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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The burn restriction applies to all areas in Lake County.
All burn permits expire on April 30.
The burn ban includes all open green waste burning, though exemptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns and others.
The annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.
Officials said a managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years.
The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.
This successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality.
To obtain an exemption permit to burn after May 1, contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District at 707-263-7000 for details.
District office hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments may be requested any time Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without an exemption permit may be subject to citation, fines and fire agency response costs to extinguish the fire.
Help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect Lake County’s clean air.
“Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for us all,” the Lake County Air Quality Management District reported.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control’s adoptable canines include several new arrivals and many others that continue to wait for their new homes.
Twenty-eight dogs are waiting at the shelter to meet their new families.
They include “Snow White,” a 2-year-old miniature smooth-haired dachshund mix that shelter staff describe as “the happiest little girl in the world,” whose tail is always wagging.
Also available is “Henry,” a 3-year-old pit bull mix with a red and white coat.
Shelter staff describe Henry — a staff and volunteer favorite — as “sweet as pie.” He also loves to give hugs, adores people, is good on leash, and enjoys long walks.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Caltrans dignitaries, employees, families and friends gathered on Thursday on the west steps of the State Capitol for the 33rd annual Workers Memorial to honor the memory of 191 roadway workers who have died in the line of duty since 1921 as well as emphasizing the need for all travelers to drive safely through work zones.
Special commemorations were paid to Ali Shabazz and Quanda McGadney, two Caltrans employees who tragically lost their lives while working in 2022.
“This is why we always say safety is Caltrans’ top priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Lives are literally at stake every day, and tragically, we lost two of our devoted workers in the past year. At Caltrans, we hold a sacred duty to remember all the people who have lost their lives working with us. I ask all Californians to please slow down and move over in every work zone, every time. A life may depend on it.”
Quanda, a 51-year-old Caltrans landscape maintenance worker from Vallejo, was killed after being struck by an impaired, hit-and-run driver on the morning of June 3, 2022, while working along Interstate 80 near Vacaville.
Quanda had served the people of California for more than 18 years and joined Caltrans in 2018. She is survived by her daughter, Nairobi, and her sisters, Priscilla Stevenson and Candice McGadney.
Ali, a 48-year-old Caltrans civil engineer from Fresno, was killed on duty after his vehicle was struck late on the night of Aug. 7, 2022, while he was heading to a job site near Fresno. Shabazz joined Caltrans in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Nia, and their eight children.
The annual memorial — in addition to honoring families and allowing staff the opportunity to pay respects to their fallen colleagues — is also a reminder for drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and “Move Over” when they see flashing amber lights ahead, or slow down if not safe to do so.
On Thursday, Caltrans arranged 189 orange traffic cones in a diamond “caution sign” configuration, adding two additional cones during the ceremony, each bearing the name of an employee killed on the job since 1921. A black cone in the center represented all people killed while working on the state highway system, including private contractors, tow truck drivers, California Highway Patrol officers and other emergency responders.
The commemoration also included the Caltrans Honor Guard, who led the symbolic tribute. Additionally, flags flew at half-staff at the State Capitol, the Capitol Annex Swing Space and at all Caltrans facilities.
With the passage of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, as well as the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Caltrans and local agencies now have significant additional funds to repair and maintain California’s transportation system.
The additional funding has increased the number of Caltrans employees and contractors working on the state highway system, highlighting the importance for drivers to stay vigilant and aware.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, highway construction and maintenance work is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. In 2021, more than 9,500 work zone collisions occurred on California highways, resulting in an estimated 2,971 injuries and 73 fatalities. Nationally, drivers and passengers account for 85 percent of people who are killed in work zones.
In 2022, Caltrans announced a new Director’s Policy on Road Safety, which commits the department to the Safe System approach and reaffirms the vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050.
This policy takes steps to further a shift that began in 2020, as state transportation leaders recognized a bolder and more focused approach was necessary to combat the troubling rise in fatalities and serious injuries on California roads.
The state’s 2020-24 Strategic Highway Safety Plan — managed by Caltrans and involving more than 400 stakeholders — was updated to include the Safe System approach.
Caltrans has partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop two funds to benefit the families of Caltrans workers killed on the job.
The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers. For more information or to make donations, visit the California Transportation Foundation.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Currently, kindergarten is optional, and many children enter first grade with academic disadvantages that can cause them to fall behind in school.
Senate Bill 767 will require all students to complete one year in kindergarten before they enter first grade.
Kindergarten offers foundational social and academic skills needed to succeed in first grade and subsequent years.
The bill also includes options for parents to enroll their children in traditional public school, charter school, homeschool, private school or even has the ability to delay their child’s kindergarten enrollment until the age of 6.
“As a public school teacher for nearly 20 years, I have witnessed the detrimental impact on young students who miss out on fundamental early education,” said Sen. Rubio. “The disparities are not only physically visible in a student’s confidence and participation in class, but are also academically measurable. The best way we can support our students, teachers and parents, is to ensure our students are prepared in class as they move up each grade level. I thank my Senate colleagues for their support and look forward to working with the Assembly and the governor to continue our efforts in closing the achievement.”
A coalition of educators, school employees and the business community support the bill.
“We know that kindergarten starts students on the right foot and sets them up for long-term success in language and literacy, math, and social and emotional learning. Mandatory kindergarten would ensure all students enter grade school at an equitable level no matter their background,” said Jeffery Freitas, president of CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals.
"Early Edge California supports SB 767, which will ensure all California children receive critical Early Learning instruction during their youngest years by requiring that they attend kindergarten prior to entering the first grade. Early Learning is essential for children's physical, intellectual, and socioemotional development and provides them with the fundamental skills and tools needed for academic success. SB 767 also promotes equity by addressing the opportunity gap, which has been heightened by school closures during the global health crisis, particularly impacting low-income, students of color. Now more than ever, kindergarten enrollment is necessary, and SB 767 will ensure all students receive critical early instruction to prevent them from falling behind," said Patricia Lozano, executive director, Early Edge California.
“The pandemic has had a negative impact on student learning, particularly amongst low-income, K-12 Latino students. School districts across the state are also experiencing drops in student enrollment. This decline is even more prevalent at the kindergarten level and disproportionately affecting low-income households. Now more than ever, kindergarten attendance is necessary to ensure all students receive critical, linguistically and culturally appropriate early instruction to prevent students from falling behind, especially for our dual language learners,” said Jan Gustafson-Corea, California Association for Bilingual Education chief executive officer.
“Mandating students to attend kindergarten prior to entering the first grade will ensure all students receive high-quality academic, social, linguistic and developmentally-appropriate learning experiences. It is important for our youngest learners, including our English learners, to be prepared for the educational environment they will encounter in elementary school which will help to narrow opportunity gaps,” said Martha Hernandez, executive director of Californians Together.
"Kindergarten is a fundamental piece of early learning. As California expands transitional kindergarten and other preschool opportunities, kindergarten becomes more important than ever in making sure all kids enter first grade ready to succeed, not only in academics, but in their social-emotional skills. In kindergarten, kids learn how to be in a classroom, how to get along with 20+ other kids, how to wait their turn, and how to problem solve – these skills are fundamental to success in first grade and beyond," said Meredith Yeh, co-president, California Kindergarten Association.
SB 767 is supported by a large number of school districts, labor partners, parents, and educational advocacy organizations. It now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.