Firefighters will hold two “Fill the Boot” fundraisers at the following locations:

• Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Helena, Yountville and Napa;

• Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Middletown (downtown and at Twin Pine Casino);

• Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Sonoma and Guerneville.

The last two locations will be in Lakeport and Brooks with date and times to be announced.

Local firefighters are asking local residents to come out and help support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Jerry’s Kids.

Each dollar dropped into a firefighter’s boot will go to support local MDA services: research for neuromuscular diseases, the clinic at UC Davis, summer camps and community education.

The MDA does not receive funding from state, federal or local governments, nor does it seek or receive fees for services.

The fire service as a whole has been a long running supporter of the MDA. Its history began in 1952 when the father of a child who was burdened with a neuromuscular disease, in desperation, sought the aid of George Graney, IAFF Local 718 member and the help of the Boston Fire Company.

Immediately, 20 firefighters set out to conduct a door-to-door canister drive that raised $5,000 to help with the child’s medical expenses. In August of 1954, Graney spoke at the IAFF’s (International’s Association of Fire Fighters) biannual convention and proposed that MDA be established as the International’s “charity of choice”. He gained unanimous approval and this marked the beginning of a formal bond between IAFF and MDA.

Cal Fire took on the challenge to support Jerry’s Kids in 2008, statewide. This is CAL FIRE’s second year of involvement with the “Fill the Boot “fundraisers for MDA and we will continue to do so until there is no need for fundraisers.

The Soda Bay Road/South Main Street intersection – near the Highway 29 and Highway 175 traffic lights – will be subject to single-lane traffic control between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, and Thursday, Aug. 6.

Fifteen-minute maximum delays can be expected.

The off-ramp and turn pockets from Highway 29 and Highway 175 to this intersection will be closed to all traffic during construction hours.

Highway traffic will need to use Highland Springs Road or Lakeport Boulevard to access Soda Bay Road/South Main Street during this time.

Signs and barriers will be in place to notify the public of the need to use alternate routes.

The Department of Public Works thanks the community in advance for its patience and understanding.

Please drive with caution in this area.

For more information call the Department of Public Works, 707-263-2341.

The senior center serves breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon.

The public is invited. Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive (corner of 10^th and Country Club) in Lucerne.

Contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-277-0713.

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal fires or stoves are prohibited on the National Forest unless in the following designated recreation sites:

Grindstone Ranger District – Red Bluff Recreation Area and Big Springs Day Use Area; Whitlock, Kingsley Glade, Sugarfoot Glade, Three Prong, Wells Cabin, Sugar Springs, Letts Lake, Mill Valley, Dixie Glade, Plaskett Meadows, Masterson, Little Stony, Grey Pine, Fouts Springs, Davis Flat, South Fork, Cedar Camp, Mill Creek, North Fork and Old Mill Campgrounds.

Upper Lake Ranger District – Fuller Grove, Fuller Group Camp, Navy Camp, Pogie Point, Oak Flat, Sunset, Middle Creek, Deer Valley, Bear Creek, Penny Pines and Lower Nye Campgrounds.

Covelo Ranger District – Eel River, Little Doe, Howard Lake and Hammerhorn Lake Campgrounds.

California Campfire Permits are not needed in the designated recreation sites listed. In all other areas of the Forest, lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel with be allowed as long as the person has a current California Campfire Permit with them.

California Campfire Permits may be obtained at any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire office in California, as well as most Forest Service field employees. They may also be obtained online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino/passespermits .

The following activities are also prohibited as part of the fire restrictions:

• Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or in the designated recreation sites listed above;

• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame;

• Using explosives;

• Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks.

Forest visitors will be able to continue riding Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on designated roads and trails, provided that the vehicles are equipped with the required spark arresters.

Spark arresters are also required on chainsaws being used for people filling valid personal use wood cutting permits, and may also only be used on designated roads and trails.

“This summer the Mendocino National Forest has been very fortunate when it comes to wildland fire,” said Forest Supervisor Tom Contreras. “We would like Forest visitors to help us continue this by being safe when using fires in designated areas, complying with these fire restrictions and reporting smoke when they see it. By being aware we can all help protect the Forest’s resources from human-cased wildfires.”

Temporary fire restrictions are put in place annually to protect natural resources and limit the threat of human-caused wildfires. Similar restrictions are going into effect on neighboring forests. However, restrictions can vary by forest and visitors should check with the forest they plan on visiting for the latest fire restrictions and conditions.

For the Mendocino National Forest, the fire restrictions are formally referenced through Order Number 08-09-01.

Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months imprisonment or both.

Fire season typically ends in late fall following a series of drenching, measurable rains in the mountains. An announcement will follow when fire restrictions are lifted.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino .

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Also effects Highways 101 and 271: Dimmick Ranch of Piercy has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for traffic control for the Reggae Rising Music Festival Wednesday, July 29, through Monday, Aug. 3, at French’s Camp, adjacent to Route 101, approximately 10 miles south of Garberville, near the Humboldt-Mendocino County Line. Traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the area, and travelers may experience minor traffic slowdowns through Sunday afternoon. Up to one-hour delays are expected at the conclusion of the event Sunday evening and into Monday. The one-hour delays will most likely occur at the event location, on two-lane highway segments, and southbound near the City of Willits. Route 271 will be restricted to local traffic only.

– A highway widening project from Government Street to Rancheria Road will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– A roadway realignment project from 1.4 miles east of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge to 1.6 miles west of Walker Ridge Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– Bridge deck repairs at Kelseyville Creek Bridge will continue through Friday, July 31. Work hours are 7PM to 7AM, Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Bridge deck repairs at Alder Creek Bridge, Elk Creek Bridge, and Russian Gulch Bridge will begin Monday, Aug. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect at one bridge at a time. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– Construction of a retaining wall about three miles north of Elk 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 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge deck repairs at Casper Creek Bridge and Hare Creek Bridge will begin Monday, Aug. 3. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 10 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect at one bridge at a time. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– John William McGehee of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a road approach near Hare Creek Bridge through Friday, July 31. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Storm damage repair from 0.5 mile north of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line 1.6 miles south of East Side Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of

travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Hopland Overhead will begin Sunday, Aug. 2. Work hours are 7PM to 7AM, Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– A pavement repair project from the West Road Overcrossing to Moore Avenue will continue. Southbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, from midnight Sunday to 3 p.m. Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Professional Concrete Services of Pleasant Hill.

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration and a slipout from 1.1 miles north of Reeves Canyon Road to Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Repair of a slipout near Ryan Creek Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic

slowdowns. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services Inc. Of Willits.

– A pavement repair project from Big Trails Drive to the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of

travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Windsor Fuel Co. of Pittsburg.

– Storm damage repair near the Arnold Overhead bridge will begin Tuesday, Aug. 4. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel.

Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services Inc. of Willits.

Highway 128

– Bridge deck repairs at the North Fork Navarro River Bridge will begin Monday, Aug. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs at Mountain View Road beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Tom Berger of Yorkville has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a road approach near Beebe Creek Bridge. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Repair of a slipout near the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will begin Friday, July 31. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should

anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Fedco Construction of Santa Rosa.

– A culvert replacement project near the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction Inc. of San Rafael.

Highway 162

– A pavement sealing project from the junction of Route 101/162 to the Bloody Run Creek Bridge will continue through Friday, July 31. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Northern California Paving Inc. of Yreka.

– A highway reconstruction and realignment project 1.6 miles east of Rodeo Creek Bridge will begin Monday, Aug. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 253

– A culvert replacement project near Butler Ranch will continue through Friday, July 31. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction Inc. of San Rafael.

– A culvert replacement project 0.6 mile west of Stipp Lane will continue through Friday, July 31. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction Inc. of San Rafael.

– A culvert replacement project near Stipp Lane will begin Monday, Aug. 3. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction, Incorporated, of San Rafael.

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).