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🌱 Patch AM: Why a high-profile Petaluma council recall effort just fizzled out

Happening soon: Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in Santa Rosa, CA! on the Petaluma Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Petaluma? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why a high-profile Petaluma council recall effort just fizzled out
  • How strong is Petaluma’s VVAL rival Vintage under its new head coach?
  • How a Petaluma rabbi is confronting rising antisemitism after Sydney

Also on today's calendar: Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in Santa Rosa, CA! and 4 more events.

Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Occasional rain and drizzle, with a high of 60 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Sunday: Rain, temps: high: 61, low: 55.
  • Monday: Rain, with a high of 61 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Signature-gathering effort to recall Petaluma council member falls short (pressdemocrat.com) — A bid to recall Petaluma City Council member Janice Cader Thompson has been withdrawn after supporters failed to gather enough District 1 signatures, ending the threat of a special election. Residents and the full council largely opposed the recall, criticizing it as divisive and unfounded. With the effort over, Cader Thompson says she’s refocusing fully on serving District 1 and the wider Petaluma community.
   

2. Vintage boys basketball battles under new head coach Uffmann (fresnobee.com) — Petaluma High boys basketball gets a shoutout as league rival Vintage edges them 60-57 in a Novato tournament and sits just ahead of Petaluma in current MaxPreps rankings. The story profiles Vintage’s new coach, key players, and early-season results, offering Petaluma fans a snapshot of how one of their main VVAL opponents is shaping up.
   

3. Sonoma County rabbis offer solace and speak out against antisemitism in wake of Sydney shooting (pressdemocrat.com) — Petaluma’s B’nai Israel Jewish Center rabbi, along with other Sonoma County clergy, is responding to the deadly antisemitic attack in Sydney by urging resilience, vigilance, and community solidarity. Local rabbis describe heightened security concerns, rising antisemitism since 2023, and how Hanukkah’s message of light is guiding their response and support for Jewish communities worldwide.
   

4. Three teens arrested after San Rafael's first homicide of 2025 (sfchronicle.com) — Three teenagers from Petaluma have been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, with Petaluma police helping locate and detain the suspects. The youths, whose names were withheld because they are minors, were booked on homicide charges as investigators continue probing the motive and possible gang ties.
   

5. Highway 101 carpool hours to change following commuter uproar (sfchronicle.com) — If you commute on Highway 101 near Petaluma, expect carpool lane rules to change early next year. After heavy complaints from North Bay drivers about long HOV hours on the rebuilt corridor between Petaluma and Novato, Caltrans and regional agencies will recommend a shorter, uniform schedule in January, with new signs and revised hours rolling out in February.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Carpool hours - Just in from CALTRANS, Caltrans and its transportation partners, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) and Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA) have
    agreed to reduce High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) hours in early 2026 for both counties. Permanent HOV hours will be decided by the end of January 2026… (Nextdoor Oak Hill)
  • I have been caring for these two feral cats for a year and a half.
    They were born in my yard. They live on my porch, have a heating pad for cold nights and food twice a day. They have vanished and I have not seen… (Nextdoor Walnut Park/Aqus/Wickersham Park)
  • Cintas Corporation posted a job opening for Warehouse Associate - Loader/Unloader - 2nd Shift in Petaluma. Apply here.
  • Steris Corporation posted a job opening for Material Handler II (Petaluma, CA, US, 94954) in Petaluma. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Petaluma here.

Ok Petaluma! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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