MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Library director Christopher Veach invites the public to “come play with an iPad, Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire, and Nexus 7 tablet and learn how to download free e-books from the Library.”

Library staff will conduct a free “technology petting zoo” at Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St., in Middletown from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, to introduce people to an array of small electronic devices.

Patrons can try out the various devices in the library and can bring in their own devices to get help with them.

People can use their Lake County Library cards to borrow electronic books through the library’s Web site for free.

Library staff will demonstrate how to download e-books at the technology petting zoo.

For more information about the Technology Petting Zoo call Lakeport Library at 707-263-8817.

The other library branches will host technology petting zoos in rotation over the coming months.

In 2015 technology petting zoos will be held at Upper Lake Library on Feb. 28, Lakeport Library on March 28, Redbud Library on April 25 and at Middletown Library on May 30.

All technology petting zoos will occur from 1 to 3 p.m.

Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake. Middletown Library is located at 21256 Washington St. in Middletown. Upper Lake Library is located at 310 Second St. in Upper Lake.

Call Lakeport Library at 707-263-8817 for information about the technology petting zoos.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

Library events are posted on the calendar at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/Calendar.htm .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Each year the California Robbery Investigators Association presents its Officer of the Year Award to a police officer or deputy sheriff working a uniform assignment who distinguishes themselves through an act of uncommon heroism or an outstanding investigation involving a robbery crime.

This year CRIA will honor three law enforcement officers from Mendocino County for their work in stopping a major crime spree involving homicide, robbery, kidnapping, which stretched from Eugene, Oregon to Fort Bragg, Calif.

This incident took place over several hours and several hundred miles and resulted in the death of the suspect and the ambush murder of a Mendocino County deputy sheriff.

These officers willingly put themselves in harms way and one gave his life to protect their community.

This year's recipients are Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino, who died during the incident; Lt. Gregory Stefani of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office; and Fort Bragg Police Lt. John Naulty.

The award will be presented during the annual training seminar award ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Harrah’s in Las Vegas.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The first speaker for the first Middletown Luncheon Club lunch in 2015 is Supervisor Jim Comstock, who will deliver his annual "State of the County" address. 

Enjoy this informational lunch at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Middletown Senior Center at 21256 Washington St., behind the new park. 

Hear about the hot topics in Lake County from Comstock, the District 1 supervisor, and have the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

Comstock's is always a popular presentation, so be sure to get your reservation in early.

All ages are welcome and lunch is only $5 per person.

The senior center will be serving chicken curry served with brown rice and broccoli. Dessert and beverages are included. This month’s serving group is the senior center.

Space is limited for lunch. Please make your reservation either by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling the Middletown Senior Center at 707-987-3113 (specify that you are with the Middletown Luncheon Club).

Community members also are welcome to come hear the speaker for free without buying lunch.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – It’s been many years since some older Lake County residents got their driver’s license. 

Yet the driving experience is significantly different from even a decade ago with changing vehicles, changing technology, changing road rules and even changing roadways.

Residents can refresh their skills and have the opportunity to save money on their car insurance with the new, enhanced AARP Smart Driver Course being offered at the Clearlake Oaks Senior Center, 19502 Foothill Blvd., from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, and Thursday, Jan. 29.

The course helps drivers age 50 and older stay current with driving laws and new technologies inside and outside of vehicles.

Participants also will learn defensive driving skills, proven safety strategies and how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

The new curriculum was developed following a two year research study conducted by Eastern Virginia Medical School.

“Since 1979, AARP Driver Safety has helped over 15 million drivers stay safe, educated and confident behind the wheel. Every driver can benefit from a refresher,” said Julie E. Lee, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.

Many participants may be eligible for a multiyear insurance discount after taking the course.

Participants are encouraged to check with their insurance agent to see if they are eligible.

Attendance is required but there are no tests required to pass the course.

To register, call class instructor Steve Hendricks at 707-972-7884.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It is difficult for a young family to survive these days, when housing costs can easily add up to 40-percent or more of a family’s income.

Difficult choices have to be made in order to provide the best possible life for the children.

Jeremy Kotoff and Angela Philpot made such a choice when they decided to approach Habitat for Humanity Lake County to see if they were eligible for the First Time Homeownership Program.

As Habitat’s newest partner family, they are hard at work adding the finishing touches to their home, putting in the necessary sweat equity hours required to become the a Habitat Homeowner. Soon they will be able to move in.

“When we are working on our house, we feel like we are stepping forward more and more every day,” Kotoff said. “We are accomplishing one of our life goals with the support of our family and friends. We are very grateful to them, and to Habitat for Humanity, for giving us the opportunity for a brighter future.”

If you are interested in becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner, or would like more information about the program, you can go to www.lakehabitat.org for income qualification guidelines and program details or call the office at 707-994-1100.

SACRAMENTO – Starting this month, parents will be able to pay their child support in cash at thousands of MoneyGram locations throughout California.

Previously, parents paying cash could only do so by visiting a county or regional local child support agency that accepts in-office payments.

Those who stand to benefit the most by paying through MoneyGram are the self-employed, those working seasonal jobs and those who don’t engage in traditional banking.

“We are pleased to be able to expand services and make payments easier for participants,” said California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) Director Alisha Griffin. “This will not only benefit the parents who owe child support, but it will also translate into more payments for their children.”

There are approximately 6,200 MoneyGram locations in California that provide bill payment services.

Payments can be made at 18 retail chains including CVS, Wal-Mart, Albertsons, Lucky, Raley's/Bel Air, Food Maxx, 7-Eleven and others.

To make a payment through MoneyGram, parents will need their personal Participant Identification Number (PAR ID) and the group “Receive Code 14630.”

MoneyGram charges child support customers a $1.99 convenience fee. For many, that is less than the cost of the gas needed to drive to a child support office. Payments can take up to three days to post, so parents are advised to plan accordingly.

Child support payments may also be made online, by phone and by mail. In-person payments are available at the local child support offices that accept payments. Fees are not charged for using these payment options.

When the state tested the MoneyGram service in a pilot program with the Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services earlier this year, 127 child support payments totaling $38,228 were made through MoneyGram in just six weeks.

In 13 of those transactions, it was the first time a payment had been made in more than five months. Six of those transactions were made on cases that had not received a payment in more than a year.

DCSS and the 51 local child support agencies operate the second largest child support system in the nation.

The department works collaboratively with the local agencies, the courts, county health and human services entities, employers and various state and federal agencies to help parents provide for their children.

For information about payment options or to make a payment online, visit www.childsup.ca.gov/PaymentOptions or call 866-901-3212.