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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The Mendocino National Forest reminds residents and visitors to recreate responsibly and do your part to help everyone enjoy a safe and fun holiday weekend.
“We anticipate that Independence Day 2020 will be a very busy one on the Mendocino National Forest. National forests provide a great way to enjoy the outdoors but it is important that everyone recreate safely,” forest officials said in a Thursday statement.
The Mendocino National Forest increased public access this week by providing additional recreational opportunities. Forest Order No. 08-20-08 for the Ranch Fire area opened several campgrounds and a selection of trails. The forest website has the most up-to-date information on reopenings.
Under Forest Order No. 08-20-08, the following remain closed: Cedar Camp Campground, Dixie Glade Campground, Lower Nye Campground, Lower Nye Trailhead and select OHV trails on Upper Lake Ranger District.
“Visitors should come with all the essentials for their stay, including food, emergency supplies, and be prepared to pack-out trash,” said acting Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Shannon Pozas. “Certain services may still be unavailable. Visitors are asked to plan accordingly.”
Pozas added, “Please recreate responsibly to help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services and opportunities continues.”
Please remember:
– Only gather with people from your household and maintain a minimum of at least six feet of physical distance from other visitors.
– Communicate with others as you pass on trails or step aside and allow others to pass.
– Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use.
– If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time.
Everyone can help prevent wildfires by being extra careful with campfires, stoves and other ignition sources. Fire restrictions are in place to protect the health and safety of employees and communities.
Outside of developed campgrounds and wilderness, igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire on the Mendocino National is prohibited. Fire restrictions are posted here.
Before traveling to your favorite spot, Forest officials encourage visitors to check the Mendocino National Forest website and social media platforms – including Facebook and Twitter – or call one of the ranger district offices for information.
Additionally, a web map is available to help visitors find out which recreation areas are open on nearby forests, including campgrounds, day-use sites, and trails on National Forests in California. View the GIS map at https://go.usa.gov/xwurX .
Fire restrictions are in effect on the Mendocino National Forest. Campfires are only permitted in open developed campgrounds and within the wilderness. Additionally, please note that fireworks are not permitted on any National Forest.
Visitors are also urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with local health and safety guidance. Visit the CDC website for tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
“The Fourth of July has always meant large gatherings and events in Lake County. Because of COVID-19, this year will be a little different,” said Dr. Gary Pace.
In recent days, Lake County’s infection rates have begun to climb, following a statewide trend of
“The rates of infection are increasing rapidly right now, probably because of increased activity; especially groups of people from different households mixing together,” Pace said.
He said the Health Department has tracked some of the spread locally to weekend parties with multiple families, especially when masks were not worn and people were drinking and eating together.
“That sounds a lot like what happens on the Fourth of July, doesn’t it?” Pace said.
He said firework displays around the lake have been modified this year as the result of a lot of planning.
The city of Lakeport chose not to hold its fireworks display this year due to concerns that included not having room to ensure social distancing. However, sales of “safe and sane” fireworks by local nonprofits are continuing; those fireworks can only be legally purchased and used in the city limits.
Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport is having a fireworks display on July 4. The fireworks display will start after dark.
Clearlake will host a public fireworks display with enhanced social distancing. People will drive up and stay in their car, although some people will be able to walk into the event. There will be some food vendors there starting at 4 p.m., with social distancing and masking procedures in place.
Handwashing stations will be present, and volunteers will be there to help remind people to return to their cars and not congregate.
“This type of activity is a bit risky, so we encourage everyone to be particularly mindful of the need to be careful,” said Pace. “Vulnerable people – over 65 or with chronic medical conditions – should not come. If we see a surge of cases after this event, it will be much less likely future gatherings will be possible during the pandemic.”
Pace said that with all of the increased activity around the lake this coming weekend, care should be taken to avoid groups, minimize large social gatherings at home, use masks and proper disinfection, and take particular care of vulnerable people.
“The last few months have been tough on everyone, but using some caution while celebrating this weekend will make the coming months a lot better,” said Pace, adding, “Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!”
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
She brings a wide range of special education experience to the community.
“We welcome Beth and are excited about her breadth of experience. Her enthusiasm for coming to Lake County in this capacity is very exciting,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
Shepherd’s impressive list of experience includes leadership roles at the county level, district office level and site level.
She has also taught elementary school, grades kindergarten through sixth, and has been a teacher of sixth through 12th grades at Court School.
Shepherd is relocating to Lake County from the Central Valley.
“I have dedicated my entire career to the education of children, teachers and administrators,” said Shepherd.
Shepherd is taking over the position from Patti Langston, who is retiring.
Langston has more than 28 years of special education experience at the site, district and county levels, and has spent the last 10 years at the Lake County Office of Education.
While at the Lake County Office of Education, Langston spent a significant amount of her time specializing in autism. As a member of the State Cadre, she learned evidence-based practices for students identified on the spectrum and was able to come back to Lake County to coach and train teachers on those practices.
Falkenberg said, “Patti is fantastic! I have never met an educator that is more motivated and dedicated to educating at-risk students.”
Although she is retiring, Langston said she intends to stay involved in special education in Lake County, which will include advocating for special education and writing curriculum.
It is Shepherd though, who will now be responsible for the development and implementation of SELPA goals and priorities for Lake County.
Among her duties, she will work within the Lake County Office of Education, assuming full management responsibilities for SELPA, and will fulfill requests for services from the Lake County School Districts.
She also bears the responsibility to ensure that the Lake County SELPA remains in compliance with rules, regulation and laws, both state and federal.
“I look forward to collaborating with and supporting Lake County’s school districts, partner agencies, communities, and parents in our profound and important work of delivering excellent educational services and programming to our students with special needs in ways that ensure that every student thrives,” Shepherd said.
For more information about Lake County’s SELPA, please visit http://lakecoe.org/SELPA .
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The outdoor event, sponsored by the Clearlake Lions Club, is scheduled to begin at approximately 4 p.m. with food vendors inside Austin Park.
The fireworks will be fired off at dark, at around 9 p.m. The event will be over immediately following the fireworks show.
The fireworks display is designed to be viewed from your vehicle although there will be limited space available inside Austin Park – designated by visible circles – for people without vehicles. These circles will be spread out to maintain social distancing.
Compliance with health orders is required to include masking and social distancing. Facemasks are required per order of the county health officer.
The temporary construction fencing around the perimeter of the park will remain in place throughout the event in order to limit access to designated areas such as the parking lots and main walkways.
Event parking is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early to obtain your parking space. There will be no readmittance for parking once you leave the event parking area.
There will be road closures in the area. The entire surrounding area of Austin Park will be closed off to through traffic with the exception of Olympic Drive. Please choose an alternate route to navigate around the event for through traffic.
The roads that will be closed for event parking are as follows:
– Lakeshore Drive, both lanes from Division Avenue to Olympic Drive.
– Uhl Avenue from Olympic Drive to Division Avenue.
– Austin Road from Uhl Avenue to Lakeshore Drive.
The entrance point for the event parking will be located at Austin Drive and Uhl Avenue which can be accessed from Pine Avenue
There are several laws and rules that you need to be aware of while attending this event. These rules will be enforced via citation, removal from the park and/or arrest:
– No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park. This includes open and sealed alcoholic beverages.
– No glass containers are allowed in the park.
– Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and you must pick up and dispose of pet waste
– No smoking is allowed inside the park.
– No unpermitted fireworks are allowed anywhere in the city of Clearlake. It is unlawful for any person to possess, use, sell, or explode any unpermitted fireworks within the city limits.
“We appreciate all the work that went into making this event possible so that our citizens can enjoy a celebration of our independence. Please honor that work by following the rules that are in place for your safety and the enjoyment for everyone,” city officials said in a Wednesday statement.