Day: April 20, 2026

Petaluma’s Iconic Neon Chick Flies the Coop for Repairs

A piece of local history is taking a short road trip as Petaluma’s famous “Hatchery” sign was carefully lowered from its perch on North Petaluma Boulevard this Thursday. The Petaluma Argus-Courier reports the 91-year-old neon chick is

Fiscal Crisis Looms Over Sonoma County Budget Talks

Sonoma County supervisors are diving into a projected $2.7 billion budget this week, facing a “perfect storm” of federal funding cuts and shrinking local tax revenue. Officials warn that shifting national policies could pull the safety net

Safety Fears Prompt District-Wide Turf Replacement

Santa Rosa City Schools is fast-tracking the replacement of synthetic athletic fields at all five high school campuses due to failing materials and mounting safety concerns. According to the Press Democrat, district officials report that the rubber

Santa Rosa Schools See Path to Solvency Amid “Grave Concerns”

The Sonoma County Office of Education has officially accepted a positive budget certification for Santa Rosa City Schools, marking a major shift from the district’s previous “negative” status. The Press Democrat reports following $35.6 million in aggressive

Commercial Crab Season Cut Short to Protect Whales

Commercial Dungeness crab fishers are facing another major setback as state officials announce an early season closure from the Oregon border to Pigeon Point. Per the Press Democrat, effective April 30, the California Department of Fish and

North Bay Jobless Rates Dip in February

Employment figures are trending upward across the North Bay as jobless rates dipped in February following a brief January spike. According to the North Bay Business Journal, while California’s overall unemployment held steady at 5.4%, local counties

Late-Night Bites Coming to Downtown Cotati

Late-night stops at Spancky’s Bar are about to get a lot more flavorful following a landmark city council decision. The Press Democrat reports in a unanimous 4-0 vote this past Tuesday, city leaders approved a new ordinance