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Today’s edition of SoCo Correspondent highlights some important changes taking place in our community. You’ll find out about an innovative new program that is putting a life-saving opioid overdose antidote and other health supplies in local vending machines where they can be obtained for free. We’ve got new data that shows the exodus of people leaving the county after wildfires in 2017 and 2019 has reached a turning point. We introduce you to a deputy public defender who is working on a new local initiative to help local immigrants. We also explain why horse racing will not be returning to the Sonoma County Fair this summer despite being a valued part of the annual fair since 1936. And there are links to several ways that you can get involved in the County, from landing a job to shaping future policies.
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.
| | New ‘Health To Go’ vending machines provide free health and wellness items | | |
The Health To Go vending machine at Russian River Health and Wellness Center in Guerneville.
You can’t get a Snickers bar or a bag of Doritos from the newest vending machines that are popping up across Sonoma County. But you may be able to save a life with what they offer. These unique vending machines contain free health and wellness supplies such as fentanyl test strips, the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan, condoms, pregnancy tests and gun locks.
The Health To Go vending machines are a new initiative of the Sonoma County Public Health Division to get critical health supplies out into the community.
“This project aims to fill gaps in our current services by improving accessibility, reducing costs and ensuring privacy,” said Public Health Division Director Amy Olson. “By strategically placing these vending machines, stocked with harm-reduction products, health and hygiene items, and other essential resources, we can better support those who need these free resources the most. We will also refine the products offered over time based on what people actually use, ensuring that the items in the machines meet the actual needs of the community.”
The first two vending machines have been installed in the Bertolini Student Center at Santa Rosa Junior College and at the Russian River Health and Wellness Center in Guerneville. A third is temporarily located at Sonoma County Public Health offices. Up to four additional vending machines will be deployed in other parts of the county.
“Given the recent tragic deaths of teenagers in our community from fentanyl poisoning, I am relieved that life-saving tools like Narcan and fentanyl strips will be made available through the Health To Go vending machines,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We urgently need to do whatever we can to prevent more deaths and provide residents in need with access to these vital supplies.”
| | Construction underway at Casa Roseland | | |
“For too long, Roseland has been an afterthought,” state Senate Leader Mike McGuire noted April 25 at a groundbreaking ceremony for Casa Roseland, an affordable housing development in southwest Santa Rosa. “That ends today.”
The long-planned project, overseen by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, will build 75 apartments for families who earn up to 60 percent of the area median income, which currently ranges from $29,050 to $82,980 depending on household size.
Casa Roseland is the centerpiece of Tierra de Rosas, a mixed-use development that will include 100 units of market-rate housing, a civic building and a 10,000-square-foot mercado food hall. Civic leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony in May 2024 to celebrate the start of construction work on sewer lines, utilities, streets and other infrastructure. They returned on April 25 for a second groundbreaking to mark the start of construction on the apartments.
“We are going to keep celebrating this every chance we get because it has taken so long to see this essential project for our community come to life,” said District 3 Supervisor Chris Coursey, who represents the Roseland area.
The project has been a dream of County leaders for nearly three decades, Supervisor Coursey noted. The Community Development Commission acquired the Roseland Village shopping center property in 2011 to facilitate development of housing and public uses on the 7.6-acre site. In 2016, it partnered with MidPen Housing, a nonprofit housing developer based in Foster City, to obtain approvals for the project and create a development plan for the Sebastopol Road site.
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The next milestone will take place sometime in the summer of 2026 when families start moving into Casa Roseland.
“That day we are going to have a big, big party here,” Supervisor Coursey said.
| | | | Sonoma County’s population increases for first time since 2016 | | |
The recovery from the wildfires that ripped through Sonoma County in 2017 and 2019 has been long and difficult, but new data shows the county reached an important milestone last year.
Sonoma County’s population increased in 2024 for the first time since 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. The county had an estimated 485,375 residents last July, an increase of 2,000 people from July 2023. The surge halted a six-year decline caused by people leaving the county, reducing the local population by more than 19,000 residents.
“If this continues it will mark a turning point for our community, because it signals that people are choosing to move to Sonoma County, invest, and build their lives here again,” said Ethan Brown, director of the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative. “It means a stronger local economy, more support for local businesses, schools and essential services, and renewed momentum for rebuilding all that we lost in the wildfires.”
Jack Kampmann, EDC’s economic research and workforce fellow, said out-migration has slowed for several reasons. While there is still a shortage of affordable housing in Sonoma County, local housing costs are significantly lower than neighboring Napa and Marin counties and much of the broader Bay Area. Additionally, the county has cultivated strong local capital through decades of entrepreneurship, and its innovation capacity – as measured by utility patents per capita – ranks among the highest of midsize U.S. counties. Strong gains in the county’s agricultural sector, specifically in wine companies, is attracting more workers to support production.
However, challenges remain, Kampmann said. Stricter federal immigration policies, coupled with a declining share of high-wage jobs over the past two business cycles, continue to place downward pressure on in-migration and population growth.
| | New murals bring joy to Juvenile Hall, highlight changes in approach to juvenile justice | | |
Juvenile justice has undergone a sweeping transformation in California over the last few years. The old state-run system was built to remove youth who committed certain crimes from their communities, confining them in large prison-like institutions often rife with dysfunction. The state shut down its troubled system in 2023, replacing it with county-operated programs that seek to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency by focusing on rehabilitation, education and development.
The Sonoma County Probation Department, which operates Juvenile Hall, has been working to create therapeutic spaces in the Sonoma Valley facility to support this mission. Last week, it unveiled nine large murals by artists Amanda Lynn and MJ Lindo-Lawyer that bring intrigue and wonder to areas that previously lacked color. The artwork helps to reduce stress, promote comfort, and enhance overall well-being of youth and staff, said Kilee Willson, director of Juvenile Hall.
“Working with Amanda and MJ has been a joy, as their creativity and unique perspectives have transformed the facility in remarkable ways,” Willson said. “The large murals evoke awe and are both thoughtful and inspiring. In addition, Amanda and MJ led workshops with the youth to create smaller murals that complement the space, making it vibrant and engaging.”
An average of 59 youths reside in Juvenile Hall on any given day. “The flowers represent everyone’s personalities and encourage us to grow and thrive when we get out,” one resident said. “The murals that depict nature remind us that there is something beyond these walls,” another shared.
| | Evacuation exercise in the Springs area of Sonoma Valley planned for Saturday | | |
People who live or work in Agua Caliente, Fetters Hot Springs and Boyes Hot Springs will have the opportunity to practice evacuating the area Saturday (May 3) during an exercise organized by the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management.
To participate in the drill, register at SoCoTest.org by noon Friday. Participants will receive an alert instructing them to evacuate. Hi-lo sirens will be audible throughout the area to alert participants to evacuate and familiarize the community with the sounds. Maps of the Springs communities participating in the evacuation exercise can be viewed here.
Emergency response agencies will set up a hub at Altimira Middle School, 17805 Arnold Drive in Sonoma. The public is invited to stop by for information on how to prepare your family, home and pets for a real emergency.
| | Horse races end at Sonoma County Fair | | |
Horse racing has been a staple of the Sonoma County Fair for nearly 90 years. But the summer tradition has been cancelled for 2025, the result of a sharp contraction in the horse racing industry across Northern California.
Most of the region’s horse owners, trainers and support workers have moved to Southern California or racing sites in other states following the closure of Golden Gate Fields last June and the elimination of stabling at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in March. As a result, the Sonoma County Fair Board has decided to cancel horse racing at the 2025 fair, which will take place from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10.
“Live horse racing has been a valued part of the Sonoma County Fair since 1936, and the Sonoma County Fair Board is extremely thankful to all the individuals in the industry who have made racing at the Fair part of its storied history,” said Matthew Daly, chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Fair. “Although the proud heritage of horse racing has been lost for 2025, the focus of the fair’s agriculture, education, exhibits and entertainment will be enhanced because of this change.”
The fair board will consider bringing back horse racing in the future if it becomes financially and operationally feasible.
Daly stopped by the County’s podcast, SoCo Chat, in March to discuss the future of horse racing and other attractions at the fair. Listen to the interview here.
| | Faces of Sonoma County: Meet Victor Escobar-Troya | | This is part of an ongoing series of profiles highlighting public servants across a variety of departments at the County of Sonoma. | | |
Name: Victor Escobar-Troya
Title: Deputy Public Defender – Immigration Unit, Deportation Defense
Years with County: 2
Personal side: I am from Peru, a smaller country in South America, but have lived most of my life in the United States. When I visit Peru, I am often asked where I am from, and when I am here, I am often asked the same question. I am a hybrid of both nations. I come from a working-class family and enjoy providing legal counsel to the needy in our community.
Education and/or certifications: I graduated from University of California Law, San Francisco, and I am certified by the California State Bar.
What do you do? I am an attorney in the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office, which represents people who are accused of a crime and lack the financial resources to hire a defense attorney. In our criminal justice system, everyone has the right to competent legal counsel, even if they cannot afford one. The government has the obligation to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, whatever that may be. Unfortunately, President Donald Trump is trying to do away with our system of due process. You may have heard about the case of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia.
I am part of our new immigration unit with my colleague, Michael Melton. We advise noncitizens about the immigration consequences of a criminal conviction. In March, with the support of the Board of Supervisors and various organizations in our community, we also began representing some of our clients in immigration court. Our program is new, but we are excited to help members of our community fight their deportation and fix their immigration status.
It is important to explain the need for an immigration attorney in our office. Under the law, noncitizens accused of a crime have a right to know exactly how a conviction will impact their immigration status. This right was established in California around 1987 and recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010. There’s a simple reason: The immigration consequences of a criminal conviction are often disproportionate to the punishment for the crime itself. For example, a U.S. citizen charged with simple possession of a marijuana pipe can be sentenced to up to 15 days in county jail. But the consequences for a noncitizen are significantly harsher. Someone with Legal Permanent Residence who has been living in the U.S. for several years could be deported and torn from their family, on top of serving 15 days in jail. If the noncitizen is undocumented, they would not be released from immigration custody until they are either removed from the U.S., or, until they win their immigration case at all levels of appeal. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will often file an appeal as a deterrent to prevent the noncitizen from fighting their case. ICE knows that conditions in its detention centers are deplorable. It hopes that a noncitizen would simply give up their case. As a result, a noncitizen can be detained in immigration custody for several years until winning their immigration case.
Unlike defendants in a criminal case, time spent in immigration custody is not part of the punishment of an immigration violation. Neither do immigrants have a right to a speedy trial or to an attorney. In summary, the consequences of a criminal conviction can be disproportionate.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about the Public Defender’s Office? I think folks often think public defenders do not care about their clients. We care a lot about our clients and work very hard to protect them. Our clients face a justice system designed to secure criminal convictions. From a person’s first encounter with a police officer to a criminal conviction, a criminal defendant is facing extraordinary odds multiplied many times over if they are poor. For example, governmental offices tasked with law enforcement, like the police or the District Attorney’s Office, are much better funded than the Public Defender’s Office. As a result, public defenders are often understaffed and overwhelmed.
Public defenders can become so involved with their cases that we often blur the line of work-life balance. We miss sleep, rest, and quality time with our family and friends. I have witnessed my colleagues work around the clock to beat a case where a conviction seemed certain. It’s a noble calling.
What gives you fulfillment? I really enjoy finding ways to help noncitizens fix their immigration status. Many of our clients are unaware that they could adjust their status. They often do not consult with an immigration attorney because, let’s face it, lawyers and law schools are very expensive. It’s very fulfilling to help my clients learn how to fix their status and overcome a lifetime of dread, fear and toxic anxiety.
I am very honored to work in our new immigration unit. The last presidential election used a play from an old anti-immigrant playbook. Today, Latin Americans are the latest group to be targeted. At one point, another group will be targeted. History has much to teach us, unfortunately it is repeating itself.
Passions outside of work? I like exercising. It helps me deal with stress and my coffee- and work-induced anxiety.
| | Honoring the lives of 35 people left in the County’s care after their deaths | | |
Each year, approximately 4,300 people die in Sonoma County. When family members cannot be found or they cannot afford the cost of final arrangements, the Sonoma County Public Administrator’s Office steps in.
Last year, the County laid to rest 35 individuals as part of this process. Most were placed at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park in Sebastopol, where their ashes were spread in the rose garden. The cremated remains of three veterans were transported to the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery outside Dixon.
On Saturday (May 3), the County’s Human Services Department will host its third annual memorial service for the unclaimed. The public is invited to attend the 2 p.m. ceremony at Pleasant Hills, located at 1700 Pleasant Hill Road.
“Each of these individuals were valuable members of our community in their own right, and they deserve to be remembered with dignity and care,” said Angela Struckmann, director of the Human Services Department. “This memorial is an opportunity for us to come together to honor their unique lives and experiences, and to lovingly remember them as neighbors, family members and friends.”
The Human Services Department began holding annual memorial services in 2023 to ensure that those cremated by the County receive a respectful and meaningful farewell. Since 2010, the program has interred the cremated remains of approximately 620 individuals at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park.
| | Ride your bike to work on May 15 | | |
Leaving the car at home and riding your bike to work is a great way to improve your health and help the environment at the same time. If you haven’t done it before, May 15 is the perfect day to try it out.
Bike riders will be treated to free snacks, cool gifts and more at a dozen energizer stations across Sonoma County during Bike to Work Day, an annual celebration of biking as a fun, healthy commute option.
Bicyclists can enjoy a hot pancake breakfast at the energizer station at the County Administrative Center, located at Administration Drive and Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa. Granola bars and other snacks will be available at Sonoma Public Infrastructure’s energizer station, located at 400 Aviation Blvd. near the airport.
Why ride your bike to work? In a world grappling with climate change, pollution and congestion, perhaps the real question is: “Why aren’t you riding your bike to work already?”
| | Attention high school students: Learn about emergency management during Model EOC program June 16-20 | | |
Applications are now being accepted for the County’s award-winning Model EOC program, which offers high school students a behind-the-scenes look at how emergency managers respond to wildfires, earthquakes, floods and other emergencies.
The free, week-long program is open to 30 local sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students thinking of public safety or medical careers will find it particularly interesting.
The program is held at the Sonoma County Emergency Operations Center in Santa Rosa. Participants will receive three days of in-depth learning about the critical roles within the EOC and learn how effective emergency preparedness can reduce impacts of a disaster. On the fourth day, students will enjoy a field trip to view emergency response operations, including the Henry 1 and Cal Fire air bases. On the final day, participants will step into EOC roles and tackle a simulated disaster scenario, applying their new knowledge in a realistic, fast-paced setting.
In November, the program was honored by the International Association of Emergency Managers for its innovative approach to educating the next generation of emergency management professionals.
| | Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | | |
Paul Gullixson, left, the County’s communications manager, speaks with District 4 Supervisor James Gore during a recent episode of SoCo Chat.
The Potter Valley Project is not even located in Sonoma County. But the plans by PG&E to dismantle two aging hydroelectric dams in Mendocino and Lake counties have major ramifications for Sonoma County and the water we rely on. District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents communities along the upper Russian River in northern Sonoma County, visited SoCo Chat with an update on efforts to find a win-win solution that will benefit residents, farmers, Native American tribes and the environment.
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 (Descubre nuestra creciente selección de episodios en inglés y español). Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:
| | Get help with your sewage bill | | Make your voice heard: How can the County improve its behavioral health services? | | |
California is overhauling the way it addresses behavioral health, a term that encompasses mental health, substance abuse and other behaviors that impact our bodies, minds and spirits. The goal is to improve accountability, increase transparency and expand the capacity of state and local behavioral health services.
What should that look like in Sonoma County? The County’s Behavioral Health Division wants your input as it develops a plan to allocate funding, improve services and prepare for the future. It is conducting a survey to assess the community’s needs and priorities for a range of behavioral health services, including crisis care, substance use disorder treatment, and programs for people experiencing homelessness. Your input will help determine where funding goes and how services can improve in 2026.
| | Out and About: Butter & Eggs Day | | |
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and said hello during Butter & Eggs Day, the annual festival and parade celebrating Petaluma’s agricultural heritage. Staff with Permit Sonoma and the County’s Central Communications Team enjoyed chatting with hundreds of people about ways they can connect with the County and make their voices heard during the ongoing General Plan update.
Congratulations to Anna Novikova of Petaluma, who signed up to get SoCo Correspondent and won a raffle drawing for a free Sonoma County Regional Parks pass along with a gift basket filled with cool Sonoma County swag.
If you missed the April 19 egg-stravaganza, look for us on May 5 at the 16th annual Cinco de Mayo festival in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood. We’d love to meet you!
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
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 class will be held May 29 at 10 a.m. on Zoom.
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 May 29 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Koenig. I’m a 27-month-old pit bull terrier who was brought to the shelter in December. I weigh 54 pounds. My caretakers say I’m a friendly boy (and handsome, of course), and would benefit from training, leash work and plenty of playtime. Will you bring me into your family?
Koenig is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
| | 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.
| | Volunteer and employment opportunities | | |
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