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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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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


December 10, 2024 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors approves temporary fix to implement voter-approved sales taxes in Sonoma County, Sebastopol

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a stopgap measure today that will allow two voter-approved measures to increase sales taxes countywide and in the City of Sebastopol on April 1, 2025. Read full story


December 10, 2024 | County Administrator's Office

Sonoma County approves new contract with in-home care providers

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today ratified a three-year contract agreement with Service Employees International Union Local 2015 that would increase wages and benefits for more than 7,200 local in-home care workers who assist seniors and people with disabilities. Read full story


December 10, 2024 | Probation Department

Sonoma County judge, director of Juvenile Hall receive statewide awards from Chief Probation Officers of California

The presiding judge of Sonoma County Superior Court and the director of Sonoma County’s Juvenile Hall were recently honored by a statewide group of probation officers for their efforts to improve the local justice system. Read full story


December 05, 2024 | Department of Emergency Management

Sonoma County to update its multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management has begun the process of updating the 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan for the County and 23 of its municipalities and special districts. The mitigation projects that are identified in the plan will reduce vulnerability and increase community resiliency to disasters. Read full story


December 04, 2024 | Board of Supervisors Department

Board of Supervisors decertifies EIR and repeals the approval of the Sonoma Developmental Center Specific Plan in response to court ruling

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to decertify the Environmental Impact Report and repeal the approval of a development plan for the former Sonoma Developmental Center campus in Glen Ellen in response to a Sonoma County Superior Court ruling that the County’s Specific Plan violated the California Environmental Quality Act. Read full story