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As California’s population continues to increase, so does the number of motorists on the state’s highways and interstates.
This growth presents Caltrans with the complex challenge of continuing to provide and maintain a reliable, sustainable transportation system, while also innovating to increase safety and efficiency.
One solution Caltrans is using to meet this challenge is the Automated Warning System, or AWS.
AWS is being installed to monitor weather, road conditions and track travel times. Thanks to these warning systems, motorists can now access this real time information and arrive to their destinations safely while saving time and money.
Ringing in the New Year should not include a visit to the hospital or behind bars for drunk driving. If you’ve been drinking during end of the year celebrations, AAA Northern California will take you and your car home for free.
AAA’s Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. You do not need to be a AAA member to take advantage of this service to the community.
AAA will offer the service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. Jan. 1st, in Northern California.
Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to 10 miles. Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way.
The service will provide a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home. If there are additional passengers who need a ride, they will be taken to the driver’s home as long as there is room for them to be transported safely in the tow truck. You cannot make a reservation.
“Everybody wants to have fun at a New Year’s party,” said Cynthia Harris, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “But if you’ve been drinking, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.”
The California Highway Patrol statistics show that in 2015, there were 27 alcohol related deaths in car crashes during the New Year’s holiday weekend, and more than 920 arrests were made for driving under the influence. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment and reaction time.
AAA estimates that a first time DUI conviction in California can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death.
According to 2010 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes. That is one death every 51 minutes. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time.
AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to more than 4.6 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 116 years ago.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Friends of Middletown Library group is extending its fundraising effort to replace thousands of dollars' worth of children's books lost in the Valley fire last year.
Jacquie Bogue, the group's treasurer, said the fundraiser is part of the south county's ongoing rebuilding effort.
She said they are attempting to raise $10,000, with the Friends to match up to $4,500 in donations.
Due to the Valley fire, “We had so many books to replace,” said Bogue.
The Middletown Library has a very vibrant community of children who participate in programs and are avid readers, Bogue said.
While the library itself had only minor roof damage in the fire, many books had been checked out to children across the south county and were destroyed when homes burned, Bogue said.
Bogue said the $10,000 the Friends group is raising will put $6,000 toward new picture books, $3,000 for young adult books and $1,000 for audio visual materials.
She said that the fundraiser was launched Sept. 30, with the group sending out to local businesses and organizations a letter requesting donations.
“We got a pretty good response,” she said.
The letter brought in sizable donations, including $500 from the Hardesters, $300 from South Lake County's volunteer firefighters association, and $200 each from the Middletown Rotary club and the Middletown Luncheon Club, Bogue said.
The Friends also held an October open house as part of the fundraiser, Bogue said.
To date, the fundraiser has brought in $2,200. Counting in the Friends' planned match, they're almost halfway to their goal, Bogue said.
However, with the fundraiser's original deadline set for Dec. 31, Bogue said the group made the decision to extend the effort for up to six more months.
“This is the first time we've tried a fundraiser like this, so we're all interested to see how it turns out,” she said.
Bogue said donations of any amount are welcome.
Donations – which are tax-deductible thanks to the group's nonprofit status – can be sent to Friends of Middletown Library, P.O. Box 57, Middletown, CA 95461, or dropped off at library on Washington Street.
Besides the fundraiser for replacing the books, Bogue said the Friends of Middletown Library – which has about 60 members – has ongoing projects, including monthly mini book sales and the annual membership signup at the start of the year.
Through their efforts, they provide additional funding for the Lake County Library system – as much as $2,000 to $3,000 annually – as well as volunteer assistance for daily tasks at the Middletown Library, she said.
“As an organization, we really do quite a bit for the library. We have strong feelings for it,” Bogue said.
They also financially supported the Lake County Library's Big Read event in October, said Bogue.
Separately, Bogue said she just sent a $1,000 annual donation from the Friends to the Lake County Office of Education's Imagination Library.
A single $25 annual donation to the Imagination Library supports sending a book a month to a child. The $1,000 donation from the Friends covers “a lot of kids,” Bogue said.
The next mini book sale will be held at the library in February, Bogue said.
To join the Friends of Middletown Library, pick up a form at the Middletown Library or send a check for a one-year membership with your name, address and email address to the group's post office box above.
Follow the group on Facebook for updates on activities and events.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the season of festivities continues, the California Highway Patrol is encouraging motorists to resolve to begin the new year with a safe celebration that includes a designated sober driver.
Together, motorists and law enforcement can help make this holiday and every day safe for traveling on California roadways.
The CHP will observe the new year with a maximum enforcement period, or MEP, from 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2.
All available personnel will be on duty. The CHP will focus on impaired drivers, but officers will also watch for distracted driving, speeding and seat belt violations, as well as motorists in need of assistance.
During the New Year’s holiday in 2015, 27 people died in collisions on California roadways.
In addition, CHP officers made more than 920 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour New Year’s MEP.
“Driving while impaired is a crime that seriously risks your safety and the safety of those around you,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “If you drive while impaired, you could get arrested or worse – be involved in a traffic collision that causes serious injury or death.”
During the holidays, the number of travelers on the nation’s roadways peaks as friends and family come together to celebrate.
As a result of holiday parties and gatherings, more drivers are impaired. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that 40 percent of traffic-related deaths during the December holidays involve drunk drivers – a 12-percent increase over the rest of the month.
The CHP urges everyone to plan a safe ride home before the parties start. There are numerous alternatives to driving impaired, including calling a taxi or a sober friend or family member, using public transportation or the increasingly popular ride-hailing services.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County/City Area Planning Council is currently in the process of updating the Regional Transportation Plan for the Lake County region.
The primary purpose of the plan is to identify transportation needs and priority projects over the next 20 years in all modes of transportation including streets, highways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, aviation and transit.
A series of public workshops is planned to provide interested community members an opportunity to express their concerns regarding transportation issues and to provide input into the updated plan.
The workshop schedule is as follows:
– Tuesday, Jan. 17, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Circle of Native Minds Wellness Center, 845 Bevins St., Lakeport.
– Monday, Jan. 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Middletown Community Room, 21256 Washington St.
– Tuesday, Jan. 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Northshore Community Center, 3985 County Club Drive, Lucerne.
– Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake.
For those unable to attend, written comments are welcome by either email,
Also check the Lake County/City Area Planning Council Web site at www.lakeapc.org for an online survey or other chances to provide input, or call 707-263-7799 for more information.
Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the appointment of Martha Guzman Aceves and Clifford Rechtschaffen to the California Public Utilities Commission, replacing Michael Florio and Catherine Sandoval whose six-year terms expire on Jan. 1.
"Martha has the experience, know-how and insight to well serve the people of California at the Public Utilities Commission,” said Gov. Brown. “Cliff’s experience as a lawyer, teacher and specialist in environmental and energy matters equips him to do an outstanding job on the commission. Both have sound judgment and a commitment to protecting ratepayers and ensuring safe, reliable and climate-friendly energy in California."
Guzman Aceves, 39, of Sacramento, has been a deputy legislative affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor since 2011, focusing on natural resources, environmental protection, energy and food and agriculture.
She was sustainable communities program director for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation from 2005 to 2016. From 2006 to 2008, she worked with Swanton Berry Farm on human resources issues including a new employee-stock ownership program.
She was legislative coordinator for United Farm Workers from 1999 to 2005, working on labor and environmental issues. In 2010 she co-founded Communities for a New California, a charitable organization promoting increased civic engagement of underrepresented communities.
Guzman Aceves earned a Master of Science degree in agricultural and resource economics from the University of California, Davis. Guzman Aceves is a Democrat.
Rechtschaffen, 59, of Oakland, has served as a senior advisor in the Office of the Governor since 2011, where he has worked on climate, energy and environmental issues. In 2011, he also served as acting director of the California Department of Conservation.
Rechtschaffen served as special assistant attorney general in the California Department of Justice, Attorney General's Office from 2007 to 2010.
From 1993 to 2007, he taught environmental law, directed the environmental law program and co-founded the Environmental Law and Justice Clinic at Golden Gate University School of Law. In 2005 he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
He is the author of several books and numerous articles on environmental law and policy. He was a deputy attorney general in the Environment Section of the California Department of Justice, Attorney General's Office from 1986 to 1993, Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow at the Marin County Legal Aid Foundation from 1985 to 1986 and a law clerk for the Honorable Thelton Henderson at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California from 1984 to 1985.
He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. Rechtschaffen is a Democrat.
Guzman Aceves and Rechtschaffen will join Michael Picker, Carla J. Peterman and Liane M. Rudolph on the commission.
Public utilities commissioners serve six-year terms, require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,095 by statute.