NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Monday state Sen. Mike McGuire voted to support the renewal of the Managed Healthcare Organization (MCO) tax – an overhaul of the health care plan tax structure that funds Medi-Cal and will bring a much-needed influx of funding to developmental disability services.

By approving the MCO tax reform renewal, the state will see $8 billion in federal matching funds over three years that was at risk without changes to the health care plan tax.

Notably, the MCO tax legislation will put $300 million into developmental disability services, including a 7.5 percent increase to wage and benefits for direct care staff and regional center staff, as well as funding increases for administrative costs, transportation, supported and independent living programs and more – all for community-based developmental services programs.

Funding increases have lacked for years and the California developmental disability system has been near crisis due to the lack of funding.

In addition, the MCO tax reform also relieves rural and critical access skilled nursing facilities that are associated with general acute care hospitals from repayment of a prior budget cut, including $325,000 for the Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville and $404,000 for Trinity Hospital in Trinity County.

“This is an important day for our developmentally disabled community as desperately needed dollars are invested back into services and programs that will benefit tens of thousands of the most vulnerable in our state,” Sen. McGuire said. “This bipartisan reform will help our poorest and most medically fragile residents access the care they need and deserve.”  

Below are some key breakdowns for the MCO reform package:

S.B.X.2 No. 2 (Hernandez-Bonta) Medi-Cal: Managed Care Organizations

– Replaces California’s current MCO tax which sunsets on July 1, 2016.
– Allows California to maximize existing federal dollars, nearly $8 billion in federal support over three years.
– Will not negatively impact premiums and relieves the plans of $371 million in corporation and insurance tax liability, annually for the three years. This tax savings must go towards reducing premiums, increased provider reimbursements or increased plan profits.
– Provides stable and ongoing funding for Medi-Cal.
– Supported by Anthem, Blue Shield, California Association of Health Plans, CalChamber, California Dental Association, California Medical Association, California State Association of Counties, Health Net, L.A. Care Health Plans, Local Health Plans of CA, Molina Healthcare, Planned Parenthood, Sutter Health, Urban Counties and Western Center on Law and Poverty.

A.B.X.2 No. 1 (Thurmond-Beall) Medi-Cal: developmental services: funding.

– The MCO tax also raises enough revenue to free up General Fund dollars that will be used to provide a $300 million investment in the community-based developmental services system. With matching federal funds, this represents a $500 million investment.
– As a result, the developmental services system that supports nearly 300,000 of the state’s most vulnerable citizens will finally be stabilized after years of cuts and rates freezes that had a debilitating impact.
– Relieves rural and critical access skilled nursing facilities that are associated with general acute care hospitals from repayment of a prior budget cut.
– The bill also provides new resources to improve access to the system for families that have historically been especially underserved, including families of color and those who speak languages other than English.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Calpine has announced its 2016 community tour schedule for The Geysers.

To sign up for a free tour, contact Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center at 707-987-4270 or visit www.geysers.com .

The list of dates is featured below.

Saturday, April 30
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
From Windsor

Friday, June 3
Noon to 3 p.m.
From Cloverdale

Saturday, June 18
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.       
Departing from Geyserville

Friday, July 22
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Middletown

Friday, Aug. 19
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Santa Rosa

Saturday, Sept. 10
Noon to 3 p.m.
Departing from Cloverdale

Friday, Sept. 30
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Middletown

Friday, Oct. 7
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Geyserville

Saturday, Nov. 5
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Middletown

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The 13th annual Housing Task Force dinner will be held on Saturday, March 5.

The dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St.

On the menu is melt-in-your-mouth brisket.

There also will be a homemade dessert auction and a silent auction during dinner.

The cost is $12.50 for adults, $8 for children under 10.

All proceeds will be distributed back to the community.

Nonperishable food items also will be accepted for the Kelseyville Food Pantry during the evening event.

Tickets are available at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 707-279-1104.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Avenue of the Flags is having a spaghetti and lasagna feed dinner and silent auction from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the Bachelor Valley Grange hall on Government Street.

Vegetarian lasagna will be available. The menu will include spaghetti, lasagna, salad, garlic bread, coffee, tea or soft drink and dessert, all for a suggested donation of $10.

Tickets can be purchased at the door. For presale tickets call 707-275-9515.

The Avenue of the Flags is an organization that was formed to preserve and honor the memory of Lake County veterans.

Twice a year on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day dedicated individuals and groups from various Lake County communities come together and fly more than 1,500 flags at four cemeteries: Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, Upper Lake Cemetery, Kelseyville Cemetery and Lower Lake Cemetery.

These flags once draped the caskets of fallen veterans and have been donated to the Avenue of the Flags by the veteran’s family.

The sight of the rows of flags flying is both inspiring and breathtaking. The Avenue of Flags is a patriotic feature at the cemeteries that reinforce patriotism, national pride and represent a visible, bold and proud display of the flags.

Help us honor our Lake County veterans by supporting the Avenue of the Flags.

If you would like to make a donation send it to the Avenue of the Flags, P.O. Box 980, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Methodist Thrift Shop will sell everything inside the shop for $0.25 cents per item on Monday, Feb. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This is our first special sale in 2016 and our customers appreciate these periodic twenty five cent sales,” said Thrift Shop contact Dorothy Braun. “We have many unique items and basic clothing for women, men and children and we are happy to serve our community.”

The Kelseyville Methodist Thrift Shop has been in the community since 1962 and gratefully accepts donations on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

The shop is located at 5250 First St. off Main Street behind the United Methodist Sanctuary.

Please note that the items displayed outdoors are not part of the Feb. 29 sale.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – March is a very special time of year at Six Sigma Ranch, as the winery team gathers to welcome professional and amateur pruning contestants battling it out at the annual Pruning and Pastries event.

Spectators will witness a crew of professional grapevine pruners swiftly flying through rows of grapevines, the sound of clippers echoing in the still of the morning.

It’s an incredible display of skill, concentration and sheer energy.

Six Sigma invites attendees to come brush up on techniques for pruning that backyard vineyard, and get to know some of the people behind Lake County’s award-winning wines.

Join the Six Sigma Ranch team on Saturday, March 5, for the ninth annual Pruning and Pastries.

The two-hour event will begin at 10 a.m. just inside the Six Sigma Ranch gate on Spruce Grove Road.

First, the professional pruning competition will challenge top pruners, who will be judged based on speed and accuracy.

Then, attendees can participate in a hands-on demo of winter pruning techniques in preparation for the amateur pruning competition that follows.

Professional judges will determine the winners. Prizes will be awarded.

Come give it a try. Bring friends. Watch the pros. Coffee and tea will be served, together with pastries presented by Yuba College Advanced Baking Class. 

Bring your vineyard pruning questions and dress for the weather.

Space is limited; reserve your spot by calling 707-994-4068 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Six Sigma Ranch & Winery is located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake.