As millions of travelers pack their bags this Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial beginning of summer travel season, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, or CDFA, and its partners in federal and local government are reminding travelers NOT to pack fruits, vegetables, or meat products that could spread harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies.

While traveling with these items may seem harmless, CDFA along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and local county agricultural commissioners want to remind air passengers and road trippers alike that non-native pests and diseases can act as sneaky hitchhikers in fruits, veggies and other plant and food items. 

If transported into California, these invasive species can cause significant damage to California’s agricultural industries and residents’ homegrown produce.

To prevent the introduction of invasive pests and diseases, officials ask travelers entering or returning to California not to bring fruits, vegetables or meat products with them. If travelers have plants or produce, they’re asked to declare it for inspection to ensure its safety.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasized that the negative impacts of invasive pests and diseases stretch well beyond commercial agricultural operations. 

“Invasive pests and plant diseases that make their way into California not only can have devastating consequences for the bountiful agricultural operations throughout the state, but also can impact our community’s ability to grow fruits and vegetables at home, as well as the delicate ecosystems of our natural and working lands. Everyone can play a role in keeping California free from invasive pests and diseases,” Ross said.

“Our CBP agriculture specialists stationed at land, sea and airports, utilize their technical proficiency in defending our borders from harmful pests and diseases,” said CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport Andrew H. Douglas. “Travelers may even see our ‘Beagle Brigade,’ a specially trained canine team that can detect specific scents in travelers’ luggage associated with fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that could pose a threat.” 

Highlighting the disruption invasive species can cause, California experienced the most pervasive invasive fruit fly outbreak in CDFA’s 100+ year history in 2023. 

Believed to be caused by unauthorized movement of infested agricultural products, the outbreaks established quarantines across the state, restricting thousands of acres of commercial agriculture operations and residents’ ability to share and enjoy their homegrown produce.

There are currently two active invasive fruit fly quarantine areas in the state: a Mediterranean Fruit Fly quarantine area in parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and an Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in parts of Orange County.

For more information visit DontPackaPest.com. 

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Genealogical Society is welcoming the community to its new location during an event this weekend.

The group will hold a “soft opening” for its new location in the northeast corner of the Lake County Agriculture Department building at 885 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

Come to the building’s northeast entrance door (not the main ag department door) and ake a peek at their office.

They will discuss future plans for their genealogy library in the Main Conference Room starting at 2:30 p.m.

After being without a home for the past seven years, the group has big plans for the future now that it has a new location.

For more information, visit the society’s website.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. — Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
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Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

Route 20 (1.1/2.4) – Construction work from Blue Lakes Road to Irvine Avenue will occur on Friday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C20KA

Route 20 (37.1) – Electrical work will occur east of Clearlake Oaks at the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge 14-12 on Wednesday, May 28. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P20BA

Route 20 (45/45.2) – Road work east of Walker Ridge Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C20PA

Highway 29

Route 29 (19.7/20.7) – Caltrans has granted an encroachment permit for the Lower Lake Daze Parade from Clayton Creek Road to Marshview Way on Sunday, May 25. Lane closures will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. LC#P29CA

Route 29 (30.2) – Utility work will occur near Route 175 on Thursday, May 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#P29BA

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

Route 1 (6.5/6.7) – Electrical work will occur north of Anchor Bay near Gypsy Flat Road on Thursday, May 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P1FA

Route 1 (31.1/31.6) – Bridge work at the Elk Creek Bridge 10-120 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1WA

Route 1 (33.6/33.7) – Bridge work in Elk at the Greenwood Creek Bridge 10-156 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (33.7/40.2) – Paving work in Elk at the Greenwood Creek Bridge 10-156 to Jct Route 128 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (40.1) – Bridge work at the Navarro River Bridge 10-130 will begin on Thursday, May 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (40.2/47.5) – Paving work at various locations from Jct Route 128 to east of Little River Airport Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (41.8/42.4) – Road work from the Navarro Point Preserve and Scenic Trail to Navarro Ridge Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1FB

Route 1 (48) – Bridge work at the Little River Bridge 10-178 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (50.1/50.2) – Bridge work at the Big River Bridge 10-146 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (51.4/52.1) – Bridge work north of Mendocino at the Jack Peters Creek Bridge 01-43484 from Lansing Street to south of Road 500D. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1VA

Route 1 (60.2/60.4) – Bridge work in Fort Bragg at the Noyo River Bridge 10-176 will occur on Thursday, May 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5 minute delays. LC#P1FA

Route 1 (62.1) – Bridge work in Fort Bragg at the Pudding Creek Bridge 10-158 will occur on Wednesday, May 28. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5 minute delays. LC#P1FA

Route 1 (75.4/76.1) – Emergency work south of Westport from the Blues Beach Trailhead to the Overlook will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 30-minute delays. LC#C1TA

Highway 20

Route 20 (.01/.5) – Road work in Fort Bragg from Jct Route 1 to Symes Lane will occur on Wednesday, May 28. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P20BA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (15.9/17.2) – Tree work south of Ukiah from the McNab Creek Bridge 10-4 to Nelson Ranch Road will occur on Wednesday, May 28. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#P101FA

U.S. 101 (41/43.3) – Barrier work from Ridgewood Summit to north of the Willits Water Treatment Plant continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C101DA

U.S. 101 (49.6/50.8) – Bridge work north of Willits near Schow Road will begin on Tuesday, May 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C101YB

U.S. 101 (54.9/59.3) – Mowing work north of Willits at various locations from Big Trails Drive to Jct Route 162. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#M101IA

U.S. 101 (55.8/57.8) – Paving work from north of Underpass Road to north of Shimmins Ridge Road will occur on Friday, May 30. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101BC

U.S. 101 (57.8/59.8) – Paving work from north of Underpass Road to north of Jct Route 162 will occur on Thursday, May 29. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101BC

U.S. 101 (59/61) – Paving work near Jct Route 162 continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101BC

U.S. 101 (59.9) – Bridge work at the Long Valley Creek Bridge 10-180 continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101NA

U.S. 101 (72.1/72.7) – Emergency work north of Laytonville at Woodruff Drive continues. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays. LC#T101GA

U.S. 101 (89.5/89.7) – Road work south of Leggett continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101SC

Highway 128

Route 128 (30.4/30.6) – Electrical work from the Cal Fire Boonville Station to the Robinson Creek Bridge 10-63 will occur on Thursday, May 29. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P128AA

Highway 162

Route 162 (7.9/8.4) – Bridge work at the Eel River Bridge 10-236 continues. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C162HA

Route 162 (10/11.5) – Emergency work from the Rodeo Creek Bridge 10-237 to Division Creek will begin on Friday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C162IA

Route 162 (15.2/16.4) – Emergency work will occur from Laytonville Dos Rios Road to Covelo Road on Friday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C162EA

Highway 253

Route 253 (12.8/13.3) – Road work at Butler Ranch Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C253CA

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (35.8/36.5) – Construction at the Dr. Fine Bridge near Smith River will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C101WA

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

Route 36 (4.4/6.1) – ​ Construction upgrades near Carlotta are scheduled to continue. Expect 15-minute delays weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. LC#C36IA

Route 36 (15.7/16.3) – Slide response east of Swimmer's Delight will continue. Check "Caltrans District 1" social media and QuickMap for the latest information. LC#C36HA

Route 36 (19.6) – Emergency work west of Maple Grove will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Travelers should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C36JA

Route 36 (25.3/25.9) – Work east of Bridgeville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 15-minute delays. LC#C36UA/C36FA

Route 36 (27/30.3) - Pavement work near McClellan Mountain Road is scheduled to begin. Expect 15-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. LC#C36BA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (19.4/17.7) – Maintenance south of Phillipsville from the Dimmick Road Undercrossing to Hooker Creek Road is scheduled to continue. Expect a southbound lane closure from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays and minor traffic slowdowns. LC#M101QA

U.S. 101 (25/27.1) – Drainage work south of Myers Flat is scheduled on Friday, May 23. Expect 10-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. LC#C101DE

U.S. 101 (40/42) – Drainage work north of Redcrest is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 28. Expect 10-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. LC#C101DE

U.S. 101 (42.3/43) – Emergency work north of Redcrest will continue. A northbound lane closure will be in effect. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#T101AA

U.S. 101 (74.7/76.1) - Construction north of the Herrick interchange will continue. Expect slowdowns due to lane and periodic driveway closures. LC#C101CC

U.S. 101 (80.8/81.4) - Northbound pavement work north of Jacobs Avenue is scheduled to continue weeknights overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, May 23. Lane closures are planned. Expect minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C101FD

U.S. 101 (82.7/83.4) – Construction at the Indianola Cutoff will continue. Motorists should expect slowdowns. Also, access from the cutoff to southbound 101 is currently unavailable due to a median closure. LC#C101FD

Highway 211

Route 211 (73.8) - Permit work in Ferndale between Arlington and Howard Streets is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expect 5-minute delays. LC#P211BA

Highway 254

Route 254 (3.1/4.2) – Emergency work north of Phillipsville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. LC#C254JA

Route 254 (18.4/19.1) – Emergency work north of Weott will continue. A full closure is in effect. Motorists should use U.S. 101 as a detour. LC#T254A

Highway 255

Route 255 (4.7/6) - A permitted event near Young Lane in Arcata is scheduled on Saturday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect 5-minute delays. LC#P255CA

Highway 299

Route 299 (0.7/5.5) - Work between Giuntoli and Blue Lake is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 27. Expect minor traffic slowdowns from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. LC#C299HA

Route 299 (11.1/22.3) - Pavement work from about 11 to 22 miles from U.S. 101 will continue. Travelers should expect 5-minute delays on weekdays. LC#C299RA

Route 299 (29.6/30.6) - Permit work near the Berry Summit Vista Point is scheduled to continue weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect 10-minute delays. LC#P299BA

Route 299 (31.4/31.6) - Construction west of Willow Creek will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LCC299LA

Route 299 (32.8/33.1) - Construction west of Willow Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#P299BA

LOWER LAKE, Calif. — Identity theft and fraud are more prevalent than ever before. Newly released Federal Trade Commission data show that consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase over the prior year.

One of the best defenses is to securely shred sensitive documents and properly dispose of old computers, phones and other electronics that hold personal data so your private information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Redwood Credit Union invites Lake County residents to be proactive and attend its annual free Shred-a-Thon.

The event will be held at Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St., on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, and will feature free document shredding provided by Shred-It and electronic waste (e-waste) collection by Conservation Corps North Bay.

"Destroying old financial records and confidential information securely is essential for safeguarding against identity theft," said Becky Perez, RCU’s Lower Lake branch experience manager. “It’s also great for the environment since we’re keeping these items out of our landfills. My team and I are proud to help bring this event to Lake County every year.”

Attendees may bring up to three standard-sized boxes (15” x12” x10”) of confidential documents for shredding, such as old financial statements, canceled checks and credit card offers. Conservation Corps North Bay will also be on site to collect and recycle e-waste such as old computers, printers, cell phones, and personal electronics.

Monetary donations will be accepted at the event to benefit the Lake County Child Care Planning Council, a group committed to ensuring the availability and accessibility of high-quality childcare for the families and children of the community.

In 2024, more than 3,000 residents in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties attended RCU Shred-a-Thons. Shred-It trucks helped communities dispose of 134,280 pounds of documents, while the Conservation Corps collected 25,383 pounds of e-waste.

To put it in perspective, the shredded paper alone has an environmental impact equal to conserving 1,145 trees (over 10 acres) and 469,980 gallons of water (enough to water 7,580 lawns for a week).

For additional information and updates about the Shred-a-Thon, visit https://www.redwoodcu.org/about/community-programs/shred-a-thon/, or follow RCU on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Eastlake Landfill and the Public Services Office will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

The Eastlake Landfill and the Public Services office will re-open on Tuesday, May 27.

Regular operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The Public Services Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this subject or any solid waste topics in Lake County, please call 707-262-1618.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff's Activities League is offering a new equestrian program for children.

The half-day equestrian program will take place on Saturday, June 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a hotdog lunch.

The program is designed for those youngsters who have little or no experience with horses.

Students will learn about grooming, feeding and the care of horses.

There will be a roping demonstration and those who wish will be able to mount a horse and ride it within the confines of a fenced area.

Students between the ages of 8 and 18 are eligible.

Parents are required to stay on site. Safety head gear will be provided.

Sheriff's Activities League Board member Sierra Baker will lead the activity.

The league is grateful to Tanya Rankin, owner of the Blue Eyed Raven Ranch in Kelseyville, for hosting this event.

Registration is limited to 10 students.

Organizers hope to repeat the program in the fall.

To register, call and speak directly with Mary Borjon at 707-279-1050, a land line.

If you leave a voice mail, please speak clearly and provide your full name and a call back number.