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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Containment continues to increase on the Reservoir fire burning near the Indian Valley Reservoir.
The Reservoir fire, which began Sunday afternoon seven miles southwest of Leesville, remains at 215 acres, with containment up to 60 percent, according to Cal Fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, officials said.
Cal Fire said fire crews worked steadily through the night, establishing containment lines around the south part of the fire.
More than 350 personnel remained committed to the fire as of Tuesday morning, along with 25 engines, 14 hand crews, seven bulldozers, two water tenders and two helicopters, Cal Fire reported.
There have been no reports of injuries or property destroyed, based on Cal Fire's report.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Gov. Jerry Brown has reappointed six of the Lake County Fair Board's current seven members, but the fair's chief executive officer said two more spots still need to be filled.
The Governor's Office said that Brown reappointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors Janeane Bogner of Clearlake Oaks, Marcia Chauvin of Clearlake, James “Sham” Cochrane of Kelseyville, Annette Hopkins of Lakeport, Meyokeeskow “Meyo” Marrufo of Upper Lake and Jerry McQueen of Lakeport.
The positions do not have compensation, and do not require state Senate confirmation, the Governor's Office reported.
The announcement came about a month and a half after Brown appointed new fair board member Katherine “Kat” McDowell, as Lake County News has reported.
Lake County Fair Chief Executive Officer Debbie Strickler said the six reappointees had been waiting, in some cases, for several years for the reappointments to come through.
Prior to McDowell, Marrufo had been the most recent appointee in January 2015, Strickler said.
Bogner, 61, owns Weed Tech with husband Ronnie and has served on the fair board since 1992. She's a member of organizations including the Lake County Farm Bureau, Chapter 23 North of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.
Chauvin, 77, has worked with Clearlake Church of the Nazarene, owned a local business and has experience in agriculture including being assistant controller and office manager at Maggio Farms from 1979 to 1982. She's been on the fair board since 2007.
Cochrane, 65, has been on the board since 2002. He's a retired local administrator and teacher, having worked for the Kelseyville and Konocti school districts. Cochrane is a member of the American Counseling Association, California Teachers Association and the National Educators Association.
Hopkins, 69, also has served on the fair board since 2002. She is Lake County's former regional manager at the United Way of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties from 2000 to 2004, and is a member of the Lake County California Women for Agriculture, Soper Reese Community Theater Fundraising Committee and Friends of Marymount California University Lakeside.
Marrufo, 44, has served on the fair board since 2007. She has been director at Guidiville Indian Rancheria since 2014, and formerly held environmental director positions with the Hopland and Robinson tribes. She formerly was director of National Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Program from 2000 to 2004, and is the central California representative for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Tribal Operations Committee.
McDowell, 49, of Cobb is an independent real estate broker and communications director at the Middletown Sports Boosters Club. She came on board in May.
McQueen, 70, has served on the fair board since 1998. He and wife Mary Ann own Northport Trailer Resort and he formerly was a technician for General Electric from 1973 to 1988. McQueen is a member of groups including the Lakeport Elks Lodge, Rotary Club of Lakeport and the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association.
The seven sitting board members' terms are good through Jan. 15 of the following years, Strickler said: Bogner, 2020; Chauvin, 2017; Cochrane, 2018; Hopkins, 2019; Marrufo, 2019; McDowell, 2010; and McQueen, 2018.
Meantime, Strickler said the nine-member board still needs two more appointees.
She said she's not received any indication that additional applications are still awaiting consideration.
Anyone who loves the fair and has time and energy to devote to its activities is encouraged to apply, said Strickler.
The Lake County Fair takes place on Labor Day weekend, with the grounds at 401 Martin St. in Lakeport hosting events year-round.
The fair board typically meets once a month on a Monday afternoon in the administration office at the fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport. Strickler said meeting times are flexible to allow for members' scheduled.
She encouraged anyone interested in serving on the fair board to go to the governor's appointment page at https://www.gov.ca.gov/m_appointments.php and submit an application, and to call her for more information at the fair office, 707-263-6181.
Visit the Lake County Fair online at www.lakecountyfair.com .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – This week “Mildred,” “Nala” and “Spike” are waiting at Clearlake Animal Control to meet their new families.
This week's featured dogs include mixes of American Staffordshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever and pit bull.
To meet the animals, contact Marcia Taylor, the animal control outreach technician, at 707-994-8201, Extension 103, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at Extension 115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. those same days or leave a message on Fridays or weekends.
Also follow Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook for the latest updates.
Below are this week's available dogs.
'Mildred'
“Mildred” is a young female Labrador Retriever mix.
She has a short black coat with white markings on her chest and toes.
Shelter staff said Mildred is a “simply wonderful” and cute girl who likes to have fun.
'Nala'
“Nala” is a young American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a short white coat and brown markings.
“Nala is just a sweet little girl that her owner didn't want anymore. She doesn't understand why. What she needs is someone to just love her,” shelter staff reported.
Her new family will find that she's already spayed and microchipped, and ready for her new life.
'Spike'
“Spike” is a handsome young American Pit Bull looking for a loving home.
He's got a short gray coat with white markings on his face, chest and feet.
He is friendly with people, other dogs and cats, shelter staff reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) will host “Coffee with the Congressman” Friday, July 1.
The event will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Grinders Steep Coffee House, 21187 Calistoga Road (Highway 29) in Middletown.
This will be an opportunity for Lake County residents to meet and speak with Rep. Thompson, and to learn about the services available to constituents through Rep. Thompson’s local offices.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
EMERYVILLE, Calif. – Not since 2002 has California experienced such a surge in Independence Day travel, with more than 4.9 state residents expected to head out of town for the much anticipated beginning-of-summer holiday weekend.
Californians are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home for the first summer vacation of the year. According to the latest AAA travel survey, this represents a 1.3% increase from 2015.
“Economic growth, increased disposable income, and lower prices, have spurred many Californians to celebrate our Independence Day weekend by traveling,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “We are well on our way for 2016 to be a record-breaking year for summertime travel.”
AAA projects approximately 3.9 million Californians will drive to reach their holiday destinations. That’s a 1-percent increase when compared to travel figures from 2015.
Air travel will increase by 3 percent with more than 600,000 travelers expected to take to the skies.
More than 428,000 state residents plan to travel by other modes of transportation, such as rail, bus and watercraft. This represents a increase of 1.5-percent when compared to travel figures from last year.
Nationally, AAA forecasts more than 43 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, representing a 1.3-percent increase compared to last year.
Nationally, this represents the highest July 4th travel volume on record with five million more travelers compared to Memorial Day of this year.
Independence Day holiday weekend airfares are expected to decrease by 9 percent with the lowest round-trip rate averaging $207 a ticket to the top 40 U.S. air routes, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index.
Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond lodgings have dipped slightly compared to July 4, 2015, averaging $144 per night. Are rental rates will average $75, six percent more than last year.
As part of AAA's on-going commitment to keeping the roads safe on holidays, AAA's Tipsy Tow Program will offer a free tow for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on July 4 to 6 a.m. on July 5 in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to ten miles.
“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”
AAA International Travel Tips:
· When traveling abroad, AAA recommends reviewing the State Department traveler’s checklist for any country-specific travel advisory or warning. The State Department also provides helpful tips on appropriate documentation, packing and general travel advice.
· Before departing, AAA recommends making copies of all relevant travel documents and leaving one copy with a family member or friend. A photocopy will be helpful in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen.
· Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or nearest Consulate to contact them in the case of an emergency.
· Planning a trip can be fun but also overwhelming. AAA travel counselors can help plan an itinerary that fits your travel style.
The free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android uses GPS navigation to help travelers map a route, find current gas prices and discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance.
Members using the iPad version can access interactive Top Destinations travel guides at www.AAA.com/mobile . On www.AAA.com , travelers can find thousands of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants using AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner guides at AAA.com/travel.
AAA travel projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.
AAA Travel is the nation’s largest leisure travel organization. AAA Travel offers trips, cruises, tours and vacation packages throughout the world. Call 888-937-5523 for more information or visit us at your local AAA Travel office or online at www.aaa.com/travel .
SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith announced Monday that California has surpassed a key goal of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
CDPH data released Monday indicate that 91 percent of Californians living with HIV in 2014 had been diagnosed.
California reaches this benchmark six years ahead of the timeframe set by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which is to ensure that 90 percent of people living with HIV are diagnosed by 2020.
The strategy was developed by the White House to guide a collective national response to the HIV epidemic.
“We’ve come a long way in our ability to prevent and treat HIV in the 35 years since the epidemic began,” said Dr. Smith. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done across the Golden State to meet and surpass this key indicator, which will help us improve viral suppression rates and reduce new HIV infections.”
Although approximately 14 people in California become infected with HIV every day, significant progress has been made in diagnosing people living with HIV.
Once diagnosed, people with the disease can receive effective treatment that significantly reduces the virus in their blood to an undetectable level (viral suppression).
Viral suppression reduces a person’s likelihood of HIV transmission to partners by 96 percent and also turns HIV from a fatal disease into a chronic, lifelong manageable condition.
Even though the state has successfully diagnosed more than 90 percent of the estimated 140,000 Californians living with HIV, many people do not know they are infected and are not in treatment.
“HIV testing is the first step to helping people know their status so they can obtain medical care and treatment to improve their own health and prevent spread of the disease to their partners,” said Dr. Karen Mark, chief of the CDPH Office of AIDS. “Especially as we mark National HIV Testing Day today, it is vital to acknowledge the importance of HIV testing and knowing your status.”
CDPH recommends that every person between the ages of 13 to 64 get an HIV test at least once as part of routine medical care.
Sexually active gay and bisexual men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs should be tested at least annually. More information about HIV testing is available at http://gettested.cdc.gov .
In addition to HIV testing, CDPH supports other methods of HIV prevention, including the use of condoms and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective HIV-prevention tool for people at high risk of infection. When taken as prescribed, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 90 percent. PrEP should be used in combination with other prevention methods, including condoms, for optimal protection against HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.