Red Cross in great need of blood, platelet donors A3
It’s official: Robyn Stevens makes U.S. Olympic team B1 FRIday | July 2, 2021 | $1.00
dailyrepublic.com | Well said. Well read.
SUISUN CITY
Council adds police, fire staff in new $19M budget Amy Maginnis-Honey
amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net
Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2020)
Firefighters stand near a burning house from the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Vacaville, Aug. 19, 2020.
Fire districts Grand jury:
need immediate additional funding
Matt Miller
mmiller@dailyrepublic.net
FAIRFIELD — The 2020-21 Solano County civil grand jury has found that local fire protection districts are understaffed, under-equipped and underfunded to protect the communities in rural areas and adjacent cities from potential wildfires. The investigation learned that some districts are using old equipment, volunteer firefighters and have “paltry” funding. “Fire season is here,” the report states. “Procrastination is not an
INSIDE Dodd bill calls for cutback of carbon-emitting generators. Page A9.
option. With another drought year upon us, the county needs to find some workable plans and sources of funds immediately.” The report comes 10 months after the devastating LNU Lightning Complex Fire, which destroyed thousands of acres and 1,491 structures throughout six counties in August 2020. People died, livestock, wildlife and
pets perished. The fire burned 42,000 acres alone in Solano County, and according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire destroyed 309 single-family residences and 392 “minor structures” in Solano County. Two men died. All municipal fire departments in the county responded to the LNU Complex Fire. The Cordelia, Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville departments found it challenging to provide engine companies See Fire, Page A8
Nursing homes struggle during pandemic to protect residents Matt Miller
mmiller@dailyrepublic.net
FAIRFIELD — Hard and sometimes fatal lessons were learned by county nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020-21 Solano County civil grand jury reports that it would be more “advantageous for the county, state and cities to work together to apply the laws and regulations that have been put in place to protect this population.” The grand jury recommends that Solano County Public Health be available to assist facilities
INSIDE Grand jury finds no bias, but tells Sheriff’s Office to monitor social media. Page A3.
in putting stringent screening protocols in place to protect residents once visitors are allowed to enter facilities. It also states that more training in infection control techniques is needed, along with training in the use of personal protection equipment. The grand jury found staff brought Covid-19 into facilities and that Public Health Ombudsman
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Suisun City Firefighters are shown at a memorial ceremony for 9/11 at the Suisun City Fire Station, Sept. 11, 2019.
Vacaville’s Fourth of July event makes Visit California list Todd R. Hansen
thansen@dailyrepublic.net
See Homes, Page A8 WEATHER 85 | 57 Sunny. Five-day forecast on B10.
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Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2019)
VACAVILLE — The annual Food Trucks and Fireworks celebration in Vacaville has made Visit California’s list for the best places to go to celebrate the Fourth of July. “. . . choose from food trucks, let kids play on the hilltop Great Wonders playground, and listen to music from a “top secret band” before the fireworks begin at sundown,” the Visit California description of the event states. The Vacaville event starts at 6:30 p.m. at
staff did not visit skilled nursing facilities in Solano County from March 2020 to August 2020. The report shows that a high turnover rate in nursing and support staff makes training difficult, and that many facilities simply have inadequate nurse staffing to begin with. “It’s concerning that during a pandemic such as the one we are currently continuing to experience, local county agencies have such limited authority in keeping the vulnerable residents in nursing home facilities safe,”
INDEX Arts B3 | Classifieds B5 | Comics A7, B3 | Crossword A6, B4 Obituary A4 | Opinion A5 | Sports B1 | TV Daily A7, B3
SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Council this week passed its 2021-22 budget. It shows $19.3 million in revenues and $18.7 million in expenditures, leaving a balance of about $574,000. The vote night Tuesday was 4-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Wanda Williams willams dissenting. It will not touch a reserve fund holding $3.1 million and does not include a proposed first-responder fee, which will go before
the council and public a second time in the future. It also does not set aside money for dredging and additional money for road repairs. The budget does include money to hire three additional staff for the Fire Department and one for the Police Department. Williams said she agreed with hiring three more firefighters, but did not support hiring one as a battalion chief. “That makes us topheavy,” she said. Prior to, and during
INSIDE Keep pets indoors to protect them during Fourth of July celebrations. Page A9.
Andrews Park and includes the Creekwalk Concert Series. “With the state ‘s recent reopening, people are clearly ready to celebrate. Plus, since this year’s holiday falls on a Sunday, many folks can take advantage of a long weekend full of festivities,” Visit California, a Sacramento-based nonSee Fourth, Page A8
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