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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The American Red Cross of the California Northwest is proud to present the New Volunteer of Year Award to Dennis Smith of Lakeport.
Smith first joined the Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina more than 10 years ago. He served with the Red Cross of Lake County for almost two years and then drifted away.
This past fall, he returned to the Red Cross during the Valley fire as an event-based volunteer. He worked for 10 days to help at the client service center greeting impacted residents and helping them complete their paperwork.
In the few short months since Smith rejoined the Red Cross, he has become an invaluable member of the Lake County team. He has exemplified the meaning of serving the mission – always ready to respond to a local disaster call, to take needed training, or move and repack shelter trailers.
“I really enjoy working with the Red Cross and the people in Red Cross that are so positive in their outlook on life,” said Smith. “As a retired firefighter, when the Valley fire hit so close to home I had to step up once again. I just showed up at the client service center and asked what I could do. Red Cross put me to work right away, and I immediately felt at home working with Red Cross volunteers. The feeling of giving back to our community was awesome, and since I am retired, I knew the direction I wanted my life to go. Red Cross is truly a remarkable organization."
Other outstanding volunteers and several community partners were honored at the Volunteer Awards and Recognition Event on June 18 at the Riviera Hills Country Club in Kelseyville include:
• Disaster Cycle Services, Outstanding Support: Jeff Plank of Upper Lake and Gloria Eisenman of Lucerne.
• Disaster Cycle Service, Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication: Jim Plank of Kelseyville.
• Disaster Cycle Service, Exceptional Response Award: Deborah Smith of Kelseyville.
• Good Neighbor and Partnership Award: Jennifer Fitts of Lake County Social Services, Grace Evangelical Church, Hidden Valley Lake Association, Highlands Senior Center, Kelseyville High School, Middletown High School and Twin Pine Casino and Hotel.
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 repairs from Sayre Avenue to the Paradise Cove subdivision will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., weeknights. One-way traffic control will also be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– The Mine Restoration Project has been issued a long-term Caltrans Encroachment Permit to allow trucks to access their worksite near the Colusa County Line. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
Highway 29
– Valley fire recovery work between Middletown and Hidden Valley will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
Highway 175
– Valley fire recovery work between Middletown and Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Highway 1
– Paving between Pacific View Drive and Irish Beach Drive will begin Monday, July 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– Paving between Lille Lake Road and Happy Lane will begin Wednesday, July 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-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.
– Paving between Road 430 and the Georgia Pacific Picnic Area will begin Thursday, July 28. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
Highway 20
– Paving operations between Summer Lane and the Blosser Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– Paving operations from just east of Gino’s to just west of Old Bard will begin Tuesday, July 26. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
Highway 101
– Digouts and paving work between the Hollands Lane and the end of Main Street will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– The city of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to repair a water main between Sherwood Road and Casteel Lane beginning Thursday, July 21. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
– Paving operations between Old Sherwood Road and 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.
– The Enchanted Forest Event has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit provide access to the event at Black Oaks Ranch. An extended left-turn lane will be in place between Thursday, July 21, and Monday, July 25. 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.
Highway 128
– Drainage work from Masonite Timber to approximately 1.8 miles east of the junction with Route 1 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near Greenwood Road just outside Philo. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 162
– Paving operations between East Lane Road and Short Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– Paving operations between East Lane Road and the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– The Round Valley Indian Tribe has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to pave a driveway near Barnes Lane. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 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 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 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).
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center Preschool held its graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 16.
LCC Preschool congratulates the following graduates from their Pre-K Program and wishes them the best success in kindergarten: Eric Chavez, Hayton Chen, Mavrik DeSimone, Landon Hodder, Colin Ingram, Logan Jessen, Gabriel Lowell, Tia Marshall, Wyatt Marshall, Kiera Mick, Evan Moretz, Hollace Stencil, Alex Traphagan, Samuel Valadez and Ximena Venegas.
LUCERNE, Calif. – A wildland fire that began burning in Lucerne on Tuesday evening has been fully contained.
The 69-acre Foothill fire reached 100-percent containment as of Thursday evening, according to Suzie Blankenship, fire prevention specialist for Cal Fire.
The fire began shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Foothill and Country Club drives, and burned up into an area along Robinson Road, as Lake County News has reported.
No structures were damaged or destroyed, and no injuries occurred, Blankenship said.
Blankenship said Thursday evening that 14 personnel – including an overhead/command staffer – remained committed to the incident, along with four engine companies.
She said the fire's cause remains under investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Robert A. Lettus was suddenly taken from us on July 16, 2016.
Born in New York in 1930. A veteran of the Korean war. He leaves behind the love of his life, PJ, and his love for bowling and the 49ers.
At his request, no funeral services will be held.
For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com . Please share your memories by signing the guest book at www.legacy.com .
The California Department of Public Health is reporting increased West Nile virus activity across the state and is investigating numerous suspect cases in humans.
While the first human case has not been confirmed by CDPH, a resident of Los Angeles County has symptoms consistent with West Nile virus disease. Initial tests on that patient indicate a probable West Nile virus diagnosis, which requires further testing for confirmation.
“Californians should take every possible precaution to avoid mosquito bites,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Simple steps, like applying repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in the early morning and evening, and draining standing water near your home can help to prevent bites from infected mosquitos.”
To date in 2016, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes and birds in 30 California counties, including Lake County.
Approximately 600 dead birds and 896 mosquitoes sampled in California this year have been found to harbor the virus. In Lake County, two dead birds and four mosquito samples have tested positive, as Lake County News has reported.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low.
However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.
People 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications. Recent data also indicate that people with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.
CDPH recommends that individuals prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus by practicing the “Three Ds”:
– DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep mosquitoes from biting. DEET can be used safely on infants and children two months of age and older.
– DAWN AND DUSK: Mosquitoes bite in the early morning and evening, so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
– DRAIN: Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate or drain all sources of standing water around homes and properties, including buckets, old car tires, rain gutters, birdbaths, and pet bowls. If a swimming pool is not being properly maintained, please contact the local mosquito and vector control agency.
California’s West Nile virus Web site, http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ , includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state.
Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).