CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake has been recognized by the Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes (CALNOC) for exemplary work in reducing hospital-acquired conditions in 2015. The Performance Excellence Awards were presented at the 2016 CALNOC Conference, Oct. 23 to 25.

The hospital was awarded “Best Performance” designation for 2015 in the following clinical areas:

• Best Performance in Preventing Injury Falls;
• Best Performance in Preventing Hospital Acquired Infections – CLABSI Total Facility;
• Best Performance in Preventing Hospital Acquired Infections – CLABSI Critical Care;
• Best Performance in Preventing Hospital Acquired Infections – CAUTI Critical Care;
•  Best Performance in Preventing Hospital Acquired Infections – MRSA Total Facility.

These designations demonstrate the effectiveness of the hospital’s emphasis on quality and infection prevention efforts.

“Preventing injuries and infections during a hospital stay is key is to helping patients heal and return home as quickly as possible,” said Colleen Assavapisitkul, vice president of Patient Care at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “Our staff is trained to provide the best patient care to our community, and these recognitions are a great way to know that we are making a difference.”

CALNOC is a national registry tracking nursing patients that collects data from hundreds of hospitals on different quality and prevention measures, including Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI), Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus areas (MRSA) rates.

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake ranked in the lowest 25 percent of all CALNOC hospitals for these hospital-acquired infections.

Erin McNabb, a registered nurse, is dedicated to continuing the hospital’s performance as director of Quality, a role she began in 2016 after previously serving as St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Infection Prevention Specialist.

“Because we are a small hospital with an experienced team, our frontline staff are able to collaborate closely to ensure we avoid patient falls and hospital-acquired infections,” said McNabb. “Great patient care takes a whole team.”

Visit www.sthelenahospitalclearlake.org for more information about the hospital.

Save

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – In honor of Veterans Day, the Mendocino National Forest will waive fees at all Forest Service managed campgrounds and the Red Bluff boat launch on Friday, Nov. 11.

The fee waiver will not apply to campsites at Lake Pillsbury that are operated under concessionaire through PG&E.

“We are pleased to offer this fee free day in honor of veterans and invite folks to take this opportunity to get outdoors and explore the Mendocino,” said Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson.

Carlson adds that it’s important to plan ahead for your trip to the forest. Please call the office nearest your destination to purchase maps and obtain current information.

Mendocino National Forest offices will be closed Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of the Veteran’s Day holiday and will resume regular business hours Monday, Nov. 14.

For more information visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/ .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Oct. 21 the Soper Reese Theatre held its second annual Jillian Billester Memorial Scholarship fundraising event where it awarded two $1,000 scholarships to Gabriela Jauragui and William McAuley.

Presenting the scholarships was last year’s recipient Clara Carstensen along with Barbara Clark of the Lake County Theatre Co., Susan Condit of the Lake County Symphony Association and Michael Adams of the Soper Reese Theatre.

Representatives of these arts organizations as well as Robert Carpenter of the Lake County Arts Council and community representative Wilda Shock make up the scholarship committee that nominates and selects the recipients. Recipients are chosen based on their active involvement in the community and the arts.

Gabriela Jauragui is a former student of Lower Lake High School, currently attending UC Berkeley.

She has been involved in many community organizations including the Lake County Youth Orchestra and numerous school organizations. She was instrumental in helping form the Lower Lake High School Drumline.

William McAuley is currently attending Mendocino College and has been performing in plays with the Lake County Theatre Co. since he was very young. He is the current president of Lake County Theatre Co.

The event helped raise funds for next year’s scholarships.

Two bands, The Fargo Brothers and the Psychedellos, donated their time and talents to entertain the crowd.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Jillian Billester Memorial Scholarship can send donations to Soper Reese Theatre, Attn: Scholarship, P.O. Box 756, Lakeport, CA 95453.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake Ministerial Association will present “A Service of Thanksgiving” on Sunday, Nov. 13.

The service will begin at 6 p.m. at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, in the Kelseyville Rivieras, one-quarter mile south of Konocti Harbor Inn.

A special thank-offering will be taken to support the association's homeless warming center.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Donnette passed away on Oct. 16, 2016 in Lakeport after a lengthy illness, surrounded by family. She was 65 years old.

Donnette Motley was born in Oakland, Calif., on Feb. 18, 1951. She was the third child and first daughter of  Louie Lawrence Motley and Neelgia Motley.

Donnette was raised in Oakland, with seven brothers and sisters. In her early childhood, she attended St. Mary's Catholic School.

Her sister Deardra lovingly remembers that growing up, Donnette loved to sew and had a passion for dancing. Donnette graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland in 1970, and later spent some time at Merritt College.

In 1989, Donnette and her family moved to Hidden Valley, Calif. There, she developed her career at Guenoc Winery as a line supervisor and raised her family.

Donnette cherished her garden, which she decorated with heart-shaped rocks she found, and she always had fresh cut flowers in the house. She was an amazing cook and baked the best pineapple cream pies. She loved animals, especially her cats Chewie and Lucy.

Donnette was preceded in death by her, father Louie Lawrence Motley; grandfather, Dr. Arthur Motley; great-grandmother, Pearl Hall-Wilson; aunt, Lizzymae Wison-Thompson; grandmother, Maleitha Wilson-Scarver; grandmother, Freddie Royster-Hale; cousin, Jackie Royster; and uncle, Fred Royster.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Howard; son, Kevin Motley; daughter, Maleitha Beck; mother, Neelgia Motley; brothers, Marlon, Harold, Roderick, Ronald, Keith and Jon; and sister, Deardra. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends and family are warmly invited to attend a celebration of life which will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, beginning at 6 p.m. at South Berkley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St., Berkeley.

The family wishes to thank Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare and nurse Dina for their attentive care during Donnette's illness.

Those who wish to send thoughts or condolences are invited to sign the guestbook at www.jonesandlewis.com .

Arrangements under the direction of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel FD 800, Lower Lake.

Just in time for the Thanksgiving holidays, California fuel prices are predicted to dip further this month, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly report recently revealed that West Coast gasoline supplies are hitting record lows, which can likely be tied to the fall maintenance schedule. Most West Coast refineries are set to come back online this month.
 
On Tuesday the average price of California unleaded regular gas was $2.79, the same price as one month ago.

Northern California’s average price for regular gasoline this week is $2.69, a decrease of $0.06 from a month ago.

Of the California cities surveyed by AAA, Marysville posted the lowest price at $2.36, and South Lake Tahoe has the highest average at $2.93.

“Prices have been relatively steady over the past week despite tightened supply in the California market and the wrap up of planned maintenance on the Olympic pipeline early last week in the Northwest.” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “BP shut down operations on its Pacific Northwest pipeline system to conduct planned maintenance October 27 and reopened the line a few days later.”

The national average price for gasoline remains relatively flat compared to one week ago, although pump prices have been pressured higher in some regions due to disruptions on the Colonial Pipeline. This week's average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.21 per gallon.

Last week, following the explosion and shutdown of Colonial Pipeline Line 1 crude oil was trading higher, but the company quickly announced that Line 1 was scheduled to restart on Nov. 7.

The restart announcement had a chilling effect on the market and crude oil prices dropped below $45 dollars a barrel.

Colonial Pipeline could face congressional scrutiny after the deadly pipeline incident.  Several Members of Congress are requesting a comprehensive examination of Colonial Pipeline and the company's management as it relates to the maintenance and integrity operations of the system.  
                                  
Also weighing on the market are the continued negotiations amongst OPEC and non-OPEC members.

The secretary-general of OPEC announced Tuesday that the group was still committed to developing an output deal to cut oil production, but no formal agreement has been reached. Traders will keep a close eye on the Colonial Line 1 restart and upcoming OPEC meetings.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI was down 59 cents to settle at $44.07 per barrel.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Melanie Marie Hanson passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 17, 2016, at her home in Lakeport.

She was born on Aug. 11, 1955, in Hot Springs, Ark. She lived in the bay area before moving to Lake County in 1968.

Melanie was preceded in death by her husband, Henry (Hank); parents, Clifford and Annie Mae Maner; brother, Clifford Randall Maner; and her beloved dog, Huggles.

She is survived by her two sisters, Nancy Betley of Lincoln, Calif., and Tami (Forrest) Stogner of Kelseyville, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Friday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .