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🌱 Patch AM: What went wrong with that smoky Sonoma County burn—and what’s next?

And check out 2nd Annual Wine & Shine Lowrider & Classic Car Show on the Sonoma Patch calendar

Monday October 12th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Sonoma! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What went wrong with that smoky Sonoma County burn—and what's next?
  • Could your Sonoma neighborhood lose power in this weekend's fire weather?
  • What Sonoma County's new winter mask rules mean for your clinic visits

Also on today's calendar: 2nd Annual Wine & Shine Lowrider & Classic Car Show and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 76 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 80, low: 42.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. After a smoky Sonoma County burn sparked concerns, officials highlight wildfire prevention benefits and risks (pressdemocrat.com) — Smoke from a recent prescribed burn on the Sonoma County coast drifted inland to communities like Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, prompting air-quality warnings and concern. Officials now stress that carefully planned burns, including past work at Sonoma's Montini Open Space Preserve and another burn planned near Salt Point, remain key tools to reduce wildfire risk while they review how to better manage smoke impacts.
   

2. PG&E Issues Saturday Warning Of Possible Shutoffs In Sonoma County (patch.com) — PG&E is warning Sonoma County customers that Public Safety Power Shutoffs are possible this weekend as dry, windy conditions raise wildfire risk, especially around Santa Rosa. While no shutoffs are certain yet, residents should be prepared for potential outages through Monday and know that Community Resource Centers with charging, Wi‑Fi, and basic supplies will open if power is cut.
   

3. Health Officer Issues Mask Order in Specified Health Care Facilities (sonomasun.com) — Sonoma County's health officer has ordered masks in specified health care facilities from Nov. 1 through March 31 to better protect vulnerable patients from COVID, flu, and other respiratory viruses. If you visit local nursing homes, rehab centers, infusion clinics, or dialysis centers, you and staff will need to mask in patient areas, and officials strongly urge vaccinations and checking the county's respiratory virus dashboard.
   

4. Sonoma County can be sued in 2020 killing of social worker at Cotati group home, appellate court rules (pressdemocrat.com) — A state appeals court has reopened a negligence lawsuit against Sonoma County over the 2020 stabbing death of social worker Sylvia Bracamonte at a Cotati group home, meaning the case will return to local court. For Sonoma-area residents, the ruling raises questions about the county's duty to warn contracted care providers about potentially dangerous clients and how it manages housing for vulnerable people.
   

5. 'Sonoma Strong': Fire survivors reunite 9 years after devastating 2017 wildfires (pressdemocrat.com) — Sonoma County fire survivors and community leaders recently gathered in Santa Rosa for a "Together, Sonoma Strong" reunion, honoring neighbors who helped rebuild after the 2017 wildfires. The event highlighted grassroots block captains and groups like Nuestra Comunidad, which now provides disaster-preparedness training in Sonoma and nearby counties, while giving survivors space to reconnect, share stories, and reflect nine years later.
   

📸 Around Sonoma

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Happy Halloween, We're right on route if you are walking to the Plaza.
    Come on by! We're offering some non-candy options as well, and we're stocked up for four-legged friends. #TreatMap (Nextdoor West Side Sonoma)
  • Moving Sale!
    Sunday, 10/11 9:00 am 410 Calle Del Monte Sonoma, CA (Nextdoor Fetters Hot Springs)
  • IHOP posted a job opening for Cook in Napa. Apply here.
  • CIA posted a job opening for Banquet Captain: Part Time Openings in Napa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sonoma here.

Ok Sonoma! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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