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After registering unusually high temperatures across the globe, May 2020 tied with 2016 as the world’s warmest May on record, according to scientists at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
The heat wasn’t just limited to May. The three-month season (March through May) and the year to date (January through May) ranked second-warmest in the 141-year global record.
Here’s a closer look into NOAA’s latest monthly global climate report.
Climate by the numbers
May 2020
The average global temperature in May was 1.71 degrees F (0.95 of a degree C) above the 20th-century average, tying with May 2016 as the hottest May on record. For the Northern Hemisphere, it was the hottest May recorded, with a temperature of 2.14 degrees F (1.19 degrees C) above average.
March through May 2020
The average global temperature for the season spanning March through May was 1.91 degrees F (1.06 degrees C) above average, making it the 2nd hottest such period on record behind 2016. The Northern Hemisphere had its 2nd-warmest spring, and the Southern Hemisphere had its 3rd-warmest autumn on record.
Year to date: January through May
The period from January through May (YTD) was also the 2nd hottest on record after 2016, with a global temperature of 1.98 degrees F (1.10 degrees C) above the 20th-century average of 55.5 degrees F (13.1 degrees C).
South America, Europe, Asia and the Gulf of Mexico region had their warmest YTD on record.
More notable climate stats and facts
– Arctic sea ice was low, again: The May average Arctic sea ice coverage was the fourth smallest in the 42-year record, 7.0 percent below the 1981–2010 average, according to analysis by the National Snow and Ice Data Centeroffsite link.
– Some places chilled out a bit: Cooler-than-average temperatures were seen during May across much of Canada, the eastern contiguous United States, eastern Europe and Australia, where temperatures ran at least 1.8 degrees F (1.0 degree C) below average.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday, the Lake County Public Health Department reported that ongoing testing has confirmed five new COVID-19 cases in Lake County.
The new cases bring the county’s total to 40, Public Health reported.
Six of those cases are active, 34 are recovered and Public Health said there are no hospitalizations currently.
“We definitely had a bump in cases this weekend,” Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace told Lake County News.
“Most were related to previously identified cases, so are part of two different clusters and connected through contact tracing. All are at home and stable at this point. One was a possible community transmission, we are getting more information,” Pace said.
As of Monday, approximately 4,047 tests of Lake County residents have been conducted, with the results of 250 of those tests pending, according to the Public Health COVID-19 dashboard.
Pace said he plans to start posting demographics once Lake County hits the threshold of 50 confirmed cases.
He said that information will include general location, age and gender, and there also may be information included about where they contracted the virus.
By Monday night, Public Health departments statewide were reporting more than 184,000 COVID-19 cases in California and approximately 5,565 deaths.
Case totals for neighboring counties are Colusa, seven; Glenn, 42; Mendocino, 62; Napa, 239; Sonoma, 935; and Yolo, 347.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The new cases bring the county’s total to 40, Public Health reported.
Six of those cases are active, 34 are recovered and Public Health said there are no hospitalizations currently.
“We definitely had a bump in cases this weekend,” Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace told Lake County News.
“Most were related to previously identified cases, so are part of two different clusters and connected through contact tracing. All are at home and stable at this point. One was a possible community transmission, we are getting more information,” Pace said.
As of Monday, approximately 4,047 tests of Lake County residents have been conducted, with the results of 250 of those tests pending, according to the Public Health COVID-19 dashboard.
Pace said he plans to start posting demographics once Lake County hits the threshold of 50 confirmed cases.
He said that information will include general location, age and gender, and there also may be information included about where they contracted the virus.
By Monday night, Public Health departments statewide were reporting more than 184,000 COVID-19 cases in California and approximately 5,565 deaths.
Case totals for neighboring counties are Colusa, seven; Glenn, 42; Mendocino, 62; Napa, 239; Sonoma, 935; and Yolo, 347.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Superior Court announced that it will continue to hold remote proceedings in July, the same month that jury trials will begin again after being placed on hold for nearly four months.
The court, like the rest of Lake County, was impacted when on March 18 Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace issued a countywide shelter in place order that went into effect the following day due to COVID-19. On March 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order ordering all Californians to stay at home.
While those two orders remain in place, the court and other sectors of the community have begun to slowly reopen, implementing social distancing, limiting the size of gatherings while Pace and the governor have issued separate orders requiring face masks.
Court officials said significant steps have been taken to comply with Dr. Pace’s orders and to protect court users and staff from the spread of COVID-19.
As part of its reopening plan, officials said the court has limited the number of cases on calendar, will require social distancing in court facilities, will require face coverings and will continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible.
Remote court hearings
The court will continue to hold the following hearings by remote appearance for the month of July.
All attorneys and parties must appear by phone/video as directed by the court. The court will provide instructions for the remote appearance.
Hearing dates for the following calendars will remain as presently set:
– Daily in-custody criminal arraignments.
– Juvenile detention hearings.
– Felony law and motion, Department 3, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Sentencings, Department 3, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor disposition/setting and motions, Department 1, Mondays at 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor settlement conferences, Department 1, Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
– Civil law and motion, Department 2, Mondays at 9 a.m.
– Civil case management, Department 2, Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
– Conservatorships, Department 2, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Probate, Department 2, Mondays at 2 p.m.
– Department of Child Support Services Family Support, Clearlake Branch Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
– Domestic violence restraining orders, Department 2, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Family law and motion, Department 2, Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
– Juvenile delinquency and dependency calendars, Mondays, 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Department 4.
– Civil harassment restraining order calendar, Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m., Department 4.
– Civil settlement calendar, Tuesdays, 9 a.m., Department 4.
Trials and contested hearings
The court will continue conducting in-person trials or contested hearings which will be direct set for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The number of cases set on a given date/time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Felony law and motion, preliminary hearings
The felony law and motion calendar will be held by remote appearance. However, out-of-custody defendants ordered to appear will be required to attend in person.
Preliminary hearings will continue to be held in person.
Misdemeanor arraignment calendar
The misdemeanor arraignment calendar will continue to be held in person. The number of cases set on a given date/time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Jury trials
The court will begin conducting jury trials July 8, 2020, as necessary. If you receive a jury summons for a date after July 8, you are required to appear.
Steps have been taken to minimize the risk to jurors, including reducing the number of jurors who are summoned to appear at one time.
Jurors who are unable to serve because they are high-risk for COVID-19 related complications will be excused prior to coming to the courthouse. Additional details about the excusal process and precautions will be provided with the jury summons.
Clearlake Branch Operations: Small claims/traffic/unlawful detainer
The Clearlake Branch will continue to hold court calendars in-person. The number of cases set on calendar have been limited and staff will limit the number of people who enter the building to ensure proper social distancing.
Self-Help Center
The Self-Help Center will continue to provide service by remote means only. Litigants can contact the Self-Help Center by phone at 707-994-4612, or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
Court clerk’s offices
The court clerk’s offices continue to be open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public is encouraged to continue to make use of the drop-box whenever possible, to avoid a person-to-person interaction.
The court will continue to issue updates at its website at www.lake.courts.ca.gov .
All Judicial Council forms may be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm .
The court, like the rest of Lake County, was impacted when on March 18 Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace issued a countywide shelter in place order that went into effect the following day due to COVID-19. On March 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order ordering all Californians to stay at home.
While those two orders remain in place, the court and other sectors of the community have begun to slowly reopen, implementing social distancing, limiting the size of gatherings while Pace and the governor have issued separate orders requiring face masks.
Court officials said significant steps have been taken to comply with Dr. Pace’s orders and to protect court users and staff from the spread of COVID-19.
As part of its reopening plan, officials said the court has limited the number of cases on calendar, will require social distancing in court facilities, will require face coverings and will continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible.
Remote court hearings
The court will continue to hold the following hearings by remote appearance for the month of July.
All attorneys and parties must appear by phone/video as directed by the court. The court will provide instructions for the remote appearance.
Hearing dates for the following calendars will remain as presently set:
– Daily in-custody criminal arraignments.
– Juvenile detention hearings.
– Felony law and motion, Department 3, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Sentencings, Department 3, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor disposition/setting and motions, Department 1, Mondays at 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
– Misdemeanor settlement conferences, Department 1, Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
– Civil law and motion, Department 2, Mondays at 9 a.m.
– Civil case management, Department 2, Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
– Conservatorships, Department 2, Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
– Probate, Department 2, Mondays at 2 p.m.
– Department of Child Support Services Family Support, Clearlake Branch Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
– Domestic violence restraining orders, Department 2, Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
– Family law and motion, Department 2, Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
– Juvenile delinquency and dependency calendars, Mondays, 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Department 4.
– Civil harassment restraining order calendar, Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m., Department 4.
– Civil settlement calendar, Tuesdays, 9 a.m., Department 4.
Trials and contested hearings
The court will continue conducting in-person trials or contested hearings which will be direct set for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The number of cases set on a given date/time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Felony law and motion, preliminary hearings
The felony law and motion calendar will be held by remote appearance. However, out-of-custody defendants ordered to appear will be required to attend in person.
Preliminary hearings will continue to be held in person.
Misdemeanor arraignment calendar
The misdemeanor arraignment calendar will continue to be held in person. The number of cases set on a given date/time have been limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Jury trials
The court will begin conducting jury trials July 8, 2020, as necessary. If you receive a jury summons for a date after July 8, you are required to appear.
Steps have been taken to minimize the risk to jurors, including reducing the number of jurors who are summoned to appear at one time.
Jurors who are unable to serve because they are high-risk for COVID-19 related complications will be excused prior to coming to the courthouse. Additional details about the excusal process and precautions will be provided with the jury summons.
Clearlake Branch Operations: Small claims/traffic/unlawful detainer
The Clearlake Branch will continue to hold court calendars in-person. The number of cases set on calendar have been limited and staff will limit the number of people who enter the building to ensure proper social distancing.
Self-Help Center
The Self-Help Center will continue to provide service by remote means only. Litigants can contact the Self-Help Center by phone at 707-994-4612, or email
Court clerk’s offices
The court clerk’s offices continue to be open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public is encouraged to continue to make use of the drop-box whenever possible, to avoid a person-to-person interaction.
The court will continue to issue updates at its website at www.lake.courts.ca.gov .
All Judicial Council forms may be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm .
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Thursday, June 25, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) will hold a virtual town hall to discuss education.
The town hall will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time.
Thompson will be joined by special guest, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond for a discussion about education and what is being done to support students and help them succeed virtually in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the ninth in a series of virtual town halls. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people. Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
The town hall will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time.
Thompson will be joined by special guest, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond for a discussion about education and what is being done to support students and help them succeed virtually in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the ninth in a series of virtual town halls. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
Applications for unemployment benefits ticked down slightly as total benefits paid since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic soar past $30 billion, according to the most recent statistics released by the California Employment Development Department.
The EDD processed another 312,791 claims last week alone between regular Unemployment Insurance, or UI, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA, programs totaling now more than 6.3 million claims since the sudden surge of the pandemic began in the week ending March 14, 2020.
Guidance for workers and employers as businesses start to reopen
As businesses start to reopen in California under the state government guidelines, the EDD has developed a series of FAQs on its COVID-19 webpages to assist workers and employers in understanding impacts on the eligibility for UI benefits.
If individuals collecting UI benefits are offered the chance to return to their jobs and refuse that opportunity, they will need to report this information on their biweekly certification form in answer to question #4, “Did you refuse any work?”
A refusal to work legally requires an EDD representative to review the case and follow up for more information from the claimant as well as the employer before determining whether the claimant can continue to receive unemployment benefits.
• Good cause provisions for UI eligibility: The EDD will need to make a case-by-case determination on whether or not the information provided by claimants about refusing work meets what are called “good cause” reasons for UI eligibility. Such reasons include the higher risk factors identified by the California Department of Public Health such as the worker being over the age of 65, immunocompromised, or having certain serious health conditions.
• Reduced work hours and UI eligibility: Workers may still be eligible for partial UI benefits if they are only able to work reduced hours due to the impacts of the pandemic. But they must report that income earned in response to question No. 6 on their biweekly certification form for ongoing benefit payments. The first $25 or 25 percent of wages, whichever is the greater amount, is not counted as wages earned and will not be deducted from the UI weekly benefit amount.
For example, if you earned $100 in a week, the Department would not count $25 as wages and would only deduct $75 from your weekly benefit amount.
For someone who has a weekly benefit amount of $450, they would be paid a reduced amount of $375.
If someone with the same weekly benefit amount of $450 but earned at least $600 in the week, the full $450 would be deducted leaving $0 left for any unemployment benefits that week.
An individual has a year-long benefit period on their claim to collect the up to 26 weeks of benefits available. Claimants can start collecting benefits, stop for a while when they return to work, and then re-open their claim later if they once again find themselves unemployed or working reduced hours.
• School employees and UI eligibility: Federal and state law do not permit school employees to be eligible for regular UI benefits during a school recess period, including the summer break. That’s as long as these employees base their claim on their school wages and they are scheduled or likely to return to their usual or similar job when the break is over. Despite schools closing early this year due to the pandemic, the US Department of Labor is requiring all states to treat this year as any other. Therefore, the EDD must determine on a case-by-case basis whether employees have reasonable assurance that they will be returning to work in the
fall and if so, deny eligibility for benefits this summer.
An exception to this is if workers have enough wages during their base period that were earned from non-school employment to support an alternate weekly benefit amount they can be paid on their UI claim.
• Video tutorials to help workers in certifying for benefits: Many workers may not realize that once it is determined that they have enough in earnings over the last 12 to 18 months to initiate a UI claim or a PUA claim, they must answer basic questions every two weeks on their continued claim certification form online or via mail in order to receive the next biweekly benefit payment.
The EDD provides video tutorials in four different languages to assist workers with this legally required step to determine ongoing eligibility for benefits.
The EDD processed another 312,791 claims last week alone between regular Unemployment Insurance, or UI, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA, programs totaling now more than 6.3 million claims since the sudden surge of the pandemic began in the week ending March 14, 2020.
Guidance for workers and employers as businesses start to reopen
As businesses start to reopen in California under the state government guidelines, the EDD has developed a series of FAQs on its COVID-19 webpages to assist workers and employers in understanding impacts on the eligibility for UI benefits.
If individuals collecting UI benefits are offered the chance to return to their jobs and refuse that opportunity, they will need to report this information on their biweekly certification form in answer to question #4, “Did you refuse any work?”
A refusal to work legally requires an EDD representative to review the case and follow up for more information from the claimant as well as the employer before determining whether the claimant can continue to receive unemployment benefits.
• Good cause provisions for UI eligibility: The EDD will need to make a case-by-case determination on whether or not the information provided by claimants about refusing work meets what are called “good cause” reasons for UI eligibility. Such reasons include the higher risk factors identified by the California Department of Public Health such as the worker being over the age of 65, immunocompromised, or having certain serious health conditions.
• Reduced work hours and UI eligibility: Workers may still be eligible for partial UI benefits if they are only able to work reduced hours due to the impacts of the pandemic. But they must report that income earned in response to question No. 6 on their biweekly certification form for ongoing benefit payments. The first $25 or 25 percent of wages, whichever is the greater amount, is not counted as wages earned and will not be deducted from the UI weekly benefit amount.
For example, if you earned $100 in a week, the Department would not count $25 as wages and would only deduct $75 from your weekly benefit amount.
For someone who has a weekly benefit amount of $450, they would be paid a reduced amount of $375.
If someone with the same weekly benefit amount of $450 but earned at least $600 in the week, the full $450 would be deducted leaving $0 left for any unemployment benefits that week.
An individual has a year-long benefit period on their claim to collect the up to 26 weeks of benefits available. Claimants can start collecting benefits, stop for a while when they return to work, and then re-open their claim later if they once again find themselves unemployed or working reduced hours.
• School employees and UI eligibility: Federal and state law do not permit school employees to be eligible for regular UI benefits during a school recess period, including the summer break. That’s as long as these employees base their claim on their school wages and they are scheduled or likely to return to their usual or similar job when the break is over. Despite schools closing early this year due to the pandemic, the US Department of Labor is requiring all states to treat this year as any other. Therefore, the EDD must determine on a case-by-case basis whether employees have reasonable assurance that they will be returning to work in the
fall and if so, deny eligibility for benefits this summer.
An exception to this is if workers have enough wages during their base period that were earned from non-school employment to support an alternate weekly benefit amount they can be paid on their UI claim.
• Video tutorials to help workers in certifying for benefits: Many workers may not realize that once it is determined that they have enough in earnings over the last 12 to 18 months to initiate a UI claim or a PUA claim, they must answer basic questions every two weeks on their continued claim certification form online or via mail in order to receive the next biweekly benefit payment.
The EDD provides video tutorials in four different languages to assist workers with this legally required step to determine ongoing eligibility for benefits.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office has issued an update on the arrest of a Madera man on Saturday afternoon at the scene of a wildland fire along Highway 20.
Lt. Corey Paulich said that at approximately 2:12 p.m. Saturday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies along with Cal Fire firefighting personnel responded to the area of Highway 20 and Mule Skinner Road in Clearlake Oaks for a report of a vegetation fire.
When the first deputy arrived, Paulich said he saw a man who was later identified as Jose Medina Jimenez, 27, standing in the middle of Highway 20 waving his arms in the air. Several bystanders who had stopped in the area were watching the fire and told the arriving deputy that Jimenez was responsible for starting the fire.
As the deputy approached Jimenez, Jimenez removed a knife with a 6-inch blade from his pants pocket and started pacing around, Paulich said.
Paulich said the deputy told Jimenez repeatedly to drop the knife, but Jimenez instead walked towards the deputy. Jimenez also sat on the ground appearing to cut himself before attempting to enter an unoccupied vehicle that was parked in the area.
A bystander who spoke Spanish assisted the deputy in giving commands to Jimenez. After several minutes, Jimenez disarmed himself and was taken into custody, Paulich said.
While in custody, Jimenez became combative. Paulich said the deputy maintained control of Jimenez until additional deputy sheriffs arrived to place Jimenez in a patrol vehicle.
Once inside the vehicle, Jimenez began kicking the door. When deputies opened the patrol vehicle door, Jimenez charged them and had to again be restrained with a leg restraint, Paulich said.
Paulich said Jimenez appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was transported to the Lake County Jail.
During the altercation, one deputy sustained a minor injury that did not require any medical treatment. Paulich said Jimenez remains in custody at the Lake County Jail and is expected to appear in court later this week.
An investigation is being conducted by Cal Fire Fire prevention officers into the cause and origin of the “Mule” fire, which Paulich said burned approximately six acres of vegetation on a property that contained an unpermitted, illegal marijuana cultivation site. He said Jimenez is suspected of working at the site.
The investigation will be a cooperative effort between Cal Fire and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Paulich said.
Lt. Corey Paulich said that at approximately 2:12 p.m. Saturday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies along with Cal Fire firefighting personnel responded to the area of Highway 20 and Mule Skinner Road in Clearlake Oaks for a report of a vegetation fire.
When the first deputy arrived, Paulich said he saw a man who was later identified as Jose Medina Jimenez, 27, standing in the middle of Highway 20 waving his arms in the air. Several bystanders who had stopped in the area were watching the fire and told the arriving deputy that Jimenez was responsible for starting the fire.
As the deputy approached Jimenez, Jimenez removed a knife with a 6-inch blade from his pants pocket and started pacing around, Paulich said.
Paulich said the deputy told Jimenez repeatedly to drop the knife, but Jimenez instead walked towards the deputy. Jimenez also sat on the ground appearing to cut himself before attempting to enter an unoccupied vehicle that was parked in the area.
A bystander who spoke Spanish assisted the deputy in giving commands to Jimenez. After several minutes, Jimenez disarmed himself and was taken into custody, Paulich said.
While in custody, Jimenez became combative. Paulich said the deputy maintained control of Jimenez until additional deputy sheriffs arrived to place Jimenez in a patrol vehicle.
Once inside the vehicle, Jimenez began kicking the door. When deputies opened the patrol vehicle door, Jimenez charged them and had to again be restrained with a leg restraint, Paulich said.
Paulich said Jimenez appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was transported to the Lake County Jail.
During the altercation, one deputy sustained a minor injury that did not require any medical treatment. Paulich said Jimenez remains in custody at the Lake County Jail and is expected to appear in court later this week.
An investigation is being conducted by Cal Fire Fire prevention officers into the cause and origin of the “Mule” fire, which Paulich said burned approximately six acres of vegetation on a property that contained an unpermitted, illegal marijuana cultivation site. He said Jimenez is suspected of working at the site.
The investigation will be a cooperative effort between Cal Fire and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Paulich said.