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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Authorities are negotiating with an armed man who they say has been holding a family member hostage at a Clearlake home since Thursday morning.

Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White said that on Thursday morning police received a call for service regarding a person who had displayed a firearm at a home on 29th Avenue.

White said units responded and surrounded the house, and were able to get a brother of the suspect – a male adult whom police have so far not identified publicly – to come out of the house.

However, the armed male remained in the house with another family member. White said the man appeared briefly at the door, armed with a rifle, before disappearing back inside the house, keeping the family member there with him.

“He’s been noncompliant since that time and will not let the other person out of the house,” White said.

White said due to the circumstances of negotiations, they also are not identifying the person being kept inside by the armed man, and not saying if it is an adult or child.

Authorities have had a lot of communication with the man, who is so far not complying with their requests, including allowing them to execute a search warrant for the house, White said.

Police began negotiating with the man, and on Thursday morning the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team responded and took over, continuing negotiations throughout Thursday, White said.

White said officers went door to door to nearby homes and evacuated residents there. However, he said they didn’t find it necessary to do a larger evacuation.

With the focus on negotiations, and with the situation being highly dynamic, White said the police department did not send out a Nixle alert or make a Facebook post.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office sent a SWAT team that handled the scene overnight and continued negotiations. White said at one point a helicopter also was over the scene.

During the night, White said they lost communications with the armed subject, but reestablished contact with him on Friday morning.

On Friday morning, White said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office resumed negotiations with the man. Lake County Behavioral Health has also assisted with negotiations.

White said authorities have spoken with other family members not directly involved in the situation and have no reason to believe anyone has been injured.

He said the primary focus remains negotiations and trying to diffuse the quickly changing situation.

In addition to the large law enforcement presence, White said the Lake County Fire Protection District is at the scene and on standby.

He said there are some road closures in the immediate area that they have condensed down so as to have less impact on the community.

The closures are on 29th Avenue from Boyles to Irving, Boyles between 28th and 29th avenues, and on a portion of 28th Avenue, White said.

“We do need people to stay out of those lines” and plan alternate travel routes, he said.

White said police were in contact with the Konocti Unified School District in order to reroute school buses around the area.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week supported continuing work with the Lakeport Fire Protection District to reestablish controlled burns on larger properties in the city limits, an effort kicked off thanks to a community member’s advocacy.

The discussion begins at the 4:45 minute mark in the video of the meeting shown above. The staff report begins on page 31 of the staff report published below.

Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said that in 2018 the council voted to revise the Lakeport Municipal Code so that property owners are required to abate hazardous weeds and dry vegetation by June 1 rather than the first week of July, as Lake County News has reported.

It was during the discussion about those changes that the council gave staff direction about exploring other possible ordinance revisions to reduce wildland fire risks, he said.

Ingram said the city has been working with the Lakeport Fire Protection District and Lake County Air Quality Management as well as interested citizens on possible amendments to the city code, which currently completely prohibits outdoor burning.

City Municipal Code Chapter 8.11, “Outside Burning,” prohibits all outside burning of any kind within the incorporated city with the exception of barbecue and “fire department/district training exercises that include burning of a building or other structure when under the supervision of fire chief or his/her designee, and in compliance with applicable air pollution regulations.”

That portion of the city code was approved by Ordinance 817 in 2002.

City council minutes, provided at Lake County News’ request on Thursday by Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton, show that at the council’s meeting on Aug. 14, 2002, then-Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Bob Reynolds spoke to the council in support of an ordinance to prohibit outdoor burning.

At that point, the council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance banning outdoor burning at the Aug. 28, 2002, meeting.

The council followed up with a half-hour-long public hearing on Aug. 28, 2002, taking public input from Reynolds and four other community members; the meeting minutes do not detail the content of those comments.

At the end of that hearing, the council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance banning outdoor burning within the city limits “with the understanding that exceptions can be created where needed.”

On Tuesday, Ingram said they’ve been looking at allowing controlled burns on parcels one acre and larger in size. They’ve been looking at the rules for what is allowed in the unincorporated county, with more protections since the city is more densely crowded.

In the meetings between the city, the fire district, the Air Quality Management District and community members, Ingram said they have been discussing the possibility of conducting test burns overseen by Lakeport Fire this winter to explore possible impacts to the community before going ahead and make a formal amendment to the municipal code.

When the city conducts controlled burns on its dam structure at the wastewater treatment plant, it does a lot of public outreach, he said.

Ingram said potential areas for the proposed test burns are a Lakeport Fire parcel on Larrecou Lane near the Vista Point Shopping Center, a 15-acre property at 1842 Todd Road adjacent to KFC, as well as a group of larger properties on the north side of 11th Street, represented at the meeting by Frank Dollosso, a property owner whose advocacy brought the matter forward and who has spoken to the council previously.

“We wanted to kind of get the pulse of the council” on that approach before making a more formal proposal, said Ingram.

Lakeport Fire Chief Rick Bergem said Ingram and Dollosso have done a good job of bringing the matter forward, calling it “long overdue.”

Noting that the ban had been in effect for a long time, Bergem said it has made it difficult for property owners to keep properties clean.

“In that timeframe the fuel loads have just greatly expanded in the city limits,” he said.

Bergem said controlled burning will give the city a much greater chance if a fire comes close to it again.

Dollosso thanked everyone for working on the proposal.

He lives on a five-and-a-half-acre property on 11th street. He has two neighbors who have another 10 acres between them.

When he bought his property, the previous owner had done little clearing due to the burn ban. Dollosso said the result was that he had to cut dump truck loads of green waste from his property, which has numerous oaks and other trees. He said he can’t get enough green waste bins to keep it cleared.

Dollosso said that, if done properly, controlled burning shouldn’t have a big impact on neighboring properties thanks to the requirements for a smoke management plan and the fire chief being able to determine if burning should not happen on certain days because of community events.

Ingram said Dollosso’s comments echo what the city has heard from other community members about how cost prohibitive it can be to clear properties without the ability for controlled burning.

He said people want to do the right thing but have been hamstrung with the tools available to them.

Councilman George Spurr asked if the city would do public outreach for the test burns. Ingram said that’s what they do when the control burns at the dam, but he said he was not sure how far they would go with notifications on each individual burn.

Spurr said people are gun shy after having fires every year, and Ingram said that was the reasoning for doing the training burns this winter.

Mayor Tim Barnes said he liked the idea of stripping out the vegetation that serves as fuel, so if a fire doesn’t break out it isn’t sitting in the middle of a powder keg.

Ingram said most of the properties where the burns could take place are an acre or more in size and are on the city’s boundaries, particularly the western side. He said approval won’t be automatic, and must be granted by both the fire district and Air Quality Management District.

Councilman Kenny Parlet pointed out that even Bergem thinks it’s a good idea to change the city rule, and he said the old ways of doing things were good, and they were burning all the time.

Now, they have gotten away from burning and Parlet said they have seen the consequences of not taking care of business. He commended staff for working on the matter, which he said will be a lot better for everyone.

Barnes congratulated Dollosso, recognizing that he did a lot of the footwork.

Dollosso had talked to Barnes about controlled burns a long time ago, and Barnes said he had encouraged Dollosso to come to the council.

“The point of all of this, is coming and making it work, so good on you, man,” Barnes said, also thanking staff.

Councilwoman Mireya Turner moved to direct staff to continue to work with the Lakeport Fire Protection District and Lake County Air Quality Management on efforts including supervised controlled burns this winter by Lakeport Fire.

Parlet seconded Turner’s motion and the council voted to approve it 5-0.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

110519 Lakeport City Council Agenda Packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., all are invited to join local 4-Hers, veteran organizations, and the public in the annual Veterans Day ceremony honoring Lake County's veterans at Konocti Vista Casino.

The county’s 4-H clubs have prepared handmade cards for the local veterans as a way to show their appreciation.

Each year 4-H youth join with the community thanking the many service men and women for all their hard work and self sacrifice.

Participation by 4-H members at this event has been a tradition for more than 30 years.

Cards are distributed to those attending with extras designated for the nearest veteran hospital.

In addition to honoring armed forces veterans, Blue Heron 4-H members have been joining in Operation Tango Mike monthly packing parties as part of their community service. They help create the packages going to our active service men and women.

More information about the 4-H organization is available online at http://celake.ucanr.edu/4-H_Program/ or at the county 4-H office 707-263-6838.

Robin Adams is a 4-H All Star candidate.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport has opportunities for the general public to become involved in local government by serving on local commissions and committees.

If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a city commission or committee is a great place to start.

The city invites applications for the following committees and commissions:

– The Lakeport Planning Commission;
– Parks and Recreation Commission;
– the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board;
– and the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC.

These appointments would be effective as of Jan. 1, 2020.

Membership on these commissions and committees is voluntary.

If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, applications are available on the city’s website under the Community News Topic, “Now Recruiting: Commission/Committee
Openings” , or under the “Government” tab (Committees & Commissions).

For additional information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263-5615, Extension 102, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has many dogs ready to be adopted this week.

The kennels also have many dogs that need to be reunited with their owners. To find the lost/found pet section, click here.

The following dogs are ready for adoption. They include mixes of American Staffordshire Terrier, husky and shepherd.

‘Bentley’

“Bentley” is a senior male Shih Tzu with a medium-length coat.

He is dog No. 3163.

‘Blue’

“Blue” is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

He has a short blue and white coat and has been neutered.

He is dog No. 2420.

‘Bones’

“Bones” is a male hound mix.

He is dog No. 3038.

‘Charlotte’

“Charlotte” is a female Akita mix.

She is dog No. 3040.

‘King’

“King” is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a short brindle coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 3034.

‘Ollie’

“Ollie” is a male terrier puppy with a tricolor coat.

He is dog No. 2951.

‘Spice’

“Spice” is a female pug mix with a short tan and black coat.

She has been spayed.

She is dog No. 3033.

‘Teena’

“Teena” is a female terrier.

She is dog No. 3025.

‘Tyson’

“Tyson” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier mix.

He has a short gray and white coat.

He has been neutered.

Tyson is dog No. 1863.

Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.

Hours of operation area noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays; the shelter offers appointments on the days it’s closed to accommodate people.

Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or at the city’s Web site.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The presence of a deadly synthetic opioid that’s the focus of a federal alert has been confirmed in illicitly manufactured pills seized earlier this year by the Lakeport Police Department.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said this week that recent lab results confirmed that the pills, seized in the spring, contained fentanyl, which the Drug Enforcement Administration says is a dangerous synthetic opioid that is lethal in minute doses.

Federal authorities also warned this week that cartels are distributing the deadly substance throughout North America in the form of counterfeit pills.

On May 29, Lakeport Police Officer Casey Debolt conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Leopoldo Bravo of Kelseyville due to an equipment violation, as Lake County News has reported.

Bravo, who was on searchable probation out of Los Angeles County for selling heroin, was found to be in possession of more than an ounce of cocaine, 100 opioid tablets and approximately $1,968 in cash, police said.

Rasmussen said this week that the pills seized from Bravo were marked as – and appeared to be – pharmaceutical oxycodone tablets.

As part of Lakeport Police’s followup investigation, the pills were sent to the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Forensic Services for analysis, Rasmussen said.

A sample from the batch was chemically analyzed and found to contain fentanyl. Rasmussen, who got the test results on Monday night, said no oxycodone was detected.

He said the pills were marked with the letter “M” and the number “30” which is consistent with a legitimately manufactured oxycodone pill.

Based on all of the information the police department has so far, Rasmussen said they believe the pills were possessed and transported for sale in the community.

Rasmussen said they also believe the pills were probably manufactured with a larger batch somewhere outside of the community and possibly outside of the United States.

On Monday, the DEA issued an alert stating that Mexican drug cartels are manufacturing mass quantities of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl for distribution throughout North America.

Based on a sampling of tablets seized nationwide between January and March 2019, the DEA found that 27 percent contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.

“Capitalizing on the opioid epidemic and prescription drug abuse in the United States, drug trafficking organizations are now sending counterfeit pills made with fentanyl in bulk to the United States for distribution,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “Counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl and fentanyl-laced heroin are responsible for thousands of opioid-related deaths in the United States each year.”

Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids remain the primary driver behind the ongoing opioid crisis, with fentanyl involved in more deaths than any other illicit drug, the DEA reported.

Federal officials said a lethal dose of fentanyl is estimated to be about two milligrams, but can vary based on an individual’s body size, tolerance, amount of previous usage and other factors.

Rasmussen said his agency doesn’t currently know how much fentanyl might be contained in each of the seized pills.

The Lakeport Police Department, which has issued warnings about fentanyl in the past, is once again alerting the community due to the lab results and the danger such pills pose, Rasmussen said.

He said they also have alerted their partners at Lake County Prevention and SafeRx Lake County and asked them to share the information.

“I had been worried about fentanyl pills showing up here and now they have,” Rasmussen said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.