News & Updates

Access to accurate and timely information is critical to helping you understand the issues and decisions facing our City Council and Commissions and engage in the policy making process.  Stay informed by reading the latest news and updates below, sign up to receive "News & Updates," the Sonoma City e-newsletter and subscribe to meeting agendas and minutes for the City Council and Commissions.

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Latest News Posts

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City of Sonoma Announces Ada Limón as 2026 Treasure Artist

Posted on December 3, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  December 3, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma and the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission are honored to announce that acclaimed poet Ada Limón has been selected as the 2026 Sonoma Treasure Artist. Limón is the first poet and only the second writer to receive this distinction since the...
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City of Sonoma Designated “Charging Smart Silver” for Electric Vehicle Readiness – Press Release

Posted on December 2, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2025 - Sonoma, CA  – The City of Sonoma has been awarded a Silver designation from the national Charging Smart program in recognition of the City’s leadership in electric vehicle (EV) readiness and its commitment to expanding EV charging infrastructure throughout the community. Charging Smart is a national program led...
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City of Sonoma Invites Nominations for 2026 Honorary Alcalde – Press Release

Posted on November 24, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sonoma, CA – November 20, 2025 - The City of Sonoma is once again inviting community members to nominate outstanding residents for the 2026 Honorary Alcalde, the City’s “citizen of the year” recognition. Since 1975, the Sonoma City Council has selected one community member (or couple) each year to receive the title...
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City of Sonoma Secures Preservation of 18 Affordable Housing Units Through Landmark Partnership (Press Release)

Posted on October 2, 2025

Sonoma, CA — October 2, 2025 — The City of Sonoma announced today that the purchase of two affordable housing properties has officially closed, securing the long-term preservation of 18 affordable housing units in the community. This milestone was made possible through a landmark partnership with Burbank Housing, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA),...
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The City of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission Seeks Nominations for Treasure Artist of the Year Award

Posted on September 16, 2025

View this Press Release as a PDF Sonoma, CA – September 16, 2025 - The City of Sonoma's Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) is excited to announce the opening of the nomination process for the 2026 Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year Award. Established in 1983, this distinguished award honors exceptional achievements in the...
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City of Sonoma Welcomes First-Ever Parks and Recreation Director (Press Release)

Posted on July 23, 2025

Read this press release in PDF format. July 23, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma is pleased to announce the hiring of Dave Jahns as its first Parks and Recreation Director, marking a major milestone in the City’s efforts to enhance and coordinate parks, recreation, and community services. This newly created position, made...
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Montini Preserve to Undergo Prescribed Burn to Protect Homes, Habitat, and Hillside Health (Press Release)

Posted on June 9, 2025

JOINT PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: June 9, 2025 Sonoma, CA – A coalition of local agencies, including the Sonoma Valley Fire District, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, the City of Sonoma and CAL FIRE, is preparing to conduct a prescribed burn on approximately 20 acres of the Montini Open Space Preserve...
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City of Sonoma Launches Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program – Call for Artists Now Open (Press Release)

Posted on June 2, 2025

View this Press Release as a PDF Sonoma, CA – June 2, 2025 - The City of Sonoma is pleased to announce a call for artists for its new Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program. As part of the City’s growing Public Art Program, this initiative invites artists and artist teams to submit original artwork...
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City of Sonoma Announces 2025 Student Creative Artist Award Recipients – Press Release

Posted on May 1, 2025

View/Download a PDF of this Press Release May 1, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Student Creative Artist Award, celebrating outstanding artistic achievement by local high school students residing within the Sonoma Valley Unified School District boundaries....
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Final Week to Apply! City Discretionary Funding for Non-Profits Closes May 7

Posted on April 30, 2025

In an ongoing effort to enhance support to our local organizations providing critical and essential programs and services to our community in a transparent and fair manner, the City of Sonoma reminds non-profit and tax-exempt organizations that the deadline to apply for discretionary funding for the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 is Tuesday, May 7, 2025, at...
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City of Sonoma Launches Second Year of Online Discretionary Funding Application for Fiscal Year 2025/2026

Posted on April 9, 2025

In an ongoing effort to enhance support to our local organizations providing critical and essential programs and services to our community in a transparent and fair manner, the City of Sonoma is excited to announce the second year of its online Discretionary Funding Application. This platform streamlines the process for organizations seeking funding from the...
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New Fire Hazard Severity Map Released for the City of Sonoma and Surrounding Areas (Press Release)

Posted on March 14, 2025

View this Press Release as a pdf March 14, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma, in partnership with the Sonoma Valley Fire District (SVFD) and the County of Sonoma, has released updated Fire Hazard Severity Maps (FHSZ) for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) following CalFire’s February 24, 2025, statewide update. These maps use...
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5th Annual Earth Day Photo Contest: Capture Sonoma’s “Hidden Gems” (Joint Press Release)

Posted on February 28, 2025

View this Joint Press Release as a PDF February 28, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma, in partnership with the Sonoma Community Center, is excited to announce the 5th Annual Earth Day Photo Contest, inviting photographers of all ages to celebrate the hidden natural beauty of Sonoma Valley. The theme for 2025...
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City of Sonoma to Dedicate Larry Murphy Bridge

Posted on February 27, 2025

View this Press Release as a PDF February 28, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma will officially dedicate the Larry Murphy Bridge in honor of the late Larry Murphy during a special ceremony on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The event will take place on France Street,...
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City of Sonoma Seeks Entries for 2025 Student Creative Artist Award

Posted on February 14, 2025

View/Download this press release as a PDF Sonoma, CA – February 14, 2025 - The City of Sonoma (City) Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) is now accepting entries for the 2025 Student Creative Artist Award Program. This award program is open to high school juniors and seniors who reside within the Sonoma Valley Unified...
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