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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Assembly Bill 855 was introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland).
“This is one more step forward in statewide recognition of the history, culture and contributions of California’s Native Americans,” Ramos said.
AB 855 would amend the Code of Civil Procedure to recognize California Native American Day as a judicial holiday to provide proper recognition for Native American people and celebrate their history in the state.
It would not create an additional paid holiday for Judicial Council employees but would exchange Columbus Day for California Native American Day.
Court personnel are currently the only state workers receiving the paid Oct. 12 holiday.
“Our state Judicial Council brought the idea for this bill forward, and I thank them for their initiative,” Ramos said. “For more than 20 years, I have worked to help create a day that recognizes California’s First People and their history. California has the greatest number of Native Americans residing within its boundaries, and it is fitting that we begin to expand our commemoration of this holiday.”
The Judicial Council, which is sponsoring AB 855, voted in January to seek authority to ensure California Native American Day is designated as a judicial holiday.
Ramos noted paid judicial holidays are designated in a different code section from holidays recognized by other state agencies. Non-judicial holidays are designated in the Government Code, but court holidays are established in the Code of Civil Procedure.
“The Judicial Council of California and its chair, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, are committed to providing equal access and fairness in our justice system,” said Judge Marla O. Anderson, chair of the Judicial Council’s Legislation Committee. “By recognizing the importance of Native Americans we not only acknowledge our shortcomings in our state’s past treatment of them, we also celebrate their past and current contributions to our state.”
Co-authors are Assemblymembers Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Riverside).
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport has received a major grant in the latest round of state funding to conduct roadway safety projects.
Caltrans said it has awarded more than $227 million to fund safety projects designed to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads. Funding is provided through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Lakeport Public Works Director Doug Grider said the city applied last year for the competitive grant to replace the signs identified in a sign inventory the city had performed in 2020.
The grant – which he called “a big one” – is for $261,000. The city received notification last week.
It will replace 547 signs and prevent the city from having to spend general funds on the project.
To be replaced are warning signs – yield, curve and slippery road conditions – along with regulator, guide and city-specific signs, such as street signs, Grider said.
According to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, nearly 64 percent of traffic deaths in California occur on city or county roads, underscoring the significance of funding local safety improvements.
Caltrans selected a total of 266 projects statewide for funding for safety enhancements that include new traffic signals, roundabouts, turn lanes, rumble strips and guard rails, and projects focusing on safety improvements at intersections. There were reported to be 469 grants applications submitted.
“Safety is always our No. 1 priority,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “These projects will enhance systemwide safety features, including expanded access to protected walkways and bikeways, and will move us closer to our goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities on California roadways.”
“In addition to the upgrades Caltrans is making along state highways, I’m pleased that our district was able to identify and provide funding for local projects to bring safety improvements for communities in Humboldt and Lake Counties,” stated Matt Brady, Caltrans District 1 director.
Grider said the Lake Area Planning Council’s Technical Advisory Committee, which includes the county and the two cities, has work elements like studies that they need to complete, such as the pavement management program.
In addition, the state mandates that every three to five years they come out and check the reflectivity of street signs. “That was coming up due,” Grider said.
The Lake Area Planning Council hired a consultant to do the sign survey for the county, the city of Clearlake and Lakeport, Grider said. That survey listed all of the defective signs.
He said that study was necessary in order to seek the funding. “If you want to get any money, you have to have a study.”
Ukiah-based Davey-Bates Consulting, which works with the Lake Area Planning Council, helps administer the work elements and also assisted the city of Lakeport with putting together its application, Grider said.
Grider credited the firm with helping his staff work through the process, noting the company regularly works with state transportation staff. “That is just a huge help.”
There are still some steps to complete, including sending in some additional paperwork to request the funding. He said there will be environmental rules to follow even for existing signs. “We’re not doing any digging, we're just replacing existing signs.”
He said they will have to put out a bid package for a contractor to complete the project. “This is too big for city staff.”
That contractor bid will need to be approved by the Lakeport City Council, Grider said.
Grider said the city has completed sign replacement before, but he doesn’t think it’s ever been done on this magnitude.
With many Public Works projects now underway, Grider said he expects the sign replacement work will take place next year.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Classwork will take place from 8 a.m. to noon, then a half-hour lunch with dismissal at 12:30 pm.
Depending on enrollment, summer school will be offered at the following school campuses with transportation provided: Kelseyville High, Mountain Vista Middle, Kelseyville Elementary and Riviera Elementary.
Kelseyville Learning Academy students may also participate in summer school, either by attending a school-site program or continuing with the independent study homeschool model.
On-campus COVID safety protocols will remain in place, including required face coverings and social distancing.
For Kelseyville Elementary and Riviera Elementary, summer school will focus on critical skills in math, reading, and writing to bridge learning gaps and help prepare students for the next school year.
Mountain Vista Middle School will offer two programs: The Summer Math Academy, designed to address targeted math standards, and the AVID Excel Summer Bridge program for English Learner students.
Kelseyville High will offer credit-recovery and learning-loss programs based on the number of students who register.
Those interested in registering their student should do so by May 17.
Visit the Kelseyville Unified website at www.KVUSD.org for access to the registration form or contact your child’s school for more information.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Throughout the month of April, Lakeport Police officers will be focusing on educating the public on the dangers of distracted driving and enforcing distracted driving laws.
Current California laws make it illegal for drivers to hold a phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Drivers who are under the age of 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2019 distracted driving killed 3,142 people, a 10-percent increase from 2018.
To help allied agencies across the state in the collective mission of reducing the number of distracted driving-related collision deaths, the department is asking the community to take action against distracted driving and drive responsibly.
If you need to send a text you should wait until you can pull over at a safe location and park. Don’t scroll through any smartphone apps while driving. If you have any passengers in your vehicle you should designate one of them as your “texter.”
Remind your friends and family when they are in the driver’s seat that driving is where their focus should be. If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, tell them to stop and focus on driving.
Ask your friends to join you in pledging not to drive distracted.
The Lakeport Police Department said it’s committed to educating the public on the dangers of distracted driving and enforcing California law, and asked the community to join its staff in working to make the community and all of California safer.
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