Carole Marie Brooks described herself as a healer. The Santa Rosa masseuse who was gunned down 10 days ago at her massage office near downtown Santa Rosa surrounded herself with spiritual charms, costumes and dance. Published February 14, 2012
After rejecting a proposed $750 fine, Santa Rosa on Tuesday enacted one of California's stiffest fines for using phony disabled parking placards - $1,000. Published February 14, 2012
Santa Rosa’s finances are “slightly improved” due to higher than expected sales tax revenues and concessions from employees, according to the city’s chief financial officer. Published February 14, 2012
Petaluma police arrested a 16-year-old Rohnert Park boy Tuesday night on suspicion of burglarizing a car. Around 6:10 p.m., an officer responding to a call of a car window being broken out in the CVS Pharmacy parking lot on East Washington Street spotted a youth resembling the reported description. Published February 14, 2012
Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies arrested two men and seized three shotguns after responding to a call Monday night of a man with a rifle in a parking lot on Sebastopol Road. Published February 14, 2012
From a hatching-egg business to the Willie Bird turkey operation, Walter Benedetti was a central figure in agriculture and ranching. He died Friday at his home near Petaluma at age 93. Published February 14, 2012
A Healdsburg man whose marijuana was stolen in a home-invasion robbery will be allowed to seek restitution to treat post-traumatic stress disorder but not to cover his lost pot. Published February 14, 2012
Insider trading already is illegal, potentially a felony offense — unless you’re trading on information obtained while serving as a U.S. senator, a member of the House of Representatives or a congressional staff member. Published February 14, 2012
EDITOR: Sunday’s Close to Home column (“Take a look inside our schools”) shared the shortfalls that teachers and students are experiencing due to a lack of money and encourages readers to strengthen school funding by supporting the state tax initiative to “restore California schools.” Unfortunately, California schools... Published February 14, 2012
EDITOR: In Saturday’s paper, you quoted Bishop Robert Vasa as saying to North Coast Catholics that they “should not be forced to pay for ‘objectionable services’ in your health care plan” (“In county, mixed reaction to Obama contraception shift). The bishop’s statement is misleading. No one is forcing... Published February 14, 2012
At ease, Christian soldiers. There is no “war on religion,” no assault on the Catholic Church. A faith that has endured for thousands of years will survive even Nicki Minaj. Published February 14, 2012
Petaluma police said Tuesday they have arrested two youths in connection with the robbery of a 16-year-old at gunpoint outside his Marylyn Circle home last Thursday. Javier Zamudio-Saenz, 19, of Cotati and a 16-year-old Rohnert Park boy, whom police didn’t identify because of his age, were taken into custody Friday, Lt. Tim Lyons said. Published February 14, 2012
Enrollment at Santa Rosa Junior College dropped again this semester, declining more than 11 percent from the prior spring. Nearly 26,480 students were attending classes at SRJC as of Tuesday, down from 29,880 at the same time last year and from 31,070 in the spring of 2010. Published February 14, 2012
Sonoma County bankruptcy filings in 2011 fell for the first time in five years, but a near-record number of residents and companies in Sonoma County are still struggling with debt. Published February 14, 2012
State officials intend to re-open Sugarloaf Ridge State Park on a limited basis Friday, a surprise given concerns that the park could remain closed indefinitely because of budget cuts. Published February 14, 2012
Go ahead, my sports editor in Charlotte told me back in 1970. Go to the Shrine Game. There's this kid I heard about. He supposedly runs like his tail is on fire and is elusive as a butterfly. Cover the game. See what the fuss is about. I yawned. You hear a lot of Wow in sports that turns into Oh Well. Published February 14, 2012
On Tim Hardaway bobblehead night at Oracle Arena Monday night, Warriors coach Mark Jackson recalled fond — and harrowing — memories of dueling the former point guard. Published February 14, 2012
On Tim Hardaway bobblehead night at Oracle Arena Monday night, Warriors coach Mark Jackson recalled fond — and harrowing — memories of dueling the former point guard. Published February 14, 2012
Terry Hart, a 29-year veteran of the US Army Reserves was recognized at a Washington, D.C. ceremony as the military's warrant officer of the year. Published February 14, 2012
More human remains are expected to be found Tuesday in the Central Valley as the search resumes for victims of the 'Speed Freak Killers.' Published February 14, 2012
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. Published February 14, 2012
A new photo of what a Fort Bragg woman, missing for 18 years, may look like today has given her parents and police hope they may finally find out what happened to her. Published February 14, 2012
Adele has taken the music world by storm, collecting 6 Grammys at the weekend event. And, Chris Coursey says, she's captured his heart. Published February 14, 2012
She's a Florida girl who's comfortable in a bikini, and now 19-year-old model Kate Upton is on the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Published February 14, 2012
Homegrown Friedman's Home Improvement has found a suitable spot for its return to Petaluma. Executives hope the store can open next year. Published February 14, 2012
For more events or to list author events in our calendar, visit the Press Democrat’s events listings at pressdemocrat.com. SUNDAY (FEB 19) Published February 14, 2012
Milla Handley was among the first wave of modern winemakers to fall in love with Mendocino County and to sense the Anderson Valley’s potential for epic, elegant wines, especially aromatic whites. Published February 14, 2012
As much as I love Italian red wines, and I really do, the entire subject is hard to write about, and not least because writers get little help from the producers. Published February 14, 2012
A North Coast man, beaten by two others as he tried to break up a fight Monday night, was airlifted to a Santa Rosa hospital. Published February 14, 2012
The Petaluma People Services Center was flooded with community donations of hand-made cards after calling for valentines to share with local seniors. Published February 14, 2012
David Lee had 28 points and 12 rebounds, Monta Ellis scored 18 points and the Golden State Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns in a 102-96 victory on Monday night. Published February 14, 2012
The San Jose Sharks beat the Washington Capitals 5-3 Monday night, as Joe Pavelski delivered two assists, Joe Thornton collected three assists, and Brent Burns scored on Braden Holtby. Published February 14, 2012
Freddie Solomon, the former Miami Dolphins and 49ers wide receiver who became known as 'Fabulous Freddie' and committed himself to community service for decades, died Monday. He was 59. Published February 14, 2012
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit officials intend to buy a used draw bridge in Galveston, Texas, to replace the 99-year-old swing bridge over the Petaluma River. Published February 14, 2012
With those celebrating Valentine's Day today predicted to spend the most in decades, local retailers are preparing for a last-minute rush. Published February 14, 2012
Here's another outrage about the child abuse scandal at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles: If the teacher accused of spoon-feeding his semen to blindfolded students is convicted and sent to prison, he'll still receive a public pension. Published February 13, 2012
It’s not really about birth control. As you probably heard, President Barack Obama changed the new rules on health care coverage to accommodate howls of outrage from the Catholic bishops, who didn’t want Catholic institutions paying for anything that provided women with free contraceptives. Published February 13, 2012