A California interagency effort battling the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels urges boaters to remain especially vigilant over the three-day Memorial Day weekend.

Those who launch vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections, and are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating at a waterway.

“Quagga and zebra mussels present a serious threat to our aquatic environment,” said Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Director Charlton H. Bonham. “These invasive mussels can be detrimental to the state’s waters, boats and recreational opportunities. Preventing their introduction is the best way to protect our aquatic resources.”
 
Quagga and zebra mussels, non-native freshwater mussels native to Eurasia, multiply quickly and encrust watercraft and infrastructure, and compete for food with native and sport species.

These mussels can be spread from one body of water to another attached to nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody, or via standing water from an infested waterbody entrapped in boat engines, bilges, live-wells and buckets.

To ensure watercraft is clean, drained and dry, many local agencies are conducting boat inspections. DFG has posted the list of these inspections on its website ( www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel ) along with additional information about the invasive mussels and what you can do to help prevent their spread in California.

Boaters should call ahead to check for restrictions prior to visiting their destination.

For information on Lake County's rules, visit http://www.nomussels.com/ .

To prevent spreading invasive mussels and to breeze through an inspection, before arriving at a waterbody boaters should have inspected all exposed surfaces, removed all plants and organisms, drained all water, including that contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and allowed the watercraft to thoroughly dry.

Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather, between launches in different bodies of fresh water. These measures are essential to safeguard California waterways.

DFG has also developed a short video demonstrating the ease of implementing the clean, drain and dry, prevention method, available at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDFG .

In addition, a detailed guide to cleaning vessels of invasive mussels is available on the Department of Boating and Waterways Web site at  www.dbw.ca.gov/PDF/BoatingQuaggaGuide.pdf .

Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at California Department of Food and Agriculture Border Protection Stations. Inspections, which can also be conducted by DFG and the Department of Parks and Recreation, include not only a check of boats and personal watercraft, but also trailers and all onboard items. Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to quarantine or impoundment.

Quagga mussels were first detected in the Colorado River system in January 2007 and were later found in San Diego and Riverside counties. They are now known to be in 24 waters in the Golden State, all in Southern California. Zebra mussels were discovered in San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County in January 2008.

Both species can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:

• Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat;
• Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk;
• Require frequent scrapping and repainting of boat hulls;
• Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces, causing them to require constant cleaning;
• Cost the owners of these items a lot of money.

A multiagency effort that includes DFG, the Department of Boating and Waterways, Department of Water Resources and State Parks has been leading an outreach campaign to alert the public to the quagga and zebra mussel threats.

A toll-free hotline at 1-866-440-9530 is available for those seeking information on quagga or zebra mussels. 

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The fifth outing for the music and comedy show “Lake County Live!” will take place on Sunday, May 27, at 6 p.m. at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport.  

The program is live in the theater and on the air, broadcast and streamed on Lake County Community Radio KPFZ 88.1 FM and www.kpfz.org .

Host and show creator Doug Rhoades advised this month's program will feature music by the Lake County group Blindspot, and native flute player Kevin Village Stone with classical guitarist Lindy Day.  

The usual cast of characters, including “Ladies of the Lake,” will return as well.

“Those who have been in the theater or heard the show on the air know that we're live radio the way it used to be years ago,” said Rhoades, “which means lots of music, lots of laughs and an occasional goof here and there. But the audience has been very appreciative and supportive.”

The show is broadcast live the last Sunday of each month from the theater, and features talented musicians, performers and players from all around Lake County.

Tickets for the upcoming Sunday show are available at the Soper-Reese box office, 275 S. Main St.; the Travel Center at 1265 S. Main in Lakeport; or online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .

More information may be found at www.facebook.com/lakecountylive or at www.lakecountylive.com .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County's newest casino is opening this week, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Running Creek Casino will open to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, May 25.

The casino is located at 635 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake.

The 33,000 square foot casino is an enterprise of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, and houses 349 slot machines and six table games.

“The road has been long and the obstacles too numerous to count, but we are finally here, excited and proud to open the doors to the public,” said Tribal Chairperson Sherry Treppa. “We want this establishment to be more than just a gambling hall.”

She continued, “Our vision is for visitors and local residents to see this as a place to come for dining and entertainment, as well as a local meeting place for Lake County clubs and organizations. We know there are other casino properties in the area to choose from, but we want to differentiate ourselves by offering more in terms of customer service, cleanliness, and hospitality.”

In addition to gaming, Running Creek Casino features the Hot Springs Express restaurant, offering quick, made to order menu selections such as burgers, sandwiches and salads.

A second dining option is Wildfire, a 65-seat full service restaurant with patio dining featuring quality American cuisine and a wood burning pizza oven.

Running Creek’s On the Rocks is a full service bar that highlights a variety of cocktails, beers and wines by the glass, as well as an array of appetizers to compliment any drink selection.

Other amenities include the Running Rewards player’s club and multiple meeting rooms.

Running Creek’s official grand opening is set for Friday, June 1, but the tribe and project management team made the decision in response to popular demand to open the casino on May 25, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Private ceremonies for the tribe, local dignitaries, and VIP guests will take place in the morning, with the doors opening to the public for gaming and dining at 4 p.m.

The casino will then continue to stay open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

“I am proud to represent this tribe whose eternal hope and unrelenting determination not only brought this project to fruition in Lake County, but did so in a cooperative, respectful and professional manner,” said Treppa. “The tribe could not be more pleased about the new jobs we have created in our community through this project and the positive economic impact Running Creek will provide for area businesses.”

She added, “This business venture will bring the tribe one step closer to economic self-sufficiency. Moreover, it will enable us to engage in additional business enterprises in the future.”

The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake are a federally recognized tribe historically located in Upper Lake California.

In 2008, they were able to place 11.24 acres near their historic tribal lands into trust, which allowed them to create a gaming enterprise.

The casino construction project began in 2004 and was approved by the Department of the Interior in August of 2011, as well as through a state compact signed in March of 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Visit the casino online at www.runningcreekcasino.com , follow it on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/runningcreekcasino and get updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/therunningcreek .

Memorial Day weekend is often the kickoff for summer vacations and outdoor activities. However, Cal Fire is urging caution this holiday weekend due to the increasing fire danger throughout California.

“Recent fire activity including a 7,000 acre fire just over the border in Nevada, really serves as a reminder, that the conditions are ripe for wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “Cal Fire crews have already responded to over twice as many fires this year compared to last year at the same time.”

The lack of rainfall across California has set the stage for an increased potential of major wildfires. Coupled with this weekend’s increase in outdoor activities, firefighters will be on high alert.

Cal Fire is asking Californians and visitors to the state to be extra vigilant while recreating in the outdoors.

Cal Fire asks that everyone remember the following important steps this holiday.

Camping

• Obtain necessary permits needed for campfires.
• Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire.
• Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
• Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving.
• When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended.

Wildfires are not the only danger posed by the outdoors; drownings also dramatically increase during the Memorial Day weekend.

In California, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 14, and every year Cal Fire responds to water rescues across the state, many of which tragically claim the lives of both adults and children.

In the water

• Always wear a life jacket!    
• Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult.
• Never swim alone.    
• Drinking and swimming is just as dangerous and drinking and driving.     

For more ways to be safe during the Memorial Day weekend visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov .

On Wednesdsay Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 voted to approve and adopt the staff recommendation amendments of the “Sustainable Parks Proposal” that was introduced May 8 by State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).  

The budget proposal would keep open up to 50 state parks slated for closure this year while providing a stable and long-term funding solution that will keep all parks open.

As many as 70 state parks – including Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lower Lake – had been slated for closure beginning July 1, 2012.

The essence of the Sustainable Parks Proposal consists of providing assistance to nonprofit partners working for operating agreements for state parks and finding “new ways of working” in the parks, including allowing parks to become more entrepreneurial and allowing more personnel flexibility.

It also would access up to $173 million of existing funding sources over several years that may be appropriately used for park purposes.  

Annually, funds can be up to $10 million a year of existing funds collected the Motor Vehicle Account, $21 million from the Local Assistance Program and $10 million annually from the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, and $10 million from bond money.

The Sustainable Parks Proposal now waits for the Assembly Budget Committee to move ahead with their measure.

“Closing our state parks will not save the state money,” said Evans. “However, if the administration continues to move in that direction, this proposal would prevent closures this year and develop a solution-oriented and sustainable long term funding plan to keep parks in the public trust for generations to come.”

“These are hard times, filled with hard budget choices,” said Simitian. “But I continue to think that putting a ‘closed’ sign on 70 state parks is unacceptable. It’s fundamentally ill-conceived. We can do better.”

The proposal also would give Californians voluntary opportunities to support the parks. Under the proposal, Californians could purchase a specialty parks license plate for a fee and give a voluntary donation at the time of their vehicle renewal.

“This continues to be a solid proposal that will set the financial foundation for saving our parks,” said Evans. “In the short term, we will be able to keep most of our parks open this year, and in the long run, it will help make our park system stronger and more creative.”

Last May, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that 70 parks would close due to budget cuts.

Since then, nonprofit organizations and the public, as well as local and federal agencies, have stepped up efforts to find ways to fund the parks – many signing operating agreements with the state – and the number of parks slated to shut dropped to 54 last month.

Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association also is engaged in negotiations to operate Anderson Marsh, as Lake County News has reported.

To help encourage these community efforts, the proposal would also include extending liability coverage to local and nonprofit agencies that work in partnership to manage the parks.

Evans is the author of two bills complimentary to the Sustainable Parks Proposal. SB 974 requires transparency and public involvement in future closures and a planning process to reopen parks, while SB 1078 helps focus DPR on innovative revenue generation projects.

A full copy of the eight-point ‘Sustainable Parks Proposal,’ may be found below or at http://sd02.senate.ca.gov/ .

Evans represents the Second Senatorial District, including all or portions of the Counties of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

California’s infant mortality rate has reached a record low, state health officials reported on Tuesday.

The California Department of Public Health said that in 2010, the most recent year data are available, the rate was 4.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 4.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2009.

Infant mortality is defined as the number of deaths in infants under one year of age.

The findings give California the fourth-lowest infant mortality rate among all 50 states.

“Optimal infant health outcomes are influenced by a woman’s health even before she becomes pregnant, including avoiding tobacco, alcohol and drugs, maintaining a healthful weight, and taking folic acid supplements,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, state health officer and director of the California Department of Public Health.

“Early entry into prenatal care, genetic testing to identify health risks at birth, breastfeeding, immunizations, and continuing proper nutrition through a baby’s developing years all contribute to improving infant health outcomes,” Chapman said.

In Lake County in 2010 there were 721 live births and three infant deaths. Because there were less than five deaths a rate was not assigned to Lake County, according to the agency's report.

For 2009, Lake County had 726 live births and five deaths, and that year also was not assigned a rate, based on the available data.

African Americans in California experienced the largest decline in infant mortality in 2010, from 10.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2009 to 9.5 in 2010, the agency reported.

While this is a significant improvement, health officials said racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality persist. African-American infant deaths occurred 2.3 times more frequently than Caucasian infant deaths in 2010.

The infant mortality rate among Caucasians remained unchanged between 2009 and 2010 (4.1 deaths per 1,000 live births) and dropped from 5.0 to 4.9 among Hispanics, according to the data.

Among the factors that may have contributed to the declining infant mortality rate is the decline in the percent of births born prematurely (less than 37 weeks’ gestation). The percent of births born prematurely in California declined from 10.4 percent in 2009 to 10.0 percent in 2010.

Optimal health of women before pregnancy and during pregnancy is likely to contribute to fewer babies born prematurely and to better survival rates of babies overall, the agency's report suggested.

State data showed that the United States ranked No. 31 worldwide for infant mortality; had California been its own nation, it would have ranked No. 27.

Lowest mortality is found in Luxembourg, 1.8; Slovenia, 2.1; Sweden, 2.5; Iceland, 2.5; and Finland, 2.6, according to the report.

Many California Department of Public Health programs and initiatives target reduction of infant mortality as a goal.

For information on these programs, as well as resources that can help pregnant women or women who are considering pregnancy, visit one of the Web sites listed below.

Maternal health before, during and after pregnancy: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/mcah/Pages/MaternalHealth.aspx

Nutrition needs for pregnant women, nursing women and infants: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/pages/default.aspx

Immunization needs of pregnant women and infants: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/default.aspx

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program: http://cdph.ca.gov/programs/mcah/Pages/default.aspx

Genetic Disease Screening Program: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/gdsp/pages/default.aspx

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The trial of two Clearlake Oaks men accused of fatally shooting a child and wounding five others last summer hit another delay on Thursday morning as the result of new information in the case.

Following a delay of more than an hour due to a late juror, visiting Yolo County Judge Doris Shockley convened the trial of Paul William Braden, 22, and Orlando Joseph Lopez, 24, at about 10:15 a.m.

The two men are accused of shooting into a group of people in Clearlake on the night of June 18, 2011, killing 4-year-old Skyler Rapp and wounding his mother, stepfather and other family members and friends.

Jurors would hear no testimony Thursday morning.

Shockley immediately announced that she would be dismissing jurors for the day.

“Literally this morning some information has come to light that must be investigated before we can continue the case,” Shockley said.

Just what that information was not disclosed by the court on Thursday.

Shockley ordered the jurors to be prepared to return on Friday, although testimony may not continue until next week, when only one day of proceedings is expected due to the Memorial Day holiday and a court furlough day on Friday, June 1.

The judge told the jurors that the delay was “frustrating but essential.”

Once the jurors were dismissed and had cleared the courtroom, Shockley briefly discussed the case with District Attorney Don Anderson, Lopez’s defense attorney Stephen Carter and Braden’s defense attorney Doug Rhoades.

Referring to another issue that had stopped testimony last week, Carter said there had been a late discovery regarding Anderson’s notes from meeting with a former codefendant in the case, Kevin Stone, who has been expected to resume testimony on Thursday morning.

When Stone briefly was on the stand last week he had stated that he had met with Anderson several times beginning early last November as they worked out a plea agreement to lesser charges.

Carter said they had gone through those notes and determined that none of it needed to be kept out of testimony.

Although it was a discovery violation, Carter said it was a “no harm, no foul” situation. The matter ultimately was resolved with a stipulation.

Rhoades said Braden was “similarly situated” regarding the issue of Anderson’s notes.

“I believe that's all that we can address, at least at this point,” said Shockley.

The attorneys were to spend the rest of Thursday working on the issue that led to the stoppage.

The attorneys in the case are to meet with Shockley in chambers at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to decide if they can proceed with testimony on Friday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

On Wednesday, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) sued the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) over alleged environmental law violations relating to levee maintenance policies.

On Feb. 7 DFG had issued its intent to sue over the Corps' levee policies, as Lake County News has reported.

DFG claimed in its lawsuit that the Corps failed to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and federal Administrative Procedure Act when it adopted a national policy requiring the removal of virtually all trees and shrubs on federal levees. The Corps developed its national levee vegetation removal policy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The Corps’ national policy fails to account for regional variations among levees, DFG alleged. As early as 1955, the Corps encouraged and even required the planting of trees and shrubs on California levees.

Studies conducted in 1967, 1999 and 2008 by California confirm that native riparian vegetation are compatible with flood control and that such vegetation can often act to minimize damage during a flood event.  

The Corps’ own studies from 1991 and 1999 also reportedly confirmed that post-damage flood rates for levees containing woody vegetation were lower than levees with no vegetation. DFG is confident that the Corps’ flood concerns can be met in a regional variation allowing this unique riparian habitat.

Only 5 percent of the Central Valley’s original riparian forest remains and the Corps’ new policy would eliminate it entirely.

 In addition to providing scenic beauty and recreational enjoyment for people, riparian habitat is essential for several endangered species including Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, riparian brush rabbit, Western yellow-billed cuckoo and Swainson’s hawk.

Approximately 1,600 miles of federal project levees along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and tributaries are likely to be affected by the Corps’ policy.  

Several miles of federal levees in the Bay Area and Southern California would also be affected. Compliance with the new policy is estimated to cost the state up to $7.5 billion and divert funds from more significant levee deficiencies such as seepage and erosion.

Despite years of roundtable discussions between DFG, the Corps and other state, federal and local entities, DFG’s concerns over removing the riparian habitat remain unaddressed.

DFG’s mission is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lake County Planning Commission will consider a proposal for a new BMX park near Kelseyville as well as a project to underground utilities on a portion of Mt. Konocti.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 Forbes St., Lakeport.

At 9:03 a.m., a public hearing will be held on a general plan conformity report sought by the Lake County Department of Public Services for the BMX park.

The park would be located on a half-acre of the existing Kelseyville Park, 5270 State St.

At 9:05 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a mitigated negative declaration based on initial study for Red Lava Vineyards' plans for a small winery – 15,000 cases or less – a tasting room with retail and up to 26 special events a year at 8200 South Highway 29, Lower Lake.

At 9:45 a.m., a public hearing will be held on the Lake County Department of Public Services’ application for a general plan conformity report for the installation of underground utilities between the Riviera West Subdivision and the telecommunications tower on Buckingham Peak of Mt Konocti.

As part of the item, the commission will consider adequacy of the documents associated with a proposed mitigated negative declaration and mitigation  and monitoring plan for this project.

Based on the commission's recommendation on the documents, the Community Development Department director may consider adopting a mitigated negative declaration and issuing a complex grading permit for AT&T’s application for the installation of underground utilities on Mt Konocti.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A state report issued this week shows that more schools than ever are experiencing budgetary difficulties as a result of California’s economic struggles.

This week California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson released the state’s Second Interim Status Report for the 2011-12 fiscal year, which lists school districts considered to be in financial jeopardy.

This latest report lists the highest number of financially troubled educational agencies in state history – 188 – up by 61 from the First Interim Status Report for 2011-12 issued in February, and up 45 from the Second Interim Report for 2010-11 issued a year ago.

Torlakson said the listed districts serve an estimated 2.6 million of California’s 6.2 million school students.

"The deep cuts this budget crisis has forced – and the uncertainties about what lies ahead – are taking an unprecedented and unacceptable toll on our schools,” Torlakson said.

Approximately 1,037 local educational agencies – which include school districts, county offices of education and joint powers agencies – are tracked in the twice a year reports, according to the California Department of Education.

The most recent report covered the financial and budgetary status of the districts for the period ending Jan. 31 and so predate Gov. Jerry Brown’s May Revision, which the state said may mean the agencies’ financial status has changed since the financial certifications were collected in April.

The list of financially struggling districts “is growing tremendously throughout the state and more and more districts are finding themselves in a tough situation,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook.

Local educational agencies receive a positive certification if they meet their financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years, the California Department of Education explained.

Most Lake County districts appeared to have fallen within the positive certification category in this latest report.

However, Upper Lake Union Elementary, which has a $4.3 million budget, was among 176 districts and local educational agencies statewide given a “qualified” certification, because the state ruled that it may not meet its financial obligations for the current or two subsequent fiscal years.

Kelseyville Unified and Konocti Unified had been given qualified status in the First Interim Status Report in February, but were not listed in this week’s followup report.

No local districts were among the 12 educational agencies given the most serious classification, “negative,” which designates the inability to meet financial obligations for the remainder of the current year or for the subsequent fiscal year. In such cases, the local county office of education can intervene in the district's finances.

Snapshot in time

Tina Jung, a spokesperson for the California Department of Education, told Lake County News that the status report is a snapshot in time that gives both the state superintendent and the educational agencies a sense of their fiscal status. That allows districts the chance to begin making adjustments.

Holbrook said that’s the case with Upper Lake Elementary, which has submitted a third interim report that’s in the process of being reviewed.

Michelle Buell, Lake County Office of Education Fiscal Services director, said of Upper Lake Elementary, “They made reductions that leveled out their shortfall.”

Local school districts are now developing their 2012-13 budgets, which Buell said are due to the Lake County Office of Education by July 1.

Buell and Holbrook also have assisted Kelseyville Unified over the last few years when it appeared on three straight reports under the qualified status.

Holbrook said Kelseyville developed a fiscal stability plan. “We did provide some resources for them to help them do that,” he said. “The result of that has been pretty positive.”

A growing problem

California Department of Education data shows that the number of schools going into qualified or negative status has grown dramatically in recent years.

The state began tracking educational agencies’ financial certificates in the 1991-92 fiscal year.

Jung pointed out that the numbers of districts in financial jeopardy remained small for some time, other than a brief spike to 55 in 1994-95. Then, in 2002-03 – around the time of the dotcom crash – the numbers jumped up to 56.

The number of financially troubled districts then receded. In 2006-07, those districts totaled 19 statewide, but in the following 2007-08 fiscal year – at the same time the recession hit – the number jumped to 109.

Federal stimulus money making its way into the state’s school districts in 2008-09 saw a slight drip to 89 districts, said Jung. The number of districts in financial jeopardy nearly doubled to 160 the following year, the data showed.

“Obviously, it’s tied to the economy,” said Jung.

Holbrook said that even with districts that have been conservative and financially stable, the potential for slipping into qualified or negative status is increasing.

“It’s going to be a serious problem for all of us,” he said.

Jung said Torlakson issued a state of emergency immediately after entering office last year, and is encouraging voters to support the governor’s ballot initiative to raise taxes to help education this November.

Holbrook said the initiative won’t fix the situation, but it may help by allocating resources the way they were originally intended.

As for more dollars for classrooms, “we’re just not going to see them,” he said.

Holbrook said he had a chance to listen to the governor speak about the initiative on Monday. “He’s not totally satisfied with that initiative but he thinks it’s the best thing given the situation that we’re in at this point in time.”

Holbrook said there is the possibility that transportation funding will be restored to schools but that they can actually use the money for other needs.

“In our area it’s really tough for our districts not to provide transportation,” he said.

If that funding flexibility takes place, “that’s going to cause all kinds of debates,” said Holbrook, with some districts possibly having to choose between transportation or keeping an additional teacher in the classroom.

“Those are just really difficult choices,” Holbrook said.

LAKE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN QUALIFIED STATUS, 1998-2012
                  
Second interim status report, 2011-12

Upper Lake Union Elementary; $4.3 million budget

First interim status report, 2011-12

Kelseyville Unified; $14.7 million budget
Konocti Unified; $28.3 million budget

Second interim status report, 2010-11

Kelseyville Unified; $14.5 million

First interim status report, 2010-11

Kelseyville Unified; $14.5 million

Second interim status report, 2009-10

Upper Lake Union Elementary; $3.31 million

First interim status report, 2009-10

Upper Lake Union Elementary; $4.53 million

Second interim status report, 2008-09

Lake County Office of Education; $18.85 million

First interim status report, 2008-09

Konocti Unified; $28.29 million
Lakeport Unified; $14.83 million
Upper Lake Union High; $4.90 million
Upper Lake Union Elementary; $4.98 million

Second interim status report, 2003-04

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

First interim status report, 2003-04

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

Second interim status report, 2002-03

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

Second interim status report, 2001-02

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

First interim status report, 2001-02

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

Second interim status report, 2000-01

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

First interim status report, 2000-01

Upper Lake Union High; $3 million

Second interim status report, 1998-99

Upper Lake Union High; $2 million

First interim status report, 1998-99

Upper Lake Union High; $2 million

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Wednesday estimated it will be able to deliver 65 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year, up from the 60 percent delivery estimate – or allocation – announced on April 16.

Originally, DWR projected in November that it would be able to supply 60 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet of SWP water requested, but a dry December, January and February dropped that figure to 50 percent.

A wet March and above-average reservoir storage boosted the allocation back up to 60 percent in April, and today’s increase to 65 percent is due to April’s wetter-than-usual weather.  

A 65 percent allocation is not unusually low, the agency said.

Wet conditions last year allowed the SWP to deliver 80 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet requested by the 29 public agencies that supply more than 25 million Californians and nearly a million acres of irrigated farmland.  

An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons of water, enough to cover one acre to a depth of one foot.

The final allocation was 50 percent in 2010, 40 percent in 2009, 35 percent in 2008, and 60 percent in 2007, DWR reported.

The last 100 percent allocation – difficult to achieve even in wet years due to pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered fish – was in 2006, according to DWR.

April rainfall was 167 percent of normal in the mountainous area between the American River and Lake Shasta that produces much of California’s water supply.  The April rainfall total in the San Joaquin River basin was 137 percent of average.

Water content in this year’s sparse mountain snowpack was only 55 percent of normal on April 1, the time of year it’s usually at its peak.

Reservoir storage has been the one consistent bright spot in the water supply picture this year.  Lake Oroville in Butte County, the SWP’s principal storage reservoir with a capacity of 3.5 million acre-feet, is 99 percent full (116 percent of average for the date).  

Lake Shasta north of Redding, the federal Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir with a capacity of 4.5 million acre-feet, is 97 percent full (110 percent of average for the date).

Electronic reservoir level readings may be found at http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/rescond.pdf .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Memorial Day holiday traditionally marks the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, when many Californians head out to picnics, barbecues, and outdoor events.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds those headed out on the road to buckle up, designate a driver, and eliminate distractions.

Memorial Day weekend is a Maximum Enforcement Period for the CHP. Officers will be out on the road looking for motorists who are a danger to themselves and others.

The Memorial Day holiday reporting period begins on Friday, May 25, at 6 p.m. and runs through Monday, May 28, at 11:59 p.m.

“If you are celebrating the Memorial Day holiday, we want you to have fun and be safe,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “If you get behind the wheel, make sure you buckle up and ensure your passengers do the same. Wearing your seat belt can save your life and the lives of those you love.”

Memorial Day weekend in 2011 saw a significant increase in the number of people killed in collisions.

According to CHP statistics, there were 24 deaths statewide, a 41 percent increase from the previous year, and 60 percent of those killed were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

There were 1,367 arrests for driving under the influence statewide in CHP jurisdiction during the holiday weekend.

The CHP’s holiday enforcement effort coincides with the 2012 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign, which continues nationwide through June 3.