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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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August 07, 2023 | Natural Resources

Regional Partners Submit Proposal to Preserve Potter Valley Diversion and Fish Passage Options

The Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (MCIWPC), the Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT), and the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) last week submitted a proposal to advance a regional solution for preserving flows in the Russian River and improving Eel River fisheries. Read full story


August 03, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Santa Rosa man sentenced to prison for providing fentanyl to Petaluma woman causing her death

Defendant Chase Kirby, 28 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to serve the maximum term of four years in local prison. This sentence came after Mr. Kirby pled “no contest” earlier this month to a felony charge of committing involuntary manslaughter after providing fentanyl to a female acquaintance on September 6, 2021, resulting in her overdose and death. Read full story


August 03, 2023 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Public input sought for Sonoma Valley’s Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

Sonoma County Regional Parks seeks community input to help shape the future of Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve near Glen Ellen in the Mayacamas Mountains. Read full story


August 03, 2023 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Cleaner California Coast Initiative launches in Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties

The counties of Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino, along with the Leave No Trace organization, have launched a collaborative initiative to help coast-seeking visitors contribute to a Cleaner California Coast. Read full story


August 03, 2023 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Public input sought for Sonoma Valley’s Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

Sonoma County Regional Parks seeks community input to help shape the future of Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve near Glen Ellen in the Mayacamas Mountains. Read full story


August 02, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Carjacker Sentenced to Maximum Term of Imprisonment for Random Attack on Elderly Victim

Defendant Rico Richard Leaton-Gomez, 28 years old of Windsor, was sentenced today by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to serve 26 years in state prison after having been convicted by a Sonoma County jury in June of this year to charges of carjacking and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury. In addition, the defendant was also found to have committed sentencing enhancements for personally inflicting great bodily injury on the victim and for having a prior “strike” conviction. The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office recommended the 26-year sentence which is the maximum allowed by law. Read full story


August 02, 2023 | Natural Resources

Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, Master Gardeners to present educational display at Sonoma County Fair

Visitors to the Sonoma County Fair this year will see a new, educational collaboration between the Sonoma County Master Gardeners and the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership. The two organizations are teaming up to create an educational demonstration garden in the patio outside the Hall of Flowers at the Sonoma County Fair. Read full story


August 01, 2023 | Economic Development Board

Sonoma County approves Open Access Broadband Network to ensure accessibility, affordability for unserved residents

The Board of Supervisors today approved an agreement between the County of Sonoma and Golden State Connect Authority to move forward with broadband internet infrastructure expansion with an emphasis on providing service to unserved and underserved areas of unincorporated Sonoma County. Read full story


August 01, 2023 | Economic Development Board

Sonoma County approves Open Access Broadband Network to ensure accessibility, affordability for unserved residents

The Board of Supervisors today approved an agreement between the County of Sonoma and Golden State Connect Authority to move forward with broadband internet infrastructure expansion with an emphasis on providing service to unserved and underserved areas of unincorporated Sonoma County. Read full story


August 01, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Former state public health director named Sonoma County interim health officer

Dr. Karen Smith, an experienced public health official who previously served four years as director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, has been named interim health officer by the director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. A physician specializing in infectious disease and public health with a master’s degree in public health, Dr. Smith has led health departments at the state and local level. Read full story