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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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October 04, 2024 | Permit Sonoma

County hosting workshop on Conservation Sonoma to improve endangered species protection, streamline permitting

Permit Sonoma is hosting a public workshop to discuss an endangered species habitat conservation plan known as Conservation Sonoma, a multijurisdictional effort to improve endangered species protection and recovery and streamline permitting. Read full story


October 04, 2024 | Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

Ballots to be mailed out next week for November 5 General Election

Vote-by-Mail ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election will begin going out Monday, Oct. 7, to all active, registered voters in Sonoma County, according to Deva Marie Proto, Sonoma County Registrar of Voters. The ballots are expected to take between three and 10 days to arrive. Read full story


October 03, 2024 | Office of the District Attorney

Safeway, Albertsons, and Vons Pay Nearly $4 Million to Resolve Allegations of Price Overcharges and False Weight Advertising

Defendant Jose Figueroa Baltazar, 30-years-old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Troye K. Shaffer to serve 39 years-to-life in state prison after being convicted by a jury in April of premeditated attempted murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and assault with a firearm. On the day of trial, Baltazar pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Therefore, the jury did not consider those charges. The defendant’s sentence also included a sentencing enhancement for a prior “strike” conviction. Read full story


October 02, 2024 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Free holiday parking at Regional Parks for veterans and active-duty military

Veterans, military members, and their families can obtain a special pass to waive the $7 day-use parking fee at Sonoma County Regional Parks from Nov. 9-11, 2023, by presenting valid military identification at designated locations. Read full story


October 02, 2024 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County Health Officer extends health advisory concerning heat wave

County of Sonoma Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has extended a health advisory in response to the National Weather Service’s Excessive Heat Warning for much of the county through 11 p.m. Thursday. The Excessive Heat Warning was extended through 11 p.m. Thursday for Sonoma County Interior and Coastal Ranges. Interior temperatures will range from the mid-90s to low 100s, regions close to the coast will range from the upper 70s to mid 80s, and regions directly along the coast will range from the upper 60s to mid-70s. Read full story


September 30, 2024 | Department of Emergency Management

Sonoma County Health Officer issues health advisory concerning heat wave; County to open cooling centers

County of Sonoma Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has issued a health advisory in response to the National Weather Service’s Excessive Heat Warning for much of the county from 11 a.m. Monday through 11 p.m. Wednesday. Read full story


September 30, 2024 | Department of Child Support Services

Sonoma County best mid-sized county in state at helping parents reach successful child support agreements

The Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services has again been honored by the State of California for its work helping parents mutually agree on child support payments without undergoing an adversarial courtroom proceeding. Read full story


September 30, 2024 | Natural Resources

State grant renews invasive quagga mussel prevention program at Lake Mendocino

The Sonoma County Water Agency’s watercraft inspection program at Lake Mendocino will continue for another two years, thanks to $400,000 in state grant funding that went into effect on Sept. 16. The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways grant will fund the program to keep invasive quagga and zebra mussels from being introduced to Lake Mendocino until Sept. 15, 2026. Read full story


September 26, 2024 | Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

County voter guides for November General Election begin going out in the mail tomorrow

County Voter Information Guides for the Nov. 5 General Election will begin going out in the mail tomorrow, Deva Marie Proto, Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters, announced today. The County Guides will be mailed to all active, registered voters in Sonoma County, with the exception of voters who have opted out of receiving such mailings. Read full story


September 26, 2024 | Natural Resources

Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership wins two 2024 WaterSense® Sustained Excellence awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recognized the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership with two WaterSense Sustained Excellence awards – one as a Promotional Partner and one for the partnership’s Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program as a Professional Certifying Organization. WaterSense honored its Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year and Excellence Award winners during the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas. The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership was one of 19 Sustained Excellence Award winners. Read full story