PG&E unloads 10 cords of firewood at the Willow Creek Community Services yard for distribution through the Willow Creek VFD on Wednesday. | Photos provided by PG&E
PG&E press release:
As always, the safety of our customers, crews and communities we serve is our most important responsibility. We are working to restore power to the remaining 1,500 customers in Humboldt and Trinity counties who were impacted by last week’s destructive winter storm. Most of the customers are in Willow Creek and Burnt Ranch. We are restoring power to customers every single day and will continue to do so. Right now the very latest estimated time of restoration is for January 11. We expect all customers impacted by this storm to have power by midnight next Tuesday.
PG&E workers, along with Humboldt Sheriffs deputies and PG&E gas equipment operators Cameron Jeffers and Luis Rychlik help load firewood in Eureka.
We understand most of these customers have been without power for more than 10 days and we have been working with city, county and nonprofit partners to support the community needs. We deployed temporary generation to several critical locations including hospitals, warming centers and substations to support customers while we continue repairing the grid. We distributed portable generators to the Hawkins Bar Volunteer Fire Department to give to residents in need.
We are also partnering with local public safety, such as the Sheriff’s office and Fire Departments, to support distribution of at least 13 dump truck loads of firewood to those without power:
Partnering with The Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Department, PG&E has delivered two loads of firewood to the Willow Creek Community Services yard. To arrange for pick-up, starting today, please call the Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Department at 530-629-2229. The wood will be prioritized to residents without power, as these are our community members most in need of wood. We will continue the delivery of firewood over the next couple of days, depending on the interest.
In addition, we have distributed, and will continue to distribute firewood to the Yurok and Hoopa Fire Departments for their tribal community and to the Hawkins Bar Volunteer Fire Department to distribute as their community members need.
PG&E hauling additional truckloads of firewood to the Willow Creek Community Services yard today.
PG&E is also supporting our customers with food replacements through Food for People and the Tri-County Independent Living Center, who offer support to customers with disabilities, independent living needs, and older adults. Both serve Humboldt County.
We have also partnered with 211, a statewide, 24/7 resource designed to connect Californians with shelter for electricity dependent, vulnerable households without power and heat, portable backup power, food replacements or home-delivered meals, in-language assistance, transportation, bill assistance programs and more. Visit 211.org or call 211 for more information.
Regional PG&E Vice President Ron Richardson delivers one of 100 comfort kits (go bags with blankets, water, snacks and backup battery charger) to DreamQuest Youth Center in Willow Creek.
RESTORATION
PG&E crews, along with mutual aid and contract crews are making every effort and using every tool at our disposal to make repairs the snow and trees have caused and turn the pore back on.
The heavy snowpack and the large number of trees that have fallen on power lines and electrical equipment caused thousands of customers to lose power along the North Coast. Approximately 10,000 in Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino counties at the peak of the impacts.
For example, out of the thousands of pieces of equipment we have assessed, we have identified approximately 900 locations where repairs are needed in the three counties. For example, we have and will continue to replace almost 200 power poles.
Due to 10-12 feet of snow in some areas, we have to use snowcats or all-terrain vehicles and helicopters to reach damaged equipment. In the most rural areas, we are reaching equipment by snowshoeing.
The last time Northern California had storms of this magnitude was back in 2016, our last relatively wet water year in recent years. Snowfall totals associated with this storm have in some cases broken snow accumulation records for the month of December.
Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools, Michael Davies-Hughes made the
following statement today, responding to local media inquiries about increased COVID-19
instances in local public schools:
“I can confirm that since Monday of this week, several schools in the county have reported
an uptick in the number of students and staff either testing positive or being quarantined
due to exposure to COVID-19-infected persons. This is having an impact on student
attendance rates and staffing. The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) began
distributing thousands of rapid tests for students beginning last Thursday, December 30th.
“California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provided us with enough tests for every
student in Humboldt County. We do not have information about students or staff who
tested positive for COVID-19. Individual school districts have their information about how
many students and staff are out sick. If a family states that they or their student is positive,
they are encouraged to report that information to Humboldt County Public Health.
“Directions to report positive cases were distributed with the home test kits distributed by
HCOE. If a student or staff member tests positive at a school site, the result is reported to
Public Health by the school; as are exposures on a school campus.
“We continue to work very closely with Humboldt County Public Health to provide ongoing
guidance and support to local school districts regarding COVID-19 prevention and
mitigation strategies. We are currently developing an updated flowchart for school leaders
to use, based on updated CDPH guidance.
“Staffing shortages are a very real and concerning reality. In school districts across the state,
it’s a case of ‘all hands on deck’ with administrators and itinerant teachers being pulled-in
to teach classes when substitute teachers are not available. I continue to be very proud of
our educational community in doing ‘whatever it takes’ to ensure that students can safely
attend school for in-person instruction”
At least two dozen state lawmakers were absent from floor sessions this morning after many of them, including Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, were potentially exposed to the coronavirus at a farewell event for a colleague on Tuesday night.
Representatives for the state Senate and Assembly could not confirm exactly how legislators were asked to stay home on Thursday. But Sen. Josh Becker, a Menlo Park Democrat who was at the Tuesday night event and then tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, said “maybe a dozen lawmakers in total” were hanging out at a hotel in downtown Sacramento where many of them stay while in town, an “impromptu get-together” for former Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez after she announced her resignation on Monday.
“Certainly there were some people that had to quarantine because they were exposed to me,” Becker said.
The mass exposure further complicates the start of a new legislative session, with a looming deadline at the end of this month to act on any bills that did not advance out of their house of origin last year. Two other lawmakers also announced this week that they had tested positive for or been exposed to COVID-19, and the Senate on Thursday limited offices to one staff member per day, with the rest told to work from home as the omicron variant propels another surge of coronavirus cases across California.
The Assembly reported 26 absences among its 80 members on Thursday, but a representative said more than half of those were requested earlier in the week and were not related to the Tuesday night event, including for paternity leave, illness and medical reasons.
Katie Talbot, a spokesperson for Rendon, said in an email that guidelines from the California Department of Health “do not require isolation for vaccinated and boosted individuals following potential exposure,” but “out of an abundance of caution, the Speaker asked Members who attended Tuesday’s event to stay home from session today.”
Rendon, a Lakewood Democrat, was among those who attended the event and stayed home, Talbot said. “They will test again Monday morning before being admitted to floor session.”
A representative for the Senate could not immediately provide the number of absences today.
Becker said because of regular testing requirements in the Legislature, he had tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday and again on Tuesday.
“I got a negative antigen test right before the event,” which involved members hanging out at a second-floor lounge at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, he said. Becker said he “had a mask on the whole time” at the event, as did many other attendees.
But on Wednesday morning, he tested again before a speaking engagement at a school, he said, and it came back positive. Becker, who has received the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, said he feels okay and will quarantine for 10 days, at the request of the Senate leadership.
###
CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
Today the search for missing Blue Lake man Hunter Lewis continues with dive teams from Humboldt Bay Fire conducting an underwater search in the Flatiron Rock area, northwest of Trinidad Head.
Family and friends of Hunter Lewis have been continuing independent search efforts in the Trinidad area and have been working with the HCSO relaying relevant findings and information for law enforcement follow up.
Based upon all information gathered and items found while searching the Trinidad area, teams have determined it necessary to conduct an underwater search in the Flatiron Rock area.
Today search crews are utilizing the small window of decent weather conditions to conduct dive efforts. Divers with Humboldt Bay Fire are conducting the underwater search with the support of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
###
According to the Facebook group set up by those searching for Hunter Lewis, several items have been located in connection to the missing 21-year-old, including pieces of his canoe and treasure box.
Today, on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement:
Huffman
January 6, 2021 was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. While some might want to rewrite history, the truth is a violent mob of insurrectionists breached the Capitol in an attempt to block the certification of a free and fair election.
Hundreds of extremists, provoked by Donald Trump and his allies, ransacked the Capitol, sought to hunt down members of Congress and Vice President Pence, and viciously attacked police officers who fought to defend not only the lives of those inside, but democracy itself.
The insurrectionists’ goal was nothing short of upending – and perhaps simply ending – American democracy by installing Trump as an unelected President despite his overwhelming defeat in the election (which was scrutinized and affirmed by election officials of both parties and dozens of court decisions, including the Supreme Court of the United States). Five people lost their lives in the attack, and four officers who withstood the horror of that day later took their own lives.
We have learned a lot of lessons from that travesty, and many more are sure to come as we and the select committee continue to uncover the truth of how and why this disgraceful attempted coup happened. But one of the most poignant takeaways is how fragile our democracy truly is and the need to be vigilant in defending it.
We must never again just sanguinely expect the best from people who repeatedly show us we should expect the worst. Whether it is a corrupt President, violent insurrectionists posing as “protestors,” or people in high places who aid and abet them, we cannot ever allow our democracy and the peaceful transition of power to be jeopardized the way it was on January 6th. Extremism has infected our politics, and decisive action is needed to protect our democracy and restore not only America’s faith in our government, but all those who look to us as a beacon of a free and fair society.
The insurrection shook our nation and revealed the many fault lines threatening to break apart democracy. But it also showed our resilience and our resolve. We will continue to seek out the truth, ensure nothing like January 6 ever happens again, and protect and strengthen our democracy for future generations.
But this is not just a job for me and my colleagues in Congress; the American people have a vital role to play in safeguarding our democracy this year. As we approach the mid-term elections, Americans should have a simple, vital test for every person who seeks to serve in Congress: are they being honest, responsible, and accountable for what happened on January 6th?
Lawyers address a judge in Madera County Superior Court in Madera on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters
###
The sharp increase in coronavirus cases is again challenging California’s courts, with judges releasing plans this week to scale back some courtroom procedures as the state experiences the largest spike in COVID-19 since January 2021.
In a déjà vu moment that led to a backlog of cases last year, some courtrooms are halting jury trials, moving some courtroom proceedings online and pushing back their calendars. Even so, some smaller counties that are experiencing the worst of the COVID-19 surge are doubling down on masks but aren’t ready to make drastic changes or temporarily send jurors home.
“The decision here is between access to justice and public safety,” said David A. Carrillo, executive director of the California Constitution Center.
Some counties are going further. Sonoma and Riverside counties are suspending some new jury trials for civil and criminal cases.
“The decision here is between access to justice and public safety.” — David A. Carrillo, California Constitution Center
John M. Monterosso, presiding judge of Riverside County Superior Court, told CalMatters it was becoming impossible to continue jury trials as COVID-19 cases broke out among judicial officers, court staff, lawyers, litigants and jurors.
“We’re not dispensing with process, we’re not dispensing with justice,” he said. “It just may be slowed down a little bit.
“Having to stop last year at this time when last year’s winter surge occurred was really disheartening, and it’s just as disheartening…more so now because we thought we were out of this thing,” Monterosso said.
Still, some courtrooms are reluctant to halt jury trials, even in places with high hospitalization rates.
Imperial County has the state’s highest rate of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, according to a data analysis by CalMatters. So far, the county of nearly 180,000 residents has not altered its courtroom procedures, beyond requiring everyone to wear a mask.
In an email response, the executive officer for the county’s courts said they are complying with public health mandates and guidelines.
“Ensuring equal access to justice for all community members is at the forefront of the court’s mission,” said executive officer Maria Rhinehart. “We are actively having internal discussions.”
California courts suspended jury trials and extended deadlines during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Many did so again in the winter of 2020 and 2021, during that surge. The changes delayed many in-person proceedings, backlogged the systems and left many Californians waiting for their day in court.
“We’re not dispensing with process, we’re not dispensing with justice. It just may be slowed down a little bit.” — Presiding Judge John M. Monterosso, Riverside County
Since California no longer has an emergency order in place, which mandated that courts take certain actions, the presiding judges of each county are creating their own rules about how to balance justice and public health.
“You’re presented with three bad choices, either not doing them (jury trials) at all, you do them remotely or you roll the dice and do jury trials in person,” Carrillo said.
The contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus has quickly spread throughout California, causing more than 140,000 new COVID-cases — the highest number since the pandemic began. The variant has presented a challenge for courtrooms as more people test positive, which several courts cited when announcing changes this week to their policies.
“We have seen a similar uptick in positive cases in Sacramento County, and here at our own Court, with cases quadrupling,” said Presiding Judge Michael G. Bowman, in a Tuesday news release.
California’s courtrooms are not alone in their disparate approaches to how to conduct judicial business. Federal courtrooms in California are also making varying changes amid the spike.
The Northern and Central U.S. District Courts of California recently suspended all jury trials. The Eastern and Southern Districts have not announced any jury trial changes.
###
CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
On Tuesday night the Eureka City Council voted to move forward with a land swap between the city and the Pierson Company, in which the city will trade three publicly owned downtown parking lots for a piece of land near Winco to facilitate the development of affordable housing.
This was the second time the proposed land swap came before the council, and although the council had already voiced overwhelming support for the proposal during its Dec. 22 meeting, it voted 3-2 to postpone the vote for a couple of weeks to give the public more opportunity to comment on the issue.
And many community members – close to a dozen – did comment during Tuesday’s meeting. Many were in support of the land swap, either because they felt the Pierson property is a much better location for housing or because they did not want the downtown businesses to lose parking. Others were adamantly against the proposal, saying that they felt the downtown parking lots were more desirable for low-income housing.
The three downtown parking lots the City is swapping
Tom Wheeler of the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) said he is opposed to the land swap, largely because it will take the three parking lots off the table for future housing developments. If the City were to retain the parking lots then the Pierson property would likely be developed into housing anyway, Wheeler argued, mentioning that the Pierson Company had previously submitted plans to the City to develop housing there.
While there is nothing in the agreement to prevent the parking lots from being used for housing developments in the future, it seem likely that the land swap will result in the parking lots remaining parking lots. The Pierson Company will own the three lots initially, but the intent is for Redwood Capital Bank to lease and eventually purchase them from the company. Jennifer Budwig from Redwood Capital Bank said during the meeting that the bank has no intention of developing the lots and wants to retain them as parking for their own and other nearby businesses.
Some land swap opponents – including the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) and Vernon Price, a local advocate for the homeless – have threatened litigation against the City, saying that the action would violate the City’s Housing Element, the Surplus Land Act and the No Net Loss Law. (You can read the letter sent to the City by Northern California Legal Services on behalf of CTRP and Price here.)
City Manager Miles Slattery addressed the letter during the meeting, saying that the land swap plan has been vetted by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and will not violate any of the mentioned laws.
Slattery also addressed several other concerns previously brought up by the community, including the number of units that could be built on each site, the property value of the parking lots versus the Pierson property, and the different properties’ proximity to services. Slattery said that the three parking lots combined could only hold 65 housing units, whereas the Pierson property would be able to hold 104 units. As far as property values, Slattery said that the three downtown lots have an estimated value of $718,000 while the Pierson property is valued at about $2.9 million.
Addressing the locations of the properties in relation to services, Slattery told the council that the Pierson property is closer to a grocery store, a pharmacy, local parks, schools and a community garden than any of the three downtown properties.
The property that the Pierson Company is swapping with the City.
In the end, the council voted 4-1 to approve the land swap. The dissenting vote came from Councilmember Leslie Castellano, who had concerns over the City giving up the three pieces of downtown property, essentially allowing them to be maintained as parking instead of developed into housing.
“The point of the Housing Element is not to fill in a bunch of numbers on a page. The point is to increase the overall housing in our community,” Castellano said prior to the vote. “To that point I think we’re actually undermining our efforts in this.”
The other four councilmembers did not agree and felt that the Pierson property is a safer and more suitable location for housing – especially for families – and that development of the Pierson site would yield more housing units than development of the parking lots.
“What’s more important to me about this whole conversation is not, frankly, parking,” Councilmember Natalie Arroyo said during the meeting. “It’s how many units we can get out of available land and how much flexibility we have with the design of that so that it meets the goals of the City of Eureka.”
.jpg){kind=link}