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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
Mobile Crisis Units to expand countywide by year’s end
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved plans to expand Mobile Crisis Units, teams of mental health professionals who respond to emergency calls that do not involve law enforcement, throughout the county by the end of the year. Read full story
Nomination period extended for select offices up for election in March 2024
Candidate nominations for the following federal, state, and county offices up for election in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election, have been extended because an incumbent candidate who was eligible to be elected did not file: Read full story
Sonoma County outlaws sideshow driving exhibitions
Promoting, watching and participating in street races and reckless driving exhibitions, also known as sideshows, will soon be unlawful in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County following Tuesday’s approval by the Board of Supervisors of Sheriff’s Office recommendations to prohibit and discourage the dangerous events. Read full story
SBA offers loans to Sonoma County businesses affected by salmon fishery closure
The U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the California salmon fishery closure from April 6 to October 31. The SBA on November 29 declared a disaster following a request from the state Office of Emergency Services. Read full story