LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Remember to get your 2016 quagga mussel prevention sticker before using your vessel in any Lake County water body.

The 2016 stickers are now available at all screening locations.

The Lake County sticker is required in addition to your DMV sticker for all Lake County vessels.

Also, remember to check in with a participating screener when you return from an out-of-county trip with your boat.

Screeners stay up-to-date with those counties in the western United States that are infested. The re-screening, inspection or decontamination, if needed, is free.

Support the program that’s keeping Lake County mussel-free.

Spread the word to anyone who may not know about the most serious biofouling pest ever to be introduced to North American freshwater systems.

A few facts:

– Quagga mussels can colonize hard and soft surfaces, mud, plants, docks, boat engine cooling systems and water pipes.
– They potentially produce millions of offspring in a season.
– Forty percent of the animal population in Lake Mead is now quagga mussels since the first introduction in 2005.
– Beaches become littered with piles of glass-sharp shells.
– They alter the chemistry and biology of the water ecosystem.
– The basis of the aquatic food chain, plankton, is removed by these voracious feeders.
– Prevention results from education. Do your bit to spread the word. 

Lake County Water Resources thanks the 27 participating screeners for continuing their vital role in the county's prevention program.

For the latest list of screeners see www.nomussels.com or call Lake County Water Resources at 707-263-2344.

More than 20 percent of all collisions taking place in shopping mall parking lots during the holiday season, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

AAA warns motorists how to avoid unnecessary hazards and potential damage claims. 

“Steering clear of common parking lot dangers will help you avoid stress and damage to your vehicle,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “By following basic common sense driving tips you can protect yourself and your car.”

Shopping mall driving tips:

· See and be seen. Use your headlights in parking garages, even in the daytime. You’ll be more visible to both other vehicles and pedestrians.

· Learn to play the outfield. Outlying areas have more spaces, lighter traffic and a lower risk of collision In some cases, however, those spaces may not be as secure, so be aware of the risks.

· Don’t put yourself in a tight spot. Avoid parking between a pair of tall SUV’s or minivans where it might be hard for you to back out of the space. If you can’t see well enough to back out safely, get help from one of your passengers.

· Refrain from reverse. If possible, avoid backing out of a space by either backing into it or pulling through two spaces that are open nose-to-nose. In some municipalities, however, backing into spaces amid moving traffic is illegal and, by impeding traffic, flow, can sometimes do more harm than good.

· Look out for little ones. Children can be hard to see in busy parking lots and often make quick, unpredictable movements. When walking to and from the car, hold their hands to keep them safe from traffic.

· Stay on track and alert on foot. Pedestrians should use walkways and crosswalks. If you must walk on traffic lanes, be alert for subtle cues, such as car exhaust or reverse lights. That signals a car is about to pull out. When behind the wheel, always be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially hard-to-see children.

· Buckle Up! Even a low-speed collision can result in injuries. Make sure everyone is strapped in a seat belt or child seat while the car is in motion, even if it’s just a short trip to another part of the parking lot.

· Head for the side door. Most malls have secondary entrances on the sides, and those entrances usually have less traffic and more convenient spaces.

· Protect your purchase. Place packages in the trunk so they won’t be visible to would-be thieves.  In only a few seconds, a thief can smash a window and steal your shopping loot. 

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 Rosemont Drive to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Rocky fire repairs from Gravel Plant Road to the Lake/Colusa County line 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 29

– Valley fire cleanup from the Lake/Napa County line to Hidden Valley will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– 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. or from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 7 days per week. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Bridge painting at the Navarro River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 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.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs about 1.0 mile south of Juan Creek on Tuesday, Dec. 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-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.

– Pavement repairs from Harwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
Highway 162

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs just north of East Lane Road on Wednesday, Dec. 16. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

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.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Along with all the other changes this year, the crab season has closed due to toxins, skyrocketing the price of crab if it becomes available.

The Middletown Rotary Club has had to change its popular January annual fundraiser from a crab feast to “Turf Not Surf: A Prime Rib Feast.”

The event takes place on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016.

The enthusiasm for this event, which includes silent and live auctions, has not diminished.

All proceeds always go to local projects and scholarships plus a few international projects, such as the eradication of polio in the world.

This year, a portion of each ticket is designated for the club’s special fire recovery fund.

The venue has also changed for the first time in 24 years to the Twin Pine Event Center, south of Middletown on Highway 29. The event center allows more spacious seating.

In addition to open seating, reserved seating is available for six or more prepaid. Tickets are $60 per person, which includes a complete prime rib dinner, dessert and coffee or tea, plus one limited edition engraved wine glass. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance by calling 707-696-9201.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and auction viewing. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.

No outside alcohol may be brought in to the event center. A full no-host bar opens at 5 p.m.

In addition to the silent and live auctions, there will be drawings to win wine and other prizes.

For tickets, contact any Middletown Rotarian. Tickets are also available at Morgan Lane Realtors in Hidden Valley Lake and The Bunkhouse in Middletown.

For more information and tickets, contact event coordinator Kathey Crothers, 707-355-0393.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Helen Whitney, 707-928-9812 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services Director Kim Clymire announced Christmas holiday closures for the county landfill and Public Services office.

The Eastlake Landfill in Clearlake will be closed three days for the Christmas holiday: Thursday, Dec. 24; Friday, Dec. 25; and Saturday, Dec. 26.

The Public Services office in Lakeport will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 23; Thursday, Dec. 24; and Friday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday.

Residential and commercial collection will occur one day after your normal pick up day.

The landfill will reopen Sunday, Dec. 27, and the Public Services Department will reopen Monday, Dec. 28. Normal landfill operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The Public Services office normal operational hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

South Lake Refuse and Recycling center is open from 7:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. daily and Quackenbush Buyback/Dropoff is open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lake County Waste Solutions in Lakeport Buyback/Dropoff 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 in to your green waste container on your regular pick up day and make sure the lid will shut.

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

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

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center is continuing its tradition of hosting a free community dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

The turkey dinner with all the fixings will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, located at 527 Konocti Ave.

All ages are invited to attend and opportunities to volunteer are available too.

To volunteer for this event call 707-263-4218 and arrive to the center by 11 a.m.