Live Radio
While California as a whole takes on the issue of labeling genetically modified food ingredients, the city of Richmond has launched a very different nutritional battle—an effort to tax the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Jeff RittermanIf Richmond's voters approve Measure N in November, City Councilman Jeff Ritterman says the resulting income could be used to fund a variety of programs to encourage exercise and fitness for the city's youth.
Nat BatesA second, advisory-only, question being put to Richmond's voters asks them to affirm such uses for the funds: "Should the proceeds of any business license fee [for] sugar-sweetened beverages be used: to have more after school sports programs, to make them less expensive and to provide adequate sports fields; to allow schools to provide healthier school meals, nutrition classes and cooking classes; to provide medical care for children with diabetes who can't afford care; and to support other worth projects to prevent and treat diabetes and childhood obesity?"
But Richmond councilmember Nat Bates, who opposes the proposed soda tax, says there is nothing in the measure to ensure those priorities are carried out, especially as the membership of the council changes in the future.
Diverting household graywater to your yard or garden isn't just legal now, it's also beneficial at both ends of the residential water system.
The graywater workshop this weekend begins on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9-3 at the city's new utility building, 35 Stony Point Road. The second session, the following day, moves to your home, with support from city staff. Susie Murray, a Water Resources Specialist for Santa Rosa, explains the program.
An example of an installed T-valve, allowing the use to direct the water from the washing machine either toward the sewer outflow or to the outside landscapingThere will be another two-day weekend workshop, at the same location, September 29-30. A third weekend, Oct. 13-14 will present the same information in Spanish.
The sessions are free, for Santa Rosa residents and those living outside the city, but advance regiustration is requested by email to
While there are certain specific regulations that must be followed for a legal graywater system, Murray notes that installing one does not require a permit.
A nasty, stinging ant is invading the U.S. and scientists want your help spotting it. Researchers with the citizen science project School of Ants are worried that the invasive Asian needle ant (Pachycondyla chinensis) may be spreading throughout the country and possiby into northern California. To know for sure, they’re looking for your help.
Not only do the ants carry a hurtful sting, they also change forest ecology, not for the better.
Despite their general unpopularity, the Asian needle ant is a fascinating creature. Click here learn more about them.
Images: 1) Courtesy of Rob Dunn; 2) Courtesy of Benoit Guenard.
As the Sonoma County jail adapts to the influx of inmates from the state prison realignment program, a few unanticipated adjustments have been required.
Despite the fine-tuning that's been necessary to implement the realignment in its early months, Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas says that overall, the program has generally matched up well with his expectations.
Sheriff Steve FreitasPart of that monitoring is being done electronically, but Sheriff Freitas is quick to note that those cases are carefully chosen to minimize risks and identify individuals who can benefit from such treatment.
The North Bay Report also spoke with Sheriff Freitas a year ago, when he was anticipating that realignment would be enacted. You can find that earlier rerport here.
A fiscal future that rests on the choices of California voters cast its long shadow over the annual convocation to begin the new year at Sonoma State University Monday, where a new, no-raise contract agreement for faculty members had to stand in for good news.
For the first time, this year's convocation was held in the nearly completed Green Music Center on the Sonoma State campusDespite the ominous budget figures he shared at Monday's SSU Convocation, campus President Reuben Armanana said he remained optimistic about the future.
Provost Andrew Rogerson addresses the convocation
Andrew Rogerson, who has been Sonoma State's Campus Provost and Vice President for University Affairs for barely a year now, offered cautionary comments to those who might hope the college can simply restore what has been lost during the past decade of financial attrition.
Rogerson also cited clear evidence showing that Sonoma State, despite good intentions, has hardly acted decisively to implement even those changes that the campus community has agreed were needed.
