The Napa Valley Register • February 12 2026

Parents race to save Calistoga preschool serving working families

Betsy Avila, Kathleen Costa Butts and Sadie Beltz graduated from Calistoga Junior-Senior High School and want the kids they love to do the same. Their little ones play at Pioneer Park, lick ice cream cones on Lincoln Avenue and attend Hearts and Hands Preschool on Myrtle Street, just like untold numbers of Calistoga children.

But without an infusion of $35,000 in the next few weeks, Hearts and Hands Preschool will close. It’s a significant setback for these women’s multi-generational dreams.

The Napa Valley Register • December 4 2025

Calistoga brushed off years of complaints — and taxpayers paid for it

This is an opinion piece by the Napa Valley Register Editor and Publisher discussing the impact of my work and the value of local investigative journalism.

...Our correspondent, Lauren Spates, spent countless hours researching, interviewing, tracking down sources, and trying to understand why exactly leaders of the Upvalley city ignored — literally — years of complaints from residents and city staffers about Snideman’s overbearing, ineffective and dismissive management ways....

The Napa Valley Register • December 4 2025

Part III: Power struggles, withheld records and eroded trust in Calistoga

In the final installment of this three-part series on former Calistoga City Manager Laura Snideman’s conduct, severance and the effects of her tenure, correspondent Lauren A. Spates looks at Snideman’s approach to power within city operations, and how her tenure affected the community's trust in the city council.

The Napa Valley Register • November 25 2025

Part II: Inside the turmoil at Calistoga City Hall

In the second of this three-part series on former Calistoga City Manager Laura Snideman’s conduct, severance and the effects of her tenure, correspondent Lauren A. Spates looks at the operational and financial impact of her nearly four-year term.

The Napa Valley Register • November 19 2025

Part I: Laura Snideman’s turbulent tenure in Calistoga

This is the beginning of a three-part series looking into the frictions that marked Laura Snideman's time as the Calistoga city manager, as well as the larger implications of her tenure. Today's installment focuses on the issues that led to her departure in August and whether the city may yet face litigation in its aftermath.

The Napa Valley Register • November 7 2025

Former Calistoga city manager tapped for South San Francisco job as severance dispute lingers

Updated at 2:55 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 — Former Calistoga City Manager Laura Snideman has been selected as South San Francisco’s next city manager, further clouding the status of her severance from Calistoga and ability to sue the city after she resigned in what was essentially a forced departure after years of complaints about her conduct and tallying 13 performance reviews in her almost four-year term. 

Snideman could not be reached for comment at any of the phone numbers or email addresses assoc...

The Napa Valley Register • October 31 2025

Calistoga ex-city manager withdraws waiver; severance in question

Former Calistoga city manager Laura Snideman withdrew a key document regarding a severance package worth at least $220,000 on Oct. 30, reopening what was thought to be a completed separation process, according to an email sent by the city attorney to city leadership and obtained by the Napa Valley Register. 

The document would have waived Snideman's ability to sue the city regarding what amounted to a forced departure in late August from the top administrative position in the Upvalley city. That...

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • October 1 2025

A unique library in Monte Rio offers borrowers to pursue their musical dreams

(4:04 radio feature) A new library in offers free borrowing of more than 1,000 musical instruments, and its owner has big dreams for bringing music to the community.

The Napa Valley Register • September 20 2025

'Talk about mental health like the weather,' Calistoga councilmember urges

Two-term Calistoga councilmember Lisa Gift, a suicide survivor, used the weather as an analogy for mental health as she delivered the keynote at a suicide prevention conference Wednesday in Yountville.

The Napa Valley Register • September 3 2025

Calistoga city manager resigns after waves of complaints, 'turmoil' at city hall

Five directors of city agencies shared grievances about the conduct of their boss, the Calistoga City Manager, who resigned immediately, the second time in fewer than five years she had left a top city position prior to the end of her contract.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • July 22 2025

Fish counting a key part of the job for Sonoma Water biologists

(5:36 radio feature) Every summer for the past 20 years, biologists with Sonoma Water don their waders and boots, not to catch fish but to count them. Understanding salmonid populations is key to monitoring the health of the Lower Russian River Watershed, according to biologists from Sonoma Water and the Russian Riverkeeper.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • July 22 2025

Trump administration cuts to NOAA affects global buoy network, accurate weather forecasting

(5:59 radio feature) Part two of a three-part series detailing how federal cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will affect commercial fishing and ocean-based recreational pursuits in Sonoma County.

The Napa Valley Register • June 29 2025

Down the drain no longer: UC Davis students can now sell Napa Valley wine to public thanks to state law change

For the first time since 1880, a limited quantity of wine made by Davis students is available for sale, akin to a traditional winery’s special releases. This new offering exists thanks to a change in California law and an accompanying course in which students can take their blended and bottled wine to market, instead of the sink.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • June 28 2025

Wonderland Radio Hour: Camp Meeker

(4:00 radio feature) Wonderland Radio Hour's award-winning Camp Meeker episode included my 4-minute voiced and produced feature about the history of summer camps along Bohemian Highway in west Sonoma County.

My segment begins at 15:34.

The Napa Valley Register • June 1 2025

Some La Onda fans enjoy the music, others cheer singer's call for Latino pride

Some artists embraced political messaging in their performances at La Onda, Northern California's largest Latin music festival, other performers kept the vibes light and unbothered.

The Napa Valley Register • May 31 2025

La Onda fans determined to enjoy Napa festival despite immigration controversy, band's withdrawal

Concerns about immigration enforcement seemed far away Saturday afternoon in Napa for thousands of sun-soaked attendees at the second edition of Festival La Onda, Northern California’s largest Latin music festival, despite the political overtones of a planned Sunday headliner, Grupo Firme, being denied entry to the U.S.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • April 14 2025

Lakes Mendocino and Sonoma face federal cuts to NOAA funding

(5:21 radio feature) This second installment of a three-party series examines how budget cuts to NOAA will impact local water storage and releases from dams at Lakes Sonoma and Mendocino.

My piece begins at 5:26 in the morning news broadcast.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • March 31 2025

How will federal cuts affect Russian River forecasts?

(4:36 radio feature) This first part of a three-part series examines how local river and weather forecasting relies on federal data from NOAA, the NWS and the California Nevada River Forecast Center, and how local government uses this data to protect life and property during floods and fires.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • March 6 2025

Monte Rio Fire Protection District Reorganization

(3:57 radio wrap) Explanation of local fire district reorganization under Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, with comment from new fire chief and the president of the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association.

My piece starts at 5:04 in the morning news broadcast.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • February 28 2025

Biodiversity, regenerative agroforestry the focus at Cazadero nonprofit Teravana

(4:38 radio feature) A dozen volunteers built terraced planting beds at Teravana, a nonprofit named with a mash-up of the Latin word for earth and the Buddhist principle of nirvana.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • February 26 2025

Canyon Rock Quarry Raises Concerns

(1:54 radio wrap) Even though it wasn’t on the agenda, eight Forestville residents concerned about environmental impact, public health and fire safety showed up in board chambers to talk about proposed hot asphalt operations at the quarry.

My piece starts at 5:13 in the morning news broadcast.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • February 18 2025

Hundreds rally on Presidents' Day against second Trump administration

(6:50 radio feature) No Kings protest coverage that includes a social media consultant's advice on using secure communications for planning protests or civil disruption.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • December 22 2024

Santa Rosa animal rescue nonprofit heals without borders

(4:52 radio feature) A Santa Rosa nonprofit rescues neglected, abandoned or surrendered dogs and cats from Mexico, then provides medical and behavioral care before adopting them out to new homes in the Bay Area.

Northern California Public Media/KRCB • December 10 2024

Sonoma County's largest provider of immigration legal services in 'emergency preparedness' mode

(5:49 radio feature) Catholic Charities plans "Know About Your Rights" presentations teach attendees that knowing how to exercise their rights may help them avoid arrest and limit the actions of federal immigration officials in their communities.