Lake County News,California

Community

: Clearlake Senior Center; Posted On Saturday, 16 April 2022 03:35; 18 April 2022

Clearlake Senior Center now fully open for business

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake Senior Center has fully reopened for business and cordially invites the public back to its facility for lunch and activities.

Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m., except holidays.

Other activities are as follows.

Low impact aerobics: Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m.

Low impact exercise: Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. with lunch available after. Exercises are mostly done in a chair and are great for any disabilities.

Tai Chi: In the Auxiliary Room by Zoom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. with Paul Samberg; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. with Linda Schoeller-Boyle.

Zumba classes are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Classes take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ten classes cost $35 or $5 for drop in.

Art group meets every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. Stay for lunch afterwards.

The center is looking for participants to sign up so it can start other activities such as a chess club, dominos or card games.

It has all kinds of board games available if you just want to get a group together for a day of fun.

Center staff also is in the process of setting up an indoor exercise space and will be open to all seniors during normal business hours.

Community members are invited to join the friendly faces, meet new friends and enjoy great food.

They also are seeking volunteers to help run the front desk and serve and to deliver meals on wheels.

For more information please call the Clearlake Senior Center at 707-994-3051.

: California Attorney General’s Office; Posted On Thursday, 14 April 2022 01:28; 14 April 2022

Attorney general highlights California Mortgage Relief Program, urges struggling homeowners to seek free financial assistance

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued an alert highlighting the California Mortgage Relief Program, a relief program that uses $1 billion in federal Homeowner Assistance Funds to provide financial assistance to low to moderate income homeowners who are behind on their housing payments due to the impact of COVID-19.

The program will cover past due mortgage payments or reverse mortgage arrearages in full as a one-time grant, which will be submitted as a direct payment to the homeowners’ lender or mortgage servicer.

The program is free, and the funds received by approved applicants do not need to be repaid. In an alert issued Wednesday, Attorney General Bonta urges struggling homeowners to check if they are eligible for the program and apply.

“What makes the California Mortgage Relief Program so unique, is that the financial assistance provided through this program is completely free and does not need to be paid back. This is an important opportunity for struggling homeowners to receive federal grants of up to $80,000 per household that will help them get caught up on their housing payments,” said Attorney General Bonta. “It is crucial that homeowners check to see if they qualify for this free financial assistance, and apply as soon as possible so that they can get the help that they need to keep their home.”

“The California Mortgage Relief Program gives qualified homeowners who were most impacted by the pandemic a chance to regain their footing financially," said Rebecca Franklin, president of CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation. "The program is open to homeowners, even if they have already received government COVID-19 assistance.”

Eligibility requirements

The program is open to all eligible Californians who have experienced pandemic-related hardships and have fallen behind on their housing payments.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a household income at or below 100% of their county’s Area Median Income;
• Missed at least two mortgage payments prior to Dec. 27, 2021;
• Own a single-family home, condo or permanently affixed manufactured home;
• Faced a pandemic-related financial hardship after January 21, 2020; and

Meet one of the following:

• Receiving public assistance;
• Severely housing burdened (costs for your mortgage, property taxes and other housing expenses are more than 40% of your income); or
• Have no alternative mortgage workout options (loan modifications) through your mortgage servicer.
• You can find more information regarding eligibility at camortgagerelief.org/who-is-eligible.

How to apply

The California Mortgage Relief Program is now accepting applications through its online portal at CaMortgageRelief.org. The application is available in six languages.

While there is no strict application deadline, homeowners are encouraged to apply for funding as soon as possible.

The sooner you submit an application, the sooner it can be reviewed, and – if your application is approved – the sooner you will likely receive funds.

The California Mortgage Relief Program will remain open until all funds have been allocated, with an end date projected in 2025. The funds provided by this program will be available on a first come first serve basis.

Additional information

The California Mortgage Relief Program is a government-run program that is completely free to homeowners. Homeowners do not need to pay any fee to apply for available funding, and any funds received by approved applicants do not need to be repaid.

Homeowners who receive funds from this program should talk with a tax professional about any impact funds may have on their income taxes. Be suspicious of any third party that is offering to submit an application on your behalf, especially for a fee.

For Californians to be eligible for this relief, their mortgage servicer must be participating in the program.

In February, Attorney General Bonta sent a letter to key mortgage servicers urging the companies' immediate and full participation in the California Mortgage Relief Program. For a list of servicers participating in the program, go to camortgagerelief.org/mortgage-servicers/.

If you believe you have been the victim of fraud related to the California Mortgage Relief Program, please report it to the Attorney General’s Office by submitting a complaint online at oag.ca.gov/report or by phone at 800-952-5225 (TTY (800) 735-2922).

You may also report identified or suspected fraud to the Treasury Office of the Inspector General’s Investigation Services at oig.treasury.gov/report-fraud-waste-and-abuse.

For free assistance with housing and foreclosure avoidance issues, you can call a housing counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.

To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you, access HUD's database for Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling or call 888-995-HOPETM (4673).

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 13 April 2022 02:54; 13 April 2022

Judge’s Breakfast Group to host fire marshal April 14

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Judge’s Breakfast Group will host Lake County Fire Protection District’s fire marshal when it meets this week.

The group will meet at 7 a.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Clearlake Community Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.

Fire Marshal Cory Smith will discuss cannabis regulations related to businesses within the city of Clearlake and the fire district jurisdiction.

The community is invited to attend.

: Caltrans; Posted On Friday, 15 April 2022 02:10; 15 April 2022

Caltrans plans major roadwork through April 21

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. —‌ Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Drainage work continues in Lucerne near Oak Crest Avenue. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Cache Creek is scheduled to conclude on Friday, April 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Bridge work at Putah Creek will conclude on Friday, April 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Siegler Creek will conclude on Friday, April 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Road work will continue near Red Hills Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Utility work from Sedalia Drive to Elk Creek is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Utility work is scheduled for Friday, April 15 north of Elk. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Northbound Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work in Ukiah at Route 222 will conclude on Friday, April 15. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Road work at the East Perkins Street Overcrossing in Ukiah will conclude on Friday, April 15. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Bridge work from Forestry Entrance Road to the 101/20 Separation will occur on Wednesday, April 20. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through July.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through July.

Highway 128

— Tree work will occur from Ornbaun Creek to Shearing Creek on Thursday, April 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— Electrical work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge will conclude on Friday, April 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

— Bridge work in Hopland will occur on Tuesday, April 19. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 271

— Tree work from Route 101 Cummings to Cedar Creek Bridge is scheduled to begin Monday, April 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Bridge work north of Klamath near Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Emergency work and construction in the Last Chance Grade area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays at all hours.

— Shoulder work near Ocean World in Crescent City will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Construction near the 101 junction will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work east of Carlotta on Thursday, April 21, and Friday, April 22, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Electrical work from Abe Wouk Memorial Grove Road to Van Duzen River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work near the Triumphant Life Camp about 12 miles east of Bridgeville on Wednesday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. A northbound onramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Bridge work at South Fork Eel River Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Electrical work from Shively Road to Eel River Bridge Overhead will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect slowdowns.

— ADA construction from the Herrick Avenue Overcrossing to Grant Street in Eureka will begin on Monday, April 18. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 254

— AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work south of Miranda on Wednesday, April 20, and Thursday, April 21, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Permitted utility work from Samoa to Arcata will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

— Construction near Manila will continue. A southbound shoulder closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 299

— Construction near Route 200 will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns.

— Emergency work west of the Burney Vista Point will continue. One-way traffic control in effect 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect 15-minute delays.

– Drainage work near Willow Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

: Rotary Club of Lakeport; Posted On Wednesday, 13 April 2022 03:08; 13 April 2022

Free community Easter egg hunt planned April 17

**Lakeport Fire Chief Jeff Thomas and the Easter Bunny. Courtesy photo.**

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Rotary Club of Lakeport is pleased to announce the return of its annual Easter Egg Hunt, a historic event offered to the community for free since 1926.

Even during the last two years, the Rotary Club of Lakeport has provided free Easter events for the community with a drive-through Easter Bunny visit in Library Park in 2020 and an Easter basket giveaway at the Lake County Fairgrounds in 2021.

“We are thrilled to continue a fine Rotary tradition for the benefit of our community,” says Laura McAndrews Sammel, the club’s current president. “After two years of not being able to allow the children and their families out of their cars, it is going to be so fun watching the kids find the eggs!”

This year’s event will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. The gates will open at 1 p.m.

There will be three fields ready with hidden eggs for the three different age categories: up to 3 years old, 4 to 8 years old, and 9 to 12 years old.

Traditional, dyed eggs and plastic eggs with goodies inside will be available for the kids to find.

Some lucky egg-hunters will also win cash prizes as each field will include one golden egg and two silver eggs.

Also making an appearance this year is the Easter Bunny.

The Bunny will be there to visit with and provide photo opportunities for the children.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport was founded by a group of community-minded people in 1925. The club holds several events each year, such as the drive-through crab feed, to raise funds to invest back into our local and global community.

In recent years, the Rotary Club of Lakeport has built the Community Garden at Hospice Services of Lake County, renovated the showers at the Lake County Fairgrounds and landscaped the new Alternative Education Center at the Lakeport Unified School District.

: Pacific Gas and Electric Co.; Posted On Tuesday, 12 April 2022 01:56; 12 April 2022

PG&E conducts pre-inspections with helicopters in Lake, Humboldt and Mendocino counties

Starting Tuesday, April 12, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will begin conducting practice patrol flights in the North Coast, as part of its efforts to reduce the impact of Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, events on customers.

High winds can cause tree branches and debris to contact energized electric lines, damage equipment and cause a wildfire.

As a result, the company may need to turn off power during severe weather to help prevent wildfires.

PG&E does not anticipate initiating a PSPS this week.

During an actual PSPS, power cannot be restored until the severe weather passes and the lines are free of tree branches and other debris. Crews will inspect de-energized lines utilizing aircraft, vehicles, and foot patrols to identify and repair damage before restoring power.

“These practice patrols are designed to gather information that helps PG&E understand the amount of time it takes to safely complete the patrol,” said Ron Richardson, vice president of PG&E’s North Coast Region. “The pre-patrols improve safety, help us execute the patrol more efficiently and provide key information to determine service restoration timing – all to reduce the impact on our customers during an actual PSPS.”

PG&E will be flying different helicopters at different times Monday through Friday, but not necessarily every day, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. through the month of April.

Helicopters will fly low, roughly 100 feet, along electric distribution lines within Lake, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties.

Patrol areas include:

• Annapolis, Bridgeville, Carlotta, Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Eel River, Elk, Fort Bragg, Fort Seward, Fruitland, Garberville, Gualala, Harris, Hoopa, Low Gap, Maple Creek, Middletown, Mount Konocti, Point Arena, Rio Dell and Willow Creek.

If hazards or damage is identified during the patrols, they will be reported immediately.

Power will not be interrupted during patrols.