Surge In Methane Levels Prompts Warning To Porter Ranch Residents
Two years ago, the biggest methane gas leak in U.S. history happened at the Aliso Canyon facility, and many residents reported negative health effects from the incident.
Los Angeles Times:
Porter Ranch Residents Informed Of Brief Surge In Methane Levels At Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility
Methane levels briefly surged Friday night at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in the San Fernando Valley, prompting Southern California Gas Co. to notify nearby residents in Porter Ranch. The company sent out the notice late Friday night, saying that increased levels of methane had been found earlier that evening on two fence-line monitors along the facility border. (Reyes, 12/2)
In other news from across the state —
Los Angeles Times:
Former Official Accused Of Stealing $800,000 From Nonprofit San Diego County Clinic
The former head of information technology at the nonprofit North County Health Services, which aids low-income people, pleaded not guilty Friday to siphoning nearly $800,000 from San Diego County organization. Hector Ramos, 55, of Murrieta, was charged with 49 counts related to the loss of the money, which authorities say happened over the course of eight months in 2015. (Figueroa, 12/1)
Ventura County Star:
Local Hospitals Push Through Shortage To Keep IVs Dripping
Pharmacy leaders at area hospitals are preserving supplies and crafting backup plans to keep a national shortage of IV bags from affecting medications given to patients. The shortage involves small intravenous bags used to administer drugs including antibiotics and chemotherapy. It was triggered by damage from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The hurricane knocked off the power grid three Baxter International plants that made small IV bags — Mini-Bag and Mini-Bag Plus. Other barriers include damage inflicted on roads, bridges and communication systems. (Kisken, 12/1)
San Jose Mercury News:
Valley Medical Center’s Sobrato Pavilion Marks New Era In Patient Care
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center marked a new era Saturday with the unveiling of its new Sobrato Pavilion, a facility boasting cutting-edge technology and innovation that officials say will put the needs of patients first. The six-story, 370,000-square-foot building, with 168 private patient rooms, is named after prominent Silicon Valley philanthropist John Sobrato, because of his record-setting $5 million donation, matched by another $5 million raised by the VMC Foundation. (Sanchez, 12/2)