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Santa Rosa man sentenced to 18 years in prison for possession of more than 73 pounds of methamphetamine
Defendant Jose Vegasanchez, 29 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Mark Urioste to 18 years in prison. Today’s sentencing follows Vegasanchez’s September convictions related to possession of more than 73 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Read full story
Nov. 1 virtual town hall offers public an opportunity to shape Sonoma County’s response to climate change
District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin and District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins will host a virtual town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 1 to update the public on Sonoma County’s response to climate change and to gather public input on a plan to achieve the county’s climate and resiliency goals. Read full story
Sonoma County gives initial approval to lowering cap on rent increases for mobile homes
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to limit annual rent increases at mobile home parks in unincorporated areas to no more than 4 percent or 70 percent of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The amendments to the mobile home ordinance bring Sonoma County’s policy in line with recent updates passed by cities in the county. Read full story
Board of Supervisors extends American Rescue Plan Act funding for community projects
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday extended American Rescue Plan Act funding for community-based organizations that have supported thousands of Sonoma County residents through programs that bolster food security, provide job training, strengthen mental health, expand rural broadband and many other local programs. Read full story
Sonoma County bans sale of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco in unincorporated areas
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county. The changes to the county’s tobacco retail ordinance are in response to public health data that show e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco use increasing among high school-aged youth. Read full story
Woman Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Role in 2022 Shooting Near Union Hotel
Defendant Valerie Saenz, 26 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to serve 9 years in state prison after pleading “no contest” in May to charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and destroying evidence. Read full story
Board of Supervisors slated to review and discuss widespread impacts of American Rescue Plan Act funding on Sonoma County
The public is invited to the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to hear how millions in American Rescue Plan Act funds invested through community-based organizations have supported the county’s safety net by bolstering food security, enhancing job training, strengthening mental health supports, expanding rural broadband and many other local programs to assist those hardest hit by the pandemic. Read full story
Domestic abuser sentenced to more than 15 years in prison
Defendant Adrian Aldama, 37 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced Wednesday by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to serve 15 years, 4 months in state prison after pleading “no contest” in August to six felonies involving domestic violence causing injury, assault with a deadly weapon, making death threats, and false imprisonment. Read full story
Sonoma County expands employee ‘Clean Commute’ program to reduce drive-alone rate, CO2 emission
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to upgrade the county’s Clean Commute Employee Benefit Program. The upgrade includes a proposed new reciprocal pilot program between Sonoma County Transit and Santa Rosa CityBus that allows employees to ride the bus for free, pending approval by the Santa Rosa City Council at the Nov. 14 City Council meeting. Read full story
State grant funds two more years of invasive quagga mussel prevention program at Lake Sonoma
The Sonoma County Water Agency’s watercraft inspection program at Lake Sonoma will continue for another two years, thanks to almost $400,000 in state grant funding awarded in August and that went into effect as of Oct. 10. The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways grant will fund the program to continue to prevent invasive quagga mussels from entering Lake Sonoma until October 2025. Read full story