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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A family was displaced from their home on Christmas Eve following a late-night house fire.
The fire on the lakeshore in the 3900 block of Oak Drive was first reported just before 10 p.m.
Initial reports from the scene stated the structure’s roof was on fire, and that the home’s residents as well as residents in adjacent homes evacuated.
It also was reported over the radio that a man was inside the residence. A short time later it was reported that the man escaped.
At the time the fire was dispatched, fire units were returning from the Hofacker Lane area near Hidden Valley Lake where they had responded on a report of a possible wildland fire. However, no fire was located.
Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta told Lake County News that several crews from Lake County Fire and Cal Fires responded to Oak Drive, and they reported being able to see the fire from the gooseneck area of Lakeshore Drive.
While originally the fire was said to just be on the roof of the two-story home, “It was the entire second story that was involved,” Sapeta said.
He said the fire was confined the home, with the homes on both sides protected.
While the home wasn’t destroyed, Sapeta said there was a lot of damage from water, heat and smoke.
He said Red Cross was called to provide housing for the elderly couple and their adult grandson who had just moved into the home permanently after having used it as a summer home.
Sapeta said the house is in the Sulphur fire area but it hadn’t been affected by that fire, which had made it to the top of Oak Drive.
Early Monday, Sapeta did not have an idea of the fire’s cause.
Sapeta cleared the scene at about 12:30 a.m. and the last of the units left following the completion of overhaul at about 2 a.m., according to radio reports.
Earlier in the day on Sunday, a house in Clearlake Oaks burned, as Lake County News has reported. That fire appeared to have been caused by an electrical issue in the house, where firefighters found a large amount of marijuana growing.
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 fire on the lakeshore in the 3900 block of Oak Drive was first reported just before 10 p.m.
Initial reports from the scene stated the structure’s roof was on fire, and that the home’s residents as well as residents in adjacent homes evacuated.
It also was reported over the radio that a man was inside the residence. A short time later it was reported that the man escaped.
At the time the fire was dispatched, fire units were returning from the Hofacker Lane area near Hidden Valley Lake where they had responded on a report of a possible wildland fire. However, no fire was located.
Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta told Lake County News that several crews from Lake County Fire and Cal Fires responded to Oak Drive, and they reported being able to see the fire from the gooseneck area of Lakeshore Drive.
While originally the fire was said to just be on the roof of the two-story home, “It was the entire second story that was involved,” Sapeta said.
He said the fire was confined the home, with the homes on both sides protected.
While the home wasn’t destroyed, Sapeta said there was a lot of damage from water, heat and smoke.
He said Red Cross was called to provide housing for the elderly couple and their adult grandson who had just moved into the home permanently after having used it as a summer home.
Sapeta said the house is in the Sulphur fire area but it hadn’t been affected by that fire, which had made it to the top of Oak Drive.
Early Monday, Sapeta did not have an idea of the fire’s cause.
Sapeta cleared the scene at about 12:30 a.m. and the last of the units left following the completion of overhaul at about 2 a.m., according to radio reports.
Earlier in the day on Sunday, a house in Clearlake Oaks burned, as Lake County News has reported. That fire appeared to have been caused by an electrical issue in the house, where firefighters found a large amount of marijuana growing.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County is hosting a series of five community visioning forums in the month of January to seek public input on core county government services and finances.
“Lake County is facing some very difficult budgetary decisions ahead, and we are asking for residents’ help in prioritizing our county services and financial needs,” said County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.
“This is an important opportunity for residents to share their ideas, voice their questions and shape the future of our county government,” continued Huchingson. “Each of our community visioning forums will be held in the evening to ensure those who work during the day have the opportunity to participate.”
The Lake County Community Visioning Forums for January are scheduled as follows:
Kelseyville Visioning Forum
Monday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
Kelseyville Presbyterian Church
5340 Third St.
Supervisor Rob Brown will attend
Clearlake Community Visioning Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Clearlake Community Center
3245 Bowers Ave.
Supervisor Jeff Smith will attend
Northshore Community Visioning Forum
Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Robinson Rancheria Hotel
1545 Highway 20 in Nice
Supervisor Jim Steele will attend
Lakeport Community Visioning Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
Soper Reese Community Theater
275 S. Main Street in Lakeport
Supervisor Tina Scott will attend
South County Community Visioning Forum
Monday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
Twin Pine Event Center
22223 Highway 29 in Middletown
Supervisor Moke Simon will attend
“County administrators, the local county supervisor and department heads from major county government agencies will all be part of the program at each forum,” said Huchingson. “We are fully committed to engaging residents to help us design a county government that will meet the needs of our communities while building a financially prosperous future for Lake County.”
For more information, call the County Administrative Office, 707-263-2580, and ask for Matthew.
“Lake County is facing some very difficult budgetary decisions ahead, and we are asking for residents’ help in prioritizing our county services and financial needs,” said County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.
“This is an important opportunity for residents to share their ideas, voice their questions and shape the future of our county government,” continued Huchingson. “Each of our community visioning forums will be held in the evening to ensure those who work during the day have the opportunity to participate.”
The Lake County Community Visioning Forums for January are scheduled as follows:
Kelseyville Visioning Forum
Monday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
Kelseyville Presbyterian Church
5340 Third St.
Supervisor Rob Brown will attend
Clearlake Community Visioning Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Clearlake Community Center
3245 Bowers Ave.
Supervisor Jeff Smith will attend
Northshore Community Visioning Forum
Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Robinson Rancheria Hotel
1545 Highway 20 in Nice
Supervisor Jim Steele will attend
Lakeport Community Visioning Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
Soper Reese Community Theater
275 S. Main Street in Lakeport
Supervisor Tina Scott will attend
South County Community Visioning Forum
Monday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
Twin Pine Event Center
22223 Highway 29 in Middletown
Supervisor Moke Simon will attend
“County administrators, the local county supervisor and department heads from major county government agencies will all be part of the program at each forum,” said Huchingson. “We are fully committed to engaging residents to help us design a county government that will meet the needs of our communities while building a financially prosperous future for Lake County.”
For more information, call the County Administrative Office, 707-263-2580, and ask for Matthew.
"Oh, beautiful star, the hope of life.” – From the song, “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” by Emmylou Harris on her album "Light of the Stable"
The Star of Bethlehem is also known as the Christmas Star, and is a favorite story from the biblical nativity story.
The nativity story from the Gospel of Matthew discusses the Magi, or wise men of the East as having followed a star in their journey to Jerusalem.
It is in Jerusalem where they meet up with King Herod of Judea to inquire as to the king of the Jew’s birthplace, and the location of the birth.
Events ensue to lead them south, to Bethlehem. Led by a star, they then present Jesus with gifts and solemn worship.
There have been numerous stories, songs and art to honor the event of the Star of Bethlehem.
A famed fresco by Giotto di Bondone portrays a vivid comet in his work called, “Adoration of the Magi.” “The Star of Bethlehem” is also the name of a watercolor painting by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and there are many, many more famous depictions of the scene.
Over time astronomers have tried to explain the Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, and there has been much in the way of debate on the subject with biblical scholars and astronomy experts all chiming in on the theme.
Some suggest the star in the story was actually a comet, but some others discuss planetary conjunctions as a more likely observance of the times.
The German astronomer Johannes Kepler noted that in 1614 Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction in 7 BC and that a conjunction of planets could be looked at and mistaken as a nova, or super-bright star, and that could be what was observed in the night sky so very, very long ago.
Other astronomers hold that the Star of Bethlehem was actually a hypernova from our nearest galaxy, Andromeda.
A hypernova is when a star explodes and its brightness, or luminosity is even more powerful than a supernova – surpassing 10 times the brightness of a supernova!
No matter who is telling the story of the Star of Bethlehem, it is clear that biblical scholars and academia from other fields of research, such as astronomy or history, agree that the story is indeed complex and multifaceted.
All of the opinions aside, it appears clear that when the birth of Jesus occurred there were extraordinary celestial events which all can agree send special signs that are, indeed sacred to millions.
To hear Emmylou Harris’ beautiful song about the star, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqI4lKG2P1Q.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
The Star of Bethlehem is also known as the Christmas Star, and is a favorite story from the biblical nativity story.
The nativity story from the Gospel of Matthew discusses the Magi, or wise men of the East as having followed a star in their journey to Jerusalem.
It is in Jerusalem where they meet up with King Herod of Judea to inquire as to the king of the Jew’s birthplace, and the location of the birth.
Events ensue to lead them south, to Bethlehem. Led by a star, they then present Jesus with gifts and solemn worship.
There have been numerous stories, songs and art to honor the event of the Star of Bethlehem.
A famed fresco by Giotto di Bondone portrays a vivid comet in his work called, “Adoration of the Magi.” “The Star of Bethlehem” is also the name of a watercolor painting by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and there are many, many more famous depictions of the scene.
Over time astronomers have tried to explain the Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, and there has been much in the way of debate on the subject with biblical scholars and astronomy experts all chiming in on the theme.
Some suggest the star in the story was actually a comet, but some others discuss planetary conjunctions as a more likely observance of the times.
The German astronomer Johannes Kepler noted that in 1614 Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction in 7 BC and that a conjunction of planets could be looked at and mistaken as a nova, or super-bright star, and that could be what was observed in the night sky so very, very long ago.
Other astronomers hold that the Star of Bethlehem was actually a hypernova from our nearest galaxy, Andromeda.
A hypernova is when a star explodes and its brightness, or luminosity is even more powerful than a supernova – surpassing 10 times the brightness of a supernova!
No matter who is telling the story of the Star of Bethlehem, it is clear that biblical scholars and academia from other fields of research, such as astronomy or history, agree that the story is indeed complex and multifaceted.
All of the opinions aside, it appears clear that when the birth of Jesus occurred there were extraordinary celestial events which all can agree send special signs that are, indeed sacred to millions.
To hear Emmylou Harris’ beautiful song about the star, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqI4lKG2P1Q.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
Trees in California communities are working overtime. From removing carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air, intercepting rainfall and increasing property values, California’s 173.2 million city trees provide ecosystem services valued at $8.3 billion a year.
However, according to a recent study, more benefits could be realized if the Golden State’s urban forests didn’t have the lowest canopy cover per capita in the nation.
“The structure, function and value of urban forests in California communities,” recently published online in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, reports that California’s 109 square yards of city tree canopy per person lags behind other urban canopy-poor states, such as Nevada (110), Wyoming (146) and Montana (148). And there’s no comparison with well-treed states, such as New Hampshire (1,514), Connecticut (1,214) or Alabama (1,182).
“There’s no question that Californians are deriving significant benefits from their urban forests,” said Greg McPherson, lead author of the study and a research forester with the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station. “However, the fact remains that more can be done and will need to be done in light of the recent tree mortality epidemics plaguing some of our urban forests.”
In southern California, for example, the invasive shot hole borer has killed thousands of city trees and poses a threat to 33 percent of the urban tree population in the region.
More than 50 tree species there are reproductive hosts for the insect, making them vulnerable to the lethal fungus it transmits.
City tree population and species composition figures were generated through an analysis of 1,385 study plots located across the state.
Costs and benefits of ecosystem services were derived through numerical models that factored in the tree’s species, size and location across six climate zones within the state.
Canopy cover estimates and state comparisons were calculated by analyzing aerial imagery from the 2012 National Agricultural Imagery Program.
“One of the factors driving the low per capita rating for California city trees could be the fact that 20 of the nation’s 100 most densely populated cities are in California, meaning there’s a higher volume of people in a confined space for trees,” said Natalie van Doorn, study co-author and research urban ecologist with the Pacific Southwest Research Station. “California’s arid summer climate also can suppress tree establishment and growth, which also could be a contributing factor for the results we observed.”
Still, with about 236 million vacant tree sites within cities, van Doorn noted that Californians have ample room for new tree plantings.
“In fact, our study results are already being used by municipal and state agencies to identify priority areas for planting and tree conservation, as well as examining potential disparities in disadvantaged communities,” she said.
Qualified athletes around the world are gearing up for February 2018, when they will compete for gold in the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Although this will be first Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea, which beat out Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France, to host the games, Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988.
PyeongChang, known as a popular ski destination, experiences snowy winters and is located 700 meters (2,296 feet) above sea level, which contributes to its slogan, "Happy 700."
The locals also consider the region an ideal living location, despite the fact that PyeongChang is Earth's coldest location for that particular latitude, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist SungHyun Do.
"It is known that PyeongChang is best for all living creatures," Do said.
"You can maintain a good biorhythm by eliminating lactic acid and other waste out of your body in that particular environment," he added.
Only five or six hours of sleep should be enough to feel rested in this region, Do said, because the pressure in this area increases melatonin in a person's brain.
The rugged, mountainous region of PyeongChang will host mostly outdoor Olympic events, while indoor events will take place in the nearby coastal area of Gangneung.
PyeongChang's climatology
February will mark the waning weeks of the harsh, east-Asian winter, which is comparable in many ways with winter in the northeastern United States.
PyeongChang's winter months are typically cold and dry, and major snowstorms are rare in February.
February's average temperature there is minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit).
"The average daily high temperature will range mostly between minus 1 and 4 degrees Celsius (30 and 40 degrees F), with lows averaging about minus 11 to minus 5.5 C (12-22 F)," said AccuWeather Meteorologist James Andrews.
"Valleys are coldest at night in fair weather, when even late-winter temperatures can dip well below zero," Andrews said.
While winter is the driest time of year for South Korea, February in particular is considered PyeongChang's driest month.
"February will be a bit milder than normal as a whole, but there can be a cold shot or a period during the Olympics where temperatures are a little colder than normal for a few days," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
Precipitation during February will be about 80-100 percent of normal, with a fair chance of minimal snowfall during the Olympic Games, according to Nicholls.
"The alpine venues or mountain locations have the best chance for picking up some snow," Nicholls said.
Gangneung's climatology
Gangneung, which is nestled between the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east and a mountain divide to the west, experiences average high temperatures of about 4.4 to 7.2 C (40-45 F), according to Andrews.
"Winter precipitation here is comparable to that of PyeongChang; however, its coastal location allows for a greater likelihood of rain," Andrews added.
Gangneung faces a higher risk for moderate to heavy snowfall when storm winds blow in from the north and east, according to Andrews.
"In rare occasions, there are really big dumps of snow," he said.
Ashley Williams is a staff writer for www.AccuWeather.com.
Although this will be first Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea, which beat out Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France, to host the games, Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988.
PyeongChang, known as a popular ski destination, experiences snowy winters and is located 700 meters (2,296 feet) above sea level, which contributes to its slogan, "Happy 700."
The locals also consider the region an ideal living location, despite the fact that PyeongChang is Earth's coldest location for that particular latitude, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist SungHyun Do.
"It is known that PyeongChang is best for all living creatures," Do said.
"You can maintain a good biorhythm by eliminating lactic acid and other waste out of your body in that particular environment," he added.
Only five or six hours of sleep should be enough to feel rested in this region, Do said, because the pressure in this area increases melatonin in a person's brain.
The rugged, mountainous region of PyeongChang will host mostly outdoor Olympic events, while indoor events will take place in the nearby coastal area of Gangneung.
PyeongChang's climatology
February will mark the waning weeks of the harsh, east-Asian winter, which is comparable in many ways with winter in the northeastern United States.
PyeongChang's winter months are typically cold and dry, and major snowstorms are rare in February.
February's average temperature there is minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit).
"The average daily high temperature will range mostly between minus 1 and 4 degrees Celsius (30 and 40 degrees F), with lows averaging about minus 11 to minus 5.5 C (12-22 F)," said AccuWeather Meteorologist James Andrews.
"Valleys are coldest at night in fair weather, when even late-winter temperatures can dip well below zero," Andrews said.
While winter is the driest time of year for South Korea, February in particular is considered PyeongChang's driest month.
"February will be a bit milder than normal as a whole, but there can be a cold shot or a period during the Olympics where temperatures are a little colder than normal for a few days," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
Precipitation during February will be about 80-100 percent of normal, with a fair chance of minimal snowfall during the Olympic Games, according to Nicholls.
"The alpine venues or mountain locations have the best chance for picking up some snow," Nicholls said.
Gangneung's climatology
Gangneung, which is nestled between the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east and a mountain divide to the west, experiences average high temperatures of about 4.4 to 7.2 C (40-45 F), according to Andrews.
"Winter precipitation here is comparable to that of PyeongChang; however, its coastal location allows for a greater likelihood of rain," Andrews added.
Gangneung faces a higher risk for moderate to heavy snowfall when storm winds blow in from the north and east, according to Andrews.
"In rare occasions, there are really big dumps of snow," he said.
Ashley Williams is a staff writer for www.AccuWeather.com.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – An electrical issue in a marijuana grow house in Clearlake Oaks led to a fire on Sunday morning.
The fire at 14134 Chestnut Lane in the Orchard Shores subdivision broke out at 7:30 a.m., according to neighbor Michael O'Grady.
O’Grady said that he got onto his roof with hoses to protect his home, explaining that had the wind shifted his home would have burned.
Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said four engines and 23 fire personnel responded to the fire in the double-wide modular home.
Beristianos said the fire gutted the home and also damaged the garage of another neighboring property. There were no injuries.
O’Grady said neither the owner of the burned home nor the neighbor on the east side whose garage was damaged were home at the time of the fire.
Beristianos said the cause of the fire appeared to be electrical in nature.
Both Beristianos and O’Grady confirmed that the house contained numerous marijuana plants.
O’Grady said he could see several marijuana plants hanging upside down in the house, and when he looked in the window, he said there were wall-to-wall 5-gallon pots with marijuana plants growing in them. He said there were at least six grow lights per room that he could see.
Overall, no specific number of plants in the house was given, although O’Grady said a firefighter at the scene who had been inside the residence estimated there were more than 100 plants inside.
John Jensen contributed to this report.
Email Elizabeth Larson at