LUCERNE – The Lucerne Community Water Organization is continuing to collect signatures to submit to the California Public Utilities Commission in protest of a new water rate hike and in an effort to bring the commission to Lucerne for a hearing.

California Water Service Co., which owns Lucerne's water system, is proposing a rate increase that would take effect later this year after the town's water plant upgrades are completed.

The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing at 7 p.m. May 7 at the Lucerne Senior Center, 10^th and Country Club, according to Lucerne Community Water Organization President Craig Bach.

To sign a petition contact Bach, 274-3346. Visit the group's Web site at www.lcwo.org.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}