Archives for March 2020

Mendocino school districts are extending closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Mendocino County Office of Education, local public school districts have extended modified or “remote” learning through May 1st. As the situation evolves, local education leaders will reassess to see whether the May 1 date should be extended further. As of now, high school graduation dates remain in place countywide.

All Lake County Schools are now expected to remain closed through May 1st as well. Lake County’s Health Officer, Gary Pace, announced yesterday that the School Operations Modification Order has been amended to reflect this new timeframe.

The Mendocino County Elections Office has finalized the results of the 2020 primary election. MEASURE A — the Ukiah Unified school bond measure, which needed 55% to pass – did so with 55.15 percent of the votes. The bond measure is expected to generate $75 million in local funding for school repairs and upgrades. There will be 2 runoffs in November: For Supervisor District 1 Glenn McGourty and Jon Kennedy; and in District 2 Maureen “Mo” Mulheren and Mari Rodin will be running against each other.

The City of Lakeport has authorized the use of administrative citations for violation of the shelter in place order. The move is meant to protect the community against COVID-19. Violations of the order constitutes a violation of the Lakeport Municipal Code and a public nuisance subject to the enforcement as provided in Lakeport Municipal Code.

A Clearlake man has been arrested in connection to two armed robberies at gas stations. 25-year-old Robert Jay Shurtliff is accused of robbing the two Clearlake businesses on March 17th at gunpoint, taking items from the store as well as cash. He was arrested on March 28th during a traffic stop.

The Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan has confirmed a fourth case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mendocino County. Like the other three cases in Mendocino County, this case is thought to be travel-related and does not appear to indicate community spread. The individual is from inland Mendocino County, is in stable condition, in isolation at home with active public health monitoring, did not require hospitalization, and poses no risk to the public at this time.

Lake and Mendocino County residents have money coming under the new economic stimulus bill passed by Congress. The package will give direct payments of $1200 to those who make less than $75,000 per year. Families receive $500 for each dependent child. The bill provides a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home. California residents who apply for unemployment benefits can receive a maximum of $450 per week for a total of six months. Through the relief bill passed by Congress, a maximum amount of $600 per week could be added to the first 4 months of current state unemployment benefits. You can apply for unemployment benefits here: edd.ca.gov/

All recreational sites at California’s national forests have been closed in an effort to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.This means developed campgrounds, picnic areas and day-use areas on the Mendocino National Forest are closed until at least April 30. Officials say that notifications to those who reserved sites through www.recreation.gov will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed.

The Lakeport Police Department reports that Shelter-In-Place violation contacts continue to decline. As a result, officers have been able to conduct more foot patrol and focused business security checks in, and just outside, of the City limits, along with their 24/7 vehicle patrols.

Due to the Shelter-In-Place Order and to ensure the safety of our employees and the
press, today’s press conference scheduled at 4:00p.m. is canceled. A video update on
COVID-19 will be posted today on the County Website, the Mendocino County YouTube
Channel (www.youtube.com/MendocinoCountyVideo) and Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/mendocinocounty/).

For more information, please contact the Mendocino County Executive Office at (707)
463-4441 or duketts@mendocinocounty.org.

Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday announced a major financial relief package. He said California is getting $10 billion from the national emergency bill to deal with the coronavirus crisis. This will boost unemployment pay with up to an extra $600 weekly. Almost very major bank in California has voluntarily agreed to a 90 day delay in personal mortgage payments. Those include Wells Fargo, US Bank, Citi and Chase. Bank of America only agreed to a 30-day suspension. Get details on how to apply for relief at: covid19.ca.gov/get-financial-help/#top

The U.S. Senate approved a $2 trillion COVID relief package in which individuals would get direct payments of at least $1,200. It also expands unemployment insurance for workers.