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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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August 16, 2023 | Permit Sonoma

Board of Supervisors to review 2023 Sonoma County Housing Element update at Tuesday meeting

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will consider adopting the 2023 Sonoma County Housing Element update at its Aug. 22, meeting. The Housing Element update includes policies and programs to encourage an adequate supply of housing for residents of all income levels and to further fair housing. Read full story


August 16, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

North County Fire awarded $7.4 million grant for vegetation management

The Cloverdale and Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection Districts, operating under a joint power authority as “North County Fire,” are set to receive $7.4 million in grant funding from FEMA and CalOES for fire prevention and vegetation management work in the wider Cloverdale area. Read full story


August 16, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County launches new community health dashboard

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today launched a new community health dashboard to increase public awareness of local health trends and improve the community’s ability to respond to changing health needs. Read full story


August 15, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Former Social Advocates for Youth Employee Sentenced for Embezzlement

Defendant Lisa Fatu, a 42-year-old former employee of Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) in Santa Rosa, CA, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert LaForge for stealing more than $50,000 of SAY funds to pay her personal bills. Ms. Fatu was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to serve four months in county jail. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss and to make monthly payments. She made an initial payment at her hearing of $5,000. Ms. Fatu had been a long-term employee of SAY, which is a community organization that serves vulnerable youth and their families in Sonoma County. Read full story


August 15, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors approves $1.4 million in loans to address homelessness and housing in Sonoma County

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to provide $1,415,130 in loans to expand the supply of affordable housing in the county by constructing 159 new housing units in Santa Rosa, Windsor and Guerneville. Read full story


August 15, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Sonoma County leaders offer recovery support to Maui

County of Sonoma leaders are offering assistance and condolences to victims of the Maui wildfires as well as providing insights on wildfire recovery, given Sonoma County’s experiences in the aftermath of major wildfires in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Read full story


August 14, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Man sentenced to maximum sentence of 24 years, 8 months in state prison for robbery, high speed pursuit causing serious injury, & driving under the influence of methamphetamine

Jose Angel Mendez Torres, 36 years old of Watsonville, was sentenced on Friday of last week by the Honorable Judge Mark Urioste to serve the maximum sentence allowed of 24 years, and 8 months in state prison after a jury returned guilty verdicts on June 9, 2023 for multiple charges, including robbery, commercial burglary, driving under the influence of a drug causing great bodily injury, fleeing a peace officer, and possession of tear gas by a convicted felon. Read full story


August 14, 2023 | Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

Extended nomination period opens for November 7, 2023 Election

Candidate nominations for select special district offices scheduled for election in November have been extended to Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. for any qualified person -- except the incumbent(s) -- because one or more of the incumbent(s) did not file. Read full story


August 10, 2023 | Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

Sonoma County Registrar of Voters seeking public feedback on second draft of Election Administration Plan

The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office is seeking public input on its 2023 Election Administration Plan, which informs voters about all aspects of the California Voter’s Choice Act including Voting Center services, ballot drop box locations, and information specific to voters with disabilities and language minority voters. Read full story


August 10, 2023 | Department of Child Support Services

Department of Child Support Services announces new programs to support local families

The Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services unveiled new resources this week to meet the diverse needs of local families, including programs to help parents simplify child support payments, reduce child support debts, and regain driver’s licenses that have been suspended for failure to pay child support. Read full story