Press Releases
Sonoma County to break ground on new youth behavioral health campus at Los Guilicos
Sonoma County officials will break ground on a new youth behavioral health campus at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 322 Hood House Drive in Santa Rosa. The facility will expand access to urgently needed mental health and substance use treatment for adolescents, young adults and their families. Members of the media are invited to attend. Read full story
Sonoma County issues health advisory due to poor air quality caused by the Feliz Fire in Mendocino County
The Sonoma County Health Officer today issued the following health advisory: Areas of northern Sonoma County may experience "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or "Unhealthy" air quality caused by the wildfire event in Mendocino County near Hopland. Read full story
Sonoma County updates health advisory due to poor air quality caused by the Woodside Fire
8:15 P.M. UPDATE: Conditions are changing quickly and the air quality conditions have evolved to "hazardous" and "very unhealthy" levels. The Sonoma County Health Officer today issued the following health advisory: Areas of Sonoma County may experience "very unhealthy" or "hazardous" air quality caused by the wildfire event along the coast near Timber Cove and Salt Point State Park. People may experience adverse health effects from the smoke over Sonoma County and across the region. Below are some things you can do when the air quality is poor. Read full story
Dr. Mia Shim of Seattle named new county health officer
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today appointed Mia Shim, MD, MPH, as Sonoma County’s new health officer, replacing Dr. Michael Stacey, who has held this role on an interim basis since last November. Dr. Shim’s appointment becomes effective tomorrow. Read full story
Preliminary 2026 Point-in-Time count maintains last year’s 23% reduction in homelessness
The preliminary 2026 Point-in-Time Count, conducted across Sonoma County the morning of Jan. 30, remains at the same level as last year, with 1,951 people experiencing homelessness — one fewer person than from the 2025 PIT Count. This year’s number preserves last year’s 23% drop in people experiencing homelessness, which was the lowest number since the PIT Count began in 2007 and a reduction of 507 unsheltered individuals in 2024. Read full story
Report: Mental health and homelessness services are expanding in Sonoma County under Measure O
Access to mental health care, substance use treatment and homelessness services has expanded across Sonoma County as voter-approved Measure O approaches the midpoint of its 10-year term, according to a new report presented today to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Read full story
Sonoma County health officer issues freeze alert
The Sonoma County health officer has issued a freeze alert in response to the prediction by the National Weather Service (NWS) of sub-freezing temperatures overnight tonight through Friday morning. Read full story
Board of Supervisors awards $12.4 million in Measure O and state funds for mental health and homeless services
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday awarded $12.4 million to support mental health and homelessness services across the county, the latest in a series of investments funded by Measure O, the quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020. Read full story
Advisory lifted for remaining coastal and river beaches downriver from Russian River wastewater spill
After two days of water sampling by Sonoma County’s environmental health agency at the remaining coastal beaches (Goat Rock, Stillwater, Black Point and Gualala) and river beaches (Johnson’s, Monte Rio and Patterson Point), the advisory to stay out of the water at these locations has been lifted today. The water testing was done following last week’s sewage spill at the Russian River County Sanitation District treatment plant in Guerneville and samples were within State Recreational Health standards. Read full story
Advisory lifted for three coastal beaches downriver from Russian River wastewater spill
After two days of water sampling by Sonoma County’s environmental health department at Doran, Campbell Cove and Salmon Creek beaches, the advisory to stay out of the water at these three beaches has been lifted. The water testing was done following this week’s sewage spill at the Russian River County Sanitation District treatment plant in Guerneville and the samples were found to be in the appropriate range. Read full story
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