LAKE COUNTY – Throughout the state, counties are gearing up for the popular tire amnesty program which gives residents the opportunity to dispose of up to nine old tires at no cost.

The program begins on Aug. 2 in Lake County for all residents.

With funds from a grant from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle, www.calrecycle.com) the county of Lake Public Services Department, Waste Management Division, reimburses Southlake Refuse and Recycling and Lake County Waste Solutions the disposal fees for residents of Lake County who properly dispose of their tires, with or without rims, at these locations.

The funds also are used to reimburse disposal fees for larger watershed tire cleanup events that are overseen by the East and West Lake Resource Conservation Districts.

Old tires can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which like to live in the shallow, stagnant water which often collects in discarded tires.

Although West Nile Virus has not been documented in Lake County yet this season according to the state’s Web site, (www.westnile.ca.gov), it has in the past and residents must be vigilant about preventing standing water on their property.

Illegally stockpiled tires pose not only a public health risk, but environmental risks as well. Oftentimes, tires are illegally dumped in creeks, streams, and the lake, or left in large piles overgrown with weeds.

In addition to the potential for groundwater contamination as the tires rot leaching chemicals in to the soil and water, these stockpiles are a serious fire danger as they are highly flammable.

California is faced with the significant challenge of diverting or safely managing more than 44.4 million reusable and waste tires generated each year. Last year Lake County residents properly disposed of nearly 10,000 tires through the Tire Amnesty program. It is estimated that fewer than 250,000 waste tires remain in stockpiles throughout California, but these stockpiles pose a potential threat to public health, safety, and the environment.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is mandated to regulate and manage waste tires within the state. The Legislature recognized the need for waste tire management and passed the California Tire Recycling Act in 1989.

To further strengthen waste tire management, the Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 876 in 2000 to augment the California Tire Recycling Act.

Used tires cannot be disposed of in landfills or in curbside recycling bins. The only proper way to dispose of used and old tires is to transport them to Lake County Waste Solutions or South Lake Refuse and Recycling and pay a disposal fee, which is why all residents should take advantage of the Tire Amnesty program, which begins Aug. 2 and funded by a grant from CalRecycle.

It is illegal in the state of California to transport more than nine tires at one time without a proper waiver.

Failure to obtain the waiver can result in fines up to $25,000 per violation per day and increased

administrative penalties up $5,000 per violation per day and is enforced by the California Highway Patrol

The waivers are free. To dispose of 10 or more tires, waivers can be obtained at no cost from Lake County Environmental Health, 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport, 707-263-1164. Application for a waiver must be made before transporting the tires to a facility as it takes a minimum of a full business day to process the paperwork.

Residents (no commercial tire, auto repair, or salvage business) can dispose of up to nine passenger or light truck tires (up to R19.5), with or without rims, free of charge until funding for the Tire Amnesty program runs out. Proof of Lake County residency is required. A form also must be filled out with the number and origin of tires.

Up to nine tires can be transported without a waiver to:

Lake County Waste Solutions

230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport

707-234-6400 or 1-888-718-4888

Monday-Saturday, April-September:

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday-Saturday, October-March:

7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

South Lake Refuse & Recycling

16015 Davis Street, Clearlake

707-994-8614

Daily, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For information on more recycling and disposal programs such as the monthly HazMobile events or Bulky Item Pick-Up, please call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980 or visit www.Recycling.co.lake.ca.us.

LAKEPORT – The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild invites all Lake and Mendocino County quilters to enter quilts in its ninth annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show.

The LLQG is inviting entries now to give quilters time to prepare for the show.

The deadline to submit entry forms is Saturday Aug. 7, and quilts must be ready for display Sept. 30.

Entry forms and details are available from the quilt guild’s Web site, www.LLQG.org, or contact Julie at 707-349-0846.

Mail completed entry forms to LLQG, P O Box 875, Kelseyville, CA, 95451.

Quilters may choose to have their quilts judged for a small fee, or to enter quilts for free without judging.

Many quilters find it beneficial to have their quilts judged, learning much from an impartial evaluation. The judge will award ribbons in several areas

Show organizers expect to display more than 200 quilts in this show, which will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3.

Among the other attractions will be the works of featured quilter Sandy Turner, vendors, prize drawings, a silent auction and the country store boutique. Watch for more publicity as the time grows near.

LLQG welcomes all quilters, prospective quilters, and quilt lovers to its meetings and events.

For more information about the quilt guild, contact Donna at 707-262-1201, or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild Web site at www.LLQG.org.

LAKEPORT – The Lake County Amateur Radio Society meeting will be held at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport at 7 p.m.

All visitors are welcome to come to our meetings and learn about amateur radios and what the club is involved in.

Any questions please call Donna Hutton at 707-998-9297 or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NICE – Wear your poodle skirt out to dinner then enjoy a sock hop dance this Friday, July 23, at the Sons of Italy.

They will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and salad plus dessert, at the club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy dancing to the music of John Zimmerman, right after the meal.

All tickets cost $15 at the door. Everyone is welcome.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-263-1606.

LAKEPORT – The Lakeport Fire Protection District will hold a training burn this Wednesday, July 21.

Chief Ken Wells said the burn will be held at the shooting range at Highland Springs between Lakeport and Kelseyville.

Participating will be Lakeport Fire Protection District firefighters as well as Cal Fire staff.

A briefing will take place at 6 p.m., with the burn starting at 7 p.m. Wells said they should be done no later than 9:30 p.m.

He said neighbors in the area have been notified about the training.