Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will Petaluma’s downtown get a four-story boutique hotel instead?

Make time for Pamela Rose with Hammond Organ Party - GROOVEFEST! on the Petaluma Patch calendar

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Good morning Petaluma! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Petaluma’s downtown get a four-story boutique hotel instead?
  • Want to hear Petaluma’s own Star Wars super-collector talk toys?
  • Why Petaluma teens were arrested in a San Rafael homicide case

Also on today's calendar: Pamela Rose with Hammond Organ Party - GROOVEFEST!.

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

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 62 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Monday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 57, low: 49.
  • Tuesday: Cloudy, showers; breezy, with a high of 56 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Developer: 6-story Petaluma hotel plan ‘unviable' in light of ballot referendum (pressdemocrat.com) — A major downtown Petaluma hotel proposal has been scaled from six stories to four after a successful local referendum drive made the taller project financially untenable, and the city is now reviewing the revised plan. The developer is disputing hundreds of thousands of dollars in city analysis fees, even as preservationists, business owners, and a new advocacy group debate whether to back the smaller hotel or keep pushing for the original vision.
   

2. See Steve Sansweet and Pete Vilmur talk toys at Petaluma Historical Library and Museum - Fantha Tracks (fanthatracks.com) — Petaluma fans of toys and Star Wars can catch a special “Toy Stories” panel at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum on January 25, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. Rancho Obi-Wan founder Steve Sansweet, Lucasfilm historian Pete Vilmur, and a local antique toy collector will share stories about collecting, preserving, and celebrating toys across eras.
   

3. Three teens arrested in San Rafael street homicide (marinij.com) — Petaluma residents were among three teens arrested after a fatal stabbing in San Rafael, with Petaluma police and Sonoma County probation officers helping track down the suspects. The juveniles, whose names were not released, were booked on homicide charges as investigators continue probing a possible gang-related motive.
   

4. Police: Driver evading Santa Rosa DUI checkpoint arrested after 90 mph chase (pressdemocrat.com) — A high-speed police chase that began at a Santa Rosa DUI checkpoint ended in Petaluma when the driver crashed into the center divider near the Petaluma Boulevard North exit on Highway 101. Officers say they recovered methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, and arrested the driver on suspicion of drug DUI, narcotics offenses, and evading police.
   

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 widespread complaints that current hours are too long and leave lanes underused. Caltrans and regional agencies are reanalyzing traffic from Windsor to the Richardson Bay Bridge and will roll out a new, shorter schedule with updated signs in February.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I’m starting to see more bright lights displayed in windows and beautiful Christmas trees along the street in windows.
    I love it. Thank you neighbors, thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing such a beautiful PETALUMA. I personally need to see this for my well… (Nextdoor Sunnyslope McNear)
  • Exchange Bank, formerly located on Washington Street, Eagle Shopping Center, finally moved to a new location, which was once the Bank of America.
    For months, I had asked if any of the bank staff knew what was going to happen to the 3 large, beautiful photographs of the turning basin in the 90's… (Nextdoor Tri-School Area)
  • Old Adobe Union School District posted a job opening for Crossing Guard (Sonoma Mountain Elementary School - Petaluma) in Petaluma. Apply here.
  • Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member 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 feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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