LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the Lake County Democratic Club will host Tom Hoskins, the director of the Local Control Accountability Plan at Konocti Unified School District.

He will explain the new Local Control Funding Formula for Lake County schools.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the social hall of the Lower Lake United Methodist Church, 16255 Second St.

All meetings are open to the public. Membership is open to registered Democrats.

Lake County Democratic Club is an officially chartered club of the Democratic Party of Lake County.

Visit the Web page at www.lakecountydemocraticclub.org or contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Jan. 24, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer, Paul Whitaker passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family.

Paul enjoyed most of all his great-grandchildren, gardening, canning, and his work at Riviera Foods and Bruno's.

Paul was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Whitaker, and his parents, Fred and Ruth Whitaker.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol; daughters, Kim (Jim) Bradley and Kari (Bob) Holt; grandchildren, Justin (Jamie) Holt, Derek (Chelsey) Holt, Brandon (Trina) Holt, Mike Bradley, Amanda Bradley and Bryan Holt; the loves of his life, his great-grandchildren, Walker, Addison, Knox, Gaige and one more on the way. Also his sister, Carolyn, and brothers, Sheldon, Ralph, Lindsey and Evan, and all of their loving families.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, Jan. 30, at noon, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 16th Street in Lakeport for anyone who would like to attend.

For further information, please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

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NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Board of Directors of Savings Bank of Mendocino County has announced the promotion of Senior Lending Officer Stacy Starkey to senior vice president.
 
“Savings Bank has a long history of supporting our community and I am honored to be a part of such a successful organization,” said Starkey.
 
Starkey began her career with Savings Bank in 1994. She graduated from Ukiah High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Southern California.
 
In September of this year, Starkey graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School. Pacific Coast Banking School requires a three-year commitment and is the nation’s premier masters-level extension program for senior officers in the banking industry.
 
Savings Bank of Mendocino County provides the dependability of a local community bank for families and businesses in Lake and Mendocino counties.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced exemptions to the federal hiring freeze in the president’s memo dated Jan. 23.

The authorities outlined in the president’s memo provide VA the ability to continue filling essential positions that provide public safety services to veterans.

“We strongly believe that these exemptions are in line with the President’s intent,” the VA said in its statement.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to exempt anyone it deems necessary for public health and safety, including frontline caregivers,” Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Snyder said. “The President and VA remain committed to seeing that our Veterans receive the quality care and benefits they’ve earned. This is the right thing to do for our Veterans.”

The memorandum is available for viewing here.

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
 
– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Rosemont Drive to Bruner Drive through Friday, Jan. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. 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

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Fish Rock Road on Friday, Jan. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from Haven Neck Drive to Old Stageroad Drive beginning Thursday, Jan. 26. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Repairs at the Albion River Bridge will continue through Friday, Jan. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from Albion Little River Road to the Little River Bridge through Friday, January 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Emergency slide removal near Leggett will continue. One-way traffic control with STOP signs will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20
 
– Pavement repairs from the Russian River Overhead to marina Drive will continue through Friday, Jan. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-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.
 
– Emergency slide repairs on the westbound Route 20 to southbound Route 101 connector ramp will continue. Full intermittent closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park 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.
 
– 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.

Highway 128

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Nash Mill Road to Philo through Friday, Jan. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 175

– Emergency storm damage repairs from Harrison Street to Wooldridge Ranch Road 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.

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).

A series of major winter storms in the beginning of 2017 have caused flooding, evacuations, road closures and mudslides throughout Northern and Central California and Nevada. This flooding has affected hundreds of homes.
 
More rain may be coming, but after the waters recede, residents will be looking to repair. BBB offers the following six tips when recovering from a flood:
 
· Find a business you can trust. In 2015, BBB received hundreds of complaints about remodel and repair contractors nationwide. The top reason for complaints? Issues with contracts, followed closely by problems with repairs. Start your search for a trustworthy business at bbb.org. BBB Business Profiles include company information, customer reviews and complaint history. Or, visit the BBB Accredited Business Directory for a list of accredited contractors in your area. It’s also a good idea to ask for recommendations from family and friends.

· Get at least three estimates. Make sure to get three written estimates before signing any contracts. Make sure the estimates are for identical plans and scope of work. It’s not always best to accept the lowest bid, and be wary if one estimate is significantly lower than the others.

· Get a written contract and don’t pay in advance. Make sure the contract specifies the price, the work to be done and who will do it, a breakdown of material and labor costs, the amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor, a time frame and a copy of their current certificate of insurance. Any promises made orally should be written into the contract, including warranties on materials or labor. Be sure their name, address, license number and phone number is included in contract. Read and understand the contract in its entirety. Don’t sign a blank contract, and make sure to receive a copy of the signed contract at time of signature. Be sure the contract specifies the schedule for releasing payments to the contractor. Don’t feel pressured to pay with cash or pay in advance.

· Resist high-pressure sales and be careful of door-to-door contractors. Some storm chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be proactive in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty repair decision. If someone does show up at your door, ask for identification. Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number, and license plates from your state.

· Make sure they’re licensed and insured. In California, any contractor working on a project that is valued at $500 or more for labor and materials must hold a license from the California State License Board (CSLB). CSLB licenses contractors in 43 different classifications, so verify that the contractor holds a license for the work you are having done. This is especially important if the company claims they are able to remove mold and mildew. You can check the status of a license on CSLB’s website (cslb.ca.gov). The CSLB also recommends that “when the contractor comes to your house… ask to see his/her pocket license, along with a picture I.D. Make sure the person you're dealing with is the same person on the license”. It’s also important to verify that they’re insured – ask to see a copy of their Certificate of Insurance, or ask for the name of the insurance carrier and agency to verify independently.

· Know how to deal with your insurance. Flood insurance is not necessarily part of your home insurance. If you do have flood insurance, call your insurance agent immediately to file a claim. Ask for specific procedures or paperwork needed. If possible, take photos of the damage.

If you do have an issue with a contractor, you can file a complaint with your BBB at www.bbb.org . If you encounter a storm chaser scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker .

Rebecca Harpster works for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.

SACRAMENTO – The state’s cost for retiree health and dental benefits has grown to $76.68 billion, according to a report published today by State Controller Betty T. Yee.

The liability represents the present-day cost to provide retiree health and dental benefits earned as of June 30, 2016 – one of the state’s largest long-term debts.

The total liability grew $2.49 billion compared to the prior fiscal year, but the size of the increase was $1.45 billion less than estimated in last year’s report.

Health care claims did not grow as rapidly as expected, and changes in health care delivery helped to lower costs by $3.78 billion.

Conversely, demographic shifts and changes in assumptions about long-term health trends added $2.33 billion to the liability.

These costs have increased dramatically over the past 15 years. In 2001, retiree health care costs accounted for 0.6 percent of the state General Fund budget. This year, they will total $1.92 billion, or about 1.5 percent of the budget (FY 16-17).

“One of the greatest fiscal challenges facing California is the mounting cost of providing health care benefits to public sector workers,” said Controller Yee, the state’s chief fiscal officer and a board member of CalPERS and CalSTRS. “Through collective bargaining, there is positive progress towards the long-term security and sustainability of retiree health benefits. Barring drastic cuts into other public spending, these changes will not happen overnight but, in time, our long-term liabilities will be paid down.”

State pensions are prefunded with contributions from employees and the state, allowing investment returns to significantly reduce liabilities.

By contrast, California has traditionally paid for retiree health benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis, covering costs as they come due.

Gov. Jerry Brown, in contract negotiations with public employee unions, is moving toward a prefunding approach to health benefits more like that used for public employee pension funds.

Under standards created by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), state and local governments have been reporting the costs of retiree health care and Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB) in notes to their financial statements.

Starting next fiscal year (17-18), a new GASB standard requires state and local governments to report OPEB liabilities and expenses in their financial statements.

Many, like California, are expected to report substantial liabilities for retiree health care and the annual expense, and OPEB liability amounts will likely become much more volatile.

The OPEB report provides estimates of California’s obligation for retiree health and dental coverage based on different funding scenarios:

· The current pay-as-you-go policy results in a liability of $76.68 billion. The shortcomings of this method are evident. While the current fiscal year’s budget sets aside $1.92 billion to cover just actual costs, a true accounting of existing and future costs would have required $5.77 billion.

· If the state shifted to fully prefunding future benefits, the liability for the current fiscal year would have been cut by 34 percent to $50.29 billion. To take advantage of the significant reduction in liability from fully prefunding, the state would have needed to contribute $4.11 billion in FY 2016-17, or $2.19 billion more than it budgeted.

In Gov. Brown’s contract negotiations, he has asked unions to agree to make contributions to retiree health costs.

Approved by members last week, the proposed contract for state government’s biggest union, SEIU 1000, would phase in payroll deductions for retiree health care over several years.

Contract negotiations also have included extending the period to qualify for retiree health benefits and reducing the employer subsidy for retiree health coverage.

Even these incremental steps can meaningfully reduce the state’s liability, according to Yee.

For example, prefunding just 10 percent of the annual service cost, in excess of pay-as-you-go expenses, would increase current annual costs by $260 million but reduce the total unfunded liability over time by $3.37 billion.

Prefunding 50 percent would cost $990 million more each year but ultimately result in savings of $13.52 billion in the unfunded liability.

Controller Yee noted that CalPERS, the nation’s largest public pension fund and largest public employer purchaser of health benefits in California, offers an optional California Employers’ Retiree Benefit Trust Fund to help employers fund retiree health benefits. More than 500 California public employers currently participate in the fund.

Last year’s state budget included a one‑time allocation of $240 million to the trust fund.

The state has approximately $400 million set aside in the prefunding trust fund to pay for future retiree health benefits. 

According to the California Department of Finance, by June 2018 the trust fund balance will more than double and approach $1 billion.

The actuarial report can be found on the Controller’s Web site at www.sco.ca.gov .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jacqueline Monique Rich Smith passed peacefully on Jan. 19, 2017.

Jacqueline was born in France on Aug. 20, 1945, and brought to America by her adopted parents Gisele and Carl Chapa, who preceded her in death.

She has two sisters, Patricia Sparks (Ray) and Betty Chapa (who passed away in 2010), and her brother, Chuck Chapa (Carol). Her nieces and nephews include Tina Sparks, Tom Sparks, Jim Newell, Heather Chapa and Adam Chapa. Her closest friends included Rosa Martinez, Suzanna Onellion and Barbara Birardi among others too many to mention, and her former husband Dennis Smith.

Jackie, as everyone called her, was devoted to the animal world. There was never an animal she didn't like. From admonishing a young boy fishing to cover his worms, to rescuing abused horses, she cared for them all.

She was a certified Animal Health Technician from Hartnell Junior College in Salinas and had exceeded that training on her own. She was an expert in breeding exotic birds and reptiles. The animals closest to Jackie were her Arab Mare “GinGin,” her pit bull “Carl” and her Jack Russell Terrier “Frisbee.”

Jackie was a member of the sober community in Lake County and had many years of sobriety. Her careers included in Monterey County: waitress, escrow officer, RV sales. In Lake County: Rays Food Place, Walmart, Herbie's Restaurant.

Jackie was also an excellent seamstress which included designing and sewing wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. At one point, she was raising llamas and weaving their fur into knitting yarn. As per Jackie’s request her remains were donated to University of California – Davis for research.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N High St., Lakeport, on Feb. 4 at 2:30 pm.

There will be a potluck directly following the services at the Lakeport Fellowship, 2630 S. Main St. Donations in her memory should go to ASPCA, Safer Horse (Sonoma County), Animal Collation of Lake County or Hospice.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Dani Dirth Ayers, age 60, of Kelseyville passed away Nov. 2, 2016, at 12:55 p.m. while in ICU at Sutter Lakeside Hospital with her daughter and stepson by her side.

She is survived by her daughter, Suzette (Suzie) Dirth Ayers of Kelseyville.

Dani was born in Missouri on Sept. 17, 1956, to George Powers Dirth and Joan Wilken Campbell.

She was married to Philip Oden Ayers for 23 years until he passed in January 2010.

Dani had been self employed for over 30 years as an Enrolled Agent.

She was the type of person to become friends with everyone around her and her smile radiated across any room. Dani had been a resident of Lake County for the past 30 years.

A celebration of life has not been scheduled but the public will be made aware when and where it will be held in the future.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center will host the opening night of its new “Driven to Abstraction” exhibit on Saturday, Jan. 28.

A reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, located at 21456 Highway 175, at the junction of Highways 29 and 175.

This new exhibit will highlight a variety of abstract art works that do not represent external reality but work through shapes, form, color and texture.

Saturday’s opening reception also will include live music by members of The Middlemen band and screenings of work by experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage in the classroom-studio area of the MAC.

Refreshments and wine will be available to enjoy. 

The exhibit runs through March 5. Art exhibits at MAC change approximately every six weeks.

“The exhibitions and caliber of work keep getting better,” said MAC Director Lisa Kaplan. “It’s really exciting to curate the shows and see it all come together. This will be our fifteenth exhibit since MAC first opened in March 2015. Each exhibit has focused on a different theme and showcased work by Lake County contemporary artists. We invite everyone to come out and join us at our openings, which are always a terrific local cultural event, or to visit the gallery during regular business hours.”

The Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing artistic and cultural opportunities to the residents and visitors of south Lake County while contributing to the community’s health and economic vitality.

MAC offers an array of memberships, child and adult art classes and performance opportunities. The center is open Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 7 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 to 6 p.m. or by appointment.

MAC accepts donations online at www.Middletownartcenter.org .