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County Awarded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds
Sonoma County was recently awarded $586,739 in HazardMitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding from the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA), to support projects that mitigate seismic and wildfire hazardsthroughout the County. The awards come after an extensive application andreview period that followed the Sonoma Complex Fires. Read full story
Continued Risk of Flooding and Mud, Debris Flows from 2017 Wildfires
The City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma continue to encourage residents living in and around the areas burned by the Sonoma Complex Fires to prepare their property for the rainy season and remain alert for possible threats from intense winter storms. Read full story
Husband, Wife, and their Son Sentenced for2017 Porter Creek Road Murder
DefendantsRene Espinoza Jr., 22-years-old, Maria Guadalupe Torres, 42 years old, and ReneEspinoza Martinez, 42 years old, all of Clearlake, were each sentenced earliertoday by the Honorable Bradford DeMeo to a life-term in prison following theirJuly convictions for the 2017 murder of Antonio Botello Arreola. Read full story
Petaluma Man Sentenced to a Life Term inPrison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
51-year oldFilemon Hernandez, of Petaluma, CA was sentenced to prison for a term of 24years to life, for numerous sexual assault crimes involving a child under theage of 14. Read full story
Debris Insurance Collection from 2017 Fires Begins
Many Sonoma County property owners utilized the Government-Sponsored Debris Removal Program (Program) to clear debris after the devastating Sonoma Complex Fires. The Program was administered and paid for by FEMA and Cal OES. Read full story
Michigan Man Found Guilty of Second Degree Murder in 2016 Thanksgiving Day Stabbing
After a month-long trial, a Sonoma County jury deliberated less than 5 hours before finding defendant Arent Daniel Julius Bradt guilty of second degree murder yesterday afternoon. In addition, the jury found “true” an enhancement alleging the defendant used a knife during the murder, making the defendant’s maximum exposure 16 years to life in state prison. Read full story
PG&E Will Not Initiate Large-Scale Power Shutoff in Sonoma County
The County of Sonoma and City of Santa have been informed by PG&E that due to improved weather conditions for our area, the agency does not plan to initiate the large-scale power shutoff originally planned for portions of Sonoma County. However, PG&E is still planning to shutoff power in a limited area of unincorporated eastern Sonoma County along Porter Creek Road, affecting less than 1,000 customers Read full story
The County of SonomaPrepares to Respond to the Impacts of a Possible PG&E Power Shut-Off Event
The County of Sonoma is preparing to respond to the impacts of a possible power shut off conducted by PG&E. The agency informed County officials that Sonoma County is under a “Public Safety Shut off Watch,” and current weather conditions may lead to a de-energization event within the next 12 hours. Read full story
PG&E will not Shut Power off Tonight in County, however Possibility RemainsTomorrow
The County of Sonoma was recently informed by PG&E that the agency will not shut off power this evening. However, the power shut off watch is still in effect for tomorrow, September 24. The County of Sonoma will continue preparing to respond to the impacts of this likely event. Read full story
Expanded Housing Opportunities Provide More Options for Farmers
On Tuesday, September 17, Sonoma County Board ofSupervisors removed zoning restrictions that prohibit the ability to apply toconstruct an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) on over 1,900 agriculturalproperties. This action will eliminate unnecessary regulatory constraints on arecognized form of affordable housing, while continuing to protect and supportthe county’s agricultural and environmental resources. Read full story