Saturday, 28 September 2024

Register

Community

Posted On

SACRAMENTO — Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced legislation on Wednesday that would place limits on the amount of money that can be donated to candidates for school boards and special district offices, ensuring fairness in local elections.

“Too often, we’re seeing eye-popping amounts donated to candidates for smaller community offices,” Sen. Dodd said. “These well-financed campaigns favor the wealthy at the exclusion of grassroots candidates and people of color. Putting a cap on the money in these races will help ensure fairness in local elections while encouraging a more diverse field that is more reflective of the population.”

California has thousands of publicly elected governing boards managing an assortment of agencies including schools, community colleges and special districts.

Elections often receive little media coverage and even less scrutiny of campaign donations, which are not limited by state law and can exceed money given to candidates for higher office.

Currently the default is to allow unlimited contributions, and only three special districts statewide have adopted voluntary limits.

In response, Sen. Dodd introduced Senate Bill 328, which sets an individual donation limit of $5,500 by a person, business or committee to a candidate for school board, community college board or special district board. The contribution limits are equal to those set for the state Legislature.

The bill would allow local governments to vote to adjust the limits, but the default would no longer be unlimited.

The bill uses the framework of then-Assemblymember Kevin Mullin’s Assembly Bill 571 that set the same limits for city and county offices in 2019.

“No candidate for local office needs contributions larger than those for a Senate or Assembly district,” added Sen. Dodd.

SB 328 was introduced Tuesday. It is expected to be heard in committee next month.

“Promoting transparency and accountability in our political campaigns and our elections has always been a top priority for me,” said U.S. Rep. Mullin, who was elected to Congress last year. “This is a good governance measure that will help maintain the public trust in our local elections. I appreciate Sen. Dodd carrying on that legacy and I’m proud to support this important reform.”

Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.
Posted On

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. — Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

— Utility work west of Upper Lake near Mid Lake Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Road work north of Spruce Grove Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge continues. Northbound lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Crawford Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work near Henry Station Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Irvine Lodge Safety Rest Area will be closed through February 2023.

Highway 128

— Paving work from Boonville Road to Beebe Creek will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, Feb. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— Bridge work at the Outlet Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Construction in the Last Chance Grade area. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 25-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Electrical work near the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Slide removal east of Swimmer’s Delight will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Utility work west of Van Duzen bridge will occur on Thursday, Feb. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Utility work west of Golden Gate Drive will occur on Monday, Feb. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Slipout repair near Burr Valley Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Utility work between Tish Tang Campground and Loop Road will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Emergency storm damage repair between Weitchpec Road and New Village Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Rail upgrades at various bridges between Aiken Creek and Slate Creek will begin on Monday, Feb. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 101

— Slipout repair from the Mendocino County Line to just north of Hartsook Inn will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 12:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work near Myers Flat will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Slide removal south of Scotia will continue. A northbound lane closure will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Emergency work from ‘B’ Street to ‘D’ Street will continue. A northbound lane closure will be in effect from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Landscape work at rotating locations between Cole Avenue and Jacobs Avenue will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Lane closures will be in effect overnight between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Shoulder work from Route 200 to Georgia Pacific Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

— Tree work between School Road Overcrossing and Route 200 will continue. Lane closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Tree work at the Airport Road Overcrossing will continue on Wednesday, February 8. Full northbound onramp and offramp closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists should choose an alternative route.

Highway 169

— Bridge work at Rube Creek Bridge will begin on Monday, Feb. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 211

— Emergency work at Fernbridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 254

— Culvert work between State Park and Pesula Road will occur on Friday, Feb. 10. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Tree work at the CA Ecological Corp will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Culvert work between Sorenson Road and Holmes Flat Road will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Part of Avenue of the Giants north of Redcrest is currently closed due to flooding. Motorists should choose an alternative route.

Highway 299

— Falsework installation from Route 200 to Route 101 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Roadway excavation between Willow Creek and Old Three Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.
Posted On

SACRAMENTO — Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation Thursday that would strengthen elder and dependent adult financial abuse protections by clarifying the duties of banks and financial institutions to safeguard against fraud.

“Banks must do a better job of preventing the most vulnerable Californians from getting ripped off,” Sen. Dodd said. “This bill clarifies that if these institutions assist in financial elder abuse — either knowingly or otherwise — they can be held liable. It will motivate them to detect predatory practices before victims are robbed of their resources, dignity and quality of life — losses from which they may never recover.”

Financial elder abuse cases are on the rise in California. The breadth of predatory practices is staggering, with victims coming from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Perpetrators can be family members, trusted professionals or large financial institutions. Such institutions are uniquely positioned to detect financial abuse and take action.

Unfortunately, the language of California’s current financial elder abuse law is unclear, leading to conflicting court rulings regarding the standard of proof for holding accountable a financial institution.

Now, when victims attempt to sue their bank for assisting in a scam, the institution can avoid responsibility by claiming it did not have actual knowledge of fraud.

But Sen. Dodd’s legislation, Senate Bill 278, would clarify that victims of financial elder abuse can continue to hold institutions accountable when they should have known of the fraud but negligently assisted in the transfer anyway.

The clarification would support victims of financial elder abuse in meeting their burden of proof.

SB 278 is supported by elder rights advocates and Consumer Attorneys of California.

“At a time when online and phone scams — specifically designed to defraud senior citizens — are running rampant, banks are on the front line as mandated reporters to protect seniors from devastating losses of their life savings,” said Kathryn Stebner, president-elect, Consumer Attorneys of California. “By adding a simple clarification to existing law, SB 278 will assure justice for countless victims of financial elder abuse.”

“Older Californians are the fastest growing segment of our population and face a particularly high risk of financial fraud and abuse,” said Caleb Logan of Elder Law & Advocacy and bill co-sponsor California Low-Income Consumer Coalition. “Fortunately, banks can prevent seniors from losing their life savings to a scam. SB 278 will clarify existing law to revitalize important safeguards against financial abuse. We are proud to support this important bill and applaud Sen. Dodd’s efforts on behalf of seniors throughout California.”

Sen. Bill Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.
Blog Left ad
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Residential utility customers will automatically receive the California Climate Credit earlier than usual this year.

The California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, approved distributing the credit as soon as possible, instead of the annual April timeframe.

The Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. administers the credit to help reduce customer energy bills.

This credit will help offset higher than normal natural gas and electricity bills, which have been increasing due to higher demand and tighter natural gas supplies, especially on the West Coast.

For natural gas residential customers, the credit will be $52.78, and for electric residential customers, the credit will be $38.39. Customers who receive both services will receive a total credit of $91.17.

“PG&E recognizes our responsibility to serve our customers safely and reliably while keeping their energy bills as low as possible. With the price PG&E pays for natural gas rising this year, this credit is great news for PG&E customers, who are likely noticing higher than average bills,” said Vincent Davis, PG&E’s vice president of customer operations and enablement.

California requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits from auctions managed by the California Air Resources Board. The California Climate Credit is customers’ share of the payments from the state’s program.

Customers do not need to do anything to receive the credit, it will automatically appear as an adjustment on a customer’s bill under the Adjustments Section on the Detailed Charges page.

Ways to reduce energy bills

Here are several tools that customers can use now to manage winter bills.

• Make sure you’re on the right rate plan. Get a personalized rate plan comparison to find the best rate plan for how your household uses energy.

• Budget billing keeps bills predictable by leveling out monthly payments to offset high seasonal bills.

• Bill forecast alerts are notifications sent by email, text or phone notifying the customer if their monthly bill is expected to exceed a specific amount set by the customer.

• Flexible payment arrangements. Extend your bill due date or make a payment arrangement. Access your online account for details.

Residential customers receive the Climate Credit twice a year, typically in April and October.

To learn more about the Climate Credit, visit the CPUC’s California Climate Credit page.
Posted On

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that California households impacted by power outages as a result of severe winter storms that began January 1 through Jan. 10, 2023, could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP/CalFresh benefits.

This is one of many recent steps USDA has taken to ensure California residents in need have food to eat.

Rather than require SNAP/CalFresh households to report food losses individually, USDA allowed the state of California to approve automatic mass replacements for residents in 168 zip codes in the following 39 counties: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.

SNAP/CalFresh participants in areas hardest hit by the disaster may have a portion of their January benefits replaced.

SNAP/CalFresh recipients residing in other affected areas may request replacement benefits by filing an affidavit with the local office attesting to disaster-related loss.

Additionally, USDA approved California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in nine counties in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Dec. 27, 2022.

President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration designating Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties as eligible for federal individual assistance on Jan. 17, 2023.

Additional amendments were issued to designate Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, Calaveras, and San Mateo counties as eligible for federal individual assistance.

The state plans to operate the D-SNAP from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15, 2023. More details can be found on the CDSS website.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of more than 15 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP.

Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and wellbeing.

FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” highlights ways the agency will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy, released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022.

To learn more about FNS, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/ and follow @USDANutrition.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Area Agency on Aging, or AAA, of Lake and Mendocino Counties is hosting Karol Swartzlander, executive director of the California Commission on Aging, at its next advisory committee meeting Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m., via the Zoom platform.

Swartzlander will speak about the role of the Commission on Aging in creating policy and services for seniors in the state.

Additionally, she will discuss the status of the state’s Master Plan on Aging initiatives.

Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of the presenter.

“Ms. Swartzlander’s presentation to the AAA Council will give the area’s seniors and policy makers a picture of the state’s plans to improve the quality of life for seniors, to consider how we get more involved in the effort and access resources for our local older adult residents,” said Council President Paul Branson.

To receive a meeting invitation, contact Staff Services Analyst Virginia Peeke by calling 707-995-4652, Extension 16652, or sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Area Agency on Aging of Lake and Mendocino Counties plans, coordinates and implements the development of, and access to, community-based support services for seniors and their caregivers, allowing older individuals 60 years of age or older to maintain their dignity and quality of life, and stay safe and independent in their own homes and communities.

For more information on the AAA, visit the website at www.lakecountyca.gov/727/Area-Agency-on-Aging or call 707-995-3744.

Janine Smith-Citron is director of development for Hospice Services of Lake County.

Upcoming Calendar

14Oct
14Oct
10.14.2024
Columbus Day
31Oct
10.31.2024
Halloween
3Nov
11Nov
11.11.2024
Veterans Day
28Nov
11.28.2024
Thanksgiving Day
29Nov
24Dec
12.24.2024
Christmas Eve

Mini Calendar

loader

LCNews

Award winning journalism on the shores of Clear Lake. 

 

Newsletter

Enter your email here to make sure you get the daily headlines.

You'll receive one daily headline email and breaking news alerts.
No spam.

Search

Cookies!

lakeconews.com uses cookies for statistical information and to improve the site.

Accept
// Infolinks