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Following the success of California’s “Slow for the Cone Zone” public awareness campaign, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) this week began asking drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and help save lives on California’s roads.
“Caltrans workers toil along California roadways with vehicles flying by just feet – or inches away,” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Kelly. “This public awareness campaign reminds us all that highway workers have families and loved ones who are counting on motorists to ‘Be Work Zone Alert’ and help save lives.”
The new “Be Work Zone Alert” campaign features public service announcements and nearly 60 billboards across California where the children of highway workers remind drivers to stay alert in California work zones.
The campaign is funded with highway maintenance funds and a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Work zone collisions saddle our state with millions of dollars in unnecessary costs, not to mention the tragic – and preventable – loss of life,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “The children of our workers are proud of their parents and are asking all drivers to help keep workers safe by staying alert in highway work zones.”
California law requires all drivers to move over if safe to do so, or slow down when they see amber flashing lights on Caltrans vehicles.
Highway construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Since the 1920s, 183 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job – and the risk of death is seven times higher for highway workers than for average workers in any other industries, according to the latest data from the California Department of Industrial Relations.
On average 1,000 Caltrans vehicles are struck each year – more than three each day.
“All it takes is a split second of inattention to destroy the lives of so many people,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “The CHP hopes this educational campaign will help raise awareness and prevent these completely preventable tragedies from occurring.”
Past public awareness campaigns, such as “Click It or Ticket” and “Slow for the Cone Zone” have helped improve public safety, reducing collisions, injuries and fatalities on California’s highways. In 2010, highway work zone injuries were reduced by 33 percent over 2007 levels.
Nevertheless, work zone collisions still burdened the state with approximately $185 million in economic cost as well as the tragic loss of human life.
“Using extra caution in construction zones will not only be safer for highway workers, it will also help ensure drivers and passengers make it home safely,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Rhonda L. Craft. “Driving involves split second decisions. We all need to be alert.”
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Konocti Unified School District is among the first recipients of a new state grant that seeks to link education and careers, with the district planning to use the funds to set up the first magnet high school in Lake County.
The California Department of Education announced the Career Pathways Trust grant winners, which along with Konocti Unified include 40 consortia representing hundreds of thousands of California students.
Konocti Unified Unified Superintendent Donna Becnel said the district received a five-year $1.2 million grant to expand its health-based education.
“We are just so excited to have this opportunity, especially for our kids in the area,” Becnel said.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson reported that state officials received 123 eligible applications containing about $709 million in requested grants, nearly triple the $250 million in available funding.
Applicants included community college districts, county offices of education, direct-funded charter schools and school districts, the state reported.
“To make good on our goal of a world-class education for every California student, they have to graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the real world,” said Tom Torlakson. “By demonstrating the relevance of students' education, these programs not only encourage kids to stay in school, but also combine the rigorous academics and practical experience employers say they need.”
Regarding Konocti Unified's plans, Becnel said, “We are expanding our health occupations pathway and developing a health occupations magnet high school,” adding there is no such program currently in Lake County.
Becnel said the magnet high school will focus on preparing students for occupations in the health industry.
“Because we have a strong foundation in our current pathway at the high school, we’re doing an expansion,” she said. “So we've already got some of the bases covered.”
Students will take regular comprehensive classes like English and math at Lower Lake High School, then go into the magnet high school for medical-related classes in what Becnel said would be a college-style education.
She said the grant needed to be based on a need in Lake County.
“Lake County ranks very low on the health statistics, and there's a huge need not only to develop health occupations but also in developing a healthy community,” Becnel said.
The district's current pathway already has had active links with the local health care industry, including St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and Sutter Lakeside Hospital, according to Becnel.
“Over the last couple of years our students have actually been volunteering up at Sutter Lakeside,” she said.
Becnel said the district plans to survey students in order to find out how many want to be a part of the expanded medical pathway.
In addition to working in a traditional medical field, many other occupations – sports medicine, nutrition, physical therapy – have a health care component, giving the students who go through the pathway a lot of options, Becnel said.
Ideally, Becnel said, students who complete the health education pathway would receive some kind of certification.
The district's plans include having the magnet high school program be self-sustaining after five years, Becnel said.
She said Konocti Unified will need assistance from local medical providers in the form of guest speakers, job shadowing opportunities, the ability to watch operations and learn about equipment.
Becnel said the district is preparing to start quickly with the new education pathway – this fall, in fact.
“The money is coming so they expect us to implement right away,” she said.
Part of the preparation, Becnel said, includes a planned visit to a Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, a very successful magnet high school in Antioch. The school recently was named among the best high schools in the United States by US News and World Report.
Becnel said of Konocti Unified's new program, “I think it's going to have a lot of ramifications beyond just what’s happening with our students in the school.”
Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg spearheaded the creation of the California Career Pathways Trust in 2014, establishing a one-time $250 million competitive grant program in the state's 2013-14 budget, the California Department of Education reported.
Grant recipients are tasked with creating sustained career pathways programs that connect businesses, K–12 schools and community colleges to better prepare students for the 21st century workplace.
Under Torlakson, the California Department of Education administers the program, soliciting and identifying the strongest applications based on a rigorous evaluation process carried out by the CDE and its state partners, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and the California Workforce Investment Board.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Clearlake Oaks County Water District officials expect that a boil water order necessitated late last week due to a water main break should be lifted on Tuesday.
General manager Matthews Bassett said the main break occurred at a fire hydrant at the corner of Keys Boulevard and Highway 20 last Friday.
The hydrant was attached to an 8-inch water line and the leak occurred in that connection, he explained.
When the leak was detected, about 100 gallons of water a minute was coming out of it, Bassett said.
District crews worked until late that night, trying to isolate the leak, which Bassett said was the challenging part.
Bassett said a district crew excavated the site and capped the leak, and a number of connections had to be shut off.
District staff also had to go door-to-door to deliver 171 boil water order notices to customers, which Bassett said was the most time-consuming aspect of the response to the leak.
He said the impacted customers are located in the area of Sulphur Bank, Elem and Orchard Shores.
Bassett said the district also notified the California Department of Public Health.
He said the district is being required to conduct lab testing before lifting the boil water order.
The first of two tests came back fine; he said the results of the second should be available on Tuesday.
Once the second test's results are back and confirm that water conditions meet requirements, district staff will again go out to each individual customer to notify them that the boil water order has been lifted, Bassett said.
While the Clearlake Oaks County Water District is an older system, besides this recent leak Bassett said overall it is holding up well.
Editor’s note: The district originally reported that there were 71 boil water orders issued. The correct number is 171.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is entering into fire restrictions beginning Tuesday, June 17, due to dry conditions and increased risk of wildfires.
The fire restrictions will continue through the end of fire season.
Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal fires or stoves are prohibited on the National Forest unless in the following designated recreation sites:
- Grindstone Ranger District – Whitlock, Kingsley, Sugarfoot, Three Prong, Ides Cove, Horse Packer, Wells Cabin, Dead Mule, Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area, Big Springs Day Use Area, Letts Lake, Mill Valley, Dixie Glade, Plaskett Meadows, Masterson, Little Stony, Grey Pine, Fouts Springs, Davis Flat, South Fork, North Fork, Mill Creek, Cedar Camp and Old Mill campgrounds.
- Upper Lake Ranger District – Fuller Grove, Fuller Grove Group Camp, Navy Camp, Pogie Point, Oak Flat, Sunset, Middle Creek, Deer Valley, Bear Creek and Penny Pines Campgrounds and Lake Pillsbury Summer Home sites.
- Covelo Ranger District – Eel River, Little Doe, Howard Lake, Howard Meadows, Atchison, Green Springs and Hammerhorn Lake campgrounds.
California campfire permits are not needed in the designated recreation sites listed. In all other areas of the forest, lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be allowed as long as the person has a current California Campfire Permit with them.
California campfire permits may be obtained at any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire office in California, as well as most Forest Service field employees.
They also may be obtained online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/mendocino/passes-permits/recreation .
The following activities are also prohibited as part of the fire restrictions:
- Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or in the designated recreation sites listed above;
- Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame;
- Using explosives;
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks.
Forest visitors will be able to continue riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on designated roads and trails, provided that the vehicles are equipped with the required spark arresters.
Spark arresters also are required on chainsaws being used for people filling valid personal use wood cutting permits, and may also only be used on designated roads and trails.
“The rugged terrain that makes the Mendocino such a remarkable place can be very conducive to the rapid spread of wildfire, especially this year when the forest is exceedingly dry,” said Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “The public can help prevent wildfires by respecting the fire restrictions and being careful when using anything with a flame or that can throw a spark while enjoying this spectacular forest.”
Temporary fire restrictions are put in place annually to protect natural resources and limit the threat of human-caused wildfires. Similar restrictions are going into effect on neighboring forests.
However, restrictions can vary by forest and visitors should check with the National Forest they plan on visiting for the latest fire restrictions and conditions.
For the Mendocino National Forest, the fire restrictions are formally referenced through Order Number 08-14-07.
Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months imprisonment or both.
Fire season typically ends in late fall following a series of drenching, measurable rains in the mountains. An announcement will follow when fire restrictions are lifted.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
NORTH COAST, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced a $376,423 U.S. Education Department grant has been awarded to Mendocino-Lake Community College.
The grant comes from the Education Department’s College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP.
“Everyone, regardless of who they are or where they’re from should have access to an affordable education,” said Thompson. “That’s why I am a proud supporter of these grants that help seasonal workers and their children get the education they need to start or further a successful career. Congratulations to Mendocino-Lake Community College on their success.”
The College Assistance Migrant Program assists students who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers – or children of such workers – enrolled in their first year of undergraduate studies at an Institution of Higher Education.
The funding supports completion of the first year of studies.
The program serves approximately 2,000 CAMP participants annually.
Specifically, the funding is used for outreach to persons who are eligible, counseling, tutoring, skills workshops, financial aid stipends, health services, and housing assistance.
Additionally, followup services are provided to participants after their first year.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In order to maintain the beneficial uses of the water of Clear Lake, the Lake County Department of Water Resources is providing defined areas around the lake free of noxious plants.
Some of the plants being targeted include Eurasian water milfoil, sago pondweed and curly leaf pondweed.
The treatment areas include certain:
- Shoreline lanes parallel to the shoreline, starting from structures in the lake and extending 50 feet lakeward;
- 50 foot wide boat lanes perpendicular to the shoreline, starting from the shoreline lane and extending into the lake proper for 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet. Boat lanes will be marked with green buoys starboard and red buoys port.
- Recreational areas for swimming or fishing.
The specific treatment areas are posted on the county’s Web site at www.nolakeweeds.com .
Your property may be close to one of these managed areas. Management of aquatic plants entails use of aquatic herbicides. If you use lake water for irrigation or personal use, please call Water Resources at 263-2344 or email
All aquatic plant management in Clear Lake requires a permit; only licensed aquatic herbicide applicators are authorized to chemically control weeds in Clear Lake. Permits may be obtained through the Lake County Water Resources Office.
For additional information pertaining to County of Lake aquatic plant management activities please visit www.nolakeweeds.com or contact the Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344.