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Free county chipping program opens for 2023 season
The County of Sonoma has begun accepting applications for its seasonal Chipper Program, which provides free chipper services to residents seeking to make their property more wildfire safe. Provided through the Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention Division, this free service assists property owners in creating defensible space, which can be critical in preventing the spread of a wildfire to a home. Read full story
Evacuation exercise planned for upper Mark West Springs watershed community
The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, in partnership with community preparedness groups, will be holding an evacuation exercise on Sunday, June 11 for the upper Mark West Springs watershed community. Read full story
Sonoma County to hold first-ever memorial service for 500 unclaimed people buried without a funeral
Sonoma County leaders will host the county’s first-ever memorial service of its kind on June 10 to honor the lives of hundreds of homeless, poor, elderly and other people who have died in the county without family or money to make burial arrangements. Read full story
State approves Sonoma Water’s Request for Temporary Changes in Russian River Flows
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) recently approved a request by the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) to modify Russian River instream flows. The Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) filed by Sonoma Water in April, and approved by the State Board on May 19, amends Sonoma Water’s water rights permits and State Board Decision 1610 in order to comply with the 2008 Russian River Biological Opinion and to enhance salmonid habitat in Dry Creek and the mainstem Russian River. Read full story
Concord Man Convicted for 2019 Petaluma Outlets Murder
Defendant David Kyle Lubkin, 29 years old of Concord, CA, was convicted today by jury of First Degree Murder and Discharging a Firearm at a Motor Vehicle causing death. These convictions stem from the September 28, 2019 killing of 19 year-old Ezequiel Garcia at the Petaluma Outlets. Read full story
SMART launches on demand microtransit shuttle connecting the train to the Sonoma County Airport (STS)
The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) is pleased to announce the launch of the SMART Connect microtransit shuttle providing a first and last-mile connection between the SMART Airport Station and the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS), and the surrounding business corridor. Read full story
Sonoma County hosts summit on potential reintroduction of sea otters to the North Coast
Marine biologists, economists, tribal representatives, elected leaders as well as local environmental advocates and other stakeholders are taking part in a conference in Bodega Bay today to explore the possibility and impacts of reintroducing southern sea otters to their former habitat on the Sonoma Coast. Read full story
Sonoma County Department of Health Services recommends awarding ambulance contract to Sonoma County Fire District
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today announced it is recommending that the Board of Supervisors award a contract to the Sonoma County Fire District for advanced life support ground ambulance services for Exclusive Operating Area No. 1, which includes Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and much of central Sonoma County. Read full story
Spring Lake celebrates summer with new amenities and commemorates 50 years
Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa, California, celebrates summer with new amenities and commemorates its 50th anniversary. Read full story
County Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach, Sheriff and Unions clarify investigative powers
The County of Sonoma and two labor groups representing county law enforcement employees today announced the finalization of an agreement to strengthen law enforcement oversight in the county. The County and the Associations came together in a mutual effort to implement the voters’ will, ensure that IOLERO’s expanded authority represented smart and effective law enforcement oversight, and treat the associations’ members fairly. Read full story