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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Nearly eight months after it reopened, part of Hill Road was closed to through traffic once again because of a mudslide.
The Lake County Department of Public Works said the road between the entrance of Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Lakeshore Boulevard was closed as of Monday afternoon.
Officials gave no estimate for when it will reopen.
Mud came down off the hill above the road following the heavy rains of the last few days, a situation similar to that which closed the road last December.
In that case, the road wasn't finally cleared until the end of April, as Lake County News has reported.
Part of the road's issues stems from the same landslide that for nearly three years has impacted the Lakeside Heights subdivision, which sits on a hill above the road and across from the hospital.
Lakeside Heights residents and the county are engaged in a lawsuit over the landslide.
Subdivision residents weren't warned of this latest closure, just like they weren't notified beforehand of the closure a year ago, said Lakeside Heights resident Garey Hurn.
Sutter Lakeside Chief Administrative Officer Siri Nelson said Lake County Public Works notified the hospital on Monday of the impending road closure.
“It's really not going to impact the hospital at all,” Nelson said, explaining the hospital was aware of the county's plan to close the road again if problems arose.
The road closure means that people trying to access Sutter Lakeside Hospital will have to come either from the direction of Park Way or through the emergency exit from Mendocino Community Health Clinic, as was the case earlier, said Nelson.
“We're fine,” she said of the road closure. “We're not worried about it.
Nelson said that earlier this year the hospital installed speed bumps on the roads that travel through its campus to keep vehicle speeds down because of the first closure.
She said those speed bumps have been left in place for safety purposes.
Nelson asked anyone coming to the hospital to please drive slowly through the parking lot.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – More rain – and snow in higher elevations – in expected around Northern California this holiday week.
A special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service on Monday remains in effect for Lake County and much of the region due to the forecast of another cold storm set to arrive on Thursday.
Forecasters said the cold system will bring rain in lower elevations and low snow levels into the upper foothills on Thursday and into Thursday night, and likely will create traffic issues for those who are on the road for the holidays.
The storm is forecast to bring a few inches of snow in the foothills above the 2,500-foot level, 6 to 12 inches in the Sierras above 4,500 feet, and between 1 to 2 feet above the 7,000 foot elevation mark.
In the Coast Range, snow levels are expected to range between 4 and 8 inches above 2000 feet elevation, the National Weather Service said.
The specific Lake County forecast said there is a chance of both rain and snow on Christmas Eve night, although little or no accumulation is expected.
The Christmas day outlook includes drier and colder temperatures, although snow showers could continue in the mountains, the forecast said.
In Lake County, Christmas day is expected to be mostly sunny, with daytime temperatures into the mid 40s and nighttime lows in the high 20s.
Lake County has had a wet start to the week, receiving a steady day of rain on Monday.
The National Weather Service reported the following rainfall totals, in inches, as of just after 12 a.m. on Tuesday:
– Cobb: 1.92.
– High Glade Lookout (above Upper Lake): 2.61.
– Indian Valley Reservoir: 0.02.
– Kelseyville: 1.38.
– Lakeport: 2.23.
– Lower Lake: 0.69.
– Middletown: 1.43.
– Upper Lake: 1.90.
At about the same time, the US Geological Survey reported that Clear Lake's level had risen to 0.95 feet Rumsey, up from just over 0.70 feet Rumsey a week before.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol’s wish this holiday season is for everyone to stay safe during their travels.
The CHP reminds drivers to follow the posted speed limit, buckle up, avoid distractions while driving, and always plan to have a sober driver behind the wheel.
The CHP will be out in force during the Christmas Day Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), starting at 6:01 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27.
The focus of this holiday MEP is speed limit enforcement; however, CHP officers and drug recognition experts will be watching for all signs of impaired driving as well as assisting motorists wherever needed.
“The Christmas holiday is a time for family and friends to get together, and we want to make sure everyone arrives safely at their destinations,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Drivers are reminded to make wise decisions ahead of time for their own safety and the safety of others sharing the roadways with them.”
During the 2014 Christmas Holiday MEP, which was 24 hours longer than the 2015 MEP will be, 42 people died on California’s roadways. More than half of the 24 people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction were not wearing seat belts. The CHP made nearly 1,000 arrests for driving under the influence.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calls drunk driving an epidemic in this nation.
The NHTSA reports that 32,719 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2013, and nearly one-third (10,076) of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving-related crashes.
“Travel at a safe speed, wear your seat belt, and designate a sober driver if your holiday plans include alcohol,” Commissioner Farrow emphasized. “These choices could save your life or the life of someone you love behind the wheel.”
COBB, Calif. – Children and adults are enjoying a rare treat this holiday season, provided by generous donations of both money and time to pull together an event for a community that has been stricken by grief and loss due to the recent wildfires.
“Winter Wonderland,” located at Black Rock Golf Course in Cobb, is free of charge and includes an outdoor skating rink, a zipline, photos with Santa and a craft area where attendees can make a personalized tree ornament out of a felled Valley fire log.
After a visit with Santa, children can choose between a wealth of toys and “mystery bags” filled with goodies.
Organizations involved in coordinating the event include Black Rock Golf Course, owned by the Moore family, along with Twin Pine Casino, Calpine Corp. and Friends of Boggs Mountain.
The event is sponsored by the Cobb Community Investment Committee and funded by Calpine at The Geysers.
Robert Stark, general manager of Cobb Area Water District, has been assisting with the planning effort for the event.
“I’m delirious with happiness about this,” Stark said. “These people’s homes have burned, but you can see the enthusiasm. It’s wonderful.”
Danielle Matthews Seperas, manager of government and community affairs at Calpine, said the idea began when local agencies came together to try to do something positive for those who have lost so much.
“We did this to try and keep the community together,” she said.
Beau Moore of Moore Family Winery and Black Rock Golf Course said the increase in donations to local projects due to the fires is the reason “Winter Wonderland” was able to come to life.
He hopes to continue it in the coming years, but is concerned about the possible decrease in donations during future holiday seasons.
“We want to, it’s on our list, we’re just crossing our fingers,” he said. “This is amazing for Lake County.”
The skating rink will be open through Jan. 3, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
A maximum of 50 people can skate at one time, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Skate time is limited to 45 minutes at a time, however, visitors can get back in line to skate again. Rental skates are available to all.
Santa will be visiting again from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
Volunteers are still needed. If anyone is interesting in volunteering for the event, contact Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center at 707-987-4270 or visit www.facebook.com/winterwonderland2015 .
Black Rock Golf Course is located at 16451 Golf Road in Cobb.
Melissa Hendrick is a correspondent for Lake County News.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – “Bike Angel” Candy Alcott drew applause from the small crowd of people in the parking lot of Beulah’s Kitchen on Saturday when she said she would attempt to break the record for bicycles given away to victims of the September Valley fire.
“We have given away 980 bikes and we’re going to come back and set a record by giving away 600 more,” she said.
A primary school teacher for much of her life, Alcott plans to set the bar for giving away bicycles so high that it will be out of reach.
Not that there are people standing in line to give away their bikes. Her next giveaway, when she plans to set her record, is slated for early April.
Her pronouncement led to the question of who holds the record, which, in turn, led back to Alcott who has been the linchpin for giving away the 980 bikes.
Alcott, who has created a clearinghouse for all the bicycles that have been given to tots on up to people who ride them to work, said she still has 600 family names on her Facebook.
So far, most of the recipients of the bikes have been residents of Hidden Valley Lake and Cobb Mountain. Many of the recipients had homes that were burned to the ground.
“But everyone is welcome,” she said, “and they could just as well be victims of the Jerusalem and Rocky fires as Middletown. They are welcome.”
Alcott has been gratified by the generous response from people who have bicycles to give away.
“When I needed 30 bikes I got 300,” she said. “When I needed 40 we got 500 and when I needed 25 we got 400.”
The Petaluma Fire Department, she added, was deserving of special mention because the firefighters have been consistent in giving away bikes at a rate of 50 or 60 annually.
“We had a number of donations from and have had help from different organizations,” said Ron Maxwell of Cal Fire.
On Saturday, Call Fire hauled in a truckload bikes. Saturday’s donation followed a week in which Cal Fire made four donations.
Alcott said that 115 bikes were given away on Saturday and that 49 of them were new.
“We call this drive ‘the child within,’ because all of the adults have a child inside,” said Alcott.
Email John Lindblom at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three cats at Lake County Animal Care and Control have been cleared to join your home for the holidays.
The three cats – one female and two males – come in a variety of coat types and colors.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
'Baby'
“Baby” is a domestic short hair mix with blue eyes and calico markings.
She's in cat room kennel No. 75, ID No. 4172.
Domestic short hair mix
This male domestic short hair mix has an all-gray coat.
Shelter staff said he is very sweet and just wants attention.
He is in cat room kennel No. 87, ID No. 4065.
Domestic long hair mix
This male domestic long hair mix has a gray tabby and white coat.
Shelter staff said he's super sweet, and likes to be cuddled and held.
He's in cat room kennel No. 150, ID No. 4059.
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at