NORTH COAST, Calif. – The March for Women in Ukiah will take place on Saturday, Jan. 21, at noon.
The march will start from Alex Thomas Plaza, 310 S. State St.
The group will hear talks, poems, songs and inspirational music and march to the Courthouse. Bring instruments, signs and walking shoes.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1394236220600234/ .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A new sales tax Lakeport voters approved in the fall will be implemented beginning in April.
On Nov. 8, Lakeport residents voted to enact Measure Z, a one-percent increase to the local sales and use tax.
Measure Z, which will go into the general fund, required a simple majority vote to pass. It received a 61.9-percent yes vote, with 38.1 percent of voters opposing it.
City officials said the new tax is slated to take effect April 1, at which time, the sales tax for taxable items purchased in the city of Lakeport will rise to 8.75 percent.
Currently, the sales tax in the city of Lakeport is 7.75 percent, which reflects a drop in the state sales and use tax rate of one quarter of one percent, effective Jan. 1.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Art Center presents a pairing of reading, writing and spoken word with the new series, “Poets Read, Poets Write” on Jan. 14, 7 to 9 p.m., and Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Poets share their artistic process and the product of their work revealing the path from creative impulse to completed poem.
Both events feature Clive Matson, lifelong poet and author of the acclaimed “Let The Crazy Child Write!,” along with multiple books of poetry.
Matson has taught creative writing workshops since 1978, centered on his unique Crazy Child method, leading the East Bay Express to laud him as Best Writing Teacher In The East Bay in 2006.
He teaches using 40 years of watching writers blossom with a vibrant intensity they find within themselves, a creative talent they have possessed all along, using the Let the Crazy Child Write! (1998) method from the text of the same name.
Today he spends his time on the sequel, “Writing Your Way In.”
The two-day MAC event begins with a free poetry reading on Saturday, Jan. 14, 7 to 9 p.m., featuring Lake County Poet Laureate Julie Adams along with Matson, Heather Kipnis and Linda Miller reading in a round robin format.
The Writers’ Workshop follows at the MAC on Sunday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Requested donation is $50 or any amount. All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged. This workshop is monthly through May.
Proceeds from the reading help support the Middletown Art Center, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring every child and adult to express themselves and grow through the arts and arts exposure. MAC is committed to contributing to the local economy and sustainability of our community. Join us in supporting the South Lake County writing and art scene!
MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in the heart of Middletown. Visit www.middletownartcenter.org to learn more about exhibitions, classes, events, volunteer opportunities and membership.
MAC is a project of EcoArts of Lake County a nonprofit 501c3. All donations to MAC are tax-deductible.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will host free guided hikes to look for wintering bald eagles in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Lake County on Saturdays, beginning Jan. 21 and continuing through Feb. 18.
Those interested in participating should reserve space for a specific date by calling the BLM Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
Early reservations are requested for the popular hikes, which are limited to 25 participants each and fill quickly.
Participants will meet at the Redbud Trailhead parking area, eight miles east of Clearlake Oaks on Highway 20 at 10 am. The trailhead is just west of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge (38° 59' 13.20" N, 122° 32' 22.50" W).
Hikers are advised that the Redbud trail is in an area which was burned during the 2015 Rocky fire.
The five-mile hikes last about four hours. The trail includes a steep 600-foot climb in the first mile, so hikers should be in good physical condition and sure-footed.
Hikers should wear sturdy hiking boots suitable for wet conditions and dress for cold weather. They should carry water, a lunch and binoculars, as most eagle sightings are from a distance.
Additional information is available from the Ukiah Field Office.
AccuWeather reports following snow and cold in 49 states during the first 10 days of January, cold air will retreat in parts of the United States but hold on with stormy consequences in others for the rest of the month.
The upcoming pattern for the remainder of the month will have some people in the South shedding winter coats, while others in the northern tier will be changing up their outerwear on a daily basis.
In many parts of the nation, early January lived up to its wintry reputation.
Temperatures plummeted to minus 30 F with AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures as low as minus 40 in parts of Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. Actual temperatures plunged to nearly minus 50 in parts of Colorado.
Northern California was hit with drought-busting rain and flooding, while yards of snow buried the high country of the Sierra Nevada, Cascades and Rockies.
At one point this past weekend, snow was on the ground and freezing temperatures existed in every state except Florida, thanks to a snowstorm that swept from the Northwest to the Southern states and then to the coastal Northeast.
Arctic air will sound the retreat in much of the southern half of the nation during the middle of the month. Highs most days in Atlanta will be in the 60s. The normal high is in the lower 50s.
"The main branch of the jet stream will retreat to near the border of Canada and the U.S.," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
The jet stream is a high-speed river of air at the level in the atmosphere where jet aircraft cruise. South of the jet stream, the weather is generally warm. North of the jet stream, the weather is generally cold.
"There will still be some dips in the jet stream, which will allow pockets of arctic cold air to periodically sink southward into parts of the nation, including across the Upper Midwest and Northeast," Anderson said.
During the middle 10 days of January, highs in Chicago will generally range from the 20s to the 40s. In New York City, highs most days will be in the 30s and 40s with an exception here and there. For both cities, it will neither be bitterly cold nor warm for very long. Normal highs are near freezing in Chicago and in the upper 30s for New York City.
Sometimes, where the boundary of cold versus mild air sets up, episodes of snow, ice and rain can occur.
One such weather battlefield will set up from the southern Plains to portions of the Midwest and the Northeast from late this week into early next week.
In the Southwest, a storm will manufacture cold air and unleash wintry precipitation for a time during the middle of the month.
The formation of the storm over the interior Southwest will allow the weather to dry out for several days for weather-weary areas of California, Oregon and Nevada.
Around Los Angeles, high temperatures during the balance of the month will generally range from the middle 60s to the lower 70s, or within a few degrees of average. Likewise, in Seattle, highs will trend to near average, which is in the 40s.
The overall pattern first appears to be mild for much of the nation during the latter part of the month, unless the polar vortex comes into play.
"There are some indications that the polar vortex may weaken enough to allow a southward discharge of arctic air prior to the end of the month," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.
"Even in cases when there is certainty about the weakening of the polar vortex, you never know for sure where the discharge of cold air will be directed, such as western versus eastern U.S.," Pastelok said.
If the polar vortex remains strong, then it will keep the arctic air locked up in the Arctic and more places in the lower 48 states may trend warmer rather than colder late in the month.
"We believe the eastern part of the U.S. will trend colder and stormier again toward the end of the month, but the question is how much," Pastelok said.
Alex Sosnowski is a senior meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com .
The U.S. Postal Service’s new Love Skywriting Forever stamp image was replicated by a skywriting pilot linked to iconic aviator Charles Lindbergh at at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino.
This new stamp is a cheerful and romantic continuation of the U.S. Postal Service’s Love stamp series.
The Love Skywriting stamp will add a romantic touch to letters and cards, not only on Valentine’s Day, but all year round.
The stamp art depicts the word “Love” written in white cursive script against a blue sky with wispy clouds and the edges of the letters just beginning to blur.
Underlining the word is a decorative swirl of smoke that emphasizes the message. A small, stylized plane, dwarfed by the giant letters, completes the end of the swirl, with smoke trailing from its tail.
Notice of release of RFP
The county of Lake is requesting proposals to prepare grant applications and a comprehensive strategic plan for selecting and funding priority projects using CDBG 2016 Valley Wildfire Disaster Recovery Funding.
The RFP opened Jan. 6, 2017, and closes Jan. 27, 2017, at 4 p.m.
Contact Stephen Carter at 707-263-2580 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Innovation solutions to everyday problems is strongly encouraged at Caltrans.
In the San Diego area – innovation was disguised as a herd of goats.
Caltrans used the National Fire Prevention Association’s fire prevention week (Oct. 9-15) for a pilot program to use goats to remove brush.
The steepness of the slope at Interstate 8 and Puetz Valley Road in Alpine poses a risk of injury for human workers. Goats are sure-footed for this kind of terrain.
The goats were also used as part of an Integrated Vegetation Management Program with hydro-seed to compete against weeds and promote the growth of native vegetation. This approach lessens soil erosion and reduces the need for herbicides.
In the Caltrans News Flash above, spokesman Hayden Manning speaks with Johnny Gonzalez, the proprietor of Environmental Land Management, who explains the advantages of using goats to remove non-native vegetation and create fire breaks.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With a break in the weather arriving on Wednesday, some local roadways that had been closed because of the rain and flooding were reopened, while some others are to remain closed due to needed repairs or persistent high water levels.
On Wednesday, Highway 175 between Cobb and Middletown reopened, although a portion of it from 2.8 miles east to 7.8 miles east of the junction of Highway 29 was under traffic control due to downed power lines, according to Caltrans.
In Lakeport, the receding waters allowed the Lakeport Public Works Department to reopen Martin Street from Russell Street to Forbes Street.
The following road closure information, updated as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, is compiled from agencies including the California Highway Patrol, Lakeport Police Department, Lake County Public Works, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and the Napa County Sheriff's Office.
LAKE COUNTY
CLEARLAKE OAKS
Twin Valley Road: Closed due to mudslide.
COBB
Big Canyon Road: Closed from Ettawa Springs Road to Harbin Road due to multiple mudslides.
Socrates Mine Road: Road slip out at MPM 3.8. Down to one lane in this area.
LAKEPORT
Highland Springs Road: Flooding across the roadway in multiple locations from Highway 29 to Merritt Road.
Hill Road: Closed between the Sutter Lakeside Hospital entrance and Lakeshore Boulevard due to mudslides across the roadway.
Mathews Road: Mathews Road is closed at Highway 175 due to a bridge replacement project.
Scotts Valley Road: Closed from Hendricks Road to Highway 20 due to flooding.
UPPER LAKE
Bartlett Springs Road: Four-wheel drive recommended.
Elk Mountain Road: Roadway closed at mile post marker 29.6 due to road washout. No estimate of when road will be reopened.
Elk Mountain Road: Four-wheel drive recommended from Upper Lake to Lake Pillsbury.
Laurel Dell Road: Closed at Mid Lake Road due to flooding.
Scotts Valley Road: Closed from Hendricks Road to Highway 20 due to flooding.
Witter Springs Road: Closed due to flooding.
NAPA COUNTY
Diamond Mountain Road: Closed 1.5 miles west of Highway 29 due to down power line. PG&E has been notified.
Highway 121: Closed at Wooden Valley Road due to a downed tree.
Reopened: Silverado Trail from Dunaweal Road to Larkmead Road, Lodi Lane and Oakville Cross Road.
State Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced a new bill to incorporate media literacy education into school curriculums.
Media literacy is the ability to analyze and evaluate information consumed from various media outlets such as Web sites, social networking sites, television and radio.
Adolescents can spend up to nine hours a day absorbing media from these various sources.
“The rise of fake and misleading news is deeply concerning. Even more concerning is the lack of education provided to ensure people can distinguish what is fact and what’s not,” said Dodd. “Through new technology news has never been more readily available. However, the quality of that information varies widely. By giving students the proper tools to analyze the media they consume, we can empower them to make informed decisions.”
The prevalence of fake news garnered national attention in the recent election, where in the final months of the presidential campaign, false and misleading stories from hoax Web sites outperformed actual news stories in terms of social media engagement.
This flood of information can make it difficult for the public to differentiate between reputable news sources and false or misleading claims, Dodd's office said.
The practice of advertisements masquerading as news has also seen an increase in recent years. A recent Stanford study found that 82 percent of middle school students struggled to distinguish advertisements from news stories.
Under Dodd’s legislation, the California Board of Education’s Instructional Quality Commission will be responsible for developing the framework for incorporating media literacy into school curriculums.
The legislation will also see that media literacy training opportunities are made available for teachers in California.
The bill should receive its first committee hearing within the next couple of months.
Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. He previously represented Lake County in the State Assembly.
Visit his Web site at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd .
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Jan. 21 field trip hosted by the Redbud Audubon Society will be to the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge and the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge in the Sacramento Valley.
Carpooling is available. Participants leave Lower Lake around 8 a.m. and meet on the east end of the Main Street to park in a place that won’t interfere with merchants in town.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to view a wide variety of migrating wildfowl with expert Audubon birders.
For more information and to make reservations, contact Pat Harmon at 707-263-4977.
Information about the Redbud Audubon Society also is available at www.redbudaudubon.org .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's sandbag supply is starting to be replenished as a break in the weather arrives.
Many local businesses continue to offer for sale sandbags, sand or both.
This list below, compiled by Lake County News, includes locations where sand, sandbags or both are available. In some cases, where they are out of sandbags, we have included information on when more are due to arrive.
Mendo Mill in Lakeport reported on Wednesday that they had received a large shipment of 1,000 sandbags, which are sold for $0.67 each or $11.99 for a pack of 25.
The list is being updated as new information is received. If we've missed something, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or message us on Facebook, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY SANDBAG REPORT
As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11.
CLEARLAKE
City of Clearlake Corporation Yard, next to Pierce Field airport
(Access off of Old Highway 53, between storage and Valley Glass)
Sand available, no sandbags.
Four Corners Builders Supply
14975 Olympic Drive
Telephone: 707-994-6277
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Out of sandbags as of Monday; reordering, more expected to arrive by Thursday.
Mendo Mill, Clearlake
5255 Old Highway 53
Telephone: 707-994-1014
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
New shipment of sandbags have arrived; the bags cost $0.67 each or $11.99 for a pack of 25.
Sand available in $60 pound bags for $3 to $4 per bag.
CLEARLAKE OAKS
Clearlake Lava
14572 E. Highway 20
Telephone: 707-998-1115
Hours: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Sand only; cost is $14/yard
KELSEYVILLE
Kelseyville Lumber
3555 N. Main St.
Telephone: 707-279-4297
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Both sand and sandbags available.
Eight new pallets of filled sandbags arrived on Tuesday, selling for $2.98 each.
There is still plenty of sand and empty bags for those who want to fill the bags themselves; to fill your own sandbag, the cost is $1.49 each.
LAKEPORT
Mendo Mill, Lakeport
2465 S. Main St.
Telephone: 707-263-8400
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
New shipment of 1,000 sandbags received on Wednesday. The bags cost $0.67 each or $11.99 for a pack of 25.
No sand.
Rainbow Agricultural Services
1975 Argonaut Road, Lakeport
Telephone: 707-279-0550
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Plastic bags: $0.49 each.
No sand.
RB Peters
78 Soda Bay Road
Telephone: 707-263-3678
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Sand only: $35/yard or $1/five-gallon bucket
MIDDLETOWN
Hardesters
21088 Calistoga St.
Telephone: 707-987-2325
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Sunday
Out of utility sand, has bags of play sand left for $5.49 per 50 pound bag.
Out of sandbags; more ordered and will arrive on Thursday afternoon.
NICE
Lake Builders Supply
3694 E. Highway 20
Telephone: 707-274-6607
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Limited amounts of “play sand” left; 50 pound bag – $6, 100 pound bag – $12.49.
Out of sandbags; no estimate of when more will be available.
Responsible local journalism on the shores of Clear Lake.
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