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California’s refineries continue to have production problems which led to the third consecutive week of production declines in the region.
That situation kept California’s gas prices near the top of the country.
Tuesday’s average price of California unleaded regular gas is $2.88, that is $0.01 higher than Monday, a $0.05 increase from a week ago, up $0.07 from a month ago and $0.47 higher than a year ago. Northern California’s average price for regular gasoline is $2.80, up $0.04 from a month ago.
Of the Northern California cities surveyed by AAA as a service to consumers, Marysville posted the lowest price at $2.57 and South Lake Tahoe has the highest average at $3.14.
“California gas prices inched higher due to refinery maintenance last week, as Chevron shut down two production refineries in El Segundo and Richmond due to unplanned maintenance and problems with production equipment,” said John Moreno, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Gas prices on the West Coast remain the highest in the nation.”
The national average gas price reflects the majority of the country by staying relatively steady this past week.
Tuesday’s average price was $2.28, the same as Monday, showing an increase of $0.01 from a week ago, $0.07 higher than a month ago but a gain of $0.58 from a year ago. Hawaii posts the highest price in the country, $3.11 and South Carolina has the lowest average price, $2.04.
On Monday, OPEC released its Monthly Oil Market Report showing that participating countries implemented 90 percent of the agreed upon production cuts pledged at last year’s historic deal. This translated into a cut of 890,000 barrels of oil per day in January. The U.S. has tempered the impact of the OPEC production cut by continuing to increase drilling and production.
To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the proper pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair.
The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening your load also help conserve gasoline.
AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express LLC.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake High Drama Department will present its annual “Comedy & Tragedy Night” on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
The performance will take place beginning at 7 p.m. in the Lower Lake High multipurpose room, 9430 Lake St.
Admission is $5 per person.
The one act “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors” will be presented along with many monologues, duet scenes and musical theater pieces that were performed at the annual Lenaea Drama Festival in Folsom Feb. 10 to 12.
Lower Lake three-peated by receiving a silver medal for the third year in a row for their one act performance.
Brandon Goodson received an outstanding performance medal for his role in the one act.
The following actors round out the cast: Rachel Cabral, Malajiahna Robinson, Mary Jones, Kaymen Barnes, Natalie Carte, Tawnie Nell, Jordan Harris, Maria Neville, Tamara Stevens, Madison Winter, Chloe Cox, Bobby Landgraff, Grace Tucker and Kayla Sanderson.
“I couldn't be prouder of my students for their performances. To receive a silver medal for the third year straight going up against much bigger schools is quite an accomplishment,” said Director Tracy Lahr. “I guess it just goes to show you don't have to come from a big school to have big talent.”
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
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Van Sleeper Road on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 175
– Valley fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond 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.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Highway 1
– Log jam removal at the Navarro River Bridge will continue. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Ocean Drive on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Emergency slide removal near Leggett will continue. A full road closure is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should seek an alternate route.
Highway 20
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Old Willits Road to 1.2 miles east of Road 350. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-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 near Hewlitt and Sturtevant Road on Monday, Feb. 21, and Tuesday, Feb. 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– 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. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– 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.
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).
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Nominations are now open for Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-05) annual Woman of the Year Awards.
Each year, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Thompson recognizes exceptional women across California’s Fifth Congressional District for the work they do in our community.
Past recipients have been philanthropists, business leaders, educators, public servants and more.
“Throughout history, women have made tremendous impacts in science, industry, government, the arts, and every other facet of our society,” said Thompson. “But too often, their accomplishments and achievements have not received the recognition they deserve. That changes with us. It’s my privilege to accept nominations for our Woman of the Year Awards. If you know a woman who’s made an impact in our district, please let us know. I look forward to recognizing all our winners next month.”
All nominations must be received by February 26, 2017. Completed forms can be emailed to
Winners will be announced at a public ceremony in March.
Nomination forms and additional information can be found online at https://mikethompson.house.gov/woman-of-the-year .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Organizers of the annual Lake County Special Olympics Polar Plunge reported that, due to lake conditions, the event is being moved.
The plunge fundraiser is set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.
Originally scheduled to be held at Lakeside County Park, the event is being moved to Kelseyville County Park, located at 5270 State St., according to organizer Peggy Buchholz.
Buchholz said that Clear Lake’s flood conditions necessitated the move.
As for how the plunge will take place, they’re still considering options – from sprinklers to a horse trough, or just standing in the rain, Buchholz joked.
“Somehow, they’re just going to have to get wet,” she said.
After the plunge, there will be the awards ceremony and lunch, Buchholz said.
The Polar Plunge is Lake County Special Olympics’ major annual fundraiser, and a critical way of providing services to local athletes.
Last year’s event raised about $22,000, which Buchholz said was “a very good amount.”
Registration is still open for Saturday’s event, and can be completed online at www.ipolarplunge.com or at the event, Buchholz said.
For those who don’t want to plunge but want to support Lake County Special Olympics, Buchholz said they can mail a check to P.O. Box 94, Lakeport, 95453.
Plungers – which have included individuals, companies, law enforcement, families, schools and organizations – are asked to raise a minimum of $100 each to participate.
Buchholz said this year’s signups are on par with last year. They have many of the same groups participating each year, including teams from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Probation Office and the Lake County Office of Education.
All proceeds from the Lake County Polar Plunge benefit Special Olympics Northern California to continue to showcase the capabilities and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Along with providing year-round free sports and competition programs to nearly 20,000 athletes, Special Olympics Northern California encourages education through Unified Sports and the Schools Partnership Program, and is committed to improving the health and well-being of athletes through a variety of screenings and programs.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State officials said Wednesday that repairs are continuing around the clock to repair the Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway ahead of anticipated storms.
Concerns that the emergency spillway was about to fail led on Sunday to the evacuation of 188,000 people in Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties, as Lake County News has reported. Those mandatory evacuations were reduced to a warning on Tuesday.
The California Department of Water Resources said that levels on Lake Oroville fell an additional 5 feet and were 26 feet below the emergency spillway as of Wednesday night.
Crews continue to work around the clock, regardless of weather conditions, to make emergency repairs. Barges and cranes are being mobilized to remove debris and sediment from the diversion pool, the agency said.
The Department of Water Resources said 100,000 cubic feet per second of water continues to flow through the flood control spillway in an effort to accommodate anticipated inflow from upcoming storms.
Officials said the storms are forecasted to bring colder temperatures and inflows are anticipated to increase to 45,000 cubic feet per second. However, lake levels will continue to decrease throughout the storm activity.
The agency said it continues to aggressively monitor the status of the dam, spillways, related structures and progress of repair activities.