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Today’s SoCo Correspondent leads off with stories that spotlight the County’s work to protect the health of our community. It includes efforts to address the opioid crisis, slow the spread of a particularly nasty flu season, prevent DUIs and secure a reliable supply of drinking water for more than 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties. You will also find an update on the Board of Supervisors’ decision to temporarily ban evictions along the lower Russian River. And don’t miss the link to a viral video documenting the existence of young bear cubs thriving in a County park overlooking the Sonoma Valley.
If you have a friend or family member who lives in the area – or you know of a former Sonoma County resident who might be interested in receiving these updates – urge them to sign up for the SoCo Correspondent so they can receive it directly, normally on the first and third week of each month.
¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma dos veces al mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.
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County mourns toll of drug abuse, offers support resources | |
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The news has been heartbreaking. In recent weeks, three Santa Rosa teenagers have died and two others have been hospitalized, all after apparently overdosing on drugs. At least four of the cases are tied to fentanyl, an opioid that is responsible for most of the fatal drug overdoses in Sonoma County.
“Our entire community has been rocked by these devastating tragedies,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Someone dies of a drug overdose every 65 hours in Sonoma County. We must and will do more to reduce the terrible toll of the opioid crisis.”
Last month, the Board of Supervisors approved a plan to invest $15.4 million in expanding substance use disorder services in Sonoma County. It allocated another $750,000 for drug use education and prevention programs. The funding comes from drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies that agreed to pay $26 billion nationwide to settle lawsuits by California and other states over the devastation caused by the opioid epidemic.
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is diligently working to support the Board of Supervisors’ directives to release $11.6 million in opioid settlement funds to support community proposals that address opioid use. Key areas of focus will include harm reduction, prevention education, expanding substance use disorder treatment, youth outreach and increased capacity for recovery residences.
The department’s Behavioral Health Division is providing direct support to local schools through its Crisis Assessment Prevention and Education Team and Substance Use Disorders Prevention Team. The teams will collaborate with the Sonoma County Office of Education, Santa Rosa City Schools and local nonprofits to provide workshops and town hall events to address the opioid epidemic.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, students, school staff and our community for the lives of local youth lost to opioids,” said Dr. Jan Cobaleda-Kegler, director of the Behavioral Health Division. “We offer hope and support for people who are fighting to recover from substance use. Our teams are committed to both immediate and sustained planned efforts to address the opioid epidemic in Sonoma County and prevent tragic losses in our community. Together, we can make a difference.”
In light of these tragic events, SoCo Chat has reposted previously recorded episodes on youth mental health awareness, the opioid epidemic and suicide awareness. We hope these conversations offer perspective and support as we navigate together through these challenging times.
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This flu season is the worst in decades. Here’s how you can protect yourself | |
Dr. Karen Smith, right, Sonoma County’s health officer, speaks with County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson during a recent episode of SoCo Chat. | |
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Flu comes and goes every year. But this year is different.
After a brief plateau, flu cases have shot up again in Sonoma County. “The second peak is actually higher than we’ve seen in decades,” Dr. Karen Smith, the County’s health officer, said on a recent episode of SoCo Chat. “The number of severe cases is much higher than we’ve seen in a long time.”
That’s a problem for everyone. While flu can be an uncomfortable annoyance for healthy people, it can be deadly for seniors, children and people with conditions that compromise their immune systems.
It’s not too late to get your annual flu shot. Even if you did get the flu vaccine earlier this season, consider getting a booster if you are over 65, have heart or lung disease (like asthma), or have a weak immune system.
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, will be holding two free flu vaccine clinics in Petaluma next week at Café Puente, 610 E. Washington St., #C. Vaccinations will be available:
- Tuesday, March 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
While everyone should get a flu shot and is welcome at these clinics, it is especially important for farmworkers and others who are regularly in contact with dairy cows and poultry. That’s because it is possible to get infected with both the human flu and the bird flu at the same time. If that happens, there’s a possibility of the viruses mutating into a variant that is potentially dangerous to humans. While a flu shot won’t prevent the bird flu, also known as H5N1, it will protect against more severe flu symptoms and reduce the risk of getting sick from both H5N1 and the flu at the same time.
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Historic pact seeks to secure critical source of water for Sonoma County | |
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Representatives from North Coast governments, Native American tribes and environmental groups gathered in Sacramento last month to sign a landmark agreement with the potential to end years of uncertainty over a vital source of water for Sonoma County.
The agreement paves the way for continued diversions from the Eel River to the Russian River, securing access to water used by almost 100,000 people in communities from Potter Valley to Healdsburg and more than 600,000 Sonoma Water customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. However, the compromise will restrict diversions – allowing them only during periods of high flow in the Eel River – to help restore depleted salmon and steelhead fisheries in the watershed. And for the first time, it will grant underlying water rights to the Round Valley Indian Tribes, compensating them for water that is taken from their sovereign lands.
“In my eight years in government I’ve never witnessed such diverse interests come together to make the world a better place,” Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors, wrote in a Facebook post reflecting on the agreement.
The memorandum of understanding was signed Feb. 13 by Round Valley Indian Tribes, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sonoma Water, Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission, Humboldt County, Trout Unlimited and California Trout. The parties will continue working this spring to finalize the pact into a binding Water Diversion Agreement.
“This agreement took more than a decade to forge, and represents a true regional solution for healthy watersheds and water availability in both the Eel and Russian rivers,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents northern Sonoma County, including the Upper Russian River. “While there’s still much to be accomplished to bring the New Eel-Russian Facility to life, one thing is clear: without these diversions, Lake Mendocino would face chronic shortages, putting Upper Russian River communities at risk, and those impacts would be felt throughout the watershed.”
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife committed $18 million toward the partnership. It will provide $9 million to help restore the Eel River watershed and an additional $9 million to build a facility to divert water from the Eel on the site of Cape Horn Dam, one of two aging dams that PG&E is set to dismantle.
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Board of Supervisors narrows ban on evictions to protect tenants most impacted by winter storms | |
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The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors last week approved a temporary ban on evictions in the lower Russian River area neighborhoods where residents were most impacted by flooding during a storm last month. The Board simultaneously removed a countywide prohibition on evictions that has been in place since the supervisors ratified a proclamation of local emergency two weeks ago. The countywide prohibition on evictions will expire March 27.
The Board’s action prevents evictions except in cases of violence or requirements of health and safety, immediate removal from the rental market, or as may be required by law. It applies to the geographical areas hardest hit by the atmospheric river storm that began Jan. 31 and brought up to 15 inches of rain to parts of Sonoma County within a week. The covered postal codes – 95436, 95471, 95446, 95462, 95486 and 95430 – include the unincorporated areas of Forestville, Guerneville, Rio Nido, Monte Rio, Villa Grande and Duncans Mills. The protections will remain in place until Aug. 25, but could be lifted earlier if the Board terminates the emergency proclamation for the flood emergency.
“Renters in low-lying areas have faced multiple floods this winter — not only forcing them from their homes but also disrupting their ability to travel to work,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “For many, each storm adds another layer of hardship, making it even harder to recover. These eviction protections are a vital safety net, ensuring that no one loses their place to live because of factors beyond their control.”
Last September, the Board of Supervisors adopted a tenant protection ordinance, which includes a provision that – if activated by the Board of Supervisors – suspends evictions countywide during declared emergencies. At the Feb. 11 Board meeting, the supervisors evoked this clause, placing a countywide moratorium on evictions because the wording of the ordinance did not provide for targeting a certain geographic area.
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Bear cubs seen in Hood Mountain Regional Park for first time | |
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It’s no secret that black bears still roam in the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Sonoma Valley. But for the first time ever, a wildlife camera at Hood Mountain Regional Park has captured images of young cubs in the park.
The video is evidence that bears are not only travelling through the 3,600-acre park southeast of Santa Rosa, but also living and reproducing there.
The cubs, who are trailing their mom, appear to be about a year in age, Sonoma County Regional Parks said in a Facebook post that drew more than 10,000 views this month. They will be ready to disperse on their own this spring or summer after learning how to find food and travel safely through the park.
“All this bear activity is a good reminder that Sonoma County = bear country. It’s key that these cubs (and their mom) don’t develop a taste for human food and trash,” the post noted. “We’re working to keep bears wild by securing funding to install bear-resistant trash cans and food lockers at parks where bear activity is noted. You can also help keep bears wild by securing your food, trash, beehives and chicken coops at your residence to prevent bears from learning to associate humans with the presence of food.”
Read more about living alongside bears at BearWise.org.
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Supervisor Hopkins appointed to California Air Resources Board | |
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Sonoma County now has a voice on the influential California Air Resources Board, which protects the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and leads the state’s fight against climate change.
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins to the 16-member board on Feb. 20. The unpaid position requires confirmation by the state Senate.
“With the Clean Air Act and climate action under threat from the Trump administration, joining CARB feels like something tangible I can do to create positive change,” Supervisor Hopkins said. “California can still lead the country and the world in addressing climate change, protecting vulnerable communities that are exposed to the highest risks from air pollution, and ensuring we all have clean air to breathe.”
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Hopkins has represented west Sonoma County on the Board of Supervisors since 2016 and currently serves as chair. Previously, she was co-owner of Foggy River Farm, worked as a reporter at Sonoma West Times & News, and served as executive director of Sonoma County Farm Trails. She is a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in earth systems and creative writing/poetry and a master’s degree in earth systems.
She joins Supervisor David Rabbitt as the second member of the Board of Supervisors currently appointed by the governor to a state panel. Supervisor Rabbitt was appointed to the California Seismic Safety Commission in 2013 and 2017 by Gov. Jerry Brown and again in 2021 by Gov. Newsom. He is in the process of reappointment and currently serves as the chair of the commission, which oversees state earthquake safety policies.
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Wet winter replenishes Sonoma County’s water supply | |
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Unlike other parts of California that depend on Sierra snowmelt or other distant places for their water, Sonoma County’s water is 100 percent local.
Because our region experiences dramatic shifts in precipitation – from droughts to atmospheric rivers and floods – our water system is designed to capture and store rainwater during wet years, ensuring a reliable supply during dry periods.
The region’s two main storage reservoirs are now filled to the brim after winter rains dropped more than 37 inches of rain on Santa Rosa since Oct. 1, 158 percent of normal. On Monday, Lake Sonoma held 266,486 acre-feet of water, or 100 percent of target levels for this time of year. Lake Mendocino held 87,314 acre-feet, or 101 percent of target levels. An acre-foot is equal to approximately 326,000 gallons, or enough to meet the annual indoor and outdoor needs of three average households in Sonoma County.
That doesn’t mean there’s water to waste. Climate change has intensified extreme weather shifts. It’s only a matter of time before we experience the next drought. Using water wisely now will ensure we have more water in the future for all of us to share.
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Metropolitan Transportation Commission picks Sonoma County to test new transit maps, signs | |
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Photo credit: Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Navigating Sonoma County’s network of buses and trains just got a little easier. Last week, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission unveiled prototypes for new signs and maps of local transit routes at two locations in Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa is the second city in the Bay Area to get the displays, which are designed to make it easier to use public transit by delivering information that is clear, predictable and familiar across service areas and county lines. Public feedback on the prototypes will help inform the next stage of the project, in which new maps and wayfinding materials will be installed at seven additional locations across the Bay Area in 2025 and 2026.
The new signs and maps are located at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall and the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit station in downtown Santa Rosa. They will help SMART riders traverse the half-mile route between the two hubs, said Supervisor Chris Coursey, who also serves as chair of the rail agency’s board of directors.
“For years, we’ve heard from riders that navigating between SMART’s Santa Rosa Downtown station and the Santa Rosa Transit Mall can be challenging,” Supervisor Coursey said. “By improving signage and mapping, we are breaking down barriers and making transit more intuitive.”
MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The project is one piece of a broader effort to make Bay Area transit easier and more convenient for riders of all ages and abilities to use.
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Photo contest highlights beauty of Sonoma County Regional Parks | |
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Do you have a fantastic photo taken in one of the County’s regional parks? Enter it into the Spring into Parks photo contest for a chance to win prizes and see your photograph featured in the Sonoma County Parks Foundation’s 2026 calendar.
View and vote on entries at the Foundation’s website. Voting ends March 31.
The contest is a fundraiser to benefit Regional Parks.
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Nolan Sullivan, a seasoned public health administrator with nearly 20 years of experience managing county health and human services programs, has been picked to lead the Sonoma County Department of Health Services following a nationwide recruitment search.
Since 2007, Sullivan has worked for the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, a county department that combines social services, public health, homeless services and behavioral health. Most recently, he has served as director of the department, which has more than 750 employees and oversees a $277 million annual budget.
County Executive Maria Christina Rivera selected Sullivan over 80 qualified candidates because of his experience delivering health and human services in a county similar in size and demographics to Sonoma County. Like Sonoma County, Yolo County has an agricultural-based economy, small towns, urban areas and tight-knit communities.
“Over the course of a career dedicated to public health, Nolan has demonstrated the leadership qualities and creativity to solve difficult problems,” Rivera said. “He is not only committed to the clients he serves, but he also demonstrates deep compassion for the employees doing the work. We are lucky to have him lead the Department of Health Services.”
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider a three-year professional services agreement with Sullivan at its March 18 meeting.
“I’m honored to be offered this very important position working with Sonoma County’s dedicated team of public and behavioral health professionals,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to helping the department continue providing vital services, working with community stakeholders and, most importantly, supporting the physical and behavioral health of all residents in the County of Sonoma. I am very excited to get started.”
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County to establish Community Advisory Council for 810-acre airport area | |
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Do you live or work near Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport? The County wants your help updating plans that will guide future growth in the area.
The County is forming a Community Advisory Council to help update the Airport Industrial Area Specific Plan, which will shape development in an 810-acre area surrounding the airport. The update will address land use, design standards, infrastructure and traffic patterns in the area.
“It’s essential to have representatives of the surrounding community at the table throughout this process,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the airport area. “We need input from residents, local business employees, representatives from community-based organizations, service providers, and neighboring communities to help determine a vibrant, equitable and sustainable future for this critical area.”
Members of the advisory council will be expected to attend three virtual meetings (up to 1.5 hours) over the next 12 months. Members must live or work within the surrounding community, be willing to work collaboratively with people of diverse perspectives, represent the broad interests of the community and member organizations, and help the project team share information with the community.
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Probation Department wins grant to supervise people with multiple DUI convictions | |
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Nearly a third of all fatal traffic accidents in California are caused by drunk drivers. Sadly, many people who drink and drive don’t learn their lesson the first time. One in four people convicted of a DUI in California will be convicted again within 10 years for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to a 2023 study by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
To combat this troubling trend, the Sonoma County Probation Department has been awarded a $240,000 state grant to supervise high-risk felony DUI offenders on probation. The funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety will be used for an intensive supervision program designed to prevent probationers from reoffending and ensure they follow court orders.
“This grant will allow us to tackle the complex issues surrounding repeat DUI offenders, providing vital resources and guidance to break the cycle of alcohol-related offenses,” said Wardell Anderson, Sonoma County deputy chief probation officer. “With this funding, we can create safer roads and a healthier community by reducing the incidence of DUI offenses.”
The probation grant will also pay for warrant operations targeting probation violations and/or DUI suspects who do not appear in court, distribution of DUI “Be On the Lookout” alerts, and collaborating with courts and prosecutors to establish probation orders.
“The intensive supervision programs are critical to reducing the devastating consequences of DUI offenses,” Office of Traffic Safety Director Barbara Rooney said. “Prevention is an effective, proactive tool to address the often tragic consequences of impaired driving.”
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Free bilingual water safety classes begin March 9 | |
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Introduce your children to the joy of swimming and learn how to be safe in pools, rivers and lakes by signing up for Vamos a Nadar, a free bilingual water safety program created by Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Children 5 and older will receive an introductory swimming lesson. Parents will learn water safety rules, rescue techniques and tips for evaluating water conditions and monitoring children. Each family also receives a coupon for additional swim lessons at local pools for a reduced price of $15.
Classes begin Sunday and will be available throughout the county through May. The program, launched in 2004 to reduce drowning deaths along the Russian River, has reached more than 3,000 young people since its inception.
“Vamos a Nadar allows us to reach a large number of families every year and to provide affordable swimming lessons,” said Greg Desmond, Sonoma County Regional Parks aquatics and recreation supervisor. “It’s our hope that this accessibility to water safety will expand the knowledge and skills for our community to safely explore the river, beaches and other available water-based recreation.”
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Three recognized for efforts to preserve Sonoma County history | |
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The Sonoma County Historical Records Commission will honor three people for their work to preserve and promote local history on March 16 at the fourth annual Collections and Archives Recognition Awards. The recipients include:
- Michael Acker, who will be honored for his many diverse and ongoing projects documenting and preserving the history of the Sonoma Valley.
- Eowyn Medieros, who will be recognized for her work leading a project centered on the Sonoma Mountain Cemetery, geo-locating grave sites and digitizing cemetery records.
- Charlie Siebenthal, who will be awarded for his long service with the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society, which has included collecting, preserving and publishing on the railroad history of the North Bay and coast.
The awards will be presented during the Sonoma County Historical Society annual luncheon.
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Learn how to go all-electric and get funding for home improvements | |
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All-electric homes can save you money and help the environment. If you are thinking about making the switch – or making other types of home improvements – join the County’s Energy and Sustainability team for a pair of upcoming Zoom webinars.
The webinars, held at 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday for the next two weeks, are packed with practical information on the following topics:
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March 12: How to make the switch to an all-electric home. An overview of best practices to get the performance, comfort and savings that are possible with an all-electric home. Chris Bradt from LG Electronics joins the Energy and Sustainability team for a discussion on how to size equipment, sort through must-have vs. nice-to-have features, and set up controls to make an all-electric home work for you.
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March 19: How to fund improvements to your home. A look at the array of incentives, rebates and financing options for projects that will make your home more energy efficient, comfortable and safe from wildfires or earthquakes.
Registration is required. To reserve your spot, click on the links above for the webinars you want to view.
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Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | |
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Andrew Akufo, right, a program planning and evaluation analyst in the Department of Health Services, speaks with County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson during a recent episode of SoCo Chat.
The Sonoma County Homelessness Coalition plays a central role in efforts to end homelessness in our community. Andrew Akufo, a program planning and evaluation analyst in the Department of Health Services, stopped by SoCo Chat recently to give us an inside look at this important initiative.
Subscribe to SoCo Chat on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube, and check out our growing library of episodes in both English and Spanish. Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:
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When fires devastated several areas of Los Angeles in January, Sonoma County quickly sent workers to help. Jorge Rodriguez, community alert and warning program manager in the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, discusses his experiences in Los Angeles and the importance of mutual aid during emergencies.
- Out of the ashes of the 2020 Glass Fire, something extraordinary is blooming in Sonoma County. Join us as we dive into an inspiring story of resilience, renewal and community. Pat Decker, a volunteer with the Master Gardener program and Mimi Enright, program manager at the Sonoma County UC Cooperative Extension, share the story about a once-devastated space that has been transformed into a vibrant and edible paradise for children.
- Changing the way we think about garbage won’t just extend the life of our landfills. It could also help slow down climate change by reducing emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Leslie Lukacs, executive director of Zero Waste Sonoma, explains.
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District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, 2025 chair of the Board of Supervisors, discusses her priorities for the year. At the forefront: Government needs to work better for every member of our community.
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Find room to grow with a County job | |
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The County has more than 50 job openings posted on its website. How can you improve your chances of landing one?
Sign up for the next Start Here! class, which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination and selection processes. The next two-hour virtual class will be held March 12 at noon.
The free class is intended for the public, whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. Participants will learn how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more.
Contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org to register for the March 12 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
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Adopt the pet of the week | |
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My name is Wyatt. I’m a 2-year-old Siberian Husky mix who was brought to the shelter in September. I weigh 80 pounds and I look adorable (and it’s not just because I have one blue eye and one brown eye). I am responding well to training and make the cutest happy sounds when I get taken on a walk. Will you bring me into your family?
Wyatt is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
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Support your community by getting involved | |
Get involved with local government
Make a difference in Sonoma County! Local government thrives when passionate individuals like you step up to serve. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our beloved Sonoma County. Check out the current vacancies:
Your involvement can make a significant impact. Take the first step and explore how you can contribute to a brighter future for Sonoma County.
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