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The Newsom Administration announced Tuesday that six California sites have been identified and leases have been signed to allow for the storage of shipping containers on state property to help alleviate congestion at California ports.

The effort is the result of Executive Order N-19-21, which aims to strengthen the resilience of California’s and the nation’s supply chains.

“California has taken swift action to keep goods moving at the state’s ports, leveraging our strategic partnerships to develop multifaceted solutions, including securing additional storage space for thousands of shipping containers,” said Gov. Newsom. “These efforts are a vital investment to help meet the needs of not only Californians, but our entire nation, and we’ll continue advancing innovative solutions to address this global challenge.”

Chunker, the national warehouse marketplace, has leased the six sites from the state Department of General Services for one year, with an option for a second year. The sites include three armories (in Lancaster, Palmdale, and Stockton), a former prison site (Deuel Vocational Institute in Tracy), and two fairground sites (San Joaquin County and Antelope Valley Fairgrounds). Chunker will coordinate between California ports, shipping/trucking companies, and cargo owners to help move containers and free up needed space elsewhere.

“The unprecedented challenges we face to resolve supply chain issues require action, and today’s announcement is just one of the many ways the Administration is working to ease congestion to help keep goods moving,” said Yolanda Richardson, Secretary of California’s Government Operations Agency.

Department of General Services Director Ana M. Lasso said her department is continuing to build on partnerships to ease supply chain issues.

“California is on top of prioritizing the storage needs that have slowed distribution at ports on our coast,” she said.

Since the Governor signed Executive Order N-19-21 in October, notable actions have included:

A strategic partnership between the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation for up to $5 billion in loan financing to advance a comprehensive, statewide portfolio of freight, goods movement and supply chain resiliency projects.

Issuing temporary permits allowing trucks to carry increased loads on state highway and interstate routes between the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and other statewide ports to expedite transport of international commerce between ports and distribution centers.
Doubling the Department of Motor Vehicles’ capacity to conduct commercial driving tests to address the national shortage of workers in the industry.

Securing a 22-acre pop-up site, in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, located at the Port of Oakland to assist agricultural exporters in storing products and getting them onto containers. This site is expected to be operational on March 1.

“The ongoing supply chain crisis requires an all hands-on-deck approach, as we work with our partners to meet the needs of California’s families and businesses,” said Dee Dee Myers, director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. “By creating additional storage space for shipping containers, we can relieve some of the congestion at our ports, keep our imports and exports flowing and strengthen our economy.”

In addition, the Governor’s California Blueprint proposes $2.3 billion for supply chain investments next fiscal year, including $1.2 billion for port, freight, and goods movement infrastructure and $1.2 billion for other related areas such as workforce training and zero-emission vehicle equipment and infrastructure related to the supply chain.

This funding would improve supply chain resiliency and be used to leverage federal funding.

The state also worked with the Biden-Harris administration to implement a new 24/7 environment across the supply chain, to improve collaboration, and to explore policies to remove obstacles and improve the movement of goods.

“Container storage is a major component of the congestion at the ports as well as a part of the nationwide supply chain crisis,” said Brad Wright, CEO of Chunker. “We are thrilled to partner with Governor Newsom and the state of California to create a solution that will have a major impact on the problem. Having access to the state property will allow us to store 20,000 containers or more, which will free up a significant amount of space at the ports.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider extending a consulting agreement relating to development of the former Pearce Field airport property as a commercial center and discuss taking action against a voter initiative that is expected to have damaging effects on local governments.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17.

Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.

On Thursday, the council will consider amending the consulting agreement between the city and Margetich/Sutter Equities for services related to the development at the city’s former airport property.

Staff is asking for an additional 60 days on the contract, through April 30, at a cost of $10,000 per month.

City Manager Alan Flora’s written report to the council explains, “The agreement creates a partnership that will hopefully lead toward a master development agreement of the entire
property, but at this time focuses on determining retail interests and coordinating project planning efforts.”

He said the intent is to execute a purchase and sale agreement or option agreement by April 30.

“Based on the history of lack of action from developers on this site/project the City is taking a bit of a phased approach to determine ability, interest, and determination from a development partner. This type of agreement allows us to develop a relationship and trust prior to tying up the land. We are pleased with how things are progressing and recommend the Council authorize extending the agreement another 60-days, through April 30th,” Flora wrote.

In other business, the council will discuss possible action regarding Voter Initiative No. 21-0042A1, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which would amend the State Constitution to change the rules for how the state and local governments can impose taxes, fees and other charges, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the measure “would lower annual state and local revenues, potentially substantially lower, depending on future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, voters, and the courts.”

The city staff report said the initiative is backed by major corporations and would have “far-reaching and yet undefined impacts to how local government, including the City of Clearlake functions,” including imperiling infrastructure funding measures and would make it difficult for the city to charge development fees.

Also on Thursday, the council will consider selling a vacant parcel at 3578 Redwood St. for $8,000, meet one of February’s adoptable dogs, and present proclamations declaring February as Black History Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; continuation of the declaration of local emergency Issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 2021; continuation of declaration of local emergency Issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; continuation of authorization to Implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361; and minutes of the January 2022 meetings.

After the public portion of the meeting, the council will meet in closed session to discuss litigation against the county of Lake and Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen and a case involving Alondra Rodriguez’s suit against the city.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Yuba Community College District is seeking applications from community members who wish to serve as an appointed member of the board of trustees until the next regularly scheduled election for governing board members, which is November 2022.

Trustee Bill Roderick of Lake County has resigned, and so the district is seeking to fill his seat for the remainder of this year.

Trustee Area 7 covers a portion of southern Lake County and the Northshore, as well as Colusa and Glenn counties.

The Yuba Community College District Board is responsible for the performance of Woodland Community College and Yuba College, which serve 13,000 students and provide vital educational services for the communities in the region.

Woodland Community College includes the Lake County Campus in Clearlake.

The board is seeking candidates who have the ability and time to fulfill the responsibilities of being a member of the board, which include:

• Participate fully in the work of the board, which includes attending all board meetings and key college events, studying and discussing policy issues, and participating in trustee education programs.
• Be knowledgeable about the communities served by the District and be willing to act on behalf and for the benefit of those communities.
• Be committed to community colleges and their missions; understand educational, social, and economic policy issues.
• Engage in balancing the needs of many diverse groups; be able to contribute and build consensus.
• Contribute to effective board functioning and support the authority of the board as a whole.

A person is eligible to be a member of the governing board if they are:

• At least 18 years of age;
• A California citizen and registered voter;
• Resident of the community college district and trustee area from which elected; and
• Not disqualified by other laws to hold public office.

The board of trustees meets the second Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. Regularly scheduled monthly board meetings are held at the YCCD District Office in Yuba City.

Applications are due no later than March 10, 2022.

The board will consider candidates and make the provisional appointment on March 28, 2022.

Please contact the chancellor’s office at 530-741-6972 to indicate an interest or suggest a possible candidate for the position.

More information and application materials are available via email request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on the web at https://www.yccd.edu/board/provisional-trustee-appointment/.

Editor’s note: The district updated the date for consideration of the candidates to March 28.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake Family Resource Center is raising awareness in February of dating violence and how it affects teenagers.

Congress declared the month of February to be National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in 2010.

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, also known as TDVAM, has become a national effort to raise awareness and protect teens from dating abuse and violence.

The national theme for TDVAM 2022 is “Talk About It.”

“Talk About It” is a call to action for young people and those who support them to engage in meaningful conversations about healthy relationships and navigate what may be unhealthy or even abusive. The ultimate goal is to stop teen dating violence before it begins.

Teenagers have their own unique stories. When they share their own experiences, it empowers others to listen and continue conversations surrounding support, rights, respect and love.

Some great ideas to talk about for teens and adults are common abusive behaviors, including checking cellphones or emails without permission; constantly being ridiculed; displaying extreme jealousy or insecurities; having explosive temper; isolating one from family or friends; making false accusations; mood swings; physical harm in any way; possessiveness and telling one what to do.

Violent relationships in teens can have serious ramifications by putting victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.

Other possible signs include grades dropping, truancy, trouble at home, isolation from their friends, depression, unexplained injuries that might be passed off as running into a cabinet, lack of interest in activities that used to give them joy and feeling afraid to talk about anything that is going on in their life.

Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner each year.

One in three adolescents in the United States is a victim of physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse from a dating situation.

Young women between the ages of 16 to 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence — almost triple the national average.

Eighty-one percent of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.

Teen dating violence runs across race, gender and socioeconomic lines, and this dangerous epidemic can affect anyone.

Both males and females can be victims, and both males and females can be abusers.

Lake Family Resource Center encourages teens and parents to speak out, educate teens, be heard and be a part of bringing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to the forefront.

If you are or someone you know is in an abusive dating relationship, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Community Crisis Hotline, at 888-485-7733.

Lake FRC provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities. Call today at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what services they offer.

More U.S. adults are now reporting symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder than before the pandemic, according to a comparison of recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s experimental Household Pulse Survey, or HPS, and data from the National Center for Health Statistics from 2019.

Even so, the data also show that the share of adults reporting these symptoms is lower now than it was a year ago. However, frontline workers working outside the home are more likely to be experiencing these symptoms than all other workers.

The most recent data show that unvaccinated adults in surveyed househods reported experiencing these symptoms at a higher rate than adults who are vaccinated.

Concern over mental health

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been concern that hardships associated with the pandemic could exacerbate mental health problems in the United States.

A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report stated that the “… effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis — such as increased social isolation, stress, and unemployment — have intensified concerns about the number of people in the U.S. affected by …mental health …disorders.”

In order to provide measures of self-reported mental health symptoms, the HPS includes questions about anxiety and depression developed with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Two questions asked respondents if they had experienced symptoms of anxiety recently and if so, how often.

The questions offered the following choices that carry a certain value: not at all (0), several days (1), more than half the days (2), and nearly every day (3).

If a respondent’s answers to the two anxiety questions totaled “3” or higher, they were categorized as reporting symptoms of anxiety disorder. The same methodology was applied to two questions about depression to determine symptoms of depressive disorder.

These categories are in line with benchmarks developed by the NCHS for 2019. In HPS data collected in January 2021, respondents were asked if they’d experienced these symptoms “during the last 7 days”. In HPS data collected after August 2021, the period was expanded to “during the last 2 weeks”.

Reported symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic

HPS data show that reports of symptoms of anxiety and depression are higher during the pandemic than they were pre-pandemic but that reports of these symptoms have declined over the past year.

Data from the HPS collected in January of 2021 showed that 41% of adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder at that time.

That was higher than the NCHS data that showed 11% of adults reported experiencing these symptoms in 2019.

The most recent HPS data, however, showed a significant decline in the prevalence of reports of these symptoms from a year ago: In the first half of January 2022, 32% of all adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in the previous two weeks.



Where you work makes a difference

HPS data show that in January of 2022, individuals who worked at home were less likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder than those who worked in-person in the last week, 30% vs 34%, respectively.

The survey also shows that among in-person workers, there was a difference in the likelihood of reporting these symptoms.

The HPS identifies 17 in-person job settings that are often considered “frontline” workplaces in terms of risk of COVID-19. These include medical settings, first responders, K-12 schools, food manufacturing, and food retail, among others.

“Frontline” workers were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders. For in-person workers in one of these frontline workplaces, about 35% reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, but for all other in-person workers, the share that reported these symptoms was about 31%.

In fact, in-person workers in non-frontline jobs were no more likely to report symptoms than people who worked at home.

Vaccination status also matters

Increased vaccination may help explain why anxiety and depression have declined over time.

In January of 2021, 33% of vaccinated adults were experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression but 42% of unvaccinated adults experienced those symptoms. However, a very small share of adults had been vaccinated at that time.

The CDC’s COVID data tracker shows that on January 10, 2021, just over 10 million adults in the United States had received at least one shot.

Over the course of 2021, COVID-19 vaccines became more available. By January 20, 2022, the CDC tracker shows that 225 million adults had received at least one dose of a vaccine against COVID-19.

The share of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression in January continued to be lower for adults who had received at least one shot than for unvaccinated adults.

While the share of vaccinated adults reporting these symptoms remained constant year to year, the share of the unvaccinated reporting anxiety or depression declined.

That could be because the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations have changed. In 2021, the unvaccinated included people who wanted the vaccine but could not get it.

In January 2021, the HPS data show that there were 173 million unvaccinated adults who said they would get a vaccine when available. By January 2022, only 37 million remained unvaccinated and 24 million of them reported they probably or definitely would not get a vaccine.

"Vaccinated" here refers to adults who have received at least one dose of any COVID vaccine, and "unvaccinated" refers to adults who have not received any.

About the Household Pulse Survey

The HPS is designed to provide near real-time data on how the pandemic is affecting Americans’ lives. Information on the methodology and reliability of these estimates can be found in the source and accuracy statements for each data release.

Data users interested in state-level sample sizes, the number of respondents, weighted response rates and occupied housing unit coverage ratios can consult the quality measures file available at the same location.

The latest data analyzed for this story were collected from December 29, 2021-January 10, 2022, during week 41 of the survey. The Census Bureau sent invitations to 1,044,701 households and received a total of 74,995 responses, for a weighted response rate of 7.2%.

Data collected from January 6-18, 2021, during week 22, are also referenced. In that data cycle, the Census Bureau sent invitations to 1,037,972 households, and received a total of 68,348 responses, yielding a weighted response rate of 6.4%.

Daniel J. Perez-Lopez is a survey statistician in the Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office is opening its new office to the public this week.

On Monday, Feb. 14, at 8 a.m., Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez and her team of five staffers will be open for business at a new location — 325 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.

Many local residents will recognize this space as, “The old PG&E building.”

They are leaving behind the 800-square-foot space on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse — just a block away — for the new location, which Valadez said is about 2,000 square feet.

“We’ll have more room to work,” Valadez said.

She said the Auditor-Controller’s Office is set to expand into the space that formerly housed the Elections Office.

In July, the Board of Supervisors approved a lease for the space that runs through July 31, 2031, as Lake County News has reported. The lease rate is $2,200 per month for the first five years, after which increases can take place based on the Consumer Price Index.

Those that previously paid their PG&E bill at 325 N. Forbes will observe many modifications have been made to the space.

Renovations were managed by the outstanding Buildings and Grounds team from the county’s Public Services Department.

In addition, county Information Technology staff worked to ensure data infrastructure was secure, and would provide for continuous information availability.

Each step of the remodel was guided by a two-pronged focus: providing the best available customer service for Lake County’s voters while responsibly investing public funds, the county reported.

“Our office seeks to ensure every Lake County Resident is aware of their opportunities to vote, and provide for free, fair and transparent elections. This new office location will help us accomplish that,” said Valadez.

“During recent election cycles, particularly in light of COVID-19 precautions, it has been difficult to provide adequate space for people seeking to observe key public elections processes,” Valadez continued. “The configuration of this new office is purpose-built, and we believe it will enhance public confidence in the diligent work our staff undertake every day.”

She added, “We are excited to continue providing the highest quality service.”

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.