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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Samaritan’s Purse, an international, nondenominational Christian disaster relief organization, has set up headquarters in Clearlake, ready to help victims of the Valley fire, which recently destroyed hundreds of homes in south Lake County.
Volunteers, many of whom have travel across the country to join the relief effort, are organized and prepared to help victims sift through the ashes and recover from the worst fire disaster in county history.
“We are here to help victims sift through their belongs and salvage anything they can from this fire,” Jonathan Blevins, Samaritan’s Purse program manager. “We've found grandma's jewelry before, wedding rings, war medal Purple Hearts. Sometimes we even salvage some of the dishes so they can something to start with in their recovery.”
Blevins said the most important task at hand is reaching homeowners who may need the help of the organization.
“That’s who we really need to reach now. If someone's home was burned down, we would love for our teams to come out and help them,” he said.
Volunteers assist with personal property recovery and packing, placing tarps on fire-damaged homes, cutting down burnt trees and cleaning up debris, according to Blevins.
Blevins said the service is provided, at no charge, to homeowners who have little to no insurance as well as those who may have damage not covered by the homeowner's policies.
Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis depending on need and volunteer availability.
Blevins said site leadership teams will direct each operation. He said the leadership teams consist of a core group of volunteers from across the country who have been specially trained in recovery and safety procedures.
Additionally, all local volunteers will be provided with a safety orientation course, he said.
“A lot of our volunteers do this because it gives them an opportunity to give back. It gives local volunteers an opportunity to give back as well,” Blevins said. “Other volunteers do this because we are commanded by Jesus to help people in need.”
Blevins said Samaritan’s Purse will remain in the community as long as the need and requests for assistance exist.
“People are hurting spiritually. People are hurting emotionally and we can kind of help them see there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “We will be here as long as we have work orders to fill.”
Samaritan’s Purse has established its headquarters at Harvest Fellowship Church, 6201 Bay St. in Clearlake.
Those needing assistance and those who would like to volunteer are encouraged to call 707-239-1723; or contact Blevins directly at 828-358-0386.
Visit the Samaritan's Purse Web site or Facebook page for more information about the organization.
Email reporter Denise Rockenstein at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Lit-Fest on Saturday, Oct. 3, will kick off the Lake County Big Read.
Lit-Fest will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.
The Lake County Lit-Fest is a reading festival featuring local authors, artists and organizations gathered in celebration of reading and literature.
Lit-Fest attendees will be able to receive a copy of this year’s Big Read novel selection, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” while supplies last. Light refreshments will be available.
Two local authors, Waights Taylor Jr. and Anna Fiorina Hess, are the featured speakers for Lit-Fest.
Waights Taylor Jr. will be presenting "The Author's Journey" at 1 p.m. to start the event.
He will explain how the long unpublished manuscript of Harper Lee’s newly-published “Go Set a Watchman” came to be found and published, and its relationship to “Mockingbird.” What does all this tell us, and what are we to make of it?
Waights Taylor Jr. is the author of award winning book “Our Southern Home: Scottsboro to Montgomery to Birmingham – The Transformation of the South in the Twentieth Century.”
Anna Fiorina Hess’ presentation, “Atticus, an American Hero” will talk about the metaphor of the mockingbird, a father's relationship with his children and the value of life in the 1930s.
Hess lives with her husband and her dog in the Riviera. They moved here permanently only two years ago after many years of vacations on the water.
“From my writing desk I see all the way up the lake which reminds me of Scotland where I am from,” she said.
Hess also has written and published a book entitled "Born in Internment," the story of an Italian/Scottish family united in love but slashed apart by the ambitions of Mussolini and Hitler.
Attendees can meet local authors and purchase their works. More than 20 authors will be present, including Steve Bartholomew, Hal Zina Bennett, Nicki Brandon, Steve Davis, Kit DeCanti, Sunny Franson, John Freedom, Linda Guebert, Robin C. Harris, Anna Fiorina Hess, Peter MacRae, Loretta McCarthy, Heather McIntosh, Nathan McQueen, Connel Murray, Gene Paleno, Denise Rushing, R. V. Schmidt, Hank Smith, Letitia Ursa Solomon, Dean Sparks, Waights Taylor Jr., and Vicky Werkley.
Local organizations that promote reading and literacy will be on hand at Lit-Fest.
The Lake County Literacy Coalition will be attending and promoting the Vineyard Run for Literacy, which takes place Oct. 11.
The Lake County Big Read will attend and hand out free copies of “To Kill a Mockingbird” while supplies last.
The Friends of the Lake County Library will be hosting a book exchange at Lit-Fest. They will be accepting donations of books in good condition for those affected by the Valley fire, only one bag per donor, and handing out books for free.
People can sign up to join a book club at the Big Read booth, or sign up to lead a pop-up discussion group about “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Guests can attend a writing workshop.
The Lake Center of Mendocino College is located at 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport. From Lakeport and north take Highway 29 south to the Highway 175 exit at the south end of Lakeport. Turn right on Highway 175 and immediately right on Parallel Drive. Drive about one-third of a mile and the Lake Center will be on the left.
From south of Lakeport, take Highway 29 north to the Highway 175 intersection at the south end of Lakeport. Turn left on Highway 175 and immediately right on Parallel Drive. Drive about one-third of a mile and the Lake Center will be on the left.
The Lake County Library thanks the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and Friends of Mendocino College Library for sponsoring Lit-Fest.
The Lake County Library along with the Lake County Office of Education’s Literacy Task Force will present the Lake County Big Read during the program month of October 2015.
The Big Read is a community-wide reading program that promotes literature and brings people together through reading and discussing a common book.
For more information about the Lake County Big Read and Lit-Fest call the Lake County Library at 707-263-8817.
The Lake County Big Read is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyBigRead .
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After more than two weeks, firefighters have nearly contained the Valley fire.
The fire remained at 76,067 acres on Sunday night, with containment up to 97 percent, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said firefighters continue to mop up hot spots, conduct patrol and carry out landscape rehabilitation in the vast fire perimeter.
Total resources assigned Sunday night included 893 firefighters, 35 fire engines, 24 fire crews, nine dozers and six water tenders, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said residents are being allowed back into all communities affected by the Valley fire, although utilities in some of the fire area haven't yet been restored. For information regarding utility services, call 888-565-2787.
Damage inspection teams have completed primary and secondary assessments of the structures destroyed by the Valley fire, reporting that approximately 1,958 structures – including 1,280 homes and 27 multi-family structures – were destroyed and 93 structures, among them 41 homes, were damaged, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said that due to so many structures being destroyed, damage assessment teams are continuing to collect information in the areas affected by the fire.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake Leadership Summit 2015, a bold event designed for Lake County small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders, will take over Marymount California University’s Lakeside campus on Friday, Oct. 9.
The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. at the campus, 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.
The summit is for individuals who crave fresh ideas, practical, apply-it-right-now information, and for those who want to collaborate and grow.
The Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee, the engine behind Summit 2014 and 2015, is passionate about helping Lake County attract new industry and aims to offer new tools to our existing businesses.
Limited to 100 participants, Summit 2015 tickets are $35 per person and $50 for two. Tickets are available at www.Embracethelake.com .
Summit 2015 is a mash-up of captivating speakers and intriguing break-out sessions intended to challenge the status quo.
“Last year’s summit highlighted how a community similar to Lake County turned their economy around to thrive. The response to the summit was overwhelming and we saw so many conversations begin between people who’d never really sat down with each other before,” said summit co-creator and executive director of Marymount’s Lakeside campus, Michelle Scully.
“This year, those collaborations and conversations are more important than ever; our community has been devastated by the Valley fire and we are all grieving for each other,” Scully said. “Our hope is that Summit 2015 will offer opportunities for our community to come together to share, collaborate and envision our recovery. We believe that entrepreneurs and our small businesses are vital to our recovery and we know that Lake County is overflowing with people who have the creativity and the resilience to make huge things happen.”
Amy Kaherl, executive director of Detroit SOUP, keynotes Summit 2015. Kaherl’s crowdfunding microgrant program, Detroit SOUP, has received international acclaim, appearing on NBC News, ABC News, the BBC, “Good Morning, America,” and the Huffington Post among others.
Kaherl is a recent recipient of the White House’s “Champion of Change” award.
“SOUP has real potential to work right here in Lake County. The enormity of our losses caused by the Valley fire leaves us speechless. As we help our families, friends, and neighbors rebuild and recover from their losses we believe that we’ll see new businesses and entrepreneurs rise up to fill needs created by the Valley fire – and these entrepreneurs are going to need help fast. SOUP provides instant microgrants to local entrepreneurs so that they can launch their ideas quickly,” said summit co-creator Rebecca Southwick.
“Lake County’s heart is bigger than any wildfire. Our area has always been full of fantastic, irrepressible, resilient people. We are honored and so excited to listen to what Amy’s been cooking up in Detroit to see if it can apply in our community,” Southwick said.
Other Summit 2015 presentations include “Business Jeopardy: Show Me the Money!” featuring Paula Bryant of Umpqua Bank, Stephanie Ashworth of Wells Fargo Bank, Pete Dodson of Savings Bank of Mendocino County and Jeff Lucas of Community Development Services; a session called “Your (Website) Storefront Looks Like Hell: Websites 099” by Rob Freedman, director of marketing and communications at Congregation Emanu-El; and a session entitled “Us Against the World: North Bay Made” presented by Kelley Rajala and Pam Dale who will talk about the maker movement, its burgeoning popularity, and how North Bay Made is marketing Lake County products to northern California and beyond.
Breakout sessions include “Speed Date Your Business” and “Our Town: The Power of You and Placemaking in Our Destiny.”
Three Red Carpet Awards will be presented to local businesses during the event and lunch will be served by Fresh & Bangin’.
“City Hall in Lakeport is proud to be the site of the ‘What I Love About Lake County Is…’ chalkboard wall this year,” said Margaret Silveira, summit co-creator and Lakeport city manager. “Several of our council members attended Summit 2014, and, like so many people in Lake County, the city is a big proponent of economic development.”
She added, “Particularly in the aftermath of the Valley fire, we urge all of Lake County’s residents to take a moment and add what they love most about where we live to the wall. We’re convinced that our positive energy is what will make us a magnet for outside investors and new businesses.”
Lake Leadership Summit 2015 is sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric, Savings Bank of Mendocino County and the city of Lakeport. It is graciously supported by Marymount California University Lakeside and MPIC/WorkforceLake.
To register for the event, go to www.EmbracetheLake.com . Limited seating is available.
If you have questions, please call Rebecca Southwick at 707-349-8105 or write to
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Real estate prices in August dropped slightly compared to July but still showed improvement over 2014.
The Lake County Association of Realtors reported that the August median sales price was $200,000, which was a 5.2-percent drop when compared to the July 2015 median sales price of $211,000.
Year-over-year the median sales price increased 16.3 percent, up from $172,000 in August 2014.
“The number of sales was also down a small amount,” said LCAOR President Yvette Sloan. “However, we did see a number of sales over $500,000 indicating that high end buyers were entering the market.”
The number of sales for August came in at 79 units down from 82 units in July. In August of 2014, 73 units sold making the year over year comparison an 8.2 percent gain.
The percentage of distressed sales rose from an adjusted 8.5 percent of the sales in July to 15.2 percent of the sales in August.
On the financing front, cash buyers accounted for nearly 33 percent of the deals after dipping to 21 percent in July.
The percentage of buyers using conventional loans dropped from 44 percent in July to 34 percent in August. FHA loans financed 13.9 percent of the deals.
Inventory levels were at six months of inventory for August 2015, July 2015 and August 2015. This is considered a normal level in the real estate industry and means that at the current rate of selling it would take six months to sell all the active listings in the multiple listing service.
On a countywide basis it did not appear that the Rocky and Jerusalem fires impacted sales, however the Valley fire may have an effect because a much larger number of homes have been affected.
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
Lake County – August 2015
Median price: $200,000
Median days to sell: 89
Units Sold: 79
Lake County – July 2015
Median price: $211,000
Median days to sell: 90
Units Sold: 82
Lake County – August 2014
Median price: $172,000
Median days to sell: 102
Units Sold: 73
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday command of the two-week-old Valley fire was transitioned to new leadership and the roads through Cobb – closed to the public since the fire began – were reopened.
Firefighters raised containment to 95 percent on the 76,067-acre fire, officials reported.
On Saturday, Cal Fire Incident Management Team 3 issued its final report on the incident, transitioning command of the fire to the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit of Cal Fire.
Officials estimate that the fire, which began Sept. 12 in Cobb, will be fully contained by Oct. 5.
Approximately 1,668 personnel, 101 engines, 47 hand crews, 16 dozers, 14 water tenders and three helicopters remained assigned to the incident on Saturday, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said firefighters are continuing to do mop up and rehabilitation of the landscape.
At 5 p.m., authorities lifted all traffic restrictions denying access into the community of Cobb.
The California Highway Patrol reported Saturday evening that traffic was flowing smoothly through the area as the roads reopened.
Sheriff Brian Martin had cautioned Friday that the lifting of traffic restrictions shouldn't be considered a repopulation, as many people wouldn't be able to return home for a long time because of the amount of destruction.
Martin has estimated more than 3,600 people have been displaced due to the destructive path of the fire, which burned 1,958 structures – including 1,280 homes – and has killed four people.
The fire is the third most damage in California's history, according to Cal Fire.
Email Elizabeth Larson at