View All County Press Releases
Forbes lists Sonoma County as one of America’s best midsized employers
The County of Sonoma has been named one of America’s 500 Best Midsized Employers by Forbes magazine, the only government agency in California to make the magazine’s list. Read full story
Avian flu detected in Sonoma County
Positive cases of avian influenza, or the bird flu, have been found in four wild birds in Sonoma County. While this particular strain of the virus poses minimal risk to humans, out of an abundance of caution the Sonoma County Department of Health Services is warning residents of the potential risk of handling or coming into close contact with a diseased or dead bird. Read full story
Permit Sonoma announces revision to draft well permit ordinance
Permit Sonoma today announced a revision to a proposal the Board of Supervisors will consider on Tuesday, August 9 that seeks to enact new standards for drilling wells in Sonoma County. Under the change, domestic wells that extract less than two acre-feet of water annually would not be required to install meters. Read full story
Regional Parks and Leave No Trace host Hot Spot Clean Up at Steelhead Beach
National Leave No Trace experts will visit one of Sonoma County’s most popular Russian River beaches in early August to support special stewardship projects, educate river-goers and train land managers on practices, skills and ethics that can help minimize the environmental and community impacts of summer crowds. Read full story
Regional Parks’ Caminitos Al Parque program earns industry recognition
Sonoma County Regional Parks has garnered state and national recognition for its groundbreaking Caminitos Al Parque program, which introduces low-income Latinx families with preschool-aged children to the wonders of nature. Read full story
Sentencing in Murder of Santa Rosa Man
Defendant Carlos Martinez-Carceres, 23, was sentenced by the Honorable Christopher Honigsberg to serve 15 years to life for the murder of Howard Quick, Jr., after Martinez-Carceres entered a no contest plea to second degree murder. Read full story
Sonoma County begins process of reopening Joe Rodota Trail
In anticipation of reopening a closed section of Joe Rodota Trail along Highway 12 as soon as possible, Sonoma County officials have started the process of relocating homeless individuals camped along the trail to alternative shelter sites in the area. Read full story
Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 years to Life for Multiple Sexual Assaults Against Underaged Victims
On July 13, 2022, Defendant Emmanuel Cortes-Torres, 25 of Santa Rosa, CA, was sentenced by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to an indeterminate sentence of 25 years to life following his plea to several counts of sexual assault of a minor. Read full story
Jenner by the Sea to get water system upgrade
The County of Sonoma Department of Transportation and Public Works today announced the department has received a $74,000 grant from the California Department of Water Resources to install smart meters for the water system serving approximately 128 connections in the community of Jenner by the Sea. Read full story
New grant provides impetus for habitat conservation planning in Sonoma County
The Board of Supervisors has bolstered habitat conservation planning efforts in Sonoma County by agreeing to put up matching funds to support receipt of a $755,000 U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service grant in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read full story