Daily Republic: Friday, February 18, 2022

Page 1

Solano’s Covid surge falling as fast as it rose A3

Perlstein earns CCAA Player of the Week honors B1

FRIDAY | February 18, 2022 | $1.00

DAILYREPUBLIC.COM | Well said. Well read.

Residents sound off about rural housing facility; call for county response Todd R. Hansen

THANSEN@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — High emotions – anxieties and fears – were expressed Thursday about a proposed residential care facility on Freedom Lane in the rural Winters area of Solano County. A number of the 20 residents who came to the Planning Commission meeting, plus close to a dozen callers, expressed their opposition to the facility, which is described in county documents as a “non-medical” home “for individuals with disabilities.” The neighbors do not believe it, and said there have already been a number of incidents and problems they believe are directly related to the facility, located at 8495 Freedom Lane. One of the residents of that property appears on the Megan’s Law list of sexual offenders, and neighbors have amassed documents that raise their concerns about possible criminal activity. Most of the speakers noted the likely disruption in their country lifestyle, that they feared for their children – one going so far as to suggest they could be raped – and that a rural setting away from services and jobs and a timely law enforcement response is the wrong location. “It can be placed elsewhere, but this area will not work out,” Joe Scarroff said. “I think it is a threat to public safety.” They all wanted the county to intervene and do something. But the group was met initially by a statement read by commission Chairwoman Kelly Rhoads-Poston. Some people even left after she was finished.

Matt Miller/Daily Republic

City and county leaders join representatives of MidPen Housing and other partners to break ground for the Fair

Haven Commons affordable housing project on Sunset Avenue in Fairfield.

City, county break ground for

new affordable housing project

See Facility, Page A8

Al Seib/Los Angeles Times/TNS

The unveiling of California’s new plan comes as authorities remain upbeat about continued plunges in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, and reiterated they could be prepared to ease additional restrictions, such as the indoor mask mandate in K-12 schools, in a matter of weeks.

California offers cautious blueprint for living with Covid-19 virus Tribune Content Agency LOS ANGELES — California state officials released a pandemic plan Thursday that gives an overview of how authorities will manage potential new surges, warning that while the omicron surge is fading, the state must be prepared for the emergence of new variants and seasonal increases in coronavirus transmission. That means being prepared for a bump-up in coronavirus cases as the school year begins in the late summer, and a higher surge just as winter gets underway, officials said. It also means there may be instances when universal indoor mask orders are needed for limited periods of time to avoid overwhelming hospitals and ambulances responding to 911 calls. The plan calls for stockpiling a robust supply of masks, maintaining the capacity to administer hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses and coronavirus tests per day, and enhancing the ability to track Covid-19 trends and respond to hard-hit communities. It’s now clear that there will need to be a years-long fight against Covid-19, officials said Thursday. See Covid, Page A8 SUNDAY

Parade coming this weekend. Look for the insert in the DR.

Fair Haven will provide 72 affordable rental apartments for families, including 44 units with set-aside preference for households who are at risk or experiencing homelessness and have other supportive housing needs.

Matt Miller

MMILLER@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Solano County Supervisor Jim Spering dubbed the future Fair Havens Commons “not just a house but a home.” County and city officials joined other local leaders to break ground for Fair Haven Commons, an affordable rental apartment community under construction that was developed by MidPen Housing. The $40.4 million project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2023 and located at 1695 Sunset Ave. in Fairfield. “You should be very proud of this project,” Spering said. “These projects make a difference, these projects change lives, these projects help families, and these projects make people feel a part of the community.” The project is a result of a partnership between the city, county and MidPen Housing, and a partnership of funders. Fair Haven Commons is believed to be aiding the city’s vision to

transform a previously underutilized, vacant site into supportive and family housing for those most in need, including individuals and families who are extremely low income, homeless, or at risk of homelessness. “This really is a monumental occasion for all of us,” Fairfield Mayor Harry Price said. “This is the first new construction of an all-affordable housing development assisted by the city in 10 years. I’m looking forward to the ribbon cutting next year and I’ll be the first to say, ‘Welcome, home.’ ” Fair Haven will provide 72 affordable rental apartments for families, including 44 units with set-aside preference for households who are at risk or experiencing homelessness and have other supportive housing needs. The idea for Fair Haven began in 2017. Input from the neighborhood was made in 2019 and construction began last fall. The project backs Dover Park and is close to area schools for children. See Project, Page A8

Richmond councilman announces bid for 8th Congressional District Todd R. Hansen

live our story and will fight the status quo in Congress to build a better commuFAIRFIELD — Rich- nity for us all.” mond Councilman Johnson, 29, a DemoDemnlus Johnson III says crat, is looking to unseat it is time to change Rep. John Garathe “status quo” mendi, D-Walnut in Congress. Grove, in the “I’m running newly drawn 8th for Congress Congressional because I love my District. Walnut community and I Grove is not in believe a better the district. world is possible. I Garamendi’s am the fourth gencampaign has said eration to live and JOHNSON he intends to move work in this community and I understand into the district. The law the struggles and hopes allows him to live outside of the people who live the district as long as he here,” Johnson said in a lives in the state. Johnson emphasized statement released by his campaign Thursday. “I his local roots in the area, THANSEN@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

INDEX Arts B4 | Classifieds B7 | Comics A7, B5 | Crossword A6, B4 Obituaries A4 | Opinion B3 | Sports xx | TV Daily A7, B5 WEATHER 68 | 42 Mostly sunny. Five-day forecast on B10.

but also noted he worked to have a district drawn that would give a greater voice to the ethnic minorities in the area. He said the 8th District has a majority of Black, Latino and Asian residents. His roots include greatgrandparents who worked

in the Mare Island and Kaiser shipyards. He grew up in Richmond, and works at Jumpstart for Young Children, a nonprofit that works to expand early childhood education and readiness for kindergarten. See District, Page A8

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