View All County Press Releases
Registrar of Voters unveils new online database of election results
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Evelyn Mendez is pleased to announce the addition of a new streamlined, searchable database of 2009-2024 election results to the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters website. Called ElectionStats, the product is developed and maintained by Civera, a Boston-based company with a reputation for innovative civic technology. Read full story
Sonoma County issues mask order for health facilities and encourages residents to get vaccinated for flu and COVID
Given the greater risk of COVID, flu and other respiratory virus-related illnesses over the fall and winter months, Sonoma County Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith issued an order today requiring health care personnel and others to wear masks inside patient care areas of specified health care facilities. The health order, designed to protect the most vulnerable populations, will take effect Nov. 1 and last through March 31, 2026. Read full story
Ballots and County Voter Information Guides begin going out next week for Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Evelyn Mendez announced today that Vote-by-Mail ballots and County Voter Information Guides (VIGs) for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election will begin going out Monday, Oct. 6, to all active, registered voters in Sonoma County. The ballots are expected to take between three and 10 days to arrive. Read full story
Gigi Mertle selected to lead Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has selected Gigi Mertle as the new Director of the Department of Child Support Services, following her successful tenure as Interim Director. Read full story
Ribbon-cutting to celebrate West Soda Rock Lane reopening as Sonoma County advances storm recovery projects
Sonoma County today announced the reopening of West Soda Rock Lane, the second of six priority, storm-recovery road projects to reach completion. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held Friday, Oct. 3, at noon, bringing together County staff, contractors, and the West Soda Rock community to mark the milestone. Read full story
Sonoma County voters invited to attend disability and language workshops in advance of Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Evelyn Mendez announced two workshops taking place on Oct. 1 and Oct. 14 to educate voters about the upcoming Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election. Read full story
Parole Board denies 14th bid for parole to man who beat his wife to death
California Board of Prison Terms has again denied parole to Larry Richard Bunke, who was convicted of Second Degree Murder in the brutal beating death of his wife, Linda, in 1982. This was his 14th parole opportunity. Read full story
Lowes Settles Consumer Protection Case for Scanner Price Overcharges and False Advertising
Sonoma County District Attorney, Carla Rodriguez, along with the District Attorneys of San Diego, Alameda, Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties, announced today the settlement of a consumer protection lawsuit against Lowes. The defendant will pay $1,089,999.90 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging that Lowes engaged in false advertising and unfair competition in California. Lowe’s operates 110 stores in California. Read full story
Charles M. Schulz — Sonoma County Airport welcomes new Southwest Airlines service
Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport today announced that Southwest Airlines will begin service in April. The widely requested airline will begin service with new non-stop routes to San Diego, Burbank, Las Vegas and Denver. The move expands the airport’s offerings to include a popular connection for eastbound flights on North America’s fourth largest airline. Read full story
Sonoma County reports $857.6 million in agricultural production for 2024; highlights resilience of poultry producers, shifts in grape and apple markets
Sonoma County’s agricultural production reached a total value of $857,620,400 in 2024, a 9.3 percent decrease from the previous year, according to the annual Crop Report released today by the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures. Read full story