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Distracted driving can be a life-changing choice resulting in crashes and the deaths of thousands of people every year in the United States.
Driven to make a difference, the California Highway Patrol has implemented a yearlong Adult Distracted Drivers grant designed to keep California roads safe through education and enforcement.
CHP officers throughout the state will host in-person presentations and use Web-based or virtual platforms to conduct distracted driving traffic safety presentations.
In addition, the CHP will conduct several distracted driving enforcement operations through Sept. 30, 2021.
“Distracted driving continues to be a serious issue on our roadway, and it is entirely avoidable,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “With the support of this grant, we can implement lifesaving efforts throughout California that will raise awareness and hopefully change dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”
Multitasking behind the wheel places extra demands on the driver, which can have tragic consequences.
On average, there are more than 20,000 drivers in California involved in a crash every year where inattention is a factor. “These statistics are likely much higher and are often under-reported to law enforcement since motorists do not always admit to driving distracted,” Commissioner Stanley added.
While there are many forms of inattention, cell phones continue to be the main source of diversion. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is not only a violation of the vehicle code, it is also an unsafe activity behind the wheel. Drivers should only use a phone when necessary and in a hands-free mode.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.
Driven to make a difference, the California Highway Patrol has implemented a yearlong Adult Distracted Drivers grant designed to keep California roads safe through education and enforcement.
CHP officers throughout the state will host in-person presentations and use Web-based or virtual platforms to conduct distracted driving traffic safety presentations.
In addition, the CHP will conduct several distracted driving enforcement operations through Sept. 30, 2021.
“Distracted driving continues to be a serious issue on our roadway, and it is entirely avoidable,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “With the support of this grant, we can implement lifesaving efforts throughout California that will raise awareness and hopefully change dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”
Multitasking behind the wheel places extra demands on the driver, which can have tragic consequences.
On average, there are more than 20,000 drivers in California involved in a crash every year where inattention is a factor. “These statistics are likely much higher and are often under-reported to law enforcement since motorists do not always admit to driving distracted,” Commissioner Stanley added.
While there are many forms of inattention, cell phones continue to be the main source of diversion. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is not only a violation of the vehicle code, it is also an unsafe activity behind the wheel. Drivers should only use a phone when necessary and in a hands-free mode.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday administered the oath of office to California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray, a historic move making her the first woman in its 91-year history to lead the largest state law enforcement agency in the nation.
Newsom appointed Ray as the 16th commissioner on Oct. 20, following the retirement announcement of Commissioner Warren Stanley after 38 years of service with the CHP.
“I am thankful to Gov. Newsom for trusting me to lead this exceptional organization and honored to follow in the footsteps of many innovative leaders who have come before me, including my friend, Warren Stanley,” Ray said.
“I would not be where I am today without the foresight of those in 1974 who decided to give women the opportunity to become CHP officers, paving the way for many women to assume leadership roles in the Department,” Ray said. “I look forward to further guiding the department and its 11,000 women and men in engaging with the communities we serve to ensure California remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”
Ray began her career with the CHP in 1990, rising through the ranks to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner in February 2020.
She has served as incident commander during several high-profile events, including the Department’s response to COVID-19, civil unrest and wildfires.
Ray has appointed two members to her executive management team. They are Jim Epperson as deputy commissioner, her second-in-command responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, and Ryan Okashima as assistant commissioner, staff, who will oversee the administrative functions of the department, including a $2.8 billion budget, departmental training, information technology, and personnel administration.
Rich Stewart was previously promoted in August to the position of assistant commissioner, field, responsible for all patrol and air operations throughout the state as well as protective services.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to begin phasing out Friday office closures to the public, with five-day-a-week availability of county offices to resume by April 1.
In August 2018, at County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s request, the board approved a pilot program to close county offices – particularly those in and around the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport – to the public on Fridays.
At the time, Huchingson proposed pursuing the plan due to myriad issues – from the county’s inability to get new revenue streams and diminishing returns on others, to minimum wage issues, vacancy rate and loss of property tax due to wildland fires.
Since then, the program has been renewed on a six-month basis.
At its Nov. 3 meeting, the board heard a request from the County Administrative Office to continue the Friday closures through the end of March due to the concerns of COVID-19 combined with the flu season. Department heads at the time also spoke in favor of continuing the plan.
On Tuesday, Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein reviewed that request.
Referring to comments made earlier in the meeting by Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace – who said that the situation in the Southern Hemisphere is indicating that the flu season may not be as severe as anticipated this year – Rothstein said there are still many unknowns.
He said the ultimate goal is to provide business continuity to the greatest possible extent, and allow departments protected time to make progress on workload backloads and provide training time.
Rothstein noted that the board’s consensus on Nov. 3 was to return to normal business officers as of April 1. Staff returned with an updated resolution that includes that direction, as well as a proposal by Supervisor Bruno Sabatier that each department begin the phase-out by having one staffer on Fridays dedicated to working with the public.
During public comment, the board heard from members of the county’s real estate industry who spoke about the negative impact of the Friday closures on their business.
Real estate agent Mary Benson asked if the phase-out plan would mean title companies can send staff to the Assessor-Recorder’s Office on Fridays to record transactions.
Huchingson said no one from Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford’s office was attending the meeting and she tried to reach out to him while the discussion continued.
Benson said that if weekly closures continued, she suggested that they should be switched to Tuesdays, as she’s read multiple productivity studies about Tuesday being the most productive workday.
Supervisor Rob Brown said Benson’s suggestion had merit to it, and it was the same day he would pick during the remaining months of the weekly closures.
If the county offices were to be closed, Brown suggested that with Tuesday’s being the busiest for the courts, that would be the best day to be closed in order to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees.
Heidi Johnson, 2020 president of the Lake County Association of Realtors, asked if the Assessor-Recorder’s Office could make accommodations for the holiday season, as she said the office’s availability in December “is quite stifling for our business.”
Johnson added, “Real estate has a big impact on this county,” and she said she’s tried to bring the matter to the board’s attention every time an extension of the closures was brought forward.
Referring to the work backlog that county staff had used as one of the initial reasons for the Friday closures, Johnson asked, after two years, how long it takes them to catch up. She said the county needed to find something that will work for constituents.
During the meeting, Huchingson said she was unable to reach anyone in Ford’s office to join the discussion.
Benson said when the matter had arisen last year, Ford had told real estate agents that he couldn’t open during Christmas week because the county offices would be closed and there would be no security, but she said the security for the courts was working that week.
Real estate broker Marsha Holder told the board that they shouldn’t lose sight of what the real estate business does for the county, noting the escalating sales prices and the taxes being generated.
Holder said November and December are two of real estate’s biggest months and to be closed for recording over the holidays “is just not right.”
Sabatier said the proposed resolution before them will take the county to where it should be, adding it’s a “step forward.”
Supervisor Tina Scott said she wanted to move forward with the resolution but also wanted to have further discussion at a future meeting about how departments can assign a staffer each on Fridays to start working again with the public.
Sabatier moved to offer the resolution, which the board approved 5-0.
Huchingson told the board that county offices are scheduled to be closed Dec. 21 to 25.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
In August 2018, at County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s request, the board approved a pilot program to close county offices – particularly those in and around the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport – to the public on Fridays.
At the time, Huchingson proposed pursuing the plan due to myriad issues – from the county’s inability to get new revenue streams and diminishing returns on others, to minimum wage issues, vacancy rate and loss of property tax due to wildland fires.
Since then, the program has been renewed on a six-month basis.
At its Nov. 3 meeting, the board heard a request from the County Administrative Office to continue the Friday closures through the end of March due to the concerns of COVID-19 combined with the flu season. Department heads at the time also spoke in favor of continuing the plan.
On Tuesday, Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein reviewed that request.
Referring to comments made earlier in the meeting by Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace – who said that the situation in the Southern Hemisphere is indicating that the flu season may not be as severe as anticipated this year – Rothstein said there are still many unknowns.
He said the ultimate goal is to provide business continuity to the greatest possible extent, and allow departments protected time to make progress on workload backloads and provide training time.
Rothstein noted that the board’s consensus on Nov. 3 was to return to normal business officers as of April 1. Staff returned with an updated resolution that includes that direction, as well as a proposal by Supervisor Bruno Sabatier that each department begin the phase-out by having one staffer on Fridays dedicated to working with the public.
During public comment, the board heard from members of the county’s real estate industry who spoke about the negative impact of the Friday closures on their business.
Real estate agent Mary Benson asked if the phase-out plan would mean title companies can send staff to the Assessor-Recorder’s Office on Fridays to record transactions.
Huchingson said no one from Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford’s office was attending the meeting and she tried to reach out to him while the discussion continued.
Benson said that if weekly closures continued, she suggested that they should be switched to Tuesdays, as she’s read multiple productivity studies about Tuesday being the most productive workday.
Supervisor Rob Brown said Benson’s suggestion had merit to it, and it was the same day he would pick during the remaining months of the weekly closures.
If the county offices were to be closed, Brown suggested that with Tuesday’s being the busiest for the courts, that would be the best day to be closed in order to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees.
Heidi Johnson, 2020 president of the Lake County Association of Realtors, asked if the Assessor-Recorder’s Office could make accommodations for the holiday season, as she said the office’s availability in December “is quite stifling for our business.”
Johnson added, “Real estate has a big impact on this county,” and she said she’s tried to bring the matter to the board’s attention every time an extension of the closures was brought forward.
Referring to the work backlog that county staff had used as one of the initial reasons for the Friday closures, Johnson asked, after two years, how long it takes them to catch up. She said the county needed to find something that will work for constituents.
During the meeting, Huchingson said she was unable to reach anyone in Ford’s office to join the discussion.
Benson said when the matter had arisen last year, Ford had told real estate agents that he couldn’t open during Christmas week because the county offices would be closed and there would be no security, but she said the security for the courts was working that week.
Real estate broker Marsha Holder told the board that they shouldn’t lose sight of what the real estate business does for the county, noting the escalating sales prices and the taxes being generated.
Holder said November and December are two of real estate’s biggest months and to be closed for recording over the holidays “is just not right.”
Sabatier said the proposed resolution before them will take the county to where it should be, adding it’s a “step forward.”
Supervisor Tina Scott said she wanted to move forward with the resolution but also wanted to have further discussion at a future meeting about how departments can assign a staffer each on Fridays to start working again with the public.
Sabatier moved to offer the resolution, which the board approved 5-0.
Huchingson told the board that county offices are scheduled to be closed Dec. 21 to 25.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) will hold a virtual town hall to discuss the latest in the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The town hall will take place from 7 to 8 p.m.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people. They will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/.
Thompson will be joined by George Rutherford, MD, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UC San Francisco and Dr. Karen Relucio, Dr. Karen Relucio, deputy director of Napa County Health & Human Services-Public Health officer, for a discussion about the surging coronavirus case rate.
This is the 17th in a series of virtual town halls Thompson has held since the pandemic began earlier this year.
All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
The town hall will take place from 7 to 8 p.m.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/.
Thompson will be joined by George Rutherford, MD, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UC San Francisco and Dr. Karen Relucio, Dr. Karen Relucio, deputy director of Napa County Health & Human Services-Public Health officer, for a discussion about the surging coronavirus case rate.
This is the 17th in a series of virtual town halls Thompson has held since the pandemic began earlier this year.
All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport is offering opportunities for the public to become involved in local government by serving on commissions and committees.
Applications are being accepted on the city website, www.cityoflakeport.com, under the “Government” tab, “Committees & Commissions,” until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
All positions are voluntary.
For more information, contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton, 707-263-5615, Extension 102, or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The following positions are available.
Lakeport Planning Commission
There are two upcoming vacancies; appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2021.
One of the two open seats may be filled by an applicant who lives outside the city limits but within the Lakeport zip code area. The second open seat may only be filled by an applicant who resides within the city limits of Lakeport.
The planning commission consists of five members who serve four-year terms and may be re-appointed. The commission currently meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Members of the planning commission review matters related to planning and development and serve as advisors to the city council on land use issues.
Topics can include elements of the city’s general plan, rezoning, use permits, subdivisions, architectural and design review, as well as planning policy and interpretation.
Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee
This committee, known as LEDAC, has four upcoming vacancies; appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, shops or does business in the city of Lakeport, including those who live in the unincorporated Lakeport trade area.
There are seven members with alternating two-year terms appointed by the Lakeport City Council. Additionally, there are four members who represent specific organizations or interests in the community: Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Mendocino College Lake Center, and CareerPoint Lake (workforce development).
The committee meets bimonthly on the second Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and for special meetings as needed.
LEDAC’s responsibilities include ideas and strategies for business recruitment and retention, recommendations for the implementation of the City’s economic development strategic plan, coordinating and reporting on the annual Business Walk activity, and advocacy for a strong and positive Lakeport business community.
Measure Z Advisory Committee
There are three upcoming vacancies on this committee, known as MZAC; appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Membership is open to residents of Lakeport living within the city limits. Five members are appointed by the city council to serve four-year terms. The committee meets quarterly.
The role of the MZAC is to review all revenues and expenditures of the Measure Z transactions and use tax, and to make recommendations to the city council regarding those expenditures.
Lakeport residents voted in November 2016 to approve Measure Z, adopting an ordinance to enact a one percent increase to the local sales and use tax for public safety and essential City services.
The measure requires independent audits and citizens’ oversight.
Applications are being accepted on the city website, www.cityoflakeport.com, under the “Government” tab, “Committees & Commissions,” until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
All positions are voluntary.
For more information, contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton, 707-263-5615, Extension 102, or by email at
The following positions are available.
Lakeport Planning Commission
There are two upcoming vacancies; appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2021.
One of the two open seats may be filled by an applicant who lives outside the city limits but within the Lakeport zip code area. The second open seat may only be filled by an applicant who resides within the city limits of Lakeport.
The planning commission consists of five members who serve four-year terms and may be re-appointed. The commission currently meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Members of the planning commission review matters related to planning and development and serve as advisors to the city council on land use issues.
Topics can include elements of the city’s general plan, rezoning, use permits, subdivisions, architectural and design review, as well as planning policy and interpretation.
Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee
This committee, known as LEDAC, has four upcoming vacancies; appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, shops or does business in the city of Lakeport, including those who live in the unincorporated Lakeport trade area.
There are seven members with alternating two-year terms appointed by the Lakeport City Council. Additionally, there are four members who represent specific organizations or interests in the community: Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Mendocino College Lake Center, and CareerPoint Lake (workforce development).
The committee meets bimonthly on the second Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and for special meetings as needed.
LEDAC’s responsibilities include ideas and strategies for business recruitment and retention, recommendations for the implementation of the City’s economic development strategic plan, coordinating and reporting on the annual Business Walk activity, and advocacy for a strong and positive Lakeport business community.
Measure Z Advisory Committee
There are three upcoming vacancies on this committee, known as MZAC; appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Membership is open to residents of Lakeport living within the city limits. Five members are appointed by the city council to serve four-year terms. The committee meets quarterly.
The role of the MZAC is to review all revenues and expenditures of the Measure Z transactions and use tax, and to make recommendations to the city council regarding those expenditures.
Lakeport residents voted in November 2016 to approve Measure Z, adopting an ordinance to enact a one percent increase to the local sales and use tax for public safety and essential City services.
The measure requires independent audits and citizens’ oversight.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Tuesday a Mendocino County man was sentenced to state prison for the July 2018 fatal shootings of his father and brother.
Ubaldo Ramirez Davila, 25, was sentenced Tuesday in Mendocino County Superior Court to 24 years and four months in state prison, the Mendocino District Attorney’s Office reported.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies, local firefighters and CHP officers on July 2, 2018, rushed to the shooting site at the turnoff to the “Gold Rule” community on the Ridgewood Grade near Willits, as Lake County News has reported.
First responders found a maroon Chevrolet pickup truck stopped in a traffic lane with two men inside, one dead and one critically injured. The critically injured victim succumbed two days later in a Santa Rosa hospital.
Ramirez, a sometimes Covelo resident, became a suspect early in the investigation. Deputies arrested him in the early morning hours of July 3, 2018, north of Covelo after receiving tips as to his whereabouts, officials said.
The District Attorney’s Office said Ramirez admitted that while sitting as a passenger in the backseat of the pickup he shot and killed his father, Calixto Ramirez Guererro, 51, of Covelo, as well as his brother, Miguel Angel Ramirez Davila, 32, of Eureka.
Ubaldo Ramirez eventually entered guilty pleas to two counts of voluntary manslaughter. He also admitted two special allegations alleging that he personally used a firearm to inflict death on both family members.
Voluntary manslaughter is generally defined as an intentional killing in which the offender had not formed a prior intent to kill, such as a killing that occurs because of a sudden quarrel.
Any credits Ramirez may attempt to earn towards early release are limited to no more than 15 percent of his overall sentence, meaning Ramirez must serve 20.5 years before being eligible for parole. Plans are for the defendant to be deported to Mexico upon the completion of his prison sentence, officials said.
The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office said the law enforcement agency primarily responsible for investigating and gathering the evidence to sustain the defendant’s convictions was the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. District Attorney David Eyster prosecuted the case.
Eyster cited the work for the prosecution of Rick Blumberg, Ph.D., Ubaldo F. Ramires, Ph.D., and the staff of the Redwood Coast Regional Center.
Ubaldo Ramirez Davila, 25, was sentenced Tuesday in Mendocino County Superior Court to 24 years and four months in state prison, the Mendocino District Attorney’s Office reported.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies, local firefighters and CHP officers on July 2, 2018, rushed to the shooting site at the turnoff to the “Gold Rule” community on the Ridgewood Grade near Willits, as Lake County News has reported.
First responders found a maroon Chevrolet pickup truck stopped in a traffic lane with two men inside, one dead and one critically injured. The critically injured victim succumbed two days later in a Santa Rosa hospital.
Ramirez, a sometimes Covelo resident, became a suspect early in the investigation. Deputies arrested him in the early morning hours of July 3, 2018, north of Covelo after receiving tips as to his whereabouts, officials said.
The District Attorney’s Office said Ramirez admitted that while sitting as a passenger in the backseat of the pickup he shot and killed his father, Calixto Ramirez Guererro, 51, of Covelo, as well as his brother, Miguel Angel Ramirez Davila, 32, of Eureka.
Ubaldo Ramirez eventually entered guilty pleas to two counts of voluntary manslaughter. He also admitted two special allegations alleging that he personally used a firearm to inflict death on both family members.
Voluntary manslaughter is generally defined as an intentional killing in which the offender had not formed a prior intent to kill, such as a killing that occurs because of a sudden quarrel.
Any credits Ramirez may attempt to earn towards early release are limited to no more than 15 percent of his overall sentence, meaning Ramirez must serve 20.5 years before being eligible for parole. Plans are for the defendant to be deported to Mexico upon the completion of his prison sentence, officials said.
The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office said the law enforcement agency primarily responsible for investigating and gathering the evidence to sustain the defendant’s convictions was the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. District Attorney David Eyster prosecuted the case.
Eyster cited the work for the prosecution of Rick Blumberg, Ph.D., Ubaldo F. Ramires, Ph.D., and the staff of the Redwood Coast Regional Center.