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Sonoma County announces 2023 road paving season, encourages drivers to plan ahead, go slow and use detours
The Sonoma County Department of Public Infrastructure today announced that the Summer 2023 road resurfacing program is officially underway, including pavement treatment on 50 miles of road segments across 98 separate county-maintained roads. Work to be completed this season involves a combination of roads identified for the ongoing Pavement Preservation Program and roads that qualify for repair as part of the Fire Damage Recovery Paving Project supported by PG&E settlement funds. Read full story
County officials urge caution if planning to visit the river or coast on Mother’s Day weekend
Officials from the County of Sonoma’s Regional Parks Department reminded those heading outdoors this warm Mother’s Day weekend to practice caution when enjoying the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast. Read full story
Registrar of Voters announces public meetings on Election Administration Plan
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office announced today that it is planning to hold four public meetings in the coming weeks to provide feedback or answer questions about the new draft Election Administration Plan, which is a document informing voters how elections will be conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act. Read full story
Board approves update to Sonoma County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved an update to the county’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which provides critical information to understand wildfire risks, identifies fuel-reduction areas and lists risk-reduction projects. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves three-year contract with SEIU Local 1021, county’s largest union
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a three-year contract agreement with Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represents more than half of the county government’s workers. Read full story
County approves $7.14 million in grants for community development projects
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved $7.14 million in grants for affordable housing, public facilities improvements, rental assistance, emergency shelter operations, fair housing services, homelessness prevention, case management, and financial stability for low income residents. Read full story
Sonoma County Weights and Measures advises shoppers to review sales receipts after rise in failed retail inspections
The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures is encouraging local shoppers to verify charges on all retail sales receipts after nearly 36 percent of local grocery stores and retail businesses failed a price accuracy inspection over the last 13 months, a 10 percent increase from the prior year. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Department of Health Services host special mental health forum
With Sonoma County experiencing a rise in substance use disorders, homelessness and a shortage of services to address an unprecedented mental health crisis, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Department of Health Services on Tuesday convened a first-of-its-kind summit of behavioral health professionals from across the county for a listening session on the mental health care needs of the community. Read full story
Main Street bridge in Monte Rio closed temporarily to ensure public safety following winter storm damage
The Sonoma County Department of Public Infrastructure today announced the temporary closure to vehicle traffic of the Main Street bridge over Dutch Bill Creek in Monte Rio after the bridge sustained critical damage in recent winter storms. One lane of the road had remained open with traffic control, but department officials determined that a full temporary closure to vehicles is necessary to ensure public safety following reports of drivers not observing the lane closure. Read full story
WOMAN CONVICTED OF KNOWINGLY MAKING A FALSE REPORT OF ATTEMPTED KIDNAP
Kathleen Sorensen, 31 years old, formerly of Sonoma whose Instagram video went viral on December 2020 after she falsely claimed a Petaluma couple tried to kidnap her children at a local Michael’s store, was convicted of one count of making a false report of a crime. The jury deliberated for about a full day before returning a guilty verdict on one of the three counts charged. The Honorable Judge Laura Passaglia presided over the trial. The defendant was remanded into custody after the verdict and bail was set at $100,000. Read full story