$7 Toll for Golden Gate Bridge Could Be in Your Future

Officials meeting today to discuss toll hike as part of effort to reduce a $142 million budget deficit.

State Audit Report Blasts Napa Valley Vets Home

Audit claims administrator wasted more than $650,000 in costs for a failed adventure park, cafe and tavern at Veterans Home of California, Yountvillle.

Reaction: BART Strike Disrupts Bay Area Commutes

BART workers walked off the job and onto the picket line this morning.

Which Side Should Surrender in the Federal Budget Standoff?

Some Republican critics of the GOP’s current strategy note that holding the budget and the nation’s credit hostage is bringing the party’s popularity to historic lows.

Sonoma Edges Closer to Banning Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Current rules ban using leaf blowers on Sundays and city-observed holidays, and limits the hours they can be used in residential areas and in city parks.

Dog Lovers to Turn Out in Force as City Council Tackles Ban in Montini Preserve

How should the council vote on this issue?

Should Furloughed Federal Workers Get Back Pay When the Shutdown Ends?

A bill guaranteeing retroactive payment for 800,000 workers is finding bipartisan support in an otherwise fractious Congress.

With Veterans' Cemetery Expansion Almost Done, City Council Raises Burial Rates

Council approved an increase for full graves to $6,443, up from $5,425, and hiked cremation costs by $428.

Sonoma Valley Road Summit Set for Oct. 9

With the county's roads among the worst in the Bay Area, according to the latest report on road conditions, a panel hopes to address the issue.

Got Health Insurance? If Not, Enroll in State's New Care Plan or Face a Fine

Covered California is one of the state-run health care marketplaces being set up around the U.S. as mandated by the act, passed by Congress in 2010.

The Federal Government Shutdown: How Will It Impact Sonoma Valley?

There were 1,502 federal employees in Sonoma County last year, according to the federal Office of Personnel Management.

Michelle Obama Will Come to Bay Area for October Fundraiser

The First Lady will attend a "Women's Brunch" fundraiser in San Francisco.

Obamacare Call Centers Prepare to Answer Your Health Care Questions

To find out about your eligibility and coverage options or enroll in Obamacare, visit www.coveredca.com or call 888-975-1142.

Poll: Have You Changed Your Mind About Legalizing Marijuana?

Supporters of decriminalization are angling to put a new proposition on next year’s ballot.

Sonoma Bike Coalition Lauds New Law Requiring 3-Foot Passing Zone Around Bicyclists

Governor signs bill into law after two straight years of vetoing it; it goes into effect Sept. 2014.

Supervisor Gorin to Host Obamacare Forum at Altimira Middle School

With uninsured Sonoma residents able to obtain health insurance on Oct. 1 under the Affordable Care Act, local and county officials convene to spread the word.

Caltrans Repaving Hwy. 121 Near Sonoma Creek Bridge – One-Way Traffic for One Month

Work is occurring from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to avoid traffic impacts, though residents in the area should expect extra noise.

Capitol Dispatch: Bill Would Slow BART-Style Cell Service Blocking

In 2011, BART officials cut off cellphone service to underground stations to prevent a planned protest. A bill sitting on the governor’s desk would require government agencies to get a court order before doing the same.

Sonoma County's Largest Environmental Group Backs Hotel Limitation Measure

As the debate over Measure B heats up, Sonoma County Conservation Action throws its weight behind proposal to limit the size of new hotels in the city to 25 rooms until the current hotel annual occupancy rate significantly increases.

Proposed Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Heads to Sonoma City Council Oct. 7

Current rules ban using leaf blowers on Sundays and city-observed holidays, and limits the hours they can be used in residential areas and in city parks.

Assemblywoman Yamada, Supervisor Gorin to Hold Joint Office Hours in Sonoma

Yamada, Gorin and their staff will be on hand to hear constituent concerns and provide assistance with state or county agencies.

Should Sonoma County Libraries Expand Their Hours? How?

Public libraries in Sonoma County, including the branch in downtown Sonoma, are closed every Sunday and Monday because of budget cuts.

Gov. Brown Signs Bill Adding Non-Lethal Options When Mountain Lions Wander Near Homes

State Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, touts bill that spawned from the killing of two half-starved mountain lion cubs in Half Moon Bay last year.

Capitol Dispatch: Same-Sex Prison Marriages, Secession and More

A weekly round-up of news from the state Capitol.

Where Do You Stand on Measure B, the Hotel Limitation Proposal on the Nov. 19 Ballot?

With dueling PACs staking out their respective positions for and against the proposal to limit the size of new hotels in the city to 25 rooms until the current hotel annual occupancy rate significantly increases, has either group won your vote yet?

Labor Day: A Tribute to the Nation's Strength, Freedom & Leadership – the American Worker

Here's a brief history of the US Department of Labor and how Labor Day came to be.

Capitol Dispatch: Buckets of Beer, Mountain Lions and More

A weekly round-up of news from the state Capitol.

Rep. Mike Thompson to Host Sept. 4 Town Hall

U.S. Representative for California's 5th congressional district will be taking questions on local, regional and national issues in his only scheduled town hall meeting during the congressional recess.

Capitol Dispatch: Jerry Brown’s Journey, Cities Fight Broken Parking Meter Law and More

A weekly round-up of news from the state Capitol.

Mayor Ken Brown Moves Weekly Office Hours

Got a beef with City Hall? Need to vent? Stop by the City Council office to meet with Brown on Tuesday afternoons.

Sonoma Parks Snag Web Prize

The county's newly designed website was named“Best in Class” in the 2013 Interactive Media Awards.

Sonoma Clean Power Rollout Delayed

Agency won't deliver electricity until May.

City Council to Honor Iconic Sonoma Bagel Shop

The council will issue a proclamation honoring Homegrown Baking Company's 35th Anniversary.

Sonoma County Democratic Party Statement On Supervisor Efren Carrillo’s Arrest

The Sonoma County Democratic Party released the following statement on the arrest of Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo.

Hotel Cap Measure to go Before Sonoma Voters

The city council on Monday night voted unanimously to put the controversial measure on the ballot.

Can Booze Save the U.S. Postal Service?

Legal alcohol delivery could make the U.S. Postal Service $50 million per year.

Hotel Measure Impact Report to go Before Sonoma Council

The report will evaluate the economic impact of instituting the controversial Hotel Limitation Measure.

Sonoma Files Suit Against State Agency

Sonoma joins growing number of cities seeking to thwart state from raiding its general fund.

Sonoma Residents Asked to Limit Water Use

Sonoma County Water Agency request also affects Santa Rosa.

Five Sonoma County Programs Get NACo Backing

Zane-backed resolutions are adopted by the National Association of Counties Federal Legislative Program.