Lake County News,California

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: Pacific Gas and Electric Co.; Posted On Thursday, 08 December 2022 01:38; 08 December 2022

Simple ways to rein in energy expenses this holiday season

As families begin decking the halls, Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers ways to make the holiday season more energy efficient.

“When combined with cold weather, shortened daylight hours and holiday lights, the demand for energy often increases this time of year. We are helping customers identify ways to be more energy efficient and save money on their monthly energy statement during the holiday season,” said Aaron August, PG&E Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation.

Simple product substitutions and new habits give customers the power to reduce costs without sacrificing holiday spirit.

Here are easy ways to save energy this holiday season:

Set thermostat for savings. Save 2% of your heating bill for each degree the thermostat is lowered. (If the turndown lasts a good part of the day or night). Turning down the thermostat from 70 degrees to 65 degrees, saves about 10%.

Upgrade lighting. LEDs use at least 75% less energy and can last up to 40 holiday seasons. Use a timer to turn off lights before going to bed.

Insulate electric water heater. The average household spends more than $250 per year on water heating. It’s the second largest energy expense behind heating and cooling.

Stop drafts in their tracks. Save up to 10% on annual energy bills by reducing drafts and saving energy by sealing holes around pipes, wiring, vents, or recessed lights with spray foam.

Microwave and save. Reheating leftovers in a microwave takes less time and uses up to 80% less energy than a standard oven.

PG&E encourages customers to put these tips into action as winter approaches in hopes of forming life-long habits the entire family can keep year-round. To find out how much energy goes to heating, hot water, appliances, and other uses take PG&E’s 5-minute Home Energy Checkup.

For more easy tips for cold weather savings, visit www.pge.com/winter.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:30; 06 December 2022

Local fire departments host 17th annual competition

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Vitalant, in coordination with 19 fire departments across Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties, is proud to announce the 17th annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge.

The challenge is a friendly competition among participating fire departments to see which department can host the largest blood drive between December and January by enlisting firefighters, friends, family and members of the community to donate lifesaving blood.

In Lake County, blood drive events will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Lakeport Fire Department, 445 N. Main St. and on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Lake County Fire Protection District, 21095 State Highway 175.

Donating blood is critical to helping patients this holiday season. On average, blood donations drop by more than 4,000 in December compared to the rest of the year.

In fact, the last two weeks of December are the lowest annual donation period – a worrisome trend.

“Right now we are hovering around a one-day supply of available blood when we would like to see a four-day supply,” says Charlene Verba, regional director for Vitalant. “Having fire departments encourage eligible donors to give provides much needed support during a typically challenging time.”

Since 2006, fire departments participating in the Bucket Brigade Challenge have recruited more than 12,000 participants.

Last year, Sonoma County Fire District won the coveted Bucket Trophy with over 100 participants. Participating firefighters recognize the significance of their blood drives.

Erich Engle of Sonoma County Fire District is a frequent blood donor and encourages community members to “make time this winter to support their local firefighters and donate blood.”
Multiple fire departments are hosting blood drives. As a special thank you, blood donors will receive an annual event T-shirt.

To find a drive near you, visit https://vitalant.org/bucketbrigade.

For your donation, please arrive well-hydrated, well-nourished, with a face mask and photo identification.

For eligibility information and to learn more about how we are adjusting to the pandemic, visit www.vitalant.org.

: Lake County Registrar of Voters Office; Posted On Monday, 05 December 2022 13:07; 05 December 2022

Registrar of Voters Office issues update on deadline for signature verification, unsigned ballots

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office is working to wrap up the process of certifying the results of the Nov. 8 election this week.

In order to do that, the office is reminding all voters who received a “signature verification statement” or an “unsigned ballot envelope statement” that the deadline for the Lake County Registrar of Voters office to receive the completed forms either by fax, email or in person is Tuesday, Dec. 6, by 12 p.m.

Please be aware that the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office cannot count a voter’s vote-by-mail or provisional ballot if the completed and signed statement is not returned by the deadline.

For additional information call 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.

: Konocti Women’s Service Club; Posted On Wednesday, 07 December 2022 00:46; 07 December 2022

Konocti Women’s Service Club holds Christmas gift baskets raffle

**From left to right, Debbie Kellner, Vicki LaRue, Sharon Higgins and Trudy Nagy. Courtesy photo.**

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Once again, the Konocti Women’s Service Club members are busy selling raffle tickets for your chance to win one or more beautiful gift baskets.

Each of the eight baskets offered are overflowing with wonderful and surprising items for men, women, children, Christmas joy, a gardener's delight, a fun basket and even a pet gift basket.

All monies raised from the raffle will go towards scholarships for graduating students from Kelseyville, Clearlake and Lower Lake high schools.

Raffle tickets are continuing to be sold at the front of the Riviera Market in Clearlake Riviera (weather permitting) on Dec. 7, 10 and 11.

The winning tickets will be drawn on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m.

You need not be present for the drawing and will be contacted by phone.

In the past six years, the Konocti Women’s Service Club whose motto is “For Kid’s Sake” has presented over $20,000 in scholarships.

The club urges everyone to purchase tickets and help our young high school students in their quest for higher education.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:27; 06 December 2022

Sen. Dodd introduces bill expanding water shutoff protections

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation on Monday to expand provisions of his Water Shutoff Protection Act, ensuring more low-income Californians have uninterrupted access to essential drinking water, especially in times of skyrocketing costs.

“Access to water is a fundamental right and we must ensure the tap does not get turned off just because someone falls behind on their bills,” Sen. Dodd said. “This proposal enhances my previous legislation by covering people in smaller, rural communities who are struggling financially. It will allow them to continue using water for drinking, cooking and necessities such as washing clothes while they get caught up on missed payments.”

Sen. Dodd has a long history of water-related legislation. In response to rising water rates, he authored the Water Shutoff Protection Act of 2018, which extends due process protections to people at risk of service discontinuance because they are unable to pay their bills. Among other things, it affords those served by water systems of 200 customers or more a 60-day grace period to cover past debt and establishes a system for making payments. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Now, with Senate Bill 3, Sen. Dodd is proposing to extend those same protections to more people, reducing the threshold for compliance to water systems of 15 customers or more. The change is expected to affect thousands of low-income families across California and extends an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom that has expired. SB 3 is sponsored by Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.

“Access to drinking water is a human right held by all Californians regardless of the size of the community in which they live,” said Michael Claiborne, directing attorney of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “SB 3 would help to make this principle a reality by extending existing commonsense water shutoff protections, including notice and access to payment plans, to households served by very small community water systems.”

: Clear Lake State Park; Posted On Saturday, 03 December 2022 03:38; 03 December 2022

Clear Lake State Park to host Christmas open house

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — This month, Clear Lake State Park is taking a break from its monthly StoryWalk, and inviting children and their parents to come and enjoy a Christmas event.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., come to the Visitor Center within the park to make an applesauce cinnamon ornament to take home for your tree.

Enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer at the park, and while you are there, check out the Visitor Center which is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Park officials and the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association are looking forward to seeing children of all ages on Dec. 10.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.