LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Women’s Civic Club was thrilled this last Friday, Dec. 3, with the return of eight of the 11 women who were with them for their first lunch/general meeting in November.

They all filled out application forms and the group is happy to welcome Susan Lucatorto, Val Schweifler, Jennifer Richardson, Monica Rosenthal, Trena Pauly, Laura Johnson, Trista Fossa and Sharon Leckbee into the club.

The group said it is always a wonderful day when they can provide funds — $240 — and food to the Lake County Gleaners and at this time of year our members go the extra mile to provide $910 in funds and toys for Toys for Tots.

The Lake County Women’s Civic Club also will be donating $150 to the Holiday Food Program being sponsored by Lake Family Resource Center in honor of members they lost over this last year: Pat Norcio, Marsha Murray and Gloria Coyne.

To wrap up their last meeting of the year, the group enjoyed an afternoon of lively Christmas caroling with the, always playful and entertaining, My Divas.

The Lake County Women’s Civic Club meets on the first Friday of every month, except July and August, at Riviera Hills Restaurant. The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. and an informative speaker at 1 p.m.

If you are interested in joining them, they are a very friendly and welcoming group. Please call Club President Helen Finch at 707-972-1807.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Community members in the holiday spirit are encouraged to join in Clearlake’s second annual Great Holiday Light Fight this year.

The Great Holiday Light Fight is a residential holiday decorating competition.

Submit photos of your home all lit up, and fans of Downtown Clearlake will decide who has the best setup.

The deadline for entries is Dec. 15.

For more information, visit the Downtown Clearlake website.

The Newsom Administration has announced the availability of almost $300 million in Clean California grants and called on local communities to submit applications for projects that will clean and beautify local streets, tribal lands, parks and transit centers throughout California.

The new grants are part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.1 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces.

“Clean California is an unprecedented investment into cleaning up our state and engaging directly in our communities to create public spaces that all Californians can take pride in,” said Gov. Newsom. “The funding is also an acknowledgement of what we all already know – it’s past time to take serious action to remove the unsightly litter on our streets and highways and in local communities. Clean California will create thousands of jobs and revitalize neighborhoods in every corner of our state.”

Clean California is a massive expansion of state and local litter abatement efforts that will remove 1.2 million cubic yards of trash from state highways each year — up from 270,000 cubic yards in 2020.

The initiative is set to generate an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 jobs over three years, including for people exiting homelessness, at-risk youth, veterans, those reentering society from incarceration, local artists and students.

The initiative complements the governor’s multi-pronged approach to combat the state’s homelessness crisis through a historic $12 billion over two years to implement bold, transformative solutions to shelter, stabilize and keep people from returning to the streets.

“Our communities and neighborhoods are weighed down by the buildup of trash and its negative impacts on our economy, environment, safety and public health,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “These Clean California grants are designed to help communities clean up and beautify their hometowns and local streets.”

California cities, counties, transit agencies, tribal governments and other governmental entities can submit proposals of up to $5 million to beautify their communities and address trash and debris.

Among other examples, Caltrans will consider projects that remove litter on city streets, create a marker on a thoroughfare entering a town or neighborhood, beautify an area through greening or landscaping, or facilitate cultural connections and civic pride within a community.

“This is an historic opportunity to beautify public spaces in communities that are too often overlooked and to make our streets and sidewalks safer for all. I thank the Newsom Administration for working hand-in-hand with local agencies, tribes and other partners to make these transformative resources available,” said Mayor of Sacramento Darrell Steinberg.

Caltrans anticipates receiving proposals from agencies in all 58 California counties and will award approximately 200 grants to create hundreds of sustainable, green beautification and litter abatement projects statewide.

The department will match local investments and address the needs of more severely underserved communities to meet an ambitious goal of funding 300 local projects throughout California over the three-year program.

Since July, Caltrans has collected 3,800 tons of trash — enough to fill more than 70 Olympic-size swimming pools — and made more than 600 conditional job offers as part of the program.

“Clean California gives cities the resources to take meaningful action to clean and revitalize our public spaces and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. I thank the Governor for his leadership and partnership with local governments, non-profits and other stakeholders to beautify our communities,” said Mayor of San Jose Sam Liccardo.

The grant application period closes Feb. 1, 2022, and Caltrans will announce the grant recipients on March 1, 2022. Award recipients must complete their project by June 30, 2024.

Caltrans developed the grant guidelines with community input through public workshops on September 1 and October 7, 2021. Combined, more than 1,600 stakeholders attended the workshops, including transportation agencies and local and tribal governments.

To apply for the Clean California grants, visit https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/local-grants/workshops-milestones.

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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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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. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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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

— Striping operations from Road 305D to Route 29 South will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours a day. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Tree work will occur near Mid Lake Road on Thursday, Dec. 9. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Highway construction near Saratoga Springs Road will continue through Friday, Dec. 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Striping work from Bachelor Valley to Route 29 South will continue through Saturday, Dec. 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Middle Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Tree work will occur from Mary Street to Route 53 South from Tuesday, Dec. 7, to Wednesday, Dec. 8. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at North Fork Cache Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Bridge work at Putah Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Construction work will continue from Spruce Grove Road South to Hofacker Lane through Friday, December 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Siegler Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Construction from Route 281 to Private Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Lakeport Blvd Overcrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Striping operations at Hill Road East Overcrossing will continue through Friday, Dec. 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Parkway Overcrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Scotts Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays overnight from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 53

— Bridge work at Cache Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays overnight from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 175

— Utility work will occur from Cobb Village Shopping Center to High Road Tuesday, Dec. 7, through Thursday, Dec. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— Tree work will occur from Simpson Road to Ten Mile River on Friday, Dec. 3. One-way traffic will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Emergency work will occur near Private Road starting Tuesday, Dec. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Drainage work will occur from Three Chop Road to Road 200A starting Tuesday, Dec. 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Construction work will occur from Pepperwood Way to Willits Cemetery Road on Friday, Dec. 3. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 101

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

— Emergency bridge repairs from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing will continue. Northbound and southbound lane closures will be in effect weekdays overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Emergency bridge repairs at the North State Undercrossing Bridge will continue. There will be a full closure of the Northbound onramp weekdays overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

— Utility work will occur near Big Trails Drive on Thursday, Dec. 9. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

Highway 128

— Emergency work will occur from Robinson Creek to Ornbaun Creek on Friday, Dec. 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— Tree work will occur from Route 101 to Outlet Creek Bridge Monday, Dec. 6, through Wednesday, Dec. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 271

— Bridge work will occur near Scandia on Friday, Dec. 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

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

— Emergency work and construction in the Last Chance Grade area will continue. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays at all hours.

— Work near Mill Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Utility work near the Dr. Fine Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Striping from the Rowdy Creek Bridge to the Oregon state line will occur on Friday, Dec. 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for work near the 101 junction on Wednesday, Dec. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for work near Dump Road on Monday, Dec. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 284 near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for work east of Cobb Road on Monday, Dec. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 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.

— A Caltrans Encroachment Permit has been issued for utility work between Vigo Street and Hawthorn Street in Eureka from 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, to 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction near the 101/299 interchange will continue. Intermittent ramp closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should use an alternate route when necessary.

— Pavement work near the 200 junction in the McKinleyville area will continue. A southbound lane closure will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Work near the Del Norte County line will continue. A lane closure will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 211

— Work at the Salt River Bridge between Fernbridge and Ferndale will continue through Friday, Dec. 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 254

— Permitted PG&E work near Sorenson Road will occur on Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Permitted utility work from the Mad River Slough Bridge to Pacheco Lane in Arcata will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Construction near the 101/299 interchange will continue through Saturday, Dec. 4. Intermittent ramp closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should use an alternate route when necessary.

— Work in the Willow Creek area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that he is now taking applications for interns in his Washington, D.C. office for the spring 2022 semester.

Potential interns from California’s Fifth Congressional District are strongly encouraged to apply.

“Each semester it’s an honor to have some of our district and our nation’s future leaders serve as interns in my Congressional office,” he said. “Interns get a first-hand look at how government operates and they work with me and my staff to serve our district. With the spring semester fast approaching, I encourage all interested students in our district to apply, but be sure to submit your application before Dec. 6. I can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.”

Internships in Thompson’s Washington, D.C. office are available to college-aged students.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample and three references to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Monday, Dec. 6.

Click here to learn more.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — California Water Service has filed an application with the State Water Resources Control Board to help provide financial support to customers who were unable to pay their water bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

The funding, which Cal Water advocated to help secure, will enable the utility to forgive past-due balances incurred by its customers between March 2020 and mid-June 2021.

In the application, Cal Water requested $20.8 million in relief for customers across its California service areas.

The company anticipates receiving final approval by the State Water Resources Control Board around the first of the year. Customers do not have to apply for the debt forgiveness; if approved,

Cal Water will apply any credits to affected customers’ accounts within 60 days after receiving funding from the state, expected to be in early 2022.

“While life is returning to some sense of normalcy from the coronavirus, we know that many of our customers continue to struggle to make ends meet,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, president and chief executive officer. “Providing debt forgiveness is one way we can keep our customers who are experiencing financial hardship from having to worry about their water bill.”

This measure is the latest step by Cal Water to support customers who have been financially affected by the pandemic.

In addition to the debt forgiveness application, customers with remaining balances that pre-date the pandemic or have accrued after June 15, 2021, can take advantage of interest- and penalty-free payment plans or extensions, preventing them from becoming subject to potential disruptions in water service after the moratorium on disconnections for non-payment expires. Income-eligible customers may also enroll in Cal Water’s Customer Assistance Program, which provides qualifying customers with a discount on their monthly service charge.