Lake County News,California

Community

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:30; 06 December 2022

Local fire departments host 17th annual competition

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Vitalant, in coordination with 19 fire departments across Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties, is proud to announce the 17th annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge.

The challenge is a friendly competition among participating fire departments to see which department can host the largest blood drive between December and January by enlisting firefighters, friends, family and members of the community to donate lifesaving blood.

In Lake County, blood drive events will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Lakeport Fire Department, 445 N. Main St. and on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Lake County Fire Protection District, 21095 State Highway 175.

Donating blood is critical to helping patients this holiday season. On average, blood donations drop by more than 4,000 in December compared to the rest of the year.

In fact, the last two weeks of December are the lowest annual donation period – a worrisome trend.

“Right now we are hovering around a one-day supply of available blood when we would like to see a four-day supply,” says Charlene Verba, regional director for Vitalant. “Having fire departments encourage eligible donors to give provides much needed support during a typically challenging time.”

Since 2006, fire departments participating in the Bucket Brigade Challenge have recruited more than 12,000 participants.

Last year, Sonoma County Fire District won the coveted Bucket Trophy with over 100 participants. Participating firefighters recognize the significance of their blood drives.

Erich Engle of Sonoma County Fire District is a frequent blood donor and encourages community members to “make time this winter to support their local firefighters and donate blood.”
Multiple fire departments are hosting blood drives. As a special thank you, blood donors will receive an annual event T-shirt.

To find a drive near you, visit https://vitalant.org/bucketbrigade.

For your donation, please arrive well-hydrated, well-nourished, with a face mask and photo identification.

For eligibility information and to learn more about how we are adjusting to the pandemic, visit www.vitalant.org.

: Lake County Registrar of Voters Office; Posted On Monday, 05 December 2022 13:07; 05 December 2022

Registrar of Voters Office issues update on deadline for signature verification, unsigned ballots

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office is working to wrap up the process of certifying the results of the Nov. 8 election this week.

In order to do that, the office is reminding all voters who received a “signature verification statement” or an “unsigned ballot envelope statement” that the deadline for the Lake County Registrar of Voters office to receive the completed forms either by fax, email or in person is Tuesday, Dec. 6, by 12 p.m.

Please be aware that the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office cannot count a voter’s vote-by-mail or provisional ballot if the completed and signed statement is not returned by the deadline.

For additional information call 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.

: Caltrans; Posted On Friday, 02 December 2022 03:02; 02 December 2022

Caltrans plans major roadwork through Dec. 8

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 20

— Utility work in Lucerne from Paradise Valley Drive to Glady Street will occur on Tuesday, Dec. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Utility work in Clearlake Oaks from Butler Street to Sulphur Bank Road will conclude on Friday, Dec. 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Utility work will occur in Middletown from Wardlaw Street to Saint Helena Lane on Sunday, Dec. 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Paving work at Robinson Rancheria Road will occur on Friday, Dec. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

— Tree work near Diener Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work in Cobb at Estates Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Utility work in Cobb at Anderson Springs Road is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Utility work will occur south of Elk on Monday, Dec. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Tree work will occur north of Fort Bragg from Odom Lane to Little Valley Road on Monday, Dec. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Road work near Road 10 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge continues. Northbound lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Crawford Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work near Henry Station Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 11 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work continues in Ukiah at Route 222. Lane closures will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Fence work in Ukiah at the East Perkins Street Overcrossing continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Bridge work in Ukiah from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing continues. Lane Closures will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Road work south of Willits continues. A lane closure will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area.

— Utility work north of Willits near Ryan Creek Road will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Culvert work will begin south of the Moss Cove Safety Rest Area on Monday, Dec. 5. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Irvine Lodge Safety Rest Area will be closed through January 2023.

Highway 162

— Bridge work at the Outlet Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— 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.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Construction in the Last Chance Grade area. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 25-minute delays.

— Hazardous tree removal in the Last Chance Grade area will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Roadway excavation from Parkway Drive to Wilson and Burtchell will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. In addition, a full southbound onramp closure at the Washington Boulevard. Overcrossing will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

— Utility work near Dr. Fine Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Tree work near Parkway Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Electrical work near the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 96

— Tree work near Tish Tang Campground will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. LC#P96AA

— Utility work from Hostler Field Road to north of Hoopa will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work near Myers Flat will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Excavation and concrete work from St. Louis Road Overcrossing to Georgia Pacific Road will continue. One-way traffic control and lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Lane closures from the St. Louis Road Overcrossing to Mad River Bridge will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Hazardous tree removal near the Yacht Club will occur on Thursday, Nov. 8, and Friday, Nov. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Utility work from Griffin Street Entrance to Orick Trailer Park will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 169

— Utility work west of Weitchpec will begin Monday, Dec. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Utility work from Navy Base Road Street to ‘J’ Street will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Falsework installation from Route 200 to Route 101 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction from Willow Creek to Old Three Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:27; 06 December 2022

Sen. Dodd introduces bill expanding water shutoff protections

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation on Monday to expand provisions of his Water Shutoff Protection Act, ensuring more low-income Californians have uninterrupted access to essential drinking water, especially in times of skyrocketing costs.

“Access to water is a fundamental right and we must ensure the tap does not get turned off just because someone falls behind on their bills,” Sen. Dodd said. “This proposal enhances my previous legislation by covering people in smaller, rural communities who are struggling financially. It will allow them to continue using water for drinking, cooking and necessities such as washing clothes while they get caught up on missed payments.”

Sen. Dodd has a long history of water-related legislation. In response to rising water rates, he authored the Water Shutoff Protection Act of 2018, which extends due process protections to people at risk of service discontinuance because they are unable to pay their bills. Among other things, it affords those served by water systems of 200 customers or more a 60-day grace period to cover past debt and establishes a system for making payments. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Now, with Senate Bill 3, Sen. Dodd is proposing to extend those same protections to more people, reducing the threshold for compliance to water systems of 15 customers or more. The change is expected to affect thousands of low-income families across California and extends an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom that has expired. SB 3 is sponsored by Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.

“Access to drinking water is a human right held by all Californians regardless of the size of the community in which they live,” said Michael Claiborne, directing attorney of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “SB 3 would help to make this principle a reality by extending existing commonsense water shutoff protections, including notice and access to payment plans, to households served by very small community water systems.”

: Clear Lake State Park; Posted On Saturday, 03 December 2022 03:38; 03 December 2022

Clear Lake State Park to host Christmas open house

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — This month, Clear Lake State Park is taking a break from its monthly StoryWalk, and inviting children and their parents to come and enjoy a Christmas event.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., come to the Visitor Center within the park to make an applesauce cinnamon ornament to take home for your tree.

Enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer at the park, and while you are there, check out the Visitor Center which is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Park officials and the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association are looking forward to seeing children of all ages on Dec. 10.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

: Soroptimist Club; Posted On Thursday, 01 December 2022 02:42; 01 December 2022

Soroptimist Club donates to Sponsoring Survivorship and announces holiday event

**From left, Julie Kelley, founder of Sponsoring Survivorship, and Sally Munger, Soroptimist president, at the Soroptimist November 202 meeting.**

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — At the November meeting Soroptimist International of Clearlake presented $500 to Sponsoring Survivorship.

The Soroptimist Club has been supporting the organization for many years by joining the annual walk and making a cash donation.

“This is our way of helping local women and men with breast cancer,” said President Sally Munger.

Munger explained that for many years the Clear Lake Soroptimists provided funds for mammograms from a dedicated trust account from a former member.

“Although that fund was long ago exhausted, the fight against breast cancer is very important to us as women and survivors. We always find a way to help out our friends at Sponsoring Survivorship,” Munger said.

Representing Sponsoring Survivorship was Julie Kelley, who, along with Shirley Crawford founded the nonprofit in 1995.

“Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death in women, this donation will go a long way towards assisting local women and men struggling with the disease,” Kelley said.

Club members attended to other business while enjoying a scrumptious meal prepared by Chef Tammy Lipps at The Ripe Choice Farm and Catering event space, where the club has been meeting since reconvening in-person activities.

Monica Rosenthal, Soroptimist club and Rotarian member, noted the annual blanket making event was expanded this year by partnering with the Middletown Rotary Club.

“This year we made 120 blankets, the added blankets made possible through this partnership will support local teens through the Totes 4 Teens program, an effort we all think is vital to the well-being of our young people,” she said.

Another important Soroptimist program, “The President’s Appeal,” is back on track.

The annual fundraiser supports girls and women, specifically through education.

“The theme of the appeal is ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future,’” said Fawn Williams, the club treasurer. “This year, we are expanding the event, making it a holiday party and fund-raiser.”

The event will be at the Ripe Choice Farm and Catering on Dec. 14 at 5:30 pm.

Members, family, friends and anyone who wants to contribute towards improved education for girls and women is invited.

The Ripe Choice Farm and Catering address is 2550 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.

For reservations contact Sally Munger at 707-485-2132 by Dec. 7. The cost is $50 per person.