of the CivicReady emergency alert system Wednesday morning. Residents signed up for the mass notification system ― which the city and public safety entities use to send out alerts ― will receive a message about 10 a.m., the Santa… Keep Reading
Trails that for decades have taken equestrians into the rugged hills above Salmon Creek with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, could soon be open to the public under a plan by Sonoma County officials to acquire the well-known Chanslor Ranch. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is in contract with owner… Keep Reading
Sonoma County, Caltrans and two homeless people must pay nearly $1 million in damages to a Santa Rosa woman who was mauled by a pit bull near an encampment in 2019, a civil jury has ruled. The $946,000 award is in response to the Nov. 10, 2019, attack that severely injured Carolyn Teel, 54, near… Keep Reading
Health officials officially awarded the Sonoma County Fire District an exclusive and lucrative ambulance contract that had previously been held for 30 years by American Medical Response, a private ambulance company. AMR, locally known as Sonoma Life Support, said it plans to challenge the decision in court. AMR has issued a formal protest alleging that… Keep Reading
The Santa Rosa Police Department is advancing plans to open a substation on the main artery in Roseland, a move police officials say reflects the city’s commitment to improving services in the historically underserved, predominantly Latino community. Department officials say the move will reduce response times in southwest Santa Rosa and provide a place where… Keep Reading
Fueled by Capri Sun, six exuberant Santa Rosa fourth graders spent weekends preparing for the Odyssey of the Mind competitions in an elementary school multipurpose room and a garage filled with holiday decorations. Painting signs, sewing fabric and taping each other inside cardboard boxes were all part of the creative process, they said. And it… Keep Reading
