September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, and Mendocino County Public Health wants people to be ready if a disaster strikes. Public Health says disasters–like wildfires, earthquakes, and floods are always a possibility in the county, making it important to plan now–just in case. The theme of this month’s observance is..Preparedness Starts at Home. The county says its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program is based on that idea— and that simple everyday actions can go a long way to staying safe in a disaster. The plan’s bullet points–know your risk, make a plan, build a to-go kit, and stay informed. They say the best way to assess your risk is to check out the county’s emergency readiness website–mendoready.org–where you can also sign up for emergency messages and get lots of other tips.
California has lost its top spot on a list no state wants to brag about. For the first time, California is in SECOND place among states with the highest gas prices. New number 1–to the north, in Washington state. Refinery maintenance, pipeline problems, and taxes–said to be behind the high price there. It may not be long before California jumps back to the top of the pack. The New York Times reports that prices are expected to increase dramatically over the next few months in the state because two major refineries that together supply 18% of California’s gasoline are scheduled to close down or good next year. The average last week, according to AAA around here–Mendocino County, was 4.79, but in Lake County it was 4.39. Nationally, that same gallon would set you back about $3.18 on average
