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  • Slaying victim's secret, double life
    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
  • Santa Rosa bumps fine for handicapped parking fraud to $1,000
    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 predicts $1.7 million upside for budget
    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 teen arrested for car burglary
    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
  • Two Santa Rosa men arrested; 3 shotguns seized
    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
  • Walter Benedetti
    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
  • Robbers don't have to repay Healdsburg victim for stolen pot
    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
  • PD Editorial: A half-step isn't enough on insider trading
    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
  • Wednesday's Letters to the Editor
    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
  • Letter of the Day: Whose objections?
    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
  • ROBINSON: Diving a religious war out of thin air
    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
  • Two youths arrested in gunpoint robbery of Petaluma teen
    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
  • SRJC enrollment drops
    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
  • Bankruptcies drop in Sonoma County
    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
  • Sugarloaf State Park reopens Friday for day use
    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
  • Solomon had a great gift, even in high school
    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
  • Warriors: Jackson recalls one-on-one battles with Hardaway
    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
  • Warriors: Jackson recalls one-on-one battles with Hardaway
    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
  • Fulton "soldier mom" reservist honored for achievements
    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
  • Healdsburg moves forward with gateway redesign
    Even without redevelopment agency funding city officials are looking into a major redesign of the town's entrance.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • Dig for remains resumes in Northern California
    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
  • No public memorial for Whitney Houston
    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
  • Amber Alert issued for Montana girl suspected to be traveling to California
    An Amber Alert has been issued for a 12-year-old girl missing from Montana believed to be on her way to California
    Published February 14, 2012
  • New photo gives hope in 1993 Fort Bragg disappearance
    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
  • Grocery, pet store shoppers, relax: temporary delivery issues resolved
    Deliveries are going forward at Plaza South shopping center, despite communications snafu.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • LETTERS: Readers respond to Sebastopol CVS debate
    Readers on both sides of the issue sound off on the proposed new CVS building in Sebastopol.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • The GOP candidates' do-over derby
    To “the dog ate my homework,” we can now add “my wife wrote the chapter.”
    Published February 14, 2012
  • COURSEY: A Valentine's card to the anti-pop star
    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
  • PHOTOS: Sweet 116 Tasting Event

    Published February 14, 2012
  • DUI/license checkpoint scheduled in Santa Rosa
    Santa Rosa police will look for drunken drivers and those driving without a license in a checkpoint Friday night.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover girl revealed
    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
  • Friedman's plans return to Petaluma
    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
  • Author, book events in and around Sonoma
    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
  • Winemaker Milla Handley creates Alsace in the Anderson Valley
    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
  • BERGER: Understanding Italian reds
    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
  • Driver dies after minor car crash in Santa Rosa
    A Santa Rosa woman, 64, died following a minor car crash in east Santa Rosa Tuesday, reported Santa Rosa police.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • Tree/brush pruning to shut 2 Hwy. 101 ramps
    Caltrans crews will be doing maintenance in Windsor and Healdsburg this week.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • Chowder Day champs crowned

    Published February 14, 2012
  • Drink beer, do good in Windsor

    Published February 14, 2012
  • 2 arrested in beating of North Coast man
    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
  • Memorial service set for retired Sonoma County judge
    A memorial service for retired Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Rex Sater will be this weekend in Santa Rosa.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • 3,000 valentines for seniors
    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
  • Warriors beat Suns 102-96 for 3rd straight win
    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
  • Pavelski leads Sharks past Capitals 5-3
    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
  • Former 49ers receiver Freddie Solomon dies at 59
    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
  • County may lease vets building
    A Petaluma-based business wants to lease three county veterans buildings, including Petaluma's.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • SMART buys a (draw)bridge
    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
  • Petaluma police: Erratic driver found with Vicodin, heroin
    A Suisun City man is in custody after officers found drugs in his car and hidden on his body.
    Published February 14, 2012
  • Retailers prepare for rosey Valentine's Day sales
    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
  • How to make a great gumbo
    Gumbo, the classic Louisiana dish, offers chance to experiment with every batch.
    Published February 13, 2012
  • SKELTON: Denying pensions to lawbreakers - or at least trying to
    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
  • COLLINS: The battle behnd 'the fight'
    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