Another business in Mendocino County has a confirmed a case of COVID-19. The County’s COVID Operations Center confirmed the case at Los Gallitos in Fort Bragg. If you happened to be there last weekend between Saturday, July 31st and Wednesday, August 4th, be warned, you may have been exposed and should be tested if unvaccinated or if you were vaccinated and have symptoms. The management is said to be responding and closed temporarily to get their employees tested. They also contacted the customers they can identify. The county public health office says the public should use their best judgment when making decisions that might affect their own health and the health of the community, but reminds to stay home if you feel sick.
Another death has been attributed to the pandemic. The Mendocino County Public Health Dept. reports being notified a 77 year old woman from Fort Bragg became the County’s 54th death. They did not release any more information on the death, like if the woman had her vaccines, comorbidities or how long she was ill or where she died.
Water is too low at the Eel River Campground in Covelo so it’s been turned off. The Mendocino National Forest reports starting yesterday the spring supplying water to the Campground and the Eel River Fire Station is drying up so to help firefighters have some water for a longer amount of time, the water for campers is now off. Visitors are advised to bring their own water to the campground for now. The District Ranger says it’s unfortunate, but even with mitigation, water from the spring will probably stop altogether soon and they’ll have to truck in water for the firefighters who live and work at the Eel River workstation.
Three more deaths from COVID19 have been reported in Sonoma County. The County’s Public Health Office says they’re also seeing mass hospitalizations involving people who are critically ill. 70 coronavirus patients filled local hospital beds and 17 were in an ICU bed. The health dept. reported it’s not quite at the winter surge level but getting there. The Public Health Officer for the county, Dr. Sundari Mase says the cases are mostly because of the Delta variant. She also said those who’ve not been vaccinated are the most vulnerable. The three who died had underlying health issues but were not vaccinated. A spokesperson for a group of hospitals in Sonoma County says almost all hospitalized with COVID are not vaccinated and staff are seeing more severe illness today, than they did last winter.
A 14-year-old has died in a car crash in Ukiah and two other teenagers were injured. The crash Saturday after a police chase thru the city at speeds of 100 mph. Police say it was early, around 1:30 a.m. when the 15-year-old driver ran a red light at Gobbi and South State Streets. Police tried to stop the 2017 VW Beetle, but say the driver sped away onto the 101. Police followed as she excited, ran a stop sign and drove off the side of an on-ramp leading back to the freeway and flipped the car after it flew through the air. The driver ended up in the hospital. The 14 year old who died was in the passenger seat without a seatbelt on. And another teen, a 13 year old girl in the back had severe injuries too. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Police say they’re unsure if drugs or alcohol were a factor.
A lawsuit has been filed against a Northern Calif. police officer who pressed his knee on the neck of a man dealing with a mental health crisis, then died. Angelo Quinto’s mom and younger sister are suing the Antioch Police Dept. for using excessive force when restraining Quinto. They’re also suing the City, the police chief and 4 officers. The family called police last December because of the mental health crisis at the time and wanted help. One of the responding officers sat on his neck for almost 5 minutes while another officer held his legs. The man went unconscious and was taken to a hospital, but died.
The Dixie Fire is still on the run, now the single largest wildfire in modern history. The fire quieted for a time yesterday as the weather was more favorable so aircraft could join the firefight. They cut thousands of acres of new fire lines, but this week is supposed to get hotter, and windier. It could be in the triple-digit temperatures tomorrow and Thursday accompanied by strong afternoon winds. The fire has destroyed over 600 homes and other buildings and destroyed the small gold-rush era town of Greenville. 14,000 more structures remain threatened. The fire is only 22% contained.
Students are getting ready to head back to in person learning in Lake County, at the same time the pandemic is out of control in the county. Last we heard from a Public Health Official, Lake was the highest in the state for cases per 100,000 people. Lake Co News reports school starts tomorrow for a few schools, Monday for 2 others and not until Sept. for Kelseyville. The news site says district superintendents have been regularly meeting with each other and the interim Lake County Public Health Director. Earlier this month the county was where it was at last winter during the worst surge in the state. Schools do not need to physically distance anymore but are encouraged to do so and they’re encouraging children to stay home from school if they’re sick. Students may have to wear masks depending on the local transmission level and should anyway, indoors at all times.
Lawmakers are considering a law against harassing people at vaccination sites. SB 742 is being considered to make it punishable by up to six months behind bars and a $1,000 fine for anyone who intimidates, threatens, harasses or prevents anyone from seeking a vaccine. The bill was introduced after a Los Angeles mass vaccination clinic had to be closed briefly because of protestors. A State Senator from Sacramento, whose also a doctor, penned the bill to counter misinformation. He says he too has been a target of anti-vaccination harassment. The bill says harassment is putting yourself within 30 feet of someone and giving them a leaflet, or displaying a sign, or getting into a verbal protest with that person.
The Redwood Valley Calpella Fire District will be conducting a siren test for the new siren that was installed. the test will begin tomorrow from 12 to 4, this is only a test.
There’s an excessive heat warning for a section of Mendocino County with temperatures expected to get up to 105 tomorrow and Thursday. The National Weather Service in Eureka put out an alert that extreme heat will increase the potential for heat related illness. And to stay hydrated, especially if you work outdoors, try to stay out of the sun in the afternoon and to check on elderly relatives and neighbors and avoid leaving children or pets unattended in a vehicle under any circumstances. The temperatures will soar in Lake, Humboldt and Trinity counties, which is not great for the Dixie Fire which has burned almost 490,000 acres and is 25% contained. It’s the largest single fire to burn in the state.
A woman arrested for arson in Lake County has been to court. Kayla Main appeared by video for her arraignment and pleaded not guilty. She was charged with arson, possessing material or a device for arson and unlawful fire after an incident last month in Lower Lake. Police had a report of an unknown woman setting fires and talked to witnesses who identified her. There they found three partially extinguished fires about 50 feet apart. There was no damage left behind or injuries. Main was found holding a lighter in her hand but told police she lit the fires by accident. She was on probation when she was arrested. She’s due back in court next week.
Mendocino County Fire Safe Council has been honored by Assemblyman Jim Wood as the 2021 Nonprofit of the Year. The council works with homeowner groups, subdivisions and towns to create their own fire safe councils, then helps them with education, guidance and grant funding, plus they also manage larger community fuels reduction and mitigation projects. Assemblyman Wood says the nonprofit brought in around $500,000 in grant funding to Mendocino County from various sources, besides managing millions in additional grant work in collaboration with the county, saying their work helps community members and has enhanced their quality of life.
