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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was seriously injured when he was hit by a vehicle late last week.
The crash occurred at 10:35 p.m. on Thursday, according to Sgt. Tim Hobbs of the Clearlake Police Department.
Hobbs said 71-year-old James Gettle of Lower Lake was driving his 1998 Toyota pickup on Lakeshore Drive near the Valero gas station when 63-year-old Chris Bender ran out into the roadway.
Gettle's pickup hit Bender, who Hobbs said sustained major head injuries.
A Lake County Fire Protection District ambulance transported Bender to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, where he was picked up by an air ambulance and flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Hobbs said.
Hobbs said the last update police had received on Bender's condition was that, while seriously hurt and remaining in the hospital for some time, he was expected to make a full recovery.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
COBB, Calif. – The Friends of Boggs Mountain has received an educational trail building grant from the International Mountain Biking Association, with the Subaru/ International Mountain Biking Association Trail Care Crew scheduled to come to Lake County in early April.
The Subaru/International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Trail Care Crew, on the road since 1997, is IMBA’s grassroots educational program, with regional trail crews that travel throughout the US in Subaru-sponsored vehicles.
This is an in-kind grant valued at about $4,500, which covers the cost of the professional trail building instructors, their travel and training handouts for about two days, according to according to Gigi Stahl, Friends of Boggs Mountain volunteer and treasurer.
The IMBA crew coming to Boggs will feature a “trails duo,” Jordan Carr and Lani Bruntz.
The crew will hold presentations on the benefits of trails to communities, as well as sustainable trail building techniques based on IMBA’s highly-respected Trail Building School in the classroom as well as outdoors in Boggs Forest.
“The application process was paperless, completed online and exhaustive. With our busy lives, we nearly missed the deadline, so we’re real jazzed about this educational grant,” Stahl said. “One of the biggest requirements was outreach to the entire community of all trail users, including hikers and horseback riders. So we’re planning to reach out to government and community leaders, and folks on the Konocti Regional Trails distribution list to inform them of this wonderful opportunity. Naturally, the newly-formed IMBA Chapter, the Lake County Trails Coalition, will also play a big role in this program.”
Celebrating its 13th year in 2015, the Friends of Boggs Mountain was among a select few to have received this nationwide, competitive grant.
And this isn’t the IMBA Trail Care Crew’s first time at Boggs.
The first crew came out here a few years after Friends of Boggs Mountain was formed. Back then, the Trail Care Crew worked with Friends of Boggs Mountain volunteers to improve a seasonal creek crossing at popular Gail’s Trail, near Boggs’ main parking lot.
In the hope of enlisting greater participation in other areas of the county, Friends of Boggs Mountain plans to hold one presentation in Lakeport on “Better Living Through Trails” with case studies on how trails have benefited communities. The other venue will be in Cobb, which will cover trail building techniques.
The venue locations and program details will be forthcoming.
For now, save the date of Friday, April 10, for the Lakeport presentation at 3 p.m., and Saturday, April 11, for the Cobb classroom instruction at 9 a.m. and Boggs trail work at 1 p.m.
For updates, visit www.boggsmountain.org , and for more information on the IMBA Trail Care Crew, visit www.imba.com .
The Friends of Boggs Mountain was founded in 2002 to provide a source of funding for Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest’s trail maps.
Since then, it has developed and continues to maintain a self-guided interpretive trail, procures and installs trail markers to help visitors navigate the 3,433-acre forest, organizes free hikes and speaker events that have included dog trainers, naturalists, and local historians, and holds monthly trail maintenance days.
The next trailwork day is scheduled for Sunday, March 8.
For further information and a list of events, please visit www.boggsmountain.org .
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Saturday was a banner day for the Lake County Polar Plunge benefiting the county's Special Olympics chapter.
The event on the edge of Clear Lake at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville reached a new high in both funds raised – $21,500 – and the number of participants – 100 – in the six years it's been taking place locally, according to organizers.
Past years have seen the average of total funds raised ranging between $12,000 and $16,000, as Lake County News has reported.
A dozen teams took part in this year's event: Early Lake Lions, Lake County Probation, Lakeport Kiwanis, Lakeport Police Department, Polar Penguins, Purple People, Saderlund Splashers, Shivering Sheriffs, Team Engle, Team People Services Chickens, the Lake Plungers and The Nailor Way.
In addition to those plunging into the lake there were “chickens,” who also participated in fundraising but who only tested the water temperature with their toes.
There also were plenty of colorful and fun costumes.
The event is the main fundraiser for Lake County Special Olympics, which this year has about 100 athletes taking part in its programs, according to event organizer Peggy Buchholz.
Buchholz said all of the money raised locally will be used for local athletes.
The littlest plunger at Saturday's event was Shelby Nailor of Nice, age 3.
Was Shelby there just to get her toes wet?
“No,” said dad, Jim Nailor, leader of The Nailor Way team. “She’s taking the whole plunge. She’s been talking about it for weeks.”
Email John Lindblom at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The first part of superintendent is “super,” which is what the late Dr. William “Bill” Cornelison was as superintendent of the Middletown and Konocti unified school districts and through three terms as Lake County’s superintendent of schools.
Metaphorically speaking, Cornelison, who died on Jan. 29 at age 78 after a sudden and brief illness, also was the last word in the education of Lake County.
There are buildings that were constructed during his 27 years (1979-2006) of school administration in the county, academic leaders who have Cornelison to thank for their fine tuning, and organizations that are productive (and not necessarily educational) owing their existence or continued growth to Dr. Bill.
Credit Dennis Euken as a man of vision. He was one of four men – the only one still alive – who interviewed, then recommended Cornelison for Middletown’s superintendent position in 1979.
Up to that time, Cornelison had served as an administrator at several California schools.
Euken, Bill Hecomovich, George Hoberg and Bill Johnson soon knew that their man was the right one to settle issues involving teachers and parents.
“At the time we were having a little contract problem with our teachers and we found that he had to get right into the thick of it ,” said Euken.
“He was one of those guys who’d read it through his ears before he started opening his mouth,” said Euken. “That’s the kind of person you want as superintendent of schools. That way you get along with and get along with teachers and don’t let any fires start.”
As it developed, a foul up by the teachers ended their picketing.
“One morning they had a picket out front and they had their picket signs,” Euken said. “One teacher had spelled teacher wrong. That upset a lot of people in town, who said they want a raise and they can’t even spell teacher … They should get back in the classroom.”
Cornelison ushered the Middletown district through its largest growth cycle. Euken put the total number of students at about 350 when Cornelison came to the district in 1979 and four times that when he moved on to Konocti in 1986. Much of the growth was attributed to the district’s thermal industry.
Through the intense growth period, said Voris Brumfield, then closely associated with the school district, “Bill guided the (Middletown School) Board through hiring staff, building a new gymnasium, library and science buildings.”
“Bill was quite a leader in Middletown,” said Wally Holbrook who was the superintendent for the Kelseyville school district when Cornelison was at Middletown and retired last year as Lake County superintendent of schools.
“He had an excellent reputation, not just for being an administrator but an educational leader. The reason we remember him so fondly is that he really did focus on students, and his programs and services made a difference for students,” said Holbrook.
“He probably has had an impact on more educators in this area than people would realize,” Holbrook added. “At his memorial services there were probably 10 superintendents who would attribute their growth to somehow having Bill help guide them in their growth as a superintendent.”
People didn’t know much about what Cornelison did or tried to do because he was not inclined to talk about it.
Few knew, for instance, that Cornelison studied for the priesthood after his graduation from San Bernardino High School class of 1954.
Cornelison’s son Jon, who works in the high tech industry, talks about the organizations to which his father lent his acumen.
“He started an organization called ‘CASH,’ the Coalition for Adequate School Housing,’” said Jon. It’s a big organization that he started in the '80s that inspects buildings and facilities.”
Cornelison’s daughter Kristi Williams, a registered nurse, remembered that he would donate his free days to riding the Clearlake Transit system.
“He would just sit on the bus and ride it all day long and talk to parents, asking them what they would do to improve the school system,” she said.
“He liked to go to every single graduation and meet the parents,” said Williams.
“I never went with him – I wish I had,” she added.
Her father, Williams said, was “always there” for the family.
“He was never not there,” she said.
Email John Lindblom at
“The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.” – Gertrude S. Wister
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Trillium has, in the past decade, beat out all of the other flowers – both wild and cultivated, as the first to arrive, but this year the daffodils beat out the trillium by blooming in January!
Once the trillium was up, in February, it took over the shaded areas pushing up through the detritus of old leaf matter.
Also known as 'tri flower, wakerobin or birthroot, it proliferates all throughout mild regions of North America and even Asia.
Another late winter flower in Lake County is that of the alder tree.
Alder flowers resemble hoards of caterpillars hanging from the bare tree, and prefer moist homes near other moisture-seekers such as bay laurel and cottonwood trees.
These brownish-green appendages are called catkins.
Alder catkins litter the ground and float upon the creek, reminiscent of nature collaborations by artist Andy Goldsworthy.
Some varieties of alder catkins are edible, and boast a high protein content. Lake County Yuki Indians called alder, “Um-se,” while the Pomo Indians named it, “Ga-shet.”
Historically, the tannic acid in the alder allowed for its use in tanning hides, and a dye also could be made from the tree.
Alder bark has been used for everything from smoking fish to various medicinal rubs. There is a town in Austria known as Grossari that depicts a drawing of the alder tree as the town's coat of arms.
Bay laurel trees also are in the running as the first to flower in late winter to early spring.
Their lively yellow flower clusters stand out amongst the glistening green branches of the California bay laurel, or Umbellularia californica, drawing pollinators, such as bees to them.
Bay laurels mature in many habitats – enjoying shade, sun, forest or coast. They belong to the same family as the avocado. When found in dry areas, the bay trees are scrubby in nature, while those near streams take on a much larger form.
Bay laurels have been called California bay, pepperwood tree, balm of heaven and spice bush.
Lake County Pomo Indians called the bay laurel, “Ba hem,” while the Yuki Indians named it, “Pol-cum ol.”
According to the book, “Indian Uses of Native Plants,” California Indians used the fruit of the bay tree by peeling it, then roasting it, then used it as a condiment or pepper.
Bay laurel tree leaves have been dried and used in culinary endeavors for centuries, but have always been removed from the dish prior to serving, as the dried leaves can sometimes be razor-sharp.
Other uses of the bay include decorative wreaths for the home and discouraging ants in the kitchen.
Critters such as woodrats like to include bay leaves in their nests, possibly to prevent fleas and other irritants from taking up residence.
Manzanita's evergreen shrubs bloom in late winter as well. The delicate pink-to-white beauties form in stunning, hanging clusters.
Manzanitas are, thankfully, quite drought resistant. They are located in various habitats, from the coast to woods and mountains in California.
Many California Indian groups enjoyed manzanita's nutritional berries: the Cahuilla, Wailakis, Concow, and also, more local groups such as Pomo and Miwok.
For a fascinating look at the very first flowers, those found in fossils around the world, be sure to check out the PBS DVD, “First Flower” at your local library.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An interesting and varied group of dogs is available for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.
Dogs available for adoption include mixes of Chihuahua, dachshund, Doberman, English Bulldog, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, pit bull, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shar Pei and terrier.
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”).
Male Chihuahua mix
This male Chihuahua mix is 6 years old.
He weighs 5.4 pounds and will be neutered when he's adopted.
He's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 1751.
'Buckshot'
“Buckshot” is a male terrier and dachshund mix.
He has a short black and tan coat, with some white markings.
He's in kennel No. 4, ID No. 835.
Pit bull terrier mix
This handsome male pit bull terrier mix has a short tan and white coat.
He is about 2 years old and weighs 70 pounds. He was found in the Kelseyville area as a stray.
Shelter staff said he loves people and can't wait to be in a new home.
He's in kennel No. 6, ID No. 1664.
'Copper'
“Copper” is a young male pit bull terrier mix.
He has a short red and white coat, and already has been neutered, so he has a low adoption fee.
Copper is in kennel No. 8, ID No. 1738.
Pit bull terrier mix
This female pit bull terrier mix has a pretty face and a short gray and white coat.
She's 2 years old and weighs 53 pounds.
Found as a stay, she is friendly loves to play with other dogs, male or female. Shelter staff doesn't recommend her for a home with cats, but she has no food guarding issues.
She's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 1663.
Labrador Retriever mix
This female Labrador Retriever mix has a short black coat.
She's in kennel No. 15, ID No. 1771.
Labrador Retriever-German Shepherd mix
This male Labrador Retriever-German Shepherd mix had a medium sable and black coat.
He's in kennel No. 16, ID No. 1770.
Shar Pei-pit bull mix
This 6-month-old male Shar Pei-pit bull mix has a short, dark-colored coat.
Shelter staff said he's very intelligent and energetic.
He gets along with both male and female dogs, and loves to play. He's not recommended for a home with cats and could use some training.
He's in kennel No. 17, ID No. 1684.
English Bulldog mix
This female English Bulldog mix has white and brown brindle markings on a short coat.
She's in kennel No. 31, ID No. 1734.
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. 32b, ID No. 1762.
'Mel'
“Mel” is a 1-year-old male Doberman Pinscher-Shar Pei mix, with a short brown and white coat, and stunning green eyes, who is looking for an active family or individual to give him a new home.
If you want a dog that loves to be by your side 24/7, Mel would be perfect for you.
Shelter staff doesn't recommend him for a home with cats. Those with dogs wanting to adopt Mel should submit an application and bring their dogs in for an introduction.
He's in kennel No. 33a, ID No. 1718.
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