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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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January 31, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

ROHNERT PARK MAN CONVICTED OF 1St DEGREE MURDER DENIED PAROLE FOR 8TH TIME

Following a hearing this afternoon, the California Board of Parole Hearings denied parole for the 8th time to 61-year-old Dale Wesley Hayes, who was convicted of the 1st degree murder of his father, Elton Hayes, in 1983. Read full story


January 31, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors approves site selection, design criteria for new county government center

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved the selection of the existing county administration center site on Administration Drive in Santa Rosa for a phased construction of a new Sonoma County Government Center. Read full story


January 31, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors receives update from Golden State Connect on progress toward reliable, affordable internet for Sonoma County

Construction of a broadband system for rural residents in California could begin by the end of the year, according to Golden State Connect, a regional Joint Powers Authority established to increase access to high-speed internet for residents and businesses in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County and 38 other rural member counties. Read full story


January 31, 2023 | Sonoma Public Infrastructure

Sonoma County announces purchase of ten all-electric buses bolstering shift to zero-emission transit fleet

Sonoma County today announced the purchase of ten battery electric transit buses to replace ten compressed natural gas buses, consistent with the Climate Action and Resiliency pillar of Sonoma County’s Five-Year Strategic Plan. The ten new buses, which are scheduled for delivery between July 1 and August 31, 2024, are in addition to six all-electric buses expected to arrive in June. There are currently three all-electric buses in the county’s 49-bus fleet. The purchase was approved by the Board of Supervisors today on a unanimous vote. Read full story


January 30, 2023 | Sonoma County Regional Parks

Prescribed pile-burning operations planned at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park Jan. 31 - Feb. 1

Sonoma County Regional Parks is planning to conduct pile burns at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park on January 31st and February 1st, 2023 Read full story


January 30, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

FAIZAN CORPORATION AND MAHMOUD ALAM TO PAY $500,000 TO SETTLE VIOLATIONS AT NUMEROUS RETAIL GAS STATIONS IN CALIFORNIA

On January 5, 2023, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Charles Smiley entered a $500,000.00 stipulated judgment against Mahmoud Alam, and Faizan Corporation, a California corporation of which Alam is the chief executive officer, in Case No. 22CV023017. This judgment settles allegations that Alam and Faizan Corporation failed to follow state laws governing the operation of retail gas stations at locations in Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, and Yolo Counties. In Sonoma County, this involved the Chevron gas station located on Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa which is operated by the defendants. Read full story


January 29, 2023 | Department of Emergency Management

Sonoma County issues freeze warning

The County of Sonoma is issuing a freeze warning in response to the National Weather Service’s prediction of sub-freezing temperatures overnight tonight through Wednesday morning. Officials recommend that residents limit time outdoors as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure. Read full story


January 27, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Sonoma County reopens Joe Rodota Trail

Sonoma County Regional Parks announced today that ithas reopened the section of the Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa that had beenclosed due to public safety concerns after numerous homeless encampmentswere established along the trail. The public will have access to the entire trailSaturday morning. Read full story


January 27, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Optum Serve to close COVID-19 testing centers in Sonoma County

Due to declining usage, COVID-19 testing contractor Optum Serve has announced that it will deactivate its two Sonoma County testing buses on Sunday, Feb. 5 as part of a statewide demobilization effort. The Roseland Community Clinic will continue to provide COVID-19 testing that is free to the public, regardless of insurance or citizenship status. Read full story


January 25, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County Supervisors approve $28 million in mental health funding

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an updated mental health services support plan for Sonoma County, utilizing more than $28 million in funds provided through Proposition 63, which California voters approved in 2004. Read full story