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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Arts Center is once again offering its fun-filled and creative summer art camp for children aged 5 to 13.
This year’s theme, “Adventures in Art with Animals,” will engage your child’s imagination, creativity and curiosity through animal-related projects in painting, drawing, ceramics, mask making, performance art, paper mache and more.
“Adventures in Art with Animals” will take place Monday, June 20, through Friday, July 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The cost is $250 for 10 days of awesome creative fun, plus healthy snacks. There is a 10-percent discount for Middletown Art Center members or multiple siblings.
Scholarships for those who lost their home in the Valley fire or are otherwise in need are available through generous donations from the Lake Area Rotary Club Association Fire Relief Fund, Lake County Rising and Middletown Art Center benefactors.
Download a scholarship application from the Web site at www.middletownartcenter.com/classes.html , or email or call to ask about the center’s scholarships. They encourage people in need to reach out to them as they want every child to have an opportunity to experience the arts.
Advance registration is requested as spaces are filling up.
Visit www.middletownartcenter.org and click “classes” to easily register online and pay via Pay Pal, send a check to P.O. Box 1616, Middletown, CA 95461, call 707-809-8118 or email
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown’s own murder mystery, unsolved after 50 years, will be explored by Gibson Museum’s Fireside Chat speaker, Sandra Hoberg Fox, on Sunday, June 26.
Fireside Chats are free of charge and begin at 3 p.m. at the Gibson Museum, 21267 Calistoga Road.
Joan Hamann Dole’s body was found in her Anderson Springs home on Nov. 20, 1966, riddled with five carefully directed shots.
Dole's murder was an ongoing topic of conversation for many years after her death.
Was Dole killed by the Pacific Gas and Electric meter reader? Or by her fiancé, editor of the local newspaper? A case can be made for either of those headlines.
Or … many local citizens who lived here at the time have their own ideas about what happened to Joan Dole on that rainy night. Dole had reported break-in burglaries of her home twice in the preceding months.
It was not simply the murder itself that captured the attention of everyone in and around Middletown. It was the victim. The murdered woman was the Hamanns’ daughter.
Huck and Skee Hamann had become popular personalities in Middletown as soon as they retired and returned to Lake County from Los Altos in the early 1950s.
The couple welcomed and befriended practically every child in the area. Both of them loved nature, and went out of their way to help children learn to appreciate its marvels.
They were early proponents of environmental considerations and the premise of living with the earth, and preserving its bounty.
Each summer they took a group of kids backpacking in the Sierra. Year-round they identified local flora and played educational games with local children.
Huck Hamann fashioned rings from the semi-precious local stones that he or the children found and gave one to each child as an incentive to learning.
Joan Hamann Dole, recently returned from a career in New York City, was their only child.
Hoberg Fox has collected information about Dole’s murder over the years since it happened.
With help from the late Judge Bill Harpham and from her cousin John Flynn, an investigator in the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Hoberg Fox was able to track down the only existing copies of the court records of the murder trial.
Leal Grupp of Napa, son of the defense attorney in the lengthy trial, loaned photos and paperwork from his father's old case files.
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
– Paving operations between Blue Lakes Road and Oasis Motocross Trails, began Monday, June 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Road to Pingree Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect during nighttime paving, which will take place between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday night through Thursday night. One-way traffic control will also be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
Highway 29
– The Middletown Days Parade has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an event taking place between Central Park Road and Wardlaw Street on Saturday, June 18. A full highway closure will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A detour will be provided, and motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Highway 1
– Paving operations between Old Coast Highway and Glennen Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work between Fish Rock Road and Haven Neck Drive on Monday, June 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Geotechnical core drilling near Pudding Creek will begin Monday, June 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-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.
– Paving operations between Abalobadiah Creek and Blue Side Gulch began Monday, June 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
Highway 20
– Paving operations between Harmon Lane and the Wildwood Campground will begin Monday, June 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
Highway 101
– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
– Highway construction from 0.6 mile south of Upp Creek to the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Pavement repairs from Sherwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek 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.
– The Kate Wolf Music Festival has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to hold a special event at the Black Oaks Ranch beginning Thursday, June 23. Northbound traffic will notice the addition of a temporary left-turn lane to access the event, and through traffic will detour around the temporary lane. These traffic conditions will be in place until 3 p.m. Monday, June 27.
– 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 162
– Turnout construction between the Outlet Creek Bridge and Poonkiny-Fairbanks began Monday, June 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-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. LC#C253DA
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).
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino College Men’s Soccer team is off to a strong start, after just two years of offering the program the team can say they’ve sustained their winning record.
Thirteen sophomores played their final season for the Mendocino Eagles in the fall of 2015, after being part of the inaugural men’s team, and now four of them can say they are moving on and continuing to pursue their dream.
Fabian Carlon, Felipe Chavez and Victor Hernandez will all be joining the University of St. Mary athletic program while Oswaldo Segura Diaz will continue his dream of playing soccer at Indiana Tech.
All four of these young athletes were recruited from Ukiah for the Mendocino College Men’s Soccer Team’s inaugural season.
Their commitment and dedication to the program and their academic success are just a few reasons they were all chosen to sign letters of intent at four-year universities.
“Mendocino College has helped me grow more as a person and as an athlete. My best memory of my time here was tying our game versus Napa to clinch the Conference Championship at their field,” Carlon said.
Coach Shane Huff described Fabian as a hardworking athlete who always has a smile on his face. “I’m really proud of him, he is our most improved player in these first two years, by far. He put in the hard work and made it happen.”
Chavez said playing for Mendocino College was his dream. “I finally became the athlete and person I always wanted to be. Every second of my time here was worth the experience. My favorite memory was the very first day of fitness training, I remember wondering what in the world I was doing here and that was the moment I knew I had to stay and I had to be a part of the program.”
Huff said Chavez is nicknamed “Mr. Consistent.”
“He wasn’t flashy in his play, but always consistent, he was a steadfast starter in his sophomore year from the beginning. He’s a very respectful and well-rounded young man, and a joy to have on the team,” Huff said.
Coach Huff described Hernandez as a talented goalkeeper. “He is great for team camaraderie, a wonderful young man, and has the potential do really excel as a goal keeper!”
Hernandez explained how much Mendocino College means to him. “It allowed me to play the sport I love and also gave me a chance to go to school and study what I enjoy. If it wasn’t for Mendocino College, I wouldn’t have been able to meet the people I have, and I also wouldn’t have been able to meet my teammates who I now consider my family. Mendocino College means a lot to me for all that it has done for me in my life and what it has given me. For that, I will always be thankful.”
He added, “My time playing soccer for Mendocino College gave me my best memories, and they were all the times and experiences I had with my teammates and coaches. Whether it was on road trips or at practice, we always had a laugh and enjoyed each other’s company. Those are the best experiences I had because those are the memories I will keep with me for the rest of my life, to always look back on with a smile on my face.”
“Mendocino College has done so much for me,” said Segura Diaz. “It allowed me to settle in and figure out what I wanted to do in life all while allowing me to play the game I love. The school and the community has shaped me into a better person and I am very thankful for these last two years. I am especially thankful for the coaches and my instructors along the way. My favorite thing about MC is the soccer community support, it may not be a big school, but the support is strong. I really enjoyed playing with the team and creating new friendships and memories.”
Coach Huff described Segura Diaz as, “overall, our most impactful player – just pure talent. Quick, fast, tenacious, an incredible athlete.”
In California, a tightening supply, combined with a strong gasoline demand, is contributing to pump prices moving higher.
But although state retail fuel prices are moving up and register as the highest in the nation, they are stabilizing.
Gas prices on the AAA Fuel Gauge Report this week shows the state pump price of unleaded regular is $2.86 per gallon, which is a modest increase of $0.06 higher than a month ago.
The least expensive fuel can be found in Marysville, where the average price for a gallon of regular is $2.57.
The highest price is in San Francisco where the average price is $3.02 a gallon, up $0.18 from last month’s AAA gas survey.
A year ago, the California average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline reached $3.54, $0.68 more expensive than today’s average.
“The state average retail price of fuel is relatively steady and have moved by three cents or less over the past week,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “But continual overall decrease of fuel costs marks the fourth consecutive year of lower gas prices, spelling a prolonged period of relief for pocketbooks.”
Conditions at the ExxonMobil Torrance refinery are reportedly improving and two units previously offline are scheduled to be start this week.
The latest data from the U.S. EIA points to gasoline inventories shrinking in the region; however, gasoline production is growing which could help balance the scale and keep gas prices relatively steady over the near term.
The national average price of gas reached a new 2016 high over the weekend, and today’s average of $2.37 per gallon is the most expensive average since September 2015.
Although pump prices have increased for 28 of the past 33 days, consumers continue to benefit from yearly savings and prices are down 42 cents per gallon compared to a year ago.
After reaching new 2016 highs, crude oil prices retreated to close out the week due to news of a strengthening U.S. dollar and data showing an uptick in the number of U.S. drilling rigs in operation.
Both benchmarks opened the week by extending this trend of sliding prices, as concerns of revived production out of the U.S. and global demand concerns begin to resurface.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI closed down $1.49 and settled at $49.07 per barrel.
To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the recommended pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair.
The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening a vehicle’s load also help to conserve gasoline.
AAA Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Clearlake Oaks man has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and the use of a firearm in the December 2014 shooting that resulted in the death of his wife, with sentencing in the case set for next month.
A jury handed down the decision late Wednesday afternoon in the trial of Marc Anthony Clark, 60, following about an hour and a half of deliberation, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones.
Responding to the verdict, Mitchell Hauptman of Lakeport told Lake County News in a brief email, “Mr. Clark was gratified by the implicit confirmation that his conduct was accidental.”
Hauptman added that months prior to the trial, Clark had offered to plead to exactly what he was convicted of – “however that was rejected without any counteroffers.”
Clark went on trial beginning earlier this month in the shooting death of his wife, 58-year-old Linda Louise Clark.
Linda Clark was found dead in the couple's home in Spring Valley on the night of Dec. 20, 2014, after her husband called 911 to report the shooting, authorities reported.
He was taken into custody that same night and has remained in custody since, with bail set at $1.5 million.
Krones had sought a conviction for second-degree murder, but the jury found Clark not guilty of that charge, and also handed down not guilty verdicts on charges of domestic violence and assault with a firearm.
Prior to the shooting, Marc Clark had no criminal cases and no contacts with the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Krones confirmed he had a lack of a previous criminal record as well as support from the community and character witnesses who testified on his behalf.
Testimony in the trial began on June 2, and stretched over another six days, Krones said.
Krones had argued that the Clarks had argued twice that night, and that Marc Clark had shot his wife with a .38-caliber revolver while she sat in her recliner.
The pathologist who conducted Linda Clark's autopsy found that the barrel of the revolver had come into contact with her skin, with the bullet entering her neck below her left ear and exiting at her right temple, Krones said.
Krones said Clark also testified in his own defense, maintaining that the shooting was accidental.
On the stand Clark said he and his wife had been drinking that evening when they heard a thud on their back deck. He believed someone was there to rob them, according to his testimony.
Marc Clark had been concerned about the potential for a home invasion robbery. His neighbors were growing marijuana and he feared someone would come to his home by mistake to steal the plants, Krones said.
He testified that he retrieved his .38-caliber revolver, cocked it and then went to look out the back door, but didn't see anything. He then said he went over to his wife, who was sitting in her recliner, Krones said.
Krones believes the two were engaged in another argument, but Marc Clark testified that they weren't. He acknowledged he had been drinking, and said that because he was intoxicated he stumbled and fell forward, accidentally shooting his wife.
Because Marc Clark had extensive training and experience with firearms since he was a child – he is a hunter and he had a large firearm collection – Krones said she argued that he was guilty of murder based on “implied malice.”
She said that's the legal theory that holds that someone is guilty of murder if they kill another person while involved in an “inherently dangerous” activity.
“My argument was that by pointing the gun at her, having it loaded and cocked, it was inherently dangerous to human life, and therefore even if he stumbled at that point, it was still murder,” she said.
Krones said numerous character witnesses gave testimony for the defense. “They were both very involved in the community in Spring Valley,” she said of the Clarks.
Among those testifying were the couple's sons from the Bay Area, who said Marc Clark was a good father, and that their parents argued but not any more than an average couple.
Testifying for the prosecution regarding an alleged domestic violence incident about a year and a half before the shooting was Linda Clark's brother, Krones said.
Krones said he had been spending the night at the couple's house when he heard an argument. He came out of a room to see that Marc Clark had Linda Clark on the floor and had his arm pulled back like he was going to hit her.
The brother told Marc Clark to get off of his sister, and all three subsequently left the house that night, Krones said.
During his time on the stand, Marc Clark said his brother-in-law didn't see what he thought he saw, claiming his wife had tried to hit him, he tried to hold her arms, and that because he was drunk, he stumbled and fell, so they were both on the floor, according to Krones.
Krones said there also was testimony about Marc Clark's drinking, which character witnesses acknowledging that he drank socially. He also acknowledged that the drank, and Krones said the couple's home had a lot of alcohol in it – open bottles of wine, and full cases of wine and beer – at the time of the shooting.
She said Marc Clark's blood alcohol level three hours after the shooting was 0.11, which she said meant it would have been much higher at the time of the shooting. She said Linda Clark's blood alcohol level was found to be 0.26.
“It's fair to say that both of them were heavy drinkers,” she said, adding that guns and alcohol are a bad mix.
Closing arguments took place on Wednesday, followed by jury instructions, Krones said.
Krones said the jury got the case shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday and by 4:30 p.m. had returned with the verdict.
Clark is due to be sentenced by Judge Andrew Blum on July 11, Krones said.
She said Clark is facing between five and 14 years in state prison.
That potential sentence includes two, three or four years for the involuntary manslaughter conviction, plus three, four or 10 years for the use of a firearm, she explained.
Hauptman said that, in the overall sentencing scheme, Clark is eligible for probation if unusual circumstances are present, “however, I am not going to try and second guess what the sentencing outcome will be.”
The Lake County Probation Department will complete a sentencing recommendation report ahead of the sentencing, which Judge Blum can then use as the basis for his decision on the term, Krones said.
“It will be up the judge to decide what the sentence should be,” she added.
Krones said Clark will receive credit for the year and a half he's already served in jail.
However, due to the conviction for the use of a firearm being a strike offense, Krones said Clark will have to serve his sentence in state prison, not the county jail.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from the defense regarding the possibility of probation and attempts to resolve the case before trial.
Email Elizabeth Larson at