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- Written by: Georgina Marie Guardado
The training is free and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, along with training materials at no cost.
For more information or to register for tutor training, please call 707-263-7633 or email
Tutors are in high demand at the Library Literacy Program, with more volunteer tutors needed in the Clearlake and Middletown areas, bilingual Spanish tutors for the English as a Second Language Program, and tutors available and willing to tutor at the Lake County Jail.
Hosted by Literacy Program Coordinator Georgina Marie Guardado, and facilitated by Lake County Literacy Coalition Board Member Pam Klier, participants will learn useful techniques for teaching adults to read and write.
No experience is needed, and ongoing support and workshops are provided for tutors. Upon completion of the training, tutors will be matched with adult learners in a variety of settings around the county. Those who would like to help adults improve their literacy skills are encouraged to attend.
A recent survey of adult skills indicated 26% of Lake County adults have literacy skills at level one or below.
Many adults want to improve their reading and writing skills so they can access better jobs, further their own education, advocate for their children, and overall improve their way of life.
Through hard work and perseverance, adult learners can change their own, and their family’s lives, for the better. Becoming a tutor can help someone to a better future.
Learn more about the Literacy Program online at https://www.lakecountyca.gov/836/Literacy-Program.
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- Written by: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, distracted driving killed 3,275 people in 2023.
But smartphones themselves may help to curb this risky behavior through “do not disturb” features that can block or limit use while driving.
New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that when activated, this feature can be effective in reducing smartphone interactions when driving.
“Distracted driving continues to be a major traffic safety concern as we’ve all witnessed how smartphones can lead to distraction and risky driving, but it’s possible these devices could help us to prevent it,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson with AAA Northern California. “Increasing the use of ‘Do Not Disturb’ technology requires more than building awareness. It requires behavior-focused strategies, smarter automation, consistent reinforcement through social norms, and possibly small incentives.”
Study insights: Driver interaction with ‘do not disturb’
Researchers examined why drivers avoid using “do not disturb” features and how to overcome their objections.
Drivers cited limited access to music and navigation as reasons not to activate “do not disturb” features. This misconception shows a lack of understanding of the technology. Current smartphone-blocking features allow music and navigation to be used when activated.
Other barriers mentioned by drivers included lack of awareness about the feature, forgetting to turn it on, and fear of missing important calls or texts while driving.
Despite this resistance, many drivers favor “do not disturb” features that automatically turn on during stressful situations like heavy rain, snow, or traffic. This suggests that drivers are more inclined to use this feature to reduce distraction when there are greater demands on their attention.
Additionally, the study revealed that younger drivers (age 18 – 24) -- a group more likely to use their phones when behind the wheel – are also more knowledgeable about “do not disturb” features than older generations. However, they also tend to believe they can use their phone safely while driving, suggesting this group may not feel these features are necessary.
AAA recommends the following to encourage the use of “do not disturb” features while driving:
• Increase awareness through targeted public education campaigns.
• Integrate education of “do not disturb” features into driver training and licensing programs.
• Improve automatic activation and situational awareness features (i.e., recognizing when the user is a passenger versus a driver).
• Use reminders and incentives to encourage drivers to use “do not disturb” features.
• Address misconceptions through in-app messaging.
• Leverage influencers to promote the use of this technology, especially to younger audiences.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
While traveling with these items may seem harmless, CDFA along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and local county agricultural commissioners want to remind air passengers and road trippers alike that non-native pests and diseases can act as sneaky hitchhikers in fruits, veggies and other plant and food items.
If transported into California, these invasive species can cause significant damage to California’s agricultural industries and residents’ homegrown produce.
To prevent the introduction of invasive pests and diseases, officials ask travelers entering or returning to California not to bring fruits, vegetables or meat products with them. If travelers have plants or produce, they’re asked to declare it for inspection to ensure its safety.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasized that the negative impacts of invasive pests and diseases stretch well beyond commercial agricultural operations.
“Invasive pests and plant diseases that make their way into California not only can have devastating consequences for the bountiful agricultural operations throughout the state, but also can impact our community’s ability to grow fruits and vegetables at home, as well as the delicate ecosystems of our natural and working lands. Everyone can play a role in keeping California free from invasive pests and diseases,” Ross said.
“Our CBP agriculture specialists stationed at land, sea and airports, utilize their technical proficiency in defending our borders from harmful pests and diseases,” said CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport Andrew H. Douglas. “Travelers may even see our ‘Beagle Brigade,’ a specially trained canine team that can detect specific scents in travelers’ luggage associated with fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that could pose a threat.”
Highlighting the disruption invasive species can cause, California experienced the most pervasive invasive fruit fly outbreak in CDFA’s 100+ year history in 2023.
Believed to be caused by unauthorized movement of infested agricultural products, the outbreaks established quarantines across the state, restricting thousands of acres of commercial agriculture operations and residents’ ability to share and enjoy their homegrown produce.
There are currently two active invasive fruit fly quarantine areas in the state: a Mediterranean Fruit Fly quarantine area in parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and an Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in parts of Orange County.
For more information visit DontPackaPest.com.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The group will hold a “soft opening” for its new location in the northeast corner of the Lake County Agriculture Department building at 885 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24.
Come to the building’s northeast entrance door (not the main ag department door) and ake a peek at their office.
They will discuss future plans for their genealogy library in the Main Conference Room starting at 2:30 p.m.
After being without a home for the past seven years, the group has big plans for the future now that it has a new location.
For more information, visit the society’s website.