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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that it has taken a man into custody for an early Thursday morning shooting in Clearlake Oaks that killed a woman and injured three others, including a child.
Ezequiel Bravo Jr., 24, was located and arrested several hours after the Thursday shooting by sheriff's deputies and Clearlake Police officers, the sheriff's office reported.
The agency initially offered little information about Bravo, but said it would provide further details of the incident as the investigation progressed.
Authorities said it was Bravo who shot four people early Thursday at Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks, as Lake County News has reported.
The sheriff's office said Bravo – also known as “Junior” – showed up at a residence at the Elem Indian Colony armed with a shotgun.
Authorities said he entered the home and shot four people, killing one adult female, injuring an adult male and adult female, and also injuring a 6-year-old girl.
Just before 2:30 a.m. firefighters and sheriff's deputies responded to the rancheria on the report of a gunshot victim, according to radio reports.
One victim was declared dead at the scene, one had reportedly driven herself to the hospital and two others were taken by ambulance to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, where two air ambulances were waiting to take two of the victims to out-of-county trauma centers, reports from the scene indicated.
After the shooting, the sheriff's office said Bravo fled the scene in a vehicle which later was found in Clearlake Oaks. Bravo was taken into custody separately later on Thursday.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Lake County Sheriff's Detective Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – An early Thursday morning shooting at the Elem Indian Colony reportedly left several people injured, with one fatality also reported in connection to the incident.
The shooting was first reported just before 2:30 a.m., according to radio reports.
Northshore Fire and Lake County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a location on Elem Road in the Elem Colony, located just outside of Clearlake Oaks.
Initial reports indicated one person had been shot in the chest with a shotgun and another was wounded in the arm.
Firefighters had to stage outside of the rancheria while sheriff's deputies secured the scene, according to radio reports.
Central Dispatch relayed to firefighters that one gunshot victim had driven herself to the hospital while the person responsible for the shooting also was reported to have left the scene in a vehicle.
Firefighters later reported finding two gunshot victims – one of them a 6-year-old girl – at the Elem Colony and transporting them to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, where air ambulances responded to fly the patients to out-of-county trauma centers.
Radio reports also stated that there was one person who had died at the rancheria.
Early Thursday deputies were reported to still be looking for a male subject believed to have committed the shooting.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The driver of a lumber truck was uninjured on Wednesday after the vehicle rolled over and into Clear Lake, closing a portion of Highway 20 and resulting in a small diesel spill.
The crash occurred just before 11:30 a.m. in the area of Widgeon Bay on Highway 20 at Hillside Lane, according to reports from the scene.
The truck rolled off the highway and partially into Widgeon Bay, with firefighters arriving on scene reporting that the cab was not in the water but the driver was trapped.
Firefighters were able to extricate the driver, who was uninjured, according to Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos.
Beristianos said he was amazed that the driver escaped injury, considering the smashed up condition of the truck's cab.
Reports from the scene said both the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Lake County Environmental Health were notified due to concerns about a diesel spill at the scene.
Beristianos said firefighters got booms in place, and while there was diesel in the grass and dirt on the shoulder, there was no sheen on the lake, which would have resulted if diesel had gotten to the water.
Environmental Health Director Ray Ruminski, who also was at the scene, said that while the truck's fuel tanks were leaking – and there also may have been some engine oil that escaped – firefighters kept the fluids from moving very far with containment equipment and materials.
Like Beristianos, Ruminski said he could see no sheen of petroleum on the water, although he said that if there is diesel in the mud and vegetation on the bank there was concern that it could seep into the lake.
Ruminski said the truck's trailer had rolled over onto the steep slope that is the highway shoulder, with some of the lumber load going into the lake.
Also responding to the scene was the Sheriff's Marine Patrol, the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans, Ruminski said.
The North Shore Dive Team had been dispatched but was canceled after a fire district battalion chief arrived and found the truck cab was not in the water, Beristianos said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Working to make water conservation a way of life, state agencies on Wednesday released a draft plan for achieving long-term efficient water use and meeting drought preparedness goals that reflect California’s diverse climate, landscape and demographic conditions.
“Californians rose to the challenge during this historic drought and recognized that conservation is critical in the face of an uncertain future. This plan is about harnessing the creativity and innovation that Californians have shown during the driest years in state history and making water conservation a way of life in the years ahead,” said California Department of Water Resources Director Mark W. Cowin. “This plan will help make permanent changes to water use so California is better prepared for whatever the future brings.”
The new plan’s fundamental premise is that efficient water use helps all of California better prepare for longer and more severe droughts caused by climate change.
California recently suffered the driest four years in state history, with only average rainfall last year, and 75 percent of the state remains in severe drought conditions.
Meanwhile, a new report from UCLA projects that the Sierra Nevada snowpack – one of California’s largest sources of water supply – is likely to drop 50 percent by the end of the century due to climate change.
Recognizing these risks and many others, today’s plan seeks permanent changes to water use that boost efficiency and prepare for more limited water supplies.
These practices will help achieve a top priority in the Governor’s Water Action Plan – to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life.”
Wednesday’s plan builds on the success of mandatory water restrictions during California’s severe drought and develops long-term water conservation measures that will ensure all communities have sufficient water supplies.
This will involve activities such as ensuring farmers plan and prepare for severe drought and permanently banning wasteful practices like hosing off sidewalks and driveways.
“The last few years provided the wake-up call of all wake-up calls that water is precious and not to be taken for granted,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. “Californians rose to the occasion collectively during the drought. We can build on that success and now prepare for a more unpredictable and disruptive future marked by a changing climate – and do it equitably and cost effectively.”
The plan represents a shift from statewide mandates to a set of conservation standards applied based on local circumstances, including population, temperature, leaks, and types of commercial and industrial use.
For example, communities in hotter and drier climate zones will receive irrigation allowances that reflect evaporation levels.
Key water conservation efforts included in today’s plan include:
• Permanent bans on wasteful practices, such as hosing driveways and excessively watering lawns.
• Technical assistance and financial incentives for water suppliers to implement leak prevention, detection, and repair programs.
• Collecting information about innovative water conservation and water loss detection and control technologies.
• Requiring agricultural water suppliers to quantify water use in their service areas and describe measures to increase water use efficiency.
• Full compliance with water use targets for urban water suppliers by 2025.
• Planning and preparing for continued and future drought and water shortages.
Some of the actions described in the draft plan will require working with the Legislature on new and expanded State authority, while others can be implemented under existing authorities.
All recommendations aim to achieve the main objectives of the Governor’s Executive Order B-37-16: use water more wisely, eliminate water waste, strengthen local drought resilience, and improve agricultural water use efficiency and drought planning.
In addition to taking action to implement this long-term water conservation plan, state agencies recognize the reality that most of California potentially faces a sixth year of historic drought.
Therefore, in January the State Water Board also will consider whether it must extend its existing emergency water conservation regulations, as required by Gov. Brown’s recent executive order.
The State Water Board has already taken action to maintain mandatory reductions in communities that could not verify they have enough water supplies to withstand three more years of severe drought.
The new plan, Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life, Implementing Executive Order B-37-16,” is the result of extensive community and stakeholder engagement across California.
It was prepared by the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Food and Agriculture and the Energy Commission.
For more information on the development of the draft plan, visit http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/conservation/ .
The State encourages the public to submit comments on today’s draft plan: “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life Implementing Executive Order B-37-16.”
Comments should be submitted to
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine tasting event featuring newly released wines from Sol Rouge with vintners Bryan Kane and Jill Brothers, and artist reception with Jacqueline Farley on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.
The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
The $15 ($12/per person for Studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers by Fresh and Bangin’ Eatery will showcase the 2014 Gypsy Blanc with lemon and herb poached shrimp, 2013 Gypsy Rouge with cheese and jalapeño stuffed wontons with dipping sauce, 2013 Zinfandel with Asian vegetables and peanuts on noodles, and the 2012 Cabernet Franc (People’s Choice Best of Class) with peppered steak garnished with peppers and onions.
The new release 2013 Petite Sirah will be poured as a bonus taste.
Jacqueline Farley has lived in Lake County since 1993. She was born and educated in the UK where she worked as a dance and theatre arts teacher in schools, colleges and universities in the greater London area.
Following a short career in the theater, her interest developed in the therapeutic application of the arts and how the arts can benefit society.
She earned a bachelor's degree majoring in dance and went on to study dramatherapy, psychology and education at a post-graduate level, and then began working in hospital settings and with at-risk youth. Her training in art during these years was at London’s City Literary Institute and St. Albans College of Art.
Farley came to the U.S. as an intern in a therapeutic community run according to the philosophy of the late psychiatrist, RD Laing, with the aim of becoming a psychologist. She worked with residents using the therapeutic application of art, dance and drama as well as meditative techniques.
Since moving to Lake County, she has been active in the arts community both as a teacher at Mendocino College and as a performer, and lives with her husband in Lakeport.
Her first job in Lake County was as a member of the after hours crisis team for Mental Health. It was following this experience that she decided against the life of a psychologist and began to focus more on arts and teaching.
Farley has been a part-time teacher of English as well as visual and performing arts at Instilling Goodness and developing Virtue Schools in Ukiah since 2001, and earned her MA in Buddhist Education at the Dharma Realm Buddhist University in 2009.
Her interest in drawing and painting is lifelong, and she continues to attend art classes at Mendocino College. It is her hope that this, her first one-woman show, will generate some funds to assist those who have lost their homes in the devastating Lake County fires.
One-hundred percent of Farley’s proceeds of sale on her works of art will be donated to the Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund, a collaborative fundraising effort organized by the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Wine Alliance.
Vintners Bryan Kane and Jill Brothers have been reaping acclaim and awards with each vintage release of Sol Rouge wines.
Committed to sustainable farming practices, Sol Rouge embraces proven, old-world winemaking methods – using French oak, native yeast, natural secondary fermentation and minimal racking with no fining or filtering.
Recognized as one of the “Next Generation Cult Winemakers” by Sommelier Journal, winemaker Kane’s non-interventionist technique intends to bring forth the true flavor and characteristics of the vineyard through to the wines and has defined him as one of the pioneers in the “natural wine” movement. While Kane’s primary focus is on Rhone varietals, he is equally adept with Bordeaux varietals.
The Sol Rouge vineyard is located in the rich, red volcanic soil of the Red Hills Appellation at elevations over 1800 feet nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge.
Currently planted with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Cinsault, the site is all hillside with slopes up to 60 percent and has high density plantings of nearly 6,000 vines per hectare in some blocks.
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display and sale of art 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 hours of business September through May are Thursday to Monday from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.
The Farley art exhibit will be on display for the months of December and January.
LCWS will be closed Jan. 1 to 14 for annual maintenance. Appointments for tasting are available by reservation during those two weeks.
For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – G. Daniel Garcia died at the home of his son and daughter-in-law in Clearlake on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. He was 77 years old.
He was born on Jan. 28, 1939, in Sharon Springs, Kansas, to Donelia Valerio.
He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his mom and grandmother, Josefa Trujillo.
In 1956, after high school, he enlisted in the US Army and then enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving with the Marines during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged at the rank of private.
He later married the only daughter of a Beverly Hills Police lieutenant, with the couple divorcing in 1973.
He came to Lake County in 1976. He was a counselor for 10-plus years and was one of the chair holders for Alcoholics Anonymous.
He loved panning for gold, fishing, the casino and spending time with his grandson, Chumani.
He was a member of the Antelope Indian Circle in Susanville, Navajo Nation and the Native American Spiritual Circle, was a Red Power Warriors Spiritual elder.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Josefa Trujillo; grandfather, Damion Valerio; and mother, Donelia Valerio.
His survivors are his son, Duane “Spider” Garcia; daughter-in-law Marie; grandson, Chumani Iktomi Garcia, all of Clearlake. He also leaves adopted son, Louis, and adopted daughter-in-law Amber and their two children from Reno, Nev.; seven more grandchildren, Courtney and Crystal in Southern California, Dakota and Zachary in Virgina, beautiful Bella in Las Vegas, Nev., and Marcus and Aiden in Clearlake.
He will be missed and never forgotten.
A memorial will be held. To find out when it will take place, contact his son Spider or daughter-in-law on Facebook or email
His family thanked Hospice Services of Lake County, whose nurses and in-home care aides made it easier to give their father his wish to die at home with the ones he loved and who loved him. Thanks also are offered to the neighbors who offered help in the night, and support and prayers.
