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I can’t say I’m sad that 2025 is drawing inexorably (asymptotically?) to a close. The news cycle has been relentless this year and, as a representative of a branch of local government that is 38% state and federally funded, the back-and-forth whiplash over federal funding decisions has been especially exhausting.
On a personal level, I know too many friends and community members who have experienced losses or faced serious health challenges this year. I’m grateful for my family’s overall health, although 2025 brought our little family two surgeries and a broken bone, too. My daughter requiring out-of-county healthcare and my husband not being able to drive for 6 weeks post-surgery reminded me just how thinly held together life can be. I think many of us can relate to that feeling, but it feels especially true for working parents of young kids: life has to be so carefully orchestrated, the various extracurricular activities scheduled down to the minute, the schedule so overfull there’s barely time to squeeze in a family meal. Which means that with the slightest breath of wind, the whole house of cards crumbles beneath an avalanche of unwashed laundry. (Thank goodness for grandparents and family, by the way, who helped us navigate the unexpected challenges this year!)
So. That’s how I was feeling about 2025 before this weekend. Before two students were killed and nine were injured at Brown University in yet another mass shooting. Before an anti-Semitic act of hate and violence robbed 15 people of their lives in Australia, and robbed millions more people around the world of their sense of safety going into the first night of Hanukkah.
What does a deadly act of hate in Australia mean to us, here at home? I think it’s important to acknowledge and confront the fact that Sonoma County has been a source for neo-Nazi and white supremacist activity in the Bay Area. I am not Jewish, yet I have received anti-Semitic hate mail to my personal home address. I have friends who have been threatened with violence simply because they are Jewish or non-white. That hate, that threat, isn’t just on the other side of the world in Australia. It exists here, too.
As difficult as the news was this weekend, I’m inspired by Ahmed el Ahmed, a man who — in the midst of the shooting, with people bleeding on the pavement around him — ran towards danger, rather than away from it. Unarmed, he single-handedly wrested the rifle from the shooter, saving countless lives. And watching the video of what he did, you wouldn’t mistake Mr. el Ahmed as a stunt double for Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, or Keanu Reeves. In fact it’s his regular middle-aged guy, “every-Dad” or “every-Uncle”-ness that stood out most to me when I first watched the video. El Ahmed strikes you as an ordinary guy doing something extraordinary.
The fact that el Ahmed is Muslim and the targets were Jewish makes his heroism feel even more like a holiday parable. But perhaps more importantly, el Ahmed is human, and the targets were human. His act of courage was fundamentally an act of humanity.
Most of us, one hopes, won’t have to make a decision about what to do in an active shooter situation. But we can all continue to acknowledge and fight for our common humanity. When the world is dark, there is even more room for light. I feel grateful to live in a place that always feels full of stars and candles: so many of you care. That compassion shines all the more brightly in difficult times. So keep shining, West County, and keep checking on your neighbors to make sure they’re ok.
With gratitude and wishes for a happy Hanukkah,
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Athletic Field Turf Workshop
at Board of Supervisors Meeting
Tomorrow: Tuesday, Dec. 16
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At tomorrow’s Board of Supervisors meeting (Tues 12/16), Sonoma County Regional Parks will lead a public workshop on the future of athletic field turf across the county. A workshop is a scheduled item within the Board’s regular meeting — designed to allow for deeper discussion, information-sharing, and public input on complex policy topics. No final decisions are made, but it’s a chance for the Board and community to dig into the issue and explore next steps together.
This particular workshop brings together Regional Parks, Ag + Open Space, and Zero Waste Sonoma to share updates on field inventory, public funding, and the trade-offs between natural and artificial turf — from safety and cost to climate and community access.
Regional Parks will present on the current inventory of 23 athletic fields (19 natural, 4 artificial), plus three more in the planning stage. Staff will also walk through the many factors considered when developing or replacing a field — from stormwater management to equity and long-term maintenance.
Ag + Open Space will highlight its Community Spaces Matching Grant Program, which has funded both natural and artificial turf fields in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and unincorporated areas.
The workshop will also include an update from Zero Waste Sonoma, whose Local Task Force recently studied the environmental, health, and financial impacts of turf materials. The Zero Waste Sonoma board has directed staff to begin developing a regional model ordinance to ban or pause artificial turf installations on public land — a process expected to be carried out over the next 12 months, with input from local agencies and the public.
Whether you're a parent of young athletes, a parks user, an environmental advocate, or just someone who cares about how we use public resources, this workshop is a chance to learn more and get involved in shaping future decisions.
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Coming Soon: Real-Time Bus Tracking
for Sonoma County Transit
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Waiting on the side of a rural highway, unsure if the bus is three minutes or thirty minutes away, is more than inconvenient—it’s stressful. And if you’ve ever tried to juggle a virtual meeting mid-commute, or stood without shelter watching cars speed by, you know that uncertainty makes public transit harder to rely on.
That’s why a big upgrade is on the way for Sonoma County Transit.
Beginning in 2026, riders will have access to real-time bus tracking. The new system uses live GPS data to show exactly where a bus is and when it’s arriving—not just when it’s scheduled to arrive. With an interactive online map, it will be easier to plan ahead, make connections, and avoid the frustration of not knowing if you’ve missed the bus or if it’s just running late.
Other features include:
- Automatic stop announcements on board to improve accessibility
- Seamless coordination with Santa Rosa CityBus and Petaluma Transit, which already use the same system
- Improved tools for transit staff to monitor service, respond to issues in real time, and plan routes based on actual ridership data
The upgrade replaces a decade-old system that has become increasingly unreliable. The total cost—about $895,000—is covered entirely by state funds, and by replacing outdated equipment, the County expects to save nearly $59,000 per year in repairs and operations.
For riders, this is a quality-of-life improvement. Public transit should be predictable, accessible, and responsive. Whether you’re heading to work, school, or a doctor’s appointment, you deserve to know when your ride is coming—and to feel confident that the system is working for you.
This upgrade is about making transit work better, not just on paper, but in the real world.
| | Human Services Department Seeking Community Partner Input:
Sonoma County Mobile Services Vans | |
The County is launching a new initiative designed to make critical services more accessible, equitable, and community-centered. The Human Services Department (HSD), in partnership with the Departments of Health Services (DHS) and Child Support Services (DCSS), is in the planning phase of deploying Mobile Services Vans (MSVs)—a project aimed at bringing essential programs directly into neighborhoods across the county.
These vans will serve as mobile hubs for programs like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, employment counseling, veterans services, foster family outreach, and child support assistance. The goal is to meet residents where they are—whether that’s a local community center, school parking lot, or rural gathering space—eliminating common barriers such as transportation, time off work, or navigating multiple service locations.
This effort reflects a broader commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports not just roads and bridges, but people and families.
Planning is underway, and County departments are seeking collaboration with community-based organizations and trusted community messengers. Their knowledge, relationships, and on-the-ground insight are essential to ensuring this effort is rooted in real community need.
If your organization connects directly with residents, or if you’re someone who others turn to for information and support, please consider completing the short survey linked below. Feedback will help shape how and where services are deployed.
The deadline to respond is Thursday, December 18, 2025.
This initiative is one more step toward building a county where everyone—regardless of zip code—has access to the support they need to thrive.
| The Sonoma County Library Wants Your Input | The Sonoma County Library has launched a countywide survey to help inform their new five-year Strategic Plan. They would like community feedback to help in shape the library’s priorities, programs, and services. The survey is open now through January 18, available in both English and Spanish, and takes only a few minutes to complete. | Efficiency & Sustainable Energy Home Program | |
The EASE Home program, launched by the Bay Area Regional Energy Network in partnership with the County of Sonoma offers mid to low income-eligible households customized improvements such as insulation, duct sealing, smart thermostats, and weatherization work, all professionally installed with minimal hassle. Upgrades aim to improve indoor comfort, lower energy bills and support healthier, more efficient homes.
Here’s how it works: EASE Home participants receive a free site visit from a trained energy advisor, followed by a detailed upgrade plan tailored to the home. BayREN covers up to 80% of the cost and coordinates everything from permitting to installation through vetted contractors. Homeowners are responsible for a 20% co-payment, up to $1,000. Payment is due upon completion of work.
To qualify, residents must live in a single-family home built before 2010 in Sonoma County, be a PG&E or SCP customer, and have a household income at or below 120 percent of the area median income, for example you can gross up to $116,250 for a single person household or $166,050 annually for a family of four. See website for all income levels. Both owners and tenants (with landlord approval) can participate.
Spots are limited. Learn more through the website linked below or contact Dori Estrella at dori.estrella@sonoma.county.gov.
| | Bay Area Air District
Event Sponsorships Available | | The Bay Area Air District offers sponsorships for events and programs that support clean air, public health, climate action, and community engagement. Eligible requests must align with Air District priorities, reach relevant audiences, and be submitted at least 90 days before the event. Learn more and apply below. | | West County Wastewater Solutions Study: Draft Report Available for Public Comment | | |
The Draft Water Quality and Recycled Water Supply Feasibility Study for the West County Wastewater Solutions Project is now available for public review. The study evaluates potential solutions for improving wastewater treatment and water reuse in unincorporated West Sonoma County communities, with the goal of protecting water quality, supporting environmental health, and addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges.
Community feedback is an essential part of this process. The draft report is currently under review by both the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and the project Stakeholder Committee.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the document and submit comments by 5:00 p.m. on January 2, 2026. Comments may be submitted via the online form. If the form is not accessible, comments may also be emailed to Andrea.Rodriguez@scwa.ca.gov, or mailed to:
Sonoma Water
404 Aviation Blvd
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Please include your name and note the chapter and page number for any specific comments.
| | Where Should Electric Vehicle (EV)
Chargers be installed? | |
Sonoma County is mapping out the future of electric vehicle charging—and your input matters! Whether you already drive an EV or are just curious about going electric someday, Sonoma County wants to hear from you. There’s a new interactive map where you can drop a pin and share where charging stations are needed based on your current daily routines and your future needs.
This work is part of the County’s Equitable EV Charging Plan, aiming to ensure fair access across both urban and rural communities—especially in underserved areas. The survey is open through January 2026, and your feedback will help guide real investments under a state-funded climate and mobility initiative.
| | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | | | |
Community Coffee / Cafecito Comunitario
Monday, January 19, 9 - 10 AM
West County Services Center
16390 Main Street Suite B, Guerneville
District 5 invites you to drop in to our "Cafecito" drop-in office hours on the third Monday each month. You don't have to stay; you can just stop by to visit with D5 staff, enjoy a delicious pastry and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; then go about your day.
Everyone is welcome; we look forward to seeing you!
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Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins | County of Sonoma | 707-565-2241
Lynda.Hopkins@sonomacounty.gov
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