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NORTH COAST, Calif. – A solo-vehicle wreck on the Mendocino Coast on Monday claimed the lives of five people.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash victims were two women from West Linn, Ore., and three children, two boys and a girl. None of the victims were identified, and the children’s cities of residence were not reported.
The CHP said the wreck occurred on Highway 1 south of Juan Creek, near Westport.
“We don’t know what time the collision occurred,” said Officer Olegario Marin of the CHP’s Ukiah Area office.
The CHP said the female driver drove the 2003 GMC SUV into a large dirt turnout on the west side of the highway and, for unknown reasons, allowed it to continue in a westerly direction off a large cliff.
The SUV went down the cliff and overturned, landing on its roof on a large rock in the ocean, and came to rest facing in a southerly direction, according to the CHP report. The vehicle appeared to be just out of the water.
The CHP said the children were found outside of the vehicle while the two adults were still inside. The children were not using safety equipment, but the adults were wearing their seat belts.
All of the victims died at the scene, the CHP said.
As of its Tuesday report, the CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol are considered to be factors in the crash.
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LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Fire Protection District is asking voters across its territory to support a new special fire fee.
Measure E is scheduled for a special election on Tuesday, April 10. Absentee voters will have already received their ballots in the mail.
Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said Measure E will increase the current fire fee on property tax bills.
He said the increase is needed to keep the district sustainable. While the district currently is stable, Beristianos said they have to project their needs into the future.
“Our revenue is pretty much flat but our expenditures continue to go up,” he said.
He added, “Just like everyone else who had a job we need a raise,” noting the district’s fire fee hasn’t been raised in 22 years in all areas but Clearlake Oaks, where there was a fee increase in 2004.
Currently, the fire fee on property tax bills for single family residences in Upper Lake is $45, $57.50 in Nice, and $60 in Clearlake Oaks and Lucerne, Beristianos said.
He said Measure E would increase the fire fee for all areas of the district to $120 for a single family residence.
Beristianos said that breaks down to $10 a month, which he said is relatively inexpensive when considering that it will fund his agency’s efforts to keep the communities safe.
A brochure on the measure explained that the district will need to look at a number of alternatives in the upcoming years if a revenue increase isn’t available. It said that could include closing stations, limiting emergency medical services, public assists or other community services.
Because it’s a special tax, Measure E must receive a two-thirds supermajority vote, or 66.7 percent, Beristianos said.
If approved, Measure E would go into effect on July 1 and would first be reflected on the property tax bills due this December and next April.
Beristianos said the district has 23 paid staffers across its 357-square-mile district, which makes it one of the largest districts in California in land size. It has seven stations, three of them volunteer, and 38 pieces of equipment to serve a population of 12,000 people.
Right now, the district has no money for equipment replacement plans. Some of its frontline equipment is 40 years old, and Beristianos said it has been purchasing equipment that other agencies are surplusing out.
The district’s call volumes also are increasing. In 2012, it had a total of 2,531 calls for service, of which 2,050 were medical calls and 481 were fire incidents. In 2016, it had 2,952 calls for service, of which 2,161 were medical calls and 791 were fires, the district reported.
Measure E will help the district afford to pursue goals including hiring staff to keep the Upper Lake station staffed around the clock, he said.
The district currently has no money to remodel the Upper Lake station, built in 1946. “It needs love,” he said.
Beristianos said the district isn’t able to depend on volunteers as much as it has in the past because of the personal expense for training and equipment, as well as general lack of availability.
He said about 20 volunteers are on the roster, but only about six to eight are actually active and responding to calls. Many of them have to balance their volunteering and the continuing need for training with their day jobs. It also can cost about $3,000 for a volunteer to get outfitted in basic gear.
“It’s not for everybody,” he said.
Among its three volunteer stations – Spring Valley, Glenhaven and Blue Lakes – Spring Valley is the most active, said Beristianos. It has one full-time paid person and three volunteers, while there are no volunteers for Blue Lakes and Glenhaven.
A lack of volunteers isn’t just a Lake County problem, Beristianos said. It’s nationwide.
If it secures Measure E, another of the district’s goals is to create a paid-call volunteer firefighter program like South Lake County Fire has in place. Beristianos said it’s hoped that such a program would give people an incentive to work for the district and offer greater accountability.
“We’re doing whatever we can to staff stations,” he said. “You have to be pretty creative nowadays.”
He said they district is trying to catch up with its many needs. “We’ve been able to stretch the money out as far as we possibly can.”
Beristianos said the district’s need for the revenue increase is “simply business math.”
“We’re not waiting to the last minute,” he 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.
Measure E is scheduled for a special election on Tuesday, April 10. Absentee voters will have already received their ballots in the mail.
Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said Measure E will increase the current fire fee on property tax bills.
He said the increase is needed to keep the district sustainable. While the district currently is stable, Beristianos said they have to project their needs into the future.
“Our revenue is pretty much flat but our expenditures continue to go up,” he said.
He added, “Just like everyone else who had a job we need a raise,” noting the district’s fire fee hasn’t been raised in 22 years in all areas but Clearlake Oaks, where there was a fee increase in 2004.
Currently, the fire fee on property tax bills for single family residences in Upper Lake is $45, $57.50 in Nice, and $60 in Clearlake Oaks and Lucerne, Beristianos said.
He said Measure E would increase the fire fee for all areas of the district to $120 for a single family residence.
Beristianos said that breaks down to $10 a month, which he said is relatively inexpensive when considering that it will fund his agency’s efforts to keep the communities safe.
A brochure on the measure explained that the district will need to look at a number of alternatives in the upcoming years if a revenue increase isn’t available. It said that could include closing stations, limiting emergency medical services, public assists or other community services.
Because it’s a special tax, Measure E must receive a two-thirds supermajority vote, or 66.7 percent, Beristianos said.
If approved, Measure E would go into effect on July 1 and would first be reflected on the property tax bills due this December and next April.
Beristianos said the district has 23 paid staffers across its 357-square-mile district, which makes it one of the largest districts in California in land size. It has seven stations, three of them volunteer, and 38 pieces of equipment to serve a population of 12,000 people.
Right now, the district has no money for equipment replacement plans. Some of its frontline equipment is 40 years old, and Beristianos said it has been purchasing equipment that other agencies are surplusing out.
The district’s call volumes also are increasing. In 2012, it had a total of 2,531 calls for service, of which 2,050 were medical calls and 481 were fire incidents. In 2016, it had 2,952 calls for service, of which 2,161 were medical calls and 791 were fires, the district reported.
Measure E will help the district afford to pursue goals including hiring staff to keep the Upper Lake station staffed around the clock, he said.
The district currently has no money to remodel the Upper Lake station, built in 1946. “It needs love,” he said.
Beristianos said the district isn’t able to depend on volunteers as much as it has in the past because of the personal expense for training and equipment, as well as general lack of availability.
He said about 20 volunteers are on the roster, but only about six to eight are actually active and responding to calls. Many of them have to balance their volunteering and the continuing need for training with their day jobs. It also can cost about $3,000 for a volunteer to get outfitted in basic gear.
“It’s not for everybody,” he said.
Among its three volunteer stations – Spring Valley, Glenhaven and Blue Lakes – Spring Valley is the most active, said Beristianos. It has one full-time paid person and three volunteers, while there are no volunteers for Blue Lakes and Glenhaven.
A lack of volunteers isn’t just a Lake County problem, Beristianos said. It’s nationwide.
If it secures Measure E, another of the district’s goals is to create a paid-call volunteer firefighter program like South Lake County Fire has in place. Beristianos said it’s hoped that such a program would give people an incentive to work for the district and offer greater accountability.
“We’re doing whatever we can to staff stations,” he said. “You have to be pretty creative nowadays.”
He said they district is trying to catch up with its many needs. “We’ve been able to stretch the money out as far as we possibly can.”
Beristianos said the district’s need for the revenue increase is “simply business math.”
“We’re not waiting to the last minute,” he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Big Valley 4-H Club’s effort to bring bright spring color to Kelseyville is coming into full bloom.
The club is celebrating the bloom of the nearly 1,000 bulbs that were purchased with donations from generous community members.
Club members planted the bulbs last November on Gas Hill in Kelseyville – on Main Street near Live Oak Drive – as its community service project, according to Michelle Brown, Big Valley 4-H’s co-community leader.
Brown said Marilyn Holdenried had done the project the previous year with the help of some friends, but when the Big Valley 4-H Club learned about it, club members pitched in to gather donations and help plant.
“This was our first year, but we are so pleased with the results we will try to continue every year,” said Brown.
The Big Valley 4-H Club meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Kelseyville High School cafeteria.
For more information please send inquiries to
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, telephone 707-263-6838.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will hold a special Tuesday meeting to discuss several contracts and swear in a new council member.
The meeting will take place beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the start of the meeting, Russell Cremer, the newly appointed council member, will take his oath of office.
Cremer was appointed at the council’s Thursday meeting, as Lake County News has reported.
After the swearing-in, the council will adjourn into closed session to discuss a potential case of litigation.
When it returns to open session, the council will discuss awarding several contracts to firms for city projects.
The firms, projects and the not-to-exceed costs are as follows:
– California Engineering Co.: Highlands Harbor/Harbor Lane pavement rehabilitation project, design services, $37,923.75; Highlands Park frontage and off-site parking improvement project, design services, $17,519.50; Pine Street rehabilitation project, design services, $12,342.25.
– Coastland Civil: Country Club pavement rehabilitation project, design services, $29,140.
– Design Workshop: Austin Park improvement project, design services, $201,224 contract.
– Mortgage Lender Services: Foreclosure processing services, terms as outlined in the city’s fee schedule.
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 meeting will take place beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the start of the meeting, Russell Cremer, the newly appointed council member, will take his oath of office.
Cremer was appointed at the council’s Thursday meeting, as Lake County News has reported.
After the swearing-in, the council will adjourn into closed session to discuss a potential case of litigation.
When it returns to open session, the council will discuss awarding several contracts to firms for city projects.
The firms, projects and the not-to-exceed costs are as follows:
– California Engineering Co.: Highlands Harbor/Harbor Lane pavement rehabilitation project, design services, $37,923.75; Highlands Park frontage and off-site parking improvement project, design services, $17,519.50; Pine Street rehabilitation project, design services, $12,342.25.
– Coastland Civil: Country Club pavement rehabilitation project, design services, $29,140.
– Design Workshop: Austin Park improvement project, design services, $201,224 contract.
– Mortgage Lender Services: Foreclosure processing services, terms as outlined in the city’s fee schedule.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss goals for the upcoming fiscal year.
The council’s special meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The meeting is for the purposes of holding a workshop to set goals for fiscal year 2018-19.
The council annually holds the special workshop for goals setting, which is part of its budget process, as it will guide priorities for staff in crafting a new budget.
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 council’s special meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The meeting is for the purposes of holding a workshop to set goals for fiscal year 2018-19.
The council annually holds the special workshop for goals setting, which is part of its budget process, as it will guide priorities for staff in crafting a new budget.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A three-county coordinated tsunami warnings communications test is set to take place this Wednesday in Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
The test will take place from noon to 1 p.m.
This cooperative effort will include Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties as well as the National Weather Service and the California Office of Emergency Services, according to Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
North Coast residents may see or hear test notifications broadcasted over the television and radio. Some residents may hear local tsunami sirens sound and observe the Civil Air Patrol flying along the coast with an audible message.
In Mendocino County people may hear tsunami sirens being activated in the cities of Fort Bragg and Point Arena, and they may get a test message in limited areas within these two cities, from a test of the county's emergency phone notification system, Barney said.
Registered Humboldt Alert users will receive a test notification during this time, in addition to listed landlines, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
The test coincides with Tsunami Preparedness Week on the North Coast.
A tsunami warning is the highest level of tsunami alert and is only issued when flooding of land that is usually dry is expected, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said. They’re focused on a tsunami coming from far away.
If you hear that an official tsunami warning has been issued, move away from the beach and out of harbor areas. Tune into local radio or television stations for more information and follow the evacuation directions of local authorities, officials urged.
If a strong earthquake occurs close to our coast that lasts for 20 seconds or longer, a tsunami may follow. In this case, officials said there will be no time for an official warning to be issued. You must rely on recognizing the natural warning signs of a tsunami. An earthquake is the most likely natural warning sign that a tsunami is coming.
Other natural warning signs include the ocean water drawing back and exposing the seafloor, or hearing a loud roar from the coast. If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone and observe any of these warnings, move to higher ground or inland on foot as soon as possible. There may be as little as 10 minutes between the earthquake and a tsunami, officials said.
Officials said it’s also important to remember that surges may continue to arrive for 24 hours or longer.
The test will take place from noon to 1 p.m.
This cooperative effort will include Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties as well as the National Weather Service and the California Office of Emergency Services, according to Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
North Coast residents may see or hear test notifications broadcasted over the television and radio. Some residents may hear local tsunami sirens sound and observe the Civil Air Patrol flying along the coast with an audible message.
In Mendocino County people may hear tsunami sirens being activated in the cities of Fort Bragg and Point Arena, and they may get a test message in limited areas within these two cities, from a test of the county's emergency phone notification system, Barney said.
Registered Humboldt Alert users will receive a test notification during this time, in addition to listed landlines, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
The test coincides with Tsunami Preparedness Week on the North Coast.
A tsunami warning is the highest level of tsunami alert and is only issued when flooding of land that is usually dry is expected, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said. They’re focused on a tsunami coming from far away.
If you hear that an official tsunami warning has been issued, move away from the beach and out of harbor areas. Tune into local radio or television stations for more information and follow the evacuation directions of local authorities, officials urged.
If a strong earthquake occurs close to our coast that lasts for 20 seconds or longer, a tsunami may follow. In this case, officials said there will be no time for an official warning to be issued. You must rely on recognizing the natural warning signs of a tsunami. An earthquake is the most likely natural warning sign that a tsunami is coming.
Other natural warning signs include the ocean water drawing back and exposing the seafloor, or hearing a loud roar from the coast. If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone and observe any of these warnings, move to higher ground or inland on foot as soon as possible. There may be as little as 10 minutes between the earthquake and a tsunami, officials said.
Officials said it’s also important to remember that surges may continue to arrive for 24 hours or longer.