News Index
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sonoma County law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at law enforcement agencies in the cities of Cotati, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Town of Windsor. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid and liquid forms of prescription drugs from Sonoma County residents. Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices will also be collected only after the batteries are removed from the devices. Read full story
Sonoma County awarded $1.84 million for the Northside Russian River Shaded Fuel Break Project
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today authorized $1.8 million for three critical fuel breaks that will help protect residents in the Rio Nido, Guernewood and Hacienda areas from wildfires. Read full story
County of Sonoma’s unfunded pension liability down 37 percent since 2020, according to annual report on health of retirement system
The County of Sonoma has reduced its unfunded pension liability by 37 percent since 2020, the result of strong investment returns and decisions by the Board of Supervisors to pay down the County’s unfunded liability, according to the sixth annual State of the Retirement System report presented to supervisors today. Read full story
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is being observed throughout California during the week of October 20-26, 2024. Lead Week is a national annual campaign during the last full week of October to bring awareness to and prevent childhood lead exposure. Read full story
Sonoma County approves Microenterprise Home Kitchen program
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to establish a local program to permit small-scale residential retail food facilities, known as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, or MEHKOs, which are authorized by state law. Read full story
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 appointed as Sonoma County’s interim health officer. Read full story
Notice of Availability for Public Comment – 2025 Community Participation Plan!
The Community Development Commission has just released a new Community Participation Plan! The purpose of the Community Participation Plan is to provide a written policy and procedure that describes the actions that must be taken to encourage community participation throughout Sonoma County. Read full story
Weekly roundup for October 18, 2024
Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following: 1) Rent protection webinar; 2) Sonoma County commissions seeking applicants ; 3) Stay in the loop with County newsletters, social media; 4) Latest Sonoma County career opportunities. Read full story
Now Available: Amended Notice of Funding Availability – Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program
PLEASE NOTE: This Notice of Funding Availability was previously posted, but it has now been amended. The previous NOFA contained some unnecessary language regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and that language has been removed from the amended notice. Additionally, this funding is not available for individual rental assistance, and this notice is not related to the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program. Please refer to the full Notice of Funding Availability for more information regarding eligibility. Read full story
Standard deadline to register to vote in November 5 General Election is October 21
The standard deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 General Election is Oct. 21, Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Deva Marie Proto reminded residents today. However, eligible voters who miss this deadline still have the option to “conditionally register and vote” in person through Election Day at the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office or at any Vote Center. Read full story