As part of California Water Service’s ongoing commitment to support those struggling to pay their water bills, the utility is encouraging its customers who meet maximum income limits to apply for financial assistance from the California Department of Community Services & Development’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP.

LIHWAP is a federally funded program offering a one-time benefit of up to $15,000 per household for past-due or current bills.

Cal Water residential customers can check their eligibility to receive assistance from LIHWAP based on income, place of residence and other factors.

Applications must be submitted through local, community-based organizations listed by county.

Recipients of CalFresh, CalWORKS and LIHEAP are automatically income-qualified for LIHWAP assistance.

“Our top priority is to provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water service to our customers, yet we recognize that customers sometimes have difficulty making ends meet and paying their bills,” said Cal Water CEO and President Martin A. Kropelnicki. “That is why we provide — or work with other agencies to provide — these customers access to financial assistance like LIHWAP, one of many assistance programs available to Cal Water customers.”

“California recognizes that water and wastewater services are essential for public health and well-being, and the department is committed to assisting low-income Californians in need of financial support to keep their water flowing," said CSD Director David Scribner.

In addition to encouraging its customers to access LIHWAP assistance, Cal Water offers:

• Customer Assistance Program, or CAP: Customers who meet maximum income limits or are enrolled in a qualified public assistance program may qualify for a monthly discount on their water bill.
• PromisePay payment arrangements: Residential customers with a past-due balance may be eligible to privately enroll in flexible, customizable, interest-free PromisePay payment plans.
• Alternative payment arrangements: If customers do not qualify for PromisePay and have a past-due balance that’s difficult to manage, then they may still be able to split payments among several months to pay off the full balance.
• Payment extensions: If customers need more time to pay their bill, then they may be able to defer payment to a later date.

For more information on LIHWAP, please visit www.calwater.com/lihwap. For more information on Cal Water’s other customer assistance programs, visit www.calwater.com/assistance. LIHWAP also helps pay down wastewater bills; customers should inquire with their wastewater provider to see if it participates in the program.

Thousands of Californians took part in more than 600 “Spring into Action” Clean California Community Days events throughout the state during an 11-day period to clean up roadways, local streets and public spaces.

The series of events from March 17 to 27 were part of the Clean California initiative, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion, multiyear cleanup effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces.

“Clean California is empowering communities and restoring pride in our shared spaces up and down the state, and I thank the thousands of Californians who banded together for the Community Days events to beautify and transform their neighborhoods,” said Gov. Newsom. “By making a difference at the local level, we are helping create a cleaner, more beautiful California for all.”

Clean California Community Days included:

• Hundreds of local events including: 58 tree planting/gardening events with 363 trees planted; 265 community trash collection events; 202 public community cleanups; 39 educational and entertainment events; and six temporary public art installations.
• 1.64 million pounds of trash collected during the 11-day period – five times the weight of the Statue of Liberty.
• More than 10,500 volunteers participated in community beautification efforts.

“The overwhelming response and participation from Californians throughout the state to transform community spaces demonstrates the power of Clean California,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “With the support of Governor Newsom and the commitment of our communities, we are reducing litter and making lasting positive change.”

“Californians are looking for ways to engage in their communities to green and beautify neighborhoods, and Clean California is a powerful way for them to take action,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday.

Clean California will continue to engage communities and raise awareness on the negative impact litter has on natural resources, waterways, public safety and public health, driving a cultural shift of shared responsibility and instilling community pride for the cleanliness of our roadways and public spaces.

The recently launched “Zero Litter is the Goal” campaign focuses on volunteerism, community activation and grassroots partnerships to maintain the positive momentum of Clean California Community Days.

To encourage local-level engagement, Caltrans is also developing a program in which communities throughout the state can earn a special Clean California designation by meeting criteria centered around preventing and cleaning up litter, promoting recycling, and greening or beautifying neighborhoods.

To support communities with tools and resources, Caltrans will be providing downloadable public education materials on topics such as litter prevention, volunteer recruitment, and K-12 materials. Additionally, members of the community are encouraged to continue to organize their own cleanup events and can get started by visiting CleanCA.com.

Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and local partners have removed 1.45 million cubic yards of litter from state highways – the equivalent of more than 24,400 tons or enough trash to fill the Rose Bowl over 3½ times. Caltrans has hired more than 850 team members as part of Clean California.

Clean California grants have funded 231 projects to revitalize and beautify underserved communities, some of which are already complete and now sources of community pride. In February, Gov. Newsom announced a new round of $100 million in grants for local beautification projects.

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

— Utility work west of Upper Lake near Scotts Valley Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Road work north of Spruce Grove Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Bridge work in Fort Bragg from Manzanita Street to Pudding Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Paving work in Fort Bragg from Airport Road to Happy Lane will start on Monday, April 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Emergency work from north of Usal Road to south of Leggett will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 20-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge continues. Northbound lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Crawford Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work near Henry Station Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Emergency work from the North Willits Railroad Crossing to Long Valley Creek continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 20-minute delays.

— Irvine Lodge Safety Rest Area will be closed through May 2023.

— Emergency work from Leggett at Route 1 to Confusion Hill continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 20-minute delays.

— Emergency work between Piercy and Benbow near Milkyway Loop Road continues. One-way traffic control is in effect and motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 128

— Utility work will occur near the Boonville Fire Station on Friday, April 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— Bridge work at the Outlet Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Bridge work between Peine Road and Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Construction in the Last Chance Grade area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 25-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Electrical work near the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Slipout repair near Burr Valley Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Utility work east of Willow Creek will continue. Lane closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Highway construction between Hostler Fire Department Housing Road and Tish Tang Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Emergency work between Post Office Road and Hostler Fire Department Road will begin on Thursday, April 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Tree work between Hostler Fire Department Road and Klamath River will continue. Intermittent lane closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Emergency storm damage repair between Weitchpec Road and New Village Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Aiken Creek Bridge and Bluff Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work near Myers Flat will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Emergency work from ‘B’ Street to ‘D’ Street will continue. A northbound lane closure will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Shoulder work from Route 200 to Georgia Pacific Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

Highway 254

— Slipout repair north of Redwood Lane will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Flooding has occurred at Holmes Flat Road and for 0.9 miles north. A full closure is in effect. Motorists should choose an alternate route.

Highway 255

— Shoulder work between Pacific Avenue and Jackson Ranch Road will begin on Monday, April 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Falsework installation at Route 200 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Roadway excavation between Willow Creek and Old Three Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

LUCERNE, Calif. — The Northshore Fire Protection District Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Thursday, March 30.

The meeting will take place at 2 p.m. at the district’s Station 80, 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne.

Community members also may attend the meeting virtually at this link.

Fire Chief Mike Ciancio is scheduled to give the board an update on the district’s staffing.

Board members are John Barnette, Jim Burton, Lynn Ringuette, Becky Schwenger and Shannon Stilwell.

For more information about the district board, visit its website.

SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, advanced that would allow the continuation of 50-50 raffles at major league sports stadiums – an important fundraising tool for nonprofits.

“Charitable raffles provide an important funding stream for a host of organizations benefiting youth and the underserved,” Sen. Dodd said. “Over the years, these raffles have raised millions for a diverse group of charitable organizations throughout the state.”

In California, a key fundraiser for nonprofits has been the 50-50 raffle, in which 50% of the proceeds go to a winner and 50% go back to the hosting organization.

For instance, since the creation of 50-50 raffles, the San Francisco Giants Community Fund has been able to serve over 150,000 youths with 30,000 kids benefiting annually.

However, the law allowing these raffles is about to expire.

Senate Bill 650 removes the Jan. 1, 2024 sunset so professional sports teams and sports organizations can continue to provide millions of dollars in charitable funding to worthy philanthropic organizations.

SB 650 is supported by numerous organizations, including professional sports teams such as the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. It passed the Senate Governmental Organizational committee Tuesday with unanimous support.

“The 50 50 raffle has allowed us to expand the reach of our program,” Amy Tovar, general counsel for the Giants, testified before the committee. “This has been a complete game-changer for the Giants community.”

Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Rotary Club of Lakeport announced it will hold its 97th annual Lakeport Rotary Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 9.

This annual tradition started in 1926 and has continued every year to this date.

The club will be hiding 2,880 eggs with 300 of them being “Special Pay” eggs.

The free event will happen at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Children aged 1 month to 12 years are welcome to participate.

The children will be divided into 3 age groups: 0-3; 4-8; 9-12 and directed to areas for their age group.

The gates open at 1:15 p.m. and the hunt begins at 1:30 pm.

Please note that parking at the fairgrounds has changed from prior years, so refer to the Lakeport Rotary Facebook Page for more information and follow the signs.