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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As forecasters had predicted, Clear Lake topped flood stage overnight, ahead of another day of heavy rain expected on Thursday.
The United States Geological Survey said Clear Lake passed the flood stage mark – 9 feet Rumsey – Wednesday night after hovering close to the mark for several hours.
At one point the lake crossed the flood stage and rolled back slightly before rising once again, according to the US Geological Survey stream gauge on Clear Lake.
The high water and resulting safety conditions led the city of Clearlake to close the last of its open public boat ramps at Redbud Park’s Thompson Harbor on Wednesday.
Along with Clearlake, all public boat ramps in the city of Lakeport and the unincorporated county also are closed, officials said.
In Lakeport, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said his officers were stepping up enforcement of the area of Esplanade, which was being closed off to nonresidents. He said residents of the area were complaining about drivers speeding through the area and accessing the lake from that part of the city.
The wet conditions also left some roadways closed due to flooding, including Scotts Valley Road at Highway 20, Lakeshore Boulevard from Hammond to Stokes avenues, and Laurel Dell Road from Scotts Valley Road to Mid Lake Road, according to the Lake County Department of Public Works.
Rainfall amounts were less on Wednesday, ranging from close to 2 inches throughout the day in the Cobb area, almost an inch and a half in Middletown, and nearly an inch each in Hidden Valley, Lower Lake and Upper Lake, according to the National Weather Service.
A flood warning remains in effect for Lake County through Saturday morning. Along with the flood warning, a wind advisory will be in effect for Lake County from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
Rain also is in the forecast on Friday, with forecasters predicting a break in the rain that’s expected to last from a clear and sunny weekend through Wednesday.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Clearlake woman has become the first person to be sentenced for perjury resulting from the Lake County District Attorney's newly formed Perjury Investigation Unit.
On Wednesday, Merissa Leigh James, 38, was sentenced to a total of four years and eight months for committing perjury in the Lake County Superior Court, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
James was arrested in August for presenting falsified reports to the Lake County Superior Court, officials said.
During an August court appearance before Judge Michael Lunas, James – who was acting in her own defense to a charge of violating her probation – entered into evidence several written reports and testified she had signed and mailed these reports to the Probation Department early last year. However, those report forms had been modified and were not created until after August.
At the conclusion of the hearing James was arrested as she left the courtroom, the District Attorney’s Office said.
James was charged with four felony counts including perjury, offering false evidence, preparing false documentary evidence, as well as a special allegation that she committed these new crimes while released on her own recognizance during the pendency of a felony matter.
Deputy District Attorney Daniel Flesch, who is assigned to the special unit, prosecuted the case with Investigator Andrew Chapman.
District Attorney Don Anderson has voiced his commitment to ensuring the admission of truthful testimony and reliable evidence in Lake County courts.
The Perjury Investigation Unit was formed in June in order to preserve the integrity of the justice system in Lake County.
There are several other perjury cases being investigated and some are awaiting trial in the Superior Court.
Anderson said his office will continue to aggressively pursue their commitment to seeking out perjured testimony in all areas of criminal, civil and family law.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol will offer a free “Start Smart” traffic safety class for soon to-be-licensed, newly licensed, and teenage drivers and their parents or guardians on Saturday, Feb. 11.
The class will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Clear Lake Area CHP office, located at 5700 Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville.
The CHP said a teenager is killed in a traffic collision every four hours nationwide. That equates to more than 1,870 teenagers killed each year. Another 184,000 teenagers are injured in traffic collisions.
These deaths and injuries can be substantially reduced or prevented by eliminating high-risk driving behaviors through education, and the CHP said its “Start Smart” program can help prevent these tragedies.
The Start Smart program focuses on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teenagers and their parents.
Start Smart employs innovative techniques to capture the attention of teenagers and parents, providing a lasting experience.
The curriculum includes information on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, graduated driver’s license laws, cultural changes in today’s society and the need for stronger parental involvement in a teenager’s driving experience.
Space is limited for this class. For more information or reservations, call Officer Kory Reynolds at the CHP office, 707-279-0103.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Artist Anna Sabalone and Lake County Wine Studio are presenting a series of monthly art classes, with the next scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 12, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
During the two and a half hour class, Sabalone will guide participants in the fundamentals of perspective.
All supplies are provided along with a glass of wine for sipping for $40 per person. Each monthly class focuses on a different art medium.
Sabalone was born and raised in Lake County and has been involved in the Lake County Arts Council since her teen years.
She attended University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Leeds, England for her undergraduate degree in English, history and anthropology.
She earned her teaching credential and Master’s of Education at UC Santa Barbara and has been teaching art, English, history and academic decathlon at Upper Lake High School since 2008.
For art class schedule, reservations and additional information, contact Susan Feiler at 707-293-8752.
Lake County Wine Studio is both a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County.
Artists’ shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. The artist works on display for the month of February is by Bonnie Sears.
Hours February through May are 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Monday, and 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday.
For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Luncheon Club will get an update on Woodland Community College at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
The club’s February speaker is Middletown High School graduate Annette Lee, who is now the executive dean of Woodland Community College, Lake County Campus (formerly known as Yuba College).
Did you know that high school students can take college courses at the Lake County Campus for free? Get all the facts about this valuable higher education resource just down the road from us from Dean Lee, the one who knows it best.
Lunch will be served at noon by the Middletown Lioness Club at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. The program will end promptly at 1 p.m.
For only $5 per person, enjoy a meal of beef with broccoli, brown rice and cole slaw.
Reservations are required. Before 6 p.m. Tuesday, call 707-987-3113 to make your reservation.
After 6 p.m. Tuesday, call the senior center directly, 707-987-3113 to cancel or reserve your spot.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, Feb. 11, Finch Gardens will host its monthly organic seed planting workshop.
The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. at 6565 Live Oak Drive, just past the Evangelical Free Church in Kelseyville.
This month the workshop will look at planting tomatoes and chiles. Containers, organic seed and soil will be provided.
Space will be made in the greenhouse for these seedlings to get their start if you do not have a nice sunny window you would like to put them in.
Reservations are just $10 per person.
For more information call Helen Finch at 707-279-9400 or visit www.finchgardens.com .