How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The local jobless rate rose in October, while the employment picture across the rest of California and the nation showed slight improvements.
The Employment Development Department reported that Lake County's unemployment rose to 6.9 percent in October, up from 6 percent in September but down from the 7.8 percent in October 2014.
Statewide, the October unemployment rate was 5.8 percent, down from 5.9 percent in September and 7.2 percent the previous October, according to the report.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said nationwide unemployment also was down slightly in October, reaching 5 percent, compared to 5.1 percent the previous month and 5.7 percent in October 2014.
The nation's October unemployment rate is the lowest since January 2008, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics historical data.
Lake County's labor force was up slightly in October, rising to 30,540 people, with 2,090 of them unemployed, versus 30,430 total and 1,830 unemployed the previous month and 30,150 total and 2,360 unemployed in a year-over-year comparison, according to the Employment Development Department report.
Total farm jobs in Lake County dropped 8.1 percent, or 100 positions, from September to October, with total nonfarm jobs up 0.3 percent, or 40 jobs, the report showed.
Within Lake County, the lowest reported unemployment in a community was in Nice, with 1.7 percent.
The rest of the communities, ranked from lowest unemployment to highest, are as follows: Cobb, 3.3 percent; north Lakeport, 4.3 percent; Hidden Valley Lake, 4.6 percent; city of Lakeport, 4.7 percent; Middletown, 5.4 percent; Upper Lake, 5.7 percent; Clearlake Oaks, 6.5 percent; Kelseyville, 6.8 percent; city of Clearlake, 10.2 percent; Lucerne, 11.9 percent; Lower Lake, 13.3 percent.
San Mateo County continued to have the lowest unemployment in California in October, with a 3.2-percent rate, with Imperial County remaining at No. 58, with a 21.8-percent rate.
Lake County's 6.9-percent rate ranked it No. 39 statewide.
Lake's neighboring counties were ranked as follows: Colusa, 10.8 percent, No. 56; Glenn, 6.7 percent, No. 37; Mendocino, 5 percent, No. 13; Napa, 4.2 percent, No. 5; Sonoma, 4.2 percent, No. 5; and Yolo, 6 percent, No. 26.
California's employment picture
In October, California's nonfarm payroll jobs totaled 16,253,100, an increase of 41,200 jobs since the September survey, compared to the 21,100 jobs the state's economy added in September, officials said. The year-over-year change, October 2014 to October 2015, showed an increase of 463,000 jobs, up 2.9 percent.
The tracking of those jobs is based on a survey of 58,000 California businesses.
Overall, California has gained 2,131,800 jobs since the recovery began in February 2010, according to the Employment Development Department report.
The federal survey of 5,500 California households showed an increase in the number of employed people. It estimated the number of Californians holding jobs in October was 17,899,000, an increase of
16,000 from September, and up 381,000 from the employment total in October of last year.
The number of people unemployed in California was 1,095,000 – down by 26,000 over the month, and down by 271,000 compared with October of last year, the report showed.
The report also highlighted certain industries showing growth and decline, including the following:
– Seven categories (mining and logging; construction; trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services) added jobs over the month, gaining 47,700 jobs. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest increase over the month, adding 18,400 jobs.
– Four categories (manufacturing; information; educational and health services; and government) reported job declines over the month, down 6,500 jobs. Educational and health services posted the largest decrease over the month, down 3,800 jobs. In a year-over-year comparison (October 2014 to October 2015), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 463,000 jobs, up 2.9 percent.
– Nine categories (construction; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government) posted job gains over the year, adding 468,300 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest gains on a numerical basis, adding 130,000 jobs, up 5.3 percent. Construction posted the largest gains on a percentage basis, up 7.3 percent, adding 49,800 jobs.
– Two categories, mining and logging and manufacturing, posted job declines over the year, down 5,300 jobs. Manufacturing posted the largest decreases on a numerical basis, down 3,000 jobs, a 0.2 percent decrease). Mining and logging posted the largest declines on a percentage basis, decreasing 7.4 percent, down 2,300 jobs.
Regarding unemployment claims, the Employment Development Department reported there were 334,244 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the October survey week, compared with 343,419 in September and 392,093 in October of 2014.
New claims for Unemployment Insurance were 46,203 in October, compared with 40,821 in
September and 52,788 in October of last year, the report said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH LAKEPORT, Calif. – A young Lakeport man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit and run following an early Sunday morning crash that injured one of his passengers.
Codie Dean Wilkinson, 19, was taken into custody following the single-vehicle wreck, which occurred at 2:50 a.m. Sunday in the north Lakeport area, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.
The CHP said Wilkinson was driving his 2000 Mazda 6 westbound on Scotts Valley Road east of Eickhoff Road at approximately 50 miles per hour, with Brandon Allan Pabst, 18, of Lakeport and 18-year-old Victoria Feilhauer of Lucerne riding as his passengers.
For reasons still to be determined, Wilkinson allowed his vehicle to drift off the right side of the road, the CHP said. The car then veered back to the left and hit an embankment before overturning.
The CHP said officers contacted Wilkinson as he was attempting to drive his vehicle away from the crash scene.
Pabst – who was not wearing his seat belt – suffered major injuries, including a broken left elbow and lacerations to his face, the CHP said. He was transported by his parents to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Feilhauer and Wilkinson did not suffer any injuries, according to the CHP report. Both were wearing their seat belts.
The CHP arrested Wilkinson, who was booked into the Lake County Jail for driving under the influence and hit and run causing injury to another.
His bail was set at $50,000, and jail records indicated he later posted the required portion of bail and was released.
Wilkinson's booking sheet indicated he is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 26.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
The California Office of Historic Preservation announced the recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards at a ceremony on Thursday in Sacramento.
This year, 11 projects statewide – including a documentary about Lake County – were awarded for their exemplary work in preserving California’s richly diverse heritage.
“The Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the many individuals, organizations, and agencies engaged in important preservation work throughout the state, whose efforts may not otherwise be recognized,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco.
The 30th annual event was held at Clunie Community Center in Sacramento's McKinley Park.
Among the honorees was “A Walk Through Time: the Story of Anderson Marsh.”
California State Parks, the Koi Nation of Northern California, the Advanced Laboratory of Visual Anthropology at California State University Chico, archaeologists Dr. John Parker and Dr. Greg White, and public stakeholders collaborated to create the 28-minute film, which had its debut in Lake County over the summer.
Parker, who attended the event, said California State Parks Director Lisa Mangat gave an overview of the program and Polanco did a slide presentation for each of the projects that were selected for awards this year.
Those on hand to receive the award for “A Walk Through Time” included Parker; the film's co-producer; Rob Morgan, Koi tribal historic preservation officer; Judy Morgan, Koi tribal secretary; Leslie Steidl, State Parks archaeologist and film executive producer; Eddie Guaracha, State Parks district director; Dino Beltran, Koi tribal executive director, film narrator and co-producer; and Dan Bruns of Chico Advanced Laboratory for Visual Anthropology, the film's director, videographer and co-producer.
The other 10 award recipients included a policy paper, “Sustaining San Francisco’s Living History: Strategies for Conserving” (San Francisco Heritage); “Historic Pasadena” smart phone app (city of Pasadena); “A Napa Coloring Book” (Napa County Landmarks); Santa Barbara County Courthouse Clock restoration (Santa Barbara County Courthouse Legacy Foundation); Audrey Geisel University House rehabilitation (University of California San Diego); Coit Memorial Tower rehabilitation (San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco Arts Commission); Presidio Officers' Club rehabilitation (Presidio Trust, San Francisco); Robert Pitcairn Jr. House and Rev. A. Moss Merwin House, rehabilitation and restoration (Westridge School, Pasadena); Dana Adobe restoration (DANA Cultural Center, Nipomo); and Carmel Mission Basilica restoration (Carmel Mission Foundation).
The Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards Program were established in 1986 by Gov. George Deukmejian.
The program emphasizes involvement by community groups; and it recognizes a broad array of preservation activities, from building rehabilitation to archaeology, education and preservation planning.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Nine dogs are awaiting new homes at Animal Care and Control as the Thanksgiving week gets started.
Dogs available this week include mixes of German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, pit bull, Rottweiler, shepherd and terrier, and include one remaining dog rescued from the Valley fire.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license 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 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 dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
'Digger'
“Digger” is a male terrier mix with a short tan coat.
He was found on Lakeview Drive in Nice.
He's in kennel No. 4, ID No. 3693.
Male pit bull terrier
This male pit bull terrier is a Valley fire survivor, found behind the Middletown gas station.
Has has a short gray and white coat.
He's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 3720.
Pit bull terrier
This male pit bull terrier mix has a short brown coat with white markings.
He is in kennel No. 6, ID No. 4025.
Male pit bull mix
This male pit bull terrier mix has a short gray and white coat.
He was found on Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
He's in kennel No. 7, ID No. 3458.
Rottweiler-Labrador Retriever mix
This male Rottweiler-Labrador Retriever mix has a short black coat.
He's in kennel No. 10, ID No. 3955.
'Lobo'
"Lobo" is a male German Shepherd mix.
He has a tan and black coat.
He's in kennel No. 17, ID No. 3963.
Terrier mix
This male terrier mix has a short white coat.
He's in kennel No. 23, ID no. 3970.
'Camo'
"Camo" is a male pit bull terrier mix.
He has a short brown brindle coat.
Labrador Retriever-shepherd mix
This male Labrador Retriever-shepherd mix has a short tan and black coat.
He's in kennel No. 33, ID No. 3861.
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
Pluto’s day is 6.4 Earth days long. The images shown here were taken by the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) and the Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera as the distance between New Horizons and Pluto decreased from 5 million miles on July 7 to 400,000 miles on July 13.
The more distant images contribute to the view at the 3 o’clock position, with the top of the heart-shaped, informally named Tombaugh Regio slipping out of view, giving way to the side of Pluto that was facing away from New Horizons during closest approach on July 14.
The side New Horizons saw in most detail – what the mission team calls the “encounter hemisphere” – is at the 6 o’clock position.
These images and others like them reveal many details about Pluto, including the differences between the encounter hemisphere and the so-called “far side” hemisphere seen only at lower resolution.
Dimples in the bottom (south) edge of Pluto’s disk are artifacts of the way the images were combined to create these composites.
Charon – like Pluto – rotates once every 6.4 Earth days. The photos were taken by the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) and the Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera from July 7-13, as New Horizons closed in over a range of 6.4 million miles.
The more distant images contribute to the view at the 9 o’clock position, with few of the signature surface features visible, such as the cratered uplands, canyons, or rolling plains of the informally named Vulcan Planum. The side New Horizons saw in most detail, during closest approach on July 14, 2015, is at the 12 o’clock position.
These images and others like them reveal many details about Charon, including how similar looking the encounter hemisphere is to the so-called “far side” hemisphere seen only at low resolution – which is the opposite of the situation at Pluto.
Dimples in the bottom (south) edge of Charon’s disk are artifacts of the way the New Horizons images were combined to create these composites.
"Old dark sleepy pool...
Quick unexpected frog
Goes plop! Watersplash!”
- Matsuo Basho, Japanese Haiku
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One of our local amphibians, a little frog, has some confusion surrounding his name.
Biologists have been arguing about the dainty 2-inch critter's moniker for some time.
Some call them Pacific chorus frogs, while others believe they should be named Pacific tree frogs.
It all stems back to some fellows by the names of Baird and Girard, who, in 1852 put them in the Hyla genus, calling them Pacific chorus frogs.
Prior to that, in 1843 a chap called Fitzinger added them to the genus Pseudacris, and named them Pacific tree frogs.
To add to the confusion, in 2006 Recuero et al divided the frog into three separate species.
Today, The Amphibian Species of the World confirms this split, but calls the diminutive creature a Pacific tree frog.
Sheesh, it's not easy being green or, in the case of a Pacific tree frog, any variety of colors, like brown, tan, black or reddish with dark marks splashed over them.
Pacific tree frogs are good at camouflage, and modify their colors seasonally, much like a “fashionista” changes her wardrobe to suit the season.
These frogs sport long legs and circular, sticky toe pads which aid in climbing.
Pacific tree frogs can be found all of the way up the Pacific coast, from California to British Columbia. They were introduced to the Ketchikan, Alaska area in the 1960s.
Their habitat includes a variety of settings, such as lakes, streams, wooded areas, grasslands and even chaparral.
Newts and other amphibians consume the frogs – both in the adult stage, and their eggs.
The frogs mate in early winter, on into the beginning of springtime, when males migrate to water sources.
They call out their rousing ribbits to attract a female, then she lays her eggs in still water.
Pacific tree frogs, mostly nocturnal, live their lives hidden under everything from logs to leaf litter. When they emerge to hunt they dine on insects such as ants, spiders and flies.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.