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Burn permits required in Sonoma County
The burn permit suspension in Sonoma County will be lifted on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. by CalFire, and permits will be required to burn. Anyone possessing current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits can resume burning on permissible burn days. Burn piles or broadcast burns must be inspected by CalFire, when located in the State Responsibility Area, or your local Fire District in the Local Responsibility, and/or Air Quality District prior to burning until the end of the peak fire season per the Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance. Read full story
Early in-person voting expands this weekend for November 5 General Election
Early in-person voting for the Nov. 5 General Election will expand this weekend in Sonoma County, Registrar of Voters Deva Marie Proto reminded the public today. Twenty-four vote centers will open Saturday, joining seven that have been open since Saturday, Oct. 26, for a total of 31. Voters can cast their ballots at any Vote Center in the county; they are not assigned to a specific location. Read full story
CalFire to lift burn permit suspension in Sonoma County
The burn permit suspension in Sonoma County will be lifted on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m., CalFire has announced. The state fire agency is formally canceling the burn suspension in Sonoma, Colusa, Lake, Napa Solano and Yolo counties. Read full story
Nominations open for the 2024 Collections and Archives Recognition Awards in Sonoma County
The Sonoma County Historical Records Commission is now accepting nominations for their 2024 Collections and Archives Recognition Awards. This award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of individuals, groups, agencies, collections and archives located within Sonoma County. Nominees located within the boundaries of Sonoma County and practicing the collection and preservation of historical records for the promotion of history and cultural preservation qualify for the award. Read full story
Parole Denied in The 2012 Vehicular Murder Of Jesse Garcia
Heather Anne Howell, 41 years old of Santa Rosa, was denied parole yesterday following a hearing in front of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Board of Parole Hearings. Read full story
Early in-person voting begins this weekend for November 5 General Election
Early in-person voting for the November 5 General Election will begin this weekend in Sonoma County, Registrar of Voters Deva Marie Proto reminded voters today. Seven Vote Centers will be open for 11 consecutive days from Saturday, October 26 to Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Election Day itself when the hours will be extended from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Read full story
Prescribed burning operations planned at Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
Sonoma County Regional Parks plans to conduct prescribed fire operations at Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 24 and 25 to reduce fire risk and improve park health. Read full story
Sonoma County awarded $1.84 million for the Northside Russian River Shaded Fuel Break Project
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today authorized $1.8 million for three critical fuel breaks that will help protect residents in the Rio Nido, Guernewood and Hacienda areas from wildfires. Read full story
County of Sonoma’s unfunded pension liability down 37 percent since 2020, according to annual report on health of retirement system
The County of Sonoma has reduced its unfunded pension liability by 37 percent since 2020, the result of strong investment returns and decisions by the Board of Supervisors to pay down the County’s unfunded liability, according to the sixth annual State of the Retirement System report presented to supervisors today. Read full story
Sonoma County approves Microenterprise Home Kitchen program
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to establish a local program to permit small-scale residential retail food facilities, known as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, or MEHKOs, which are authorized by state law. Read full story