We are getting closer to going completely maskless. Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase amended a health order to allow indoor gatherings of up to 100 people, such as those in gyms, classes and offices, the option of lifting the mandate on wearing masks indoors if they verify that all members of the group are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. (photo courtesy Reuters)

The federal government has given a big boost to booster shots for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to the list of vaccines cleared for boosters. Some who got Pfizer shots are already eligible for a booster. And in the biggest development, the feds are allowing for ``mixing and matching'' the extra dose, regardless of which one people got first. (photo courtesy paho.org)

California has reported its driest year in a century, and experts fear the coming 12 months could be even worse. Rain and Snow totals are half of what experts deem average during a water year in California. Governor Newsom has called on Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15%, and state officials say they may impose mandatory water restrictions if dryness continues this winter. (photo courtesy Union of Concerned Scientists)

Mosquitos caught in Santa Rosa have been shown to be positive for West Nile Virus. The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed the findings, and say this is the second mosquito sample to test positive for WNV in Sonoma County this year. Along with reporting mosquito biting issues, the District is urging residents to reduce mosquito production sites in their yards by removing items holding stagnant water. (photo courtesy Georgia Coastal Health District)

Kaiser healthcare workers and allies will picket later this morning at Kaiser Santa Rosa Medical Center. Starting at 11 a.m., the group will protest short-staffing, threats to patient care, and in solidarity with engineers from Local 39 who are on strike at Kaiser. (photo courtesy Capitol & Main)

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors are asking for the public's input on ideas for use of the $96 million funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. There will be a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday night from 5:30 - 7:30, and all residents of the county are invited to attend. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlf-ytqDwiHtHztWaFHzXqqb3svrxpgljb (photo courtesy County of Sonoma)

Rohnert Park Public Safety sent out A NIXLE alert this morning for a mountain lion siting on the creek path area just east of Evergreen School. While officers and Fish and Game officials search to locate the cat, Evergreen and Lawrence Jones Middle School are locked down. The public is advised to stay away from the area until officers have declared it safe. (photo courtesy NBC Bay Area)

Today and tomorrow, prescribed burns will be taking place near the Russian River, in the area west of Magic Mountain Road and South of Kidd Creek. The burns of around 40 acres will take place between 7am and 9pm, and will be done by CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, The Wildlands Conservancy and Monte Rio Fire Protection District. (photo courtesy SF Chronicle)

Schools across the Bay Area and the state are preparing for the possibility of walk outs by students, teachers, and staff over forced vaccinations. The push back against vaccine mandates has gained steam on social media after Governor Newsom announced on October 1st, California's plan to mandate vaccines for all students eligible to be vaccinated. (photo courtesy WOKV)