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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Friends of a Hidden Valley Lake man who died in a motorcycle crash in February are planning a special event this weekend to raise funds for his family.
The memorial poker run for the family of 51-year-old Jeff Boorn will take place on Saturday, March 28, in Middletown.
Boorn died on Feb. 14 in a motorcycle crash on Highway 175.
The husband and father of two was a friend to many, and the business partner of Gene Renner, owner of Tire Pros in Clearlake.
Renner said Boorn had been his partner since July 2014.
“There wasn't anyone who met this guy who didn't like him,” said Renner. “Any dealings with the customers, anyone who came in, were a pleasure. He was very friendly and caring.”
Renner continued, “It's such a tragic thing to happen because he was such a nice guy.”
He called the amount of cards and condolences that have come into the shop “extraordinary.”
“It's unbelievable the donations that have come in to help his family and it really shows you what kind of person he was.”
An online fundraiser set up to help Boorn's wife Jennifer and two children has raised more than $15,000.
The donation link is http://www.gofundme.com/boornmemorialfund .
Before he joined Renner, Boorn worked for Tom's Automotive in Middletown, owned by Linda Diehl-Darms and husband, Tom Darms.
“Tom and I loved Jeff and so sad to have him leave this world,” Linda Diehl-Darms said. “He worked for us for over four years. We became close friends.”
She continued, “Jeff was one of the best men we have ever known. Jeff was the kind of man a person did not forget. It was uplifting to spend time with him.
“He was kind, considerate, polite and loved his family and friends,” she added. “His family was his world. His focus was to provide the best he could for them. We are heartbroken for his family. Jeff touched many lives and he will be greatly missed.”
Another friend, Denise Loustalot of Clearlake, called Boorn “the best of the best,” a man who put his family first at all costs, and who wanted to achieve success for them, but also extended his caring to many other people.
“Everyone that came into Jeff's life really mattered to him. It didn't really matter if it had been a day or a month when he saw you he remembered whatever struggle or event you may have been going through and would always ask how things were,” Loustalot said.
“It was very important to him that everyone reached their goals and dreams,” she said. “Jeff would do anything to help you get there while daily encouragement from the sidelines.”
As a sign of their love for him and his family, Boorn's friends are putting on the March 28 memorial poker run, which will welcome motorcycles – which he loved, Loustalot said – and vehicles.
All proceeds will benefit Boorn’s wife and children.
The entry fee is $30. Registration and sign up begins at 9 a.m. at Grinders Steep in Middletown, 21187 Calistoga Road, or registration can be done ahead of time online at http://www.boorn2ride.com/ .
The route will circle the lake, stopping at all Napa Auto Parts stores – 3576 Big Valley Road in Kelseyville, 1015 S. Main St. in Lakeport, 555 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake and 14942 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Other stops in Clearlake will include Tire Pros, 14370 Lakeshore Drive; O’Reillys Auto Parts, 14993 Lakeshore Drive; and Enterprise Towing and Automotive, 15195 Lakeshore Drive.
The ride will end at the Middletown Lions community building, 15399 Central Park Road, where there will be a raffle and a barbecue. Meat and bread will be provided. It’s requested that participants bring a side dish.
Separately, Jennifer Boorn said a memorial service will be held on what would have been her husband's 52nd birthday – Thursday, April 2.
The service will take place beginning at noon at the Clearlake First Assembly of God Church, 4472 Snook Ave.
She said everyone is welcome.
“We are all feeling such a big loss with his death,” said Renner. “It's like he's taken a part of me with him. He was a part of me and a piece of me is gone.”
Denise Rockenstein contributed to this article.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington) and Pacific Southwest (California) Regions are beginning a public conversation on the process for revising forest land management plans in the Northwest Forest Plan amendment area.
To gather ideas on the revision process, share information, and outline our current thinking about a plan revision strategy, the Forest Service is holding a series of public listening sessions in California, Oregon and Washington.
The California listening session will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Red Lion Hotel in the Sierra/Trinity rooms, 1830 Hilltop Drive, Redding.
For driving directions visit www.redlion.com/redding/map-directions . Parking is free.
The Northwest Forest Plan was created in 1994 with the intent of protecting the critical habitat of the northern spotted owl while maintaining a viable forest products industry in the Pacific Northwest.
The Northwest Forest Plan amended 26 land use plans, spanning 24 million acres of Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service-managed lands in Northern California, Washington and Oregon.
In California, the plan amended land and resource management plans for the Klamath, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.
In Oregon and Washington, the plan amended land and resource management plans for the Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Gifford Pinchot, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie, Mt. Hood, Okanogan-Wenatchee, Olympic, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Siuslaw, Umpqua and Willamette National Forests.
Background information on plan revision and additional information is available on these Web sites:
– Region 6 (Oregon and Washington): www.fs.usda.gov/r6/ ;
– Region 5 (California): www.fs.usda.gov/r5/ .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control starts the week with one adoptable cat waiting for a new home.
The male domestic short hair cat will be neutered and ready to go as soon as his new family picks him out.
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”).
'Stripey'
“Stripey” is a male adult domestic short hair mix.
You can meet Stripey in cat room kennel No. 26, ID No. 1951.
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
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week Lake County Animal Care and Control has nearly a dozen dogs ready to head to new homes and frolic in the springtime weather with their new families.
The dogs available include mixes of Akita, Australian Shepherd, Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, shepherd and terrier.
Low adoption fees are offered for some of the dogs.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license 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 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 dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
Fox terrier mix
This female fox terrier mix is a nice, quiet and calm girl and does not appear to be a barker, according to shelter staff.
She has a short tricolor coat, is very people friendly and not skittish or shy.
She's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 1945.
'Titan'
“Titan” is a young male shepherd mix who shelter staff calls “a bundle of cuteness.”
He's survived a brush with parvovirus and is doing well.
He has dreamy blue eyes, floppy ears and a long tail. He will be available on March 24.
Titan is in kennel No. 3, ID No. 1957.
Akita mix
This 5-year-old male Akita mix has a short tan and white coat.
He knows basic commands and his housebroken, and needs some leash training.
Shelter staff said he likes toys and they're looking for an owner for him who would love to spend time taking him for walks.
He is mellow and would be great with kids, but they recommend no cats.
He's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 1938.
'Sunny'
“Sunny” is a high-energy 8-year-old male Labrador Retriever mix.
He has a short black coat and is neutered.
Shelter staff said he is a really good boy who needs to be in a home with a secure fenced-in yard, as he does like to wander.
Sunny could use some leash training, but otherwise shelter staff said he would make a great family dog.
Sunny is in kennel No. 12, ID No. 1705.
Female Australian Shepherd mix
This young female Australian Shepherd mix has a short multicolored coat.
She's in kennel No. 24, ID No. 1321.
'Abby'
Looking for a super spunky puppy? Then check out “Abby,” a female terrier mix with a short black and white coat.
Shelter staff said she's 6 months old, full of energy and waiting for the right person or family to come in and adopt her. Come and spend some time with her and see if you connect with her.
She's in kennel No. 25, ID No. 1932.
Female Chihuahua-terrier mix
This female Chihuahua-terrier mix is about 3 years old, with a short red and white coat.
Shelter staff said she would make a great lap dog, gets along with other dogs and already is spayed.
She's in kennel No. 25b, ID No. 1851.
Female Chihuahua mix
This female Chihuahua mix has a short tan, black and white coat.
She's in kennel No. 25c, ID No. 1936.
'Roxie'
“Roxie” is a female Labrador Retriever mix who came into the shelter along with Max.
She is 4 years old, weighs 69 pounds and already is spayed, so she is available for a low adoption fee.
Roxie also is leash trained and knows basic commands, and has beautiful big brown eyes.
Roxie is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 1771.
Rhodesian Ridgeback mix
This female Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, along with her brother, came in as a stray from the Hendricks Road area in Lakeport.
She is 4 years old, weighs 54.5 pounds, and has a short brown coat and black markings.
Shelter staff said she is mellow, very sweet and a little shy, but warms up once she's had a chance to get to know a person.
She is heartworm positive so she will need treatment. Call for a quote for medications.
She's in kennel No. 32a, ID No. 1757.
Rhodesian Ridgeback mix
This male Rhodesian Ridgeback mix came in with his sister, and is also 4 years old.
Shelter staff says he gets along well with cats; his tail wagged as he watched them play.
Anyone who is interested in adopting him and who has dogs already is asked to submit an application and introduce bring their dogs in for an introduction.
He is slightly shy but with some training he could be a wonderful addition to your family or for an individual.
He's in kennel No. 34, ID No. 1762.
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
NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft has observed two unexpected phenomena in the Martian atmosphere: an unexplained high-altitude dust cloud and aurora that reaches deep into the Martian atmosphere.
The presence of the dust at orbital altitudes from about 93 miles to 190 miles above the surface was not predicted.
Although the source and composition of the dust are unknown, there is no hazard to MAVEN and other spacecraft orbiting Mars.
“If the dust originates from the atmosphere, this suggests we are missing some fundamental process in the Martian atmosphere,” said Laila Andersson of the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospherics and Space Physics (CU LASP), Boulder, Colorado.
The cloud was detected by the spacecraft’s Langmuir Probe and Waves (LPW) instrument, and has been present the whole time MAVEN has been in operation.
It is unknown if the cloud is a temporary phenomenon or something long lasting.
The cloud density is greatest at lower altitudes. However, even in the densest areas it is still very thin. So far, no indication of its presence has been seen in observations from any of the other MAVEN instruments.
Possible sources for the observed dust include dust wafted up from the atmosphere; dust coming from Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars; dust moving in the solar wind away from the sun; or debris orbiting the sun from comets.
However, no known process on Mars can explain the appearance of dust in the observed locations from any of these sources.
MAVEN's Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) observed what scientists have named “Christmas lights.”
For five days just before Dec. 25, MAVEN saw a bright ultraviolet auroral glow spanning Mars' northern hemisphere.
Aurora, known on Earth as northern or southern lights, are caused by energetic particles like electrons crashing down into the atmosphere and causing the gas to glow.
“What's especially surprising about the aurora we saw is how deep in the atmosphere it occurs – much deeper than at Earth or elsewhere on Mars,” said Arnaud Stiepen, IUVS team member at the University of Colorado. “The electrons producing it must be really energetic.”
The source of the energetic particles appears to be the sun.
MAVEN's Solar Energetic Particle instrument detected a huge surge in energetic electrons at the onset of the aurora.
Billions of years ago, Mars lost a global protective magnetic field like Earth has, so solar particles can directly strike the atmosphere.
The electrons producing the aurora have about 100 times more energy than you get from a spark of house current, so they can penetrate deeply in the atmosphere.
The findings are being presented at the 46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas.
MAVEN was launched to Mars on Nov. 18, 2013, to help solve the mystery of how the Red Planet lost most of its atmosphere and much of its water. The spacecraft arrived at Mars on Sept. 21, and is four months into its one-Earth-year primary mission.
“The MAVEN science instruments all are performing nominally, and the data coming out of the mission are excellent,” said Bruce Jakosky of CU LASP, Principal Investigator for the mission.
MAVEN is part of the agency's Mars Exploration Program, which includes the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers, the Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft currently orbiting the planet.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Authorities on Saturday arrested a Sonoma man for murder in an investigation that began with an illegal dumping report at a government building.
Christopher McNatt, 40, was arrested in the case, according to a joint report from Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett and Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Cecile Focha.
The victim in the case was identified by officials as Ronald Gordon Sauvageau, 64, of Cazadero.
At 11:48 p.m. Friday a subject called the Sonoma Police Department to report illegal dumping in the Sonoma Plaza. Officials said the subject reported that within 15 minutes prior to their call, someone had discarded a barrel and couch cushion in front of Sonoma City Hall.
Deputies from the Sonoma Police Department arrived on scene and found a 55-gallon plastic barrel covered with a blue plastic tarp, according to the report.
Officials said there was dried blood on the outside of the barrel. Upon further inspection, deputies found a deceased adult male inside.
Deputies from the Sonoma Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office immediately cordoned off the area and summoned detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes and Crimes Scene Investigations Units, according to the report. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Detective Coroner responded as well and took custody of the deceased.
Working from leads, deputies and detectives went to the Acacia Grove Mobile Home Park on Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley, the report explained.
At a residence within the mobile home park, deputies established the location where the man was killed, which is in the unincorporated area of Sonoma County. Officials said deputies secured the residence pending a search warrant.
Two men were detained in connection with the homicide. They were interviewed by detectives and one – McNatt – subsequently was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for murder, officials said.
McNatt is being held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., the report said.
Authorities said that the weapon used during the crime has been recovered.
An autopsy of Sauvageau will be conducted on Tuesday to determine the cause and manner of his death, officials said.
Anyone with information pertaining to this case is encouraged to call the tip line at 707-565-2185. You can leave a message anytime and remain anonymous if you desire.