City officials in Fortuna and Rio Dell are raising concerns about PG&E’s inability to provide new electric hookups in the Eel River Valley, leaving major economic development plans in the lurch and putting future projects, including new housing, at risk. Fortuna City Manager Meritt Perry said he is bringing the issue before the City Council […]
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Will COVID Sick Leave Return to California?
Labor unions and their Democratic allies in the Legislature want to bring back extra paid sick leave for COVID-19. Gov. Gavin Newsom is also proposing to revive supplemental leave in his budget. But as with so much else in the pandemic, it’s not a simple proposition. There’s opposition from powerful business groups. And key details […]
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Here’s What’s Ahead for California Businesses in 2022
Clogged supply chains. Hiring struggles. New mask rules. A virus that trampled right over return-to-work schedules. Last year was chaotic for many businesses across California. What does 2022 hold? Layered on top of pandemic uncertainty is the question of what policymakers might do for — and to — businesses. “2022 is going to be a […]
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High COVID Case Counts Being Reported by Schools, Youth Sports, Businesses in the Greater Fortuna Area
A group of ZIP codes encompassing parts of Fortuna, Carlotta, Rio Dell, Scotia and Hydesville are showing an “unusually high number” COVID-19 cases being reported by schools, youth sports leagues and businesses over the last few weeks, according to Humboldt County Public Health. The specific ZIP codes that have had 60 percent more cases than […]
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Free COVID-19 Rapid Testing Kits Available
Humboldt County Public Health announced this afternoon that organizations and businesses will be eligible to receive COVID-19 rapid antigen tests at no cost through California’s Testing Task Force. According to the TTF, antigen tests, which give results within 15 to 30 minutes, are most useful for routine testing of a workplace, entry into a gathering […]
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State Slated to Reopen in Mid-June, Humboldt Moves to Orange Tier
Humboldt County has been moved into the state’s “orange,” or moderate COVID-19 risk ranking, after long stays in the more restrictive “red” and “purple” tiers. The new status will allow more business sectors open and expand indoor operations capacity for restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, places of worship and other organizations. (Find more information here.) The […]
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Humboldt Still Seeing Red; County had been Prepared to Stall Move to Purple COVID-19 Risk Tier
Humboldt County will continue to remain in the “substantial” or red COVID-19 risk tier for at least another week in what was apparently a close call. State data released at noon shows a local case positivity rate of 2.3 percent and 6.6 cases per 100,000 compared to the California average of a 2.8 percent positivity […]
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COVID Tip Line Busy
Nearly six months into the COVID-19 pandemic the Humboldt County tip line, dubbed the “snitch” line by some, is proving to be a useful tool in coaxing compliance from residents and businesses regarding the ever-changing state and local health department orders. “We had a real spike in calls a few weeks ago when the state […]
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Newsom Releases ‘Playbook’ to Help Businesses Navigate COVID-19
Gov. Gavin Newsom has released a state “employer playbook” that will assist employers with in-depth guidance to navigate reopening and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace, the county Joint Information Center said in a release. The playbook includes detailed information to support employers with identifying cases, communicating about positive cases to their employees and […]
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Supes to Consider Creating a Business Grant Program, LoCO reports
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will be presented next week with a proposed budget for spending around $13 million in CARES Act funding it received, Lost Coast Outpost reports. According to the article, included in the proposal is the development of a “Business Restart and Recovery Program” to distribute grants to local businesses that […]
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Tens of Millions in PPP Loans Flow into Humboldt
An across-the-board collection of hundreds of Humboldt County companies and nonprofits were among the recipients of a federal loan program meant to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Small Business Administration. The information, which we sorted by Humboldt County ZIP codes, shows tens of […]
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More Businesses Set to Reopen Friday with Certified Reopening Plan
Humboldt County Public Health Officer Teresa Frankovich announced that businesses in industry sectors with state-provided guidance, gyms and fitness centers, zoos, museums, wineries, breweries, bars, movie theaters and entertainment venues can begin reopening on Friday once their reopening plan is certified by the Emergency Operations Center. According to the release, at the Board of Supervisors […]