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The Divisional Round is over, and four lucky football teams are heading to the Conference Championships this weekend. Then, on Feb. 5, two will move on to the Super Bowl!

If you’re cheering one on and want to show it, you might be thinking of buying a hat or jersey online.
 
But buyer beware! Phony, lookalike Web sites touting “authentic” gear are all over the Internet, and it can be hard to tell which Web sites to trust.

In 2016, consumers nationwide reported more than 400 counterfeit product scams to BBB Scam Tracker. There were also more than 2,600 online purchase scams reported, many of which concern illegitimate shops charging consumers for “official” gear and not delivering on promises.
 
If you’re looking to buy postseason football apparel, follow these tips from your BBB:
 
· Start with trust. It’s best to shop on established Web sites, such as the official NFL shop ( www.nflshop.com ), an official team shop, or an authorized reseller. If you’re unfamiliar with the business or Web site, look it up at www.bbb.org to see its rating, complaint history, and reviews from past customer. Even if a Web site shows the BBB Seal, click on it to verify that it’s legitimate or search for the business independently on www.bbb.org . Just as it’s easy for scammers to create a fake Web site, they can also fake the BBB Seal.

· Buy sports merchandise that’s officially licensed. You can find authentic licensed merchandise and official retailers and resellers on the official Web site of the NFL or your favorite team. Authentic apparel will always have the correct fonts, colors and spelling, attached tags will usually have hologram stickers, and there won’t be any loose threads or other signs of poor quality.

· Be secure. Make sure the Web site is secure before entering any personal or financial information. Look for the “https” where the “s” stands for secure, and other trust marks. Web sites should also have a posted privacy policy. Try to use a credit card, as they offer more protection than a debit or prepaid card.

· Look out for fakes. Read the Web site carefully for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Look for contact information, including a physical address, phone number and email. Also, be wary of too-good-to-be-true pricing. This is a red flag that the product is counterfeit.

· Avoid online marketplaces. When you make a purchase through an online marketplace, you can’t inspect the item or verify its authenticity before buying it.

If you come across a phony Web site selling counterfeit gear, make sure to report it to BBB Scam Tracker ( www.bbb.org/scamtracker ) to help warn others!

Rebecca Harpster works for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mickey E. Pierson, born in Antioch, Calif., on June 27, 1931, passed on Jan. 18, 2017.

Mickey is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; brother, Roger Pierson (Coralie); children, Annette Pierson (Kathryn), Brant Brooks (Francine), Becky Patterson (Randy), Bryon Pierson (Sherry), Brian Brooks, Caroline Tesdahl (Gary), Steven Brooks (Reneta), Craton Pierson (Rhonda), Heidi Pierson and Aden Pierson (Robin).

Also surviving Mickey are 25 grandchildren, three of whom (Matthew, Curtis and Daniel Smith) Mickey and Joyce raised, and 34 great-grandchildren.

Mickey is predeceased by his parents, Rex and Bernice Pierson; brothers, Rex Pierson and Monty Pierson; and his sister, Lilia Juhl.

Mickey was born in Antioch and moved to Lake County with his parents in 1942. He graduated from Upper Lake High School, joined the Navy and served on several aircraft carriers during the Korean War. After leaving the Navy he worked as a dairyman in Ukiah and Potter Valley.

In his early 30s he and his wife, Joyce moved to Sonoma County where Mickey began a long career as an operating engineer. Mickey also opened and ran an auto body shop in Sebastopol for several years during the construction slump of the 1980s, “retired,” moved back to Lake County and began his second career working in “light” construction and as the go-to-fix-it-guy in his broad spiritual community.

Mickey has been deeply involved with his religious community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he will be much missed in that community.

This brief obituary could never encompass the breadth and depth of this wonderful man. Mickey never met a stranger, was always “fantastic!” when asked how he was doing, loved his children and embraced all the family they brought to him. He has been so well loved, IS so well loved, that his passing is only physical. He is still very much in this world-in our hearts.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Friday, Jan. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lakeport at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, with a gathering to follow.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

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Gerald “Jerry” William Tiedeman, 76, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2017, at Frank R. Howard Hospital in Willits, Calif., after an eight-year battle with cancer.

He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Nancy (Glashoff, Murphy) Tiedeman; his sister, Carol (Deemer) Flora; daughters, Jerilynn Ekman, Kim Mileweski, Debra Hill, Stacy Katz, Kellie Clay and Cherish Tiedeman; step-children, Ben Murphy and Katie Murphy; and numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jerry was born in Los Angeles and lived most of his younger years in the Glendale/Tujunga area with his parents William Tiedeman and Lucy (Banfield) Tiedeman.

He attended Verdugo Hills High School where he was a member of the Rod Benders car club.

He worked at many trades, including house builder, painter, machinist, and as an elevator inspector for the city of Los Angeles.

He loved music; especially rock and roll from the 50s, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis. A typical Southern California boy, he loved the beach, boats, dune buggies and Bob's Big Boy. One of his favorite things to do was dance and his dance moves would put everyone else to shame.

Jerry moved to Northern California in 1993 and met Nancy Glashoff when he took a job driving tractor at Glashoff's Fruit Stand Pumpkin Patch. He and Nancy were married on June 11, 1994, on the beautiful Glashoff Ranch in Suisun Valley.

Jerry and Nancy moved to Lakeport, Calif., in 2003 where Jerry enjoyed boating on Clear Lake and fishing in his most prized possession, his Rinker speedboat.

A memorial service and celebration of life is planned on April 1 in Laughlin, Nev., a fitting day and location for a wonderful man who loved life, the water and gambling. Details are to be announced and invites to be sent via Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the American Cancer Society in Jerry's name. 

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

COBB, Calif. – Linda Ann Thomas of Cobb passed away peacefully on Jan 13, 2017. She was 69.

Linda is survived by her devoted husband of 30 years, Barry Thomas; children, Nellie Stahly (Tom), Denise Huber (Rick), Shellie Forkapa (Doug); grandchildren, Heather, Brandon, Jonathan, Kelsey, Katelyn, Tyler and Milana; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Madilyn and Sean; brother, Terry Hutson (Irmgard); sister, Patricia Hutson; and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her grandson Sean and also her beloved dog Butch.

Linda enjoyed gardening, crafting and shopping. She will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Saturday, Feb. 4, at  11 a.m.
 
For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

Beverly A. Peters
Jan. 26, 1940 – Jan. 12, 2017

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Beverly is survived by her husband of 56 years, John Peters: children, Brad (Greer) Peters and John (Susan) Peters; grandchildren, Annie, Whitney, Zane, Rance and Shaley; great-grandchild, Dutch; siblings, Lonnie (Julie) Stewart, Beth (Ed) Heimer, Barbara Campbell and Freddie Dean Stewart; along with many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A report of a man with a gun and shots fired near a school in the Kelseyville area on Thursday night led to the arrests of two men on a number of weapons-related charges.

Mario Alberto Flores, 35, and Ariel Flores Santos, 46, both of Kelseyville, were taken into custody following the incident and the resulting investigation, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 7 p.m. Thursday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Main Street and Single Springs Drive in Kelseyville for a reported man with a gun. Brooks said officers from the California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.

When the deputies and officers arrived on scene, they contacted three witnesses who said Flores Santos and Alberto Flores had been at the residence together, Brooks said.

Brooks said one of the witnesses stated Alberto Flores was seen carrying a handgun behind his back while Flores Santos argued with one of the occupants.

The men left a short time later in a green Toyota pickup. Moments after they started to drive away, witnesses heard four gunshots, Brooks said.

Deputies obtained information that Alberto Flores resided in the 1900 block of Big Valley Road in Kelseyville. Brooks said they responded to the residence and contacted both subjects standing near a green Toyota pickup.

At that point, the deputies noticed a loaded 9-millimeter Sig Sauer handgun in plain view in the passenger area of the vehicle. Brooks said the handgun later was determined to have been stolen in September 2015 during a residential burglary in Lakeport.

He said Alberto Flores and Flores Santos were arrested for a series of charges associated with negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of stolen property. 

Deputies later recovered five 9-millimeter shell casings on the roadway within the limits of the Kelseyville High School. Brooks said a school-related sports function was taking place at the time the shots were fired and the school was locked down for a short time.

Brooks said Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit detectives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and to serve a search warrant.

Approximately 9 pounds of processed marijuana, 45 flowering marijuana plants, ammunition and a .223-caliber, 30-round magazine were seized from the property, Brooks said.

Deputies transported Alberto Flores and Flores Santos to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, where Brooks said they were booked for the negligent discharge of a firearm in a school zone, possession of stolen firearm, being armed while in the commission of a felony, willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and obstructing or resisting a peace officer in the performance of their duties. Flores Santos also was charged with driving while under the influence. 

The men remained in custody on Friday with bail for each set at $35,000.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation into this incident and anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233.