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Santa Rosa Man Receives Life Sentence for 2022 Killing
Defendant Juan Antonio Martinez, 35 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to serve 20 years-to-life in state prison after pleading “no contest” in February of this year to charges of second-degree murder, and extortion by posing as a kidnapper, and admitting a sentencing enhancement for personally using a firearm. Read full story
Murderer Denied Parole
District Attorney Carla Rodriguez has announced that Bryon Tibbals, currently 60 years old and originally from Nevada, was denied parole on May 2, 2024. Read full story
Sonoma County Cannabis Equity Program awards $635,000 to advance economic justice and reduce industry barriers
The Board of Supervisors authorized grant agreements for 20 Sonoma County cannabis operators who were impacted due to cannabis-related offenses that occurred between 1971 and 2016, including arrest for or conviction of the sale, possession, distribution, use, manufacture or cultivation of cannabis, or other non-violent cannabis-related crimes, or were subject to asset forfeiture. Read full story
Sonoma County officials urge residents to prepare for wildfire season
As spring rain showers wind down, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is reminding residents that it’s not too early to start getting ready for the threat of wildfires. The supervisors today declared the month of May as Wildfire Awareness Month and stressed that fire prevention measures would be the focus of public education during the month. Read full story
Sonoma County to hold May 4 memorial service for 44 residents whose bodies were unclaimed
The County of Sonoma will host a memorial service on May 4 to honor the lives of 44 local residents who died without family or friends willing or able to pay for the disposition of their remains. Read full story
Judge Sentences Man to Prison for Child Molest
Defendant Robert Herrera was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to 12 years and 8 months in prison. Herrera’s sentence was the result of his 2023 convictions following a jury trial involving charges that he molested two children. Read full story
Sonoma County Community Development Commission to break ground on Tierra de Rosas infrastructure in Roseland
Sonoma County will celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, May 3 beginning at 9:30 a.m., remarks at 10 a.m., for the Tierra de Rosas project, a mixed-use development planned for 75 affordable housing units, a one-acre public plaza, Mercado Food Hall, a civic-use building and 100 units of market-rate housing. The groundbreaking ceremony and celebration represents a monumental step forward in the project and will include light refreshments. The event will take place at Mitote Food Park located at 665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. Read full story
Sonoma County announces 2024 paving and construction season, encourages road users to plan ahead, follow detours and go slow
The Sonoma County Department of Public Infrastructure today announced the Summer 2024 road resurfacing program will soon get underway with pavement treatment on nearly 30 miles of road segments across 45 separate county-maintained roads. Residents who live near project sites will be notified by county contractors in advance of the start of work. All impacted road users are asked to plan ahead, follow signage for detours and slowdown in the vicinity of work crews. Read full story
Charles M Schulz – Sonoma County Airport to undergo training exercise on Thursday
On April 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport will be conducting its Triennial Emergency Response Exercise, a practical exercise and safety training that takes place every three years at commercial service airports across the United States. Mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, the training exercise is a comprehensive mass-casualty event simulation that tests the planning, operational readiness, speed, and effectiveness of emergency personnel in real-time. Read full story
Board of Supervisors adjusts cannabis business tax rates in response to market changes
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to adjust county tax rates for cannabis operations in unincorporated areas in response to changes in the cannabis market. The amended Cannabis Business Tax Ordinance, which is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors for a second reading on April 30, would, upon final approval, take effect July 1. Projected cannabis tax revenue is $1.4 million for fiscal year 2024-25, a slight decrease from the previous year estimate. Read full story