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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The CPUC said the Last Mile Federal Funding Account “highlights the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All.”
The proposed projects will serve predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state.
The Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grants the CPUC awarded on Thursday include $15 million for three projects in Lake County, benefitting 7,000 residents; $17 million for three projects in Fresno County, benefiting approximately 13,000 individuals; and $17 million for two projects in Sonoma County, benefiting approximately 2,100 Californians.
In Lake County, two of the projects are proposed by AT&T around Hidden Valley Lake and Mount Hannah in the south county, and the third by Mediacom, which will have sites near Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville and Lakeport, according to the grant documents.
The companies submitted the grant applications in September of 2023.
The commission is awarding $2,218,869, or 68% of the cost, for AT&T’s Lake-1 project, which will serve 620 unserved locations and offer service to a total population of 3,073. It will provide up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps service to consumers and include the deployment of 103 miles of last-mile fiber. The project’s network infrastructure will be 12% underground and 88% aerial.
AT&T’s second project, Lake-1E, will receive up to $4 million of the total project cost of $5,906,345. It will serve 504 unserved locations and benefit an estimated population of 1,671. The project also will provide up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps service to consumers. It will include the deployment of 60 miles of last-mile fiber, with 20 percent of the infrastructure underground and 80 percent aerial.
The third grant award of up to $8,429,712 goes to Mediacom’s Lake County Grant Build project, which proposes to serve an estimated 1,037 unserved locations and benefit up to 2,249 residents. It will provide up to 2,000/1,000 Mbps service to consumers and deploy approximately 50 miles of last-mile fiber and 35 miles of middle mile fiber. The network infrastructure will be 14 percent underground and 86 percent aerial.
“We are putting these funds to work, generating quality jobs, bolstering our economy, and building fast, reliable, and affordable broadband infrastructure,” said CPUC President Alice Reynolds.
“Due to historical underinvestment, many communities across California lack access to fast, reliable, and reasonably priced broadband service, which is now a necessity to fully participate in work, school, and daily life,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “These Federal Funding Account grants represent another step in alleviating this historical disparity by closing the digital divide and providing Broadband for All Californians. I look forward to seeing the benefits of these investments that will provide opportunities for many generations to come in Sonoma, Fresno, and Lake counties.”
Currently, the total amount in Federal Funding Account grants awarded is over $1 billion for projects in 51 counties, with $550 million set to be appropriated to the Last Mile program in the 2027-28 state budget.
The CPUC did not say if the funding is in any jeopardy due to actions by the Trump Administration.
Established under Senate Bill 156 (2021), the CPUC said its Last Mile Federal Funding Account is fueling economic growth across rural, tribal, and urban communities statewide.
Thursday’s approval is part of a process to award last mile broadband grants to projects in every region in the state to established internet service providers, small providers, local governments, tribes and special districts.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, to coordinate state and local partners to deploy emergency resources to support impacted communities. State officials are urging people to take precautions now before the storm arrives.
National Weather Service Sacramento is forecasting a moderate to strong atmospheric river to begin Friday and continue into next week. Prolonged periods of rain and mountain snow are expected, with the potential for flash flooding and rising creeks, rivers, and streams.
“We know from experience that these storms can pack a punch,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “California is pre-deploying resources and thousands of boots on the ground throughout Northern California so we can be ready at a moment’s notice to protect people. The best thing people can do now is to prepare and stay alert.”
Cal OES is monitoring weather impacts and working closely with local areas that are forecasted to be affected. In particular, the state is closely monitoring recent burn scar areas that pose the threat of mudslides and debris flows. Together, the state is preparing:
• The State-Federal Flood Operations Center is monitoring forecasts and coordinating with partners.
• In collaboration with the California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC), DWR engineers and CNRFC hydrologists are conducting river forecasts up to four times a day.
• DWR has pre-positioned flood fight materials in Northern and Central California including over 3.7 million burlap sandbags and 162 flood fight material containers across 25 counties.
• The flood control system is working as intended with flood space available throughout the system. Water can move throughout California’s flood control system including natural weirs overtopping, water in the region’s bypasses, and potential use of spillways at reservoirs.
• Caltrans has 2,500 personnel and 1,253 pieces of storm equipment including snowplows, backhoes, and storm drain clearing equipment.
• 133 CAL FIRE engines and 7 CAL FIRE hand crews staffed across the northern region that are ready to respond.
An atmospheric river could bring an increased risk of power outages, flooding in small streams and low-lying areas, and debris, rocks and mudslides on roadways.
Cal OES is encouraging residents to reduce injury risks from falling limbs and trees by staying inside, not driving through flooded roadways and preparing in advance for power outages.
Residents in the affected counties are urged to stay informed and listen to local authorities about actions they should take including evacuation orders or safety recommendations. In burn scar areas, officials recommend preparing for possible sudden debris flows by having a go-bag packed and knowing evacuation routes.
Go to ready.ca.gov for tips to prepare for the incoming storm.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
While there have been news reports of unease among some farm employees, the California Farm Bureau said it has been in contact with numerous farmers across the state and has not heard of any widespread workforce disruption.
Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau, which represents more than 26,000 farm and ranch families in the state, clarified that while concerns exist, farmers are continuing operations.
While it’s unclear if all farms are fully operational, Farm Bureau has not received reports indicating otherwise, and efforts are always underway to ensure workforce stability.
“We recognize that some workers may feel uncertain right now, and we want to be very clear: California agriculture depends on and values its workforce,” Little said. “Farm employees are not just workers — they are partners in this industry. They are people with families, dreams and an incredible work ethic that keeps food on tables across America. We understand the uncertainty some might feel right now, and we want to be absolutely clear: California’s farmers stand with you. We respect you. We value you. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that agriculture remains a place where you are safe and supported.”
With one-third of the nation’s agricultural workforce located in California, farm employees play an indispensable role in food production. These skilled workers plant, cultivate and harvest the crops that make California the leading producer of fruits, vegetables and nuts in the United States.
“Without these employees, crops would go unharvested, rural businesses would suffer and food prices could rise for families across the country,” Little said. “This is not just a farm issue — it’s a food security issue, an economic issue and a community issue.”
The interdependence of agriculture and rural economies is without question, according to Little. Thousands of employees in ag-adjacent industries — including food processing, transportation and equipment suppliers — depend on the steady flow of agricultural work to sustain their livelihoods.
Little addressed the urgent need for immigration policy reform, noting that California’s agricultural workforce challenges are not new.
“Farmers and ranchers have struggled with chronic labor shortages for years, and uncertainty surrounding immigration policy only exacerbates the problem,” he said. “California’s farmers and ranchers are ready to work with the administration and Congress to advance real, bipartisan workforce reforms this year,“ Little said. “This isn’t just about filling jobs — it’s about ensuring security and stability for the agricultural workforce and the farmers who depend on them.”
To provide a long-term solution, Little outlined three key priorities for workforce reform:
• Modernizing the H-2A agricultural visa program to make it more flexible and responsive to the labor needs of farmers and ranchers.
• Providing earned legal status for current agricultural workers, recognizing their longstanding contributions to U.S. food production.
• Crafting immigration policies that reflect the reality of agriculture in a diverse state like California, where workforce stability is essential to feeding the nation.
While supporting lawful immigration policies, the Farm Bureau cautioned against indiscriminate enforcement actions that do not account for workforce stability.
“We need policies that offer real solutions, rather than uncertainty,” Little said. “It’s like pulling the foundation out from under a house. If we want a strong agricultural economy and a secure food supply, we need solutions that reflect the reality of farming — not blanket enforcement measures that put the entire agricultural system at risk.”
Little said the California Farm Bureau remains in close contact with worker advocates, policymakers and agricultural leaders to monitor any reports of workforce disruption and to help ensure that California’s farms continue to function smoothly during all of California’s upcoming harvest periods.
“California Farm Bureau will continue to advocate for practical, compassionate solutions that protect our workforce, stabilize our industry and secure America’s food supply,” Little said. “California agriculture is strong, and our message to farm employees is simple. You are essential. You are valued. And farmers will continue to stand with you. As harvest season approaches in key growing areas, we will do everything in our power to ensure a stable and secure workforce, a dependable food supply and a strong agricultural economy for the future.”
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has more new dogs ready to be adopted this week.
The shelter has 48 adoptable dogs listed on its website.
This week’s dogs include “Dodge,” a male short coat Chihuahua.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
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