How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Lakeport woman was injured in a single-vehicle rollover that occurred early Saturday morning, with the driver arrested for driving under the influence.
Natalie Schneder, 24, was hurt in the crash, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds.
Reynolds said 25-year-old William David Findlay of Lakeport was arrested following the wreck, which occurred shortly before 6:15 a.m. Saturday on Highway 29 just north of Kelseyville Auto Salvage.
Findlay was driving a 1997 Ford Ranger southbound on Highway 29 at an unknown speed with Schneder as his passenger, Reynolds said.
Reynolds said Findlay lost control in a right curve, drove off the roadway and rolled over.
Radio reports indicated that firefighters arrived to find the pickup on its top, with both Findlay and Schneder able to get out of the vehicle on their own.
However, firefighters called for an air ambulance due to Schneder's injuries, with a landing zone set up for REACH 6 at Kit's Corner, according to reports from the scene.
Schneder suffered lacerations to her head, face and legs, and complained of abdominal pain. Reynolds said she was flown to Kaiser-Vacaville.
Reynolds did not have an update on Schneder's condition on Monday.
Findlay, who was arrested about a half hour after the crash, was booked into the Lake County Jail for driving under the influence causing bodily injury, with bail set at $30,000, according to his booking sheet.
Jail records showed he posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, dozens of amateur and professional wine and beer makers and vendors of many persuasions crowded Lakeport’s waterfront Library Park for the 13th annual Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival.
Attendees wandered from booth to booth, tasting beverages that had been judged earlier in the day by a panel of judges. In deference to its title, however, only the amateurs were eligible for awards.
Lakeport Mayor Martin Scheel loaned not only his considerable talent as master of ceremonies, but also his professional sound system which helped even those on the edge of the park keep up with the goings-on, including announcements of the judge’s awards.
Doug Moore, a resident of Kelseyville’s Riviera West district, won two gold ribbons for his Syrah and a dessert wine, while Jamie Celozzi also collected two for a Merlot and a Paradiso blend.
For the first time the association’s wine club entered several categories and won two golds, with Kelseyville’s Ed Bublitz picking up the prizes – for the dry white, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Barbera.
Other first place awards went to David Pretari of Foster City for his Zinfandel, David Hicks for a Sangiovese, and Connel and Marcia Murray of Clear Lake Riviera for their Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Murrays also won two silver awards for their 2012 Zinfandel and 2013 Merlot, and Celozzi won silver for her Uraggle blend.
Other winners were Bruce Lightfoot for Syrah, Tom Harty of Kelseyville for a Petite Sirah and Scott Knickmeyer for a dry white. Michelle Shultz won for her port and took a bronze for her Vin de Noix dessert wine.
Other bronze winners were Celozzi for a Syrah, Hicks for a Petite Sirah and the LCSA Wine Club for Zinfandel. Knickmeyer, Celozzi and Shultz are all members of Finley’s Remembrance Group, which specializes in Syrah winegrape products.
The People's Choice Awards are voted on by the wine and beer tasting attendees and have become a popular aspect of the Winefest.
This year the best red wine award went to David Pretari for his Zinfandel, while the best white wine was awarded to Cornelia Sieber-Davis of Scotts Valley for her Sauvignon Blanc. Pretari also took the prize for best decorated booth.
The eight home brewers registered in the Winefest were largely represented by their club the Malt Konocti Mashers and as might be expected they swept the category with best ale or IPA, best light beer and best label and beer booth.
The event is the major fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony Association, the nonprofit group that sponsors both the Lake County Symphony and its junior component, the Lake County Youth Orchestra, along with other youth music activities.
John Parkinson, the symphony’s longtime music director and conductor, and his wife Diane manned the association booth, passing out brochures and selling memberships to the organization.
Music was provided by the popular David Neft Duo, consisting of keyboardist David Neft and drummer Steve Dubois, along with the soaring acoustic guitar solos of local artist Travis Rinker.
Symphony Concertmaster Andi Skelton also led her bluegrass-oriented Konocti Fiddle Club through a toe-tapping half hour set.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In two separate instances on Monday quick-acting neighbors and a passerby helped local firefighters prevent the destruction of homes threatened by fires.
The two fires occurred in Lucerne on Monday morning and near Lower Lake in the afternoon.
In Lucerne, a fire involving a 19-foot-long abandoned travel trailer was reported at about 11 a.m., according to Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos.
Beristianos said it's not known who abandoned the vehicle – which was packed with garbage – in the 6400 block of Country Club Drive near a vacant home some weeks ago.
Thanks to neighbors, the fire was knocked down by the time firefighters arrived on scene. “It was rolling when we got there,” he said.
Had the neighbors not acted as quickly as they had, Beristianos estimated that within another minute or two the fire would have spread into the eaves of the nearby house.
There was no damage to the house, said Beristianos, who remained on scene until just before 3 p.m.
Then, just before 1:30 p.m., Lake County Fire and Cal Fire were dispatched to the 12300 block of Spruce Grove Road near Lower Lake on the reports of grass fire threatening a structure.
Firefighters arriving on scene reported that “locals” had been working on the fire ahead of their arrival, according to radio reports.
Posts on Lake County News' Facebook page credited a passing Dunkin Pumps worker who stopped and put out most of the fire, which not only helped save the house – whose residents were reportedly away at the time – but also a frightened dog inside the home.
Reports from the scene estimated the fire burned about a quarter-acre of grass around the house.
Quick fire response by firefighters on Monday evening also stopped a fire from destroying a house in Clearlake.
The house fire was reported just before 7 p.m. in the 11000 block of Crestview Drive.
Units arriving on scene found a small fire consuming the front deck and starting to move underneath the house and the wall, according to radio reports.
That fire was contained just before 7:15 p.m., based on scanner traffic.
In other local fire news, on Monday afternoon firefighters responded to a smoke check shortly after 2 p.m. in the area of the Harvey fire, which burned seven acres off of Harvey Boulevard near Clearlake Oaks last week, as Lake County News has reported.
Firefighters at the reported finding a smoldering stump hole in the burn area that was quickly mopped up.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters dealt with more wildland fires in Lake County and across the region and state on Sunday, with a state official reporting that hundreds of lighting strikes resulted in dozens of new incidents.
In Lake County early Sunday evening, the Ogulin fire – located in the area of Highway 53 and Old Highway 53 – burned approximately 8.3 acres of grass, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli.
A fast response from Lake County Fire, Northshore Fire and Cal Fire knocked the fire down within a short period of time after it was dispatched just after 5 p.m. The incident was terminated just before 8:30 p.m.
Major incidents also occurred or were continuing in Lake's neighboring counties on Sunday.
In Mendocino County, the Covelo fire was first reported at about 1:30 p.m. off Highway 162 and Cemetery Lane near Covelo, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire's latest report on the incident put it at between 25 and 30 acres.
In Napa County, the Pleasure fire – which began Saturday near Lake Berryessa – was wrapped upon Sunday, with full containment at 19 acres, Cal Fire said.
Shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday, the Jameson fire was reported in the area of Highway 12 and Kirkland Ranch Road.
Cal Fire said ground crews and air resources aggressively fought the fire, which was burning near two structures.
The latest report from Cal Fire on Sunday put it at approximately 1.9 acres, with 70-percent containment.
Across the rest of Northern California, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Sunday that approximately 800 lightning strikes hit during the previous 24 hours with minimal rainfall, sparking 36 new fires.
“A majority of the new lightning-sparked wildfires are relatively small, with the largest being four acres,” said Berlant, who reported that nearly 3,000 firefighters were on the front lines of major incidents on Sunday.
A rundown of other major incidents around the state follows, with the most recent available size estimates from Cal Fire.
Unified command fires
– Lake fire: Began June 17 in San Bernardino County; 30,716 acres, 55-percent contained. Evacuations remain in effect. Cause is under investigation.
Federal incidents
– Sky Fire: Began June 18 in Madera County; 500 acres, 97-percent contained. Caused by a vehicle.
– Washington Fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 17,786 acres, 45-percent contained. Caused by lightning.
– Sterling Fire: Began June 27 in San Bernardino County; 118 acres, 95-percent contained. Arson fire.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three adult cats are waiting for new and loving homes this week at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
The two females and one male are all domestic short hair mixes, and are ready to go to new families.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped 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 there, 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 cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Domestic short hair mix
This pretty cat is a domestic short hair mix with calico markings.
Shelter staff said she is affectionate and loving.
She's in cat room kennel No. 27, ID No. 2213.
Female orange tabby
This female orange tabby has a short coat.
She's in cat room kennel No. 35, ID No. 2416.
Domestic short hair mix
This male domestic short hair mix has a gray tabby and white coat.
He's in cat room kennel No. 88, ID No. 2496.
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
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
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake has proclaimed July 18 as Native American Day and will co-sponsor a Native American Day Gala.
The gala will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Highlands Senior Center, located at 3245 Bowers Road.
The event will feature the world premiere of “A Walk Through Time,” a 30-minute film about the history of Anderson Marsh, the American Indians who lived on the land for thousands of years and the preservation of Anderson Marsh through the creation of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
The event is also being sponsored by the Koi Nation Cultural Protection Association and the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.
“We are planning a great evening of entertainment to celebrate Native American Day,” said Dino Beltran, treasurer of the Koi Nation Tribal Council.
Peter Coyote, the award-winning actor, author, director, screenwriter and narrator, will introduce the film.
The evening also will include American Indian drumming and dancing, and a talk by the noted local archaeologist, John Parker.
“We encourage everyone to come and celebrate with us and enjoy this beautiful film about the history of Lake County’s Anderson Marsh and the Koi people who have lived there,” Beltran said.
The film was directed by Dan Bruns, an Emmy-nominated director from Chico.
"This film is a joint project of the Koi Nation of Northern California, the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Advanced Laboratory for Visual Anthropology at CSU, Chico,” explained Bruns. “It tells the incredible history of the Koi, who lived at Anderson Marsh continuously for over 14,000 years, and the efforts to keep the land’s breathtaking beauty and culture intact for future generations to enjoy.”
Bruns added, “The best part of making this film was the opportunity to be involved with the Koi Nation, the State Parks and the people of Lake County who have worked so hard to preserve and protect this special place. I think everyone who sees this film will learn something new about the history of Anderson Marsh and the people who lived there.”
The event on July 18 will begin at 6 p.m., with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets to the event are $20, and will be on sale at the door and before the event in Clearlake at Catfish Coffee House and in Lakeport at Watershed Books.
All proceeds will benefit the work of the Koi Nation Cultural Protection Association and the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.
For more information about the event, contact the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association at 707-995-9658 or email