Assemblymember Randy Voepel

DMV Offers Free REAL ID Upgrade If you renewed during the pandemic, you may be eligible Sacramento - The Department of Motor Vehicles invites all eligible Californians who received driver’s licenses or identification cards during the pandemic but did not get a REAL ID to upgrade now for no additional cost. This offer is set to expire at the end of the year.... An office visit is required to get a REAL ID. During the pandemic, the DMV temporarily expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail to include Californians age 70 and older, and customers who had reached their limit on out-of-office renewals customers normally required to renew in person. The DMV expects to issue about 5.7 million driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL IDs between March 2020 and July 2021 to customers eligible for one. A fee is paid at the time of driver’s license application for a new license or renewal. That fee will be waived for the customers who received a non-REAL ID during that time if they upgrade now at dmv.ca.gov/realidupgrade. We don’t want Californians to pay the price for not getting a REAL ID during the pandemic, said DMV Director Steve Gordon. While the federal government has extended the enforcement date for a REAL ID, there is no need to procrastinate. If you act now, you can take advantage of this offer and upgrade to a REAL ID for free. Beginning May 3, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require a valid passport or other federally approved document, like a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card, to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities and military bases. To apply for a REAL ID, an applicant must provide a valid Social Security number, proof of identity and two proofs of California residency. A list of qualifying documents and other helpful information can be found at REALID.dmv.ca.gov. The DMV is taking many steps to improve its services and make getting or upgrading to a REAL ID easier. By filling out the REAL ID application at REALID.dmv.ca.gov and uploading their documents, Californians can make an appointment, bring their confirmation code and documents with them to a DMV office at their convenience, even the same day, for express service no appointment necessary. Once at a service window, it now takes less than 10 minutes to complete the REAL ID transaction. The DMV encourages Californians to act now to complete the online application for a REAL ID before they come to the office and to be prepared with the appropriate documents to speed the process for everyone.

The ISO has extended the Flex Alert through Friday, June 18, 2021, asking consumers and businesses to conserve energy tomorrow between the hours of 6:00 9:00 PM.

The California grid operator (ISO) has issued a Flex Alert for Thursday, June 17, 2021 asking consumers and businesses to conserve energy between the hours of 5:00 10:00 PM. With the summer temperatures rising across the state, the California ISO and state agencies are closely monitoring temperatures and grid conditions. While energy supplies for today continue to demonstrate sufficient capacity, there is a need for conservation efforts tomorrow. Due to forecasted high temp...eratures for California, the ISO is predicting an increase in electricity demand. While Flex Alerts are normally 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., the hours of conservation for this event are 5:00 10:00 PM due to operational needs. The statewide call for conservation is critical because when temperatures hit triple digits across a wide geographic area, no state has enough energy available to meet all the heightened demand, primarily due to air conditioning use. Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand. See more

San Diego County Cool Zones are as follows for the 71st District: Alpine Library Borrego Springs Library Lakeside Community Center Potrero Library... Ramona Library Santa Ysabel Nature Center Spring Valley Community Center Stay safe and stay cool!

I am also proud to be a co-author on this letter. My District Office has assisted thousands of constituents with EDD. We simply can’t let this happen ever again!

The MLK Day of Service celebrates the legacy of one of the greatest Civil Rights leaders of all time. Today, we can give back to our community by serving it, just like Dr. King did. Check out this site for volunteer opportunities in your area: www.nationalservice.gov/serve

This week, the Employment Development Department (EDD) started to extend Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims that had expired on December 26th, 2020. Individuals who had an outstanding balance on their claim do not need to reopen their claim and will have their claims automatically extended by the EDD. Claims that expired prior to December 26th, 2020 are eligible to be re-opened if the claimant is still unemployed. The EDD hopes to have all claims extended before the end of the month. If you would like assistance communicating with the EDD, please email my caseworker Alec Baron, at [email protected] or call my office at (619) 258-7737. As always, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you in the State Assembly.

The County of San Diego is following federal and state guidelines for priority groups. The County is also working with the community to make sure the vaccine is distributed equitably. Distribution of COVID-19 vaccine will be done in phases. These phases are broadly determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) based on their work and taking into account phases per the National Academies of Sciences. PLEASE NOTE that San Diego County has decided to allow for vaccination of persons aged 65 and older once vaccination of healthcare personnel is complete. Currently, only individuals identified under Phase 1A are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at County sites. Appointments are required and space is limited.

Wildland Fire: RPT @ 1:16 a.m. 28000blk Bonita Vista Rd. In Mountain Center. The fire is currently 15 acres, burning in heavy vegetation and pine trees. Fact sh...eet posted on our website: http://www.rvcfire.org//IncidentFactShe/Pages/default.aspx under the BONITA Incident. #BonitaFIRE Interactive map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit

Today the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning, to be in effect from Thursday, January 14 at 4:00 p.m., through Friday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m., for the inland and mountain areas of Orange County. Moderate Santa Ana winds are anticipated throughout the region during this time and there is a chance the Red Flag Warning could be extended to San Diego County. Due to the potential for high fire weather risk conditions power lines serving local communities could be i...mpacted. The following communities may be impacted: Alpine Boulevard Campo Campo Reservation Cuyapaipe Reservation Descanso Jamul Julian La Jolla Reservation La Posta Reservation Manzanita Reservation Mesa Grande Reservation Mount Laguna Pala Palomar Mountain Pauma Valley Pauma and Yuima Reservation Pine Valley Potrero Ramona Ranchita Santa Ysabel Santa Ysabel Reservation Valley Center Viejas Reservation If weather conditions deteriorate, the estimated start time for Public Safety Power Shutoff could be Thursday, January 14, at 10:00 p.m. and could last until Friday, with full restoration by Friday, January 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Interested in a career in Health? Join San Ysidro Health this Wednesday, October 28th in Alpine for an in-person Health career fair! This is a great opportunity for our rural communities to learn how they may join the growing San Ysidro Health team and about the vast array of services it provides to communities across San Diego County.

As wildfires affect communities throughout California, remember: don't wait until it's too late. Make a plan! Learn about the five simple steps for disaster preparedness with #ListosCalifornia Text LISTOSCA to 72345 or visit https://listossd.org/dgAssVoepel for more info.

California has the largest insurance market in the nation with insurers collecting $310 billion in annual premiums. On November 12-13, Commissioner Lara is hosting the 2020 Virtual Insurance Diversity Summit to open that market for local small businesses. We want your local businesses to take advantage of this one-of-a-kind event that will include a virtual Matchmaking Roundtable, Resource Expo, and engaging webinars led by experts on the topics of race and diversity in the insurance industry, diversity in the boardroom, navigating the insurer procurement pathways, building resilience in business strategies, and much more!

If a disaster happened and you had to leave your house in a hurry, what would you take with you? Tip: pack and prepare a Go Bag ahead of time! Remember IDs, medication, keys, phone & charger, and important documents. Find more tips at listoscalifornia.org and be sure to visit https://listossd.org/dgAssVoepel as well!

Horrible news for my constituents in Riverside today as the County has moved back down to the purple tier. Californians are tired of being restricted by the heavy hand of their State government, and want to get back to work!

My thoughts and prayers go out to Sergeant Cohen’s colleagues and loved ones. We thank him for dedicating himself to the people of Riverside County!

California’s campaign is calling on all Californians to take the Census today since the U.S. Census Bureau is stopping Census operations Thursday, October 15, 2020! Families still have one last chance to make a difference for their family and neighborhood by taking the Census online, by phone or mail! U.S. Census Bureau Operations: Internet self-response will be available across the nation through October 15, 2020, visit my2020census.gov to respond today. Phone response ...will be available for its regularly scheduled time on October 15, 2020. Click here for schedule and a list of numbers. Paper responses must be postmarked by October 15, 2020. Nonresponse Follow-up census takers will continue resolving nonresponding addresses through the end of the day on October 15, 2020. See more

The California ISO has issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. today. With high temperatures in the forecast, the power grid operator predicts an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use. The temperatures are above normal for this time of year, creating an anticipated shortage in energy supply in the late afternoon hours through the evening. Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and solar energy production falling. Consumers are asked to turn off unnecessary lights, delay using major appliances until after 10 p.m., and set air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees or higher.

The Census ends tomorrow, October 15! Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court suspended the U.S. Northern District Court of California’s order that the Census be extended until October 31. The U.S. Census Bureau has publicly stated that the new end date is October 15. See here for the Census Office statement. As of today, well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude... on October 15, 2020. Specifically: Internet self-response will be available across the nation through October 15, 2020 through 11:59 pm Hawaii Standard Time (HST), (through 5:59 am Eastern Daylight Time on October 16, 2020). Visit 2020Census.gov to respond today. Phone response will be available for its regularly scheduled time on October 15, 2020. Click here for schedule and a list of numbers. Paper responses must be postmarked by October 15, 2020. Nonresponse Followup census takers will continue resolving nonresponding addresses through the end of the day on October 15, 2020.

I join my fellow legislators in support of Artsakh and the Armenians, who have been subject to Azeri and Turkish aggression in recent days. We condemn these violent acts and pray for peace!

Today, we celebrate the U.S. Navy’s 245th birthday! Since 1775, the U.S. Navy has been sailing the oceans of the world in an effort to keep peace and protect our freedoms. Did you know that I served in the Navy during the Vietnam War? Thank you to all the Sailors who have fought and sacrificed for our country! We honor you today and every day.

This Saturday, October 10, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Grossmont Healthcare District is partnering with Champions for Health and County of San Diego to provide free flu shots to the East San Diego community! To reduce the chances of a severe COVID-19 and flu combination, receiving this season’s vaccination is more crucial than ever. Everyone qualifies to receive a free flu shot, including those uninsured or underinsured, pregnant women, and children 9 years of age and old...er. Fresh produce distribution and giveaways for kids also available while supplies last. https://championsforhealth.org/p/free-immunization-program/ What: Free Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Flu Shot Clinic When: Saturday, October 10, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Grossmont Healthcare District, 9001 Wakarusa Street, La Mesa, 91942

Preparing for emergencies like wildfires and power shut offs can be as easy as picking up your phone! Sign up for our free text curriculum to learn the 5 steps to prepare for natural disasters. All you have to do is text "LISTOSCA" to 72345 #CaliforniaForAll #ListosSD... Follow our 5 steps to be ready: Get alerts Make a plan Pack a Go Bag Build a Stay Box Help friends & neighbors Download our Disaster Ready Guide for even more tips! https://listossd.org/dgAssVoepel