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A bill to expand the reach of broadband services across rural California took a key step forward this week.
AB 1665, joint-authored by several bipartisan members of the Assembly including Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), passed out of the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee this week with a 12-0 vote.
This bill memorializes the successful negotiation of a $330 million package to expand broadband access and digital literacy to communities deprived of a reliable Internet connection.
Past efforts to increase funding to close the connectivity gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots,” known as the “Digital Divide,” were intensely opposed by the largest telecommunications companies.
AB 1665 is the product of bipartisan legislative leadership. After a three-year stalemate, this bill represents a cooperative effort between legislators and representatives from the telecommunications industry to invest in broadband access and rural development.
“People don’t start businesses in areas where they can’t even send an email,” said Aguiar-Curry, whose district includes Lake County. “When I was the mayor of Winters, I watched families get their first email address. I saw farmworkers finally have a platform to talk to their kids’ teachers despite their work hours. I know first-hand how Internet access can transform a community. AB 1665 will transform communities across California.”
The California Advanced Services Fund, or CASF, is a state program aimed at closing the Digital Divide.
The CASF does not depend upon general fund dollars, but instead is funded by a small surcharge on in-state phone bills spread out over a five-year period.
The current goal of this program is to incentivize the expansion of broadband infrastructure to 98% of California households.
However, Aguiar-Curry and her partners successfully negotiated to expand this goal to 98 percent of households in every geographic region of the state, assuring that rural California would be served as well, instead of the target being satisfied in urban areas alone.
Testifying in support of AB 1665, Assemblymember Dahle said, “Using this regional approach to provide internet to historically unserved and underserved communities, we will be able to help our schools, students, and small businesses, and effectively connect rural constituencies to the rest of the world. This bill will provide services to rural areas of the state that have long been forgotten, or seen as too difficult and remote to provide service.”
Yet, the Digital Divide is not a problem unique to rural Northern California. “Thirty percent of Californian households do not have access to high speed internet or a computer,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella). “Low income urban and rural communities like those of my district are most affected by this deficit. Providing internet connectivity will open up educational, health and economic opportunities to ensure we do not leave behind our most vulnerable.”
AB 1665 passed with a unanimous vote of 12- 0 in the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee, where Democrat Chair Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) requested to be added as a coauthor on the bill after voting in favor of the measure. AB 1665 will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
“I want to thank Chairman Santiago for helping to convene an extensive stakeholder process which ultimately led to our successful effort,” said Aguiar-Curry. “This is 2017. In today’s global economy, having Internet access is not an option; it is a necessity. When we invest in broadband expansion and digital literacy, we are investing in education, access to health care, and economic development.”
Aguiar-Curry represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa counties, parts of Colusa County, all of Yolo County except West Sacramento, Dixon in Solano County and Rohnert Park in Sonoma County.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Caltrans commemorated the passing of three more of its employees on Thursday during its 27th annual Workers Memorial at the State Capitol.
This brings the total to 187 Caltrans employees who lost their lives on the job since 1921.
Dignitaries, Caltrans employees, and family and friends paid special tribute to Jorge Lopez, Randy Whisenhunt and Annette Brooks, who all lost their lives since last year’s memorial.
Lopez was an electrician who was struck and killed at the age of 57, on Sept. 1, 2016, by an errant big rig that crossed onto the shoulder of State Route 14 near Palmdale.
Whisenhunt was an electrician from the Escondido Yard, who passed away on Oct. 9, 2016, at the age of 58, as a result of injuries suffered on the job.
Lopez and Whisenhunt are each survived by a wife and three children.
Brooks, a structural steel painter supervisor, was shot and killed at the age of 61 at a Caltrans facility in Rio Dell on April 24.
“We honor and recognize the tremendous loss that their loved ones and friends have suffered,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “The greatest honor we can give is to keep their memories alive to help prevent future tragedies.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, highway construction and maintenance work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States.
In 2013, there were 5,887 work zone collisions on California roadways resulting in 51 fatalities and 2,757 injuries, compared to 6,525 work zone collisions resulting in 43 fatalities and 3,243 injuries in 2014.
Nationally drivers and passengers account for 85 percent of the people who are killed in highway work zones. These numbers don’t include the close calls highway workers experience every day.
“Every day, thousands of highway workers put their lives in danger just by going to work and serving the public,” added Dougherty. “Work zones can change from minute to minute, and being alert can be the difference between life and death for both workers and motorists.”
Statistics provided by Caltrans showed that from 1972 to the present, errant drivers accounted for 50 worker deaths, the most of any single cause.
Brooks’ death earlier this month brings the total of Caltrans workers shot and killed on the job since 1993 to six, based on the agency’s data.
No specific records for types of incidents were available for the years 1921 to 1971.
Caltrans said motorists can dramatically improve safety in work zones by slowing down and reducing distractions like texting and talking on the phone, and complying with the “Move Over law,” which requires motorists to move over if it is safe to do so, or slow down when approaching vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights.
Caltrans has partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop funds to benefit the families of Caltrans workers killed on the job.
The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces, and the children of fallen workers may apply for a Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship.
For more information or to make donations, visit www.transportationfoundation.org .
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.
Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.
LAKE COUNTY
Highway 20
– Curb and sidewalk repairs from Sayer Avenue to Ogden Road will continue. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
Highway 29
– Emergency culvert repairs from Spruce Grove Road to Hofacker Lane will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 175
– Emergency highway repairs from Grouss Springs Road to Emerford Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Emergency highway repairs from east of Arroyo Vista Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Highway 1
– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Pacific Wood Road beginning Monday, May 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Arjay Rafferty has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to pave a driveway near Philo Greenwood Road beginning Monday, May 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Emergency slide removal near Leggett will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 20
– Bridge deck repairs at the East Fork Russian River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 25-minute delays.
Highway 101
– Routine maintenance near Frog Woman Rock will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the junction of Routes 101/20 near Calpella on Tuesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 3. A full closure of the onramp from Moore Street to northbound Route 101 and the connector ramp from northbound Route 101 to eastbound Route 20 will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists will be directed to use an alternate route.
– Emergency slide repairs on the westbound Route 20 to southbound Route 101 connector ramp will continue. Intermittent ramp closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– Emergency slide removal near Hermitage Vista Point will continue. Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
– Emergency slide removal near the Dora Creek Bridge will continue. The highway is fully closed until further notice. Motorists should seek an alternate route.
– Emergency slide removal near Piercy will continue. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
Highway 128
– Roadway repairs from Fish Rock Road to Yorkville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 162
– Emergency storm damage repairs near The Middle Way will continue. One-way traffic control with temporary stop signs will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Emergency storm damage repairs near Sand Bank Creek will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary traffic signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 175
– Emergency storm damage repairs at various locations from Buckman Drive to the Lake/Mendocino County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays at each location.
Highway 222
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near West Street on Monday, May 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 253
– Emergency roadway repairs from Booneville to Ukiah will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Butler Ranch to State Street beginning Monday, May 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
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 above.
For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – It’s official: The very best extra virgin olive oil in California is produced in Lake County by Chacewater Olive Mill’s “mill master” Emilio de la Cruz.
On March 11, the California Olive Oil Council, or COOC, annual convention and award ceremony, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterrey, awarded Chacewater Olive Mill the prestigious “Best of Show Award” for their gold medal-winning “Sevillano,” a Spanish varietal olive oil.
Consequently, the equally prestigious “Miller’s Recognition Award” was presented to Chacewater’s olive mill master, Emilio de la Cruz.
COOC, a nonprofit organization, using stricter standards than international requirements, certifies only the best California olive oils.
Recalling the gala award ceremony, de la Cruz said, “It was a big deal; formal attire was required. We were waiting to see who would win the ‘Best of Show Award.’ There were eight of us at our table.”
Presently, Chacewater was chosen as the “Best of Show” winner amidst a lot of celebration. Then shortly thereafter, it was announced, that de la Cruz had won the “Miller’s Recognition Award.”
“What? Oh wow! That’s pretty nice,” thought de la Cruz.
It was a minute or two before he realized he needed to go up and receive his award. “Oh you won!” exclaimed those at his table. “Go get your award!” they urged.
“Am I supposed to go get it?” the surprised de la Cruz asked.
“I’d had a couple of glasses of wine. Besides, we were just happy to have won the ‘Best of Show Award.’ I got up then. They took my picture. After being a miller since 2003, it’s good to get recognized,” he said.
Now the COOC has asked de la Cruz to represent the California olive oil industry at a trade show and dinner in Tokyo from May 20 to 24.
At this event, which will be featuring California agricultural products exclusively, de la Cruz will give a presentation to retailers and the media to promote California olive oil to the burgeoning market in Japan.
“Congratulations to Emilio,” said Chacewater owner, Paul Manual, who purchased the 10-acre olive orchard and mill on Gaddy Lane in 2008.
Manual has also created an award winning winery adjacent to his olive orchard and mill. “I had no understanding of (olive oil) production. I’ve learned to enjoy what Emilio has been doing,” he added.
In 2003 de la Cruz was a member of a Greek Orthodox monastery when it originally established the olive orchard and mill. He has been the miller ever since the beginning. He was retained as mill master by Manual after the transfer of ownership in 2008.
Chacewater’s olive orchard and vineyards are both organic. “It’s the only way we’ve ever farmed,” Manual stated matter-of-factly.
Chacewater’s tasting room is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Olive oil enthusiasts can join the celebratory mood at Chacewater’s seventh annual Olive Festival on Sunday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 5625 Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville. Admission is free.
The festival is a benefit for Lake Family Resource Center.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s emergency department has instituted rapid medical exams to encourage quicker, more effective care for patients utilizing the emergency department. The rapid medical exams have resulted in decreased wait times and increased patient satisfaction.
The rapid medical exams allow patients with less critical emergency needs, such as smaller cuts and abrasions or cold and flu symptoms, to be seen quickly by a qualified physicians assistant (PA) or family nurse practitioner (FNP) with emergency certification without waiting in the emergency department lobby.
After triage to assess the severity of the injury or condition, patients are invited back to a secondary waiting area and then seen one-by-one for tests or care in a private exam room.
The PA or FNP is able to focus on providing prompt care to lower-acuity cases instead of splitting their attention with more critical cases that require more time. This results in quicker care for patients and faster discharge.
When the rapid medical exams are available, patients and family members are able to sit in the secondary waiting area, which has a television and comfortable chairs, while waiting for test results or further care.
This has a secondary benefit by allowing the other exam rooms to remain available for critical cases, such as traumatic injury or cardiac arrest. Onsite radiology and laboratory services ensure quick turnaround on tests needed for diagnosis or treatment.
“Our emergency providers, nurses and patients have all responded very well to the rapid medical exam approach,” said Beth Brown, RN, director of emergency care at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “We are able to give patients the care they need quickly, which results in better outcomes and a more positive experience for everyone.”
St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s emergency room underwent a $12.1 million renovation in 2013, resulting in 3,445 additional square feet and five new patient monitoring rooms with state-of-the-art technology.
The emergency department is staffed by physicians, PAs, FNPs and certified emergency nurses trained in trauma, pediatric advanced life support and advanced cardiac life support, as well as professionals in other disciplines such as laboratory, pharmacy and medical imaging.
The emergency department is located at 15630 18th Ave. in Clearlake.
Visit www.sthelenahospitalclearlake.org for more information.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – When a person meets Alan Piombo, a military veteran, they are immediately taken with his warmth and humor.
But if you ask him a question about Medicare, be ready to sit back, listen closely, and learn how to navigate Medicare’s complex government health benefits for seniors.
Piombo’s experience giving this advice to seniors didn’t originate from paid employment. Rather, he began his rewarding work as a volunteer.
Piombo wasn’t always an expert in Medicare. When his wife needed Medicare at age 59 due to disability, they sought advice to make the right choices about their health care options.
Through word of mouth, Piombo learned about California’s HICAP program, otherwise known as the Medicare Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program.
He soon met with one of the volunteer HICAP counselors in his county to gain insight on the Medicare system and the choices afforded to his family.
The advice he received proved immediately beneficial – the counselor showed Piombo a cost savings related to his wife’s durable medical equipment costs paid each month, and his medical outlay reduced tremendously.
After this Piombo immediately thought of others who might need to know this information. With his trademark enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, Piombo was soon recruited to be a HICAP counselor just like the person who helped him.
For five years, he was a volunteer HICAP counselor and eventually became a HICAP presenter.
Each day, Piombo and other HICAP volunteer counselors help guide those in need of free, unbiased advice about Medicare.
If you have time to make a difference to those in Lake and Mendocino County helping seniors who are trying to understand their Medicare health care, HICAP needs you.
The volunteer time commitment begins at six hours a month but your availability will define how much you want to commit. You will be given extensive training in order to become certified by the California Department of Aging as a registered HICAP counselor.
HICAP volunteer counselors provide factual, unbiased and free informational services. The nonprofit program does not sell anything, endorse, nor recommend any insurance companies.
Like Piombo, who began as a volunteer, you will enjoy knowing your time and service are valued
by others and that the work you do is important to the health and well-being of so many seniors in your county.
If you enjoy the challenge of learning, and after certification would be willing to give six hours a month to make a difference, HICAP is the place for you.
For more information go online to www.SeniorAdvocacyServices.org/HICAP , email