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Now that California has reopened following the pandemic, the Employment Development Department recently announced that on July 11 Californians receiving unemployment benefits should be looking for work to maintain their eligibility.

EDD has posted fact sheets about this requirement in Armenian, English, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese on the Returning to Work website.

In the weeks following July 11, the department will begin mailing individual notices to claimants in phases informing them of their specific, individual work search requirements that apply to their claim.

Those collecting benefits on a regular unemployment insurance or extension claim will receive notices first. Notices will then start being mailed the week of July 25 to those collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA, and Federal-State Extended Duration, or FED-ED, benefits.

The requirement to search for work — and the potential to be found ineligible for benefits for a failure to search — begins when claimants get these individualized notices by mail with the specific work search requirements. The precise work search requirements for an individual claimant depend on state and federal law and the type of claim a person is on.

For example:

— Those filing new, regular claims after July 11 must register on CalJOBS — while this is recommended but optional for most other claimants

— Some claimants must attend a Re-employment Services and Eligibility Assessment appointment to assist with the efforts to return to work

— Claimants on Federal-State Extended Duration benefits must keep a written record of their effort to conduct three separate work search activities a week, such as applying for a job or attending a job fair.

— Claimants other than FED-ED must engage in any reasonable effort to look for work each week and written records are strongly recommended in the event EDD needs to collect further information from the claimant to determine eligibility for payment.

— Claimants on regular unemployment insurance must make reasonable efforts to look for work

— Claimants on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) must make reasonable efforts to restart their businesses.

Individuals can determine the type of claim they are on by referring to EDD notices or visiting the new Returning to Work webpage for tips on how to identify their claim types in UI Online.

Examples of reasonable efforts to search for suitable work each week for those on regular unemployment or an extension include activities such as:

— Set up an account on CalJOBS, participate in re-employment services, post a profile on various job search or networking sites.

— Let friends, prior employers, or community members know you are looking for work. Participate in networking, job fair events or clubs.

— Apply for positions with employers reasonably expected to have suitable openings matching skills and experience, including government jobs and exams.

— Engage in permissible education and training opportunities that assist in obtaining employment and do not interfere with an ability to accept suitable full-time work.

Most PUA recipients must also take action to restart their businesses or look for work starting in July. They will receive notices in the coming weeks detailing what’s required.

A variety of activities can meet the PUA work search requirement each week, including:

— Pursue new or additional clients, market the business, or research, prepare or submit a bid on a new contract.

— Attend networking events, participate in relevant workshops, or expand business.

— For independent contractors who participated in an online platform, establish an account on another platform that matches the individual’s qualifications.

— Enroll in training or education courses that will help the business and does not interfere with an ability to return to full-time self-employment.

A person on a PUA claim who no longer wants to continue self-employment (or was previously employed but not eligible for regular UI benefits) may look for work just like a regular UI recipient.

Information about the work search requirement, including a useful fact sheet, is located at the Returning to Work webpage. EDD has also created an online resource for employers, including an Employers: Reopening Your Business and Hiring Employees Fact Sheet.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif.‌‌ ‌‌ — ‌ ‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ ‌or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Pavement work east of the Blue Lake Motel will conclude on Friday, July 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Construction near Saratoga Spring Road will begin. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Construction from Spruce Grove Road to Hofacker Lane will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work near Argonaut Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Wednesday, July 14. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 175

— AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work near the northern 29 junction on Friday, July 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Electrical work at the Albion River Bridge will occur on Friday, July 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work north of the Georgia Pacific Picnic Area on Wednesday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Slide removal two miles west of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Electrical work from Broaddus Creek 10 107 to Willits Cemetery Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Pavement repair from Comminsky Station Road to Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Maintenance near the Russian River Bridge will occur on Tuesday, July 13, and Wednesday, July 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Work south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will begin. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions. On Friday, July 9 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. northbound motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Emergency work from North Willits Railroad Crossing to Big Trails Drive will continue through Friday, July 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

— Emergency work north of Laytonville will occur on Friday, July 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

Highway 128

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work south of Boonville on Wednesday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— Electrical work near the Rodeo Creek Bridge will occur Monday, July 12, through Wednesday, July 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. — Mendocino National Forest district offices will be closed to allow staff to support a neighboring wildfire and receive training in a new permitting software.

The district office in Upper Lake will close at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 8, to allow staff to assist the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in the containment of the Lava fire. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 9.

District offices in Covelo and Upper Lake will be closed Monday, July 12, and Tuesday, July 13, for staff to receive training on a new permitting software.

The software will be used to more efficiently issue forest product permits, such as for Christmas trees and firewood, as well as for sales of maps and passes.

Following the trainings, the district offices in Covelo and Upper Lake will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays.

The abbreviated hours will allow staff to bring the new permitting system online without impacting customers at the start of the day, while also giving staff time to clean and disinfect public areas at the end of the day.

For more information, the Covelo district office can be reached at 707-983-6118 and the Upper Lake district office at 707-275-2361.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would greatly improve internet connectivity by removing local government roadblocks to the expansion of broadband service — especially in low-income and underserved communities — passed its final policy committee on Wednesday on its way to the Assembly floor.

“Californians are now a step closer gaining more reliable and equitable access to high-speed internet service,” Sen. Dodd said. “This is so important when families are relying more on the internet for remote school and work. I applaud committee members for taking this action to remove unnecessary delays and help close the digital divide.”

The approval of Senate Bill 556, or the California Connectivity Act, follows the recent passage of the state’s $262.6 billion budget, which includes $6 billion for broadband expansion.

SB 556 would make high-speed internet more widely available for schools and businesses by removing local discretion to put hurdles before small cell deployment – something that is critical for reliable high-speed internet.

It builds on existing law setting timelines and reasonable fees for processing and approving broadband projects.

The bill was introduced as employers and schools across the state have shifted to virtual participation, highlighting disparities of access faced by low-income families and people of color.

Nearly 42% of California families said unreliable internet access was a challenge for them during distance learning according to a recent poll by Ed Source and FM3 Research.

Sen. Dodd’s proposal is widely supported by businesses, schools and equity groups. It passed the Assembly Communications and Conveyance committee with overwhelming support.

The bill, previously approved by the full Senate, will now go to Assembly Appropriations before a final vote on the Assembly floor.

“SB 556 is a long-term solution to remove barriers and expand deployment of wireless infrastructure, ensuring that families have options in affordability and service for accessing education, health and more,” said Sara Bachez of the California Association of School Business Officials. “This critical legislation will help school districts across California increase broadband access and services for students, families and staff as we continue to provide online learning opportunities.”

“This bill provides a framework for 5G deployment for the benefit of both our community as well as the overall state of California,” wrote the leaders of Tech Latino, a network of 15 nonprofit advocacy groups, in a support letter. “We would like to ensure that Latinos will be a part of the smart and connected society of the future. We strongly support enactment of SB 556 to ensure the efficient deployment of the next generation of wireless infrastructure.”

Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. For more information visit his website.

The microfilm viewer at the Lakeport branch of the Lake County Library lets residents peer into the past. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Library.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — “Life in the Past Lane,” a free genealogy class, will resume meeting at the Lakeport Library on 1425 N. High St. on Saturday, July 10, at 2 p.m. in the Children's Room.

The class will be held the second and fourth Saturday afternoons every month. The class is a collaboration between the Lake County Library and the Lake County Genealogical Society, or LCGS.

It’s free and open to anyone interested in pursuing family history. Registration is not required.Publishing

Rose Davidson, president of the LCGS, will lead the class, which will explore an array of genealogy topics through class discussions, presentations, lessons and online webinars. For more information about the class, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Participants will learn about the different resources available at the library and within the community to research family history. The library has many historical resources about Lake County.

The library’s Lake County Collection contains books and other materials about Lake County history, genealogy, and other topics.

The library also has a collection of local newspapers on microfilm that cover Lake County history. These microfilm have newspapers going all the way back to 1863.

The class will be held in person. If you are planning to attend, please be advised face coverings are required to enter the library for people that are not vaccinated.

Library visitors self-attest they are fully vaccinated by entering the building with no mask on.

Visit the Lake County Library Website at http://library.lakecountyca.gov.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport reported that construction work will take place this week on Lange Street.

The Lakeport Public Works Department advised that a closure on Lange Street will take place from Tuesday, July 6, through Friday, July 9.

The closure will be in effect on Lange Street from Giselman to the Terrace School entrance.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible and to be cautious of workers.

LCNews

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