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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases
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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
Board of Supervisors adopts language access policy
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a language access policy and implementation plan, in a commitment to improve access to County services for residents who do not speak English as their primary language or who do not speak any English. The policy was created by the County’s Office of Equity. Read full story
Sonoma County awards $14.8 million contract to build infrastructure for mixed-use development in Roseland
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a $14.8 million contract with Ghilotti Construction Co. to build sewer lines, utilities, streets and other infrastructure to support the Tierra de Rosas mixed-use development in Roseland. Read full story
Sonoma County bans sale of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco in unincorporated areas
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county. The changes to the county’s tobacco retail ordinance are in response to public health data that show e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco use increasing among high school-aged youth. Read full story
Evacuation exercise planned for Cloverdale areas of Clover Springs, Palomino Lakes and Highland Ranch
The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, in partnership with community preparedness groups, will be holding an evacuation exercise on Sunday, May 19, for the Cloverdale areas of Clover Springs, Palomino Lakes and Highland Ranch. Read full story