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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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December 01, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Prison inmate convicted of 1985 murder of Guerneville man denied parole once again

Inmate Vernon Bragg, now 70 years old of Dallas Texas, was denied parole yesterday by the California State Board of Parole Hearings following an afternoon hearing held at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. In 1985, Bragg was convicted of murder for the shooting and killing of Ray Rasmussen of Guerneville. Following the murder, Bragg was sentenced to an indeterminate life sentence in state prison. Read full story


November 30, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Man sentenced for conspiracy to trespass and trespass at Sonoma County Farms

Wayne Hsiung, a 42-year-old California state bar licensed attorney from San Francisco, was sentenced earlier today to serve 2 years on probation and 90 days in county jail after having been convicted by a Sonoma County jury in November of this year to charges of felony conspiracy to commit trespass and two counts of trespass. The convictions stem from large animal rights protests staged on Sonoma County Farms in 2018 and 2019. Read full story


November 30, 2023 | Department of Health Services

With respiratory viruses circulating, all Bay Area Health Officers recommend actions to stay healthy for the holidays

As levels of circulating respiratory viruses increase and people spend more time indoors for the holiday season, it’s important to know all the ways to stay healthy this winter. Read full story


November 29, 2023 | Permit Sonoma

Permit Sonoma to host cannabis ordinance update information meetings December 13

Permit Sonoma will host two Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update meetings on December 13 to update the public on key program elements and the mapping of residential enclaves in an effort to improve compatibility between cannabis land uses and the neighborhoods they are located within or near. Read full story


November 21, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing a Teenager

Defendant Leonel Padilla Gomez, 36 years old, of Santa Rosa, California, was sentenced on November 16, 2023, by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to 14 years in state prison. This sentence follows Gomez’s convictions related to sexually abusing a teenager. Read full story


November 21, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Assault

Defendant Ambrosio Leiva-Moreno, 32 years old, of Santa Rosa, California, was sentenced on November 15, 2023, by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to 36 years in the state prison. This sentence follows Leiva-Moreno’s convictions related to sexually assaulting a child. Read full story


November 15, 2023 | Office of the District Attorney

Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office Awarded Grant from the Office of Traffic Safety for Specialized DUI Prosecution Team

Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez has announced that as a result of her office receiving a $516,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), it will be able to continue to have a specialized prosecution team that handles alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases. Read full story


November 14, 2023 | Sonoma Public Infrastructure (formerly TPW)

Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport welcomes return of seasonal nonstop service to Palm Springs

One year after launching the exclusive seasonal route, Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport today announced that Avelo Airlines is once again offering nonstop service to Palm Springs International Airport. Special first-anniversary one-way fares between STS and PSP are starting at $74. Read full story


November 14, 2023 | Department of Human Services

Sonoma County to host second job and resource fair for homeless November 16 in Petaluma

Sonoma County will host its second-ever job and resource fair for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless on November 16 at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. Read full story


November 13, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors, County Administrator issue statement of support for Health Services Director Tina Rivera

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and County Administrator M. Christina Rivera today issued the following statement... Read full story