Governor Newsom Progress Report

Posted today at 9:40am

Governor Newsom says California is turning the corner in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. He cited a significantly lower number of confirmed new cases as California begins to clear backlogged cases caused by a technical error, and that he is encouraged by the downward trend in hospitalizations. California reported 180 additional deaths from the virus yesterday, bringing the state's coronavirus deaths to more than 10,600. In Sonoma County there are 34 more active cases added since yesterday (photo courtesy LA Times)

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Law Enforcement Measure Legality

Posted today at 9:26am

Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick requested a lawyer to look over the law enforcment oversight measure on the November ballot. Sonoma County Supervisors rejected the Sheriff's request to pay an outside council for advice on the measure he says has some legal defects, and that the measure might inhibit the duties of the Sheriff's Office. (photo courtesy Pensacola News Journal)

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Covid Aid Package

Posted today at 9:23am

Americans counting on emergency coronavirus aid from Washington may have to wait until Fall. Negotiations over a new coronavirus aid package have all but ended. The White House and Congress are far apart on the size, scope and approach on relief for households, schools and a national strategy to contain the virus. (photo courtesy Voice of America)

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Anti-COVID-19 Nasal Spray

Posted today at 9:21am

Researchers at the UCSF say they have formulated a nasal spray that can help ward off the coronavirus. They call the aerosol spray AeroNabs, and say it's not a cure, but it is an antiviral aimed at preventing COVID-19. They are working with business partners to get it manufactured and clinically tested. (photo courtesy San Francisco Chronicle)

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PG&E Settlement Unsettled

Posted Tuesday morning

Today, Sonoma County Supervisors will discuss how to use the $149.3 milion PG&E settlement money from the 2017 wildfires. The 2pm meeting today is projected to be a tug-o-war between the Supervisors, each defending their areas of the County devastated by the fires, and the newer issue of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. (photo courtesy Petaluma Argus-Courier)

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Deadly Case Numbers

Posted Tuesday morning

As the confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the world has reached 20 million, Sonoma County has also reached a new tragic number. 3 more fatalities from COVID 19 has brought Sonoma County's death toll to 50. Again, each of the 3 new reported deaths were over 65 years old, with underlying health conditions. Over the weekend 239 new infections were added to the list, and 80 more were added since yesterday, bringing the total to 1,714 active cases locally. (photo courtesy Medscape)

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State Watch List Changes

Posted Tuesday morning

California counties can start moving on and off the State Watch list again now that a data glitch with the CalREDIE reporting system has been fixed. Yesterday, California Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said individual counties will update their case counts sometime in the next couple of days. A county must be off the watch list for 14 days before it can reopen in-person education. (photo courtesy Public Policy Institute)

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Graton Rancheria Executive Director

Posted Tuesday morning

Beginning next month, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria will have a new leader, who has plenty of experience in leadership roles. Santa Rosa Assistant City manager, David Guhin has resigned from the city to become the Executive Director for the Graton Tribe, though he is not a member of the Tribe. Guhin said his new job will focus on oversight and potentially expansion of a range of tribal programs ranging from rental assistance to wetland protection. (photo courtesy News Break)

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Senior Facility Numbers Improving

Posted Monday morning

Skilled Nursing Facilities are beginning to see a reduction in coronavirus infections after months of steady rises in numbers that brought in State officials to work on the situation. The Public Health Strike Team, made up of infection control experts, reported improvements are being made. Currently there are 256 less active cases in Sonoma County, but still 1,634. And nearly 2000 have recovered from the virus since March. There has been 47 local deaths from COVID 19. (photo courtesy WGME)

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School Waivers On Hold

Posted Monday morning

The waivers to let some Elementary School students attend schools in person have been put on hold, due to local Health Officials' concerns of coronavirus case rates. Last week, Governor Newsom announced that schools may apply for waivers to open their classrooms for children from transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. Dr. Sundari Mase, the Sonoma County Health Officer, said until she gets an accurate read on case rates, she will not be processing applications. (photo courtesy Leapfrog)

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Sonoma County Hot Line

Posted Monday morning

The new hot line set up to report violators of the facial coverings orders has generated hundreds of calls. 189 were reported on the first day, alone. County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson said most were about businesses, including restaurants, but also parks and other outside spaces. Fines range from $100 for individuals, to as high as $10,000 for commercial infractions. (photo courtesy Reuters)

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College Student Promises

Posted Monday morning

U.S. colleges are asking returning students to promise to help contain the coronavirus. That means no keg parties, no long road trips and no outside guests on campus. Administrators warn that failure to wear masks, practice socially distancing and avoid mass gatherings could bring serious consequences, including getting booted from school. (photo coutesy Fastweb)

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No Mask, Yes Fines

Posted about a week ago

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to implement fines for people who disregard the health orders of the use of facial coverings. The order takes effect immediatly, and Fines could range from $100 to as high at $500 for individuals, and as much as $10,000 for businesses. (photo courtesy Atlanta Magazine)

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PG&E Patrols Today

Posted about a week ago

PG&E will be conducting aerial patrols of power lines today in Sonoma County. Between 8am and 4pm, ground crews and helicopters will be patroling circuits that could be affected in a PSPS becomes necessary this Fall. You may see PG&E personell in Cloverdale, Geyserville, Sebastopol, Bodega, Graton, Occidental, and Valley Ford. (photo courtesy Sierra News Online)

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Student Mental Health Grant

Posted about a week ago

Sonoma County Office of Education has received a $1 million federal grant to help students who are experincing trauma as as a result of recent disasters. Councellors and pychologists will be trained to support mental health in Monte Rio, Guerneville, Forestville, Harmony, Fort Ross, Oak Grove, Sebastopol, Twin Hills, and West Sonoma County Union High School. (photo courtesy Mashable Pakistan)

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