As many regions across Northern and Central California are bracing for possible snow, rain, and cold temperatures over the next few months, AAA Northern California urges motorists to get their vehicles ready and refresh their winter driving skills.

“Although summer auto crashes are more often fatal, fall and winter have the highest number of weather-related crashes, deaths and injuries,” reports Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “The combination of poorly maintained vehicles and driver error, along with loss of visibility and slick roads, causes thousands of preventable crashes each year.”

Preparing your vehicle is the first step in improving your chances of safe winter driving. There are many ways to winterize your car.

• Check the systems. Make sure your brakes, defroster, heater, exhaust system, and lights work properly. Change the blades in your wipers and check the level and condition of the antifreeze.
• Inspect the tires. Good tread allows the water to escape from under the tires and increases traction. Keep tires at proper pressure. Low pressure allows the tread to squeeze together and reduces traction. Too-high pressure prevents the tread from contacting the road thoroughly.
• Keep a full gas tank. In winter it may become necessary to change routes, idle for long periods of time, travel slowly, or turn around in a storm. A full gas tank allows you to do these maneuvers without worrying about running out of fuel.
• Keep the windshield and windows clear. Have a snow brush and ice scraper in the vehicle. Clean off the roof of the vehicle and the windows. Use the car’s defroster or a clean cloth to “defog” the inside of the windows.
• Carry an emergency kit and your AAA card. Items to include in the kit are a flashlight, first-aid kit, flares or emergency triangles, window washer fluid, tool kit, blanket or sleeping bag, gloves, paper towels, drinking water, and extra food. Also include abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter, and a small shovel to free the vehicle if it becomes stuck.
• Include chains. Remember, chains must be installed on the “drive” wheels of the vehicle.
• Carry an extra car key. Many motorists lock themselves out of their vehicles when installing chains or attending to weather-related problems.
• It’s not enough to prepare your vehicle for winter. Brush up on these tips for adapting your driving techniques for winter weather conditions.
• Adjust your speed for the weather. SLOW DOWN. Keep in mind that your vehicle needs at least three times more distance to stop on slick roads.
• Increase your following distance. To safely stop, a vehicle needs a minimum of four to eight seconds between it and the vehicle in front.
• Be alert. Learn to “read” road conditions to anticipate a hazard in time to react safely. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots are a special danger because ice often forms first in these areas.
• Steer clear of collisions. Learn to take evasive action by steering around a situation to avoid collisions. Steering is preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph because less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. In winter weather, sudden braking often leads to skids.
• Recognize hydroplaning hazards. Even a small amount of water on the road can cause a vehicle to hydroplane. One-twelfth of an inch of water between your tires and the road means each tire has to displace one gallon of water a second. To reduce the chances of hydroplaning slow down, avoid hard braking or sharp turns, drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you, and increase your following distance.
• React to trouble quickly. If you are in trouble, pull completely off to the side of the road, turn on the hazard lights, light flares or place emergency triangles, signal for help, and stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on. Call for help on a cell phone. Remember to keep your AAA card handy for these types of emergencies.

It’s also important to know how to drive in the fog. Visibility in fog can deteriorate in a moment. The rapid loss of visibility creates serious driving hazards.

The following are specific driving tips for fog.

• Drive with lights on low beam.
• Reduce speed.
• Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open windows if necessary.
• Use wipers and defroster for maximum visibility.
• Be patient! Don’t switch lanes unnecessarily.
• Unless absolutely necessary, don’t stop on any freeway or other heavily traveled road.
• If possible, postpone your trip until the fog has lifted.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County, will meet on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at the Konocti Bay Sailing Club building, located at Braito’s Marina at the end of the Buckingham Peninsula in Kelseyville.

The meeting is open to anyone 17 years or older who is interested in joining this active group.

For additional information, call the Flotilla’s information line at 707-513-5122.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Consent agenda items include approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on Nov. 14.

The main item on the agenda is the review and discussion of the 2012 year-end report summarizing land use applications and code enforcement activities.

The commission also will discuss and set the next meeting date for March 13.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a report this past week highlighting USDA Rural Development’s fiscal year (FY) 2012 investments in job creation, businesses, infrastructure and housing for Americans living in rural communities across the nation.

“President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment in rural communities that have made them stronger,” Vilsack said. “Thanks to our loan, grant and technical assistance programs, USDA Rural Development is helping residents and rural enterprises thrive, and we are laying a strong foundation for rural America’s future.”

In California, $1.3 billion was invested to support homeownership and safe and affordable rental housing; guaranteed loans for rural businesses that saved and created jobs; energy efficiency and production of renewable energy and biofuels; the renovation and construction of community facilities and emergency services; and the construction and upgrade of water and wastewater systems, telecommunication and broadband services.

“Due to the hard work of our dedicated staff in California and a committed network of partners, USDA Rural Development has helped more Californians than ever before,” said USDA Rural Development California State Director Glenda Humiston.  “The investments made in 2012 have helped improve both the quality of life and economic opportunities throughout the state’s rural communities.”

In 2012, $68.2 million was invested to improve or construct water and wastewater systems for over 54,000 rural citizens.  An additional $35.9 million in funds assisted almost 30 California communities in renovating or constructing town halls, schools, libraries, health care facilities and child care centers, as well as assisting a variety of first responders with equipment and facilities.

The guaranteed business loans totaled $101.3 million, supporting and preserving jobs at 37 rural businesses throughout the Golden State.  Investments supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and biofuels exceeded $2.2 million for the year. And an additional $2.7 million supported a variety of agriculture producers

Rural Development is also the lead agency ensuring that rural families have access to safe, well-built, affordable homes.  In 2012, Rural Development in California helped 5,521 families and individuals purchase safe, affordable homes, providing $922 million in direct and guaranteed loans.  Over 12,000 low- and very-low-income families were able to live in safe, multi-family apartments with help from $79 million in rental assistance which ensures affordable housing remains affordable.

Nationally, Rural Development invested over $30 billion in rural communities.  For a copy of the agency’s 2012 Progress Report, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RDProgressReport-2012.pdf .

And for additional information on Rural Development projects throughout the country, please visit Rural Development’s new interactive web map featuring program funding and success stories for the past four fiscal years. The data can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RDSuccessStories.html .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Clear Lake High School's Class of 2013 is hosting an all you can eat crab feed on Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. Mary's Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.

Crab, pasta, salad and French bread will be served along with specialty desserts. For those who don't care for crab, a steak ticket may be purchased instead.

No host bar by the Early Lake Lions opens at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are only $40 each and available at Lakeport Tire and Auto at 1901 S. Main St. in Lakeport, telephone 707-263-5422); The Wright Look, 906 S. Main St., Lakeport, telephone 707-263-4016; or call Toni Funderburg at 707-489-1306.

This event is a Sober Grad Fundraiser for CLHS's class of 2013.  

Sober Grad is a longstanding tradition hosted on the night of graduation to provide a supervised, safe, and fun environment for the graduating class.  

Sober Grad fundraisers are held throughout the county by each individual school. Please come enjoy all the crab you can eat and know that all proceeds go toward the CLHS class of 2013's Sober Grad Night.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club held a Christmas basket raffle fundraiser with two huge baskets, one for a child and the other for an adult.  

On Dec. 22 the winning tickets were drawn by Santa Claus John.  

Winner of the child's basket was Leslie Rosier and the winner of the adult basket was Uta Haller of Hidden Valley Lake.  

The funds raised will go toward the club's projects for Lake County youngsters.