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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
THE CONTAINMENT PERCENTAGE HAS BEEN CORRECTED.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Another day on the fire lines brought a week old wildland fire closer to being fully contained.
The Scotts Fire reached 90 percent containment on Thursday night, with size remaining at 4,618 acres, Cal Fire reported.
The fire broke out last Friday, Sept. 7, on North Cow Mountain between Scotts Creek and Scotts Valley Road. The cause remains under investigation.
Full containment is anticipated this Saturday.
Cal Fire spokesman Mike Carr told Lake County News this week that 100-percent containment is when an incident is at the point where firefighters and equipment can completely leave the scene with no concerns that the incident may reignite.
Two more injuries were reported on Thursday, for a total of five, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire was continuing to reduce its resources and firefighters on scene. Personnel assigned on Thursday totaled 1,029, with 86 engines, 48 fire crews, one helicopter, five dozers and 13 water tenders.
Firefighters continued strengthening control lines, mopping up and making repairs within the fire perimeter on Thursday, where smoke may still be visible as mop up efforts continue, Cal Fire said.
The agency said fire suppression repair operations are ongoing with the goal of preventing any future environmental damage.
With hot and dry weather conditions expected to continue, Cal Fire urges the public to be cautious when using equipment that may spark a fire. Do any yard maintenance that requires a gas or electrical motor before 10 a.m. and don’t pull a vehicle off the road into dry grass.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This year Lake County is once again taking part in the California Coastal Cleanup Day, and volunteers are encouraged to come out and clean up local beaches, creeks and streams.
The 28th annual Coastal Cleanup Day, which focuses not just on beaches but on inland waterways, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon.
“It goes beyond the coast, to the waterways, back into the watershed to the headwaters,” said Carolyn Ruttan of Lake County Water Resources, the local coordinator of this year’s cleanup. “Over the years, the Cleanup Day has expanded to include all lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and creeks that eventually flow to the ocean.”
Ruttan is working with support from each of the local watershed groups, the cities, service groups, and organizations such as the Lakeport Yacht Club, the Homeowners of Kono Tayee Estates, and others.
Several businesses and agencies also are providing supplies, dumpsters and other materials, including Lakeport Disposal, South Lake Refuse, C&S Waste Solutions and Caltrans.
Cleanup locations confirmed to date include the Big Oak Shopping Center, 13300 E. Highway 20, in Clearlake Oaks; the Lake County Fire Protection District station at 14815 Olympic Drive, Clearlake; and the Fifth Street boat ramp in Lakeport.
Come to the cleanup prepared for the weather – wear closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and a hat, and bring an extra layer, in case it is chilly. Fill a reusable water bottle and pack a “trash-free” lunch.
Bring a bucket or reusable bag for collecting trash and a lightweight pair of gardening gloves – most sites are equipped with dumpsters so volunteers can dump what they collect and take their bucket or reusable bag back home.
Trash bags will be available on site. Pick up every bit of human trash you can find in your favorite waterway. If items cannot be moved, please record their location so that we can remove them using equipment and tools.
Everyone who participates in Coastal Cleanup day must sign a waiver form – they will be available at the cleanup locations. If you are under 18, you will need a parent or guardian signature before participating.
In 1985, the California Coastal Commission launched the first statewide Coastal Cleanup Day and the following year joined Ocean Conservancy in its International Coastal Cleanup, creating the world’s largest volunteer event related to the marine environment.
Today, California Coastal Cleanup Day is the state’s largest annual volunteer event, drawing tens of thousands of people to more than 800 sites spread throughout 53 of California’s 58 counties.
Since 1985, more than 1.1 million volunteers have helped remove 18 million pounds of debris from the state’s shorelines.
For information on locations and volunteering, contact Carolyn Ruttan in the Lake County Department of Water Resources at 707-263-2256 or 707-295-0333.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Executive Vice Chancellor for Programs Erik Skinner was named acting chancellor of the California Community Colleges by the system’s Board of Governors during its meeting at San Diego City College.
Skinner will temporarily replace Chancellor Jack Scott who will retire Sept. 14 after 58 years in public service, and the last three years as the leader of the nation’s largest system of higher education.
“I think Erik is an excellent choice and the board showed great wisdom in appointing him to cover the position until my permanent replacement is selected,” Chancellor Scott said. “As executive vice chancellor, Erik has a great understanding of the day-to-day workings of the office, but also shares in the vision of the agency, which is to provide a skilled workforce for the state. I have every confidence in Erik’s ability to lead the Chancellor’s Office and system during this transition period.”
Skinner, 44, was appointed in 2010 to serve as executive vice chancellor for programs and oversees the Academic Affairs, Student Services and Special Programs, Economic Development and Workforce Preparation, College Finance and Facilities Planning, Technology, Research and Information Services and Government Relations divisions.
Skinner assists in the implementation of system-wide initiatives, including the Board of Governor’s student success agenda, which received a boost with the recent legislative passage of the Student Success Act of 2012.
The bill, SB 1456, awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature.
Skinner also is co-chair of the SB 1440 Associate Degree for Transfer Implementation and Oversight Committee that is strengthening and streamlining transfer pathways between the California Community Colleges and the California State University systems.
“Erik has the knowledge and experience needed to lead the Chancellor’s Office and system until we can find Jack Scott’s replacement,” said Board of Governors President Scott Himelstein. “He’s played an integral role in the system’s two biggest policy initiatives of the last two years – student success and Associate Degree for Transfer – and will continue to do so. He will do a fine job as acting chancellor.”
Himelstein and the board said they hope to name a permanent chancellor by the end of September.
Skinner joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2007, when he was appointed Vice Chancellor for College Finance and Facilities Planning. He represented the community college system in the state budget process, advocating for additional resources to support the state’s 72 community college districts and 112 colleges.
In addition, Skinner oversaw the system’s budget and accounting processes; apportionment of state and federal resources to local community college districts; and assistance to community college districts for fiscal and business operations.
Prior to joining the Chancellor’s Office, Skinner served as Assistant Secretary for Fiscal Policy in the Office of the Secretary for Education. In that role, he advised the secretary of education and the governor on matters related to K-12 and higher education policy, the state budget and school finance.
Skinner began his work in state service in the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, where he specialized in school finance, Proposition 98, and higher education policy. Before working in education finance and state government, Skinner worked as a job developer and employment counselor in welfare-to-work programs in Los Angeles County.
Executive Vice Chancellor Skinner received a bachelor’s degree in history from Grinnell College and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.4 million students per year.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
NICE, Calif. – Caltrans’ new roundabout project in Nice is expected to be functional within the next several days.
Construction on the $4.6 million project – located at the intersection of Highway 20 and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, just west of Nice – began in May. Granite Construction of Ukiah is the contractor.
Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said the project is on track to be completed this winter.
Drivers have been detoured around the construction onto Stokes Road since July 23.
However, this Friday or next Monday, the detour is set to be removed, according to Frisbie.
“The roundabout will be functional at that point,” he said in an email to Lake County News. “There will still be some restrictions for people entering the highway from Pyle Road, but that 'leg' will be fully tied in over the next few weeks.”
When it’s complete, Caltrans said the project also will include sidewalks, enhanced drainage and median islands to create pedestrians access across the highway.
Caltrans undertook the project to address the intersection’s collision rate – five times higher than the statewide average for similar intersections – as well as to slow traffic and reduce vehicle emissions.
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