WILLOWS
Officials share safety reminders ahead of hunting season
Hunting season is fast approaching, and hunters are curious to know if their favorite hunting spots are open.
At this time, all public land in the Mendocino National Forest is open to hunting, with the exception of the Sheet Iron Mountain State Game Refuge, located north of the Snow Mountain Wilderness. The State Refuge is closed to hunting.
Several trails and campgrounds remain closed, and new closures can occur at any time if there are wildfires or other hazards. Hunters should know before they go and check the forest’s website for alerts or warnings.
Fire danger remains high on Mendocino National Forest, and fire restrictions are in effect. Fire restrictions include prohibitions on campfires or stove fires outside of designated fire-safe recreation sites or wilderness areas. Smoking outside of buildings or enclosed vehicles, welding, the use of explosives, or the operation of a motor vehicle off national Forest System roads is also prohibited.
Forest visitors may use firearms if they carry and use them in a safe manner, and if the users comply with state and county laws.
- Do not use trees, signs, cans, or glass objects for targets.
- Never discharge a firearm from a road, across a road, across a body of water, or within 150 yards of a campground or private residence.
- Always exercise proper caution when handling firearms: keep in mind that other visitors, crews, private landowners, or others could be nearby, even if they aren’t visible.
Hunters should take safety precautions before heading to their destination:
- Check the weather forecast.
- Assess current weather conditions in the forest.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you should be back.
- Be aware of the hazards of recreating in a burned forest.
- Set up your camp away from dead trees or hanging limbs.
- Practice “Leave No Trace” and carry out all trash.
Hunting is permitted during hunting seasons designated by the California State Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Licenses are available online, at any CDFW License Sales Office or License Agent.
Information about the 2022 California Deer Hunt Zones is available on the CDFW website. The Mendocino National Forest falls within parts of the A1, B1, B2, B3 and B5 deer zones. Please make sure you have the appropriate deer tag on you for the deer zone you are hunting in.
For additional questions, please email the office at sm.fs.mendopao@usda.gov.
—Submitted
OAKLAND
Three simple ways to reduce energy use at home as kids head back to school
Summer may be over for students heading back to class, but the hot weather will be sticking around for several more weeks. With the house or apartment, a little emptier, now may be a great time to cut back on energy use.
Ways to Save at Home as Students Head Back to the Classroom
Adjust thermostat
Ensure the thermostat is set at 78 degrees or higher. Customers can save 4-8% on cooling costs for each degree the thermostat is raised.
Use the refrigerator wisely
With kids away at school, the refrigerator door may not be open and closed as often. While preparing school lunches, take out all ingredients and supplies at once and set them on the counter to ensure the door is not open for prolonged periods of time.
Unplug devices
With electronics unused most of the day at home, make sure they are unplugged and powered off. This will prevent unused electronics from using energy when they are not in use.
PG&E encourages customers to put these tips into action as kids head back to school in hopes of forming life-long habits the entire family can keep year-round. To find out how much energy goes to cooling, hot water, appliances, and other uses take PG&E’s 5-minute Home Energy Checkup.
PG&E also supports the Energy is Everything Program which offers K-12 educators with curriculum resources to help teach students about energy and the environment with a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus. The educational program is available at no cost to students throughout California.
For more ways to save at home, visit pge.com/summer.
—Submitted
LAKEPORT
Lakeport seeking art for Lakefront Park
Proposals due September 19
The City of Lakeport is seeking proposals for mid-range to large-scale sculptural and/or innovative, mixed or multimedia installations to be showcased in the new lakefront park development in downtown Lakeport at 800 and 810 North Main Street.
Awards to successful applicants will range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the scale and budget of the proposed work, which includes materials, artist’s labor, installation needs, and any necessary travel expenses. Proposals with interactive components are encouraged.
Lake County artists and BIPOC are strongly urged to submit proposals; there are no geographic restrictions for applications. All proposals must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, September 19.
Proposed art works must be made of materials that can endure the outdoors and extreme weather in a public setting. All object-based sculptures must be securely mounted to the ground or a plinth base at the designated site; all work must be safe for pedestrian traffic.
The call for artists may be viewed on the City’s website, www.cityoflakeport.com/bid_opportunities.php The Request for Proposal includes specific application requirements and a map of the lakefront park with designated spaces for art.
In January 2020, the City of Lakeport was awarded a competitive grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation funded by Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018. After two years of design, the project is ready for construction.
The new park consists of approximately 6.9 acres and will include, in addition to the public art, a basketball court, splash pad, skate park, concession building with restrooms, shade structures, picnic areas, fitness equipment, a pavilion, lighting, irrigation, and landscaping. Estimated completion date is Spring 2023.
For more information, contact Jenni Byers, Community Development Director, (707) 263-5615, Ext. 201, jbyers@cityoflakeport.com.
