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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
Sonoma County assessment roll increases to $108 billion for 2022-23
Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Deva Marie Proto has delivered the 2022-23 Assessment Roll to the Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. The net assessment roll has hit an all-time high of $108,331,893,661, which is an increase of 6.46 percent over last year’s assessment roll amount and reflects the value of all real and business property as of Jan. 1, 2022. Read full story
Nomination period opens for Nov. 8 General Election
Candidate nominations open on Monday, July 18, for various local school, municipal and special district offices scheduled to be on the ballot on Nov. 8, 2022. Candidates residing in Sonoma County who are interested in running for any of the more than 225 available positions must file nomination papers between July 18 and Aug. 12 in order to have their names placed on the Nov. 8 ballot. Read full story
Sonoma County Administrator Sheryl Bratton announces plans to retire in early 2023
County Administrator Sheryl Bratton notified the Board of Supervisors today that she will be retiring from her position at the end of her contract term in March 2023. She recommended that the Board begin the search for her successor soon to provide adequate time to ensure a smooth transition for the organization. Read full story
Parole Denied in the 2012 Alcohol and Drug-Fueled Killing of Jesse Garcia
Heather Anne Howell, 38 years old of Santa Rosa, was denied parole earlier today following a scheduled hearing in front of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations Board of Parole Hearings. This was the initial parole hearing for Howell, who is serving a sentence of 15-years-to-life for the killing Jesse Garcia, also of Santa Rosa. Read full story
Best-selling author Johann Hari to present county-sponsored lecture on “Rethinking Addiction”
Sonoma County residents are invited to hear best-selling author and journalist Johann Hari, who has written extensively on substance abuse and addiction, speak at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on July 21. The free lecture is being sponsored by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services as well as Directing Change, a mental health nonprofit for students. Read full story
Petaluma Man Sentenced to 4 Years State Prison for Fatal Collision
Defendant James Thomas Watkins, 43 years old of Petaluma, was sentenced today by the Honorable Judge Bradford J. Demeo to serve 4 years in state prison after a jury returned a guilty verdict against him in May to charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in connection with a collision he caused in September of 2020 which resulted in the death of Mario Gongora Castaneda. Read full story