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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lake County supervisor was involved in a Tuesday evening vehicle crash in Lakeport that temporarily closed the roadway after authorities say he appeared to have run a red light.
Rob Brown, 55, sustained minor injuries in the crash, with the other driver, 46-year-old Elisa McCracken of Kelseyville, suffering moderate injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP's Clear Lake Area office reported that at approximately 6:17 p.m. Tuesday Brown was driving his 2007 Chevrolet pickup southbound at Highway 175/Hopland, as McCracken – in a 2010 Toyota – was heading northbound on Highway 29.
The CHP said McCracken was making a left hand turn from the left turn lane onto Highway 175 when, for reasons still under investigation, Brown failed to stop at a solid red light and proceeded into the intersection.
The front of Brown's pickup hit the right front and side of McCracken's Toyota, the CHP said.
McCracken was extricated from the Toyota by medical personnel and transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, according to the CHP.
The CHP said both Brown and McCracken appeared to have been wearing their seat belts. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.
Southbound Highway 29 at Highway 175 was closed for approximately 30 minutes as a result of the collision, the CHP reported.
The CHP said the crash remains under investigation by Officer Troy Burger.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Authorities have arrested a Magalia woman for elder abuse and identity theft involving several victims around the region, with police concerned that still more people may have been targeted.
Connie Lynn Ogle, 37, was arrested following an investigation by the Chico Police Detective Bureau, according to Sgt. Scott Harris.
Harris said Ogle has been under investigation since July, when the Chico Police Department received a report of an extensive financial abuse case involving an 82-year-old victim.
The victim’s son posted an ad on www.care.com searching for a caregiver for his ailing mother. Harris said Ogle answered the ad, portraying herself as a care provider with extensive experience with in-home health services.
Ogle was hired and immediately started caring for the victim. Shortly after that, the victim discovered that someone had opened multiple credit cards in her name, according to Harris.
He said it was believed that while Ogle was supposed to be caring for the victim she accessed the victim’s mail and stole personal information which allowed her to open the fraudulent accounts.
Investigators discovered an enormous amount of evidence showing that Ogle had victimized numerous other elderly victims after she was hired as a caregiver, Harris said.
Harris said that it appears that Ogle would be hired as a caregiver and immediately start stealing the identities of the elderly victims to obtain fraudulent credit cards and other financial benefits.
After a nine-month investigation, Chico Police detectives – along with the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force and the Chico Police Target Team – served multiple search warrants at an address in Magalia and two locations in Chico, Harris said.
As a result of the search warrants, Harris said authorities recovered a large amount of evidence proving that Ogle stole the identities of the elderly victims.
In addition, authorities seized 85 pounds of processed marijuana, nearly $27,000 in cash and multiple firearms, Harris said.
Harris said police received information that Ogle was in Lake County. The Chico Police Department subsequently requested that the Lake County Sheriff's Office take her into custody on an arrest warrant.
Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrested Ogle on May 12. Harris did not have details about Ogle's activities in Lake County before her arrest.
Harris said Ogle faces multiple charges of burglary, identity theft, elder abuse, possession of marijuana for sale and being a felon in possession of a firearm. She was booked and transported to Butte County Jail.
During the course of our investigation, Harris said Chico Police detectives have identified six victims in Butte County, two victims in Napa County and two victims in Nevada County.
So far, Harris said, “We have not identified any victims from Lake County.”
However, the investigation remains open, as Harris said police suspect that Ogle has stolen the identity of other victims who have yet to contact the police department.
If you have hired Ogle as a caregiver and have been the victim of identity theft-related crimes, contact the Chico Police Department Detective Bureau at 530-897-5820.
For tips on how to protect yourself from being a victim of identity theft, visit www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/identity_theft .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Superior Court is seeking at least 30 applicants willing to serve as jurors and alternates on the 2016-17 Lake County Grand Jury panel.
The 19-person grand jury is selected from the different supervisorial districts in proportion to the population of each district.
The grand jury serves as the public’s “watchdog” by investigating and reporting upon the affairs of local government.
The term of service runs from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017.
Service may entail from 10 to 20 hours of work per week attending committee and general meetings, responding to citizens’ complaints, performing research, and investigating the operations of governmental agencies and allegations of wrongdoing by public officials or employees.
The court is looking for applicants in good health who are interested in community affairs, are objective and are able to work cooperatively with others.
Experience in researching, interviewing, writing and editing, and/or auditing is desirable, and having a general knowledge of the responsibilities and functions of governmental and other public entities is helpful.
A grand juror must be a U.S. citizen, age 18 or older, speak English, be a resident of California and Lake County for at least one year prior to selection, and not hold an elected office or have any felony convictions.
Applications may be obtained from www.lake.courts.ca.gov or by mailing a letter with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Grand Jury Coordinator, 255 N. Forbes, 4th Floor, Lakeport, CA 95453.
Applications are also available at each Superior Court Clerk’s Office, located at 255 N. Forbes, fourth floor, in Lakeport, or at 7000 A South Center Drive in Clearlake.
Further information may be obtained by calling the grand jury coordinator at 707-263-2374, Extension 2282.
Applications must be received by June 24.
Personal interviews will be scheduled prior to final selection. If you are interested, please apply. If you are not interested, but know someone who may be, please let them know of this opportunity.
COBB, Calif. – The Lake Community Pride Foundation will host its 10th annual Safe House of Lake County Golf Tournament, Lunch & Fundraiser on Saturday, June 4.
The tournament will take place at Adams Springs Golf Course, located off of Highway 175 at Snead Drive in Loch Lomond.
Golfers will meet and check into the clubhouse between 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Tee off will take place at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served once all golfers have completed their 18 holes.
Golfers can play a four-person scramble and get lunch catered by Lower Lake Community Action Group for $70 a golfer. This will also include a cart for their game. Those interested in only joining the golfers for lunch can pay $20 for a wonderful meal.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pride Foundation, which maintains and manages the Safe House of Lake County, where up to six teenagers can find refuge from homelessness or abusive homes.
The six teenagers are required to have good attendance in school, a good grade point average and follow the rules of the house. Along with the teenagers, two adult counselors live at the Safe House as well.
This annual golf tournament is the Pride Foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year.
“It was a beautiful event last year, and all of the attendees reported having a great time and a great meal,” said Bill MacDougall, a longtime Pride Foundation Board member.
“We are supporting our youth in need with the Safe House and the success of our program has been proven by the directions that our residents have taken,” said Bruno Sabatier, another Pride Foundation Board member.
Past Safe House residents have gone on to college at UC Merced, UC Berkeley and many institutions of higher learning. Another previous resident has now started their own “safe house” in the state of Oregon.
If you cannot attend the June 4 tournament but would like to donate money specifically for one item, such as food at the Safe House for a month, please send a check for the amount you wish to donate to Lake Community Pride Foundation, P.O. Box 1042, Lower Lake, CA 95457.
The Pride Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that only operates via volunteer board members and volunteer counselors. All the money raised by the Pride Foundation is used to operate the house and to feed their residents.
For more information call Georgina Lehne at 707-987-7337 or Aggie Berry at 707-489-6524.
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Community Center is having an “I Love Lucy' doll silent auction on Saturday, June 4.
The auction will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, located at 3985 Country Club Drive in Lucerne.
There is no charge to enter and everyone gets a chance at the door prize.
All dolls included in the auction are collectible quality, in mint condition and Barbie-sized.
The auction will include many dolls from special episodes of Lucille Ball's famed television show.
Others will be Cher, James Dean, Janis Joplin, Bewitched, Carol Burnett, nine new “I Love Lucy” episode DVDS, numbered collectible plates, an “I Love Lucy” book, other collectibles, and Barbies from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
This will be a silent auction venue, with door prize and raffle items available such as an Avon exclusive Bob Mackie Sterling Silver Rose Barbie, James Dean diecast car and Hallmark Keepsake Ornament of Lucy. Other items available are tins, tin signs, and other related collectibles.
Bring the whole family to this child friendly event. Treats, coffee and drinks will be available for sale.
This is a great opportunity to get rare collectibles for yourself or as gifts. All sales are cash, as is the raffle. A list of dolls available is available.
All proceeds benefit Northshore Community Center, a not-for-profit serving the Northshore for families and senior populations with on-site lunches, Meals on Wheels, personal advocacy, activities, food pantry and other services.
Call the center at 707-274-8779 for more information.
California's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is accepting grant proposals for projects that enhance wildlife habitat and environmental restoration.
The funds come from OSPR's Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF), which originates from oil spill violations, in accordance with California's Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act.
Multiple projects may be selected, with available funding up to $200,000; typically past grant recipients have been awarded between $50,000 to $100,000. Multi-year projects are also considered.
To qualify, an environmental enhancement project must acquire habitat for preservation or improve habitat quality and ecosystem function. In addition, it must meet all of the following requirements:
– Be located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state.
– Have measurable outcomes within a predetermined timeframe.
– Be designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, to benefit fish and wildlife.
"It's great to be part of an environmental restoration program that makes a difference," said OSPR Environmental Scientist Bruce Joab. "We're proud that our Environmental Enhancement Fund projects have helped improve California's habitats."
The California Coastal Conservancy and National Fish and Wildlife Federation will join OSPR in selecting the winning recipients.
Disbursement of the grants is contingent on the availability of funds in the EEF.
Grant applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2016.
To contact the grant coordinator, email