Community

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The California Fire Foundation, or CFF, has announced $680,000 in wildfire safety grants to 55 local fire departments, fire agencies and community groups through its Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program.

Among the local awardees serving Lake County is the Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District and the Lemon Aide Project, with each receiving $15,000.

The Lemon Aide Project is a nonprofit group that offers services and funding to those impacted by wildfires throughout Northern California, including Lake County. They will use the grant for education, planning and community outreach campaigns.

The Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District will use its grant to purchase specialized firefighting equipment.

"Once again, we are experiencing an extremely destructive wildfire season throughout the state that is impacting communities far and wide," said Chief Larry Thompson of the Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District. "This grant will help arm our firefighters with the necessary tools to keep the communities around the lake safe.”

The grant is part of a broad Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program, or WSPP, that is administered and managed by the CFF.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) supports the program with $1.4 million in charitable funding.

The program’s objective is to raise awareness about wildfire safety and bring resources to underserved communities in high fire-threat areas.

For a 2020 summary of the WSPP, click here.

Since 2018, 200 fire departments and fire agencies statewide have received funding through the WSPP. Funding targets specific communities identified as having extreme or elevated fire risk as identified by the California Public Utilities Commission High Fire-Threat District map.

“As California’s wildfire risk continues to grow, it will take all of us working together to find solutions to mitigate catastrophic wildfires. We’re grateful to partner with CFF in supporting dozens of fire departments, agencies and community groups to bolster some key defenses including tools and strategies to prevent and contain wildfires, and fire safety education,” said Ron Richardson, regional vice president for PG&E’s North Coast Region.

The WSPP focuses on two key areas to help keep communities safe:

— Wildfire safety campaign that features fire safety education, developed by CFF, in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong to promote early evacuation during fires. The WSPP has worked hard to overcome language barriers by developing and distributing in-language fire-safety messaging. This campaign includes paid ads in radio, television, and digital ads, and outdoor billboards in high fire-threat areas.

— Grant program administered by the CFF through an application process. The CFF awards grants to recipient fire departments, agencies, and community groups in support of projects and programs focusing on wildfire/disaster prevention, preparedness and/or relief and recovery assistance.

How the grants help communities

PG&E’s contribution continues a four-year collaboration with CFF. PG&E has provided $4.6 million in total support for fire safety awareness through the WSPP. The charitable contribution is shareholder-funded, not funded by PG&E customers.

The CFF, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, aids firefighters, their families, and the communities they protect. The CFF’s Firefighters on Your Side program, also supported by PG&E, provides multilingual, culturally relevant fire safety messaging in both digital and print form, to assist the public in staying safe.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Dr. John Parker will give a presentation on the Kelsey brothers at the Ely Stage Stop Museum on Saturday, Oct. 9.

“The Kelsey Brothers: A California Disaster” will begin at 2 p.m. in the museum’s Red Barn, 9921 Soda Bay Road, just north of Kitt's Corner.

The talk covers two of Lake County's Native American massacres, Buckingham Island in 1843 and Bloody Island in 1850.

Dr. Parker has reviewed and pieced together detailed accounts of the events as presented by Native American elders, local residents and government agents.

In this PowerPoint presentation, he follows the Kelsey brothers and their family from Kentucky and Missouri to California.

He sets the stage in California with the existing Native American culture and Mexican takeover.

Using diary entries and recorded interviews, Parker outlines the activities that led to the Buckingham Island massacre, the Stone and Kelsey killing, and the Bloody Island massacre. He then follows the surviving Kelsey brothers as they terrorize their way through California.

The talk is a description based on what is currently known about the events and allows the viewer to make up their own minds about where the events belong in history.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — The Mendocino National Forest invites the public to a field trip visiting the Plaskett-Keller August Complex Phase 1 project area.

The trip will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m., pending weather and COVID-19 restrictions.

Participants will need to RSVP by Oct. 13 to attend the field trip.

The Plaskett-Keller project covers approximately 4,500 acres in the middle of the Forest about 15 miles from Covelo and 36 miles from Willows.

Phase 1 of the project will address time-sensitive safety concerns along roadways and campgrounds as well as economic recovery.

For additional details on the project, visit the project website.

For details about the field trip and to RSVP, please visit this link.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Public Works Department provided an update regarding the ongoing construction projects affecting the lakefront public parking lots, the Fifth Street boat ramp and portions of North Main Street and other nearby streets.

The work schedule follows.

• Sunday, Sept. 26: Beginning at 8 p.m. to Monday, Sept. 27, at 6:00 p.m., North Main Street between First Street and Fifth Street will be closed with a detour provided. Fourth Street and Fifth Street will be closed from North Main Street to the parking areas near the lake. The Fifth Street boat ramp and all lakefront parking lots will also be closed while new paving work is underway.

• Tuesday, Sept. 28 (daytime hours): All lakefront parking lots and the Fifth Street boat ramp will be closed for paving. The ramp and nearby areas are expected to be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, Sept. 29, and Thursday, Sept. 30 (daytime hours): Street paving on North Main Street between Fifth Street and Clear Lake Avenue. Expect delays and consider using alternate routes such as North Forbes Street.

• Thursday, Sept. 30 (daytime hours): The Fifth Street boat ramp will be open, but the nearby lakefront parking areas will be closed for parking lot striping work. Vehicles and trailers will need to park elsewhere, including at the site of the new Lakefront Park (former Natural High area).

• Friday, Oct. 1: The Fifth Street boat ramp and nearby lakefront parking areas will be closed while the parking lot work is progressing.

• Monday, Oct. 4 through Friday, Oct. 8: The Fifth Street boat ramp will be open but access will be delayed at times. The nearby lakefront parking areas will be closed due to asphalt striping and stamping and project wrap-up tasks. Vehicle and trailer parking will be available at the new Lakefront Park.

Please be mindful of road signs and drive with caution in construction zones for the safety of workers.

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

— Pavement work from Road 305D to Route 29 South will continue. Moving traffic controls will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Highway construction near Saratoga Springs Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Pavement work from Bachelor Valley to Route 29 South will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Highway construction from Red Hill Lane to Foothill Drive will begin Monday, Sept. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at Country Club Drive beginning Friday, Sept. 24. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Striping operation from North Fork Cache Creek to Walker Ridge Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

— Highway construction and striping operation from North Fork Cache Creek to Colusa County Line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10- to 20-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Construction from Route 281 to Private Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Hill Road East Overcrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

Highway 175

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at Forestry Station Access Road on Monday, Sept. 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 20

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for landscape work from Noyo Acres Drive to Fort Bragg/Main Street/Redwood 101 Undercrossing on Friday, Sept. 24. Moving traffic controls will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor delays.

— AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at Private Road on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Moving traffic controls will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— 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.

— Highway construction east of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Electrical work at Blosser Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at Willits Railroad Crossing beginning Tuesday, Sept. 28. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists can expect minimal delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal from Comminsky Station Road to Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Northbound Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing will continue. Northbound and Southbound lane closures will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Emergency bridge repairs at the North State Undercrossing Bridge will continue. There will be a full closure of the Northbound onramp overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

— Work south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from the North Willits Railroad Crossing to the Georgia Pacific Entrance on Wednesday, Sept. 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

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

— Emergency bridge repairs at the Irvine Lodge Rest Area Northbound will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Bridge work at the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Paving work from Spyrock Road to the Empire Camp Rest Area. One-way traffic controls will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

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

Highway 162

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree work at the Corral Creek Bridge/Road 8152 on Wednesday, Sept. 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Core drilling will occur from the Bloody Run Creek Bridge to the South Eel River Bridge beginning Friday, Sept. 24. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 271

— Bridge work at Scandia will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists can expect minor delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Bridge work near Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Emergency work at Last Chance Grade will continue. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays at all hours.

— Shoulder improvements in Crescent City from Front Street to 9th Street will continue. Lane restrictions will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge and pavement work from the Smith River area to the Oregon state line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Work at the Hiouchi Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Work at the Mary Adam Peacock Bridge near Gasquet will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Work at Middle Fork Smith River Bridge 1 16 east of Idlewild will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 284 near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 293 in Bridgeville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Wall work near the McClellan Mountain Summit will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Pavement work in the Weitchpec area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work east of Orleans will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-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.

— Construction from the Hookton Road Overcrossing to 14th Street in Eureka will continue. Lane and ramp closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns and use alternate ramps when necessary.

— Pavement and utility work from Myrtle Avenue to Cole and Jacobs Avenue in Eureka will continue. A southbound lane restriction will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Work near the Indianola Cutoff will begin. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Pavement and barrier work from the Arcata Overhead Bridge to the 200 junction south of McKinleyville will continue. Lane and ramp closures will be in effect in both directions from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Barrier work near Clam Beach will occur on Friday, Sept. 24. A southbound lane closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 211

— Work at the Salt River Bridge between Fernbridge and Ferndale will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Utility work north of Samoa will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Bridge work at the 200 or North Bank Road junction will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Work in the Willow Creek area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office is asking voters who received signature verification and unsigned ballot envelope statements for this month’s gubernatorial recall election to get them returned quickly.

The elections office intends to certify the election results by Oct. 14.

As such, vote-by-mail voters who received a “signature verification statement” or an “unsigned ballot envelope statement” are reminded that the deadline for the Lake County Registrar of Voters office to receive the completed forms either by mail service, fax, email or in person is Tuesday, Oct. 12, by noon.

The Lake County Registrar of Voters cannot count a voter’s vote-by-mail ballot if the completed and signed statement is not returned by the Oct. 12 deadline.

For more information call the elections office at 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.

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