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Date: Friday, July 23, 2021
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1 AT BIXBY BRIDGE FULLY REOPENED
ALL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES CANCELLED

MONTEREY COUNTY – Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge has been fully reopened and overnight closures previously scheduled to continue into next week have been cancelled.

Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge reopened today Friday July 23 at 6:30 am and will remain open at this location without any daytime or nighttime restrictions for travelers.

Contracted maintenance crews were able to perform repairs and complete inspections of the bridge ahead of schedule.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones.

For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

Contracted Maintenance Teams work on arches below the Bixby Bridge, July 20, 2021.

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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As Monterey County’s COVID-19 cases increase, so does the need for safe isolation services. A reminder to all residents, that the County’s Alternate Housing Site (AHS) Program is still available to help reduce the spread of COVID. The number of clients in the AHS program has jumped from 1 to 12 in the last two days.

Please see the attached information release for details. Fliers about the program are also attached for your information.

Maia Carroll
Communications Coordinator
County of Monterey

ALTERNATIVE HOUSING PROGRAM PRESS RELEASE PDF

COMBINED FLYER ABOUT THE PROGRAM – SPANISH & ENGLISH

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Download this flyer PDF

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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For Immediate Release

July 14, 2021Media Contact: Andrew Madsen
(805) 895-0841
andrew.madsen@usda.gov
www.facebook.com/lpnf

Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Los Padres officials announce additional fire restrictions

SOLVANG, Calif. – Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that additional fire restrictions will go into effect beginning tomorrow, July 15, 2021. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire season:

• Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest including designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel within the designated Campfire Use Sites only. You must clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf) as well as at all Forest Service offices.
• Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest except in the two shooting ranges under special use permit, i.e., Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; however, hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

• Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

• Fireworks are prohibited at all times and in all locations within Los Padres National Forest.

• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. This restriction is in effect year-round.

Violators are subject to a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail, and could be liable for the full cost of any fire suppression activities that result from their actions. For further information regarding current conditions as well as safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.

Download PDF of this Press Release

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 5:00 pm
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1 AT BIXBY BRIDGE TO REMAIN OPEN THURSDAY OVERNIGHT WITH RETRUN TO REGULAR SCHEDULE ON SUNDAY JULY 18

MONTEREY COUNTY – There will be no overnight closure of Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge this Thursday July 15.

As previously scheduled, Highway 1 at Bixby Bridge (PM 59.5) will close Wednesday July 14 at 10 pm and reopen Thursday July 15 at 6:30 am. However, the overnight closure previously scheduled for Thursday July 15 has been cancelled. Highway 1 will remain open for the weekend beginning Thursday July 15 at 6:30 am.

The regular schedule of full overnight closures of the bridge for maintenance work will begin again on Sunday July 18. The hours of the overnight closures remain from 10 pm to 6:30 am.

Next week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will close overnight from Sunday July 18 through Thursday July 22 at 10 pm and will reopen at 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 23.

During the following week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed overnight from Sunday July 25 through Thursday July 29, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be open without any additional closures beginning at 6:30 am on Friday July 30.

Note: Due to the use of a large crane and other heavy equipment on the bridge during the closure, the roadway would take at least 30 minutes to reopen for emergency vehicles.

Caltrans is working closely with the California Highway Patrol to coordinate traffic control and emergency response during closure hours.

In case of an emergency requiring travel across the Bixby Bridge during the hours of the closures, residents and all travelers are advised to call 911

There is no detour for this closure and traffic control will direct motorists to return along Highway 1 in the direction from which they came.

Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the closure area.

These closures are necessary for contracted maintenance crews to perform repairs and inspections on the bridge support for the safety of all travelers.

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Date: Monday, July 12, 2021 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AT BIXBY BRIDGE BEGIN TONIGHT MONDAY JULY 12 AT 10 P.M. MONTEREY COUNTY – Maintenance work on the Bixby Bridge (PM 59.5) will result in full overnight closures of Highway 1 for three weeks beginning Monday July 12. The hours of the overnight closures will be from 10 pm to 6:30 am. The first night of the closure will be tonight Monday July 12. During the first week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed Monday July 12 through Thursday July 15, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 16. During the second week, Highway 1 will close from Sunday July 18 through Thursday July 22, at 10 pm and will reopen at 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 23. During the third week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed Sunday July 25 through Thursday July 29, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be open without any additional closures beginning at 6:30 am on Friday July 30. Note: Due to the use of a large crane and other heavy equipment on the bridge during the closure, the roadway would take at least 30 minutes to reopen for emergency vehicles. Caltrans is working closely with the California Highway Patrol to coordinate traffic control and emergency response during closure hours. In case of an emergency requiring travel across the Bixby Bridge during the hours of the closures, residents and all travelers are advised to call 911 There is no detour for this closure and traffic control will direct motorists to return along Highway 1 in the direction from which they came. Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the closure area. These closures are necessary for contracted maintenance crews to perform repairs and inspections on the bridge support for the safety of all travelers. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5 Download the flyer below PDF – Please post for the public if you can.

Stan Russell, Executive Director
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Date: Friday, July 9, 2021 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REMINDER: FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AT BIXBY BRIDGE BEGIN MONDAY, JULY 12 MONTEREY COUNTY – Maintenance work on the Bixby Bridge (PM 59.5) will result in full overnight closures of Highway 1 for three weeks beginning Monday July 12. The hours of the overnight closures will be from 10 pm to 6:30 am. The first night of the closure will be Monday July 12. During the first week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed Monday July 12 through Thursday July 15, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 16. During the second week, Highway 1 will close from Sunday July 18 through Thursday July 22, at 10 pm and will reopen at 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 23. During the third week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed Sunday July 25 through Thursday July 29, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be open without any additional closures beginning at 6:30 am on Friday July 30. Note: Due to the use of a large crane and other heavy equipment on the bridge during the closure, the roadway would take at least 30 minutes to reopen for emergency vehicles. Caltrans is working closely with the California Highway Patrol to coordinate traffic control and emergency response during closure hours. In case of an emergency requiring travel across the Bixby Bridge during the hours of the closures, residents and all travelers are advised to call 911 There is no detour and traffic control will direct motorists to return along Highway 1 in the direction from which they came. Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the closure area. These closures are necessary for contracted maintenance crews to perform repairs and inspections on the bridge support for the safety of all travelers. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5 Download the flyer below PDF – Please post for the public if you can.

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Date: July 7, 2021 District: 05 – Central Coast Contact: Jim Shivers, Kevin Drabinski, Colin Jones Phone: (805) 549-3237, (805) 549-3138, (805) 549-3189 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Caltrans Works to Clean California on the Central Coast SANTA BARBARA/SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTY – Clean California is more than just a slogan – it’s a call to action. Caltrans and its local partners are picking up litter on highways statewide and encouraging the public to do their part to keep their local communities clean and beautiful. As part of today’s statewide day of action to highlight the new program, maintenance workers, county officials and Adopt-A-Highway volunteers and cleared litter and beautified several sections of central coast highways, including State Route 135 in Santa Maria, US 101 at 4thStreet in Pismo Beach and US 101 in Greenfield. “The Clean California initiative confronts one of the most persistent challenges in the state – litter on our state highways and local roads,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “The $1 billion, multi-year cleanup effort will remove roadway trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities in beautification efforts to transform our roadsides into places of pride.” Monterey County District 3 Supervisor Chris Lopez and representatives from State Assemblyman Robert Rivas joined Caltrans Maintenance crews to pick up litter along southbound US 101 in Greenfield. “Our hard-working crews, local partners and volunteers were called to action today in this important effort to clean and beautify the Golden State,” added Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. Clean California will generate an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 jobs over three years, including opportunities for people experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth and those re-entering society following incarceration. The initiative represents a significant investment in litter collection and community engagement to transform unsightly roadsides into spaces of pride for all Californians. This statewide effort includes potential projects in all 58 California counties, with nearly a third of the funds being directly invested into cities, counties, tribes, and transit agencies to clean local streets and public spaces. Through litter removal, this initiative will protect our waterways, natural resources, public safety and health. Clean California will also help drive a cultural shift of shared responsibility for the cleanliness of our roadways through litter prevention education campaigns that focus on properly throwing away trash and the impact littering has on natural resources, waterways, public safety and health. Caltrans collected about 270,000 cubic yards of trash in 2020—enough to load 18,000 garbage trucks. Clean California will remove an additional 1.2 million cubic yards, or 21,000 tons, of trash from state highways each year, the equivalent of filling the Rose Bowl three times or enough bags to stretch from Los Angeles to New York City. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5 Highway worker removing litter along Highway 135 in Santa Maria (7/7/21)

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AT BIXBY BRIDGE BEGIN MONDAY JULY 12 / UPDATED HOURS NOW 10 PM TO 630 AM MONTEREY COUNTY – Maintenance work at the Bixby Bridge (PM 59.5) will result in full overnight closures of Highway 1 for three weeks beginning Monday July 12. Note: The hours of closure have been updated and are now from 10 pm to 6:30 am. The first night of the closure will be Monday July 12. During the first week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed Monday July 12 through Thursday July 15, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 16. During the second week, Highway 1 will close from Sunday July 18 through Thursday July 22, at 10 pm and will reopen at 6:30 am. Highway 1 will be open for the weekend starting at 6:30 am on Friday July 23. During the third week, Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be closed Sunday July 25 through Thursday July 29, from 10 pm to 6:30 am. Highway 1 at the Bixby Bridge will be open without any additional closures beginning at 6:30 am on Friday July 30. Note: Due to the use of a large crane and other heavy equipment on the bridge during the closure, the roadway would take at least 30 minutes to reopen for emergency vehicles. Caltrans is working closely with the California Highway Patrol to coordinate traffic control and emergency response during closure hours. In case of an emergency requiring travel across the Bixby Bridge during the hours of the closures, residents and all travelers are advised to call 911 There is no detour for this closure and traffic control will direct motorists to return along Highway 1 in the direction from which they came. Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the closure area. These closures are necessary for contracted maintenance crews to perform repairs and inspections on the bridge support for the safety of all travelers. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 1, 2021
Media Contact: Andrew Madsen
(805) 895-0841
andrew.madsen
www.facebook.com/lpnf
Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Los Padres National Forest extends
recreational shooting ban for six months

SOLVANG, Calif.— Los Padres National Forest officials announced that the Forest Order prohibiting discharging of any firearm except in permitted gun ranges has been extended until January 31, 2022, to provide for public safety due to continuing high fire danger conditions and the potential for a wildfire sparked by firearms or the discharged projectiles.

With minimal winter rainfall to date, live fuel moisture levels across the Forest have not significantly rebounded from last year and remain near critical levels. Predictive weather forecasts indicate persistent, strong offshore wind events through the spring and summer that will likely further reduce fuel moisture levels.

Long-range weather models have consistently shown well below normal precipitation and drier than average weather with a high likelihood of elevated temperatures through the spring months. If these forecasts are accurate, fire activity could occur weeks earlier this year.

Preventing accidental starts from shooting activities under dry conditions is key to protecting life and property. Shooting ranges under permit by Los Padres National Forest monitor and implement preventative measures to avoid accidental starts.

Under this Forest Order, discharging a firearm is prohibited except in the designated target ranges at the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club. Persons hunting during the open hunting season as specified in the laws of the State of California and having a valid California hunting license are exempt from this Forest Order for the purposes of hunting only.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

For additional information, please visit the Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/home.

Download PDF of this Press Release

Stan Russell, Executive Director
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation