Weekly Recap: A police officer is fired for misconduct
Plus: Suisun City's diving firefighters, the future of In-Shape gyms and why some Solano County residents received an erroneous wildfire emergency alert.
(Source: Vallejo Police Department)
A Vallejo Police Department officer who was involved in two controversial shootings over the last few years has been fired, the agency announced in a press release on Thursday.
The dismissal comes after Shawny Williams, the agency's police chief, recommended the termination of Ryan McMahon for his role in the 2018 shooting of a bicyclist and a similar shooting last year involving a man who fell asleep in the drive-thru of a Taco Bell restaurant.
"Any conduct outside the level of professionalism this City deserves will not be tolerated by the Vallejo Police Department," Williams said in a statement. "I understand we have a long way to go in rebuilding trust among the residents of Vallejo, and I will continue to take the necessary steps to better serve this community."
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Quick Hits
Emergency officials said a pair of notifications warning of wildfire danger were not intended for residents of Solano, Yolo or Contra Costa counties. The messages were intended for Napa County residents and were sent in error to others who had signed up for Alert Solano and similar services. [Read more]
The Suisun City Fire Department dive team helped their colleagues in Montezuma with an underwater vehicle search. The dive team is the only underwater rescue team in Solano County. [Read more]
The Solano County Registrar of Voters says around 2,500 voters guides sent to Dixon residents didn’t contain one candidate’s prepared statement as intended. Supplemental voter guides are being re-issued. [Read more]
Amazon released data on the number of employees who have contracted the novel coronavirus since March. The data release comes months after two Vacaville warehouse workers tested positive for the virus. [Read more]
A Dixon man has entered a guilty plea to federal charges of plotting to blow up his brother’s home in 2018. Thomas Capenhurst could spend up to 20 years in prison. [Read more]
Cache Creek Casino & Resort in Yolo County confirmed it was the victim of a massive cyber attack that forced it to close its doors since mid-September. The casino says it is not sure if customer data was compromised. [Read more]
The LNU Lightning Complex wildfire that started in mid-August is now 100 percent contained, according to CAL FIRE officials. The wildfire tore through five counties and is responsible for destroying hundreds of homes in Solano County.
Local gym chain In-Shape is exploring a possible sale in order to reduce its millions of dollars in debt. The fitness brand says the coronavirus has hurt its bottom line. [Read more]
After a week of hot temperatures, the National Weather Service says rain could be on the way next week. Forecast models show moisture from Hurricane Maria merging with a low-pressure system that will cross into the west coast late next week. [Read more]
Halloween & COVID-19
The Solano County Public Health Division issued new guidance this past week for those who intend to celebrate the Halloween holiday this year.
As of Sunday morning, Solano County had not followed the lead of other communities in banning trick-or-treating altogether, but county health officials are warning parents that close interaction with others during Halloween celebrations could lead to an increased risk of COVID-19 infection.
Health officials say it’s better this year to trick-or-treat with close family members and others who live in the same household instead of venturing out into the neighborhood. Officials also say costumes should account for the wearing of a face mask and a need to sanitize and wash hands frequently — face masks that come with costumes aren’t a substitution for N95-rated and cloth masks that are typically worn in public.
County health officials say families should consider these low risk alternatives to trick-or-treating this year:
Decorate or carve a pumpkin with members who live in the same household.
Having a virtual Halloween costume contest over Zoom or Facebook.
Visiting a drive-in movie theater.
Decorating the house, apartment or other living space.
In addition to trick-or-treating, county health officials say children and adults should avoid these events to help reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19 infection:
Attending costume parties that are held indoors or are otherwise crowded.
Going on hayrides and tractor rides.
Traveling to a fall festival.
Going to an indoor haunted house.
The Centers for Disease Control says adults who experience flu-like symptoms or otherwise feel sick should not hand out candy this year. [Click to read more]
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