Friday, 29 March 2024

Community



The California Department of Social Services, or CDSS, in collaboration with the California Office of Technology and Solutions Integration and Fidelity Information Services, has launched ebtEDGE.

This mobile app and web-based portal provides EBT cardholders with card management features to help protect against theft of CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits.

Users can freeze their card when not in use, block online and out-of-state transactions, change PINs, and request a replacement card.

Cardholders using the mobile app can also utilize device biometrics, including touch ID or facial recognition to sign in.

“ebtEDGE empowers EBT cardholders to enhance the security of their benefits and represents the kind of innovation California is known for while providing people with the tools to help prevent EBT theft,” said CDSS Director Kim Johnson. “California takes the issue of benefit theft seriously and we continue to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate these crimes.”

The free ebtEDGE mobile application is available for download in the Apple App store and Google Play store. Web-based access is available here. See a video about the new ebtEDGE app and portal.

The new app is just one component of California’s aggressive efforts to curb the theft of EBT benefits.

In partnership with our EBT vendor, federal partners, and other stakeholders, CDSS is working to develop and deploy the use of chip and tap payment technologies on EBT cards in California.

The 2023 Budget Act includes $50 million, including federal dollars, to support this effort.

California will be the first state in the country to deliver EBT benefits on chip and tap enabled cards. Currently, the state is working through federal approval and engaging with retailers on chip and tap implementation, which is expected to commence in summer 2024.

The CDSS continues to work with counties and law enforcement to investigate EBT theft.

Multiple investigations are ongoing, and arrests have been made. Several measures to detect, deter, and prevent theft have been taken, such as restricting out-of-state cash withdrawals, educating cardholders on how to protect their cards, encouraging frequent PIN changes and the avoidance of common PINs, and promoting direct deposit for cash benefits.

The CDSS is also working with California counties, which are actively reimbursing victims of theft.

Any cardholder who suspects that they may have been a victim of theft should immediately contact their local county office.

Cardholders can also contact the EBT Customer Service Line at 877-328-9677 to cancel their EBT card and request a new one.

For additional details on ebtEDGE implementation in California, please see this guidance recently provided to California counties.

A November storm is bringing rain and wind to much of Northern California and serves as a reminder of the importance of winter storm safety.

Rain and winds began impacting the region on Tuesday, and showers and possible isolated thunderstorms will continue to be experienced across Northern and Central California through Friday or as late as Saturday of this week.

In addition, dirt and dust can build up on equipment throughout the year. The first of rains of the season, or even heavy mist or fog, can turn this accumulated dirt and dust to mud, which can conduct electricity and lead to outages and in some cases, small pole fires.

PG&E’s meteorology team has developed a Storm Outage Prediction Model that incorporates real-time weather forecasts, historical data and system knowledge to predict where and when storm impacts will be most severe. This model enables the company to pre-stage crews and equipment as storms approach to enable rapid response to outages.

PG&E is urging its customers to take the necessary steps to be prepared and stay safe throughout the winter.

Safety tips

• Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it — and keep children and animals away.

• Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.

• Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.

• Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready as a backup.

• Have fresh drinking water, ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer.

• Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should make sure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews working on power lines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.

• Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.

• Safely clean up: After the inclement weather has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 811 or visit 811express.com at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.

Other tips can be found at PG&E’s website.

Dr. Gary Ivey with a sandhill crane. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Redbud Audubon Society is pleased to host Dr. Gary Ivey with the International Crane Foundation for its Thursday, Nov. 16, Zoom program meeting starting at 7 p.m.

To register for the program, go to Redbud’s website, www.redbudaudubon.org and click on the registration link there.

Dr. Ivey will speak about the sandhill crane populations that breed and winter in California and the broader Pacific Flyway.

He will discuss the migration routes, wintering and breeding areas of the three subspecies that use the state.

Ivey will speak about their behavior and biology and also their conservation needs in California's Central Valley.

A crane sunset. Courtesy photo.

Dr. Ivey is a research associate and is an expert on sandhill cranes in the Pacific Flyway. He has worked with wildlife with a particular focus on sandhill cranes for over 40 years, concentrating his work on waterbirds, waterfowl and wetland conservation.

He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Trumpeter Swan Society and is leading efforts to restore breeding trumpeter swans to Oregon.

He served for 20 years as a biologist at several western refuges, including 15 years at Malheur Refuge.

He studied nesting ecology of sandhill cranes for his master’s thesis and wintering ecology of sandhill cranes for his PhD, both at Oregon State University.

He continues working to further conservation of cranes, trumpeter swans and other waterbirds in Western North America.

Dr. Gary Ivey at the Reifel Sanctuary. Courtesy photo.

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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Caltrans will suspend most work on Northern California highways from Thursday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans crews to respond to emergency situations.

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

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 20

Route 20 (32.8) – Bridge work in Willits at the Broaddus Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C20HA

Route 20 (33.9/44.1) – Utility work east of Calpella from Road 144 to the Lake County Line continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C20OA

Route 20 (37.9) – Bridge work at the Cold Creek Bridge continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area. A full on ramp closure will also be in effect. LC#C20HA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (10.6) – Bridge work in Hopland at Feliz Creek continues. One-way traffic control closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101WD

U.S. 101 (22.1) – Bridge work at the South Ukiah Overhead continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area. LC#C101WD

U.S. 101 (22.1) – Bridge work at the South Ukiah Overhead will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area. LC#C101WD

U.S. 101 (30.7) – Bridge work in Calpella at Route 20 continues. A full northbound off ramp closure will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101WC

U.S. 101 (31.8) – Bridge work at the Forsythe Creek Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area. LC#C101WD

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 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#M101QD

U.S. 101 (42.3) – Emergency work at the Willits Water Treatment Plant continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area. LC#C101ND

U.S. 101 (76.2/77.6) – Road work north of Laytonville near Rattlesnake Summit will occur on Tuesday, November 21. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and motorists should minor slowdowns. LC#C101ED

U.S. 101 (100/106.5) – Road work from south of Cooks Valley to north of Confusion Hill will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#P101BE

U.S. 101 (103.8/106.2) – Culvert work from Route 271 to south of the Lowell Allen Memorial Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101ED

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 (16.6/17.5) – Emergency work west of Laytonville Dos Rios Road continues. 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#T162BA

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

Highway 271

Route 271 (19.5/20) – Road work in Piercy continues. A full lane closure is in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should use an alternative route. LC#C271IA

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (8.3/8.6) – Bridge work between Peine Road and Old 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 (22.7/23.9) – Emergency work south of Crescent City from Hamilton Road to Humboldt Road will conclude on Friday, November 17. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101EB

Highway 199

Route 199 (19.9/31.1) – Emergency work east of Gasquet from the Grassy Flat Bridge to the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue. One-way traffic control is in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to one-hour delays. LC#T199CA

Route 199 (33.5) – The Collier Tunnel Rest Area is closed. LC#T199CA

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

Route 36 (4.1) – Utility work at Fisher Road will occur on Monday, November 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#P36BA

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 (28.1/28.3) – Bridge work at Aiken Creek Bridge and Bluff Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C96KA

Route 96 (29.9) – Bridge work at Slate Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C96KA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (0/0.9) – Slipout repair from Route 271 to Hartsook Inn will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101IA

U.S. 101 (27.8) – Bridge work at South Fork Eel River Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101CF

U.S. 101 (77.3/78.5) – Various improvements between Broadway and ‘E’ Street will continue. Northbound lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101HD

U.S. 101 (88.3) – Ramp work in Arcata at Route 299 will continue. A full northbound on ramp closure will be in effect and motorists should use an alternative route. LC#C101KD

Route 101 (90.1/109.5) - Construction work from McKinleyville to Big Lagoon will begin on Monday, November 20. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C101CA

Highway 169

Route 169 (21.4) - Tree work near McKinnon Hill Road will occur on Friday, November 17. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#P169AA

Route 169 (30/30.2) - Electrical work near Rock Chute Creek Bridge will occur on Monday, November 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#P169AA

Highway 254

Route 254 (3.2/4.3) – Bridge work between State Park Road and Fish Creek Road will continue. A full closure of this portion of highway will be in effect. Motorists should choose an alternate route. LC#C254CA

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

Highway 255

Route 255 (0.1/8.6) - Striping work between Eureka Channel Bridge and ‘K’ Street will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#C255EA

Highway 299

Route 299 (1.8/5.5) – Off ramp repair work west of Blue Lake continues. Full westbound off ramp closures at Route 200, Exit 3B to Essex Lane, and Exit 4 to Glendale Drive, and a full westbound onramp closure at Glendale Undercrossing will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should choose an alternate route. LC#C299HA

Route 299 (8/9.1) - Road work near the Blue Lake Weigh Station will conclude on Friday, November 17. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. LC#C299IA

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

Route 299 (34/42.3) - Utility work from Cedar Ed Road to south of Willow Creek at Shannon Way will conclude on Friday, November 17. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#P299BA

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Effective Jan. 1, 2024, changes are happening to the Medi-Cal program to expand coverage to more people.

The first change is that more people will be able to get full scope Medi-Cal benefits as immigration status no longer matters.

Previous changes were made so that full scope Medi-Cal was made available for young adults up to age 26 and older adults 50 and over. The gap is now being closed to cover adults ages 26 to 49.

All other eligibility requirements will remain the same and Medi-Cal is not considered a public charge for immigration purposes.

For more information on the adult expansion visit this page.

The second change occurring is the elimination of the requirement to verify assets. For applicants and beneficiaries, starting January 01, 2024 assets will no longer be required to determine your new or ongoing eligibility.

For more information on the asset elimination please visit this page.

If you have questions, need help applying or renewing your benefits, please contact Social Services.

In Person: 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake Ca 95457

Online: https://benefitscal.com or https://www.coveredca.com

By phone: 707-995-4200 or 800-628-5288

Mail: P.O. Box 9000, Lower Lake Ca 95457



Cambios muy pronto para Medi-Cal - ¡Esté Informado!

LOWER LAKE, Calif. — A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, habrá cambios en el programa de Medi-Cal para ampliar la cobertura a más personas.

El primer cambio es que más personas podrán obtener beneficios completos de Medi-Cal ya que el estatus migratorio no importa. Cambios anteriores fueron que dieron Medi-Cal completo para adultos jóvenes de hasta 26 años y adultos mayores de 50 años o más. Ahora estamos cerrando la brecha para cubrir a adultos de 26 a 49 años. Todos los demás requisitos de elegibilidad seguirán siendo los mismos y Medi-Cal NO se considera una carga pública para propósitos de inmigración. Para obtener más información sobre la expansión para adultos, visite Adult-Expansion.

El segundo cambio es la eliminación del requisito de verificar sus recursos. Para los solicitantes y beneficiarios, a partir del 1 de enero de 2024 ya no se requerirán para determinar su elegibilidad nueva o actual. Para obtener más información sobre la eliminación de recursos, visite Asset Limit Changes.

Si tiene preguntas, necesita ayuda para solicitar o renovar sus beneficios, comuníquese con nosotros:

En persona: 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake Ca 95457

En línea: https://benefitscal.com o https://www.coveredca.com

Por teléfono: 707-995-4200 o 800-628-5288

Correo: P.O. Box 9000, Lower Lake Ca 95457

NORTH COAST, Calif. — With cooler temperatures and measurable precipitation, the Bureau of Land Management has eased fire restrictions effective today for public lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.

Fire restrictions were originally initiated on June 28 to curb the risk of wildfire. The rescinded fire order is available on the website.

Public land visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites. Recreational target shooting may also resume in designated areas. Visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to avoid shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions.

“Due to cooler fall weather conditions and declining wildfire danger, we are lifting seasonal fire restrictions,” said Ukiah Field Manager Nicholas Lavrov. “While weather conditions are no longer causing high wildfire danger, we still urge everyone to Recreate Responsibly to help minimize wildfire potential when visiting public lands.”

The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildfire.

Good fire-prevention safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are available free online or at BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.

The statewide Fire Prevention Order remains in place for BLM-managed public lands in California.

Recreational target shooters are reminded that hot bullet fragments and exploding targets can spark a wildfire. Tracer round ammunition and incendiary devices are not allowed on BLM-managed public lands. Consider using paper targets to eliminate sparks. Recreational target shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website.

For more information on preventing wildfires and additional tips for keeping campfires and target shooting safe, visit ReadyForWildfire.org or call the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000. The field office can also provide additional information on public lands available for target shooting.

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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