News

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – As it celebrates an anniversary, the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum also is preparing for a major August fundraiser.

This month marks the fifth anniversary of operations at the museum, located in Kelseyville.

On July 24, 2011, the Lake County Historical Society, a nonprofit organization, opened the museum to the public marking the beginning of what would become one of the most important educational and cultural sites in Lake County.

In addition to free general public admission, the museum hosts regularly scheduled educational programs for local school children, community activities and provides facilities for large group gatherings such as family reunions, meetings, lectures, community fundraising events, weddings, training programs, etc.

The Stage Stop operates and flourishes solely by donations of time and money.

Join the Ely docents and volunteers on Friday, Aug. 26, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Riviera Hills Restaurant & Lounge for a fundraiser round up Italian-style.

Enjoy an evening of family, friends and fun as we raise a fork (and some funds) to complete the Blacksmith Shop.

Feast as the Italians do on a multi-course banquet of antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno and dolce. A no-host bar will be available. Win raffle baskets and bid on silent and live auction items.

John Parker, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker presenting “An 1876 Lake County Painting Discovered in the Rothschild Collection.”

A $50 donation per person gets each guest a ticket to enjoy the feast and all the fun. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Monday, Aug. 15. Seating is limited, so purchase early.

Call 707-279-0493 for your ticket or stop by the museum during visitor hours and purchase tickets from the docents.

Riviera Hills Restaurant & Lounge is located at 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.

The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit's Corner. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, check out www.elystagestop.org , www.lakecountyhistory.org ,  www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call the Ely message line at at 707-533-9990.

Linda Drake is a volunteer at the Ely Stage Stop.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Construction will occur on Mendocino National Forest roads starting Aug. 1.

Forest visitors should be prepared for traffic delays on the M10 road and a temporary closure on the M6 road while roads are reconditioned and a culvert is replaced.

These measures are necessary to provide for public safety.

Forest officials said they appreciate the public's patience while they are working to improve travel on the forest.

 
Letts Road construction

· Start date: Aug. 1.

· Location: Roads M10, 17N02, 17N09. Between Dixie Glade Campground and Letts Lake Campground.

· Type of work: Roadway reconditioning

· Anticipated hours of work: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

· Traffic Delays: 30 to 45 minutes.

· Expect to see warning signs in the area. Traffic control devices used on this project will include traffic cones, delineators, barricades and signage.

Trout Creek Road construction

· Start date: Aug. 1.

· Location of Work: M6 Kneecap-Cabbage Patch Road.

· Type of work: Replacing a culvert located at the intersection of M6 road and Trout Creek.

· M6 road will be closed for 90 days. Barriers and signs will be placed at Low Gap (junction of M6 and M61 roads), Cabbage Patch (junction of M1 and M6 roads) and at Sunset Point intersection with M1. As a detour, use M61 and M1 roads.
 
For more information please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20
 
– Pavement repairs from Sayre Avenue to the Paradise Cove subdivision will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., weeknights. One-way traffic control will also be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Paving operations between New Long Valley Road and Gravel Plant Road will begin Monday, July 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– The Mine Restoration Project has been issued a long-term Caltrans Encroachment Permit to allow trucks to access their worksite near the Colusa County Line. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Drainage work just north of Elk will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Highway repairs a quarter-mile north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Paving operations between Harmon Lane and the Wildwood Campground will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Paving operations between South Route 101 and Old Lake County Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Digouts and paving work between the South Willits Overhead and Outlet Creek will begin Sunday, July 17. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– The city of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to repair a water main between State Street and Casteel Lane on Friday, July 15. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Paving operations between Sherwood Road and Casteel Lane will begin Tuesday, July 19. A southbound lane closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Mowing operations between Ryan Creek Road and Wheelbarrow Ranch will begin Monday, July 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Paving operations between Old Sherwood Road and Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Drainage work from Masonite Timber to approximately 1.8 miles east of the junction with Route 1 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through July 8. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near Greenwood Road just outside Philo. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Paving operations between East Lane Road and Short Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– The Round Valley Indian Tribe has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to pave a driveway near Barnes Lane. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Due to its potential health risks, federal, state and county agencies are urging swimmers, boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), now blooming in a reach of the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake in Northern California.
 
Sampling has confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria (Anabaena spp.) in the upper Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake approximately between the “No Ski” buoy markers near the middle arm and the buoys at the head of the Pit Arm. Wind and currents can move the bloom in the upper Pit Arm.

The presence of toxins has not been confirmed as toxin testing is currently underway. Until toxin testing results are completed, residents and recreational water users of the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake are urged to use caution and avoid getting in the water or letting dogs swim near these bloom areas.
 
Blue-green algae can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. We urge people to choose safe activities when visiting the affected reaches of the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake and recommend that people and their pets avoid contact with water in locations with blooms, and avoid swallowing or inhaling water spray in an algal bloom area.
 
The algal bloom appears as bright green in the water with streaks that look like spilled paint. The blooms can also appear as blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that can float on the water and accumulate along the shore.

Recreational exposure to toxic blue-green algae can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold and flu-like symptoms.

Liver failure, nerve damage and death have occurred in rare situations where large amounts of contaminated water were directly ingested. Pets can be especially susceptible since they tend to drink the water and lick their fur after going in the water.
 
The Statewide Guidance on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following for blue-green algae impacted waters:

– Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in the water. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.

– Avoid wading, swimming, or jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms or scums or mats.

– Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques (e.g., camping filters, tablets and boiling) do not remove toxins.

– People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas; if fish are consumed, remove guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.

– Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On July 1, 2016, Cadillac Pat Sperling lost the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Sue, when she passed away in her sleep.

Sue was born in Santa Monica, Calif., to George and Dorothy Heinz. The family moved to Lucerne in the late 1960s and then to Lakeport.

Sue and Pat met in high school and dated for awhile before she moved to Texas to live with her dad and stepmother. A short time later Pat gave her a call and she moved back to Lakeport where they were married in 1978.

Sue's parents, George and Dorothy, and her brother, William, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Debra Heinz of San Jose; stepmother, Bernice Heinz of Texas; husband, Cadillac Pat and Mickey, their beloved cat.

Many thanks to everyone for their support during this sad time. God bless all of you wonderful people. There will be no services at this time.

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

Please share your memories by signing the guest book at www.legacy.com .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – This week Lake County Sheriff's narcotics detectives located and eradicated approximately 23,286 mature marijuana plants from two separate grow sites in the Middletown area.

Lt. Steve Brooks said that in April narcotics detectives conducted routine overflight missions in Lake County to locate and identify illegal marijuana cultivation sites.

During the overflight, detectives located what appeared to be two large commercial grow sites, Brooks said.

One of the grow sites was located in the Dry Creek area of Middletown and the other was located in the Butts Canyon area of Middletown, according to Brooks.

At 7:30 a.m. Monday, detectives arrived at the Dry Creek grow site where they located the camp area which appeared to have been occupied by three people, Brooks said.

Brooks said the water was being diverted from a spring and was dispersed through an elaborate irrigation system to water their plants. Detectives also located fertilizer, pesticides and ammunition in the camp area.

They searched the area and were unable to locate any suspects or additional evidence. The detectives located and eradicated 11,739 mature marijuana plants from the site, Brooks said.

At 2 p.m. Monday, the detectives arrived at the Butts Canyon grow site, Brooks said.

During a search, Brooks said detectives located the camp area which appeared to have been occupied by two people. They noticed that the water for the plants was being diverted from two springs. 

Brooks said detectives searched the area and were unable to locate any suspects or additional evidence.  They did locate and eradicate 11,547 marijuana plants from the site. 

Brooks said the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for asset forfeiture whenever possible.