News

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Clear Lake Area California Highway Patrol will offer a free “Start Smart” traffic safety class for soon to-be-licensed, newly licensed, and teenage drivers and their parents or guardians on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clear Lake Area CHP office, located at 5700 Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville.

The leading cause of death for Americans 15 to 19 years old is motor vehicle collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The CHP's goal is to reduce the death rate among young drivers as the result of these collisions.

“The CHP is committed to mitigating traffic collisions involving young, inexperienced drivers, because they are preventable,” said Lt. Hector Paredes, commander of the CHP's Clear Lake Area office. “Start Smart is an excellent program that promotes safe driving for young new drivers.”

The “Start Smart” program is aimed at helping newly licensed and future licensed teenage drivers understand the critical responsibilities of driving and to understand that accidents happen, but collisions are 100-percent preventable. 

The program is designed to provide an interactive safe driving awareness class which will illustrate how poor choices behind the wheel of a car can affect the lives of numerous people.

“Start Smart” also focuses on responsibilities of newly licensed drivers, responsibilities of parents or guardians and collision avoidance techniques.

Space is limited for this class. For more information or reservations, call Officer Kory Reynolds at the CHP office, 707-279-0103.

I'm doing a senior project for high school, and I'm spearheading a petition drive.

We are the only active petition signature gatherers in the county; my parents are certifying the petitions as I'm not 18 yet.

We are having a signature gathering event at the Middletown Hardester's on Saturday Sept. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The petitions are for the following: SB 880, redefining assault weapons; AB 1511, regulating the loaning of firearms; AB 857, requiring serial numbers placed on antique and collectible firearms; SB 1235, regulation of ammunition sales including every retailer must have a firearms license and buyers must complete a background check; SB 1146, law prohibiting magazines greater than 10 rounds even if you already own them legally; SB 1695, if you do not report a lost or stolen firearm it is a felony even though the person stealing the firearm is only charged with a misdemeanor; AB 1135, duplicate bill of SB 880, redefining assault weapons.

The laws have already been passed, we are trying to gather enough signatures to place a measure on the ballot in November to let the people decide instead of our state Legislature and governor alone.

Hopefully all of Lake County can come and help me learn about the American political process and also help save our constitutional rights.

Amanda Henry lives in Middletown, Calif.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Citizens Caring for Clearlake is hosting two free mattress and box spring collection events on Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17.

The collection events will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 16 and 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 17 at 14061 Lakeshore Drive, at the corner of Olympic and Lakeshore drives in Clearlake.

Mattresses and box springs will be accepted for free and recycled through the Mattress Recycling Council’s California Bye Bye Mattress Program.
 
Bye Bye Mattress is California’s mattress recycling program. Established by law and operated by the nonprofit Mattress Recycling Council, the program uses a recycling fee collected on each mattress and box spring sold in the state to make recycling easier in our communities.

Whether a city picks up your discarded mattress, a retailer takes it back with your new purchase, or you drop it off, the Bye Bye Mattress program diverts your old mattress from waste to recycling. Now, our landfills will be less crowded as old mattresses are recycled into new, useful products.
 
Mattresses must not be severely damaged, stained, ripped, twisted, soiled, wet or bed bug infested.

Only mattresses and box springs will be accepted – no other sleeping products like sleeping bags, pillows, cushions, bedding, air mattresses, water beds, futons or hideaway beds are taken as part of the program.
 
Each event is limited to accepting 150 units.

Please call Barbara Christwitz at 707-995-0940 to reserve spots for your mattress units.

For more information about the program, visit www.ByeByeMattress.com or call 1-855-700-9973 for more information or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) to strengthen the economic development powers of local governments passed the legislature with unanimous bipartisan support.

The bill enables cities and counties to create economic opportunities through the acquisition, sale or lease of properties and to boost rehabilitation of commercial buildings by offering loans to owners or tenants. 

“Ensuring the economic vitality of our local communities should be a top priority for our state, and I’m happy to work with Assemblymember Frazier to advance that cause,” said Dodd. “As a former county supervisor and business owner for over 25 years, I know that local businesses are essential to creating jobs and vibrant communities. This bill will help strengthen the economy in communities around the state.”

The bill, AB 806, is sponsored by the city of Fairfield and the League of California Cities to offer communities additional tools that can be used to rehabilitate deteriorated areas, attract and retain jobs, and improve local quality of life.

In 2012 redevelopment agencies in California were eliminated as the state coped with massive budget deficits.

Many of the tools previously used by redevelopment agencies were transferred to local governments to assist with economic development.

With this authority, counties and cities are able to enter into agreements that can help create job opportunities and promote affordable housing projects.

Dodd and Frazier’s legislation, Assembly Bill 806, will simplify the process by which local governments can assist with economic development. 

“I am pleased to be joint authoring this legislation with Assemblymember Dodd and look forward to our continued partnership in the future,” said Frazier.

“AB 806 clarifies that cities have the power to create and provide vital economic development opportunities in their communities,” said Fairfield Mayor Harry Price. “The city of Fairfield greatly appreciates Assemblymembers Dodd and Frazier for joint authoring the legislation and for their efforts to strengthen our local economy.”

The bill now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown. The governor has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the measure.

Assemblyman Bill Dodd represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo and Colusa counties. Visit his Web site at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Women’s Civic Club will host its annual fall craft faire on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The event will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St.

Twenty five talented artists will be gathered to share their handcrafted gifts and art wares with you just in time for Christmas shopping and holiday hostess gifts.

There will be a selected item from each artist given away every half hour. Maybe you will win a lovely handcrafted bar of soap made from the milk of goats raised by the Cole Creek 4H Club.

That’s just the beginning. The club will host a bake sale to end all bake sales, with coffee, fresh muffins and hot homemade soup available all day as well.

This is a great opportunity to get out with a friend, or three, to do a little shopping before the holiday madness strikes. With 25 vendors, you will need a little time to look around. Plan to make a day of it.

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

– Pavement marker replacement from 0.3 mile east of Mid-Lake Road to Government Street will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs at various locations from Manzanita Road to the southern junction of Route 53 will continue. One-way traffic control will also be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
– Great Lakes Environmental and Infrastructure has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for miscellaneous work near the Colusa County line. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 29
 
– Lower Lake High School has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the Lower Lake High School Homecoming Parade near the junction of Routes 29/53 on Friday, Sept. 9, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Turns onto Morgan Valley Road will be restricted.

Highway 53
 
– Lower Lake High School has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the Lower Lake High School Homecoming Parade near the junction of Routes 29/53 on Friday, Sept. 9, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Turns onto Morgan Valley Road will be restricted.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY
 
Highway 1

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance near Simpson Road beginning Monday, Sept. 12. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Highway repairs a quarter-mile north of Ocean Meadows Circle 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.
 
– Roadway reconstruction at Blue Slide Gulch will begin Monday, Sept. 12. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays.

Highway 20
 
– Pavement marker replacement from the North Calpella Overcrossing to the Lake/Mendocino County line will begin Monday, Sept. 12. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Pavement sealing from the Cold Creek Bridge No. 5 to the Le Trianon Resort in Lake County will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101
 
– Bridge deck repairs at the Comminsky Station Viaduct and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge will continue through Friday, Sept. 9. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Routine maintenance near Frog Woman Rock will continue. A northbound lane restriction will be in place. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Bridge deck repairs at the Robinson Overcrossing, Doolan Creek Bridge, Gobbi Street Overcrossing, and the North State Street Overcrossing will continue through Friday, Sept. 9. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Pavement marker replacement from the junction of Routes 20/101 near Calpella to Grider Road will begin Monday, September 12. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101QC
 
– Rumble strip installation between Uva Drive and one half-mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Highway construction near the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Highway construction near the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Rumble strip installation at various locations between Willits and Confusion Hill will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Geotechnical work from Reynolds Highway to Scow Road will continue through Friday, Sept. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs from County Road 307 to Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-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.

Highway 128

– Drainage work from Haehl Street to just west of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will begin Friday, Sept. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Emergency pavement repairs from Mathews Road to about 1.1 miles west of the Lake/Mendocino County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 253

– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch 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 10-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).