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

In observance of the Christmas holiday, Caltrans crews and contractors will not be performing any activity on state highways that would include lane closures on Thursday, Dec. 25. However, Caltrans will respond to emergency situations with traffic control as required. Have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Mohammed Hussain of Nice has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for paving near the Middle Creek Bridge through Friday, Dec. 19. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– AT&T of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work between Main Street to Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road. 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.

– A roadway realignment project from 1.4 miles east of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge to 1.6 miles west of Walker Ridge Road will continue. 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 – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A slide repair project from the Lupiyoma Creek Bridge to Bar X Ranch 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 – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Mohammed Hussain of Nice has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for paving at the junction of Route 20/29 through Friday, Dec. 19. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 281

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Tenaya Way to the junction of Route 29/281 through Friday, Dec. 19. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility installations between Philo Greenwood Road and Navarro Bluff Road. 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.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance at Gordon Lane on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– A pavement repair project from 0.1 miles north to 1.5 miles north of Comminsky Station Road will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration from 3.6 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road to 1.9 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Majajo, LLC of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility installation between Oak Avenue and San Francisco Avenue. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 162

– A bridge widening project at Outlet Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 253

– A bridge widening project at Anderson Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

– A bridge widening project at Soda Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

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).

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The vacancy arose after the board reluctantly accepted the resignation of longtime Board member Jim Comstock.

Comstock leaves the board after 18 years to take a seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors for District 1.

The vacancy will be filled through a provisional appointment by the board.

Interested individuals may request an application and application questionnaire from Lynn Walker at the Middletown Unified School District office at 20932 Big Canyon Road, Middletown, or phone 987-4100.

The application and application questionnaire also will be available on the district's Web site, http://www.middletownusd.org, later this week. Applications for the open seat will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at 4 p.m.

Applicants will present an oral statement to the board at the Jan. 14 meeting. After all applicants have presented statements, the board will take action to select the provisional appointee. This process is consistent with Board Bylaw 9223 adopted Sept. 26, 2007.

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The Verna Morris Memorial Pediatric Transportation Fund was established by Easter Seals Northern California in 1996 to celebrate Verna's extensive volunteer work for the National Tuberous Sclerosis Association.

A major unmet need identified in Lake County was funding for transportation stipends to cover gas, bridge tolls, and parking fees for families traveling long distances in order to take their children to medical treatment and appointments.

Hundreds of families depended on these stipends to assist with their travel expenses to appointments at children's hospitals in San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento as well as specialized pediatric services in Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Napa and Petaluma.

The requests for assistance during this economic recession, have increased beyond the ability of the Verna Morris Fund to help families.

This holiday season, Easter Seals asks that community members consider making a contribution to this fund.

To make a tax-deductible donation, please mail check to Verna Morris Fund, Easter Seals Northern California, 501 B N. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

For more information call the Easter Seals Northern California Lakeport office at 263-3949, or visit the Easter Seals Web site at www.noca.easterseals.com.

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The casino is collecting new jackets and shoes for more than 1,000 area children.

A tree in the casino lobby has cards on it representing the children; the casino will give out a $10 match play for each card brought back with a pair of shoes or a jacket for a child.

Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino is located at 1545 E. Highway 20, Nice.

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Fully paid new memberships ($24) will include a free LCC Co-op bag ($11 retail value). So, if there is someone you know that would enjoy the benefit of membership, give the gift of the co-op community.

If your special someone is already a member, consider giving them a gift certificate for any amount.

You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call JoAnn Saccato at 350-1719, or come down to the co-op spot on Thursday between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to make arrangements.

Arrangements need to be made soon as the buying club will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Visit the co-ops Web site at http://lakecountycommunityco-op.wikispaces.com/.

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The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the South Lake Courthouse, 700 S. Center Drive, Clearlake.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month. Meetings alternate between the north and south end of the lake.

Search and Rescue currently has 20 Search and Rescue volunteers in addition to the nearly 25 members of the KCORPS.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office employs five full-time employees designated as Search and Rescue coordinators who act as liaisons between the sheriff’s department and the volunteers.

Visit the Search and Rescue Association at www.lakesheriff.com/SAR for more information.

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