The holidays are approaching quickly – meaning deadlines for gift-buying are as well! During this busy season, people often don’t have the time to find and buy the perfect gift for everyone on their list.

The solution? Gift cards! According to a holiday shopping survey by the National Retail Federation, gift cards are the most popular gift items – 61 percent of those surveyed want them!

There are two main types of gift cards – retail gift cards that can only be used at specific establishments, and bank gift cards that function like cash and can be used almost anywhere. The former are usually free to purchase, while the latter often are accompanied by a purchase fee.

Gift cards are a great gift because of their ease and versatility. To make the experience even easier, the FTC put in place consumer protection measures for gift cards in 2010.

The rules state that: money on a gift card can’t expire for at least five years; inactivity fees can be charged only after a card hasn’t been used for at least one year; and the expiration date must be clearly disclosed on the card and any fees must be clearly disclosed on the card or its packaging.

Although gift cards are a great one-size-fits-all gift, there are still a few things to consider when buying them. Your Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that you:

· Read the fine print. Search the card’s packaging and the card itself for any fees, expiration dates, and terms and condition. Some organizations charge service fees, or will limit the gift card to “in store only” purchases, making it useless for online shopping. If you’re buying the card by phone or online, verify whether there will be any shipping and handling fees.

· Start with trust. It’s important to buy from sources you know and trust. Avoid online auction sites – the cards may be counterfeit or obtained illegally. Retailers can cancel stolen gift cards or a criminal might resell a gift card they have already used. If you’re considering buying a card on a gift card resale site, be very careful. It’s impossible to verify the amount on the card or see if it’s expired. If you do go online, make sure to look up the business at www.bbb.org to view its rating, complaint history and reviews from past customers. It’s also important to make sure that the site is secure – look for the “https:”, where the “s” stands for “secure.”

· Examine the card and packaging for tampering. It’s common for thieves to record a card’s PIN and put it back on the shelf. They wait for the card to be bought and then use it online, wiping the value, before the customer has a chance to. The safest gift cards are those in a thick plastic casing. Make sure the packaging hasn’t been tampered with, and check the back of the card to make sure that the PIN number hasn’t been exposed and no protective stickers have been removed.

· Consider the retailer/bank. Consider whether the recipient will be able to use the card – do they live close to the establishment, and if not can they use the card online? It’s also important to consider the financial condition of the retailer or restaurant. If the store location near the recipient closes, it may be difficult for them to use the card. If the company goes out of business or files for bankruptcy, the card may be useless.

· Avoid scammers. Gift cards are also popular among scammers. One common sign that something is a scam is if you’re asked to pay through a gift card or prepaid card – usually bank, Amazon and iTunes cards. In fact, so far in 2016, around 5 percent of those that reported losing money to a scam to BBB Scam Tracker paid the scammer with a prepaid card/gift card. Most trustworthy companies will never demand a gift card as any form of payment. If you get a phone call asking for such, hang up and report it to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.

· Protect the recipient. Keep the receipt and give it to the recipient. If a card is stolen, a replacement might be issued if you have the receipt. If possible, register the gift card on the store’s Web site. This can help you find out about any card misuse and protect the card’s balance in case it’s stolen or lost.

· Don’t give out personal information. No trustworthy company will ever ask for personal information when you purchase a gift card. Consider it a red flag if you’re asked for personal details.

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

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.

In observance of the Christmas holiday, Caltrans crews and contractors will not be performing any activity on state highways that would include lane closures Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Dec. 26. However, Caltrans will respond to emergency situations with traffic control as required.

The agency wishes Californians a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Sayre Avenue to Glenhaven Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Second Street on Thursday, Dec. 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Keys Boulevard on Wednesday, Dec. 28. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29
 
– Valley fire recovery work from the Lake/Napa County line to Hidden Valley 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.

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 Andiron Road on Thursday, Dec. 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from the North Calpella Overcrossing to Road 260 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs near the Lake County Line will continue through Friday, Dec. 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-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 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 work will continue. A full highway closure will be in effect with a detour onto State Route 271. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays as they navigate the detour.

Highway 162
 
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near the Town Creek Bridge through Friday, Dec. 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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).

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville High School split its wrestling squad last Saturday with the girls group traveling to Santa Rosa while the boys went to Fort Bragg.

At the Orange and Black Invitational at Santa Rosa High School, the Kelseyville High girls took second in the team standings.

First place medalists included Kylie Marlin-Ambriz, 101 pounds; Bailey Huggins, 126 pounds; Vanessa Gonzalez, 145 pounds; and Brianna Christian, 235 pounds.

Jasmin Clarke, at 235 pounds, took a second-place finish, while third place finishes were earned by Korbyn Marlin-Ambriz at 101 pounds and Brianna Thomas at 121 pounds.

Melanie Guerrero, 137 pounds, did not place but got her first career win at the Saturday event.

The boys group also had a successful run while traveling to the Holiday Bash in Fort Bragg, where they placed third as a team.

Alex Garcia, at 145 pounds, won first place, while second place Javontee Gregoire, 182 pounds, lost his finals match to Mike Cavender of Fort Bragg, the front runner in the league at that weight. Aaron Teal also a runner up at 195 pounds.

Third place finishers were Nika Metreveli, 138 pounds, and Bryan Carrillo, 170 pounds. Carrillo lost in the first round to a tough wrestler from Hoopa High School and was able to avenge that loss by meeting him again in the third place match in convincing fashion. 

Fourth place finishers were Bryce Mandaville, 126 pounds, and Patrick Mick, 152 pounds. Mick medically forfeited the third place match after injuring his shoulder in the consolation semifinals match from an illegal slam.  

Alex Garcia was voted the outstanding wrestler in the tournament's "lightweight" category.

Both squads are traveling to Brentwood on Dec. 22 and 23 for the Lou Bronzan Invitational tournament.

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 16-35 with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., January 3, 2017 at 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 January 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.

Minor Use Permit 16-35: The property is located at 8989 Fairway Dr., Kelseyville, APN 430-212-04.

The property owner, Valeria Bilar, has requested approval of this permit in accordance with Lake County Code to allow a 25 percent reduction of the required front yard setback from 20 feet to 15 feet to accommodate a deck in the front yard. Project planner: Tricia Shortridge, (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: ____________________________________
Michalyn DelValle, Principal Planner
               

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will hold its Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.
 
The church, located at 5340 Third St. in downtown Kelseyville, has been a part of the Kelseyville community for 144 years, and would like to invite everyone to this hour-long service of music and prayer, ending with singing outside under the stars, weather permitting.
 
On Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, the church will hold its worship service at 11 a.m., followed by a free Christmas dinner put on by the church for anyone who would like a hot meal and companionship on Christmas Day.

Santa is expected to arrive that day as well, so bring the family to enjoy Christmas with the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. 
 
For more information, please call 707-279-1104.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Operations have started on the Hardin timber sale approximately 14 miles northwest of Elk Creek.

Forest officials said hauling could begin next week, depending on the weather.

Timber will be hauled from the Hardin Ridge area on the 22N47 Road, to the 22N21 Road, to FH 7, to the 21N299 Road, to the 21N07 Road, back to FH7 at the end of the pavement and then down the FH7 to the valley. 

Approximately four to eight truckloads a day are expected to exit the sale area. Truck traffic and active felling signs are posted. Please drive with caution on all forest roads and watch for trucks in this vicinity.

For additional forest road information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd528167.pdf .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 24, St. John's Episcopal Church will hold its annual Christmas Eve candlelight service.

The service will begin at 8 p.m., with the Rev. Wendy Watson presiding and Melvin Taylor playing the organ.

All are welcome.

St. John's is located in Lakeport at 1190 N. Forbes St., at the corner of Clearlake Avenue.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Several dozen community members participated in a vigil last week at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.

The candlelight vigil took place on Dec. 16, ahead of the Dec. 19 voting by the Electoral College, which confirmed the Nov. 8 election of President-elect Donald Trump. It was meant to support electors voting for a “compromise candidate” instead of Trump.

About 50 concerned citizens met during the chilly evening for the vigil and sang songs for about an hour, according to Saro Deacon, an event organizer.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Riviera West Ladies Club once gain held its food and toy drive to benefit the children staying at the Lake County Resource Center's domestic violence shelter.

This year the group collected more than 20 bags of groceries and toys/gifts for the children.

The group – working with the Lake County Airmen Association – also collected toys for the local Toys for Tots gift distribution.

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 16-32 with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., December 30, 2016 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 January 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.

Minor Use Permit 16-32. The property is located at 15870 Shawnee Cir., Loch Lomond, APN 052-261-05. The project applicant Timothy Toye has requested approval of this permit in accordance with Lake County Code to allow an accessory structure to exceed the height limitation of 20 feet, for a total height of 24 feet.  Project planner: Tricia Shortridge, (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