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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has a group of dogs including shepherds, terriers and Chihuahuas 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’

“Cadbury” is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix with a smooth medium-length beige coat.

She is No. 1215.

‘Hamilton’

“Hamilton” is a male German Shepherd with a medium-length brown and black coat.

He is No. 2177.

‘Jason’

“Jason” is a male pit bull mix with a short blond and white coat.

He is No. 1663.

‘Lexi’

“Lexi” is a female German Shepherd with a medium-length black and tan coat.

She is No. 2262.

‘Scorpio’

“Scorpio” is a male American Bulldog mix with a brindle coat.

He is No. 2269.

‘Snowflake’

“Snowflake” is a male Chihuahua with a white coat.

He is No. 1864.

‘Truffle’

“Truffle” is a female American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a brown coat.

She is No. 2270.

‘Tyson’

“Tyson” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a medium-length gray and white coat.

He is No. 1863.

‘Wynn’

“Wynn” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier with a short brindle coat.

Staff said he has been at the shelter for more than 100 days. 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 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.

Call Clearlake Animal Control at 707-994-8251, Extension 1, 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.

The Legislature has sent to the governor a new fiscal year budget that invests heavily in keeping neighbors and communities safe from wildfire in every corner of California.

Hundreds of millions of dollars dedicated to enhancing firefighting resources, preparing for emergencies and protecting communities from the rising threats of wildfires has been included in the state budget.

Sen. Mike McGuire, whose North Coast district – which includes Lake County – has been inundated with deadly and devastating wildfires for four consecutive years, helped lead the effort in the Senate to ensure California is preparing for the reality that the Golden State is now facing a year-round fire season.

“We’ve said all along that the size and scope of wildland fires are only getting worse. While we’ve made significant progress over the past five years in beefing up our emergency response infrastructure, we know there is a lot more work ahead. This budget is making strategic investments in seven new C-130 Air Tankers, hundreds of millions in funding is being moved into communities for vegetation management and dead and dying tree removal and we’re making desperately needed investments in the State Office of Emergency Services. California is taking action to fight fire season head-on,” Sen. McGuire said.

Included in the state budget, which the legislature approved Thursday and will be sent to Gov. Newsom for his signature, are hundreds of millions of dollars to Cal Fire for engines, boots on the ground, and planes and helicopters in the air.

That funding includes:

– More than $13 million for C-130 Air Tankers which will be transitioned from the federal government. The funding will implement the first year of staffing, operating and maintenance and will prepare the state to accept the first of seven C130s in 2020-2021.

– More than $40 million to add 13 new fire engines to Cal Fire’s fleet, as well as 131 additional positions to staff those engines. This would bring the total size of the fleet to 356 fire engines.

– More than $15 million in increased staffing for fire response including 34 heavy equipment operator positions in order to have a total of three heavy equipment operators for each of Cal Fire’s 58 bulldozers to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week staffing.

– More than $97 million for the purchase of four additional Blackhawk helicopters, which are used when fighting wildland fires. Acquiring these Blackhawks is part of the ongoing effort to replace the 12 Vietnam-era helicopters that are currently in use across the state. The first two Blackhawk firefighting helicopters will be deployed this year.

– More than $6 million will be dedicated to expand health and wellness programs for firefighters which involve screenings for health conditions common to firefighters, such as heart disease and certain types of cancer. The funding will also increase staffing for Cal Fire’s Employee Support Services program that provides mental health support to Cal Fire employees and family members.

– More than $200 million to continue the state’s commitments to significantly reduce wildland fire fuel including vegetation management and removal of tens of thousands of dead and dying trees.

The budget also has more than $125 million for the California Office of Emergency Services, including:

– $75 million to improve resiliency of the state’s critical infrastructure in response to utility companies increased intent to use public safety power shutdowns, and to provide assistance to communities as specific urgent needs are identified. As a result of the anticipated shutdowns, affected areas may be without power for several hours, days, and in some cases, over a week. This will provide a flexible source of funding to facilitate immediate response to utility initiated power shutdowns.

– $25 million for prepositioning of existing Cal OES and local government firefighting resources that are part of the statewide mutual aid system with the goal of enhancing wildfire and disaster response readiness. Prepositioning occurs in areas of identified potential fire threat, which is determined through various means such as weather modeling, high winds, low humidity, high temperatures and dense fire load.

– More than $28 million in increased funding for the California Disaster Assistance Act, which is used to repair, restore, or replace public property damaged or destroyed by a disaster, and to reimburse local governments for costs associated with certain emergency activities undertaken in response to a state of emergency.

Also in the budget is more than $3 million to the California Department of Food and Agriculture for staffing up the California Animal Response Emergency System and catastrophic livestock disease prevention program.

One of the most critical forms of response to rural areas threatened by wildfires is livestock and large animals that need to be cared for, saved and fed during emergencies. This funding will establish teams that will coordinate and respond when there are threats to animal health during emergencies.

“With the summer weather heating up, it’s just one more reminder that we have to do everything in our power to be prepared for another tough fire season,” Sen. McGuire said. “We are grateful to Pro Tem Atkins for her leadership and support on this important issue.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After another wet winter and above average snow pack, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop.

The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Solano, Yolo and Colusa counties.

This suspension takes effect at 8 a.m. Monday, June 17, and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

“Last year was a devastating reminder that the public cannot let their guard down. Together, we must adapt and evolve to be able to withstand the intensity of these fires, keeping in mind, that the only way to mitigate the damage they cause is through preparation,” said Chief Thom Porter, Cal Fire director. “The dry, hot weather that fueled the massive fires last year will return again this year, so it is up to the public to be ready.”

Cal Fire Sonoma Lake Napa Unit Chief Shana Jones would like to remind residents “to avoid mowing on hot and dry days.”

Residents need to be ready by maintaining 100 feet of Defensible Space around their home.

Mow early in the morning when the humidity is higher and the temperatures are cooler.

Since Jan. 1, Cal Fire and firefighters across the state have already responded to more than 1,171 wildfires.

While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, Cal Fire is asking residents to take that extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around every home and buildings on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.

Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:

– Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
– Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
– Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility.

The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety.

Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if
a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.

The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property.

Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at www.PreventWildfireCA.org .

For additional information on how to create defensible space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Several law enforcement agencies took part in a search warrant service in Kelseyville on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation into a May shooting that authorities say involved suspected gang members.

Sergio Alberto Fuentes, 23, and Juan Manuel Renteria, 29, both of Kelseyville, initially were arrested late last month in the case, as Lake County News has reported.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Fuentes and Renteria confronted a man and his friends in the 6300 block of Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville on the night of Sunday, May 26, shooting the victim in the upper thigh before fleeing in dark-colored sedans. Fuentes is believed to have been the shooter.

The victim was flown to an out-of-county trauma center for treatment, the sheriff’s office said.

Fuentes and Renteria were arrested in the case on the evening of May 28.

Sheriff’s Lt. Corey Paulich said both men are confirmed members of a criminal street gang based out of the Los Angeles area.

In an effort to locate items used during the assault on May 26 as well as any items related to gang affiliation, Paulich said authorities pursued search warrants at two locations connected to the men, one in the area of Third and Gaddy Street in Kelseyville and the other was on Hohape Avenue in Soda Bay.

At 7 a.m. Tuesday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force – with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit, SWAT Team, Lake County District Attorney’s Office and Lake County Probation Department – served the search warrants, Paulich reported.

The sheriff’s office sent out a Nixle alert to area residents just after 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, asking them to avoid the area of Third and Gaddy while the operation was under way. About an hour later, the agency followed up with an all clear notice.

Paulich said deputies located several items related to criminal street gangs and a club that was believed to be used during the assault on May 26.

Renteria was arrested for being in possession of the club that is commonly known as a “billy club,” which Paulich said is a felony to possess.

Paulich said Renteria remains in custody at the Lake County Jail. His bail is at $500,000 due to a requested bail enhancement.

Jail records show that Renteria is due to appear in Lake County Superior Court on Thursday.

Fuentes was not located at either location and no additional charges are being sought against him at this time, Paulich 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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall is set to get updates on area projects, plans for Trailside Park and changes to the bylaws.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.

Meetings are open to the community, and offer the opportunity for additional public input on items not included on the agenda.

On the agenda is a presentation by Russ Hamel, managing director for Konocti Harbor Resort, and discussion on the Guenoc Valley development and Kokoro/Avalon Springs Resort, and the appeal of the Lake County Planning Commission’s denial of the Verizon cell tower project.

Under action items, the board will consider proposed revisions to MATH bylaws, look at the three concepts for the Middletown Trailside Park project, discussion of creation of a Firewise Community Committee and Pacific Gas and Electric’s Butts Canyon Road cleanup site.

The MATH Board includes Chair Sally Peterson, Vice Chair Claude Brown, Secretary Paul Baker, and at-large members Tom Darms and Marlene Elder.

MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

Meetings are subject to videotaping.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County authorities are conducting searches at Lake Mendocino for a missing Laytonville man whose father was found dead in the lake on Tuesday.

Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said they are trying to find Vincent Soto, 40.

Barney said that on Tuesday at around 6:10 p.m., the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was contacted about a deceased person found floating in the water at the south east end of Lake Mendocino. It was also reported that a boat, without any persons aboard, also was located in the immediate area.

The reporting party indicated he'd observed the boat unattended, with no one aboard, so he went to investigate and observed the body in the water, Barney said.

Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area and, with the assistance of personnel from the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, located and recovered the body of a deceased male adult approximately 50 yards away from the boat, according to Barney.

Barney said identification in the boat was used to identify the decedent as Carlos Soto, 62 years of age, out of Laytonville.

The cause of death in this case has not been determined but there were no obvious signs of foul play being involved. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday, Barney said.

During this investigation a second wallet with identification and cellular telephone were also located inside the boat. Barney said the wallet and phone belonged to Vincent Soto, Carlos Soto’s son.

Deputies were able to contact family members and they learned that Carlos and Vincent Soto had gone fishing on Lake Mendocino and should still be together. Deputies also located the missing man’s vehicle with a boat trailer at the North Boat Ramp of Lake Mendocino, Barney said.

With the the two men having planned a day out together on the lake, a missing persons investigation was initiation related to Vincent Soto. Barney said an initial search of the lake showed no signs of where Vincent Soto might be.

Sheriff's deputies contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team who initiated a search by boat and by ground using divers and a side scan sonar system used to search under water. Barney said search teams will also be searching the shoreline of the lake.

Vincent Soto is described as an American Indian male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with "salt and pepper" colored hair that is cut short.

He is clean shaven and when last contacted by relatives, around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, was shirtless and thought to be wearing blue denim cargo-type shorts and red low-top style tennis shoes, possibly made by Nike.

Family members said he has three tattoos: "One Love" on his chest that is multicolored, an English Mastiff on his left shoulder and an American Indian with feathers on his right shoulder.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086.