How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Get ready to taste and vote for your favorite Lake County wine at the 2015 People’s Choice Wine Tasting and Concert on Saturday, July 25, at Moore Family Winery.
Sponsored by the Lake County Winery Association (LCWA), the tasting will feature 17 award-winning Lake County wineries pouring a selection of their award winning wines from this year’s Lake County Wine Awards Competition.
The fun includes a blind tasting to decide the People’s Choice. Each participating winery has selected the wine that they believe is people’s favorite. Attendees will blind taste the wines and cast their votes for the People's Choice.
The results of the contest will be announced at 7:30 p.m. after the opening concert band. Nosh at the delicious cheese station, get in a game of Bocce Ball, dance to the music of DJ extraordinaire Tony Barthel, mug for the camera in the photo booth or just enjoy the view.
The People’s Choice event was created to invite the public to taste award winning wines from the Lake County Wine Awards Competition.
The 2015 competition was held in June at Langtry Estates under the direction of Bob Fraser.
The panel of 10 professional judges blind tasted a total of 171 wine entries on the first day of the judging. Winning wines were rewarded with double gold, gold, silver, bronze and best in class medals in this portion of the competition.
The best in class wines moved to the sweepstakes round held the following day. The judges blind tasted all best of class wines and awarded sweepstakes red, white, rosé and dessert.
Taking the honors were Shooting Star’s 2013 Sauvignon Blanc for white sweepstake and Gregory Graham’s 2011 Grenache for red sweepstake.
Shannon Ridge Family of Wines took home the pink sweepstake with their 2014 High Valley Vineyard Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chacewater Winery scored the dessert sweepstake award with their 2000 Dessert Wine, a 15 year old tawny port.
The full results of the competition are available online at www.lakecowineawards.org .
At 6 p.m., Moore Family Winery will offer dinner options for purchase or you can bring your own picnic to enjoy on the lawn. BoomBox, the Band, hailing from the Sacramento area will be playing in concert. Their repertoire of oldies but goodies and R&B will have you dancing and rocking the night away. Plan to bring a blanket or low back chair to enjoy the concert.
Want to win tickets to the People’s Choice? LCWA will give away three pairs of tickets to the event. Visit www.lakecountywineries.org/choice to find the answer to this question – “What’s the word for Lake County wine?” Email your answer to
The first three people to send in the correct answer will each win a pair of tickets to the event.
Tickets are $40 per person and include wine tasting, glass, and concert. Designated drivers are $15 and get to enjoy everything but the wine. For tickets and information, visit www.lakecountywineries.org .
Tickets also can be purchased locally at Don Angel Cellars in Lakeport, Gregory Graham and Vigilance tasting rooms in Lower Lake, or at Moore Family Winery on Bottle Rock Road.
LCWA works to promote the wines of Lake County’s high elevation region. Membership is open to wineries, winegrape growers, and individuals or businesses interested in promoting the Lake County wine industry.
For more information about upcoming events, sponsorship, or membership opportunities, call 707-357-5237 or visit www.lakecountywineries.org .
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A 3.8-magnitude earthquake that hit near The Geysers geothermal steamfield was felt in several communities in Lake County on Thursday night.
The quake, which occurred at 8:29 p.m., was centered 2.8 miles northwest of The Geysers near Middletown and 13 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth of just over 2 miles, according to the US Geological Survey.
A room full of community members attending the Middletown Area Town Hall felt the quake when it jolted the Middletown Senior Center.
As of just before 2 a.m. Friday, the US Geological Survey had received 97 shake reports from 15 zip codes around Northern California.
In Lake County, reports were submitted from Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville and Middletown.
Elsewhere around the region, shake reports came in from several communities in Napa and Sonoma counties; the most reports, 27, came from Calistoga. The furthest report came from San Ramon, 135 miles away.
The last earthquake measuring magnitude 3 or above in Lake County was in Upper Lake on April 27, when a 3.2-magnitude quake shook the Northshore, according to the US Geological Survey.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Kelseyville man who is alleged to have threatened a family member with a firearm before barricading himself in his home was taken into custody early Thursday by members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
Danny Jay Barnes, 56, was arrested in the case, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
At 7:45 p.m. Wednesday deputies responded to the 6000 block of Gold Dust Drive in Kelseyville to investigate a reported discharge of a firearm inside a residence, Brooks said.
When deputies arrived they were told that Barnes was intoxicated and had barricaded himself inside the residence, according to Brooks.
Brooks said deputies also were told that Barnes was upset because he was trying to sleep and the other occupants of the house were disturbing him.
Barnes grabbed a rifle and discharged it into the floor of the residence, then pointed the firearm at a family member and told him to leave the room, Brooks said. When the family member walked out of the room Barnes shut the door and locked it.
Brooks said Barnes refused to cooperate when deputies told him to exit the residence with his hands above his head. Barnes remained inside the residence and yelled at the deputies to leave him alone.
One of the deputies noticed that Barnes had moved a window curtain with the barrel of the rifle and then pointed the rifle at the deputy, Brooks said.
Deputies were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence and an arrest warrant for Barnes, Brooks said.
At approximately 12:45 a.m. Thursday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team forced entry into the residence to serve the warrants and took Barnes into custody without further incident, according to Brooks.
Brooks said deputies located and seized several firearms and articles of evidence which supported the statements provided by witnesses.
He said Barnes was arrested for discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, exhibiting a firearm and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of a peace officer, and transported to the Hill Road Correctional Facility where he was booked.
Barnes remained in custody late Thursday afternoon, with his bail set at $15,000, Brooks said.
Sheriff Brian Martin thanked the California Highway Patrol and Kelseyville Fire Protection District for their support and assistance during the incident.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After parts of Lake County received heavy summer showers – coupled with thunder and lightning – on Wednesday afternoon, forecasters say there are chances of more rain into the weekend.
The National Weather Service said a low pressure system moving over Northern California brought the showers which, along with the cloud cover, helped drop temperatures to well below normal for the season.
Numerous reports of thunder and lightning and heavy showers came in from around Lake County, with lightning strikes reported in and around both the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport, as well as along the Northshore.
In the south county, however, readers reported no rain in and around Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown.
The National Weather Service reported that the Upper Lake area received 0.80 of an inch of rain, with nearly half an inch reported near Indian Valley Reservoir and 1.54 inches near High Glade Lookout above Upper Lake.
Forecasters are anticipating up to a 50-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the mountains above the Northshore on Thursday and Friday.
Through the rest of the county, chances for precipitation on Thursday top out at 40 percent during the day and 30 percent Thursday night, and drops to 20 percent on Friday, with total rainfall expected to total no more than three-tenths of an inch altogether, according to the forecast.
Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the high 70s, dropping into the mid to low 50s at night, the National Weather Service reported.
As for the weekend, high temperatures are expected to be in the mid 80s in the day and mid 50s at night, with Saturday mostly sunny and Sunday partly cloudy, but no rain anticipated either day, forecasters said.
Forecasters are predicting temperatures could be back into the 90s in parts of the county as early as Monday, with most of the county to get into those warmer numbers on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is expected to be a bit cooler – in the high 80s – in the higher elevations.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lakeshore Lions Club hosted the 58th annual Redbud Festival on Saturday in Clearlake to the tune of “Cartoon Time,” bringing many crowd-pleasing characters to the procession along Lakeshore Drive.
Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta served as Grand Marshal of the parade.
Sapeta received the honor with recognition of 27 years of service to the district, during which time he worked his way through the ranks to hold his current position as chief.
Sapeta attended Middletown schools launching his career in fire service while still in high school, volunteering with the Middletown Fire Protection District.
His career has included service with the former Lucerne Fire District, EMT-II/paramedic certification as well as service with the Lake County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services.
Sapeta says he lives to be a fireman and there isn't a day he wakes up that he doesn't feel like going to work.
Sapeta and his wife Rachelle have four children, a daughter and three sons. Being their dad, he said, to him, is the most important job in the world.
Redbud Parade Queen Thea Biasotti was joined in her royal court by princesses Katelynn Dillingham and Shelby Harris. The Lower Lake High School 2015 graduates were recognized for the academic achievements, leadership and contributions.
“Tooter and Ginger Snaps” of Castle Donuts was awarded Best Overall Entry. The colorful couple wave to the crowd from behind painted faces and a big red nose. First runner-up was the Sons of the American Legion and its homage to “The Flintstones.”
Kim Bauer and her Mazda Miata overrun by “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was the second-runner-up and third runner-up was Jimmy Rickel.
Most patriotic entry went to Becky Broman, who was towing red, white and blue decked-out boat full of water toting kids.
Additional parade results were as follows:
– Fraternal/service club floats: Sons of the American Legion, first place; Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 2337, second place.
– Commercial floats: Baby Baby, first place; Brookdale, second place; Enterprise Towing, third place.
– Non-commercial floats: Kim Bauer, first place; Lake County Tiny Home Village, second place; Pearl Harbor Survivors, third place.
– Antique cars (pre-1940s): Bev VanPelt, 1930 Desoto, first place.
– Classic cars: Camaro Owners of Lake County, first place; Low Life Car Club, second place; Leo Perodi, third place.
– Unusual car, electric and steam: Jimmy Rickel, 2004 Ranger Towing, first place; Layne Paving, second place; 40 & 8, third place.
– Street Rod: Carol Madieros, 1939 Chevy coupe, first place; Rick and Linda Jones, 1934 Ford, second place.
– Bands: Lower Lake High School Drum Band, first place.
– Drill teams: Lower Lake High School Cheerleaders, first place; Lower Lake Youth Football and Cheerleaders, second place; Boy Scouts Troop No. 44, third place.
– Marching group: Lower Lake High School Varsity Football Team, first place; Kelseyville Girl Scouts, second place; Cub Scouts Troop No. 144, third place.
– Fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District, first place; Cal Fire, second place.
– Other public service departments: Lake County Sheriff's Office, first place; Clearlake Police Department, second place.
– Clowns: “Tooter and Ginger Snap” of Castle Donuts, first place.
– Funny things, etc.: Becky Broman and Kids, first place; Cliff Madden, second place; Jenna and Justin Curry, third place.
The parade was followed by a daylong festival in Austin Park that culminated with fireworks at dusk.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Sen. Mike McGuire’s bill to bring regulation to the medical marijuana industry was again approved by another committee this week as it makes its way through the legislative process.
SB 643 – The Medical Marijuana Public Safety and Environmental Protection Act – received overwhelming support in the Assembly Business & Professions Committee Tuesday morning gaining even more momentum as the bill has already cleared three Senate committees, as well as passing on the Senate floor in June.
“The time is now. Our environment and our communities are paying the price for the state’s lack of action over the past 20 years,” said McGuire (D-Healdsburg). “This legislation will advance sweeping regulations and desperately needed resources that are necessary to address the impacts of this multi-billion dollar industry.”
Last week, McGuire – as chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture – led a hearing addressing the impacts of rogue marijuana grows on the state’s fisheries.
From water officials, fishery experts and state agency leaders to law enforcement and cannabis growers, it is clear that large-scale rogue marijuana grows are having a negative impact on Northern California watersheds.
“The impacts are horrendous and the drought has had an exacerbating effect, especially on the North Coast. Entire rivers are running dry as marijuana grows expand and the fourth year of this historic drought sets in,” McGuire said.
Rogue operators have cut down tens of thousands of acres of Northern California forests illegally without regard for the environment, neighboring communities, downstream farms, or endangered species.
In addition, tens of thousands of pounds of pesticides, rodenticides and fertilizers have been dumped into watersheds that flow through Northern California communities.
Rogue marijuana grows are the number one source of sediment and nutrient load in Northern California rivers.
On the North Coast, many of the medical cannabis growers are managing small family farm operations and are eager to comply with potential new regulations, McGuire's office reported. These farmers have worked the land, in many cases, for decades and are seeking a balanced approach.
SB 643 would provide a legal framework for those farmers who are working with McGuire on this legislation.
The bill provides a regulatory framework for the industry covering the issues of environmental protection and water regulations, law enforcement, licensing, public health related to edibles and product testing, to marketing, labeling, taxing, transporting, zoning, local control and re-sale (and more).
It is only focused on medical marijuana and does nothing to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.