View All County Press Releases

January 09, 2025 | Department of Health Services

County Health Services Department secures major funding for key early childhood programs

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services announced today that it has received two grants to support early childhood programs. Read full story

January 07, 2025 | Board of Supervisors Department

New slate of officers for Sonoma County Board of Supervisors selected after swearing-in ceremony

Three Sonoma County supervisors, including Rebecca Hermosillo, the newest member of the Board of Supervisors and the first Latina to ever serve on the County board, were sworn in to office today before a standing-room only crowd of friends, family and well-wishers. Read full story

January 07, 2025 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors approves pavement rehabilitation project at Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport

The Board of Supervisors today approved $5.7 million of funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to reconstruct and expand Apron C at Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport where commercial aircraft park, load and unload, refuel and undergo maintenance. Read full story

January 06, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Two Cousins Sentenced to Hundreds of Years in Prison After Child Molestation Convictions

On Thursday January 2, 2025, Judge Mark Urioste sentenced Giovany Neftali Barrientos-Perez to serve 500 years 4 months to life, and sentenced Bayron Vasquez to serve 485 years to life in state prison, for crimes committed against multiple children. The sentencing was the culmination of a nearly six-week trial after which both men were convicted of a combined 43 counts of child molestation. The guilty verdicts included convictions for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, sexual intercourse with a child under the age of eleven, aggravated sexual assault of a child, forcible rape of a child, and the continuous sexual abuse of a minor. Read full story

January 02, 2025 | Board of Supervisors Department

Public invited to share input as Board of Supervisors sets 2025 agenda during January 10 meeting in Sebastopol

The public is invited to offer input on Friday, January 10, when the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will hold a special board meeting. The meeting will include a discussion of “2025 Calendar Items of Significant Interest,” and will be held at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts beginning at 9 a.m. Read full story

December 20, 2024 | Department of Health Services

Development underway for permanent supportive housing project at George’s Hideaway

Demolition has begun at George’s Hideaway, the former tavern and restaurant in west Sonoma County, making way for permanent supportive housing. The project at George’s Hideaway, located along Highway 116 in Guerneville, involves the creation of 21 units of permanent supportive housing and a navigation center. Read full story

December 18, 2024 | Permit Sonoma

Sonoma County suspends issuing well permits after court order

Permit Sonoma has suspended issuing non-emergency well permits in compliance with a Sonoma County Superior Court order. The order, which was served to the County on Dec. 17, stems from the lawsuit Russian Riverkeeper and California Coastkeeper vs. County of Sonoma. It requires the County to “suspend all non-emergency water well permitting” based on concerns that the County has not complied with the Public Trust Doctrine. Read full story

December 13, 2024 | Department of Health Services

Memorial to recognize 60 lives lost in Sonoma County’s unhoused community

On Dec. 20, one day before National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, HomeFirst and 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 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Arlene Francis Center, 99 6th St., Santa Rosa. The space is being provided by FS Global, and Community Foundation Sonoma County granted the needed funding to host the memorial. Read full story

December 10, 2024 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Prescribed burn operations planned at Sonoma Valley Regional Park

Sonoma County Regional Parks plan to conduct prescribed fire operations at Sonoma Valley Regional Park on Dec.11-12 to reduce fire risk and improve park health. Read full story

December 10, 2024 | Office of the District Attorney

Child Murderer Denied Parole

Defendant Robert Michael Mills, 63 years old of Santa Rosa, was denied parole Tuesday morning following a hearing conducted by the California Board of Parole Hearings. Mr. Mills is currently serving a life sentence in state prison after a jury in 1989 found him guilty of murder by torture and child abuse. Read full story