Category Archives: News You Can use

Each year on April 17th, National Bat Appreciation Day reminds us of the roles bats play in our daily lives. April is also the best time of the year to observe bats, as they are now beginning to emerge from hibernation. The Bay Area … Continue reading →

Rainfall totals in Oakley for March 2021, from the unofficial Romick rain gauge, was 0.51″. The average for March 2.09″ putting us at 48% of normal for the year.

With the U.S. gaining 379,000 jobs in February and the national unemployment rate at 6.2% compared to the nearly historic high of 14.7% at the peak during the coronavirus pandemic, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Rates … Continue reading →

Americans have looked at taxes with especially high scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 74% think the government hasn’t handled their tax dollars wisely during this crisis, according to WalletHub’s Taxpayer Survey. We do know, however, that taxpayer return on … Continue reading →

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s finances, around 145 million Americans say they cannot afford another year like 2020, according to WalletHub’s new Coronavirus Money Survey, released today. This survey illustrates some of the ways in which … Continue reading →

  The countdown is nearly over to the first day of spring – which is marked in the northern hemisphere by the Vernal Equinox. It means the daffodils are turning the parks yellow, blossom is lacing the trees and Easter … Continue reading →

Excerpts from the Executive Summary California’s drought between Water Years 2012 and 2016 was one of the most severe in state history. A string of five dry winters left some rural communities without water, interrupted surface water deliveries to some … Continue reading →

BY LAURENCE DU SAULTMARCH 12, 2021 in CalMatters California’s electricity prices are among the highest in the country, new research says, and those costs are falling disproportionately on a customer base that’s already struggling to pay their bills. PG&E customers pay about 80% … Continue reading →

Caltrans is reminding motorists the Paintersville Bridge will remain closed through April 2. Adverse weather conditions could delay the reopening date. Signage has been placed at the bridge and motorists are encouraged to use the Steamboat or Walnut Grove Bridges … Continue reading →

The average daily number of new cases in Contra Costa has fallen enough that California today moved the county from the purple tier to the red tier of its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, effective Sunday, March 14. Contra Costa was … Continue reading →

Daylight saving time 2021 begins at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 14, meaning you’ll set your clock to 3 a.m. at that point. Contrary to popular opinion, daylight saving time doesn’t last for half the year. Rather, it stretches approximately eight months and … Continue reading →

With Tax Day looming and 74% of people disapproving of how the government has used tax dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic, WalletHub today released its 2021 Taxpayer Survey, as well as its yearly report on the States with the Highest & Lowest … Continue reading →

Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay will close eight local stores and layoff dozens of employees, the nonprofit announced over the weekend. Describing the closures as the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, the nonprofit will shutter stores in … Continue reading →

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has directed the state’s three largest investor-owned utilities to make sure they have contracts in place for enough energy resources that can be used if California has more extreme weather similar to the record-setting … Continue reading →

Rainfall totals in Oakley for February 2021, from the unofficial Romick rain gauge, was 0.45″. The average for February 2.36″ putting us at 54% of normal for the year.

From the Assembly The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2022 Here’s the Press release Here’s the actual bond language (AB 1500) It will require a 2/3rds vote of the legislature … Continue reading →

Each year, the average American household spends $2,471 on real-estate property taxes plus another $442 for residents of the 27 states with vehicle property taxes. With such high costs, it’s no surprise that more than $14 billion in property taxes … Continue reading →