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Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport named among top five best small U.S. airports in Newsweek awards
The Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport was ranked fourth among the top 10 winners of the 2024 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards contest for best small airport in the United States. A total of 15 airports were nominated by a panel of travel experts and Newsweek contributors. The final list was determined by Newsweek editors and votes were cast over the past month by the magazine’s readers. Read full story
Resentencing denied for Polly Klass Murderer
A petition for recall and resentencing has been denied for convicted murderer Richard Allen Davis. Judge Benjamin Williams of the Santa Clara Superior Court denied the petition after finding that it amounted to an unauthorized challenge to the death sentence, which can only be done through a writ of habeas corpus. Read full story
Save Mart Supermarkets to pay $1.6 million dollars to resolve claims they sold expired over-the-counter medications, baby food, and infant formula beyond “use by” dates
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today the entry of a Stipulated Judgment by the Yolo County Superior Court to resolve a law enforcement consumer protection action against Save Mart Supermarkets, LLC, a California limited liability company that owns and operates retail grocery stores in California doing business as Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx, and Maxx Value Food. Read full story
Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office Participates in Unlicensed Contractor Compliance Checks
District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), conducted an unlicensed contractor compliance check operation on May 29, 2024. The compliance checks targeted unlicensed contractors operating in Sonoma County. Read full story
Splash into summer at Spring Lake, Russian River
Spring Lake Regional Park offers a variety of summer activities including a lifeguarded swimming lagoon, inflatable Water Park, and boat rentals. For safety on the Russian River, free life jackets are available and lifeguards patrol key beaches. Read full story
Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Water purchase Mark West Wikiup Preserve for conservation
Today, Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Water are announcing the purchase of the 30-acre Mark West Wikiup Preserve in the Larkfield-Wikiup area of Santa Rosa. Home to half-a-mile of Mark West Creek, oaks, riparian habitat, and grassy open space in a residential neighborhood, conservation of this property will enable Sonoma Water to offer public access to the preserve. Ag + Open Space funded Sonoma Water’s purchase of this property from the Jackson family for $5.1 million and acquired a conservation easement and recreation covenant over the property to ensure that the natural and recreational resource of the preserve will be conserved forever. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves $1 million in vegetation management grants to reduce wildfire risk
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved $1 million in grants for nine projects that will protect residents from wildfires by creating fuel breaks and removing vegetation along evacuation routes in fire-prone landscapes. Read full story
Board of Supervisors authorizes storm culvert, runway repair at Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved plans to refurbish a section of runway pavement and replace a deteriorating culvert at Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport. County officials have been monitoring the runway following an annual inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration, which identified the need for repairs. In response, airport officials took immediate proactive measures to seal the affected areas to prevent further deterioration. Read full story
Summer shuttle to Russian River beaches returns this month
The Regional Parks River Shuttle is a convenient, low-cost way to visit Russian River beaches without the need for a personal vehicle. With new, expanded hours, the shuttle will operate 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, beginning Saturday, May 25, through Labor Day, Sept. 2.The River Shuttle departs from the El Molino High School campus, 7050 Covey Road in Forestville, and runs between the popular Steelhead Beach and Sunset Beach river parks. Read full story
Board of Supervisors strengthens penalties for illegal cannabis, establishes grace period for zoning violations by permitted operators
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to align civil penalties for unpermitted cannabis operations in unincorporated Sonoma County with state law, including a penalty of $1,000 per violation, separate violations for each plant above the personal cultivation limit, and escalated penalties for violations on multiple properties. The Board also approved a correction period of three calendar days to provide licensed and license-exempt cultivators, such as patients and caregivers, an opportunity to remedy zoning violations before civil penalties are imposed. Read full story