Press Releases
Horse racing canceled for 2025 Sonoma County Fair
The Sonoma County Fair Board, after lengthy discussions, has made the hard decision to cancel horse racing at the 2025 Fair. The decision was made due to the declining horse population in Northern California, resulting from the closing of Golden Gate Fields and the elimination of stabling at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Significant changes have resulted in the majority of horse owners, trainers and support workers relocating to Southern California and other out-of-state race facilities. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves cannabis cultivation tax rate decrease following review of market changes
he Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to reduce County tax rates for cannabis cultivation in unincorporated areas to rates equivalent to 2.5 percent of gross receipts, converted to a square footage rate, following an annual review of market changes and data reported by local operators. The local cannabis tax rates for retail and manufacturing operations in unincorporated areas will remain the same. The amended Cannabis Business Tax Ordinance, which will go before the Board of Supervisors for final approval on May 6, 2025, will be effective July 1. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors honors groups advancing transgender rights
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today adopted a gold resolution acknowledging the critical work of local organizations that support the transgender community. At Board direction, County staff also raised a transgender pride flag outside the Sonoma County Administration Building in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility. Read full story
Sonoma County reaffirms support for immigrant communities after ICE incident at Probation Department
The County of Sonoma is reiterating its commitment to all who are in need of services, especially immigrant communities, and providing guidance and support for County staff after an individual was detained Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the lobby of the County Probation Department. Read full story
Sonoma County highlights essential work of civil grand juries, urges residents to volunteer for service
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today honored the important work of civil grand juries, which investigate and report on local government to ensure it is operating efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of the public. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors reduces fees for affordable housing projects
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a plan to eliminate millions of dollars in impact fees charged to developers that build affordable housing, part of an ongoing effort by the County to make housing more affordable and accessible. Read full story
Sonoma County Cannabis Equity Program to award $520,000 to help local entrepreneurs in legal cannabis industry
The Board of Supervisors today authorized a Cannabis Equity Grant agreement with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development including $520,000 in state funds to be distributed to qualified applicants who have been negatively or disproportionately impacted in the past by cannabis prohibition and the war on drugs. The State of California set aside funds through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions to reduce or remove barriers to enter the newly regulated cannabis industry as well as to aid the state in its goal of eliminating the illicit cannabis market by bringing more operators into the legal market. Read full story
Environmental and culinary benefits of induction cooking on display March 15 at spring Induction Cooking Expo
Learn how induction cooking can save money, help the environment and improve your culinary skills during a free demonstration event at the spring North Bay Induction Cooking Expo on March 15 in Santa Rosa. Read full story
Board of Supervisors narrows post-storm eviction ban to just Lower Russian River
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a temporary ban on evictions in the Lower Russian River area neighborhoods where residents were most impacted by flooding during a storm earlier this month. The Board simultaneously removed a countywide prohibition on evictions that has been in place since the supervisors ratified a proclamation of local emergency two weeks ago. The countywide prohibition on evictions will expire on March 27. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approves $500,000 to support immigrant communities
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today allocated $500,000 to provide support for undocumented, immigrant and refugee residents of Sonoma County during this time of uncertainty nationwide. Read full story
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