Ridgecrest sees rain and snow Thursday
Threatening clouds could be seen all around Ridgecrest on Thursday afternoon.
A winter storm system came through, generating a bit of rain and even reports of snow from throughout town, though due to temperatures in the 50s at the time, the snow melted almost immediately upon landing.
The rainfall wasn’t enough to register a total at Armitage Airfield at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
Ridgecrest, the Tehachapi Mountains, the Fort Tejon area and the Grapevine were placed under a winter storm warning Thursday afternoon. Ridgecrest and some of the surrounding areas were placed under a wind advisory earlier in the week.
Red tier remains out of reach for Kern County residents
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
Kern County residents will remain in the purple tier after failing to meet the public health department’s red tier requirements Tuesday.
The California Public Department of Health announced that Kern County reported an adjusted case rate of 11.8 cases per 100,000 people. In order to be eligible for the red tier, Kern must report a case rate of 7.0 cases or fewer per 100,000 people.
Kern County meets two of the state’s requirements: a 4.9% positivity rate in testing over a seven-day period as well as a 7.6% health equity quartile positivity rate.
Newsom signs $6.6B bill to expand in-person learning
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $6.6 billion package on Friday intended to accelerate the return of in-person instruction in California.
A portion of funds $2 billion will go toward safety measures to support in-person learning. The other $4.6 billion will go toward expanded learning opportunities, including summer school, tutoring, mental health services and more.
“This package of funding and supports for our schools recognizes that in-person education is essential to meet not only the learning needs, but [also] the mental health and social-emotional needs of our kids – especially the youngest and the most vulnerable,” Newsom said.
Johnson to retire from NAWCWD after 45 years Sunday
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake will celebrate Dick Johnson’s almost 45 years in the Weapons Division this Sunday but instead of a traditional flag-raising ceremony, NAWCWD will fly in each F/A-18 model currently operating at China Lake in recognition of his dedication.
Johnson came to China Lake in 1976, where his main focus for years was improving the capabilities and readiness for F/A-18s.
“He worked on sensor upgrades, navigation communications and data links and cockpit systems,” a press release from NAWCWD reads.
He has led the Advanced Concepts/Flight Plan team at China Lake since 1993, “supporting Super Hornet and Growler readiness and warfighting improvements extending out to 2040.”