LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Environmental Health has a new onsite wastewater treatment systems inspection program, called the Septic System Inspection Program, which is intended to speed up the septic permit process and will be funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency funds.

Space in the program is limited, registration will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis through June 1.

Community members are encouraged to apply by filling out and returning a right of entry permit.

Specific objectives of this new program are to evaluate the septic systems to minimize safety and public health risks to the community and environment. Suitability of the system to be placed back into use will be assessed.

Please note, this program is a first assessment and does not include a septic permit or repairs.

Lake County Environmental Health is able to provide this program to property owners whose homes were damaged by the Valley fire and have not already paid for inspections or had septic permits issued.

To be eligible for this program your property must have been on a septic system.

To register for the Septic System Inspection Program, a right of entry permit must be filled out and returned to Lake County Environmental Health either by fax to 707-263-1681, by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail or in person to 922 Bevins Court, Lakeport, CA 95453.

Right of entry permits are also available online at the county’s Web site www.co.lake.ca.us or www.lakecountyrecovers.com .

Questions about the program or property qualifications can be directed to Environmental Health at 707-263-1164.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – South Lake County Fire Protection District will hold its annual open house on Saturday, April 9.

The event will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Station 60, 21095 Highway 175.

There will be a jump house, fire engine rides, REACH helicopter demonstration and tour, meet and greet with Smokey the Bear, fire safety education, face painting, barbecue, popcorn and more.

There will be hands-on CPR training form 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a live smoke crawl from noon to 2 p.m.

In addition, there will be fire department t-shirts for sale and a chance to win a pair of child-sized turnouts for $1 for five entries.

All events are $1 or free, with meals $3 and under.

Food will be served by the Rotary Club of Middletown.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Senior Center will host a rummage sale on Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10.

Hours on Saturday will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with hours on Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The senior center is located at 21256 Washington St.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – In order to provide for public and employee safety, a temporary closure has been placed on Forest Service road M4 (Paskenta-Mendocino Pass) on the Grindstone Ranger District.

This closure affects approximately two miles of the M4 from the West of intersection with County 55 and east of the junction with 23N73.

A substantial landslide has made a section of the M4 road impassable blocked by rocks and debris.

The closure went into effect April 8th and will remain in effect until Sept. 30.

The closure order is formally referenced as Order Number 08-15-13. It is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

“The M4 road is a popular route that connects Grindstone District to Covelo District from Paskenta, Calif.,” said Forest Road Manager Cinthia Hidalgo-Martinez. “Safety concerns to both visitors and forest resources arise when severe weather conditions bring unexpected hazards. We want everyone to enjoy their trip to the forest, while staying safe. To help with this, visitors are asked to check forest closures before leaving, be prepared for changing conditions, and minimize impacts to saturated roads and trails.”

With recent storms, and possibly more to come, other forest roads may be impacted.

If you come across an area where the road is compromised or washed out, please report it to Forest Road Manager Cinthia Hidalgo- Martinez at 530-934-1185.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

Get the latest updates and alerts easily by following the forest on Twitter, @MendocinoNF.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation's annual fundraiser will be held on Sunday, April 16.

The “Party with a Purpose” will be held in Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the auction at 7:30 p.m.

There will be music by The Funky Dozen, dinner by Fresh and Bangin' and a no-host bar. The event is for adults over 18 only.

Admission is $50 or $500 to sponsor a reserved table for 10.

Tickets are available at Linda’s Hallmark, Terrace Middle School and Clear Lake High School.

For more information call Jill at 707-262-3007 or Amy at 707-262-3010.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Friends of the Middletown Library group is having a mini book sale on Saturday, April 23.

The sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hallway at the Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St.

Books for sale include best sellers, children’s, mysteries, spy intrigue, romance, cookbooks, self help, reference, audio tapes and CDs – and some surprise offerings.

Prices range from $0.50 for paperbacks to $1 for hardcovers, and special prices on collector’s books.

All proceeds are for the purchase of new books and supplies for the library.