How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police have arrested a second suspect in a Dec. 3 attack that left a Clearlake man with serious injuries, including major head trauma.
The Clearlake Police Department reported that Charles Kenneth Drake, 25, of Clearlake was contacted and taken into custody on Tuesday in connection to the attack on 29-year-old Nicholas Vining, also known as “Caveman.”
Drake’s arrest follows by three weeks the arrest of the first suspect identified and arrested in the case, Paul John Mendez Jr., 28, of Clearlake.
On Dec. 31 police arrested Mendez, a registered sex offender and parolee who also admitted to attacking Vining, as Lake County News has reported.
Vining was reported to have been attacked sometime on the afternoon of Dec. 3, but police said the incident wasn’t reported to them until the following day.
Social media posts by family and friends stated that Vining had been beaten and robbed, and his hair and beard were cut off with a knife. He then made his way to his mother’s home, and from there was transported to the hospital.
Later, Vining was flown out of county to UCSF Medical Center, where police said he was placed into a medically induced coma.
Originally, the attack was reported to have occurred in the 6800 block of Old Highway 53, with claims on social media attributing it to students at Clearlake Creativity School.
However, by the time of the Mendez arrest, police detectives had concluded that the location and the allegations of involvement by students were inaccurate.
That’s because by late last month Vining’s condition improved to the point where detectives could interview him, which gave them more key information in the case.
The Clearlake Police Department reported that Drake’s arrest on Tuesday was a result of the continuing investigation led by Det. Ryan Peterson.
Police said they obtained information that Drake was one of the people who attacked Vining. Peterson, with the assistance of the Clearlake Police Patrol Bureau, then contacted Drake.
Drake admitted to his involvement in attacking Vining, including cutting Vining’s hair and beard with a knife and taking his shoes, police said.
Drake was booked into the Lake County Jail on Tuesday afternoon on probable cause for the felony violations of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, false imprisonment and robbery. His bail has been set at $100,000, and he’s due to be arraigned on Thursday, according to jail booking records.
Jail records show that Mendez has remained in custody since his Dec. 31 arrest. His bail is set at $225,000.
In the meantime, a report on a GoFundMe page that is raising money for Vining’s care stated that he remains in a post acute care facility “and has had a couple of setbacks” that sent him back to the emergency room. While he is doing well, “he has a long way to go,” the latest update, posted on Sunday, said.
Police believe that still other individuals may have been involved or witnessed the attack on Vining and so the investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Peterson at 707-994-8251, Extension 320.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – This week the Clearlake City Council will hold a strategic plan workshop ahead of its regular meeting, during which items will include appointing a planning commissioner.
The council will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, for a strategic plan and bond allocation review in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At 5:30 p.m., the council will go into a closed session to discuss property negotiations for 14130 Tuli Lane, labor negotiations and the city’s lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. before the regular meeting opens at 6 p.m.
On the regular meeting agenda is the appointment of a planning commissioner to fill the unexpired term, ending in March 2023, of Dirk Slooten, who was elected to the Clearlake City Council in November and took his seat on the council the following months.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explained that the city has received applications from three interested community members: Steve Gibson, Erin McCarrick and Lisa Wilson.
Staff is recommending the council interview all three candidates at the meeting. The council’s selection would then be appointed by a motion and majority vote of the council, Swanson said.
In other business, the council will discuss an agreement with California Engineering Contractors Inc. to provide city engineering services for a term of three years in an amount not to exceed $300,000; will consider adopting an urgency ordinance related to the issuance, handling, appeals and penalties of administrative citations; and hold the first reading of an ordinance to add a new subsection to the municipal code relating to electric and electronic access gates.
The council also will get an update on energy efficiency upgrades at City Hall and the senior/community center; discuss planning commissioner stipends; and consider appointments to the ad hoc committees to discuss homelessness issues and commercial cannabis.
Also on Thursday, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will present its annual report.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of a local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; minutes of the Nov. 8 and 19, and the Dec. 3, 6 and 13 meetings; minute of the Dec. 12 Lake County Vector Control Board meeting; and the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 219-2019, an uncodified ordinance approving a development agreement with Brian Galperin for property located at 14915 Olympic Drive, Unit K.
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 meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, for a strategic plan and bond allocation review in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At 5:30 p.m., the council will go into a closed session to discuss property negotiations for 14130 Tuli Lane, labor negotiations and the city’s lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. before the regular meeting opens at 6 p.m.
On the regular meeting agenda is the appointment of a planning commissioner to fill the unexpired term, ending in March 2023, of Dirk Slooten, who was elected to the Clearlake City Council in November and took his seat on the council the following months.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explained that the city has received applications from three interested community members: Steve Gibson, Erin McCarrick and Lisa Wilson.
Staff is recommending the council interview all three candidates at the meeting. The council’s selection would then be appointed by a motion and majority vote of the council, Swanson said.
In other business, the council will discuss an agreement with California Engineering Contractors Inc. to provide city engineering services for a term of three years in an amount not to exceed $300,000; will consider adopting an urgency ordinance related to the issuance, handling, appeals and penalties of administrative citations; and hold the first reading of an ordinance to add a new subsection to the municipal code relating to electric and electronic access gates.
The council also will get an update on energy efficiency upgrades at City Hall and the senior/community center; discuss planning commissioner stipends; and consider appointments to the ad hoc committees to discuss homelessness issues and commercial cannabis.
Also on Thursday, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will present its annual report.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of a local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; minutes of the Nov. 8 and 19, and the Dec. 3, 6 and 13 meetings; minute of the Dec. 12 Lake County Vector Control Board meeting; and the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 219-2019, an uncodified ordinance approving a development agreement with Brian Galperin for property located at 14915 Olympic Drive, Unit K.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested on Monday after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen pickup.
Daniel Nicholas Neufeld, 30, was taken into custody on Monday afternoon, according to Sgt. Elvis Cook of the Clearlake Police Department.
Cook said police officers were dispatched to the area of Brookdale Assisted Living for a vehicle theft that had just occurred.
Officers responded to the area in an attempt to locate the truck and suspect, and found Neufeld driving the vehicle in the area of Pomo School, according to Cook.
When the officers attempted to make an enforcement stop on the truck, Neufeld led the officers on a high-speed pursuit, during which Neufeld drove recklessly at a high rate of speed and on the wrong side of the roadway, Cook said.
Cook said Neufeld lost control of the truck and slid off the roadway, causing minor damage to a boat and the truck.
Officers took Neufeld into custody for a stolen vehicle, felony evasion and disregard for public safety, and felony evasion and driving on the wrong side of the roadway, Cook said. Neufeld was transported to the Lake County Jail and booked on the charges.
Neufeld, whose occupation is listed as student on his booking sheet, remained in the Lake County Jail early Tuesday with bail set at $35,000. He is scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Authorities took a Clearlake man into custody on Monday for possessing methamphetamine which he admitted he was intending to sell.
Roy Lavern Kirk, 47, was arrested in the case, according to Sgt. Elvis Cook of the Clearlake Police Department.
At about 10 a.m. Monday Clearlake Police Officer Chris Kelleher contacted Kirk. Cook said Officer Kelleher recognized Kirk from previous law enforcement contacts, and knew Kirk was on felony probation and had an active arrest warrant.
Officer Kelleher located a significant amount of methamphetamine in Kirk's possession. Cook said Kirk admitted he had 5 ounces of methamphetamine that was separated into five separate 1-ounce packages which he intended to sale.
Kirk was later booked into the Lake County Jail on probable cause for felony charges of possession of narcotics for sale, probation violation and warrants, Cook said.
Cook said the estimated value and usage for the methamphetamine is approximately 560 dosages with a street value of $11,200.
Jail records showed that Kirk, whose occupation is listed as mechanic, remained in custody early Tuesday, and was being held without bail for a probation violation and a misdemeanor bench warrant.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to his booking records.
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced the appointment of two nationally-recognized experts in child development to be key leaders in his administration's efforts to help the youngest Californians.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a national leader in pediatric medicine, will serve as California’s first-ever surgeon general, and Kris Perry, a national leader in early childhood policy, will serve as deputy secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency for Early Childhood Development and Senior Advisor to the Governor on Implementation of Early Childhood Development Initiatives.
There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community around early warning signs and childhood determinants of serious health outcomes.
As surgeon general, Dr. Burke Harris will urge policymakers at every level of government and leaders across the state to consider the social determinants of health, especially for children. Her work will focus on combating the root causes of serious health conditions – like adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress – and using the platform of surgeon general to reach young families across the state.
Perry will help lead efforts to implement Gov. Newsom's early childhood policy agenda, one of the key components of his California for All agenda.
Gov. Newsom's budget proposed more than $1.7 billion in funding for expanded early childhood education and early interventions.
Studies have shown that nearly 85 percent of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life – with 90 percent of life brain capacity complete by the age of 5. Other research shows the disparities between low and high-income children show up as early as 6 months into a child’s life.
As a pediatrician, entrepreneur and nonprofit CEO, Dr. Burke Harris has dedicated her professional career to understanding the link between adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress in children, and the effect both have on future health outcomes.
She is the founder and CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness, or CYW – a national leader in the effort to advance pediatric medicine, raise public awareness, and transform the way society responds to children exposed to adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress.
She leads the Bay Area Research Consortium on Toxic Stress and Health, a partnership between CYW and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, to advance scientific screening and treatment of toxic stress. She serves as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Advisory Board for Screening and on a committee for the National Academy of Medicine.
She is an expert advisor on the Let’s Get Healthy California Task Force, a former member of the Boys and Men of Color Trauma Advisory Committee and a former appointee by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to the San Francisco Citizens' Committee for Community Development.
Dr. Burke Harris, 43, of San Francisco, will be sworn in as surgeon general on Feb. 11. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation will be $200,000. She is a Democrat.
Perry is a nationally-recognized early childhood advocate and has been instrumental in driving effective early learning policy at local, state and national levels. She previously served as President of Save the Children Action Network, or SCAN.
Prior to SCAN, Perry was the executive director of the First Five Years Fund. She was also executive director of First 5 California and First 5 San Mateo County, fostering their emergence as one of the most well-known and respected advocates for early childhood development on the state and national levels.
Her dedication to children and their families began at the Alameda County Social Services Agency, where she worked for more than 12 years in various capacities, including child abuse investigator, family preservation case manager, and program manager.
Perry was also a plaintiff in the landmark Proposition 8 case which returned marriage equality to California after a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Perry, 54, of Berkeley, was sworn in on Monday as California Health and Human Services Agency deputy secretary for early childhood development and senior advisor to the governor on implementation of Early Childhood Development initiatives.
Her position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $170,000. Perry is a Democrat.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a national leader in pediatric medicine, will serve as California’s first-ever surgeon general, and Kris Perry, a national leader in early childhood policy, will serve as deputy secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency for Early Childhood Development and Senior Advisor to the Governor on Implementation of Early Childhood Development Initiatives.
There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community around early warning signs and childhood determinants of serious health outcomes.
As surgeon general, Dr. Burke Harris will urge policymakers at every level of government and leaders across the state to consider the social determinants of health, especially for children. Her work will focus on combating the root causes of serious health conditions – like adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress – and using the platform of surgeon general to reach young families across the state.
Perry will help lead efforts to implement Gov. Newsom's early childhood policy agenda, one of the key components of his California for All agenda.
Gov. Newsom's budget proposed more than $1.7 billion in funding for expanded early childhood education and early interventions.
Studies have shown that nearly 85 percent of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life – with 90 percent of life brain capacity complete by the age of 5. Other research shows the disparities between low and high-income children show up as early as 6 months into a child’s life.
As a pediatrician, entrepreneur and nonprofit CEO, Dr. Burke Harris has dedicated her professional career to understanding the link between adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress in children, and the effect both have on future health outcomes.
She is the founder and CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness, or CYW – a national leader in the effort to advance pediatric medicine, raise public awareness, and transform the way society responds to children exposed to adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress.
She leads the Bay Area Research Consortium on Toxic Stress and Health, a partnership between CYW and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, to advance scientific screening and treatment of toxic stress. She serves as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Advisory Board for Screening and on a committee for the National Academy of Medicine.
She is an expert advisor on the Let’s Get Healthy California Task Force, a former member of the Boys and Men of Color Trauma Advisory Committee and a former appointee by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to the San Francisco Citizens' Committee for Community Development.
Dr. Burke Harris, 43, of San Francisco, will be sworn in as surgeon general on Feb. 11. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation will be $200,000. She is a Democrat.
Perry is a nationally-recognized early childhood advocate and has been instrumental in driving effective early learning policy at local, state and national levels. She previously served as President of Save the Children Action Network, or SCAN.
Prior to SCAN, Perry was the executive director of the First Five Years Fund. She was also executive director of First 5 California and First 5 San Mateo County, fostering their emergence as one of the most well-known and respected advocates for early childhood development on the state and national levels.
Her dedication to children and their families began at the Alameda County Social Services Agency, where she worked for more than 12 years in various capacities, including child abuse investigator, family preservation case manager, and program manager.
Perry was also a plaintiff in the landmark Proposition 8 case which returned marriage equality to California after a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Perry, 54, of Berkeley, was sworn in on Monday as California Health and Human Services Agency deputy secretary for early childhood development and senior advisor to the governor on implementation of Early Childhood Development initiatives.
Her position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $170,000. Perry is a Democrat.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council will hold a special meeting to consider a property purchase.
The meeting will take place at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On the agenda is a resolution to accept the proposed purchase of property at 2033 S. Main St. from AutoZone Parts Inc.
The proposed purchase price is $17,405.20, according to city documents.
City Manager Margaret Silveira told Lake County News that the property offers an additional 17 feet the city needs to fence the back of the police station and still have room for the police cars to be able to turn around in the area.
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 meeting will take place at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On the agenda is a resolution to accept the proposed purchase of property at 2033 S. Main St. from AutoZone Parts Inc.
The proposed purchase price is $17,405.20, according to city documents.
City Manager Margaret Silveira told Lake County News that the property offers an additional 17 feet the city needs to fence the back of the police station and still have room for the police cars to be able to turn around in the area.
Email Elizabeth Larson at