View All County Press Releases

September 10, 2024 | Information Systems Department

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

September 10, 2024 | Sonoma Public Infrastructure

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

September 10, 2024 | Department of Human Services

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

September 10, 2024

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

September 09, 2024 | Office of the District Attorney

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

September 05, 2024 | Natural Resources

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

September 03, 2024 | Office of the District Attorney

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

August 30, 2024 | Sonoma Public Infrastructure

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

August 28, 2024 | Office of the District Attorney

David Averill Sentenced to Life In Prison For Kidnapping Victim At Gunpoint For Extortion

On the morning of May 16, 2023, defendants David Averill and Thomas Griego accosted a 61-year-old woman and her 74-year-old husband at their home located within the city limits of Sonoma. Mr. Averill and Mr. Griego went to the residence to force the victims to give them the combination to their safe so they could steal their money. Both defendants were charged with kidnap to commit extortion, residential burglary, conspiracy, and assault with a firearm, as well as firearm enhancements for several of the charges. In April 2024, a jury trial was held and both defendants were found guilty of all charges. On August 27, 2024, the Honorable Judge Robert LaForge sentenced David Averill to the maximum potential term of 34 years-to-life in prison. Read full story

August 28, 2024 | Office of the District Attorney

Former Child Parent Institute Employee Sentenced to Prison for Child Molestation

Defendant Victor David Magallon, 44 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced Monday August 19th by the Honorable Judge Troye Shaffer to serve 28 years in State Prison for the repeated molestation of two children. Magallon’s sentencing follows his convictions in December 2023 at the conclusion of a jury trial at which he was found guilty of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. Read full story