Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Trump Impeached by House (With Video of Huffman's Floor Speech)
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM
North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman joined a majority of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting to impeach President Donald Trump today, making him the third president in the nation’s history to face forced removal from office.
Today’s vote means Trump will now face a trial in the Senate on two articles of impeachment, one for abusing the power of his office and another for obstructing Congress. The first charge stems from Trump’s alleged plot to leverage $391 in Congressionally approved security aid and the promise of a White House visit to pressure the new president of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden (then the Democratic frontrunner for 2020) and unfounded allegations that it was Ukraine, and not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 election. The second charge stems from the administration’s refusal to reply with Congressional subpoenas by ordering witnesses not to testify in the House impeachment inquiry and not to respond to subpoenas seeking a swath of documents.
Republicans have decried Democrats' impeachment inquiry as a partisan process with a predetermined outcome. And while they largely don't dispute that the president exerted pressure on Ukraine they argue he didn't do anything improper, as aide was ultimately released without the announcement of any investigations.
Prior to the historic vote, which fell almost entirely along party lines, each representative was given one minute on the floor to address the issue. Huffman, who has been a strident, vocal and longstanding advocate of impeachment, said today’s vote will be judged by future generations.
“Historians will study what members of this Congress did when our democracy was tested like never before by a president who put personal interests above country; who compromised national security to cheat his way to re-election; and when caught, not only lied and refused to admit wrongdoing, but flouted Congress’ authority,” Huffman said. “He even called the Constitutional impeachment mechanism ‘unconstitutional.’
“Historians will marvel how some members continued to stand by this man; how they put blind partisan loyalty – or fear of Donald Trump – above their duty to defend the Constitution; how they made absurd partisan arguments and tried to obstruct these proceedings; and how, instead of pushing back when their party fell under a dark spell of authoritarianism, they embraced it – as if the Constitution, the rule of law, and our oath of office mean nothing.
“So, Madam Speaker, for our future generations, our children, and the judgment of history, let me be clear: I stand with our Constitution, with the rule of law and our democracy. I’ll be voting ‘yes’ to impeach Donald J. Trump.”
After the floor speech, Huffman told the Journal it was his “best attempt to explain” to constituents why he’s supporting this “extraordinary step.” Describing the tone on the House floor as very solemn, Huffman invoked the words of Thomas Paine, saying, “The times have found us,” adding, “I think that’s exactly where we find ourselves right now.”
Huffman’s predecessor Representative Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), who represented the North Coast for 14 years before redistricting changed the district boundaries and has been much more restrained on the subject of impeachment, also offered a floor speech this afternoon. Thompson used his minute at the dais to stress that he sees this as a national security issue.
“As a combat veteran and having served eight years on the intelligence committee, I understand the threat that foreign actors can play in our elections,” Thompson said. “It was abuse of power by the president to ask a foreign nation to interfere in our election to benefit his personal and political interest, and to condition bipartisan Congressionally approved aid on that interference. Unchecked, these acts could lead us down a path that will unravel the fabric of our nation. I’m sadden we’re here today but in the interest of defending our nation, I will vote for the articles of impeachment.”
See text and video of the full floor speeches from both representatives below.
Today’s vote means Trump will now face a trial in the Senate on two articles of impeachment, one for abusing the power of his office and another for obstructing Congress. The first charge stems from Trump’s alleged plot to leverage $391 in Congressionally approved security aid and the promise of a White House visit to pressure the new president of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden (then the Democratic frontrunner for 2020) and unfounded allegations that it was Ukraine, and not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 election. The second charge stems from the administration’s refusal to reply with Congressional subpoenas by ordering witnesses not to testify in the House impeachment inquiry and not to respond to subpoenas seeking a swath of documents.
Republicans have decried Democrats' impeachment inquiry as a partisan process with a predetermined outcome. And while they largely don't dispute that the president exerted pressure on Ukraine they argue he didn't do anything improper, as aide was ultimately released without the announcement of any investigations.
Prior to the historic vote, which fell almost entirely along party lines, each representative was given one minute on the floor to address the issue. Huffman, who has been a strident, vocal and longstanding advocate of impeachment, said today’s vote will be judged by future generations.
“Historians will study what members of this Congress did when our democracy was tested like never before by a president who put personal interests above country; who compromised national security to cheat his way to re-election; and when caught, not only lied and refused to admit wrongdoing, but flouted Congress’ authority,” Huffman said. “He even called the Constitutional impeachment mechanism ‘unconstitutional.’
“Historians will marvel how some members continued to stand by this man; how they put blind partisan loyalty – or fear of Donald Trump – above their duty to defend the Constitution; how they made absurd partisan arguments and tried to obstruct these proceedings; and how, instead of pushing back when their party fell under a dark spell of authoritarianism, they embraced it – as if the Constitution, the rule of law, and our oath of office mean nothing.
“So, Madam Speaker, for our future generations, our children, and the judgment of history, let me be clear: I stand with our Constitution, with the rule of law and our democracy. I’ll be voting ‘yes’ to impeach Donald J. Trump.”
After the floor speech, Huffman told the Journal it was his “best attempt to explain” to constituents why he’s supporting this “extraordinary step.” Describing the tone on the House floor as very solemn, Huffman invoked the words of Thomas Paine, saying, “The times have found us,” adding, “I think that’s exactly where we find ourselves right now.”
Huffman’s predecessor Representative Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), who represented the North Coast for 14 years before redistricting changed the district boundaries and has been much more restrained on the subject of impeachment, also offered a floor speech this afternoon. Thompson used his minute at the dais to stress that he sees this as a national security issue.
“As a combat veteran and having served eight years on the intelligence committee, I understand the threat that foreign actors can play in our elections,” Thompson said. “It was abuse of power by the president to ask a foreign nation to interfere in our election to benefit his personal and political interest, and to condition bipartisan Congressionally approved aid on that interference. Unchecked, these acts could lead us down a path that will unravel the fabric of our nation. I’m sadden we’re here today but in the interest of defending our nation, I will vote for the articles of impeachment.”
See text and video of the full floor speeches from both representatives below.
UPDATE: Good News: Sailboat Thought to be Adrift Makes Eureka Landing With the Owner
Posted By Kimberly Wear and Kym Kemp on Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 1:28 PM
UPDATE:
Robert Dorris of Eureka, who had been considered missing after his ship, the Free Spirit, was found underway off Fort Bragg last night with what appeared to be no crew aboard, sailed into Humboldt Bay this afternoon and docked his vessel.
Britni Anderson. who works at the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, sent Redheaded Blackbelt a photo and said in an email, “The … Free Spirit just pulled into Woodley Island Marina. Robert is soaking wet and exhausted but he’s okay.”
The Redheaded Blackbelt was unable to reach Mr. Dorris, but Anderson said, “It was a really rough trip from SF to here. He took two big waves over the boat. His radio went out. It was so rough he was hiding out down below so the coast guard didn’t see him and Robert couldn’t hear them.”
PREVIOUS:
The Coast Guard is asking for the public’s help in trying to find information after a 40-foot sailboat was found underway in the ocean off of Fort Bragg last night without anyone on board.
According to a release, the Free Spirit was recently sold to Eureka resident Robert Dorris, who had planned to sail from San Francisco to Humboldt Bay.
The Coast Guard is asking any one with information to contact Sector Humboldt Bay at 839-6113.
Robert Dorris of Eureka, who had been considered missing after his ship, the Free Spirit, was found underway off Fort Bragg last night with what appeared to be no crew aboard, sailed into Humboldt Bay this afternoon and docked his vessel.
Britni Anderson. who works at the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, sent Redheaded Blackbelt a photo and said in an email, “The … Free Spirit just pulled into Woodley Island Marina. Robert is soaking wet and exhausted but he’s okay.”
The Redheaded Blackbelt was unable to reach Mr. Dorris, but Anderson said, “It was a really rough trip from SF to here. He took two big waves over the boat. His radio went out. It was so rough he was hiding out down below so the coast guard didn’t see him and Robert couldn’t hear them.”
PREVIOUS:
The Coast Guard is asking for the public’s help in trying to find information after a 40-foot sailboat was found underway in the ocean off of Fort Bragg last night without anyone on board.
According to a release, the Free Spirit was recently sold to Eureka resident Robert Dorris, who had planned to sail from San Francisco to Humboldt Bay.
The Coast Guard is asking any one with information to contact Sector Humboldt Bay at 839-6113.
Double-fatal Crash Closes 101 at Benbow
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 11:26 AM
A double-fatal crash on U.S. Highway 101 south of Benbow Drive at 9:20 a.m. today has traffic being diverted off the highway in both directions.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a white sedan traveling northbound crossed into southbound traffic for unknown reasons and collided head-on with a gray hatchback. The vehicles came to rest partially blocking both southbound lanes.
Both drivers — the vehicles' sole occupants — were pronounced dead at the scene but officials have not yet released their identities.
See the full press release from CHP copied below:
According to the California Highway Patrol, a white sedan traveling northbound crossed into southbound traffic for unknown reasons and collided head-on with a gray hatchback. The vehicles came to rest partially blocking both southbound lanes.
Both drivers — the vehicles' sole occupants — were pronounced dead at the scene but officials have not yet released their identities.
See the full press release from CHP copied below:
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Why the Supes Denied Terra-Gen's Wind Project, Despite a Series of 11th Hour Concessions from the Company
Posted By Thadeus Greenson and Elaine Weinreb on Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 8:27 PM
With Humboldt County supervisors Rex Bohn and Virginia Bass having indicated they would support controversial plans to erect a wind farm on Monument and Bear River ridges south of Rio Dell, and supervisors Steve Madrone and Estelle Fennell having indicated they would not, Supervisor Mike Wilson was left as the swing vote.
Obviously deeply conflicted at the end of a marathon 16-hour meeting spread over two days that were punctuated by emotional testimony and the occasional outburst, Wilson was still clearly trying to get to yes. Torn between the realities of the climate crisis and a project that promised to deliver 56 percent of Humboldt County’s electricity load from 47 wind turbines — but planned to do so by placing 20 of them on Bear River Ridge, desecrating a sacred ancestral prayer site of the Wiyot Tribe known as Tsakiyuwit — Wilson first asked if the project would be viable if moved entirely to Monument Ridge.
Randy Hoyle, senior vice president and chief development officer of Terra-Gen, the company proposing the project, replied that the company had already crunched the numbers on that alternative and it wasn’t feasible.
“I understand the extreme sensitivity of this but, from a commercial standpoint, remove the turbines from Bear River Ridge and this project will not be built,” he said.
Wilson said that was the sticking point for him. He wanted to support the project but couldn’t do so if it meant adding to the generational trauma suffered by Wiyot tribal members, whose ancestors had been victims of an attempted genocide, by forever altering a “culturally important” landscape.
“From my perspective, this is a heavy and horrible place to be at this moment,” Wilson said, lamenting that the Wiyot Tribe had brought up the sacred nature of the site months ago when commenting on the project’s environmental impact report, yet apparently little had been done to bring them to the table to find a workable solution. Now, as he flailed to find one, the tribe didn’t have a seat the table. “It’s somewhat patronizing that we’re having this conversation without the impacted peoples — I apologize for that. This is terrible. I’m crying. Seriously.”
Hoyle then responded, saying he’d felt the “sensitivity of the issue,” as well, floating a potential solution. He said the projected local sales and property tax revenues from the project — a total of $9.8 million over the span of its 30-year lease that many considered one of the project’s more tantalizing carrots from the county’s perspective — could be redirected to “certain affected people” at the board’s discretion.
“I think along with that … we are willing to put aside and fund an endowment, and we’ll call it a community endowment, prior to the start of construction for the board to distribute at its full discretion,” Hoyle said, adding that the company was then and there pledging $1 million to go into the endowment to be dispersed as the board sees fit. “That is something the applicant is willing to consider.”
Seemingly a bit surprised at what he’d just heard, Bohn, the board chair, mused that he knows “sacred sites are not for sale” and called Wiyot Tribal elder Cheryl Seidner to the podium to offer a response on behalf of the tribe.
“There’s not enough money to do that,” Seidner said, addressing her comments directly to Terra-Gen’s representatives. “You would not sell your mother, we cannot sell our earth. And I don’t mean to be disrespectful. You don’t know where Indigenous peoples come from. We come from here. We come from the earth.”
Obviously deeply conflicted at the end of a marathon 16-hour meeting spread over two days that were punctuated by emotional testimony and the occasional outburst, Wilson was still clearly trying to get to yes. Torn between the realities of the climate crisis and a project that promised to deliver 56 percent of Humboldt County’s electricity load from 47 wind turbines — but planned to do so by placing 20 of them on Bear River Ridge, desecrating a sacred ancestral prayer site of the Wiyot Tribe known as Tsakiyuwit — Wilson first asked if the project would be viable if moved entirely to Monument Ridge.
Randy Hoyle, senior vice president and chief development officer of Terra-Gen, the company proposing the project, replied that the company had already crunched the numbers on that alternative and it wasn’t feasible.
“I understand the extreme sensitivity of this but, from a commercial standpoint, remove the turbines from Bear River Ridge and this project will not be built,” he said.
Wilson said that was the sticking point for him. He wanted to support the project but couldn’t do so if it meant adding to the generational trauma suffered by Wiyot tribal members, whose ancestors had been victims of an attempted genocide, by forever altering a “culturally important” landscape.
“From my perspective, this is a heavy and horrible place to be at this moment,” Wilson said, lamenting that the Wiyot Tribe had brought up the sacred nature of the site months ago when commenting on the project’s environmental impact report, yet apparently little had been done to bring them to the table to find a workable solution. Now, as he flailed to find one, the tribe didn’t have a seat the table. “It’s somewhat patronizing that we’re having this conversation without the impacted peoples — I apologize for that. This is terrible. I’m crying. Seriously.”
Hoyle then responded, saying he’d felt the “sensitivity of the issue,” as well, floating a potential solution. He said the projected local sales and property tax revenues from the project — a total of $9.8 million over the span of its 30-year lease that many considered one of the project’s more tantalizing carrots from the county’s perspective — could be redirected to “certain affected people” at the board’s discretion.
“I think along with that … we are willing to put aside and fund an endowment, and we’ll call it a community endowment, prior to the start of construction for the board to distribute at its full discretion,” Hoyle said, adding that the company was then and there pledging $1 million to go into the endowment to be dispersed as the board sees fit. “That is something the applicant is willing to consider.”
Seemingly a bit surprised at what he’d just heard, Bohn, the board chair, mused that he knows “sacred sites are not for sale” and called Wiyot Tribal elder Cheryl Seidner to the podium to offer a response on behalf of the tribe.
“There’s not enough money to do that,” Seidner said, addressing her comments directly to Terra-Gen’s representatives. “You would not sell your mother, we cannot sell our earth. And I don’t mean to be disrespectful. You don’t know where Indigenous peoples come from. We come from here. We come from the earth.”
Divided Board Votes Down Wind Project
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 3:42 PM
Clearly conflicted individually and collectively, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to reject controversial plans to build a wind farm project on Monument and Bear River ridges south of Rio Dell.
The vote, which saw supervisors Virginia Bass and Rex Bohn support the project and the balance of the board reject it, came at the conclusion of a more than 16-hour meeting spread over two days that included public comment from hundreds of residents.
A short round of applause followed the vote.
The project, which would have seen 47 600-foot-high wind turbines placed on Bear River and Monument ridges south of Rio Dell and Scotia, was projected to provide enough electricity to supply 56 percent of Humboldt County’s demand. Proponents argued that not only was the project a necessary step to combat the global climate crisis, but it would also be an economic boon to the area, creating 300 construction jobs and 15 permanent positions, while generating millions of dollars in property tax revenue for the county over its 30-year life.
Opponents, meanwhile, argued the project was little more than a green-washed money grab that would harm local bird populations, clear-cut miles of forest, damage a biologically diverse coastal prairie and desecrate a sacred Wiyot prayer site.
The project was officially opposed by the city of Rio Dell, the town of Scotia, the Wiyot Tribe and the Yurok Tribe. It was endorsed by the city of Eureka, the Humboldt Del Norte Building and Construction Trades union and the county planning department, which recommended the board find there were overriding concerns present that trumped the unmitigable environmental impacts that would accompany the project.
After the 3-2 vote described above, staff told the board a passing vote was needed to make the denial official, so a motion was made to flatly reject the project. It passed 4-1, with Bass having joined the majority. She offered no explanation for the shift in position.
Check back for a full report on the marathon meeting.
The vote, which saw supervisors Virginia Bass and Rex Bohn support the project and the balance of the board reject it, came at the conclusion of a more than 16-hour meeting spread over two days that included public comment from hundreds of residents.
A short round of applause followed the vote.
The project, which would have seen 47 600-foot-high wind turbines placed on Bear River and Monument ridges south of Rio Dell and Scotia, was projected to provide enough electricity to supply 56 percent of Humboldt County’s demand. Proponents argued that not only was the project a necessary step to combat the global climate crisis, but it would also be an economic boon to the area, creating 300 construction jobs and 15 permanent positions, while generating millions of dollars in property tax revenue for the county over its 30-year life.
Opponents, meanwhile, argued the project was little more than a green-washed money grab that would harm local bird populations, clear-cut miles of forest, damage a biologically diverse coastal prairie and desecrate a sacred Wiyot prayer site.
The project was officially opposed by the city of Rio Dell, the town of Scotia, the Wiyot Tribe and the Yurok Tribe. It was endorsed by the city of Eureka, the Humboldt Del Norte Building and Construction Trades union and the county planning department, which recommended the board find there were overriding concerns present that trumped the unmitigable environmental impacts that would accompany the project.
After the 3-2 vote described above, staff told the board a passing vote was needed to make the denial official, so a motion was made to flatly reject the project. It passed 4-1, with Bass having joined the majority. She offered no explanation for the shift in position.
Check back for a full report on the marathon meeting.
Snowy Weather Forecast for Wednesday
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 1:45 PM
After a brief break in weather, the winter season is rolling in with gusto this week, including a dusting of snow forecast for Wednesday morning that could cause travel delays on State Route 36 at the South Fork Mountain Summit and State Route 299 at Buckhorn Summit, according to the National Weather Service’s Eureka office.
One to two inches of the white stuff is predicted in areas above 2,500 feet.
Meanwhile, the rest of region is going to be wet as periods of rain arrive mid-week, with heavy rain expected to pass through beginning Wednesday night through Thursday followed by a break on Friday and then another round of rain.
According to the weather service, a cold front will be moving through the area on Saturday, possibly with heavy rain as well.
One to two inches of the white stuff is predicted in areas above 2,500 feet.
Meanwhile, the rest of region is going to be wet as periods of rain arrive mid-week, with heavy rain expected to pass through beginning Wednesday night through Thursday followed by a break on Friday and then another round of rain.
According to the weather service, a cold front will be moving through the area on Saturday, possibly with heavy rain as well.
Monday, December 16, 2019
UPDATE: Covered California Has Extended Deadline to Friday, Officials Say New Subsidies and Eligibility Requirements Are Available
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Mon, Dec 16, 2019 at 12:56 PM
UPDATE:
The state has extended the deadline to sign up and receive Covered California coverage beginning Jan. 1 until Friday due to a surge in enrollment.
According to a press release, “Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage” beginning late last week.
“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s enrollment period is more important than before,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “Sign up now and you may be eligible for new financial help that is available for the first time, and you can avoid the possibility of paying a significant penalty for not being covered.”
The full Covered California release on the extension can be found at the bottom of the story.
PREVIOUS:
If you want to sign up for health insurance through Covered California and enter 2020 insured, you’re running out of time.
The Dec. 15 deadline (extended to Dec. 20) to sign up in time to start the New Year with coverage is approaching and state officials are reminding California residents without health insurance that they will face a penalty next year. While Congress reduced the penalty for failing to get insured under the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act, the California Legislature enacted its own version this year, meaning residents who don’t have health insurance next year could face penalties of up to $695 per person.
But the looming penalties promise to bring more people into the insurance pool, which will reduce costs, said Covered California spokesperson James Scullary. Rates for next year are only going up 0.8 percent statewide, Scullary said, the lowest rate change in the program’s history. And in Humboldt County, he said, the average rate change is a 1.7-percent reduction.
There are also more subsidies available than in previous years, Scullary said, and they are available to a wider swath of customers.
Customers who make less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level — which equates to about $49,960 for an individual or $103,000 for a family of four — on average receive subsidies that cover 80 percent of their insurance costs, Scullary said. Further, he said individuals making up to $75,000 and families of four with incomes up to $154,000 are now eligible.
Scullary said he’s heard from lots of people in Humboldt County who assumed they were ineligible for Covered California and/or subsidies because that was the case a couple of years ago.
“We’re really encouraging them to check again because things have changed substantially,” he said. “That could make a big difference in people’s lives.”
To find out if you’re eligible, visit www.coveredcalifornia.com or call (800) 300-1506. Scullary said the website also has a tool that allows people to anonymously enter their zip code, household income and ages of household residents in order to see the assortment of plans available and what federal and state subsidies may be available.
Open enrollment for Covered California extends through Jan. 31, though, again, customers must sign up by Dec. 15 to be insured by Jan. 1. As of March, Scullary said about 5,900 Humboldt County residents were enrolled in the program.
Read the Covered California release below:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to a strong surge in enrollment, Covered California extended the deadline for consumers to sign up for health insurance that would start on Jan. 1. They will now have through Friday, Dec. 20, to sign up and have their coverage go into effect on New Year’s Day.
“Covered California is still open for business and making sure consumers can have a health plan in place on Jan. 1,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Covered California is putting consumers first, making sure they have time to find the plan that best fits their needs.”
Beginning late last week, Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s enrollment period is more important than before,” Lee said. “Sign up now and you may be eligible for new financial help that is available for the first time, and you can avoid the possibility of paying a significant penalty for not being covered.”
Governor Gavin Newsom Amplifies Message
Governor Newsom took to social media this weekend to help remind all Californians they can get help paying for their health insurance. In this Twitter video, the governor used the holiday season as a way to spread the news about the first in the nation state subsidies that are available and that Californians have until the end of Friday to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1.
Restoring the Individual Mandate
California lawmakers put two new policies in place for 2020 that were designed to encourage enrollment and lower costs.
First, they restored the individual mandate penalty that was part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from 2014 to 2018, meaning consumers who do not get covered could face a penalty when they file their 2020 taxes in the spring of 2021.
For those facing a penalty, a family of four would pay at least $2,000, and potentially more, for not having health insurance throughout 2020.
Covered California is working with the Franchise Tax Board, which will administer the penalty, to alert Californians about the new law and reduce the number of uninsured people in our state.
New State Subsidies
The second new policy for 2020 is new financial help for eligible Californians that will lower the cost of their coverage. Last week, Covered California announced that nearly 500,000 people who had already signed up for coverage in 2020 will be receiving the new subsidies.
On average, consumers between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will receive $21 per household, per month on top of their federal tax credits. Meanwhile, for the first time in the nation, people who earn between 400 and 600 percent of the federal poverty level will be receiving an average of $460 per month, per household.
“California will be making history this year, becoming the first state in the nation to make coverage more affordable for middle-income people like small-businesses owners and entrepreneurs,” Lee said. “If you have checked Covered California out before, check again, because you could be eligible for new financial help that will lower the cost of your coverage by hundreds of dollars a month.”
Getting Help Enrolling
Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage into Covered California’s Shop and Compare Tool.
Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can:
Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
Get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.
Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.
Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
California’s open-enrollment period continues through Jan. 31, 2020, but people who enroll after Dec. 20 will have their coverage start Feb. 1.
Residents of Minnesota, Rhode Island, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and the District of Columbia should visit www.HealthCare.gov to be directed to their state exchange to enroll. Enrollment in Idaho’s health exchange ends today.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
The state has extended the deadline to sign up and receive Covered California coverage beginning Jan. 1 until Friday due to a surge in enrollment.
According to a press release, “Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage” beginning late last week.
“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s enrollment period is more important than before,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “Sign up now and you may be eligible for new financial help that is available for the first time, and you can avoid the possibility of paying a significant penalty for not being covered.”
The full Covered California release on the extension can be found at the bottom of the story.
PREVIOUS:
If you want to sign up for health insurance through Covered California and enter 2020 insured, you’re running out of time.
The Dec. 15 deadline (extended to Dec. 20) to sign up in time to start the New Year with coverage is approaching and state officials are reminding California residents without health insurance that they will face a penalty next year. While Congress reduced the penalty for failing to get insured under the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act, the California Legislature enacted its own version this year, meaning residents who don’t have health insurance next year could face penalties of up to $695 per person.
But the looming penalties promise to bring more people into the insurance pool, which will reduce costs, said Covered California spokesperson James Scullary. Rates for next year are only going up 0.8 percent statewide, Scullary said, the lowest rate change in the program’s history. And in Humboldt County, he said, the average rate change is a 1.7-percent reduction.
There are also more subsidies available than in previous years, Scullary said, and they are available to a wider swath of customers.
Customers who make less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level — which equates to about $49,960 for an individual or $103,000 for a family of four — on average receive subsidies that cover 80 percent of their insurance costs, Scullary said. Further, he said individuals making up to $75,000 and families of four with incomes up to $154,000 are now eligible.
Scullary said he’s heard from lots of people in Humboldt County who assumed they were ineligible for Covered California and/or subsidies because that was the case a couple of years ago.
“We’re really encouraging them to check again because things have changed substantially,” he said. “That could make a big difference in people’s lives.”
To find out if you’re eligible, visit www.coveredcalifornia.com or call (800) 300-1506. Scullary said the website also has a tool that allows people to anonymously enter their zip code, household income and ages of household residents in order to see the assortment of plans available and what federal and state subsidies may be available.
Open enrollment for Covered California extends through Jan. 31, though, again, customers must sign up by Dec. 15 to be insured by Jan. 1. As of March, Scullary said about 5,900 Humboldt County residents were enrolled in the program.
Read the Covered California release below:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to a strong surge in enrollment, Covered California extended the deadline for consumers to sign up for health insurance that would start on Jan. 1. They will now have through Friday, Dec. 20, to sign up and have their coverage go into effect on New Year’s Day.
“Covered California is still open for business and making sure consumers can have a health plan in place on Jan. 1,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Covered California is putting consumers first, making sure they have time to find the plan that best fits their needs.”
Beginning late last week, Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s enrollment period is more important than before,” Lee said. “Sign up now and you may be eligible for new financial help that is available for the first time, and you can avoid the possibility of paying a significant penalty for not being covered.”
Governor Gavin Newsom Amplifies Message
Governor Newsom took to social media this weekend to help remind all Californians they can get help paying for their health insurance. In this Twitter video, the governor used the holiday season as a way to spread the news about the first in the nation state subsidies that are available and that Californians have until the end of Friday to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1.
Restoring the Individual Mandate
California lawmakers put two new policies in place for 2020 that were designed to encourage enrollment and lower costs.
First, they restored the individual mandate penalty that was part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from 2014 to 2018, meaning consumers who do not get covered could face a penalty when they file their 2020 taxes in the spring of 2021.
For those facing a penalty, a family of four would pay at least $2,000, and potentially more, for not having health insurance throughout 2020.
Covered California is working with the Franchise Tax Board, which will administer the penalty, to alert Californians about the new law and reduce the number of uninsured people in our state.
New State Subsidies
The second new policy for 2020 is new financial help for eligible Californians that will lower the cost of their coverage. Last week, Covered California announced that nearly 500,000 people who had already signed up for coverage in 2020 will be receiving the new subsidies.
On average, consumers between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will receive $21 per household, per month on top of their federal tax credits. Meanwhile, for the first time in the nation, people who earn between 400 and 600 percent of the federal poverty level will be receiving an average of $460 per month, per household.
“California will be making history this year, becoming the first state in the nation to make coverage more affordable for middle-income people like small-businesses owners and entrepreneurs,” Lee said. “If you have checked Covered California out before, check again, because you could be eligible for new financial help that will lower the cost of your coverage by hundreds of dollars a month.”
Getting Help Enrolling
Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage into Covered California’s Shop and Compare Tool.
Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can:
Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
Get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.
Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.
Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
California’s open-enrollment period continues through Jan. 31, 2020, but people who enroll after Dec. 20 will have their coverage start Feb. 1.
Residents of Minnesota, Rhode Island, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and the District of Columbia should visit www.HealthCare.gov to be directed to their state exchange to enroll. Enrollment in Idaho’s health exchange ends today.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
EPD Investigation: Fatal Hit-and-Run on Broadway
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Dec 16, 2019 at 11:30 AM
The Eureka Police Department is looking for the driver of at least one vehicle that is believed to have fatally struck a woman crossing Broadway just south of 14th Street after 8 p.m. on Sunday and left the scene without stopping.
According to EPD, witnesses said Ashley Madonia, 36, was hit while she walked outside of the crosswalk. Officers who arrived began life-saving efforts, which were continued by Humboldt Bay Fire and City Ambulance personnel. She was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The vehicles believed to be involved were described as a white, newer model lifted Chevrolet Silverado and a gray or silver mid-2000s model four-door sedan.
EPD said Madonia’s family has been notified.
The investigation into her death is active and EPD is asking anyone with information to contact Senior Detective Amber Cosetti at [email protected] or (707) 441-4315.
Read the EPD release below:
According to EPD, witnesses said Ashley Madonia, 36, was hit while she walked outside of the crosswalk. Officers who arrived began life-saving efforts, which were continued by Humboldt Bay Fire and City Ambulance personnel. She was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The vehicles believed to be involved were described as a white, newer model lifted Chevrolet Silverado and a gray or silver mid-2000s model four-door sedan.
EPD said Madonia’s family has been notified.
The investigation into her death is active and EPD is asking anyone with information to contact Senior Detective Amber Cosetti at [email protected] or (707) 441-4315.
Read the EPD release below:
HSU Student Surfing in Rough Conditions Rescued by Coasties (with Video)
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Dec 16, 2019 at 11:16 AM
A Coast Guard helicopter crew plucked to safety an exhausted surfer who was being swept into the rocks near Moonstone Beach by high surf around 2 p.m. Sunday.
The 20-year-old Humboldt State University student was flown to the Arcata-Eureka airport in McKinleyville, where he was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and released.
According to the Coast Guard, Sector Humboldt Bay received a 911 call reporting a surfer in distress around 1:30 p.m. and arrived on scene to find California State Park Lifeguard Keven Harder — who helped train the young lifeguard and junior lifeguards who rescued two brothers off Trinidad State Beach last month — was in the water with him.
After making a determination that the surfer was too exhausted to make it back to shore, Harder signaled for the Coast Guard crew to send in the rescue swimmer, who hoisted Kris Nagel into the helicopter and Harder swam back to shore.
"The success of today's rescue can be directly traced to partnership and cooperation among first-response agencies,” said Lt. Thomas Cogley, the pilot in command of the Dolphin helicopter crew. "Despite the challenging conditions of breaking surf and underwater rocks, our regular training with the California State Park Lifeguards made the handoff from the lifeguard to the Coast Guard rescue swimmer seamless and expeditious."
Read the Coast Guard release below:
The 20-year-old Humboldt State University student was flown to the Arcata-Eureka airport in McKinleyville, where he was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and released.
According to the Coast Guard, Sector Humboldt Bay received a 911 call reporting a surfer in distress around 1:30 p.m. and arrived on scene to find California State Park Lifeguard Keven Harder — who helped train the young lifeguard and junior lifeguards who rescued two brothers off Trinidad State Beach last month — was in the water with him.
After making a determination that the surfer was too exhausted to make it back to shore, Harder signaled for the Coast Guard crew to send in the rescue swimmer, who hoisted Kris Nagel into the helicopter and Harder swam back to shore.
"The success of today's rescue can be directly traced to partnership and cooperation among first-response agencies,” said Lt. Thomas Cogley, the pilot in command of the Dolphin helicopter crew. "Despite the challenging conditions of breaking surf and underwater rocks, our regular training with the California State Park Lifeguards made the handoff from the lifeguard to the Coast Guard rescue swimmer seamless and expeditious."
Read the Coast Guard release below:
MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — The Coast Guard and a California State Park Lifeguard rescued a 20-year-old Humboldt State University student from being swept into a rocky shoreline near Moonstone Beach, Sunday afternoon.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay received a 911-dispatch call reporting a surfer being swept toward a rocky shoreline due to a combination of rough seas and the surfer's exhaustion.
Sector Humboldt Bay dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and issued an urgent marine information broadcast via VHF-FM channel 16.
The Dolphin crew arrived on-scene at approximately 2:00 p.m. and found California State Park Lifeguard, Keven Harder, was in the water and had established contact with the distressed surfer.
After it was determined that the swimmer was too fatigued to make it back to shore, Harder signaled the Dolphin crew to deploy their rescue swimmer to hoist the surfer. Once the surfer was hoisted, the Dolphin crew remained on scene until Harder was able to swim back to the beach.
The fatigued surfer, Kris Nagel, was taken to the California Redwood Coast - Humboldt County Airport and transferred to emergency medical services personnel who evaluated and released him.
“The success of today's rescue can be directly traced to partnership and cooperation among first-response agencies,” said Lt. Thomas Cogley, the pilot in command of the Dolphin helicopter crew. "Despite the challenging conditions of breaking surf and underwater rocks, our regular training with the California State Park Lifeguards made the handoff from the lifeguard to the Coast Guard rescue swimmer seamless and expeditious."
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Diverting Holiday Waste
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Sun, Dec 15, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Now that the holiday season has arrived, so has the waste generated by the festivities, from wrapping paper and plastic bows to dirty foil trays and more plastic packaging.
During this time of the year, Recology Humboldt’s Material Recovery Facility starts to collect about 25 percent more waste, says General Manager Linda Wise.
“Right now we’re seeing a lot of dirty foil and tin pans and Amazon plastic packaging as people are doing a lot of online shopping,” she says.
The waste-collection company especially sees a lot of wishful recycling — a term that describes people putting items in the recycling bins thinking that they're recyclable when they actually aren’t — especially with plastic film and bubble wrap, which impacts the entire recycling stream.
The more garbage recycling-collection companies process, the higher the costs will be for everyone in the recycling industry, which includes consumers paying for recycling, as workers now have to separate, bale and ship the garbage to landfills. MRFs do not clean our recyclables, so make sure that your rinse out any tin foil pans or they’ll contaminate other recyclables.
Non-recyclable holiday items that shouldn’t be placed in your recycling bin include wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbon and bows, and gift bags. All the holiday waste on top of the regular recycling produces a slower production line and forces workers to sort out more material.
According to Wise, contamination in the waste stream slows the line to about 12 tons per hour, which is a big difference from the line's normal run of 17 to 20 tons per hour.
“It’s amazing how much waste comes this time of the year,” Wise says. “We see a lot of it, that’s why we don’t take vacations. There’s a big waste generation.”
So be sure to place non recyclable items in the trash bin, because if they wind up at Recology’s MRF, they'll make things really complicated. Better yet, try different sustainable materials to wrap your gifts in.
Wise suggests gift givers opt for reusable produce bags as gift bags and newspaper comic strips for wrapping paper (with twine to add a little flare). She also suggests reducing the waste stream by reusing old Christmas cards or brown paper sacks as gift tags, and keeping ribbon to reuse over and over again. But the most important thing Wise emphasized is shopping local to support local businesses and avoid the online packaging that comes with online purchases.
“Buy a Christmas card from a local artist,” she suggested. “Instead of shopping online, shop locally, or instead, buy gift certificates for services like a massage or a pedicure.”
For more information on local recycling check out our past coverage here.
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