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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday hired the county’s next Animal Care and Control director.
At its Tuesday meeting, the board interviewed three candidates in closed session and emerged to vote unanimously to appoint Jonathan Armas to the job.
Armas’ appointment becomes effective upon the departure of longtime Director Bill Davidson, whose last day is Friday, as Lake County News has reported.
Armas is a lifelong Lake County resident, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 2008. He obtained his associate's degree in business administration from Mendocino College in 2016.
County officials said Armas has a strong commitment to public service and will promote from his current position as Animal Control Officer II.
A two-year employee of the department, Armas worked in close partnership with Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, or LEAP, during the county’s wildfire disasters.
He served as Animal Care and Control team leader, alongside ASPCA representatives, during the Mendocino Complex fires in 2018.
During the November Camp fire in Butte County, Armas joined the Animal Care and Control team providing mutual aid to that community during its time of crisis.
“In his time with the department, Jonathan has consistently risen to help Lake County meet critical animal services needs,” said Davidson. “This is a great chance for Jonathan to expand his contribution, and make a difference for many county residents and their animals.”
“I am excited to continue working with the incredible team of employees at our Animal Control Department, providing essential animal care services to our community. I am very grateful to the Board for this opportunity and I look forward to serving in this new capacity.” said Armas.
Board Chair Tina Scott said Armas is an “emerging new leader who exudes enthusiasm for the work of his department,” and “Lake County is fortunate to be able to select him from a strong field of candidates.”
At its Tuesday meeting, the board interviewed three candidates in closed session and emerged to vote unanimously to appoint Jonathan Armas to the job.
Armas’ appointment becomes effective upon the departure of longtime Director Bill Davidson, whose last day is Friday, as Lake County News has reported.
Armas is a lifelong Lake County resident, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 2008. He obtained his associate's degree in business administration from Mendocino College in 2016.
County officials said Armas has a strong commitment to public service and will promote from his current position as Animal Control Officer II.
A two-year employee of the department, Armas worked in close partnership with Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, or LEAP, during the county’s wildfire disasters.
He served as Animal Care and Control team leader, alongside ASPCA representatives, during the Mendocino Complex fires in 2018.
During the November Camp fire in Butte County, Armas joined the Animal Care and Control team providing mutual aid to that community during its time of crisis.
“In his time with the department, Jonathan has consistently risen to help Lake County meet critical animal services needs,” said Davidson. “This is a great chance for Jonathan to expand his contribution, and make a difference for many county residents and their animals.”
“I am excited to continue working with the incredible team of employees at our Animal Control Department, providing essential animal care services to our community. I am very grateful to the Board for this opportunity and I look forward to serving in this new capacity.” said Armas.
Board Chair Tina Scott said Armas is an “emerging new leader who exudes enthusiasm for the work of his department,” and “Lake County is fortunate to be able to select him from a strong field of candidates.”
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation will hold its 20th annual Party with a Purpose on Saturday, March 9, from 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the National Guard Armory at 1431 Hoyt Ave in Lakeport.
LEEF will transform the armory with a surprise theme which welcomes guests and prepares them for an evening of good food, music and the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of items in our live and silent auctions.
Attendees will enjoy a catered dinner with side dishes prepared by Chef John Arslanian and the Clear Lake High School Culinary Class.
The evening also will include dancing – which starts after the auction – and a no host bar and wine toss.
Tickets are $50 each or a table for ten can be reserved and prepaid for $500. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a catered buffet dinner served at 6 p.m.
Tickets are available at Clear Lake High School and online at www.eventbrite.com.
This is the largest fundraising event for LEEF and supports the students, teachers, classrooms, groups and clubs.
Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation is a nonprofit foundation founded in 1993 with the sole purpose of promoting a quality educational program for the Lakeport Unified School District by raising monies for enrichment and enhancement projects.
In the last 20 years, LEEF has funded more than $300,000 in projects for the district. The money we raised has funded several classroom enhancements including iPads and mini robots for Lakeport Elementary School, a new poster printer for the student council at CLHS, outdoor furniture for the alternative education programs, supplies for the community garden at TMS and many more.
Most recently the group has supported the robotics program at CLHS. LEEF shares its success because of the generous community of Lake County.
LEEF thanked those who have contributed each year and helped make our events so successful.
For more information or to donate, contact LEEF atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the CLHS office at 707-262-3010.
LEEF will transform the armory with a surprise theme which welcomes guests and prepares them for an evening of good food, music and the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of items in our live and silent auctions.
Attendees will enjoy a catered dinner with side dishes prepared by Chef John Arslanian and the Clear Lake High School Culinary Class.
The evening also will include dancing – which starts after the auction – and a no host bar and wine toss.
Tickets are $50 each or a table for ten can be reserved and prepaid for $500. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a catered buffet dinner served at 6 p.m.
Tickets are available at Clear Lake High School and online at www.eventbrite.com.
This is the largest fundraising event for LEEF and supports the students, teachers, classrooms, groups and clubs.
Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation is a nonprofit foundation founded in 1993 with the sole purpose of promoting a quality educational program for the Lakeport Unified School District by raising monies for enrichment and enhancement projects.
In the last 20 years, LEEF has funded more than $300,000 in projects for the district. The money we raised has funded several classroom enhancements including iPads and mini robots for Lakeport Elementary School, a new poster printer for the student council at CLHS, outdoor furniture for the alternative education programs, supplies for the community garden at TMS and many more.
Most recently the group has supported the robotics program at CLHS. LEEF shares its success because of the generous community of Lake County.
LEEF thanked those who have contributed each year and helped make our events so successful.
For more information or to donate, contact LEEF at
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said it has recommended a suite of actions to maximize safety and improve forest health in the coming months and longer term as part of its effort to further protect California’s most vulnerable communities from the immediate risk of catastrophic wildfires this year.
In a 45-day report to Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to Executive Order N-05-19, Cal Fire systematically identified high priority fuels reduction projects and other measures to immediately begin to protect more than 200 of California’s most wildfire-vulnerable communities and put the state on a path toward long-term wildfire prevention and forest health.
“California is increasingly at risk of wildfire, and certain populations are particularly vulnerable given the location of their communities and socioeconomic factors such as age and lack of mobility. The tragic loss of lives and property in the town of Paradise during last year’s Camp fire makes that clear,” Cal Fire Director Thom Porter said. “California needs an all-of-the-above approach to protect public safety and improve the health of our forest ecosystems.”
The Cal Fire report identifies more than 30 strategically-defined local projects that can be addressed urgently in partnership with communities to make a difference this wildfire season.
Examples include removal of hazardous dead trees, vegetation clearing, creation of fuel breaks and community defensible spaces, and creation of ingress and egress corridors.
The report also recommends actions to accelerate measures such as home-hardening by educating the public and promoting use of Cal Fire’s Ready for Wildfire App, which recommends steps residents can take to create defensible space and make their homes more resilient to wind-driven embers and other fire risk.
The report notes that California experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history in 2017 and 2018, which killed more than 100 people, destroyed more than 22,700 structures and burned over 1.8 million acres.
More than 25 million acres of California wildlands are classified as under very high or extreme fire threat, and the proliferation of new homes in the wildland urban interface magnify the threat and place substantially more people and property at risk than in preceding decades.
In a 45-day report to Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to Executive Order N-05-19, Cal Fire systematically identified high priority fuels reduction projects and other measures to immediately begin to protect more than 200 of California’s most wildfire-vulnerable communities and put the state on a path toward long-term wildfire prevention and forest health.
“California is increasingly at risk of wildfire, and certain populations are particularly vulnerable given the location of their communities and socioeconomic factors such as age and lack of mobility. The tragic loss of lives and property in the town of Paradise during last year’s Camp fire makes that clear,” Cal Fire Director Thom Porter said. “California needs an all-of-the-above approach to protect public safety and improve the health of our forest ecosystems.”
The Cal Fire report identifies more than 30 strategically-defined local projects that can be addressed urgently in partnership with communities to make a difference this wildfire season.
Examples include removal of hazardous dead trees, vegetation clearing, creation of fuel breaks and community defensible spaces, and creation of ingress and egress corridors.
The report also recommends actions to accelerate measures such as home-hardening by educating the public and promoting use of Cal Fire’s Ready for Wildfire App, which recommends steps residents can take to create defensible space and make their homes more resilient to wind-driven embers and other fire risk.
The report notes that California experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history in 2017 and 2018, which killed more than 100 people, destroyed more than 22,700 structures and burned over 1.8 million acres.
More than 25 million acres of California wildlands are classified as under very high or extreme fire threat, and the proliferation of new homes in the wildland urban interface magnify the threat and place substantially more people and property at risk than in preceding decades.
030519 Cal Fire 45-Day Report by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport police are seeking information on a high speed driver who fled from an officer Tuesday afternoon.
The driver is identified as a white male adult, 5’11’ tall, bald, unshaven and last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., a Lakeport police officer on routine patrol traveling south on N. Main Street near Sixth Street saw a white Honda sedan pass by him traveling north in the center turn lane at over 70 miles per hour. The officer turned around and began pursuit of the speeding vehicle.
The pursuit continued north on Main Street at an estimated 90 miles per hour ending at the dead end of N. Main Street near the Del Lago neighborhood.
The speeding suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the Del Lago neighborhood before entering Clear Lake and is believed to have swum to the 1900 block of Lakeshore Blvd.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and additional Lakeport Police Officers responded to the area and conducted a search but did not locate the driver. Witnesses in the area stated that the suspect got into a green Toyota pick-up and was driven out of the area.
The vehicle was searched and a small amount of suspected heroin as well as hypodermic syringes were located. The vehicle was towed and stored.
The suspect is described as a white male adult, 5’11’ tall, bald, unshaven and last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Casey Debolt at 707-263-5491, extension 122 or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Information can also be provided to us by anonymous message by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777 or be sending a private message to the Lakeport Police Facebook page.
The driver is identified as a white male adult, 5’11’ tall, bald, unshaven and last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., a Lakeport police officer on routine patrol traveling south on N. Main Street near Sixth Street saw a white Honda sedan pass by him traveling north in the center turn lane at over 70 miles per hour. The officer turned around and began pursuit of the speeding vehicle.
The pursuit continued north on Main Street at an estimated 90 miles per hour ending at the dead end of N. Main Street near the Del Lago neighborhood.
The speeding suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the Del Lago neighborhood before entering Clear Lake and is believed to have swum to the 1900 block of Lakeshore Blvd.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and additional Lakeport Police Officers responded to the area and conducted a search but did not locate the driver. Witnesses in the area stated that the suspect got into a green Toyota pick-up and was driven out of the area.
The vehicle was searched and a small amount of suspected heroin as well as hypodermic syringes were located. The vehicle was towed and stored.
The suspect is described as a white male adult, 5’11’ tall, bald, unshaven and last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Casey Debolt at 707-263-5491, extension 122 or by email at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – All of Lake County is under a newly issued flood watch from the National Weather Service due to the expectation of more storms.
The National Weather Service said the new flood watch is in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday through noon on Thursday, while an existing flood warning also is in effect, with no time yet set for its expiration.
The forecast calls for moderate to heavy rain Tuesday night through Wednesday. That additional rain increases the potential for flooding, as streams, creeks and Clear Lake already are running high or at flood level.
The vast Mendocino Complex burn scar also could experience mud, rock and debris flows, especially if thunderstorms develop over the region on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Early Tuesday, Clear Lake was at 9.80 feet Rumsey. Flood stage is 9 feet Rumsey, the special measure for Clear Lake.
The forecast calls for the lake’s level to rise to near 10 feet Rumsey on Wednesday afternoon, with continued rise expected.
The specific Lake County forecast calls for up to a quarter of an inch of rain during the day Tuesday and up to 2 inches Tuesday night,
More steady rainfall is forecast for Wednesday, along with light winds, as well as Thursday.
Thursday night, the rain is expected to break, with slight chances of rain from Friday through Monday.
Nighttime temperatures will range from the high 30s to the mid 40s, with daytime temperatures from the high 40s to low 50s expected.
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 the new flood watch is in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday through noon on Thursday, while an existing flood warning also is in effect, with no time yet set for its expiration.
The forecast calls for moderate to heavy rain Tuesday night through Wednesday. That additional rain increases the potential for flooding, as streams, creeks and Clear Lake already are running high or at flood level.
The vast Mendocino Complex burn scar also could experience mud, rock and debris flows, especially if thunderstorms develop over the region on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Early Tuesday, Clear Lake was at 9.80 feet Rumsey. Flood stage is 9 feet Rumsey, the special measure for Clear Lake.
The forecast calls for the lake’s level to rise to near 10 feet Rumsey on Wednesday afternoon, with continued rise expected.
The specific Lake County forecast calls for up to a quarter of an inch of rain during the day Tuesday and up to 2 inches Tuesday night,
More steady rainfall is forecast for Wednesday, along with light winds, as well as Thursday.
Thursday night, the rain is expected to break, with slight chances of rain from Friday through Monday.
Nighttime temperatures will range from the high 30s to the mid 40s, with daytime temperatures from the high 40s to low 50s expected.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The winning teams in Lake County’s Academic Decathlon and Mock Trial events are preparing to travel later this month to their respective state competitions, and the students also are raising funds to make the trip.
Upper Lake High School won the right to represent Lake County in the Academic Decathlon at the local competition on their home turf on Feb. 2, and Middletown High won the Mock Trial competition on Feb. 12, as Lake County News has reported.
The California Academic Decathlon will take place March 21 to 24 in Sacramento, which overlaps with the state Mock Trial competition, which also will be in Sacramento this year, from March 22 to 24.
In the case of the Academic Decathlon, the price tag is estimated at about $6,000, according to a fundraising letter the team sent out the community.
The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College is contributing $500 this year to help the Upper Lake team with travel expenses.
Janina Hoskins, one of Middletown High’s Mock Trial coaches, told Lake County News that her team also needs $6,000, of which $2,000 is registration fees, to go the state competition.
Hoskins said that the team has so far raised less than half of what it needs to travel to Sacramento.
She created a GoFundMe account that, as of early Tuesday, had raised $660 of a $2,500 goal.
To support the Upper Lake High Academic Decathlon team, checks can be sent to Upper Lake High School, 675 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485 and designated for “Academic Decathlon.” If verification for tax purposes is needed, the district’s business manager can be reached in the main office at 707-275-2338.
To support the Middletown High School Mock Trial team, visit the GoFundMe page or send a check to Middletown High School with a notation that the funds are for the Mock Trial team. The school's address is 20932 Big Canyon Road, Middletown, 95461.
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.
Upper Lake High School won the right to represent Lake County in the Academic Decathlon at the local competition on their home turf on Feb. 2, and Middletown High won the Mock Trial competition on Feb. 12, as Lake County News has reported.
The California Academic Decathlon will take place March 21 to 24 in Sacramento, which overlaps with the state Mock Trial competition, which also will be in Sacramento this year, from March 22 to 24.
In the case of the Academic Decathlon, the price tag is estimated at about $6,000, according to a fundraising letter the team sent out the community.
The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College is contributing $500 this year to help the Upper Lake team with travel expenses.
Janina Hoskins, one of Middletown High’s Mock Trial coaches, told Lake County News that her team also needs $6,000, of which $2,000 is registration fees, to go the state competition.
Hoskins said that the team has so far raised less than half of what it needs to travel to Sacramento.
She created a GoFundMe account that, as of early Tuesday, had raised $660 of a $2,500 goal.
To support the Upper Lake High Academic Decathlon team, checks can be sent to Upper Lake High School, 675 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485 and designated for “Academic Decathlon.” If verification for tax purposes is needed, the district’s business manager can be reached in the main office at 707-275-2338.
To support the Middletown High School Mock Trial team, visit the GoFundMe page or send a check to Middletown High School with a notation that the funds are for the Mock Trial team. The school's address is 20932 Big Canyon Road, Middletown, 95461.
Email Elizabeth Larson at