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Oliver’s Market, Cotati going in circles over roundabout

truck roundabout

One of Cotati’s biggest employers may have inadvertently undercut its objections to a city proposal to install two roundabouts on its main street. Oliver’s Market, which has said it won’t relocate downtown if the traffic plan goes forward and may leave the city, has been showing a video to demonstrate how the roundabout would be an impediment to big trucks. Only one problem: the video does not tell the full story.

Occupiers settle in at Santa Rosa City Hall

Occupy Santa Rosa demonstrators put up a tent outside City Hall on Saturday. KENT PORTER/PD

Occupy Santa Rosa demonstrators are preparing to spend their third night tonight at a tent camp outside City Hall following a two-week round-the-clock vigil. They say the camp keeps protesters and the public focused on issues of corporate greed. “If we go home, we’re afraid we’ll go back to sleep,” said Karyll Averill, who has been at City Hall each day since Oct. 15. Take a video tour of the tent camp.

‘Occupy Santa Rosa’ protesters vow to stay at City Hall

Danuta Dabrowska, left, and Morgan Vicedomini joined a group of about 50 "Occupy Santa Rosa" protesters outside Santa Rosa City Hall on Sunday. BETH SCHLANKER/PD

UPDATE 9:45 PM: The “Occupy Santa Rosa” protest moved into its second day Sunday as demonstrators spent the night outside City Hall and vowed to stay there indefinitely. So far, no one was arrested. Police Chief Tom Schwedhelm said protesters may remain in the area overnight as long as they comply with city ordinances that forbid them from “sleeping, cooking or setting up household items.”

Occupy Santa Rosa draws big turnout

Twenty-year-old Tess McDermott of Sebastopol, front and longtime friend Tara Hintz of Cotati. 20, occupy the corner of Second Street and Santa Rosa Avenue during a day of worldwide protests. About 2,500 people turned out for Occupy Santa Rosa, Saturday Oct. 15, 2011.(Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2011

More than 2,500 people marched through downtown Santa Rosa Saturday, protesting the concentration of wealth in America. The Occupy Santa Rosa event, modeled on Wall Street protests that began last month, was twice as large as organizers expected, suggesting it is gaining mainstream momentum.

VIDEO: District 2 congressional debate

podiums

Six Democrats and one Republican seeking to represent the North Coast in Congress squared off Wednesday night in a forum sponsored by California North Coast Media. Watch the video replay of the debate. Who do you think won?

GUEST OPINION: After 10 years, it’s well past time to bring troops home

Rep. Lynn Woolsey

A decade ago, the U.S. launched its first airstrikes against Afghanistan. Today, Rep. Lynn Woolsey says, the nation is still mired in a military occupation that has taken the lives of 1,800 Americans while draining $10 billion a month from our treasury. The war, she says, has made America less safe by breeding resentment toward the United States. What do you think? Is it time to bring American troops home?

Huffman launches bid for Congress

Jared Huffman

Calling 2012 “a year of change,” Assemblyman Jared Huffman today officially started his run for Congress with an online speech and roll call of current and former local elected officials supporting his candidacy. Watch the video of his announcement — and see who is supporting the San Rafael Democrat.

Huffman bill would reclassify companies that pursue social, environmental goals

Shaka Grayson is lost in the array of support structures on a solar energy array being installed at El Molino High School in Forestville. (Jeff Kan Lee / PD)

Under current law, California companies exist to conduct business in a manner that maximizes shareholder value. Companies that make decisions to prioritize environmental or social values over profit are at risk of lawsuits from shareholders. Assemblyman Jared Huffman wants to change that. He has authored a bill that would create a new class of companies.

Penn stumps for Solomon

Sean Penn

Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn made a cameo appearance at a political campaign event on Tuesday in Petaluma, calling North Coast congressional candidate Norman Solomon a “principled man.” People paid $10 at the door for the 70-minute event. Watch the video here.

Renee joins race for Woolsey’s seat in Congress

Tiffany Renee

Tiffany Renee made it official Tuesday. She’s making a bid for Congress, joining three Marin-based Democrats vying to replace retiring Rep. Lynn Woolsey. Renee says her “experience as a problem solver and collaborator” sets her apart from the other candidates. 9/8/11 UPDATE: Watch a video of Renee speaking to Mendocino County Democrats on Labor Day.