SACRAMENTO – The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Monday announced the continued closure of the Pacific sardine directed fishery through June 30, 2018.

This is the third annual closure in a row for this fishery.

Council members heard from scientists that the abundance forecast for the 2017-18 season, scheduled to start July 1, was significantly below the 150,000 metric ton threshold for a directed fishery.

They also considered testimony from fishery participants and environmental groups before reaching a decision to close the directed fishery.

Small amounts of sardines may be taken incidental to target fishing on other stocks, and a small harvest amount was allocated to the Quinault Indian Nation along the mid-Washington coast.

“This represents a real hardship for coastal communities that depend on sardines and other coastal pelagic species. However, there are signs that the sardine population is increasing, so we’re hopeful there will be some fishing opportunity for next year,” said Council Chair Herb Pollard.

Sardines are subject to large natural population swings associated with ocean conditions. In general, sardines thrive in warm water regimes, such as those of the 1930s, and decline in cool water years, like the 1970s.

After reaching a recent year peak of about one million metric tons in 2006, the sardine biomass1 has dropped to an estimated 86,586 metric tons in 2017.

The council takes a precautionary approach to managing Pacific sardines. When the fish are abundant, more fishing is allowed; but as the stock size declines, the amount of allocated to harvest decreases. When the biomass is estimated at or below 150,000 metric tons, directed commercial fishing is shut down.

Although directed commercial fishing will close, the Council will allow up to 8,000 tons of sardines to account for small amounts taken as incidental catch in other fisheries (such as mackerel), live bait harvest, Tribal harvest, and research.

The sardine biomass is assessed annually, and the fishing year runs July 1 through June 30. Although sardine fishing hasn’t generated the money that some other fisheries have in recent years, it is an important source of income for communities up and down the west coast.

The allowable harvest in recent years has been as high as 109,000 metric tons (2012), but has dropped as the biomass has dropped.

In 2013 the harvest guideline was 66,495 mt, and in 2014 it was 23,293 mt. Since July 2015, the harvest guideline has been zero.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 for the purpose of managing fisheries 3-200 miles offshore of the United States of America coastline.

The Pacific Council recommends management measures for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington. All council meetings are open to the public.

California revenues of $7.63 billion for March beat projections in the governor’s proposed 2017-18 budget by $1.73 billion, or 29.2 percent, State Controller Betty T. Yee reported.

March revenues were just $56.5 million above estimates in the 2016-17 Budget Act signed last summer. 

For the first nine months of the 2016-17 fiscal year that began in July, total revenues of $80.91 billion are $607.3 million below last summer’s budget estimates, but $837.1 million ahead of January’s revised fiscal year-to-date predictions.

March personal income tax (PIT) receipts of $3.93 billion topped projections in the governor’s proposed budget by nearly $1.09 billion, or 38.2 percent.

In the current fiscal year, California has collected total PIT receipts of $54.90 billion, or 1.1 percent more than January’s revised estimate. Controller Yee has launched an online tracker to show daily PIT receipts through April, the busiest filing period.

Corporation tax receipts of $1.37 billion for March were 29.1 percent higher than assumptions in the proposed 2017-18 budget.

Fiscal year-to-date corporation tax receipts of $5.19 billion are 9.0 percent above projections in the proposed budget.

March sales tax receipts of almost $2.00 billion exceeded expectations in the governor’s proposed 2017-18 budget by $266.8 million, or 15.4 percent.

For the fiscal year to date, sales tax receipts of $18.29 billion are $346.7 million below the revised estimates released in January – the only one of the “big three” General Fund revenue sources to miss the mark.

The state ended March with unused borrowable resources of $22.50 billion, which was $3.53 billion more than predicted in the governor’s proposed budget. Outstanding loans of $17.87 billion were $304.3 million lower than projected in early January. This loan balance consists of borrowing from the state’s internal special funds.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources.

The controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This year promises to be quite a show for Redbud Audubon’s Heron Days pontoon boat tours.

Herons, egrets and cormorants are nesting now, and their numbers are amazing. 

If you haven’t taken one of these tours, this year is the year to do it.

Boats will depart on April 29 and 30 at Lakeside County Park.

On May 6 and 7 they depart from Shady Acres Campground. 

A number of tours already are closed; sign up now.

For more information, and to register, go to www.redbudaudubon.org .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Thursday Morning Breakfast Group that meets weekly in Clearlake has announced its lineup of invited guest speakers for April.

The group meets at 7 a.m. at Main Street Café, 14084 Lakeshore Drive.

The lineup is as follows:

• April 13: Whitney Petrie, Lake County interim museum curator, 2015/16 fire stories.

• April 20: District Attorney Don Anderson, Perjury Investigation Unit.

• April 29: Ed Robey, Team Lake County.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The 27th annual Ecumenical Good Friday Service will take place at noon on April 14.

This year’s service, sponsored by the Lake Ministerial Association, will be held at the Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church, located at 12487 The Plaza, next to the Live Oaks Senior Center.

Join them as congregations of Lake County Churches come together to explore the seven last sayings of Christ on the cross.

Some of the churches gathering this day will be Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church, First Lutheran in Lucerne, Galilee Lutheran Church, Kelseyville United Methodist Church, Lake County Bible Fellowship, Lakeport Community Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lower Lake United Methodist Church, New Hope Community Church in Lucerne and United Christian Parish of Lakeport.

For more information please call Pastor Dawn Roberts at 707-972-5122.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center, located at 15500 Central Park Road in Middletown, will be closed this Friday, April 14, in observance of Good Friday.

On Saturday, April 15, the center will resume our regularly scheduled operational hours of Wednesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For Geysers and tour information, please visit website, www.geysers.com .

If you don’t have an automotive emergency fund, you’re not alone.

According to a new AAA survey, 64 million American drivers – or one in three motorists – would not be able to pay for an unexpected vehicle repair without going into debt.

An average repair bill can set a driver back between $500 and $600, a figure that is expected to grow as vehicles become more advanced.

Complex vehicle systems are more costly to fix. Additionally, the technical skill and specialized equipment necessary to execute repairs are also more expensive.

“Newer cars come equipped with systems to make driving more safe and comfortable, but this technology also makes them more expensive to repair,” said John Moreno, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Many consumers struggle with costs associated with auto repair as a result of failing to set aside a car care fund to pay for the upkeep of their vehicles.”

Repair costs soar when a vehicle has been poorly maintained. A previous AAA survey found that one-third of U.S. drivers skip or delay recommended service or repairs.

AAA advises drives to save $50 per month for a car care fund.

“While car payments eventually end over the lifetime of a vehicle, operating costs do not,” Moreno said. “A small savings plan can go a long way in reducing the anxiety of unexpected auto repair costs.”

To avoid an unexpected car repair, AAA recommends vehicle owners follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and identify a repair shop they trust.

If faced with an unexpected repair, AAA suggests drivers:

· Get a written estimate for the repair and clarify with the shop the work that needs to be done on the vehicle. Consider getting a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.

· Negotiate the repair bill. Ask if the shop offers any discounts or payment plans that can reduce immediate out-of-pocket costs.

LUCERNE, Calif. – California Water Service is now accepting applications from eligible students in its service areas for the company’s fourth annual college scholarship cycle.

In total, $60,000 in scholarships for college and vocational-technical education will be awarded for the 2017-18 school year, with two top scholarship prizes equaling $10,000 each.

Scholarship recipients will be determined by academic achievement, community service and financial need.

The scholarship program, which is funded through California Water Service Group’s philanthropic giving program, not ratepayers, will be administered by Scholarship Management Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

To be eligible for a scholarship, students or their parents must live in a Cal Water service area, plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical school, and not already possess a degree or diploma from an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical school.

“At Cal Water, we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve and making good things happen. We believe that an investment in students’ education is an investment in the future leadership of our local communities,” said Local Manager Darin McCosker. “I encourage all eligible students in our service areas to consider applying.”

Students interested in learning more about the scholarship program or applying should visit www.calwater.com/scholarship .

The deadline to apply for this scholarship period is May 1. The scholarships will be awarded this summer.

Cal Water serves approximately 1,900 service connections in the Redwood Valley area and about two million people through 480,300 service connections in California.

The company, which has provided water service in the area since 2000, was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Water Utilities in the West” in 2016 by J.D. Power in its inaugural Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.

Additional information may be obtained online at www.calwater.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Helen Smith Ryder, 91, peacefully passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Evergreen Health Care in Lakeport.

A wonderful loving mother, she is survived by her four daughters, Susan Weir (Clearlake, Calif.) Carol Rohlfing (Kelseyville, Calif.) Peggy Parker (Clearlake) and Shirley Sullivan (Southport, North Carolina); 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was a successful Avon manager and loved her ballroom dancing.

Her celebration of life will be performed by Dignity Celebrant Sirre J Reed at Jones Mortuary on Thursday, April 13, at 11 a.m.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ASPCA in Helen’s name.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones Mortuary, www.jonesmortuary.com , FD311, Lakeport.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake has welcomed AmeriCorps VISTA member Kate Gitchell to its community wellness team.

Gitchell’s volunteer service will support Hope Rising, a collective impact movement of community partners, including St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, focusing on improving quality of life in Lake County.

Gitchell’s AmeriCorps VISTA service will encompass a full year and bring helpful support to the SafeRx opioid initiative, a signature project of Hope Rising.

The AmeriCorps VISTA grant for her position was submitted by North Coast Opportunities Inc.

AmeriCorps is a national volunteer program that engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at sites including nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups.

“In the true spirit of collaboration and shared investment, NCO ‘contributed’ one of its VISTA members to Hope Rising,” said Shelly Mascari, community wellness director at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and leader of Hope Rising. “We spent several months recruiting and interviewing potential volunteers and were excited when we met Kate. Her education, experience and interests align well with the work of Hope Rising and SafeRx.”

Gitchell’s arrival comes at a busy time for Hope Rising, a collective impact organization that includes representatives from local health care, education, nonprofit community services and partners such as The Way to Wellville, who work together to improve quality of life in Lake County.

Hope Rising recently received a grants from Partnership HealthPlan of California and from the California Department of Public Health.

SafeRx is one of the signature projects of Hope Rising; it was formed as a collaboration of local health care organizations and other public agencies operating in Lake County in recognition that access to opioids, or pain medications, involves prescriptions from local physicians.

The task force has set a goal to reduce deaths due to the use and misuse of prescription pain killers by 50 percent by 2020. St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake is the backbone agency of SafeRx and an active leader in Hope Rising.

Gitchell, a native of upstate New York, graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 2016. It was during college that she developed a love for community health and wellness.

She regularly volunteered at a local food pantry and worked as the intensive outpatient program coordinator at SOL Stone eating disorder clinic.

Later, she interned at Binghampton University in the health and wellness department, focusing on nutrition and mental/physical health. At Binghamtpon, she organized a seminar on the heroin and opioid crisis affecting the city and surrounding counties in New York State.

“I am so excited to utilize my skills and education in partnership with St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake,” said Gitchell. “I believe in the vision of the Hope Rising collaborative and look forward to helping with the progress of SafeRx over the coming year.”

Learn more about Hope Rising at www.hoperisinglakecounty.com .