LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Northern Rural Energy Network, or NREN, a program of the Lake Area Planning Council, launched recently in Lake County as a direct response to the unique issues and urgent needs of underrepresented rural California energy customers.

NREN is part of a statewide initiative of regional energy networks focused on helping communities address rising utility costs through the adoption of energy efficiency programs targeted at rural customers.

NREN Lake is partnering with senior centers throughout Lake County this summer to provide free energy efficiency kits to their clients during regularly scheduled luncheons.

These energy efficiency kits contain about $100 worth of products such as LED bulbs, a smart power strip, water aerators, rope caulking, window film and more to help seniors start saving energy at home right away.

Lake County PG&E ratepayers are eligible for the free kits and can be requested via the NREN website at https://northernren.org/energy-efficiency-kits/.

Seniors will also be able to sign up for a free home energy assessment at the luncheons. These assessments will be conducted over the phone starting in August and will provide a free report with specific energy efficiency solutions and opportunities tailored to their homes and budgets to save energy and cut their utility bills.

Lake County ratepayers are eligible for a free home energy assessment and can be requested by emailing Ryan O’Neill at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“These kits are a great way to start saving energy and reduce utility bills. For example, the kits contain eight LED bulbs. Just replacing eight light bulbs with LEDs can save a customer up to $200 a year on average,” said Lisa Davey-Bates, executive director of the Lake Area Planning Council. “We look forward to working with the senior centers and serving their clients, some of the hardest hit when it comes to rising utility bills.”

Upcoming events include:

• Lakeport Senior Center: Wednesday, June 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Clearlake Senior Center: Tuesday, July 1, 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Middletown Senior Center: Tuesday, July 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Developed by rural agencies and organizations for rural communities, NREN delivers innovative approaches to reduce energy use and expand the adoption of energy-saving resources across Northern California’s vast rural regions.

More information on NREN's services can be found at NorthernREN.org. 

Last Tuesday, Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC-06) were joined by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to announce legislation to close the Charleston loophole and establish universal background checks for firearm purchases — a policy that's supported by over 90 percent of Americans. Watch a video of the press conference here.

“Keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others just makes sense — and Americans overwhelmingly agree. That’s why 90 percent of non-gun owners and 90 percent of gun owners support universal background checks for firearm purchases. Background checks are quick and effective tools to keep our communities safe while still respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. It’s time Republican leaders in the House get on board and help us pass this sensible legislation,” said Thompson.

“Next Tuesday, June 17, marks the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. On that horrific night in 2015, a shooter motivated by racial hatred opened fire during a bible study at this historic place of worship, killing nine worshipers. He was able to obtain the gun because of a provision in federal law that allows the sale to take place if the background check is still unresolved after three business days. Ten years ago, it became known as the Charleston loophole," said Congressman Clyburn. "I am proud to join Rep. Mike Thompson in introducing The Enhanced Background Checks Act that would eliminate the three-day period and establish in its place a more thorough process that would keep guns out of dangerous hands, while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”

"As House Democrats, we stand strongly behind this commonsense, life-saving legislation designed to improve public safety for communities across our nation. We just need a handful of Republicans to join us to advance and enhance the safety of the American people. I'm thankful for the leadership of Mike Thompson, Jim Clyburn and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. We will continue to press forward with the fierce urgency of now until we crush the gun violence epidemic in the United States of America once and for all,” said Democratic Leader Jeffries.

Rep. Thompson reintroduced H.R. 18, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. It is Co-Sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). Rep. Clyburn introduced the Enhanced Background Checks Act. Both bills would expand requirements for background checks and reduce loopholes to help ensure people who are a danger to themselves or others can’t get a firearm.

Background checks are quick, effective, and Constitutional. More than 90 percent of both gun owners and non-gun owners support universal background checks. Recently, reporting revealed that the perpetrator in the horrific June 1st antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado originally planned a mass shooting but was unable to access a gun after failing a background check. This most certainly saved lives.

Chairman Thompson has introduced background check legislation every Congress since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting which killed 20 children and six adult staff members. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (H.R. 18) is endorsed by 204 Members of Congress. Endorsing organizations include: GIFFORDS, Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, March For Our Lives, Newtown Action Alliance, Sandy Hook Promise, and Equality California.

“At a moment where safety and security is a top concern and too many of our leaders fail to prioritize it, we are glad to see this reform introduced again. Background checks work and save lives. It’s a commonsense, bipartisan policy that keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous people. GIFFORDS is proud to endorse the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and thanks Reps. Thompson and Fitzpatrick for their leadership,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director, GIFFORDS.

“Since its implementation in 1994, the Brady Background Check system has saved countless lives by preventing over 5 million transactions to prohibited purchasers. Yet, loopholes in the system, exacerbated by the rise of gun shows and sales facilitated by the internet, have allowed for far too many guns to be sold without background checks, leading to devastating consequences. H.R. 18 will fix this problem by expanding background checks to cover, with limited and reasonable exceptions, every transfer of firearms, fulfilling the mission of our namesakes, Jim and Sarah Brady. We applaud Representatives Mike Thompson and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing this legislation and loudly call on Congress to pass this expansion of background checks, which the overwhelming majority of the American public supports,” said Kris Brown, President, Brady.

“Background checks are the foundation of any common-sense approach to keeping guns out of dangerous hands, which is why the vast majority of Americans support them,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Everytown applauds Representative Thompson and Representative Fitzpatrick for championing this crucial and common-sense step to address America’s gun violence crisis.”

“Young people across the country have made it clear: background checks are the bare minimum. We’re proud to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and will continue fighting until our laws reflect the demands of a generation that refuses to accept gun violence as normal,” said Jackie Corin, executive director, March For Our Lives.

“Since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, over 1.3 million Americans have been shot and nearly 500,000 have been killed by guns," said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. "Ensuring that every firearm sale includes a thorough background check is a proven and commonsense public safety measure that is supported by the majority of Americans - including gun owners. By closing the loophole on private transfers, this bill strengthens our communities without burdening law abiding citizens. We urge Congress to urgently pass H.R.18 to protect Americans and reduce gun violence.”

“Keeping guns out of unauthorized hands is crucial in preventing tragedies like the one that took 26 precious lives, including my son Daniel, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. No community and no family should ever experience that kind of trauma. Background checks are a key piece of legislation that will save lives, and we call on every member of Congress to pass this bill to protect children and communities throughout our nation,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund.

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

LUCERNE, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 08-08 of Lake County, in partnership with the Konocti Women’s Service Club, will hold a complimentary life jacket giveaway for children on Saturday, June 21.

It will begin at 10 a.m. at the Konocti Bait Shack, located at 6199 Highway 20, next door to Lucerne Harbor Park.

The event is scheduled to end at 2 p.m. or when the supply runs out.

The distribution of child and youth life jackets will be for children ages 2 through 12 years and within one of two weight divisions: 30 to 50 pounds or 50 to 90 pounds.

The Konocti Women’s Service Club members will register and weigh the children. Qualified Flotilla members will fit the child with the correct size and demonstrate to the parent the proper wearing of the life jacket.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Flotilla of Lake County encourages boat owners and especially those with children to stay safe on the water by utilizing these complimentary services the Flotilla offers.

Play it safe: Wear your lifejackets.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) has joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to introduce the Bicycle Commuter Act of 2025, bicameral legislation that would reinstate and expand the Bicycle Benefit Subsidy Program’s non-taxable bicycle commuter benefit to encourage more Americans to bike to work.

“Cycling is efficient, low-cost, and low-impact on our roads and the environment — in other words, it’s good for you and for our planet. Encouraging people to bike to work just makes sense,” said Thompson, co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. “I’m glad to work with Senators Welch and Padilla on this bicameral legislation restoring and modernizing bike commuters’ tax benefits.”

“The perks of biking to work are tenfold–saving commuters money, providing health benefits, and helping reduce emissions. An increasing number of Vermonters have recognized those benefits, with the number of cycling commuters doubling in the Green Mountain State in the past decade. But there’s more that we can do to strengthen biking infrastructure to help more folks around the country enjoy the advantages of cycling to work,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral legislation will reinstate and modernize the bicycling tax benefit to encourage more commuters around the country to get to work by riding a bicycle.”

“Biking to work is good for our planet, our health, and our wallets,” said Sen. Padilla. “The Bicycle Commuter Act would allow cyclists to take advantage of the same tax benefits that incentivize hardworking Americans to commute via public transit or carpool, while also helping keep our air clean and reduce congestion on our roads. It would also expand these commuter tax benefits to e-bikes, bikeshares, and certain scooters, further encouraging bike ridership and putting money back in the pockets of workers.”

In 2009, Congress created the Bicycle Benefit Subsidy Program to encourage more workers to bike to their jobs by allowing employers to offer a non-taxable reimbursement of up to $20 per month for expenses related to bicycle commuting.

However, employees who elected to participate in the program were forced to forfeit other commuter benefits, such as those provided for parking or transit.

The non-taxable bicycle commuter benefit was suspended until 2026 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, eliminating this vital financial incentive for employees who bike to work.

The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2025 would modernize the Bicycle Benefit Subsidy Program to ensure cyclists can access pre-tax commuter benefits similar to those available for parking and public transit and allow recipients to claim the bicycle benefit in tandem with other commuter benefits.

The bicameral legislation would also allow electric bicycles and bikeshare and scootershare services to be eligible for the benefit.

The Bicycle Commuter Act is supported by the Association for Commuter Transportation, League of American Bicyclists, North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association, PeopleForBikes, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Safe Routes Partnership, and Sierra Club.

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

On Thursday, the California Department of Social Services, or CDSS, announced that SUN Bucks electronic benefit transfer cards have started arriving in the mail for families across the state.

California’s Summer electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, program, known as SUN Bucks, provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August ($120 total) when children do not have access to school meals.

“We are proud that California was one of the first states in the nation to launch this new federal program last year, which is helping families in need across California,” CDSS Director Jennifer Troia said. “Last year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made using SUN Bucks food benefits by families and caregivers in California.”

More than four million eligible children in California are automatically enrolled in the program. Households with automatically enrolled children will receive their cards by the end of July 2025.

Eligible children who are not automatically enrolled in the program will need to apply with their school to get benefits.

How SUN Bucks works

Most children are automatically enrolled if they qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school or receive CalFresh, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, or CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level).

Children identified by their school as being in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or part of a migrant family are also automatically enrolled.

Children who are not automatically enrolled may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their school by Sept. 2, 2025, to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2025.

Due to the large number of automatically enrolled children, SUN Bucks EBT card issuances will occur in two stages:

• Stage 1: Automatically enrolled children will receive their cards from early June through July 2025. Cards will be mailed in alphabetical order according to the child’s last name.
  • Stage 2: Children determined eligible after the start of Stage 1 will begin receiving their cards in September 2025 until mailings are complete.

Regardless of when a SUN Bucks EBT card is mailed or received, funds must be used within 122 days of the funds being added to the card, per federal guidelines. Any unused funds on the card will expire after 122 days. Expired benefits cannot be replaced. Visit the CDSS website for more information.

Participation in SUN Bucks will have no bearing on eligibility for CalFresh or any other public benefit program. Children who receive SUN Bucks may still participate in other summer meal options, such as SUN Meals.

About the SUN Bucks program: In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which created a new, permanent Summer EBT program for states to provide food benefits to families beginning in 2024. In July 2023, California passed Assembly Bill 120, establishing CDSS as the lead implementing agency, in partnership with the California Department of Education, to maximize Summer EBT program participation for 2024. This program continues to be rolled-out in many parts of the country.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Library Literacy Program is in need of volunteer tutors for its Adult and English as a Second Language, or ESL, programs in the Clearlake and Middletown areas.

The literacy programs offer one-on-one tutoring to learners ages 16 and older to improve their reading, writing, and conversation skills. Virtual tutoring is also available.

Volunteer tutors bilingual in Spanish are especially needed, along with tutors willing to work with adults with learning or developmental disabilities.

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.

Recent Adult Skills Survey data determined that Lake County had a 26% literacy proficiency level of at or below level 1, the lowest level.

Becoming a tutor can help someone to a better future. Many adults want to improve their reading and writing skills so they can access better jobs, further their own education, advocate for their children, and overall improve their way of life. Through hard work and perseverance, adult learners can change their own, and their family’s lives, for the better.

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..

Visit https://library.lakecountyca.gov/836/Literacy-Program to read more about the literacy programs. Your volunteerism could help change a life.