Thanks to California’s big game hunters, wildlife biologists studying desert bighorn sheep will have new technology and tools to help them study deadly diseases that affect these icons of the desert.

In 2013, desert bighorn sheep populations in the Mojave Desert near Old Dad Peak suffered a die-off.

In an effort to learn more about the spread of disease and survival, scientists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mojave National Preserve and Oregon State University launched an ongoing joint study of adult sheep.

They have captured and radio-collared about 150 adults to date, but important data about lamb mortality is still missing.

Now, in the third year of the study, a grant will enable researchers to collect the data that will unlock the mystery.

Beginning this winter, scientists will capture and radio collar bighorn ewes. As they are captured, ultrasounds will be conducted, and ewes that are found to be pregnant will be implanted with special vaginal implant transmitters, the purchase of which will be funded by the $190,000 grant.

When the lamb is subsequently born, the transmitter will be pushed out and send an alert signal. Project researchers can then go to the birth site and put a miniature radio transmitter on the lamb.

If the lamb subsequently dies, a mortality signal will be transmitted and the body will be recovered by researchers quickly enough to pinpoint the cause of death.

This real-time information gathering technique will hopefully provide answers to the mystery behind unexplained bighorn mortality – why the 2013 disease outbreak was so widespread, what factors contributed to the spread of the disease and what management efforts can be instituted to help prevent future outbreaks.

Spearheaded by the nonprofit California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation and Oregon State University, the study will greatly benefit from the addition of the new technology, made possible by the purchase of big game tags by California hunters. 

It is one of many project funded by the Big Game Grants Program, which allots about $800,000 each year to support studies such as this one.

Joint projects are particularly critical to fund, because they help target wildlife management issues which are often beyond the normal scope of CDFW manpower, expertise or financing.

“Funds in the Big Game Grants Program support a wide range of wildlife studies and projects,” said Craig Stowers, CDFW Big Game Program manager. “We have a responsibility to see that the funding generated by hunters goes toward preserving wildlife populations. This sheep study is a great example of how hunters play a role in solving complicated and challenging research needs.”

This new phase of study is hoped to produce critical information unavailable until now.

“The desert environment is harsh and expansive. Until now, it’s been almost impossible to find and collect dead lambs in a timely manner, which is necessary in order to determine the cause of mortality,” said Daniella Dekelaita, a doctoral student and researcher at Oregon State University. “We know there have been significant lamb losses in some herds and this will give us accurate and timely information on what was the cause.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In an effort to aid those displaced by the ongoing Clayton wildfire in Northern California, U.S. Cellular will offer free powerpacks and chargers to community members.

At local U.S. Cellular stores, anyone can receive a free charger, make a phone call, charge their mobile device and access the Internet.

Locations include: 
 
– Ukiah: 1232 Airport Blvd. and 1393 N State St.
– Clearlake: 14896 Olympic Drive.
– Lakeport: 365 Lakeport Blvd.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Clayton fire is on its way to being contained, the air is clearing and the Health and Wellness Fair, sponsored by Friends of Clear Lake State Park, will be held this Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. across from the Visitor Center within the park.

Come and relax in beautiful Clear Lake State Park, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the shade of the big trees, and browse the booths of varied businesses and organizations such as Main Street Bicycles, Zumba by Ani Soto, Senior Center, REACH, Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, Hunger Task Force and more.

Best of all, admission is free to those attending, so if you have never taken in the beauty on your doorstep, Saturday is the day to enjoy it all.

Fresh fruit, water and lemonade will be served.

For questions, please call Julie Berry at 707-279-0449.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake Circuit of United Methodist Churches in Lake County announces a special joint service at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, in solidarity with sister church Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, whose sanctuary was lost to the Clayton fire.

The special service will take place at Clearlake Community United Methodist Church, located at 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake.

Building on the historic sanctuary began in 1884 and was completed in August of 1885, 131 years ago, though the congregation had been active for many years previously.

The Lower Lake church opened its doors to the many organizations that banded together in the wake of the devastating Valley last year, which also robbed the community of a church fellowship where members found hope, resiliency and healing.

There are seven congregations in the Lake Circuit of the United Methodist Church: Lower Lake, Clearlake, Middletown, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville, Upper Lake and Lakeport.

Upper Lake United Methodist Church will have a late service following the joint service because it had planned a special musical presentation that could not be changed, and the Lakeport congregation will have its regularly scheduled service because it is a federated church with members not only from the United Methodists but also the Presbyterian Church and Disciples of Christ.

The Clearlake, Lower Lake, Middletown, Kelseyville and Clearlake Oaks congregations will participate only in the joint service with the Upper Lake congregation at Clearlake on this Sunday; however, members from each of the seven congregations will participate in the united service.

The public is invited to join the churches in Clearlake on Sunday as they express grief and find hope.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Road to the junction of Route 53 will continue. One-way traffic control will also be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– The Mine Restoration Project has been issued a long-term Caltrans Encroachment Permit to allow trucks to access their worksite near the Colusa County Line. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 175

– Valley fire recovery work between Middletown and Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY
 
Highway 1

– Mowing operations between the Navarro River and Comptche Ukiah Road will begin Monday, Aug. 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Highway repairs a quarter-mile north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Mowing operations between Ward Avenue and Beach Access Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Cal Fire has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform paving work approximately 1.7 miles north of Road 350. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement marker replacement between the North Calpella Overcrossing and the Lake County line will begin Thursday, Aug. 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Sign work between the junction with Route 253 and the South Ukiah Overhead will begin Monday, Aug. 22. Alternating lane closures will be in effect between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists may encounter minor traffic slowdowns.

– Rumble strip installation between Uva Drive and one half-mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge began Monday, Aug. 15. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists may encounter minor traffic slowdowsn.

– Sign work near Reeves Canon Road will begin Wednesday, Aug. 17. A southbound lane closure will be in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Motorists may encounter minor traffic slowdowns.

– The city of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work related to their water main project between Sherwood Road and Casteel Lane. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Motorists may encounter minor traffic slowdowns.

– Rumble strip installation at various locations between Willits and Confusion Hill will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Paving operations between Sherwood Road and Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Drainage work from 2 to 5 miles east of the junction with Route 1 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Pavement marker replacement between the South Eel River Bridge and The Middle Way will begin Tuesday, Aug. 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Paving operations between East Lane Road and Short Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Paving operations between the junction with Route 101 and the Russian River will begin Monday, Aug. 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Paving operations between the Anderson Creek Bridge and Slide Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake welcomed patients at 7 a.m. Wednesday after patient care services were interrupted for 64 hours due to the Clayton fire.

The hospital, which is located within the fire evacuation area on 18th Avenue in Clearlake, was fully staffed to provide patient care in all departments on Wednesday, including the emergency room.

Patients began arriving at the hospital emergency department early Wednesday morning and scheduled outpatient procedures resumed promptly at 7 a.m.

Hospital staff celebrated the resumption of service at a morning gathering and were updated by the hospital incident commander and Vice President of Patient Care Colleen Assavapisitkul.

“This devastating fire has only reaffirmed our mission and purpose in this community,” said David Santos, president and CEO of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “We are blessed to continue providing the high quality care that our friends and neighbors in Lake County deserve.”

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake was cleared to resume service by the California Department of Public Health after a full survey of the hospital facility and its operational procedures.

The facility received evacuation orders on Aug. 14 as the fire moved toward the city of Clearlake, but did not sustain any damage.

Extensive air cleaning processes were implemented and forensic analysis completed by an industrial hygienist confirmed that air quality was appropriate for patient care.

Thorough cleaning and equipment testing was performed in every department to ensure each area was safe and ready to welcome patients to the quiet, comfortable environment they expect.

The Konocti Wellness Center on the campus of Lower Lake High School did not sustain any visible fire damage but remains closed.

All other outpatient services are fully operational and are open for their regularly scheduled hours to serve the community.