News

Billy Frank Newsom Sr., 72, left this earth and was reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara, in heaven. He passed peacefully on the afternoon of Feb. 26, 2017.

In his early years Billy graduated from Liberty High School in Brentwood, Calif. Here he fell in love with the girl next door, Barbara Huggins. The two married and were blessed with three children.

In the early 70s they moved to Westwood, Calif., where he attended Lassen Community College. He pursued his dreams and graduated with his AA and a degree in gunsmithing.

Even though his passion was gunsmithing, he also worked for the Department of Navy in Concord, and as a foreman at Adobe Creek Packing in Kelseyville, Calif.

In 1998 Billy lost his beloved wife, Barbara. He took a security position at Robinson Rancheria in Upper Lake, Calif., where he met his second wife, Cheryl. The two married and moved to Sweet Home, Ore., where he spent his final years.

Billy always referred to Kelseyville as his true home where he was a friend and “Papa” to many.

He was a big-hearted, strong-willed man who faithfully loved his family, beer and guns. He loved being surrounded by his grandchildren, sitting at the table telling stories and sharing memories.

Billy was also preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gladys Newsom, and his sister Sara Brooks.

He was survived by his wife, Cheryl Newsom of Sweet Home, Ore.; and his three children, Chantay Newsom of Upper Lake, Billy Newsom Jr. (Tammy) of Cobb, and Danielle Huck (Joshua) of Cobb.

Billy was the proud Papa to 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 10, at 1 p.m., at Kelseyville Cemetery. Upon his request following the service will be a party in celebration of his life at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Cobb.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311 Lakeport, Calif., www.jonesmortuary.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The City of Lakeport and the Lakeport Police Department received further information on the area of Lakeshore Boulevard from Sayer Street extending about 100 feet north of Jones Street.  

This conditions has been previously reported to be in danger of possible collapse.  

Dangerous conditions persist and hollow areas under the pavement are suspected. 

Persons driving, walking, riding bicycles or doing anything else in this area could fall through the pavement and be injured or killed. 

Lakeport Public Works is increasing the number of barricades and signs to keep people out.  

Anyone going into the area is subject to citation.  For your safety and the safety of others, do not go past barricades and closure signs. 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Friday, Northern California Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and John Garamendi (D-CA) announced the introduction of H.R. 1269, which will accelerate the federal review of Sites Reservoir and better position the project for funding under Proposition 1, the voter-approved California water bond designed to make the state’s water systems more resilient.

The bill also authorizes the federal government to participate in construction of the project should it be found feasible.

“Sites reservoir is one of the most useful, cost-effective water infrastructure projects California could build,” said Garamendi. “The recent feast-or-famine water years should remind us all of the importance of building safe, environmentally friendly long-term storage that can take advantage of wet years and help provide for our water needs during drier periods."

“The recent incident involving the Oroville Dam is testament to the fact that California needs better water infrastructure,” LaMalfa said. “Sites Reservoir will provide more storage per dollar invested than any other proposed project in the state. This will help to ensure that we have adequate storage to capture more water during the wet season and allow us to use that water effectively during times of future drought. Congressman Garamendi and I have long fought to secure funding for Sites Reservoir and I believe we are now closer than ever to seeing it happen.”

Bryce Lundberg, Northern California Water Association Board Chairman, urged support for the measure.

“This bipartisan effort advances progressive and modern water management – an important step forward for California,” Lundberg said. “The recent transition between very wet and very dry years in the Sacramento Valley is a powerful reminder that we need water storage to protect people in wet years and to serve various beneficial purposes in dry years, including cities and rural communities, farms, fish, birds and recreation. An off-stream regulating reservoir on the west-side of the Sacramento Valley (Sites) is critical for all these important purposes in the Sacramento Valley, as well as providing statewide water system operational improvements.”

The Sites Project Authority is strongly behind the legislation.

“We commend Reps. LaMalfa and Garamendi for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation that will advance Sites as an innovative water storage project to secure supplies for California while improving a vital ecosystem,” said Sites Project Authority Chair Kim Vann.

Sites Project Authority Vice-Chair Fritz Durst added, “With overwhelming support by agencies throughout the Sacramento Valley and statewide, Sites will help address our tough water issues, create jobs, and help maintain a healthy environment.”

Sites Reservoir, which would be located in Colusa and Glenn counties, is an offstream reservoir project that will create 500,000 acre-feet of new water each year.

This new water could:

· Restore operational flexibility to the entire state’s water system;
· Meet the co-equal goals identified in the 2009 Delta Reform Act;
· Dedicate water for fishery and flow purposes;
· Contribute flows for Delta water quality purposes;
· Mitigate the effects of climate change;
· Contribute to the state’s renewable energy goals.

March holds a number of interesting planetary events.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration reported that skywatchers can look forward to an occultation and conjunctions.

On March 4, the moon will pass between the Earth and the red star Aldebaran, which is an occultation.

On March 6, Mercury will be at superior conjunction, and Venus will have its own superior conjunction on March 25.

Jupiter also will begin rising in the east, and will be visible from late evening until dawn.

For more details, see the video above.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – In February, Worldwide Healing Hands volunteers teamed up with organizers of the warming center in Lakeport to conduct free health screenings for homeless individuals.

Approximately 10 people ranging in age from 4 years to 66 years took advantage of the health screenings while staying at the center located at the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Paula Dhanda, Worldwide Healing Hands medical director and founder, was joined by student Jasmin Clarke, nurse Lacey Deas and Family Nurse Practitioner Christine Dalva in checking vital signs and providing consultations for health issues.

Worldwide Healing Hands is a nonprofit organization that conducts free health screenings for homeless and impoverished at various community outreach functions in Lake County.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Cody W. Fincher, 61, passed away unexpectedly at home on Jan. 13, 2017.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Tina; his sons, Neil and Alex Fincher; and buddy, Buster the dog.

Cody was born in Oregon in 1955. His mother, Gladys, taught him to play the piano at a very early age. He began his photography career while attending Crater High School. Cody met Tina in 1980 while he was obtaining a BA degree in communications at CSU Chico. They were married and moved to Lake County in 1982.

Cody spent his life helping people, including teaching a GED class for four years, being a substitute teacher in local schools, and working as an IHSS Social Worker II for five years. Cody loved his sons and volunteered as a soccer coach and with Cub and Boy Scouts in Lucerne.

Cody was very artistic and enjoyed listening to and playing music, attending concerts, photography and working on classic cars. He had a unique sense of humor, and enjoyed making his family, friends and co-workers smile. He also enjoyed playing “real band/fake band” and was known for his excellent spelling and grammar.

He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Cody was preceded in death by his father and mother, Carl and Gladys Fincher. 

A celebration of Cody’s life will be held sometime in the spring of this year.

Two quotes from Jimi Hendrix seem appropriate at this time: “The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye. The story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again,” and, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.”

Arrangements entrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311 Lakeport, Calif., www.jonesmortuary.com .