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Prison Inmate Who Was Convicted Of “Third Strike” For Residential Burglary Denied Parole
Inmate Billy Ray Shanee Maldonado, of San Antonio, Texas, was denied parole today by the California State Board of Parole Hearings following a morning hearing held at the Mule Creek State Prison in Amador County. The Parole Board found that Maldonado continued to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety and denied parole for an additional three years. Maldonado chose not to attend the hearing. Read full story
Sonoma County highlights critical work of civil grand juries, encourages people to volunteer for service
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today honored the important work of civil grand juries in investigating and reporting on local governmental operations to ensure they are being conducted efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of the public. Read full story
Vamos a Nadar celebrates 20 years of water safety education
Designed to reduce drowning deaths in along the Russian River, Vamos a Nadar has reached more than 3,000 young people in Sonoma County since launching in 2004. The 2024 schedule is now available and parents can register at SoCoParks.org/Nadar. Read full story
Sonoma County Juvenile Hall opens new music studio
Sonoma County’s Juvenile Hall has opened a new music recording studio with the goal of promoting self-expression, positivity and wellness among youth detained at the facility with the assistance of local music professionals. Read full story
Sonoma County health officials issue cold weather warning
The County of Sonoma today issued a cold weather warning in response to the National Weather Service frost advisory from midnight to 10 a.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service is also predicting sub-freezing wind chill temperatures from Sunday into early Monday. Officials recommend that residents limit time outdoors, as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure. Read full story
Weekly Roundup for March 1, 2024
Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following: 1) More rain, cold temperatures predicted this weekend; 2) First-ever Farmworker Resource Fair this Sunday, March 3; 3) Annual job fair for unhoused community on March 20; and 4) Other Sonoma County news of note Read full story
Early in-person voting to expand this weekend for March election
Early in-person voting for the March 5 Presidential Primary Election will expand this weekend, Deva Marie Proto, Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters, announced today. Twenty-four vote centers will open Saturday, joining seven that have been open since February 24, for a total of 31. Voters can vote at any vote center in the county; they are not assigned to a specific location. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves contract for distribution of emergency financial assistance during disasters
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to approve contracts with Community Organizations Active in Disasters and the Child Parent Institute for the distribution of disaster emergency financial assistance to individuals during declared emergencies. Read full story
Measure O annual report shows increase in funding for essential homelessness, mental health services
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today accepted the Measure O update and annual report for fiscal year 2022–23. Presented by the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for Measure O, a quarter-cent sales tax that was approved by voters in 2020 to fund mental health, substance abuse disorder and homelessness services, the annual report provides an update on the growing list of achievements attained during this second full year of the measure. Read full story
Repeat Felony Dui Offender Sentenced to Probation For A Second Time; Was On Felony Probation At The Time Of This Offense, Now Has Five Dui Convictions
On Monday, February 26, 2024, Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Dana Simonds overruled prosecutors’ objections and sentenced repeat felony DUI offender Juan Garnica Vigil to probation. Vigil is a five-time convicted DUI driver who was on felony probation at the time of this most recent felony DUI offense. Read full story