The Cherokee Nation returns to California April 27-28 with the tribe’s mobile registration ID unit to issue at-large citizens new photo ID Cherokee citizenship cards.  

Since October, Cherokee Nation’s registration department has issued more than 14,000 of the upgraded citizenship “blue cards” in Oklahoma and seven other states, as well as Washington D.C.

With 19,700 Cherokee Nation citizens living in California, it’s important to meet with and offer some of the same benefits as citizens in Oklahoma, Principal Chief Bill John Baker said.

“Producing a government-issued, photo ID helps to instill a greater sense of pride in our people, and we’re happy to bring this service to our Cherokees living outside of Oklahoma,” Chief Baker said. “I’ve presented my photo tribal citizenship card at several major airports, and even to the U.S. Secret Service, and experienced no problems whatsoever.”

The tribe’s upgraded photo ID citizenship cards are similar in appearance to a driver’s license. It features a citizen’s Cherokee Nation registration number, official registrar signature, the citizen’s photo and signature, Principal Chief’s signature and a distinctive Cherokee Nation hologram seal for validation.

Citizens can opt for their official Bureau of Indian Affairs Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) on the back of the card.

The photo ID cards are being issued in conjunction with a community meeting of tribal citizens in Bakersfield, Calif., and the Bay and Sacramento area.

For more information contact Riley Rose at 661-859-4322 or Jacquie Archambeau at 925-408-3222, or the Cherokee Nation registration department at 918-458-6980 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The groups will meet at the following times and locations:

Bakersfield, Calif.
Saturday, April 27
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hart Park, Section 7 N.E. Corner
8222 Alfred Harrell Hwy.

Suisun City, Calif.
Sunday, April 28
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rush Ranch
3521 Grizzly Island Road

The Cherokee Nation is the federally recognized government of the Cherokee people and has inherent sovereign status recognized by treaty and law. The seat of tribal government is the W.W. Keeler Complex near Tahlequah, Okla., the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

With more than 318,000 citizens, over 8,900 employees and a variety of tribal enterprises ranging from aerospace and defense contracts to entertainment venues, Cherokee Nation is one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma and the largest tribal nation in the United States.

To learn more, please visit www.cherokee.org .

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans announced that three ramps near Calpella will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, and Wednesday, April 24.

The three ramps are northbound and southbound Highway 101 ramps to eastbound Highway 20, and the westbound Highway 20 ramp to southbound Highway 101. Detours will be available.  

The closures will allow metal beam guardrail repairs to be completed on Highway 20.

For the most current road information on all California State highways, please call 1-800-427-7623 (1-800-GAS-ROAD) or visit www.dot.ca.gov .

LAKEPORT, Calif. –  The Lake County First 5 Commission will hold a regular meeting at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.

The commission will meet in the Kesey Room at Lake County Office of Education, 1152 S. Main St., Lakeport.

During the meeting the commission will hold two public hearings, one for approval of a long-range financial plan and the second for the First 5 California 2011-12 Annual Report.

Also on the agenda are committee updates, the Parent Engagement Initiative, adoption of a resolution proclaiming 2013 as “The Year of the Child,” Lake County Childcare Planning Council Strategic Plan, commissioners’ reports, executive director’s report, and public comments and announcements.

For more information contact First 5 Lake County, telephone 707-263-6169 or online at www.firstfivelake.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Would you like to give back to seniors and help oversee two outstanding programs, Senior Peer Counseling and the Friendly Visitor Program?

If so, Konocti Senior Support Inc. could use your help.

The organization needs two hours of your time each month, serving as a board member.

Anyone who has a desire to help seniors or has good business sense is encouraged to apply.

With the numerous cuts in government programs, the organization’s programs are vital to the safety and well being of Lake County seniors.

By attending the board of director's meeting once a month each Tuesday at 12:15 p.m., you will help make decisions and suggestions regarding the staffing, finances and oversight of operations. You will get to know the staff and volunteers as well as the other board members.

If you have referrals, want to be a volunteer or board member, visit www.konoctiseniorsupport.com to learn more about Senior Peer Counseling and The Friendly Visitors programs or call 707-995-1417.

NORTH COAST – 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.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– NRC Environmental Services of Chico has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for spill cleanup 0.4 mile west of the Blue Lake Motel beginning Tuesday, April 23. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Construction of a roundabout at the Route 20/Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road intersection will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 8 p.m. Sunday evening though 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, 24 hours per day. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– AT&T of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Old State Highway to Pacific Drive beginning Monday, April 22. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– Slipout repairs 1.6 miles south of Navarro Bluff Road will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Green Right O'Way Constructors of Willits.

– Bridge painting at the Salmon Creek Bridge and the Albion River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Jeffco Painting and Coating of Vallejo.

 – Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Simpson Road to the Soldier Point Viaduct will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Replacement of a culvert with a bridge at Dunn Creek will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Shasta Construction of Redding.

Highway 20

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Three Chop Road to Willits Cemetery Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– A pavement repair project from 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road to Three Chop Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from the south junction of Routes 20/101 to the Cold Creek Bridge No. 5 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. The northbound ramp from Route 101 will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24. A detour will be available. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 101

Route 101 (43.11/44.0) – Vegetation removal just south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. A shoulder closure will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns.  Contractor – DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. 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 above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Protect yourself from identity theft by safely and securely destroying documents in the “Info-Shred” truck sponsored by Umpqua Bank and Strong Financial Network on Tuesday, April 23.

The service will be provided from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St. in Lakeport.

Invite friends and family to take advantage of this free shredding service.

You may bring up to three boxes/bags of documents for destruction. Please be sure documents are free from binders, although staples and paper clips are acceptable.

Assistance to unload your documents will be available and you are welcome to stay and watch the actual shredding of your documents.

Immediately following the shredding, there will be an identity theft workshop from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside Umpqua Bank. Seating is limited and reservations are required; please call 707-262-1880.

If you are unable to attend on April 23, Umpqua Bank locations in Lakeport and Kelseyville, 4280 Main St., will have shred bins available during the month of April until they are filled. Please limit your deposit to three boxes/bags per drop off.