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 20

Route 20 (12.7/13) – Electrical work in Nice from Colusa Street to Floyd Way will begin on Monday, March 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P20BA

Route 20 (31.6/32.8) – Electrical work east of Clearlake Oaks at Jct Route 53 will occur on Sunday, March 17. Lanes closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P20BA

Highway 175

Route 175 (13.6/16.2) – Tree work from Salmina Road to Loch Lomond Road continues. 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 (3.2/4.4) – Road work will occur north of Gualala from Pirates Drive to Ocean View Avenue on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20. 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#C1YA

Route 1 (53.2/54.6) – Emergency work south of Caspar from Sea Pines Lane to Little Lake Road will conclude on Friday, March 15. 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 anticipate up to 30-minute delays. LC#C1TA

Route 1 (92.7/92.8) – Road work at the Dunn Creek Bridge will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20. 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#C1YA

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 (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 (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

Route 162 (28.2/30) – Electrical work in Covelo from Wattenburg Road to the Cal Fire Covelo Fire Station continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays. LC#C162CA

Highway 253

Route 253 (1.7/2.3) – 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

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

Route 271 (20.1/22.4) – Emergency work in Piercy at Dimmick Road will occur on Wednesday, March 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P271GA

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 7 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 (15.6/31.1) – 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

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 (18.8) – Utility work west of Bridgeville near Jaymar Lane will occur on Thursday, March 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. LC#C36BA

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 (36.8/41.5) – Electrical work in Orleans from Crawford Creek to Eyesee Road will begin on Monday, March 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C96FA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (34/34.6) – Culvert work will begin north of Weott on Friday, March 15. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101EA

U.S. 101 (78.5/79.1) – 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 (22.7/23.6) – Permit work near Kep’el will continue. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. LC#P169AA

Highway 211

Route 211 (77.2/78.6) – Bridge work at Fernbridge will continue. 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#C211CA

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 continues. A full closure is in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route. LC#T254AA

Route 254 (41.1/41.5) – Emergency work north of Redcrest will continue. 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 night time delays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. 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 (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

With this year’s April 15 tax filing deadline approaching, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, reminds taxpayers of two key benefits they may take advantage of to ensure they get back any money they earned.

Those benefits are:

• Free preparation assistance is available from California’s Franchise Tax Board’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly program to help individuals with limited incomes complete their tax returns.

• And families should apply for the California Earned Income Tax Credit, a benefit worth thousands of dollars for working people who earn low or moderate incomes. Starting this year, Cal EITC has expanded eligibility to low-income workers aged 18-24 and individuals 65 and up.

“I want to make sure every eligible person is able to receive the benefits provided by the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which I was proud to help create,” Sen. Dodd said. “It’s easy to become lost in the maze of forms and rules when you are filing your taxes. Fortunately, there are teams of qualified volunteers out there ready to help.”

People seeking help with their taxes can visit https://www.ftb.ca.gov/help/free-tax-help/index.html.

Assistance is available through April 15 and is limited to full-year residents. The VITA program specializes in assisting disabled taxpayers, those with low to limited income and non-English speaking taxpayers.

The TCE program provides free income tax assistance for middle- or low-income taxpayers, giving special attention to those 60 and older.

The Cal EITC program can be a game-changer for many low-income families. Those who are eligible may also be eligible for other programs including Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKS.

Find an online calculator to determine your benefit here.

In addition, the IRS has its Taxpayer Advocate Service, which provides an independent system to ensure unresolved tax problems are handled promptly and fairly.

Free tax preparation programs are also supported by nonprofit groups like the United Way.

California’s need for a structured and coordinated response to labor trafficking has increased in recent years, the Little Hoover Commission concluded in a new report.

The commission released a follow-up report, “Implementation Review: California’s Response to Labor Trafficking,” evaluating the degree to which commission recommendations from three initial reports on the topic, issued in 2020, have been implemented.

The report concludes that of the 10 recommendations made by the commission, two have been partially implemented. There has been no progress on the other eight, including the recommendation to create an Anti-Human Trafficking Council that would coordinate and assess the state’s efforts.

“These crimes continue to fall under the radar and often occur in our most vulnerable communities,” said Commission Chairman Pedro Nava. “California must take a stronger position against labor trafficking and ensure the health and safety of workers across the state.”

In its initial reports, released in the summer and fall of 2020, the commission found that the state largely focused on the trafficking of people for sexual exploitation, rather than labor exploitation.

Each report featured recommendations to help the state develop an organized, statewide response to trafficking, and outlined strategies to support survivors and bring traffickers to justice.

Last fall, the commission conducted a comprehensive review of the implementation of its past recommendations on the issue, including a public hearing featuring testimony from experts and written requests to state agencies for additional information.

This latest report assesses each previous recommendation and reviews any passed or attempted legislation that has been introduced to help strengthen the state’s response to labor trafficking.

The Little Hoover Commission is America’s only permanent, independent citizens commission working to improve state government. A nonpartisan oversight agency created in 1962, the Commission includes 13 Commissioners appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. The commission’s mission is to investigate state operations and promote efficiency, economy and improved service.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Operation Tango Mike and the Kelseyville Lions will co-host “Hotcakes For Heroes” on Saturday, March 16, at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, located at 5340 Third St.

The breakfast will feature hotcakes, along with choices of sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy. Beverages include juice and coffee.

You may also order the deluxe version, by simply requesting “the works.”

Operation Tango Mike volunteers will take orders and serve patrons.

The event will run from 8 to 11 a.m., with a suggested donation of $10.

Proceeds benefit Operation Tango Mike in the ongoing effort to ship monthly care packages to deployed military personnel.

Operation Tango Mike is marking 21 continuous years of supporting the troops and has shipped more than 26,000 care packages.

Care packages are shipped to many countries, wherein deployed troops often have difficulty obtaining supplies and are in harm’s way. There has not been a month that Operation Tango Mike has not shipped to “boots on the ground” in Iraq, since the all volunteer non-profit began in 2003.

Currently, monthly shipping fees alone average $2,000. Coupled with the increasing costs of care package supplies, the all-volunteer nonprofit spends an average of nearly $5,000 per month to send the much needed and appreciated care packages.

For further information call 707-349-2838 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office is reminding community members that it’s important to return documents related to signature verification by month’s end in order to complete the certification of the March 5 presidential primary election.

All voters who received a “Signature Verification Statement” or an “Unsigned Ballot Envelope Statement” from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office have until 5 p.m. March 28 to return the completed forms either by fax, email or in person.

The elections office cannot count a voter’s vote-by-mail or provisional ballot if the completed and signed statement is not returned by the deadline.

The registrar’s goal is to certify the election by April 2.

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

Sprawl development built far from city centers carries direct and indirect costs that pull resources away from existing neighborhoods, harming communities and natural habitats, according to a new report published today by the Center for Biological Diversity.

“The True Cost of Sprawl” analyzed the environmental harms — including pollution, wildfire risks and public health threats — that come with poor land-use decisions.

It found that suburban and exurban housing developments increase per capita infrastructure costs by 50%, pulling public funds from schools, parks, public transportation and other needs in existing communities for things like new roads and sewer systems.

“Fueling more sprawl is lucrative for developers, but it levies a hefty price tag for the rest of us,” said Elizabeth Reid-Wainscoat, a campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The disturbing trend of policymakers approving more exurban projects that exacerbate the climate emergency can be reversed with a few bold policy changes. Failing to address the true costs of sprawl will mean more land-use mistakes that lock us into a future of more smog, congestion and wildfire risk.”

Despite the harmful consequences, elected officials across California keep approving low-density housing far from existing communities as new sprawl developments are proposed.

In Solano County, a proposal to build a new city called California Forever would pave over wildlife habitat, threaten local water supply and increase air pollution in the region with tens of thousands of new commuters. The sprawling Centennial project, which was approved by Los Angeles County but rejected in court, would increase wildfire risk, destroy native grasslands and significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. These developments would contribute to the extinction crisis by paving over natural areas while providing little affordable housing.

The report makes the following recommendations to policymakers:

• Protect and restore open space while directing development to urban infill areas.
• Permanently protect current affordable housing and set legally binding anti-displacement policies.
• Build development in areas free from toxic pollutants and away from flood and wildfire zones.
• Invest in public transit and affordable housing with climate-resilient features such as rooftop solar and drought-tolerant landscaping in the urban core.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.7 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

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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