LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — North Coast Opportunities is recruiting highly motivated individuals ready to start their career in construction to apply for their paid training program, BUILD — Building Up Individuals and Local Development.

Apply online by Sept. 15.

Formerly Building Homes, Building Lives, BUILD is a three-month course providing work experience and job readiness in this growing industry.

In this “earn and learn” format, participants receive hands on-education and mentorship directly from professionals in the field.

Participants are expected to commit to 30 hours a week of training at various locations across Lake County and are compensated at $16 an hour.

At the end of the program, each graduating participant receives a letter of recommendation, a certificate of completion, job placement opportunities and on-the-job equipment.

Of the participants that have graduated from BUILD, 87% have secured stable employment.

“BUILD is designed to take on basic training on behalf of employers so they will have an incoming workforce that is skilled and ready,” said Lead Project Coordinator Derek Fiedler-Riddle. “In turn, local residents have a stepping stone into their careers and will show up on the job equipped with the experience and confidence to be successful.”

Labor challenges are pervasive across many industries in Lake County. While unemployment on a national scale has returned to pre-pandemic levels, the need for skilled and dependable workers remains a local challenge.

For the last three years, Building Homes, Building Lives has been providing paid foundational training in the construction and building trades for low-income community members to promote economic security and help fill local workforce gaps in the industry. Under its new branding and program design, BUILD will be able to expand its scope to provide job training in a variety of fields beyond building and construction.

“We realize there is a need to fill experience and hiring gaps in many sectors,” said Fiedler-Riddle. “The new name and design will allow us to develop projects to respond to various workforce needs in the community.”

This program is possible due to collaborations with several local organizations including Bridges Construction, NCO New Digs, Woodland Community College, Mendocino College, CareerPoint Lake, and many others devoted to housing support and workforce development in Lake County.

NCO BUILD will be launching a new website in the coming weeks.

To apply for the upcoming BUILD class, visit bit.ly/BUILD-apply or call 707-998-8650 for more information.

Applications close Sept. 15 and spaces are limited. Participants accepted to the program will receive a tool belt sign-on bonus valued at $200.

NCO is the Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte and Solano counties.

NCO reacts and adjusts to community needs, including disaster response and recovery.

For more information visit www.ncoinc.org or call 707-467-3200.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will encourage creation of defensible space, protecting life and property from future wildfires.

“We know that clearing combustible vegetation around our homes minimizes potential damage and the chances for wildfire to spread,” Sen. Dodd said. “We must take steps to protect ourselves as we’re seeing multiple infernos threaten communities across our state. I thank the governor for signing this bill, which will help measure how well we’re creating defensible space and decide on potential life-saving investments to keep our families safe.”

In a report last fall, the state Legislative Analyst’s Office cited the creation of defensible space around homes and other structures as among the most valuable steps that can be taken to reduce the destructiveness of wildfires.

Under existing law, homeowners in certain areas are required to create these fire-safe spaces. However, because of a number of factors, compliance and inspections are inconsistent from region to region, the LAO found.

Senate Bill 896 responds to the agency’s recommendations for increasing compliance and reducing future losses. It includes provisions to gather more information on defensible space inspections through improved data collection and to take initial steps to address other barriers to state and local defensible space efforts.

It also supports additional research to identify effective strategies to improve defensible space compliance and to conduct oversight activities to learn from and inform future policy decisions.

SB 896 was signed by the governor today after receiving overwhelming support in the Legislature.

“I very much appreciate the governor’s recognition of this important issue,” said Yana Valachovic, forest advisor and county director for the University of California Cooperative Extension-Humboldt and Del Norte counties. “It will contribute to helping communities track progress toward adoption of this important practice.”

Defensible space — and wildfire protection in general — has been a top priority for Sen. Dodd for several years, beginning in 2019 with his authorship of SB 190 which directed the state fire marshal to develop model defensive space standards that local governments could voluntarily use as part of their zoning codes.

Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.

SACRAMENTO — In a unanimous and bipartisan vote today, the California State Senate passed a landmark bill by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that targets help for domestic violence survivors, unaccompanied women, and other vulnerable populations who are experiencing homelessness.

Senate Bill 914 — The HELP (“Homeless Equity for Left Behind Populations”) Act — would improve California’s response to homelessness by requiring cities, counties, and continuums of care that receive state funding to address homelessness to include domestic violence survivors and unaccompanied women within the vulnerable populations for whom specific system supports are developed.

The bill also requires the California Interagency Council on Homelessness to set and measure progress towards goals to prevent and end homelessness for these vulnerable populations.

“Unsheltered women and unsheltered transgender individuals report shockingly high numbers of domestic violence,” said Sen. Rubio. “I want to thank my co-sponsors for their amazing work in serving our most vulnerable populations, and my colleagues for supporting this landmark bill. As our state and local governments continue to work toward ending the homeless crisis, we must make sure that we do not leave any part of the homeless population behind. Domestic violence services for individuals experiencing homelessness have been grossly underfunded, and the HELP Act is needed to help these vulnerable populations and focus on their unique needs.”

“We’re grateful to the Senate and the Assembly for recognizing the inextricable link between domestic violence and homelessness,” said Christine Smith, public policy coordinator for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. “We are excited to see SB 914 move next to the Governor’s Desk. This important bill will ensure state and local governments will be one step closer to creating a gender-inclusive and intersectional homelessness system that will support survivors as they heal. This is one important element of the Partnership's economic justice work.”

“The Downtown Women’s Center applauds the California State Legislature for voting to pass the HELP Act. This is an important step in addressing the longstanding gaps in our current homeless response system,” said Amy Turk, C.E.O. of the Downtown Women's Center. “As a co-sponsor of the bill, and the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness, we are grateful to Senator Rubio for raising awareness of the specific issues facing unaccompanied women and victims of domestic violence. DWC looks forward to this legislation becoming law and California becoming the national leader on combating women’s homelessness.”

“Rainbow Services is grateful for the overwhelming support of SB 914,” said Tatiana Doorman, director of community engagement for Rainbow Services. “We look forward to the day when survivors and unaccompanied women are no longer left behind in any community plan to end homelessness, and we are proud to be co-sponsoring this groundbreaking legislation.”

Since joining the State Senate, Sen. Rubio has prioritized addressing the state’s affordable housing shortage and homelessness crisis.

A member of the Senate Housing Production Working Group, she has authored several affordable housing bills over the past two years.

In 2022, Sen. Rubio authored Senate Resolution 61 declaring the month of March 2022 as Unaccompanied Women Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Month in California.

In 2019, Sen. Rubio authored SB 751 to create the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust for local communities to collaborate regionally and support affordable housing projects and homeless shelter programs.

At its Aug. 17 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources.

The following are just a few items of interest from the meeting held in Loleta at the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The commission approved a five-year kelp harvest plan proposed by Sustainable Ocean Harvest, LLC for mechanical harvest of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in specified kelp beds in Santa Barbara County.

Commissioners also adopted a second 90-day extension of emergency regulations for recreational sub-bag limits for vermilion rockfish, copper rockfish and quillback rockfish.

This action conforms state regulations with federal regulations that were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council and then promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The commission determined that listing Inyo rock daisy as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act may be warranted.

As a result, a one-year status review commences, to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, during which Inyo rock daisy is protected as a candidate species.

The commission also approved the first experimental fishing permit, or EFP, application submitted under the Experimental Fishing Permit Program created through regulations adopted by the commission in December. 2021.

This EFP will test the commercial use of deep-set and night-set buoy gear fishing configurations within California state waters. Buoy gear is used to catch swordfish and has proven to significantly reduce bycatch in federal waters.

Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta, commissioners Jacqueline Hostler-Carmesin and Eric Sklar were present. There is one vacant position on the commission.

The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the commission’s meetings web page, including video and audio files.

The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Oct. 12 to 13 in Kings Beach. Please see the Commission website for details.

Attention – people who use opioids, heroin or fentanyl: Join UC Irvine’s online HOPE study and get up to $205 in online gift codes.

Join a Facebook group and take surveys.

The UC Irvine Harnessing Online Peer Education, or HOPE, Opioid Study is composed of researchers from the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Informatics at the University of Ca, Irvine.

What is the study about?

The goal of the study is to see how technology, such as online social support through Facebook, can help those struggling with opioids.

Eligibility criteria:

• 18+ years old;
• A person with struggling with opioids;
• A rural California resident;
• Uses social media;
• Not currently on medications for opioid addiction (e.g., suboxone, methadone, buprenorphine).

Responsibilities of participants:

• Participants will join a Facebook group for 12 weeks and complete four surveys (before the study starts; after the study ends; six months after the study ends; 12 months after the study ends). Each survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.
• Participants can get up to $205 in gift cards. If a participant reports using medications for opioid use disorder (like methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone) on follow-up surveys, they will be compensated $15 in gift cards once verified.
• Participants will be able to request information on medications for opioid use disorder, resources and to be referred to Bright Heart Health for virtual care.

If you are interested, please contact the Hope Study Team:

• Hope Study phone lines: 760-232-4026 and 949-329-8759.
• Hope Study text lines: 657-221-9597 and 949-329-8759.
• Hope Study email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/HOPEUCLA/.

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, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
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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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Highway 20

— Road work near Witter Springs Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Utility work in Middletown at Saint Helena Creek will occur on Wednesday, Aug. 31. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Road work at Route 281 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Robinson Rancheria Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

— Utility work will occur east of Mathews Road on Wednesday, Aug. 31. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work in Cobb at Estates Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Caltrans has granted an encroachment permit for the Great Day in Elk Parade at Cliff Ridge Road on Saturday, Aug. 27. Lane closures will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should expect up to one-hour delays.

— Utility Work in Fort Bragg from Pudding Creek Beach Access to Happy Lane will conclude Friday, Aug. 26. One-way traffic will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Expect five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Utility work east of Fort Bragg will begin on Monday, Aug. 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Road work at James Creek continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Paving work east of the Broaddus Railroad Crossing to north of the 101 junction will conclude Friday, Aug. 26. One-way traffic control will run from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Construction near the North Calpella Overcrossing continues. One-way traffic control will run from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Tree work from Monica Lane to the Jct 20/101 Bridge will begin on Monday, Aug. 29. One-way traffic control will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge continues. Northbound lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Crawford Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the McNab Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work continues in Ukiah at Route 222. Lane closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Fence work in Ukiah at the East Perkins Street Overcrossing continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Utility work will occur in Ukiah from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to Ackerman Creek. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work in Ukiah from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing continues. Lane Closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Road work in Calpella at Route 20 will begin on Thursday, Aug. 25. A full closure of the northbound offramp will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Southbound work along the Willits Bypass will occur. A lane closure will be in effect. Expect minor slowdowns.

— Culvert work near Ryan Creek Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— Bridge work at Crawford Creek will begin on Thursday, Aug. 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Road work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 271

— Culvert work in Leggett south of Drive Thru Tree Road will begin on Monday, Aug. 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Slide removal continues south of Piercy near Reynolds State Park Road. A full lane closure is in effect and motorists should use an alternate route.

— Culvert work will occur at McCoy Creek on Friday, Aug. 26. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Bridge work on the Hunter and Panther bridges will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Construction in the Last Chance Grade area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 25-minute delays at all hours.

Highway 199

— Construction work near Kings Valley Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Culvert work between Monkey Creek Road and Oregon Mountain Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Construction work from Johnson Lane to Hely Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Guardrail work north of Orleans from the Pearch Creek Bridge to south of the Siskiyou County Line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. A northbound onramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Bridge work near Myers Flat will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full on ramp closure will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work between Pepperwood and Fortuna will begin on Monday, Aug. 29. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Tree work at the Route 211 southbound on ramp will occur on Monday, Aug. 29. A full closure will be in effect between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Drainage work between northbound “D” and “F” streets will continue. Lane closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Drainage cleaning between southbound Route 221 and the Seventh Street Overcrossing will begin on Sunday, Aug. 28. Lane closures will be in effect between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. A full southbound off ramp closure at Route 255 will also be in effect nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the morning of Thursday, September 1. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction and paving work from Murray Road Overcrossing to Georgia Pacific Road will continue. One-way traffic control and lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Full southbound on and off ramp closures will be in effect weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations: School Road Overcrossing, Murray Road Overcrossing, Airport Road Undercrossing, North Central Avenue Undercrossing, Crannel Road Overcrossing beginning Monday, Aug. 29. Motorists should follow signage and use an alternate route when necessary.

Highway 255

— Permitted utility work between Peninsula Drive and Jackson Ranch Road will continue. One-way traffic control and lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Construction near Route 200 will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns.

— Emergency work from Redwood Creek Bridge to Vista Point will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m.to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Construction from Willow Creek to Old Three Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.