News

LAKEPORT, Calif. – O'Meara Bros. Brewing Co. in Lakeport is saying a fond farewell and big thank you to retiring chef Roy Iversen, who has been with them since 2014, even before the popular restaurant and brewery opened.

The brothers, Alex and Tim O'Meara, said that Iversen has been invaluable to them and has become like family.

Opening a restaurant is no small task, and Iversen rose to the occasion again and again, tackling every challenge and keeping each dish consistent and delicious during the most challenging time for any restaurant.

The whole crew at O'Meara Bros. Brewing Co. wishes Iversen the best in retirement and are sorry to see him go.

Taking over for Iversen is Chef Jerry Phillips, a veteran chef who has more than 30 years’ experience and is bringing new and exciting dishes to O'Meara Bros.

Phillips has run many successful (and sometimes famous) kitchens throughout his career, including overseeing food service for the Chicago Cubs at their spring training facility and working as a personal chef for celebrities in Hollywood.

The O’Mearas are thrilled to have him and say customers are already praising his unique specials, which will rotate weekly from now on, offering new and unique choices for O'Meara Bros. customers.

Over the coming weeks they’ll introduce lemon-ginger crusted salmon, grilled pork loin with bacon-onion jam, country fried Cornish game hen and many more.

O'Meara Bros. released a new menu in early spring, and the O’Mearas said having Chef Phillips heading up the kitchen is the cherry on top.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Ami Barker, an eighth grade math teacher in the Middletown Unified School District, has been selected as the 2017-18 Lake County Teacher of the Year.

Barker will represent Lake County in the upcoming California Teacher of the Year competition, according to April Leiferman, assistant superintendent of schools of the Lake County Office of Education, who announced Barker’s selection.

Each year the school districts in the county select one exemplary teacher as their district teacher of the year. A committee of community leaders then interviews these candidates.

The criteria for selection of the county teacher of the year is based upon the state and national requirements, which include professional development activities, commitment to the improvement of the educational system, personal attributes, creativity and ability to communicate ideas effectively, and professional skills in delivering curriculum and instruction to students.

This year’s selection committee members were Annette Lee, April Leiferman, Nyla Norris and 2016-17 Lake County Teacher of the Year Kim Harris.

The outstanding District Teachers of the Year for 2017-18 are Tammi Mendonca, Kelseyville Unified School District; Joel Sombs, Upper Lake Unified School District; Curtis Reichert, Lakeport Unified School District; and Rick Easter, Konocti Unified School District.

Barker holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and graduated from California State University, Chico in 1992.

She is furthering her career in educational administration and will be graduating with her master’s degree in June from Concordia University of Irvine.

Barker has been teaching for 19 years, and has been at Middletown Middle School the past nine years.

She is the teacher in charge, site council chair, safe schools ambassador, yearbook advisor, after school tutor, current Middletown Teachers Association treasurer and Middletown 4-H leader, and runs the lunchtime detention program.

Both students and staff at Middletown Middle School find Barker indispensable to their campus. She is dedicated to her work, to her students and the community.

Her students feel connected and able to talk to her. “She could teach a rock math and they would enjoy it,” one student said.

Her goal is to one day move into school administration, but for now she wants to continue teaching the students of Lake County.

Barker has two children age 21 and 17. She is an avid reader and reads the complete Harry Potter series every summer.

She has a brown belt in Kajukenbo Karate, and enjoys spending time with her family.

Barker and the district teachers of the year will be honored for their exceptional achievements at an event this fall.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County’s fallen safety officers will be honored in a memorial ceremony this Friday.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office chaplains will host the event, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lake County Memorial Park in front of the Historic Courthouse Museum, 255 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

The public is invited to attend and honor the individuals who put their lives on the line every day in Lake County.

The ceremony will remember five individuals who gave their lives in the performance of their duties.

They are Sheriff George Kemp, Deputy William Hoyt and Sgt. Richard Helbush, and firemen Michael Mattioda and Matthew Black.

The names of California law enforcement officers and firemen that died in 2016 also will be read.

Retired Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells, Deputy Jake Steely and California High Patrol Sgt. Matt Norton also will be remembered during the event. While their death was not a result of a line of duty incident, the chaplains said they deserve to be remembered for their contribution to making Lake County safe for its residents and guests.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that 89 firemen died in the line of duty in 2016. Four were from California. The California firefighters’ deaths were the result of a dozier accident, traffic accident, health and a falling rock.

According to the Officer Down Web site, 145 law enforcement officers were killed in 2016, along with 63 police dogs (K9s) that died in public service. Eleven officers and five K9s were from California.

Nationwide, 64 police officers died as a result of deadly assault. This represents a 53-percent increase in gunfire deaths, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Web site. Twenty-one of those officers were ambushed.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – As Peter MacRae spoke to Lake County Republican Women, Federated on May 10, he honed in on the many phases of terrorism taking place throughout the world today and brought it right home to Lake County.

“See something, say something” should resonate with all, MacRae said.

Locally, he said we have had schools and the courthouse closed to be what we call “be on the safe side.” Police appreciate that call and they do need the help of everyone.

A number of veterans were in attendance and MacRae was appreciative of their questions and had a good exchange of information with them from which all learned.

Terrorism is not going away and we are in danger, he said. There are the groups under the organized command of al Qaeda and ISIS and others.

Then there are the cells of small groups, MacRae explained. But how is the “lone wolf” detected?

MacRae said the lone wolf is without supervision from any group, but learns from the online messages. It is so easy for him to learn how to make bombs and destructive devices from simple things that can be purchased in hardware stores and even grocery stores. Sales people need to be aware of who and how much is being purchased by a person or a combination of people.

In conclusion, MacRae suggested his listeners keep the thought, “Yes, we are in danger. There has always been terrorism, but the best the United States can do is to take the fight to them. So, again, if you see something, say something.”

Soon to join his other published books is an analytical work “Do the Muslims have an Argument?” As with all studies, MacRae believes that one should understand both sides of the equation and that is just” what his new book will cause people to do.

The meeting closed by honoring special ladies prior to Mother's Day, with pink roses presented to Mrs. MacRae, a red rose to President Marcia Chauvin and roses to Mothers in attendance, ages 80 to 93, with the top honor going to Patty Patten.

Membership in Lake County Republican Women, Federated is open to any registered Republican woman, 18 years or older. Associate membership is available to men and members of other County Republican Women, Federated Unit clubs.

The group will hold its next luncheon meeting on June 14 when Supervisor Rob Brown will discuss Lake County issues.

For more information contact 707-994-3543.

Leona Butts is a member of Lake County Republican Women, Federated.

SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Monika L. Hanreich has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Hanreich is the daughter of Pamela J. Hanreich of Kelseyville, Calif., and Mark D. Hanreich of Tomales, Calif., and sister of Kaede B. Hanreich of California City, Calif.

She is a 2011 graduate of Kelseyville High School.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The community is invited to join the Soroptimist International of Clear Lake at its May 25 lunch meeting for an insightful and thought provoking presentation by Patty Ayala, ASW, a case manager working with substance abusing and incarcerated women. 

The meeting begins at 11:45 a.m. at Howard’s Grotto on 14732 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

In 2015, Ayala received a governor’s pardon.

Pardons reward people who have gone on to live honest and law-abiding lives after completing their criminal sentence.

As a formerly incarcerated woman, Ayala’s experience and insights allow her to reach incarcerated women, giving them the opportunity to gain the tools they will need to help them find their inherent dignity, self-confidence, and worth. 

Currently she works for the Solano County Sheriff’s Office in the Women’s Reentry Achievement Program.

Seating is limited so please call Ami Landrum at 707-350-7419 by Tuesday, May 23, to R.S.V.P.  The cost of lunch is $14.

Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

For information on how you can join the local club or support our work, call 707-998-1302.