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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police have arrested a man who they say attempted to rape a Lakeport woman and then stalked her.

Richard Alvin Hamilton, 59, of Lakeport was taken into custody on Thursday, according to Lt. Jason Ferguson of the Lakeport Police Department.

Ferguson said Hamilton is charged with assault with intent to commit rape, false imprisonment, stalking, sexual battery and attempted rape by force, all felonies.

At 8 a.m. Monday Lakeport Police officers were contacted at the police department by a Lakeport woman reporting she was being stalked and harassed by Hamilton, Ferguson said.

Ferguson said that during the interview with the woman, officers learned she and Hamilton were previously known to each other.

The woman reported that in July Hamilton came to her residence to talk. While they were inside her residence, the woman said Hamilton pushed her down on the couch, forcefully held her wrists to control her and started pulling her clothing off as well as his own clothing, Ferguson reported.

Ferguson said the woman told officers that she continued to tell Hamilton no and to stop but he continued to hold her down. During the struggle the woman was able to defend herself by physically pushing Hamilton off of her and Hamilton left the residence.

The woman reported that since the incident in July, Hamilton had driven by her and continued to send her text messages, emails and Facebook messages, causing her to believe she was being stalked by Hamilton, Ferguson said.

A Lakeport Police detective initiated an investigation and over the course of the next few days, developed information to obtain an arrest warrant for Hamilton, according to Ferguson.

Just before 5 p.m. Thursday a Lakeport Police detective responded to an address in the 1700 block of Montana Vista in Lakeport and contacted Hamilton, placing him under arrest, Ferguson said.

Hamilton was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked on Thursday evening, according to jail records.

His bail was set at $50,000, with jail records indicating he later posted the required portion of bail and was released.

Hamilton is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 22, according to his booking sheet.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” was recently designated in the city of Clearlake, with community members urged to support efforts of agencies assisting victims of domestic violence and increase their involvement in efforts to prevent it.

Representatives of Lake Family Resource Center were on hand Oct. 8 at Clearlake City Hall to accept the proclamation presented by Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson.

An event to raise awareness of domestic violence will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church.

The “Because We Have Daughters” workshop invites father and daughters – girls ages 10 to 18 – to join in the interactive event.

“The intent of this event is to give fathers the opportunity to understand their daughters better and to help take a stand at ending violence in women's lives,” Sheri Young, LFRC program manager, said. “We are actually opening the invitation to any male role model who has a significant young female in his life.”

According to the proclamation presented, in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, Lake County law enforcement agencies responded to more than 409 incidents of the domestic violence.

In the past year, the Victim Witness Division of the Lake County District Attorney's Office served more than 377 victims, prosecuting 68 felonies and 182 misdemeanor acts of domestic violence.

Additionally, Lake Family Resource Center responded to 335 crisis line calls, served victims and sheltered 101 domestic violence victims and their children for a total of 6,383 bed nights.

Young said there are currently 22 women and children at that the domestic violence shelter, “Freedom House.”

“These are the people who were able to escape, get safe and report,” Young said.

The proclamation cites family violence as a community problem. Stopping the cycle, it states, requires not only the strength and courage of survivors, but also the support and involvement of all members of the community.

“It takes just one person to reach out and talk about domestic violence,” Young said.

To register for the “Because We Have Daughters” workshop, contact Lake Family Resource Center at 707-279-0563.

Email reporter Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Organizers of the #LakeCountyRising fundraising effort report they have begun distributing funds from its Fire Relief Fund with the first round of giving designed to support the needs of youth in the impacted communities.

The organization has been working directly with community leaders to help identify some of the most pressing community needs and funding gaps.

As a result, an initial round of checks are being distributed to the following beneficiaries:

– $40,000 to the Middletown Unified School District to support the following programs: Sixth Grade Science Camp for students attending elementary schools in Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake; the K-12 music program; gift cards for students impacted by the Valley fire.

– $10,000 to the Lake County Fair Foundation to support Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H youth programs to assist with the replacement of jackets, uniforms, equipment, tack and animal needs.

– $10,000 to the Lake Family Resource Center to support immediate housing and other needs of client families who lost homes in the Valley fire.

Based on an initial assessment of community needs, the steering committee agreed to distribute $60,000 of the funds raised to date to help restore some sense of normalcy for children who have suffered as a result of the fire.

Many youth lost equipment, instruments, supplies, uniforms, even animals used in agricultural programs, all of which are vital to their extracurricular activities.

Also at risk are other youth programs, like science camp and music programs, which require monetary support through fundraising drives in their communities – a difficult task given the devastation of the Valley fire.

Donors contribute more than $500,000

In the first few days after the Valley fire swept through the southern part of Lake County and decimated communities like Cobb, Middletown and Anderson Springs, #LakeCountyRising was established to provide a way for individuals and businesses to respond.

“The outpouring of support has been remarkable,” said Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.

To date, more than $500,000 has been donated or pledged to the Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund.

The fundraising effort was kicked off with a $50,000 donation from Andy Beckstoffer of Beckstoffer Vineyards. “We hope this will motivate other people to give,” Beckstoffer said at the time.

Since then, numerous businesses, associations and individuals have generously offered their support to survivors of the Valley fire with contributions to #LakeCountyRising including:

– U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and supporters: $52,500. “Tragedies have a way of showing what a community is made of, and the Valley fire is no different. This is one of the worst fires in California’s history, but it’s shown the absolute best of Lake County. We are a community of strength, resolve, gratitude and generosity, and that is how I know Lake County will rise again,” said Thompson.

– Trinchero Family Estates: $100,000. “We were saddened to see the devastation caused by the recent Valley fire,” said Roger Trinchero, chairman and CEO of Trinchero Family Estates. “We know these funds will be put to good use in helping residents in Lake and Napa counties rebuild their homes and their lives.”

– Savings Bank of Mendocino County: $20,000. “We are saddened by the tremendous loss our neighbors have suffered as a result of the Valley fire,” said David Weiss, Savings Bank director. “Our employees, executives and stockholders live and work in these communities, and we are committed to helping our neighbors and local businesses who were affected by the Valley fire through recovery and rebuilding.”

– Calpine Corp.: $15,000. Calpine's geothermal operations at The Geysers is one of Lake County’s largest employers and many of its employees lost homes in the Valley fire. “Calpine has supported #LakeCountyRising from the beginning,” said Danielle Matthews Seperas, manager, Government & Community Affairs at Calpine. “We feel this was the one local organization that could immediately help those impacted by the fire. All of our events and outreach are focused on supporting this cause so we can help our community rebuild as quickly as possible.”

– The Hess Collection: $25,000. “We experienced devastation firsthand – we are still rebuilding after the Napa earthquake,” said Tim Persson, CEO, Hess Family Wine Estates. “Lake County is part of the Hess Community and we feel strongly about helping the recovery from this devastation.”

– Rabobank N.A.: $25,000. “Working with clients in Lake County, we have witnessed the human toll of this fire firsthand,” said Charles Day, area manager for Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Division on the North Coast. “The incredible scale of the damage and hardship it has caused prompted Rabobank to do what we could to aid the relief effort.”

– Homestake Mining Co.: $5,000. “Homestake has been a part of this community for over 30 years, and we are saddened by the extensive losses suffered by so many of our neighbors in Lake County. Our hope is that this contribution will provide some needed relief to those in need and encourage other businesses and individuals to help where they can,” said Peggie King, McLaughlin Mine Closure manager, Homestake Mining Co. (Barrick Gold Corp.).

– Cache Creek Vineyards and others: $7,250. “At Cache Creek Vineyards, we wanted to do something to help those affected by the fires so we began making plans for a benefit concert. With the generous support of many individuals and businesses who donated to our silent auction and provided goods and services to sponsor our concert, we were able to raise $14,500,” said Don Van Pelt, owner, Cache Creek Vineyards. The proceeds were split between two funds, including the Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund.

The Lake County Wine Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization, is managing the collection and distribution of funds for #LakeCountyRising.

According to Bill Groody, marketing director of the Wine Alliance, more than 30 wineries, vineyard owners and other businesses have donated to #LakeCountyRising, and more than 200 individuals have supported the fundraising effort.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see that what started out as a wine industry response to the Valley fire has blossomed into a broad-based response, with donations coming in from places as far away as Alaska, Florida, New York and Washington, D.C.,” he said.

Steering committee created, will guide future fundraising and distribution

As donations to the Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund began to arrive, organizers recognized the need to establish a steering committee that could guide the distribution of funds to assist individuals, businesses and organizations where the need is acutely felt, as well as generate awareness and solicit funds beyond Lake County borders.

Several prominent leaders in the local community as well as leaders from neighboring counties stepped up to serve in this capacity to help support a broad fundraising effort, particularly in Napa, Sonoma and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Members of the steering committee include Kaj Ahlmann, president, Lake County Wine Alliance, and owner, Six Sigma Ranch; Andy Beckstoffer, chair and owner, Beckstoffer Vineyards; District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, county of Lake; Elizabeth Gore, entrepreneur-in-residence, Dell; Peter Molnar, partner and general manager, Obsidian Ridge Vineyard; Brad Onorato, district representative for U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson; Tiffany Ortega, assistant administrator, Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

From the start, U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown have been integral in providing insight, support and on-the-ground experience for the #LakeCountyRising organizers and steering committee.

From a practical perspective, the steering committee provides leadership and guidance while the primary organizers – the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Wine Alliance – provide “on the ground” support.

This support includes collaboration with community leaders and attendance at community meetings, communicating with local agencies and maintaining the fundraising infrastructure to enable ongoing donations and distributions.

Future giving will be based on an in-depth community needs assessment currently under way and identification of needs not covered by other funding sources. Areas of focus will include community-building activities to support long-term recovery efforts for the communities of Middletown and Cobb.

Individuals and businesses that would like to support the #LakeCountyRising effort and ensure their donations go to help survivors of the Valley fire may visit www.lakecountywinegrape.org/LCR or www.facebook.com/LakeCountyRising .

Or they may send a check made payable to “Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund” to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville, CA 95451. Donations are tax-deductible.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The recent Lake Leadership Summit at Marymount California University was a sold-out success for the second year.

Presented by the Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee with support from businesses and organizations, the event attracted more than 100 business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators, education, health, nonprofit and local government leaders seeking the tools they need to flourish.

Summit participants were treated to a preview of workshops by experts that will be presented next week at Marymount’s Lakeside Campus in Lucerne. 

Workshops are open to the public with online registration at www.embracethelake.com/workshops.html requested by Oct. 27.

Rob Freedman is a creative marketer and problem solver with a keen interest in helping organizations position themselves as leaders in their communities.

Currently the director of marketing and communications at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, Freedman will conduct the Website Bootcamp on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Attendees will leave with a fully functioning Web site. The fee is $50 per person with the session limited to 25 people.

Lake County lenders ready to help small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs find access to funding will provide resources in their workshop, “Business Jeopardy:  Show Me the Money!”

The interactive session is on Thursday, Oct. 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a fee of $20 per person and a limit of 25 people.

Paula Bryant, vice president/commercial relationship manager for Umpqua Bank, has more than 30 years in banking, specializing in agricultural lending, working capital lines of credit, commercial construction, nonprofit organizations, and investment and owner-occupied commercial real estate.

Pete Dodson, vice president/commercial loan officer for Savings Bank of Mendocino County, has extensive experience in a variety of commercial loans including operating lines of credit, real estate, and equipment loans.

Stephanie Ashworth, senior business banking specialist for Wells Fargo Bank, specializes in business credit, equipment lending, and the purchasing and refinancing of commercial real estate.

Jeff Lucas is the founder of Community Development Services, an economic development consulting firm that specializes in project development, business financing, business diagnostics, workforce preparation, grant acquisition, and project management.

These experienced lenders have access to money and they want to help local businesses and entrepreneurs find funding to build and/or expand their business.

An additional workshop will be presented on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., by Gregg Lindsley, master potter and teacher, addressing “The Art of Making Art.”  This session is limited to 25 people with a fee of $20 per person.

Workshop questions may be addressed by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The 76th quilt block on the Lake County Quilt Trail is “Jody’s Sunflower.”

Its design was chosen to honor the memory of Jody Blanchero, the daughter of Larry Blanchero and niece of Madeline Wenn-Murphy.

Jody Blanchero passed away at the young age of 17. She loved sunflowers. “We cannot pass a sunflower without thinking of Jody,” said Wenn-Murphy.

“Jody’s Sunflower” is installed outside the picnic area of Gregory Graham Winery, located at 13633 Point Lakeview Road in Lower Lake.

Owners, Gregory and Marianne Graham, constructed the winery in 2006 and opened for tasting in August of 2007.

The winery sits at the bottom of their 27-acre Crimson Hill Vineyard where they grow Cabernet, Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah.

Greg Graham grew up on a vineyard in Ohio, which is where he discovered his passion for winemaking. Therefore, it is very fitting that the quilt square the Grahams were asked to sponsor is a variation the the traditional design called “Ohio Star.”

The Lake County Quilt Trail is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride.

The 4-foot by 4-foot quilt block was drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team, a group of dedicated quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer.

For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or go to its Facebook page.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has issued an update on the Nov. 3 General District Election.

Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley said the election is not a countywide election, and consists of only three districts with candidates’ names on the ballot.

She said the election is to elect candidates in the following jurisdictions because there were more candidates than there were offices to be filled:

– Upper Lake Union Elementary School District: Three candidates' names are printed on the ballot.  However, there are only two positions to be filled at this election (vote for no more than two).

– Lake County Fire Protection District: Four candidates' names are printed on the ballot; there are only three positions to be filled (vote for no more than three).

– Clearlake Oaks County Water District: Five candidates' names are printed on the ballot; there are only three positions to be filled (vote for no more than three).

Not all candidates submitted a “candidate’s statement of qualifications” to be printed in the sample ballot booklet, according to Fridley.

Fridley said candidates are not required to submit a candidate’s statement for printing and if a candidate does submit a statement, the candidate is responsible for the printing cost of his/her statement. 

For this election, the cost to have a candidate’s statement printed in the sample ballot booklet ranged from $414.80 to $670.68, Fridley said.

Fridley's office has contact information for each one of the candidates running for the elective offices and the “candidates list” is available to any voter who requests the list either by mail, in person or by email.

Contact the Lake County Registrar of Voters office by phone at 707-263-2372 or drop by the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Room 209, Lakeport during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pick up the candidates list for the upcoming November election.