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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating a threat made at area schools on Thursday.
On Thursday afternoon a “vague threat” was discovered written on a school wall between the Middletown High and Middletown Middle schools, officials said.
They did not give additional details about the threat.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office said it is working with school officials to investigate the threat.
As a result, there will be Lake County Sheriff's deputies on the school campuses on Friday morning.
If you have information about this threat please contact Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Wright at 707-262-4200, Extension 4450.
On Thursday afternoon a “vague threat” was discovered written on a school wall between the Middletown High and Middletown Middle schools, officials said.
They did not give additional details about the threat.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office said it is working with school officials to investigate the threat.
As a result, there will be Lake County Sheriff's deputies on the school campuses on Friday morning.
If you have information about this threat please contact Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Wright at 707-262-4200, Extension 4450.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Dozens of community members gathered in Lakeport on Thursday morning to participate in the annual commemoration of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
The ceremony began at the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association’s memorial mast in Lakeport’s Library Park at 9 a.m.
There, the American flag was raised on the mast, Chaplain Woody Hughes gave the invocation, and the Military Funeral Honors Team performed a rifle volley and played “Taps.”
Master of ceremonies Ronnie Bogner, who along with wife Janeane has organized the event for many years, then led the group to the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, where a slide show was presented along with a video honoring many of Lake County’s well-known survivors.
The county’s remaining Pearl Harbor survivor, 93-year-old Bill Slater of Lakeport, was unable to attend due to ill health.
A video of the outdoor ceremony is featured above, while the video commemorating survivors – created by John Jensen of Lake County News – is shown below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office has joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Wildfire Disaster Fraud Task Force.
As a result of the recent wildfire disaster in Northern California, the FBI has established an ad hoc Wildfire Disaster Fraud Task Force to address fraud related to the relief and recovery efforts following the wildfires.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is a member of this task force which includes federal, state, and local agencies with responsibility for investigating and prosecuting disaster-related fraud in the four counties primarily impacted by the wildfires – Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties.
Agencies represented on the task force include the California Highway Patrol, the Clearlake Police Department, Contractors State License Board, Department of Homeland Security - Office of the Inspector General, FBI, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Napa County Sheriff's Office, Napa County District Attorney's Office, Santa Rosa Police Department, Small Business Administration, Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Attorney's Office.
This task force is a cooperative effort between local, state, and federal agencies to share and disseminate information and collaborate on investigations in an effort to streamline the process for preventing and addressing disaster-related fraud.
A primary goal of this task force will be to utilize intelligence obtained from previous disasters, such as the hurricanes in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico, to identify trends in fraudulent activity in an effort to prevent and deter disaster-related fraud in the counties impacted by the wildfires.
This task force also will provide a platform for referring complaints and reports of disaster-related fraud to the appropriate local, state, or federal agencies, and collaborating on investigative and prosecutive efforts.
Additionally, the task force will ensure that information and intelligence related to disaster fraud is disseminated to Northern California communities impacted by the wildfire disaster, in an effort to inform and advise the public of schemes to defraud and instruct the public on how to avoid falling victim to those schemes.
As a result of the recent wildfire disaster in Northern California, the FBI has established an ad hoc Wildfire Disaster Fraud Task Force to address fraud related to the relief and recovery efforts following the wildfires.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is a member of this task force which includes federal, state, and local agencies with responsibility for investigating and prosecuting disaster-related fraud in the four counties primarily impacted by the wildfires – Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties.
Agencies represented on the task force include the California Highway Patrol, the Clearlake Police Department, Contractors State License Board, Department of Homeland Security - Office of the Inspector General, FBI, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Napa County Sheriff's Office, Napa County District Attorney's Office, Santa Rosa Police Department, Small Business Administration, Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Attorney's Office.
This task force is a cooperative effort between local, state, and federal agencies to share and disseminate information and collaborate on investigations in an effort to streamline the process for preventing and addressing disaster-related fraud.
A primary goal of this task force will be to utilize intelligence obtained from previous disasters, such as the hurricanes in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico, to identify trends in fraudulent activity in an effort to prevent and deter disaster-related fraud in the counties impacted by the wildfires.
This task force also will provide a platform for referring complaints and reports of disaster-related fraud to the appropriate local, state, or federal agencies, and collaborating on investigative and prosecutive efforts.
Additionally, the task force will ensure that information and intelligence related to disaster fraud is disseminated to Northern California communities impacted by the wildfire disaster, in an effort to inform and advise the public of schemes to defraud and instruct the public on how to avoid falling victim to those schemes.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – In the wake of this fall’s devastating wildland fires, state legislators representing the North Coast are introducing a bill aimed at setting statewide emergency alert protocols in order to increase the safety of residents.
California is experiencing a fire season like none other in its history. The unprecedented devastation during the October firestorm in Northern California is now ranked as the most destructive and deadly in American history, and the state is facing the huge fires raging in southern California.
The firestorm that ravaged Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties destroyed more than 6,000 homes, scorched more than 170,000 acres, causing billions in damage and resulting in the death of 44 residents, with officials reporting that there are still residents registered as missing from the fires.
Thousands of neighbors, in the middle of the night on a Sunday evening, were caught unaware and their lives were saved by brave neighbors, friends, police and firemen going door to door.
Residents reported that they did not receive emergency alerts during the peak of the evacuations, and after initial review, it's become obvious a statewide standard for emergency alerts must be established.
In response, California’s North Bay legislative delegation will be introducing a bill setting statewide emergency alert protocols.
There are several different emergency warning systems available to counties that alert residents through cell phone calls, text messages, and landline recordings.
Some systems require residents to “opt-in” to the alert notifications, and others have limitations on how they can be targeted in specific areas.
Legislation being introduced by Senator McGuire and the entire North Bay California Legislative Delegation in January will require every county in California to adopt the up-to-date Wireless Emergency Alert system with trained operators who can implement an evacuation order using the alert system.
The legislation will also set out standards for when counties should use the system, the legislation will mandate that alerts have to be sent out via landline telephones, mobile phone devices and other mediums as well as guidelines and protocols for when and how the alerts should be sent.
“The size and scope of wildland fire events in California are only getting worse. It's clear there are shortcomings in our emergency alert system and residents deserve timely notifications and up-to-date information,” Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Bay) said. “Lives depend on the Legislature and Governor taking swift action to ensure statewide emergency alert standards are adopted, training is implemented and funding is secured to ensure communities big and small have reliable alert systems deployed.”
“When wildfires and other disasters strike, it’s critical that impacted residents get emergency alerts as quickly as possible,” said Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa). “Regardless of where you live in California, everyone should be able to rely on a comprehensive, modern warning systems that gets information to the people who need it, when they need it. Emergency alerts can save lives, which is why Sen. McGuire and I are partnering with our colleagues in the state Assembly to advance a system that meets our 21st century needs.”
“The raging wildfires endangering Californians across the state is without precedent. Lawmakers must protect our communities with the best safety notifications available to prevent loss of life during emergency situations,” said Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-Marin County). “All California communities should have dependable emergency alert systems and be notified when lives are in danger.”
“The recent devastating fires in Northern California have put laser focus on our need to fix our emergency notification system,” said Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg). As we now see with the fires in Southern California, the time is now to protect our residents with a system that works for everyone, both urban and rural.”
“As a member of the Joint Committee on Emergency Management, we heard testimony this week on how critical it is for local governments to alert our mutual constituents in times of crisis,” said Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “I’m happy to join in this effort with my legislative and local government colleagues, and I look forward to continuing our work together that started during the North Bay wildfires. As the recovery continues, we must also stay vigilant to protect people in the event of future emergencies.”
California is experiencing a fire season like none other in its history. The unprecedented devastation during the October firestorm in Northern California is now ranked as the most destructive and deadly in American history, and the state is facing the huge fires raging in southern California.
The firestorm that ravaged Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties destroyed more than 6,000 homes, scorched more than 170,000 acres, causing billions in damage and resulting in the death of 44 residents, with officials reporting that there are still residents registered as missing from the fires.
Thousands of neighbors, in the middle of the night on a Sunday evening, were caught unaware and their lives were saved by brave neighbors, friends, police and firemen going door to door.
Residents reported that they did not receive emergency alerts during the peak of the evacuations, and after initial review, it's become obvious a statewide standard for emergency alerts must be established.
In response, California’s North Bay legislative delegation will be introducing a bill setting statewide emergency alert protocols.
There are several different emergency warning systems available to counties that alert residents through cell phone calls, text messages, and landline recordings.
Some systems require residents to “opt-in” to the alert notifications, and others have limitations on how they can be targeted in specific areas.
Legislation being introduced by Senator McGuire and the entire North Bay California Legislative Delegation in January will require every county in California to adopt the up-to-date Wireless Emergency Alert system with trained operators who can implement an evacuation order using the alert system.
The legislation will also set out standards for when counties should use the system, the legislation will mandate that alerts have to be sent out via landline telephones, mobile phone devices and other mediums as well as guidelines and protocols for when and how the alerts should be sent.
“The size and scope of wildland fire events in California are only getting worse. It's clear there are shortcomings in our emergency alert system and residents deserve timely notifications and up-to-date information,” Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Bay) said. “Lives depend on the Legislature and Governor taking swift action to ensure statewide emergency alert standards are adopted, training is implemented and funding is secured to ensure communities big and small have reliable alert systems deployed.”
“When wildfires and other disasters strike, it’s critical that impacted residents get emergency alerts as quickly as possible,” said Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa). “Regardless of where you live in California, everyone should be able to rely on a comprehensive, modern warning systems that gets information to the people who need it, when they need it. Emergency alerts can save lives, which is why Sen. McGuire and I are partnering with our colleagues in the state Assembly to advance a system that meets our 21st century needs.”
“The raging wildfires endangering Californians across the state is without precedent. Lawmakers must protect our communities with the best safety notifications available to prevent loss of life during emergency situations,” said Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-Marin County). “All California communities should have dependable emergency alert systems and be notified when lives are in danger.”
“The recent devastating fires in Northern California have put laser focus on our need to fix our emergency notification system,” said Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg). As we now see with the fires in Southern California, the time is now to protect our residents with a system that works for everyone, both urban and rural.”
“As a member of the Joint Committee on Emergency Management, we heard testimony this week on how critical it is for local governments to alert our mutual constituents in times of crisis,” said Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “I’m happy to join in this effort with my legislative and local government colleagues, and I look forward to continuing our work together that started during the North Bay wildfires. As the recovery continues, we must also stay vigilant to protect people in the event of future emergencies.”
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown hosted the 86th annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Thursday evening on the West Steps of the State Capitol.
"Tonight we have the joy of lighting this Christmas tree,” said Gov. Brown. "We celebrate the children who put the ornaments together and all of you here on this wonderful occasion – a tradition thousands of years old and one we all remember with great fondness.”
This year, the governor and first lady lit the Capitol Christmas tree with 7-year-old Sofia Garcia of Los Angeles.
The tree is illuminated by approximately 10,000 ultra-low wattage LED lights and decorated with more than 900 hand-crafted ornaments made by children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services and support from the state’s development centers and 21 nonprofit regional centers.
This year’s tree is a 65-foot-tall white fir from the Latour Demonstration State Forest located near Redding in Shasta County, the sixth Capitol Christmas tree to come from a state forest managed by Cal Fire on behalf of the public.
Kitty O’Neal of KFBK Radio emceed the ceremony, which included feature performances by the California Army National Guard’s DET 1, 40th Infantry Division Band, Brass Quintet, the Governor’s Own; students from the Oakland Military Institute and Oakland School for the Arts; Mariachi Puente; and St. Paul’s Baptist Church Choir.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Alliance on Wednesday distributed $95,000 in proceeds from the 2017 Wine Auction to five area high schools and 17 other Lake County organizations.
Distribution of this year's donations took place at a festive event on Wednesday evening at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.
The event was attended by more than 50 representatives of the beneficiaries and sponsors.
Distributions for 2017 were as follows:
– The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs;
– The Lake County Sheriff’s Activity league for their anti-bullying program;
– United Christian Parish for its food pantry;
– Totes4Teens to support children living in poverty;
– Lake County senior centers for meals on wheels;
– Worldwide Healing Hands for Lake County medical outreach;
– Woodland Community College Lake County Campus Culinary Arts Club for its mobile kitchen classroom program;
– Lake County Office of Education for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for books;
– EcoArts of Lake County to subsidize school field trips;
– Lake County Symphony Association for its youth music program;
– Children’s Museum of Art and Science for its annual art and science camp;
– Channel Cats swim team for new equipment;
– United Veterans Council for emergency help for veterans in trouble;
– Church Women United for shoes for needy children;
– Lake County Mock Trial program for scholarships for needy students;
– Operation Tango Mike in support of Lake County service personnel;
– Sponsoring Survivorship to assist those with breast cancer;
– Lake County 4-H for student programs.
Lake County Wine Auction, held at Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery, was a production of the nonprofit Lake County Wine Alliance, which is made up of local wineries, grape growers, related businesses, community sponsors and many community volunteers.
Since its founding in 2000, the Lake County Wine Auction has raised $1,491,502.00 to foster performing arts at each of the five county high schools, benefit health services and to support community charities.
The organization thanked its valued sponsors, which include Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Tribal Health, Community First Credit Union, Beckstoffer Vineyards, American AgCredit, Trinchero Family Estates, Pacific Gas & Electric, Brassfield Estate Winery, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Cache Creek Vineyards, Artist John Clarke, Umpqua Bank, Bella Vista Farming, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Tricorbraun Winepak, Servpro, Sysco Foods, Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, Wildhurst Vineyards, The Travel Centers, Boatique Winery, Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Congressman Mike Thompson and the Lake County Winegrape Commission.
Members of the Wine Alliance board are Kaj Ahlmann, Lower Lake, president; Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport, vice president; Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, Kelseyville, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Kelseyville, and Bill Groody, Kelseyville, director.
The 2018 Lake County Wine Auction will be Saturday, Sept. 15, at Boatique Vineyard & Winery on Red Hills Road in Kelseyville, hosted by owners, Madi and Robert Mount. This stunning facility has become a must see destination for wine lovers and tourists visiting Lake County.
Applications to be a beneficiary for 2018 may be submitted through auction Web site, www.WineAlliance.Org.
