LAKEPORT – The annual “Seniors Day” at Lake County Fair is no more.

Starting in 2010, every day is “Seniors Day,” with a special $6 admission every day for anyone over the age of 60.

"Today's seniors are active and involved, and participate in activities throughout the Lake County Fair on a daily basis," said fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons. "The new pricing structure for anyone over 60 reflects that."

Regular admission prices for the 2010 Lake County Fair are $9 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free everyday.

The Lake County Fair traditionally occurs Labor Day weekend each year at the fairgrounds in Lakeport. The 2010 fair dates are Thursday, Sept. 2, through Sunday, Sept. 5.

The fair is one of Lake County's favorite summertime events, and is enjoyed by more than 37,000 people each year. It features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival, and livestock shows.

The Fair theme for 2010 is "Fun for the Whole Herd!"

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place during the coming week.

There is no major roadwork scheduled for Lake County from Friday, Sept. 3, through Thursday, Sept. 9.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

Caltrans is suspending work on Northern California highways from Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance near Fish Rock Road on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– California Department of Parks and Recreation has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for sewer line repairs 0.3 mile south of Larkin Road. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. On Tuesday, Sept. 7, turns onto Lancing Street will be restricted, and motorists are advised to use an alternate route.

– The city of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to hold the Paul Bunyan Days Labor Day Parade between Madrone Avenue and Elm Street on Monday, Sept. 6. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A full road closure will be in effect. A detour will be available.

Highway 101

– A metal beam guardrail repair project at various locations from 0.1 mile north of the Mendocino/ Sonoma County line to 0.3 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Overcrossing to the Forsyth Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Pavement repairs from Steel Lane to 0.6 mile south of Rattlesnake Summit will begin Tuesday, Sept. 7. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel in four-lane sections, and one-way traffic control will be in effect in two-lane sections. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Mercer-Fraser Company of Eureka.

Highway 162

– Storm damage repair east of Sand Bank Creek will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 271

– Culvert repair near Piercy will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Van Meter Logging Inc. of Garberville.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

LAKEPORT – It just wouldn't be the Lake County Fair without a barn full of livestock raised by local youth, shown Thursday and Friday in fierce competition to see who has raised the best lamb, hog or steer, and then sold to the rhythmic patter of the auctioneers and the roar of the crowd on a warm Saturday afternoon.

The auction is sponsored by Umpqua Bank, which provides immediate payment to the youthful sellers, then collects from the buyers in the days just following the sale.

The annual Junior Livestock auction kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, and is expected to offer around 230 lots of prize winning livestock, poultry, and rabbits for potential buyers from throughout Northern California.

A registered buyer's luncheon immediately precedes the sale at 10:30 a.m., offering a tri-tip barbecue to all registered buyers under the auspices of Grace Church of Kelseyville.

The luncheon is provided in part by Safeway of Lakeport and Foods Etc of Clearlake, and ends when the sale starts at 1 p.m.

In recent years, the sale has been split into two sales rings which operate at the same time, making for a total sale length of around three and a half hours and providing buyers with plenty of time to visit the rest of the Lake County Fair. An average of around 230 lots have been offered for a number of years.

"It's a real indication that the community supports youth programs like 4-H and the Future Farmers of America," said Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons.

“Those programs teach kids about agriculture, which is Lake County's largest economic sector, and about teamwork, sportsmanship, honor and responsibility,” Persons said. “We're hoping the community continues to support these programs, and we'd like to set a new record sale this year. Many of these kids save the money for college or other educational efforts, and eventually return to Lake County to become farmers and ranchers, so in the long run the whole community benefits.”

Steers, lambs, hogs, meat goats, turkeys, rabbits and chickens are offered during the auction, with grand champion winners crossing the auction block at the start of the program.

Two buyers are allowed to join together for the purchase of one lot, and buyers who are unable to attend can arrange for a proxy to buy on their behalf.

People who don't have enough space in their freezer to purchase at the auction may still have a chance to purchase prize winning meats, as a number of local grocers purchase at the sale and then offer the prime cuts at the meat counter in their stores.

Regular admission prices for the 2010 Lake County Fair are $9 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free everyday.

The Lake County Fair takes place this year Thursday, Sept. 2, through Sunday, Sept. 5.

The Fair theme for 2010 is "Fun for the Whole Herd!"

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Don Anderson, Lake County attorney and candidate for the office of district attorney, has released his first book, “408 Lakeport,” about the killing of a Lake County Sheriff's sergeant.

On May 1, 1981, Sgt. Richard Helbush of the Lake County Sheriff's Office was gunned down while stopping to help two people with a flat tire.

Unbeknownst to Sgt. Helbush, the people he stopped to help were both drug addicts fleeing from law enforcement after killing a merchant in Stockton the day before.

Anderson apprehended the two suspects outside of Middletown after a gun battle between the killers and law enforcement officers.

One of Helbush’s killers is Annika Deasy, a native of Sweden. In some parts of Sweden, Deasy is considered a martyr and she has the distinction of being in prison longer than anyone in Sweden’s recorded history.

Recently, in a prisoner exchange between California and Sweden, Deasy was returned to her native country. She is scheduled to be released from custody in May of 2011.

The book documents Deasy’s life, the murder in Stockton and the killing of Sgt. Helbush. The book also documents how the officers were affected by the murder of their friend, Sgt. Helbush, and the subsequent shootout with his killers.

The book has been in the making for 11 years. “This story is a part of Lake County history that most people do not know, but should,” said Anderson.

The will be available at Anderson’s booth at the Lake County Fair.

Lakeport Kiwanis members taking part in the cleanup the week of August 30, 2010, included, from left, Mike Ewing, Mike Stevenson and Barbara Lee. Not shown but also taking part were Jim Harvey, Arlin Pischke and Dennis Rollins. Photo by Eric Wheaton.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Kiwanis conducted a road cleanup this week in honor of the Lake County Fair and the visitors who will come to town.

The Kiwanis generally do a cleanup every few months on the stretch of road from the Jack-in-the-Box restaurant past the waste transfer station on Soda Bay Road. But this was a special occasion since guests are expected for the fair.

A total of 7 Kiwanians joined in the effort.

The group thanked all of the folks who tooted their horns in appreciation and acknowledgment.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Passion Play will hold a fundraising event on Saturday, Sept. 11, in Lakeport.

The event will take place from 4 p.m. until dusk at the “old” Thompson House, 3315 Lakeshore Blvd., Lakeport.

There will be outdoor dining on lush lawns under cool shade trees. Sip a favorite beverage at the no host bar, enjoy music, and bid on the many items at a live and silent auction and raffle. A barbecue chicken dinner will be served.

The cost is $25 per person or purchase a table of 10 and receive one meal free.

Please reserve by Sept.7 by calling Father Ryan at 707-279-0349 or Jeanette Kemp at 707-263-6390.

LLEGARA PRONTO! Recaudacion de fondos para El Via CRUSIS de CONDADO de LAGO. Al aire libre de comedor en céspedes exuberantes bajo árboles de sombra chulos. Beba una bebida favorita en ninguna barra de anfitrión, disfrute de la música, muchos artículos en subasta viva y silenciosa y la rifa con una comida de Pollo de BARBACOA deliciosa. En la casa Thompson, 3315 Bulevar Lakeshore, Lakeport el sábado, 11 de septiembre en 4:00 de la tarde til anochecer. 25 dólares p/per o una mesa de 10 y reciben una comida libre. Por favor reserve hacia septiembre 7 llamando el franco. Ryan 707-279-0349 o Jeanette Kemp 707-263-6390.