LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee will host its annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show from Aug. 8 through Sept. 5 in the Weaver Auditorium.

The show is open during regular business hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Featured artists this year are Sheila O’Hara and her students as well as other fiber artists from throughout Lake County. 

Antique quilts and an 1807 spinning wheel also will be on display.

An artists' reception will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, from noon until 2 p.m. Quilt and textile artists will discuss their work, and O’Hara will demonstrate different weaving techniques.

If you are a quilter or fiber artist and want your work shown during this event, contact Curator Tony Pierucci at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at 707-995-3565. 

The deadline for submissions is Friday July 31.

The Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum is located at 16435 Main St.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. encourages customers to celebrate Independence Day this weekend safely and responsibly. 

Wildfires and electric hazards can occur if proper precautions aren’t followed while enjoying fireworks and helium-filled metallic balloons.

California is in the midst of a historic drought, and dry vegetation exists throughout the state. PG&E urges its customers to have a plan to prevent wildfires and other hazards by following these safety tips.

Prevent wildfires by following these tips when celebrating with fireworks:

o   Enjoy fireworks away from overhead power lines. Accidental damage to electric lines can cause power outages, fires and serious injuries.

o   Never use fireworks near dry grass or flammable materials.

o   Keep a bucket of water or a water hose nearby.

o   Observe local laws. Contact your local police or fire department to make sure state-approved fireworks are allowed in your area.

o   An adult should always be present when fireworks are in use.

“Look Up and Live!” with these tips for overhead power lines:

o   When making preparations for an Independence Day party at the house, look up before lifting ladders and other long-handled tools to avoid accidental contact with electric lines.

o   Celebrate with helium-filled metallic balloons by making sure they are tied to a weight heavy enough to prevent them from floating into power lines. Do not bundle metallic balloons together. In 2014, more than 300 power outages were caused by metallic balloons in PG&E’s service area, impacting approximately 150,000 customers for more than 11.5 million minutes.

o   If a balloon is caught in a power line, contact PG&E immediately at 800-743-5000 to report the problem. Never attempt to retrieve anything that is on or near a power line.

o   Never go near a damaged power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assumed downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay away, keep others away and immediately call 911 and PG&E.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Fire Chiefs Association is asking the public not to mow weeds with mowers of any kind due to the high fire danger.

The chiefs said mowing weeds in the conditions the county is faced with now – such as high temperatures and low humidity – is a recipe for disaster. 

In Lake County just in the last couple of weeks local fire departments, Cal Fire and US Forest Service responded to several fires started by mowing in the afternoon. 

When clearing weeds please use a string trimmer. String trimmers are much less likely to start a fire. 

However, keep in mind that fires have been started by people setting equipment in dry grass with a hot exhaust. 

Faulty spark arrestors also are a common source of ignition.  

The chiefs urge residents to clear weeds early in the morning when humidity is high and temperatures are low; 10 a.m. is a good rule of thumb to use as a stopping point. 

Remember, you can be held responsible for fire suppression costs and damages as a result of a fire you start.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake Community PRIDE Foundation held its eighth annual Safe House Golf Tournament June 14 in Cobb, and event organizers report that it was a great success.

John Berry of the Adams Springs Golf Course received special kudos from the group for his kindness and expertise. The Lower Lake Community Action Group provided a scrumptious lunch.  

Event hole sponsors included Coastal Mountain Electric, Coyote Valley Pharmacy, Walmart, A&B Collision, Rader Excavating of Redding, Russell Perdock of Highlands Insurance, Corey Warner MD, Riviera Food Center, Hardester’s Markets, Clearlake Dental, Ellis Ranch, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Pete and Carol Germenis, Northlake Pharmacy, Griffin Furniture, Jack Elizares OD, Middletown Rancheria, Clearlake Veterinary Clinic, Konocti Lioness Club, Lakeshore Lioness Club, Tracy Bortoli, Jonas Energy Solutions, Marvin Carpenter Insurance, Foods, Etc., Chernoh Excavating, the Rotary Club of Clearlake and Pepsi of Redding.

Event organizers also thanked the golfers whose community spirit, humor and enjoyment of the game of golf made the event so much fun.  

The Safe House is completely funded through community support and all of the proceeds of the tournament go directly to food and shelter costs for the youth living in the house. 

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. 

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Road to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Pavement repairs from Main Street in Kelseyville to the junction of Routes 29/175 near Lakeport will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– The city of Point Arena has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to hold the annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 4. A full road closure will be in effect from noon to 1 p.m. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.

– The city of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to hold the July 4 fireworks from the junction of Routes 1/20 to South Street on Saturday, July 5. Turns onto Ocean View Drive will be restricted from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. 

– Highway repairs just north of Ocean Meadows Circle 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.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from Casteel Lane to Reynolds Highway will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

 – PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs just south of the Jitney Gulch Bridge on Wednesday, July 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs 3.7 miles east of the junction of routes 1/128 on Wednesday, July 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Wendling Street to Philo School Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. 

– Roadway repairs from the Shearing Creek Bridge to the Maple Creek Bridge will begin Monday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. 

Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

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.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Clearing another major hurdle Monday, Sen. Mike McGuire’s historic legislation to forever protect California’s coast from new offshore oil development continues to gain momentum and support as it heads to the full Assembly for final approval.

SB 788 – The California Coastal Protection Act – received bipartisan support passing with a 7-2 vote in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee Monday afternoon.

“California’s coast is truly a worldwide wonder. Its natural beauty attracts 150 million visitors annually from all across the planet. It’s a core part of this great state’s identity and our coastal economy is a main driver of our statewide economic engine. In the wake of last month’s devastating oil spill, we cannot afford to wait any longer to permanently protect our treasured coast,” McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said.

Senate Bill 788 would forever ban any new oil drilling in state waters off of the California Coast, and would not only protect our environment, it would help California’s coastal economy thrive, McGuire's office said.

Coastal communities contribute $40 billion annually to the state’s economy along with 500,000 jobs working families depend on.

“The recent Santa Barbara oil spill proves, despite new technology, that the risks to our environment and economy are simply too great. Now is the time to take action and ban new drilling off the California coast,” McGuire said.

The bill is also part of a historic package of legislative proposals that will strengthen California’s global leadership in tackling climate change. 

Comprised of 12 bills, the California Climate Leadership bill package includes new environmental and energy standards that will spur innovation. 

These bills are meant to incentivize economic growth, and further efforts to protect the state’s environment and make renewable energy and clean technology accessible to all Californians, while driving the goal of reducing our state’s petroleum use 50 percent by 2030.

More than 15,000 individuals have signed a petition endorsing SB 788, and the legislation is supported by a broad coalition of the state’s leading environmental organizations and businesses including the Sierra Club, Audubon of California, California League of Conservation Voters, the Center for Climate Protection, the Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, REI, Patagonia, Reef, as well as fisherman’s organizations, lodging and restaurant associations, tribal groups, and clean water advocates.

The bill is jointly authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson and co-authored by Senators Mark Leno, Ben Allen, Loni Hancock, Bill Monning, Lois Wolk and Assemblymembers Bill Dodd, Marc Levine, Mark Stone, Jim Wood and Das Williams.

McGuire represents 40 percent of California’s coastline from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.