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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases
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County halts enforcement of all-electric building code after U.S. District Court ruling
Sonoma County has suspended enforcement of a building code that prohibits natural gas or propane appliances in most new residential construction after a federal court ruled that local ordinances preventing the use of gas appliances are overridden by federal law. Read full story
Sonoma County’s higher-than-average suicide rates to be focus of September 7 ‘Connection is Prevention’ event
Sonoma County has a problem: Suicide rates are high here. On average, there are 73 deaths by suicide each year in Sonoma County, making it the ninth leading cause of death. The Sonoma County suicide rate of 14.3 per 100,000 residents is considerably higher than the California rate of 10.5. Read full story
Rohnert Park Man Sentenced to Life Without The Possibility Of Parole For Torture, Kidnap For Financial Gain, And Sexual Abuse Of A Child
Jose Centeno, 57, of Rohnert Park, was sentenced today by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to six consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole, three consecutive life sentences, and an additional 39 years in the California Department of Corrections. Today’s sentence was imposed after a jury found Centeno guilty in July of three counts of kidnapping for financial gain, three counts of torture, and nine counts involving the sexual abuse of a child. Read full story
Sonoma County Fifth Supervisorial District to partner in hosting sea otter awareness event on September 3
The public is invited to attend an event on Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Doran Beach to learn more about sea otters and the impact they have on our local marine ecosystem. The event will include a sea otter sand sculpture competition that will be judged by District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves enhanced tenant protections for Sonoma County renters
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday tentatively approved a set of tenant protection measures that, if approved on second reading, will provide new rights to renters in the unincorporated areas of the county. Read full story
Sonoma CountyDistrict Attorney Announces Results Of Second Annual Compliance ReportFrom PG&E Independent Monitor
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that the Independent Monitor held its second annual meeting yesterday, and released its Second Annual Compliance Report, related to its oversight of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (“PG&E”). The Independent Monitor, Filsinger Energy Partners, was appointed in April 2022 to monitor PG&E’s compliance with various safety measures imposed upon the company by a Stipulated Judgment between the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office and PG&E and ordered by Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Patrick Broderick on April 8, 2022, related to the 2019 Kincade Fire. Read full story
Sonoma County Economic Development Board unveils new name, focus on strategic partnerships as Economic Development Collaborative
The Economic Development Board, which is the County agency focused on growing a healthy economy by helping local businesses, today announced it has changed its name to the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves $28.2 million plan to use energy more efficiently, cut greenhouse gas emissions
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved $28.2 million in investments to use energy and water more efficiently in County government buildings, part of a broader plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions and slow the effects of climate change. Read full story
Nomination period for November 2024 General Election extended to Wednesday
Candidate nominations for select school, city and special district offices have been extended to Wednesday, Aug. 14, for any qualified person other than the incumbent(s) because one or more incumbent(s) did not file by the Aug. 9 deadline. Read full story
Maxwell Farms Regional Park’s first phase of renovation complete with new sports fields, parking, accessibility improvements
Sonoma County Regional Parks has completed a first phase of renovations at Maxwell Farms Regional Park near Sonoma, introducing all-weather sports fields, expanded parking and other updates to make the park more accessible to visitors. Planning is underway for a second phase of improvements, including a renovated skatepark, new bicycle pump track, new pickleball courts and upgrades to backcountry trails. Read full story