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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday discussed the process for hiring a new Public Health officer, directing staff to move forward with hiring a recruitment firm.

Last week, Public Health Dr. Gary Pace announced that after 16 months on the job he was resigning. He’s planning to return to private practice, as Lake County News has reported.

Pace, who lives in Sonoma County, plans to stay on with Lake County until April 16.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson told the board Tuesday that there has been a fair amount of turnover in Public Health officers across California and it will be a challenge to find Pace’s successor.

In Lake County, it’s been a challenge to keep the job filled in recent years, even when not faced with a pandemic.

Since December 2017, Lake County has had three Public Health officers, Huchingson explained to the board.

For nearly a decade, Dr. Karen Tait had filled the job, joining the county in April 2008 and retiring in December 2017.

Following her retirement, Pace was appointed interim Public Health officer, remaining in the post until early 2018, when the board appointed Dr. Sara Goldgraben to the post.

By summer, Goldgraben had left and Pace was again appointed as interim Public Health officer. He was in the job until October 2018, when Dr. Erin Gustafson was appointed.

Gustafson left in August 2019 to accept a job in San Bernardino County and Health Services Director Denise Pomeroy asked Pace to again come back as the interim Public Health officer.

The board would appoint him to the job in a permanent capacity in October 2019.

Huchingson said that the way these recruitments usually work is once the county has a candidate pool developed, the County Administrative Office will put together a panel to screen and interview the candidates.

Those top candidates will be presented to the board, which will interview them in closed session and announce any hiring decision it makes in open session, Huchingson said.

Pomeroy, who spoke at the Tuesday virtual meeting, said she is back to work on a part-time basis after having been on leave for a few months.

She said the recruiter the county has used in the past has a sound resume, and she’s currently waiting on two quotes from the company – one for recruiting a new Public Health director and one for the Health Department’s director of nursing, a job which the county has been trying to fill for 15 months.

The last time they used the recruiter, Pomeroy said the company brought them nine good candidates and they were able to recruit from that list.

“I’m excited to get this moving as quickly as we can to get some candidates on board for your interview and decision,” Pomeroy said.

Supervisor Jessica Pyska said the county needs to be aggressive in the search for a new Public Health officer.

“It’s a difficult time. It’s a difficult position to fill,” she said.

“I want all options on the table,” said Board Chair Bruno Sabatier.

He said he wants to be open to both hiring a permanent, salaried employee, or to contract with someone. “I want to make sure that we are open for any way of getting those people on board.”

He asked staff about what the “Plan B” is if an initial recruitment doesn’t succeed, as the county needs to have the position filled.

Huchingson said the backup plan is to use Pace longer if they must and then, if they can’t recruit a new doctor, to speak with two other doctors they’re contracting with to see if one of them would take the job.

She said counties are known to help each other out, just as Lake County has done in helping neighboring counties cover jobs like agriculture commissioner and air quality director. Huchingson said she will be reaching out to other counties to see if Lake can get assistance from them on a part-time basis.

The board reached unanimous consensus to move forward with the recruitment plan staff proposed.

Email‌ ‌Elizabeth‌ ‌Larson‌ ‌at‌ ‌This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..‌ ‌Follow‌ ‌her‌ ‌on‌ ‌Twitter,‌ ‌@ERLarson,‌ ‌or‌ ‌Lake‌ ‌County‌ ‌News,‌ ‌@LakeCoNews.‌
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Severe weather in the east last week caused COVID-19 vaccine shipments to be delayed to Lake County, however, local officials said that shipments arrived on Monday, allowing them to resume vaccination clinics.

Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said first dose vaccination appointments will resume on Wednesday.

Pace thanked community members for their patience as Public Health works to get the vaccine out as quickly and safely as possible.

This week’s vaccination schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, Feb. 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeport Auto Movies, 52 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.
• Thursday, Feb. 25: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeport Auto Movies, 52 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.
• Friday, Feb. 26: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

Pace said that on Monday, the county’s normal vaccination schedule is expected to resume.

That schedule includes clinics on Mondays and Tuesdays in Lakeport and Thursdays and Fridays in Clearlake.

He asked people to not come to either vaccine site without an appointment.

“We have limited vaccine supply, and all doses are spoken for by people with appointments,” Pace said.

To schedule an appointment:

• You must be 65 or older, or have been eligible in a previous group (we will be adding farmworkers and food service workers to those eligible in the near future).

• Visit http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm to find information and links to available appointments, and fill out the online form (if you are eligible, check regularly for new appointments).

• If you do not have internet access, or cannot navigate online scheduling, call 707-993-4644 for assistance. Do not call this number if appointments are filled up—they do not have extra slots

• For general questions, dial 211 or 844-987-0586 (toll-free), or text “covid19” to 211-211

• If general resources do not resolve your concern, call 707-263-8174, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pace said Public Health also is redistributing some vaccine doses to community partners, so county residents are encouraged to check with them regarding availability this week. Those partners include:

• North Lake Pharmacy;
• Safeway Pharmacy;
• Adventist Health;
• Lakeview Health Center – MCHC Inc. (second doses);
• Sutter Health (second doses).




Las clínicas de vacunación de COVID-19 en el condado de Lake continúan

Información, enlaces para programar citas en http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm

Lake County, CA (22 de febrero de 2021)— Con el clima grave de la semana pasada en otras partes del país, nuestros esfuerzos locales para vacunar a los residentes del condado fueron interrumpidos. Afortunadamente, tanto los envíos de la semana pasada como los de esta semana fueron recibidos hoy. Las citas para la primera dosis de vacunación se continúan el miércoles.

Aquí está el programa de esta semana:

• Miércoles 24 de febrero: de 10 a.m. a 4 p. m., en Lakeport Auto Movies (52 Soda Bay Rd, Lakeport)
• Jueves 25 de febrero: de 10 a. m. a 4 p. m., en Lakeport Auto Movies (52 Soda Bay Rd, Lakeport)
• Viernes 26 de febrero: de 10 a. m. a 4 p. m., en Redbud Park (14655 Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake).

El lunes 1 de marzo, se espera que se seguir nuestro horario normal: lunes / martes en Lakeport; jueves / viernes en Clearlake. No venga a ninguno de los sitios de vacunas sin una cita. Tenemos un suministro limitado de vacunas, y todas las dosis están reservadas para personas con citas.

Para programar una cita:

• Debe tener 65 años o más, o haber sido elegible en un grupo anterior (agregaremos trabajadores agrícolas y trabajadores de servicios de alimentos para que sean elegibles pronto).

• Visite http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm para encontrar información y enlaces a citas disponibles, y completa el formulario en línea (si es elegible, verifique regularmente si hay nuevas citas).

• Si no tiene acceso al internet o no puede navegar la programación en línea, llame al 707-993-4644 para obtener ayuda. No llame a este número si las citas están llenas, no tienen espacios adicionales.

• Para preguntas generales, marque 211 o 844-987-0586 (llamada gratuita), o envíe un mensaje de texto con “covid19” al 211-211.

• Si los recursos generales no resuelven su asunto, llame al 707-263-8174 o envíe un correo electrónico a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

También estamos redistribuyendo algunas dosis de vacunas a los socios comunitarios, por lo que le recomendamos que consulte con ellos sobre la disponibilidad esta semana:

• Farmacia de North Lake;
• Farmacia Safeway;
• Adventist Health;
• Lakeview Health Center - MCHC, Inc. (segundas dosis);
• Sutter Health (segundas dosis);

Gracias por su paciencia mientras intentamos sacar esta vacuna de la manera más rápida y segura posible.

Gary Pace, MD, MPH
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is investigating an early Monday morning drive-by shooting.

The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. Monday, according to radio traffic.

A caller reported to authorities that someone had just driven by their home in the 800 block of 16th Street and had shot numerous times into the house, radio traffic indicated.

The vehicle associated with the shooting is described as a dark-colored sedan. Radio traffic said it was last seen heading toward Clearlake Avenue.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said no one in the home was injured.

Officers responded to the scene and began an investigation which Rasmussen said on Monday afternoon remained underway.

“At this point, we don’t believe it’s a random shooting,” Rasmussen said.

Late Monday morning, the police put a call out to the community for information.

Rasmussen said they’ve received messages from the community that they were following up on Monday afternoon.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lakeport Police Department.

Anonymous messages can be sent to the police department by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777. The agency also can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by sending a private Facebook message to @LakeportPoliceDepartment or calling 707-263-5491 and asking to speak with an officer.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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The new “Charlie Jolin Way” sign is in place in Lakeport, California. Westside Park Road was renamed Charlie Jolin Way in honor of the man who helped found and develop the park. Photo courtesy of the city of Lakeport.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport said the process to rename a city street in honor of the man whose vision resulted in the creation of Westside Community Park is complete.

Westside Park Road has been renamed “Charlie Jolin Way.”

Jolin, who died in June at age 96, was the guiding force in the creation more than 20 years ago of Westside Community Park.

City officials also credit him with being instrumental in the development of Library Park.

Jolin, a proud World War II Navy veteran, was a devoted community volunteer.

He was a member and chair of the Lakeport Planning Commission, chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the development of the city's general plan, a longtime Boy Scout leader and the 2014 recipient of the Stars of Lake County Lifetime Achievement Award.

In June, shortly after Jolin’s death, the Westside Community Park Committee approached the Lakeport City Council and requested that Westside Park Road be renamed to honor Charlie Jolin and to recognize his commitment to the park and the city.

The committee believed there would be no Westside Community Park if it were not for Jolin.

The Lakeport City Council approved beginning the street renaming process in July, with the proposal then going to the Lakeport Planning Commission.

In October, the commission recommended approval of the name change to the Lakeport City Council.

The council gave final approval for the name change in November.

On Jan. 19, the street was officially renamed Charlie Jolin Way.

While the street signs have been changed, mapping platforms still reflect Westside Park Road, the city reported. When providing directions, residents may want to advise travelers of the new street name.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week, state Sen. Mike McGuire will host a discussion with leaders of California’s tourism and hospitality industry on the road to reopening.

The virtual meeting will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24.

To attend, RSVP to McGuire’s office here.

California’s hospitality and tourism sectors are some of the largest economic drivers for the state.

Before the global pandemic hit, more than 1.2 million Californians earned their livelihoods in hospitality. Visitors spent $145 billion at California businesses in 2019, generating $12.3 billion in state and local taxes.

The impacts of COVID-19 have been absolutely devastating for hospitality workers and the thousands of small businesses who rely on a healthy tourism economy.

More than half of California’s 1.2 million hospitality workers have lost their jobs and the state has lost over $70 billion in visitor spending.

That’s why, since the first statewide shelter-in-place last spring, Sen. McGuire has been working with a broad coalition of advocates – including labor, tourism, hospitality, and local chambers of commerce – to address the incredible challenges they are facing and help get over 600,000 hard-working hospitality employees back to work safely and strategically.

On Wednesday, during the roundtable discussion, Sen. McGuire and hospitality and tourism industry leaders from across the state will discuss a strategic road map for safely reopening and the critical importance of getting California’s hospitality workers safely back to work when the California Department. of Public Health declares it is appropriate to resume travel.

Roundtable participants include Caroline Beteta, president and CEO, Visit California; John DiFlauro, Disneyland Resort castmember and chief shop steward, Teamsters Local 495; Horacio Cortés, Santa Clara County Convention Center team member, steward, Teamsters Local 853; Bharat Patel, president, Castle Inn & Suites; and Rhonda Salisbury, CEO/film commissioner, Visit Yosemite.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County’s Public Health officer announcing his plans to resign, the Board of Supervisors this week will hold a discussion on recruiting his successor.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌will‌ ‌begin‌ ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m.‌ ‌Tuesday,‌ ‌Feb. 23, and will be available to the public virtually only.
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The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8,‌ ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page.‌ ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents,‌ ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link.‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time,‌ ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌ ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m.‌ ‌The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ ‌992 6246 9530,‌ ‌password‌ 716806.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via on tap mobile at +16699006833,,96861017739#,,,,*659362# US (San Jose).

All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and passcode information above.

Chromebook devices are also available at the Lakeport and Clearlake Library branches, which will open early on Tuesday. Chromebooks can be checked out for three hours for use on the library premises and contactless pickup is available. The Lakeport Library Branch can be reached at 707-263-8817, and Clearlake at 707-994-5115.

WiFi is accessible in the parking lot of each County Library Branch, so residents can park at these locations to use WiFi on borrowed or personal devices, by connecting to the “Lake County Library” network (no password) anytime from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While the board chambers remain closed, outdoor viewing and participation is also available during each meeting on the Third Street side of the courthouse building.
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To‌ ‌submit‌ ‌a‌ ‌written‌ ‌comment‌ ‌on‌ ‌any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌click‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌eComment‌ ‌feature‌ ‌linked‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌date.‌ ‌If‌ ‌a‌ ‌comment‌ ‌is‌ ‌submitted‌ ‌after‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌begins,‌ ‌it‌ ‌may‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌but‌ ‌will‌ ‌become‌ ‌a‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌record.‌ ‌

In an untimed item, the board will discuss a recruitment strategy for the Public Health officer position.

Dr. Gary Pace, who has held the job for the past 16 months, announced his resignation last week, as Lake County News has reported.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingon’s report to the board said that Pace’s resignation is effective April 16, although he has indicated he may be able to continue on here for a short time thereafter, under contract, to support the county’s transition with a new Public Health officer.

Huchingson said staff is requesting an opportunity to discuss recruitment strategies with the board.

In another untimed item, the board will consider updating its resolution authorizing temporary reduction of in-person delivery of county services to the public due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions, with the county’s return to the red tier on the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy to trigger reopening.

At 9:15 a.m, the board will hold a public hearing on the next rounds of CARES Act funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program, with the board to consider a resolution to pursue grant funding for in the amount of $738,187 for a Small Business Assistance Loan Fund Program.

At 9:45 a.m., Dr. Pace will give the board an update on COVID-19.

At 11 a.m., the board will present a proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.

5.2: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 20-SD17 with the State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Seed Service Program for Period July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, in the amount of $100.

5.3: Approve reissuance of tax refund check from FY 16/17 in the amount of $1,403.52 issued to Teddy C. & Deanna M. Hingst.

5.4: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2020-21 to reflect adjustment to service rates and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

5.5: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No 2020-134 amending the position allocation for year 2020-2021, Budget unit No. 2112 Child Support Services.

5.6: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings on Oct. 6, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9.

5.7: Approve the cost sharing agreement between the county of Lake and the city of Lakeport for phase one of the Lake County Recreation Center Feasibility Study and authorize the chair to sign the agreement.

5.8: Approve second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 25 – Floodplain Management of the Lake County Code.

5.9: Adopt resolution of intent to vacate a roadway known as Arabian Lane (CR#148D) in the Hidden Valley Lake area.

5.10: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education for differential response services in the amount of $70,000 per Fiscal Year from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.11: Approve memorandum of understanding between Social Services and Behavioral Health Services for residential treatment room and board payments for welfare-to-work linkages clients in the amount of $50,000 per fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration to (a) waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; (b) approve agreement for provision of satellite imagery services by Planet Labs to the county of Lake, authorizing the chair to sign.

6.3, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, Community Development Block Grant Program - CARES Act Round 2 and 3, presentation and consideration of resolution approving an application for CDBG CARES Act Round 2 and 3 funding and the execution of grant agreement and any amendments for funds in the amount of $738,187 for a Small Business Assistance Loan Fund Program

6.4, 9:45 a.m.: Consideration of Update on COVID-19.

6.5, 10:15 a.m.: Sitting as the Lake County Housing Commission Board of Directors, consideration of the Lake County Housing Commission Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan for 2021 and authorize the chair to sign the annual Civil Rights Certification (HUD Form HUD-50077-CR).

6.6, 11 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.

6.7, 11:30 a.m.: Consideration of the Everbridge Mass Notification User Agreement in the amount of $18,207.95 from March 20, 2021, to March 19, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: (a) Consideration of a review of Resolution No. 2021-11 authorizing temporary reduction of in-person delivery of county services to the public due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions; and (b) consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 2021-11 authorizing temporary reduction of in-person delivery of county services to the public due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

7.3: Consideration of recruitment strategy for Public Health officer.

7.4: Consideration of addition of special meeting to the board’s annual meeting calendar for 2021.

7.5: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Agriculture Advisory Committee, Spring Valley CSA#2 Advisory Board, Lake County Public Authority Advisory Committee, Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council, Western Region Town Hall.

7.6: Consideration of Change Order No. Two, Supplement No. 1 for Clayton Creek Road at Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(077); Bid No. 20-10.

7.7: Consideration of Change Order No. Three for Clayton Creek Road at Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(077); Bid No. 20-10.

7.8: Consideration of request of Kelseyville Unified School District that the county of Lake provide notification to the district that the county will not authorize the issuance of tax and revenue anticipation notes on the district’s behalf.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluation: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Hajik.

8.2: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) Chief negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.

8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(1): One potential case.

8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(3): Claim of Earthways Inc.

8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2) (e)(3): Claim of McQueen.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a comprehensive package of immediate actions that will speed needed relief to individuals, families and businesses suffering the most significant economic hardship due to COVID-19.

The package, passed by the Legislature this week, builds on the initiatives in the Governor’s January state budget proposal to provide cash relief to lower-income Californians, increase aid to small businesses and provide license renewal fee waivers to businesses impacted by the pandemic.

In addition to these measures, today’s action will commit additional resources for critical child care services and fund emergency financial aid for community college students.

“As millions of Californians are struggling to make ends meet amid the devastating impacts of this pandemic, we are taking immediate action in partnership with our legislative leadership to provide families and businesses the relief they need,” said Gov. Newsom. “This critical assistance – including child care, relief for small business owners, direct cash support to individuals and households, financial aid for community college students and more – will help keep our communities afloat as the state continues to confront the immense challenges of this moment.”

“These bills help Californians pay their bills, and provide bread-and-butter relief to the small businesses that make our communities great, and who in turn, are the cornerstone of our economy. Stores we rely upon, restaurants we love, and services our families have turned to for years,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins. “This is what we can do right now to help them, but it isn’t the end of our efforts. Not by a long shot.”

“Californians are hurting. This plan represents a way of softening the human and economic blows of COVID. More than that, it builds an economic foundation for recovery. This is the people of California saying that we will not leave behind those who are hurting most, whether they are individuals or small businesses. This is California strong,” said Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Below are key provisions of the bills signed into law.

Direct relief to individuals and families

Incorporates the Governor’s Golden State Stimulus plan to assist California households that have borne the disproportionate economic burden of the COVID-19 Recession – those with incomes below $30,000, as well as those unfairly excluded from previous federal stimulus payments.

Provides $600 in one-time relief to households receiving the California EITC for 2020. In addition, the agreement provides a $600 one-time payment to taxpayers with Individual Tax Identification Numbers, or ITINs, who were precluded from receiving the $1,200 per person federal payments issued last spring and the more recent $600 federal payments. Tuesday’s action also provides $600 payments to households with ITINs and income below $75,000. ITIN taxpayers who also qualify for the California EITC would receive a total of $1,200. The payments will be provided to these households shortly after they file their 2020 tax returns.

Provides direct relief to additional lower-income Californians through a $600 one-time grant to households enrolled in the CalWORKS program and recipients of SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants. Grant payments for CalWORKS households are expected by mid-April; timing for the delivery of SSI/SSP and CAPI grants is currently under discussion with federal officials.

Combined, the package represents a total of 5.7 million payments to low-income Californians.

Immediate relief for small businesses

Provides $2.1 billion – a four-fold increase over the $500 million currently being distributed – for grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and allocates $50 million of this total for non-profit cultural institutions.

Fee waivers for heavily impacted licensees

Two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars licensed through the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that can range annually from $455 to $1,235. The action also reflects fee relief for more than 600,000 barbering and cosmetology individuals and businesses licensed through the Department of Consumer Affairs.

More resources for critical child care

Addition of just over $400 million in new federal funds to provide stipends of $525 per enrolled child for all state-subsidized child care and preschool providers serving approximately 400,000 children in subsidized care statewide. The new federal resources will extend care for children of essential workers through June of 2022, and funds increased access to subsidized child care for more than 8,000 children of essential workers and at-risk children – who are not currently served in the system – through June of 2022.

Additional aid for individuals and families

Provides an additional $24 million for financial assistance and services through Housing for the Harvest – a program providing support for agricultural workers who have to quarantine due to COVID-19. The effort also provides a combined $35 million for food banks and diapers.

Emergency financial relief to support community college students

Provides an additional $100 million in emergency financial aid for qualifying low-income students carrying six or more units, with award amounts to be determined locally and made available by early April. In addition, the agreement provides $20 million to reengage students who have either left their community college studies because of the pandemic or to engage students at risk of leaving.

CalFresh student outreach and application assistance

Provides roughly $6 million to support outreach and application assistance to the University of California, California State University and California Community College students made newly eligible for CalFresh – the state-administered federal program for supplemental food assistance. The agreement also provides $12 million in state funds to support associated county administrative workload.

In addition, the following provision is included in Tuesday’s action:

Restoration of reductions

Restoration of the previously enacted reductions, effective July 1, for the University of California, California State University, the Judicial Branch, Child Support Services and for moderate-income housing.

The governor signed the following bills into law on Tuesday:

AB 81 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – COVID-19 relief.
AB 82 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – COVID-19 pandemic emergency: contact tracing: childcare.
AB 85 by the Committee on Budget – Budget Act of 2020.
SB 87 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) – California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program: income tax: gross income: exclusion: small business grants.
SB 88 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – One-time stimulus payment: delinquent accounts: Earned Income Tax Credit: statements.
SB 94 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Alcoholic beverage control: barbering and cosmetology: license renewal fees: waiver.

For full text of the bills, visit http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville Unified is the first Lake County school district to simulcast all school board meetings in Spanish, vastly improving accessibility for Spanish-speaking community members.

“In a community like ours where 40 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic, providing real-time Spanish translation of our board meeting proceedings allows us to reach more KVUSD families and more Kelseyville residents. Our goal is to make it easier for everyone’s voice to be heard,” said District Superintendent Dave McQueen.

For safety during the pandemic, school board meetings are currently held via Zoom video conferencing, using the Zoom function that allows meeting attendees to select which channel they wish to use: either the English-language channel or the Spanish-language channel where Kelseyville Unified School District translator Adriana Macias provides real-time translations.

When meetings return to an in-person format, meetings will be held in the Tom Aiken Student Center at Kelseyville High School at 5480 Main St. in Kelseyville. They will also be broadcast via a video conferencing option.

At that time, the district will offer headsets that allow on-site Spanish-speaking attendees to hear Macias’s translations in real-time, and the video broadcast will continue in both languages.

Kelseyville Unified anticipates resuming in-person school board meetings when Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Pace says it is advisable to meet in person based on the reduced spread and prevalence of COVID-19.
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“Mantle Memories” has been added to the Lake County Quilt Trail at Totorica Plumbing Inc. on 4230 Main St. in Kelseyville, California. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Quilt Trail said one new quilt block has been added and another has been relocated.

The new block is “Mantle Memories,” a 4-foot by 4-foot block that has been installed on the Totorica Plumbing Inc. building at 4230 Main St. in Kelseyville.

This block was purchased at auction for Operation Tango Mike by Vicki Totorica.

This location for “Mantle Memories” was the home of Vicki Totorica’s grandparents, Don and Hulda Mantle.

Hulda Mantle had a beautiful backyard flower garden that featured several varieties of roses and pink lilies known as Pink Ladies.

“Courthouse Steps,” an 8-foot by 8-foot block which originally was placed on the historic Lunas Building at the corner of Third and Main streets in Lakeport, has been relocated just down Main Street to the Skylark Shores Resort, 1120 N. Main St.

Skylark Shores Resort is open to all recreational/vacationing guests. They are following CDC guidelines for COVID 19 to ensure the safety and peace of mind for their guests. There are no restrictions for bookings. For more information visit https://www.skylarkshoresresort.com.

The Lake County Quilt Trail is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride. The quilt blocks were drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team.

The Lake County Quilt Trail has the distinction of being the first quilt trail in California. It was started by Marilyn Holdenried in 2010.

Applications for new quilt blocks are no longer being accepted for the Lake County Quilt Trail.

For more information about the trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or visit its Facebook page.

The “Courthouse Steps” quilt block has been relocated to Skylark Shores Resort, 1120 N. Main St., in Lakeport, California. Courtesy photo.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Five Senate committees are coming together on Wednesday for a critical hearing on the homelessness crisis during the pandemic.

Sen. Mike McGuire, whose district includes Lake County, will lead the discussion.

The hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Watch it online at www.senate.ca.gov.

Homelessness and housing experts, local officials, and advocates from across the state will testify during the hearing: “A Perfect Storm: Confronting California’s Homelessness Crisis during the Pandemic.”

At Wednesday’s hearing, the committees will be focused on the state’s recent actions to address the homelessness crisis with a special emphasis on Project Roomkey and Homekey.

In addition, local government representatives will be providing an update on their efforts along with discussing challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Finally, the committees will hear from direct service providers who are working every day to combat this growing crisis here in California and throughout the West.

The five committees to take part in the hearing are the Senate Governance and Finance Committee; Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services; Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Subcommittee 4 on State Administration and General Government; Senate Housing Committee; and Senate Human Services Committee.

Panelists include:

· Ali Sutton, deputy secretary of homelessness, California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

· Kim Johnson, director, Department of Social Services.

· Gustavo Velasquez, director, Department of Housing and Community Development.

· Jim Provenza, supervisor, Yolo County Board of Supervisors.

· Cheryl Viegas-Walker, mayor, city of El Centro

· Heidi Marston, executive director, Los Angeles Homelessness Services Authority.

· Connie Beck, director, Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services.

· Jody Ketcheside, regional director, Turning Point of Central California.

· Robynne Rose-Haymer, director of Housing Services, Sacramento LGBT Community Center.

· Alejandra Gomez, youth advocate.
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Racial disparities in the mortality impact of the pandemic vary widely across U.S. states and are even more pronounced when accounting for age, according to independent research by the U.S. Census Bureau.

A recent research paper also shows that the total reported death toll from COVID-19 actually undercounts mortality. That's because it does not take into account factors indirectly associated with the pandemic, including people who died because they delayed health care.

Measuring true impact of COVID-19 on mortality

Understanding the total death toll of the current pandemic requires measuring what’s called “excess all-cause mortality,” which provides an estimate of the additional number of deaths from any cause — not just from COVID-19 infections — beyond what is normally expected during a given period.

This measure includes people who died from COVID-19 and people who died for other reasons related to the pandemic.

For example, some may have died of heart attacks or uncontrolled diabetes because they delayed seeking health care for fear of catching the virus. Others may have suffered anxiety and depression from related job loss and financial uncertainty, which may have led them to take their own lives.

This measure also captures any reduction in mortality that can be attributed to the pandemic, such as decreased seasonal influenza (more people staying home and wearing masks) or improved air quality (less pollution as fewer drive to work).

Measuring both direct and indirect impacts on mortality paints a more complete picture of the devastation caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Excess all-cause mortality is calculated by taking the difference between expected (based on historical trends) and observed mortality during a given period.

Recent research indicates that excess all-cause mortality was 2.4 per 10,000 individuals in the United States in April 2020 – the first full month of the pandemic – which represents about 30% more deaths than the number of COVID deaths reported in that month (Figure 1).



Greater mortality impacts on older individuals

Excess all-cause mortality in April 2020 increased with age. Mortality from direct and indirect impact of the pandemic was highly concentrated in older age groups.

While individuals 85 years old and older accounted for only 3% of the U.S. population ages 25 years and older, they accounted for a disproportionate 34% of the overall excess mortality in the country during the first full month (Figure 2).

Racial disparities

Racial disparities in the direct impact of the pandemic on mortality (number who died from the virus) have been widely reported. New research now focuses on mortality by race from any cause associated with COVID-19, which also shows significant racial disparities.

Research based on individual-level administrative data (that nearly covers the universe of the U.S. population) from January 2011 through April 2020, found a significant deviation in mortality from the historic trend for all race and ethnicity groups (Figure 3).

This research relied on death information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s version of the Social Security Administration’s Numerical Identification (Census Numident) database and additional individual-level demographic information, particularly self-reported race information from the 2010 Census.

Findings:

– Excess all-cause mortality was the lowest for Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic individuals at 1.3 excess deaths per 10,000 individuals, a 22% increase from the predicted rate in April 2020.
– At the other end of the spectrum, Black, non-Hispanic individuals experienced the highest excess all-cause mortality of 6.1 excess deaths per 10,000 individuals, a 79% increase from their predicted rate.
– The other five race and ethnicity groups experienced excess mortality between the two extremes. White, non-Hispanic individuals had 2.1 excess deaths (21% increase); Hispanics of any race had 2.7 excess deaths (64% increase); Asian, non-Hispanic individuals had 2.9 excess deaths (64% increase); American Indian and Alaska Native, non-Hispanic individuals had 1.9 excess deaths (22% increase); and those reporting other race or two or more races had 2.7 excess deaths (60% increase).



Age and race

Racial disparities were even larger after adjusting for differences in age distributions.

There are large differences in age distribution across race groups and it is important to account for age when comparing excess mortality across racial groups.

Age differences increase disparities in excess mortality for every racial group compared to White, non-Hispanic individuals.

Without adjusting for age differences, excess mortality overstates the impact of the pandemic on White, non-Hispanic individuals who are, on average, older relative to other racial groups, and it understates it for all other racial and ethnic groups.

Racial disparities in the mortality impact of the pandemic in April 2020 were more pronounced when controlling for other demographic characteristics and geographic location.

In addition to age, when sex and geographic differences are taken into account, White, non-Hispanic individuals had the lowest excess mortality of 1.5 deaths per 10,000. Black, non-Hispanic individuals had the highest excess mortality of 6.8 deaths per 10,000.

Pandemic’s racial disparities varied across states

Even when adjusting for sex and age differences across race and ethnicity, racial gaps in excess all-cause mortality during April 2020 were not uniform across all states.

Some states had similar rates of mortality among White, non-Hispanics but very different rates among Black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic individuals. Some states had no significant increase in mortality for White, non-Hispanics but significant excess mortality for the other groups.

This research shows the breadth of factors affecting the indirect impact of the virus.

More research is needed

These findings are limited to the impact of the pandemic in April 2020. Future research is needed to evaluate the trajectory of these impacts since then.

It is also important to study causes and consequences of racial disparities in the pandemic’s impact on mortality. For example: Why are there significant geographic differences in racial disparities? What role do social and environmental factors, such as income, education and occupation, play?

The Census Bureau’s existing data from surveys, decennial censuses, and administrative records, along with the ability to link data across all sources and over time, is invaluable in understanding health disparities during the ongoing pandemic and beyond.

Victoria Udalova is a senior economist and program manager of the Enhancing Health Data program at the U.S. Census Bureau.
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The Urban Indian Health Institute has released a report that graded all 50 states on the quality, collection and reporting of COVID-19 data as it relates to American Indian and Alaska Native people.

The report states that poor data collection standards implemented by states has resulted in a substantial gap in understanding the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color across the U.S., specifically American Indians and Alaska Natives.

“This is a data genocide on native people,” said Abigail Echo-Hawk, director or UIHI. “American Indians and Alaska Natives are dying at disproportionate rates and decision makers don’t even have accurate data to ensure we are properly funded and resourced.”

The UIHI report graded states based on four categories: if American Indian and Alaska Native populations were included on state dashboards; the percentage of cases with complete racial information on state dashboards; the percentage of confirmed cases reported from states to the CDC; and the percentage of confirmed cases with complete racial information on the CDC database.

The poorest score came from Texas, followed by New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, and West Virginia, respectively. They all received an overall grade of “F.” Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, and Arkansas were the only states that received an overall “A” grade.

California received an overall C grade.

The accumulative grade of all 50 states was a D+.

“It is unacceptable for states to exclude us from the data, including my home state of Maryland,” said Kerry Hawk Lessard, executive director of Native American Lifelines. “States need to be held accountable for their actions. Indigenous communities are working day and night to address the pandemic, but some of the largest barriers are the ones out of our control.”

It is required by the CARES Act that states across the country collect race and ethnicity in COVID-19 data, but many states have not collected or reported it accurately.

In February, the CDC reported that 48 percent of race and ethnicity was missing from COVID-19 vaccination data.

Echo-Hawk provided a briefing on Friday to the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis about the current state of COVID-19 and vaccinations in native communities, as well as the data issues that have continued throughout the pandemic.

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