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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
COBB, Calif. – The Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit announced that the Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest entered its annual process of winter season management at the forest starting on Nov. 1.
During this period, the forest will remain open for day use only from sunrise to sunset.
Some recreational facilities will be winterized and closed for the season.
Forest roads will be subject to temporary closure pending wet weather conditions. Off highway vehicles and off-roading are prohibited.
Staff will be committed to unit tasks including prescribed burning on the forest near roads and trails. Do not approach fires and avoid the area if sensitive to smoke.
Cal Fire reminds forest visitors to plan ahead before arriving and respect signage for public safety.
For more information, call the forest office at 707-928-4378 or visit us online at www.fire.ca.gov.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Despite federal court opinions handed down on Friday ruling that billions of dollars in food benefits must be released as the government shutdown continues, Lake County Social Services said the food assistance remains delayed.
Two separate lawsuits resulted in the Friday decisionshttps://lakeconews.com/news/82991-federal-courts-rule-that-snap-benefits-must-be-released-delay-in-food-assistance-still-anticipatedthat found the funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, should be released, and that the government was statutorily required to do so.
That’s because Congress appropriated $6 billion in SNAP contingency funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture through September 2026.
In addition, one of the decisions — resulting from a lawsuit filed by 25 states including California — found that the USDA also has discretion to use $23 billion in Section 32 funds — from an account set up 90 years ago — for SNAP.
Section 32 funds are in a permanent account, the Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply, that’s part of a mandatory appropriation Congress created in August of 1935 to support certain agricultural commodities programs.
One of the established allocations is for domestic food assistance programs like SNAP, as well as child nutrition programs. More information is here.
Despite the orders to release the funds, on Monday the Trump administration indicated it will only pay half of the SNAP benefits for November.
Lake County Social Services Director Rachael Dillman Parsons on Monday released an update on the local situation, explaining that the benefits for CalFresh, which is California’s version of SNAP, are still delayed.
That delay will impact 24% of Lake County’s residents, or 16,320 people, who use SNAP/CalFresh, according to Social Services.
Dillman Parsons’ update explained that benefits will not be issued until USDA releases funds and instructions to states.
“If USDA releases partial funds, state systems will need to be reprogrammed,” she explained.
As a result, she said any partial CalFresh benefits released by USDA may not be issued until Mid-November.
“Your local county welfare department cannot change this,” Dillman Parsons said. “We realize these are difficult times.”
Those who need food now are urged to see the food resource list pinned to the top of the Lake County Social Services Facebook page. That list is also published below.
The Board of Supervisors will hold a discussion with Dillman Parsons, other county staff and community members about the situation during Tuesday’s board meeting.
At that time, Dillman Parsons is expected to offer some potential options to mitigating the impact on the county’s most vulnerable residents.
She also is meeting this week with local food pantries and food banks to discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Rain, fog, flooding concerns and high winds — this week’s forecast contains the fall season's first storms of note.
The National Weather Service said Monday a “significant” weather system is expected to arrive over the North Coast this week.
Rain began overnight and is expected to continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing with it the potential for moderate to heavy rain, as well as the potential for some minor flooding.
At the same time, the agency has issued for Lake County a wind advisory that’s in effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, until noon on Wednesday, with south winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour expected. Forecasters said the highest winds will take place over higher terrain, such as ridgetops.
A flood watch also is in effect from 12 a.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. that same day.
The Lake County forecast calls for as much as 2.25 inches of rain from Tuesday through Wednesday, with up to 3 inches in mountainous areas. Early Wednesday, there is a chance of a thunderstorm.
The forecast anticipates a break in the rain during the day on Thursday and again on Friday night, and on Saturday. Chances of rain are expected to continue through Monday.
Forecasters said there are chances of patchy fog on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport will conduct two public meetings this month to discuss possible applications for funding under the State Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, Program.
The meetings will take place at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, and Thursday, Nov. 20, in the council chambers at 225 Park St.
The purpose of these meetings is to review CDBG-eligible activities and gather public input on local housing and community development needs, including services, facilities and infrastructure improvements that support community livability.
The city of Lakeport anticipates submitting an application during the upcoming CDBG program year and has received or anticipates receiving approximately $400,000 in CDBG program income.
Information will be provided regarding the range of eligible activities, estimated funding allocations, plans for minimizing displacement, and past uses of CDBG funds.
Residents are encouraged to attend and share ideas for potential projects or community priorities.
Those unable to attend may submit written comments to
The city of Lakeport said it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion or disability. Individuals requiring special accommodations to participate should contact Joey Hejnowicz at least three business days prior to the scheduled meeting.