Re-Fresh Friday: October 16, 2026
A special Friday edition of Petaluma Voice
October 16, 2026
Penngrove will have no voting booths this election
Penngrovians will travel farther to vote in person in the Nov. 3 election, drawing concerns from at least one resident about voting accessibility. Meanwhile, voting officials say they’ve tried to find local accommodations to no avail. From December 2025 to mid-August, Chuck Lucas, 80, a resident of Penngrove
October 14, 2026
What's in a name? Petaluma, Petaluma everywhere
A Petaluma Voice reporter saw a colonia named Petaluma while she was traveling in El Salvador this summer, a curiosity that made her wonder why the name – which the evidence suggests is unique to our town – would appear in Central America, more than 2,600 miles away. We set out
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Mayoral candidate John Hanania
"You need to hold yourself accountable. And even if I do something wrong, I want to be held accountable. ... I've always wanted to hold the ... City of Petaluma and the elected officials accountable."
October 16, 2026
Mayoral candidate Kevin McDonnell
"And this is why you really have to be committed to doing the work for the people. All of the work, not just the one issue, maybe, that pushes your button."
October 16, 2026Mayoral candidate Shelina Moreda
Shelina Moreda is a candidate for mayor of Petaluma. Moreda declined to be interviewed or photographed for this story. She explained her refusal was based on being untrusting of Petaluma Voice due to investigative reporting detailing a November 2025 temporary restraining order requested by a prior boyfriend and issued against
October 16, 2026
Talk of P-Town: Threats to supervisor candidates
A three-dot column of local news, information, and gossip
October 14, 2026Sign up for Petaluma Voice, our free email newsletter
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Election 2026
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Mayoral candidate John Hanania
"You need to hold yourself accountable. And even if I do something wrong, I want to be held accountable. ... I've always wanted to hold the ... City of Petaluma and the elected officials accountable."
October 16, 2026
Mayoral candidate Kevin McDonnell
"And this is why you really have to be committed to doing the work for the people. All of the work, not just the one issue, maybe, that pushes your button."
October 16, 20265Qs
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5Qs with United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay CEO Christina Isetta
In recognition of Zero Waste Month, we speak with the nonprofit leader and longtime Petaluman who oversees the Petaluma Recycling Center
October 14, 2026
5Qs with Petaluma Pumpkin Patch farmer Jim Groverman
The fourth-generation Petaluman who grew up on Corona Road considers farming and ranching a way of life, and his homegrown pumpkin patch and handmade corn maze are proof
October 07, 2026Sports & Recreation
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Culture
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Scene & Herd: Petaluma Pride
The Petaluma Pride Festival took place at the fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 10, where people gathered to celebrate all sexualities and genders with music, dance, and food. Members of Russian River Hoop & Flow from Guerneville entertained with their smooth moves using hula hoops to dance to the music of
October 14, 2026
What's in a name? Petaluma, Petaluma everywhere
A Petaluma Voice reporter saw a colonia named Petaluma while she was traveling in El Salvador this summer, a curiosity that made her wonder why the name – which the evidence suggests is unique to our town – would appear in Central America, more than 2,600 miles away. We set out
October 14, 2026Food & Drink
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5Qs with Sonoma Spice Queen owner Wind McAlister
McAlister, 52, got her start mixing spices in her kitchen and now has two stores in the county: the flagship location in Petaluma and a second in Santa Rosa that opened early last month
September 30, 2026
5Qs with Caffeine Inc. owner Miguel Gutierrez
Gutierrez opened Caffeine Inc., located at the Petaluma Marina, in June 2024. The coffee shop sells breakfast, lunch, and a bevy of drinks, with outdoor seating offering views of docked boats, Highway 101, the SMART train line, and, occasionally, a Cessna flying overhead.
August 19, 2026Schools
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Alphabet Soup expanding into old Sacks spot
October 16, 2026
Scene & Herd: Cinnabar Jog-A-Thon
Cinnabar Elementary School students celebrated another successful Jog-A-Thon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, where every single one of the 123 students participated and helped to raise $5,000 for the school. We also have photos by Jim Johnson of the Día de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4,
October 07, 2026Art
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Four decades of custom costumes
"The more challenging, the better," says longtime seamstress Heidi Wright, who also throws unique parties, makes short films, and practices intuitive healing
October 07, 2026
Scene & Herd: Spanish mass and repurposed trash
A party was had at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church on Sunday after the noon Spanish-language mass let out. Why? Well, it was the 45th anniversary of the first Spanish mass delivered by Father Isidore Garcia on Sept. 20, 1981, said Abraham Solar, a longtime parishioner and faith leader
September 23, 2026Environment
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5Qs with United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay CEO Christina Isetta
In recognition of Zero Waste Month, we speak with the nonprofit leader and longtime Petaluman who oversees the Petaluma Recycling Center
October 14, 2026
Get Out: Petaluma's family-friendly First Friday bike rides reimagine Critical Mass
September 30, 2026Scene & Herd
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Scene & Herd: Petaluma Pride
The Petaluma Pride Festival took place at the fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 10, where people gathered to celebrate all sexualities and genders with music, dance, and food. Members of Russian River Hoop & Flow from Guerneville entertained with their smooth moves using hula hoops to dance to the music of
October 14, 2026
Scene & Herd: Cinnabar Jog-A-Thon
Cinnabar Elementary School students celebrated another successful Jog-A-Thon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, where every single one of the 123 students participated and helped to raise $5,000 for the school. We also have photos by Jim Johnson of the Día de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4,
October 07, 2026Agriculture
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5Qs with Petaluma Pumpkin Patch farmer Jim Groverman
The fourth-generation Petaluman who grew up on Corona Road considers farming and ranching a way of life, and his homegrown pumpkin patch and handmade corn maze are proof
October 07, 2026
Historic Dunham School finds magic in unique ag program
'Not just chickens and cows,' says Principal Katie Kidder
September 16, 2026