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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Community members have been working alongside professional artists at Middletown Art Center to create a collaborative art trail at the Lake County Land Trust’s Rabbit Hill.
Now the fruits of that labor are ready to be celebrated at an opening reception on Friday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rabbit Hill in Middletown.
Through this endeavor, five artistic sessions took place at MAC as part of the California Arts Council-funded “Restore” project.
The first session was about creating a vision. Community members were invited to participate and visit Rabbit Hill for the purpose of locating a site for the project and determining how best to pay homage to this still-recovering piece of land.
The installation, a visual sculpture trail comprised of "totem" like wood workings that are inspired, in part, by the hope of adding some architecture for use by the nesting and pollinating creatures that live at Rabbit Hill.
It was also inspired by the flutes that the former residents of Rabbit Hill, “Huck” and “Skee” Hamann used to teach neighborhood children how to make and play.
The Hamanns donated their land – affectionately known as “Rabbit Hill” – to the Audubon Society prior to the inception of the Lake County Land Trust, who the land was transferred to in the 1990s.
Five sculpture classes focused on woodworking and additive cement were offered as part of this collaborative process, with artists Marcus Maria Jung, Emily Schiebel and Lisa Kaplan at the helm of this site specific project.
The slope, chosen on a field trip to Rabbit Hill, and the concept, were agreed upon by a group of about 15 participants. Some came to all five classes, others came to only one or two. Everyone was able to create a piece that became a part of the new “Vertical Pathways” exhibit.
Lisa Kaplan, program director of MAC, complimented the process and the participants. It’s amazing how easy it was for all of us to work together. From the people who came each time to make art, to the three instructors who facilitated the process, to the people who came once or twice to join us … It’s been a wonderful experience!”
The goal of this particular project was to create a sense of place and restoration at Rabbit Hill. The installation aims to create an overall sense of harmony and contrast with the landscape, working with an undulating, serpentine line to bring awareness of the topography, natural elements, and history of the land that it will appear to both protect and enhance.
The art was informed by both Louise Bourgeoise’s sculptural works and Andy Goldsworthy’s “Serpentine Fence.”
The opening reception for Vertical Pathways will be held at the base of Rabbit Hill, located at 21281 Stewart St. in Middletown, on Friday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m., with no charge for attendees.
“We want people who love art and who love Rabbit Hill to be able to come and celebrate the intersection of art and nature,” said Melissa Kinsel of the Lake County Land Trust.
For more information about either of the two partnering nonprofit organizations, please visit www.middletownartcenter.org or lakecountylandtrust.org .
NORTH COAST, Calif. – California Trout, Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission and Sonoma Water announced that they have entered into a planning agreement to explore pathways to relicense the Potter Valley Project in the wake of Pacific Gas and Electric’s decision to withdraw from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process for the project.
The planning agreement aims to achieve a “two-basin solution” that benefits water users and fish and wildlife in both the Russian River basin and the Eel River basin.
The Eel River is a high priority watershed for California Trout. “We are committed to finding a solution for the PG&E-owned Potter Valley Project that meets the needs of fish, water and people,” said California Trout Executive Director Curtis Knight.
PG&E’s FERC license for the Potter Valley Project will expire in 2022.
PG&E’s withdrawal from the relicensing process and its subsequent declaration of bankruptcy have provided an opportunity for CalTrout and local partners to work proactively to find solutions that improve the health of the Eel River watershed while respecting the needs of the many water users who currently depend on Eel River water.
The planning agreement between CalTrout, Sonoma Water and the Inland Water & Power Commission was prompted by Congressman Huffman’s “ad hoc committee” process, which convened over 25 public, private and governmental entities seeking to identify a solution that met water needs in both the Eel River and Russian River basins, known as the two-basin solution for the Potter Valley Project relicensing effort.
The three initial parties to the planning agreement have taken the initiative to push forward an affirmative solution in response to the compressed FERC timeline created by PG&E’s recent withdrawal from the relicensing process.
The partners plan to move forward in a collaborative and transparent manner, while being inclusive of other stakeholders.
The process will build on significant work completed to date by members of the ad hoc committee regarding fish passage above Scott Dam and water supply for both Eel and Russian River basins.
The planning agreement contains a set of principles ensuring that any proposal for relicensing the Potter Valley Project will advance the mutual goals of the two-basin solution, including restoration of viable anadromous fisheries in both river basins, including the analysis of dam removal on the Eel River; continued water supply reliability that will meet the needs of consumptive water users in both basins; and hydroelectric generation, among other goals. All solutions will need to be based on the best available science and engineering.
“While CalTrout has taken this initial step forward with Sonoma Water and Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission to commit to finding a two-basin solution, we look forward to working with all stakeholders to solve this complex resource issue,” added Knight.
The planning agreement aims to achieve a “two-basin solution” that benefits water users and fish and wildlife in both the Russian River basin and the Eel River basin.
The Eel River is a high priority watershed for California Trout. “We are committed to finding a solution for the PG&E-owned Potter Valley Project that meets the needs of fish, water and people,” said California Trout Executive Director Curtis Knight.
PG&E’s FERC license for the Potter Valley Project will expire in 2022.
PG&E’s withdrawal from the relicensing process and its subsequent declaration of bankruptcy have provided an opportunity for CalTrout and local partners to work proactively to find solutions that improve the health of the Eel River watershed while respecting the needs of the many water users who currently depend on Eel River water.
The planning agreement between CalTrout, Sonoma Water and the Inland Water & Power Commission was prompted by Congressman Huffman’s “ad hoc committee” process, which convened over 25 public, private and governmental entities seeking to identify a solution that met water needs in both the Eel River and Russian River basins, known as the two-basin solution for the Potter Valley Project relicensing effort.
The three initial parties to the planning agreement have taken the initiative to push forward an affirmative solution in response to the compressed FERC timeline created by PG&E’s recent withdrawal from the relicensing process.
The partners plan to move forward in a collaborative and transparent manner, while being inclusive of other stakeholders.
The process will build on significant work completed to date by members of the ad hoc committee regarding fish passage above Scott Dam and water supply for both Eel and Russian River basins.
The planning agreement contains a set of principles ensuring that any proposal for relicensing the Potter Valley Project will advance the mutual goals of the two-basin solution, including restoration of viable anadromous fisheries in both river basins, including the analysis of dam removal on the Eel River; continued water supply reliability that will meet the needs of consumptive water users in both basins; and hydroelectric generation, among other goals. All solutions will need to be based on the best available science and engineering.
“While CalTrout has taken this initial step forward with Sonoma Water and Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission to commit to finding a two-basin solution, we look forward to working with all stakeholders to solve this complex resource issue,” added Knight.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday announced its selection of Lake County’s new registrar of voters.
Catherine McMullen, a Lake County native with extensive elections experience gained while working in Oregon, will become the new registrar of voters, effective June 24.
“County residents must have the highest level of trust that elections will be properly and fairly conducted, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to interview four very strong candidates,” said Board Chair Tina Scott.
Coming to the county of Lake from Multnomah County Elections in Portland, Oregon, where she created and managed their award-winning Voter Education and Outreach Program, McMullen is a 15-year veteran of public service.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from UC Davis, and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. She will soon complete an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Portland State University.
McMullen takes a voter-focused approach to conducting elections, creating innovative services that increase access, transparency and understanding of voting processes.
“Citizens that are eligible to vote, and want to vote, should be able to vote without barriers,” said McMullen.
McMullen was born in a small doctor’s office on Main Street in Kelseyville, and grew up in Lake County, graduating from Lower Lake High School.
Lake County’s natural beauty and rich outdoor recreational opportunities drew her home. She is greatly anticipating sharing beloved childhood parks and discovering new favorites with her husband, historian Michael D. Barton, and their two children.
“It is truly exciting to reintroduce Catherine McMullen to Lake County residents in her new role,” said Scott. “I am confident she will strengthen her office by establishing inclusive processes, maximizing our opportunity to achieve representative election results.”
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – During a brief special meeting held Monday afternoon, the Clearlake City Council decided to begin taking applications to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the mayor and selected its new leadership.
Last week, Mayor Nick Bennett announced he was resigning due to health reasons and moving to South Dakota, as Lake County News has reported.
That left the council with the need to fill his seat and determine its leadership for the rest of the year.
City Manager Alan Flora told the council on Monday afternoon that the purpose of the meeting was to determine the path forward.
He said the council had two options: Hold a special election for the seat which, based on state law, couldn’t take place before the primary on March, 3, 2020, or make an appointment.
Flora said an appointment must be made within 60 days, or by July 8.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson reported that she had asked the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office for a cost estimate for the March 2020 election option. She said that agency couldn’t give it, but based on past experience, Swanson estimated it would cost between $5,000 and $7,000.
Flora explained during the meeting that the costs for that special election would be lower because there would be shared costs for the March primary.
Councilman Phil Harris moved to pursue the appointment route, with Councilman Dirk Slooten seconding. The council approved the motion 4-0.
Flora then asked the council to clarify the dates for applications to be submitted and for a special meeting to select the new council member.
The council ultimately decided to accept applications through June 4, with a special meeting to take place on Thursday, June 6.
During Monday’s meeting, the council agreed to gather at 6 p.m. on June 6, but Flora told Lake County News later on Monday that the time will be 3 p.m. due to a conflict with the Lower Lake High School graduation.
Swanson said that if the city were to get more than 10 applications for the vacant seat, city guidelines call for an ad hoc committee of the vice mayor, planning commission chair and possibly one other council member to meet and review the applications and recommend up to three candidates for council interviews.
Flora said the council has the option of waiving that process if it wants to.
The council then moved on to decide on its new leadership.
Flora said they had the option of having Vice Mayor Russ Cremer continue in that job until the new member is appointed or they could select a new mayor and vice mayor.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton said she wanted to make the decision then, while Slooten suggested waiting until a new member is chosen.
Harris, who said he would not accept the vice mayor job, moved to appoint Cremer as mayor and Slooten as vice mayor. Overton seconded and the council gave the motion unanimous approval.
The city is now accepting applications for community members interested in serving the remainder of Bennett’s unexpired term, which ends in November 2020.
Applicants must be registered voters and residents of the city of Clearlake.
For further information contact City Clerk Melissa Swanson at 707-994-8201, Extension 106, or
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A series of weather systems are predicted to bring rain to Lake County into next week.
The National Weather Service’s Sacramento officer reported that the trio of systems expected to impact the region this week are moving in from Alaska and Siberia.
They’re expected to bring rain, snow in elevations 6,000 feet and above, along with gusty winds and the possibility of thunderstorms, forecasters said.
The forecast through Friday estimates Lake County could receive between and inch and a half and 2 inches of rain.
Chances of rain in Lake County are expected to begin on Tuesday and continue until Monday, based on the local forecast.
Temperatures are forecast to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal through next week.
Locally, temperatures will drop into the low 40s at night and top out in the mid 60s during the day. Light winds are forecast through Wednesday.
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 National Weather Service’s Sacramento officer reported that the trio of systems expected to impact the region this week are moving in from Alaska and Siberia.
They’re expected to bring rain, snow in elevations 6,000 feet and above, along with gusty winds and the possibility of thunderstorms, forecasters said.
The forecast through Friday estimates Lake County could receive between and inch and a half and 2 inches of rain.
Chances of rain in Lake County are expected to begin on Tuesday and continue until Monday, based on the local forecast.
Temperatures are forecast to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal through next week.
Locally, temperatures will drop into the low 40s at night and top out in the mid 60s during the day. Light winds are forecast through Wednesday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Hepatitis C is one of the most frequently reported communicable diseases in California.
About 400,000 Californians live with chronic hepatitis C, but many do not know they are infected, according to the California Department of Public Health.
When left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause liver damage and liver failure. Hepatitis C often has no symptoms for decades, so a blood test can be the only way to know if you are infected. New treatment now can cure Hepatitis C in as little as two months.
Today, transmission is mainly through sharing needles, syringes and other drug injection equipment. In fact, rates of infection have been on the rise, due in part to the increase in injection drug use.
Cases of hepatitis C among young people aged 15-29 have more than doubled in the last five years.
According to the most recent data from the California Department of Public Health, in Lake County cases of chronic hepatitis C increased by 91 percent from 2014 to 2016 – 73 cases to 139 cases.
The hospital blood supply is now safely screened for hepatitis C, but the baby boomers (born from 1945 to 1965) account for almost half of all the hepatitis C cases reported in California. Many do not know they were infected.
The California Department of Public Health recommends anyone who has ever injected drugs, even once, and all people born between 1945 and 1965, should talk to their medical provider about getting tested.
People who test positive should receive care from a provider with training in Hepatitis C treatment. Prevention, including access to clean syringes and safe injection equipment, and treatment for opioid use can reduce the rate of new infections.
Fortunately, new treatments offer a cure for most people. The cure takes just 8 to 12 weeks and can reduce liver cancer risk by 75 percent, according to the Center for Disease Control.
“It is critical for those at risk of Hepatitis C to be tested and to complete treatment in order to improve their health and reduce risk of serious complications, such as cancer. Most patients can be cured of hepatitis C in 2 to 3 months,” Lake County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson said.
About 400,000 Californians live with chronic hepatitis C, but many do not know they are infected, according to the California Department of Public Health.
When left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause liver damage and liver failure. Hepatitis C often has no symptoms for decades, so a blood test can be the only way to know if you are infected. New treatment now can cure Hepatitis C in as little as two months.
Today, transmission is mainly through sharing needles, syringes and other drug injection equipment. In fact, rates of infection have been on the rise, due in part to the increase in injection drug use.
Cases of hepatitis C among young people aged 15-29 have more than doubled in the last five years.
According to the most recent data from the California Department of Public Health, in Lake County cases of chronic hepatitis C increased by 91 percent from 2014 to 2016 – 73 cases to 139 cases.
The hospital blood supply is now safely screened for hepatitis C, but the baby boomers (born from 1945 to 1965) account for almost half of all the hepatitis C cases reported in California. Many do not know they were infected.
The California Department of Public Health recommends anyone who has ever injected drugs, even once, and all people born between 1945 and 1965, should talk to their medical provider about getting tested.
People who test positive should receive care from a provider with training in Hepatitis C treatment. Prevention, including access to clean syringes and safe injection equipment, and treatment for opioid use can reduce the rate of new infections.
Fortunately, new treatments offer a cure for most people. The cure takes just 8 to 12 weeks and can reduce liver cancer risk by 75 percent, according to the Center for Disease Control.
“It is critical for those at risk of Hepatitis C to be tested and to complete treatment in order to improve their health and reduce risk of serious complications, such as cancer. Most patients can be cured of hepatitis C in 2 to 3 months,” Lake County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson said.