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Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 10 October 2007

Created: 10 October 2007

Last Updated: 10 October 2007

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 773 by North Coast Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa). The bill extends an existing vehicle length exemption for specified livestock carriers (cattle haulers) on portions of State Route 101 (SR 101) in the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino from vehicle length limitations.

Specifically, SB 773:

• Extends the allowable kingpin-to-rear axle (KP-RA) length for exempted cattle haulers from 40 feet to 43 feet.

• Limits the length of the semi-trailer to 48 feet.

• Requires the SR 101 livestock truck exemption to sunset before Jan. 1, 2012, if the Secretary of State (SOS) is notified that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) director has determined that the only possible adjustment to SR 101 to accommodate the truck sizes allowed to use these sections of the highway is the removal of any tree with a diameter of at least 42 inches, measured outside the bark at 12 inches above the ground.

• Provides that if prior to Jan. 1, 2012, the Caltrans director determines that safety improvements to the portion of SR 101 have resulted in the reclassification of the entire segment as a terminal access route, the director is to notify the SOS of that determination.

• Existing law provides an exemption to the vehicle length limitation until Jan. 1, 2012, for licensed carriers of livestock on portions of SR 101 in the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino, if the travel is necessary and incidental to the shipment of livestock. The exemption allows a truck tractor-semi-trailer combination of up 70 feet provided that the distance from the KP-RA does not exceed 40 feet.

Wiggins noted that since most of the beef grown in Northern California is shipped out-of-state, North Coast ranchers need to use out-of-state trailers to move their product.

She thanked Schwarzenegger for signing SB 773, which is now the sixth Wiggins bill that the Governor has signed into law this year.

“Livestock ranchers in Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties have operated at a greater economic disadvantage when compared with livestock ranchers throughout the rest of California because they are limited by statute to use trailers with a KP-RA of 40 feet,” Wiggins said. “Approximately 90 percent of the equipment used to transport cattle and other livestock to out-of-state markets are trailers with a kingpin of up to 43 feet.

“Several tighter than normal turns along three very short sections of SR 101 at Richardson's Grove, Confusion Hill and Big Lagoon have prevented the North Coast livestock industry from utilizing 43-foot trailers to haul cattle. I appreciate the support of my colleagues and the Governor on SB 773, which will provide for the longer semi-trailers on this section of SR 101.”

Prior to 1999, the length restrictions on highways leading into and out of the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino made the travel of most interstate trucks illegal.

The governor has until midnight on Sunday, Oct. 14 to decide whether to sign or veto 470 remaining bills passed by the Legislature in 2007.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 06 October 2007

Created: 06 October 2007

Last Updated: 06 October 2007

LAKEPORT – Quality hay is always in demand in the North Coast, which doesn’t grow all of the feed that it needs for the cows, horses, sheep and goats in the area.

Locally, there are many fields growing only weeds that could be growing good hay. Hay could earn some income for the landowner, make their property look better and reduce the summer fire hazard all at the same time.

If you are interested in learning more on the subject, come to the Hay Meeting sponsored by University of California Cooperative Extension and Agro Tech on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Rancho de la Fuente (a wheelchair accessible facility), 2290 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.

The meeting takes place from 9 a.m. until noon.

The featured speaker is Farm Advisor Steve Orloff, a hay expert from Siskiyou County who will talk about farming practices, markets and costs of growing irrigated hay in Northern California.

Local UC Plant Science Farm Advisor Glenn McGourty will discuss options for dry land hay growing. UC Livestock Farm Advisor John Harper will present information on important considerations of animal feed quality and, finally, local growers Brent Holdenried and Frank Perez along with Dave Hatanaka of Dave’s Hay Barn will share some of their experiences growing hay.

There is no charge to attend, however, please call Marc Hooper at Agro Tech, 279-4654, to register.

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Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 03 October 2007

Created: 03 October 2007

Last Updated: 03 October 2007

CLEARLAKE – Mendo Mill and Lumber will hold a “Grand Re-opening” of its newly remodeled and expanded Clearlake store Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13.

The high-profile event will include a “20 percent off” sale on everything in the store and yard, many free prizes, vendor demonstrations and hot dogs and sodas for just $1. The 20 percent off sale also will apply at the other Mendo Mill stores in Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Willits.

The new facility will have 25,000 square feet of enclosed retail area, a large lumber yard under cover and state-of-the-art customer conveniences.

Mike Mayfield, the president and chief executive officer of Mendo Mill, called the project a major step forward for his home improvement company and a significant addition to Clearlake and Lake County.

“We have achieved our goal of designing and building a “right size” home improvement store that blends product selection and customer service in ways that the big box chain stores cannot match”, Mayfield said. “It was a vision advanced by my father, Joe, many years ago while he was still actively managing the company. We worked closely together on the concept and it has been my privilege to guide it to completion. We are particularly gratified by the extent to which the project has utilized the recycling of materials and incorporated the extensive installation of energy-efficient components”, he added.

“From the beginning we worked closely with the community officials and civic leaders to build a store that will serve the people of Lake County effectively and add to the commercial profile of the city and county for many years to come,” Mayfield continued. “On behalf of my family and the Mendo Mill staff, I want to express appreciation for the co-operation we have received from local officials and for the patience of our customers during this huge renovation and expansion.”

Mayfield also praised the Mendo Mill staff for their work during the renovation. “Our department heads, cashiers and yard employees did a superb job of accommodating our customers while the construction was underway,” Mayfield said.

He cited the leadership of Jay Reed, merchandise manager, and Gail Strong, vice president, both residents of Lake County, saying, “It has been a great team effort by the entire Mendo Mill organization and I am very proud of their work.”

Steve Bricker, who joined Mendo Mill Aug. 1, will manage the new store. Bricker, who has extensive experience in management and retail in Lake and Mendocino counties, said he is “thrilled to have the opportunity to manage a premier home improvement store in one of the fastest growing areas of the state.”

Mendo Mill and Lumber was founded in 1944 and has expanded to include stores in Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Willits as well as Clearlake. It is one of the top 50 Ace Hardware dealers and one of the top 25 Ace Paint dealers in America.

In addition to the Clearlake project, Mendo Mill has recently completed major improvements, expansions and renovations at its stores in Ukiah, Willits and Fort Bragg.

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