News

Millions of Californians will travel the road this Thanksgiving holiday weekend to visit with family and friends.

While this time of year is usually full of joy, it can be one of the deadliest on our roadways. To help motorists avoid tragedies, the California Highway Patrol will have all available officers on patrol during the Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP.

Although the number of people killed in traffic collisions during last year’s Thanksgiving weekend was down from 2014, 35 people died in collisions in California. Of the 17 vehicle occupants killed within CHP jurisdiction, 41 percent of them were not wearing seat belts.

“Buckling up is simple and the most important safety measure you can take to protect yourself in a collision,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries. Do not put your own life at risk, or the life of your family or friends. Buckle up.”

Nationwide, more than half the drivers and passengers killed in collisions are not wearing seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seat belts saved the lives of 12,802 passenger vehicle occupants in 2014.

The MEP begins at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27.

During the MEP, CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday.

The CHP reminds motorists to travel at a speed that is safe for conditions, avoid driving distracted and designate a non-drinking driver for the safety of everyone on the road.

Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday, the CHP made more than 1,000 arrests for DUI.

The public is encouraged to report unsafe or impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1.

As we wrap up November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, I would like to express my gratitude for our community’s support of Hospice Services of Lake County since 1979 and for our opportunity to serve the people of Lake County.

Because of our wonderful community, our partners, staff, volunteers and supporters, we are fortunate to continue our compassionate work.

Hospice Services of Lake County has a fantastic group of people performing the day-to-day tasks involved in caring for individuals with terminal illnesses or life-threatening injuries and in supporting their loved ones.

It is difficult yet rewarding work, and we are grateful to be able to provide the care and compassion in our community.

Our Hospice “family” includes our health care providers, social workers, counselors, and volunteers, as well as the many community partners, donors and supporters.

Repeating a message I shared earlier this month, the Hospice Services of Lake County staff and I encourage you to know your options for care and to share your wishes with family, loved ones and your professional health care providers. We have many services to assist you.

We invite you to see how our compassionate team can assist you and your loved ones. We are happy to talk with you about the services that we provide and how we can help. Call us at 707-263-6222, or visit us at 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport. Additional information is also available on our website, www.lakecountyhospice.org .

Thank you, Lake County, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Corrigan Gommenginger is a Certified Hospice Administrator and the chief executive officer for Hospice Services of Lake County, Calif.

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.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20
 
– Pavement repairs from Sayre Avenue to Glenhaven Drive 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 29
 
– Pavement marker replacement from .3 miles north of the Siegler Canyon Bridge to just north of Cruikshank Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1
 
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Iverson Road beginning Thursday, Dec. 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. LC#P1AA

– Bridge deck repairs at the Brush Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from Maple Avenue to Oak Street beginning Tuesday, Nov. 29. A shoulder closure will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 20
 
– Pavement repairs from the North Calpella Overcrossing to Cold Creek Bridge #3 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 6 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.
 
Highway 101

– Routine maintenance near Frog Woman Rock will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 25 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge rail upgrades at the South Willits Overhead will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– Emergency culvert repairs just north of the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. 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).

Thanksgiving is upon us and Cal Fire is reminding Californians about the dangers that can happen this holiday season.

“At Thanksgiving we tend to have multiple items cooking on the stove,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “While we are with our family and friends, it is so important to not get distracted and to always stand next to the oven or stove when you are cooking. Thanksgiving Day is one of our busier days responding to home cooking fires, and we would like to reduce that number by practicing fire safety. Hopefully, we can prevent less cooking fires and you can enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

In 2014, nearly four times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day.

“Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires,” said Lynne Tolmachoff, chief of Public Education. “That is why it is important to always watch what you are cooking and never leave it unattended. One critical safety measure is to ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home. It’s an added measure to protect you and your family from fires in your home. ”

To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, Cal Fire offers the following tips:

· Remain in the kitchen while you’re cooking, and keep a close eye on what you are cooking! Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking or roasting, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

· Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them or pull them over.

· Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.

· Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.

· When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors!

· Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

· Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.

For the cooking fire safety fact sheet, visit www.fire.ca.gov .

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Regular business hours will resume at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25.

Please check the forest Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/ for information about recreation, permits, roads and more.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Ladies 40-9ers Golf Club played nine holes on Nov. 17.

The results are as follows:

– Flight one: first place, Bonnie Eagleton, net 32; second place, Barbara Harris, 35; third place, Mariana Bendinelli, 37.

– Flight two: first place, Adele Curtin, 34; second place, tie, Sharon Compartore and Kit Hoss, 37.

– Flight three: first place, tie, Elaine Fauser, Roberta Villnow and Gwen DeRosa, 37.

– Flight four: first place, Denyse McCracken, 39; second place, Diana Schneider    , 40.