Weekly Roundup for September 22, 2023

Today’s digest provides helpful and important news on the following:

1. Public invited to comment on Environmental Assessment for Koi Nation casino project
2. Participate in focus group on community policing
3. District Attorney’s Office awarded grant to fight organized retail theft
4. Other Sonoma County news of note

Public invited to comment on Environmental Assessment for Koi Nation casino project

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold a virtual public hearing Sept. 27 to receive public comments on the Environmental Assessment for the Koi Nation of Northern California’s proposed casino resort project southeast of Windsor.

The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Instructions for participation in the public hearing are available at https://www.shilohresortenvironmental.com.

Copies of the Environmental Assessment are available for public review at https://www.shilohresortenvironmental.com and the Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway No. 100.

The report assesses the environmental impacts that could result from the development of a casino, hotel, ballroom/meeting space, event center, spa, parking and associated infrastructure on the 68.6-acre property, located at 222 E. Shiloh Road.

Participate in focus group on community policing

The county’s Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach is looking for people to help with a research project on community-oriented policing. 

The office is partnering with researchers at Sonoma State University to learn more about what community-oriented policing means to members of the community. Participants will be asked how they think the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office is demonstrating community-oriented policing. Each participant in the 1-hour listening sessions will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. 

Sign up to participate in the research project using this link: https://bit.ly/3t4X5NQ

District Attorney’s Office awarded grant to fight organized retail theft

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s office has been awarded a $2.05 million state grant to combat organized retail theft.

The money will be used to establish a dedicated prosecutor in Sonoma County focused on ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable by identifying gaps in the system and improving cooperation with retail operators and local law enforcement.

“There is not one single fix to combatting the escalation of property crime across the state and in Sonoma County,” District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said. “We need the Legislature to pass common sense laws, we need the courts to impose appropriate sanctions, and we (in law enforcement) need to be proactive and innovative in holding offenders accountable. This grant will help my office continue to vigorously prosecute those that commit property crime in this community.” 

Other Sonoma County news of note

Board of Supervisors to limit verbal public comments to those attending Sept. 26 meeting in person 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/board-of-supervisors-to-limit-verbal-public-comments-to-those-attending-sept-26-meeting-in-person-meeting

Sonoma County extends health advisory due to poor air quality 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-extends-health-advisory-due-to-poor-air-quality

Sonoma County Health Officer issues order requiring health care facility staff to wear a mask 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-health-officer-issues-order-requiring-health-care-facility-staff-to-wear-a-mask

Three Sonoma County groundwater sustainability agencies awarded $15 million in state grant funds 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/three-sonoma-county-groundwater-sustainability-agencies-awarded-15-million-in-state-grant-funds

View a list of current and upcoming job opportunities with the County of Sonoma 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/job-opportunities