LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lake Transit Authority has announced that the bus is back and it is free on Fridays.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, all Lake Transit bus routes and schedules returned to full operation.

Bus service was restored to the same level operated prior to the July 29 start of a labor dispute between Teamsters Union Local 665 and Paratransit Services, the company that contracts with Lake Transit Authority to operate the buses.

The transit agency plans to welcome passengers back with free bus service on each Friday in September.

“Free Fare Fridays is our way of thanking bus riders for their patience,” said Lake Transit Authority General Manager, Mark Wall. “We have heard from many of our passengers about the hardships they encountered during the strike, and we hope that the free fares help to express our appreciation for their understanding during this difficult time.”

He added, “Fares are free on all routes and for elderly and disabled passengers using Dial-A-Ride services every Friday in September.”

Employees of Paratransit Services voted to strike for an indefinite period beginning July 29. The company operated very limited schedules until Aug. 16 when service was restored to 60 percent of the prestrike level.

On Aug. 22, additional schedules were added bringing service to 88 percent of the normal level.

Last week, Teamsters Local 665 and Paratransit Services settled on a new three-year contract.

NICE, Calif. – Lake County’s two representatives in Congress, John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, will join together to give an update on the latest in Washington at a campaign fundraiser for Rep. Garamendi at the Sons of Italy Lodge on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The event begins at 4 p.m. at the lodge, 2817 Highway 20 in Nice.

While Garamendi hosted a town hall in Clearlake Oaks earlier this year, the Sons of Italy event is Garamendi’s first campaign fundraiser in Lake County since 2012. Garamendi faces a competitive 2014 reelection campaign.

The event, priced at a reasonable $20 per person (with children 10 and under free), will feature a traditional summer barbeque with all the fixings and a raffle. Vegetarian options also will be available.

Nice resident Deb Clarke, a retired teacher, business owner, and member of the SOI lodge, is donating the rental of the Lodge to Garamendi’s campaign.

“I like to help one candidate who inspires me every year,” Clarke explained. “John has a down-to-earth nature and actually listens to his constituents. Congressmen Thompson and Garamendi make a great team for Lake County, and I’m doing my part to make sure they can continue their important work for years to come.”

Local wineries, radio stations, and business are providing brand new prizes for the raffle put together with help of Garamendi supporters Olga Martin Steele and Deb Clarke. Volunteer outreach has been spearheaded by Becky Curry.

The raffle ticket items sold at the door or throughout the barbeque will be beautiful baskets, local wines, and other local merchandise. Garamendi for Congress will be donating a LED TV. There will be six tickets sold for $5.

There is still time to donate prizes to the campaign by calling 707-274-9952.

Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.garamendi.org/harvestday or by reaching Debbi Gibbs or Jennifer Lopez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 916-863-6881.

Checks can also be mailed to Garamendi for Congress (FEC C00462697), P.O. Box 440, Walnut Grove, CA 95690.

NORTH COAST – 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.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 53

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from Crawford Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday evening through Friday Morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 175

– Loch Lomond Mutual Water Co. of Cobb has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work near Loch Lomond Road beginning Monday, Sept. 9. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– AT&T of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Anderson Springs Road to Bush Street. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Guardrail repairs at various locations from Sunset Drive to the Navarro River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge 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. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– Bridge painting at the Salmon Creek Bridge and the Albion River Bridge 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 15-minute delays. Contractor – Jeffco Painting and Coating of Vallejo.

– Replacement of a culvert with a bridge at Dunn Creek 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 5-minute delays. Contractor – Shasta Construction of Redding.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Northern Aggregates Inc. of Willits has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to add turn lanes just south of Black Bart Drive beginning Monday, Sept. 9. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday morning. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

– Highway construction from 0.8 to 1.5 miles south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing will continue. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday Morning. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

– Pavement repairs from Cummins Road to the junction of Routes 1/101 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect, and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Ramps at Cummins Road will be closed, and motorists will be advised to use an alternate route.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. 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 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).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Public Education and Government (PEG) Committee welcomed Martin Scheel as a new member of the board in July.

Scheel is a member of the Lakeport City Council.

Board member Jo Bennett said Scheel has a good working knowledge of film production and has his own radio show on KPFZ.

She said the appointment completes the board's five-member requirement.

“We welcome Martin to our board and look forward to providing continued service to Lake County viewers,” she said.

The committee is the governing body for TV8, the county's cable access television station.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – AARP has the position open for a National Programs volunteer driver safety program instructor at the Lakeport Senior Center.

The ideal candidate must be more than 50 years of age with dependable transportation.

Duties are to promote, organize and conduct driver safety program classes in Lake County.

There will be reimbursement for expenses.

For more info please contact Carol Deuel at 707-459-4928 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Complete description and applications are available at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake Family Resource Center is celebrating Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout October.

A free 40-hour domestic violence volunteer and response training will be offered during the month.

The training will begin Tuesday, Oct. 1, and end on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The training days will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lake Family Resource Center is pleased to announce that Big Valley Rancheria will be cosponsoring the training this year. The training will be held at Konocti Vista Casino’s banquet room at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road, Kelseyville.

This training is open to the public.

Persons who complete this training will become certified domestic violence counselors and will have the opportunity to volunteer for Lake Family Resource Center’s Domestic Violence Program.

Volunteer work can include working at the shelter, answering the Community Crisis Line, working a few hours supervising children during adult activities, cofacilitating support groups, accompanying domestic violence victims to court and much more.

This free training is only offered once a year so call today to reserve your spot for this exciting opportunity.

Lake Family Resource Center is determined to raise awareness of the tragedy of domestic violence in the hope of ending it in Lake County.

The organization provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities.

Call them today at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what they offer.