Thursday, 28 March 2024

Community

The Major League Fishing Toyota Series three-day tournament will take place in Lake County, California, this week. Photo courtesy of Major League Fishing.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Major League Fishing, or MLF, Toyota Series presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Lakeport March 6 to 8 for the 2024 Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse season opener – the Toyota Series at Clear Lake.

The three-day tournament, hosted by the Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $75,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor in the co-angler division.

“I am super excited for this event — after seeing how well the local team tournaments have been doing the last month, I expect that we are going to see some giant weights,” said Rancho Santa Margarita, California, pro Kyle Grover, who has four career top-10 finishes and a 2019 win on Clear Lake in Toyota Series competition. “I think it’s going to take 85 to 100 pounds over the three days to win this one. I can’t wait to get there.”

Grover said the water levels on Clear Lake are extremely high, and with more rain and even a little bit of snow being forecast for this upcoming weekend, he expects anglers are going to have to slow down and work hard to locate the biggest schools.

“Clear Lake is a pretty simple fishery, and they usually always bite the same stuff,” Grover said. “The key is finding them — we call it the biomass. The fish there like to group up, and when you find those big schools you can usually get on that one spot and smash them. Most of the time it’s a one-boat, one-cast type deal.

“You’ll be able to tell who found the schools pretty quickly,” Grover continued. “There will be a handful of guys at the top of the leaderboard that weigh in some massive limits, and then you’ll see the weights taper off pretty quickly.”

With schools of fish being the key Grover said that he expects forward-facing sonar to play a big role in this tournament, although not with the minnow-type soft plastics that are winning events across the south.

“The fish here like the bigger baits, so I think we’ll see a lot of swimbaits, umbrella rigs, (Lucky Craft) LV 500s — I think the tournament will likely be won on one of those three baits,” Grover went on to say. “But there will be guys catching them on the south end of the lake, too, throwing crankbaits and big jigs.”

Anglers will launch at 6:30 a.m. PT each day from the Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina, located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.

The 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse — each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions.

Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2025.

The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7 to 9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission, and the Huntsville Sports Commission.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

NICE, Calif. — The St. Patrick's Day Dinner and North Shore Business Association Evening Mixer will be a Vision of Hope Village fundraiser.

It will be held at the Nice Event Center at 2817 East Highway 20 in Nice on Saturday, March 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 each.

The attendees will receive five raffle tickets, a glass of wine or soda, a full catered dinner of corned beef and cabbage with trimmings plus dessert.

Water will also be provided at the table with additional beverages for sale. Mail a check to NSBA, P.O. Box 225, Lucerne, CA 95458.

Please be mindful that the cutoff date is Friday, March 8, or until sold out.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. are encouraging all Californians to understand their rights as a voter, learn more about the state’s voting protections, and make a plan to vote before the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.

As Election Day fast approaches, all Californians should be aware of their rights and legal protections as they fulfill their civic duty.

“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Knowledge is power; I implore all Californians to know their rights as voters and plan to make their voices heard at the polls. It is important for everyone to do their part to help ensure our democracy prospers. The California Department of Justice is committed to protecting the rights of all voters in our state.”

“This year, we observe the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer, an effort to empower those whose voting rights had been denied for decades,” said California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. “In today’s political environment, it’s important to affirm that you have explicit enumerated rights as a voter in California, and that the Attorney General and I are committed to protecting those rights.”

Prior to the Presidential Primary Election, it is important to make sure you have a plan to cast your ballot by March 5, 2024.

You can visit https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections for more helpful information on the election, including where to find your polling place.

As soon as you receive your ballot, you may cast your vote by mail or through other options made available in your area by county elections officials.

You can also track your vote-by-mail ballot by signing up with the Secretary of State’s Office here for text, email, or voice status alerts.

On Election Day, it is important for California’s voters to know their rights. The California Voter Bill of Rights is available on the Secretary of State’s website in nearly 30 different languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Burmese, Gujarati, Hmong, Ilocano, Indonesian, Laotian, Mien, Mongolian, Nepali, Persian, Punjabi, Syriac, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. This is an important tool for understanding your rights as a Californian voter.

In California, you have the following rights:

• The right to vote if you are a registered voter, without having to present a government-issued photo ID at the polls;
• The right to vote if you are a registered voter even if your name is not on the list through use of a provisional ballot;
• The right to vote if you are still in line when the polls close;
• The right to cast a secret ballot;
• The right to get a new ballot if you have made a mistake;
• The right to get help casting your ballot;
• The right to drop off your completed vote-by-mail ballot at any polling place;
• The right to get election materials in a language other than English;
• The right to ask elections officials questions about election procedures; and
• The right to report any illegal or fraudulent election activity.

If you believe you have been denied any of these rights or are aware of any election fraud or misconduct, please call the Secretary of State’s confidential toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

Under California law, voters are protected from, among other things, election interference, voter intimidation, and electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place. California law enforcement agencies are empowered to enforce California’s election laws, including during voting that occurs between now through Election Day.

More information on California laws protecting the rights of voters can be found in a law enforcement bulletin available here.

Every vote matters, and the California Department of Justice and Secretary of State’s Office remain committed to ensuring that all elections in the state are safe, fair, and accessible to every voter.

On Election Day, the California Department of Justice is on call to provide additional assistance to the Secretary of State’s Office in enforcing California’s election laws where needed through a team of attorneys and administrative staff located across the state.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The E Center Women, Infants and Children Program has released its March appointment scheduling notice.

The nationwide, federally sponsored WIC nutrition program provides nutrition education, support and help with breastfeeding, community and healthcare referrals, and supplemental food benefits to eligible pregnant women, new moms, postpartum women, infants, and children under the age of five.

WIC encourages enrollment of migrants and eligible women in the early months of pregnancy. Single fathers, foster parents and guardians of children under age five are also eligible to enroll their children.

The food packages include fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, milk, cereal, juice, whole grains, and beans or peanut butter, infant cereal, infant fruits and vegetables, and formula supplementation is available for infants.

WIC has generous income guidelines. For example, a family of four can have a yearly gross income of $55,500 or monthly income of up to $4,625 and still be eligible for the health benefits of the WIC program.

To enroll in the WIC program, schedule appointments, or for more information, call 707-263-5253 or 707-994-1151. WIC’s fax numbers are 707-263-4183 or 707-994-1152.

WIC families have the option to complete appointments in person or virtually, and can also complete nutrition classes online at www.wichealth.org. Bilingual staff and lunch-hour appointments are also available.

The March 2024 WIC Program Clinic Schedule:

Lakeport WIC office, 831 Bevins St.: Monday, March 18; Tuesdays, March 5, 12th, 19 and 26; Wednesday, March 6 (PM only); Friday, March 22. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Clearlake WIC office, 14085 - 4 Lakeshore Drive: Mondays, March 11 and 25; Wednesday, March 20; Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28; Friday, March 15. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

Middletown, at the First Baptist Church, 21244 State Highway 175, on Friday, March 1, from 9:15 to 11: 30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Lucerne, at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Drive, on Friday, March 8, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that households impacted by widespread power outages that started on Feb. 4 as the result of a strong winter storm in California could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/CalFresh benefits.

This is one of many recent steps USDA has taken to ensure California residents in need have food to eat.

Rather than require SNAP households to report food losses individually, USDA allowed the State of California to approve automatic mass replacements for residents of certain zip codes who lost food as a result of the power outages and winter storm.

The waiver applies to specified zip codes from 27 counties. More details will be made available through the  California Department of Social Services, or CDSS. 

SNAP participants in areas hardest hit by the power outages may have a portion of their February benefits replaced.

SNAP recipients residing in other affected areas may request replacement benefits by filing an affidavit with the local office attesting to disaster-related loss.

Additionally, USDA has approved CDSS’ request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of power outages due to the winter storms that began in February.

The waiver is in effect through March 4.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is ready to consider additional waivers that may be needed to help program participants who have lost food due to widespread power outages and to simplify the application process for affected households, upon request from the CDSS. Individuals seeking more information about this and other available aid should dial 2-1-1.

For more information about California SNAP, visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of 16 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP.

Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being.

FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” highlights ways the agency will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy, released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022.

To learn more about FNS, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. — Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌ (1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 175

Route 175 (8.2/16.5) – Tree work from Adams Springs Drive to Jct Route 29 will begin on Monday, March 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P175DA

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

Route 1 (53.2/54.6) – Electrical work south of Caspar from Sea Pines Lane to Little Lake Road will begin on Monday, March 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P1FA

Route 1 (75.4/76.1) – Emergency work south of Westport from the Blues Beach Trailhead to the Overlook will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C1TA

Route 1 (104.9/105.5) – Emergency work in Leggett from Jct Route 271 to the South Fork Eel River Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1UA

Highway 20

Route 20 (39.6/44.1) – Utility work from the Cold Creek Bridge to the Lake County Line continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C20OA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (33.7/43.2) – Road work south of Willits from Route 20 to Uva Drive in Redwood Valley will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#M101QD

Highway 128

Route 128 (18/20.1) – Electrical work will occur on Tuesday, March 5 in Philo from Nash Mill Road to Greenwood Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P128AA

Highway 162

Route 162 (11/12.6) – Road work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C162IA

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (8.3/8.6) – Bridge work near Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101KB

U.S. 101 (12.5/13.4) – Construction near Wilson Creek Road in the Last Chance Grade area will continue. A southbound lane closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C101OB

U.S. 101 (35.8/36.5) – Construction at the Dr. Fine Bridge near Smith River will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101WA

Highway 199

U.S. 199 (0.8) – Work will occur near the 101 junction at Elk Valley Cross Road from 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8 to 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 9. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C199IA

U.S. 199 (20/31.1) – Emergency work from east of Gasquet to the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue. One-way traffic is scheduled weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to one-hour delays. LC#C199HA

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

Route 36 (11/11.5) – Bridge work from Pamplin Grove to Redwood House Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C36UA

Route 36 (25.3/25.4) – Bridge work at Little Larabee Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C36UA

Route 36 (37.2/37.4) – Slipout repair near Burr Valley Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C36DA

Highway 96

Route 96 (27/27.6) – Construction work near Bluff Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C96LA

Route 96 (29.9) – Bridge work at Slate Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C96KA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (78.3/78.7) – Road work in Eureka from C Street to J Street will continue. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101HD

U.S. 101 (80.3/83.4) – Work at the Indianola Interchange between Eureka and Arcata is scheduled from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5 to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6. A southbound lane closure will be in effect. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101FD

U.S. 101 (88.3) – Work at the 299 interchange in Arcata will continue. The northbound onramp to Route 299 will be fully closed. Motorists should use an alternative route. LC#C101KD

Highway 169

Route 169 (22.7/23.6) – Permit work near Kep’el will begin on Monday, March 4. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. LC#P169AA

Highway 254

Route 254 (3.2/4.3) – Bridge construction near Fish Creek Road will continue. A full closure will be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route. LC#C254CA

Route 254 (4.3/4.8) – Road work north of Fish Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. LC#C254DA

Route 254 (18.4/18.6) – Emergency work in Weott has begun. A full closure is in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route. LC#T254AA

Highway 255

Route 255 (2.5) – Permit work near Vane Avenue south of Manila is scheduled for Friday, March 1 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expect 5-minute delays. LC#P255CA

Highway 299

Route 299 (0/5.7) – Work from Arcata to Blue Lake will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. Off the highway on the Guintoli Lane Overcrossing, expect 5-minute nighttime delays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. LC#C299HA

Route 299 (11/11.4) – Construction east of Blue Lake near North Fork Mad River Bridge 4-194 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C299FA

Route 299 (19.1/19.8) - Work west of the Berry Summit Vista Point near Bair Road will begin. Expect 5-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. LC#C299GA

Route 299 (21.5/22.2) - Emergency work west of Chezem Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C299GA

Route 299 (24.3/24.7) - Emergency work near Chezem Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C299GA

Route 299 (32.1/32.5) - Construction work near East Fork Campground will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C299LA

Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

Mini Calendar

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