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NICE, Calif. – A fire damaged a residence at Robinson Rancheria on Monday morning.

The fire in the 4000 block of Meadowlark Circle, next to Robinson Rancheria’s casino, was first reported just after 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to radio reports.

Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said the fire damaged a modular home at the rancheria.

In addition to Northshore Fire, Cal Fire responded, as did the US Forest Service to handle any potential spread to the wildland, Beristianos said. Lakeport Fire also was responding on mutual aid but was canceled once firefighters on scene had the fire under control.

Beristianos said the fire was partially knocked down by neighbors by the time firefighters arrived on scene.

He said the neighbors had filled a plastic tub with water and were throwing the water through the home’s window. Once firefighters were on scene, they finished putting out the fire.

Reports from the scene indicated forward progress on the fire was stopped at around 9:50 a.m.

Incident command requested the assistance of Red Cross to help two women, a man and a dog displaced by the fire.

Beristianos said the main fire damage was in one bedroom, with smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

He said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, noting that so far they’ve not been able to identify an obvious source.

Units remained on scene late Monday morning for overhaul and mop up, with Pacific Gas and Electric also responding to pull the damaged home’s meter, according to radio reports.

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.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – In 2011, Mendocino College began its Sustainable Construction and Energy Technology program, offering practical, hands-on instruction for several types of students: homeowners who wanted to do their own renovations, industry professionals who wanted to expand their skills and keep up with regulations, and students who wanted to pursue the building trades. 

Today, the program continues to grow, with classes in Ukiah, Willits, Laytonville, and Lakeport, as well as online.

Program coordinator Jennifer Riddell credits the program’s success to the “outstanding instructors” who use a step-by-step approach to demystify everything from plumbing and electricity to reading blueprints.

The college allows students to take individual courses or sign up for certificate programs, including Construction, Renewable Energy, and Residential Performance and Efficiency.

Referring to a recent survey of current and former students, Riddell said she was pleased (but not surprised) to report that “100 percent of the respondents said that they would recommend the program.”

Most students are between the ages of 18 and 45, but many retirees in their 60s and 70s also enroll. Students come from all walks of life and blend together in the classes, learning from the instructors and from each other, Riddell explained.

One of the most popular instructors is Willits native Noel Woodhouse, who has been with the Mendocino College program since its inception.

After working in construction, he became an instructor. Now he teaches woodworking, construction fundamentals, residential remodel and repair, and construction documents (understanding blueprints). In his spare time, he coaches boys soccer, girls soccer, tennis and track.

Woodhouse teaches at Willits High School and Laytonville High School, because the Sustainable Tech classes are “dual-enrollment” classes, allowing high school students to get college credit.

The classes are unusual compared to other courses taught on those campuses because the classes include both high school students and community members.

“l enjoy the mix of ages in the college classes, both the experience and focus of the older students and the energy of the high school students,” Woodhouse said. “The students seem to thrive with the hands-on nature of the classes.”

Projects in the classes range from small, individual student projects to partnerships with community non-profits like the North Street Collective in Willits and the Gardens Project in Ukiah.

Former students have built chicken coops, shade structures, sheds and other projects; and according to Woodhouse, students in his classes seem to enjoy contributing their labor to the community and they show off their newly acquired skills.

One of the reasons the Mendocino College Sustainable Tech program has flourished is because of the increasing focus of public schools on Career and Technical Education, or CTE.

Because of its practical, hands-on nature, CTE courses can inspire youth who do not excel in traditional classrooms.

CTE often allows students to learn in a more kinetic way, and the practical skills they gain can put students on a path to earning a living doing work they enjoy.

Riddell, who is also a Sustainable Tech instructor, said Woodhouse is one of many excellent instructors, and encouraged anyone interested in taking construction courses to check out www.mendocino.edu/sustainabletech.

She noted that this fall, Woodhouse will teach Construction Documents 1: Understanding Blueprints at Willits High School and Introduction to Woodworking at Laytonville High School. Riddell will teach Construction Fundamentals and Green Building on Fridays at the Ukiah campus, and Sandy Tanaka will return to teach Introduction to Photovoltaics on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Sandy’s students will be putting a stand-alone solar system in our tiny house at the Ukiah campus, and building a shed at Lakeport Center,” said Riddell. “They’ll also be doing two actual solar installs with Grid Alternatives, which continues to be a wonderful partnership for our program.”

Sam Halstad will teach Introduction to plumbing, where students will install two water-collecting cisterns and connect them to the toilet plumbing in the college’s demonstration house. This way, students will have an opportunity to learn about traditional plumbing, graywater systems and rainwater catchment, Riddell explained.

Longtime electrician Craig Bach of Lucerne will teach Introduction to residential electric to help students feel more confident about safely, accurately wiring houses, and Ron Verdier and Nick Pearson will co-teach the construction documents course through the Ukiah campus.

“This is the same class Noel is teaching, but it will be an online lecture with an in-person lab on Mondays in the late afternoons, which we hope will be more convenient for those in the trades,” said Riddell. “Nick is Noel’s counterpart at Ukiah High, and we hope to deepen our relationship with students at Ukiah High through this program.”

In addition to introducing new skills to students, the Sustainable Tech program informs them about how to comply with Title 24 regulations that will go into effect in 2020, affecting “everyone in the construction trades,” Riddell said.

“In our Efficient Heating and Cooling course, we are already talking about these issues and what kinds of modifications will be necessary to meet the new guidelines. What kind of furnace will you install? How will you manage heating and cooling–the biggest energy uses in a home? What kind of HVAC system would you install, if any? These issues are important for people already in the trades who want to get a head start on the new regulations,” she said.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 21, but there’s still time to register for credit through Sept. 1 or for pass/no pass grading through Sept. 22.

For registration and class information, visit https://www.mendocino.edu.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The 22nd annual Nome Cult Walk from Chico to the Round Valley Indian Reservation in Covelo will take place Sept. 9 to Sept. 16.

The 100-mile trek crosses through the northern part of the Mendocino National Forest and follows the route that Americans Indians were forced to march from Chico to the Nome Cult Reservation in 1863.

Descendants of the native peoples who took part in the original relocation and other supporters walk the route each year.

Although the path itself has disappeared, this route is now called the Nome Cult Trail.

The theme of the walk is “Honor their memory … a path not forgotten.”

In September 1863, 461 American Indians were marched under guard from Chico to the Nome Cult Reservation nearly 100 miles across the Sacramento Valley and rugged North Coast Range. Only 277 completed the journey.

The removal of American Indians from Chico to the Nome Cult Reservation is one of the many forced relocations following the establishment of reservations in Northern California in the 1850s.

Several different tribes were moved to the Nome Cult Reservation after it was established in Round Valley in 1856.

Organizers said the walkers will gather at Bidwell Park in Chico on Sept. 9 and begin their walk toward Orland. Stopover points will include campgrounds in Orland and Log Springs, Wells Cabin, Eel River Ranger Station and then on to the Round Valley Indian Reservation.

The Mendocino National Forest asks that people traveling on forest roads along the trail route be mindful of the event and careful of the walkers to ensure their safety.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a big group of kittens plus some adults cats needing homes.

This week’s cats and kittens come in a range of ages, with coats ranging from medium to short hair in a variety of colors.

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”).

Male orange tabby

This male tabby cat has a short orange and white coat and gold eyes.

He’s in foster, ID No. 8276.

Domestic short hair kitten

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

He’s in kennel No. 16c, ID No. 8257.

Domestic medium hair mix kitten

This female domestic medium hair mix kitten has a gray tabby and black coat and gold eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 60d, ID No. 8149.

Domestic short hair kitten

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

He’s in kennel No. 103b, ID No. 8250.

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 in kennel No. 111b, ID No. 8228.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has an orange tabby coat and gold eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 131a, ID No. 8272.

Domestic short hair kitten

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

He’s in kennel No. 131b, ID No. 8273.

Domestic short hair kitten

This female domestic short hair kitten has an orange tabby coat and gold eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 131c, ID No. 8274.

Domestic short hair kitten

This female domestic short hair kitten has a tortie coat and gold eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 131e, ID No. 8277.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has an orange tabby coat and gold eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 131f, ID No. 8278.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a black coat and gold eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 131g, ID No. 8279.

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.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Sept. 1 deadline for applying to perform for the crowd at the 9th annual Rising Stars Music Competition is rapidly approaching.

Slots in this popular multi-genre are on a first come first served basis and talented local musicians are reserving their spot.

“This is our ninth year of doing Rising Stars and many local musicians have played in the show, and claimed their prizes like studio time from City of Light Recording and Sound, Cash, dig! Music gift certificates and the famous star award,” said event organizer Mary Chadwick. “I couldn’t be prouder of the music that we have presented to the community and truly appreciate the crew, musicians, sponsors and community that makes this event possible.”

Musicians must adhere to the time limits specified, and keep their music family friendly. In an effort to keep things even and allow the musicians to perform as much as possible during their allotted time, backline equipment is provided. Musicians bring minimal gear, plug in to the existing equipment and perform for their fans.

Musicians are encouraged to visit the event’s website at www.risingstarscompetition.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Chadwick at 707-272-6514 to get more information. An application secures their spot in this family friendly fun day of music.

Rising Stars is happening in Alex R Thomas Plaza in conjunction with the End of Summer Show & Shine Classic Car show. Vendors like Slam Dunk Pizza and Ukiah Brewing Co. will be on hand to provide food and wares, the car show ends at 3 p.m. but the music plays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This event is a multi-nonprofit fundraiser. Some of the non-profits represented will be Redwood Empire Lions, Ukiah Host Lions, North Coast Energy Services and Guitars for Troops.

Contact your favorite local band and tell them that you want to see them at Rising Stars Music Competition Sept. 16 in Alex R Thomas Plaza.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State, local and federal firefighters took quick action on Sunday to contain a fire east of Clearlake Oaks while at the same time firefighters in Kelseyville stopped a blaze threatening a structure.

The fires in the two parts of the county were reported about an hour apart on Sunday.

The Water incident, first dispatched shortly before 11:15 a.m., was located on a hillside at the entrance to the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision east of Clearlake Oaks, according to reports from the scene.

Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Mike Ciancio said the fire was located about 30 yards up Watertrough Road, before the subdivision’s entry gate, right off of HIghway 20.

Shortly before noon, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a Nixle alert urging residents in the subdivision to immediately evacuate due to the fire.

There are about 20 ranches up in the subdivision, said Ciancio. “They weren’t all directly affected.”

Ciancio said the fire burned between three and four acres and grass, with no structures damaged. It was 100-percent contained on Sunday afternoon.

He said Northshore Fire and Cal Fire had mutual aid on the incident from Lake County Fire, Kelseyville FIre, South Lake County Fire, the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office sent out a followup message to the community just before 1 p.m. reporting that the fire’s forward progress was stopped and that residents of the area who had been urged to evacuate could return home.

Ciancio said the local fire districts were released from the Water incident throughout the afternoon.

He said shortly after 5 p.m. that two Northshore Fire water tenders remained on the scene along with Cal Fire for monitoring and mop up, a process expected to wrap up shortly.

Ciancio said the fire’s cause remains under investigation.

Shortly after noon, a fire was reported in the area of Larkspur Way and Emerald Drive in the Clear Lake Riviera, based on scanner reports.

Originally reported as a small vegetation fire that had impacted a structure, units on scene reported over the radio that they found that the structure wasn’t involved.

The fire was reported to have been contained just before 12:30 p.m., according to radio reports.

Reports from the scene estimated that the fire burned about a quarter-acre of grass.

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.