SACRAMENTO – Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today issued new Auto Collision Repair Labor Rate Survey Regulations that increase consumer protections when a damaged vehicle is repaired.
 
Over the past several years, the Department of Insurance has worked on regulations protecting consumers who have filed automobile collision repair claims with insurance companies.

The regulations went through a formal public review process required by state law, which included taking and responding to public input on the regulations at public workshops, public hearings, and through written public comments. The regulations were drafted and revised with input from consumers, insurers, and repair shops.
 
Insurers limit payments for auto collision repairs based on labor rates derived from insurer created labor rate surveys which did not fairly measure labor rates.

Consumers are left having to pay the difference between the actual labor cost of the repair and what the insurer was willing to pay based on its labor rate survey.

The new regulation sets forth voluntary standards for insurers to accurately and reliably survey auto body repair labor rates to ensure they are paying the reasonable and proper amount.
 
"Accurate and reliable labor rate surveys ensure that consumers are not left paying out-of-pocket for collision repairs, which should be covered by insurance, or worse, forced to leave the vehicle in disrepair creating a potential safety concern," said Commissioner Jones.
 
The Office of Administrative Law (OAL), which independently reviews all new regulations, approved the Commissioner's regulation yesterday. The regulation goes into effect by operation of law on Jan. 1, 2017.

However, these newly adopted regulations are part of the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, which contain a delayed compliance date in order to give insurers, who choose to use these voluntary regulations, additional time to comply. The earliest compliance date is Feb. 28, 2017.

NICE, Calif. – Thurman Dennis Hennessee went to be with the Lord early on the morning of Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in his home in Nice at the age of 84.

A funeral service will be held at Chapel of The Lakes Mortuary on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. with visitation prior to the service starting at 9 a.m.

Dennis was born March 14, 1932, in Dunlap, Tenn., to Alexander Hennessee and Roberta White.

He spent 33 years with Lockheed Martin, where he once saved the company millions by stopping a doomed launch in the nick of time. As a thank you for this catch, Dennis was given an "Outstanding Achievement Award" by the head of the company in 1966.

Dennis enjoyed his retirement playing golf, poker, bingo, crushing it at pool and fishing at Blue Lake. Dennis split his time between his Nice, Calif., home and winters in Mesa, Ariz. In Mesa, he was honored with a plaque attesting to his pool-playing skills. He loved dancing, participating in plays and taking cruises.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Leona Hennessee; son, David Hennessee; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Dennis was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Jean Crooks, and son, Richard Allen Hennessee.

Flowers can be sent to Chapel of The Lakes Mortuary at 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

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

John M. Puccetti
Nov. 15, 1950 – Nov. 27, 2016

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lord has called home another gentle soul. Johnny was born in Lakeport, California to parents John and Lea Puccetti, and resided in Kelseyville for most of his life. He is survived by many friends and family.

Johnny was blessed with a lively spirit and a warm heart and he was a generous person who aided those who called upon him for help. With a fun-loving smile and a wry sense of humor, he never failed to light up a room or put people at ease.

As an active resident of Kelseyville, he embraced the town and its people. Johnny was a successful entrepreneur (Affordable Travel, Lucca, Country Clothing, The Shoe Closet and John’s Market) and was involved in many civic associations including the Kelseyville Lions Club, the Kelseyville Business Association, and was a treasured member of the Kelseyville Pear Festival.

Even though he rarely spoke about his involvements, he was privately very pleased to be one of the many people who were instrumental in the development and growth of Kelseyville.

Johnny’s personal deeds to his family and friends were unmatched. He was a good friend to many and was friendly to all. He will be dearly missed.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Johnny’s life will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Kelseyville on Monday, Dec. 5, at noon.

For those wishing to attend, a rosary will be performed at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m.

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

Harvey Fisher
April 14, 1929 – Nov. 24, 2016

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Harvey was a World War II veteran serving in the Marine Corps and a Lake County Shriner.

He is survived by his son, Randy (Theresa) Fisher; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Bronson of Illinois and Linda Barnes of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his wife, Shirley.

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

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

– Pavement repairs from Sayre Avenue to Glenhaven Drive 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 29
 
– Pavement marker replacement from 0.3 miles north of the Siegler Canyon Bridge to just north of Cruikshank Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance near Lee Barr Road on Wednesday, Dec. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Bridge deck repairs at the Brush Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from Maple Avenue to Oak Street. A shoulder closure will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from the North Calpella Overcrossing to Cold Creek Bridge #3 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 6 p.m. to 10 a.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 25 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near the Feliz Creek Bridge on Friday, Dec. 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Hewlitt and Sturtevant Road to the Hopland Cal Fire station beginning Wednesday, Dec. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Bridge rail upgrades at the South Willits Overhead 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.

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. – Frank Davis (Lee Franklin Davis) was born Dec. 16, 1933, in Olney, Texas. He left this world Nov. 23, 2016, in Lakeport.

On Jan. 24, 1951, Frank entered the U.S. Army at the age of 17 years old serving in Germany and in Korea. Frank enjoyed and was very proud of his military service. During his three years of service he received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal,  and the Army Occupation Medal for Service in Germany. Frank was honorably discharged on Jan. 8, 1954.

After the Army Frank got on with life. He was a hard worker, always providing for his family. He could do most anything. He worked in sawmills, gas stations, worked for a plumber until he had his own plumbing business and spent almost 20 years working at Mount Konocti Growers until he retired.

Retirement was really just a word as he never stopped working. He loved his work and could work most men into the ground. He loved to work around the ranch, built and repaired all sorts of things, helped friends and family and loved cutting firewood.

Frank wasn't much of a conversationalist, and he had a dry sense of humor. He loved to fish, and liked walking with his dogs that he loved dearly. Most of all he liked being with his kids and grandkids and helping them; all you had to do was ask Frank, Dad, Grandpa or Papa.

Frank was loved and will be dearly missed.

Frank is survived by his wife, Anne; two daughters, Cindy and Sandy; two sons, Darrell and Brian; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four siblings. He is predeceased by four siblings.

He dearly loved his kids and their kids, was a good husband and provider and would do anything for his family.  

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion Hall at 5005 Second St, Kelseyville, on Dec. 16. All friends and family are welcome and encouraged to attend. They will be gathering at noon with the Lake County Military Funeral Honors at 12:30 p.m. and lunch to follow after the service.

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

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest Research Stations have released the draft Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) science synthesis.

The draft synthesis, when finalized, will help to provide a scientific foundation for land management plans for 17 national forests within the NWFP area.

The public can provide input on the science content of the draft synthesis in two ways:

· Attend a public forum webinar Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mendocino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 825 N. Humboldt Ave., Willows.

· Through Jan. 6: Upload written input via http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/research/science-synthesis/index.shtml .

The synthesis is a highly influential science document as defined by the Office of Management and Budget.

As part of the requirements for such a document, an independent peer review is underway. It is being coordinated by the Ecological Society of America.

Peer reviewers will provide their reviews to the synthesis authors in the spring of 2017. The draft will be revised and published in late 2017.

The draft NWFP science synthesis is online at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/research/science-synthesis/index.shtml .

If you have any questions, please contact Becky Gravenmier at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 503-808-2851.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – John Dale Wright, 77, of Kelseyville, “JD” Wright, son of John and Ruby Wright, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully on Nov. 20, 2016.

JD was born in Porterville, Calif., on May 21, 1939. His family soon moved to Kelseyville and he graduated from Kelseyville High School.

He served his country in the Army Reserves. 

JD and Carol were married on September 24, 2016 and were married for 48 years when she passed away in 2014.
 
JD is survived by his son, Charlie Wright and wife Jessica; daughter, Suzanne Emerson and husband Chris; grandchildren, Logan, Chase and London; as well as his sister, Evadene Kirkpatrick; brother, James Wright; sister-in-law Joan Turner; brother-in-law Carl Alford; and many loving nieces and nephews.  

The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff at Rocky Point Care Center for their kindness and care during Papa’s time with them. 

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lake Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, on Monday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. Rev. Steve Nesheim of Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will be officiating.

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