CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) will host the Lake County Social Services and Wellness Fair on Monday, Aug. 4, in Clearlake Oaks.

The free public event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, 15900 E. Highway 20.

At the event, more than two dozen government and nonprofit agencies will be on hand to help residents learn what resources are available to help them.

Services available to seniors, families, children, veterans and jobseekers will be highlighted.

A Facebook page for the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/705467562858170/ .

For more information, contact Garamendi's office at 530-753-5301 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In another indicator of an improving economy, new data released this month show that foreclosures are continuing to edge down in Lake County, California and across the nation.

Irvine-based RealtyTrac issued its midyear foreclosure report, which showed that there were 613,874 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings – default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions – in the first half of 2014, which the company said is a 19-percent decrease from the previous six months and down 23 percent from the first half of 2013.

One of the report's key findings: June had 107,194 foreclosures, down 2 percent from the previous month and down 16 percent from a year ago. That's the lowest level since July 2006, before the housing price bubble burst.

“Nationwide foreclosure activity in June reached an important milestone, dropping to levels not seen since before the housing price bubble burst in August 2006,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. “Over the next six to nine months nationwide foreclosure numbers should start to flat line at consistent historically normal levels.

Blomquist said that there are still “concerning trends” in some states and local markets that indicate those areas are still facing impacts from the lingering foreclosure problem.

However, he added that foreclosures “are no longer a widespread contagion threatening to derail the housing market’s return to full health.”

In Lake County, the high foreclosure activity of the last several years has given way to lower numbers with fewer spikes.

Going back to July 2006, Lake County had an eight-year low of three foreclosure actions in December 2006, and a peak of 386 in April 2009, according to data provided to Lake County News by RealtyTrac.

Last month, foreclosures in Lake County numbered 75, down from 136 the previous June and an improvement compared to this year's peak of 120 in March.

The lowest foreclosure numbers in Lake County since the housing bubble burst were recorded in January 2013, when 43 foreclosure actions were reported, according to the statistics.

Lake County's numbers continue to slowly trend downward, but are still averaging more than three times the foreclosures reported monthly in 2006, the data showed.

Regarding foreclosures across California, RealtyTrac's report showed that bank repossessions were up by 18 percent over the previous June. Eleven other states also showed an increase in the year-over comparison for bank repossessions.

At the same time, California was among 17 states where the average time to foreclose decreased from a year ago. Among that group, Minnesota was down by 20 percent; Texas and Maryland both declined by 17 percent; Georgia, 11 percent; New York, 10 percent; and California, 7 percent.

RealtyTrac reported that nine states recorded overall foreclosure activity increases in the first half of 2014 compared to a year ago, including New Jersey, up 54 percent; Maryland, 18 percent; Iowa, 10 percent; Massachusetts, 4 percent; and Connecticut, 4 percent.

States with the highest foreclosure rates in the first half of 2014 were Florida, with one in 74 housing units with a foreclosure filing; Maryland, one in 107; Illinois, one in 123; New Jersey, one in 134; and Nevada, one in 138, RealtyTrac's report showed.

RealtyTrac also reported that the foreclosure process has continued to lengthen nationwide. Those properties foreclosed on in the second quarter of this year were in the process an average of 577 days, up 10 percent from 526 days in the second quarter of 2013.

More details about nationwide foreclosure statistics and trends are available at http://www.realtytrac.com/statsandtrends/foreclosuretrends/ .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a Clean Water Act settlement requiring the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and seven East Bay communities to conduct extensive system repairs aimed at eliminating millions of gallons of sewage discharges into San Francisco Bay.

Under Monday's agreement, EBMUD and the communities will assess and upgrade their 1,500 mile-long sewer system infrastructure over a 21-year period.

The work is expected to cost approximately $1.5 billion.

The entities will pay civil penalties of $1.5 million for past sewage discharges that violated federal environmental law.

Since 2009, EPA, state and local regulators and environmental groups have worked to reduce sewage discharges from East Bay communities.

During that period, interim actions required EBMUD and the East Bay communities to improve their sewer maintenance practices and gather information to identify priorities for investment.

The San Francisco Bay covers 1,600 square miles and is the largest Pacific estuary in the Americas, a host for millions of migratory birds and a hub of commerce and recreation for more than seven million Bay Area residents.

Unfortunately, the bay is under threat from many sources of pollution, including crumbling wastewater infrastructure that allows sewage to escape from the system.

During rainstorms, in particular, older sewer systems can be overwhelmed, releasing rivers of sewage before fully treated.

In addition to polluting waterways, raw and partially treated sewage can spread disease-causing organisms, metals, and nutrients that threaten public health. Sewage can also deplete oxygen in the bay, threatening fish, seals and other wildlife.

“For many years, the health of San Francisco Bay has been imperiled by ongoing pollution, including enormous discharges of raw and partially treated sewage from communities in the East Bay,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Many of these discharges are the result of aging, deteriorated sewer infrastructure that will be fixed under the EPA order.”

The settlement is the result of a Clean Water Act enforcement action brought by the EPA, U.S. Department of Justice, State Water Resources Control Board, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board, San Francisco Baykeeper and Our Children’s Earth Foundation.

“This settlement will result in major reductions of sewage discharges into the San Francisco Bay,” said W. Benjamin Fisherow, chief of Environmental Enforcement in the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.  “These improvements will help reach our goal of eliminating pollution in the neighborhoods in these cities and in the bay so that citizens may rest assured that they reside in a safe, clean environment.”

The seven East Bay communities in the EBMUD settlement are the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland and Piedmont, and the Stege Sanitary District, serving El Cerrito, Kensington and a portion of Richmond.

“The public has been required to repair their own sewer laterals for over two years now, so it is past time that the local agencies aggressively repair their sewer systems,” said Bruce Wolfe, executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board. “This settlement spells out how the agencies will work with the public over the next 21 years to do just that and protect the bay.”

“Baykeeper will be watching the progress of these repairs closely to ensure that pollution of San Francisco Bay is reduced and eventually eliminated, and we will take action if the repairs fall short,” said Baykeeper Executive Director Deb Self.

On an annual basis, hundreds of millions of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage are discharged directly to San Francisco Bay.

Also, as much as 600,000 gallons of raw sewage from community sewer systems is first discharged onto streets and other public areas – through outlets such as manhole covers – before it drains to the bay.

As part of the agreement, EBMUD and the seven communities will repair and rehabilitate old and cracked sewer pipes; regularly clean and inspect sewer pipes to prevent overflows of raw sewage; identify and eliminate illegal sewer connections; continue to enforce private sewer lateral ordinances; and ensure proactive renewal of existing sanitary sewer infrastructure.

EBMUD will also immediately begin work to offset the environmental harm caused by the sewage discharges, which are expected to continue until these sewer upgrades are completed, by capturing and treating urban runoff and contaminated water that currently flows to the bay untreated during dry weather.

Keeping raw sewage and contaminated storm water out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives.

The proposed settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

Read the settlement at http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html .

Learn more about EPA’s national wastewater enforcement initiative at http://go.usa.gov/5pak .

EPA is working to restore San Francisco Bay; learn more at http://www2.epa.gov/sfbay-delta .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport is reminding residents that it will host its second annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Natural High School site, located at 800 N. Main St.

Special events will include a youth game area and a raffle for two children’s bikes with helmets. In order to eligible for the bike raffle, kids will need to check in at the Lakeport Police Drug Education Booth.

Citizens are encouraged to take this opportunity to meet and greet city council members, city staff and local public safety personnel, as well as McGruff the Crime Dog and Chipper from the California Highway Patrol.

The Lakeport Kiwanis will be grilling hot dogs which will be available to the first 200 people who attend the event.  

The city of Lakeport also will provide watermelon and Lake County News will supply cold bottled water.

The city would like to thank the following sponsors for their contributions to this event: Grocery Outlet, providing hot dogs, buns and condiments; Lake County News, event advertising and bottled water; Pak ‘N Mail, donation of two beautiful banners to publicize National Night Out this year and in years to come; St. Mary Immaculate Church, use of tables and chairs for the event; Main Street Bicycles, generous discount on bicycle helmets; and UCC Rentals, discount on popcorn machine.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Charges have been filed against a Lakeport couple arrested last week for felony unlawful corporal injury to a child.

Charles Anthony Dougherty, 31, and Jennifer Lynn Elsa, 32, were arrested last Thursday for allegedly striking and injuring Dougherty's 5-year-old daughter on the evening of July 4, as Lake County News has reported.

The Lakeport Police Department, whose officers took the couple into custody, reported late Monday night that the District Attorney's Office has filed charges against Dougherty and Elsa.

The felony charges against them include willfully and unlawfully inflicting cruel and inhuman corporal punishment and injury, resulting in a traumatic condition, upon a child, police said.

Additionally, Dougherty was charged with one count of “under circumstances and conditions other than those likely to produce great bodily harm and death, willfully and unlawfully inflicting on a child of 5 years, unjustifiable physical pain and mental suffering and injure, cause and permit said child to suffer,” the Lakeport Police Department reported.

The agency thanked its officers and the District Attorney's Office staff for their work on this investigation.

Dougherty and Elsa remained in custody on Monday day, with bail for each set at $75,000, jail records indicated.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State wildlife officials are proposing to list a minnow native to Clear Lake that once was a Pomo food staple as a “threatened” species under the California Endangered Species Act, with a potential decision coming as soon as next week.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife completed its status review of the Clear Lake hitch and is recommending the listing, which it believes is warranted.

At its June 4 meeting in Fortuna, the California Fish and Game Commission formally accepted the Department of Fish and Wildlife's status review on the hitch for consideration.

The commission is expected to make the final decision on the listing at its two-day meeting which takes place Wednesday, Aug. 6, in San Diego.

In his memo to the Fish and Game Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham wrote, “It is the Department's recommendation that Clear Lake hitch is likely to become an endangered species in the foreseeable future in the absence of the protections and management efforts required by CESA (California Endangered Species Act), and the petitioned action is warranted.”

The report can be found at http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2014/aug/080614docs.aspx .

The agency's status review finds that threats to the hitch's continued existence include present or threatened modification or destruction of habitat, as well as predation and competition with non-native fishes, among them sports fish like black bass, sunfish and catfish which are known to prey on the hitch in all of its life stages.

“There is no scientific information indicating other factors, such as overexploitation, disease, and other natural occurrences or human-related activities, are threats to the continued existence of the species,” the report said.

Management actions needed to improve the likelihood of the hitch's survival include a scientifically valid population estimate or index; a thorough assessment of barriers to fish movement on primary spawning streams; an analysis of spawning habitat in primary spawning streams and recommendations for restoration actions; a review of reservoir operations at Highland Springs, Adobe Creek and Kelsey Creek detention dams to assess water release operations that may be impacting hitch; and development and implementation of guidelines for minimizing impacts and, other specific actions that could improve the hitch's status, according to the report.

In September 2012, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to protect the hitch under both the federal Endangered Species Act and the state’s Endangered Species Act, as Lake County News has reported.

In March 2013, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 2-1 to designate the hitch as a candidates species for California Endangered Species Act protection.

Jeff Miller of the Center of Biological Diversity said the US Fish & Wildlife Service still has not responded to the federal petition for the hitch.

Miller said the organization was happy with the scientists used for the state's peer review. “We trusted they would have good comments and suggestions,” he said, adding, “It looks like they did.”

While they're pleased with the review, the Center for Biological Diversity is going to recommend that the Fish and Game Commission consider endangered – rather than threatened – status for the hitch due to the low spawning numbers in the last few years.

The organization will make the pitch for the endangered listing at the San Diego meeting Aug. 6, Miller said.

“Practically, there's not a lot of difference between the threatened and endangered listing,” he said, with threatened status offering more exemptions.

Hitch are facing huge challenges, he said. Those challenges include 92 percent of the fish's historical migration paths now being blocked by obstacles, meaning they're only able to access a fraction of their former habitats, a factor pointed out in the Department of Fish and Wildlife report.

That, said Miller, leads to concerns about inbreeding, besides the impacts on the fish from low stream flow due to critically dry years like this one. And more dry years can be expected due to climate change, Miller said.

Changes to the environment caused the dieout of the Clear Lake splittail, which spawned later and had to stay in streams longer, Miller said. The Department of Fish and Wildlife report said the Clear Lake splittail was last recorded in 1972.

One of the biggest questions that remains about the hitch's possible listing relates to the potential impacts on the Lake County economy and overall water use.

One area where changes should be minimized relates to tribal harvest, which the listing petition recommends be allowed to continue as long as there is a sustainable plan.

Miller said he's been working with Lake County tribes in the petition process – he approached them for input long before submitting the petitions – and said he will continue to advocate for tribal harvest.

“That culture component shouldn’t be sacrificed,” he said, pointing out that the tribes already are voluntarily limiting harvests.

He added of the tribes, “They’re doing a lot of the science and research of what’s going on with this fish.”

Sarah Ryan, environmental director for Big Valley Rancheria, said the Big Valley tribe still does limited hitch harvest under a collection permit for scientific uses, with the allowance of using them for whatever purpose afterwards. Those harvests, however, have been cut back a lot because of the low fish numbers, she said.

There also appears to be no anticipated impact for the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, which holds the rights to Clear Lake's water.

General Manager Tim O'Halloran said the district investigated the potential listings and the conclusion was that there would not be much impact on its operations.

“It seemed like most of the focus was on the upstream tributaries,” O'Halloran said.

Miller said the process for any resulting hitch listing will follow those used with other fish listings. “We’re not going to be reinventing the wheel here.”

He said there will be a regulatory overview of water diversions, with scrutiny placed on illegal or unpermitted diversions.

For those legally taking water from streams or Clear Lake, they'll have to consider the impact on the hitch, he said, with potential impacts on pumping practices.

“The sky is not going to fall because of this but I do think it’s going to mean some changes in water use and diversion,” he said.

Miller suggested that changes to water use can be made up in efficiency, water conservation, recycling and other opportunities to keep water in local streams.

“None of that is going to happen right away,” Miller said.

He added that he doesn’t think it will be as draconian as people think it will be.

Greg Giusti, director of the University of California Cooperative Extension for Lake and Mendocino counties, was one of the peer reviewers on the original draft of the Department of Fish and Wildlife study of the hitch.

He said he won't be attending the Aug. 6 meeting in San Diego, noting it would not be appropriate for him to take an advocacy position on the matter.

As for what potential impacts he foresees coming from a possible listing, Giusti said that it's just conjecture at this point.

He said he's had several phone conversations and meetings with Department of Fish and Wildlife officials to discuss possible outcomes of a listing, and has shared that information with county planning and water officials.

While nothing has been determined, “Certainly many of us have been thinking of options and approaches for nearly a year now,” he said.

Giusti suggested that any California Environmental Quality Act-compliant projects near streams could be affected.

A listing also could potentially affect water users who draw directly from creeks during the spawning seasons. Giusti said the county may have to develop “hitch specific” guidelines and regulatory pathways to afford land owners the ability to seek “incidental take” permits under the Environmental Species Act.

“Again, I’m simply sharing ‘what ifs,' but one thing is very certain, it will not be business as usual,” Giusti said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

The California Highway Patrol is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., or CALEA, for its communications operations.

“The communication centers are the front lines of public safety and service, our dispatchers working in these facilities are fielding the vast majority of wireless 9-1-1 calls in the state,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “The accreditation process for our communications unit is another excellent opportunity for the public to provide feedback about our operations as we continue to promote transparency and accountability while striving to improve our organization.”

Participation in the CALEA accreditation program is a voluntary process, yet a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence.

To obtain initial accreditation, agencies are required to undergo a thorough assessment process.

Verification by an assessment team from other states will ensure the CHP meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards.

As part of its bid for accreditation, members of the public are invited to offer comments to the CALEA assessment team via telephone.

A public call-in period will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Members of the public wishing to comment may call 916-843-3325, during this time period.

Comments should be limited to the department’s ability to comply with CALEA standards and focus on its communications functions.

A copy of the standards will be made available at the CHP Headquarters, 601 North 7th St., Sacramento, CA 95811.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the CHP’s ability to meet the accreditation standards may write to CALEA, at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainsville, VA 20155.

Accreditation of CHP’s public safety communications function follows the department’s accreditation in November 2010 and reaccreditation in 2013.

In addition, last year, the CHP Academy became the first accredited state police training academy in the nation.

Established in 1979, CALEA’s accreditation program improves the delivery of public safety services and recognizes professional excellence.

For more information about CALEA, visit http://www.calea.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – It’s on! Local organizations and individuals are ready to battle for bragging rights Saturday, Aug. 2, at the fifth annual “Grillin’ on the Green” fundraiser at Westside Community Park.

Tickets are still available for the 5 to 8 p.m. event and may be purchased in advance at Polestar Computers in Kelseyville and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Bicycles and Lake Event Design, all in Lakeport.

Additionally, people may call Cindy Ustrud,707-263-7091, or Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969, for tickets or information.

Ticket prices for the event are $25 per adult, $10 per child 12 years old or younger, and no charge for children 2 years old or younger. Tickets will also be sold at the function.

“Come out and join us for a fun evening in the park. Dance. Eat. Play – all while helping us raise funds to continue developing the park,” said Rollins, chair of the Westside Community Park Committee.

Mike Adams will be this year’s master of ceremonies.

Children’s activities including a bounce house and water slide are planned, and the whole family will enjoy musical entertainment by the LC Diamonds, said Rollins. Classic cars will be on display by local car clubs.

Participating cook-off teams this year include the Lakeport Kiwanis Club, Delta Iota Tau Sorority, the Cowgirls Consignment sponsored by the Lakeport Lions, the Early Lake Lions, the Clear Lake High School Sports Foundation and Lakeport Fire Department Volunteers, Still Smokin and Q-n, the City of Lakeport, team “JQ,” Adam Bruch, Pat Lambert/Farmers Insurance, and the Rotary Servers.

Attendees enjoy a full dinner with fixings to accompany the barbecue dishes, said Rollins. Past years’ Grillin’ attendees have called the fare the “best barbecue around,” he added.

Salads, beans, desserts and beverages will be provided by Lakeview Market, Ruzicka Associates, Main Street Bicycles, and the Lakeport English Inn. Snow cones will be available from Marta and Domingo Avillea.

Information about the event can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org, or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page.

This year’s major sponsors are the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, which is pledging matching funds up to $5,000, and Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

Additional sponsors include the Ustrud-Rollins Family, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Brian Grey, DDS, MDS, Dr. Alexander McGeoch, DDS, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center, Kathy Fowler Chevrolet, Susie LaPointe, Margaret Silveira, Jon and Annette Hopkins, Mendo Lake Credit Union, William C. Kranz, Attorney at Law, and Polestar Computers.

In-kind contributions have been made by Lake County News, KNTI radio, the Lake County Record-Bee, Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, S2 Tutoring & PR, Lake Event Design and Kelseyville High School.

Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000. Sponsors will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event.

The Grillin’ on the Green committee of volunteers includes Rollins, Cindy Ustrud, Wilda Shock, Beth Havrilla, Alice Holmes, Sue Stout, Tami Cramer, Val Schweifler and Jessica Kelley.

Westside Community Park, located at 1401 Westside Park Road, is a city of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development for 15 years and includes soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, a horseshoe area and dog park.

The nonprofit Park Committee is developing the park in conjunction with the City of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake has awarded the contract for its Olympic Drive/Old Highway 53 street maintenance project.

Knife River Construction of Chico received the contract, which totals $322,667.

Construction is scheduled to begin on Olympic Drive on Wednesday, Aug. 6, with an anticipated completion date of Tuesday, Aug. 12.

City Engineer Bob Galusha said the project consists of digging out by grinding failed sections of Olympic Drive between Mattioda Street and Lakeshore Drive and replacing with new asphalt concrete.

During the grinding and asphalt paving operations traffic will be reduced to one lane and controlled by a flagman.

Driveway access will be limited while the grinding and paving operations are being conducted and parking will be prohibited along the roadway.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes during the construction project.

Concurrently with Olympic Drive, the contractor will be performing work on Old Highway 53 from Olympic Drive to Highway 53 to the north, Galusha said.

Work also is expected to begin on Aug. 6, with an anticipated completion date of Wednesday, Aug. 13.
 
Galusha said an asphalt overlay will placed along the edge of the new asphalt paving. New asphalt tie-ins will be made to the existing asphalt and gravel driveways along Old Highway 53 as well.

During the overlay and shoulder backing work, traffic will be reduced on Old Highway 53 to one lane and controlled by a flagman, he said. Driveway access will be limited during construction and parking along the roadway will be prohibited.

Electronic message boards will be placed in advance of the project to advise motorists of the street construction project and traffic restrictions that will be in place during construction, he said.

Galusha said following the two local projects an additional Highway Safety Improvement Project will be awarded in late July to permanently restripe those roads using highly-reflective thermo plastic striping on both the centerline and edge lines.

Pavement reflectors will be placed on the centerline for improved visibility and roadway delineation during the night hours and inclement weather, Galusha said.

He said this work is scheduled for later in August or early September.

Questions regarding the projects should be directed to Public Works Director Doug Herren at 707-994-8201, Extension 102.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Officials have issued a boil water notice for parts of Clearlake Oaks following a water main break.

The California Department of Public Health, the Lake County Health Department and Clearlake Oaks County Water District on Tuesday advised residents on or near Orchard Shores Sub Division, Lake Village Estates, Jenson Road, Sulphur Bank Rd, Elem Indian Colony and 13537 E. Highway 20 to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution.

Officials caution residents in those areas not to drink the water without boiling it first.

Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water, the notice urged. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

An alternative method of disinfection the district suggested for residents who are not able to boil their water is to use fresh, unscented, liquid household bleach.

To do so, add eight drops (or one-eighth of a teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of clear water or 16 drops (or one-quarter teaspoon) per gallon of cloudy water, mix thoroughly, and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before using.  

A chlorine-like taste and odor will result from this disinfection procedure and is an indication that adequate disinfection has taken place.

Water disinfection tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Officials said they will inform residents when tests show that water is safe to drink and boiling water is no longer necessary.

The problem is anticipated to be resolved within 48 hours, officials said.

For additional information, the district can be reached at 707-998-3322 or at http://www.clocwd.org/ .

Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are warning motorists statewide that the CHP is conducting maximum enforcement of traffic laws in active construction zones as part of a public safety campaign focused on work zone safety.

As part of this campaign, Caltrans will activate its electronic highway message signs in active construction and maintenance work zones around the state to display the following warning: “Workers ahead, CHP on patrol, max enforcement.”

“This is about protecting the safety of California’s motorists and the men and women working along the state’s highways,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Using our highway message signs and increasing CHP’s presence around these areas, we are reminding California drivers to do their part in reducing collisions and hazardous conditions in these work zones.”

Currently, there are more than 700 active projects under way worth more than $11 billion.

As part of the maximum enforcement effort, the CHP will have their patrol officers increase the time spent patrolling active work zones in their areas, while also conducting proactive enforcement efforts.

Drivers should be aware that any traffic infraction committed within a construction work zone will result in a doubling of the usual fine.

“Through a combination of education and enforcement our goal is to provide the safest environment possible for highway workers,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Motorists are reminded to reduce their speed, watch for highway workers and safely move over a lane when passing work crews. These simple actions can mean the difference between life and death.”

“Without a doubt, working on a highway construction project is a dangerous job,” said Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), chair of the Assembly Committee on Transportation. “For the millions of drivers on our roads each day, these signs will get the message across loud and clear – a little extra vigilance can save a life.”

"Highway workers are doing their part to make our roadways safe and reliable for everyone," said Director Rhonda Craft of the Office of Traffic Safety. "We need to do our part by slowing down and using extra caution around active work zones."

The enforcement message will be displayed through Aug. 1 and from Sept. 23 to 25 on any electronic highway message signs within five miles in advance of active construction work zones.

The enforcement message will be activated when there are no critical emergency or traffic safety messages or Amber Alerts.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters are predicting that the coming week will bring with it more hot temperatures that are expected to hit the century mark mid-week.

The National Weather Service's forecast for the week ahead shows average daytime temperatures around the county hovering in the high 90s and nighttime temperatures in the low to mid 60s, with some light winds anticipated.

The forecast expects that Tuesday and Wednesday could both hit the century mark in the Clearlake area, with Wednesday likely to see temperatures at 100 degrees or just above in other parts of the county.

One thing there is little of in the coming week's forecast – rain.

The week is expected to have clear days and nights, although the Middletown area's forecast calls for a 10-percent chance of showers on Monday night, with partly cloudy conditions also forecast for other parts of the county on Monday evening.

The latest US Drought Monitor report says little or no precipitation is expected throughout California early this week.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.