LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol has issued its report on the July 4 holiday, including the number of fatal crashes and arrests for driving under the influence.
The CHP conducted its July 4 holiday maximum enforcement period from Wednesday, July 3, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, July 7, at 11:59 p.m.
During that period, the CHP investigated 20 fatal collisions statewide compared to 11 in 2018.
There were 21 total people killed in those 20 collisions, compared to 11 killed in 2018, the CHP said.
Statewide, the CHP arrested 1,204 people for DUI, compared to 389 in 2018.
There were no reports of fatal crashes in Lake County during the maximum enforcement period last week.
Officer Joel Skeen of the Clear Lake Area CHP office said the agency investigated 14 total crashes for the maximum enforcement period.
The local CHP also had five DUI arrests, Skeen 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
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control continues to offer several familiar canines that are waiting for new homes.
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.
“Cadbury.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Cadbury’
“Cadbury” is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix with a smooth medium-length beige coat.
She is No. 1215.
“Hamilton.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Hamilton’
“Hamilton” is a male German Shepherd with a medium-length brown and black coat.
He is No. 2177.
“Lexi.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Lexi’
“Lexi” is a female German Shepherd with a medium-length black and tan coat.
She is No. 2262.
“Snowflake.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Snowflake’
“Snowflake” is a male Chihuahua with a white coat.
He is No. 1864.
“Tyson.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Tyson’
“Tyson” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a medium-length gray and white coat.
He is No. 1863.
“Wynn.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Wynn’
“Wynn” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier with a short brindle coat.
Staff said he is a lovely fellow who has been at the shelter for several months.. He loves affection and is available for adoption or through the foster to adopt program.
He’s believed to be about 6 to 7 years old.
He is No. 969.
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.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A Lake County man arrested and indicted in 2013 for a marijuana trafficking case that also had involved him holding captive and having sex with a teenage girl – who he had kept in a metal box – was sentenced on Wednesday to 31 years in federal prison.
Ryan Alan Balletto was sentenced to 372 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana; his possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking; and his employment of a minor to violate drug laws, according to United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge San Francisco and Northern California Ryan Spradlin.
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, senior United States District judge, in a hearing held in San Francisco.
Balletto, 36, of Lakeport, pleaded guilty to the charges on Dec. 7, 2018, officials said.
According to his plea agreement, Balletto admitted he worked with others to grow more than 1,300 plants of marijuana in 2013 in Lake County with the intention of selling the marijuana for profit.
In connection with the marijuana-growing operation, Balletto coerced a minor girl – then 15 years old – into working in the marijuana grow.
Balletto initially met the 15-year-old victim in Los Angeles, and offered to let her live with his family in Northern California. Instead, he drove her to his rural marijuana grow site in Lake County and coerced her into helping with marijuana cultivation.
In connection with this coercion, Balletto admitted to physically abusing the minor victim, including forcibly confining her in a small, metal tool chest for an extended period of time, restraining her and electrically shocking her, according to authorities.
Officials said Balletto also admitted to sexually abusing the minor victim by having nonconsensual sex with her while requiring her to work on the marijuana grow.
Balletto admitted to possessing numerous firearms, including two .223 caliber assault rifles, in furtherance of the marijuana-growing operation.
Balletto further admitted that, upon learning that the police were looking for the minor victim, a co-conspirator instructed her to call 911 and tell them that she was with friends and was “all right.”
A federal grand jury handed down an indictment on Aug. 1, 2013, charging Balletto with one count of each of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of marijuana; manufacturing marijuana; possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking; and employment of a minor to violate drug laws.
Balletto pleaded guilty to all counts except the substantive distribution charge. Balletto has been in custody since his arrest in May 2013 and will begin serving his prison term immediately.
Also charged in the August 2013 indictment was Balletto’s co-defendant, Patrick Stephen Pearmain.
On Oct. 23, 2018, Pearmain pleaded guilty to employment of a minor to violate drug laws and conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana.
On April 19, 2019, Judge Breyer sentenced Pearmain, 30, to serve 150 months in prison for his role in the scheme, as Lake County News has reported.
The minor victim was rescued, and both men were arrested, as a result of the joint efforts of the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Defense – Criminal Investigation Service, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department and the West Sacramento Police Department.
“This case is an unfortunate example of how despicable criminals, like Balleto, will stop at nothing to cultivate an illegal harvest in the interest of gaining illicit profits while taking advantage of an innocent child to satisfy his perverse desires,” said Spradlin. “Homeland Security Investigations is the largest criminal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security, and we are committed to rescuing victims of exploitation, while simultaneously conducting investigations to arrest the perpetrators, shutdown their illegal operations, and seek justice for their victims.”
The men were prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California with significant assistance from the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew L. McCarthy and Kevin J. Barry are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports from citizens who have received phone calls from persons identifying themselves as department members stating citizens have outstanding arrest warrants.
Lt. Rich Ward said the scammers are not only requesting personal identifying information, but also providing money wiring instructions and/or payment in the form of prepared visa cards or similar.
Ward said this is a scam, and that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is not involved in this activity.
He said the sheriff’s office urges anyone who receives such a call to not respond to the caller.
Do not provide the caller with any personally identifying information, including your name, date of birth, address, Social Security card, bank information or credit card information.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating these reports of fraud. If you have any information concerning this scam, you may email your information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
If you have questions regarding criminal cases or warrants, you may call the Court Clerk’s Office at 707-263-2374.
A permanent informational sign installed at Lakeside County Park near Kelseyville, Calif. Courtesy image. LAKEPORT, Calif. – Health and water resource officials across Lake County and the state are reminding the public to be mindful of cyanobacteria – also known as blue-green algae – during this summer season.
Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in all freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems. Usually, cyanotoxin concentrations are low, and not harmful to animals and humans.
Sometimes, when conditions are favorable (high nutrients and warm weather), these organisms can grow rapidly, forming visible colonies or “blooms.”
Cyanobacteria, and even some algae, produce toxins that reach hazardous levels when blooms occur. These are called cyanotoxins and are classified as harmful algal blooms, or HABs.
Blue-green algae is not to be confused with green algae, which is beneficial, non-toxic, and always present in Clear Lake.
Water testing is the best way to identify the type of algae that is in the lake at a specific time. During the warm seasons and since 2014, water quality and cyanotoxin testing is conducted about every two weeks at over 20 locations throughout Clear Lake, provided by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Elem Indian Colony.
To find out if a bloom is occurring and toxins are present, visit the Clear Lake Cyanotoxin Monitoring website, which will have the most current cyanotoxin lab results for the monitoring locations on the shoreline and interior of Clear Lake.
“We are pleased to provide this service to the community; the lake is of utmost importance to our tribe,” said Big Valley Band of Indians Tribal Chairman Anthony Jack. “Having current information on toxin levels at recreational and traditional use areas increases our knowledge about the lake and its needs.”
Newly placed since last summer, you will see permanent informational signs throughout the county and cities, at all public parks and public access points that coincide with the water testing locations.
No testing locations have reached caution levels yet this season, and all results showed non-detectable cyanotoxin levels at the last sampling on June 25.
You will see additional signs if cyanotoxins reach caution, warning or danger levels. The signs will be brightly colored and will be affixed below the permanent informational signs in order to provide the public specific guidance on which activities are safe to continue.
The permanent signs are the culmination of a collaborative communication effort between multiple partners: The county of Lake, Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Elem Indian Colony, the city of Lakeport and the city of Clearlake. The signs include a QR code, which can be scanned by a smartphone and will take you the Big Valley Rancheria Clear Lake Cyanotoxin Monitoring website. If you would like to post a sign at your beach or ramp, please contact Water Resources at 707-263-2344.
If you see, or think you see, a cyanobacteria bloom, please contact Water Resources at 707-263-2344, Environmental Health at 707-263-1164 or Public Health at 707-263-1090.
An example map image from Big Valley Clear Lake Cyanotoxin webpage that shows the most recent testing results and associated sample locations. During summer months, the tribes sample every two weeks and certified lab results will be shown with this map on their webpage. Courtesy image.
The Statewide Guidance on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following for waters impacted by harmful cyanobacteria:
· Keep pets and other animals out of the HAB-affected water. Do not allow them to drink the water or eat algal material (scum) on shore. If they do get in the water, do not let them drink the water, swim through algal material, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algal material and potential toxins from fur.
· Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from HAB-affected areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques such as camping filters, tablets and boiling do not remove toxins.
· People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from HAB-affected areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas; if fish are consumed, remove the guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.
· Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock has gotten sick after going in the water. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae. Also, make sure to contact Lake County Public Health (707-263-1090) to inform Public Health of potential illness so they can take action as needed.
Remember to always practice healthy water habits:
· Heed all instructions on posted advisory signs
· Avoid body contact with water that looks discolored, like spilled paint, or has a green/blue surface scum, mats, or film, or is emitting a foul odor, or if Caution, Warning, or Danger signs are posted.
· Keep an eye on children and dogs, ensuring that they do not approach areas with water has the above appearance or foul odor, or if Caution, Warning, or Danger signs are posted.
· Do not drink untreated lake or river water. Common water purification techniques such as camping filters, tablets and boiling do not remove cyanotoxins.
· Do not cook or wash dishes with lake or river water.
· Wash yourself, your family, and your pets with clean water after lake or river play.
· Consume fish only after the guts and liver have been removed and rinse fillets.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol will offer a free “Start Smart” traffic safety class for soon to-be-licensed, newly licensed, and teenage drivers and their parents or guardians on Thursday, July 25.
The class will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Clear Lake Area CHP office, located at 5700 Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville.
The CHP said a teenager is killed in a traffic collision every four hours nationwide. That equates to more than 1,870 teenagers killed each year. Another 184,000 teenagers are injured in traffic collisions.
These deaths and injuries can be substantially reduced or prevented by eliminating high-risk driving behaviors through education, and the CHP said its “Start Smart” program can help prevent these tragedies.
The Start Smart program focuses on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teenagers and their parents.
Start Smart employs innovative techniques to capture the attention of teenagers and parents, providing a lasting experience.
The curriculum includes information on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, graduated driver’s license laws, cultural changes in today’s society and the need for stronger parental involvement in a teenager’s driving experience.
Space is limited for this class. For more information or reservations, call Officer Joel Skeen at the CHP office, 707-279-0103, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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