NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Princesses, pirates, monsters and ghosts will be filling the streets of neighborhoods across the country to celebrate Halloween and AAA wants to remind parents to be extra vigilant of the potential dangers facing children while they trick or treat.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Oct. 31 is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians.

Statistics show the number of deaths among young pedestrians from 5 to 14 years of age is four times higher on Halloween, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

“Children are always at greater risk as pedestrians because of their shorter stature and unreliable judgment about when and where to cross streets,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “By slowing down, watching for trick-or-treaters who may cross between cars and choosing a sober designated driver, you could be saving a life.”

AAA safety Halloween tips for parents and drivers:

• Avoid neighborhood shortcuts. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present.

• Slow down. According the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if they are hit by a car traveling at 35 compared to 25 miles per hour. What seems like a small difference – just ten miles – can be the difference between life and death.

• Drive sober. Alcohol-impaired drivers make up about one-third of all motor vehicle deaths resulting in an average of one death every 45 minutes. Always designate a sober driver if you plan to drink.

• Trick or Treat together. AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick-or-treaters at least until the age of 12 years old.

• Make a plan. Review trick-or-treat safety precautions and plan the route ahead of time. Remind children never to cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.

• Check costumes. Choose disguises that don’t obstruct vision and opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks. Adjust the length of costumes to avoid tripping and add reflective material to keep kids safe.

• Buckle up. Always use appropriate car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.

AAA offers a detailed list of Halloween safety tips for motorists, parents and kids, as well as other traffic safety information at www.aaa.com/saferdriving.

As part of AAA's on-going commitment to keeping the roads safe on holidays, AAA's Tipsy Tow Program will offer a free tow for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31, to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1., in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to ten miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”

The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) reminds Californians to take special precautions to ensure the safety of their pets, and those who may come in contact with them, during this season of entertaining and celebration.

Tips include:

• Do not leave your pet out in the yard unattended during high foot traffic community events and visiting hours. There are plenty of horror stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets during some festivities.

• Keep pets, especially outdoor cats, inside several days before and several days after high foot traffic community events and visiting hours. Cats in particular may be at risk from children's pranks or other cruelty-related incidents.

• Candies are not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

• Keep pets away from lit outdoor lanterns: Pets may knock them over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.

• Do not dress your dog or cat in a costume unless you know for sure that he or she loves it. Otherwise, it puts too much stress on the animal. If you do dress up your pet, make sure that the costume is not annoying or unsafe; it should not constrict his/her movement, hearing, or ability to breathe or bark. Also, there should not be small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on. Pets should always be supervised, especially one that is dressed up in a costume. If your pet goes trick or treating with you, make sure they are always on a leash!

• All but the most social of dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during visiting hours; too many strangers in costumes can be scary for a dog or cat.

• When opening the door for visitors, be very careful that your dog or cat does not dart outside. It is best to keep them locked in a separate room where they can feel safe away from all the noise.

• Make sure that your dog or cat is wearing proper identification (ID tag, license, microchip, tattoo, etc.). If for any reason they escape and become lost, you increase the chances that they will be returned to you.

For more information on pet safety, visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at http://www.aspca.org, your veterinarian or Lake County Animal Care and Control, 707-263-0278.

The greatly anticipated return of young and adult fish is attributed to a joint Caltrans/Department of Fish and Game project completed in 2007 with funding from CDFG Fisheries Restoration Grant Program.

The project was designed to allow safe passage and access to high quality fish habitat along 1.5 miles of the creek known historically as a salmon rearing stream.

A recent study conducted by the Department of Fish and Game reported the first confirmed passage of coho since annual monitoring began following the habitat restoration project.

Department of Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist and study author Allan Renger said, “This is great news and [the project] does provide access for coho salmon to a significant length of habitat that was blocked for many years.”

A fish dive survey conducted in September identified 145 juvenile coho salmon distributed as far as 2,200 feet upstream from the retrofitted Route 101 culvert.

Because the number of coho observed upstream was significant, the survey concluded adult spawning did occur upstream rather than young coho simply migrating up through the culvert to the study area.

Renger said juvenile coho salmon are the least athletic swimmers of native salmon species and provide an excellent gauge of the effectiveness of the retrofitted fishway design.

The culvert is considered very long for fish passage, so the findings of the recent dive study are significant.

Caltrans District One project engineer Glenn Hurlburt, who designed and oversaw construction of the fishway project, was glad to hear the good news. “A lot of time and effort were put into this unique project; it’s great to see that both juvenile and adult Coho are making it through.”

The Chadd Creek culvert was originally constructed following the historic road destruction resulting from the winter flood of 1964.

At the time, efforts were made to allow for fish passage through the then state-of-the-art culvert.

However, over time, some of the redwood baffles used in the original project design were missing and the outlet created an impassible barrier in elevation for fish.

The Chadd Creek project location was first identified in a 2005 Humboldt State University study of fish passage culverts within Caltrans District 1.

Long-term local land owners also provided first-hand accounts of fish presence along the creek that proved helpful to the process.

A previous attempt to observe fish last winter by Fish and Game personnel witnessed adult fish upstream from the culvert, but cloudy water prevented accurate identification of species.

As the good news of the coho returning to Chadd Creek resonates throughout the community, all parties involved certainly have a reason to celebrate.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is seeking applicants as nominees for the annual Ruby Award.

If you are or if you know a woman who has made extraordinary differences to improve the lives of girls or women in your community please contact the award chair to request a application.

A few examples of the type of work honored include mentoring at-risk girls, providing services that improve womens' education, helping to improve family communications and behavior, or making professional contributions to health services.

This award program enables the club to thank the women who invest in the lives of others through professional, personal or volunteer efforts.

The application deadline is Nov. 19.

For applications or information contact Marty at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-994-8464; or contact Judy at 707-994-8609.

The dinner will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a three-course dinner with wine, music and good friends as they say, “thank you” for 25 years of support to Lake County seniors.

Senior Support Services offers Day Care Respite programs in north- and south lake locations and available resources such as housing and shelter, health services, energy payment assistance, food banks and more at the Upper Lake office.

The menu includes an entrée choice of three-cheese manicotti with Bolognese sauce or penne pasta glorioso with chicken, mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts in a Parmesan cream sauce.

Dinner is $25 for two and $15 for one. All proceeds go directly to Senior Support Services.

Make your reservations by calling Park Place at 707-263-0444.

Park Place is located at 50 Third St., Lakeport.

The meeting will be held in the Board of Supervisors chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m.

The park opened to the public on Sept. 24 for hiking only, and park improvements are ongoing.

Agenda items will include an update on the master management plan's progress; trail development plans; property acquisition of two parcels that dissect the county park land; opening the park to hikers only and discussion regarding special trail use by permit only to include, but not limited to, equestrian, nonmotorized mountain bikes, dogs on a leash and special events; ordinances regarding park operations; fire management; status of the memorandum of understanding with Cal Fire for the fire tower access and recruitment of docents; parking; grant-funded restrooms, signs, benches and tables; and organizing a “Friends of Mt. Konocti” group.

Come, get an update and help the group plan the next phase of development.

For more information contact Lake County Public Services, 707-262-1618.