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: CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSON’S OFFICE; Posted On Tuesday, 08 February 2022 23:18; 08 February 2022

House passes Thompson’s bill to rename Cotati Post Office in honor of the Pasta King, Art Ibleto

NORTH COAST, Calif. — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05)’s H.R. 735, a bill to rename the Cotati Post Office in honor of Arturo L. Ibleto, the Pasta King.

The city of Cotati passed a resolution requesting that Congressman Thompson introduce this bill to honor Art’s life and legacy.

“Art Ibleto was the embodiment of the American Dream. Born in Italy, Art immigrated to Sonoma County after World War II where he met his wife, Vicki, and created a successful local restaurant and catering business,” said Thompson. “The Spaghetti Palace became an institutional landmark and local residents affectionately started to refer to him as the Pasta King. He raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes and his philanthropy knew no bounds. I was honored to know him and call him my friend — and it was my immense pleasure to make this tribute possible with my bill.”

The bill now heads to the Senate where it will be considered and then it will be sent to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

: California Department of Water Resources; Posted On Wednesday, 05 January 2022 03:18; 05 January 2022

Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam resumes operation

**The Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam in Butte County, California. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources.**

OROVILLE, Calif. — The Department of Water Resources announced Tuesday that hydropower generation has resumed at the Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam in Butte County.

The power plant was taken offline Aug. 5 due to historic low lake levels driven by the state’s ongoing severe drought conditions. Recent storms have boosted lake levels and provided colder water in the reservoir to allow operations to resume.

Currently, the powerplant is utilizing one generating unit to produce electricity and supply it to the state’s electrical grid managed by the California Independent System Operator. Outflows from the plant and generation will initially remain low due to reduced agricultural demands and improved delta salinity conditions. DWR anticipates an average outflow of about 900 cubic feet per second which will generate approximately 30 megawatts of power. As lake levels rise and demands increase, additional units will be brought back online.

“This is a significant milestone as California sees some relief from drought conditions,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Providing clean hydropower to the state energy grid allows DWR to assist in meeting the state’s clean energy goals.”

DWR completed major maintenance activities while the powerplant was offline to ensure the plant maintains its reliability and is available for water deliveries and power generation. DWR continues to manage Lake Oroville to balance storage needs with requirements for Delta outflows, water quality, and public health and safety requirements in an effort to conserve as much storage as possible in the event of another dry year.

To learn more about DWR’s power production operations, visit https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Power.

: Caltrans; Posted On Thursday, 30 December 2021 00:36; 30 December 2021

Caltrans urges drivers to avoid travel to Sierra

Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin is urging motorists to avoid nonessential mountain travel until weather conditions improve.

Caltrans has closed 45 state highways since December 24 due to record snowfall in the Sierra Nevada.

While Caltrans has reopened 29 highways — including Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50, the main gateways to Lake Tahoe — roadway conditions remain challenging with extensive delays and chain controls in effect.

“The safety of the traveling public is always Caltrans’ top priority,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Please avoid traveling to the Sierra unless absolutely necessary. If you must travel, make sure you’re prepared.”

Under the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, or CalOES, has activated the State Operations Center to monitor storm conditions and coordinate all necessary assistance.

Caltrans is coordinating with CalOES, the California Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, the Nevada Department of Transportation and the National Weather Service to respond to changing conditions and keep roadways safe for travel.

In response to the record snowfall, Caltrans has redirected all available crews into the mountains to reopen roadways, bringing operators from as far away as the Bay Area to assist.

The department has 1,350 field staff clearing mountain highways, working 24/7 in 12-hour shifts, and has deployed more than 600 snowplows statewide.

Caltrans has recorded more than $22 million in storm damage to state highways during the current winter storm, not including snow and fallen tree removal costs. Hundreds of trees have fallen onto highways, slowing the snow removal process.

Caltrans shared the following safety tips for motorists who must travel to the mountains:

• Before heading out, check Caltrans QuickMap for the latest road closure and chain control information.
• Carry chains and be ready for winter driving conditions.
• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order by checking your brakes, wipers, antifreeze, heaters, and exhaust systems before you leave.
• Do not try to go around highway closures by using secondary roads.

And when you’re on the road, please remember:

• Slow down and Be Work Zone Alert as Caltrans crews, California Highway Patrol officers, and other emergency responders are out trying to help control traffic and clear the roads.
• “Don’t Crowd the Plow” — tailgating or trying to go around snow plows can result in potentially dangerous situations.
• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes blankets, water, food, a shovel, gloves, a flashlight, and sand or kitty litter to provide traction in case your vehicle becomes stuck.
• Bring cash in case power is unavailable for credit card transactions.
• Keep your phone charged in case you need it in an emergency.

: Caltrans; Posted On Saturday, 29 January 2022 03:16; 29 January 2022

California invests $589 million for transportation improvements

The California Transportation Commission, or CTC, this week allocated $589 million for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state.

Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounts for $302 million – more than half of the funding.

“This investment follows our ‘fix-it-first’ commitment to repair California’s aging infrastructure, while at the same time increasing transit and active transportation options,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “These projects will make our transportation system safer and more convenient for all users and create thousands of good paying jobs in the process.”

Projects approved this week include:

• Approximately $1.3 million toward pavement, guardrail, and retaining wall upgrades on U.S. 101 near Crescent City in Humboldt County.
• Approximately $11.7 million toward improvements at Pudding Creek Bridge No.10-0158 on Route 1 in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $1.1 million toward pavement, and guardrail upgrades on Route 1 from Philo Greenwood Road to north of Little Lake Road near Mendocino.
• Approximately $859,000 toward pavement and guardrail upgrades on Route 1 from north of Rockport Street to U.S. 101 near Leggett in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $4.1 million toward a multipurpose paved trail along Route 162 in Covelo in Mendocino County.

Caltrans also presented the CTC with the draft 2022 State Highway Operation and Protection Program, or SHOPP, at this week’s meeting.

Aimed at preserving the condition of the highway system, the draft 2022 SHOPP accounts for $17.3 billion in funding over a four-year period and includes projects for safety, restoration, road and bridge preservation, and other highway-related facilities.

The CTC will host a public hearing in February to receive comments on the draft SHOPP. All the comments will be considered in the final version that goes before the CTC for adoption at its March meeting.

All 2022 SHOPP projects are available on the Caltrans’ Ten-Year Project Book website.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit www.RebuildingCA.ca.gov.

: Office of Senator Mike McGuire; Posted On Wednesday, 05 January 2022 03:16; 05 January 2022

McGuire’s bill to help stop toxic coal train passes Senate Transportation Committee

NORTH COAST, Calif. — Sen. Mike McGuire’s legislation to stop one of the largest environmental threats the North Coast has seen in decades — a proposal from a secret, clandestine operation that wants to ship millions of tons of coal through Northern California — passed with bipartisan support in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

“The proposed toxic coal train is an environmental disaster in the making. The midwest coal would travel through the Sierras, across the Golden State through the heart of our thriving communities, ancient redwoods, and directly along the banks of the Eel and Russian rivers which are the main drinking water source for nearly one million residents,” McGuire said on Tuesday after the vote. “It is crucial we stop this dangerous proposal – it transcends politics, and I am grateful for the bipartisan support today.”

SB 307 will protect California by preventing all state funding from initiating improvements on the now defunct North Coast rail line north of the City of Willits.

Further, it bans state money from being spent on the buildout of any new potential bulk coal terminal facilities at the Port of Humboldt.

The bill passed in the Senate Transportation Committee with an 11-0 bipartisan vote.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee for approval.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 22 December 2021 04:53; 22 December 2021

Head-on wreck near Ukiah kills one; DUI suspected

NORTH COAST, Calif. — A head-on crash on Tuesday evening killed one man and injured three others, and resulted in one arrest after authorities said they believed it involved driving under the influence.

The California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office said the wreck occurred on Talmage Road just east of Hastings Road in rainy conditions.

The man who died in the wreck was not identified in the CHP’s initial Tuesday night report, pending notification of next of kin.

The CHP said it received a call for service regarding the head-on collision at 6:43 p.m. Tuesday.

The responding officers found two vehicles with major damage, with one of them having unresponsive occupants inside, the CHP said.

Based on witness reports and the initial investigation, the CHP said Phillip Harrison, 38, of Potter Valley was driving his 2019 Ford Fusion westbound on Talmage Road.

Heading eastbound at the same time was Ezequiel C. Guzman, 35, of Ukiah, who was driving his 2001 Chevy Malibu with two passengers, the CHP said.

For reasons the CHP said are so far unknown, Guzman allowed the Chevy to travel across the opposite lane and directly into the path of Harrison’s Ford.

The CHP said the Chevy’s right front impacted the right front of the Ford, causing major intrusion into the Chevy’s right side passenger compartment.

Medical personnel responded to the scene, extricating Guzman and one of his passengers, Jesus Nava-Sandoval, 32, of Ukiah. The two men were transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via Adventist Health Ukiah Valley with moderate injuries, the CHP said.

Medics transported Harrison to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley with moderate injuries, according to the CHP report.

Despite efforts by medical personnel, Guzman’s right front passenger died of his injuries at the scene. The CHP said he was later extricated from the vehicle and transported to Eversole Mortuary.

The CHP said Guzman was arrested following the crash. Investigators believe that alcohol and/or drugs contributed to the wreck.

Neither Guzman nor his passengers were wearing their seat belts, while Harrison was wearing his seat belt, the report noted.

The crash remains an active investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to it is asked to contact the Ukiah CHP office at 707-467-4420.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

Regional

House passes Thompson’s bill to rename Cotati Post Office in honor of the Pasta King, Art Ibleto

Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam resumes operation

Caltrans urges drivers to avoid travel to Sierra

California invests $589 million for transportation improvements

McGuire’s bill to help stop toxic coal train passes Senate Transportation Committee

Head-on wreck near Ukiah kills one; DUI suspected

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