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April is Alcohol Awareness Month; prevent alcohol-related harm by drinking and serving responsibly
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, recognizes the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month every April due to the high number of alcohol-related deaths each year in the U.S.According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death, and these deaths are on the rise.
Between 2016 to 2017, 138,000 deaths were alcohol related — between 2020 to 2021, that increased to 178,000.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, says 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired vehicle collisions in 2022.
"This month serves as an important reminder that customers and licensees need to do their part to limit alcohol-related harm,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Whether you’re drinking alcohol or serving it, you have to do so responsibly because it can help save lives.”
ABC encourages patrons to always plan for a sober ride home after drinking and to never binge drink. Licensees are encouraged to stringently check IDs to prevent underage drinking and to never serve obviously intoxicated patrons.
Licensees and bystanders are also encouraged to report any signs of excessive or underage drinking to local authorities.
The effects of alcohol misuse are both deadly and expensive. Alcohol is the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and has a role in at least 7.1% of all emergency room visits.
The financial burden of alcohol misuse cost the U.S. an estimated $249 billion per year. NHTSA estimates that drunk driving crashes cost the U.S. $68.9 billion annually.
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- Written by: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
California’s February unemployment rate holds at 5.4%; Lake County rate edges down
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The latest report on California’s jobless rate shows the state numbers holding relatively steady with slight improvement for Lake County.
The Employment Development Department’s report for February said California’s overall unemployment rate remained the same as in January, 5.4%, while there was a 0.1% increase nationally. The state’s February 2024 rate was reported to be 5.3%.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the national rate was 4.1% for February, up from 4% in January and 3.9% in a year-over comparison.
In Lake County, the unemployment rate was 7.7% in February, down from 8% in January. Lake County’s February 2024 rate was 7.2%.
Lake County ranked No. 45 for its February rate, according to the report.
Lake’s neighboring county jobless rates and ranks in February were: Colusa, 18.5%, No. 58; Glenn, 7.5%, No. 43; Mendocino, 6.2%, No. 30; Napa and Sonoma, tied at No. 8 with 4.3%; and Yolo, 5.9%, No. 25.
Statewide, the Employment Development Department said the job market expansion reached 58 months in February 2025. California has gained 3,083,700 jobs since April 2020, averaging 53,167 jobs per month.
The number of Californians employed in February was 18,645,700, an increase of 10,900 persons from January’s total of 18,634,800 and up 81,000 from the employment total in February 2024.
In Lake County, there were 24,780 employed individuals and 2,050 people out of work in February.
The number of unemployed Californians was 1,061,000 in February, a decrease of 8,200 over the month but up 60,600 in comparison to February 2024.
Year-over, California’s total nonfarm jobs increased by 78,200 between February 2024 and February 2025, according to the report.
Additionally, February 2025 marked the fourth consecutive month-over decline (-8,200) in unemployed people.
The number of jobs in the agriculture industry decreased from January by 200 to a total of 423,100 jobs in February. The agriculture industry had 16,700 more farm jobs in February 2025 than it did in February of last year.
In Lake County, the number of farm jobs was down by 6.9%, from 1,020 jobs in January to 950 jobs in February. However, farm jobs are up by 15.9% over February 2024.
A look at specific job sectors
The report said three of California's 11 industry sectors gained jobs in February with private education and health services (+18,400) showing gains for the 37th straight month with above average gains in private elementary and secondary schools, and large gains in outpatient care services on the health services side.
In Lake County, private education and health services rose by 1.85% over the month, or 100 jobs, and 9% over the year.
Government (+3,600) also showed a month-over job gain with the largest gains in local government (+5,000), according to the report.
In Lake County, total government jobs rose by 0.4% over the month and 2.2% over the year, with local government jobs growing by 0.5% over the month and 3.1% over the year.
Both the federal (-1,200) and state (-200) government sectors posted job losses. This was the largest loss in federal government since February 2021, according to the report.
Lake County’s numbers showed a loss of 6.7% of federal jobs in February and a year-over loss of 12.5%. State government showed no change over the month but 5.6% since February last year.
Professional and business services (-7,700) posted the state’s largest month-over loss with most of the losses coming from computer systems design and related services as well as with legal services and management, scientific, and technical consulting.
In Lake County, the professional and business services category was down 1.3% over the month but up by 5.7% compared to last year.
In other employment news, the Employment Development Department said there were 407,881 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the February 2025 sample week. That compares to 394,387 people in January and 425,760 people in February 2024.
Concurrently, 42,655 initial claims were processed in the February 2025 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 3,454 claims from January, but a year-over increase of 1,395 claims from February 2024, the state reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest road improvements set to begin
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A road closure is planned to begin this week for Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest.Starting on Tuesday, April 1, road access to Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest will be closed to facilitate essential road improvements.
Cal Fire reported that road access is anticipated to reopen on May 1.
The project will focus on restoring roadside drainage and grading the road surfaces, aiming to enhance environmental conditions and improve emergency access that has been impacted by winter weather.
During this period, vehicle access will be limited to the main parking area below the heliport.
For safety reasons, visitors are advised to avoid areas with heavy equipment while work is underway.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we complete these necessary upgrades,” Cal Fire said.
For more information, please contact the forest office at 707-928-4378.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Early festivities soon underway to celebrate California’s 175th anniversary
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the official launch of efforts to celebrate California’s 175th year of statehood.
Monday’s announcement initiates an effort to commemorate the rich and full history of the Golden State — its people, its progress and its promise — and invites Californians across all regions and backgrounds to take part in honoring the milestone.
This will include celebrations across the state, including on Sept. 9, 2025, to mark 175 years since California joined the Union on Sept. 9, 1850.
As part of the statewide commemoration, Gov. Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom are launching a working group — supported by an Ambassador Circle of state and external leaders — to coordinate and amplify efforts that invite communities across the state to celebrate 175 years of growth, innovation, and diversity.
“Throughout American history, California has been a beacon of innovation, shaping the very essence of the American Dream,” said Gov. Newsom. “The state has played a monumental role in igniting movements that have redefined industries, expanded rights, and shaped society. From the farmworker revolution that championed labor rights to the free speech movement that set new democratic standards, California has consistently been at the forefront of progress.”
“California has always been a place of possibility — a state where dreams are realized. Like our nation, our history is far from perfect, but it has been the people of California who have demanded the progress we celebrate today,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Californians themselves are what make the Golden State so special, driving our culture, innovation, and resilience. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the generations who have shaped California into what it is today so we may continue to work together to build a future where every Californian has the opportunity to thrive.”
As part of the state’s effort to commemorate California’s 175th Anniversary beginning September 9, 2025, Gov. Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom are launching a working group — across state agencies and departments — to identify different ways people across the Golden State can mark the occasion and celebrate nearly two centuries of growth, innovation and diversity. An “ambassador circle,” composed of cabinet secretaries, legislative designees, constitutional officers and external partners, will help amplify and support activities throughout the state.
America 250
California's celebration comes as the country gears up to celebrate 250 years next July.
The working group will lead commemorations of both California 175 and America 250, with state agencies and departments celebrating efforts that reflect upon and honor the state’s and country’s history, building on that work to better our communities for the future.
Californians can sign up on the newly launched website to learn more about how the state will be marking this occasion – including different events and activities – as well as America’s 250th birthday during Summer 2026.
Learn more about the California’s 175th Anniversary: https://celebrate.ca.gov/.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
