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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Coordinated by local law enforcement to increase and improve police and community partnerships, National Night Out events will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Clearlake, Lakeport and Middletown.

National Night Out is a free event open to the public.

The public is invited to come with questions and bring their children to meet first responders in a friendly atmosphere.

The annual event is funded by the local agencies and the generous donations of services, supplies and prizes by local businesses and organizations.

Clearlake will host its event at Highlands Park, located at 14365 Lakeshore Drive, near the newly opened visitors’ center.

The Lakeport event will take place on Esplanade Street between Konocti Avenue and Helena Street and in the adjacent lakeside homeowners’ park.

Middletown's event will take place at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center, 15500 Central Park Road.

An array of first responders and local government representatives will be present at the three locations to mingle and meet with community members.

Clearlake

The Lake County Fire Protection District will be attending the Clearlake event if available with an engine, ambulance and personnel.

A bounce house provided by Lopez Jumpers and a raffle will be held for items donated including a girl's bicycle donated by Griffin's Furniture.

Lakeport

Lakeport Police officers and staff, Lakeport Fire Protection District and city officials will be on site to meet and greet local residents.

Free hot dogs and other snacks will be available to the public.

Attractions in Lakeport will include a youth game area and bicycle decorating contest, sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association. Youth are invited to bring their bicycles to participate.

Raffle prizes for children and adults will be raffled and Face Painting by Kathy will have a booth providing free face painting.

Middletown

Representatives in Middletown will include the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire, Explorers, the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts.

“This is a great time to get out and meet your first responders and for us to meet you,” Sheriff Brian Martin said.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live according to the National Association of Town Watch website.

National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A Monday afternoon traffic enforcement stop conducted by a deputy sheriff in Lower Lake has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of approximately 6 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

Armando Barrera, 26, of Modesto was arrested during the stop, according to a report from Sgt. Steve Herdt of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Just after 1:30 p.m. Monday a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on an Acura sedan for vehicle code violations on Highway 29 near the intersection of Highway 53 in Lower Lake, Herdt said.

Herdt said the deputy contacted the driver and solo occupant of the car, who was identified as Barrera.

A sheriff’s narcotics detection K9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance in the area of the car’s trunk, Herdt said.

While searching the trunk, the deputy located a suitcase with three large bags of crystal shards determined to be approximately 6 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, according to Herdt.

When broken down into individual dosage units, Herdt said this amount of methamphetamine has a street value of more than $250,000 in Lake County.

Barrera was arrested for transporting and possessing a controlled substance for the purposes of sales. Herdt said Barrera was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility where he was booked.

Barrera, whose booking sheet reported that he is an audio engineer, remained in custody early Wednesday with bail set at $35,000. He’s scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Wednesday.

Herdt said the 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 Narcotics Unit with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake Police K9 on Sunday night helped apprehend a naked man who had broken into a home and was hiding from officers.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will hold a special joint meeting on Wednesday with the city’s redevelopment successor agency to discuss bond funding and a proposed new city hire.

A new report from the California Attorney General’s Office indicates that hate crimes rose across California in 2017.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association and Lake County Historical Society are holding a joint fundraiser this September.