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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Nearly one year ago Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health removed all physical distancing limits.
For the last several months the cases rates and hospitalizations locally have remained relatively low and stable.
Accordingly, effective June 29, the Lake County Superior Court said jury selection will return to the Lakeport Courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.
Jury selection has been taking place for some time at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
In cooperation with the county of Lake, when possible the jury check-in and orientation process will occur in the Board of Supervisors chambers, court officials said.
Other changes include the end of remote proceedings in criminal cases.
Effective July 1, court officials said the remaining statewide emergency rules will be rescinded.
As a result, all criminal calendars except daily in-custody arraignments will return to in-person appearances.
The court continues to allow remote appearances in many family law and civil proceedings.
Additional information can be found on the court’s website.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The California Department of Transportation said it is mourning the death of Quandra McGadney, 51, of Vallejo, a landscape maintenance worker for the department.
McGadney was killed while working near Lagoon Valley Road on Interstate 80.
Just after 10 a.m. Friday, McGadney was struck by a hit-and-run driver on westbound I-80 near Vacaville. She succumbed to her injuries on-scene. The California Highway Patrol has arrested a suspect.
“Jennifer and I were saddened to learn of the death of Caltrans Maintenance Worker Quanda McGadney, a dedicated public servant to the state for more than 18 years. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and Caltrans colleagues for their loss,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a Friday evening statement.
McGadney had served the people of California for more than 18 years and joined Caltrans in 2018.
She is survived by her 9-year-old daughter, Nairobi, and her two sisters, Priscilla Stevenson and Candice McGadney.
“The loss of one of our own public servants in this tragic incident is being felt heavily within the Caltrans family today. Our thoughts and heartfelt support are focused on her family, friends and colleagues at this time,” said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck.
McGadney is the first Caltrans District 4 (Bay Area) employee to die on the job since 2017. She is the 37th in the history of District 4 and the 190th Caltrans worker to lose their life on the job since 1921.
“This tragedy is particularly painful, coming so close to our workers memorial service just a little over a month ago, and drives home how dangerous our work on California’s roadways can be,” said Keck. “Our focus on safety and the ‘Move Over’ law, and asking the public to increase their awareness of the people working on the highways on their behalf are part of our continued effort to eliminate these tragic incidents.”
To help Quanda’s family at this difficult time, a memorial fund is being established through the California Transportation Foundation.
In honor of McGadney, Capitol, and Capitol swing space, flags will be flown at half-staff.
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- Written by: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
“Gun violence is an epidemic — too many Americans are forced to live in fear because of inaction,” said Gov. Newsom. “In California, we are taking action with common sense gun safety measures that get guns out of our communities and keep people safe.”
Red flag laws allow for the temporary removal of guns and ammunition from individuals who are at risk of harming themselves or others. They empower loved ones, or law enforcement, to intervene and temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms.
California issued 3,007 gun violence restraining orders from 2016 to 2020. In 2020, the state issued 1,284 restraining orders, 15-times greater than the 85 issued in 2016.
This new $11 million,18-month campaign, administered through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, will focus on outreach and education about California’s red flag laws to communities most at risk for gun violence.
The campaign includes:
$5 million in grants to local community-based domestic violence groups for community outreach.
$5 million for statewide outreach to communities most at risk of gun violence including education efforts, research and multilingual outreach.
$1 million for education and training for district attorneys and law enforcement groups.
The Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis Health last year released a study highlighting support for Gun Violence Restraining Orders and the need to raise public awareness around the issue.
Red flag laws are proven to be effective in reducing violence and death by guns. These laws can help de-escalate emergency situations. California is one of several states around the country that is increasingly emphasizing red flag laws as a common-sense way to help reduce gun violence.
“California has nation-leading gun safety laws,” said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “Education and outreach about how to utilize red flag laws are critical to their success. This campaign will focus on educating families and law enforcement on the tools they have at their disposal to prevent gun violence.”
Enacted in 2014 following the Isla Vista Shooting, California’s red flag law authorizes law enforcement officers and others to file petitions for a civil court order called a Gun Violence Restraining Order to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms when they are found to pose a significant risk to themselves or others by having legal access to firearms or ammunition.
Gov. Newsom on Thursday released a fact sheet detailing California’s nation-leading record on gun safety. The governor also thanked President Joe Biden for his leadership on gun safety and joined him in calling on Congress to pass gun safety legislation.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, this week provides an opportunity for Californians to learn about the hundreds of harmful non-native plants and animals that threaten our state’s natural resources, ecology and economy.
Historically, agencies, nonprofits and volunteer organizations across the state have teamed up to host events for CISAW.
As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the format now includes both in-person and virtual events such as webinars and videos.
Volunteer opportunities can be found in all parts of the state, such as:
• Attend a habitat restoration event at Trinidad State Beach near Humboldt where volunteers will pitch in to pull up ivy and other invasive non-native species.
• Join Friends of Five Creeks in Berkeley in their efforts to eradicate invasive foxtails from near Codornices Creek.
• Protect the American River Parkway in Sacramento by removing broom with the American River Parkway Foundation.
• Help protect and restore coastal dune and bluff scrub habitats at Half Moon Bay State Beach by assisting with the removal of invasive cape ivy, mustard, thistles and hemlock from coastal scrub areas.
• Be a “Weed Warrior” at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, by assisting with efforts to remove non-native grasses and other invasive plants from the landscape.
Get details for these events and find many more by visiting the CISAW schedule on CDFW’s website.
You can also watch webinars and learn about how you can stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild, reporting invasive species findings, and cleaning, draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water.
The CISAW website lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating or fishing, or at home. Join our Digital Scavenger Hunt and track invasive species in your local neighborhood or park.
On Friday, June 10, CDFW will announce the winners of the annual California Invasive Species Youth Art Contest on social media. This year’s theme was “Unite to Fight Invasive Species!”
The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California.
The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur and prevent the spread of those species that have established.
For questions or more information about CISAW, please contact