MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Public Services Director Caroline Chavez announced Friday that the summer season for the Middletown Pool is being extended.

The pool, located at 20962 Big Canyon Road, will remain open through Aug. 16 for recreational swimming Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Thereafter, it will be open Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 6.

The pool will stay open because of the delayed school start for Middletown Unified School District due to the Rocky fire.

Pool patrons 10 years and under must be accompanied by a responsible young adult 15 years of age or older.

Hardester’s Market in Middletown has once again generously agreed to donate free swim passes for children who are 12 years of age and under.

Passes may be obtained by simply dropping by the Middletown Hardester’s Store and picking a pass up prior to going to the pool.

Hardester's has donated $40,000 in free pool passes to Middletown children since 1988. Director Chavez expresses her sincere appreciation to the Hardester’s for this continued, unselfish support to the community.

The pool fees are as follows:

– Children under 12 years old: $1.25.
– 13 years and older: $2.

Season passes are available for individuals for $40 and families (immediate family members only) for $80.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Department Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 707-262-1618.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association has canceled a nature walk and ranch house tour at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park on Saturday, Aug. 8.

AMIA said the park is being used as a staging area for firefighting equipment being used to fight the Rocky fire.

The park is presently closed to the public and will remain closed at least through the weekend and perhaps longer, the association said.

The association asked that community member not visit the park while it is closed during this emergency.

“All of us at AMIA send our gratitude to the firefighters risking their lives to protect Lake County,” the association said.

The next nature walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10.  

For information about guided nature walks and ranch house tours at Anderson Marsh State Historic, contact AMIA at 707-995-2658 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross on Friday, July 31, two days after the Rocky Fire broke out near Lower Lake.

The funds will assist the Red Cross in disaster relief efforts for and delivering necessary resources for Lake County families in need.

“We are so appreciative of Sutter Lakeside Hospital for their support of our work to help the Lake County community respond and recover from disasters like the Rocky Fire,” said Executive Director Jeff Baumgartner. “Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s continual and increased investment in our mission allows Red Cross to prepare for and respond to emergencies, ultimately helping communities be more resilient following a disaster and more prepared for the next.”

Sutter Lakeside Hospital has a long history of partnering with the American Red Cross to support its work in the community, including donating money and supplies.

Teresa Campbell, MN, RN, chief nursing executive of Sutter Lakeside Hospital, has been a board member of the American Red Cross California Northwest chapter since 2012.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital also initiated emergency preparedness as a precaution in the event that St. Helena evacuates, and is ready to assist patients affected by the fire. Hospital administration is also keeping a close eye on air quality, and has vented the hospital accordingly.

“Being ready to assist our community in times of disaster is a key role of our hospital,” said Sutter Lakeside Chief Administrative Officer Siri Nelson. “That’s why we collaborate with key support in the community, such as the Fire Department, the Red Cross and the Behavioral Health Initiative.”

Sutter Lakeside Hospital always has three days of supplies ready to support patients should the hospital need it.

“Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s top priority is always patient safety, along with an emergency management program that consists of actions that build organizational and community capabilities for response to and recovery from disasters,” said Bill Ringer, safety office and emergency preparedness coordinator at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. “It is with great honor to be able to help those in need.”

For more information about Sutter Lakeside Hospital, visit www.sutterlakeside.org or call 707-262-5085 to schedule a tour.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. –  County Administrative Officer Matt Perry directed the Public Services Department to reopen Mount Konocti County Park and Highland Springs Recreation Area to the public as of this morning, Friday, August 7.

The two parks were closed on July 30 in order to focus county resources on the support of Cal Fire in the Rocky fire suppression effort.

Supervisor Rob Brown thanked the public and county employees.

“The public has been patient, and I’d like to thank the efforts of county personnel who have assisted with the support effort,” Brown said.

As Cal Fire has steadily increased its containment of the fire, Supervisor Brown agreed that it is now possible to reopen both parks for enjoyment by the public.

Perry added, “Please be mindful and safely enjoy our public lands during the fire season.”

Information regarding recovery resources can be found at www.LakeCountyLAC.com or by calling 800-325-9604.

Information regarding the fire can be found at http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current .

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.

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. 

Highway 175

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility work about 1.0 mile west of Lakeport on Friday, Aug. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility work near Forest Lake Road beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility work from Little River Airport Road to Van Damme Beach on Tuesday, Aug. 11. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– 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.

– Drainage repairs at various locations from Hardy Creek to the South Fork Eel River Bridge 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.

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Wildwood Campground to just west of Little Lake Road through Friday, Aug. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-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 tree trimming from Standish Hickey State Park to 0.5 mile south of Confusion Hill beginning Monday, Aug. 10. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Wendling Street to Big Oaks Drive 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 continue. 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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Aug. 12 meeting of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC, has has been canceled due to demands on City staff assisting with the response to the Rocky fire. 

The next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7:30 a.m., Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.