Despite the dry year, outdoor recreationists who enjoy California rivers and streams should remain aware of dangerously cold, swiftly moving water.

Although California’s snowpack is well below normal, snow is melting and filling streams and rivers.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. urges those who venture near or into water to take extra precautions, especially around hydroelectric facilities and dams, where flow conditions can change rapidly. With trout season largely open, anglers also are encouraged to take precautions.

“Safety is PG&E’s most important responsibility. We encourage everyone recreating in or near water to plan at all times how they can quickly and safely escape in case of changing water flows and cold temperatures,” said Jan Nimick, PG&E vice president of Power Generation.

Most California rivers are fed by snowmelt, making them cold even in summer. Simple actions can save lives, such as recognizing if the water is too cold or swift, knowing your limits, wearing a life jacket or simply by not entering the water when conditions seem unsafe.

Below are some water safety tips.

Stay out and stay alive — stay out of canals and flumes

Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited. Stay off of elevated flumes and out of these water conveyances, regardless of who owns them, as they are dangerous due to slippery sides and fast-moving cold water.

Be mindful of signs and warnings. Stay out of areas that are posted as restricted, fenced-off or buoy-lined.

Know the risks

• Prevention is the best way to save a person from drowning. By the time a person is struggling in the water, a rescue is extremely unlikely and places the rescuer at risk.
• Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers can be easily overwhelmed.
• Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This can confuse swimmers, potentially causing them to venture deeper into the water.
• Cold water also reduces body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air does at the same temperature and causes impairment that can be fatal.

Learn about self-rescue techniques

If you do fall into the water, here are some survival tips:

• Don’t panic. Try to control your breathing; don’t gasp. A sudden, unexpected fall into cold water causes an involuntary gasp (or torso) reflex. It takes less than one-half cup of water in a person’s lungs to drown. If you remain calm, you have a greater chance of self-rescue.
• If you have a boat, stay with it. It will help you stay afloat and will be seen more easily by rescuers. If it’s capsized and a portion of the craft is above water, try to climb on top.
• Stay afloat with the help of a life jacket, regain control of your breathing and keep your head above water in view of rescuers.
• If possible, remove heavy shoes. Look for ways to increase buoyancy such as by holding onto seat cushions or an ice chest.
• If you’re in the water with others, huddle together facing each other to help everyone stay afloat and keep warm.
• If you do fall into a river without a life jacket, keep your feet pointed downstream and turn onto your back.
• If you fall into the water with waders on, roll onto the shore. Wear a belt with waders.

Know your limits

• Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool — people tire more quickly and can get into trouble.
• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface — this is especially the case during spring and early summer snowmelt. Rising water can make these obstacles even more treacherous. Guided trips for inexperienced paddlers are recommended.

Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket

Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming.

Adult supervision

Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention. Do not assume that someone is watching them. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Use the buddy system and never swim alone.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Praises of Zion Baptist Church in Clearlake will be hosting a 12 Tribe yard sale on Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be a variety of new and used items. There will be a haircutting booth by a licensed cosmetologist. Get a great haircut for a minimum of a $10 donation.

There will be food, drinks and baked goods available, including hot dogs and spaghetti. Coffee and pastries are available for purchase in the morning.

There is ample parking and a playground under the trees for the children to use while you shop.

There is a 50/50 cash raffle and a raffle for a pingpong table. You need not be present to win.

This is a fundraiser for the building fund for a new church. Praises of Zion is located at 3890 Emile Ave (off Davis Street) Clearlake.

Check out the Facebook page at Praises of Zion Baptist Church Clearlake. Call 707 995-1319 for more information.

You can find more information about Praises of Zion on their website, www.praisesofzion.org.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Genealogical Society will present a tour of the historic section of the Upper Lake Cemetery on Saturday, May 28.

The tour begins at 10 a.m. at the cemetery arch on the east side of Clover Valley Road.

Starting off the tour will be a grave dowsing demonstration and instruction. This activity is used to locate bodies in unmarked graves.

Older cemeteries often contain headstones which identify parent's names, but not their children. Identifying the number of children buried in a grave site helps a genealogist determine the number of family members to research.

Local genealogist Anita Crabtree and others will conduct the tour with life histories of some buried therein, such as Joy Madeiros, members of the Bear Flag Revolt, the Cache Creek Dam vigilanties and others as the tour progresses.

The 45-year-old nonprofit Lake County Genealogical Society maintains a Research Library of local families, along with other historic documents and is seeking a permanent home in Lakeport so the public can access the collection.

Until such time, research inquiries can be made to Anita Crabtree via phone at 707-275-2144 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Amidst continuing failures by the Department of Insurance to maintain public access to government records, the California State Assembly on Monday approved AB 2370 by Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County), which will restore transparency to a state agency plagued by scandal.

The bill was approved on a vote of 65 to 0.

In late 2021, the Department of Insurance attempted to institute an email retention policy under which all emails would automatically delete after 180 days unless manually archived.

Such records are essential to ensure that insurance companies are living up to their promises to protect consumers and that the department is acting properly in regulating the nation’s largest insurance market.

AB 2370 applies current local government record retention requirements of at least two years to all state agencies. Such a change will increase public confidence in the actions of state agencies and make public information more easily accessible to those who request it.

“It is incomprehensible that Commissioner Ricardo Lara attempted to auto-delete all Department of Insurance emails while simultaneously fighting in court to subvert the California Public Records Act,” said Assemblymember Marc Levine. “Californians need to regain trust in the Department of Insurance and have faith that the public officials entrusted to protect consumers are fighting for them, not for insurance companies. AB 2370 is an important tool necessary to restore ethics and transparency in the Department of Insurance and continue the Department’s mission to fight for consumers across the state.”

AB 2370 now heads to the State Senate for further action.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Sierra Club Lake Group will host award winning artist, April Lynch, on the diverse species of oak trees native to this region at their next community meeting on Thursday, May 26, at 6 p.m.

The presentation and discussion will be held via Zoom video conference and live-streamed on Facebook. The meeting is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required to attend via Zoom.

Lynch, a Master Gardener since 2009, will share about the diverse species of native oaks in Lake County.

Her work is based on 12 years of research and includes more than 150 scenic photographs of oak trees and other natural wonders from Colusa, Lake and Sonoma counties.

Born and raised in California, her interests include native oaks, wildflowers, vegetable gardening and home orchards.

She is a photographer and an award-winning artist; and has co-authored and published “Wildflowers! A Guide to Identifying the Wildflowers of Northern California's Wine Country.”

Sierra Club Lake Group President Deb Sally, explained, "As one of our dominant species in Lake County, these trees are not only magnificent in beauty and increase property value, but they provide important benefits for many species like shade and habitat, food, and soil erosion protection.”

To register for the event, visit the Lake Group’s online calendar at www.sierraclub.org/redwood/lake.

Registrants will receive access information upon registration and a confirmation reminder the morning of the event. Zoom space is limited, so the event will also be live-streamed via the Lake Group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sierraclublake.

The Sierra Club Lake Group represents more than 400 Sierra Club members living in Lake County and is part of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club that represents the northwest region of California.

The group works to preserve Lake County's wild heritage; protect and restore Clear Lake and its watershed; and promote smart growth, sustainable practices and environmentally friendly development. It also fosters a meaningful connection to the environment for the community to value and enjoy through guided hikes and community events.

For more information about the Sierra Club Lake Group, visit www.sierraclub.org/redwood/lake or call 707-994-1931.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. —‌ Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
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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, May 27, through Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day weekend. However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans crews to respond to emergency situations
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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 ‌‌‌ ‌
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Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Road work will occur on Tuesday, May 24, near Saratoga Springs Road. One-way traffic control will be in place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work continues in Upper Lake at Middle Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Road work continues at the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Guardrail work will occur in Lucerne from Sixth Street to Ninth Street on Friday, May 20, from noon to 11 p.m. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Utility work is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 23, in Glenhaven at Henderson Drive. One-way traffic control will be in place from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Road work will occur on Monday, May 23 in Clearlake Oaks near Catholic Church Road. One-way traffic control will be in place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to five-minute delays.

— Bridge work continues at Cache Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Utility work will occur in Middletown near Shady Grove Road on Friday, May 20. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Putah Creek continues. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Utility work is scheduled to begin near Hidden Valley Lake at Spruce Grove Road on Wednesday, May 25. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Road work is scheduled to begin near Hidden Valley Lake at Spruce Grove Road on Tuesday, May 24. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Bridge work continues at Siegler Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Road work in Lower Lake at Point Lakeview Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work will continue at the Lakeport Blvd Overcrossing. One-way traffic control will be in place from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays. LC#C29HA

— Bridge work in Lakeport at the Park Way Overcrossing continues. One-way traffic control will be in place from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work will continue at Scotts Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 53

— Bridge work at Cache Creek continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

Highway 175

— Utility work continues in Cobb from Humboldt Drive to Bottle Rock Road. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Emergency Road work continues in Westport from Blue Slide Gulch to Pacific Avenue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Tree work is scheduled to begin in Fort Bragg at Franklin Avenue on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Northbound Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through July 2022.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through July 2022.

Highway 162

— 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.

Highway 271

— Slide removal continues south of Piercy near Reynolds State Park Road. A lane closure is in effect and motorists should use an alternate route.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Construction work from the Route 169 junction to north of Klamath continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work north of Klamath near Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Paving work near Last Chance Grade will occur on Friday, May 20. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

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

— Bridge work at Rowdy Creek will begin on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor slowdowns.

Highway 199

— Bridge work at Hiouchi Bridge will begin on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor slowdowns.

— Permitted cleanup and repair work between Hiouchi and Gasquet will conclude on Friday, May 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work from Mary Adam Peacock Bridge to Wagon Wheel Cafe will begin on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor slowdowns.

— Bridge work at Middle Fork Smith River Bridge will begin on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor slowdowns.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Construction work from Buck Mountain Road to the Trinity County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Bridge work near Camp Creek Road will conclude on Friday, May 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. A northbound onramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Bridge work at the Route 101 South Fork Road Undercrossing will conclude on Friday, May 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. A southbound offramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Construction from the Herrick Avenue Overcrossing to Washington Street in Eureka will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Starting Monday, May 22, lane closures will be in effect at all times. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Construction from the St Louis Road Overcrossing to Mad River Bridge will conclude on Friday, May 20. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Guardrail work is scheduled to begin from Murray Road to Georgia Pacific Road on Monday, May 23. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

Highway 169

— Permitted utility work north of Weitchpec will occur on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 254

— Permitted utility work south of Miranda Bridge Road will occur on Monday, May 23. One-way traffic will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Permitted work near Manila will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Construction near Route 200 will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns.

— Paving east of Blue Lake will continue. The westbound offramp at the Truck Scale House will be closed. Motorists should use an alternate ramp.

— Construction east of the Burney Vista Point will continue. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Drainage work near Willow Creek will conclude on Friday, May 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.