How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – In a settlement agreement with the United States, Safeway, the nation’s second largest grocery store chain, has agreed to pay a $600,000 civil penalty and implement a corporate-wide plan to significantly reduce its emissions of ozone-depleting substances from refrigeration equipment at 659 of its stores nationwide.
Safeway's emissions reduction plan is estimated to cost approximately $4.1 million, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice.
The settlement involves the largest number of facilities ever under the Clean Air Act’s regulations governing refrigeration equipment.
Safeway has two stores in Lake County – one in Lakeport and one in Clearlake – both of which are covered by the settlement, according to the consent decree, which can be seen below.
The settlement resolves allegations that Safeway violated the federal CAA by failing to promptly repair leaks of HCFC-22, a hydro-chlorofluorocarbon that is a greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance used as a coolant in refrigerators, and failed to keep adequate records of the servicing of its refrigeration equipment.
Safeway will now implement a corporate refrigerant compliance management system to comply with stratospheric ozone regulations.
In addition, Safeway will reduce its corporate-wide average leak rate from 25 percent in 2012 to 18 percent or below in 2015.
The company also will reduce the aggregate refrigerant emissions at its highest-emission stores by 10 percent each year for three years.
The measures that Safeway has committed to are expected to prevent over 100,000 pounds of future releases of ozone-depleting refrigerants that destroy the ozone layer.
“By reducing gases that cause the ozone hole, this enforcement action against Safeway will help the U.S. meet its international treaty obligations,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest.
Blumenfield said the settlement also will achieve important climate benefits “because these ozone depleting substances are over 1,800 times more potent than carbon dioxide.”
“This first-of-its-kind settlement will benefit all Americans by cutting emissions of ozone-depleting substances across Safeway’s national supermarket chain,” said Robert G. Dreher, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “It can serve as a model for comprehensive solutions that improve industry compliance with the nation’s Clean Air Act.”
EPA regulations issued under Title VI of the CAA require that owner or operators of commercial refrigeration equipment that contains over 50 pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerants, and that has an annual leak rate greater than 35 percent repair such leaks within 30 days.
HCFCs deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, which allows dangerous amounts of cancer-causing ultraviolet rays from the sun to strike the earth, leading to adverse health effects that include skin cancers, cataracts, and suppressed immune systems.
Pursuant to the Montreal Protocol, the United States is implementing strict reductions of ozone-depleting refrigerants, including a production and importation ban by 2020 of HCFC-22, a common refrigerant used by supermarkets.
The settlement is part of EPA’s national enforcement initiative to control harmful air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including large grocery stores.
Safeway, headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., is the second largest grocery chain in North America with 1,412 stores in the United States and 2012 revenues of $44.2 billion.
Safeway operates companies under the banner of Vons in southern California and Nevada, Randalls in Texas, and Carrs in Alaska.
The settlement covers 659 Safeway stores – all Safeway stores in the United States that have commercial refrigeration equipment regulated by the CAA except for those stores in Safeway’s Dominick’s Division, which was the subject of a 2004 settlement with the United States.
The settlement was lodged on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
For more information visit http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/safeway-inc-clean-air-act-settlement .
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – American Legion Post No. 437 closed the summer with its second annual car show and barbecue on Saturday in Clearlake.
Rick Bonds drove away in his 1932 Ford with the award for “Best of Show” among a field of 44 classic and modern cars. Awards also were presented in five additional categories.
Car enthusiasts from near and far joined in the Labor Day weekend event, with participants traveling from as far as La Pine, Ore.
Volunteer Mike Youngblood said organizers were vigorous in their efforts to increase participation in this year's event, extending invitations throughout Northern California and beyond.
Post No. 437 Commander Kris Hotredt was pleased with the results. “We've had an excellent turnout today,” he said during the event. “We have a lot more people coming out to enjoy the cars, the barbecue and the music.”
Hotredt attributed the event's success to the collaborative efforts of several veterans' organizations including Sons of the American Legion, the 40 & 8 veterans' group and Post No. 437 Ladies Auxiliary and the Children's Auxiliary.
“It's been an overall effort of all these organizations with all hands on deck,” he said. “It's all volunteer and is of benefit not only to the American Legion but the community as well.”
Hotredt continued, “We don't want to be labeled as an 'all veterans' organization. We are here for the community and we want people to come here. This event is positive for the community and provides a positive atmosphere for viewing cars with good food and good music.”
Hotredt said the Children's Auxiliary is fairly new and is seeking to increase its membership. He said participation provides the children with an opportunity to gain the community service hours needed for graduation.
“It's a great way for them to get the service hours they need and we really need them,” he said.
Additional awards were presented as follows:
- Best 1950 and older (stock): Garth Oates, 1939 Club coupe;
- Best 1950 and older (modified): Sandy France, 1932 Ford coupe;
- Best 1950 and newer (stock): Alex Valerio, 1970 El Camino;
- Best 1950 and newer (modified): Dave and Kathy Lakatos, 1955 Chevy 210; and
- Under Construction: Louis Hamil, 1951 Ford.
Upcoming events at the American Legion Post No. 437 include a lasagna dinner hosted by the Sons of the American Legion from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 and the Ladies Auxiliary's Veterans Day dinner and dance on Saturday, Nov. 9.
The dinner and dance is a remembrance event honoring all veterans, all of whom will be served free of charge.
Correction: The story originally listed the wrong model year for the winner of the “Best 1950 and newer (modified).” Dave and Kathy Lakatos' Chevy 210 is a 1955.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol will accept applications in September from individuals interested in a career as a CHP officer.
The CHP is looking to hire cadets from a pool of applicants to fill vacant officer positions throughout the state.
“Working for the Californian Highway Patrol is about making a commitment to public service and improving the well-being of our state,” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Kelly. “This is a tremendous opportunity to join an organization that makes California communities safer while providing for the greater good.”
“The CHP is one of the nation's largest law enforcement agencies,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “This is your opportunity to serve among California’s finest while providing the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.”
Applications will only be accepted online during a three-day period beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.
This brief application period marks the second time in three years the CHP has accepted applications.
Those interested in applying, or seeking additional information, should visit www.chpcareers.com .
“CHP is recruiting highly qualified men and women for the position of cadet,” added Commissioner Farrow. “Broad based, inclusive recruitment efforts are underway to attract a workforce representative of the diverse communities we serve.”
Minimum qualifications for candidates include: must be 20-35 years old, a U.S. citizen, have no felony convictions, and be a high school graduate.
Each applicant will be required to complete the entire testing process including a written test, physical ability test, appraisal panel interview, background investigation, medical/vision evaluation and psychological evaluation.
Applicants who tested after Jan. 1, 2013, and passed the written exam will be eligible to waive the written examination for this testing cycle.
Applicants who are eligible to waive must still apply during the three-day application period.
An applicant study guide and practice test can be found online at www.chpcareers.com . Be sure to visit the CHP’s recruitment Facebook page at www.facebook.com/chp.recruiting .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Quick action by firefighters kept two Tuesday afternoon wildland fires to small acreage totals.
The fires burned near Middletown and Lower Lake.
The first fire, located in the 11000 block of Big Canyon Road near Middletown, was dispatched at 12:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike Wink.
Cal Fire and South Lake County Fire Protection District sent firefighters, Wink said. Cal Fire air tankers and helicopters assisted in the effort.
Wink said the fire was contained at three acres within an hour of dispatch.
At 1:35 p.m. the second fire, located in the 10000 block of Seigler Canyon Road near Highway 29 outside of Lower Lake, was dispatched, Wink said.
The second fire also was contained within an hour. Wink said it burned less than five acres and had several small spot fires.
He said Cal Fire, South Lake County Fire, Kelseyville Fire, Lakeport, Lake County Fire and Northshore Fire all responded.
Reports from the scene had indicated that incident command on the Seigler Canyon Road fire had requested an in-county strike team.
Wink said both fires started off of nearby roadways, and the causes of both are under investigation.
He said Cal Fire and Lake County Arson Task Force investigations were on scene Tuesday afternoon.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted this past Saturday by a Lake County Sheriff’s patrol deputy has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of methamphetamine.
Michael David Burroughs, 35, was arrested, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 1 p.m. Saturday a patrol deputy conducted an enforcement stop on a gray-colored Honda Civic in the 14000 block of Lakeshore Boulevard in Clearlake. Brooks said the reason for the stop was numerous vehicle code violations.
The deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle, identified as Burroughs. While talking to Burroughs, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Brooks said the deputy also noticed that Burroughs appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.
Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Burroughs and advised he did not have a valid driver license, Brooks said.
The deputy had Burroughs step out of the vehicle and asked him if he had anything illegal in his possession. Burroughs admitted he had a marijuana pipe in his pocket and provided it to the deputy, according to Brooks.
As the deputy started to deploy his narcotics detection canine, Burroughs admitted there might also be methamphetamine hidden inside the center console. Brooks said the deputy deployed his canine, which produced a positive alert as soon as she approached the driver’s door, indicating the presence of a controlled substance.
Once inside the vehicle the canine alerted on the stereo face plate, which was located in the center console. Brooks said that when the stereo face plate was removed, the deputy located a plastic bag which contained a white crystalline substance he believed to be methamphetamine.
The deputy tested a small amount of the suspected methamphetamine using a NIK kit, which immediately flashed blue, indicating a presumptive positive for methamphetamine, Brooks said.
Brooks said Burroughs was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance and for driving without a license.
He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $35,000. Jail records indicated he posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local firefighters are among the thousands who are fighting major wildland fires around the state.
An estimated 7,500 firefighters were working on seven major wildland fire incidents around California on Monday, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said a majority of the large wildfires in California are burning on federal land, however, Cal Fire and local fire agencies are continuing to support the US Forest Service in firefighting efforts.
The state's largest fire this year – and the fourth largest in its history – is the Rim Fire, burning in and around Yosemite National Park since Aug. 17.
Late Monday, Cal Fire said the Rim Fire was at 235,841 acres – or 368 square miles – and 70 percent contained. The firefighting effort to date has cost $72 million.
There are 4,500 structures threatened, with 11 residences, three commercial buildings and 97 outbuildings destroyed so far, according to Cal Fire.
On Monday, 4,330 firefighters were working on the Rim Fire, Cal Fire reported.
Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells, the county's operational area coordinator for emergency mobilization, said one state Office of Emergency Services engine housed at South Lake County Fire in Middletown was sent to the Rim Fire.
The state allows districts to have such engines and use them on a daily basis, with the stipulation that they must be staffed around the clock, every day of the year with four people, and ready to respond to major incidents around the state when called, Wells said.
Wells said that engine from Middletown joined forces with four other engines from out of the area to form a strike team that headed south to work on the Rim Fire.
The engine was assigned on Aug. 23 and was expected to be there for a 14-day assignment, he said. Those firefighters should return later this week.
Wells said Jamie Crabtree, a Northshore Fire battalion chief, was assigned on Aug. 22 to the Corral Complex in Humboldt County, where he's working as a division group supervisor, also on a two-week assignment.
The lightning-caused Corral Fire, burning since Aug. 9, had burned 11,924 acres and was 49 percent contained last Monday, according to the Six Rivers National Forest.
Cal Fire said much of Northern California will experience cooler temperatures and potentially some light rainfall in some areas this week.
By mid-week, a drying trend is likely along with very gusty winds, which Cal Fire said will increase the fire danger.
Email Elizabeth Larson at