News

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Winery Association has announced the hiring of Maria Brunn as executive director for the regional trade association.

Brunn comes to this position from Sonoma County Vintners where she managed operations and finances for the nonprofit trade association with 250 winery members.

As business operations manager, Brunn not only managed all legal and financial reporting, HR, and IT needs, but also was an integral part of the Sonoma County Barrel Auction team and traveled nationally and internationally to promote Sonoma County wines.

Prior to her role at Sonoma County Vintners, Brunn worked in marketing and operations at the wine industry trade publication, Wines & Vines.

She built responsive Web sites for the company’s trade events, created widely distributed newsletters and represented the company at wine industry conferences.

A native of Northern California’s wine country, Brunn earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Sonoma State University. She also completed the U.C. Davis Wine Executive Program in 2015 and is sitting for the WSET 3 exam this coming year.

“I am so excited to have this opportunity,” Brunn said. “Lake County is perfectly positioned for growth in this market. With over 9,400 acres planted to winegrapes, the volcanic soil and high elevation vineyards have led to wines of character and distinction and I am looking forward to elevating the profile of Lake County’s outstanding wines and this beautiful region.”

The Lake County Winery Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by a dozen wineries.

It LCWA serves more than 40 vintners and associate members who share a mission to promote awareness of Lake County’s excellent wine industry, high elevation wines and tourism opportunities.

For more information visit www.lakecountywineries.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early Sunday morning shooting in Manchester that killed a woman and injured a teenager.

The agency reported that just before 5:45 a.m. Sunday it began receiving 911 calls from the 500 block of Rancheria Road in Manchester regarding a shooting that occurred at a residence.

The callers indicated there were two females, a 32-year-old and a 15-year-old, who had been struck by gunfire, according to the report.

The sheriff’s office reported that patrol deputies responded from Point Arena, Fort Bragg and Ukiah Upon their arrival they discovered the adult female unresponsive and the juvenile wounded but alert, officials said.

Medical personnel were summoned but the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene, the sheriff’s office reported.

Authorities said the female juvenile was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where she was treated for a gunshot wound and was later released from the hospital.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit responded to assume the investigation, assisted by investigators of the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office, as well as criminalists from the California Department of Justice Criminal Laboratory in Eureka, according to the report.

The sheriff’s office said witnesses indicated that an unknown assailant came to the house while the occupants were sleeping and fired numerous shots from the outside, striking both females who were inside the residence. There were numerous other parties inside the residence at the time but no one else was injured.

A vehicle was heard leaving the area in a rapid manner, and the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have information related to this incident to please contact the Sheriff's Communications Center at 707-463-4086 or to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 707-234-2100.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake has implemented its own deadlines for property owners impacted by the Sulphur fire who are not taking part in the government-led debris cleanup program.

Debris removal crews are currently working seven days per week to expedite the removal of Sulphur fire-related debris.

Officials said this debris is a public health hazard and presents a potential danger to the public
and the environment.

On Nov. 15, the California Office of Emergency Services announced that jurisdictions will be required to submit to the state on Dec. 1 a list of properties where there is an order to abate.

In order to meet that deadline, at a special city council meeting on Nov. 16 the Clearlake City Council set Nov. 29 as the deadline to provide a written debris cleanup plan to Lake County Environmental Health.

“It is critical that property owners meet with Lake County Environmental Health and file their debris removal plan within the next few days,” said Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom. “Unfortunately, due to the public health hazard potential of the fire debris, properties that have neither filed a right-of-entry nor a debris self-removal plan will be subject to summary abatement proceedings through the city’s Code Enforcement Department.”

For more information, or to document your intent to use a private contractor and file your opt-out plan, please contact Lake County Environmental Health, at 707-263-1164.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library’s Big Read for 2017 has wrapped up its month-long series of events that explored the themes of the Big Read novel, “Station Eleven,” by Emily St. John Mandel.

Lake County Library is one of 75 nonprofit organizations across the country that received NEA Big Read grants to host community reading programs between September 2017 and June 2018.

During October the library distributed 500 free copies of the novel to the public and held public events related to the book. The events drew a combined total of more than 350 people.

Speakers included author, playwright and Mendocino College professor Jody Gehrman, Dr. Karen Tait from Lake County Public Health and Tammy Carter from Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

Other events included a showing of the Star Trek Voyager episode that inspired Mandel’s book, and an on-air book discussion on KPFZ FM 88.1.

Discussions and events explored the book’s themes of the importance of art, the insufficiency of mere survival and what it means to be human.

Book clubs held discussions. Local breweries produced special Station Eleven-themed brews. Members of the Lake County Symphony and the Shakespeare in the Park program performed at the Soper-Reese Theatre.

The NEA Big Read in Lake County featured Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. The NEA Big Read is a community-wide reading program where community members are all encouraged to read and discuss the same book.

The public joined the Lake County Library’s Big Read to discuss Mandel’s post-apocalyptic novel that examines life and death, faith and fate, music and drama, arts and technology, and power and control. Recurring images from the book include graphic novels, Shakespeare, classical music, tattoos, and museums.

The library salutes the partner agencies that helped bring about the success of the program. Friends of the Lake County Library, Friends of Middletown Library, Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, Friends of the Mendocino College Library, Mendocino College Lake Center, Lake County Office of Education, Lake County Campus Woodland Community College, KPFZ 88.1FM Lake County Local Radio, Lake County Museums, Lake County Arts Council, Middletown Art Center, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, O'Meara Bros. Brewing Co. and Kelsey Creek Brewing Co.

The Lake County Library is planning to submit a grant for a program during the month of October 2018.

You can help the library choose Lake County’s Big Read book for 2018 through the survey on the Web site www.lakecountybigread.com. Click on the link to the survey to read the book descriptions.

Please read the descriptions in the survey and then choose which book you would most like to see selected for the Big Read in Lake County.

Jan Cook is a technician with the Lake County Library.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – I had the good fortune to meet Dino Beltran at Twin Pine Casino's Indian Days event in October.

Beltran sits on the tribal council of the Koi Nation of Northern California.

He wears many hats, the least of which is narrator and a producer for the Emmy Award winning film called "A Walk Through Time."

The film won the Governor's Historic Preservation Award in 2015 in Sacramento, and went on to garner an Emmy Award in the category of "Historic/Cultural-Program/Special" at the 46th annual Northern California Emmy Awards ceremony in San Francisco in June.

On hand to collect the Emmy Award, as Lake County News previously reported, were: "production team members Director Dan Bruns of the Advanced Laboratory for Visual Anthropology at California State University, Chico; archaeologist Dr. John Parker, another of the producers, along with his wife, Cheyanne, who also is an archaeologist; Executive Producer Leslie Steidl, a retired associate state archaeologist with the California Department of Parks and Recreations; and Eduardo Guaracha, the superintendent of the California State Parks Northern Buttes District, which includes Lake County".

Beltran underscored the fact that the making of the film was truly a team effort, and genuinely thanks the supervisors of Lake County, his tribal council and the Upper Lake Pomo, as well.

"A Walk Through Time" portrays the importance of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, and how the park came to be.

The short film, only 28 minutes, made its world premier in Clearlake during the summer of 2015, when actor Peter Coyote was on hand to introduce the film to the public.

The film came about due to the efforts of the local Koi Indian Tribe, California State Parks, Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, archaeologists Parker and Greg White, geoarchaeologist Jack Meyer, retired State Parks Ranger Tom Nixon, Koi Nation Chair Darin Beltran and Vice Chair Drake Beltran.

The richly informative film gives an overview of our local gem, Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, incorporating interviews with key players in the making of the park, stunning cinematography and outstanding narration by Dino Beltran.

The intense efforts to preserve the land that is now Anderson Marsh State Historic Park began with Parker's hard work, along with many, many local supporters, which culminated in the creation of the 1,300 acres park in 1982.

The film discusses Anderson Marsh's wetlands, oak woodlands and grasslands. It talks about the park's cultural aspects which includes dozens of American Indians archaeological sites located here, some of which are over 14,000 years old.

The film, along with a corresponding curriculum which I authored, were released to all Lake County elementary schools by Raeann Bossarte, State Park interpreter, Northern Buttes District and recently retired State Parks Archaeologist, Leslie Steidl,.

The hopes are that teachers in grades third through fifth will make use of the invaluable teaching resources within their classrooms to educate students on this unique and important site.

Beltran grew up in Santa Rosa. His great-grandfather, John Johnson, and his brother, Tom, owned a produce business in Sonoma County.

Beltran was very familiar with his people's cultural history in Lake County, since he made many trips to Lake County in his youth to visit family.

He has made it his job to learn about his past, and states in the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association's bulletin: "The Koi people had a simple way of life based on the complex spiritual connection with the living environment of the surrounding area. All natural things are considered to have been created by the Creator and should be embraced and respected. Spirituality and one's connection with their higher power is a way of life. The Koi ancestors and those of the Elem and Kamdot tribes shared a common language which is of the Hokan language root. It is believed to be one of the oldest languages in the entire state. Today the Koi has revived our language and along with resources found at UC Berkeley we have language classes today."

Beltran does not plan to “rest on his laurels” and, instead has been diligently working on a new documentary which focuses on sacred site protection work that is currently taking place in Lake County.

A consortium called Ancestors 1 has been instigated by the Koi Nation as well as the Upper Lake Habematolel Pomo to make the film.

Beltran is very encouraged with the work Sheriff Brian Martin is doing to help ensure protection for sacred sites and artifacts with his "Archaeological Crimes Class" which was co-sponsored by the Koi Nation, and hosted by the Habematolel Pomo at Running Creek Casino in Lake County.

A memorandum of agreement was signed in December of 2016 to enforce a previous state law and is called AB 52. The AB 52 agreement states that the tribes are to be consulted prior to land development to ensure that their cultural resources are not lost.

Beltran also holds a great deal of respect for District Attorney Don Anderson and his work with Beltran's tribe on these matters.

The documentary will discuss how looting of American Indian artifacts is on the rise in our state and county, and how the illegal practice disregards both the relics and the tribe's spiritual relationship with the land. The thefts often go hand-in-hand with drug users and their insatiable quest for drug money.

This new documentary, which not only has Gov. Jerry Brown's support – since he is a landowner in Colusa County and wanted to learn about American Indian artifacts – will also feature an appearance by the governor in the film.

Another boon to the film and its goal of informing the public on its important topic, is that award-winning actor, director Peter Coyote will narrate the new documentary.

Beltran has expressed his good fortune with his friendship with Coyote, who has encouraged Beltran in his endeavors, and invited Beltran to attend a voice acting class.

Beltran said, "We say 'O!' for appreciation, in our tribe.

To purchase a DVD of "A Walk Through Time" call the tribal office at 707-575-5586. One hundred percent of the monies go toward the Koi Nation personnel to patrol Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has several new dogs one one remaining Sulphur fire dog available for adoption this week.

The dogs offered adoption this week include mixes of German Shepherd, pit bull and shepherd.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

Female pit bull mix

This female pit bull mix was found on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake Park in the Sulphur fire area on Oct. 13.

She has a short red and white coat. She is not spayed.

She is available for adoption on Nov. 14.

She is in kennel No. 2, ID No. 8736.

Pit bull terrier

This male pit bull terrier has a short blue and white coat.

Shelter staff said he was tested with a female dog and got along great with her.

He is in kennel No. 3, ID No. 8817.

Pit bull terrier

This female pit bull terrier has a short blue coat.

She is in kennel No. 7. ID No. 8893.

‘Marley’

“Marley” is a female pit bull terrier mix with a short tan coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 15, ID No. 8857.

German Shepherd

This female German Shepherd has a medium-length brown and black coat.

She’s in kennel No. 22, ID No. 8943.

‘Jack’

“Jack” is a male shepherd mix.

He has a long black and white coat and has already been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 25, ID No. 8721.

Pit bull terrier

This female pit bull terrier has a short fawn and white coat.

She is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 8916.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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.