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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Authorities are conducting a death investigation at a home on Pine View Drive in the Whispering Pines community.
Sheriff Brian Martin confirmed from the scene on Tuesday evening that an investigation involving multiple deaths is under way.
Martin, who spoke with Lake County News at about 7:30 p.m., said he could not yet give many details as the investigation is still very preliminary.
Just after 6 p.m. fire personnel were dispatched to a home in the 17500 block of Pine View Drive for a medical aid with violence involved and possible multiple deaths.
The first unit arrived on scene just before 6:10 p.m., staging a short distance away while waiting to be cleared to go in, with firefighters also setting up a landing zone nearby for an air ambulance, according to radio reports.
Just after 6:20 p.m., Cal Fire dispatch informed all medic units and an incoming REACH air ambulance that, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, they could cancel their response.
Radio traffic had initially indicated that a helicopter was being requested from Sonoma County for a search.
However, Martin said, “We’re not searching for anybody.”
The sheriff said he expected to release more information later on Tuesday night.
Lake County News will publish additional information as soon as it becomes available.
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.
Sheriff Brian Martin confirmed from the scene on Tuesday evening that an investigation involving multiple deaths is under way.
Martin, who spoke with Lake County News at about 7:30 p.m., said he could not yet give many details as the investigation is still very preliminary.
Just after 6 p.m. fire personnel were dispatched to a home in the 17500 block of Pine View Drive for a medical aid with violence involved and possible multiple deaths.
The first unit arrived on scene just before 6:10 p.m., staging a short distance away while waiting to be cleared to go in, with firefighters also setting up a landing zone nearby for an air ambulance, according to radio reports.
Just after 6:20 p.m., Cal Fire dispatch informed all medic units and an incoming REACH air ambulance that, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, they could cancel their response.
Radio traffic had initially indicated that a helicopter was being requested from Sonoma County for a search.
However, Martin said, “We’re not searching for anybody.”
The sheriff said he expected to release more information later on Tuesday night.
Lake County News will publish additional information as soon as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Christmas is still five months off, but the local law enforcement effort to make sure it’s a merry holiday for the county’s children in need is already under way and preparing for an upcoming fundraiser.
The Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is inviting the community to its annual “Christmas In July” fundraising barbecue at Boatique Winery on Saturday, July 28.
The proceeds from that event will benefit the Shop with a Cop Program, which began in Lake County in 2015 after the Valley fire, thanks to the generosity of groups including the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation.
The Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Board members, other staffers and community members partner to put on the program, said Todd Dunia, a sheriff’s detective and DSA member who also works on the project.
Every law enforcement agency in Lake County participates, with officers and deputies gathering to take the children shopping at the Clearlake Walmart, he said.
Organizers say the children – who each get $200 to spend – have the opportunity to interact with the law enforcement officers, which in turn creates “positive lifelong memories with law enforcement, and shop for the holidays.”
“It’s been such a positive program,” said John Drewrey, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and president of the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Dunia agreed. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said.
Dunia explained that, just after the Valley Fire, the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation donated $10,000 to the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association to conduct the first local “Shop with a Cop” event, similar to one that had been taking place in the Bay Area since 2004.
The focus of the first event was children who were fire survivors, Dunia said.
That first year, he said the effort treated 60 children to a Christmas shopping experience with a law enforcement officer.
The following year, the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation donated another $10,000 to the local Deputy Sheriff’s Association to help children impacted by the Clayton fire. Drewrey said the local deputies collected another $3,000 to $4,000 from the association members. Dunia said that allowed them to serve 60 children that year as well.
Drewrey said it’s a great thing to watch the children – who usually are nervous and scared – being paired up with law enforcement to go shopping.
“A lot of these kids haven’t necessarily had the best interactions with us,” he said.
As they make their way through the store, they’re required to get clothes, including jackets and shoes, first, then they can get other items, Drewrey said.
By the time they’re at the checkout stand, Drewrey said you can see the transformation from a scared child to one that is smiling, and giving high fives and hugs to their shopping partner.
“It’s so much more than getting kids gifts,” Drewrey said.
Other than the association’s Steel Challenge fundraiser, Drewrey said they had not done any big fundraiser for the Shop with a Cop program before last year.
Drewrey said he and Dunia started talking about how they could continue the program, which had been the source of a lot of positive feedback from the community.
He credited Dunia with coming up with the “Christmas in July” concept to keep the program going.
So in 2017, the association held its first Christmas in July event at Boatique Winery and raised about $17,000, which was used to take 73 children shopping in December, Dunia said.
This year, the group received $17,000 from the local 100+ Women Strong group, which both Dunia and Drewrey said is helping them move forward with being self-funding and keeping the event going into the years to come.
“We’d like to try to expand the program,” in order to help more children, Dunia said.
Drewrey said their goal is to go shopping with 100 children each year, and to do that will require a minimum of $20,000. If they can get that amount, they’ll also expand into back-to-school shopping.
He said there are still plenty of tickets available for the event at Boatique this weekend.
The cost is $40 per person, which includes a barbecue dinner, drinks, a dessert auction and raffle prizes.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/Christmas-In-July-29083 or for more information contact the Deputy Sheriff’s Association atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Businesses that want to be sponsors can call 707-413-7695.
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 Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is inviting the community to its annual “Christmas In July” fundraising barbecue at Boatique Winery on Saturday, July 28.
The proceeds from that event will benefit the Shop with a Cop Program, which began in Lake County in 2015 after the Valley fire, thanks to the generosity of groups including the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation.
The Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Board members, other staffers and community members partner to put on the program, said Todd Dunia, a sheriff’s detective and DSA member who also works on the project.
Every law enforcement agency in Lake County participates, with officers and deputies gathering to take the children shopping at the Clearlake Walmart, he said.
Organizers say the children – who each get $200 to spend – have the opportunity to interact with the law enforcement officers, which in turn creates “positive lifelong memories with law enforcement, and shop for the holidays.”
“It’s been such a positive program,” said John Drewrey, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and president of the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Dunia agreed. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said.
Dunia explained that, just after the Valley Fire, the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation donated $10,000 to the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association to conduct the first local “Shop with a Cop” event, similar to one that had been taking place in the Bay Area since 2004.
The focus of the first event was children who were fire survivors, Dunia said.
That first year, he said the effort treated 60 children to a Christmas shopping experience with a law enforcement officer.
The following year, the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation donated another $10,000 to the local Deputy Sheriff’s Association to help children impacted by the Clayton fire. Drewrey said the local deputies collected another $3,000 to $4,000 from the association members. Dunia said that allowed them to serve 60 children that year as well.
Drewrey said it’s a great thing to watch the children – who usually are nervous and scared – being paired up with law enforcement to go shopping.
“A lot of these kids haven’t necessarily had the best interactions with us,” he said.
As they make their way through the store, they’re required to get clothes, including jackets and shoes, first, then they can get other items, Drewrey said.
By the time they’re at the checkout stand, Drewrey said you can see the transformation from a scared child to one that is smiling, and giving high fives and hugs to their shopping partner.
“It’s so much more than getting kids gifts,” Drewrey said.
Other than the association’s Steel Challenge fundraiser, Drewrey said they had not done any big fundraiser for the Shop with a Cop program before last year.
Drewrey said he and Dunia started talking about how they could continue the program, which had been the source of a lot of positive feedback from the community.
He credited Dunia with coming up with the “Christmas in July” concept to keep the program going.
So in 2017, the association held its first Christmas in July event at Boatique Winery and raised about $17,000, which was used to take 73 children shopping in December, Dunia said.
This year, the group received $17,000 from the local 100+ Women Strong group, which both Dunia and Drewrey said is helping them move forward with being self-funding and keeping the event going into the years to come.
“We’d like to try to expand the program,” in order to help more children, Dunia said.
Drewrey said their goal is to go shopping with 100 children each year, and to do that will require a minimum of $20,000. If they can get that amount, they’ll also expand into back-to-school shopping.
He said there are still plenty of tickets available for the event at Boatique this weekend.
The cost is $40 per person, which includes a barbecue dinner, drinks, a dessert auction and raffle prizes.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/Christmas-In-July-29083 or for more information contact the Deputy Sheriff’s Association at
Businesses that want to be sponsors can call 707-413-7695.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After several years of being on hiatus, a new committee has formed to bring back the greatly missed Miss Lake County program.
There have been several changes including committee structure, change of venue and a focus shift to the scholarship aspect of the program.
The newly restructured Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition will be making its debut this Sept. 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
The lucky young women winning the Miss Lake County title in 2018 will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
The focus of the Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition is to showcase the inner beauty, talent and intelligence of the young women of our community.
With the generous support of Kelseyville Rotary and Pacific Gas and Electric, the program is off to a strong revival.
If you, or someone you know is interested in running for Miss Lake County or for Miss Lake County’s Outstanding Teen please emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow the program on Facebook at Miss Lake County Scholarship.
Eligibility requirements are:
– All contestants must be residents of Lake County;
– Miss ages 17 to 25, teen ages 13 to 17;
– All participants must have never been married or have had children.
Mark your calendars for this fun and memorable event and keep watching for more event information.
Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event are asked to please contact the program atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
There have been several changes including committee structure, change of venue and a focus shift to the scholarship aspect of the program.
The newly restructured Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition will be making its debut this Sept. 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
The lucky young women winning the Miss Lake County title in 2018 will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
The focus of the Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition is to showcase the inner beauty, talent and intelligence of the young women of our community.
With the generous support of Kelseyville Rotary and Pacific Gas and Electric, the program is off to a strong revival.
If you, or someone you know is interested in running for Miss Lake County or for Miss Lake County’s Outstanding Teen please email
Eligibility requirements are:
– All contestants must be residents of Lake County;
– Miss ages 17 to 25, teen ages 13 to 17;
– All participants must have never been married or have had children.
Mark your calendars for this fun and memorable event and keep watching for more event information.
Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event are asked to please contact the program at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A fire burning near Kelseyville since Saturday has been fully contained, while work is nearly completed on a fire that began the same day near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County.
Cal Fire reported that the Carder fire near Kelseyville was fully contained as of Monday night.
The fire began Saturday afternoon in the area of Adobe Creek Road and Peterson Lane near Carder Road.
The fire’s final size was rolled back to 50 acres, Cal Fire said. It was reported to have damaged one structure and had resulted in overnight evacuations.
A cause has not yet been given for the fire.
In neighboring Mendocino County, the Heart fire was 47.5 acres and 95-percent contained on Monday night, Cal Fire said.
That fire began just before 3:20 p.m. Saturday off Highway 101 west of Redwood Valley.
Cal Fire said the Heart fire did not damage any structures.
Fire crews are remaining at scene mopping up through Tuesday evening, Cal Fire said.
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.
Cal Fire reported that the Carder fire near Kelseyville was fully contained as of Monday night.
The fire began Saturday afternoon in the area of Adobe Creek Road and Peterson Lane near Carder Road.
The fire’s final size was rolled back to 50 acres, Cal Fire said. It was reported to have damaged one structure and had resulted in overnight evacuations.
A cause has not yet been given for the fire.
In neighboring Mendocino County, the Heart fire was 47.5 acres and 95-percent contained on Monday night, Cal Fire said.
That fire began just before 3:20 p.m. Saturday off Highway 101 west of Redwood Valley.
Cal Fire said the Heart fire did not damage any structures.
Fire crews are remaining at scene mopping up through Tuesday evening, Cal Fire said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters reported that there are a number of local school board and special district seats to be on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley said the offices up for election include spots on all of the county’s school boards, the Mendocino-Lake Community College District, the Lake County Board of Education, the Northshore and Lake Pillsbury fire districts, Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District and the Redbud Health Care District.
Candidates may file now, with the deadline set at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10.
The seats and terms for each district and board are listed below.
Mendocino-Lake Community College District: Trustee Area No. 5 (Lake and Mendocino counties), one vacancy, four-year term; Trustee Area No. 6 (Lake County), one vacancy, four-year term.
Lake County Board of Education: Trustee areas No. 3, 4 and 5, four-year terms.
Kelseyville Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Konocti Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
Lakeport Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms; one vacancy, two-year unexpired term.
Lucerne Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Middletown Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
Upper Lake Unified School District: Top three candidates with the most votes will serve four-year terms; candidates four and five will serve two-year unexpired terms.
Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District: Five vacancies, three- to four-year terms; two two-year unexpired terms. The first terms will be determined by lot at the organizational meeting.
Northshore Fire Protection District: At large, one vacancy, four-year term; Nice Zone, one vacancy, four-year term; Lucerne Zone, one vacancy, four-year term.
Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Redbud Health Care District: Zone 2, one vacancy, four-year term Zone 3, one vacancy, two -year unexpired term; Zone 4, one vacancy, four-year term.
Official declaration of candidacy forms for eligible candidates desiring to file for these offices can be obtained from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, located in Room 209 of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information call the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372.
Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley said the offices up for election include spots on all of the county’s school boards, the Mendocino-Lake Community College District, the Lake County Board of Education, the Northshore and Lake Pillsbury fire districts, Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District and the Redbud Health Care District.
Candidates may file now, with the deadline set at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10.
The seats and terms for each district and board are listed below.
Mendocino-Lake Community College District: Trustee Area No. 5 (Lake and Mendocino counties), one vacancy, four-year term; Trustee Area No. 6 (Lake County), one vacancy, four-year term.
Lake County Board of Education: Trustee areas No. 3, 4 and 5, four-year terms.
Kelseyville Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Konocti Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
Lakeport Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms; one vacancy, two-year unexpired term.
Lucerne Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Middletown Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
Upper Lake Unified School District: Top three candidates with the most votes will serve four-year terms; candidates four and five will serve two-year unexpired terms.
Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District: Five vacancies, three- to four-year terms; two two-year unexpired terms. The first terms will be determined by lot at the organizational meeting.
Northshore Fire Protection District: At large, one vacancy, four-year term; Nice Zone, one vacancy, four-year term; Lucerne Zone, one vacancy, four-year term.
Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Redbud Health Care District: Zone 2, one vacancy, four-year term Zone 3, one vacancy, two -year unexpired term; Zone 4, one vacancy, four-year term.
Official declaration of candidacy forms for eligible candidates desiring to file for these offices can be obtained from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, located in Room 209 of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information call the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Earlier this month a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy became seriously ill during the search warrant service at a suspected illegal marijuana grow, and officials believe he may have been exposed to a dangerous chemical.
On the morning of Friday, July 13, deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Marijuana Eradication Team, or COMMET, were assisting wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with the service of a search warrant at a residence in the 13500 block of Kenny Creek Road in Branscomb, according to a report from Sgt. Andrew Porter.
Porter said the purpose of the search warrant was to address a marijuana growing operation that involved suspected environmental crimes including the illegal diversion of water for the purpose of cultivating. The growing operation was also thought to be illegal and unpermitted.
During the service of the search warrant, a 36-year-old male deputy sheriff was possibly exposed to a chemical that was being used as an insecticide on the marijuana plants, Porter said.
The chemical has been identified as Metamidofos which is listed as a banned or severely restricted pesticide by the US Environmental Protection Agency, according to Porter.
Porter said the pesticide is transdermal and can be absorbed through contact with the skin, or inhaled through the respiratory system. Based upon the packaging and labeling of the bottle the pesticide appears to have been brought into the United States illegally from Mexico.
After the service of the search warrant the deputy started to experience stomach problems and progressively worsened. Porter said the deputy was treated at a local hospital in the days following his exposure and he is still under the care of a physician due his continuing symptoms that are common for exposure to this substance.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office cautioned the public and other first responders, who might come into contact with dangerous pesticides associated with marijuana cultivation, to use extreme caution as these types of chemicals are now frequently found in marijuana growing operations. If you think you have been exposed to this substance or a similar substance, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
On the morning of Friday, July 13, deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Marijuana Eradication Team, or COMMET, were assisting wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with the service of a search warrant at a residence in the 13500 block of Kenny Creek Road in Branscomb, according to a report from Sgt. Andrew Porter.
Porter said the purpose of the search warrant was to address a marijuana growing operation that involved suspected environmental crimes including the illegal diversion of water for the purpose of cultivating. The growing operation was also thought to be illegal and unpermitted.
During the service of the search warrant, a 36-year-old male deputy sheriff was possibly exposed to a chemical that was being used as an insecticide on the marijuana plants, Porter said.
The chemical has been identified as Metamidofos which is listed as a banned or severely restricted pesticide by the US Environmental Protection Agency, according to Porter.
Porter said the pesticide is transdermal and can be absorbed through contact with the skin, or inhaled through the respiratory system. Based upon the packaging and labeling of the bottle the pesticide appears to have been brought into the United States illegally from Mexico.
After the service of the search warrant the deputy started to experience stomach problems and progressively worsened. Porter said the deputy was treated at a local hospital in the days following his exposure and he is still under the care of a physician due his continuing symptoms that are common for exposure to this substance.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office cautioned the public and other first responders, who might come into contact with dangerous pesticides associated with marijuana cultivation, to use extreme caution as these types of chemicals are now frequently found in marijuana growing operations. If you think you have been exposed to this substance or a similar substance, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.