LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – To deal with this week’s adverse weather, PG&E has provided the following safety tips for customers throughout the North Coast.

When outages do occur, PG&E employees remain focused on ensuring public safety, determining the extent of the damage, providing customers with all available information, and restoring service as quickly as possible.

Preparing for power outages

• Have battery-operated flashlights and radios with fresh batteries ready. Listen for updates on storm conditions and power outages.
• If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work (such as a cordless phone or answering machine), plan for alternate communication - have a standard telephone handset, cellular telephone or pager ready as a backup.
• Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling.

Safety tips

• Treat all downed power lines as if they are "live" or energized. Keep yourself and others away from them. Call 911, then notify PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
• Use battery-operated flashlights, not candles.
• Customers with generator should make sure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to our crews.
• Unplug or turn off all electric appliances to avoid overloading circuits and fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
• Report a power outage: 1-800-743-5002.
• Before calling PG&E about a power outage, check to see if other neighbors are affected. This would confirm if an outage has occurred in just your residence or within the neighborhood area.
• If only your residence is without power, check circuit breakers and/or fuse boxes to see if the problem is limited to the home electric system.

After performing the steps above, single or neighborhood outages can be reported to: PG&E's 24-Hour Emergency and Customer Service Line: 1-800-743-5002.

Once your outage has been reported, you can call PG&E's Outage Information Line at 1-800-743-5002 to get a status report on your outage and the anticipated time your power will be turned back on.

UKIAH, Calif. – On Monday, Dec. 3, Cal Fire Mendocino Unit firefighters will be out on the streets to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help Jerry’s Kids.

The “Fill-the-Boot” fundraiser will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Ukiah at the intersection of Airport Park Boulevard and Hastings Avenue (by Applebee’s Restaurant).

The fundraiser previously had been planned for Saturday, Dec. 1.

When you drop dollars into the firefighter’s boot, you are supporting local MDA services, research for neuromuscular diseases, a clinic at UC Davis, summer camps and community education programs.

The MDA does not receive funding from state, federal or local governments, nor does it seek or receive fees for services it provides.

The fire service has been a long running supporter of the MDA. Its history began in 1952 when the father of a child, who was burdened with a neuromuscular disease, in desperation, sought the aid of George Graney, IAFF (International’s Association of Fire Fighters) Local 718 member and the help of the Boston Fire Company.

Immediately, 20 firefighters set out to conduct a door-to-door canister drive that raised $5,000 to help with the child’s medical expenses.

In August of 1954, Graney spoke at the IAFF’s bi-annual convention and proposed that MDA be established as their “charity of choice.”

He gained unanimous approval and this marked the beginning of a formal bond between the IAFF and MDA.

Cal Fire took on the challenge to support Jerry’s Kids statewide in 2008. This is Mendocino Unit’s third year of involvement with the “Fill-the-Boot “fundraisers.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will meet on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.

The monthly meeting will take place in Lakeport at the Lake County Tax Service Office, 1210 S. Main in Lakeport.

The agenda includes reports from the finance, issues and elections committees, voter registration as well as reports from representatives for Congressman Mike Thompson, Assemblyman Wes Chesbro and Sen. Noreen Evans, and reports from the Stonewall Democratic Club Chair Mark Wickhamshire and Lake County Democratic Club representative Paula Mune.

Democratic Central Committee meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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

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

Highway 20

– Construction of a roundabout at the Route 20/Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road intersection will continue through Friday, Nov. 30. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Pavement repairs from Route 29 to 40th Avenue will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue through Friday, Nov. 30. 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 – Teichert Construction of Davis.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Shoulder improvements at various locations from Curley Lane to Pacific View Drive will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Blue Slide Gilch to Cotteneva Creek will continue Monday, Dec. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

Highway 20

– Electrical upgrades just west of Gravel Pit Road will continue Monday, Dec. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from 0.5 mile west of Wildwood Campground to Forestry Station Road beginning Monday, Dec. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A pavement repair project from 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road to Three Chop Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Ryan Creek Road to Big Trails Drive on Friday, November 30. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 128

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming from 0.4 mile east of Philo Greenwood Road to Philo beginning Monday, Dec. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from 0.4 mile east of the Robinson Creek Bridge to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – OC Jones and Sons of Berkeley.

Highway 253

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Singley Cattlepass to the Robinson Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

Highway 271

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from the southern junction of Routes 101/271 to the Humboldt/Mendocino County line will continue on Monday, Dec. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Electrical upgrades 0.9 mile south of the Caltrans Maintenance Yard will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming just north of Piercy through Friday, Nov. 30. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

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 above.

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).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – No one wants to think about tax season, especially before the winter holiday season has ended.

But it’s almost here and you have an exciting potential volunteer opportunity to assist those Lake County families most in need to file their 2012 taxes.

If you would like to explore this opportunity, and learn about the many volunteer opportunities available, plan to attend one of two introductory sessions.  

You will receive information that will help you decide if you would like to become an IRS certified volunteer tax preparer, or one of the other available positions.

The one-hour introductory sessions will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, and at 6 p.m. pm Wednesday, Dec. 19. Lake Family Resource Center is sponsoring the sessions at its Lakeport office, 896 Lakeport Blvd.

Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Wine Country provides free tax preparation to low- to moderate-income individuals, families, and seniors. Tax returns are prepared by trained and IRS certified volunteers at local community organizations.

If you decide to join the wonderful coalition of volunteers they will provide training and link you to their two local sites located in Clearlake and Lakeport to assist low-income families and seniors in your community.   

Schedules are determined to meet you needs, so whether you are available days, evenings or Saturdays, they will work with you to create a convenient working environment.

Last year, volunteers helped to prepare over 300 tax returns for Lake County residents and returned $300,000 in total refunds. This money was returned to the pockets of local residents and put back into the local economy.  

They need your help to reach even more families in 2013. This is a great volunteer opportunity to learn new skills and give back to our community.

The following volunteer positions are available:

• Site coordinator: Site coordinators provide coordination, organization, and supervision for all aspects of the volunteer tax program sites. This includes developing and maintaining schedules for volunteers, ensure free services are provided to all taxpayers, act as liaison between volunteers, the volunteer site and Lake Family Resource Center, and quality control. This position requires tax preparation certification to an advanced level. Training is provided free and will take place in January 2013.
• Tax preparer: Tax preparers assist taxpayers with their tax returns during the tax season. Volunteers will complete a free training course to be held in January 2013 and become IRS certified to prepare taxes.  Bilingual tax preparers are always in high demand.
• Screener: Screeners are responsible for assisting clients with the intake form and ensuring taxpayers have the correct tax documents and identification. This is a critical role as it is the initial point at which important tax return information is gathered and verified.
• Interpreter: Interpreters aid taxpayers by working alongside the tax clients and tax preparers. Spanish speaking volunteers are always needed. Training is provided by each tax site. Interpreters can be any age, high school or older, and will meet community service hours requirements.
• Greeter: Greeters welcome tax filers to the tax site during the tax season, and may also inform taxpayers about other available community resources. Training is provided by each tax site.

All tax preparers and screeners must be trained and certified by the IRS. Training is available online 24/7 or at three training clinics to be offered by Lake Family Resource Center on Jan. 5, 12 and 26, 2013.  

For new tax prep volunteers, you only need to be certified at the “basic” level. For tax professionals or experienced volunteers, an online training and certification tool is available.

Site operation hours vary by site but each volunteer is asked to commit to volunteer regularly (between two to four hour shift per week), Jan. 28, 2013, through April 15, 2013.

Tax preparation volunteers need to be comfortable working with a computer but do not need to possess extensive math skills.

Interested in volunteering? Learn more about the program, and how to volunteer, by calling Joy Swetnam, Lake Family Resource Center, at 707-262-1379, Extension 112, or 707-272-2660 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Order of the Green Knights will meet to host and boast about the accomplishments of their members.  

The free meeting will take place beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in the meeting room at Round Table Pizza in the Safeway Plaza on 11th Street in Lakeport.

The group honors and supports social and community activist who are making a difference.  

Everyone is welcome to make the world and our community a better place.

There will be no host food and drinks available.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call Phil at 707-263-3391.