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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Clearlake Oaks woman was arrested late last week on drug charges following a vehicle stop.

Tiffany Violet Marie Larue, 31, was arrested for Friday possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, according to Sgt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 1:55 a.m. Friday a Lake County Sheriff's deputy on routine patrol in the area of Highway 20 and Highway 53 in Clearlake Oaks observed a silver Hyundai Sonata with an equipment violation. Paulich said the deputy conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle near New Long Valley Road.

Paulich said the deputy contacted the driver, who was identified as Tiffany Larue, her passenger, Daniel Dean Larue, 37, also of Clearlake Oaks.

The deputy noticed a small digital pocket scale on the driver’s floor board. He also noticed Tiffany Larue was displaying signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance, Paulich said.

Paulich said the deputy asked Tiffany Larue to step out of the vehicle and then requested her permission to search the vehicle, which she gave. The deputy then asked Daniel Larue to step out of the vehicle.

As the deputy searched the vehicle he located a broken glass pipe in Tiffany Larue’s purse. The pipe was consistent with one used for smoking methamphetamine, Paulich said.

The deputy continued searching the vehicle, locating a cell phone case underneath the steering wheel area. Paulich said the deputy opened the case, locating a plastic bag containing just under an ounce of suspected methamphetamine that would have a street value of approximately $2,260.

When asked about the suspect methamphetamine, Tiffany Larue told the deputy she owned the vehicle, but the methamphetamine belonged to another subject who had borrowed the vehicle and denied knowing the methamphetamine was there, according to Paulich.

Tiffany Larue was placed under arrest and later booked into the Lake County Jail. Paulich said she later was released on bail in the amount of $35,000.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for asset forfeiture whenever possible.

Anyone with information that can assist the Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Unit with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Lightning has resulted in two new fires in the Upper Lake Ranger District on the Mendocino National Forest, forest officials reported.

On Tuesday evening fire crews responded to a wildland fire, dubbed the Skeleton fire, on the Upper Lake Ranger District, approximately six miles east of Lake Pillsbury in the Snow Mountain Wilderness, according to a report from forest spokeswoman Sandra Moore.

Moore’s Tuesday night update put the Skeleton fire’s size at approximately 20 acres.

Resources on scene include two engines and a battalion chief with additional resources on order, she said.

Moore said crews are reporting a moderate rate of spread in chaparral, timber and grass.

Fire personnel also are responding to the Slides 2 fire on the Upper Lake district, according to Moore.

Moore said the Slides 2 fire is approximately four miles west of Lake Pillsbury.

The two fires are lightning-caused and it is likely that additional fires may be detected after thunderstorms passed over the forest Tuesday, Moore said.

Light winds are out of the northeast at 5 miles per hour, Moore added.

She said additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department has arrested a local man for animal abuse after he left his dog to die on the side of Highway 53 Monday morning.

James Harley Miranda, 40, of Clearlake was arrested for felony animal abuse and a misdemeanor charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Tuesday morning, according to Detective Sgt. Martin Snyder of the Clearlake Police Department.

At 8 a.m. Monday the Clearlake Police Department received a report of a deceased canine on the shoulder of Highway 53. Snyder said the reporting party advised police that the animal was possibly a victim of abuse and was affixed to a hand cart or dolly.

Clearlake Animal Control Officer Melinda Wymer responded to the scene and contacted the reporting party, who told her that while he was traveling on Highway 53 he discovered the dog dead on the side of the highway, according to Snyder’s report.

The man told Wymer that the dog was affixed with a homemade leash to the hand cart and had an elastic band wrapped around the jaw consistent with a muzzle or device to restrain the mouth from opening. There was additionally a bag which contained various items but no identification, Snyder said.

Snyder said Wymer collected evidence on scene and searched the bag for identification. At that time the owner of the canine was unknown, and the animal had no obvious signs of visible trauma.

He said Wymer collected the canine and transported it to the local veterinarian’s office for examination. Employees examined the animal, confirmed that it was deceased and that it had no obvious signs of trauma to the body.

At the same time, Wymer continued her investigation to identify the owner of the animal and seek possible witnesses, Snyder said.

Later on Monday evening, Officer Mark Harden, who is a Clearlake Police Department canine handler, came on shift, Snyder said.

Snyder said Officer Harden reviewed the photo of the canine and identified the owner of the dog as Miranda, who Harden had attempted to take into custody during an incident several weeks prior.

During that previous arrest, Miranda physically resisted and a struggle ensued in which Miranda's dog, later identified as "Cocoa," attacked the police service dog "Zip,” Snyder said.

Jail records indicate Miranda was arrested on Aug. 17 and charged with felony obstructing or resisting an officer, and misdemeanor charges of battery on an officer and obstructing or resisting an officer.

Snyder said Officer Harden knew Miranda to be transient in the city of Clearlake and was actively looking for him.

The Clearlake Police Department then received a tip that Miranda was possibly at a family residence within several blocks of where the deceased canine was located, Snyder said.

Officer Harden responded to the area and contacted Miranda, who claimed ownership of the dead dog, Cocoa, according to Snyder.

Miranda advised that while off leash Cocoa had been struck by a silver vehicle while in the Avenues area of the city, Snyder said. Miranda alleged that the silver vehicle fled the scene and did not stop.

Snyder said Miranda also told police that Cocoa attempted to bite him so he made a muzzle around the dog’s mouth.

Miranda said he walked down to the highway and then left the dog on the roadway and went to a friend's residence to use methamphetamine, Snyder said.

Based upon the investigation, Snyder said Miranda was arrested in the case.

Jail records showed that Harden took Miranda into custody at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Miranda was booked into the Lake County Jail just after 2 p.m. Tuesday for the abuse and drug charges.

His bail has initially been set at $15,000, with a tentative arraignment date planned for Thursday in Lake County Superior Court, based on his booking sheet.

Miranda also has had previous arrests by the Clearlake Police Department and California Highway Patrol on charges of being under the influence of drugs to driving under the influence, according to Lake County Jail records.

If anyone has any further information regarding this incident, they’re asked to contact Animal Control Officer Melinda Wymer at 707-994-8251, Extension 118.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee this week will hear a presentation by a group pursuing a Dark Sky designation for the county.

The committee, or LEDAC, will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The meeting is open to the public.

In an item timed for 8 a.m., Bill Haddon, president of the Friends of Taylor Observatory will give a presentation on the project to seek the International Dark Sky Community Designation for Lake County.

According to the International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA, “An IDA International Dark Sky Community is a town, city, municipality or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies.”

Also on the agenda is a discussion regarding the implementation of the Lakeport Economic Development Strategic Plan 2017-2022, which the Lakeport City Council approved earlier this summer.

After this week’s meeting, LEDAC is next set to meet Nov. 8.

LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.

The membership includes Chair Wilda Shock, Vice Chair Christine Hutt, Secretary Terre Logsdon and members Denise Combs, Bill Eaton, George Feola, Melissa Fulton, Pam Harpster, George Linn, Taira St. John and Panette Talia. Lakeport Community Development Director Kevin Ingram and City Manager Margaret Silveira serve as ex-officio committee members.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday.

The agency said there is a 20-percent chance across most of the county that rain and thunderstorms will arrive Tuesday.

Chances of thunderstorms also are forecast in the Middletown and Cobb areas after 11 p.m. Tuesday night, based on the forecast.

Daytime temperatures across Lake County on Tuesday are expected to range from the high 80s to the low 90s, dropping into the mid 60s at night.

Winds of up to 9 miles per hour are also are forecast across the county through Tuesday night.

From Wednesday through Sunday, the National Weather Service said conditions are expected to clear, with temperatures ranging from the high 80s on Wednesday into the low 80s through the weekend, and nighttime temperatures also showing a cooling trend, dropping into the high 50s.

On Monday, temperatures could be lower still, ranging from the mid to high 70s in the day, according to the forecast.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a group of cats and kittens waiting for new homes, with three of them offered free to the first approved applications thanks to an anonymous donor.

This week’s featured felines include seven kittens and two adult cats.

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

For those looking for a barn cat to keep the rodents at bay, be sure to ask about the barn cat adoption program. Feral barn cats are adopted out for $1 each, which includes altering, ear notching and vaccines.

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

‘Oscar’

“Oscar” is a young male domestic short hair with a gray coat and gold eyes.

He’s one of the three cats offered for adoption for free with an approved application.

He’s in kennel No. 16, ID No. 8412.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a gray tabby coat and green eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 99a, ID No. 8389.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a gray tabby coat and green eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 99b, ID No. 8390.

Domestic short hair kitten

This female domestic short hair kitten has a white and gray tabby coat and green eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 99c, ID No. 8391.

Domestic short hair kitten

This female domestic short hair kitten has a torbie coat and green eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 99d, ID No. 8392.

Domestic short hair cat

This female domestic short hair cat has a lynx point coat and blue eyes.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 108, ID No. 8095.

Domestic medium hair mix kitten

This male domestic medium hair mix kitten has a black coat and green eyes.

He’s one of the three cats available free for adoption with an approved application.

He’s in kennel No. 111b, ID No. 8228.

‘O’Malley’

“O’Malley” is a male domestic short hair kitten with an orange tabby and white coat, and he’s one of the three cats offered free for adoption with an approved application.

Shelter staff said he has had one eye removed.

He’s a sweet kitten that gets along with dogs.

He’s in Kennel No. 128, ID No. 8276.

Domestic medium hair

This female domestic medium hair cat has an all-black coat and gold eyes.

Shelter staff said she is very playful and affectionate.

She’s in kennel No. 147, ID No. 8320.

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.

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.