LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Low Vision Resource Group will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The group will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.

Many eye conditions can be improved. As we age, we may need to adjust to changes in our eyesight.

Vision Rehabilitation Educator Patricia Jefferson of the Earle Baum Center of the Blind will give group members tools to help with these changes.

Attendees will have a chance to bring their visual concerns.

SACRAMENTO — Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Sen. Mike McGuire, D-North Coast, have been appointed co-chairs of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry for the 2023-24 legislative session. The duo has partnered as co-chairs since 2016.

“The wine industry is a major economic and tourism driver for our state and it is essential that the Legislature focus on issues that impact it,” Sen. Dodd said. “We’ve made big strides in achieving competitiveness in the global market and innovations in sustainability. I look forward to continuing that important work while taking on new challenges alongside my legislative partner, Sen. McGuire.”

“California’s wine industry contributes over $70 billion to the California economy and is a top economic driver here at home on the North Coast,” Sen. McGuire said. “I’m excited to once again team up with Sen. Dodd on this partnership with the Wine Select Committee. We’re ready to get to work on some of the top issues facing the industry and our wine growing communities including climate adaption, workforce housing, economic development and sustainable farming practices.”

The committee is made up of a bipartisan group of senators from around the state who are charged with overseeing the diverse issues affecting California’s wine industry.

California makes 90% of all the wine produced in the United States. The California wine industry has an annual economic impact of over $73 billion to the state and creates 422,000 jobs, according to a 2022 report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers and Wine Institute.

The wine industry is also an essential part of California tourism, bringing in upwards of 23 million tourists annually. Wineries in the senators’ districts are a particularly integral part of local tourism, accounting for more than half of all tourist spending on wine throughout all of California.

Sen. McGuire is a third-generation Northern Californian, whose family farmed prunes and grapes in the Alexander Valley for nearly a half century.

Sen. McGuire was elected to the state Senate in 2014, and is Chair of the Governance and Finance and Fisheries and Aquaculture Committees.

He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Resources, among other committees, and serves as Majority Leader.

Sen. Dodd came to the Senate in 2016 after serving in the Assembly for one term and on the Napa County Board of Supervisors for 14 years. He chairs the Governmental Organization committee, which oversees broader alcoholic beverage issues.

While in the Assembly, Sen. Dodd served as chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine. He has significant experience in advancing policies that preserve agriculture and open space and has served in leadership roles promoting California wines internationally.

Last year, Sen. Dodd co-authored a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that adds wine bottles to the state’s recycling program, building on improvements to sustainability.

Also serving are committee members Sens. Anna Caballero, Susan Talamantes Eggman, Steven Glazer, Melissa Hurtado, John Laird, Monique Limon, Dave Min, Kelly Seyarto and Scott Wilk.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Public Services Department and the Eastlake Landfill will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

The Eastlake Landfill and the Public Services Office will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Regular operating hours at the Eastlake 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 questions regarding solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1618.

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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Caltrans will suspend most work on Northern California highways from Friday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday.

However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans crews to respond to emergency situations.
‌‌‌ ‌
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 will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays.

— Utility work in Lucerne from Fourth Street to Ogden Road will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 22. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-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

— Tree work in Gualala from north of Ocean Drive to Road 526 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Road work in Gualala from north of Signal Port Creek Road to south of Iversen Road will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Tree work will occur in Fort Bragg at Pudding Creek on Friday, Feb. 17. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and motorists should expect up to five-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.

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

Highway 162

— Bridge work at the Outlet Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 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. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 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 and motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Tree work between Barber Creek Road and Fisher Road will occur on Tuesday, Feb. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

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

Highway 96

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

— Rail upgrades at various bridges between Aiken Creek and Slate Creek 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

— Slipout repair from the Mendocino County Line to just north of Hartsook Inn will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— 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.

— Slide removal south of Scotia will continue. A northbound lane closure 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 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. 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 8 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

Highway 169

— Bridge work at Rube 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 211

— Emergency work at Fernbridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— 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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Lake County Resource Conservation District Board of Directors.

This board is dedicated to the locally-led long term sustainable conservation and stewardship of natural resources and agriculture in Lake County.

For more information on this Board, please go to https://www.lakercd.org.

Advisory Board Applications are available at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 North Forbes St., Lakeport, or online at https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1116/Board-of-Supervisors.

Please note, membership on the above-referenced advisory board is voluntary.

The California Office of Traffic Safety, or OTS, and the California Department of Transportation have teamed up with NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain to encourage safe driving on California roadways.

The new partnership will raise awareness about the importance of slowing down, not driving under the influence, being work zone alert and staying safe on rural roads.

Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer and long-time advocate for seat belt use, will use his large social media following to share messages promoting safe driving habits and be on hand at safety initiative events asking people to “Protect Your Melon” and go safely.

Chastain is a rising star in the NASCAR Cup Series, earning two wins and finishing second in points last year in only his second full-time season.

Despite his tendency to push the limits on the track, he has been an outspoken advocate for highway safety working with campaigns in New York, Delaware, Kentucky and Georgia.

Chastain’s blue-collar background and aggressive driving style has been lauded by fans and competitors alike, including his viral “Hail Melon” wall-ride to make the Championship race last year.

“We’re excited to work with Ross Chastain and bring the message to everyone that safe driving habits save lives,” said OTS Director Barbara Rooney. “‘Protect Your Melon’ reiterates the importance of practicing safe road behaviors to help make sure all road users get to and from their destinations safely.”

“Improving safety on our roadways will take everyone doing their part, starting with each individual driver,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Don’t drive distracted or under the influence and leave the high-speed driving to NASCAR.”

“I am excited to work with the California Office of Traffic Safety and Caltrans to encourage safe driving habits across the state,” said Chastain.

“I am fortunate to get to race in California at three unique venues: short track racing at the LA Coliseum, high speeds at Auto Club Speedway and even left and right turns at Sonoma Raceway. But when I am not competing on the track, I know the importance of slowing down, along with simple and safe decisions such as wearing your seat belt and being focused on the road. Our ‘Protect Your Melon’ program encourages drivers to leave the racing to the professionals and practice safe driving habits any time they climb behind the wheel.”

Traffic fatalities continue to be a significant problem in the state accounting for nearly 10% of all deaths in the U.S. Nearly half of all fatal crashes occur on rural roads.

In 2020, the risk of dying in a crash was 62% higher on a rural road compared to an urban road for the same trip length.

Stay tuned to learn more about the “Protect Your Melon” program and highway safety events featuring Ross Chastain throughout the year.

To learn more about efforts to save lives on California roads, visit gosafelyca.org, and follow Go Safely on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @OTS_CA and @GoSafelyCA.