How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Santa Rosa woman was rescued after her car tumbled down a 100-foot cliff north of Bodega Bay Tuesday morning.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reported that its dispatch center received a call at about 6 a.m. Tuesday regarding a vehicle over a cliff near Highway 1 and Coleman Valley Road.
The sheriff’s office said the Bodega Bay Fire Department responded to the call along with Bodega Volunteer Fire Department, Monte Rio Fire Department, the US Coast Guard, California Highway Patrol, Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies and the sheriff’s helicopter.
Firefighters from Bodega Bay Fire Department found the car, a Volkswagen Beetle, had landed on Coleman Valley Beach approximately 100 feet down the cliff from Highway 1 and had caught fire, officials said.
The driver, a 54-year-old Santa Rosa woman, jumped into the ocean after crashing the car and swam several hundred yards out to sea. A firefighter was able to swim after her and ultimately rescued her, bringing her back to the beach, according to the sheriff’s report.
A crew from the sheriff’s helicopter was able to land on the beach, provide medical attention for the woman and then flew her for a nine-minute trip to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where she is being treated for her injuries from the car crash, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said deputies and CHP officers investigated the collision and believed the woman intentionally drove over the cliff and attempted to end her life. When she survived the crash it’s believed she swam out in the ocean in a further attempt to end her life.
Deputies placed the woman on a mandatory mental health hold at the hospital in the hopes that she is able to get mental health treatment, authorities said.
“This was a very successful rescue and excellent coordination of resources by all agencies involved,” the sheriff’s office said in its report.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – California Highway Patrol investigators are continuing to follow up on leads in the February murder of a Santa Clarita man, and they’re asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a person of interest who they believe has more information about the case.
Patrick Michael Weber, 41, was found dead in his sprinter van on the morning of Feb. 21, as Lake County News has reported.
Initially, Weber had appeared to have been involved in a solo-vehicle wreck after a passing motorist reported seeing the crashed van.
Weber had been traveling eastbound when his van went off the south edge of Highway 20 about a mile west of Walker Ridge Road near mile marker 42.2.
Officer Joel Skeen said it had been apparent that Weber was in the vehicle when it crashed, because he had seat belt marks.
An autopsy conducted the same day as the crash determined that Weber had died of a gunshot wound, the CHP said.
Authorities said they found a large quantity of marijuana in the cargo area of Weber’s vehicle. The CHP previously reported that investigators contacted the California Department of Cannabis Control and determined that Weber was not legally licensed to transport marijuana.
Weber’s wife told Lake County News in a February interview that her husband was involved in the cannabis industry and had gone on a trim run a few days before. They last exchanged texts the night before his death.
Now, CHP investigators have discovered a person of interest and a vehicle associated with this case and are requesting the public’s assistance with the identification of this person and the vehicle.
Officer Jake Slates, one of the CHP’s investigators working the case, told Lake County News that they obtained pictures of the male subject and the vehicle from surveillance video, some of it from within Lake County. Authorities are not disclosing the exact location of where that surveillance was located.
Slates emphasized that the man authorities are seeking is a person of interest – not a suspect.
The person of interest is described as a white male adult in his 20s or 30s, approximately 160 pounds, standing 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, the CHP said.
The CHP said the vehicle associated with the man is believed to be a late 1990s or early 2000s tan or gold Dodge Durango.
“Right now, we’ve gotten some tips from multiple people calling into the office,” said Slates.
The CHP may have a possible identification on the man, who they want to talk to about the case, Slates said.
Slates said investigators believe the man has information that could help them in their work.
This weekend, Slates was continuing to travel to follow up on leads. He said the public has been generous in offering information.
He encouraged anyone with information about the case, including the person of interest or the vehicle, to contact the CHP’s Ukiah Communications Center at 707-467-4000, 24 hours a day.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A fire that burned late Sunday night and into early Monday morning destroyed a barn and equipment near Lakeport, and resulted in a temporary power shutdown to an area that included city of Lakeport water wells.
The fire was located in a barn in a pear orchard on Scotts Valley Road near the Scully Packing pear shed, according to Lakeport Fire Chief Rick Bergem.
Cal Fire dispatched local fire districts – including Lakeport, Kelseyville and Northshore Fire – along with Cal Fire units just after 12 a.m. Monday, according to radio reports.
Bergem said the fire originally was reported by a REACH helicopter that was flying over the area and saw the fire.
When Lakeport Fire units arrived on scene, shortly after 12:15 a.m., they found the barn fully involved. They were able to contain it to the structure, according to radio reports.
The barn appeared to be one of the old hop barns, said Bergem, explaining that it was full of equipment – including spray machines, tractors and a walnut drying machine.
A nearby resident reported to Lake County News that they could hear explosions from the area of the fire.
“The building was a total loss,” with all of the contents destroyed, Bergem said.
Bergem said Pacific Gas and Electric Co. also was called to the scene. A power pole was on fire, a service drop came down – although main power lines stayed impact – and the main power line that runs through the area was impacted.
PG&E had to temporarily shut off power to the area, which Bergem said covers the city of Lakeport’s Green Ranch wells that supply its domestic water system. He said the power was restored a few hours later.
Bergem said firefighters cleared the scene at about 9 a.m. Monday.
Lakeport Utilities Superintendent Paul Harris told Lake County News that there were no issues for the city’s water system as a result of the short-term outage.
“The duration of the power outage was not very long so it had minimal impact to our water storage,” he said. “There was no sterilization requirements as it is normal operation for the wells to cycle on and off as needed for demand. The wells pump water to our storage tanks which sustain pressure to the distribution system utilizing gravity with elevation.”
Bergem said the fire remains under investigation.
“We don’t have a determination on origin or cause,” he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis 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 fire was located in a barn in a pear orchard on Scotts Valley Road near the Scully Packing pear shed, according to Lakeport Fire Chief Rick Bergem.
Cal Fire dispatched local fire districts – including Lakeport, Kelseyville and Northshore Fire – along with Cal Fire units just after 12 a.m. Monday, according to radio reports.
Bergem said the fire originally was reported by a REACH helicopter that was flying over the area and saw the fire.
When Lakeport Fire units arrived on scene, shortly after 12:15 a.m., they found the barn fully involved. They were able to contain it to the structure, according to radio reports.
The barn appeared to be one of the old hop barns, said Bergem, explaining that it was full of equipment – including spray machines, tractors and a walnut drying machine.
A nearby resident reported to Lake County News that they could hear explosions from the area of the fire.
“The building was a total loss,” with all of the contents destroyed, Bergem said.
Bergem said Pacific Gas and Electric Co. also was called to the scene. A power pole was on fire, a service drop came down – although main power lines stayed impact – and the main power line that runs through the area was impacted.
PG&E had to temporarily shut off power to the area, which Bergem said covers the city of Lakeport’s Green Ranch wells that supply its domestic water system. He said the power was restored a few hours later.
Bergem said firefighters cleared the scene at about 9 a.m. Monday.
Lakeport Utilities Superintendent Paul Harris told Lake County News that there were no issues for the city’s water system as a result of the short-term outage.
“The duration of the power outage was not very long so it had minimal impact to our water storage,” he said. “There was no sterilization requirements as it is normal operation for the wells to cycle on and off as needed for demand. The wells pump water to our storage tanks which sustain pressure to the distribution system utilizing gravity with elevation.”
Bergem said the fire remains under investigation.
“We don’t have a determination on origin or cause,” he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters on Monday progressed significantly in their efforts to contain the Sand fire in Yolo County, with officials lifting mandatory evacuation orders.
The fire, burning since Saturday afternoon near Guinda in the Capay Valley, remained at 2,220 acres by Monday evening, with containment up to 50 percent, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said seven structures – none of them residences – have been destroyed, and the cause remains under investigation.
Eighty-two engines, 14 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 35 hand crews, 20 dozers, four air tankers and 1,116 firefighting personnel were assigned as of Monday night, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters’ efforts resulted in authorities lifting the mandatory evacuation order for the County Road 41 area as of 5 p.m. Cal Fire said the area still remained under an evacuation advisory.
Officials said Highway 16 between Rumsey and Highway 20 remains closed.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis 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 fire, burning since Saturday afternoon near Guinda in the Capay Valley, remained at 2,220 acres by Monday evening, with containment up to 50 percent, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said seven structures – none of them residences – have been destroyed, and the cause remains under investigation.
Eighty-two engines, 14 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 35 hand crews, 20 dozers, four air tankers and 1,116 firefighting personnel were assigned as of Monday night, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters’ efforts resulted in authorities lifting the mandatory evacuation order for the County Road 41 area as of 5 p.m. Cal Fire said the area still remained under an evacuation advisory.
Officials said Highway 16 between Rumsey and Highway 20 remains closed.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A moderate-sized earthquake was reported west of Cobb early Tuesday.
The 4.1-magnitude quake was reported at 12:46 a.m. Tuesday in Sonoma County, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quake was centered 5.4 miles west of Cobb, 14.2 miles north of Healdsburg and 14.5 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth of just under a mile, the survey reported.
By 2 a.m., more than 30 shake reports from Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties had been submitted to the US Geological Survey.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis 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 4.1-magnitude quake was reported at 12:46 a.m. Tuesday in Sonoma County, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quake was centered 5.4 miles west of Cobb, 14.2 miles north of Healdsburg and 14.5 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth of just under a mile, the survey reported.
By 2 a.m., more than 30 shake reports from Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties had been submitted to the US Geological Survey.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Recognizing that California’s over-65 population is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed an executive order calling for the creation of Master Plan for Aging to be developed by Oct. 1, 2020.
The master plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote healthy aging.
“The Golden State is getting grayer and we need to be ready for the major population changes headed our way,” said Gov. Newsom. “An aging population will introduce new opportunities for economic and community growth but also drive increased health and long-term care costs. We need a plan that brings everyone to the table – local communities, labor, private sector and philanthropy – to help us understand what’s coming and guide us toward taking better care of older Californians.”
The governor’s action Monday directs the secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency to convene a cabinet-level Workgroup for Aging to advise the secretary in developing and issuing the master plan.
Additionally, the California Health and Human Services Agency, along with other state partners, will convene a Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which will include a Research Subcommittee and a Long-Term Care Subcommittee, with an interest in building an age-friendly California.
These subcommittees are expected to include older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government representatives, health care providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers and organized labor.
The Long-Term Care Subcommittee is tasked with issuing a report to the Governor by March 2020 on stabilizing state long-term care programs and infrastructure, including In-Home Supportive Services, with the full Master Plan completed by October 2020.
The workgroup’s focus will go beyond just the health and human services area. The academic research is clear: underlying social factors, such as transportation and housing, have a significant impact on an individual’s health outcomes and well-being.
Additionally, the master plan will look beyond public programs and be inclusive of all older Californians. There are many older Californians that don’t utilize or have access to public programs and services the state administers and this master plan must include them too.
“I want to thank Gov. Newsom for his leadership and for making the well-being of older Californians a priority for the state,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
“The executive order to develop a Master Plan for Aging is an important first step towards building a future where all Californians, regardless of race, economic status or level of support, can grow old safely, with dignity and independence,” said Ghaly. “Today, we begin the process of developing this Plan. In the weeks and months ahead, we will engage with our community as a whole, to learn and understand what it will take to build an age-friendly California where older Californians can flourish.”
Gov. Newsom first called for the creation of the Master Plan for Aging during his State of the State Address.
He said that “it must address: person-centered care, the patchwork of public services, social isolation, bed-locked seniors in need of transportation, the nursing shortage, and demand for In-Home Supportive Services that far outpaces its capacity.”
In the coming weeks and months, the administration will engage with stakeholders, local and county government partners and the Legislature to begin meaningful progress in establishing the Master Plan for Aging.
A copy of the executive order can be found here.
The master plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote healthy aging.
“The Golden State is getting grayer and we need to be ready for the major population changes headed our way,” said Gov. Newsom. “An aging population will introduce new opportunities for economic and community growth but also drive increased health and long-term care costs. We need a plan that brings everyone to the table – local communities, labor, private sector and philanthropy – to help us understand what’s coming and guide us toward taking better care of older Californians.”
The governor’s action Monday directs the secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency to convene a cabinet-level Workgroup for Aging to advise the secretary in developing and issuing the master plan.
Additionally, the California Health and Human Services Agency, along with other state partners, will convene a Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which will include a Research Subcommittee and a Long-Term Care Subcommittee, with an interest in building an age-friendly California.
These subcommittees are expected to include older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government representatives, health care providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers and organized labor.
The Long-Term Care Subcommittee is tasked with issuing a report to the Governor by March 2020 on stabilizing state long-term care programs and infrastructure, including In-Home Supportive Services, with the full Master Plan completed by October 2020.
The workgroup’s focus will go beyond just the health and human services area. The academic research is clear: underlying social factors, such as transportation and housing, have a significant impact on an individual’s health outcomes and well-being.
Additionally, the master plan will look beyond public programs and be inclusive of all older Californians. There are many older Californians that don’t utilize or have access to public programs and services the state administers and this master plan must include them too.
“I want to thank Gov. Newsom for his leadership and for making the well-being of older Californians a priority for the state,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
“The executive order to develop a Master Plan for Aging is an important first step towards building a future where all Californians, regardless of race, economic status or level of support, can grow old safely, with dignity and independence,” said Ghaly. “Today, we begin the process of developing this Plan. In the weeks and months ahead, we will engage with our community as a whole, to learn and understand what it will take to build an age-friendly California where older Californians can flourish.”
Gov. Newsom first called for the creation of the Master Plan for Aging during his State of the State Address.
He said that “it must address: person-centered care, the patchwork of public services, social isolation, bed-locked seniors in need of transportation, the nursing shortage, and demand for In-Home Supportive Services that far outpaces its capacity.”
In the coming weeks and months, the administration will engage with stakeholders, local and county government partners and the Legislature to begin meaningful progress in establishing the Master Plan for Aging.
A copy of the executive order can be found here.