News Index
Sonoma County Health Officer issues order requiring health care facility staff to wear masks
Given the rising risk of respiratory virus-related illnesses, such as COVID and flu, Sonoma County’s Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has issued an order requiring health care personnel to mask when in patient care areas. The health order will be in effect throughout the remaining respiratory virus season, from Nov. 18 through April 30. Read full story
Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board 2025 Elections
The Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board is the decision-making body of the Sonoma County Continuum of Care. Read full story
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sonoma County law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at law enforcement agencies in the cities of Cotati, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Town of Windsor. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid and liquid forms of prescription drugs from Sonoma County residents. Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices will also be collected only after the batteries are removed from the devices. Read full story
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is being observed throughout California during the week of October 20-26, 2024. Lead Week is a national annual campaign during the last full week of October to bring awareness to and prevent childhood lead exposure. Read full story
Sonoma County approves Microenterprise Home Kitchen program
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to establish a local program to permit small-scale residential retail food facilities, known as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, or MEHKOs, which are authorized by state law. Read full story
Former state public health director named Sonoma County interim health officer
Dr. Karen Smith, an experienced public health official who previously served four years as director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, has been appointed as Sonoma County’s interim health officer. Read full story
Public Forum on Homelessness (#6) – Keep People Housed
You are invited to participate in an virtual public community forum about homelessness. The forum will begin with a brief presentation about Keep People Housed by representatives from Committee on the Shelterless (COTS), followed by an “open forum” style Question & Answer session. Read full story
Notice of Intent to Award: RFP for Point in Time (PIT) Homeless County and Survey
The evaluation panel carefully reviewed and analyzed the proposals received in response to the above referenced solicitation. Based upon that review and analysis, we are recommending to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors that the contract be awarded to Applied Survey Research (ASR). Read full story
Sonoma County Health Officer extends health advisory concerning heat wave
County of Sonoma Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has extended a health advisory in response to the National Weather Service’s Excessive Heat Warning for much of the county through 11 p.m. Thursday. The Excessive Heat Warning was extended through 11 p.m. Thursday for Sonoma County Interior and Coastal Ranges. Interior temperatures will range from the mid-90s to low 100s, regions close to the coast will range from the upper 70s to mid 80s, and regions directly along the coast will range from the upper 60s to mid-70s. Read full story