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Sonoma County launches new community health dashboard
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today launched a new community health dashboard to increase public awareness of local health trends and improve the community’s ability to respond to changing health needs. Read full story
Former Social Advocates for Youth Employee Sentenced for Embezzlement
Defendant Lisa Fatu, a 42-year-old former employee of Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) in Santa Rosa, CA, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert LaForge for stealing more than $50,000 of SAY funds to pay her personal bills. Ms. Fatu was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to serve four months in county jail. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss and to make monthly payments. She made an initial payment at her hearing of $5,000. Ms. Fatu had been a long-term employee of SAY, which is a community organization that serves vulnerable youth and their families in Sonoma County. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves $1.4 million in loans to address homelessness and housing in Sonoma County
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to provide $1,415,130 in loans to expand the supply of affordable housing in the county by constructing 159 new housing units in Santa Rosa, Windsor and Guerneville. Read full story
Sonoma County leaders offer recovery support to Maui
County of Sonoma leaders are offering assistance and condolences to victims of the Maui wildfires as well as providing insights on wildfire recovery, given Sonoma County’s experiences in the aftermath of major wildfires in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Read full story
Man sentenced to maximum sentence of 24 years, 8 months in state prison for robbery, high speed pursuit causing serious injury, & driving under the influence of methamphetamine
Jose Angel Mendez Torres, 36 years old of Watsonville, was sentenced on Friday of last week by the Honorable Judge Mark Urioste to serve the maximum sentence allowed of 24 years, and 8 months in state prison after a jury returned guilty verdicts on June 9, 2023 for multiple charges, including robbery, commercial burglary, driving under the influence of a drug causing great bodily injury, fleeing a peace officer, and possession of tear gas by a convicted felon. Read full story
Extended nomination period opens for November 7, 2023 Election
Candidate nominations for select special district offices scheduled for election in November have been extended to Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. for any qualified person -- except the incumbent(s) -- because one or more of the incumbent(s) did not file. Read full story
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters seeking public feedback on second draft of Election Administration Plan
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office is seeking public input on its 2023 Election Administration Plan, which informs voters about all aspects of the California Voter’s Choice Act including Voting Center services, ballot drop box locations, and information specific to voters with disabilities and language minority voters. Read full story
Department of Child Support Services announces new programs to support local families
The Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services unveiled new resources this week to meet the diverse needs of local families, including programs to help parents simplify child support payments, reduce child support debts, and regain driver’s licenses that have been suspended for failure to pay child support. Read full story
Jeff DuVall named director of County of Sonoma’s Department of Emergency Management
Jeff DuVall, an emergency services manager with more than 15 years of leadership experience in emergency management, community engagement and homeland security, has been named director of the County of Sonoma’s Department of Emergency Management. Read full story
Caltrans and the county reassess Bohemian Highway Bridge Project over Russian River
Caltrans has informed the County of Sonoma that it will be unable to fund a full replacement of the dilapidated Bohemian Highway Bridge in Monte Rio, as it is currently planned. Read full story