LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Dec. 18, Logan Pitts, a representative of Assemblyman Bill Dodd’s office, presented Habitat for Humanity Lake County with the Community Champion Award. 

Habitat for Humanity received the award for its dedication to the citizens of the Fourth Assembly District and their commitment to providing housing opportunities and empowerment to the needy. 

“The gratitude of our community is its own reward, but we are honored to have the hard work of our staff and volunteers recognized by our district representatives,” said Richard Birk, president of Habitat for Humanity Lake County. “The need in Lake County is so great, more help is always needed.”

If you would like to volunteer be a part of the Habitat for Humanity team team, or if you would like to donate to contribute to the work that still needs to be done, visit www.lakehabitat.org , contact the organization at 707-994-1100 or come by the office at 16285 A Main St. in Lower Lake to find out how you can help.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) wishes its customers a safe and happy holiday season.

As festivities and parties culminate over the next several days, the utility reminds the public to avoid holiday hazards.  Tinder dry trees, overloaded power outlets and lights around homes can create serious fire and safety concerns if proper precautions aren’t taken.

To ensure that customers remain safe throughout the holiday, PG&E offers the following safety tips:

Avoid electric hazards

· “Mind the lines!” Before climbing ladders and trees to take down outdoor lights, be aware of your surroundings and check for overhead power lines nearby. Be especially mindful of lines over your roof and lines attached to your home. Look up before raising ladders and other tall objects.

· Keep at least 10 feet away from overhead lines at all times. Never place yourself or any object such as a string of lights in a position that risks contact with a power line – the result can be fatal.

· Before taking down lights on outdoor trees, make sure tree limbs haven't grown into or near power lines. Branches, entire trees and even the ground adjacent to a tree can become energized when trees contact power lines.

Prevent fire hazards

· Avoid overloading extension cords and wall sockets by following the manufacturer's limits for the number of light strings that can be safely connected together.

· Check all light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires, so discard damaged sets of lights.

· Don't place cords under rugs, furniture or other appliances. If covered, cords can overheat or become frayed, increasing the risk of fire.

· Always turn off decorative lights – indoors and outdoors – when leaving the house and before going to bed.

· Water your holiday trees regularly and avoid placing them near a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, making it more susceptible to fires caused by heat, flames or sparks.

These important tips are part of the Company's larger safety campaign encouraging residents to "mind the lines." PG&E wants to remind residents that all wires bringing electricity to homes and businesses are energized, extremely dangerous, and any contact with them can lead to serious injuries.

To learn more about these safety initiatives, please visit www.pge.com/electricsafety .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Christmas tree disposal for city of Lakeport residents will begin the week after Christmas and continue for two weeks.

Tree disposal will be on your normal trash pick-up day. A third and final opportunity will be available on an on-call basis.

There will not be a tree dumpster at Lakeport Fire.

For more information, contact Lakeport Disposal at 707-263-6080.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services Director, Kim Clymire announced that the Eastlake Landfill in Clearlake and the Public Services office in Lakeport will be closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, for the New Year’s holiday. 

The landfill will reopen Saturday, Jan. 2.

The Public Services Office will reopen Monday, Jan. 4.

Residential and commercial collection will occur one day after your normal pick up day. Normal collection schedules will resume the week following the holiday.

Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Christmas trees can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solutions, 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport; at the Southlake Refuse Recycling drop off located at the Eastlake Landfill, 16015 Davis St. in Clearlake; and Quackenbush at 16520 Davis St., from Dec. 28 through Jan. 9.

South Lake Refuse and Recycling and Quackenbrush Buyback/Drop off centers are open from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily.

Lake County Waste Solutions in Lakeport Buyback/Drop off center is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and accepts many other recyclable materials.

Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse & Recycling will be providing for their customers free curbside Christmas tree recycling.

Cut trees into 3-foot pieces, place your tree into your green waste container on your regular pickup day and make sure the lid will shut.

Please remove all ornaments, lights and tinsel for all Christmas tree recycling. No flocked or artificial trees will be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1760.

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit clearing all brand inspection and health requirements for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of Dec. 24 and in the early morning hours of Dec. 25.

The permit application was filed in person by a rotund, jolly man with a red suit, a white beard, and a pocketful of candy canes to share with our staff. The signature on the paperwork reads “K. Kringle.”

Brand inspections and health requirements help veterinarians prevent the spread of animal disease.  The law also mandates that all animals entering California be individually identified.

The nine reindeer named on the permit are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

The permit was granted with two conditions: the nine reindeer may not co-mingle with other reindeer in the state of California, and the visiting reindeer may not be used for breeding purposes while in the state.

They are, however, invited to partake of the Golden State’s famous and varied agricultural bounty if they need to refuel.

“We consider it an honor to issue this permit to Mr. Kringle and do our part to ensure another successful trip,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “As he was filling out the permit form, we put in a polite request for a few extra snow storms to help our farmers and ranchers with the drought. We wished him safe travels and plenty of milk and cookies as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of California.”

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Jackson Demonstration State Forest timber sale areas generally remain closed for a period of time after timber operations are complete until it is determined safe for public re-entry.

Effective Monday, Dec. 28, Jackson Demonstration State Forest areas closed in 2015 due to active timber sale operations are now open to the public for hiking, biking and equestrian access.

Vehicles are prohibited from using closed roads. Unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs are always prohibited on State Forest Roads and all cross country travel is prohibited.

Each year, seasonal closures occur. For current information, refer to the forest's Web site,  http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php , or contact the office at 802 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, telephone 707-964-5674.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed from noon to 1 p.m.