Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Community

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.”

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.

From left, Julie Kelley, founder of Sponsoring Survivorship, and Sally Munger, Soroptimist president, at the Soroptimist November 202 meeting.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — At the November meeting Soroptimist International of Clearlake presented $500 to Sponsoring Survivorship.

The Soroptimist Club has been supporting the organization for many years by joining the annual walk and making a cash donation.

“This is our way of helping local women and men with breast cancer,” said President Sally Munger.

Munger explained that for many years the Clear Lake Soroptimists provided funds for mammograms from a dedicated trust account from a former member.

“Although that fund was long ago exhausted, the fight against breast cancer is very important to us as women and survivors. We always find a way to help out our friends at Sponsoring Survivorship,” Munger said.

Representing Sponsoring Survivorship was Julie Kelley, who, along with Shirley Crawford founded the nonprofit in 1995.

“Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death in women, this donation will go a long way towards assisting local women and men struggling with the disease,” Kelley said.

Club members attended to other business while enjoying a scrumptious meal prepared by Chef Tammy Lipps at The Ripe Choice Farm and Catering event space, where the club has been meeting since reconvening in-person activities.

Monica Rosenthal, Soroptimist club and Rotarian member, noted the annual blanket making event was expanded this year by partnering with the Middletown Rotary Club.

“This year we made 120 blankets, the added blankets made possible through this partnership will support local teens through the Totes 4 Teens program, an effort we all think is vital to the well-being of our young people,” she said.

Another important Soroptimist program, “The President’s Appeal,” is back on track.

The annual fundraiser supports girls and women, specifically through education.

“The theme of the appeal is ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future,’” said Fawn Williams, the club treasurer. “This year, we are expanding the event, making it a holiday party and fund-raiser.”

The event will be at the Ripe Choice Farm and Catering on Dec. 14 at 5:30 pm.

Members, family, friends and anyone who wants to contribute towards improved education for girls and women is invited.

The Ripe Choice Farm and Catering address is 2550 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.

For reservations contact Sally Munger at 707-485-2132 by Dec. 7. The cost is $50 per person.

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.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. — Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
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Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Highway 20

— Utility work in Lucerne from Paradise Valley Drive to Glady Street will occur on Tuesday, Dec. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Utility work in Clearlake Oaks from Butler Street to Sulphur Bank Road will conclude on Friday, Dec. 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Utility work will occur in Middletown from Wardlaw Street to Saint Helena Lane on Sunday, Dec. 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Paving work at Robinson Rancheria Road will occur on Friday, Dec. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

— Tree work near Diener Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work in Cobb at Estates Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Utility work in Cobb at Anderson Springs Road is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Utility work will occur south of Elk on Monday, Dec. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Tree work will occur north of Fort Bragg from Odom Lane to Little Valley Road on Monday, Dec. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Road work near Road 10 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge continues. Northbound lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Crawford Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work near Henry Station Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 11 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work continues in Ukiah at Route 222. Lane closures will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Fence work in Ukiah at the East Perkins Street Overcrossing continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Bridge work in Ukiah from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing continues. Lane Closures will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Road work south of Willits continues. A lane closure will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area.

— Utility work north of Willits near Ryan Creek Road will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Culvert work will begin south of the Moss Cove Safety Rest Area on Monday, Dec. 5. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Irvine Lodge Safety Rest Area will be closed through January 2023.

Highway 162

— Bridge work at the Outlet Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Construction in the Last Chance Grade area. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 25-minute delays.

— Hazardous tree removal in the Last Chance Grade area will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Roadway excavation from Parkway Drive to Wilson and Burtchell will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. In addition, a full southbound onramp closure at the Washington Boulevard. Overcrossing will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

— Utility work near Dr. Fine Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Tree work near Parkway Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Electrical work near the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 96

— Tree work near Tish Tang Campground will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. LC#P96AA

— Utility work from Hostler Field Road to north of Hoopa will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work near Myers Flat will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Excavation and concrete work from St. Louis Road Overcrossing to Georgia Pacific Road will continue. One-way traffic control and lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Lane closures from the St. Louis Road Overcrossing to Mad River Bridge will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Hazardous tree removal near the Yacht Club will occur on Thursday, Nov. 8, and Friday, Nov. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Utility work from Griffin Street Entrance to Orick Trailer Park will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 169

— Utility work west of Weitchpec will begin Monday, Dec. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Utility work from Navy Base Road Street to ‘J’ Street will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Falsework installation from Route 200 to Route 101 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction from Willow Creek to Old Three Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Come to the Lake County Library to learn to make this shell fabric necklace. Photo credit: Library staff.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Just in time for the gift giving season the Lakeport Library will present two craft classes in December.

Giving handmade gifts is a wonderful way to surprise and delight friends and family during the holidays.

Both classes will be presented by Amy Patton at the Lakeport Library at 1425 N. High St.

The classes are free to attend and all materials will be provided. Supplies are limited though, so registration is required by calling 707-263-8817.

The first class will begin on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Participants will learn how to create a shell necklace with fabric scraps.

Anyone who has extra fabric scraps at home or enjoys other fabric based crafts would enjoy making this beautiful necklace. This craft will demonstrate making fabric twine and tying two different styles of knots.

The second class is on Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. At this class participants will learn how to create a snowflake crystal with beads for use as a necklace or as an ornament.

This necklace is constructed with pearls, crystals and seed beads to simulate the elegant beauty of an icy snowflake.

Anyone who is interested in giving out a unique gift is encouraged to contact the library and register for one or both of these crafting classes.

Both classes are great for beginning crafters, but advanced crafters can pick up some new skills as well.

For more information, contact the Lake County Library by calling the main branch in Lakeport at 707-263-8817, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit http://library.lakecountyca.gov.

Attendees at an upcoming craft class will learn how to make this beaded crystal snowflake. Photo credit: Library staff.

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