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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April is forecast to get off to a rainy start, as a series of weather systems are expected to bring more precipitation to the region after a sunny and warm weekend.
The National Weather Service said a cold front from Monday through Tuesday will bring rain to Lake County and other parts of Northern California before conditions clear on Wednesday.
The system impacting the area on Monday and Tuesday is expected to bring only small amounts of rain as well as the possibility of thunderstorms, based on the forecast.
Forecasters said another system is due to arrive on Thursday, again bringing light showers.
Late Friday, a Pacific front is forecast to approach Northern California. The National Weather Service said that system will bring widespread rain and snow to the higher elevations across the region.
More showers are expected on Saturday and Sunday, based on the local forecast.
The Lake County forecast also anticipates winds with gusts above 20 miles per hour on Monday and Tuesday.
Temperatures will range from the high 40s to low 50s during the daytime through early next week, while nighttime temperatures will range from the low to high 40s.
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 said a cold front from Monday through Tuesday will bring rain to Lake County and other parts of Northern California before conditions clear on Wednesday.
The system impacting the area on Monday and Tuesday is expected to bring only small amounts of rain as well as the possibility of thunderstorms, based on the forecast.
Forecasters said another system is due to arrive on Thursday, again bringing light showers.
Late Friday, a Pacific front is forecast to approach Northern California. The National Weather Service said that system will bring widespread rain and snow to the higher elevations across the region.
More showers are expected on Saturday and Sunday, based on the local forecast.
The Lake County forecast also anticipates winds with gusts above 20 miles per hour on Monday and Tuesday.
Temperatures will range from the high 40s to low 50s during the daytime through early next week, while nighttime temperatures will range from the low to high 40s.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will consider appointing a County Administrative Office staffer as interim deputy registrar of voters and discuss several hemp- and cannabis-related items.
The board will meet beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 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 item placed on the consent agenda, and therefore not expected to be considered separately or discussed, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson will ask the board to appoint one of her staffers, administrative analyst Marcy Harrison, as interim deputy registrar of voters, retroactive to March 6.
Huchingson’s report to the board said that Harrison was reassigned to support the Registrar of Voters Office – “under administrative direction” – after the initial recruitment for a new registrar failed.
“Marcy has thrived in this special assignment, and I am therefore requesting your Board’s approval to appoint her Interim Deputy Registrar of Voters,” Huchingson wrote. “As you are very probably aware, Marcy has served the County of Lake with quality and distinction for nearly 15 years, including stints in the office of the County Clerk and Special Districts, both of which provided experiences well analogous to Elections functions. Her experience under our distinguished Auditor-Controller, Cathy Saderlund, has likewise translated well to many practical business functions of that office.”
Huchingson said Harrison “has already meaningfully supported the developing Elections team, and this interim assignment will recognize her quality work, already in progress.”
The report said there is expected to be no budget impact.
The county’s longtime registrar, Diane Fridley, retired in December, and her deputy, Maria Valadez, was appointed interim registrar. That followed Huchingson’s unsuccessful request to the board to change the educational requirements for the registrar’s job, which would have excluded Valadez from being hired to run the department.
Valadez left in February to take a job in Mendocino County, which left the county with only part-time elections office staffers without the necessary experience to fill the two top positions, as Lake County News has reported.
A second recruitment to fill the registrar’s job closed on Sunday.
Also on the agenda, in an untimed item, the board will discuss industrial hemp cultivation status in the county of Lake.
The supervisors also will consider a possible limited moratorium relating to the acceptance of pre-applications and applications for commercial cannabis cultivation use permits “to allow for the expeditious processing of applications already submitted and to allow for review of possible changes to the zoning ordinance to more efficiently coordinate the processing of such permits,” according to the agenda.
In an item timed for 1:30 p.m., the board will hold a workshop regarding possible revisions to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance for streamlining the cannabis cultivation permitting process and a discussion concerning the addition of a permitting process for retail and microbusiness.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Appoint Administrative Analyst Marcy Harrison interim deputy registrar of voters, retroactive to March 6, 2019.
5.2: Approve Amendment 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Kings View Corp. for MIS Support Services for Fiscal Year 2018-19 in the amount of $73,360 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.3: Approve Amendment 2 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Native American Mental Health Services dba North American Mental Health Services for FY 2018-19 in the amount of $300,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.4: Approve amendment to side letter with the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association to provide deputy sheriffs assigned to patrol the opportunity to be placed on on-call status due to a typographical error in the body of the document.
5.5: Authorize county librarian to close all library branches for staff training on April 27, 2019.
5.6: Approve purchase of office furniture for the Emergency Operations Center from Staples Business Advantage in the amount of $26,081.84 and authorize the sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the purchase order.
5.7: (a) Approve agreement between the Lake County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Forest Service for FY 19/20 annual operating and financial plan, in the amount of $11,000 for Pillsbury Patrol; and (b) approve agreement between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service for FY19/20 annual operating and financial plan, in the amount of $19,000 for controlled substance operations, and authorize the sheriff and the chairman to sign.
5.8: Approve memorandum of understanding and joint exercise of powers agreement between the county of Lake and CalSAWS and authorize the chair to sign all three copies of each agreement.
5.9: Approve waiver of the 900 hour limit for extra help construction inspectors for the Anderson Springs Sewer Project, allowing Mark Dellinger to work up to 960 hours and Ray Porter to work up to 1,000 hours.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:11 a.m.: (a) Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to an atmospheric river event 2019; and (b) update on the atmospheric river event 2019.
6.3, 9:12 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
6.4, 9:13 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
6.5, 9:14 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Sulphur fire incident.
6.6, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.
6.7, 9:16 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm 2017.
6.8, 9:17 a.m.: Consideration of continuing the declaration of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris.
6.9, 1:30 p.m.: Workshop regarding possible revisions to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance for streamlining the cannabis cultivation permitting process and a discussion concerning the addition of a permitting process for retail and microbusiness.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of resolution of support in support of a landowner seeking to name an unnamed geographical feature located solely within the landowner's private property.
7.3: Consideration of the following appointments: Lucerne Area Town Hall, Maternal Child Adolescent Health Advisory Board, Middletown Area Town Hall and Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council.
7.4: Discussion and consideration of industrial hemp cultivation status in the county of Lake.
7.5: Discussion and consideration of a possible limited moratorium relating to the acceptance of pre-applications and applications for commercial cannabis cultivation use permits to allow for the expeditious processing of applications already submitted and to allow for review of possible changes to the zoning ordinance to more efficiently coordinate the processing of such permits.
7.6: Town hall presentation Community Visioning 2028 on Health and Wellness by Denise Pomeroy, Health Services director.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluations title: Water Resources director.
8.2: Employee disciplinary appeal (EDA 19-01) Pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54957.
8.3: Employee Disciplinary Appeal (EDA 19-02) Pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54957.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Rattanavong v. County of Lake, et al.
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 board will meet beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 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 item placed on the consent agenda, and therefore not expected to be considered separately or discussed, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson will ask the board to appoint one of her staffers, administrative analyst Marcy Harrison, as interim deputy registrar of voters, retroactive to March 6.
Huchingson’s report to the board said that Harrison was reassigned to support the Registrar of Voters Office – “under administrative direction” – after the initial recruitment for a new registrar failed.
“Marcy has thrived in this special assignment, and I am therefore requesting your Board’s approval to appoint her Interim Deputy Registrar of Voters,” Huchingson wrote. “As you are very probably aware, Marcy has served the County of Lake with quality and distinction for nearly 15 years, including stints in the office of the County Clerk and Special Districts, both of which provided experiences well analogous to Elections functions. Her experience under our distinguished Auditor-Controller, Cathy Saderlund, has likewise translated well to many practical business functions of that office.”
Huchingson said Harrison “has already meaningfully supported the developing Elections team, and this interim assignment will recognize her quality work, already in progress.”
The report said there is expected to be no budget impact.
The county’s longtime registrar, Diane Fridley, retired in December, and her deputy, Maria Valadez, was appointed interim registrar. That followed Huchingson’s unsuccessful request to the board to change the educational requirements for the registrar’s job, which would have excluded Valadez from being hired to run the department.
Valadez left in February to take a job in Mendocino County, which left the county with only part-time elections office staffers without the necessary experience to fill the two top positions, as Lake County News has reported.
A second recruitment to fill the registrar’s job closed on Sunday.
Also on the agenda, in an untimed item, the board will discuss industrial hemp cultivation status in the county of Lake.
The supervisors also will consider a possible limited moratorium relating to the acceptance of pre-applications and applications for commercial cannabis cultivation use permits “to allow for the expeditious processing of applications already submitted and to allow for review of possible changes to the zoning ordinance to more efficiently coordinate the processing of such permits,” according to the agenda.
In an item timed for 1:30 p.m., the board will hold a workshop regarding possible revisions to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance for streamlining the cannabis cultivation permitting process and a discussion concerning the addition of a permitting process for retail and microbusiness.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Appoint Administrative Analyst Marcy Harrison interim deputy registrar of voters, retroactive to March 6, 2019.
5.2: Approve Amendment 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Kings View Corp. for MIS Support Services for Fiscal Year 2018-19 in the amount of $73,360 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.3: Approve Amendment 2 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Native American Mental Health Services dba North American Mental Health Services for FY 2018-19 in the amount of $300,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.4: Approve amendment to side letter with the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association to provide deputy sheriffs assigned to patrol the opportunity to be placed on on-call status due to a typographical error in the body of the document.
5.5: Authorize county librarian to close all library branches for staff training on April 27, 2019.
5.6: Approve purchase of office furniture for the Emergency Operations Center from Staples Business Advantage in the amount of $26,081.84 and authorize the sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the purchase order.
5.7: (a) Approve agreement between the Lake County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Forest Service for FY 19/20 annual operating and financial plan, in the amount of $11,000 for Pillsbury Patrol; and (b) approve agreement between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service for FY19/20 annual operating and financial plan, in the amount of $19,000 for controlled substance operations, and authorize the sheriff and the chairman to sign.
5.8: Approve memorandum of understanding and joint exercise of powers agreement between the county of Lake and CalSAWS and authorize the chair to sign all three copies of each agreement.
5.9: Approve waiver of the 900 hour limit for extra help construction inspectors for the Anderson Springs Sewer Project, allowing Mark Dellinger to work up to 960 hours and Ray Porter to work up to 1,000 hours.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:11 a.m.: (a) Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to an atmospheric river event 2019; and (b) update on the atmospheric river event 2019.
6.3, 9:12 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
6.4, 9:13 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
6.5, 9:14 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Sulphur fire incident.
6.6, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.
6.7, 9:16 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm 2017.
6.8, 9:17 a.m.: Consideration of continuing the declaration of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris.
6.9, 1:30 p.m.: Workshop regarding possible revisions to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance for streamlining the cannabis cultivation permitting process and a discussion concerning the addition of a permitting process for retail and microbusiness.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of resolution of support in support of a landowner seeking to name an unnamed geographical feature located solely within the landowner's private property.
7.3: Consideration of the following appointments: Lucerne Area Town Hall, Maternal Child Adolescent Health Advisory Board, Middletown Area Town Hall and Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council.
7.4: Discussion and consideration of industrial hemp cultivation status in the county of Lake.
7.5: Discussion and consideration of a possible limited moratorium relating to the acceptance of pre-applications and applications for commercial cannabis cultivation use permits to allow for the expeditious processing of applications already submitted and to allow for review of possible changes to the zoning ordinance to more efficiently coordinate the processing of such permits.
7.6: Town hall presentation Community Visioning 2028 on Health and Wellness by Denise Pomeroy, Health Services director.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluations title: Water Resources director.
8.2: Employee disciplinary appeal (EDA 19-01) Pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54957.
8.3: Employee Disciplinary Appeal (EDA 19-02) Pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54957.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Rattanavong v. County of Lake, et al.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will consider a staff recommendation to approve an urgency ordinance regarding wireless communication facilities in order to meet new federal guidelines.
The council will hold a reception beginning at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St., for City Council Members, Lakeport Police volunteers, and members of the various city committees and commissions before the meeting begins at 6 p.m.
During the meeting Mayor Tim Barnes will present a proclamation declaring April 7 to 13 as National Volunteer Week in the city and will honor Lakeport Police volunteers.
The mayor also will read a proclamation honoring city committee and commission members.
Under council business, Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present a proposed urgency ordinance adding chapter 17.41 of title 17 of the Lakeport Municipal Code establishing regulations for wireless communication facilities.
Ingram’s report for the meeting explains that the city does not have a specific ordinance regulating wireless telecommunications facilities. “As a result, the City’s ability to regulate the location and aesthetics of these facilities is limited to the extent permitted under federal and state law. Specifically, recent changes in the law by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding fifth generation (5G) networks take effect on April 15, 2019 and purportedly require the City to publish its regulations – including by ordinance – prior to that date for those regulations to be effective.”
To ensure the city meets that new federal deadline, Ingram said staff is recommending the council immediately adopt the urgency ordinance, which requires a four-fifths vote, with staff to follow up with a nonurgency ordinance after the Lakeport Planning Commission has an opportunity to further study the issue and make any recommendations it may have at a future date.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on March 19 and the
special meeting on March 22; the March 28 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex Fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; approval of the the side letter agreement for the City of Lakeport Police Officers Association amending shift differential pay and adding supervisor trainee premium pay; acceptance of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018; and adoption of the proposed resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees.
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 council will hold a reception beginning at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St., for City Council Members, Lakeport Police volunteers, and members of the various city committees and commissions before the meeting begins at 6 p.m.
During the meeting Mayor Tim Barnes will present a proclamation declaring April 7 to 13 as National Volunteer Week in the city and will honor Lakeport Police volunteers.
The mayor also will read a proclamation honoring city committee and commission members.
Under council business, Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present a proposed urgency ordinance adding chapter 17.41 of title 17 of the Lakeport Municipal Code establishing regulations for wireless communication facilities.
Ingram’s report for the meeting explains that the city does not have a specific ordinance regulating wireless telecommunications facilities. “As a result, the City’s ability to regulate the location and aesthetics of these facilities is limited to the extent permitted under federal and state law. Specifically, recent changes in the law by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding fifth generation (5G) networks take effect on April 15, 2019 and purportedly require the City to publish its regulations – including by ordinance – prior to that date for those regulations to be effective.”
To ensure the city meets that new federal deadline, Ingram said staff is recommending the council immediately adopt the urgency ordinance, which requires a four-fifths vote, with staff to follow up with a nonurgency ordinance after the Lakeport Planning Commission has an opportunity to further study the issue and make any recommendations it may have at a future date.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on March 19 and the
special meeting on March 22; the March 28 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex Fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; approval of the the side letter agreement for the City of Lakeport Police Officers Association amending shift differential pay and adding supervisor trainee premium pay; acceptance of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018; and adoption of the proposed resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
040219 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
It’s an annual observance in the United States dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse, and helps to create community conversations about the effects of child abuse prevention efforts.
The Lake County Children’s Council, under the direction of Ana Santana from the Lake County Office of Education, works diligently year-round to prevent child abuse.
“When people hear “Child Abuse Prevention Month” they often focus on the phrase “child abuse,” said Santana. “It would be terrific if they could focus on the word ‘prevention’ and really understand what prevention might look like.”
Child abuse prevention is about strengthening families, which can be as simple as a kind word to a harried mother, an offering of help, or parenting classes to help parents break the cycle of abuse, according to Santana.
Santana added, “We need to focus on building resiliency with our children, parents and families. We want the conversation to be about how to make things better, not just why things are bad. That’s why the Children’s Council goal statement is ‘Child abuse prevention through the transformation of Lake County into a trauma-informed, resilience focused community.’"
The Children’s Council, along with numerous partner agencies, have events planned all over Lake County in the month of April to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention.
“These events provide an opportunity to raise awareness about the work being done in the family strengthening field, provide outreach to families, and most importantly, celebrate Lake County’s kids, who we work to keep safe and healthy every day,” Santana said.
The popular Children’s Advocacy Walk & Festival will take place on Saturday, April 13, at Library Park in Lakeport.
The First 5 Express, a bilingual children’s activity center, will be at Library Park on April 13 and at the Clearlake Oaks Senior Center on Sunday, April 14.
There will also be art contests, pinwheel gardens, flag ceremonies, and proclamations made by the county and both cities throughout the month of April.
For a complete listing of all events, visit www.lakecoe.org/ChildAbusePrevention.
For more information on the Lake County Children’s Council, visit www.lakecoe.org/Childrens_Council.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Due to forecast storms in the Feather River basin, the California Department of Water Resources has taken steps to prepare for use of the main Oroville Dam spillway.
DWR anticipates use of the spillway for the first time since it has been reconstructed on Tuesday, April 2.
“DWR has restored full functionality to the Oroville main spillway and is operating the reservoir to ensure public safety of those downstream,” said DWR State Water Project Deputy Director Joel Ledesma. “The Oroville main spillway was designed and constructed using 21st century engineering practices and under the oversight and guidance from state and federal regulators and independent experts.”
Officials said the Oroville Reservoir level was at 853 feet. The anticipated main spillway releases are expected to be between 10,000 cubic-feet per second, or cfs, and 20,000 cfs. The
anticipated total releases to the Feather River will be up to 30,000 cfs from Oroville facilities and other natural inflows.
DWR may increase releases to the Feather River again later this week to between 40,000 and 60,000 cfs to prepare for forecasted inflows.
The main spillway and the emergency spillway are reconstructed and able to handle flows as needed to manage reservoir levels and provide flood protection for the surrounding communities. Public safety and flood protection are DWR’s top priority in operational decisions regarding Oroville reservoir.
Oro Dam Boulevard East will be open to pedestrian and vehicle traffic unless flows from the main spillway exceed 30,000 cfs. If spillway flows exceed 30,000 cfs, the road will be closed to ensure public safety.
DWR has followed its standard process of notifying regulatory agencies, local maintaining agencies, local law enforcement and local elected officials regarding the anticipated use.
DWR anticipates use of the spillway for the first time since it has been reconstructed on Tuesday, April 2.
“DWR has restored full functionality to the Oroville main spillway and is operating the reservoir to ensure public safety of those downstream,” said DWR State Water Project Deputy Director Joel Ledesma. “The Oroville main spillway was designed and constructed using 21st century engineering practices and under the oversight and guidance from state and federal regulators and independent experts.”
Officials said the Oroville Reservoir level was at 853 feet. The anticipated main spillway releases are expected to be between 10,000 cubic-feet per second, or cfs, and 20,000 cfs. The
anticipated total releases to the Feather River will be up to 30,000 cfs from Oroville facilities and other natural inflows.
DWR may increase releases to the Feather River again later this week to between 40,000 and 60,000 cfs to prepare for forecasted inflows.
The main spillway and the emergency spillway are reconstructed and able to handle flows as needed to manage reservoir levels and provide flood protection for the surrounding communities. Public safety and flood protection are DWR’s top priority in operational decisions regarding Oroville reservoir.
Oro Dam Boulevard East will be open to pedestrian and vehicle traffic unless flows from the main spillway exceed 30,000 cfs. If spillway flows exceed 30,000 cfs, the road will be closed to ensure public safety.
DWR has followed its standard process of notifying regulatory agencies, local maintaining agencies, local law enforcement and local elected officials regarding the anticipated use.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One of Lake County’s cherished residents, a World War II Navy nurse who has been a stalwart supporter of Pearl Harbor survivors, is celebrating her 100th birthday this month.
If you’ve ever been to a Pearl Harbor commemoration or one of the associated events, it’s likely that you’ve met Alice Darrow.
Darrow, with a smile that never seems to stop and sparkling blue eyes, has been a fixture at the events for years. Beyond that, she’s known as a great friend and neighbor, a woman long committed to helping others and a devoted member of her church.
Born in Paso Robles on March 16, 1919, Alice Beck attended King City Elementary School and graduated from Hamilton City High School before she went on to Chico State, where she received her nursing degree.
She later enlisted in the Navy, and was stationed at Mare Island. It was there that the young Navy nurse met her future husband, Dean Darrow, in 1942 when he came in for heart surgery, a rare procedure at that time.
During the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, Dean Darrow, then a 23-year-old fire controlman, was aboard the USS West Virginia when it was torpedoed. As the ship listed to its port side, he was thrown into the water, where he had to swim under a burning layer of oil.
As he was being pulled from the water and into a boat by a group of rescuers, the Japanese planes began strafing the water's surface. Unbeknownst to him, as he was being pulled into a rescue boat, he was hit in the back by a bullet from one of the Japanese guns.
A series of fainting spells led to doctors discovering, months later, that a bullet was lodged in Dean Darrow heart.
Alice Darrow tells the story of her husband’s surgery and how, shortly before it occurred, he elicited from her a promise to go on liberty if he made it out.
Thinking it wasn’t likely he would survive, she agreed.
And he made it, they went out on liberty, and would be married several months later after they both were honorably discharged from the Navy.
Together, they raised four children, and had homes in Pleasant Hill and Kelseyville. Their family now includes 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Alice Darrow likes to say that she was able to fill the hole in her husband’s heart with her love.
And Dean Darrow – who died not long before the 50th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack – liked to say that the best thing he got out of the Navy was his nurse.
Alice Darrow still has that bullet, and she’s brought it with her to every Pearl Harbor commemoration, carefully pulling it from her pocket and holding it up to show everyone. It’s more than an inch long with its silver finish showing deep scrapes and dents.
But she doesn’t take it everywhere; she admitted to not bringing it with her to a birthday party held in her honor in Clearlake on March 16.
A month of honors
The honors directed toward Alice Darrow this month began on March 5, when Supervisor Rob Brown presented her with a proclamation, on behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
Brown called her an “amazing woman,” adding, “I’m so proud to have her as a friend, and not just on Facebook.”
The proclamation recounted her education, her Navy service, her marriage to Dean Darrow and their family, and her active support of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. As a “sweetheart” – a wife or widow of a survivor – she’s been a longtime member of the group.
Brown concluded by handing her the proclamation, giving her a hug and a kiss, and asking her if she would like to say anything.
“I’m blessed to be living in such a wonderful county. Everybody's been so good to me and I really have enjoyed my life up here,” she said.
Then, on March 14, Congressman Mike Thompson read into the House record a proclamation similarly honoring Alice Darrow.
On March 16, friends and family gathered to wish her a happy birthday at a special event held at the American Legion Hall in Clearlake.
More than 60 friends and family members were there; some of those who came to celebrate her traveled from as far away as Pennsylvania.
“Thank you everybody for coming,” she said.
She blew out the candles on the cake with the help of a child. “OK, go,” she said, before the boy helped her snuff out the burning candles.
“I love you all,” she told the group.
The next day, Darrow and family members including her daughter and granddaughter were in the pews at her church, Kelseyville Presbyterian.
During the service, at her request, her granddaughter Mattie Greathouse, a professional musician and music teacher, performed special music on the flute.
After the service, her church family held another celebration to mark her birthday.
Darrow, who has been a frequent traveler over the years, isn’t slowing down.
She’s planning to move to the Bay Area to live with her daughter.
And in April, she and members of her family will be heading to England for a new adventure. She said she’s never been there, and with her youthful outlook, curiosity and energy, there’s no better time than now to go.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
