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Santa Rosa Man Sent to Prison for Maximum Sentence for Murder, Driving Under Influence of Alcohol, and Hit and Run Causing Death After Fatal Fountaingrove Collision
Charles Allen Bernhardy, 39 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced earlier today by the Honorable Judge Laura Passaglia after a jury returned a guilty verdict on March 13, 2025, for the following charges: murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, hit and run causing death or serious injury, hit and run driving resulting in property damage, and driving under the influence of any drug causing injury within 10 years of another DUI. The jury found true multiple factors in aggravation as well as enhancements. On April 10, 2025, the defendant was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence under the law for these charges, 19 years-to-life in state prison. Read full story
Sonoma County launches Green Halo construction waste management plan and recycling tool
Permit Sonoma has launched a new construction and demolition recycling platform for tracking construction and demolition waste. This platform will help reduce waste and increase compliance with state environmental goals. Effective May 5, all building and demolition projects in unincorporated Sonoma County are required to use the Green Halo web-based platform to track recycling activities and meet recycling thresholds. Read full story
Permit Sonoma to provide informational update on Cannabis Program to Board of Supervisors on April 15
Permit Sonoma will provide an update on the Cannabis Program and Environmental Impact Report Project to the Board of Supervisors during its regular meeting on April 15. The item, which is scheduled to be addressed at or around 1:30 p.m., will be informational only. Read full story
Construction begins on major improvements at Larson Park
Construction begins April 14, 2025 on a $4 million renovation of Larson Park in Sonoma Valley, bringing major upgrades to sports facilities, play areas and amenities to better serve the community and reflect long-term planning and local priorities. Read full story
Construction begins on major improvements at Larson Park
Construction begins April 14, 2025 on a $4 million renovation of Larson Park in Sonoma Valley, bringing major upgrades to sports facilities, play areas and amenities to better serve the community and reflect long-term planning and local priorities. Read full story
Sonoma County seeks community member to join newly established independent audit committee
The Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector‘s Office is seeking a member of the public to join an independent audit committee, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors during its March 25 meeting. The committee will consist of Supervisors Chris Coursey and David Rabbitt, and one member from the community. Read full story
First set of Sonoma Valley community members complete Community Emergency Response Team training
The first Spanish-speaking group of Sonoma Valley community members completed Community Emergency Response Team training on March 29. This training, taught entirely in Spanish, represents the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management’s commitment to disaster preparedness. It is the second of three Spanish CERT classes offered by the department, the first being completed by community members from Santa Rosa. Read full story
Sonoma County partners with the National Weather Service Bay Area for a weather radio emergency alert test
The County of Sonoma and the National Weather Service Bay Area (NWS) are conducting an emergency alert test of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios on Tuesday, April 8, at 11:30 a.m. The exercise will last approximately one hour and will be a countywide test of the NOAA Weather Radio alert system. After the test, participants will be encouraged to provide feedback on whether the test message was received by their radio. Read full story
The Commission on Human Rights Supports the Migrant and Undocumented Communities in Sonoma County
The Commission on Human Rights reaffirms the principle that no human being is “illegal” or outside the protection of the law or exempt from receiving human rights. Read full story
Sonoma County opens Chipper program early to reduce wildfire risk
Sonoma County’s free Residential Curbside Chipper Program has launched early again this year in an effort to reduce residential wait times, expand service, and mitigate the risk of wildfires in unincorporated Sonoma County. Read full story