Category Archives: Benicia

#VOTE, 2020 elections, 2020 Presidential campaigns, Benicia, Benicia elections, Solano County CA, Solano County Registrar of Voters

In Benicia and Solano County new voters can REGISTER TO VOTE now or anytime, even at your polling place on Nov. 3

From “City of Benicia This Week” newsletter, October 26, 2020

Latest info from Solano County Registrar of Voters

The Solano County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is reminding residents that Tuesday, October 27 is the last day the ROV can mail ballots to voters for the November 3 General Election. Voters who have not yet received a ballot for this election should contact the ROV by or before Tuesday.

“Starting back on Monday, October 5, we’ve been busy mailing out ballots to the more than 258,000 registered voters here in Solano County,” said Tim Flanagan, Solano County Chief Information Officer and Registrar of Voters. “I want to remind everyone that after next Tuesday, October 27, all ballots must be picked up in-person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at a polling place on Election Day.”

The ROV has extended its office hours on Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to give voters additional time to register to vote. Voters who are still not registered by Election Day can visit any polling location for same-day registration, giving them the option to participate in the General Election.

The ROV encourages voters to take advantage of NO-CONTACT VOTING OPTIONS by using one of 16 secure ballot boxes located throughout the County. Starting on Thursday, October 29, an additional 10 curbside ballot drop-off locations will open, allowing voters a convenient and safe way to drop off their ballots. For more information, including ballot box and curbside drop-off locations, visit the ROV website at www.SolanoCounty.com/Elections and click the “Ballot Drop-Off Sites” and Curbside Drop-Off Sites links.

Early Voting is available at the Registrar of Voter’s Office, located at the Solano County Administration Center, 675 Texas St, Suite 2600, in Fairfield.

Details on voting options, polling locations and key election dates are all available on the Registrar of Voter’s website, www.SolanoCounty.com/Elections, by email at Elections@SolanoCounty.com and by phone at 707.784.6675.

Benicia, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Marin County CA, Napa County CA, Solano County CA

Should Benicia and Solano impose fines on COVID violators like Napa and Marin?

Coronavirus: Marin County votes to impose fines on violators of public health orders

Individuals can be fined up to $500 and businesses up to $10,000 — but the goal is to be educational, not punitive
A man leaves a restaurant with a take-out order in between outdoor eating tables at City Plaza on Fourth Street in San Rafael, Calif. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Mercury News, by Evan Webeck, July 22, 2020

Another North Bay county has the newfangled authority to fine anyone not wearing a mask or complying with social distancing protocols.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary measure to make violations of public health orders punishable by administrative fines, following in the footsteps of officials in Napa County, who put a similar measure in place last week.

The move authorizes city and county employees, as well as police officers, to cite businesses and individuals not complying with the orders, though the priority is first to intervene and educate. Depending on the severity and frequency of the violations, individuals can face fines between $25 and $500, while businesses can be fined between $250 and $10,000.

The policy suggests a “grace period” of up to 72 hours before an enforcement officer would issue a fine, but it doesn’t prevent a citation from being issued on the spot. It also does not eliminate the misdemeanor penalty that such violations were originally categorized as, but supervisors said that enforcement mechanism had rarely been used.

Officials’ goal is to move public health citations out of the lengthy legal system and allow to enforce the orders without levying a misdemeanor the heftier financial penalty that accompanies it.

“It was a pretty steep fine that police officers were reluctant to give,” County Administrator Matthew Hymel said during the virtual board meeting. “A lower-level fine, they’re more comfortable giving that out.”

In a staff report sent to the board recommending the measure, officials also emphasized Gov. Gavin Newsom’s threat to withhold federal stimulus funds — up to $26.5 million from Marin County — from counties that don’t follow the state guidelines.

The county also recently launched a new email address that residents can send complaints about businesses violating the public health orders. Supervisors said they had received about 60 responses since the tool launched last week.

The public can submit complaints to SIPViolation@MarinCounty.gov.

Benicia, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

ALERT: 7 new coronavirus cases and Solano County’s FIRST DEATH

UPDATE: See today’s latest information

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Solano County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates and Resources, April 1, 2020.  Check out basic information in this screenshot. IMPORTANT: Note the County’s interactive page has more.  On the County website, you can click on “Number of cases” and then hover over the charts for detailed information.

Yesterday:

Summary:

Solano County reported 7 NEW POSITIVE CASES today – total is now 61.  Today Solano County reported its FIRST DEATH.

As of today, 69 percent of positive cases were individuals between the ages of 19 and 64, and 31 percent were 65 were older.  23 of these are active cases (4 more than yesterday), and 22 of the total cases have resulted in hospitalizations (4 more than yesterday). The first reported case in Solano County was in Vacaville in February, which was also the first reported case in the United States of someone contracting the virus without having traveled abroad or knowingly come into contact with someone who tested positive.

Check out basic information in the screenshots here on Benicia Independent.  IMPORTANT: Note the County’s interactive page has more.  On the County website, you can click on “Number of cases” and then hover over the charts for detailed information.

The chart at right, “Cumulative number of cases…” gives a clear picture of the infection’s trajectory in Solano County.  Our coronavirus data curve is on a steep upward trajectory.  Everyone stay home and be safe!

Note:

Solano staff refuses to divulge WHERE in the County the positive cases reside.

Benicia, Benicia State Recreation Area, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia State Park remains open during COVID-19 pandemic

Editor: For info on ALL Bay Area parks, see KQED’s – “Check: Has COVID-19 Closed Your Bay Area Park?”
UPDATE as of March 31: As of yesterday the Benicia State Recreation Area is closed to all vehicular traffic.  The gate to the parking lot at the end of West K is closed.  Pedestrians and bikes can get through on the path by the gate.  At the west entrance to the park, sandwich boards are across the road blocking all traffic.  Again, walkers and cyclists are able to pass by.  The restrooms at the end of the road remain open. […Thanks to Nancy Lund]

Keeping a social distance

Vallejo Times-Herald, by Chris Riley, March 28, 2020

Despite restrictions in some parks, Benicia State remains opened on Thursday.

People enjoy the nice weather as they exercise while practicing social distancing at an open Benicia State Park on Thursday. CHRIS RILEY — TIMES-HERALD

In a move to prevent overcrowding that can quicken the spread of the coronavirus, two parks agencies in the East Bay and San Mateo County have announced new restrictions earlier this week at some parks.