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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases
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Board of Supervisors approves plan to separate Registrar of Voters from other elected duties
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved the first step of a proposal to create a new department to oversee local elections, bringing Sonoma County inline with most other counties in the state. Under the plan, the Board would appoint a Registrar of Voters to run the department. Read full story
New homeless housing program to prioritize individuals with severe mental health needs
The Board of Supervisors today approved final steps necessary for the implementation of the Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, which will significantly enhance the County’s ability to support individuals experiencing homelessness in their recovery journey while transitioning to permanent housing. The new program will be housed at the renovated Arrowood Drive facility in Santa Rosa and will open Feb. 3. Read full story
Applications for the 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury are now open!
The Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) is an independent institution with the principal function of overseeing all aspects of county, special districts and city governments in the County to ensure that the best interests of its residents are being served. The 19 Grand Jury members are selected annually from applications submitted by County residents to serve a one-year term. Read full story
Santa Rosa man sentenced to 12 years 4 months state prison for Comstock Park homicide-robbery
Defendant Manuel Anthony Rivera, 24 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Troy Shaffer to a prison term of 12 years and 4 months in state prison following his convictions for voluntary manslaughter and two counts of attempted robbery. Read full story
Public invited to share input on Sonoma County General Plan at Community Visioning Workshops
Sonoma County residents are invited to share their ideas and priorities for the future at a series of in-person and virtual community workshops for the Sonoma County General Plan Update. The General Plan serves as a critical guide for future growth, fostering healthy, resilient communities, protecting natural resources, and promoting social and economic equity. Read full story
Board of Supervisors boosts Sonoma County’s Living Wage to $23.15 per hour starting July 1
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today raised the County’s Living Wage to $23.15 an hour, a 28 percent increase designed to offset the impact of inflation and catch up to pay levels set by other Bay Area counties and cities with similar wage ordinances. Read full story
Sonoma County tenant rights town halls set for January 29 in Santa Rosa and January 30 in Monte Rio
Sonoma County will host in-person town hall meetings in Santa Rosa on Jan. 29 and in Monte Rio on Jan. 30 to update residents about their tenant protection rights including new rights recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors. As of Jan. 1, the rules require landlords to report evictions to the County using a newly created web portal. The informational sessions, which will include Spanish interpretation, will feature representatives from Legal Aid of Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Counsel’s office. Read full story
Department of Emergency Management announces public meetings seeking input on Hazard Mitigation Plan
Sonoma County’s Department of Emergency Management will host its second in a series of public meetings to seek public input on updating the County’s 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan. The in-person meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 5 p.m. at Herzog Hall, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. Live in-person Spanish interpretation will be made available. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors pledges to safeguard civil rights of immigrants
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today pledged to protect the civil rights of the county’s immigrants to the fullest extent provided by the law. The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution limiting the use of County funds, personnel and other resources to enforce federal immigration laws. The resolution reaffirms the County’s alignment with state laws adopted by the California Legislature that ensure law enforcement services, schools, health care facilities, courts and other public agencies are accessible to every person in California, regardless of immigration status. Read full story
County of Sonoma highlights 2024 public infrastructure upgrades and improvements
Sonoma County today announced the results of public investment in roads in unincorporated areas and other critical infrastructure for 2024, including the resurfacing of more than 38 miles of county-maintained roads, the installation of 53 culverts and repair of more than 1,266 potholes. Sonoma County uses a combination of corrective maintenance and pavement preservation to take care of 1,368 miles of roads and 328 bridges, which is the largest road network in the San Francisco Bay Area. Read full story