Lake County News,California

Regional

: Caltrans; Posted On Wednesday, 13 July 2022 04:21; 13 July 2022

Caltrans’s first Clean California funded project transforms roadside area into community parklet

The Vance Avenue Parklet project creates a recreational area along the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Humboldt County, California,, with picnic tables, benches for wildlife viewing, native plant beds, designated parking spots, decorative trash receptacles, a bike rack, and an improved view from nearby State Route 255. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans unveiled the first completed Clean California funded project in the state on Tuesday in Manila, a historically underserved community on the Humboldt County coast.

The project is made possible through Gov. Gavin Newsom's Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.1 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and engage communities to transform public spaces.

“The Vance Avenue Parklet is not only the first Clean California beautification project the public can enjoy, it’s also an excellent example of what Governor Newsom’s visionary effort can accomplish,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “This picturesque parklet on the Pacific demonstrates — as will the other Clean California projects throughout the state– that relatively small community spaces can have great value.”

**Prior to the Clean California project, the area was a site of frequent illegal dumping. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.**

The $75,000 project created a recreational area along the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge with picnic tables, benches for wildlife viewing, native plant beds, designated parking spots, decorative trash receptacles, a bike rack and an improved view from nearby State Route 255.

The parklet will also discourage illegal dumping and add a sense of community pride to a previously desolate area.

“Clean California has created this exciting new parklet, a project that was requested by the community, for the community, and to be enjoyed by the community. I hear the sunrise is amazingly beautiful from this location,” said District 1 District Director Matthew Brady.

“Witnessing its speedy transformation from an illegal dumping ground to a place where people can enjoy the beauty of Humboldt Bay has been inspiring,” said Jennifer Savage, a Manila resident and Peninsula Community Collaborative member. “The restoration work and improvements made by Caltrans will benefit cyclists, birdwatchers, community members and everyone who enjoys a good sunrise or a reflective moment."

**Students from Redwood Coast Montessori painted the concrete picnic tables for the parklet. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.**

This project is among 126 Clean California beautification projects worth $312 million designed to transform communities and create connectivity along the state highway system.

Additionally, in March, Gov. Newsom announced 105 Clean California projects statewide funded by nearly $300 million in Clean California local grants to remove litter and transform public spaces in underserved communities.

Collectively, these projects are expected to generate 7,200 jobs.

Since launching Clean California in July last year, Caltrans has removed more than 756,000 cubic yards of litter from state highways — the equivalent of about 12,700 tons or enough to fill 231 Olympic-size swimming pools — and hired 728 new team members as part of Clean California, including 469 maintenance workers who collect litter and remove graffiti.

For more information, visit CleanCA.com.

**Amenities at the new parklet. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.**

: Cal Fire; Posted On Wednesday, 13 July 2022 03:30; 13 July 2022

Prescribed burn planned on Sonoma Mountain

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. — Fire Forward, in cooperation with the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, will be conducting a 17-acre prescribed burn on Wednesday, July 13, at the Mitsui Ranch.

The ranch is located at the top of Sonoma Mountain and is owned by the Sonoma Mountain Preserve Foundation.

Fire Forward, will be conducting this prescribed burn under a Cal Fire burn permit that was issued to control invasive species.

This burn is planned to be held between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Due to the location of the burn, smoke will be visible throughout most of Sonoma County.

Prescribed fires are carefully planned and must meet strict criteria for ecological benefit, weather parameters, smoke management, and fire safety guidelines.

Trained personnel will be monitoring weather conditions throughout the burn to ensure low-intensity fire is maintained and the fire remains within the parameters established within the burn permit.

Burning operations will not be initiated or cease if the temperature exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit, relative humidity falls below 20%, or winds are greater than 10 miles per hour.

Benefits of low-intensity burning in the natural environment include:

Cleansing of wildland debris. Excessive non-native grass thatch, dead and down branches, brush, and small trees are burned, converting fuels that are hazards in the summer into rich soil nutrients.

Controlling invasive species. Invasive species such as Medusahead can be effectively reduced through controlled burning, allowing native grass and forb species to recolonize their natural habitat. Native species are important food and habitat for a wide range of animals.

Ecosystem health. Low intensity fire helps eliminate and control diseased plants and trees.

New growth. Controlled burning encourages the healthy growth of new plants, especially those that are dependent on fire for renewal or seed dispersion.

Reduced opportunity for destructive fires. Controlled burns can decrease the size and frequency of large, uncontrolled destructive wildfires.

For more information about fire safety or controlled burning and its benefits, visit us at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/forest-health/prescribed-fires/.

: Caltrans; Posted On Wednesday, 15 June 2022 01:59; 15 June 2022

Highway 20 Meridian drawbridge to swing open next week

**The Meridian drawbridge on Highway 20 at the Sutter-Colusa County line in Northern California. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.**

MERIDIAN, Calif. — Motorists may expect travel delays Thursday, June 23, on State Highway 20 at the Meridian Bridge on the Sutter-Colusa County line.

The bridge is scheduled to be closed intermittently between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. as Caltrans crews open the swing bridge to conduct their annual routine inspection of the historic steel structure over the Sacramento River.

Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes during each of the two planned openings.

Motorists are advised to find alternate routes during the temporary highway closure, which is subject to change due to unexpected weather or other events.

Electronic roadside message boards will be used to post the latest information.

Built in 1977 to replace an earlier bridge destroyed by fire, the swinging, turntable bridge is swung open once a year for inspection.

The U.S. Coast Guard requires the structure remain operational to allow large maritime vessels to pass through.

Caltrans advises motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert.” The department will issue construction updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3.

For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

: Caltrans; Posted On Wednesday, 13 July 2022 03:36; 13 July 2022

Closure of Interstate 5 Willows rest areas extended through August

GLENN COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans is alerting motorists that the long-term closures of the north- and southbound Interstate 5 Willows Safety Roadside Rest Areas, or SRRA, in Glenn County have been extended to Aug. 31.

The Willows Rest Areas have been closed since January 2021 for construction and were originally expected to reopen by the end of June.

However, another time extension is required due to protracted supply chain delays for materials needed to complete facility improvements.

During the closure, northbound I-5 motorists will be directed to use the Red Bluff SRRA in Tehama County (about 42 miles north of Willows).

Southbound motorists will be directed to the Maxwell SRRA in Colusa County (about 34 miles south of the Willows SRRA).

Caltrans is investing more than $6.9 million to update the wastewater, water, and lighting systems at the Willows rest areas.

TSI Engineering Inc. of North Highlands, Sacramento County, is the contractor for the project.

Weather or unexpected events may delay or prolong the work. Caltrans advises motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert.”

The department will issue construction updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3.

For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS; Posted On Friday, 24 June 2022 01:36; 24 June 2022

Napa County District Attorney’s Office files DUI with injury charges against Paul Pelosi

NAPA COUNTY, Calif. — The Napa County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday it has filed a criminal complaint charging Paul Pelosi, the husband of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, with driving under the influence causing injury for a crash that occurred last month.

Paul Pelosi, 82, was involved in a crash on Highway 29 and Oakville Cross Road at 10:17 p.m. May 28.

A blood sample taken from Pelosi about two hours after the crash was sent to the California Department of Justice for testing, which found his blood alcohol conte was .082%, just over the legal limit.

The charges filed against Pelosi on Thursday include driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and driving with .08% blood alcohol level or higher causing injury.

Under California law, these charges can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony. Based upon the extent of the injuries suffered by the victim, the District Attorney’s Office filed misdemeanor charges.

“This decision is consistent with how our office handles these cases with similar injuries,” the agency said.

The punishment for driving under the influence causing injury as a misdemeanor is set by California law. It includes up to five years of probation, a minimum of five days in jail, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines and fees, completion of a court ordered drinking driver class, and other terms as appropriate, officials reported.

Pelosi was released from custody upon his promise to appear for an arraignment in Napa County Superior Court on Aug. 3.

The court date was selected by the Napa County Department of Corrections at the time of Pelosi’s release, officials said.

: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS; Posted On Saturday, 04 June 2022 02:09; 04 June 2022

Chico Police arrest 14-year-old boy for attempted murder

CHICO, Calif. — Authorities have taken a 14-year-old boy into custody after police said he attempted to kill a woman on the grounds of Chico High School.

The Chico Police Department said the name of the teenage suspect is not being released due to his age.

Police said that at 6:30 a.m. Friday, custodial staff at Chico High School located a severely injured 71-year-old female on the Warner Street side of Chico High School Campus, on the grounds of the school’s athletic stadium.

The agency said its Patrol Unit, Violence Suppression Unit and crime scene investigators conducted the investigation.

Investigators determined that the victim regularly utilized the campus track for exercise.

Approximately an hour after the conclusion of the Chico High School commencement ceremony, the victim was exercising at the facility grounds, police said.

Authorities said the woman was pursued and attacked from behind by a suspect with a large, bludgeoning weapon.

The teenage suspect fled the area and the incapacitated victim was left on the facility grounds until her discovery the following morning, police said.

Investigators determined the identity of the suspect to be a 14-year-old male.

He was located and arrested for attempted murder at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Additional details about the case were not immediately available.