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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it has located the remains of a missing Illinois man believed to have been the victim of homicide, with the suspect now reported to be in Mexico.
Grant David Whitaker, 25, of Mackinaw, Illinois, is believed to have been killed by Mavrick William Fisher, 21, of Elko, Nevada, in an incident that occurred outside of Lake County, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
Paulich said that on Saturday the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received information that a stolen vehicle related to Whitaker – who had been reported missing in Illinois – may be located near a Dollar General store in Lake County.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate the vehicle near the Dollar General store in Clearlake Oaks. Paulich said the vehicle was impounded and secured for later processing.
Whitaker’s family had received information that Whitaker had been involved in an altercation with Fisher. The two men were reported to have been traveling together, Paulich said.
Paulich said Whitaker’s family believed the altercation took place at a campground in Humboldt County, and they reported that they had not heard from him since the altercation occurred.
On Sunday evening, the sheriff’s office obtained additional information that Fisher had admitted to killing Whitaker. Paulich said the sheriff’s office also was provided with detailed directions as to where Whitaker’s body could be located.
On Monday, the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit served a search warrant at a property located off Scott’s Valley Road in Upper Lake, Paulich said.
Paulich said detectives were able to locate what is believed to be the human remains of Whitaker in a remote area near the 7500 block of Scott’s Valley Road.
The sheriff’s office was contacted later in the day by law enforcement authorities in Rosarito, Mexico, who had contacted Fisher and were able to determine that Fisher may be wanted in relation to this incident, Paulich said.
Sheriff’s detectives are working with Mexican authorities related to the return of Fisher and taking him into custody, according to Paulich.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233 or
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
One of the agenda’s untimed items is the board’s requested consideration of Lake County’s priorities for long term recovery from repeated wildfire disasters.
In a memo to the board, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said she and Board Chair Tina Scott will travel to Washington, DC along with representatives from Rebuild Northbay and representatives of local jurisdictions severely impacted by wildfire disasters in recent years.
In preparation for the trip, Huchingson said she and Scott are requesting a discussion with the full board to identify the top priorities for their meetings with agencies including Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture and federally elected representatives.
“Following this discussion, staff will prepare an updated list of priorities to be used to advocate for our needs,” Huchingson wrote.
In other business, in a timed item, the board will hold a public hearing to consider forming the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which went into effect as part of the California Water Code on Jan. 1, 2015.
Also on Tuesday, the board will consider an updated resolution of intent to participate in a consortium formed to address the region's water supply and the native anadromous fisheries in the Eel River and the Upper Russian River.
In an item timed for 9:30 a.m., the board will hold an appeal hearing on two transient occupancy tax cases and, in an untimed item, will consider a resolution adopting recommendations to address fire safety regulations applicable to outdoor cannabis cultivation operations.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: (a) Approve appointment of Victoria Smithson to staff services analyst senior at Behavioral Health, at Salary Step 3, retroactive to May 20, 2019, pursuant to Rule 1604.6 of the Lake County Personnel Rules; and (b) approve appointment of Morgan Hunter to staff services analyst I at Behavioral Health, at salary step 2, retroactive to Jan. 7, 2019, pursuant to Rule 1604.6 of the Lake County Personnel Rules; and (c) direct staff to prepare a minute order documenting your action.
5.2: Adopt resolution amending the county of Lake's classification plan for the classification of lieutenant - corrections.
5.3: Approve emergency animal supply deposit terms and conditions agreement in order to accept donated emergency animal supplies to be utilized for emergency sheltering needs within the state of California during a qualifying event and authorize the Animal Care and Control director to sign.
5.4: Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 2019-80 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, Budget Unit No. 1121, Auditor-Controller/County Clerk.
5.5: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Resource Development Associates for implementation and maintenance of the Network of Care Website for Fiscal Year 2019-20 for a contract maximum of $48,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.
5.6: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, approve the award of bid for the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels (SAVE) Towing and Disposal Services, Bid No. 19-14, to All In One Auto Repair and Towing for an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the date of the signed contract until Sept. 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign the notice of award and the agreement.
5.7: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, adopt resolution adopting the 2018 update to the Westside Sacramento Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.
5.8: Adopt resolution approving right of way certification for Clayton Creek Road over Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project in Lake County, Federal Project number BRLO-5914(077).
5.10: Authorize long distance travel for Capt. Norman R. Taylor to attend the 278th Session of the FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, Virginia.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, consideration of a resolution to form the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which went into effect as California Water Code, Section 10720 ET.SEQ. on January 1, 2015.
6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Appeal hearing, transient occupancy tax, Joann Saccato, 16986 Dogwood Way, Cobb, CA 95461; Ron Farruggia, 4685 Hawaina Way, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Discussion and consideration of consolidation of the Department of Water Resources under the authority of the Public Works director.
7.3: Consideration of resolution adopting recommendations to address fire safe regulations applicable to outdoor cannabis cultivation operations.
7.4: Consideration of Lake County’s priorities for long term recovery from repeated wildfire disasters.
7.5: Consideration of resolution of intent to participate in a consortium formed to address the region's water supply and the native anadromous fisheries in the Eel River and the Upper Russian River.
7.6: Consideration of (a) Dr. Erin Gustafson's resignation as the county public health officer; and (b) appointment of Dr. Gary Pace, M.D., MPH, MCP, as interim county health officer with approval of professional services agreement and authorize board chair to sign.
7.7: Consideration of an agreement for medical services in Lake County's detention facility with California Forensic Medical Group for FY 2019-2022.
7.9: Approve Encroachment Permit #19-32 - temporary closure of a portion of Clear Lake between Library Park and Skylark Shores Resort from Sept. 6 through Sept. 8 for the 2019 Seaplane Splash-In.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluations: Director of Child Support Services.
8.2: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) Chief Negotiator: M. Long; County negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Nichols; and (b) employee organization: LCDSA.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(2)(e)(3): Claim of Flesch.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – FERC Project No. 77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to Initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(4): One potential case.
8.6: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9 (d)(1): Drake v. Kennedy, et al.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
People will be able to sign up for library cards and check out books right on the spot. Watch for a library table at a location near you to find out more about library services and to sign up for a library card.
All it takes to get a Lake County Library card is picture identification and proof of your mailing address. Parents must supply the identification for children under 18 years of age.
What is a library card worth? I Love Libraries, an initiative of the American Library Association, lets you calculate that at http://www.ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator . In the survey form, select the library services that you use, and the calculator adds it up for you.
The Lake County Library provides materials to the public free of charge for their informational, recreational and cultural needs, provides free access to the internet via wi-fi and public computers, and promotes reading, literacy, and lifelong learning through a variety of programs and events.
Library cards pay dividends in free services, both tangible and digital. Library card holders can check out books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, board games, and magazines.
Lake County Library shares a catalog and circulation system with the public libraries in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, and each county honors the cards from all three counties. Card holders can check out books anywhere in the system and can request books from any of the libraries. You can learn more about the library at http://library.lakecountyca.gov .
It just takes a library card and a compatible device to get free access to check out e-books, movies, digital audiobooks and music from the library’s digital services Overdrive, Enki Library, and Hoopla Digital.
Digital periodicals are available with your Lake County card. The RB Digital magazine service supplies about 150 titles covering many genres and interests, and library patrons can access the digital version of The New York Times through the library website.
For children, the library has the ABCmouse curriculum for fun-filled learning. In addition to providing free access to ABCmouse.com in all four libraries, patrons can now also check out ABCmouse accounts for home use on their computers or devices. You can also check out an ABCmouse Pack, containing a tablet and access to ABCmouse.com from any one of our four library locations.
Each Lake County Library branch has free wi-fi and free public internet computers. The library has Chromebooks and DVD drives that patrons can check out to use in the library.
Novelist is another handy, free library service. Have you ever finished a great book and wanted to find more just like it? Or wanted to help your child find just the right book to read? You can use EBSCO's Novelist offered through Lake County Library. The NoveList Plus database connects readers to their next books by making recommendations for what to read next.
The popular Zip Books program allows card holders to request books that are not in the Lake County Library collection. Zip Books requests can be placed for books, large print books and books on CD. Zip Books are shipped to you from Amazon at no charge to you.
The funding for Zip Books comes from the California State Library. The book is checked out to you, and once you read the book and return it to the library, it becomes part of the collection for others to enjoy.
The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
Jan Cook is a technician for the Lake County Library.
Each year various magazines and newspapers publish college rankings in an attempt to inform parents and prospective students which colleges are supposedly the best.
U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” – perhaps the most influential of these rankings – first appeared in 1983. Since then, many other rankings have emerged, assessing colleges and universities on cost, the salaries of graduates and other factors.
For example, in releasing its new college rankings in August 2019, Forbes said it “eschews common metrics like acceptance rate, endowment and freshmen SAT scores” and focuses instead on outputs like “student debt, alumni salary, graduation rate and student satisfaction.”
In 2018 The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education released their new rankings, which judge colleges on things that range from how much graduates earn to the campus environment to how much students engaged with instructors.
But what, if anything, do all these college rankings really reveal about the quality and value of a particular college?
In order to provide a new perspective on rankings, my colleagues Matt I. Brown, Christopher F. Chabris and I decided to rank colleges according to the SAT or ACT scores of the students they admit. All three of us are researchers with backgrounds in education and psychology.
For our analysis, we simply ranked all 1,339 schools by a standardized test score metric.
Hierarchy of smarts
We discovered that schools higher up on the rankings generally admit students with higher SAT or ACT scores. In other words, what the rankings largely show is the caliber of the students that a given college admits – that is, if you accept the SAT as a valid measure of a student’s caliber. Though there is often public controversy over the value of standardized tests, research shows that these tests are quite robust measures to predict academic performance, career potential, creativity and job performance.
Critics of the SAT say it tests for students’ wealth, not caliber. While it is true that wealthier parents tend to have students with higher test scores, it turns out the research robustly shows that test scores, even when you consider socioeconomic status, are predictive of later outcomes.
Our ranking also disproves the notion that the No. 1 school in the land is slightly better than the No. 2 school – and so on down the list. Rather it shows that the vast majority of schools admit students who earn a score between 900 and 1300 on the SAT – that is, on the combined scores on the SAT Math and Verbal. Greater variations in test scores appear in schools that admit students at the low and high end of the distribution – those students who earn below a 900 or above a 1300 on their SATs.
In particular, most of the variation occurs between “highly selective” and “elite” schools, between the scores of 1300 and 1600 in the illustration. Thus, test score rankings can mean different things depending upon which group of schools students and parents are considering. For example, if you are deciding whether to attend two different schools that fall into the vast middle range of scores where there is much more overlap, the ranking differences likely will not tell you very much.
To our knowledge, our graph represents the first illustration of how colleges and universities stack up against one another in terms of the SAT or ACT test scores of the students that end up on their campuses.
For instance, The Wall Street Journal-Times Higher Education rankings methodology does not include the SAT/ACT scores of students. The U.S. News rankings include SAT/ACT scores as part of their student selectivity portion, but these scores are weighted only about 8% in the total formula.
Different rankings, similar results
Our study also assessed the correlation — or how statistically similar — our test score rankings were compared to the U.S. News rankings themselves, as well as other rankings that are meant to assess entirely different dimensions of colleges and universities.
A correlation of 1 indicates a perfect relationship between two variables whereas a correlation of 0 indicates no relationship between two variables. We found across our analyses that test score rankings correlated between 0.659 to 0.890 with other rankings. This suggests the schools that end up at the top of the test score rankings also will end up at the top of these other rankings.
We first found high correlations between our test score rankings and U.S. News national university rank – 0.892 – and liberal arts college rank – 0.890 – even though U.S. News weights these scores only about 8% in their formula. Times Higher Education’s U.S. school ranking was correlated 0.787 with SAT and ACT scores and Times Higher Education’s full international school ranking was correlated 0.659. This suggests that the SAT/ACT rankings could function as a common factor that connects all rankings.
But what about other types of rankings that were formulated in very different ways for different purposes?
When we examined the correlation between our test score ranking and a “revealed preference ranking,” which was based on the colleges students prefer when they can choose among them, we found these rankings to be highly related at 0.757.
When we compared the test score rankings to a novel set of rankings created by Lumosity, the creator of “brain games” meant to boost cognitive functioning, we found that ranking to be highly related to SAT/ACT scores as well – at 0.794.
Finally, we examined a “critical thinking” measure – the CLA+ – intended to assess critical thinking among freshman college students. We again found this to be highly related to the test score rankings – at 0.846.
A question of usefulness
The similarities in rankings raises the important issue of what all these rankings actually measure. Do they really measure the value that a college adds to a student’s life? Or are they largely a function of student test scores, which reflects student characteristics and educational development, among other aspects, such as reasoning abilities.
Considering the correlation between SAT scores and college rankings, is it fair for a school to say a parent is getting a good “return on investment” for the tuition they pay? Since student characteristics – as indicated by test scores – are so highly correlated with the rankings, we argue that student characteristics should be considered as inputs when evaluating any outputs of a school. This is because schools that admit students who score well on the SAT or ACT will also have successful graduates based on the research that shows standardized tests alone predict many long-term outcomes.
Schools may want to take as much credit as they can for the education and opportunities they give students. But if a school enrolls the top students to begin with, it’s hardly surprising that such a school would end up on top in terms of other outcomes. A college’s success may be less about the quality of its instruction and more about the talent it can recruit.
This is an updated version of an article originally published on Sept. 12, 2018
Jonathan Wai, Assistant Professor of Education Policy and Psychology and Endowed Chair, University of Arkansas
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The following kittens at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has a buff coat and gold eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 39a, ID No. 12669.
Domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has an orange tabby coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 39e, ID No. 12680.
Domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has an orange tabby and white coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 112b, ID No. 12595.
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
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Trailside Park was a forested haven of massive and ancient valley oaks, replete with a bounty of avian species and fully mature native plants before the devastating Valley fire of 2015, which consumed more than 76,000 acres, mostly in Lake County.
Today the 107-acre Middletown Trailside Park is definitely making a return.
The Lake County Department of Public Services has done a fantastic job preparing the park and trails for the public.
The hike is a 1.5-mile loop with benches and picnic tables interspersed throughout the walk.
The park is greening up considerably now, with some beautiful old oaks that survived the fires standing as sentinels, and many young and varied oak species which have attained heights ranging from 5 to around 15 feet.
I noted two thriving, buzzing bee colonies set up high in the old oaks. Two, smaller bee species were busy at work around the chicory plants. Chicory is an introduced species, albeit beautiful with its cheery blue blossoms.
There are now hundreds of young native manzanita, and madrone trees all across the park, making a strong comeback. Other prolific plants which are now thriving include native elderberry trees. Blackberries are growing in profusion interspersed amongst the grasslands.
Speaking of grasses, there are many kinds of grasses seeding the park, most of which are introduced.
The Douglas fir trees which were replanted after the fires are thriving, and I spied some native grey pines growing up nicely, too. Off-trail I found poison oak.
Along with several species of bees, many bird species have returned. I noted acorn woodpeckers, doves, a turkey vulture, crows and a small hawk I could not identify.
I viewed three kinds of butterflies flitting amongst the chicory and tarweed. Starthistle is in bloom – a boon to bees, but definitely not people-friendly.
Critters are making a comeback, as evidenced by some scat, possibly coyote, and a probable deer trail through the grasses. A baby Western fence lizard or blue belly scrambled out of my way along the trail, another good sign of a California native species making its return to the land.
Once you arrive in the generous parking area, head off to your right to take in the creative new EcoArts Sculpture Walk exhibit which is called "Locus: A Sense of Place.” This is their 14th annual exhibit, and will be on view until Oct. 15.
The reopening of the sculpture walk is, as the EcoArts interpretive brochure explains, " a milestone in our community's recovery. ‘Locus’ was made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the generosity of individuals, volunteers, and our local partners and sponsors."
Middletown Trailside Park is open from dawn to dusk daily. For more information visit the county of Lake's Parks Improvements Web site.
For more information about Eco Arts, and a downloadable brochure, visit http://www.middletownartcenter.org/ecoarts.html.
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.”
