NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Nominations are now open for Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-05) annual Woman of the Year Awards.

Each year, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Thompson recognizes exceptional women across California’s Fifth Congressional District for the work they do in our community.

Past recipients have been philanthropists, business leaders, educators, public servants and more.

“Throughout history, women have made tremendous impacts in science, industry, government, the arts, and every other facet of our society,” said Thompson. “But too often, their accomplishments and achievements have not received the recognition they deserve. That changes with us. It’s my privilege to accept nominations for our Woman of the Year Awards. If you know a woman who’s made an impact in our district, please let us know. I look forward to recognizing all our winners next month.”

All nominations must be received by February 26, 2017. Completed forms can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Winners will be announced at a public ceremony in March.

Nomination forms and additional information can be found online at https://mikethompson.house.gov/woman-of-the-year .

ALBANY, Calif. – Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, was this year’s two day Girls North Coast Sections Championships.

The Clear Lake Cardinals entered four wrestlers into the tournament, two would make it to the second day and one would medal.

Mavis Pyorre (111 lbs.) won the sixth place medal, with three pins throughout the tournament.

Holding true to her sixth seed, Mavis finished as she was seeded, as well as putting the pressure to the fourth- and fifth-place finishers along the way.

On day one she would face off and pin the eventual eighth placer from Washington. On day two, she got caught by the third seed and eventual third place finisher from Castro Valley in the quarterfinals.  Mavis would then battle back, pinning a top 12 finishing wrestler from San Leandro.

In the consolation quarter finals Mavis would meet up with the eventual 8th placer from Washington again, pinning her to move on to consolation semifinals. Here she would come up just short, in a close back and forth decision match against the fourth seed and placer, from American High.

Then, Mavis was pulled from her finals match while leading, after getting her previously injured arm caught in an awkward position, against the eventual fifth placer from Santa Rosa.

Mavis was the highest placing freshman in the division and becomes Clear Lake’s first Girl to medal as a freshman. 

Kally Vinson (235 lbs.) lost a close decision match against the eventual sixth placer from Eureka and battled hard before falling against the eventual fourth placer from Alhambra.

Merari Alvarez (150 lbs.) fell against the eventual fourth placer from Ukiah and then lost to her next opponent from Rancho Cotate. After controlling the match, she broke her ankle and was out.

Mackenzie Markham (101 lbs.) fell to the eventual seventh placer from Albany and eighth placer from Irvington.

Lake County ended this year’s Girls North Coast Section Tournament with four state qualifiers and 12 total medalists:

– 101 lbs.: Senior Krystal Lockwood, Lower Lake High, sixth.

– 111 lbs.: Freshman Mavis Pyorre, Clear Lake High, sixth.

– 116 lbs.: Sophomore Adriana Lopez, Upper Lake High, third.

– 121 lbs.: Freshman Bailey Huggins, Kelseyville High, seventh.

– 126 lbs.: Junior Christina Wilson, Upper Lake High, first.

– 126 lbs.: Junior Lily Wetmore, Lower Lake High, sixth.

– 131 lbs.: Junior Isis Martinez, Upper Lake High, sixth. 

– 137 lbs.: Sophomore Kylie Dredge, Middletown High, sixth.

– 143 lbs.: Senior Rachel Harvey, Middletown High, fifth.

– 150 lbs.: Sophomore Alixe Olson, Middletown High, third.

– 189 lbs.: Sophomore Jasmin Clarke, Kelseyville High, third.

– 235 lbs.: Senior Brianna Christian, Kelseyville High, fifth.

California’s refineries continue to have production problems which led to the third consecutive week of production declines in the region.

That situation kept California’s gas prices near the top of the country.

Tuesday’s average price of California unleaded regular gas is $2.88, that is $0.01 higher than Monday, a $0.05 increase from a week ago, up $0.07 from a month ago and $0.47 higher than a year ago. Northern California’s average price for regular gasoline is $2.80, up $0.04 from a month ago.

Of the Northern California cities surveyed by AAA as a service to consumers, Marysville posted the lowest price at $2.57 and South Lake Tahoe has the highest average at $3.14.

“California gas prices inched higher due to refinery maintenance last week, as Chevron shut down two production refineries in El Segundo and Richmond due to unplanned maintenance and problems with production equipment,” said John Moreno, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Gas prices on the West Coast remain the highest in the nation.”

The national average gas price reflects the majority of the country by staying relatively steady this past week.

Tuesday’s average price was $2.28, the same as Monday, showing an increase of $0.01 from a week ago, $0.07 higher than a month ago but a gain of $0.58 from a year ago. Hawaii posts the highest price in the country, $3.11 and South Carolina has the lowest average price, $2.04.

On Monday, OPEC released its Monthly Oil Market Report showing that participating countries implemented 90 percent of the agreed upon production cuts pledged at last year’s historic deal. This translated into a cut of 890,000 barrels of oil per day in January. The U.S. has tempered the impact of the OPEC production cut by continuing to increase drilling and production.

To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the proper pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair.

The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening your load also help conserve gasoline.

AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express LLC.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
AND NOTICE OF PROPOSED MINOR USE PERMIT
BY THE LAKE COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Zoning Administrator of the County of Lake, State of California, will consider approving Minor Use Permit 16-39 with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., March 1, 2017 to the Community Development Department, Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, California.

Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on March 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.

Minor Use Permit 16-39. Location: 9818 Elliott Street, Upper Lake, APN 004-068-13. Owner: James and Diane Devries. Project: In accordance with Lake County Code to a Collectors permit for a 2,700 square foot storage building. Project planner: Michalyn DelValle, 707-263-2221 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Copies of the application, environmental documents, all reference documents, and staff reports associated with each project are available for review through the Community Development Department, Planning Division; Telephone, 707-263-2221.


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Robert Massarelli, Director


By: ____________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III
               

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake High Drama Department will present its annual “Comedy & Tragedy Night” on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The performance will take place beginning at 7 p.m. in the Lower Lake High multipurpose room, 9430 Lake St.

Admission is $5 per person.

The one act “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors” will be presented along with many monologues, duet scenes and musical theater pieces that were performed at the annual Lenaea Drama Festival in Folsom Feb. 10 to 12.

Lower Lake three-peated by receiving a silver medal for the third year in a row for their one act performance.

Brandon Goodson received an outstanding performance medal for his role in the one act.

The following actors round out the cast: Rachel Cabral, Malajiahna Robinson, Mary Jones, Kaymen Barnes, Natalie Carte, Tawnie Nell, Jordan Harris, Maria Neville, Tamara Stevens, Madison Winter, Chloe Cox, Bobby Landgraff, Grace Tucker and Kayla Sanderson.

“I couldn't be prouder of my students for their performances. To receive a silver medal for the third year straight going up against much bigger schools is quite an accomplishment,” said Director Tracy Lahr. “I guess it just goes to show you don't have to come from a big school to have big talent.”

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake will meet on Thursday, Feb. 23, for the annual awards luncheon meeting.

The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. at Aromas Café at Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus, 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.

The cost for lunch is $14 and can be paid at the door or a reservation can be made by calling the number below.

Kathy Freeborn, chair of the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award, will present a monetary award to three deserving women, Jealena Cooke, Tiara Rodriguez and Choya Murphy.

This award is given to a woman who serves as the primary wage earner for her family and seeks financial assistance to continue her education or receive training. 

Kelley Slater, Ruby Award chair, will present this award to a woman who is recognized for her effort on behalf of women and girls, helping to improve their conditions through her own personal or volunteer efforts or through professional avenues.

These awards are given every year to deserving women in Lake County. To find more about either award and how to nominate a deserving woman you know or even nominate yourself, contact President Olga Martin Steele This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and be thinking about a woman you would like to nominate in the future there are many deserving women here in Lake County.

Soroptimist is an international organization for women who volunteer to work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and in the world.

More than 100,000 Soroptimists in some 130 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects to benefit women and girls.

The local group meets for lunch on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in Clearlake.

The group is currently working on the annual signature fundraiser Spring Fling slated for March 11 at Twin Pine Casino Community Room in Middletown.

Membership is open to anyone with the desire to help women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.

For more information about the luncheon or joining Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, please contact Membership Chair Wanda Harris at 707-225-5800 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or Olga Martin Steele at 916-849-8170 (cell) or 707-998-1302 (home).

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Van Sleeper Road on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 175
 
– Valley fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Log jam removal at the Navarro River Bridge will continue. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Ocean Drive on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Emergency slide removal near Leggett will continue. A full road closure is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should seek an alternate route.

Highway 20

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Old Willits Road to 1.2 miles east of Road 350. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 101

– Routine maintenance near Frog Woman Rock will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance near Hewlitt and Sturtevant Road on Monday, Feb. 21, and Tuesday, Feb. 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs on the westbound Route 20 to southbound Route 101 connector ramp will continue. Intermittent ramp closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Emergency slide removal near Piercy will continue. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
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).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Tickets are now on sale for the Race to Scouting Family Fun Carnival on Saturday, March 11.

The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

The scouts currently are out and about selling tickets.

Tickets purchased in advance for $1 each will get a $2 off coupon on a large pizza at almost all of the pizza parlors in Lake County, as well as a chance to win one of the many door prizes and a coupon for five activity tickets at the carnival.

To purchase tickets, keep an eye out for a Scout in your area or, in Lakeport, call 707-263-5963 or 707-245-7598; in Kelseyville, call 707-279-2129; 707-889-3186 in Clearlake or Middletown; or text 707-489-5417.