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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Six people were taken into custody in Lake County last month as part of a nationwide operation targeting transnational criminal gangs.
“Project Wildfire” was a six-week operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and its Homeland Security Investigations arm.
ICE said that the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 80 firearms and the arrests of 976 gang members and associates, including 178 gang members and associates across California.
In the Bay Area alone, 50 individuals were arrested, and ICE said all of those individuals are being prosecuted on state criminal charges, including various drug, weapons and parole violations.
Project Wildfire, which ran from Feb. 23 to March 31, led to the arrest of individuals tied to four different street gangs in the Bay Area – the Norteños, Sureños, Border Brothers and Skinheads, officials said.
Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office confirmed that local deputies – members of the sheriff's gang unit – were involved in the operation.
Nationwide, ICE said Homeland Security Investigations special agents worked with more than 200 state, local and federal law enforcement partners to apprehend individuals from various gangs.
Lori Haley, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, said six gang members were arrested in Lake County. She said they were not releasing the names of those taken into custody.
The operation in Lake County took place on March 24, Haley said, with five men and one woman arrested, all of them U.S. citizens.
Haley said four arrests took place in Clearlake, and one each in Lakeport and Upper Lake.
“They included members of the Modesto Hardcore Skinheads and the Norteños,” Haley said. “The basis for the arrests included probation violations, possession of drug paraphernalia and outstanding warrants.”
“Criminal gangs inflict violence and fear upon our communities and without the attention of law enforcement, these groups can spread like a cancer,” said Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah R. Saldaña “That's why ICE works with law enforcement partners around the country “to stamp out gang activity wherever it takes place.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library invites the public to get to know about the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region on Saturday, April 18, when Victoria Brandon will introduce “Life on the Edge: the Plants and Animals of the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region” as part of the library’s free lecture series Know Lake County.
The presentation will begin at 2 p.m. at Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.
Brandon says that the remarkable Berryessa Snow Mountain region includes the wild heart of California’s Inner Coast Range; stretching more than 100 miles from the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the north to south of Lake Berryessa, it contains an amazing variety of distinct soil types and terrain, that in turn support amazingly diverse vegetation ranging from rare serpentine meadow wildflowers to towering red firs.
Wildlife species include tule elk, bald and golden eagles, and the rare Pacific fisher. Because of the large size and altitudinal variation of the region, and the outstanding connectivity that remains there, it has the potential to provide a refuge for many sensitive species threatened by a changing climate.
Berryessa Snow Mountain includes portions of seven counties, with by far the largest section being here in Lake County – but many people have never explored its wonders.
In the talk, Brandon will discuss the underlying topographic conditions that have made it so special and take a close look at some of it remarkable features.
Federal legislation has been introduced to make the region a national monument, a designation may occur in the next few weeks.
More information about the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region and the pending legislation can be found at www.berryessasnowmountain.org .
Brandon is a Lake County resident and community activist who is a member of the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, the Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch, the East Lake Resource Conservation District board of directors, the Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee, the Cache Creek Watershed Steering Committee and the Tuleyome Board of Directors.
The Know Lake County programs will take place on the third Saturday of each month from February through December at 2 p.m. at Lakeport Library.
Know Lake County delves into many facets of Lake County with family-friendly programs designed to inform and entertain local residents about Lake County.
For more information about Know Lake County and other library programs call 707-263-8817.
Lectures scheduled in coming months will feature Lake County insects and other critters, the Lake County Master Gardeners, the Taylor Observatory and Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.
The year will conclude with programs on Lake County’s prehistory, Konocti Regional Trails, the Soper Reese Theatre and the Children’s Museum of Art and Science.
Know Lake County’s full schedule is posted on the Know Lake County Web site www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/KLC.htm . The schedule is subject to change without notice.
The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.co.lake.ca.us and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
Library events also are posted at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/Calendar.htm .
Jan Cook is a staffer at the Lakeport Library.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week April 12-18, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers.
Libraries today are more than warehouses for books. Instead, libraries and librarians are change agents within their communities – transforming lives through innovative educational resources and forward-thinking programming.
Libraries are doing their part to close the digital divide and level the playing field by providing free access to information and technologies that many in their communities would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Libraries help to ensure the American dream and promote democracy by providing service to all regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status.
Librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover and meet the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, programs for job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, librarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond.
The Lake County Library serves Lake County by providing books and other materials for free checkout.
The library presents free informative and entertaining programs including story times at all branches and the Summer Reading Programs for children and teens; the Know Lake County lecture series and, currently, the Book-to-Action: Cooked events.
The library hosts several free book clubs for the public at library branches around the county. The Lake County Collection at Lakeport Library contains books, microfilms and audio-visual materials relating to Lake County.
The library offers free Internet computers and wi-fi for the public, free movie showings at some branches and meeting rooms at some branches.
The Lake County Library works with other organizations to bring information to the citizens of Lake County.
The library invites speakers from other agencies, some of which create displays in the library. Library employees disseminate the library’s information into the community through programs at schools and community events.
Lakeport opened Lake County’s first public library in 1907, followed Upper Lake in 1916, Middletown in 1930 and Clearlake in the 1960s. Those libraries banded together to form the Lake County Library system 40 years ago.
Since 2001 the Lake County Library has shared an online catalog with the Sonoma and Mendocino County libraries, which gives patrons access to about one million items.
“What’s so great about the library is that it’s a part of the community,” said Christopher Veach, county librarian for the Lake County Library system, “it’s a place for people to come and find whatever it is they want to know to accomplish their own goals or enrich their community.”
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.
Lakeport Library is located at 1425 N. High St. and the phone number is 707-263-8817. Hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Rd. in Clearlake and the phone number is 994-5115. Hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 7:00 p.m.
Middletown Library is located at 21256 Washington St., telephone 707-987-3674. Hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Upper Lake Library is located at Main and Second streets, telephone 707-275-2049. Hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov where you can find the library catalog, library hours and a calendar of upcoming events.
Also look for the Lake County Library on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
Jan Cook is a staffer at the Lake County Library.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two cats are waiting at Lake County Animal Care and Control for adoption this week.
The cats, one male and one female, are domestic short hair mixes.
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”).
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
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Clearlake Oaks County Water District will host two upcoming hearings to discuss a proposed ordinance to increase water and sewer rates for customers.
The public hearings will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Live Oak Senior Center, 12519 Foothill Blvd., and 10 a.m. Friday, April 24, at the district's administrative office, 12952 E. Highway 20.
In addition to the copy of the ordinance that's posted below, a full copy of it may be obtained at the district’s administrative office during regular business hours or on the district’s Web site at www.clocwd.org .
The California Rural Water Association completed a study of the district's current rates, determining that a new water base rate and an increase in current rates was needed to provide sufficient revenue and maintain the district's water and sewer systems, according to the hearing notice.
The proposed ordinance the district board will consider would, if approved, establish a base rate for water and sewer services for all customers with a district connection and institute a tiered water usage rate.
The district proposes to change its billing procedures from one based on active accounts to one that takes into account all service connections, meaning that all customers on the district – whether they use water or not – would have to pay the proposed base rates.
In addition, the ordinance would implement a 3-percent per-year rate increase in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and increase the capital improvement account fee by $2 per year for both water and sewer beginning in July 2016.
Residential customers in tier one would have a base rate of $37.87 and a usage rate of $1.30 per 100 cubic feet for a total monthly bill of $40.47 if they use 200 cubic feet of water – or 1,496 gallons, according to district documents.
Comparatively, the same customer in 2018 would have a base rate of $47.56 and usage rate of $2.84 for a total monthly bill of $50.40.
Additional rate tiers can be viewed in the documents below.
“Annually the board will be reviewing what effects these rates are having,” said district General Manager Matthew Bassett.
If adopted, the new rates would go into effect in this July's billing cycle, according to the district's hearing notice.
While the rates were last raised just three years ago, Bassett said the rates need to go up again in order to support district operations.
He emphasized that district payroll has not gone up, but other expenses have.
The biggest problem, however, is the district's aging infrastructure, which Bassett said dates from the 1960s.
“It’s at the point where it has to be replaced – not just repaired,” Bassett said.
The district also is under a state cleanup and abatement order. “If we don’t address the failing infrastructure then the state will call us out on the violation,” Bassett said.
He said the district already has taken the first steps needed to address the state's requirements, and is now in the middle of a sewer infrastructure study to look at what upgrades are needed.
Bassett said the district received a $381,000 state grant to fund the sewer collection study. In addition, the district is pursuing separate grants and loans from the government to make needed upgrades, including $400,000 in grants for a distribution study and a $1 million grant for new water meters.
To fully fund capital improvements and collect enough to pay the bills, as of this July the district would have had to collect $83 a month each customer for water alone, and about the same for sewer – far above current rates, Bassett said.
However, he said such a raise wouldn't have been realistic, and instead the district board has looked at a slower increase, with the plans to review the rates annually and do a true rate study again in three years.
With the proceeds from the rate increases, the district plans to undertake infrastructure projects including buying and installing a new $1.5 million clarifier for the sewer plant to replace one from the 1960s, Bassett said.
The district has a total of 12 sewer lift stations; Bassett said between eight and 10 of them need to be replaced at a cost of between $150,000 to $200,000 each.
The new lift stations will be made of stainless steel, not cast iron like the current ones, and rather than having to put people down into them for repairs, they'll be on rails and equipment can be lowered down into them, which he said will increase worker safety.
There also is the need to replace many miles of sewer lines – just how many will be determined by the sewer distribution study that's now under way and expected to be finished by fall, Bassett said.
There also will be a complete engineering and review of the sewer plant, where Bassett said they're looking at reducing sludge and heavy metals.
The proposed rate changes are a matter of being proactive about the district's needs and infrastructure, Bassett said.
“We’re not kicking the can down the road,” said Bassett. “It’s at our doorstep. We’ve got to address it.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
April 2015 - Clearlake Oaks County Water District water and sewer rate ordinance
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A standout Clear Lake High School senior will head to Chicago later this month to take part in the final leg of a competition for a $50,000 Elks National Foundation scholarship.
Christopher Vincent, 17, will make his first trip to the windy city from April 24 to 26.
“It's pretty exciting,” he told Lake County News.
He's among the top 20 of 500 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student national finalists who will travel to Chicago, home of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks headquarters, for the second annual Most Valuable Student Leadership Weekend.
Vincent is sponsored in the competition by Lakeport Elks Lodge No. 2704.
The Elks National Foundation said the 500 Most Valuable Student scholars are an impressive group that boasts an average grade point average of 4.283 GPA on a 4.0 scale, collectively volunteered for 278,591 hours throughout high school and are all leaders in their communities.
Vincent already is a winner in the competition, having gotten into the final 20 from among a total of 19,257 high school seniors nationwide who applied for an Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student scholarship this year.
Thanks to his placement so far, Vincent already has been guaranteed a $20,000 scholarship.
Based on how things go in Chicago, he could find himself among the top six finalists, who will receive scholarships ranging from $30,000 to $50,000.
In addition to the top 20 students competing for the biggest scholarships this month in Chicago, the remaining 480 runners-up each will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
The Elks National Foundation reported that it provides $3.74 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs.
Even in the group of super-achievers in the Elks competition, Vincent is a standout.
The only child of Clyde and Lily Vincent, he's active in sports and the arts, and gets high marks in academics.
He was the Clear Lake High School Academic Decathlon team's top medal-winner at the county competition earlier this year – he took home 11 medals – plus he won a medal in essay at the state event in March.
“We did well,” he said. “It was a great experience.”
He's performed in the high school's musicals – including productions of “Hairspray” and “Footloose” – and he plays two high school sports, football and tennis.
In the midst of all of those activities, he finds time to serve on the executive student council, is president of Interact and vice president of the California Scholarship Federation, and has been a coach and referee for youth basketball.
Vincent, who wants to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering, said he and his parents have been trying to figure out how to pay for his university education.
His top pick – UCLA, where he's already been offered a place but hasn't given a final acceptance – is estimated to cost about $33,000 a year total, including room and board, which Vincent admits is “a big chunk of money.”
In the process of finding a way to pay for college, he started pursuing scholarship and grant applications with the help of high school counselor Paul Larrea.
Larrea encouraged Vincent to apply for the Elks scholarship, as other students from the school had done well in the competition in the past.
Plus, Vincent had the three key requirements to advance – academic achievement, leadership experience and financial need.
The competition so far has included an application and essay. The essay, Vincent said, required him to pick a service project and speak about why it was important.
He said that for the past few years he's been involved with the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, an organization that works to rescue and rehabilitate injured marine mammals and educate the public about them. It was an interest inspired by his high school biology teacher, Oscar Dominguez.
Vincent stayed with his aunt for a summer so he could volunteer at the center several days a week. More recently, he has driven down on weekends a few times a month.
That experience – which he said gave him a good look at how people, animals and the environment are interconnected – was the topic of his winning essay.
The competition moves from the local level, up to the district, state and national levels. Vincent said he just kept advancing.
He offered special thanks to Lakeport Elks Lodge No. 2704, which he said gives out a lot of local scholarships and played a huge role in sponsoring him in going to the national competition.
“I definitely was not expecting to get this far,” he said. “It was a very big surprise.”
It also was a surprise for his parents, who he initially hadn't told about his application since he hadn't been sure he would do very well.
“They were pretty much as shocked as I was,” he said, but he added, “They're proud.”
The entire family is happy about the fact that the $20,000 he's been guaranteed so far will help defray his college colleges.
In addition to acknowledging his parents, Dominguez and Larrea, Vincent said his chemistry teacher, Ken Hook, really helped him with the recommendation form key to the competition so far.
“I've been really fortunate. We’ve had such good teachers and good staff,” along with great classes and extracurricular activities, said Vincent.
Applications for the scholarship are available in September. Winners of this year’s contest will be announced online by April 30 at www.elks.org/enf/scholars .
Follow the Elks National Foundation on Twitter and Instagram @ElksScholars, and like them on Facebook.
Email Elizabeth Larson at