The National Fire Preparedness Level has been raised to its highest point — 5. On Thursday morning, Aug. 13, the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group, which consists of top federal and state fire managers, raised the preparedness level to 5 (PL-5). They were concerned about the high degree of wildfire activity nationwide and the probability that…
In a lightly attended Mountain Emergency Services Committee meeting, Kathleen Henderson, Riverside County emergency services coordinator for the mountain, described the new Emergency Management Department, which the Board of Supervisors established in May and was effective July 1. EMD will be composed of two Public Health agencies — the Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch and…
Counties across California, including Riverside, could have problems issuing birth, death and marriage certificates because a paper manufacturer recently went out of business. Riverside County is working to solve supply questions before its existing stock runs out around the end of the year. “We are addressing the issue and hope to have a solution very…
To help Californians save more water this summer, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Department of Technology and Save Our Water announced the launch of SaveWater.CA.Gov (no www. in front). The new mobile-optimized website will allow residents to report suspected leaks and water waste anywhere in the state from their smartphones, tablets or…
Last week, Covered California announced its rates for health insurance for 2016. Statewide the average increase was 4 percent, slightly lower than the 4.2 percent increase for 2015. In the Inland Empire region, which is Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the average increase will be only 1 percent. The lowest-priced bronze plan will increase 3.3…
The California State Senate may increase the number of county supervisors from five to seven for counties with populations greater than 2 million, including Riverside County. Later this month, the California Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Constitutional Amendment 8, which the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee approved in early July….
On Friday, Aug. 7, the Superior Court in Sacramento will begin proceedings on the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association’s lawsuit opposing the State Responsibility Area Fire Fee. The initial filing in October 2012 was a class-action motion to which the state objected. Nearly three years later, this hearing will determine whether the litigation can continue as…
On Friday, with numerous wildfires burning thousands of acres in Northern California, Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed “… a state of emergency in California due the wildfires burning throughout the state.” The declaration mobilizes the California National Guard for disaster response and relief efforts. Also, all state agencies will be available, if necessary, to support the…
The Riverside County Department of Public Health convened more than 150 representatives of local organizations and officials from various governmental agencies Wednesday, July 22, to discuss the state of the county’s health and prescriptions for existing problems. The gathering was part of a Strategic Health Alliance Pursuing Equity campaign that began earlier this year. The…
U.S. Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz, less than halfway through his second term, continues to receive substantial campaign contributions. Through the end of June, Ruiz had $820,000, of which $433,700 was from April 1 through June 30. At this point two years ago, Ruiz had raised $812,000 for his first re-election campaign. He went on to…
