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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed a local real estate professional to fill one of the open seats on the Lake County Fair Board.
Brown appointed Katherine “Kat” McDowell, 49, of Cobb, to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair Board of Directors, his office said in a Thursday announcement.
“I'm excited to be involved,” McDowell told Lake County News. “My objective is to bridge the gap and have south county representation at the board.”
She said she also looks forward to involving the school districts with the county fair. “Great things are in the works!”
McDowell has been an independent real estate broker with the Real Estate Alliance since 2015. She was an independent real estate broker from 2006 to 2015 and a real estate broker with Century 21 Real Estate from 2000 to 2006.
McDowell also is communications director at the Middletown Sports Boosters Club.
This position, which is unpaid, does not require Senate confirmation. McDowell is a Republican, according to the announcement.
McDowell will join a board that includes Janeane Bogner, Marcia Chauvin, James Cochrane, Annette Hopkins, Meyo Marrufo and Jerry McQueen.
Lake County Fair Chief Executive Officer Debbie Strickler said the nine-member board has been waiting on appointments and reappointments in order to keep the seats filled, which in turn has made it challenging at times to meet the five-member quorum to hold meetings.
Previous to McDowell's appointment, the most recent one – for Marrufo – came in January 2015, Strickler said.
Now, two seats remain to be filled. Strickler said she's aware that there have been three to four applications for the positions, but she does not know the status of when those appointments might be made.
“It has always been a very slow process,” she said.
In addition to new appointments, many of the current fair board members are awaiting reappointment, Strickler said.
“Many of my board members have been without appointment for many years,” she said.
Strickler said the governor's appointment secretary reviews all current appointees to determine who they want to continue in the positions.
She said the governor is looking for people interested in the fair, who can add value to it.
“My understanding is that they are looking for younger representatives so they have a good mix of people on the board.”
Strickler added, “That's really a struggle to find,” especially with younger people have so many other time commitments.
The ideal candidates love the fair, as they will spend a lot of time there, Strickler said.
The fair board will hold its next meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, May 23 in the administration office at the fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
Anyone interested in serving in one of the remaining fair board seats can go to the governor's appointment page at https://www.gov.ca.gov/m_appointments.php and submit an application.
Strickler invited interested community members who want more information to call her at the fair office, 707-263-6181.
Visit the Lake County Fair online at www.lakecountyfair.com .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College – formerly known as Yuba College Clear Lake Campus – is preparing to celebrate its newest class of graduates.
The college's spring commencement ceremonies will take place Friday, May 20, at the Konocti Education Center Cornelison Event Center, located at 15850 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
The community is invited to come and join in the celebration of the students’ accomplishments.
The day will start at 8:45 a.m., when graduates will be recognized during a breakfast feast. The student speaker during the breakfast will be Annabelle Hinman Haley. Grade point average award certificates will also be awarded at this time.
Students who have earned certificates of achievement will be recognized for their accomplishments at the 3 p.m. Certificate Ceremony. The student speaker will be Shannon Williamson.
At 7 p.m., students who have earned an associate in arts or associate in science will be recognized for their accomplishments. Board of Trustees member Richard (Doc) Savarese will confer the degrees.
Student speakers will be Ruby Tu and Gina Hutchins and the master of ceremonies will be Executive Dean Annette Lee.
Certificates in 18 different areas will be awarded as follows.
Accounting Certificate of Achievement
T'Keyah Mariah Ashlee Denson, Dale D McKay, Araceli Sepulveda, Beau Stephens and Sebastein Sage Teague of Clearlake; Terra K Seifert of Kelseyville; Chad A Costello, Michelle Skidmore and Anna Elizabeth Yopp of Lower Lake.
Advanced Accounting Certificate of Achievement
Shannon Williamson of Clearlake; Terra K Seifert of Kelseyville; Michelle Skidmore and Anna Elizabeth Yopp of Lower Lake.
Administrative Assistant Certificate of Achievement
Janet Evelyn Clay, Aleshia Deback and Dawn M Kocher of Clearlake.
Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement
Brooke Marie Babcock, Mariah Ilona Bernal, Christopher Daniel Edwards, Quaran Gadson, Thomas Karopoulas, Gerri Stang and Patricia A Tuell of Clearlake; Anthony Lawrence Neves of Hidden Valley; Bianca Arias of Kelseyville; Katrina Lynn Carrillo of Santa Rosa.
Drinking Water and Waste Water Technology Certificate of Achievement
John Carl Adams, Rodney Mann Browning-Munson, Benjamin Allen Illia and Daniel Lee Larson of Clearlake; Todd Fiora, Roderic Ian Hilliard and Jeremy Anthony Jakubowski of Clearlake Oaks; David G Clark of Cobb; Chris M Pion and Norman Kenneth Rogers of Hidden Valley; Francisco Castro of Kelseyville; Robert James Register of Lower Lake; Darren Blair Valentine of Middletown.
Early Childhood Education Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement
Nancy L Olivarez of Lower Lake; Maria Montanez of Middletown.
Early Childhood Education Child Development Teacher Certificate of Achievement
Maria Celeste Mendoza and Melissa Pruden of Clearlake; Nancy L Olivarez and Darcie Anne Schmidt of Lower Lake.
Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement
Maria Montanez of Middletown.
Early Childhood Education Diversity Specialization Certificate of Achievement
Maria Celeste Mendoza and Heidi Schmitz of Clearlake; Melanie Kristine Pressley of Lakeport; Darcie Anne Schmidt of Lower Lake; Maria Montanez and Rene Potter of Middletown.
Early Childhood Education Infant and Toddler Specialization Certificate of Achievement
Alejandra Fernandez and Stephanie Mary Garcia of Clearlake; Darcie Anne Schmidt of Lower Lake; Maria Montanez of Middletown.
General Business Management Certificate of Achievement
Dale D McKay of Clearlake; Michelle White of Kelseyville; Diana Beatrice O'Connor of Lower Lake.
Advanced General Business Management Certificate of Achievement
Michelle White of Clearlake; Diana Beatrice O'Connor of Lower Lake.
Human Services Chemical Dependency Counselor Certificate of Achievement
Melissa Dale of Lower Lake; Kathleen Lindsay Noble of Middletown.
Income Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement
Dale D McKay of Clearlake.
Small Business Management Certificate of Achievement
Chad A Costello of Lower Lake.
Advanced Small Business Management Certificate of Achievement
Diana Beatrice O'Connor of Lower Lake.
Welding Technology Certificate of Achievement
Johanan T Harvey, Skylar Lehman, Jacquelyn Pells, David E Schober and Howard W Worthy of Clearlake; Brian Greer Hughes of Clearlake Oaks.
The following local students will receive associates degrees:
Associate in Arts
Diana Beatrice O'Connor and Quirina Luna Geary of Lower Lake; Annabelle Lorraine and Hinman Haley of Clearlake; Dennis Cox of Lucerne; Alisa Burris of Middletown.
Associate of Science
Martin E Hambrick of Castro Valley; Amanda Renae Celli, Derek Counts, Renee E. Crabbendam, T'Keyah Mariah Ashlee Denson, Gina Ann Hutchins, Angela Lynn Kester, Rebecca Ann Marengo, Dale D McKay, Brian Thomas Pearson, Melissa Pruden, Jamie Shettlesworth Audel Torres, Lu-Te (Ruby) Tu, Vanessa Corine Vestal, Danni Marie Welch and Susanna Eileen Wright of Clearlake; Rachel Rene Gonzales, Meagan Cameron Madrid, and William McIntyre of Clearlake Oaks; Dillie Elizabeth Marrujo of Cobb; Kyle Daniel Henning and Amelia Johnson of Hidden Valley; Stephanie Lynn Radford and Terra K Seifert of Kelseyville; Jennifer A Masad of Loleta; Chad A Costello, Krissie Deleon, Miguel Hernandez, Kenna Jaehn, Karen Macall, Wendy Mitchum, Karmen Leigh O'Connor, Taylor Bradley O'Connor, Chantilly Brionna Lynn Pannell, Darcie Anne Schmidt, Michelle Skidmore and Anna Elizabeth Yopp of Lower Lake; Amanda Nicole Bagget, Lori E Bateman, Elvina Angelica Brown, Natasha Ray Ann Cornett and Deanna Marie Hingst of Middletown.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The remains of a human body was found in the Eel River in Humboldt County over the weekend.
Humboldt County Chief Deputy Coroner Ernie Stewart said the sheriff's office was notified of the discovery at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Stewart said a person who was out canoeing that day found the remains on the Shively side of the Eel River near Stafford.
Deputies responded to the location and were able to confirm that the remains were of human origin, Stewart said. A sheriff's detective and deputy coroner also responded to the scene.
The remains are described as mostly skeletal, according to Stewart.
Due to the extreme decomposition of the body, Stewart said it is unknown if the remains are male or female at this time.
He said further examination by a pathologist or anthropologist may be needed before authorities have any further information to release.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake recognized two doctors with its inaugural Community Leadership Award.
Dr. Kimberly Fordham and Dr. Paula Dhanda were honored for their outstanding service to the community and dedication to improving health outcomes for the underserved.
The two leaders were selected for the first recipients of the Community Leadership Award by St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Medical Executive Committee.
“The dedication of these two outstanding physicians is an inspiration to all of us,” explained Dr. Pari Azari, chief of Medical Staff at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and the Medical Director of the Live Well Program. “We are grateful to work alongside them and to recognize their incredible service to our community with these awards.”
Dr. Kimberly Fordham, a family medicine/obstetrics physician at the St. Helena Family Health Center – Middletown, received an Outstanding Community Leader and Community Educator award.
Dr. Fordham trains local students in Sonoma State University’s nurse practitioner program, ensuring that these new primary care providers receive excellent experience.
She also is actively developing a community program focused on high risk obstetrics (pregnant patients) and is currently working on a project to help mothers with addiction to methamphetamine.
Dr. Paula Dhanda, a gynecologist in Kelseyville who performs procedures at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, was honored as an Outstanding Mission Driven Leader and Community Leader.
Dr. Dhanda has been a pillar of the health care community in Lake County for more than 25 years. She is involved in improving women’s health and the health of the homeless in local community programs.
She is also the founder of the nonprofit Worldwide Healing Hands, an organization that works around the globe improving women’s health in underserved communities.
Dr. Dhanda frequently travels to countries around the world to train local providers on the newest medical treatments. This training allows the residents in these international communities to get access to advanced treatment options that otherwise would not be available.
St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake has more than 40 affiliated providers in specialty areas ranging from behavioral medicine to urology. They serve Lake County residents at clinics in Lakeport, Kelseyville, Clearlake, Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown. Learn more by calling 707-995-4500.
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Mendocino Unit opened the campgrounds and seasonal roads within the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) on Friday, May 13, for the dry period.
Campers are reminded that camping is only allowed within designated camping areas and a fee is required.
The camping fee is $15 per night with a single vehicle. Each additional vehicle up to a maximum of two vehicles per site is an additional $5.
Motorists are advised that it is always unlawful to operate unlicensed vehicles (including off-road vehicles with or without green stickers) on State Forest roads. Off-road travel with motorized vehicles is not permitted on the State Forest.
Please do not drive on roads that are wet and have soft surfaces, even if they are formally open. Other closed roads may still be used for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding if outside of an active timber operation area.
Each year, seasonal openings/closures occur. For more information, refer to the forest's Web site, http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php , or contact the office, located at 802 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, telephone 707-964-5674. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed from noon to 1 p.m.).
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Ladies 40-9ers Golf Club held a nine-hole game of “Cha Cha Cha” on Thursday, May 12.
The results are as follows:
– First place (tie): Team one (tie), Adele Curtin, Diana Schneider and Gwen DeRosa, 73; team two (tie), Liz Cummesky, Sharon Compartore and Toni Stratton, 73.
– Second place (tie): Team one (tie), Julia Yamashita, Floydean Greenlow and Marla Peterson, 82; team two (tie), Joy Ryan, Barbara Carver and Hank Kistner, 82.