News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local man landed a big fish during a fishing trip last week.

Phil Kleyn-Schoorel of Lower Lake caught the trophy bluefin in Mexican waters on May 9.

Kleyn-Schoorel said he traveled to San Diego and went into Mexican waters aboard Excel Sportfishing with famous UFC fighters Uriah Faber, Chad Mendes, Clay Guida and 16 wounded vets from the Veteran Sportsmans Alliance, a group based in San Jose.

“On May 9, the last day of our three-day trip, I hooked into, and eventually landed, a trophy bluefin, which was the jackpot fish of the trip, a 111-pounder,” he said. “It was the only one caught on the trip.”

Kleyn-Schoorel said he hooked the fish on light tackle, and spooled his reel six times until the fish finally gave in after two hours and they were able to land it.

“I'm used to bass fishing Clear Lake, so this thing really wore me out,” Kleyn-Schoorel said.

The California Department of Public Health urges all Californians to eliminate standing water around their homes and businesses to help reduce mosquito populations in an effort to prevent Zika and West Nile virus infections.

“As the rainy season comes to an end and temperatures rise, we will see increased mosquito activity,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Residents should dump out containers that hold standing water in and around their homes and businesses. Removing water will help reduce overall mosquito numbers and protect family members and neighbors from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases.”

Mosquitoes breed in very small amounts of water. To help keep their numbers down, Californians should frequently check for, and eliminate, water-filled containers, clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes, and dump water from dishes under potted plants.

Residents are also urged to report unusual numbers of mosquitoes or day-biting mosquitoes to the local vector control agency.

With mosquito activity increasing, Californians should also protect themselves from mosquito bites at home and while traveling to areas where the Zika virus is present.

To prevent bites, consistently use mosquito repellent when outside, wear long sleeves and pants, use air conditioning, and make sure window screens will keep mosquitoes out of the home.

“It is particularly important for pregnant women and couples planning to become pregnant to prevent mosquito bites because Zika virus can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected,” said Dr. Smith.

Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex.

Most people who are infected with Zika virus do not experience any symptoms but should take precautions to avoid sexual transmission, even if they never had symptoms. Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

All individuals, particularly women of childbearing age, should take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites while traveling and when they return home.

Sexually active people who travel to areas with Zika virus transmission should use condoms or other barriers to avoid getting or passing Zika virus during sex.

There has been no local transmission of Zika in California to date, but the mosquitoes that can carry Zika virus live in many areas of California.

West Nile virus, or WNV, is also transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito.

WNV can cause a deadly infection in humans, and the elderly are particularly susceptible. WNV symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. More severe symptoms, and even death, can occur.

The state’s first human infection of WNV this year was reported last month.

Visit the CDPH Web site for more information about mosquitoes, Zika and West Nile. Additional mosquito prevention information is available at www.cdc.gov .

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST – The Mendocino National Forest is seeking qualified applicants to fill temporary, full-time fire positions for the 2017 season.

The vacancy announcement is open through May 18.

These are forestry technician positions for fire crew members within the fire management organization. The grades range from GS-03 to GS-05. The number and location of positions to be filled is determined by individual unit needs.

The work locations include Covelo, Elk Creek, Paskenta, Stonyford and Upper Lake. 

Vacancy announcements are posted on the USAJOBS Web site.

Applicants can find contact information for each duty station within the vacancy announcement.

The only one of California's 18 national forests not crossed by a paved road or highway, the Mendocino National Forest offers nearly one million acres and is especially attractive to people seeking an outdoor experience of tranquility and solitude.

Elevations in the forest range from 750 feet in the Grindstone Creek Canyon in the Sacramento Valley foothills on the forest's eastern edge to the 8,092 feet of South Yolla Bolly Mountain in the northern part.

The vacancy announcement flier is posted on the forest Web site at http://www.tinyurl.com/mcs4jy9 .

SACRAMENTO – Expanding on her proposed reforms to the State Board of Equalization, or BOE, California State Controller Betty T. Yee on Monday announced plans to establish a board governance policy.

She will introduce a draft policy at the May 23 BOE meeting in Sacramento.

“Clearly, a governance policy is urgently needed to create board member oversight, accountability, and efficiency,” said Controller Yee, the state’s chief fiscal officer and ex-officio member of BOE. “While I continue to work with the legislature and the governor to craft comprehensive BOE reforms, a new governance policy will help guide the board towards more ethical decision-making.”

In November 2015, the Controller’s review of BOE accounting and administrative controls showed the agency had misallocated $47.8 million in sales tax revenue, among other widespread deficiencies. The review’s recommended reforms have not been fully implemented.

The California Department of Finance released their own evaluation in March, raising additional concerns about the challenges BOE staff face in carrying out the agency’s mission.

In response, the controller immediately called for major reform including stripping board members of all statutory functions and permanently moving these duties to a separate new department under the governor. BOE would be relieved of their tax administration, audit, and compliance functions under Controller Yee’s proposal.

Due to ongoing issues, on April 13 Gov. Brown notified BOE that its delegated authority for personnel, contracting, and technology is indefinitely suspended. Brown called on legislative leaders to identify and enact changes by June 2017 to address the problems at BOE.

BOE was established by a state constitutional amendment in 1879 to ensure uniformity of property tax assessments throughout California.

Today, the five-member board collects the retail sales and use tax, property taxes, and special taxes, as well as handling appeals of Franchise Tax Board cases.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.

She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation's two largest public pension funds.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 8-8 of Lake County will hold its annual complimentary life jacket giveaway for children on Sunday, May 21.

The giveaway will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Redbud Park gazebo in Clearlake.

This life jacket giveaway is a project made possible by a grant from the local Walmart in Clearlake. 

The event will include the weighing, fitting and distribution of the jackets for children 12 years of age or younger.

A parent or guardian must accompany the child and complete an information slip to be eligible to receive the free life jacket.

The event will end at 1 p.m. or whenever the supply of life jackets are gone.

On the same day, the flotilla will also hold a complimentary vessel safety check for boat owners and will be held at the Redbud Marina staring s 9:30 a.m.

Boats can be on a trailer or in the water at the docks. This vessel safety check is free of charge and takes only a few minutes to complete.

Redbud Park and Marina is located at 14655 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

Flotilla 8-8 encourages boat owners and especially those with children to stay safe on the water by utilizing these complimentary services offered. Play it safe and wear your life jacket.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center announces several educational opportunities coming up at its facility in May and June.

The “War Room Bible Study” will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays for six weeks beginning on May 18 in the Hope Café at the church. The study is facilitated by Irene Fox.

The New Discovery Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays in the Hope Café entitled for a study entitled “Living Life with a Purpose" based on Rick Warren's book, "What on Earth Am I Here For?"

The Lakeport Christian Center Preschool Summer Program takes place from June 19 through Aug. 25 for ages 2 to 6. It is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Themes are health and safety, camping, beach, space and much more.

Lakeport Christian Center is located at 455 S. Forbes St. in Lakeport, telephone 707-263-4514.