Drive Safe In The Snow

Big Bear, Ca, December 12, 2011, 2:45pm - With winter road conditions in effect KBHR and CalTrans would like to remind motorists to drive carefully, and remind drivers of current chain restrictions.  Currently chains are required on Highway 18 the front grade, portions of Highway 38 through Redlands and Mentone, and on roads within the Big Bear Valley.  Chains are required for 2 wheel drive vehicles, which means you need to install chains on your drive wheels.  Always carry chains or cables when driving in the mountains in the winter months, as it is California Law.   This will secure the safety of the motoring public, the safety of others, and allow CalTrans and the California Highway Patrol to keep these roadways open to traffic.

Winter Driving Tips for Motorists

Big Bear, Ca, December 1, 2011, 12:00pm - KBHR and CalTrans would like to remind motorists to drive carefully, and remind drivers of some winter driving tips.  Please drive with caution and reduce your speed while driving on mountain routes where barricades or cones are in place from storm damage.  Avoid the cones/barricades and follow all directions from road workers, Highway Patrol, and signage. Watch for black ice in shaded areas on the roadway.  Even if the temperature is over freezing, ice can occur on the roads if it is in a shaded area, or there are winds.  Remember to carry chains or cables, as it is the law when driving in the mountains in the winter months.   This will secure the safety of the motoring public, the safety of others, and allow CalTrans and the California Highway Patrol to keep these roadways open to traffic.

Busy Year On Mountain Highways For Cal Trans

Big Bear, Ca, November 29, 2011, 12:00pm - Cal Trans was busy this past year, making repairs on highways leading to and from the Big Bear Valley, repairing and cleaning culverts, and completing the Big Bear Bridge Project.  Over the past year, Cal Trans and associated contractors have reopened Highway 330, completed and opened the new Big Bear Bridge, repaved Highway 18, the back grade, and have dealt with and cleaned up a large fuel spill on Highway 38.  In between these larger projects maintenance crews also conducted crack sealing, pot hole repair, replaced and added guardrails to various portions of Highways, and have prepared for the winter months.  Cal Trans is currently bringing in seasonal workers for the winter months, and a total of 63 people will be overseeing chain control/ snow clearance within the mountain areas.  “Were ready to go,” said Cal Trans Public Information Officer, Terri Kasinga “We have all of the supplies ready to go, and have already used some of it.”   Next year, more maintenance projects have been tentatively scheduled, with larger scale projects such as adding two lanes to certain areas in the Big Bear Valley projected 10 to 15 years out.  Cal Trans reminds motorists to drive with care, slow in the cone zone, and to carry chains when traveling in the mountains in the winter months.

Click It or Ticket

Big Bear, Ca, November 22, 2011, 3:00pm - The California Highway Patrol is participating in the Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign now through November 27^th.  During this time, law enforcement throughout the state and the Big Bear Valley will be actively looking for drivers and passengers who are unbuckled.  The Click It or Ticket program, which started in 2005, has a successful track record, and has seen an increased usage in seatbelts from a 90.4% in 2001, to a record high of 96.02 % in 2010.  The increase represents more than 1.25 million more vehicle occupants who buckle up.  Buckling your seatbelt is important for the safety of you and other passengers in your vehicle.  According to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, in 2009 there were 544 vehicle passengers killed who were not wearing a seat belt of using a child safety seat, and more than 9,400 others were injured due to not buckling up.  Last year CHP officers issued more than 155,000 citations to drivers and passengers who failed to buckle up.  The minimum cost of an adult seat belt violation is $142, and can go up to $445 for not properly restraining a child under 16 years of age.  So do the smart thing, avoid unnecessary tickets, and buckle up.

Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Gives Back

Big Bear, Ca, November 16, 2011, 3:00pm - The Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club has once again given to other non-profit organizations in the valley.  With funds raised from the Big Bear Lake Antique Car Fun Run, the organization was able to donate to 18 other valley organizations.  Each organization received $800 from the car club, which will help the non profits in turn give back to those in need within the Big Bear Valley.  Organizations that received a donation from the Antique Car Club include: Bear Mountain Dog Rescue, Bear Valley Historical Society, Bear Valley Search and Rescue, Citizens on Patrol, Discovery Center of Big Bear, Fuzzy House Slipper Gang, Miss Big Bear Scholarship, Mountain Fun Day- Kiwanis, Steven G. Mihaylo Foundation, Tech Trek Scholarships with the American Association of University Women, Civil Air Patrol, Dobis Vocational Scholarship, Big Bear Diabetes Support Network, Bear Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary, Bear Valley Community Nursery School, High Altitude Baseball, Bear Valley Medical Alert, Baldwin Lake Fire Department, Big Bear Strings Program, and the Big Bear Valley Hummingbird Project.

Master Plan of Trails Process Discussed at Planning Commission

Big Bear, Ca, November 15, 2011, 12:00pm - Earlier this year the City of Big Bear Lake was awarded a grant from Cal Trans to develop a Master Plan of Trails for pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian trails on the valley floor.  Siri Eggebraten, city planner responsible for the grant, will be presenting on the Master Plan of Trails process at the Planning Commission meeting, which will take place tomorrow/ today at Hofert Hall at 1:15pm.  Eggebraten will be presenting the planning process, including the scope of work, the need for advisory committees, and public participation. The goal for the Master Plan is to produce a document that will list and prioritize pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian projects on the valley floor with connections to the National Forest, resources for active and healthy lifestyles, to act as stewards of natural resources including habitat conservation, and to make city partners such as the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation eligible for future grants to construct trails and paths.  Eggebraten told KBHR that public participation will be very important in the planning process.  Those interested in hearing more about the Master Plan of Trails and how they can get involved are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting, as everyone is welcome to attend.

Prepare Vehicle For Winter Weather

Big Bear, Ca, November 15, 2011, 8:00am - The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station is encouraging all motorists to be prepared for the winter months.  The Sheriff’s Department is advising that motorists not only get their vehicle winter ready, but to also have emergency supplies in your vehicle.  Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition, and check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures.  Other items that you should keep in your car include an ice scraper or commercial de-icer, a handheld broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it is snowed in, and sand, burlap or kitty litter for traction if your wheels become mired in snow.  Remember to always carry chains when driving in the mountains in the winter months.  Carry gloves for installing chains, and an old towel or blanket to lay on while installing your chains.  It is also a good idea to carry jumper cables, a large flashlight with extra batteries, battery powered radio, highway safety flares, and a windshield ice scraper.  The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station remind everyone to be prepared, be safe and drive slow for winter road conditions.

First R2 Restrictions of the Season

Big Bear, Ca, November 4, 2011, 12:00pm - 

Snow is falling in the Big Bear area, and there are chain restrictions on certain roads within and leading to the Big Bear Valley.  The following roads have R2 restrictions.

HWY 18 – Green Valley Road to Snow Valley and Santas Village to Heaps Peak Dump

HWY 18- Within the Big Bear Valley, from the Dam through to Pine Knot Ave.

HWY 38 – along the North Shore from the Dam to Navaho Street in Fawnskin

HWY 38 – from Hatchery through to 8,000 feet and again near Angeles Oaks, Heart Bar Campground & Jenks Lake Road.

R2 restriction mean two wheel drive vehicles need chains on their drive wheels.  If you need to install chains, remember to pull completely off the road in a safe turn out or parking lot.

Big Bear Welcomes Tour of California Back!

Big Bear, Ca, November 3, 2011, 3:30pm - Big Bear will be a host city for the 6^th stage of the race.  The route will once again be from Palmdale to Big Bear, however the exact route is unknown at this time. The Big Bear Cycling Association, which emerged during the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, has since developed into a strong organization with more than 120 members.  Big Bear has also become a training ground for professional cycling teams, with the New Zealand pro team Pure Black training in the Big Bear Valley earlier this year.   The Tour of California is set to come to Big Bear on May 18^th for the Big Bear Climb.  The finish line will once again be at Snow Summit, with vendors, and a lifestyle fair, and ample room for spectators. 

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