News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The first significant heat wave of the season has prompted the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat warning for Lake and several neighboring counties through Wednesday.

The warning, which went into effect Monday afternoon, is in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday, forecasters said.

The heat wave coming to Northern California is the result of a strong high pressure system, the National Weather Service reported.

An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures will occur and create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely, the agency said.

That makes it particularly important to stay hydrated, stay out of the sun and inside in an air-conditioned room, check on relatives and neighbors, and make sure children and pets are not left in cars.

The specific Lake County forecast calls for daytime highs hovering in the high 90s this week, with the temperature expected to hit the century mark on Tuesday. Nighttime temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-50s.

Light winds in the single digits also are forecast for Wednesday, the National Weather Service 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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will discuss an updated agreement with the state for funding for the Middle Creek Restoration Project.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, 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 at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an untimed item, the supervisors – sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors – will consider approving an agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and the California Department of Water Resources in the amount of $15,000,000 for the purchase and maintenance of properties as part of the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project.

The project’s goal is to restore damaged habitat, remove structures and return 1,650 acres of agricultural land to the lake and marshland.

Water Resources Director David Cowan’s report explains that on July 17, 2018, the board adopted a resolution to accept $15,000,000 in grant funds from DWR. However, that agreement has been changed to clarify the funding sources, the state’s total contribution, the grantee and to remove a $240,000 cost of share to the district.

Also untimed are the following: consideration of a response to the 2018-19 Grand Jury Special Report; further discussion and consideration of cannabis permitting and fees; and consideration of discussion and direction to staff concerning the county regulation of industrial hemp.

The full agenda is below.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Approve letter of support for S. 923 (Feinstein), a bill to authorize a new funding stream for supportive housing models that provide comprehensive services and intensive case management and authorize the chair to sign.

5.2: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Clover Valley Guest Home for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2018-19 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

5.3: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Hilltop Recovery Services for Substance use disorder residential services for fy 2018-19, and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

5.4: Adopt the resolution approving the amendment to the memorandum of understanding between county of Lake and Partnership Health Plan of California and authorize the behavioral health services administrator to sign the amendment to the memorandum of understanding.

5.5: Adopt resolution to amend the adopted budget for FY 2019-20 by appropriating unanticipated revenue in the amount of $10,000 for Budget Unit 5321 Veterans Services in support of mental health outreach and other related recovery treatment programs.

5.6: Adopt a resolution authorizing access to state, local and federal criminal history information by the county of Lake.

5.7: Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-132 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2018-2019, Budget Unit 2702, Planning.

5.8: Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-132 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2018-2019, Budget Unit 2602, Building & Safety.

5.9: Approve plans and specifications for the three SB1 rehabilitation improvement projects; Bid No. 19-10.

5.10: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Curren Consulting for staff augmentation services for Department of Public Works Projects in the amount not to exceed $100,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.11: Approve budget transfer in the Sheriff/DNA Fund for the purchase of a back-up generator at the evidence facility due to anticipated public safety power shut-off.

5.12: a) Waive the formal bidding process per Ordinance #2406, Purchasing Code 38.1, as cost of service has not increased; b) approve contract between the county of Lake and Industrial Employers and Distributors Association for public authority labor negotiations in the amount of $22,588 for fy 2019-2020 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.13: Approve waiver of the 900 hour limit for quagga mussel ramp coordinators Edward Jones and Edwin Scotton.

5.14: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held Feb. 5, 2019.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of response to the 2018-19 Grand Jury Special Report.

7.3: Consideration of a Budget Transfer from BU 7999 - Contingencies to BU 2106 - Grand Jurors to provide sufficient funding for transportation and travel and per diem expenses for the month of June 2019.

7.4: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, discussion and consideration of cannabis permitting and fees.

7.5: Continued from May 21 and April 9, consideration of discussion and direction to staff concerning the county regulation of industrial hemp.

7.6: Consideration of presentation to update the board on the National Flood Insurance Program and community rating system requirements and audits.

7.7: Sitting as Board of Directors, Lake County Watershed Protection District, consideration of the award of bid No. WR 19-01 for evaluation of levee culverts project, Upper Lake, in the amount of $87,927.52 and authorize the chair to sign the agreement and notice of award.

7.8: Sitting as Board of Directors, Lake County Watershed Protection District, consideration and approval of agreement #4600012946 between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and the state of California Department of Water Resources in the amount of $15,000,000 for the purchase and maintenance of properties as part of the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project; and authorize the Water Resources director to sign.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluations title: Animal Control director, Behavioral Health administrator and Public Works director.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): County of Lake, et al. v. PG&E, et al.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Wildlife officers at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have shut down two illegal marijuana grows on private property in Lake County.

A record check on both properties showed no state license to grow cannabis, no county cultivation permit, no CDFW lake or streambed alteration agreement had been filed nor were there any steps taken to secure any of these licenses or permits on the two commercial-size operations.

“Illegal marijuana grows of this nature are known for stealing water and causing great environmental harm to California’s fish and wildlife,” said David Bess, deputy director and chief of the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. “CDFW supports cultivators who comply with applicable state and local laws and take action to prevent environmental impacts.”

On May 21, CDFW officers served a search warrant in Lower Lake with approximately 6,000 outdoor marijuana plants. Four suspects were arrested.

On May 29, wildlife officers served another search warrant in Upper Lake with approximately 400 outdoor marijuana plants. One suspect was arrested and a stolen firearm was recovered.

Combined Fish and Game Code violations include illegal water diversions, pesticide and petroleum products placed near streams and garbage placed near waterways.

Charges for all suspects will be filed with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.

CDFW reminded the public to report environmental crimes such as water pollution, water diversions and poaching to the CalTIP hotline by calling 888-334-2258 or by texting “CALTIP” followed by a space and the desired message, to 847411 (tip411).

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Efforts continue to contain the Sand fire, burning since Saturday afternoon in Yolo County.

By Sunday night, the fire had burned 2,220 acres and was 20-percent contained, Cal Fire said.

Fire officials said seven structures have been destroyed.

The fire is burning in the Capay Valley near Guinda, fueled by winds on dry, steep and brush-covered slopes, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said evacuations remain for the area of County Road 41, but the evacuation center was suspended due to a no occupants.

Highway 16 continues to be closed from Highway 20 to County Road 45, Cal Fire reported.

Assigned resources have increased to 57 engines, 11 water tenders, four helicopters, 25 hand crews, 12 dozers and four air tankers, as well as 740 personnel, according to Cal Fire.

So far, officials have not given an estimated date for full containment.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With kitten season now under way, Lake County Animal Care and Control has several young cats waiting for homes.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.

Female domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair has a tortoiseshell coat and blue eyes.

She is in cat room kennel No. 7, ID No. 12281.

Brown tabby kitten

This brown tabby kitten has a short coat and green eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 43a, ID No. 12332.

Brown tabby kitten

This male tabby kitten has a short brown and black coat and gold eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 43b, ID No. 12333.

Gray tabby kitten

This male gray tabby kitten has a short coat and gold eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 43c, ID No. 12338.

Domestic medium hair kitten

This female kitten has a medium-length black and white coat and green eyes.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 78a, ID No. 12346.

Domestic medium hair kitten

This male kitten has a medium-length black and white coat and green eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 78b, ID No. 12347.

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 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. – For the first time since the Valley fire swept through Cobb, Middletown, and the surrounding areas in September 2015, an EcoArts Sculpture Walk is open to the public at the Middletown Trailside Nature Preserve.

After a three-year absence because of the park’s devastation by fire, the installation this year is a milestone event, and the pieces that dot the park represent the reclaiming of a space that was forever changed by wildfire.

“The plants raising their heads in optimism are synergistic with the artwork,” said Lisa Kaplan, programs director at the Middletown Art Center, who is impressed by the regrowth of flora at the park since the fire.

“The installation of the Sculpture Walk is symbolic of the community’s continuing recovery from the fire,” she added.

The walk, entitled “Locus: A Sense of Place,” opened on June 1 with an afternoon reception that included music, poetry readings, wish making and a host of red parasols for the more than 250 participants that walked meandering trails to view the art.

It’s the 14th time the annual walk has been installed in Middletown Trailside Park, made possible with support from the National Endowment of the Arts.

The works are intended to engage the observer in a dialog with nature. Some are designed to enhance the existing environment by distributing wildflower seeds or attracting beneficial fauna such as bats or bees.

“You become a different person as you go through the walk because of the questions you ask yourself, such as, ‘is this art?’” said participating artist and EcoArts founder Karen Turcotte. “One comes out with additional breadth of soul,” she added.

In 2003, Turcotte, inspired by the environmental art of British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, worked with the Lake County Arts Council and the county of Lake to develop a local sculpture walk.

Permission to use the Trailside Nature Preserve was granted by the county in April of that year, and the first sculpture walk was installed in mid-June.

Participation by local eco-artists grew in the following years until the Valley fire destroyed or damaged every art piece installed in the 2015 Walk.

In the current exhibit, several of the installations are the collaborative creations of students at Cobb Mountain Elementary, the Lake County International Charter School and the Middletown Art Center’s homeschooled art students.

Cobb Mountain Elementary students also installed the bat houses which can be seen along the trail.

Kaplan especially appreciates projects that enhance the park’s habitat and wishes to see such positive action continue. “In doing so, we not only heal our environment, we heal ourselves,” she said.

The exhibit, which was erected in May, will remain in place at the park until Oct. 15, and the public is encouraged to view it early while wildflowers bloom, and then visit again as the seasons change.

Middletown Trailside Nature Preserve is open from dawn until dusk and is located at 21436 Dry Creek Cutoff, off Highway 175. The exhibit can be found by entering the park on the south side of the parking lot.

The Middletown Art Center, in addition to their coordination of the EcoArts Sculpture Walk, offers art and writing classes, hosts exhibitions and cultural events, and is a locus for Lake County artists.

To learn more about this valuable Lake County resource and to consider a membership, please visit their Web site at www.middletownartcenter.org .

Esther Oertel is a freelance writer and columnist for Lake County News. She lives in Middletown.