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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Workforce Alliance of the North Bay announced that MPIC Inc. has been selected as the youth services operator of CareerPoint Youth Services for Lake and Mendocino counties.

Selected through a competitive application and review process, the organization will provide youth services under the brand of CareerPoint Lake and CareerPoint Mendocino.

The services provided will help youth between the ages of 14 to 24 access job and career information including career exploration, career counseling and paid work experience.

“Employment and training services offered at CareerPoint Lake and CareerPoint Mendocino guide youth through meaningful career pathways and prepare them for future employment,” said Bruce Wilson, executive director of Workforce Alliance of the North Bay. “In turn, preparing our future workforce will benefit our regional businesses and help fulfill their employment needs.”

Services are funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA.

WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get people, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.

WIOA funds a national system of private-sector-led workforce development boards that identify workforce strategies and deliver employment and training services through a network of American Job Centers.

CareerPoint Lake offices are located at 55 First St. in Lakeport and 158880 Dam Road, Building 602. CareerPoint Mendocino offices are located at 2550 N. State St, Suite No. 3 in Ukiah and at 1211 Del Mar Drive, Suite 106, in Fort Bragg.

Visit online at www.careerpointnorthbay.org.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County achieved a record unemployment rate in September, according to the latest monthly jobless report from the California Employment Development Department.

The state reported that Lake County’s September unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, the lowest rate recorded since 1990, based on Employment Development Department data.

The previous record was 4.5 percent, which the county achieved in May, as Lake County News has reported.

Lake County’s August unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, and its year-ago September rate was 4.8 percent.

At the same time that Lake County was seeing a record-low in unemployment, the Employment Development Department California as a whole recorded a rate of 4.1 percent in September – a new record low level dating back to 1976.

In September 2017, the state’s unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,100 California households.

California employers added 13,200 nonfarm payroll jobs last month, a year-over change of 339,600 jobs – up 2 percent – and the state has now gained a total of 3,013,300 jobs since the economic expansion began in February 2010. The report said nonfarm payroll jobs in California totaled 17,202,900 in September.

The federal household survey estimates the number of Californians holding jobs in September was 18,582,000, an increase of 34,000 from August, and up 81,000 from the employment total in September of last year. The number of unemployed Californians was 803,000 in September – with no change over the month, and down by 76,000 compared with September of last year, officials reported.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the U.S. unemployment rate in September fell to 3.7 percent, and the nation’s employers added 134,000 nonfarm payroll jobs. That’s compared to 3.9 percent in August and 4.2 percent in September 2017.

The Employment Development Department’s data showed that Lake County’s civilian workforce totaled 30,370 people in September, up from 30,240 in August and 30,130 the previous September. The number of unemployed was 1,310 in September, compared to 1,440 in August – tying it with September 2017.

The total farm jobs category in Lake County dropped by 36.3 percent in September, while leisure and hospitality declined by 4.8 percent and manufacturing was down by 2.6 percent, based on the report.

Total nonfarm jobs rose by 1.6 percent. That includes government jobs, which grew by 7 percent and service producing, up by 1.6 percent.

Lake County’s jobless rate ranked it No. 35 out of California’s 58 counties. The lowest unemployment, 2.1 percent, was recorded in San Mateo County, while the highest was Imperial County, with 19.3 percent.

Neighboring county jobless rates and rankings in September were Colusa, 7.1 percent, No. 56; Glenn, 5.3 percent, No. 46; Mendocino, 3.4 percent, No. 18; Napa, 2.5 percent, No. 6; Sonoma, 2.4 percent, No. 4; and Yolo, 3.5 percent, No. 20, the report said.

In related data, the Employment Development Department reported that there were 284,790 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the September survey week. This compares with 306,175 in August and 312,933 in September of last year.

In September new claims for Unemployment Insurance totaled 34,519, compared with 35,925 in August and 39,575 in September of last year, the state 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.

This story has been updated regarding the cause of the initial traffic stop attempt that led to the pursuit.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three Ukiah residents were arrested early Sunday following a vehicle pursuit that began in Mendocino County and finally ended in Lake County.

Donovan Williams, 40, along with Marvin Gibson and Amber Ricetti, both age 34, were taken into custody after the chase ended, according to Sgt. Mike Dygert of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

On Saturday night, a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conducted a traffic enforcement stop on 2002 blue BMW sedan on Highway 20 near the intersection of Marina Drive in Redwood Valley, Dygert said.

Dygert said the driver, later identified as Williams, fled eastbound on Highway 20 at a high rate of speed estimated to be between 80 and 100 miles per hour. Mendocino County deputies pursued the vehicle into Lake County.

Williams weaved in and out of traffic at high rates of speed and crossed over into oncoming lanes without due regard for anyone’s safety as he attempted to escape capture from pursuing deputies, Dygert reported.

According to scanner traffic, Williams’ vehicle crossed the Lake County line just after 11:30 p.m.

Dygert said Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol Officers assisted in the pursuit.

The chase traveled down Scotts Valley Road to Hendricks at about 85 miles per hour. From there, they reached the city of Lakeport, traveling down Martin Street to Main Street, and then onto Soda Bay Road, where speeds were reported to be about 90 miles per hour, according to radio reports.

They reached the Rivieras in under 10 minutes, where deputies reported that speeds slowed in residential areas but Williams sped through a stop sign.

Shortly after midnight, a high risk stop was conducted on Red Hills Road near the intersection of Highway 20. Dygert said Williams’ vehicle was disabled by spike strips.

Dygert said Williams, along with Ricetti, who was riding as the front passenger, and Gibson, who was the rear passenger, exited the vehicle after the stop.

Deputies and officers detained all three just before 12:10 a.m. Sunday, according to radio reports.

Williams was arrested for an open charge of felony evading a peace officer, one Sonoma County felony arrest warrant for reckless evading of a peace officer and two misdemeanor warrants, one from Lake County for methamphetamine possession and one from Mendocino County for driving on a suspended license, Dygert said. Bail was set at $60,000.

Dygert said Ricetti was arrested for violating her probation and obstructing or delaying a police officer.

Gibson was arrested for two Mendocino County warrants, one a felony and one a misdemeanor, and both for carrying a concealed weapon. Dygert said Gibson’s bail was set at $25,000.

All three subjects were booked into the Mendocino County Jail on their listed charges, Dygert said.

In response to questions about why the Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy initially tried to pull the vehicle over, Capt. Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office told Lake County News that it was due to illegal window tinting and unsafe lane change, as well as the belief that Williams – who had an active felony arrest warrant – was in the vehicle.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s representative in the state Senate reported that funding from 2016 legislation is moving forward and is expected to deliver millions of dollars to the North Coast.

The Golden State has a homelessness crisis. The growing emergency of homelessness has reached a critical stage: California comprises 25 percent of the nation’s homeless population; 12 percent of the nation’s population of homeless families with children; and 58 percent of the nation’s unsheltered homeless youth reside in California.

Sen. Mike McGuire has a leading voice on homelessness in the Legislature, ensuring billions in resources are secured to advance services, programs and permanent housing in small communities, rural counties and the state’s largest metropolitan centers.

He was one of the lead authors of the bipartisan No Place Like Home initiative in 2016 to fund the construction of permanent supportive housing focused on the hardest to house – residents who are chronically homeless and those at risk of chronic homelessness.

Many of these residents have a dual diagnosis, challenged with drug and alcohol addictions and mental health issues.

It’s estimated each chronic homeless resident costs taxpayers approximately $100,000 each year, mostly due to unreimbursed stays in emergency rooms and time in county jails.

With a recent court ruling in favor of state funds being released through No Place Like Home and a ballot measure on Nov. 6 reaffirming the Legislature’s 2016 action, the state is gearing up the multi-pronged approach to addressing the homeless crisis.

Funding for No Place Like Home grants is moving forward and counties across the North Coast have already started receiving technical assistance grants to prepare for and plan local projects to house homeless residents, McGuire’s office reported.

Applications were also released last week for counties to apply for the first round of millions of dollars in funding through the No Place Like Home program to construct new permanent homeless housing wrapped with mental health and addiction services.

“While these resources are significant, we know it’s going to take time and additional funding partnerships to help people and communities invest in long-term solutions to homelessness. Whether it’s downtown LA on Skid Row, San Rafael, Ukiah or Eureka, cities and counties lack the funding to implement the programs thousands of Californians desperately need,” Sen. McGuire said. “The state is investing millions up and down the North Coast, which will help give our communities the ability to create and fund local shelters, housing and programs that meet their unique needs.”

Sen. McGuire also helped lead efforts this year to include over $600 million to combat homelessness in the state budget, the bulk of which will be allocated through the new Homeless Emergency Aid Program, or HEAP, program – a flexible, immediate one-time funding source for cities, counties and continuums of care to address the homelessness crisis throughout California.

There is also $17.5 million in the budget dedicated to serving homeless youth throughout the state.

“This innovative new program is a Housing-First grant program that will allow counties and cities to craft and implement real, localized solutions to the homeless crisis in their communities,” McGuire said. “Cities and counties can use these funds to develop programs like street outreach, housing vouchers, emergency shelter, tiny homes and more, all to provide immediate emergency assistance to people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness.”

Through the No Place Like Home program and the Homeless Emergency Aid Program, counties on the North Coast are eligible to receive tens of millions in funding over the next year to implement solutions to the homeless crisis (immediate needs and long term) in their communities.

The amount for each county is shown below.

Humboldt: HEAP, $2,565,245.24; NPLH, $1,032,744; total, $3,597,989.24

Lake: HEAP, $1,298,634.18; NPLH, $546,225; total, $1,844,859.18

Marin: HEAP, $4,831,856.30; NPLH, $1,519,262; total, $6,351,118.30

Mendocino: HEAP, $4,921,967.86; NPLH, $1,683,699; total, $6,605,666.86

Sonoma: HEAP, $12,111,291.50; NPLH, $3,854,005; total, $15,965,296.50

The California Department of Water Resources is urging Californians to be proactive and prepare for flooding before the winter storm season begins Nov. 1.

Landscapes charred by recent wildfires are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding and debris flows this winter.

Federal, state, and local officials gathered in Santa Barbara, where a deadly post-fire debris flow destroyed property and caused multiple deaths in January 2018.

Throughout Flood Preparedness Week, DWR and its partners are sharing the latest information on the state’s flood management efforts and reminding Californians that climate change impacts, recent wildfires, and extreme weather events make it more important than ever for Californians to be flood ready.

“This year many communities are at greater risk of flooding because of wildfire damage,” warned Michael Sabbaghian, Chief of the California Department of Water Resources Flood Maintenance Office. “Wildfires burned more than 2,100 square miles in California this year, leaving behind charred hillsides that pose significant risk for flash flooding, mudflows, and debris flows as seen in Santa Barbara earlier this year.”

Floods after fire present greater risk to communities and homes downslope of burn areas because the ground cannot absorb the water. Instead, rain hits slick, charred hillsides and picks up ash, topsoil, and debris as it moves downhill.

Flash flooding, mudflows, and debris flows happen quickly, so it is critical people and communities living downslope of a burn area are prepared.

For more information on mud and debris flows visit https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Flood-Preparedness/Files/2018-Flood-After-Fire-brochure.pdf.

More than seven million California residents are at risk of flooding and many don’t realize it.

Flooding can occur throughout the state, from rural communities to urban areas, at the base of hills and along the coast. In fact, every California county experienced a flood-related emergency in the past 20 years.

Californians are reminded to be flood ready by following these steps:

– Be aware of your risk: Know whether your home is downslope of a burn area. Pay attention to weather forecasts. Listen to local authorities.

– Be prepared: Prepare an evacuation plan. Always have an emergency evacuation kit ready and be prepared to evacuate early. Have a plan for your pets, too. Tips are available at www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan .

– Take action: Don’t wait to evacuate if flooding or a mud flow appears imminent. Don’t walk or drive through flood waters. Homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage due to flooding so consider purchasing flood insurance: www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program/How-Buy-Flood-Insurance.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – At the end of a Tuesday morning public hearing, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve a resolution establishing a new district to promote Lake County’s tourism industry.

The approval of the Lake County Tourism Improvement District was the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of work by county staff and Civitas, which is both a law firm and a consulting firm.

County Administrative Office staff first took the proposal to form the district to the board in late November 2017.

Deputy County Administrative Officer Michelle Scully and Rachael Taylor, project manager for Civitas, presented the resolution of formation to the board on Tuesday. Supervisors Tina Scott, attending a meeting in Washington, DC, and Jeff Smith were absent for the discussion.

Taylor said the process was to review all of the protests submitted by impacted businesses. If there wasn’t a majority of protests, the district would be formed and start collecting an assessment on Jan. 1, 2019.

The matter had been scheduled to come before the board earlier this summer, but a number of hospitality business owners who had previously submitted petitions of support withdrew their support and instead protested, according to county documents.

Originally, the proposed assessment was 3 percent, which would have generated an estimated $340,000 a year to market Lake County’s hospitality businesses and promoted tourism.

However, that assessment was dropped to 1.5 percent, at which point several business owners who had concerns withdrew their protests, Taylor said, adding the change in assessment was reflected in an updated management plan for the district.

The total protests submitted for the district totaled 28.2 percent, Taylor said.

“So now we’re going to move forward and we’re going to have a reduced budget, and is it going to be sufficient for it to make any difference?” asked Board Chair Jim Steele

“That’s the hope,” said Taylor. “Part of this discussion was that we felt that forming the district regardless of what the budget is, is probably one of the most important pieces, as a foundation, to put it in place.”

Taylor said they’ve also had some verbal commitments from tribal community about wanting to participate, plus there is the potential funds from county and cities to contribute to the budget. “There’s a lot to be done.”

While the budget was cut in half, down to $170,000, “That is still a substantial amount of money that we will have available for the tourism industry,” said Taylor.

She said the district will be formed for a five-year term, at the end of which they will renew it. At that time, they can remake the parameters, such as the assessment and budget, and should be able to show what they had done with the assessment and request that there be a larger assessment in order to work with a larger budget.

Scully said formation of the district creates an official board which can act as an advocacy group so that the lodging industry has a unified voice, which stakeholders felt was paramount.

“I think it’s transformational and we're well behind the curve with our neighbors that already have entities like this,” said Scully.

Supervisor Moke Simon – whose tribe, the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, owns Twin Pine Casino and Hotel – said he agreed wholeheartedly with forming the district.

“I think it’s a great idea. I think we are going to make improvements,” he said.

He added, “The tribal community is ready to step up and do their part, so we’re not the only ones advertising Lake County and how beautiful it is out there to the entire world.”

As for the next steps, Taylor said Civitas is working to form the district, which will be a 501c6 nonprofit corporation. Articles of incorporation already have been filed.

She said it has to be governed by an owners association, which means a majority of board members must be those paying assessments. Members of a steering committee that has been integral in the work of forming the district wants to be part of the board, and they also will recruit others.

Taylor said the district’s board will make the important decisions, both in the day-to-day operations of the district and in identifying a staff person, likely part-time, who will work on the programs.

She said all of the work to get the bylaws and board in place will be done in November in order that the district be fully formed ahead of the beginning of collecting assessments in January.

During brief public comment, Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton told the board, “We’re in full support of the formation of this district. We see it as a great step forward to help us enhance our marketing and grow our marketing.”

She questioned if the nonprofit would be a 501c3 or a 501c6. Taylor said it will be the latter.

A 501c3 nonprofit tends to be for purposes including charities and religious organizations, while a 501c6 is for business-related interests.

Taylor told the board that, as a nonprofit, the district can take sponsorships and other contributions.

She said the nonprofit’s name is “Visit Lake County, California.”

Simon offered the resolution, which the board approved 3-0.

“Break out the champagne,” said Steele.

Scully thanked the board for allowing staff to go forward with the tourism improvement district.

“This has been a big, big project, but your support has been constant and I think it’s going to be huge for us,” Scully said.

“We need to do this the right way,” said Steele, explaining that visitors need to be given options for what to do when they visit.

Taylor said the fact that there will be a dedicated board and organization is very important. What Civitas has seen in other counties with such districts over the last couple of years is “just amazing,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see what Lake County does,” Taylor added.

“I’ve got a whole Northshore that’s waiting for you,” Steele said.

Supervisors approve CSA No. 16 assessment, new job classification

In other business, at Tuesday’s meeting the board also held a public hearing to consider a proposed property assessment for County Service Area No. 16 to complete the water system consolidation with Clearlake Oaks County Water District.

Special Districts Administrator Jan Coppinger said that while the county received $1.4 million in grant funds and another $411,000 in a cash match from a property owner, but in completing the project they were still short by $300,000.

“We are at the very end,” she said.

If the assessment was approved, Coppinger said the project should be complete within about 45 days.

She said Proposition 218 letters – a necessary step to notify voters about taxes or assessments – went out in August to all parcel owners. No protests were received, and the board approved the first reading of the ordinance establishing the assessment.

The board voted to continue proclamations of local emergencies for the Pawnee fire and Mendocino Complex; amended the master fee schedule to reduce the cannabis business fee from two installments of $2,536.50 each to one installment of $4,160; appointed Supervisor Rob Brown as delegate and Moke Simon as alternate to the Rural County Representatives Board of Directors, Golden State Finance Authority Board of Directors and Rural Counties Representatives of California Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors for 2019; and approved an amendment allowing for additional Victim-Witness Assistance Program Grant funding.

During the meeting the board also approved a resolution amending the budgeted job allocations for the current fiscal year, adding a new job and classification for “tax administrator,” which will be located in the County Administrative Office but would work with the tax collector-treasurer to make all necessary efforts to collect the county’s cannabis business tax, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said.

The board held over five contract change orders related to the Safe Routes to School project in Clearlake Oaks and amendments to contracts with Quincy Engineering and 4 Leaf Inc. because of the need for at least a fourth-fifths vote in support, which wasn’t possible due to the absence of Scott and Smith.

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.