News

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the city of Clearlake will be present a State of the City presentation on Wednesday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clearlake Community Center, located at 3245 Bowers Ave.

The program will begin at 5 p.m. with an open house featuring the opportunity to interact with and ask questions to the Police Department, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Finance, Building Department, City Clerk, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, PEG TV and more.

The formal presentation by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the city of Clearlake will begin at 6 p.m.

According to Joyce Overton, director of the Highlands Senior Service Center, “We are happy to announce that appetizers will be provided by Chatterbox Catering.”

“The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce is excited to be working with the city of Clearlake to help inform the local business community about the positive changes being
made,” said Chamber President Denise Loustalot.

“This is our third annual State of the City meeting. We have accomplished a lot and have a lot more in the planning stages and we want the community to know all that is happening,” said City Manager Greg Folsom.

“It’s a great time to be mayor of Clearlake,” said Mayor Bruno Sabatier. “The city of Clearlake is clearly improving and we are starting to see exciting changes for the better happening.”

The public is invited to attend and is encouraged to come early in order to have time to interact with the different departments to find out what programs are being offered and to get questions answered.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance with an attempted murder case.

On Tuesday at around 11:15 p.m. the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office received a report of a shooting in the 3000 Block of Sol Lane, just off of Lake Mendocino Drive, in Ukiah, according to Lt. Shannon Barney.

Barney said deputies responded to the area and found an 18-year-old adult male who suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was transported to an out-of-county hospital for treatment. Barney did not have an update on the man’s condition.

Deputies were advised there may have been a subject seen fleeing the area on foot, Barney said.

Barney said the identity of the subject wasn’t yet known.

If anyone has information related to this case, or if anyone saw any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area before or after the incident, they are encouraged to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Communication Center at 707-463-4083 or the Sheriff's Tip Line at 707-234-2100.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday voted against placing before voters this fall a ballot measure to ban the sale of safe and sane fireworks in the city.

City staff and Mayor Mireya Turner said they had brought forward the discussion after receiving complaints from community members concerned about the sale and use of such fireworks – which are only legal to purchase in Lakeport, where they can be discharged during a four-day window each July – due to fire danger in the wake of the county’s devastating wildland fires.

Earlier in the day, the Board of Supervisors had discussed the fireworks ban proposal at length, with four of them signing a letter to the council saying about the selling of fireworks, “we feel strongly that such practice should end, in light of all the wildfires past and present, and extreme risk of more.”

The council agenda packet also included letters or messages of support for the ban from Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta and Northshore Fire Protection District. While the Lakeport Fire Protection District didn’t take a formal position, in an email to the Turner, Chief Doug Hutchison noted, “the potential for a large scale incident, or multiple incidents cannot be overstated given our climate and vegetation.”

A previous council had banned the sales of safe and sane fireworks in early 2009. Later that year, a successful ballot measure, Measure C, made the sales legal once again. They can only be sold annually by four local nonprofits.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said that it’s not uncommon to get fireworks-related complaints, usually concerning people taking them into the unincorporated county where they are not allowed. “That's kind of the common theme over the last few years.”

In response to those concerns, Rasmussen said his agency started increasing its public notices and education, from social media and outreach to posting signs at the city’s four major exits reminding people that fireworks aren’t legal outside of the city limits.

Despite the concerns, Rasmussen said the city hasn’t had major fires related to fireworks, only a few small fires in dumpsters and garbage cans.

At the same time, the city has taken a zero-tolerance approach to illegal fireworks, he said.

When it comes to people's concerns about fireworks and fire danger, “The only thing I can really do is educate,” he said.

Rasmussen said his lieutenant meets with the groups that sell fireworks to share information with them about the laws. He said the groups are very good about handing out that information to their fireworks customers.

He said many people are very diligent and follow the law. At the same time, there are a lot of people who don’t care about the law, don’t read it or follow it. “Those are the folks I worry about,” he said.

Turner explained her reasons for putting the discussion on the agenda, saying that she and staff had been getting contacts, as had county supervisors and fire district staff.

“There are a lot of really compelling reasons on both sides of the issue,” she said.

Turner acknowledged the efforts of the Channel Cats, a group which has for decades hosted swimming lessons for local children and is among the groups that sell fireworks annually, as well as the city’s fireworks-related traditions.

She said that the conversation was not about which side is more important. Rather, it was whether or not the matter needed to be put back in front of voters.

During public comment, the council heard from 12 speakers, all but one of them supporting the fireworks sales and asking for the resolution not to be placed before voters.

Among them was Supervisor Tina Scott, who represents District 4 on the Board of Supervisors.

Scott, who did not sign or support the board’s letter to the council, said they needed to look at evidence and not govern by fear, adding there is no evidence that safe and sane fireworks have started any fires. Rather, she said more effort needed to be placed on stopping the bad actors.

Jennifer Hanson of the Channel Cats said half of the group’s annual $40,000 budget comes in from fireworks, with none of their other fundraising efforts even coming close.

She said they are the only group that continues to teach children to swim, an effort that is increasingly expensive.

Dennis Revell, speaking on behalf of TNT fireworks, said nothing is stopping illegal fireworks and the state of California is not taking action against importation of them.

Revell encouraged the council members to consider if putting the matter on the ballot ultimately would achieve their end goals, specifically, stopping fires. He emphasized the risk will come from illegal fireworks, not safe and sane. He also asked them to keep faith with the nonprofits that have delivered on their commitments to the city.

Racheal Harmon of the Clear Lake High School Boosters said they sell an average of $31,000 worth of fireworks over four days. It’s their top fundraiser, with the money raised going to uses like sports teams transportation, class supplies, leadership workshops and more.

The only city resident who spoke in favor of the ban was Stan Jones, who questioned whether they would sit around and wait until there was a fire that destroyed part of the city. Jones said he appreciated the work of the community groups, and suggested coming up with other ways of supporting them.

“If we can prevent it, why not take a chance and prevent it,” he said of fire concerns.

Councilman George Spurr pointed out that the current city ordinance allows for the city council to cancel safe and sane fireworks sales through a unanimous vote during a calendar year in which a fire-related state of emergency has been declared.

Councilman Kenny Parlet said than putting such a ban before voters wouldn’t stop illegal fireworks. He said if people wanted to put it on the ballot, they should gather signatures and do it themselves, that the city shouldn’t take the action.

Councilwoman Stacey Mattina said she understood the concerns, adding, “Making decisions based on fear is not the best policy for us.”

Councilman Tim Barnes said he didn’t see the harm in safe and sane fireworks. He said the conversation should be about how to stop illegal fireworks.

Turner said she appreciated the council’s position, and knew it was going to be a heavy item when she considered putting it on the agenda. She also knew it could give rise to personal attack and conflict.

“The day I'm going to avoid that is the day I really need to get away from public service in the first place,” she said.

Barnes replied that the council appreciated her bringing the subject forward.

Parlet moved to not put the ballot measure before voters, with Barnes seconding and the council voting 5-0.

In other business on Tuesday, the council approved a resolution granting consent to the county of Lake to establish the Lake County Tourism Improvement District, held a public hearing and adopted a resolution ordering the Community Development director to abate properties where nuisance weeds, rubbish, refuse and dirt have been identified, and approved a general plan amendment and zone change for the Pacific West Communities housing project at 1255 Martin St.

Councilmembers also voted to accept an agreement with Lake County Broadband Solutions for the Library Park and Downtown Wi-Fi Project, conditionally canceled the regular meeting on Aug. 7 and approved the participation of the city of Lakeport in the National Night Out event, and received a check for more than $9,300 from the Lake County Chamber of Commerce to go toward the city’s annual July 4 fireworks display.

The council also heard from residents of the Esplanade Street neighborhood who support giving a raise to the city’s police officers – now in labor negotiations with the city – thanks to their successful efforts to reduce crime.

There was no reportable action out of closed session on those labor talks or negotiations between the city and the Lakeport Unified School District regarding property at 800 N. Main St.

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

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake reported that it is beginning a major road construction project later this month.

During the Clayton fire evacuation, it became clear that the east side of the city, known as the Avenues, has a need for additional means of egress during times of emergency, according to City Manager Greg Folsom.

Folsom said the Dam Road Extension project will provide an additional exit route by creating a new roadway connecting the Avenues to Dam Road.

The city of Clearlake recently awarded a construction contract to Granite Construction to build a new public road from Dam Road/Center Drive intersection to 18th Avenue/Phillips Avenue, Folsom said.

He explained that the project will include a two-lane roadway, new guardrail, and improvements to the intersections and the storm drain system.

Construction is anticipated to begin July 30 and continue through Oct. 1, Folsom said.

“This is one of the most important projects that the city has undertaken in many years and I think the residents of the east side of Clearlake are going to be very pleased with the improved access to the schools, Walmart, and the new Tractor Supply and Big 5,” Folsom said.

“This is the first new road that the city has built since I’ve been here,” said Public Works Director Doug Herren. “Not only will this project make the Avenues safer during an emergency, but it will take a lot of traffic off Highway 53 that now goes to Walmart, Woodland College and the Konocti Education Center, and reduce gridlock on Highway 53 and Dam Road during peak hours.”

The project cost is $1,024,000 and is being primarily funded by the City’s Series A Redevelopment Bond fund, Folsom reported.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Official nomination papers are now available for candidates who are interested in running for the Lakeport City Council.

There are two seats available, each for a four-year term.

Those two seats currently are held by Stacey Mattina and Mireya Turner.

Interested candidates must be registered to vote and reside within the Lakeport city limits.

The deadline to file nomination papers for the seats is Friday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m.

Each candidate must be nominated by not less than 20 nor more than 30 registered voters; therefore, it is recommended that you pick up your nomination papers well in advance of the deadline for filing to allow time to gather signatures.

If you are interested in running for Lakeport City Council, please contact City Clerk Kelly Buendia at 707-263-5615, Extension 101, or Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263-5615, Extension 102, for further information and to set up an appointment to pick up and go over the nomination packet.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol will offer a free “Start Smart” traffic safety class for soon to-be-licensed, newly licensed, and teenage drivers and their parents or guardians on Wednesday, July 25.

The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clear Lake Area CHP office, located at 5700 Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville.

The CHP said a teenager is killed in a traffic collision every four hours nationwide. That equates to more than 1,870 teenagers killed each year. Another 184,000 teenagers are injured in traffic collisions.

These deaths and injuries can be substantially reduced or prevented by eliminating high-risk driving behaviors through education, and the CHP said its “Start Smart” program can help prevent these tragedies.

The Start Smart program focuses on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teenagers and their parents.

Start Smart employs innovative techniques to capture the attention of teenagers and parents, providing a lasting experience.

The curriculum includes information on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, graduated driver’s license laws, cultural changes in today’s society and the need for stronger parental involvement in a teenager’s driving experience.

Space is limited for this class. For more information or reservations, call Officer Kory Reynolds at the CHP office, 707-279-0103, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..