The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reminds winter travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites when traveling to areas with known transmission of Zika virus, including Mexico.

Mexican officials this week confirmed a case of local transmission in Ensenada, Baja California, a coastal city in Mexico. Ensenada is approximately 85 miles south of San Diego, making it a popular destination for California travelers.

“Many Californians enjoy spending time in Mexico, and this news about local transmission just across the border emphasizes the importance for travelers to take precautions against mosquito bites,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “In particular, pregnant women and couples considering pregnancy need to be cautious because Zika virus can cause severe birth defects. Pregnant women are urged to avoid travel to areas with known Zika transmission if at all possible. If travel is necessary, it is extremely important to prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.”

Many areas of Mexico continue to experience transmission of the Zika virus, including states with popular tourist destinations.

In addition to Baja California, the states of Baja California Sur, where Cabo San Lucas is located, and Sonora, which borders Arizona, have also reported local Zika virus transmission.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers any travel to Mexico to be a potential risk for Zika virus infection.

While there has been no local transmission of Zika virus in California to date, CDPH has confirmed 486 cases of travel-associated infections in the state. Florida and Texas have experienced locally transmitted cases of Zika.

Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex.

Most people who are infected with Zika do not experience any symptoms, but should take precautions to avoid sexual transmission, even if they never had symptoms.

All individuals, particularly women of childbearing age, should take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites while traveling and when they return home.

Sexually active people who travel to areas with Zika transmission should use condoms or other barriers to avoid getting or passing Zika during sex.

Couples planning pregnancy when either partner has been exposed to Zika virus should speak with a health care provider about a safe time to try to get pregnant.

Health care providers can recommend effective birth control methods to use while waiting to conceive. Men should wait six months to conceive a child with a partner after Zika exposure.

Women who have been exposed should wait a minimum of eight weeks before becoming pregnant.

The mosquitoes that can carry Zika virus and infect people live in many areas of California.

“To protect others from the Zika virus, we ask people traveling to Mexico, or any other place where Zika exists, to take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after a trip, even if you don’t feel sick,” said Dr. Smith. “If one of these mosquitoes bites an infected person, it can spread the virus by biting another person.”

To prevent mosquito bites, apply repellents containing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label).

When used as directed, these repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

In addition to long-sleeved shirts and long pants, individuals should wear socks and shoes when outdoors. Be sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

Though most people who are infected with Zika do not experience any symptoms, symptoms of infection can include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika other than rest, fluids and fever relief.

More information about Zika can be found in the December 2016 CDPH Health and Travel Advisory, and on the CDPH and CDC Web sites.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The president’s recent actions related to immigration will be the topic of the sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County service on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles will lead the service, which begins at 11 am at the church, located at 3810 Main St. in Kelseyville. Guests are encouraged to attend.

The title of the sermon is, “Burning Bridges to Hope: The Assault on Muslim Refugees and Truth.”

Rev. Dr. Knowles will discuss the recent executive actions of the president from the perspective of a religious community that affirms “the worth and dignity of every human” as its first principle.

She will look at how recent actions erode human dignity and present ideas for action. 

The Unitarian Universalist Association has written a “Declaration of Conscience,” committing to put Unitarian Universalist values into action to resist hate, fear and bigotry. Congregations around the country are signing this declaration to show their commitment.

The Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County is participating in this action, and making plans to work locally to support people who may be threatened by recent actions of the president.

For more information, call 707-587-4243.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mary Agnes Rothfuss-Kingsley entered into rest in Sonora at the age of 92.

Born in Omaha, Neb., she lived in Santa Cruz County in the early 1950s before moving to Lake County in 1978.

For Mary, her religion was No. 1 with her family centered around her as the main focus in her life.

She was a very active member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She worked at the Noble Realty and Shore Line Realty for more than 30 years.

Mary was known to her many friends as a formidable woman. With family as the center of her life, she needed to see or talk with at least one of her children each and every day.

Mary is survived by her son, Larry Rothfuss and wife, Ausilia “Zizi”; daughters, Janice Maschek and husband, Al; and twins, Marilyn Brown and husband, Pat and Carolyn King; and a step-sister, Joyce Pegg; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

She will also be missed by 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Merton “Chips” Rothfuss, then later by her second husband, Francis Kingsley.

Friends and family are invited to Queen of Peace Catholic Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 9, beginning at 11 a.m.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life which will be held at the family home following the Mass of Christian Burial.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel.

Please share your loving and caring memories of Mary by signing her online guestbook at www.jonesandlewis.com and www.legacy.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday Kelseyville’s high school wrestling team sent three partial squads to Ukiah High School for the Redwood Empire Classic wrestling tournament.   

Three boys varsity wrestlers entered the competition.

Alex Garcia (140 lbs.) was the third-ranked wrestler in the North Coast Section,  or NCS, and No. 1 seed, finished the runnerup in a 16-man bracket, losing a decision to the non-NCS opponent Zack Hancock from Sutter Union HS, 4-3 decision. 

Bryan Carrillo (170 lbs.) came into the tournament unseeded and made a splash by pinning the second-seeded wrestler from Sutter Union, following it up by pinning the third-seeded wrestler in the semifinals match.

Carrillo faced the No. 1 seed and No. 3 NCS ranked wrestler, Cody Shepard of Ukiah High School, who won by a pin in the finals match.    

Javante Gregoire (182 lbs.) also entered the tournament unseeded and came away with a sixth place medal after dropping the fifth-place medal match 1-0 to a wrestler from Del Norte High School.

All three Kelseyville High boys varsity wrestlers are in their sophomore season. 

Three Kelseyville High Lady Knights entered the all girls bracket. 

Korbyn Marlin-Ambriz (101 lbs.) finished second place and posted a 2-1 record for the day.  

Melanie Guerrero (134 lbs.) finished the day with a 1-2 record, just shy of a medal.

Brianna Christian (235 lbs.) finished the day 3-1 and brought home a second-place medal.

The Lady Knights are gearing up for the Girls NCS tournament this weekend at Albany High School.

“We've had a solid season with our whole team as have been battling some injuries but we're hoping to have a strong showing with our ladies this weekend,” said Head Coach Adam Garcia.

Garcia said the team has one returning NCS placer from last season. Four of the female wrestlers earned a seeding at the tournament: Kylie Marlin-Ambriz (101 lbs.), sixth seed; Bailey Huggins (121 lbs.), sixth seed; Jasmin Clark (191 lbs.), second seed and a returning third placer; and Brianna Cristian (235 lbs.), fourth seed.  

Three boys entered the junior varsity level tournament, led by Michael Beverlin finishing in first place in a round robin bracket with a 4-1 record.  

Christopher Perkin (154 lbs.) did not place and Liam Terrell (220 lbs.) finished in second place with 3-1 record on the day.  

The boys team will be competing in the NCS team duals tournament Saturday at Lower Lake High School.

SACRAMENTO – To help Californians increase earnings and social mobility, the California Community Colleges, California Workforce Development Board and California Workforce Association have joined forces to roll out Partnerships that Unlock Social Mobility.

A series of 17 events will take place around the state to bring together community college Student Services departments with America’s Jobs Centers of California staff to explore how to better connect their services and serve their communities as described in this introductory video.

Only 39 percent of California’s residents starting in the bottom half of national earnings move up 10 or more percentiles over 10 years, reports The Pew Charitable Trusts. In certain regions of California, residents face an even greater inherent barrier.

Research, however, has consistently shown that education and training can shatter barriers. A Brookings report reveals that of those born into the bottom income quintile in the United States and move forward to earn a college degree, only 16 percent remain in the bottom quintile.

As a result, the California Community Colleges, California Workforce Development Board and California Workforce Association are pooling their respective strengths and resources to make education and training – and therefore, greater earnings and social mobility -- more accessible.

“When people want to get back on their feet or move beyond their current work situation, we want no wrong door,” said Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development Van Ton-Quinlivan. “A stronger partnership between these institutions can bring together complimentary resources to help students and clients in our communities.”

Attendees of the conversation series will explore the intersections of three initiatives designed to spur student success – California’s Student Success Act of 2012, the national Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) of 2014 and California’s Strong Workforce Program of 2016 – and start to formulate a common lexicon and unifying alignment among them.

“This type of innovative partnership is in alignment with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act,” said Bob Lanter, executive director of the California Workforce Association. “The organizations that are involved are working collaboratively to build a highly interactive agenda for these events to ensure that we all deliver the best possible services.”

Tim Rainey, executive director of the California Workforce Development Board said, "Colleges and workforce boards have strong and particular expertise. Working together, they fill each other's gaps and complement each other's strengths. They are better together."

“Last year, the California Workforce Development Board adopted a WIOA State Plan that emphasizes regional planning and coordination with community colleges, and the California legislature appropriated $200 million for the community college’s Strong Workforce Program, and called for alignment of regional planning among community colleges and workforce boards,” said to Bryan Wilson, state policy director of the National Skills Coalition. “Continuing their impressive collaboration, [this is] a capacity-building initiative between local workforce development boards and community colleges.”

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students a year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education in English and math, and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions.

For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu , https://www.facebook.com/CACommColleges or https://twitter.com/CalCommColleges .

UKIAH, Calif. – On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Clear Lake Cardinals sent three boys to the Redwood Empire Classic and two girls to the Redwood Empire Lady Classic held at Ukiah High School.

Frankie Sturr, or “Frangooch” as he is known by his team, won the gold medal, going 3-0 with three pins in the 134-pound JV Boys division.

Hayden Eastham went 1-2 with one pin to take fourth place in the 129-pound JV Boys division.

Thomas Lairson also wrestled for the Cardinals in the 122-pound JV Boys division.

In the girls varsity division, Mackenzie Markham went 1-2 with one pin at 103 pounds. Madi Ferguson (126 lbs.) took a hard fall against the No. 2 seed and was pull from the tournament.

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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Upper Lake Cemetery District said it plans to begin more strictly enforcing rules for cemetery grounds this spring.

Cemetery rules enacted in September 2006 and amended in January 2012 list items that shall not be placed on graves or headstones.

Beginning on April 30, those rules will be strictly enforced, the district said.

Those rules include not allowing glass in the cemetery.

In addition, items not to be placed on gravestones or headstones include statues, toys, globes, bottles, cans, jugs, wind chimes, solar lights, food or any object which interferes with maintenance or operation of the cemetery.

People who have placed such items on graves are asked to remove all unauthorized objects by April 30, or the district will remove them.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Pacific Gas and Electric reminds customers that sparks – and not just the romantic kind – can fly on Feb. 14 if improperly secured helium-filled metallic balloons come in contact with power lines.

Customers celebrating the holiday with metallic balloons should ensure they’re tied securely to a weight that’s heavy enough to prevent them from floating away.

Last year, metallic balloons striking electric lines caused 429 power outages in PG&E’s service area alone, disrupting electric service to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.

In PG&E’s Humboldt Division, there were seven outages caused by metallic balloons in the past year. Service to more than 4,000 customers were affected. None of them were in Mendocino or Lake counties.

“Let your heart soar on Valentine’s Day, but keep metallic balloons close to the ground. When they come in contact with power lines, these balloons can cause power outages and safety issues,” said Carl Schoenhofer, senior manager of PG&E’s Humboldt Division.

PG&E urges families celebrating with balloons to follow these important safety tips:

· “Look Up and Live!” Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.

· Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.

· Keep metallic balloons indoors, when possible. For everyone's safety, never permit metallic balloons to be released outside.

· Do not bundle metallic balloons together.

· Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.

· Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.