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AccuWeather reports as millions of people take to the roads and skies during the week of Thanksgiving, a storm will impact travel in the West, while mild weather continues in much of the East.
According to the American Automobile Association, gasoline prices averaging around $2 per gallon could drive an increase in highway travelers this Thanksgiving.
The majority of people traveling over the eastern two-thirds of the nation should not have snow and ice to contend with from Monday through Wednesday, next week.
As is sometimes the case during mild weather in November, patchy fog could slow down some morning travelers from the interior South to New England. However, the weather in the East is likely to feature the most favorable travel conditions with sunshine.
Spotty showers expected over part of the Florida Peninsula are not likely to impact travel.
Stiff southerly winds could accompany the mild air over the Central states.
The southerly flow may also add enough moisture to the air to cause areas of low clouds and spotty rain or drizzle from parts of Texas to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Thunderstorms may begin to develop in parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
The combination of wind, low clouds and spotty rain could cause minor airline delays on a local basis.
The vast majority of adverse weather conditions for travelers will be in the western third of the nation.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson, “We expect another large storm to roll from the Pacific and expand toward the central Rockies during the week of Thanksgiving.”
The storm is likely to spread drenching rain along part of the Pacific coast and heavy snow in portions of the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and the Rockies, spanning Monday to Wednesday.
Travel along parts of interstates 25, 70, 80 and 90 in the higher elevations of the West are likely to be slippery.
Cities that could be directly affected by the storm next week include Seattle, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Denver.
“The exact strength and timing of the storm is still uncertain,” Anderson added.
If the storm takes a southerly route, then heavy rain and mountain snow may also sweep into Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. Such a storm track could have significant impact on travel in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix.
A southern storm track may also allow the weather to clear quickly in the Northwest.
Cold air and gusty winds will again spill southward over the West next week regardless of the storm track.
AccuWeather will continue to provide updates on the Thanksgiving travel conditions.
Alex Sosnowski is a senior meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com .
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The United States Postal Inspection Service is working to solve a break-in that targeted the Upper Lake Post Office.
The Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, is investigating the burglary to the facility, located at 9435 Main St., which occurred in early September, according to Postal Inspector Jeff Fitch.
He said the burglars did some damage in breaking into the building and taking mail from post office boxes.
On the night of the incident he said postal inspectors responded and conducted crime scene processing.
Fitch said the investigation remains active.
Lake County is part of the US Post Office's San Francisco postal district, said Fitch.
“When we look at our territory, we see other break-ins like this,” he said. “They are rare but they do happen.”
He added, “The real key is the reporting.”
Anyone who has information about the crime or who committed it is asked to call the United States Postal Inspection Service toll-free dispatch number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 877-876-2455.
If someone who has a post office box at the facility notices unusual transactions on credit card or bank statements, Fitch also asked that they call to report it.
Fitch said there is a standing reward of up to $10,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
He said breaking into a post office is a federal office, with a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
“It is something we are very serious about,” Fitch said.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Stars of Lake County Community Awards this weekend added 21 new names to its distinguished list of honorees.
The event took place on Saturday evening at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.
As of Saturday night, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce has awarded 380 Stars since February 1998.
Originally there were 12 categories for nominations and this year that number grew to 21.
Honorees are nominated by residents of Lake County for their acts of kindness, humanity, caring and love of community.
Entertainment for the Stars reception hour was provided by David Neft. Shelly Mascari of the Funky Dozen, accompanied by Patrick Fitzgerald, performed three songs as tributes to the nominees.
A special rendition of the French national anthem was played by Fitzgerald as a tribute to those in France who lost their lives in the attacks on Nov. 13.
After Mascari’s final song of the evening she was presented with a replacement Star for her 2014 Award for Best Idea for The Hero Project. Mascari’s Star was lost when her home was destroyed in the Valley fire.
Chamber President Ted Mandrones thanked the event's many business sponsors. “Stars continues each year as without the sponsors we would not be able to produce the program.”
Major sponsors are The Lodge at Blue Lakes, Calpine Corp., St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and the Lake County Record-Bee. The video presentation was sponsored by Tony Barthel, Nerds for Normals and decorations by Lake Event Design.
Award category sponsors for 2015 are Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka, Westamerica Bank, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake County Office of Education, Disney Trophies & Awards, SERVPRO of Lake & Mendocino, Savings Bank of Mendocino, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Konocti Vista Casino & Marina, Foods Etc., Bruno’s Shop Smart, Meadowood Nursing Center, Congressman Mike Thompson, Calpine Corp., Twin Pine Casino/Middletown Rancheria, John Tomkins Tax Consultant, North Lake Medical Pharmacy, Lake County Record-Bee and Strong Financial Network.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce extended its gratitude to all the volunteers who put the event on at Soper Reese on Nov. 14, and to the Soper Reese Theater staff for their efforts to make this a very successful event.
The board of directors also reminded everyone to send nominations for 2016 to the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453.
“Every year following the Stars program we hear people say, ‘I know someone I was going to nominate, but I let time get away or I forgot,'” said Mandrones. “What people don’t realize is they can nominate all throughout the year. ”
The full list of this year's winners is featured below.
2015 STARS OF LAKE COUNTY RECIPIENTS
Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year: Barbara Flynn
Senior of the Year: Bob Specht
Volunteer of the Year: Mary Beth Woodward
Student of the Year – Female: Gracie Pachie
Student of the Year – Male: Christopher Vincent
Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer: Rick Walker
Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional: Marisol Becerra-Valdez
Agriculture: Sky Hoyt
Organization – Nonprofit: Highlands Senior Center
Organization – Volunteer: Moose Lodge No. 2284
Environmental: Lake County Land Trust
New Business: O’Meara Bros. Brewing Co.
Small Business: The Village Pub
Large Business: Twin Pine Casino/Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians
Best Idea: Certified Tourism Ambassador Program
Local Hero: James Wright
Arts – Professional: Lisa Kaplan
Spirit of Lake County: Robert Stark
Woman of the Year: Jeanine Burnett
Man of the Year: Jose “Moke” Simon
Lifetime Achievement: Mike Salter
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires, allowing Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit to transition to winter preparedness.
The agency said the transition went into effect at 8 a.m. Monday in Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
In the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, open burning may resume, in the State Responsibility Area lands governed by the unit.
Cal Fire will not require burning permits until approximately May 1, 2016. Before conducting an open burn, contact your local air quality control district to secure an air quality permit and ensure it is a permissive burn day.
For tips on safe burning visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov .
As the region shifts towards a winter weather pattern, Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief Scott Upton encourages residents to remain mindful that one spark is all that is required to start a wildland fire.
Though the risk of wildland fires lessens during the winter months, fires still occur. Wintertime fires can be caused by improper disposal of fireplace or wood stove ashes, neglecting annual chimney maintenance, and escaped control burns.
“Most fires can be prevented,” said Chief Upton.
As drought conditions continue, Cal Fire will maintain staffing to meet local threats, as well as strategically move resources to areas that remain at a higher risk level, if needed.
Cal Fire continues to monitor weather conditions closely and has the ability to increase staffing if weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires and/or other emergencies throughout the State.
Statewide, Cal Fire and firefighters from many local agencies battled more than 5,900 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned 308,000 acres. This is an increase in fire activity, from normal years, with the agency responding to an additional 1,700 wildfires in 2015.
As of January 2015, the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit has responded to 520 wildfires that charred 188,053 acres in the Unit.
Learn how to prepare your family and home for wildfire, and also to prevent sparking a wildfire at www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that the annual Lake County Burn Ban for 2015 was lifted as of Monday, Nov. 16.
Lake County’s joint fire agencies and air quality management district’s open burning program has incorporated both fire safety and air quality management since 1987.
Burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Lake County Air Basin.
Contact your local fire agency for a burn permit, or the Lake County Air Quality Management District at 707-263-7000 to obtain a smoke management plan.
A smoke management plan is required for all burns over 20 acres in size, multi-day burns, standing vegetation burns, whole tree or vine removals over one acre, and other burns where significant smoke impacts may occur or sensitive receptors may be impacted.
A fee is required for all burn permits, payable at the time the permit is issued. Burn permits (agricultural and residential) and smoke management plans are $24, while land development/lot clearing burn permits are $74.
Only clean dry vegetation that was grown on the property may be burned.
Residential burn permits require a one-acre or larger lot, a burn location that is located at least 100 feet from all neighbors and at least 30 feet from any structure.
Lot clearing/land development burns require special permits available at your local fire agency. Contact your local fire agency or the Lake County Air Quality Management District for lots smaller than one acre in fire-damaged areas.
Burn only the amount of material that can be completely consumed during the allowed burning
hours. Read your burn permit carefully and follow all the conditions.
Consider using the vegetative waste pickup provided with your waste collection services or composting as an alternative to burning leaves. Contact your local fire safe council for chipping information.
For residents of the South Lake Fire Protection District, call 707-987-9841 or go to www.southlakefiresafecouncil.org . For all other areas in Lake County, call 707-263-4180, Extension 106.
Officials ask those who plan to do burning to please be considerate of their neighbors. A permit does not allow you to create health problems for others and you can be liable for health care costs, fines and other costs resulting from your burning.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Monday, Nov. 23, is the last day that wildfire survivors in Lake County can register to receive housing or other needs assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and apply for disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
It will be day 60 since President Obama declared the massive wildfires in the two counties to be major disasters, which enabled FEMA to provide federal recovery grants to qualified registered applicants.
The declaration also enabled the SBA to offer low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters for physical damage, personal property losses and economic injury.
Monday, Nov. 23 is also the last day to visit the three open Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).
In-person registration is available at Lake County's two DRCs, located at 14860 Olympic Drive in the Burns Valley Mall in Clearlake and at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed on Sunday.
To further meet the needs of wildfire survivors, on Tuesday, Nov. 24, the Middletown facility in Lake County will open an hour later, at 9 a.m., and transition to an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC). Hours will be Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Clearlake Disaster Recovery Center will close permanently at 6 p.m. on Nov. 23.
The Middletown DLOC will be closed from Thanksgiving Day through the weekend, reopening on Monday, Nov. 30.
At the DLOC, disaster loan applicants will be able to meet with SBA representatives to finalize applications started before the Nov. 23 deadline. The SBA DLOC will be open until further notice.
Applying for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is part of federal disaster assistance. Many people who apply to FEMA are automatically referred to the SBA for a low-interest disaster assistance loan. Survivors should complete SBA loan applications so they can be considered for all available disaster assistance.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also available to small businesses that did not suffer physical losses, with an application deadline open until June 22, 2016.
As of Monday, between Lake County and Calaveras County – the latter being the site of the Butte fire – FEMA has approved nearly $10.7 million to help individuals and households recover; more than $7 million for housing and nearly $3.7 million for other needs assistance.
The SBA has approved nearly $14.4 million in low-interest disaster recovery loans, nearly $1.8 million to businesses and private nonprofit organizations and nearly $12.6 million to homeowners and renters. Those numbers also are a combination of what has been granted for both the Valley and Butte fires.
Registration with FEMA – easily done by telephone, online or in-person – is required to become eligible for housing or other needs assistance.
Survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
After online and telephone registration ends at midnight Monday, Nov. 23, the same contact numbers can be used to ask FEMA about pending applications or other issues.
A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330, for TTY, call 711.
For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit www.caloes.ca.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow the agency on Twitter @femaregion9 and @Cal_OES and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA and www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOES .