TROY, NY — Hudson Valley Community College has been selected to help train a pipeline of skilled workers for clean energy jobs that are ramping up in the Capital Region.

Through grant funding provided by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the college’s Office of Workforce Development is able to offer an unprecedented opportunity for eligible students. A subset of eligible students will receive tuition reimbursement and additional support services in pursuing the college’s Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technical Services AOS degree or Construction certificate.

Hundreds of skilled workers for the building trades, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration and high-efficiency heat pumps will be needed over the next several years in the Capital Region.

Hudson Valley Community College’s Green Jobs Training Program is part of a New York State-funded study to measure if offering adult learners skills training in clean energy, along with extra support, helps them to complete training, find employment, and earn higher salaries. The opportunity to receive enhanced support services, including tuition assistance, is limited. Eligible applicants will be chosen by a computerized selection process.

Minimum qualifications for the program:

• must be a resident of New York State for the previous 12 months
• at least 16 years or older and not officially enrolled in high school
• meet additional educational and economic guidelines

Enhanced support services available for a subset of eligible students include:

• Tuition assistance
• counseling
• One on one tutoring
• Resume writing assistance, interview prep and skills workshops
• Job fairs

The post Grant funding hopes to attract college students into HVAC careers at HVCC – Saratogian appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

TROY, NY — Hudson Valley Community College has been selected to help train a pipeline of skilled workers for clean energy jobs that are ramping up in the Capital Region.

Through grant funding provided by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the college’s Office of Workforce Development is able to offer an unprecedented opportunity for eligible students. A subset of eligible students will receive tuition reimbursement and additional support services in pursuing the college’s Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technical Services AOS degree or Construction certificate.

Hundreds of skilled workers for the building trades, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration and high-efficiency heat pumps will be needed over the next several years in the Capital Region.

Hudson Valley Community College’s Green Jobs Training Program is part of a New York State-funded study to measure if offering adult learners skills training in clean energy, along with extra support, helps them to complete training, find employment, and earn higher salaries. The opportunity to receive enhanced support services, including tuition assistance, is limited. Eligible applicants will be chosen by a computerized selection process.

Minimum qualifications for the program:

• must be a resident of New York State for the previous 12 months
• at least 16 years or older and not officially enrolled in high school
• meet additional educational and economic guidelines

Enhanced support services available for a subset of eligible students include:

• Tuition assistance
• counseling
• One on one tutoring
• Resume writing assistance, interview prep and skills workshops
• Job fairs

The post Grant funding hopes to attract college students into HVAC careers at HVCC – troyrecord appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

By Faith Evans fevans@nevadaappeal.com

Sunday, April 10, 2022

The Carson City Library’s roof is currently decorated in orange flags: facilities maintenance is busy revamping the HVAC system for this summer.
“It’s been in the works for a while that we were going to be improving the HVAC system,” said Joy Holt, the library’s department business manager. “We’re hoping that it will make it less of a sauna up there in the summer.”
Randy Rice, city engineer, said that the city has custom designs to replace an old multizone heating and cooling unit on the second floor. The project is expected to cost $224,000, and contractors estimate that it will be finished by mid-June. The project is financed through American Rescue Plan funding.
Back in September 2021, the Fire Department responded to a call at the library when a motor burnt on an air conditioning unit filled the building with smoke. Staff had to evacuate the building for fear of a fire.
Front desk staff at the library told the appeal that the library has also experienced smoke
in the building from teenagers using vape pens in the restrooms.

The post Carson Metropolis Library hopes summer season can be cooler with new HVAC system appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A few weeks ago Derek Carr stood on the podium after a one-sided defeat and announced that this year’s version of the Raiders would be different and could avoid another breakdown in the second half of the season.

After the Raiders lost 17-15 to Washington on Sunday for their fourth loss in five games to deal a big blow to their dwindling playoff hopes, Carr was far less optimistic.

CONTINUE READING: Christmas tree in Jack London Square in Oakland catches fire; Arson investigation ongoing

Another game plagued by slow starts on offense and the inability to finish drives with touchdowns called the Raiders (6-6).

“It’s frustrating. You know, because you’re trying to emphasize, you’re trying to fix it and you go and it doesn’t happen, “Carr said.” It happens once and it doesn’t happen every time. Each piece tells its own story. It is frustrating, I wish I could get up here and resolve the whole thing … To answer your question, it’s frustrating that you stress something, it looks good one week, then the other week, and then it is no more just have to keep working. “

After a promising start to the season with a 5-2 record, the Raiders have fallen apart since coach Jon Gruden’s resignation after posting his offensive emails and the release of receiver Henry Ruggs III after a fatal DUI crash since Bye Week one Have taken their toll.

Las Vegas has scored 16 points out of fewer than six in the last nine games, and lost them all as the offense struggled. The Raiders settled for field goals twice after hitting Washington 20 or closer, which has given them a league high of 43 field goals from 40 yards for the past two seasons.

“I think it’s a mindset,” said Josh Jacobs, looking back. “I think we’re just sailing a little too much. It’s definitely frustrating. “

It’s a similar pattern to the last two seasons, when the 2019 Raiders lost five of their last six games after starting 6-4 and five of their last seven games last season after starting the season 6-3.

“You want to talk about the highs and lows of the season, the highs were pretty good and the lows were really deep,” said interim coach Rich Bisaccia. “Humanistically the lows were very low and then professionally on the grass the lows were low. But again, if you are result oriented all the time then just look at the scoreboard your life is spending up there. There is a process for what we try and do, and there is a process for improving every day. “

WHAT WORKS

Goes with Hunter Renfrow. The only bright spot on the offensive for the Raiders was Renfrow’s passing game for most of the season. He had a career high of nine passes to 10 targets for 102 yards, which earned him back-to-back games of at least 100 yards for the second straight week. Carr has a 111.1 score when targeting Renfrow this season.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

CONTINUE READING: Sonoma County high-speed chase ends in crash, 2 arrested

Starts playing. The Raiders went goalless in the first quarter for the fifth time this season and only scored their first points with a field goal in the final seconds of the first half. Las Vegas was beaten by 30 points in the first quarter, the fifth worst in the NFL.

INCREASE

Nate Hobbs. The rookie cornerback made the greatest defensive game when he intercepted Taylor Heinicke in the fourth quarter to set up a green field goal. Hobbs had nine tackles for the game, including one for loss.

Stock

Tre’von Möhrig. Las Vegas’ other high school rookie starter had the chance to seal the game on the final drive when he was in position for an interception. But he dropped the ball and Washington took advantage of it by moving the ball 9 yards over the next two games to set up Brian Johnson’s game-winning 48-yard field goal.

INJURIES

RB Kenyan Drake will travel to Alabama for end-of-season ankle surgery on Sunday following an injury. … LB Denzel Perryman (ankle), LB Nick Kwiatkoski (ankle) and LB Cory Littleton (stinger) are out all day. … TE Darren Waller, LB Patrick Onwuasor and CB Trayvon Mullen could all return this week.

KEY NUMBER

4.3. Carr’s average finish only moved 4.3 yards down as he settled for check-downs multiple times, especially early in the game. The Raiders had a lot more success this season when Carr pushed the ball across the field, with the average finish on wins being 7.7 yards down and just 4.9 on losses.

NEXT STEPS

The Raiders visit Kansas City on Sunday.

MORE NEWS: Cyclists killed in Shepherd Canyon Park, Oakland in the fall

© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The post Raiders’ Playoff Hopes Take Hit After Falling To Washington, 4th Loss In 5 Video games – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) – Union Square in San Francisco is losing another major retailer, with DSW – the Designer Shoe Warehouse – being the newest store in the neighborhood to shut down for good.

“Things I used to know aren’t here anymore,” said Linda Hill, who was visiting from New Jersey.

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“It’s a lot sadder than it was before COVID,” said Judy Keith, a visitor from Texas.

Marisa Rodriguez, the new executive director of the Union Square Alliance – formerly known as the Union Square Business Improvement District – hopes to change that perception.

“It’s always disappointing when a cornerstone of our community has to be closed. As far as I know, they are closing more than just their location here in San Francisco, ”said Rodriguez.

She agrees that there is a problem with the image of Union Square that she attributes primarily to the pandemic and the toll it has taken on tourism and retail. It is Rodriguez’s goal to address the image problem.

“That perception will soon go away,” she said. “Union Square is ready and waiting for visitors. We have so much to offer. “

CONTINUE READING: Belmont Police report 4 arrests in 2019 that killed Carlmont HS student Mohammad Othman

The holiday season has already begun with the return of the traditional Christmas tree and ice rink to Union Square.

“It will be lit on November 18th,” she said. “People love the ice rink. In contrast to last year, when everything was closed, it is open. “

She also noted that some companies are moving in while others are moving in.

Omega, the watch store, has just opened in Union Square, one of nine upcoming openings and reopenings, according to Rodriguez.

“These range from restaurants, wine bars, retail stores – we even have a mattress store,” she said. “We are very excited about all of this.”

Perception won’t change overnight. But Rodriguez believes it will continue to move in the right direction when people venture back into the world and relive Union Square.

MORE NEWS: Opening of a large charging station for electric cars in the Valley Fair Mall

“I think you will come here and be amazed at how activated, how beautiful and how clean and safe it is,” she said.

The post New Government Director Hopes to Change Picture of San Francisco’s Union Sq. – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SEATTLE – The first time Kerry Hyder Jr. had a breakout season, an injury ensued that cost him a full year.

At this point in his career, and after signing with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined his fifth other team. The last Hyder can afford is another major setback.

“I accept the trip. It’s been a lot of ups and downs, but I’m preparing for every moment, especially this one, ”said Hyder this week. “I’m so excited to be part of a group that I can add, I can add leadership, I can add play on the field. I felt unwanted and someone brought you in. That’s what I longed for. “

Hyder signed a two-year $ 6.5 million deal with the Seahawks in March after posting the best season of his career last year with San Francisco and Seattle to deepen the line of defense.

Last season’s success was a great opportunity for the almost 30-year-old. With the 49ers injured in their defensive line, Hyder started 14 of 16 games and achieved career bests in sacks (8½) and tackles (49).

It was expected that Hyder would be in a rotation with Nick Bosa and Dee Ford last season before injuries gave Hyder a bigger chance. In his first season with the 49ers, he played nearly 70 percent of the defensive snaps.

“It’s just the games, the ability to play and not just being a spot duty player, and the coaches who trust you and allow you to play. I think that helped,” said Hyder.

Hyder’s best previous year was with Detroit in 2016 when he had eight sacks and 19 quarterback hits. But he suffered an Achilles tear that cost him the entire 2017 season with the Lions. Hyder began his career with the New York Jets and played for Dallas in 2019.

Hyder seems to have a special fit when he comes to Seattle. His height and weight are similar to Michael Bennett’s when he stood on the Seattle defensive line for five seasons between 2013 and 17. Hyder said his hope is to be as versatile as Bennett, to be able to dash out of traditional defensive end positions, but also slide in and create more interior space if necessary.

“The features were there because I saw that,” said Hyder. “Same body type as something like that. That’s one of the reasons I went to Seattle. I can see myself in the same role as Mike. “

Hyder said the freelance agency was different this time around when it had a career year behind it, although teams faced the lower salary cap. He also insisted that despite being 30 years old, he still has a lot to give before the start of the next season.

“I’ve had an unorthodox trip to the NFL so I may not have the mileage that guys have. I had time on the training team and I had time to sit outside, ”said Hyder. “Here are some young legs. I still have a lot of time. “

The post Hyder hopes to construct off profession season shifting to Seattle | Sports activities appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SEATTLE – The first time Kerry Hyder Jr. had a breakout season, an injury ensued that cost him a full year.

At this point in his career, and after signing with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined his fifth other team. The last Hyder can afford is another major setback.

“I accept the trip. It’s been a lot of ups and downs, but I’m preparing for every moment, especially this one, ”said Hyder this week. “I’m so excited to be part of a group that I can add, I can add leadership, I can add play on the field. I felt unwanted and someone brought you in. That’s what I longed for. “

Hyder signed a two-year $ 6.5 million deal with the Seahawks in March after posting the best season of his career last year with San Francisco and Seattle to deepen the line of defense.

Last season’s success was a great opportunity for the almost 30-year-old. With the 49ers injured in their defensive line, Hyder started 14 of 16 games and achieved career bests in sacks (8½) and tackles (49).

It was expected that Hyder would be in a rotation with Nick Bosa and Dee Ford last season before injuries gave Hyder a bigger chance. In his first season with the 49ers, he played nearly 70 percent of the defensive snaps.

“It’s just the games, the ability to play and not just being a spot duty player, and the coaches who trust you and allow you to play. I think that helped,” said Hyder.

Hyder’s best previous year was with Detroit in 2016 when he had eight sacks and 19 quarterback hits. But he suffered an Achilles tear that cost him the entire 2017 season with the Lions. Hyder began his career with the New York Jets and played for Dallas in 2019.

Hyder seems to have a special fit when he comes to Seattle. His height and weight are similar to Michael Bennett’s when he stood on the Seattle defensive line for five seasons between 2013 and 17. Hyder said his hope is to be as versatile as Bennett, to be able to dash out of traditional defensive end positions, but also slide in and create more interior space if necessary.

“The features were there because I saw that,” said Hyder. “Same body type as something like that. That’s one of the reasons I went to Seattle. I can see myself in the same role as Mike. “

Hyder said the freelance agency was different this time around when it had a career year behind it, although teams faced the lower salary cap. He also insisted that despite being 30 years old, he still has a lot to give before the start of the next season.

“I’ve had an unorthodox trip to the NFL so I may not have the mileage that guys have. I had time on the training team and I had time to sit outside, ”said Hyder. “Here are some young legs. I still have a lot of time. “

The post Hyder hopes to construct off profession season shifting to Seattle | Sports activities appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SEATTLE – The first time Kerry Hyder Jr. had a breakout season, an injury ensued that cost him a full year.

At this point in his career, and after signing with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined his fifth other team. The last Hyder can afford is another major setback.

“I accept the trip. There have been many ups and downs, but I’m preparing for every moment, especially this one, ”said Hyder on Thursday. “I’m so excited to be part of a group that I can add, I can add leadership, I can add play on the field. I felt unwanted and someone brought you in. That’s what I longed for. “

Hyder signed a two-year $ 6.5 million deal with the Seahawks last month after posting the best season of his career last year with San Francisco and Seattle to deepen the line of defense.

Last season’s success was a great opportunity for the almost 30-year-old. With the 49ers injured in their defensive line, Hyder started 14 of 16 games and achieved career bests in sacks (8½) and tackles (49).

It was expected that Hyder would be in a rotation with Nick Bosa and Dee Ford last season before injuries gave Hyder a bigger chance. In his only season with the 49ers, he played nearly 70% of the defensive snaps.

“It’s just the games, the ability to play and not just being a spot duty player, and the coaches who trust you and allow you to play. I think that helped,” said Hyder. “I always felt like I could hurry up and play well. I just felt that the right coach had to believe in me and allow me to play.”

Hyder’s best previous year was with Detroit in 2016 when he had eight sacks and 19 quarterback hits. But he suffered an Achilles tear that cost him the entire 2017 season with the Lions. Hyder began his career with the New York Jets and played for Dallas in 2019.

Hyder seems to have a special fit when he comes to Seattle. His height and weight are very similar to Michael Bennett when he was a force on the Seattle defensive line for five seasons between 2013 and 17. Hyder said his hope is to be as eclectic as Bennett, to be able to both rush out of traditional defensive end positions, as well as slide in and take care of more of an internal onslaught if necessary.

“The features were there because I saw that,” said Hyder. “Same body type as something like that. That’s one of the reasons I went to Seattle. I can see myself in the same role as Mike. “

Hyder said the freelance agency was very different this time after a career year, even as the teams faced the lower salary cap. He also insisted that despite being 30 years old, he still has a lot to give before the start of the next season.

“I’ve had an unorthodox trip to the NFL so I may not have the mileage that guys have. I had time on the training team and I had time to sit outside, ”said Hyder. “Here are some young legs. I still have a lot of time. “

The post Kerry Hyder Jr. hopes to construct off profession season shifting to Seattle appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SEATTLE (AP) – The first time Kerry Hyder Jr. had a breakout season, an injury ensued that cost him a full year.

At this point in his career, and after signing with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined his fifth other team. The last Hyder can afford is another major setback.

“I accept the trip. There have been many ups and downs, but I’m preparing for every moment, especially this one, ”said Hyder on Thursday. “I’m so excited to be part of a group that I can add, I can add leadership, I can add play on the field. I felt unwanted and someone brought you in. That’s what I longed for. “

Hyder signed a two-year $ 6.5 million deal with the Seahawks last month after posting the best season of his career last year with San Francisco and Seattle to deepen the line of defense.

Last season’s success was a great opportunity for the almost 30-year-old. With the 49ers injured in their defensive line, Hyder started 14 of 16 games and achieved career bests in sacks (8½) and tackles (49).

It was expected that Hyder would be in a rotation with Nick Bosa and Dee Ford last season before injuries gave Hyder a bigger chance. In his only season with the 49ers, he played nearly 70% of the defensive snaps.

“It’s just the games, the ability to play and not just being a spot duty player, and the coaches who trust you and allow you to play. I think that helped,” said Hyder. “I always felt like I could hurry up and play well. I just felt that the right coach had to believe in me and allow me to play.”

Hyder’s best previous year was with Detroit in 2016 when he had eight sacks and 19 quarterback hits. But he suffered an Achilles tear that cost him the entire 2017 season with the Lions. Hyder began his career with the New York Jets and played for Dallas in 2019.

Hyder seems to have a special fit when he comes to Seattle. His height and weight are very similar to Michael Bennett when he was a force on the Seattle defensive line for five seasons between 2013 and 17. Hyder said his hope is to be as eclectic as Bennett, to be able to both rush out of traditional defensive end positions, as well as slide in and take care of more of an internal onslaught if necessary.

“The features were there because I saw that,” said Hyder. “Same body type as something like that. That’s one of the reasons I went to Seattle. I can see myself in the same role as Mike. “

Hyder said the freelance agency was very different this time after a career year, even as the teams faced the lower salary cap. He also insisted that despite being 30 years old, he still has a lot to give before the start of the next season.

“I’ve had an unorthodox trip to the NFL so I may not have the mileage that guys have. I had time on the training team and I had time to sit outside, ”said Hyder. “Here are some young legs. I still have a lot of time. “

___

More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

The post Hyder hopes to construct off profession season transferring to Seattle appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

CBS San Francisco Staff Report

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — With a surge in coronavirus cases, the information you need to know is coming fast and furious. Here’s a roundup of the COVID stories we’ve published over the last 24 hours.

READ MORE: Oakland’s Largest Church Reopens for Indoor Worship on Easter Sunday

San Francisco’s Latinx Population Continues To See Higher Case Rates
SAN FRANCISCO — The Latinx population of San Francisco continues to face higher positivity rates of COVID-19, especially among low-income and essential workers, according to a testing survey conducted in late November. The Unidos en Salud/United in Health initiative, organized by the University of California at San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the Latino Task Force for COVID-19 and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, tested nearly 7,000 residents in the Mission District and the Bayview, Excelsior and Tenderloin neighborhoods before and after Thanksgiving. Test samples were collected Nov. 22-24 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1 through door-to-door canvassing by the LTF, according to UCSF. The four neighborhoods were chosen for their high case numbers relative to the rest of the city. Of those tested, 4.4 percent were positive for the virus, higher than the city’s seven-day average 2.9 positivity rate as of Wednesday. In addition, 79 percent of those who tested positive were Latinx despite just over half of those tested being Latinx. Read More

Sonoma County Prepares for Stay-Home Order Beginning Saturday
PETALUMA — Sonoma County is now joining five other Bay Area counties in imposing the stay-at-home order which will start Saturday just after midnight. Businesses are bracing for the next round of closures. Many of the business owners in Petaluma say they saw this coming. Starting Saturday, there will be no more outdoor dining and people will have to stay home for anything but essential activities. “Initially like anything else, you’re like ‘oh geez, not again!’” said Peter White, owner of Sugo Trattoria. White is not surprised by the latest round of closures announced by the county Thursday. “We need to act now before it gets worse in Sonoma County,” said Dr. Sundari Mase, the Sonoma County public health officer. Read More

Pfizer Vaccine Heads to FDA for Approval as Bay Area Awaits 1st Shipments
SAN FRANCISCO — The Food and Drug and Administration’s authorization of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine could come within the next couple days now that a government advisory panel has voted to approve its emergency use. The FDA doesn’t have to follow the advice of the panel but it usually does. At the very top of the list to get vaccinated are hospital workers. The sprint to get the COVID-19 vaccine from the production line and into arms of the most vulnerable is nearing the finish line but there’s still a long way to go in the marathon to reach herd immunity and control the viral spread. California will initially receive more than 327,000 of the Pfizer COVID vaccine doses. San Francisco county will be given 12,000 doses next week but there is hesitation by many to take the vaccine. “Some nurses are concerned about the vaccines having adverse side effects,” said Jenny Rudnicki. Read More

California Unemployment Claims Spike Alongside Case Rates
SAN FRANCISCO — With businesses being forced to shut down amid COVID shelter orders across the state, unemployment claims are at their highest level in months. The latest numbers show California jobless claims have risen to nearly 178,000. Some experts are saying it could take months for the economy to bounce back in the wake of the latest coronavirus surge. With unemployment numbers jumping once again after a second lockdown, former EDD director Michael Bernick told KPIX 5 there is only one way out. “We won’t see any significant uptick in hiring until the vaccine,” Bernick said. Even with the FDA greenlighting the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use Thursday and doses arriving in the Bay Area as soon as next week, the job market will remain slim. “It will be until February or March until a larger part of the California labor force will be immunized. And even then, that’s only about a third,” said Bernick. Read More

Santa Clara County To Send Teams Door-to-Door To Administer Tests
SAN JOSE — To help curtail the surge in COVID-19 cases, Santa Clara County has ramped up its testing effort, including sending out teams door-to-door to administer coronavirus tests. The county Public Health Department said Thursday the teams will focus first in East San Jose where 55% of the population is Latino and where many do not have the ability or means to get tested. Santa Clara County is partnering with neighborhood health workers known as promotoras to hand out tests in hard hit areas of East San Jose where language barriers and fear have stood in the way of testing access. “Going door to door, the promotoras will offer self-administered COVID testing to individuals in the household,” explained Dr. Analilia Garcia, Racial & Health Equity Director for Santa Clara County. “The plan is to canvass the area before arriving,” Garcia went on to say. “So families know to expect us, and that this is a legitimate service.” Read More

Advocates Call On Newsom To Prioritize Vaccines For Teachers, School Staff
SAN FRANCISCO — Local lawmakers, doctors, education leaders and others on Thursday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom and public health officials to put teachers third in line to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available. Only health care workers and nursing home residents would be ahead of teachers and school staff, the group said. The group, convened virtually by San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen, said students have been impacted by the pandemic academically and their overall well-being has been affected. “Schools have been closed for nearly 9 months now, and yet state officials have failed to prioritize enough resources to support safe school reopening,” Ronen said in a statement. State health officials have recommended that health care workers and residents of nursing homes get the vaccine first, but have not recommended who next should get the vaccine. Read More

READ MORE: SFFD Rescue Team Pulls 1 Adult and a Dog From Cliff at Fort Funston

Sonoma County To Join Stay-At-Home Order On Saturday – ‘We Have To Take Action Now’
SANTA ROSA — Sonoma County officials announced Thursday that it would join other Bay Area counties in implementing a stay-at-home order due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, effective Saturday. Residents are being urged to stay at home except for work, shopping or essential activities. Schools that are already open can continue to operate. Outdoor recreation would be allowed and playgrounds would stay open. Five Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and Santa Clara) and the city of Berkeley instituted the state’s stay-at-home restrictions before reaching the 15% ICU capacity threshold. Officials said the restrictions would stay in place until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Sonoma Health officer Dr. Sundari Mase said that the county has seen an “alarming increase” in recent days of new cases and hospitalizations. Mase said the number of cases in the county has doubled in recent days and the 14-day average has reached 343 cases per 100,000, the highest point in the pandemic. Read More

California Lawmakers Say State is Struggling with Unemployment Backlog, Fraud
SACRAMENTO — A backlog of unemployment applications is piling up while a benefits scam could potentially cost California $2 billion, yet the state is failing to stop either, according to two state lawmakers. Democratic Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, who heads the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, said she is seeing “a continued pattern of constituents who get lost in the process.” Hundreds of residents across the state report “this sense of falling into a black hole where you don’t know what’s wrong, where you make phone calls that go unanswered, and you wait months and months for benefits and grow increasingly desperate,” she said. Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson, a frequent critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Democratic administration, cited complaints from two whistleblower employees of the Employment Development Department as well as customers who contacted his office in saying the new ID.me verification system “is failing substantially.” Read More

California DMV Suspends Behind-The-Wheel Tests For 2 Weeks Over Rising Cases
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced Thursday that it plans to suspend all behind-the-wheel driving tests for two weeks amid the surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state. Behind-the-wheel tests, which are required for first-time driver’s license and commercial license applicants, will be suspended starting December 14. The DMV said affected customers would be notified and have their tests rescheduled at a later date. Meanwhile, motorcycle tests would continue to take place, since the test can be done at a safe distance. “Behind-the-wheel drive tests require two people to share space in one vehicle and – while we have made numerous changes to safeguard the testing process – the current surge in COVID-19 cases presents increased risk to both parties,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said. Read More

FDA Panel Endorses Emergency Authorization For Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Food and Drug Administration’s advisory panel on Thursday recommended the emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. If the vaccine is authorized by the FDA, the first shots could be distributed in the U.S. within days. Health care workers and nursing home residents would be among the first in line. The panel of outside experts reviewed trial data from Pfizer’s vaccine and made its recommendation to the FDA Thursday afternoon. Read More

No 2021 Contra Costa County Fair, Hopes For Return In 2022
ANTIOCH — Organizers of the Contra Costa County Fair announced it would cancel the event for a second year in a row, amid ongoing uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Contra Costa Event Park Board of Directors unanimously voted Wednesday to cancel the 2021 fair, which was scheduled for May 13-16. Organizers said the decision, more than five months before the event was set to take place, “did not come lightly.” “After thoughtful consideration, we do not feel it would be a responsible decision to continue with the planning of the 2021 Contra Costa County Fair, when it could potential (sic) be canceled at the last minute,” organizers said in a statement. “There is no higher priority than the safety of our Fairgrounds family, patrons, vendors, promoters and sponsors at the Contra Costa Event Park,” fair organizers went on to say. Read More

CA Notify Smartphone Exposure Notifications App Goes Live
SAN FRANCISCO — A new smartphone app is now available for Californians to let them know if they’ve been too close to someone who’s been infected with the coronavirus. Announced earlier this week, the CA Notify app went live Thursday and uses a new smartphone feature called “exposure notifications” that users opt-in to receive. Californians can activate the tool in their iPhone settings or on Android phones by downloading the CA Notify app from the Google Play store after receiving a notification. The app allows people who test positive for COVID-19 to anonymously inform people who have been in close proximity over the previous two weeks that they may have been exposed. It uses bluetooth technology to exchange so-called anonymous keys. Earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom explained the app using an example of a conversation between Alice and Bob, and what happens after Alice tests positive for COVID. Read More

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Santa Clara County To Receive Moderna Vaccine In Addition To Pfizer
SAN JOSE — Santa Clara County now expects to get 39,300 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in December, in addition to doses of the Pfizer vaccine, public health officials announced Wednesday. The county had already expected to receive 17,550 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, contingent on emergency use authorization from the federal government. If the Moderna vaccine is similarly approved, the county will likely receive 39,300 doses of that vaccine later in December, according to public health officials. As is generally the case, the early doses of both vaccines will be made available to people in the highest risk categories, as defined by the federal government and State of California. These include people at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their work in direct health care or long-term care settings, and residents of long-term care facilities. Read More

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