How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A woman and her daughter arrested last month and charged with financial elder abuse have pleaded not guilty in the case.
Linda Ann Mafrice, 63, of Clearlake, and Meghan Mariana DeMarco, 29, of Kelseyville, entered the pleas in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson.
Abelson said both women are scheduled for a disposition or setting of a preliminary hearing at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 15.
Both were arrested on Oct. 18 for financial elder abuse, grand theft, conspiracy, forgery and altering medical records, as Lake County News has reported.
The victim in the case is Dan Hamblin, Mafrice’s longtime boyfriend.
He also was the husband of Barbara LaForge, who was murdered in her downtown Lakeport frame shop in October 2002.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen confirmed to Lake County News last month that both Hamblin and Mafrice remain persons of interest in LaForge’s unsolved murder.
Mafrice and DeMarco are alleged to have coerced and tricked Hamblin into signing a deed to his residence at 10615 Fairway Drive in Kelseyville at a time when he did not have the mental capacity to consent to the transfer of his property.
Based on the investigation, they’re also alleged to have forged medical records and other documents to ensure the transfer went through.
The property was sold in June for $175,000 and they kept the proceeds, the District Attorney’s Office confirmed.
Mafrice also has a history of financial crimes for which she has served time in state prison.
Abelson said that, so far, both Mafrice and DeMarco are charged only with financial elder abuse; that charge offers the most time if convicted. She said some of the other crimes for which the two originally were arrested “are just alternative charges for the same conduct but I will likely amend the complaint to add some as well as some auto theft potentially for the same victim.”
The women originally were held on $500,000 bail each. At her arraignment last month, DeMarco was released on her own recognizance, Abelson said.
In a separate appearance on Oct. 30, Mafrice also was released on her own recognizance over Abelson’s objections but at the recommendation of the Probation Department.
Attorney Angela Carter made a general appearance on behalf of her law firm Carter Brown for DeMarco on Wednesday. Komnith Moth, who works for Lake County’s indigent defense contract, is representing Mafrice, who is seeking to obtain new counsel.
Carter told Lake County News that, so far, no financial records have been submitted as part of the case. “That is fairly normal in cases of this variety. The reports and information sometimes trickle in little by little. Accordingly, we set a court date in mid-January. That is longer than usual, but both the prosecution and the defense require records to proceed. I’m sure they will be forthcoming.”
In addition to entering a not guilty plea – which Carter said is normal in every case and gives her time to review the discovery and advise her client – DeMarco waived her right to a speedy preliminary hearing, since she’s not in custody.
Carter said she negotiated DeMarco’s release on her own recognizance directly with District Attorney Don Anderson, and said she believed Mafrice also benefited from that agreement. “It would not make sense legally to hold a co-defendant on high bail when the other was released without the need to post any bail,” she explained.
She added, “Keep in mind that there is new legislation scheduled to eliminate bail completely and these types of cases will not be required to have any bail posted, and release will be virtually automatic in the future if that legislation is not overturned.”
Beyond the January court appearance, Carter said she anticipates a preliminary hearing date in early spring, “depending on how much time the new attorney requires to prepare and how quickly the records are supplied to the attorneys.”
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.
Linda Ann Mafrice, 63, of Clearlake, and Meghan Mariana DeMarco, 29, of Kelseyville, entered the pleas in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson.
Abelson said both women are scheduled for a disposition or setting of a preliminary hearing at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 15.
Both were arrested on Oct. 18 for financial elder abuse, grand theft, conspiracy, forgery and altering medical records, as Lake County News has reported.
The victim in the case is Dan Hamblin, Mafrice’s longtime boyfriend.
He also was the husband of Barbara LaForge, who was murdered in her downtown Lakeport frame shop in October 2002.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen confirmed to Lake County News last month that both Hamblin and Mafrice remain persons of interest in LaForge’s unsolved murder.
Mafrice and DeMarco are alleged to have coerced and tricked Hamblin into signing a deed to his residence at 10615 Fairway Drive in Kelseyville at a time when he did not have the mental capacity to consent to the transfer of his property.
Based on the investigation, they’re also alleged to have forged medical records and other documents to ensure the transfer went through.
The property was sold in June for $175,000 and they kept the proceeds, the District Attorney’s Office confirmed.
Mafrice also has a history of financial crimes for which she has served time in state prison.
Abelson said that, so far, both Mafrice and DeMarco are charged only with financial elder abuse; that charge offers the most time if convicted. She said some of the other crimes for which the two originally were arrested “are just alternative charges for the same conduct but I will likely amend the complaint to add some as well as some auto theft potentially for the same victim.”
The women originally were held on $500,000 bail each. At her arraignment last month, DeMarco was released on her own recognizance, Abelson said.
In a separate appearance on Oct. 30, Mafrice also was released on her own recognizance over Abelson’s objections but at the recommendation of the Probation Department.
Attorney Angela Carter made a general appearance on behalf of her law firm Carter Brown for DeMarco on Wednesday. Komnith Moth, who works for Lake County’s indigent defense contract, is representing Mafrice, who is seeking to obtain new counsel.
Carter told Lake County News that, so far, no financial records have been submitted as part of the case. “That is fairly normal in cases of this variety. The reports and information sometimes trickle in little by little. Accordingly, we set a court date in mid-January. That is longer than usual, but both the prosecution and the defense require records to proceed. I’m sure they will be forthcoming.”
In addition to entering a not guilty plea – which Carter said is normal in every case and gives her time to review the discovery and advise her client – DeMarco waived her right to a speedy preliminary hearing, since she’s not in custody.
Carter said she negotiated DeMarco’s release on her own recognizance directly with District Attorney Don Anderson, and said she believed Mafrice also benefited from that agreement. “It would not make sense legally to hold a co-defendant on high bail when the other was released without the need to post any bail,” she explained.
She added, “Keep in mind that there is new legislation scheduled to eliminate bail completely and these types of cases will not be required to have any bail posted, and release will be virtually automatic in the future if that legislation is not overturned.”
Beyond the January court appearance, Carter said she anticipates a preliminary hearing date in early spring, “depending on how much time the new attorney requires to prepare and how quickly the records are supplied to the attorneys.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Most of Lake County’s schools will be closed on Friday as air quality conditions continue to be in the unhealthy range for students.
Two school districts, Lucerne Elementary and Upper Lake Unified, will remain open on Friday, according to the Lake County Office of Education.
Separately, Mendocino College reported it will remain open.
The Lake County Office of Education said the following schools and districts will be closed on Friday, Nov. 16:
– Clearlake Creativity School;
– Hance Community School;
– Kelseyville Unified School District;
– Konocti Unified School District;
– Lake County International Charter School;
– Lakeport Unified School District; and
– Middletown Unified School District.
– All Lake County Office of Education preschools, except for Lucerne. Preschools follow the lead of their host school. If the host school is closed, the preschool will close.
The Kelseyville and Konocti districts have reported that they anticipate to be closed for the remainder of the week and won’t resume classes until Nov. 26, after Thanksgiving break.
The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, as well as the Colusa County Campus and Woodland Community College Campus will be closed on Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17. Classes will reconvene on Monday, Nov. 19, the district reported.
“Wrestling with dynamic air quality data and weighing that against students’ access to college may be a ‘new norm’ for us all in Northern California,” said College President Dr. Michael White. “Our college administrative team has been monitoring several air quality websites over the past few days, attempting to make sense of varying and dynamic data.”
White said that on Thursday morning air quality in Yolo County, and the city of Woodland in particular, appeared to exceed 200 parts per million – dangerous for all populations. Lake and Colusa remain below 200 ppm this morning, but he said his decision to close includes those campuses as well because main campus services will be unavailable.
School staff throughout Lake County will continue to actively monitor air quality levels to ensure student safety.
To see dynamic air monitoring of Lake County and the region, visit PurpleAir.
Two school districts, Lucerne Elementary and Upper Lake Unified, will remain open on Friday, according to the Lake County Office of Education.
Separately, Mendocino College reported it will remain open.
The Lake County Office of Education said the following schools and districts will be closed on Friday, Nov. 16:
– Clearlake Creativity School;
– Hance Community School;
– Kelseyville Unified School District;
– Konocti Unified School District;
– Lake County International Charter School;
– Lakeport Unified School District; and
– Middletown Unified School District.
– All Lake County Office of Education preschools, except for Lucerne. Preschools follow the lead of their host school. If the host school is closed, the preschool will close.
The Kelseyville and Konocti districts have reported that they anticipate to be closed for the remainder of the week and won’t resume classes until Nov. 26, after Thanksgiving break.
The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, as well as the Colusa County Campus and Woodland Community College Campus will be closed on Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17. Classes will reconvene on Monday, Nov. 19, the district reported.
“Wrestling with dynamic air quality data and weighing that against students’ access to college may be a ‘new norm’ for us all in Northern California,” said College President Dr. Michael White. “Our college administrative team has been monitoring several air quality websites over the past few days, attempting to make sense of varying and dynamic data.”
White said that on Thursday morning air quality in Yolo County, and the city of Woodland in particular, appeared to exceed 200 parts per million – dangerous for all populations. Lake and Colusa remain below 200 ppm this morning, but he said his decision to close includes those campuses as well because main campus services will be unavailable.
School staff throughout Lake County will continue to actively monitor air quality levels to ensure student safety.
To see dynamic air monitoring of Lake County and the region, visit PurpleAir.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death last week of a man who had been been involved in a fight.
Lt. Corey Paulich identified Brian Edwin Smeltzer, 54, of Clearlake Oaks as the man who died.
Paulich said Smeltzer was involved in a physical altercation with another male on Fourth Street in Clearlake Oaks on Friday, Nov. 9.
He said Smeltzer drove away from the fight and was found dead in his vehicle on Hoover Street in Clearlake Oaks – a distance of about half a mile by vehicle, according to a Google map – the following morning.
“The investigation is pending results of an autopsy that will take place later this week,” Paulich said.
Anyone with information can contact Det. Jerry Pfann at 707-262-4236.
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.
Lt. Corey Paulich identified Brian Edwin Smeltzer, 54, of Clearlake Oaks as the man who died.
Paulich said Smeltzer was involved in a physical altercation with another male on Fourth Street in Clearlake Oaks on Friday, Nov. 9.
He said Smeltzer drove away from the fight and was found dead in his vehicle on Hoover Street in Clearlake Oaks – a distance of about half a mile by vehicle, according to a Google map – the following morning.
“The investigation is pending results of an autopsy that will take place later this week,” Paulich said.
Anyone with information can contact Det. Jerry Pfann at 707-262-4236.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a crash last week involving a bicycle that left a Kelseyville man injured.
The CHP said Daniel Walter Dever, 54, was injured in the wreck, which occurred at around noon on Monday, Nov. 5.
Dever was riding his 15-speed bicycle northbound on E. Highland Springs Road south of Highland Springs Road when he went off the roadway and hit a barbed wire fence, the CHP said.
As a result of the crash, Dever – who wasn’t using safety equipment – sustained major injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP.
The CHP said that, as of Wednesday, no witnesses to the crash have come forward.
If anyone has information regarding Dever’s crash or was a witness to it, they’re asked to contact the Clear Lake Area CHP office at 707-279-0103.
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 CHP said Daniel Walter Dever, 54, was injured in the wreck, which occurred at around noon on Monday, Nov. 5.
Dever was riding his 15-speed bicycle northbound on E. Highland Springs Road south of Highland Springs Road when he went off the roadway and hit a barbed wire fence, the CHP said.
As a result of the crash, Dever – who wasn’t using safety equipment – sustained major injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP.
The CHP said that, as of Wednesday, no witnesses to the crash have come forward.
If anyone has information regarding Dever’s crash or was a witness to it, they’re asked to contact the Clear Lake Area CHP office at 707-279-0103.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Air quality issues resulting from the devastating Camp fire in Butte County are continuing to lead administrators in a majority of Lake County’s schools to cancel classes due to health concerns for students.
The Lake County Office of Education said the following schools and districts will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 15:
– Clearlake Creativity School;
– Hance Community School;
– Kelseyville Unified School District;
– Konocti Unified School District;
– Lake County International Charter School;
– Lakeport Unified School District; and
– Middletown Unified School District.
Separately, the Kelseyville and Konocti districts reported that they anticipate to be closed for the remainder of the week and won’t resume classes until Nov. 26, after Thanksgiving break.
Middletown Unified reported that it will be closed for the remainder of the week, unless conditions dramatically improve. The conditions also led the district to cancel it Wednesday night board meeting.
The following school districts will be open on Thursday:
– Upper Lake Unified School District; and
– Lucerne Elementary Unified School District.
Lake County Office of Education preschools will follow the lead of their host school. If the host school is closed, the preschool will close.
School staff throughout Lake County will continue to actively monitor air quality levels to ensure student safety.
The Lake County Office of Education said the following schools and districts will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 15:
– Clearlake Creativity School;
– Hance Community School;
– Kelseyville Unified School District;
– Konocti Unified School District;
– Lake County International Charter School;
– Lakeport Unified School District; and
– Middletown Unified School District.
Separately, the Kelseyville and Konocti districts reported that they anticipate to be closed for the remainder of the week and won’t resume classes until Nov. 26, after Thanksgiving break.
Middletown Unified reported that it will be closed for the remainder of the week, unless conditions dramatically improve. The conditions also led the district to cancel it Wednesday night board meeting.
The following school districts will be open on Thursday:
– Upper Lake Unified School District; and
– Lucerne Elementary Unified School District.
Lake County Office of Education preschools will follow the lead of their host school. If the host school is closed, the preschool will close.
School staff throughout Lake County will continue to actively monitor air quality levels to ensure student safety.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Wednesday Gov. Jerry Brown surveyed wildfire damage in Butte County along with federal officials and issued an executive order to cut red tape and help streamline recovery efforts in communities impacted by the devastating wildfires that continue to burn across the state.
During his visit, Brown held a briefing at the Incident Command Post in Chico with state, local and federal officials, including U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, FEMA Administrator Brock Long and the state’s top fire and emergency management officials.
“We can’t avoid catastrophe but we can prepare for it, we can recover from it – and we will,” Gov. Brown said at the Incident Command Post in Chico. “This community is pulling together – the first responders, firefighters, sheriffs, police and everyone else, including neighbors helping one another. Now is the time for solidarity.”
Gov. Brown also met with residents impacted by the Camp fire at the Incident Command Post in Chico and visited the site of Paradise Elementary School, one of more than 10,300 structures destroyed in the fire.
The executive order issued Wednesday includes provisions that: expedite cleanup and removal of debris from the fires; extend the state’s prohibition on price gouging during emergencies; expedite the use of suitable fairgrounds and state properties for temporary sheltering of fire survivors; suspend planning and zoning requirements and state fees for manufactured homes and mobile home parks to help displaced residents with housing needs; streamline regulations to allow hospitals and other health facilities impacted by the fires to remain open; and allow for the accelerated hiring of additional personnel for emergency and recovery operations.
On Monday, Gov. Brown announced that the state has secured a presidential major disaster declaration to bolster the ongoing emergency response and help residents recover from fires burning in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
On Sunday, the governor officially requested a major disaster declaration and joined leaders of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol and California National Guard to provide an update on firefighting efforts at the State Operations Center in Mather, which has been activated to its highest level and is coordinating with local, state and federal emergency response officials to address emergency management needs.
A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles, Ventura and Butte counties due to multiple fires and late last week, California secured direct federal assistance to further support the impacted communities – within 24 hours of making the request.
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits have also been made available for workers who lost jobs or had work hours substantially reduced as a result of the wildfires in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Information on additional resources for residents impacted by the fires is available at http://wildfirerecovery.org/.
