Part one of our annual news roundup covers January through June. Part two, covering July through December, will appear next week.
January
The Town of Windsor installed the new “Welcome to Windsor” sign along Highway 101. Improving the once dilapidated sign had been a long-desired priority for the Town.
Ned Thomas was named Interim Community Development Director and would later secure the position fulltime.
Windsor firefighters hosted the annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive on Jan. 11. During the event, local fire departments engaged in friendly competition to see which area could solicit the most donations.
Bell Village development, which will be home to Oliver’s Market, received approval for a revised and expedited project at the Jan. 15 council meeting.
February
Officials began replanting trees along sections of Highway 101 following the removal of many large redwoods last year that were cut down as part of the ongoing efforts to expand the freeway throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Dominic Foppoli was the first person to officially launch his bid for Windsor Town Council.
Windsor High School students in the Aretè Media Academy broadcasted interview clips shot by four students that aired on the PBS national news hour. The complete production, addressing concern for the issue of concussions in youth football, can be seen in the “student labs” section of the PBS News Hour website.
Windsor businesses showed their love for Windsor as part of the annual Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Feb. 11. This year’s theme was “I Love Windsor.”
Despite a four-day storm that dropped some eight inches of rain in areas of the north county, water officials urged residents to continue to conserve water during the drought.
For his dedication to department and community, Windsor resident Blake Ratto was named the firefighter of the year at the annual Healdsburg Fire Department awards dinner.
Trees were cleared from the Bell Village site to prepare for construction.
Steven Rakoski, a fourth grader from Brooks Elementary, placed second out of 32 participating students in the Brooks school spelling bee and went on to win first place in the North Sonoma County regional competition.
Sonoma County Supervisors unanimously voted to declare a state of emergency regarding the current drought that is threatening “widespread potential harm” to the county’s Russian River-dependent economy.
March
Representatives from the Rotary Club of Windsor, the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis International gathered at Cali Calmécac Language Academy on Feb. 28 to present approximately 120 hardbound dictionaries to the school’s third grade students.
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services conducted a new survey to assess tobacco, alcohol and sugary drink products’ availability and appeal to school-age kids as a part of the Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community initiative.
The Windsor Fire Protection District secured a $150,000 grant that will be used to purchase and upgrade rescue equipment at several county departments.
Windsor’s annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser raised $16,100 this year and 20 people shaved their heads.
WYNE, or the Windsor Young Networking Entrepreneurs, started a new division of the Chamber of Commerce focused on individuals between ages 21 and “40ish.” Organizers hope to build a following that will benefit businesses town wide.
The Windsor Historical Society hosted its fifth Annual Polenta Dinner Fundraiser selling out every seat in advance.
April
The Windsor Certified Farmers Market returned to the Town Green on Sunday, April 6 for a full season of markets, completing on Dec. 14.
Windsor High School sophomore Alison Batchelder was chosen to travel to Switzerland next year to spend her junior year in a Swiss high school as a part of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program.
The Raven Theater Windsor held its opening night on Friday, April 4. Seats sold out for their first play, an off-Broadway musical comedy called ‘Nunsense,’ on both Friday and Saturday, and left only a scarce eight open seats for Sunday’s matinee.
Windsor’s longtime Director of Public Works, Richard Burtt, retired from the department after a decade of service to the town.
George Greeott, owner of Alpine Winery, passed away only days before his 104th birthday.
Windsor’s Pueblo Viejo Park, located on the corner of 3rd Street and Franklin Street, will receive significant upgrades in the coming budget year thanks to the Parks & Recreation Department’s ongoing capital improvement project.
May
The Windsor Unified School District announced Steve Jorgensen as their new superintendent of schools at the board meeting on May 6.
The Boys & Girls Club of Central Sonoma County was voted this year’s favorite Windsor Day Parade float by our readers. The float was a collaboration of the Brooks Road Club, Cali Calmécac Club and the Windsor Redwoods Club to support the Hometown Heroes parade theme and show spirit for their club.
A second bank robbery in the Windsor area in three weeks occured at the Wells Fargo Bank branch at Raley’s supermarket. The suspect approached the counter at approximately 10:15 a.m. dressed in black leather motorcycle gear and wearing a helmet, claiming to have a concealed weapon and demanding cash.
June
Founded in 1964, the Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Disposal Facility celebrated its 50th year serving the Town of Windsor. The original facility on Windsor Road was built to serve Windsor’s small, 772-person population and consisted of two detention ponds, an aeration tank and an aerobic digester. As Windsor’s size grew, the facility also expanded, and now serves a population of over 27,000.
Windsor’s Deb Fudge jumped to an early lead during the primary election in the highly contested race for Fourth District Supervisor, propelling her to a November run-off with second place candidate James Gore. Only 287 votes separated them.
The Town of Windsor approved the allocation of $92,262 to local nonprofit organizations as part of its annual charitable giving program. Sixteen groups received money from the Town in amounts ranging from several hundred dollars, up to $20,000.
A man from Rohnert Park was shot in the face while waiting with his broken down vehicle at the intersection of Arata Lane and Brooks Road South. He endured several surgeries and survived the attack.
On Saturday, May 31, Windsor High School held its 16th annual graduation ceremony. Seniors heard a speech from their valedictorian Isabella Scribner Gines and the class of 2014 was accepted by Superintendent of Sonoma County Schools Steve Herrington.
The Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office released its annual report detailing agricultural production throughout Sonoma County, showing a $35,597,100 (four percent) increase in total product value from 2012 to 2013.
