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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A fundraiser pizza party to benefit Elder Day Services will take place on Wednesday, April 29.
The dinner will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at DJ's Pizza, 16135 Main St., Lower Lake.
The donation is $8 per person. There also will be a 50/50 raffle at 7:15 p.m.
The goal of the fundraiser is to provide 50 scholarships to those in need who cannot afford the Elder Day Services program.
Elder Day Services' purpose is to delay institutionalization of individuals with memory and/or physical loss, to provide respite for caregivers and to increase socialization for participants.
Caregivers also are given an opportunity to attend support groups and educational classes sponsored by The Redwood Caregivers Resource Center.
The groups and classes are open to anyone who is caring for or has cared for someone with a cognitive impairment. They do not need to have a loved one in the program.
A typical day at the center includes the friendship circle, where participants have a hot drink and a light breakfast while they share past and present memories, play word games or work on puzzles. There also is an exercise program led by the activity therapist.
Participants, staff and volunteers enjoy a well-balanced lunch each day. Afternoons are spent participating in sing-a-longs, craft projects and games such as poker, bingo or dominoes.
The cost of the program is $35 per day and they offer scholarships to people who cannot afford the program. This is very cost effective when compared to the cost of nursing home placement at $165 or more a day.
Programs are offered from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Clearlake, on Thursdays in Lucerne and on Fridays in Middletown.
For more information and tickets please call event coordinator Pete Johnson at 707-489-6366.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – More than 60 percent of the marijuana grown in the nation comes from counties along California’s North Coast.
With that in mind, Mike McGuire, who represents the North Coast in the State Senate, has introduced comprehensive medical marijuana legislation to oversee the industry – including environmental protection and water regulations, law enforcement, licensing, public health related to edibles and product testing, marketing, taxing, transporting, zoning, local control and resale.
This bill is only focused on medical marijuana, not on taking a stand related to recreational use, according to McGuire's office.
McGuire’s legislation, SB 643 – the Medical Marijuana Public Safety and Environmental Protection Act – cleared its first hurdle on April 20 when it received approval from the Senate Business and Professions Committee.
“Since the voters of California passed Prop 215 in 1996, medical marijuana cultivation and consumption has exploded, both in California and around the country,” McGuire said. “Aside from local zoning regulations, this legal, multi-billion dollar industry is completely unregulated. With multiple propositions coming forward attempting to legalize recreational use, we need to work to create a regulatory framework now. And the current drought has only made the urgency of this legislation more necessary.”
Without regulation, the North Coast is seeing entire rivers and streams run dry and watersheds polluted with sediment and poisons, McGuire's office reported.
Rogue operators have cut down thousands of acres of trees illegally without regard for the environment, neighboring landowners, downstream farms, or endangered species, and have dumped tens of thousands of pounds of illegal pesticides, rodenticides and fertilizers into rural communities.
Illegal diversions are sucking water from rivers and streams, and the added impact of the state’s fourth drought year means rivers and streams are running dry.
“We are all well aware of all the regulations, permits, certificates and other processes that farmers and ranchers have to go through when growing wine grapes, row crops, grapes, raising cattle and sheep,” McGuire said. “But, right now there is no regulation or permits for marijuana farmers, and that isn’t fair to anyone and Northern California communities and our pristine environment are paying the ultimate price. Of particular concern is the devastation of our watersheds, forest lands and the growing ‘edibles’ market that is estimated to take up to 30 percent of the current medical marijuana market.”
On the North Coast, many of the medical marijuana growers are running small family farm operations, McGuire's office reported. SB 643 would provide a legal framework for those farmers who want to comply with state and local regulations.
SB 643 would create a statewide comprehensive regulatory program for medical marijuana, preserving local control of licenses and applications, and protecting the environment from illegal trespass grows that dump pesticides and illegally divert millions of gallons of water from rivers and streams.
After approval by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, SB 643 will be heard by a second Senate committee next week before going to the Senate floor, according to McGuire's office.
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – After a dry winter and sparse spring showers, conditions on the Mendocino National Forest are indicating an earlier-than-usual start to fire season.
“Typically the earliest the Mendocino has wildland fire activity is mid-June, with a more active fire season from mid-summer to early fall,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Coots. “This year things are so dry, that we are already seeing an increased risk for wildfires – even earlier than we did last year.”
The forest is not currently in fire restrictions, but fuel conditions are being monitored closely.
As late spring and summer recreation season starts, forest visitors are asked to take extra precautions when using fire on the forest.
“Remember, one less spark – one less wildfire. Whether it’s a gas stove, campfire or ensuring that you aren’t creating a spark, paying attention can help dramatically reduce the risk of human-caused fires on the Forest,” Coots said. “By doing this we can help preserve not only public and firefighter safety, but also the areas of the forest we all enjoy.”
Over the past week, forest officials said there have already been a handful of smoke checks on the forest, some the result of recent lightning in the area.
There was also a six-acre fire over the weekend near Twin Springs on the Grindstone Ranger District on the east side of the forest, with smoke visible from Interstate 5, forest officials said.
The Twin fire was contained and controlled quickly. Forest officials said the cause is currently under investigation.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
For more information on One Less Spark, visit http://www.preventwildfireca.org/ .
As fire season continues, updates will also be available on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov or on Twitter @Mendocino NF.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Authorities have launched a search operation to locate a Hidden Valley Lake man whose family reported him missing over the weekend.
Searchers are attempting to find 48-year-old Stephen Christopher Carter, 48, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said deputies responded to a missing person report regarding Carter shortly after noon on Saturday.
He said Carter's family told deputies that they last heard from him at approximately 6:05 p.m. Friday, when he sent a text message.
Brooks said Lake County Search and Rescue was activated on Monday to search the area believed to be Carter's last known location, which is off of Highway 29 near Middletown.
Brooks said a California Highway Patrol helicopter, H-14 from Redding, was set to join the search late Monday afternoon.
Carter is a white male with brown hair and green eyes, is 6 feet tall and 170 pounds.
His family told Lake County News that he was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and khaki shorts.
Carter is a well-known local defense attorney who for many years directed the county's indigent defense program.
Last year, the program was taken over by his wife under another legal entity because of legal issues he had, specifically, charges for drunk driving and unlawful entry.
District Attorney Don Anderson said his office reached an agreement with Carter several weeks ago for misdemeanor charges and probation in the case.
If anyone has information regarding Carter's whereabouts they are asked to immediately contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lake County resident last week captured on camera proof of a very special white deer that's been visiting his property.
Art Grothe sent in pictures of the deer with two others, shown above and below.
Its coat isn't the normal brown but appears to be mostly white with some blotches of tan coloring.
“It is NOT a goat!” Grothe wrote.
Now, he has the photos to prove it.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It's two cats and a kitten available for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control as this week begins.
The one male and two females are eager to get out of their cages and into new homes.
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”).
Brown tabby kitten
This domestic medium hair mix kitten has a brown tabby coat and big blue eyes.
She's very cute and ready for a new home.
She's in cat room kennel No. 12c, ID No. 2027.
Male domestic short hair mix
This male domestic short hair mix has a gray tabby coat.
He's a handsome guy, very sweet and affectionate, and wants to be petted and loved, according to shelter staff.
He's in cat room kennel No. 32, ID No. 1997.
Female domestic short hair mix
This female dilute tortie with a short coat is about 1 year old.
Shelter staff said she has a tipped ear, meaning she's already spayed so her adoption fee will be low.
She's in cat room kennel No. 67, ID No. 2048.
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