Happy New Year! Before we pack up all of our memories of 2015 and put them away with the Christmas decorations, we can’t let the season pass without recognizing one more time-honored tradition.
Yes, that means it’s time for The Press Democrat Editorial Department News Junkies Quiz, back with all the buildup and nervous anticipation of the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.
So pull out those No. 2 pencils, and keep your eyes on your own newspaper - or tablet, phone, computer or Apple Watch. As always, there’s no time limit, but keep in mind there are only 362 days until the next quiz. Manage your time wisely.
So without further delay, here’s the 23rd annual news quiz:
1. In January, traffic was kept off the Golden Gate Bridge for almost three days - the longest shutdown in the bridge’s history. The cause of the closure was:
A. A chain-reaction car accident.
B. Repaving the bridge to fill potholes.
C. Installation of a zipper.
D. Installation of a toll booth for bikes and pedestrians.
2. In terms of square miles, the Valley fire in Lake County consumed an area roughly equal in size to:
A. Santa Rosa
B. San Francisco
C. Seattle
D. San Francisco and Seattle combined.
3. The heads of three of Sonoma County’s largest education systems announced their departures in 2015. Name them.
4. According to figures published in The Press Democrat in 2015, over the past four years average rents in Sonoma County have increased:
A. 24 percent
B. 36 percent
C. 42 percent
D. 51 percent
E. Officials have lost track
5. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors spent $450,000 on a special election in June, hoping to persuade voters to levy a sales tax to support road repairs. Since local roads rank among the worst in the region, what could possibly go wrong? Within 5 points, tell us what percentage of voters supported the measure.
6. True or false, Lake County joined a group of counties seeking to secede from California and Oregon and from a new state called Jefferson.
7. As a new year begins, Californians are hoping to see the end of an historic, four-year drought. So here’s the question: Within 5 inches plus or minus, what was the wettest year on record in Santa Rosa?
8. A Fortune 500 company chose Petaluma for a TV commercial celebrating its small-town values. Name the company.
A) Progressive
B) McDonald’s
C) Monsanto
D) Whole Foods Markets
9. True or false, Braxton Bragg, a U.S. Army officer who became a Confederate general during the Civil War, founded the city of Fort Bragg and lived out his days on the Mendocino Coast.
10. In January, Santa Rosa native Kevin Jorgeson and Tommy Caldwell of Colorado Springs, Colo. completed the first free climb of El Capitan’s Dawn Wall. How long did it take them?
A. 23 hours
B. Six days
C. 19 days
D. 27 days
11. A Canada-based developer of the University District subdivision in Rohnert Park objected when city officials proposed naming two of the streets after what two people?
A. U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer
B. Gov. Jerry Brown and former Speaker Willie Brown
C. Kevin Jorgeson and Tommy Caldwell
D. Giants announcers Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper
12. In March, experts warned that the risk of this disaster occurring in Sonoma County is higher than was previously believed. What kind of disaster did they have in mind?
A. An earthquake.
B. The legalization of marijuana.
C. The destruction of community separators.
D. A pothole so large it swallowed a small car.
13. About 200 people camped out overnight in February in Sonoma County for what purpose?
A. To witness a lunar eclipse.
B. To apply for housing at a new apartment complex in Santa Rosa
C. To protest Bill Cosby’s scheduled appearance at the Wells Fargo Center.
D. To blockade the entrance to the Bohemian Grove.
14. According to a story in The Press Democrat story in early December, pay for members of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has increased how much over the past 10 years?
A. 7 percent
B. 13 percent
C. 45 percent
D. Their pay has actually decreased 4.8 percent due to the downturn in the economy.
15. On New Year’s Eve, the Golden State Warriors won their 30th game of the season. In the 20 years prior to the Warriors NBA championship year in 2015, how many times did the Warriors win 30 games or fewer in a season?
A. Four
B. 10
C. 13
D. 17
16. Name the Windsor Town Council member who competed for the title “Mr. California,” on a TV show hosted by Steve Harvey.
17. In 2015, some folks who live on this rural road threatened to withhold property tax payments unless Sonoma County officials agreed to repair their road. Name the road. Extra point if you can tell us where it is.
18. True or false, the Santa Rosa City Council voted to increase the amount of money the city will spend to re-unite Old Courthouse Square. The additional money will pay for bollards, benches and statues of prominent city officials.
19. What area became the newest wine appellation in Sonoma County in 2015?
20. In 2015, Sonoma County welcomed its first organic, fast-food restaurant. Name the restaurant.
BONUS QUESTION: Name the two teams that actually played in the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl. And if you can tell us the score, you’ll not only earn an extra point, we’ll leave the light on for you.
Happy New Year!
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