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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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January 03, 2018 | Office of the District Attorney

Youthful Killer Denied Early Parole

District Attorney Jill Ravitch has announced that inmate Ricky Phonesai Phachanh, now thirty years old, was denied early release on parole by the Board of Prison Terms after a hearing on December 27th at the Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California. Read full story


January 02, 2018 | Office of the District Attorney

Judge Rejects Oakmont Repeat DUI Driver's Challenge to Conviction for Vehicular Homicide

District AttorneyJill Ravitch has announced that the Honorable Elliot L. Daum denied thechallenge to her conviction by defendant Gayle Diane Gray, 79 years old,of Santa Rosa. Gray sought reversal of her conviction for charges related tothe fatal collision she caused after driving with alcohol and drugs in hersystem on January 20, 2016. Read full story


December 26, 2017 | Permit Sonoma

Map Identifies Areas at Risk of Flooding, Mudflows In Aftermath of Wildfires

The devastating October wildfires that swept through Sonoma County created a significant flood risk for people living in and nearby the burned areas until vegetation is restored. Read full story


December 13, 2017 | Permit Sonoma

County Approves Ordinances to Reduce Sewer Service Charges and Allow Temporary Connections for Residents Displaced by the Fires

The Sonoma County Water Agency (Water Agency) Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District unanimously approved an ordinance to prorate annual sewer charges for residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the Sonoma Complex Fires in October, 2017. Read full story


December 04, 2017 | Permit Sonoma

County Issues First Cannabis Business Permit

The County of Sonoma has issued the first Cannabis Cultivation Permit on Monday, December 4. Shannon and Cameron Hattan, co-founders of Fiddlers Greens, were issued a Zoning Permit from the Department of Ag Weights and Measures which allows up to 10,000 square feet of outdoor medical cannabis cultivation on their property outside of Sebastopol. Read full story


November 07, 2017 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Free Parking for Veterans on 2017 Holiday Weekend

In honor of Veterans Day, military members and veterans will receive free parking at all Sonoma County Regional Parks for the upcoming holiday weekend. Active duty, veteran and retired military personnel and their families will be able to visit county parks and trails with a special pass that waives the regular $7 day-use parking fee from Friday, Nov. 10, through Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Read full story


November 01, 2017 | Economic Development Collaborative

SBA Opens Business Recovery Center at the Sonoma CountyEconomic Development Board Offices

The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center at the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, in partnership with the City of Santa Rosa. Read full story


October 31, 2017 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Wildfire Impacts - October 31 Update

The following Regional Parks remain closed due to the impacts of the Sonoma County wildfires: Hood Mountain Regional Park & Preserve, Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, Sonoma Valley Regional Park, and Tom Schopflin Fields. We have cancelled all programs through Nov. 1 to allow staff to address the immediate needs of the wildfire disaster. Read full story


October 14, 2017 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Wildfire Impacts on Sonoma County Regional Parks

Like so many in Sonoma County, our current priority at Regional Parks is to assist public safety efforts and support the well-being of our team members during this wildfire emergency. Read more for details on status of parks impacted by wildfires. Read full story


October 13, 2017 | Auditor-Controller Treasurer-Tax Collector Department

Fire Damage Property Tax Relief for 2017-18

The County of Sonoma announced today that they are working to identify and adjust property values and tax bills on properties damaged by the recent fires in Sonoma County. Read full story