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The California Employment Development Department’s latest report said that California’s unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent, down from 4 percent in September and 4.1 percent in October 2018.
The report said the October jobless rate is the lowest in a data series going back to the 1970s.
In addition, the number of unemployed Californians is the lowest since 1989 despite large gains in statewide population since then, the report said.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that nationwide unemployment in October rose slightly from a record-low 3.5 percent in September to 3.6 in October. The October 2018 jobless rate nationwide was 3.8 percent.
The unemployment report also shows that Lake County is still enjoying a low jobless rate, coming in at 4.1 percent, its second-lowest rate over the past 29 years of record-keeping.
The number of Californians holding jobs in October was 18,676,800, an increase of 50,000 from September, but down 24,000 from the employment total in October of last year, according to the report.
The newest data showed that unemployed Californians numbered 765,300 in October, a decrease of 9,100 over the month and down by 33,400 compared with October of last year.
Total nonfarm jobs in California’s 11 major industries totaled 17,567,500 in October – a net gain of 23,600 jobs from September that followed a revised gain of 26,700 jobs in September, based on state numbers.
The report also said that total nonfarm jobs increased by 308,000 jobs, a 1.8-percent increase, from October 2018 to October 2019 compared to the U.S. annual gain of 2,093,000 jobs, a 1.4-percent increase.
The Employment Development Department said October’s 23,600 nonfarm payroll gain extended California’s current job expansion to an all-time record of 116 months.
Gains were widespread across a number of industry sectors with education and health services increasing by 6,500 jobs, led by growth in social assistance. Government (5,400) and financial activities (5,300) also showed large increases.
A good start to holiday hiring in retail helped propel a gain in the trade, transportation and utilities sector (4,700), according to the report.
The unemployment rate comes from a federal survey of 5,100 California households.
In related data that figures into the state’s unemployment rate, there were 260,709 people receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits during the survey week in October compared to 281,060 in September and 272,542 people in October 2018, based on the report.
Concurrently, 39,401 people filed new claims in October which was a month-over increase of 4,073 people, the report said.
Lake County records low unemployment rates in 2019
This year, Lake County has seen record low unemployment, based on state numbers.
In May, the county had a 4.2-percent jobless rate, which at that time was the lowest in 29 years, as Lake County News has reported.
Then, in September, the county registered its lowest rate on record – 3.7 percent – thanks to the ongoing harvest.
Historic date shows that Lake County has registered four of its lowest unemployment rates in the past three decades just this year: September, 3.7 percent; October, 4.1 percent; May, 4.2 percent; and August, 4.5 percent.
Accounting for much of this strength in employment numbers is the “total farm” category, which shows a 59.1 percent increase in jobs in October 2019 compared to the previous year.
The “total nonfarm” category is up 4.2 percent, with subcategories showing growth over the year including goods producing, 5.8 percent; total private, 5.5 percent; private service producing, 5.4 percent; and service planning, 4 percent.
State data showed that the civilian labor force in Lake County in October totaled 28,600 people, down from 28,820 in September and up over October 2018, when there were 27,650 people counted.
The unemployed count for October was 1,220 people, compared to 1,110 in September and 1,400 in October 2018, the report said.
Lake County’s October rate ranks it No. 36 of California’s 58 counties.
Neighboring county jobless rates and rankings are Colusa, 7.3 percent, No. 56; Glenn, 4.4 percent, No. 39; Mendocino, 3.1 percent, No. 18; Napa, 2.3 percent, No. 5; Sonoma, 2.3 percent, No. 5; and Yolo, 3.2 percent, No. 19, the report said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will take to the council a proposed resolution approving the Lakeport Family Associates LLC final parcel map and right-of-way dedications for the apartment complex located at 1255 Martin St.
The property contains the Martin Street affordable housing project, phase one of which includes 24 large family affordable apartment units that have been completed on parcel one. Ingram said land use entitlements for 48 additional large family affordable apartment units have been approved on parcel two.
Also on Tuesday, the council will consider adopting a resolution authorizing City Manager Margaret Silveira to submit a grant application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development Department for receipt of $162,000 in Senate Bill 2 Planning grants funds.
“SB 2 aims to provide funding and technical assistance to all local governments in California to help cities and counties prepare, adopt, and implement plans and process improvements that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production,” Ingram said in his report to the council.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the county and Clearlake and Lakeport City Councils’ joint special meeting of October 31, 2019, and the Lakeport City Council Nov. 5 special meeting, the Nov. 5 regular meeting and the special meeting of Nov. 12; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; introduction of the proposed ordinance adding Chapter 15.28 Telecommunications Infrastructure Improvements to the Lakeport Municipal Code establishing a “Dig Once” policy for the City of Lakeport and set a public hearing for adoption of the ordinance on Dec. 3; and introduction of the proposed ordinance modifying Chapter 17.41 and amending Chapters 17.03, 17.04, 17.05, 17.06, 17.07, 17.08, 17.09, 17.10, 17.11, 17.12, 17.13, 17.14, 17.16, and 17.28 of the Lakeport Municipal Code to permit and regulate wireless facilities within the city of Lakeport.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
111919 Lakeport City Council Agenda Packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
The following cats and kittens at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Male domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has a brown tabby coat with white markings and green eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 39, ID No. 13198.
Male domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has a buff and white coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 88, ID No. 13244.
Male domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair cat has a seal point and white coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 96, ID No. 13248.
Maine Coon kitten
This Maine Coon kitten has a medium-length brown tabby coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 112, ID No. 13242.
‘Baby Tabby’
“Baby Tabby” is a female brown tabby kitten.
She is in cat room kennel No. 115a, ID No. 12954.
‘Buster’
“Buster” is a male domestic long hair kitten with a black and white coat and green eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 115b, ID No. 13044.
‘Bones’
“Bones” is a male domestic long hair kitten with a gray tabby and white coat and green eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 115c, ID No. 13045.
Female domestic short hair kitten
This female domestic short hair kitten has an all-black coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 141, ID No 13235.
Female domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair has a gray tabby coat and green eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 144, ID No. 13245.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The story of autumn, that unhurried waning of the light and height of summer, is playing out now all around us.
The atmosphere of autumn may signify death and dying, with leaves falling from trees, creating the branches' bare-bones skeletal appearance of crooking their limbs akimbo.
The autumn season sometimes generates the human desire to hibernate on cold mornings.
Along with centering our attention on loss, we possess the ability to choose to focus instead on the abundance all around us.
I'm not suggesting that we forget major problems such as climate change or the devastating fires that occur year after year – that's just not in the realm of possibility.
The losses we all carry – those of losing loved ones – be they family members or friends, are, in and of themselves tremendous burdens to carry.
Holding a mentality of "Don't worry, be happy" is simply sheer denial, and I am not suggesting we disregard these realities, but instead, try to find room in our busy lives to create a focal point whenever possible toward an affirmative approach, no matter how minute.
As I watch the twirling foliage dancing down in front of me and take in the pops of Technicolor leaves piling up I wonder at the moments I've missed by being my preoccupied self.
The annual domino effect that the season has on trees is nothing short of miraculous. Sugars in the leaves which were produced during daylight and locked into the leaf-veins are now unable to budge, so they create the striking anthocyanin pigments we are annually amazed to witness.
Now traces of leaf-rot build up to enhance the senses, with a lingering tangy smell that tells us we are at the pinnacle of a season.
Another complimentary phenomenon also occurs right outside our doors. While the annual migration of hawks soaring south is waning, this free activity, that of looking to the skies, is still ours to enjoy.
Here in Lake County where we live on the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route from Alaska to South America we are privy to not just raptors, but nearly all manner of avian species.
One species, the carrion-eating turkey vulture, gathered in numbers in south county recently.
During a lull in their feeding frenzy I took a closer look at what the vultures were consuming and was nearly knocked over by realizing it was the prize buck I had been sighting recently.
The buck's thick hindquarters had been devoured, suggesting a mountain lion had made a meal of it, then cached it prior to the gathering of vultures, flies and beetles who were now hard at work doing what they do.
I could have ranted and raved against nature at witnessing the loss of the majestic buck, but in adjusting my focal point to the reality of predator-and-prey, and all of the subsequent processes this natural event entails, I settled on my sense of wonder at all of the seen and unseen happenings in nature that occur daily with or without a witness.
Although not always to my liking, once I think about it, nature's ways with all of her beauty and ferociousness is nothing short of miraculous, and paying attention during the autumn season is something for which we can truly be grateful.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.”
If you have oak trees in your neighborhood, perhaps you’ve noticed that some years the ground is carpeted with their acorns, and some years there are hardly any. Biologists call this pattern, in which all the oak trees for miles around make either lots of acorns or almost none, “masting.”
In New England, naturalists have declared this fall a mast year for oaks: All the trees are making tons of acorns all at the same time.
Many other types of trees, from familiar North American species such as pines and hickories to the massive dipterocarps of Southeast Asian rainforests, show similar synchronization in seed production. But why and how do trees do it?
Benefits of synchronized seeds
Every seed contains a packet of energy-rich starch to feed the baby tree that lies dormant inside. This makes them a tasty prize for all sorts of animals, from beetles to squirrels to wild boar.
If trees coordinate their seed production, these seed-eating animals are likely to get full long before they eat all the seeds produced in a mast year, leaving the rest to sprout.
For trees like oaks that depend on having their seeds carried away from the parent tree and buried by animals like squirrels, a mast year has an extra benefit. When there are lots of nuts, squirrels bury more of them instead of eating them immediately, spreading oaks across the landscape.
Getting in sync
It’s still something of a mystery how trees synchronize their seed production to get these benefits, but several elements seem to be important.
First, producing a big crop of seeds takes a lot of energy. Trees make their food through photosynthesis: using energy from the Sun to turn carbon dioxide into sugars and starch. There’s only so many resources to go around, though. Once trees make a big batch of seeds, they may need to switch back to making new leaves and wood for a while, or take a year or two to replenish stored starches, before another mast.
But how do individual trees decide when that mast year should be? Weather conditions appear to be important, especially spring weather. If there’s a cold snap that freezes the flowers of the tree – and yes, oaks do have flowers, they’re just extremely small – then the tree can’t produce many seeds the following fall.
A drought during the summer could also kill developing seeds. Trees will often shut the pores in their leaves to save water, which also reduces their ability to take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Because all the trees within a local area are experiencing essentially the same weather, these environmental cues can help coordinate their seed production, acting like a reset button they’ve all pushed at the same time.
A third intriguing possibility that researchers are still investigating is that trees are “talking” to each other via chemical signals. Scientists know that when a plant is damaged by insects, it often releases chemicals into the air that signal to its other branches and to neighboring plants that they should turn on their defenses. Similar signals could potentially help trees coordinate seed production.
Investigation of tree-to-tree communication is still in its infancy, however. For instance, ecologists recently found that chemicals released from the roots of the leafy vegetable mizuna can affect the flowering time of neighboring plants. While this sort of communication is unlikely to account for the rough synchronization of seed production over dozens or even hundreds of miles, it could be important for syncing up a local area.
Masting’s effects ripple through the food web
Whatever the causes, masting has consequences that flow up and down the food chain.
For instance, rodent populations often boom in response to high seed production. This in turn results in more food for rodent-eating predators like hawks and foxes; lower nesting success for songbirds, if rodents eat their eggs; and potentially higher risk of transmission of diseases like hantavirus to people.
If the low seed year that follows causes the rodent population to collapse, the effects are reversed.
The seeds of masting trees have also historically been important for feeding human populations, either directly or as food for livestock. Acorns were a staple in the diet of Native Americans in California, with families carefully tending particular oaks and storing the nuts for winter. In Spain, the most prized form of ham still comes from pigs that roam through the oak forests, eating up to 20 pounds of acorns each day.
So the next time you take an autumn walk, check out the ground under your local oak tree – you might just see the evidence of this amazing process.
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Emily Moran, Assistant Professor of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Clearlake Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.
This year’s theme is “Health and Art.”
Come and enjoy an afternoon of health education, arts and crafts, raffles, silent auction, prizes and music by the Tattooed Cherries.
Community Car’s 12th Annual AIDS Walk benefits its HIV/AIDS Program and enables them to provide additional support to their clients throughout the year.
For more information about the organization, visit its website.