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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man has been charged with a murder that took place in the city last week.
Billy Raymond Mount, 35, has been booked for first-degree murder in the July 2 death of Steven Galvin, 40, of Clearlake, according to Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
At 3:40 p.m. July 2 Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to the 15000 block of 35th Avenue on a report of shots fired, Bennett said.
Officers arriving on scene found Galvin with unknown injuries. Bennett said Galvin was treated at the scene by medical personnel and transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, where he died.
On Tuesday, Clearlake Police detectives received information linking a person of interest to the homicide, Bennett said.
Based on information obtained through the investigation, Bennett said Mount was determined to be a suspect and charged in the homicide.
Bennett said Mount was arrested on July 5 for outstanding warrants. In addition, he's now being held on murder and related charges.
Jail records show that he is being held without bail, and is due to appear in court on July 13.
During the investigation it was learned that there are other possible witnesses to this homicide. Bennett said those persons are encouraged to come forward with whatever information they might have that might assist in the case.
Bennett said the Clearlake Police Department wished to thank the men and women of Lake County Fire Protection District's Station 70, who assisted in the search of a difficult crime scene.
Any person with information in relation to this case is encouraged to contact Det. Ryan Peterson at the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251, Extension 320.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Bicycle collisions in Lake County have become all too common in the last year and local law enforcement and fire departments have decided to take action.
Lake County’s public safety departments will host the “Bicycle Safety Rodeo” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
“Bicycle safety rodeos are designed to help improve bicycle riding skills. They are not a race or timed event; each skill course has purpose and by doing each course a few times, you can see the skills improve. We will be inspecting each bicycle and making sure each child has a properly fitted helmet,” said Officer Kory Reynolds of the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.
Proper fitting of helmets will be demonstrated and a limited number of helmets will be given away.
“In the past year there were six serious bicycle collisions in our county, two that resulted in fatal injuries to teens and one teen suffered a major head injury,” said Lt. Hector Paredes, commander of the Clear Lake Area CHP. “We believe that through education, enhancing community awareness, and some enforcement, most bicycle collisions can be prevented.”
Local law enforcement and fire departments would like this to be a community effort and are asking for everyone’s assistance.
“When I drive around the county, I see too many children not wearing helmets when riding their bicycles,” said Reynolds. “Helmets are a must when kids ride their bicycles; it’s not only the law but a helmet could very well save their lives if they get involved in a collision.”
Local agencies are asking for bicycle helmet donations, which can be dropped off at any county fire department or law enforcement office.
“We’re not asking for money; we’re asking members of our community who wish to help to buy a helmet and get it to one of the departments; it will be greatly appreciated and it could save a life,” said Reynolds said.
Hot dogs and drinks also will be offered at the event.
For more information, contact the Clear Lake CHP office at 707-279-0103.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Summertime is grillin’ time, and members of the Westside Community Park Committee are preparing for the sixth annual “Grillin’ on the Green” fundraiser, an afternoon event featuring a friendly barbecue competition with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment for all ages.
This year’s “Grillin’ on the Green” barbecue cook-off is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.
The event takes place at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road, Lakeport.
Grillers and sponsors are encouraged to sign up soon. Call Cindy Ustrud, 707-263-7091, or Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969, for information.
Local organizations, individuals and professionals go head-to-head in the cook-off, preparing their best barbecue recipes for attendees who then cast People’s Choice votes for their favorites.
The Clear Lake High School Sports Foundation and Lakeport Fire Department Volunteers combined to take top honors at last year’s contest while Adam Bruch led his team, The Bru Cru, to second place, and Still Smokin’ and Q-n with Adrian Hoaglen took third.
New this year is the addition of three “celebrity” judges who will select their favorite griller.
Michelle Malm, food services director for the Kelseyville Unified School District; Dave Faries, managing editor of the Lake County Record-Bee; and Michael Lunas, a Superior Court judge in real life, have agreed to put their “foodie” reputations on the line.
Ticket prices for the event are $25 per adult, $10 per child between the ages of 5 and 12, and no charge for children 4 years old or younger. Tickets are available in advance and will be sold at the function.
All proceeds benefit the Westside Community Park development.
Advance tickets for “Grillin’ on the Green” may be purchased at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Bicycles, Lake Event Design, and The Travel Centers, all in Lakeport, and at Polestar Computers in Kelseyville.
“Come out and join us for a fun evening in the park. Dance. Eat. Play – all while helping us raise funds to continue developing the park,” said Rollins, chair of the Westside Community Park Committee.
Children’s activities are planned, and the whole family will enjoy musical entertainment by the LC Diamonds, said Rollins.
Vintage cars will be on display by local car clubs. Wagon rides by Andre and Ellen Boersma, sponsored by the Lake County Horse Council, are new to the event’s featured activities this year.
Attendees enjoy a full dinner with fixings to accompany the barbecue dishes, said Rollins. Past years’ Grillin’ attendees have called the fare the “best barbecue around,” he added.
Information about the event can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org , or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page.
Sponsors of the event are sought and will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000.
Contributions of any amount may be sent to 1350 Berry St., Lakeport, and made payable to Westside Community Park Committee.
The Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation is offering for the sixth year a match of $5,000, challenging local businesses and individuals to become sponsors and donors.
Westside Community Park is a city of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development for 17 years.
The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five high schools, four youth-oriented programs and 10 other Lake County nonprofit organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Lake County Wine Auction.
“To build a strong community, we need to help the next generation respect Lake County’s agricultural tradition and improve their educational skills. With our grants, the Wine Alliance is working towards those goals,” said Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann in announcing this year's beneficiaries list.
This year's beneficiaries are: The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs, Sponsoring Survivorship to support persons suffering from breast cancer, Habitat for Humanity for a new home repair and weatherizing program, the Lower Lake High School Culinary Club for instructional materials,Yuba College Culinary Club for scholarships, the Lake County Symphony Association for beginning string instruction, Worldwide Healing Hands for Lake County outreach programs, Children's Museum of Arts and Science for their annual art camp, Lake County Historical Society for student tours of Ely Stage Stop, Friends of the Lake County Library for new books and materials, Operation Tango Mike in support of Lake County military personnel serving overseas, and the Lake County Senior Centers for their Meals on Wheels program.
The Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of wineries, winegrape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters has contributed $1,171,302 to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community since it was founded in the year 2000.
In addition, the the organization has a mandate to promote Lake County as a premier growing region for fine winegrapes and other crops.
This year’s auction, the 16th, will take place at the new Cache Creek Winery on Highway 20, from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.
This exciting venue lends itself perfectly to a dramatic evening under the stars in support of some of
Lake County's most deserving programs.
The Lake County Wine Auction is open to guests 21 years and older.
All proceeds from the Wine Auction activities will benefit the selected beneficiaries.
Tickets for the Wine Auction will be available through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org , or by calling1-866-279-WINE to make reservations.
Information about sponsorship opportunities is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.
Major sponsors to date include Calpine, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Sysco Foods, artist John Clarke, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Cache Creek Vineyard & Winery, Kelseyville Pharmacy and Brassfield Estate Winery.
Honorary co-chairs for the Wine Auction are Don and Margie Van Pelt, owners of Cache Creek Winery.
Members of the all-volunteer Wine Alliance Board are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Marie Beery and Bill Groody directors.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Authorities are working to identify and locate the driver and vehicle they say were involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian late Monday.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at 9:35 p.m. Monday on Highway 20 west of Valley View Road.
At approximately 9:39 p.m., CHP Dispatch received several 911 calls reporting an injured person on Highway 20 west of Saratoga Springs, the agency said.
When officers arrived, the CHP said they found a male subject who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle, lying on the side of the road.
The CHP said the vehicle responsible for hitting the individual fled the scene following the crash.
Despite the efforts to save the life of the injured pedestrian – including administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, according to radio reports – the CHP said he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time the CHP issued its report on the crash on Tuesday morning, neither the victim nor the vehicle responsible for hitting him had been identified.
The crash is under investigation by CHP Officer Matt Norton.
Anyone with information about the crash should contact the CHP's Clear Lake Area office, 707-279-0103.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A section of Highway 20 near Upper Lake that was closed late Monday for a fatality investigation has reopened.
The California Highway Patrol reported that Highway 20 at Saratoga Springs had been completely reopened as of 2:44 a.m.
The highway in that area was closed late Monday for an investigation into a roadside fatality, with traffic rerouted temporarily onto Scotts Valley Road.
Firefighters were dispatched to the area just after 9:45 p.m. on the report of a subject down on the side of the road.
Initial reports from the scene indicated that the individual had died, possibly after being struck by a car while walking along the side of the highway.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at