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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The latest version of an annual report that ranks counties on health has rated Lake the last among California’s counties.
The ninth annual County Health Rankings, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, said the five healthiest counties in California, starting with most healthy, are Marin County, followed by San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Placer County and Napa County.
The five counties in the poorest health, starting with least healthy, are Lake County, Siskiyou County, Plumas County, Trinity County and Modoc County, the report said.
The rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
The study’s authors said that the local-level data make it clear that good health is influenced by many factors beyond medical care including housing, education and jobs, and that meaningful gaps in health persist not only by place, but also by race and ethnicity.
This newest analysis, the authors said, also shows that lack of opportunity – such as education, jobs and affordable housing – disproportionately affects people of color across the nation and within California.
A key driver of health cited in the report is children in poverty. The study’s authors said children in poverty are less likely to have access to well-resourced and quality schools, and have fewer chances to be prepared for living wage jobs.
The California State Report reveals that in California, 20 percent of children live in poverty, which is the same as the U.S. rate. Among racial and ethnic groups in California, rates of children in poverty range from 11 percent to 39 percent with American Indian/Alaskan Native children faring the worst and White children faring the best, the report said.
The report found that 30 percent of the children in Lake County live in poverty.
Lake also gets low rankings for categories including length of life due to its high incidence of premature death, a rate of injury deaths that is about three times the state average, and a variety of health behaviors, including an adult smoking rate of 15 percent, excessive drinking of 17 percent, alcohol-impaired deaths of 40 percent and a 26-percent adult obesity rate, despite 75 percent of the population having access to exercise opportunities. All of those factors are above the state average.
Teen births are above the state average but sexually transmitted disease cases are fewer than the California average overall, the report found.
The report found that Lake County ranks No. 31 statewide for its physical environment, with a low air pollution level that puts it among the best in the nation.
Lake County has a 10-percent uninsured rate, with primary care physicians and dentists in short supply: the physician to patient ratio is 1,960 to one, while dentists are 2,210 to one. Mental health providers are 300 to one, which is a better ratio that the state and makes Lake County a top performer nationwide.
Preventable hospital stays are above the state average, as is the incidence of mammography screening, which is 49 percent versus 60 percent statewide, Diabetes monitoring, at 82 percent, ties the state average.
Lake County has an 86-percent high school graduation rate compared to the statewide rate of 82 percent, with a 6.6-percent unemployment rate for 2017 compared to California’s overall 5.4 percent. Its income inequality rate, 5.2, is the same as the state’s.
In recent years, Lake has hovered near the bottom of the rankings, but this year was designated No. 57. Alpine County is not ranked.
Lake’s neighboring counties showed a mix of results: Colusa, No. 29; Glenn, No. 42; Mendocino, No. 44; Napa, No. 5; Sonoma, No. 7; and Yolo, No. 20.
The report does not make clear if the drop in Lake’s ranking has anything to do with the impacts of wildland fires over the past several years.
However, one factor that has been impacted by the fires is severe housing problems, with 27 percent of Lake County having that challenge. California overall ranks higher in that respect (28 percent).
Dr. Sara Goldgraben – who became Lake County’s new health officer two months ago, succeeding Dr. Karen Tait who retired late last year – reviewed these new rankings.
“Lake County has been through extreme challenges from 2015 to 2017 with wildfires and floods. This contributes to many things such as loss of housing where people have now been displaced and left the county permanently. Loss of jobs creates economic challenges, and a population which has to restart from scratch,” she said.
“We need to support the efforts in progress to rebuild and get the housing to be secure and safe. We recently obtained a transportation grant which will increase access to care. Adventist Health has a Project Restoration program, which provides intensive case management to help people with complex social and health issues,” she added. “This more effectively helps people to get access to the resources that they need. People need the social supports to get back on their feet.”
Goldgraben also addressed the challenges the study found that Lake County has regarding its health outcomes. “We need to improve our trends in obesity, sexually transmitted diseases, mammography screening, and children in poverty. Partnering with schools and healthcare providers to educate would be extremely valuable. Prevention is really the key.”
She also offered solutions. “Here is what our residents can do to improve their health outcomes: Eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, practice safe sex, be involved in your health care, limit alcohol and do not smoke.”
Goldgraben said a newly created deputy health officer position is allowing the county to expand the Maternal Child and Adolescent Health program, which is developing a standardized home visitation program which will bring education and resources to the community.
“These are complex issues and as a public health government agency we need the involvement of the entire community to help with solutions and come up with different strategies,” Goldgraben said.
She added, “Being a small rural county can have its challenges as we don’t have many resources and staff. However, being a small county has its benefits as well. We are easily able to work together and engage with community members, healthcare facilities, including our tribal partners. We need them all!”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An atmospheric river headed toward California is expected to bring large amounts of rain to some areas, with Lake County forecast to get less than the storm’s full impact.
The National Weather Service said the atmospheric river – which is a “deep moisture plume” moving in over the region – is forecast to bring large amounts of rain to Central and Southern California.
Northern California will be on the northern fringe and will get more moderate precipitation, the agency reported.
Eric Kurth of the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office said during a Monday Webcast that the atmospheric river is expected to bring heavier rain on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday.
Late Thursday and Friday, snow should come down to about 4,000 feet in the region’s higher elevations, with 1 to 2 feet of snow expected in Northern California’s mountain passes, Kurth said.
Lake County’s specific forecast calls for rain Tuesday through Thursday, with a chance of snow showers on Thursday night in some higher elevations.
Chances of showers also are in the forecast Friday and Saturday, and Sunday night, the National Weather Service reported.
Winds also are in the forecast, with gusts of more than 25 miles per hour predicted.
Daytime temperatures will range from the high 40s to high 50s, with nighttime temperature ranging from the high 40s earlier in the week to the low 30s closer to the weekend, based on the forecast.
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 National Weather Service said the atmospheric river – which is a “deep moisture plume” moving in over the region – is forecast to bring large amounts of rain to Central and Southern California.
Northern California will be on the northern fringe and will get more moderate precipitation, the agency reported.
Eric Kurth of the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office said during a Monday Webcast that the atmospheric river is expected to bring heavier rain on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday.
Late Thursday and Friday, snow should come down to about 4,000 feet in the region’s higher elevations, with 1 to 2 feet of snow expected in Northern California’s mountain passes, Kurth said.
Lake County’s specific forecast calls for rain Tuesday through Thursday, with a chance of snow showers on Thursday night in some higher elevations.
Chances of showers also are in the forecast Friday and Saturday, and Sunday night, the National Weather Service reported.
Winds also are in the forecast, with gusts of more than 25 miles per hour predicted.
Daytime temperatures will range from the high 40s to high 50s, with nighttime temperature ranging from the high 40s earlier in the week to the low 30s closer to the weekend, based on the forecast.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Campus of Woodland College will host a Native American Empowerment Day on Friday, March 23.
The event aims to inspire American Indian students to persist through completion of high school and pursue secondary level education, as well as promote leadership within their communities and tribes.
This one-day event is designed to promote a collaborative and informative environment where students can meet fellow American Indian students, connect and network. There will be motivational speakers and workshops aimed to help develop students into strong advocates for their communities.
American Indian students grades sixth through 12th and American Indian adults are invited to this event from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
This event will provide motivation and support for students to succeed in school, enroll in higher education, and enter guided career pathways.
At this free event, the college will provide morning snacks, lunch and educational materials.
Local nonprofit Kno’Qoti Native Wellness Inc. is partnering with the college and will provide all registered participants with T-shirts.
College staff will provide campus tours and information on careers, certificates and degrees.
The day will open with a traditional blessing and prayer offered by local tribal leaders and conclude with traditional dancing.
Lake County tribal members will present keynote presentations. The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be community leader Robert Geary. He will present on protecting sacred landscapes and cultural resources.
Kyle Bill, the youth services coordinator at California Tribal TANF will speak on native youth leadership. Tony Steele will speak on trauma and healing. Dino Beltran will share about the recent gains in protecting ancestral items.
All participants will attend hands-on workshops regarding traditional practices and the value of higher education.
College staff will provide assistance for anyone wishing to enroll in GED classes, certificates, associate degrees or transfer to a university.
Financial aid staff will provide information on financial aid, grants and scholarships.
The Lake County Museum staff will provide and display native cultural materials.
Local groups are invited to provide resource tables and resources at this event.
The college requests that all participants pre-register in order to prepare the right amount of food and provide T-shirts and other materials.
To register for the Native American Empowerment Day, call the college at 707-995-7900.
The Lake County Campus is located at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
The event aims to inspire American Indian students to persist through completion of high school and pursue secondary level education, as well as promote leadership within their communities and tribes.
This one-day event is designed to promote a collaborative and informative environment where students can meet fellow American Indian students, connect and network. There will be motivational speakers and workshops aimed to help develop students into strong advocates for their communities.
American Indian students grades sixth through 12th and American Indian adults are invited to this event from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
This event will provide motivation and support for students to succeed in school, enroll in higher education, and enter guided career pathways.
At this free event, the college will provide morning snacks, lunch and educational materials.
Local nonprofit Kno’Qoti Native Wellness Inc. is partnering with the college and will provide all registered participants with T-shirts.
College staff will provide campus tours and information on careers, certificates and degrees.
The day will open with a traditional blessing and prayer offered by local tribal leaders and conclude with traditional dancing.
Lake County tribal members will present keynote presentations. The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be community leader Robert Geary. He will present on protecting sacred landscapes and cultural resources.
Kyle Bill, the youth services coordinator at California Tribal TANF will speak on native youth leadership. Tony Steele will speak on trauma and healing. Dino Beltran will share about the recent gains in protecting ancestral items.
All participants will attend hands-on workshops regarding traditional practices and the value of higher education.
College staff will provide assistance for anyone wishing to enroll in GED classes, certificates, associate degrees or transfer to a university.
Financial aid staff will provide information on financial aid, grants and scholarships.
The Lake County Museum staff will provide and display native cultural materials.
Local groups are invited to provide resource tables and resources at this event.
The college requests that all participants pre-register in order to prepare the right amount of food and provide T-shirts and other materials.
To register for the Native American Empowerment Day, call the college at 707-995-7900.
The Lake County Campus is located at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education has announced that applications for Operation Recognition must be received by April 30.
Completed applications and supporting documentation must be delivered to LCOE, 1152 S. Main Street, Lakeport, CA 95453.
Operation Recognition is a program through LCOE and the Lake County Department of Veteran Affairs that awards high school diplomas to qualified veterans or World War II relocation center internees, who may have otherwise not received them due to wartime activities.
Qualified veterans include those who participated in the following conflicts:
– World War II (Dec. 7, 1941 – Dec. 31, 1946).
– The Korean War (June 25, 1950 - Jan. 31, 1955).
– The Vietnam War (Feb. 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975).
Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 from the armed services with their application. For assistance in locating discharge papers, contact the Lake County Veterans Service Office at 707-263-2384, 285 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Any Japanese American who was interned during World War II will need to provide documentation of their internment.
Family members may apply for diplomas on behalf of qualifying persons who are deceased. The diploma recipient or the surviving family member must be a current or former resident of Lake County.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer the Operation Recognition program to honor those who sacrificed for our country. This program is entirely free, and we hope many individuals and families will take advantage of this opportunity,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
The Operation Recognition application must be received by April 30 to quality for the 2018 Diploma awards ceremony held in June, which will include a reception for honorees and family members.
For an application, please contact LCOE Human Resources atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-262-4151. Applications can also be downloaded from www.lakecoe.org.
Completed applications and supporting documentation must be delivered to LCOE, 1152 S. Main Street, Lakeport, CA 95453.
Operation Recognition is a program through LCOE and the Lake County Department of Veteran Affairs that awards high school diplomas to qualified veterans or World War II relocation center internees, who may have otherwise not received them due to wartime activities.
Qualified veterans include those who participated in the following conflicts:
– World War II (Dec. 7, 1941 – Dec. 31, 1946).
– The Korean War (June 25, 1950 - Jan. 31, 1955).
– The Vietnam War (Feb. 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975).
Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 from the armed services with their application. For assistance in locating discharge papers, contact the Lake County Veterans Service Office at 707-263-2384, 285 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Any Japanese American who was interned during World War II will need to provide documentation of their internment.
Family members may apply for diplomas on behalf of qualifying persons who are deceased. The diploma recipient or the surviving family member must be a current or former resident of Lake County.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer the Operation Recognition program to honor those who sacrificed for our country. This program is entirely free, and we hope many individuals and families will take advantage of this opportunity,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
The Operation Recognition application must be received by April 30 to quality for the 2018 Diploma awards ceremony held in June, which will include a reception for honorees and family members.
For an application, please contact LCOE Human Resources at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office have made an eighth arrest in last week’s home invasion robberies in Petaluma.
Jade Lafay Johnson, a 19-year-old woman from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was arrested for her part in the robberies on Thursday, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum.
Authorities said three residences in the 100 and 200 block of Eugenia Drive in Petaluma were robbed at gunpoint on March 12, as Lake County News has reported.
Crum said the suspects – who tied up residents and pistol-whipped one of them – were looking for marijuana but got the wrong homes.
All eight suspects are from the East Coast, primarily Richmond, Va., and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Crum said.
Four men were arrested on March 12 after a pursuit to Novato: Chrisshawn Denardray Beal, 20, and Jaray Day-Shawn Simmons, 28, both of Winston-Salem; and Melvin Corbin, 19, of Richmond, Va., officials reported.
The sheriff’s office said it took three other men into custody later that evening at San Francisco Airport as they were trying to board a plane to the East Coast. The men arrested at that time are 22-year-old Nakia Robert Lydell Jones, 20-year-old Romello Shamar Jones and 21-year-old Siddiq Jafar Abdullah, all from Richmond, Va.
At the time of those arrests, authorities said they were still looking for two more suspects, a black woman and a black man.
Once Jones was identified as a suspect in the case, Crum said detectives secured a $1 million arrest warrant and worked closely with detectives from the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Johnson was arrested on Thursday during a traffic stop in Winston-Salem. She was taken into custody without incident, Crum said.
Jade Lafay Johnson, a 19-year-old woman from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was arrested for her part in the robberies on Thursday, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum.
Authorities said three residences in the 100 and 200 block of Eugenia Drive in Petaluma were robbed at gunpoint on March 12, as Lake County News has reported.
Crum said the suspects – who tied up residents and pistol-whipped one of them – were looking for marijuana but got the wrong homes.
All eight suspects are from the East Coast, primarily Richmond, Va., and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Crum said.
Four men were arrested on March 12 after a pursuit to Novato: Chrisshawn Denardray Beal, 20, and Jaray Day-Shawn Simmons, 28, both of Winston-Salem; and Melvin Corbin, 19, of Richmond, Va., officials reported.
The sheriff’s office said it took three other men into custody later that evening at San Francisco Airport as they were trying to board a plane to the East Coast. The men arrested at that time are 22-year-old Nakia Robert Lydell Jones, 20-year-old Romello Shamar Jones and 21-year-old Siddiq Jafar Abdullah, all from Richmond, Va.
At the time of those arrests, authorities said they were still looking for two more suspects, a black woman and a black man.
Once Jones was identified as a suspect in the case, Crum said detectives secured a $1 million arrest warrant and worked closely with detectives from the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Johnson was arrested on Thursday during a traffic stop in Winston-Salem. She was taken into custody without incident, Crum said.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The service of a search warrant in Clearlake Oaks last week led to one arrest on charges including drug manufacturing and possession.
Willie Travis Pardee Jr., 61, was arrested on Friday morning, according to a report from Lt. Norm Taylor of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
On Friday the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at 460 Schindler St. in Clearlake Oaks, Taylor said.
During the service of the search warrant, Pardee and several others were contacted and detained inside of a trailer located on the property, according to Taylor.
Taylor said that during a search of the trailer 39.43 grams of methamphetamine, 0.35 grams of heroin and 425 grams of processed marijuana was located with scales, packaging material and indicia of narcotics sales.
While searching a closet inside of the trailer, detectives located chemicals and glassware associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Upon closer inspection, Taylor said detectives were able to determine the chemicals and glassware had been recently used to manufacture methamphetamine.
With the assistance of the Lake County Fire Protection District and the Lake County Community Development Department, detectives processed and removed the methamphetamine manufacturing material from the residence, Taylor said.
As a result of the investigation conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Unit, Taylor said Pardee was arrested for felony possession for sales of methamphetamine, keeping a place to sell controlled substances, manufacturing controlled substances and possessions of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Jail booking records showed that Pardee remained in custody on Monday, with bail set at $50,000.
Pardee is tentatively scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment on Tuesday, according to booking records.
