View All County Press Releases
Sonoma County health officials issue cold weather warning
The County of Sonoma today issued a cold weather warning in response to the National Weather Service frost advisory from midnight to 10 a.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service is also predicting sub-freezing wind chill temperatures from Sunday into early Monday. Officials recommend that residents limit time outdoors, as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure. Read full story
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office announces change to public hours
Beginning Jan. 3, 2024, the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office will have a change in regular office hours. Going forward, the office will be closed to the public on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Public office hours will be Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read full story
La Oficina del Registro de Votantes del Condado de Sonoma anuncia cambios en el horario de atención al público
A partir del 3 de enero de 2024, la Oficina del Registro de Votantes del Condado de Sonoma modificará su horario regular de atención al público. De ahora en adelante, la oficina estará cerrada al público los miércoles a las 4 p.m. El horario de atención al público será los lunes martes, jueves y viernes de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m., y los miércoles de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m. Read full story
Sonoma County Housing Authority awarded $1.18 million in funding for new housing vouchers
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Sonoma County Housing Authority more than $1.18 million in additional Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers. The 53 new vouchers are in addition to the existing, fully-utilized, 117 vouchers that are provided through the HUD-sponsored FUP, which supports families and youths to find permanent stable housing. Read full story
Russian River Inflatable Dam lowered in advance of forecasted storm
In anticipation of a series of storms arriving in the next week and elevated river flows, the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) will begin the process of deflating its rubber dam located in the Russian River near Forestville on Monday, December 18. Sonoma Water routinely deflates the rubber dam when Russian River flow forecasts show the river exceeding 1,600 cubic feet per second in order to prevent damage to the rubber dam from high flows. Read full story
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for October 2022 Shooting of Two Near Union Hotel in Santa Rosa
Defendant Marcell Battiest, 29 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced Wednesday by Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Troye Shaffer to serve 65 years-to-life in prison after being convicted by a jury in September of two counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, shooting into an occupied vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, committing a felony offense while out on bail, as well as another robbery from February of 2021. Read full story
Memorial to honor lives lost in Sonoma County’s unhoused community
On December 21, National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, HomeFirst and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services will host a memorial to honor individuals who lost their lives over the last year while living without housing in Sonoma County. The event will take place at the Arlene Francis Center, 99 6th St., Santa Rosa, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Read full story
Sonoma County kicks off General Plan update
Sonoma County today kicked off its General Plan update, a yearslong process to update the foundational planning document that shapes future growth, encourages housing and job development, fosters healthy and resilient communities, guides the protection and management of natural resources, and promotes social and economic equity. Read full story
Sonoma County’s Living Wage increases to $18.10 an hour
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday boosted the county’s Living Wage to $18.10 an hour, up from $17.65 an hour, to prevent inflation from eroding the incomes of low-wage workers covered by the ordinance. Read full story
Sonoma County increases transit discount for low-income adults through Bay Area’s Clipper START program
The Board of Supervisors today approved a continuation of county participation in the Clipper START program, a regional means-based pilot program launched in 2020 by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Since 2020, Sonoma County Transit has offered a 20 percent discount on single-ride transit fares for eligible adults earning under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Sonoma County Transit will increase the discount to 50 percent for eligible adults. Read full story