Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) announced the introduction of the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll additional agricultural lands in the Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, or CREP.

CREP is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water.

The Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act would expand lands eligible for the program to include certain qualified wetlands for which there are habitat concerns or risks.

The bill also provides incentives to farmers to engage in seasonal field flooding to better manage their working croplands while supporting wetland-dependent species.

“Many wildlife species rely on wetland habitat created by California’s farmers, including our rice growers. With the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act, we can expand USDA support for our local growers, offering resources so qualified farmers can flood their fields in the off-season to both improve soil conditions and support the Pacific Flyway ecosystem. Thank you to Rep. LaMalfa for his partnership on our legislation,” said Thompson.

“Drought is always just around the corner, and we have to make the most of the water we get to benefit farms, people, and wildlife. Even in a better water year, poor water policies hurt both farmers and wildlife,” said LaMalfa. “This bill helps protect both by supporting agriculture and the hundreds of species that rely on the Pacific Flyway. It’s a common-sense, bipartisan approach to keeping habitats intact and land productive.”

“The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a valuable tool that incentivizes producers to seasonally flood croplands, providing habitat and nutrients for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited managing director of federal affairs. “Pacific Flyway waterfowl rely on these seasonally flooded agricultural lands, and the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act ensures continued availability of this vital habitat. We’re happy to see Rep. LaMalfa and Rep. Thompson introduce this important legislation to support landowners and waterfowl habitat.”

“We appreciate Rep. LaMalfa and Rep. Thompson’s Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act as an additional tool in the toolbox to reward the stewardship of producers to conserve and enhance waterfowl habitat on their working lands,” said John Devney, chief policy officer at Delta Waterfowl. “We look forward to this being part of the conversation as Congress presses forward with continuing work on the Farm Bill and the myriad of ways we can work with private landowners to conserve, restore, and enhance duck habitat.”

Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Library Literacy Program is now offering a free English as a Second Language class for community members interested in learning to speak, read, and write in English.

The new class will be offered at the Redbud Library located at 14785 Burns Valley Road in
Clearlake.

Classes will begin on Friday, March 7, and will be offered weekly on Fridays from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m.

Classes and all materials and supplies are free to students, open to all levels and native languages, and will be taught in English.

For more information or to sign up for the class, call the Library Literacy Program at 707-263-7633 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

In addition to the free ESL class, the Library Literacy Program offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults who wish to improve their reading and writing skills, and adults who wish to learn English.

The program is in need of bilingual volunteer tutors to work with learners with limited to no English skills.

No experience is necessary to become a literacy tutor as long as one has patience, a desire to help others, and a good command of the English language.

Tutor training, where volunteers learn useful techniques for teaching adults to read, is provided free of cost, along with ongoing support.

Upon completion of tutor training, tutors will be matched with learners, with tutoring hours being flexible for both the tutor and learner; sessions are typically held once per week for one hour.

The program is supported in part by the California Library Literacy Services and by the Lake County Literacy Coalition.

If you are interested in becoming a literacy tutor or know someone who could benefit from our services, please call 707-263-7633 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Your volunteerism could help change a life.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Congressman Mike Thompson’s staff will be in Kelseyville to hold office hours this week.

They will host office hours from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Kelseyville Unified School District’s Board Chambers at 4410 Konocti Road.

Constituents are invited to drop in to discuss any support you may need.

If you need help with passports and visas, veterans benefits, IRS issues, agricultural issues, small business assistance, immigration, Medicare and Medicaid, or if you are facing any other problem navigating the federal government, Thompson’s office said their team is ready to help.

Consider attending the team’s office hours this Wednesday, contact them online at mikethompson.house.gov or call his Napa office at 707-226-9898.

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, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
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 continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays. LC#P20KA

Route 20 (21.8) – Utility work in Lucerne at Verna Way will conclude on Friday, February 21. 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#P20AA

Route 20 (28.4/28.7) – Utility work in Clearlake Oaks from Hoover Street to High Valley Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area. LC#C20AA

Highway 175

Route 175 (16.6) – Utility work at Adams Springs Drive will occur on Thursday, February 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P175BA

Route 175 (26.5) – Utility work at Dry Creek Cutoff will begin on Wednesday, February 26. Lane Closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#P175BA

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

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 (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 (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 (.5) – Utility work in Fort Bragg from Symes Lane to Old Willits Road will occur on Wednesday, February 26. 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#P20AA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (30.8/33.8) – Electrical work from Route 20 to Uva Drive in Redwood Valley will begin on Monday, February 24. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C101RB

U.S. 101 (33.7/43.2) – Road work south of Willits from Route 20 to Uva Drive in Redwood Valley will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#M101QD

U.S. 101 (48.9/55.2) – Road work south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing to Big Trails Drive continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 20-minute delays. LC#M101SA

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

Highway 162

Route 162 (.1/1.8) – Road work from east of the Long Valley Creek Bridge 10-19 to west of the Corral Creek Bridge 10-234 will occur on Monday, February 24. 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

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 (8.8/10.6) – Road work from east of the Eel River Bridge 10-236 to east of the Rodeo Creek Bridge 10-237 will occur on Tuesday, February 25. 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

Route 162 (10.6/12.3) – Road work from east of the Rodeo Bridge 10-237 to east of Division Creek will occur on Wednesday, February 26. 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

Route 162 (14.7/15.9) – Road work from west of the Middle Fork Eel River Bridge 10-252 to east of Laytonville Dos Rios Road will occur on Thursday, February 27. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 5-minute delays. LC#C162EA

Route 162 (17.6/19.4) – Paving work from east of Hosea Creek to west of Sand Bank Creek will occur on Friday, February 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C162EA

Highway 253

Route 253 (1.7/2.3) – Road work near Boonville at Bald Hills Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C253DA

Highway 271

Route 271 (2.5) – Slide Removal south of Big Bend Lodge Road. A full road closure remains in effect and motorists should use an alternative route. LC#T271AA. LC#T271BA

Route 271 (16.1) – Emergency work at Bear Pen Road. A full road closure remains in effect and motorists should use an alternative route. LC#T271AA

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 (6.2/8.1) – Bridge work near Pamplin Grove will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C36UA

Route 36 (15.7/16.3) – Slide removal near Devil’s Elbow Picnic Area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 20-minute delays. LC#C36HA

Route 36 (19.6) – Emergency work west of Bridgeville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. LC#T36JA

Route 36 (23.3) – Emergency work in Bridgeville near Kneeland Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 30-minute delays. LC#T36CA

Route 36 (25.3/25.4) – Bridge work east of Bridgeville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C36UA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (2.1) - Permit work north of the Mendocino line will occur on Tuesday, February 25. One-way traffic is scheduled. Expect 5-minute delays. LC#P101HA

U.S. 101 (74.8) - Electrical work in Eureka at Herrick Avenue is scheduled for the morning of February 23 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Motorists should choose an alternate route. #X101NA

U.S. 101 (77.3/77.5) - Permit work in Eureka from Wabash Avenue to 14th Street is scheduled overnight between February 20 and 21. Lane restrictions might cause slowdowns between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. #P101HA

U.S. 101 (82.7) – Construction work at the Indianola Cutoff will continue. Southbound 101 access is currently unavailable due to a median closure. Southbound motorists should choose an alternate route. LC#C101FD

U.S. 101 (85.8/86.9) – The City of Arcata has scheduled intermittent sewer work at the 255 Interchange, 14th Street, and Sunset Avenue beginning Monday, February 23. Full overnight northbound ramp closures will be in effect between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work is not scheduled to occur at both locations simultaneously. Motorists should choose an alternate route. #P101HA

U.S. 101 (115.8/116.9) - Tree work north of the Stone Lagoon Visitor Center will occur on Friday and Monday, February 21 and 24. One-way traffic is scheduled. Expect 5-minute delays. LC#P101HA

Highway 254

Route 254 (3.2/4.2) – Slipout repair between Hodges Road and Fish Creek Road will continue. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns. LC#C254JA

Route 254 (18.4/19.1) – There is a full closure from Lum Street to half a mile north of Marin Garden Club Grove due to emergency work. Motorists should choose an alternate route. LC#T254AA

Highway 299

Route 299 (8.8/9) – Construction work east of the Blue Lake Weigh Station will begin on Tuesday, February 25. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travelers should expect 5-minute delays. LC#C299KA

Route 299 (11/11.4) – Construction about 11 miles from U.S. 101 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C299FA

Route 299 (30.6/33.2) – Utility work between Cedar Creek Road and East Fork Willow Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Travelers should expect 10-minute delays. LC#P299BA

Route 299 (31.4/33.1) - Construction work west of the East Fork Campground will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C299LA

Route 299 (37.2/40.5) – Utility work near Willow Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Travelers should expect up to 20-minute delays. LC#P299BA

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A longtime leader of Lake County Special Olympics has been honored for her efforts to support the group.

At the February 2025 Northern California Special Olympics Volunteer Leadership Conference, Lake County Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador John Lahti presented to Lake County Special Olympics Volunteer Area Director Cathy Saderlund the Special Olympics Northern California award for outstanding fundraising efforts in 2024.

This award showcases the incredibly supportive, generous and giving Lake County community.

The Lake County Polar Plunge will take place on Saturday. The group said it is excited to continue the tradition of a successful fundraising campaign and, most importantly, a fantastic annual event bringing together athletes and supporters for an enjoyable time.

Follow Lake County Special Olympics on Facebook.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Participation in Kelseyville's Junior Giants program also includes the opportunity to apply for the Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship.

Each year, the Giants Community Fund inducts 10 new Junior Giants into the Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship Program.

All Junior Giants entering eighth grade are invited to apply for a $10,000 scholarship. The Harmon and Sue Burns Scholars are honored at a home-plate ceremony at Oracle Park on Education Day.

Special thanks to the Burns Family Foundation who generously underwrites the cost of the Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship Program each year and to Franklin Templeton Investments for their donation to support the Road to College Workshop and Education Day.

The Kelseyville League has been well represented in this education focused extension of the Junior Giants Program. Winners from the Kelseyville League include:

• 2014: Jacob Lopez.
• 2015: Paige Bour.
• 2020: Adam Astrup.
• 2023: Gordon Astrup.

Parents of elementary and middle school students are encouraged to check out the details of the Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship here.

Recruitment of volunteers and players will begin this spring. Watch for announcements on lakecountysal.com and the Lake County Sheriff's Activities League Facebook page.