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Board of Supervisors approves plan to make Sonoma County government carbon-neutral by 2030
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to make County government operations carbon-neutral by 2030, the latest in a series of actions taken by the Board of Supervisors in an effort to slow climate change and protect county residents from its increasingly dangerous effects. Read full story
Melissa Valle appointed permanent Director of the Sonoma County Office of Equity
Melissa Valle, Interim Director for the Sonoma County Office of Equity since April 2024, has been appointed to direct the Office permanently. The appointment by County Administrator Maria Christina Rivera is scheduled to be considered for approval by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 24. Read full story
Sonoma County adopts artificial intelligence policy
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a policy for the use of artificial intelligence by County employees, acknowledging that the rapidly developing technology can help make government more efficient while weighing the ethical challenges that AI poses. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves construction of permanent Asti bridge over Russian River
The Board of Supervisors today approved the construction of a permanent two-lane bridge across the Russian River on Washington School Road near the community of Asti in north Sonoma County. The new bridge is intended to enhance public safety and connectivity and eliminate the financial cost and environmental impact of installing and removing a temporary bridge each year. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves action plan to support older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a comprehensive 10-year plan to improve the health and well-being of the county’s swelling population of older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. Read full story
Sonoma County sees an 18.8 percent increase in total value of agricultural production
The total value of agricultural crops grown in Sonoma County last year was nearly $950 million, according to the 2023 Sonoma County Crop Report, which the Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures presented to the Board of Supervisors today. The annual accounting of local agricultural commodity production and gross values, based on a survey of more than 1,000 Sonoma County producers, showed the total value was $945,722,700, which represents an 18.8 percent increase over the 2022 value of $796 million. Read full story
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced To Local Prison For More Than Nine Years For Stealing More Than $350,000 From Customers Of His Classic Car Restoration Business
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that defendant Suede Lee Barganski, 57, of Santa Rosa was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for stealing from customers of his now closed classic car repair and restoration business RadRods of Norcal, Inc. Barganski pled to six felony charges and admitted an out-on-bail enhancement. He also admitted an aggravating factor that his victims were particularly vulnerable, as many of them were elderly, some of whom are now deceased. Read full story
Sonoma Water educator grant program applications open now
The application period for a small grant program designed for educators is now open at the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water). The application period for a small grant program designed for educators is now open at the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water). Read full story
David Morales Sentenced to 37 Years, 4 Months for Voluntary Manslaughter and Attempted Murder
Just after midnight on March 25, 2023, defendant David Morales fired 10 bullets at a group of young men at a large party hosted off Hall Road in Santa Rosa, killing 20-year-old Raul Ramirez-Reyes and seriously wounding 20-year-old Brian Garcia. Morales was arrested later that same day and charged with murder and attempted murder, as well as firearm enhancements. On July 22, 2024, Morales pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement for the killing of Raul Ramirez-Reyes, and attempted murder with firearm and great bodily injury enhancements for Brian Garcia. On September 3, 2024, the Honorable Judge Robert LaForge sentenced Morales to a term of 37 years and 4 months in state prison. Read full story
Seasonal Russian River bridge closed after dam failure
The Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Department has closed the summer crossing of the Russian River at Vacation Beach in Guerneville after a section of a seasonal dam failed, causing abnormally high river flows and damaging a County road. The area is currently closed and should be avoided. Read full story