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Veterans, their families and survivors receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs will receive a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase in their monthly payments beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
“We’re pleased there will be another cost-of-living increase for veterans, their families and their survivors,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The increase expresses in a tangible way our nation’s gratitude for the sacrifices made by our service-disabled and wartime veterans.”
For the first time, payments will not be rounded down to the nearest dollar. Until this year, that was required by law.
Veterans and survivors will see additional cents included in their monthly compensation benefit payment.
For veterans without dependents, the new compensation rates will range from $130.94 monthly for a disability rated at 10 percent to $2,858.24 monthly for 100 percent.
The full rates are available on the Internet at www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp .
The COLA increase also applies to disability and death pension recipients, survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation, disabled veterans receiving automobile and clothing allowances, and other benefits.
Under federal law, cost-of-living adjustments for VA’s compensation and pension must match those for Social Security benefits.
The last adjustment was in January 2013 when the Social Security benefits rate increased 1.7 percent.
In fiscal year 2013, VA provided over $59 billion in compensation benefits to nearly four million veterans and survivors, and over $5 billion in pension benefits to more than 515,000 veterans and survivors.
For veterans and separating servicemembers who plan to file an electronic disability claim, VA urges them to use the joint DoD/VA online portal, eBenefits. registered eBenefits users with a premium account can file a claim online, track the status, and access a variety of other benefits, including pension, education, health care, home loan eligibility, and vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.
For more information about VA benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The current weather forecast is predicting freezing temperatures over the next few days and Lake County Special Districts is reminding everyone to protect their water pipes from freezing.
A few precautionary steps may help avoid the messy and often expensive issue of frozen pipes.
The following tips are suggested.
Seal out cold air
Caulk around pipes where they enter the house and close all foundation vents. This will stop cold winter air from blowing into your house.
Open foundation vents are probably the greatest cause of frozen or split water pipes. You will not only protect your pipes, but you may also reduce your winter heating needs.
Be sure to remember to open the foundation vents again in the spring to prevent moisture damage and dry rot.
Protect outside pipes and faucets
For newer homes, the outside hose bibs are frost free, meaning that the shut off valve is actually located deep inside the insulated wall.
If you are not sure if the hose bib is frost free, when you turn it off and water continues to drain for a few seconds, this is a good indication that the hose bib is frost-free.
If you are not sure or if you do not have a frost-free hose bib, then you will need to wrap the hose bib with newspapers or rags covered with plastic, fiberglass or molded foam-insulating covers to wrap the faucet. Premade molded foam insulating covers are available at most plumbing and hardware stores.
Disconnect all outdoor hoses from the faucets
This allows water to drain from the connected pipes. When a hose is attached, one overnight freeze can cause the faucet or the pipes to crack.
Locate your water shutoff valve
Know where your main water shutoff valve is outside of your home.
Typically they are located near the water meter or where the water pipes enter the house from the outside.
It is very important to know where this valve is located because if a pipe bursts anywhere in the house – kitchen, bath, basement or crawl space – this valve will turn it off.
Insulate the pipes
Wrapping will protect pipes from freezing.
Check your house for pipes in unheated areas such as the crawl space, attic, garage or basement. Use insulating tape or molded pipe sleeves (available at most home improvement stores) and wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe.
Foam pipe insulation is split down the middle and you just slip it over the pipes. You may need to cut the insulation to fit certain lengths.
Cover all valves, pipe-fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass insulation.
Unoccupied house?
When leaving the house for an extended time, or if you live in an older home, consider opening cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Water lines supplying the kitchen or bathrooms are frequently located next to outside walls. Any air leaks in the siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving these cabinet doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows pipes behind the cabinets to get more heat.
You can also contact a local plumber to winterize your home if it will be vacant during the winter.
Frozen pipes are particularly hazardous in vacant homes because nobody is home to hear or notice water running from a broken pipe.
If your pipes freeze, thaw the lines safely. If you know where the lines are frozen, you can attempt to thaw them with a hair dryer set on low heat. Wave the dryer back and forth along the frozen area. Thawing won’t be fast, but it will be safe.
If you have any questions, call Special Districts at 707-263-0119.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and its law enforcement partners throughout the nation are pleased to announce the results from the two recent traffic safety challenges issued for Interstate 5 (I-5) and Interstate 40 (I-40).
No lives were lost during the two-day campaign on I-40.
However, one person was killed during the four-day effort on I-5 in California’s Kern County.
“We have to acknowledge the public who took the challenges seriously and traveled safely throughout the weekend,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “While one life was tragically lost during the challenge campaign, it is encouraging what can be accomplished when everyone works together for a common goal.”
More than nine states, including California, joined forces over the recent Thanksgiving holiday weekend to educate the public and encourage everyone to drive safe and buckle up.
The goal of the combined efforts from the two challenges was to ensure no lives were lost during one of the busiest travel weekends on I-5 or I-40.
The CHP focused on education and enforcement regarding speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), distracted driving, and failure to wear a seat belt.
The one life lost during the I-5 Challenge was a child not restrained in the backseat of the vehicle. The CHP reminds the public that it offers free child safety seat inspections and installations at every Area office throughout the state. Contact your local CHP office to schedule an appointment.
During the same time frame as the two nationwide challenges on I-5 and I-40 were taking place, the CHP’s Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) was being conducted statewide.
Overall, there were 33 people killed in collisions in California during the 4 ¼-day effort, which reflects a 25-percent decrease from the same period last year. Arrests for driving under the influence by the CHP were also down from last year by 9 percent (1,320 arrests for DUI in 2012 and 1,201 DUI arrests by CHP in 2013).
Among the vehicle occupants killed in collisions within CHP jurisdiction, 88 percent (15 of the 17 vehicle occupants) were not wearing a seat belt.
California has a very high occupant restraint compliance rate of approximately 97 percent, which is well above the national average of 86 percent.
While the majority of Californians are buckling up, allowing them to survive collisions or avoid serious injury, we need to reach the small percentage of people who have not heeded the message.
“As you travel during this holiday season, please take the time to buckle up and secure your children in a child safety seat. Make sure everyone in the car, including passengers in the rear seats, are buckled up before you start your trip and throughout the journey,” added Commissioner Farrow. “We have seen it time and again, seat belts do save lives.”
Although the challenges and MEP may have concluded, the public should continue to practice safe driving habits anytime they get behind the wheel.
“Traffic safety is a concern for all of us in law enforcement throughout California,” said Covina Police Chief Kim Raney, president of the 1,120-member California Police Chiefs Association. “Most of the traffic deaths that occur on our roadways can be prevented if motorists obey the speed limit, eliminate distractions behind the wheel, avoid drinking and driving and buckle up every trip, every time. It’s especially tragic that during the Thanksgiving weekend so many people died because they weren’t wearing a seat belt. It only takes a few seconds to buckle up and vastly improve your odds of surviving in a collision.”
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol arrested a woman on Monday after she allegedly caused a three-vehicle crash and then fled the scene.
Elise Amanda Schwind, 35, of Paradise was arrested just before 1 p.m. Monday, according to CHP Officer Kory Reynolds.
At around 12:45 p.m. Schwind was driving a Honda CRV when she allegedly rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped for construction work on Highway 53 near Ogulin Canyon Road outside of Clearlake, Reynolds said.
Reynolds said the vehicle Schwind hit then rear-ended a third vehicle. The other drivers suffered minor injuries.
Schwind fled the scene, traveling down Old Highway 53, where Reynolds said he located her. He said he also found her in possession of a glass methamphetamine pipe.
He took Schwind into custody and returned her to the crash scene, where CHP Officer Randy Forslund placed her under arrest for driving under the influence and hit and run, Reynolds said.
Schwind was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony hit and run resulting in injury and DUI causing bodily injury, and misdemeanor charges of possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and using or being under the influence of controlled substances, according to her booking sheet.
Jail records shows that Schwind's bail was set at $50,000, and she remained in custody early Wednesday.
On Oct. 31 Schwind had been arrested on charges of being under the influence of drugs, and obstruction and battery on a peace officer, according to jail records.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Holiday fun returns to downtown Kelseyville this week with the annual Christmas in the Country' Merchant Open House and Parade of Lights.
The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, on Main Street.
Every Christmas the Kelseyville Business Association rings in the holiday season by showing off what it does best: an old-fashioned Christmas in the country, some down home country hospitality and the best light show this side of the constellation Orion.
The spirit of spontaneity may be a part of what makes the combined parade and open house so charming.
Holiday music fills the air all along Main Street starting at 5:30 p.m. Stroll through town and take in all the sights and sounds in the crisp winter air, where the shops owners have their doors open to welcome all who stop in to have tasty treats, warm beverages and discover the country town.
Come early to get something to eat.
Starting at 5 p.m. Kelseyville Presbyterian Church – located behind Westamerica Bank – will hold its annual chowder and chili dinner. St. Peters Catholic Church on Main St. will have hot dogs and beans, coffee, hot cocoa and treats.
Kelseyville United Methodist and Unitarian Universalist Community will have free treats and holiday singing. Please bring some canned food or a donation to help support their holiday food baskets for local families in need.
The parade of lights starts at 6:30 p.m. with Santa, and that's when the fun really begins.
The participants work so hard to delight all with their floats, boats and all sorts of things decorated with holiday lights that lets everyone of all ages feel the joy of the holidays.
Immediately after the parade, walk down to the Kelseyville Fire House where Santa will light the town Christmas tree.
Then follow Santa across the street to Westamerica Bank and whisper your wishes and have a photo with Jolly Old St. Nick, taken by Dawn Smith of Color Splash Photos. Smith donates the proceeds to make Christmas wishes come true for Lake County's foster children.
While waiting for Santa enjoy the music and sing a long by David Neft and caroling by the Sweet Adelines.
Enjoy the lights and decorations through town. So many business owners came out and help make it sparkle and twinkle. That's the kind of country town that Kelseyville is, where everyone loves to step up and help out.
After the parade Kelsey Creek Brewing will have live music, Studebakers Coffee House can create that special holiday drink to warm you up, the Sawshop Gallery Bistro will have wine and complimentary cookies, Wildhurst Tasting Room will have mulled wine and cookies, Rosa D' Oro Tasting Room will offer Italian cookies and mulled Muscato, Kelseyville Pharmacy has a huge selection of holiday ornaments and home décor, and visit with antique and collectible dealers to find those unique gifts.
Also throughout the Christmas season – through Jan. 4 – Taylor Observatory will present “The Mystery of the Christmas Star,” a real delight for the family. Go to www.taylorobservatoy.org or call 707-262-4121 for more information.
Be sure not to miss out on the Lake County Theatre Co. performing “Peter Pan” Dec. 5-15 at Kelseyville Gard Street School. Visit www.LakeCountyTheatreCompany.org or call 707-998-0224 for more information.
So mark your calendars, wear your scarves and mittens, visit with old friends and make new ones while starting off your holiday season in a Christmas country town.
For more information or if you want to be in the parade, contact Mary Morse at 707-279-8559.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service has issued freeze warnings for parts of Lake County due to a cold air mass moving from Canada into California.
A hard freeze warning is in effect from midnight Wednesday to 10 a.m. Friday, with a freeze warning in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
The warnings are in effect for the southern half of Lake County, below the 2,000 foot elevation mark, according to forecasters.
The very cold air mass bringing the freezing temperatures to the region originated in western Canada, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to dip into the low 20s to low 30s during the hard freeze warning's timeframe, based on the forecast.
County residents are urged to cover sensitive vegetation, make sure pets and livestock have proper shelter, and take precautions to prevent water pipes from bursting.
AccuWeather.com said parts of California could see temperature lows not normal this early in the winter season.
The cold weather outlook facing California is the latest result of Arctic air moving in over the Western United States this week, AccuWeather.com reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at