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Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and 44 other Members of the California Congressional Delegation slammed President Donald Trump’s false and defamatory statements on Twitter about the California wildfires.

In addition to Thompson, letter signatures included representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Zoe Logfren (CA-19), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Grace Napolitano (CA-07), Susan Davis (CA-53), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Linda T. Sanchez (CA-38), Jim Costa (CA-16), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Judy Chu (CA-27), John Garamendi (CA-03), Karen Bass (CA-37), Ami Bera (CA-07), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Scott Peters (CA-52), Raul Ruiz (CA-36), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Mark Takano (CA-41), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Norma Torres (CA-35), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), TJ Cox (CA-21), Josh Harder (CA-10), Katie Hill (CA-25), Mike Levin (CA-49), Katie Porter (CA-45) and Harley Rouda (CA-48).

They were joined by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03).

Calling president’s language appalling, the members corrected the record regarding federal government oversight of California forests and demanded he restore federal support to those recovering from wildfires.

The full text of the letter is below.

January 9, 2019

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Mr. President:

We are writing in response to the cruel and dishonest statement you issued today regarding wildfires in California.

According to your statement, posted on Twitter, you intend to withhold disaster assistance funding from California communities struggling to recover from wildfires until changes are made to state-level forest management policies.

The casual cruelty of this threat is appalling. Thousands of people have lost everything: family members, homes, property, lives. These families deserve empathy and support from their President. Instead, you issued a callous and unfeeling threat to make a political point.

Your statement was also dishonest. The federal government oversees almost 60 percent of forestland in California, and several of the costliest, largest or deadliest fires in history – including last year’s Camp and Carr Fires – ignited on federal land. The federal government is responsible for these lands, not the State of California, and blaming these fires on state-level forest management is utterly false.

We urge you to retract your misleading statement. We also request, in the strongest possible terms, that you immediately restore federal support to Americans recovering from wildfires.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said its continuing investigation into the deaths of a family along the Mendocino Coast in March has led to the identification of remains found in May as belonging to one of the missing children.

Lt. Shannon Barney said the remains were identified as those of Hannah Louise-Holiday Hart, who also went by the last name of Scheurich, 16, of Woodland, Washington.

On the afternoon of March 26 the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Juan Creek and North Highway 1, just north of the town of Westport, on the report of a traffic collision resulting in five fatalities.

The individuals who died later were identified as all belonging to the Hart family of Washington; Jennifer Hart, 38; Sarah Hart, 38; Markis Hart, 19; Jeremiah Hart, 14; and Abigail Hart, 14.

As a result of this investigation three other family members were listed as missing persons; Devonte Hart, 15; Hannah Hart, 16; and and Ciera Hart, 12.

An extensive investigation was initiated into the cause of the collision, the location of the three missing persons and the cause and manner of death of the decedents. It’s believed that Jennifer Hart intentionally drove the family’s SUV off a cliff.

This investigation has been an ongoing effort with the cooperating investigatory agencies being; The Clark County Washington Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol and the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

On the afternoon of April 7, human remains were again discovered on the beach just north of where the original collision occurred. Ten days later, the remains were positively identified as belonging to Ciera Hart via DNA testing by the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory.

On May 9, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office again responded to this area after a citizen reported partial human remains found on the beach.

These remains consisted of a partial foot located inside a shoe and attached to a pair of jeans. The jeans and shoe appeared consistent with those that would fit a smaller-sized person.

The remains were forwarded the to the DOJ LAB to see if a DNA profile could be determined and if so, could the remains be identified as one of the two remaining missing children, Devonte Hart or Hannah Hart.

On June 8, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was notified the results of the testing by the DOJ LAB were inconclusive and the remains could not be positively identified.

The DOJ LAB personnel requested additional samples from known family members so additional testing could be conducted.

In October, a woman who identified herself as the mother of Markis, Abigail and Hannah Hart contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and indicated she had heard of this incident via a family member.

She was fully cooperative in this investigation and with the assistance of detectives of the Mobile, Alabama Police Department, a DNA sample was obtained from this person and forwarded to the DOJ LAB for comparison testing.

On Tuesday, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office received word from the DOJ LAB that the additional DNA test results showed a positive identification of the partial remains found on May 9 as belonging to Hannah Hart.

Devonte Hart is still listed as a missing person with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

It is believed that the most likely scenario is that he too perished in this incident but the case remains open and active.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is poised to follow up any viable investigative lead but has not received any indication of Devonte being located elsewhere.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two new members took their seats on the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, bringing to the county’s highest government body an infusion of youth and greater diversity.

Bruno Sabatier, representing District 2, and EJ Crandell, representing District 3, were sworn in on Tuesday morning by County Clerk-Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund.

Crandell, elected to succeed Supervisor Jim Steele, is the tribal chair for Robinson Rancheria and the second American Indian representative to sit on the board, after District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, also a tribal leader for Middletown Rancheria.

Lake is believed to be the only county in the state – and possibly the nation – that has that level of tribal representation as part of its overall county leadership, according to statements at Tuesday’s meeting.

Sabatier, who came to the United States from France, just completed his first term on the Clearlake City Council during which he served as mayor. He was elected to succeed Supervisor Jeff Smith, who has been on the board for 20 years.

Before Crandell and Sabatier were sworn and seated, their predecessors were honored by their board colleagues.

Steele, who for the past year has chaired the board, opened the meeting. During the moment of silence, an emotional Smith dedicated it to his friend, Bill Rutherford, a former California Highway Patrol officer who died last week.

After the meeting was under way, Steele passed the gavel to Vice Chair Tina Scott and Supervisor Rob Brown presented a proclamation to Smith, who he said doesn’t like to be in the spotlight.

When he was first elected, Brown said the first call he got was from Smith, congratulating him and offering him assistance. Brown said Smith was always there when he needed advice, and he’s been a true gentleman.

“I genuinely appreciate the friendship we've developed over these years,” Brown said.

The proclamation offered for Smith lauded him for his five terms representing District 2, which includes the majority of the city of Clearlake.

His priorities have included support for public safety, code enforcement efforts, assistance to senior centers, encouragement of tourism and development of local jobs.

He also served on a variety of committees, including the Area Planning Council/Lake Transit Authority, Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Commission, First 5 Lake, the Local Area Formation Commission, Clearlake Redevelopment Agency and the Solid Waste Task Force.

“Supervisor Smith, a highly successful business owner in his own right, served as a champion for local businesses throughout his tenure with the Board,” the proclamation stated.

The proclamation also noted that Smith was instrumental in securing essential recovery resources for his community, which was severely impacted by the October 2017 Sulphur wildfire, in which he and his wife lost their own home.

Smith was strongly committed to fire hazard abatement, development of the former Pearce Airport in Clearlake, housing for veterans, regular local tax sales to reduce blight and support for the development of an all new transit hub in Clearlake.

In collaboration with Congressman Mike Thompson, Smith also played an integral role in the 10-plus year project to open a Veterans Affairs clinic in Clearlake, a goal which came to fruition in November 2010.

Smith wiped at his eyes as Brown read the proclamation. “I’m easily choked up,” he said afterward.

“I really appreciate all your comments, Rob,” he said. However, he added, “Everybody out there deserves the credit,” giving a large amount of credit to county staff.

“I just hope that the county can get better,” he said, explaining he had expected to see more things get done.

Smith added, “Our employees deserve a lot more. It's something we've always strived for, but because of the catastrophes we've had, we haven't been able to carry it through.”

Simon and Scott both thanked him, with Scott noting, “I wish I would have had more time to work with you.”

Steele said he and Smith have shared a couple of disasters together, and that Smith has been right there for his community and county every step of the way.

“It’s been a good 20 years, Jeff,” Steele said.

Simon then read the proclamation for Steele, who for four years has represented District 3, the largest geographically of the five supervisorial districts.

The proclamation credited him with helping reduce the cost of water in the economically challenged community of Lucerne, and recognized his representation of the county at the Rural County Representatives of California and the California State Association of Counties, with Steele one of only 40 supervisors in the history of the CSAC Institute to become a California Credentialed Supervisor.

He has served on numerous committees and governing bodies, including the Area Agency on Aging, the Blue Ribbon Committee on Restoring Clear Lake, the Disaster Council, Eel Russian River Commission/Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Fire Safe Council, the Potter Valley Project and the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay.

Steele also implemented town halls on the Northshore, led efforts to deal with garbage and refuse to diminish blight and reduce the risk of resulting environmental hazards, spearheaded the creation of the newly formed Lake County Fire Risk Reduction Authority to enhance home and property protections and support local resiliency efforts, and championed an ordinance designed to regulate the local cannabis industry.

After Simon read the proclamation, Steele thanked everyone for coming and said the only way that governance works is when the governed allow it. He also credited the work of county staff.

Steele said he was honored to serve four years, and that this completes 28 years of public service for him. He’s also worked in private industry, including owning several small businesses, one of which he intends to return to now that his term is done. He said he’s never had more fun or been more honored than working for the county.

He said Crandell will serve well, calling him a sterling individual and an amazing person, adding he couldn’t wait to get him up on the dais. “You’re ready and I’m done.”

Scott thanked Steele for his service and for being available to answer her questions.

“I know you're very passionate about your community,” and she added she expects to see him continue working.

Simon commended Steele for forming the Silver Foundation, which focuses on senior issues and holds annual senior summits, noting it’s a great legacy for him. He also thanked Steele for sitting him down and sharing information on the lake so he could get an understanding of it. “You really set me straight on it.”

Brown said of Steele, “For the one term you were here, you worked hard, you got a lot done for your district.”

He said there's a small fraternity of people who really understand how difficult things can be on the board, and noted the realities of serving in office are much more severe that running for it.

During Tuesday’s meeting, a representative from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office presented certificates to both Smith and Steele.

Steele also received a proclamation from Gene Paleno of Upper Lake’s town hall and received thanks and praise from other community members, including Habematolel Pomo Tribal Chair Sherry Treppa, who thanked him for being an advocate for the tribe and, referring to Crandell, said it was exciting to see another tribal member coming onto the board. Steele’s wife, Olga, also said she hasn’t known anyone who works harder than her husband behind the scenes, and thanked him for serving the public.

Also during public comment, Les Miller, a tribal advisory council for the Lake County Museum, congratulated both Smith and Steele for their support of an American Indian statue that’s soon to be installed in front of the museum.

He also lauded Simon and Crandell for their work on the board. “I'm so proud, you make my heart soar like a hawk.”

Crandell and Sabatier were then called forward to take their oaths while Smith and Steele came down from the dais, clearing the way for their successors to take their seats.

Choosing board leadership, getting to work

With its two new members in place, the board then elected the new year’s leadership. Brown nominated Scott as chair and Simon as vice chair, with Sabatier seconding and the board voting 5-0.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson then asked the board to add an extra item to the agenda which inadvertently had been left off – the swearing in of several other county officials. The board unanimously approved the request.

Taking their oaths were Sheriff Brian Martin, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford and District Attorney Susan Krones. Tax Collector Barbara Ringen was not present but also had been due to be sworn.

Sheriff Martin’s father, retired Judge Richard Martin, administered the oath to his son ahead of his swearing-in before the board.

During public comment, Robinson Rancheria tribal member Wanda Quitiquit gave Crandell a gift – a gourd decorated with Pomo geometric designs, leather and beadwork.

“I know you will do a great job,” she said.

Huchingson also introduced Patrick Sullivan, who will hold the new tax administrator job in her office and, in that capacity, will work on the cannabis business tax, other revenue tax in general.

In other business, the board approved the request from acting Lake County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson to consider continuing a proclamation of a local health emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire, which she said was necessary due to the debris cleanup and soil testing still being under way.

Environmental Health Director Jesse Kang reported that, as of Jan. 3, 177 burned properties had enrolled in the state debris removal program, with 156 of them considered eligible. The remaining 21 were considered ineligible because they had outbuildings, not residences. Those properties were enrolled in a modified cleanup, with some of them withdrawing and going to private cleanup.

Out of the 156 eligible sites, debris removal has been completed on 139 of them, with 69 ready for rebuild, Kang said.

In its nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting, the board received a final review of a Community Development Block Grant; held a discussion on the possible creation of benefit zones to deal with damage to county roads resulting from wildfires; considered agreements with Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Wolf Creek Bridge at Wolf Creek Road, rehabilitation of Bartlett Creek Bridge at Bartlett Springs Road and rehabilitation of Middle Creek Bridge at Rancheria Road; and considered and approved an agreement between with Peterson Brustad Inc. in the amount of $499,971.00 for the Middle Creek Flood Control Feasibility Study for the community of Upper Lake.

They appointed or reappointed members of the planning commission. Crandell’s successor as District 3 commissioner is Batsulwin A. Brown, a tribal member from Elem Colony. Reappointed members are District 1 Commissioner John H. Hess III, District 2 Commissioner Bob Malley, District 4 Commissioner Daniel Camacho and District 5 Commissioner Daniel Suenram.

The board also approved the chair’s recommended 2019 committee assignments for board members, elected the chair and vice chair of the Lake County Board of Equalization and the Lake County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Board of Directors; and made a number of commission and committee appointments, including approving the selection of Bill Gabe to the Lakeport Fire Protection District.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Two south Lake County residents were seriously hurt in a head-on collision near Middletown on Monday night.

Kevin Schosek, 62, of Anderson Springs and Karen Brown, 52, of Hidden Valley Lake suffered major injuries in the crash, which occurred at 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said Schosek was driving a 1999 Chevrolet 1500 pickup southbound on Highway 29 near the Bar X Ranch at 55 miles per hour when he experienced mechanical trouble with the headlamps.

At the same time, Brown was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey van northbound on Highway 29, also at 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.

The CHP’s report explained that Schosek was distracted due to the mechanical failure of his headlights and he veered across the double yellow lines and into the path of Brown’s van.

Brown saw Schosek’s pickup driving directly towards her in the northbound lane, without any headlights on, and swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, the CHP said.

Schosek simultaneously observed the headlights of Brown’s van coming at him and realized he had crossed the double yellow lines, and he turned his pickup to the right in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision.

The CHP said the pickup and van collided head-on and came to rest blocking both lanes. Both lanes of Highway 29 remained blocked while fire personnel extricated Brown and Schosek from their vehicles.

Radio reports stated that, due to the inclement weather, air ambulances could not respond to fly Brown and Schosek out of county. The CHP said they were transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake.

One-way traffic control was in place while the vehicles were removed from the scene, the CHP said.

The CHP said alcohol and/or drugs were not suspected to be a factor in this collision.

Both Schosek and Brown were wearing their seat belts, the CHP said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In its first meeting of the new year the Clearlake City Council will get an update from staff on tourism-related efforts and consider the mayor’s appointments.

The council will meet in closed session at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, to discuss anticipated litigation, property negotiations for 14130 Tuli Lane as well as labor negotiations before the open portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Under council business, there will be an update on the collection of transient occupancy tax and tourism district assessments for 2019.

As part of that discussion, staff will present the latest on its efforts to collect transient occupancy tax, or bed tax, from vacation rental owners.

The council also will offer direction regarding an offer in compromise to satisfy the abatement lien on 3800 Howard Ave.

Mayor Nick Bennett will make his 2019 appointments, and the council will consider appointing members as representatives to the League of California Cities Redwood Empire Division.

The council also will consider appointing two members to the Measure V Oversight Committee.

Also on Thursday, the council will hold a public hearing to consider a development agreement with Brian Galperin for cannabis manufacturing operations and, sitting as the Clearlake Redevelopment Successor Agency, will consider adopting the recognized obligation payments schedule.

Also on Thursday the council will get a presentation by Kin Ong, deputy general manager of the Public Agency Risk Sharing Authority of California, and a presentation on council norms and procedures.

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, Dec. 3, 6 and 13 meetings; reappointment of Planning Commission Nathalie Antus for a second four-year term; approval of the amended agreement for planning services with Price Consulting Services; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 216-2019 regulating vendor and door-to-door sales activity and amending sections of county code regulating itinerant businesses; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 217-2019, approving a development agreement with Justin Jones for property located at 14935 Olympic Drive, units C/D and E/F; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 218-2019 approve a development agreement with Steven Malone for property located at 14935 Olympic Drive, units A and B2; the annual calendar of meetings; and approval of the fair political practices Form 806 reporting public official appointments.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall’s first meeting of the year will feature a board election and discussion of a vineyard project.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.

Meetings are open to the community, and offer the opportunity for additional public input on items not included on the agenda.

On the agenda is a discussion with Stephen McCord of local abandoned mines.

There also will be discussion on a vineyard development project on the old Browning property.

In other business, there will be board elections and approval of the group’s Facebook page guidelines.

The MATH Board includes Chair Joseph Sullivan, Vice Chair Courtney Van Leuven, Secretary Marlene Elder, and at-large members Claude Brown and Lisa Kaplan.

MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

Meetings are subject to videotaping.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.