How to resolve AdBlock issue? Caltrans, working under Gov. Jerry Brown’s drought-related state of emergency, is identifying, cutting and removing dead and dying trees from alongside state highways.
These are trees primarily killed by drought or the bark beetle, and are threatening to impact state highways or provide fuel to wildfires.
Working in collaboration with Cal Fire, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, along with county governments and utility companies, Caltrans is already cutting and removing trees on State Route 108 (SR-108) and SR-120 in Tuolumne County.
Additional tree-removal projects are scheduled for adjoining counties, as well as counties across California that are impacted.
Sierra Mountain Construction of Sonora is the contractor for the first of these projects, and it is scheduled to remove more than 4,000 at-risk trees along SR-108 in Tuolumne County.
Crews will be removing dead and dying trees within 100 feet of the center of the road. Crews will also assess trees that are capable of falling on highways, regardless of their location.
As part of the program, Caltrans will:
– Identify the dead, dying and at-risk trees along state highways;
– Contact the landowner, if the tree is outside the public right of way, and discuss removal options;
– Cut and remove identified and approved trees from state right of way.
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Sept. 3 is Free Fishing Day in California
Don't miss the last chance to fish for free this year.
Free Fishing Day in California is being offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Saturday, Sept. 3, during Labor Day weekend.
"One of the greatest things about Free Fishing Day is that it provides an opportunity to open a door for someone who's never tried it," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. "If you're already an experienced angler, bring a friend or family member out with you and show them the excitement of landing a fish. It's a great way to make memories."
A basic annual resident sport fishing license in California currently costs $47.01, but CDFW offers two Free Fishing Days each year – usually around the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend – when it's legal to fish without one.
If you would like to fish the rest of the year, go to CDFW's Web site for information about purchasing a license.
All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on Free Fishing Day.
Every angler must also have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for abalone, steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state, or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity river systems.
Before you head out to your favorite lake or stream, please review the fishing rules and regulations at www.wildlife.ca.gov/regulations .
- Editor
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Higher education leaders mobilize to expand tuition-free community college in California
OAKLAND, Calif. – Hundreds of community college representatives from around the state are in Oakland on Tuesday to share effective models for strengthening and expanding the California College Promise, a bold effort to offer two years of tuition-free community college to hard-working students.
The day-long event – which features remarks from Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, incoming California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and national College Promise Campaign Executive Director Martha Kanter – highlights College Promise programs already in place and offers ideas to college leaders looking to start their own programs.
College Promise programs are community-based partnerships that address the problem of college affordability by offering higher education funding for students.
“California is on-track to produce 1.1 million fewer college graduates than our economy demands in 2030. There is an imminent need for a workforce with an appropriate level of advanced education. California’s Community Colleges are a critical point of access to higher education, and one of our most effective tools for upward mobility,” Newsom said. “Moreover, robust cradle-to-career initiatives like the Promise Programs in Oakland and Long Beach reveal the power of communities rallying to lift up their young people. We must double down on these efforts and launch a statewide California Promise, allowing all of our state's regions to rise together.”
Over the last 15 years, there has been a steady rise in the number of College Promise programs across the United States.
The trend gained momentum in 2015, when President Barack Obama announced the America’s College Promise proposal during his State of the Union address.
That same year, the College Promise Campaign, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization, was established to develop a network of support for College Promise efforts.
“The jobs of today and tomorrow require college educated workers, and community colleges are in the best position to help remedy the skills gap that exists in California’s economy and attack income inequality,’’ said Oakley, who takes over as statewide chancellor in December. “These innovative partnerships lower the cost of college and help students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, earn a certificate or degree and find good paying jobs.”
As president of Long Beach City College, Oakley helped form the nationally recognized Long Beach College Promise (College Promise) in a partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Through the College Promise, students are guaranteed a tuition-free year at LBCC and preferred admission status to CSULB after completing the minimum transfer requirements.
California is a leader in the development and implementation of these programs with 23 programs in place as of August 2016.
The state is primed to develop more College Promise programs because community colleges can leverage the program’s financial and partnership supports with the existing California Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program, which pays enrollment fees for low-income students.
Promise programs bring together partners from K–12 schools, universities, college foundations and the private sector to increase college access to California’s students.
Key goals of the conference for faculty, staff, administrators and trustees in attendance include:
• Gaining an understanding of the national and state-wide College Promise movement.
• Learning how to design, implement, and improve program elements such as financing, student support services, community partnerships, measurement and community outreach.
• Connecting with and build a community of College Promise colleagues across the state.
“The California Community Colleges is the largest higher education system in the nation, and to see the interest and excitement about creating College Promise programs is wonderful,” said California College Promise Chair Helen Benjamin, chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District. “For more than 30 years, California, with its Board of Governors Fee Waiver program, has offered free tuition for qualified students unable to afford it. By raising funds and providing financial help for other college costs associated, we are removing a major barrier for potential students to obtain the education they need to qualify for good paying jobs or transfer to a four-year university.”
The Regional Educational Laboratory West at WestEd gathered background and program details on all 23 California College Promise programs and compiled the information in a booklet for the event participants. It can be found at https://relwest.wested.org/resources/221
Teaming up to sponsor the event are the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, the Community College League of California, the College Promise Campaign, the California College Promise Campaign Leadership Team and the Regional Educational Laboratory West at WestEd. For more information, visit www.calcollegepromise.org .
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year.
For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/ , https://www.facebook.com/CACommColleges or https://twitter.com/CalCommColleges .
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Thousands of customers could benefit from monthly energy discounts
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Thousands of customers in Humboldt, Lake and Mendocino counties could save up to 20 percent or more on their monthly energy bill by taking a simple step – enrolling in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program.
The CARE program gives income-qualified households deep discounts on their energy bills, but nearly one in ten eligible customers are not signed up for the program and are missing out on significant savings.
“Our CARE program is an important part of providing affordable service to our customers. We encourage all our customers to learn more about CARE, and the variety of other programs we offer, to help them manage their energy costs and lower their monthly bill,” said PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Laurie Giammona.
PG&E estimates about 200,000 customers throughout its service area could save on their monthly costs by enrolling in CARE.
Currently, more than 1.4 million qualified customers throughout Northern and Central California are enrolled in CARE.
PG&E has helped customers save more than $7.8 billion on their energy bills through the program.
Customers can apply for CARE online or via paper applications that are available through numerous community agencies throughout PG&E’s service area.
Applying is easy and only takes about five minutes. If they qualify, customers will begin receiving the CARE program discount within their next billing cycle.
The Energy Savings Assistance Program can help customers already participating in the CARE Program save more energy and money with free energy-saving improvements to maximize energy efficiency in their home.
Every year, the California Public Utilities Commission adjusts the maximum qualifying income levels for CARE to reflect changes in the federal poverty guidelines. CARE is funded through a rate surcharge paid by all utility customers.
To learn more about the CARE Program, visit www.pge.com/care .
If customers have questions or need assistance filling out the CARE applications, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-866-743-2273.
To learn more about the Energy Savings Assistance Program, visit www.pge.com/energysavings .
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Retired Teachers Association Chapter meets Sept. 14
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of the California Retired Teachers Association will hold its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
This luncheon meeting will be held at the Riviera Hills Restaurant, 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A business meeting will be called to order by President Joyce Anderson at 10 a.m.
Following the business meeting Joan Reynolds, program coordinator for North Coast Opportunities’ Volunteer Network, will speak on the Schools of Hope.
The Schools of Hope is a reading tutoring program that connects volunteers with struggling readers in first through third grades. This national program has been proven successful at raising reading scores to proficient level.
All CalRTA members are invited to attend as well as recently retired teachers, family members or other interested individuals.
This is an opportunity to learn how the California Retired Teachers Association is working to protect the retirement and pensions of California teachers.
In addition the Lake County Chapter provides scholarships to students, grants to local teachers and supports education in Lake County in numerous other ways.
At the conclusion of the program, lunch will be served. The menu consists of spaghetti with choice of meat sauce or vegetarian marinara sauce, salad, slaw, garlic toast and ice cream. Beverages are included.
The cost of lunch is $15 including tax and gratuity.
Reservations may be made by calling Julie at 707-279-2625. Transportation can be arranged for those in need by contacting Julie at the above number.
- Elizabeth Larson
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Firefighters respond to fires near Upper Lake; second incident prompts evacuations
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – State, local and federal firefighters are on the scenes of two separate wildland fires near Upper Lake, the second one leading to evacuations before firefighters stopped its progress.
The first fire, in the area of Elk Mountain Road and Pitney Lane, was first reported shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Northshore Fire, Cal Fire and the US Forest Service responded to that incident, according to reports from the scene.
Incident command reported that the fire's forward progress was stopped just before 4:30 p.m., at which point it was said to have burned about 10 acres.
About a half hour later, firefighters were dispatched to another fire near Upper Lake, this time in the area of Highway 29 and Mockingbird Lane, according to reports from the scene.
Cal Fire sent air resources including tankers and helicopters to assist the ground units on scene that came from Northshore Fire, Cal Fire and Lakeport Fire.
The California Highway Patrol said it was providing traffic control in the area.
The Mockingbird fire was reported to be about 20 acres shortly before 5:30 p.m., with some structure threat. If it crosses Highway 29, the structure threat could increase, radio reports indicated.
At 5:40 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that evacuations were ordered for the area of Old Robinson Rancheria and Mockingbird Lane.
Shortly afterward, incident command reported that forward progress on the fire had been stopped.
Radio reports indicated work was still continuing on both fire scenes just before 6 p.m.
Highway 29 was reported to be closed in both directions between Highway 20 and Mockingbird Lane.
The sheriff's office reported that the evacuations were lifted shortly before 7 p.m.
The CHP said shortly before 9 p.m. that Highway 29 between Highway 20 and Mockingbird Lane had reopened.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
- Elizabeth Larson
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Wildlife Conservation Board funds Lake County Land Trust wetlands purchase
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Tuesday, the state Wildlife Conservation Board approved funding for a Lake County Land Trust property purchase meant to protect wetlands and shoreline in the Big Valley area, helping the long-term project to move one step closer to completion.
The board said it approved a $135,000 grant to the Lake County Land Trust to acquire in fee approximately 34 acres of land for the protection of shoreline freshwater wetland, riparian woodland
and wet meadow habitats that support the state's-threatened Clear Lake hitch and the western pond turtle, a state species of special concern.
The project also is meant to provide future wildlife-oriented public use opportunities in the Big Valley area, located, on the northwestern shore of Clear Lake.
The funding for the Land Trust project was part of $15 million in grants the Wildlife Conservation Board approved at its Tuesday meeting for 21 projects that are meant to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California.
The state funds for all these projects come from initiatives approved by voters to help preserve and protect California’s natural resources, the board reported.
“We're really excited about it,” Lake County Land Trust President Roberta Lyons told Lake County News on Tuesday after returning from the meeting in Sacramento, which she and several other Land Trust members attended.
Lyons said the Land Trust has been working on the project for about six years, beginning with developing a conceptual area protection plan for the Big Valley Wetlands Protection Area that was needed to apply to the state for the funding.
The keystone property for the project is the 34-acre property owned by George Melo, who entered into an agreement four years ago to sell the property to the Land Trust, Lyons said.
“George Melo has been extremely patient and fabulous in working with us on this project,” Lyons said.
The agreed-upon purchase price was $225,000, and since then the Land Trust has raised more than half that amount, separate from the grant.
She said the wetlands protection area can conceivably include other projects, but Lyons emphasized it has nothing to do with eminent domain.
“It's a cooperative venture” with landowners, she said, noting that it will open up the possibility of conservation easements that could qualify for future state funding.
Lyons said the Land Trust is now looking forward to getting through escrow and seeing the project completed.
The Land Trust project is the second in Lake County to receive a major funding grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board in the last three months.
In June, the board gave a $440,000 grant to Tuleyome to acquire the 1,280-acre Silver Spur Ranch near Clearlake Oaks, as Lake County News has reported: http://bit.ly/1tbHeZH .
In addition to the Land Trust's grant, other funding awards for projects approved Tuesday include the following:
– A $1.2 million grant to the Feather River Land Trust for a cooperative project with the Natural Resources Agency to acquire a conservation easement over approximately 5,530 acres of land to provide protection for deer, mountain lion and oak habitats near the town of Doyle in Lassen County.
– A $1.7 million acquisition in fee of approximately 1,066 acres of land by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to expand the Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area, protect riparian and oak woodland habitat, and for future wildlife oriented public use opportunities near Beckwourth in Plumas County.
– A $3 million grant to Sonoma County Agriculture Preservation and Open Space District for a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy to acquire a conservation easement over approximately 871 acres of forest lands, including large areas of old and new growth redwood located near Stewarts Point.
– A $2.5 million grant to the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust for a cooperative project with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District to acquire in fee approximately 240 acres of land as an expansion of the Sawmill Pebble Plain Ecological Preserve – rare pebble plain habitat supporting a wide variety of endemic plant species – south of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, in San Bernardino County.
– An $850,000 grant to the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy for a cooperative project to implement a comprehensive habitat restoration program, remove target nonnative invasive weed species and restore native habitat on 65 acres of coastal wetlands on several sites located at Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos Lagoon and San Elijo Lagoon. These are located from approximately nine miles north to five miles south of Encinitas on privately owned properties and on properties owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the state Department of Parks and Recreation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Literacy program to host upcoming tutor training
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Adult Literacy Program will host a tutor training on Monday, Sept. 19.
The training will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.
It is free, however the group requests a $20 donation to cover materials.
No experience is needed and there will be ongoing support and workshops.
Becoming a tutor can help someone to a better future.
For more information or to register, call 707-263-7633.
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lake County's July unemployment down slightly
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's unemployment rate showed a slight dip in July while the overall state rate had a minor increase.
The California Employment Development Department's latest report on state and local jobless rates said Lake County's July unemployment rate was 6.6 percent, down from a revised 6.7 percent in June 2016 and below the year-ago estimate of 7.5 percent.
California's unemployment rate in July was 5.5 percent, up from 5.4 percent in June and the year-ago rate of 6.1 percent, according to the report.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nationwide unemployment rate in July was 4.9 percent, unchanged from June but improved over the 5.3 percent rate in July 2015.
Lake County ranked No. 31 statewide for its July jobless rate, improved by two spots over the previous month, the state said.
San Mateo County continued to hold onto the spot for the lowest rate statewide, 3.4 percent, while Imperial County's 24.2-percent rate earned it the worst ranking.
The Employment Development Department said nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,489,000 in July, an increase of 36,400 jobs over the month, according to a survey of 58,000 California businesses that measures jobs in the economy. The year-over-year change, from July 2015 to July 2016, shows an increase of 374,600 jobs, up 2.3 percent.
A federal survey of 5,500 households showed an increase in the number of employed people, estimating that in July 18,114,000 Californians held jobs, up 35,000 from June and up 320,000 from July of last year.
The state said that the number of people unemployed in California was 1,048,000 in July, up 25,000 from June, but down 113,000 from July of last year.
In Lake County, unemployed individuals totaled approximately 2,000 in July, up from 1,970 the previous month but down from 2,170 the previous year, according to county level data.
The number of employed Lake County residents in July was 28,210, compared to 27,550 in June and 27,570 in July 2015, the data showed.
Statewide, six of 11 industry sectors – education, health services, manufacturing, professional and business services, construction and information – gained jobs in July, while the leisure and hospitality, government, mining and logging, financial activities and “other services” sectors lost jobs.
In Lake County, job sectors showing the most growth in July included total farm; professional and business services; mining, logging and construction; leisure and hospitality; and other services. No sectors showed losses.
The Employment Development Department reported that 353,609 people were receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the July survey week, compared with 345,159 in June and 377,940 in July of last year.
The agency also said that new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 42,923 in July, compared with 49,975 in June and 45,435 in July of last year.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
- Lake County News reports
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CHP urges safety during Labor Day weekend
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Although the summer season will soon be coming to a close, many Californians will continue to take advantage of the warm weather into the Labor Day weekend.
As the celebrations commence, the California Highway Patrol wants everyone to enjoy their holiday and to remain safe on California’s roadways.
All available CHP officers will be on duty during the Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP, from 6:01 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5.
Drug recognition experts and CHP officers will be on patrol watching for impaired drivers as well as assisting motorists in need throughout the holiday weekend.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched its annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign on Aug. 19, and it will run through Sept. 5.
This law enforcement crackdown is intended to zero in on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs and help reduce injury and fatal collisions.
Research from NHTSA shows that high-visibility enforcement, such as an MEP, can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.
“Too many lives are lost on our roadways every year as a result of impaired driving. Let’s end the summer safely and remember to designate a sober driver, wear your seat belt, and obey all traffic laws,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said.
During last year’s Labor Day weekend, CHP officers made more than 1,200 arrests for driving under the influence.
Unfortunately, 32 people were killed in collisions in California during the same weekend, and at least seven of those people killed were not wearing seat belts.
If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 9-1-1. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher a description of the vehicle, the license plate number, location, and direction of travel. Your phone call may save someone’s life.
The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.
- Editor
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Public Services announces Labor Day closure
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services reported that its offices and the county's waste collection facilities will be closed for Labor Day.
The Eastlake Landfill in Clearlake, Lake County Waste Solutions at 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport and the Public Services office in Lakeport will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5.
Residential and commercial collection will occur one day after your normal pickup day.
Normal collection schedules will resume the week following the holiday.
All facilities will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Normal operating hours at the facilities are as follows: Lake County Waste Solutions' transfer station on Soda Bay Road, Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Eastlake Landfill, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily; Public Services office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information visit the county Web site at www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call 707-262-1618.
- Lake County News reports
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Red Cross Clayton Fire Service Center moves to Lower Lake
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The American Red Cross reported that it has moved its Clayton Fire Service Center to Lower Lake.
The center, which opened on Monday, is located at the Lake County Social Services building, 16170 Main St., Suite D.
It will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 through Friday, Sept. 2.
The American Red Cross Service Center gives families affected by the Clayton fire the opportunity to meet one-on-one with trained Red Cross caseworkers who will assess their disaster-caused needs.
Caseworkers will provide qualified residents with immediate disaster assistance as well as recovery planning and referrals to other agencies that may be able to provide additional assistance to impacted residents.
Please bring proof of your residence address – such as a utility bill – if possible.
Clayton fire survivors who need additional information are urged to call the Red Cross Information Hotline at 866-272-2237.
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