Assembly Bill (AB) 1555, authored by Assemblymen V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) and Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar) and co-authored by North Coast State Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) and Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D – Eureka), increases the number of applicants seeking federal funding for broadband infrastructure projects in areas of California that currently don’t have access to high speed Internet.

Wiggins said the new law makes a small change that “should have a significant impact by increasing opportunities for funding for rural communities to use in conjunction with broadband infrastructure projects, including high speed internet, which offers rural residents access to a range of resources and services.”

More than $7 billion in federal stimulus money is now available for infrastructure projects in such areas. The funds are distributed through competitive grant programs that require a 20 percent match.

According to Assemblyman Perez, the types of providers most likely to initiate projects in remote and rural areas – nonprofit cooperatives and municipalities – are hard pressed to secure that level of match funding.

The new law enacted by AB 1555 expands a definition so that these types of providers are eligible to apply to a state source of funding called the California Advanced Services Fund. The fund has approximately $85 million available to support broadband projects in rural and un-served communities.

By expanding the definition of eligible applicants, these smaller providers can secure the match necessary to make them competitive for federal funds. High speed Internet service is a regular feature of life for many, but not for residents of rural and remote areas.

According to a 2008 California Broadband Task Force Report, 1.4 million mostly rural Californians lack Internet access of any speed.

AB 1555 contains an “urgency” clause, meaning it took effect immediately when the Governor signed it on July 29. Wiggins said legislators approved the bill with the urgency clause in order to allow California communities to apply for funding during the first round of grant making, currently underway.

More information about the broadband funding programs can be found at the following web sites:

California Advanced Services Fund:

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Information+for+providing+service/announcingcasf.htm

Federal Stimulus programs:

http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/

Along with Cal Fire, Healdsburg Fire Department, Geyserville Fire Protection District and the Cloverdale Fire Protection District will also be participating.

This training will provide realistic wildland fire conditions to train firefighters in different tactical operations.

In addition to the training, the area being used for the training burn is on the downstream face of Warm Springs dam.

By burning the 80 acres of grass off the dam, it allows the Army Corps of Engineers to do their annual inspection of the dam face.

The training will begin at 6 p.m. and will continue to approximately 9 p.m.

There will be eight fire engines and a bulldozer participating along with approximately 35 firefighters.

Firefighters will hold two “Fill the Boot” fundraisers at the following locations:

• Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Helena, Yountville and Napa;

• Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Middletown (downtown and at Twin Pine Casino);

• Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Sonoma and Guerneville.

The last two locations will be in Lakeport and Brooks with date and times to be announced.

Local firefighters are asking local residents to come out and help support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Jerry’s Kids.

Each dollar dropped into a firefighter’s boot will go to support local MDA services: research for neuromuscular diseases, the clinic at UC Davis, summer camps and community education.

The MDA does not receive funding from state, federal or local governments, nor does it seek or receive fees for services.

The fire service as a whole has been a long running supporter of the MDA. Its history began in 1952 when the father of a child who was burdened with a neuromuscular disease, in desperation, sought the aid of George Graney, IAFF Local 718 member and the help of the Boston Fire Company.

Immediately, 20 firefighters set out to conduct a door-to-door canister drive that raised $5,000 to help with the child’s medical expenses. In August of 1954, Graney spoke at the IAFF’s (International’s Association of Fire Fighters) biannual convention and proposed that MDA be established as the International’s “charity of choice”. He gained unanimous approval and this marked the beginning of a formal bond between IAFF and MDA.

Cal Fire took on the challenge to support Jerry’s Kids in 2008, statewide. This is CAL FIRE’s second year of involvement with the “Fill the Boot “fundraisers for MDA and we will continue to do so until there is no need for fundraisers.

SAN FRANCISCO – A new study from traffic safety advocate AAA finds 35 percent of drivers feel less safe than they did five years ago, and many are engaging in the very behaviors they recognize as unsafe, including a startling number of motorists who admit to texting while driving.

“There are so many motorists in California who would never consider drinking and driving, yet somehow they make the decision to text or e-mail while driving,” said Jenny Mack, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “Besides being dangerous, it’s against the law in California. Using mobile devices while driving is banned for drivers 16 to 18, and all drivers over the age of 18 are required to use a hands-free device.”

The 2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety illustrates an ongoing trend of motorists exhibiting a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude towards driving behaviors:

• Ninety percent of respondents said people driving after drinking alcohol was a very serious threat to their safety; 87 percent said the same about text messaging or e-mailing while driving.

• Over two-thirds admitted to talking on a cell phone and 21 percent admitted to reading or sending a text message or e-mail while driving in the past month.

• Nine out of 10 people considered running a red light unacceptable, yet 26 percent of those same people admitted to running a red light.

• Nine out of 10 people considered tailgating unacceptable, yet 24 percent of those same people admitted to tailgating in the past 30 days.

“This survey shines the spotlight on bad driving behavior while raising some dangerous public misconceptions,” added Mack. “AAA would like to end the belief that ‘it’s the other guy’s problem’ and end the false sense of security that ‘if I chat on a hands-free cell phone I’m somehow safer.”’

The AAA Foundation continues to shed light on the lack of American traffic safety culture and is working to build a social climate in which traffic safety is highly valued and rigorously pursued. Given the preventable nature of the majority of traffic deaths, AAA implores drivers to stay off the phone, buckle up, don’t drink and drive, and obey the speed limit. For more information, visit www.aaa.com/saferdriving .

AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to nearly 4 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

On the left, quilter Holly Thompson of Hidden Valley Lake and Fortuna donated four handmade quilts from Eel River Quilt Guild in Fortuna and Big Moonstone Quilters Guild in McKinleyville to Penny Lunt, president of the Republican Women Federated, for the club's charity, Iraq*Star providing special plastic surgery for our returning soldiers. For information e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Photo by Janeane Bogner.

KELSEYVILLE – Lake County Republican Women Federated's next luncheon meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The meeting will take place at Zino's Ristorante & Inn, 6330 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

Social time begins at 11 a.m., with the meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is at noon.

This month's guest speaker comes from Marin. Jan Miller is co-founder with Jane Alexander of Citizens Against Homicide. Alexander passed away last December.

The two women spoke to the group a number of years ago, shortly after Alexander's book, “Citizen Jane,” came out.

They came to Lake County to arrange for a large billboard to help law enforcement find the person who killed an elderly couple in the Nice/Lucerne area. Thanks to there efforts the crime was solved.

They feature a monthly "Victim's Profile' in their newsletter. The Barbara LaForge murder in Lakeport was featured.

They list parole board information, help family members keep murderers in jail, and offer guidance through the complicated criminal justice system including trial and courtroom support.

Alexander's story is scheduled for a TV movie sometime this September.

Come and find out all the other things, too numerous to list here, that CAH does. Perhaps there is something you can do to help.

For reservations call group treasurer Janeane Bogner, 707-998-3280. Non-members and both men and women are welcome.

To join e-mail President Penny Lunt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The senior center serves breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon.

The public is invited. Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive (corner of 10^th and Country Club) in Lucerne.

Contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-277-0713.