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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the recreational Pacific halibut fishery will close Saturday, Sept. 24, at 12:01 a.m. for the remainder of 2016.

Based on the latest catch projections, CDFW expects the 2016 quota of 29,640 pounds will be exceeded unless the fishery is closed.

Formal authority to close the fishery resides with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which took action to close the fishery following consultation with CDFW.

Beginning in 2015, CDFW committed to tracking the fishery inseason to ensure catch amounts would not exceed the California quota.

The quota amount is determined annually in January through an international process, and is largely driven by results from the annual stock assessment conducted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).

Pacific halibut occupy a large geographic range, from the Aleutian Islands eastward through Alaska to British Columbia and throughout ocean waters of the Pacific Northwest. Along the West Coast, they are commonly found as far south as Point Arena in Mendocino County.

In recent years, catches in northern California have increased, consistent with a general shift of the stock to the south and east.

CDFW field staff sampled public launch ramps and charter boat landings to monitor catches of Pacific halibut along with other marine sportfish throughout the season.

Using this information, CDFW conferred with NMFS and IPHC on a weekly basis to review projected catch amounts and determine when the quota would be attained.

For current information about the Pacific halibut fishery, science or management, please check one of the following resources:

– NMFS Hotline, 800-662-9825;
– CDFW Recreational Groundfish Regulations Hotline, 831-649-2801;
– CDFW Web site, www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut ;
– IPHC Web site, www.iphc.int .

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed SB 412 by Sen. Steven M. Glazer (D-Orinda) and AB 1741 by Assemblymembers Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) creating “promise” programs at several community college and California State University (CSU) campuses to help more students graduate in four years.

Additionally, the governor commended the CSU Board of Trustees for approving a new 2025 Graduation Initiative that aims to more than double the number of students graduating in four years to 40 percent.

“These bills, coupled with today’s action from the CSU trustees, create conditions that allow students to timely graduate and avoid the burden of extra tuition,” said Gov. Brown.

SB 412 guarantees priority registration and academic advising to students pledging to take 30 units per year (or quarter equivalents) at select campuses.

The bill prioritizes Pell-eligible and first-generation students as well as students from underrepresented areas of the state.

Community college students with an associate degree for transfer will also be guaranteed these services at all participating campuses.

“Many students at the CSU want to finish in four years, but they need help in charting the path,” said Senator Glazer, who served on the CSU Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2015. “This bill directs resources to students who likely need the most help and will boost their chances of getting a bachelor's degree in four years.”

Inspired by several promise programs already underway in California, as well as the Obama Administration’s focus on community colleges, AB 1741 creates a $15 million grant program to further incentivize community college districts to establish local promise programs that will spur more robust pathways and partnerships between K-12, community colleges and four-year colleges, as well as leverage philanthropic and other local sources of funding.

“California has pioneered nationally-recognized College Promise programs. AB 1741 will empower community college districts across the state to prepare students early and set them on a path towards a meaningful career,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez. “I am excited to bring this opportunity to areas like Pomona and Ontario, where there is a clear need. Students here and throughout the state will greatly benefit from the preparation and guidance offered by California’s College Promise.”

In addition to its focus on improving four-year graduation rates, the CSU’s 2025 Graduation Initiative also prioritizes eliminating achievement gaps among students over the next several years.

To help support CSU’s efforts to update and achieve these new 2025 goals, the 2016-17 state budget allocates $35 million in one-time funding.

The governor also announced that he has signed the following higher education bills:

• AB 526 by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) – Pupils: attendance at community college.
• AB 801 by Assemblymember Richard H. Bloom (D-Santa Monica) – Postsecondary education: Success for Homeless Youth in Higher Education Act.
• AB 1449 by Assemblymember Patty Lopez (D-San Fernando) – Student financial aid: California Community College Transfer Cal Grant Entitlement Program.
• AB 2164 by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) – Public postsecondary education: tuition and fees.
• SB 906 by Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose) – Public postsecondary education: priority enrollment systems.
• SB 1314 by Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) – Cal Grant Program: Middle Class Scholarship Program: community college baccalaureate degree program students.

For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – In the wake of the Clayton Fire, in which Lower Lake suffered a significant loss of homes, Habitat for Humanity for Humanity, which lost its office in the blaze, is proud to announce that they are the recipient of a $5,000 donation from Davis Tire and Auto. 

The donation is intended to be used toward fire recovery in the Clayton fire burn area. 

“We moved to Lower Lake three months before the Clayton fire so it’s really become home to us. We were very fortunate and so we want to do what we can to help our neighbors,” said Marci McDaniel-Davis.

Donations to the Fire Rebuild Fund, to assist victims of the Rocky, Valley and Clayton fires, can be sent to Habitat for Humanity Lake County CA Inc., P.O. Box 1830, Lower Lake CA, 95457, or brought to the new office at 15312 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. 

Onlin donations may be made with a credit card via PayPal by visiting http://www.lakehabitat.org/?page_id=415 .

SACRAMENTO – A new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown will provide a quicker resolution process for victims of identity theft and fraud.

The bill, also known as the Identity Theft Resolution Act, was authored by Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa) after becoming a victim of identity theft himself last year.

This new law will dramatically reduce the time it takes for victims of identity theft to clear their name, end harassing phone calls, and remove negative credit reporting.

The bill received broad based support from Attorney General Kamala Harris, consumer advocates, and unanimously passed the legislature.
 
“Millions of Californians have suffered identity theft, myself included. It’s an issue that transcends partisan politics, and I want to thank Gov. Brown and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this important bill,” said Assemblymember Dodd. “Victims of identity theft deserve a transparent and speedy resolution process, and I will continue to fight for consumer protections."
 
Identity theft occurs when perpetrators illegally use a person’s confidential information to make fraudulent purchases or apply for consumer loans in the victim’s name.

The California Attorney General reports that 1.5 million Californians fall victim of identity theft every year.

Nationwide, identity theft has increased more than five-fold during the past 15 years according to the Federal Trade Commission, who estimate it can take an average of 6 months and 200 hours of work to recover from the crime.

Under Dodd’s legislation, the timeframe for recovery will be reduced to a matter of weeks.
 
“Identity theft is a crime that can haunt a victim for years. Too often, they must navigate a complex system to clean up their damaged credit and it can take years to recover from the loss,” said Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. “I am proud to support this sensible legislation that will protect victims of identity theft and fraud and help them clear their name more quickly.”
 
“Assemblymember Dodd is one of many Napa County residents who have unfortunately fallen victim of identity theft. Local law enforcement is committed to protecting residents from this crime, but new criminal techniques are making it more and more difficult to prevent,” said Napa County Sheriff John Robertson. “Assemblymember Dodd’s Identity Theft Resolution Act is common sense approach that will help millions of people in California fix the financial damage that results from identity theft.” 
 
Dodd’s bill dramatically reduces the time frame for debt collection companies to investigate identity theft disputes, and further requires that the results of that investigation be given to the consumer in a timely manner.

Debt collection companies will now be required to provide faster updates to the credit reporting agencies to delete the negative credit reporting, which can raise interest rates or block victims from accessing home loans.

The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
 
Dodd represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Colusa counties. Visit his Web site at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Community Methodist Church will have its fall yard sale Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, at the social hall.

Hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

There will be furniture, electronics, crafts, trash and treasures, with a special offer on Christmas items.

The United Methodist Women will be serving their famous chili and sandwich lunch starting at 11 a.m. each day.

The church was destroyed in the Clayton fire, but the congregation is still here.

The church is located on Second Street, just off Lake Street, in Lower Lake.

Bring your family and friends and join in the fun.

UKIAH, Calif. – A guitarist from Lakeport won the eighth annual Rising Stars Music Competition held this weekend.

Travis Rinker won first place and the honor of being the top Mendo Lake Solo Artist at the eighth annual event, held Saturday on the Alex Thomas Plaza stage in Ukiah.

His band, Fog Realm, also took third place and top metal honors.

Pairing up with Ukiah Main Street’s End of Summer Show & Shine Classic Car Show, Rising Stars Music Competition musicians started performing at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Ranging from acoustic solo artists to full bands, musicians were placed in genre appropriate categories. Acts were judged individually by local music experts in the areas of talent, musicianship and audience interaction.

After each judge awarded their individual points, scores were added up and winners were presented with awards in solo, world rock, hip hop and metal categories.

First, second and third place overall along with People’s Choice were awarded at the end of the night after a featured performance by the 2013 first place artists, The Whitetrash Superstars.

Winning acts were:

• Mendo Lake Solo Artist: Travis Rinker.
• City of Light Recording and Sound World Rock Artists: The Johnny Young Band
• Max 93.5 Hip Hop Artist: Young Bengy.
• 94.5 Kwine Metal Artists: Fog Realm.

• First place: Travis Rinker.
• Second place: The Johnny Young Band.
• Third place: Fog Realm.
• People’s Choice: Dirty Rice.

Prizes for the winning acts included recording time at City of Light Recording and Sound, cash, gigs at Shanachie Pub, voice recording at K-Otic Studio, and dig! Music gift certificates.

Event coordinator Mary Chadwick is most proud of the fact that Rising Stars Music Competition is a positive event.

“The musicians perform and then stay to cheer on and support the other musicians,” said Chadwick. “They can be found standing in the audience enjoying their counterparts music and applauding their performances. I have even seen musicians loan each other equipment that has been forgotten. It is a competition and every act takes it seriously but they are also there to support the nonprofits, perform for the public and raise awareness of the talented musicians in our community.”

This year also saw the last year of sound engineering by sound-man Jef Brewer.

A mainstay behind the soundboard at most of the eight Rising Stars Competition, Brewer planted the music competition bug in his coordination of 2006’s Band Slam in Alex Thomas Plaza.

Brewer will stay involved in the local music scene in other ways but feels his “work is done” at this event as well as the popular Acoustic Café concert series at Parducci Winery.

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