Wednesday September 10

As September settles in, with kids back in school and the first hints of autumn in the air, there’s a sense of both new beginnings and familiar routines. In this edition, you’ll see updates on community safety, new tools to connect with vital services, and investments in the strength and resilience of our nonprofits and neighborhoods.

What ties all of these efforts together is a simple belief: no one in Sonoma County should fall through the cracks. Whether it’s safer crosswalks, stronger recovery resources, or support for our local organizations, these are investments in people, in community, and in the future we’re building together.

Thank you, as always, for being engaged neighbors and partners in this work.

Forestville Front Street Pedestrian and Roadway Improvement Project: Community Input Requested

The Forestville Pedestrian and Roadway Improvement Project on Highway 116 / Front Street in downtown Forestville is moving forward, and part of the design includes Class II bike lanes (striped lanes) along Front Street (SR-116) between Mirabel Road and Covey Road.

Because the West County Regional Trail offers a safer and generally preferred route for cyclists, and in order to preserve parking along Front Street, some community members have suggested that a shared Class III bicycle route (no painted stripe, cars and bikes sharing the lane) may be a better fit for this stretch. In response, Sonoma County Public Infrastructure is gathering feedback to help guide the planning process.

This is a chance for you to weigh in. Should we move forward with the Class II striped bike lanes as currently designed, or consider shifting to a shared Class III bicycle route between Mirabel and Covey?

Take the survey now

Safer Crossings in the 5th District: What's New & How to Use Them

With kids back in school and autumn settling in, it feels like the right moment for a back-to-school refresher—one that keeps all of us safer on our streets, whether we’re walking, biking, or behind the wheel. Over the past two years, we’ve seen big upgrades to crosswalks across the 5th District. Now it’s up to us to use them well.

Know your crosswalk types

Unmarked crosswalks: Every intersection is a legal crossing, even without paint. Drivers must yield; pedestrians should not step suddenly into traffic.

Marked crosswalks: Painted stripes make crossings more visible, but the rules are the same.

RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons): Push the button; flashing yellow lights alert drivers, who must yield until the crosswalk is clear.

HAWK Beacons (High-intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacons): Dark until pressed. For drivers: flashing yellow = caution; solid yellow = prepare to stop; solid red = stop; flashing red = stop, then go if clear. For pedestrians: cross on WALK, finish on the countdown.

What’s new

Sebastopol — Sunset Ave & Taft St (Analy HS): new marked crossing with flashing beacons and ADA ramps, delivered with District 5 Community Infrastructure funds.

Sebastopol — SR 116 at McKinley St & Danmar Dr: new HAWK signals activated in December 2024, delivered by Caltrans.

Price Ave at Wright Charter: RRFB installed May 2025 by Sonoma County Public Infrastructure with funding from the 5th District.

Guerneville — SR 116 Downtown Upgrades (2024–25): sidewalks, ramps, curb extensions, and pedestrian hybrid beacons; a Caltrans project with County support. Work is ongoing—please be cautious in the construction zones.

How to use them

Walking: Make eye contact before stepping in. Push the button at RRFBs; at HAWKs, start on WALK, don’t start on the flashing hand, and finish on the countdown.

Driving: Yield at all crosswalks, marked or unmarked. At RRFBs, flashing yellow = yield. At HAWKs, solid red = stop; flashing red = stop, then proceed if clear. And remember California’s new daylighting rule (AB 413): no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk (15 feet where there’s a curb extension).

Biking: Yield to pedestrians, and remember you don’t get pedestrian right-of-way unless you dismount. Obey RRFBs and HAWKs just like drivers.

Board of Supervisors Approves $5 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Recovery Efforts

There’s hopeful news to share in the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis: the Board of Supervisors has approved $5 million in opioid settlement funding, with a strong focus on expanding services in West County, where the need is greatest.

These dollars don’t come from local taxes. They are part of a national legal settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Every penny must be used to reduce or reverse the harm caused by opioids here at home. So far, Sonoma County has received over $14 million through the settlement, with more on the way over the next decade.

West County has some of the highest opioid-related death rates in the region. This funding will bring life-saving programs and real support into our rural communities, including:

Sober Living Recovery Homes: Buckelew Programs will open up to four sober living homes, with at least two located in West County. These homes will provide safe, alcohol- and drug-free housing with structure, support, and on-site house managers to help residents rebuild their lives. Across all four homes, around 68 people will have access to a healing, supportive place to recover.

Youth-Focused Harm Reduction in Schools: West County Health Centers (WCHC) is expanding its Lower Russian River Opioid Prevention and Harm Reduction Initiative, with a new focus on reaching adolescents and their families at Guerneville K-8, Laguna High School, and Analy High School. New Harm Reduction Specialists will provide education, distribute Narcan and fentanyl test strips, and build trust through peer support and honest conversations about substance use and safety.

Family Care Coordination: WCHC is also adding a Family Care Manager, based out of the Teen Clinic, to provide intensive case management and wraparound support for families dealing with mental health or substance use issues. This role is a critical connector between medical providers, behavioral health therapists, MAT programs, and schools. The goal is to make sure young people and their families don’t fall through the cracks.

Mobile Services with Wellness on Wheels: The Drug Abuse Alternatives Center will expand mobile access to services like medication-assisted treatment, infectious disease testing, Narcan distribution, syringe exchange, and school-based prevention. The program also includes perinatal care coordination and a strong focus on reaching high-risk and underserved populations, including youth, emergency room patients, and BIPOC communities in the Russian River area.

This is a complex and heartbreaking crisis, and it’s hitting hardest in places where access to care has historically been limited. But with these targeted investments, we’re taking real steps forward. Our goal is simple: to save lives, support recovery, and make sure every West County resident, especially our youth, has access to the tools and care they need to heal.

Need help with food, housing, or health care? Open Doors is here for you

Finding help shouldn’t be hard. That’s why Sonoma County has launched Open Doors, a new online tool that makes it easier for residents to connect with essential services—like food, housing, health care, child care, and more.

At www.opendoorssc.com, you can search over 600 local service providers in one place. Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, a loved one, or a neighbor, Open Doors helps you get connected—without having to navigate a maze of referrals or agencies.

As Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said, “Every door should lead [people] to the services they need.” Open Doors is about building a more compassionate and coordinated safety net—so no one falls through the cracks.

You can also call 211 for live assistance, but now you have another option to explore support on your own time.

Our office is proud to support this effort to make Sonoma County a place where everyone can thrive. Please share this resource with your community.

Visit the Open Doors Website

Powering Up the Bodega Bay Grange

Using 5th District Tourism Impact Funds, we recently helped the Bodega Bay Grange purchase a new, correctly-sized generator and transfer switch.

With this upgrade in place, the Grange is now ready to serve as a cooling or heating station during extreme weather, and can provide critical support during emergencies or disasters.

This is exactly the kind of infrastructure investment that helps keep our rural communities safe, prepared, and connected.

Photo credit: Jim Moore

Home Kitchens, Big Opportunities: MEHKO Workshop Recap

Last week, the 5th District hosted an informational workshop on Sonoma County’s new MEHKO program (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation). Adopted by the Board of Supervisors in December 2024, this program allows residents to prepare and sell meals from their own home kitchens for the first time.

MEHKOs create an affordable pathway for aspiring food entrepreneurs, especially those who may face barriers to traditional restaurant work such as caregiving responsibilities or limited access to capital. From tamales to BBQ, home cooks can share meaningful meals that reflect their culture, support their families, and strengthen community connections.

If you missed the workshop, you can watch the recording here and find more information about the program, including how to apply, on the Sonoma County Environmental Health website.

Watch recording

More Information

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council Thursday, September 11, 2025

5:30 PM

West County Services Center

16390 Main Street, Suite B, Guerneville

Main topic: Sonoma Water will provide an update on the Russian River Biological Opinion

Community Art Creation Event

Saturday, September 13, 2025

10 AM - 12 PM

West County Services Center

16390 Main Street, Guerneville

The whole family is welcome! It's all FREE. Just come wanting to create and have fun. This special event, made possible by our partnership with River Arts, takes place the second Saturday of each month.

Community Coffee / Cafecito Comunitario

Monday, September 15, 8 - 9 AM

West County Services Center

16390 Main Street Suite B, Guerneville

District 5 invites you to drop in to our "Cafecito Comunitario" 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!

The Future of Our Schools: A community conversation

Wednesday Sept 17 5:30 PM

West County Services Center

16390 Main St, Suite B, Guerneville

And hybrid via Zoom

Join West County School Unification Network (SUN) for a discussion about unifying West County schools into a TK–12 district, reopening a full-service El Molino High School, and keeping all elementary schools open. Share your voice on local control, reducing student commutes, and creating a school system that reflects our rural communities.