The state of California has awarded Caltrans Highway Maintenance Leadworker Royce Hiner with a Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor for courage in the face of danger. Hiner received the Silver Medal of Valor for risking his life to save another.

“Many honorable servants to the state of California risk danger as part of their everyday duties. But occasionally someone goes beyond the line of duty to display extraordinary courage in the face of danger,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Royce Hiner is one such public servant. We honor and thank him for his bravery and are proud to have him in our Caltrans family.”

Hiner was traveling to a routine maintenance call on July 25, 2018, on Interstate 5 near Corning, when he encountered a van that was on fire.

He stopped to help the driver, who was frantically trying to put the fire out. Hiner advised the driver to stay clear from the van as he worked to free a dog that was still in the vehicle.

Hincer was pulling the man away from the vehicle when it suddenly burst into flames. Hiner ensured the man remained safe until first responders arrived at the scene.

The State Employee Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor California bestows on its public servants. Governor Edmund G. Brown Sr. presented the first awards in 1959.

Today nearly 700 state employees have earned that honor for displaying bravery, courage, and selflessness in the face of danger.

The California Transportation Commission this week allocated more than $495 million for projects to fix and improve transportation infrastructure throughout California.

Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounts for more than two-thirds of this critical investment — $328 million.

“This substantial investment will help improve transportation for all Californians now and in the future,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “This includes moving toward a more climate-friendly, safe, and equitable state transportation system.”

Projects approved include:

Approximately $796,000 toward pavement, guardrail, lighting, and other upgrades on Route 299 from the 101 junction to east of Blue Lake Boulevard in Humboldt County.

Approximately $853,000 toward pavement, guardrail, and other upgrades on Route 299 from Blue Lake to east of the Burney Vista Point in Humboldt County.

Approximately $841,000 toward pavement, guardrail, and signage upgrades on U.S. 101 near Willits in Mendocino County.

Approximately $776,000 toward culvert upgrades on U.S. 101 near Laytonville, Leggett, and Piercy in Mendocino County.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

For more information about other transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit www.RebuildingCA.ca.gov.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A Tehama County man has pleaded guilty to deer poaching charges stemming from an August 2020 poaching investigation.

Kaden Pearce, 23, of Red Bluff, killed a large buck in a local walnut orchard where he did not have legal permission to hunt. He then falsified the location information when he reported the deer harvest on his deer tag as required by hunting regulations.

A local wildlife officer received a tip from an anonymous source about a possible deer poaching incident involving Pearce.

The investigation revealed Pearce had illegally trespassed onto the private property to take the buck on Aug. 16, 2020, and an interview with the manager of that property revealed he had previously warned Pearce not to hunt there.

Upon further investigation, wildlife officers concluded Pearce had falsely reported the harvest location.

On Oct. 27, 2021, Pearce pleaded guilty in Tehama County Superior Court to hunter trespass and falsifying a state document.

As a result of his guilty plea, he was ordered to pay $1,580 in fines and penalties, forfeit the antlers from the buck and complete 40 hours of community service. He was also placed on 12 months’ probation with his hunting privileges suspended for the duration of his probation.

The vast majority of California’s hunters are law abiding citizens who adhere to ethical hunting practices.

If you witness a poaching or polluting incident or any fish and wildlife violation, or have information about such a violation, immediately dial the toll free CalTIP number 1 888 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Or you may submit anonymous tips to CDFW using tip411, an internet based tool from www.CitizenObserver.com that enables the public to text message an anonymous tip to wildlife officers and lets the officers respond back creating an anonymous two-way conversation. Anyone with a cell phone may send an anonymous tip to CDFW by texting “CALTIP,” followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411).

GLENN COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans is alerting motorists that the long-term closures of the north- and southbound Interstate 5 Willows safety roadside rest areas, or SRRA, in Glenn County have been extended to March 31, 2022.

The Willows rest areas have been closed since January for construction and were originally expected to reopen by Dec. 31. However, a time extension is required because of supply chain delays for materials needed to complete improvements to the facilities.

During the closure, northbound I-5 motorists will be directed to use the Red Bluff SRRA in Tehama County, about 42 miles north of Willows; please note the northbound Corning rest area is closed for maintenance work.

Southbound motorists will be directed to the Maxwell SRRA in Colusa County, about 34 miles south of the Willows SRRA.

Caltrans is investing more than $6.9 million to update the wastewater, water, and lighting systems at the Willows rest areas. TSI Engineering Inc. of North Highlands, Sacramento County, is the contractor for the project.

Weather or unexpected events may delay or prolong the work. Caltrans advises motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert.”

The department will issue construction updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3.

For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

NORTH COAST, Calif. — The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will hold its fifth redistricting hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 1:30 p.m. following the board’s approval of a final map on Nov. 18.

This action follows the extensive work of the board-appointed, citizen-based Advisory Redistricting Commission, or ARC.

The ARC, with assistance from county staff from the executive office, county counsel and GIS, assisted the board in the redistricting process by facilitating community outreach, identifying communities of interest from public input and drafting maps in accordance with the required criteria outlined in the California FAIR MAPS Act, California Elections Code section 21500.

At the Dec. 7 regular meeting, the Board of Supervisors will consider introduction and adoption of an ordinance to repeal and replace Mendocino County Code section 2.08, and attach the Final Map and description of the boundaries of the five supervisorial districts.

Meetings are live streamed and available for viewing online one the Mendocino County YouTube page, at https://www.youtube.com/MendocinoCountyVideo or by toll-free, telephonic live stream at 888-544-8306.

The public may participate digitally in meetings in lieu of personal attendance. Comment may be made in any of the following ways: via written comment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., through our online eComment platform at https://mendocino.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, through voicemail messaging by calling 707-234-6333, or by telephone via telecomment.

Information regarding telecomment participation can be found here.

For more information, contact the County Executive Office at 707-463-4441 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NORTH COAST, Calif. — The California Highway Patrol’s Northern Division, having jurisdiction over the major transportation corridor of United States 101 throughout Northern California, will be executing a Major Corridor Enhanced Primary Collision Factor Enforcement Campaign on Thursday, Dec. 2.

This effort aims to reduce the number of injury and fatal traffic crashes on US-101 throughout Northern Division.

In 2019 and 2020, a total of 1521 crashes occurred on US-101 in Mendocino and Humboldt counties, causing 535 injuries and killing a total of 32 people. 

The primary causes for these crashes were determined to be speed, reckless driving, unsafe lane change, unsafe turning movement, following too close, distracted driving, and driving under the influence, with increased injuries and deaths from occupant restraint violations.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security.

This includes the prevention of loss of life, injuries, and property damage resulting from traffic crashes through enforcement, education, engineering, and partnerships.

The CHP is promoting awareness and safe driving along this major corridor route. During the enhanced enforcement campaign, the CHP Northern Division will target US-101 in Mendocino and Humboldt counties with increased traffic safety operations to educate and, if necessary, take appropriate enforcement action on drivers who violate traffic laws along this major corridor route.

“The US-101 corridor within Northern Division is winding and mountainous, with many areas of undivided highway, increasing the frequency of traffic crashes,” said Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts. “Increased visibility, aggressive enforcement, and public education within the Areas along this corridor will contribute to improved safety for motorists traveling on US-101.”

The CHP reminds motorists to follow these basic traffic safety rules: always wear a seat belt, drive at a speed safe for conditions, eliminate distractions while driving, and always designate a sober driver.