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- Written by: California Fish and Game Commission
Among action on a number of petitions, the commission denied a petition to end waterfowl hunting on the Lake Earl Wildlife Area in Del Norte County.
The petition was filed over concerns shooting was occurring too close to a nearby business and residence bordering the wildlife area, along with claims that poaching, wasting of game and hunter misconduct were occurring.
Waterfowl hunting has taken place for many generations on the Lake Earl Wildlife Area and Commission staff noted that the California Fish and Game Code already addresses the illegal conduct described in the petition.
The Law Enforcement Division of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, also is aware of the claims raised in the petition. The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors and Del Norte Waterfowlers group both opposed the petition.
Also relating to waterfowl, the commission recognized five new inductees into the California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing waterfowl and their habitats in California.
The new inductees are philanthropist William F. Berry; Glenn Olson of the National Audubon Society; retired University of Nevada, Reno Professor Jim Sedinger; Bob Shaffer, formerly with the Central Valley Joint Venture; and former Humboldt County Supervisor Jimmy Smith (posthumous).
The commission adopted a second, 90-day extension of emergency regulations allowing the conditional take of southern California steelhead under certain circumstances.
The southern California steelhead is a candidate species for listing under the California Endangered Species Act, or CESA, by the commission.
The extension of emergency regulations will allow work to continue on projects relating to flood control, highway maintenance and improvement, and water supply for domestic and commercial uses.
With the commission’s approval of a second, 90-day extension of conditional take, CDFW issued a reminder that the emergency regulations will expire on approximately May 15, 2023, after which no new CESA take authorization for southern California steelhead can be issued under the emergency regulations and all existing take authorizations issued under Section 749.13 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, will expire.
The commission authorized a notice of intent to amend regulations pertaining to commercial and recreational take of spiny lobster; recreational hoop net requirements for the take of crustaceans; and hunting waterfowl, elk and bighorn sheep.
Four commissioners were present or participating online during the meeting. They were President Samantha Murray. Vice President Erika Zavaleta, and Commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Anthony Williams. Commissioner Eric Sklar was absent.
The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the commission website. An archived audio file will be available in the coming days.
The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Feb. 8 to 9, 2023, at the California Natural Resources Headquarters Building in downtown Sacramento.
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- Written by: CALTRANS
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.
Caltrans will suspend most work on Northern California highways from Friday, Dec. 30, through Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the New Year's holiday. However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans crews to respond to emergency situations.
For updates to this list check QuickMap at www.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).
LAKE COUNTY
Highway 175
— Bridge work in Cobb at Estates Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Highway 1
— Tree work from north of Ocean Drive in Gualala to Hearn Gulch is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-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.
— Road work at West Road continues. A full off-ramp closure will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. and motorists should use an alternative route.
— Road work south of Willits continues. A lane closure will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns in the area.
— Irvine Lodge Safety Rest Area will be closed through January 2023.
— Tree work north of Leggett at Rock Creek will occur on Thursday, Jan. 5, and Friday, Jan. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.
Highway 162
— Bridge work at the Outlet Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and 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
— 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
— Emergency Tree work near Parkway Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 3, and Wednesday, Jan. 4. A full road closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should use an alternative route.
— 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 101
— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. 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 in Eureka 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.
— Emergency work in Arcata at South G Street will occur on Friday, Dec. 30. A full southbound off-ramp closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should use an alternative route.
— Tree work will occur north of Georgia Pacific Road on Wednesday, Jan. 4, and Thursday, Jan. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.
Highway 211
— Emergency work at Fernbridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.
Highway 299
— Falsework installation from Route 200 to Route 101 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
— Construction from Willow Creek to Old Three Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
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- Written by: North Coast Opportunities
Fortunately, residents can receive valuable help this tax season through the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program operated by North Coast Opportunities Volunteer Network.
Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, also known as VITA — Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, helps hundreds of local families each year save on filing fees and maximize their returns.
To meet increased need, NCO is looking for volunteers to be Site Coordinators, Tax Preparers, Interpreters and Outreach volunteers at sites in Lakeport, Clearlake, Ukiah, and Fort Bragg starting Feb. 1.
No experience is necessary to be a VITA volunteer. To sign up for a free training in January, fill out a volunteer application at www.volunteernco.org.
“Many workers pay tax preparers high fees and face excessive interest on refund anticipation loans,” said Kayla Harrison, VITA Program Coordinator. “Our tax assistance sites help families and individuals maximize their tax credits and use them to make ends meet or to save for the future.”
At local tax sites, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers work with families and individuals to help file their tax returns and ensure that they receive the tax credits for which they are eligible. In addition, some sites can direct their participants to no-fee bank accounts, credit repair services, or financial education classes.
NCO’s VITA is fiscally sponsored by United Way of the Wine Country and is part of a coalition of VITA programs spanning five counties in Northern California. The mission is to provide free tax preparation service to support the financial stability of working families and individuals. Last year, NCO VITA volunteers helped prepare more than 650 tax returns and brought in $800,000 in refunds to Lake and Mendocino Counties.
“We need students, retired business people, all our community to step up now and volunteer to help families file their tax returns,” Harrison continued. “It is very rewarding to help a family get the refund they deserve. Lots of smiles and gratitude!”
To volunteer for VITA, fill out a volunteer application at www.volunteernco.org.
For questions, contact Joan Reynolds at 707-467-3200 x316 or
NCO is the Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO reacts and adjusts to community needs, including disaster response and recovery.
For more information visit www.ncoinc.org or call 707-467-3200.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
"First responders, firefighters, and other public safety employees put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," said Thompson. "Faced with this risk and increased stress, they deserve to be able to access their retirement savings the day they are eligible without penalty. Proud to have secured these changes which will go a long way in ensuring that first responders can retire with the peace of mind and financial security they deserve."
The tax code currently allows eligible first responders and public safety officers to withdraw from their retirement if they retire at or after the age of 50 due to the taxing nature of these jobs.
However, federal officers are eligible for retirement prior to the age of 50 if they have completed 25 years of service.
Under current law, when an officer retires prior to the age of 50 with 25 years of service, they are not allowed access to their retirement funds penalty free until the age of 59 ½, which is the age average Americans are able to withdraw from retirement accounts penalty free.
Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s Five Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.