LIVE OAK, Calif. — Caltrans is alerting motorists and pedestrians that Pennington Road will be closed to cross traffic at State Highway 99/Live Oak Boulevard next week for construction activity.

Crews are scheduled to begin closing the west side of the intersection at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, as they prepare to rebuild the roadway. The intersection will be closed to cross traffic through the end of November.

Motorists and pedestrians should use either Elm Street or Kola Street for State Highway 99 access, where flaggers will be temporarily stationed during daytime hours to conduct traffic control and allow for a safe crossing. Four-way stop signs will control traffic during overnight hours.

Crews are expected to install permanent traffic signals at the two intersections by Sept. 14.

During work on the west side of the intersection, northbound Highway 99 travelers will be permitted to make right turns onto east Pennington. However, left turns onto east Pennington will be prohibited for southbound motorists.

The contractor will maintain access to businesses during construction. Caltrans reminds motorists to be alert for trucks entering and exiting the roadway, and crews working along the highway.

Visit www.LiveOak99.com for the latest news and updates as well as maps showing access to businesses in the construction area, business deals for consumers, photo simulations of the boulevard including traffic lane striping for the five-lane roadway after construction, and other information. You also may connect with the Live Oak 99 social media campaign: Facebook and Twitter.

Weather or unexpected events may delay or postpone work. Other construction updates in the region are posted Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday honored Correctional Lieutenant Robert “Bobby” Travelstead of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, who died this week.

“It is with great sadness that Jennifer and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office on this devastating loss. Lt. Travelstead dedicated his life to service, working to ensure the safety of his community and our nation, and we are forever grateful,” Newsom said.

Travelstead, 40, died on Sept. 1, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19.

He joined the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office in 2007 as a correctional deputy and served in several roles in the Detention Division.

He promoted to sergeant in 2014 and worked as a supervisor at the Main Adult Detention Facility, North County Detention Facility and Pretrial Services.

In 2019, he promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Main Adult Detention Facility as the Watch Commander.

Lt. Travelstead’s commitment to service began in 2001 as a member of the U.S. Navy.

In 2006, he was honorably discharged as a decorated veteran, having served as a Field Medical Corpsman for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Naval Service in Southwest Asia during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Travelstead is survived by his two daughters, Kaylie and Kiana, and three siblings.

In honor of Lt. Travelstead, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that, within hours of California’s request, the White House approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration for direct federal assistance to bolster the response to the Caldor fire in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine and Placer counties.

“We thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for their steadfast support to California as we battle these challenging fires,” said Gov. Newsom. “Our continued partnership with the federal government is critical to protecting communities and ensuring impacted Californians have the supports they need to get back on their feet.”

The Presidential Emergency Declaration for the Caldor fire will supplement state, local and tribal government emergency services for the protection of lives, property, public health and safety.

As the Caldor fire burns, Gov. Newsom has directed state agencies to rapidly and thoroughly document the extent of the damage to ensure the state is able to pursue further federal support for individuals and communities impacted by the fire, which to date has burned more than 207,000 acres and ranks as the 15th largest fire in state history.

Gov. Newsom on Monday proclaimed a state of emergency in Alpine, Amador and Placer counties due to the Caldor fire, following the emergency proclamation issued for El Dorado County earlier this month.

The state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant, or FMAG, from FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress this rapidly spreading fire.

The White House last week approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, including supports available to wildfire-impacted residents and assistance for state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery costs.

California recently secured FMAGs to support the state’s response to the Dixie fire in Lassen, Butte and Plumas counties and the response to the French, Caldor, Monument, River and Lava fires.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed 34 properties that lie within or immediately adjacent to U.S. Forest Service boundaries due to extreme fire conditions.

Effective immediately, these properties are closed to the public through Friday, Sept. 17.

All closures are CDFW wildlife areas or ecological reserves, and they cover many parts of the state.

They were closed following the USFS announcement of the temporary closure of all national forests in California.

Fire danger is extreme in California currently. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip. The following links show up-to-date closures:

CDFW acknowledges that hunting opportunities will be impacted and is working with the Fish and Game Commission to consider regulations that would allow for return of certain tags and preference points similar to 2020.

BODEGA BAY, Calif.— California State Park Peace Officers have uncovered an illegal cannabis grow site within Sonoma Coast State Park.

On Tuesday, Aug. 17, State Park Peace Officers assigned to the department’s Special Enforcement Team discovered at the state park, in Upper Willow Creek, that water was being diverted by the illegal growers from a creek and channeled into several large pits lined with tarps.

It is believed the creek water from these human-made wells was used to water cannabis plants within the grow site.

A total of 1,500 plants were documented at the site. Approximately 1,000 pounds of trash was also documented, including fertilizer, rodenticides, a generator, gasoline and plastic irrigation lines.

Cleanup of the site is being scheduled by State Parks. Additionally, more than a dozen trees were also cut down by the growers to create a clearing for the cannabis plants.

Two suspects were arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail, charged with illegal cannabis cultivation, water diversion and possessing a loaded firearm.

State Parks’ Cannabis Watershed Protection Program is responsible for preventing and alleviating environmental damage from cannabis cultivation and supporting stewardship and operation in a manner that discourages and prevents cannabis cultivation on State Park lands.

The program has identified more than 400 sites that have been impacted by cannabis grows in state parks across California.

Sonoma Coast State Park consists of several beaches separated by rock bluffs and headlands.

The park spans 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail which is located approximately 4 miles north of Jenner.

The property lies along State Route 1 and consists of several named beaches including Arched Rock Beach, Gleason Beach and Goat Rock Beach. It also offers camping and hiking along the Russian River and Willow Creek.

For more than 150 years, California State Park Peace Officers have worked closely with the state's network of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to provide law enforcement within the State Park System and surrounding communities.

These officers also have the important responsibility to protect the natural, cultural and historic resources found in state park units for current and future generations.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday proclaimed a state of emergency for Alpine, Amador and Placer counties due to the Caldor fire, which has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, including significant portions of South Lake Tahoe.

The governor earlier this month proclaimed a state of emergency for El Dorado County due to the fire.

“It is imperative that residents in the impacted areas stay safe and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities. We thank all the heroic firefighters and first responders working around the clock to combat this rapidly spreading fire and to protect local communities across California this fire season,” said Gov. Newsom.

The governor on Monday also signed an executive order to support the state's wildfire response and recovery efforts.

At the request of several counties currently under a state of emergency due to wildfires, the order allows out-of-county emergency workers who are unable to cast ballots in their home precincts to be provided with provisional ballots, upon request, for the upcoming state election.

Among other provisions, the order also allows the waiver of regulations so that hospitals and other health facilities impacted by the fires can continue to provide care and services, and allows U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel to assist in removing hazardous debris from private properties damaged by fire, protecting public health and the environment.

Gov. Newsom last week announced that the White House approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, including supports available to wildfire-impacted residents and assistance for state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery costs.

California also recently secured assistance to support the state’s response to the Dixie fire in Lassen, Butte and Plumas counties and the response to the French fire, Caldor fire, Monument fire, River fire and Lava fire.

Governor Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to its highest level and proclaimed a state of emergency in counties impacted by the Caldor fire, McFarland and Monument fires, Antelope and River fires, Dixie, Fly and Tamarack fires and the Lava fire and Beckwourth Complex fire.

The governor signed an executive order to support impacted communities and bolster wildfire response and recovery efforts. Cal Fire and Cal OES personnel are responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the fires.