News

SACRAMENTO – Caltrans is calling on state freight operators to participate in the Caltrans Truck Survey in an effort to collect data on physical and operational characteristics of commercial vehicles operating in the state.

The data collected will help Caltrans plan and develop projects to improve freight movement in California.

“This data is vital for identifying projects, strategies, and initiatives that can improve the flow of trucks across the state,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Freight movement is critical in terms of jobs and the economy, and I encourage fleet managers to participate in this important opportunity.”

The survey results are expected to yield key insights on the types of trucks operating on California roadways, the types of commodities they are carrying, and their travel patterns.

The data will provide critical information to both the California Statewide Freight Forecasting and the California Statewide Travel Demand models.

These models are used to help Caltrans evaluate plans and projects that are most beneficial to the environment, economy, and transportation network, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The survey is looking to collect data from approximately 14,000 drivers and will be primarily conducted online and over the phone.

Approximately 5 percent of surveys for trucks will use on-board global positioning system devices to collect data on trip distance, speed, duration, and fuel usage.

The devices are sent to participants and returned after one week of data collection.

For more information on the Caltrans Truck Survey, visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/omsp/statewide_modeling/cal_vehicle_survey.html .

Whether one shops at Ray’s Food Place or not, it is never good news when a local employer closes shop.

However, this news comes as no surprise to many. Ray’s parent company has been suffering financially for years, in and out of bankruptcy.

Walmart was in place about two years when Ray’s opened. Closing underperforming stores is not uncommon for companies, including Walmart. Earlier this year, Walmart closed over 150 underperforming stores in the U.S.

Sad as it may be, the good news is the parent company reports that the property will be sold by the end of the year.

This is an opportunity for another retailer to come to Clearlake. We need it.

Far too often we have to shop over the hill for common household items and clothing. And by doing so, our tax revenue goes to other areas.

It’s time for Clearlake to grow its retail market and economy.

Chuck Leonard lives in Clearlake, Calif.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Adult Literacy Program will hold its next tutor training Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The free training will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake. A $25 donation is requested to cover materials.

Tutors can give the gift of a better future in an hour or more a week.

No experience is necessary, and the program offers ongoing support and workshops.

For more information or to register, call 707-263-7633.

The citizens of Clearlake have an opportunity this November to help our city take a positive step forward by voting yes on Measure V – the road tax.

Over the past year or so I have read many accounts of Clearlake police busting up illegal commercial marijuana grows and city employees abating hazardous and abandoned buildings.

Under the direction of the current city council, our city has been moving forward with very limited resources. Now we have a chance to get a firm toehold on addressing our situation with our poor roads.

Make no mistake, Measure V will not solve our road problems. That will take millions of dollars and many years.

But it will allow us to start addressing the issue by being able to attract and obtain outside grant money, maintain the current quality of roads and stop their degradation by allowing regular maintenance and begin a program of upgrading roads in some areas.

Measure V is unlike other road measures in that it solely and entirely is focused on our roads.

We all want our city to improve and flourish. I hope you will join me and vote yes on Measure V.

Carolynn Jarrett lives in Clearlake, Calif.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Quilt block No. 100 on the Lake County Quilt Trail has been installed at the Mendocino College Lake Center, located at 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.

Sponsored by the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, the original design, “Pathfinder,” was modified to incorporate the blue and yellow-gold colors of the college, as well as the eagle logo specific to the Mendocino College Foundation. 

The 8-foot by 8-foot block is mounted on a steel frame at the entrance to the campus quad.

The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College design committee selected the “Pathfinder” theme as being well-suited for the principal mission of Mendocino College: helping students of all ages and backgrounds find their path to personal, educational and career success.

The sponsoring Friends, an affiliate of the Mendocino College Foundation Inc., expect the quilt to be an inspiration to all who see it to achieve their goals, and to the public who may be inquisitive about it and visit the Lake Center campus.

The project received support from the Mendocino College Board of Trustees, college administration and governing committees and the Foundation board of directors.

The Friends acknowledge Kerrie Hershey of Kerrie’s Quilts, Quilt Trail artists Gerri Groody, Annette Higday and Carol Maxwell, and Darrell Davis and his crew from Davis Fabrication and Ornamental Designs for their invaluable help.

Mendocino College Lake Center has grown from its beginnings on Main Street in Lakeport (with classes also held at Lake County high schools); to a larger classroom building on Parallel Drive; to its present expansive campus which opened in January 2013 with local taxpayers’ support.

The Lake County Quilt Trail, an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride, is a group of dedicated volunteer quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer. 

For more information about the LCQT, visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or see the group’s Facebook page.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) reported that his office has recouped more than $1.6 million owed to residents of the Fifth Congressional District by federal agencies in 2016, including money that was for Lake County residents.

“Providing first-rate constituent services has always been a top priority,” said Thompson. “I’m proud to announce that my office has been able to help residents of our Congressional District recoup over $1.6 million owed to them by federal agencies like the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs among others, including over $23,700 for Lake County residents.”

He added, “If you ever encounter any trouble with a federal agency, please contact my Napa District Office. We’re here to help.”

After receiving assistance with the IRS from Thompson’s office, Barbara and Dave Galvan of Cobb, said: “After waiting for nearly a year for our amended tax return refund we contacted Mike Thompson's office. A week or so later we were notified that our refund would arrive the following week, which it did. It feels great to receive the assistance we're looking for when we contact Mr. Thompson's office. He and his staff are sincere and care about our needs.”

Thompson can assist individuals, nonprofits and businesses in our Fifth Congressional District to navigate and resolve issues with federal agencies, including: the Social Security Administration (SSA); the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); the Department of State; the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the Department of Labor (DOL); the Department of Education; the Department of Defense (DOD); and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

Thompson helps constituents resolve a wide variety of issues with the above mentioned federal agencies, including issues related to veterans’ benefits; Social Security and Medicare benefits; immigration; passport and visa issues; IRS and tax-related issues; small business concerns; students loans; HUD housing issues; disaster assistance; and USPS issues.

In Lake County, Thompson helped constituents recoup more than $19,600 from the IRS in the form of delayed refund checks and over $4,050 from FEMA in the form of disaster assistance.

To inquire about whether or not Thompson’s office may be able to assist you or a family member, contact his Napa District Office at 707-226-9898 or send an email via this link.

All constituents will be asked to complete an advocacy authorization form before Thompson’s staff inquires with an agency on his or her behalf.

Please note that while Thompson’s office cannot guarantee a particular outcome, his staff does their best to ensure that constituents receive a fair and timely response from the agency in question. Thompson’s office is unable to offer legal advice or recommend an attorney.

Thompson represent California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.