Thursday, 28 March 2024

Community

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. — Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
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Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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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 29

Route 29 (27.8/28.3) – Tree work at Jct Route 281 will occur on Monday, March 25. 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#P29CA

Highway 175

Route 175 (13.6/16.2) – Tree work from Salmina Road to Loch Lomond Road will conclude on Friday, March 22. 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 (.01/.15) – Bridge work will begin at the Gualala River Bridge on Monday, March 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1ZA

Route 1 (3.2/4.4) – Road work will occur north of Gualala from Pirates Drive to Ocean View Avenue will conclude on Friday March 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C1YA

Route 1 (9/9.7) – Tree work at Iversen Road will occur on Monday, March 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P1FA

Route 1 (31.1/31.6) – Bridge work at the Elk Creek Bridge will occur on Friday, March 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1WA

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 anticipate up to 30-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 (34.8/38.5) – Utility work east of Calpella from Road A to Elledge Ranch Road will continue. 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

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 (8/9.8) – Bridge work at the Pieta Creek Bridge will occur on Tuesday, March 26. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#M101GA

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

U.S. 101 (63.4/64.6) – Emergency work from the Long Valley Creek Bridge to Sloan Road will occur on Sunday, March 24. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#M101FA

U.S. 101 (85.5/88.6) – Emergency work south of Leggett near Wilson Creek continues. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect minor delays. LC#T101GA

Highway 128

Route 128 (4.3/5) – Emergency work at Barton Gulch continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#P128EA

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

Highway 253

Route 253 (1.7/2.5) – Road work near Boonville at Bald Hills Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C253DA

Route 253 (15.3/15.5) – Tree work at Shepherd Lane will occur on Tuesday, March 26. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C253AA

Highway 271

Route 271 (2) – Emergency work south of Leggett near Big Bend Lodge Road will continue. A full closure will be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route. LC#T271BA

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 (16.1/17.5) – Culvert work near the Damnation Creek trailhead will begin. One-way traffic is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 22. Motorists should expect 10-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 (20/31.1) – Emergency work from the Gasquet area 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

U.S. 199 (33.4) – The Collier Tunnel Rest Area is closed for repairs. Please use an alternate rest area. LC#T199CA

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

Route 96 (40.6/41.5) – Electrical work near Eyesee Road is scheduled on Friday, March 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C96FA

Highway 101

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

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 (15/23.6) – Permit work near Myers Lane and Kep’el will continue. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 7 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 (6/6.2) – Permit work near Madrona Road is scheduled on Thursday, March 28. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#P254CA

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 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. through Friday, March 22. 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 (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

SACRAMENTO — Legislation advanced this week from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help ensure electrical utilities are pursuing the fastest and most cost-effective infrastructure improvements, safeguarding the public from future wildfires and saving money for ratepayers forced to cover the cost of more expensive repairs.

“With utilities making upgrades to keep us safe from wildfire, we must ensure they identify projects that have the biggest impact and can be completed in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money,” Sen. Dodd said. “We need the biggest bang for the buck when they do projects. It means we’ll be protecting our communities from wildfires sooner and avoiding unwarranted rate increases as we’re forced to absorb the cost of these improvements.”

Recently, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a $13.5 billion rate increase requested by PG&E to pay for the undergrounding of 1,230 miles of electric utility lines over the next three years.

This is a fraction of the more than 10,000 miles of undergrounding PG&E proposes for the next decade in hopes of reducing the risk of its utility infrastructure sparking wildfires. The cost per mile is estimated at $3 million.

However, there are alternatives such as insulating existing utility cable. Insulating wires costs an estimated $800,000 per mile, and in certain circumstances may be as effective in preventing wildfire ignitions as undergrounding, and achievable in far less time.

“It’s all about maximizing benefit, while minimizing ratepayer costs,” Sen. Dodd said. “Undergrounding lines in high risk areas is important and needs to continue in a targeted manner, but we also need to advance faster, cheaper methods to maximize safety today.”

Sen. Dodd’s Senate Bill 1003 would direct the Office of Electrical Infrastructure Safety to consider the timeliness of investor-owned utility electrical infrastructure upgrades when reviewing the utilities’ wildfire mitigation plans to ensure that the maximum amount of risk from utility sparked wildfires is reduced in the shortest amount of time. SB 1003 cleared the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications committee today with unanimous support and heads next to Appropriations.

“Safety today is not the same as safety in 3 or 10 years,” said Michael Wara, director of climate and energy policy at Stanford University. “This bill will force the utilities to account for the long implementation delays of some strategies as an additional cost to their customers. Delivery of adequate service today — including the ‘service’ of safety — is an important value that all Californians deserve from their electric utilities. This bill will compel utilities to evaluate not just how safe a system they can create in the long run, but will push them to do it as quickly as possible.”

Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.

From left to right, Dan Okenfuss, public policy manager for California Foundation for Independent Living Centers; Russell Rawlings, statewide community manager for California Foundation for Independent Living Centers; Sen. Dodd; and Kate Laddish, chair of Yolo County In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee. Courtesy photo.

Legislation advanced on Monday from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would grant power wheelchair users the right to have their own equipment repaired, eliminating delays that could leave them immobilized while reducing costs to one of California’s most vulnerable populations.

“Enhancing the quality of life for people with mobility issues is the focus of this bill,” Sen. Dodd said. “The proposal allows power wheelchair users to get their wheelchairs fixed in an efficient and timely manner when things go wrong. Ultimately, it ensures those who rely on wheelchairs can be operating as soon as possible.”

Under existing law, manufacturers of power wheelchairs are not required to provide information or replacement parts directly to consumers or independent repair shops.

Colorado became the first state in the nation to address the issue, adopting a right-to-repair laws that granted wheelchair owners and independent shops access to parts, manufacturer software, specialized tools and other items needed to ensure timely and affordable wheelchair repair.

In California, Sen. Dodd has introduced Senate Bill 1384, which would ensure the same right to repair for California wheelchair users and streamline the process for getting complex rehabilitation technology repaired.

Among other things, it requires independent repair shops to require written notice to consumers before conducting repairs and establishes guidelines on what parts can be replaced.

The bill passed the Senate’s Business and Professions committee today with unanimous, bipartisan support. It is supported by advocates including Sacramento disability rights activist and wheelchair user Russell Rawlings.

“If you have a power chair and are using it daily, it needs regular maintenance,” Rawlings said. “But the industry as it stands has very little interest in making repairs. There can be months if not longer of wait time. This bill seeks to change that by making it easier for owners and smaller shops to fill the repair need. Also, power chairs are increasingly controlled by software that is currently restricted to a small number of vendors. Owners having access to these tools would enable more freedom and ability to control their driving experiences.”

LOCH LOMOND, Calif. — A collaborative of fire practitioners is working together to conduct multiple cultural burns in the Loch Lomond area this week.

The burns, which began on Wednesday, are expected to continue for two to three days.

These burns are taking place as part of the Lake County Cal-TREX, a prescribed and cultural fire training exchange led by the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance, or TERA in partnership with agencies, tribes and community organizations including Cal Fire, the US Forest Service and the Watershed Research and Training Center.

The goals of the burns are to reduce fuel loading, support capacity building and training around beneficial burning, improve the health of oak woodlands and grasslands, help native plants thrive, and enhance wildlife habitat.

These fully permitted burns will be conducted depending on weather conditions and be led by a coalition of TERA and other Lake County Cal-TREX partners.

Ignitions may begin as early as 10 a.m. each day with firing operations concluding by late afternoon.

There is potential for some residual smoke overnight and into the following days. Local residents are advised to close windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering their homes. Please do not call 911.

On Thursday, March 28, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct the first in a series of public hearings on California's Homeowners' Insurance Market at 10 a.m., followed by a Business Meeting. Both meetings will be held in the Coastal Hearing Room at the CalEPA Headquarters Building at 1001 I Street in Sacramento, CA, 95814, and via Zoom.

Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://bit.ly/3Pfq49V. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 960 2640 8729. The password is 189925. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.

Public comments will be heard at the end of the public hearing and at the start of the business meeting, and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 60 minutes. Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearing or business meeting may be cancelled without notice.

The Commission may act on any item listed on the hearing agenda below. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearing may be cancelled without notice.

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Hearing on California’s Homeowners’ Insurance Market (Part 1)
10 a.m.
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Join In Person
Coastal Hearing Room
CalEPA Headquarters Building
1001 I Street, Sacramento, California 95814

Join online or by phone via Zoom
URL: https://bit.ly/3Pfq49V 
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 960-2640-8729
Passcode: 189925

Public Hearing

1. Reflections on California’s Home Insurance Market

Dave Jones, Insurance Commissioner, Emeritus; Director, Climate Risk Initiative, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law
Carmen Balber, Executive Director, Consumer Watchdog
Amy Bach, Executive Director, United Policyholders
Rex Frazier, President, Personal Insurance Federation of California
Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

Business Meeting

Public Comment - 3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total
Business Meeting Minutes from Feb. 8, 2024 meeting
Consideration of draft report on the California Environmental Quality Act
Commission Elections
Election of Chair
Election of Vice Chair
Project and Meeting Schedule

Notice of Remote Participation

Commissioner Jose Atilio Hernandez will attend both meetings remotely.

At left, Lisa Morrow of Lake Family Resource Center and, at right, Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike receive grants from the Lakeport Elks. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lakeport Elks Lodge 2704 applied for and recently received $11,500 for three Community Improvement Grants.

Three Lake County nonprofits which meet the mission of the Elks National Foundation to “help Elks build stronger communities.”

A $3,500 Gratitude Grant will help Operation Tango Mike send monthly care packages to deployed troops.

A $4,000 grant allows Lake Family Resource Center to provide services to child, youth, parenting, and family development, community violence prevention, intervention and treatment. Lastly, it will help maintain the group’s family safe shelters.

The third grant, for $4,000, will help the Upper Lake Senior Center to upgrade its community kitchen to meet its local food poverty needs.

Like the Lakeport Elks donors, if the local clubs step up with either financial, volunteer or “elbow grease,” our Lake County community benefits.

The Elks offer their thanks to Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike for helping active service members and Lisa Morrow of Lake Family Resource Center for stepping up to help Lake County families and individuals.

Upcoming Calendar

28Mar
03.28.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Vision resource group
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
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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