News

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two Lake County residents on Friday for a string of residential burglaries.

Arrested in the case were Ryan Messing, 33, and 27-year-old Tabytha Jarvis, according to a report from Sgt. Spencer Crum.

At about 4:15 p.m. Friday Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a woman who just arrived home in the 2900 block of River Road in Forestville to find her home in the process of being burglarized, Crum said.

He said the woman told the deputies when she arrived home a woman was parked in her driveway in a newer light-colored, small SUV. The woman was able to drive away after asking the homeowner if “Gina” lived there.

The homeowner then noticed a window broken to her front door and then heard someone rummaging through her garage. Crum said the homeowner ran back to her car and called the sheriff’s office from her cell phone. at which point she saw Messing, a parolee from Clearlake, run from the north side of her home and into a nearby vineyard.

Deputies, with the help of the sheriff’s helicopter unit, spotted Messing in the vineyard fleeing away from the scene. After a foot pursuit and struggle, Messing was taken into custody and arrested for residential burglary and resisting arrest, Crum said.

Sheriff’s property crimes detectives were called to the scene to assist. Crum said detectives were able to identify Messing’s girlfriend as Jarvis, who they confirmed was the woman driving the SUV at the victim’s home in Forestville after showing the victim a series of photographs.

Through investigative means, detectives tracked Jarvis to a residence in the 1500 block of North Street in Santa Rosa. In the driveway at that address was a silver, newer Nissan Rogue that was reported stolen out of Arbuckle and had been taken during another residential burglary, Crum said.

Crum said detectives contacted and arrested Jarvis at the home. Detectives searched the stolen car, the home and a storage shed at the home and found a trove of stolen property from at least three residential burglaries in Sonoma County, including eight stolen firearms, tools, jewelry and miscellaneous items.

Detectives also are attempting to solve at least two other burglaries that were committed in Lake County, Crum said.

Crum said both Messing and Jarvis were booked and are currently housed in the Sonoma County Jail charged with burglary, possession of stolen property, theft of firearms, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy.

Messing is being held without bail due to a post release community supervision hold out of Lake County. Jarvis is being held on $500,000 bail after a judge increased the standard bail of $50,000, Crum said.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a Statewide Elk Conservation and Management Plan.

The plan has undergone extensive public review and will help guide state wildlife managers’ efforts to maintain healthy elk herds.

The plan builds on the success of efforts to reestablish elk in suitable historic ranges, and management practices that have resulted in robust elk populations throughout the state.

It includes objectives for providing public educational and recreational opportunities, habitat enhancement and restoration, and minimization of conflicts on private property.

“This plan demonstrates CDFW’s commitment to build upon its strong foundation for the continued conservation of this iconic species for future management of California’s elk populations,” said CDFW Wildlife Branch Chief Kari Lewis.

There are three subspecies of elk in California: Roosevelt (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), Rocky Mountain (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) and Tule (Cervus canadensis nannodes). California’s 22 Elk Management Units, or EMUs, collectively comprise the distribution of all three species within their respective ranges in the state.

Management activities on those lands include controlling invasive weeds, installing water sources, conducting research and planting food plots.

Lake County is home to tule elk. The Lake Pillsbury Tule Elk Management Unit in Lake County includes land 300,000 acres near Lake Pillsbury within the historical tule elk range.

The plans said the department directly manages only a small fraction of land within current elk range.

The department owns six properties where elk land management activities occur: Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County, San Antonio Valley Ecological Reserve in Santa Clara County, Cache Creek Wildlife Area in Lake County, North Coast Wildlife Area Complex in Del Norte and
Humboldt counties, and Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve in San Luis Obispo County, and undesignated mitigation land (the future North Carrizo Ecological Reserve) in San Luis Obispo County.

The plan addresses historical and current geographic range, habitat conditions and trends, and major factors affecting all three species statewide, also in addition to individually addressing each EMU.

The EMU plans include herd characteristics, harvest data, management goals, and management actions to conserve and enhance habitat conditions on public and private lands.

More information about California’s Elk Management Program can be found on CDFW’s Web site.

2018 California Department of Fish and Wildlife Elk Plan by LakeCoNews on Scribd

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The remains of a man reported missing last month in Mendocino County have been identified, with authorities reporting that his death no longer appears to have been a case of homicide.

The body of Frank Edward Pinckney, 58, of Eureka was identified by a forensic odontologist, according to Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Pinckney has been reported missing late last month, as Lake County News has reported.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office had begun to investigate Pinckney’s disappearance as a possible homicide after a burned Ford van later confirmed as his was found near Leggett, Barney said.

On the afternoon of Nov. 24 a citizen reported a vehicle fire just south of Leggett and stated that they saw an adult male wearing a white jumpsuit and heavy logging style boots fleeing the scene, with a leg on fire.

Authorities responded to the scene, Barney said, finding a deceased male inside the van. They found what appeared to be numerous bullet holes in the side of the van and a gun was located on the ground nearby.

They also searched the area for signs of the male subject the witness had seen near the van, but couldn’t locate anyone, Barney said.

On Nov. 28, a forensic odontologist was able to make a positive identification on the body found inside the van, identifying it as that of Pinckney, according to Barney.

Barney said Pinckney’s family members related that he had been exhibiting what was described as signs of mental health problems in the last few weeks of his life.

Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives re-interviewed an original witness, Barney said. It was previously thought that a subject was "seen fleeing from the scene" onto a private logging road.

However, Barney said the detectives since clarified with the witness that no one was seen running down a logging road and the man, whose leg was on fire, was last seen behind the van where the witness lost sight of him.

Barney said investigators now believe this man was actually Pinckney and that he reentered the van prior to his death.

Pinckney’s cause of death is still under investigation as there are forensics tests being completed, the results of which are not yet known, Barney said. However, investigators now believe homicide is no longer a likely scenario in this case.

Investigators do not believe the witness misled investigators and has been cooperating fully in this investigation, Barney said.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance.

Anyone with information related to the suspect or anyone who might have seen Pinckney or his vehicle in the past several days is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Communications Center at 707-463-4086 or the Sheriff's Tip Line at 707-234-2100.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday announced the appointment of six California Superior Court judges.

The appointments include one in Alameda County, one in Napa County, one in Orange County, one in Sonoma County and and two in Yolo County.

The compensation for each of these positions is $207,424.

Alameda County Superior Court

Colin T. Bowen

Colin T. Bowen, 55, of Oakland, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Alameda County Superior Court.

Bowen has served as supervising deputy city attorney at the Oakland City Attorney’s Office since 2015. He was interim board counsel at the Oakland Citizens Police Review Board from 2014 to 2015 and a sole practitioner from 2013 to 2015.

Bowen was a partner at Clay and Bowen LLP from 2007 to 2013 and a deputy public defender at the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office from 1994 to 2007.

He was an associate at McKenna and Cuneo from 1992 to 1994 and at Miller, Starr and Regalia from 1990 to 1992.

Bowen earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Roy Hashimoto.

Bowen is a Democrat.

Napa County Superior Court

Scott R. L. Young

Scott R. L. Young, 39, of Napa, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Napa County Superior Court.

Young has served as a commissioner at the Napa County Superior Court since 2018. He served as a deputy district attorney at the Napa County District Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2018 and from 2007 to 2014.

Young served as a deputy district attorney at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office from 2014 to 2017 and was a sole practitioner from 2005 to 2007.

He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Oregon University.

He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position on Dec. 13.

Young is a Democrat.

Orange County Superior Court

Sandy N. Leal

Sandy N. Leal, 46, of Irvine, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Orange County Superior Court.

Leal has served as a deputy chief at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California since 2015, where she has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2004.

She served as an assistant district counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service from 1999 to 2004.

Leal earned a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.

She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy J. Stafford.

Leal is registered without party preference.

Sonoma County Superior Court

Mark A. Urioste

Mark A. Urioste, 44, of Santa Rosa, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Sonoma County Superior Court.

Urioste has served as a commissioner at the Sonoma County Superior Court since 2018. He served as a deputy district attorney at the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office from 2006 to 2018 and was an associate at Babin and Seeger in 2006.

Urioste served as a research attorney and judicial assistant to the Honorable Julie Spector at the King County Superior Court from 2003 to 2005.

He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Lewis and Clark College School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut.

Effective Dec. 31, he will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Rene A. Chouteau.

Urioste is registered without party preference.

Yolo County Superior Court

Tom M. Dyer

Tom M. Dyer, 44, of Sacramento, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Yolo County Superior Court.

Dyer has served as chief deputy legislative affairs secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. since 2015. He served as legislative director at the California Department of Finance from 2012 to 2015 and at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2010 to 2012.

Dyer served as staff counsel at the California Department of Social Services in 2009, labor relations counsel at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2006 to 2008 and enforcement counsel at the California Fair Political Practices Commission in 2006. He served as a deputy district attorney at the Sutter County District Attorney's Office from 2003 to 2005.

Dyer earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis.

He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen M. White. Dyer plans to continue serving in his current position in the Governor’s Office until the end of the Administration.

Dyer is a Democrat.

Peter M. Williams

Peter M. Williams, 50, of Sacramento, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Yolo County Superior Court.

Williams has served as deputy secretary, general counsel at the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency since 2016.

Prior to that, he served in several positions at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2001 to 2015, where he was supervisor of the Fraud and Special Prosecutions Unit and was a cross-designated special federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in both the Eastern and Central Districts of California.

He was an associate at Boutin Jones Inc. from 2000 to 2001, at Carle, Mackie, Power and Ross from 1998 to 2000 and at Bolling, Walter and Gawthrop from 1996 to 1998.

Williams earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Steven M. Basha.

Williams is a Democrat.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s challenges with keeping positions filled will be a main item of discussion at this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 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.

At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the board will hold the discussion on staffing and vacancies within the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Brian Martin requested the item be placed on the agenda on behalf of the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

Martin said the association asked for the timed item, not to exceed 25 minutes.

“This time would allow for a presentation of concerns as well as potential solutions. Statements from staff leaving the department may be presented,” he said in his memo to the board.

In an October letter to the editor, Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Sgt. John Drewrey said it is up to the county of Lake to make staffing the sheriff’s office a priority.

In other business, on the agenda is an informational workshop on how the county should establish policy dealing with short-term or vacation rental services for temporary lodging – such as through Airbnb and VRBO.

Specifically, the untimed item will discuss with staff what actions should be taken to regulate that industry, which is estimated to include more than 300 local residences in the unincorporated portion of the county.

The supervisors also will consider adopting a resolution of intention to develop and Implement an Ordinance adding Article VIII to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code regarding hazardous vegetation abatement on unimproved parcels in the unincorporated areas of the county of Lake. That item also isn’t timed.

The board held a lengthy discussion on the proposed ordinance last week but it was decided that more work was needed. In the meantime County Counsel Anita Grant suggested the supervisors consider adopting the proposed resolution in order to be eligible for potential grant funding for a joint powers agreement meant to address fire risk in the county.

In another untimed item, the board will consider an agreement with the Romero Institute-New Paradigm College for the sale of the Lucerne Hotel.

The full agenda follows.

CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS

5.1: Consideration of Contract Change Order #8 for the Clearlake Oaks Intertie Control Valve Project, SD17-03 to confirm the revised contract price, and authorize the chair to sign.

CONSENT AGENDA

6.1: Approve letter of support for the Middletown Art Center's 2019 Artists in Schools “Being Leonardo” grant application and authorize the chair to sign.

6.2: Adopt proclamation commending Diane Fridley for her years of service to the county of Lake.

6.3: Approve leave of absence request for Melinda Daunis from Oct. 21, 2018, through Jan. 31, 2019, and authorize the chair to sign.

6.4: Adopt resolution to support participation in the 2020 Census and consideration of direction to staff to complete the processes necessary to apply for state funding available to Lake County to support Census 2020 outreach efforts.

6.5: (a) Approve in concept revisions of Personnel Rule 1604.6, Salary Plan Administration, pending meet and confer; (b) rescind county policy restricting purchase of bottled water for county offices; (c) approve revisions of County Employee Appreciation and Team Building Policy (E.A.T.S).

6.6: Approve letter to CalPERS appealing decision disallowing LCDSA employees a special enrollment period based on increase in employer contribution for health care from $800 to $1,000 per employee per month, to be signed by all five board members.

6.7: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2 as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Lake Family Resource Center for the provision of the FEMA-based immediate services program known as Cal Hope for Fiscal Year 2018-19, for an amount not to exceed $225,000; and authorize the chair to sign.

6.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for substance use disorder perinatal intensive outpatient and perinatal outpatient drug free services provided at H.O.M.E. for Fiscal Year 2018-19, for an amount not to exceed $30,000; and authorize the chair to sign.

6.9: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. Tule House for substance use disorder perinatal residential services for fiscal year 2018-19, for an amount not to exceed $62,000; and authorize the chair to sign.

6.10: Adopt resolution accepting official canvass of the statewide general election held on Nov. 6, 2018; and, declaring the results of county measure under the board's jurisdiction.

6.11: Adopt resolution approving county of Lake Health Services to apply for the Farm to School Grant receiving one time funding in the amount of $75,000 through the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services for the Fiscal Years 2019-2021 and authorizing the director of Health Services to sign application, and necessary amendments, certifications, clauses, contracts, and payment requests to said grant agreement on behalf of the county of Lake.

6.12: Approve advanced step hire for Dana Sturzbecher, occupational therapist to the county of Lake Public Health Division.

6.13: Adopt resolution appointing representatives to the CSAC-EIA Insurance Authority Board of Directors.

6.14: Approve budget transfer and new capital asset in the amount of $6,033.00 to purchase a parks maintenance landscaping trailer and authorize the chair to sign.

6.15: Approve amendment one to the laboratory services agreement between the county of Lake and BC Laboratories Inc. for water sampling, monitoring, and testing at the Eastlake Landfill for an annual amount not to exceed $50,000.00; and authorize the chair to sign.

6.16: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and SCS Engineers for California Environmental Quality Act environmental review and regulatory agency permitting services for the Eastlake Landfill expansion, and authorize the chair to sign.

6.17: Adopt resolution approving final parcel map – Smith & Smythe PM 15-03 and Authorizing the chair to sign.

6.18: Approve the plans and specifications for the Cycle 7 and Cycle 8 HSIP Signs and Striping Project; Bid no. 18-22, Federal Aid project no. HSIPL-5914 (104) & HSIPL-5914 (113).

6.19: (a) Waive the normal sealed bid process under Ordinance No. 2406, Section 38.2, for the purchase of four Central Garage pool vehicles and four ISF vehicles; and (b) authorize the Public Works director/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order through the statewide bid contract in the amount of $104,266.94 and a purchase order to Matt Mazzei in the amount of $123,727.78.

6.20: Authorize the destruction of records under Government Code sections 26202 and 26205 for the sheriff's office.

6.21: (a) Adopt resolution to amend the adopted budget for FY 2018-19 by cancelling obligated fund balance to make available for appropriation in Budget Unit 8482; and (b) approve payment of outstanding general fund loan balance in full.

6.22: Adopt resolution accepting the Clearlake Oaks Intertie Control Valve Project, SD17-03, as complete and authorize the Special Districts administrator to sign the notice of completion.

6.23: Authorize the purchase of two sedans and two AWD's From Redwood Ford for $86,420.46 and authorize the Social Services director to sign the purchase order and all other accompanying documents for this transaction.

6.24: Approve first amendment between the county of Lake and JUMP Technology Services in the Amount of $10,560 from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019 and authorize the chair sign.

6.25: Approve the addendum to lease agreement between Mobil Modular for public restrooms at our Lower Lake main office, extending the term through April 14, 2022, for an annual lease rate of $6,192 and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

7.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Diane Fridley for her years of service to the county of Lake.

7.3, 9:12 a.m.: (a) Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County health officer due to the Mendocino Complex fire.

7.4, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of acceptance of $11,100 donation from the Lake County Literacy Coalition.

7.5, 9:20 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of a first amendment to the joint powers agreement creating the Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority in order to include the Kelseyville Fire Protection District as a member.

7.6, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of appeal (AB 18-02) of the planning commission's decision to approve use permit (UP 17-04) and variance (VR 18-03) for an unmanned 70-foot tall Broad Leaf Mono-tree Wireless telecommunication tower and variance to allow 15-foot wide access easement; project location 25 and 55 Worley Drive, Lakeport (APNs 029-141-31 and 029-141-33); applicant: Verizon Wireless (c/o Epic Wireless); appellant: Linda Shields.

7.7, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of appeal (AB 18-03) of planning commission's denial of variance (VR 18-05) to allow applicant to apply for a use permit to operate a Type 1c indoor cannabis cultivation license within 1,000 feet of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility; project location 14725 Catholic Church Road, Clearlake Oaks (APN 010-046-06); applicant, Liyu Shen.

7.8, 10:30 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of staffing and vacancies within the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

UNTIMED ITEMS

8.2: Consideration of letter of support for a grant request to Cal Fire's California Climate Investments Fire Prevention Grant Program.

8.3: Reconsideration of (a) board appointment of delegate and alternate to the Rural County Representatives Board of Directors for 2019; (b) board appointment of delegate and alternate to Golden State Finance Authority Board of Directors for 2019; and (c) board appointment of delegate and alternate to the Rural Counties Representatives of California Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors for 2019.

8.4: Consideration of (a) late travel claim for District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele in the amount of $523.02; and (b) late mileage claim for District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele in the amount of $149.84.

8.5: Consideration of Intent to Award Bid No. 18-13 for propane fueling services.

8.6: Consideration of a memorandum of understanding (mou) between the county of Lake and the Lake County Sheriff Management Association for the period from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2019.

8.7: Consideration of agreement regarding the sale of property located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, California, between the county of Lake and the Romero Institute – New Paradigm College.

8.8: Second reading, consideration of an ordinance amending Article X of Chapter Two, of the Lake County Code to revise the local procurement standards to state and federal standards for public projects.

8.9: Informational Workshop to discuss impacts and potential policy options regarding short-term rental services for temporary lodging.

8.10: Consideration of a resolution of intention to develop and implement an ordinance adding Article VIII to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code regarding hazardous vegetation abatement on unimproved parcels in the unincorporated areas of the county of Lake.

8.11: Discussion and consideration of temporary courthouse elevator modifications for inmate transport during repair of the court holdings elevator.

CLOSED SESSION

9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Tabba aka Ward v. Wright, et al.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – In its final regular meeting of the year, the Lakeport City Council’s two reelected members will take their oaths of office, the council will consider appointments to various committees and meet new city employees.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Mayor Mireya Turner and Council member Stacey Mattina will take their oaths of office at Tuesday’s meeting.

Turner and Mattina were not opposed in their reelection bids and so in August the council voted to appoint them to new four-year terms rather than go through the expense of an election.

This will be the start of Turner’s second term and Mattina’s third.

Once the two women take their oaths, the council will nominate and elect its mayor and mayor pro tem for the coming year.

Under council business, the council will consider four appointments to the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, two appointments to the Measure Z Advisory Committee, three Lakeport Planning Commission appointments, three appointments to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and two appointments to Parks and Recreation Commission.

Also on Tuesday, there will be presentation of awards to the winners of the annual Holiday Decorating Contest sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association, and introductions of Lakeport Police Department Sgt. Michael Davis and new Public Works employees Hector Heredia and Codie Lairson.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the joint council meeting on Dec. 3 and the regular meeting on Dec. 7; the Dec. 7 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency in the city of Lakeport; direction to the city clerk to prepare the 2019 Maddy Act appointments list and post at City Hall and the Lakeport Public Library; authorization of the cancellation of the regular meeting of Jan. 1, 2019; adoption of the resolution accepting construction of the Lakeshore Boulevard Roadway Repair Project by Granite Construction Co. and authorization of the filing of the notice of completion; and authorization of the city of Lakeport to contract with the county of Lake for dispatch services.

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.

121818 Lakeport City Council meeting agenda by LakeCoNews on Scribd