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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The storms that began Friday have brought with them much-needed rain and, in some cases, some peril for local residents due to falling trees, downed power lines and power outages.
The storm began early Friday, with several inches of rain falling across the county and into early Saturday, based on National Weather Service data.
Over the last several days reports have come in from around Lake County of trees cracking in half or pulling out of the ground due to the saturated earth, sometimes knocking down power lines and temporarily closing roadways, as was the case Friday evening in Lakeport and near Middletown, as Lake County News has reported.
There also were various reports of debris and rocks in the roadways on the first night of the storm, with county road crews working to get them cleaned up quickly.
However, perhaps the most harrowing story from the weekend storms so far is that of Kelseyville resident Ann Baker, whose home was crushed by a falling pine tree.
“I'm 74 years old and that's the worst thing I've been through in my whole life,” Baker told Lake County News in a Sunday afternoon interview.
For the last seven years Baker has lived in her small home – on Carrie Lane near Salmina Road – which is owned by her daughter.
On Friday at around 7:30 p.m. Baker was sitting in her recliner in her living room, watching television, with the wind outside “blowing like crazy.”
Then, “I just heard this crack noise,” she said.
Wondering what it was, Baker got up from her chair. Then, she said, she could hear the big pine tree outside her home falling, “so I ran to my kitchen,” thinking the tree wouldn't fall that way.
She ran to a corner, crouched down, and cried, “Help me, Jesus!”
Baker said the tree hit the chimney of her wood stove and then fell across her bedroom.
Had it been a few hours later, she would have been in bed. She thanked God that she wasn't, “Because I wouldn't be here today.”
She's now staying in a guest cottage at her daughter's home, noting that her former home was destroyed by the damage.
Baker said it would have been nicer had the tree just fallen across her yard, as that would have meant a supply of firewood.
“We can joke about it now because I’m alive to tell,” Baker said.
She chalked it up to being “just one of those freak accidents.”
Elsewhere on Friday, two power poles were sheared off along Pine Terrace Drive in the Riviera West in Kelseyville due to a fallen pine tree.
The rains also caused localized roadway flooding, including in one area along Scotts Valley Road.
Several power outages also have been reported during the storm. The latest was in the Cobb area on Sunday afternoon, where more than 1,300 customers found themselves without power shortly after 2 p.m. due to tree limbs impacting power equipment, according to Pacific Gas and Electric.
Other sorts of storm-related concerns also were being reported.
Northshore resident Dee Cuney reported on Lake County News' Facebook page on Saturday that she could see large logs floating offshore of Lucerne.
“Watching the Bass Boats go zooming across the lake with all the debris floating out there makes me cringe. Scary! Be Careful!” Cuney said.
Late Sunday night, the Lakeport Police Department reported that areas within the city were experiencing high winds.
In a 45-minute period police had been dispatched to three calls involving downed trees, some affecting power lines.
The calls involved a tree into a house on Manzanita Street, with no injuries and no reported utility issues.
There also was a large tree down across Smith Street, in front of the Lake County Probation Department, near Armstrong Street. Police said the tree compromised a high voltage power pole, which was leaning. Residents in the area were advised of the danger and told to stay clear of this area.
On Ninth and Brush Street, a large tree limb knocked the power line connection off a house, according to police.
Lakeport Police, Lakeport Public Works and PG&E responded to the calls. Community members were asked not to approach the areas until they were rendered safe.
There also were reports late Sunday nigh tof trees blocking Loch Lomond Road at Sycamore Road and Bottle Rock Road at Penson Court, with the traffic signals at Live Oak Drive at Highway 29 in Kelseyville not working shortly after midnight.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee this week will discuss its goals for the year and get updates on upcoming events.
LEDAC will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On the agenda is an informational presentation by Shannon Harris of Workforce Lake Business Services, which helps connect job seekers and businesses.
On the topic of regional economic development, the committee also will hear about the upcoming Summit Seminars for this year, including the Feb. 20 “speed dating” event at Marymount California University in Lucerne, and a strategic planning retreat on Feb. 27 at the Mendocino College Lake Center in Lakeport.
LEDAC members also will discuss the group's 2015 goals, including updating vacant commercial properties inventory, public art murals in Lakeport and changing art displays in city hall.
In addition, there will be committee member reports, updates on business outreach efforts and a chance for citizen input.
LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Members do not have to be Lakeport residents.
Wilda Shock chairs LEDAC, the membership of which also includes Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton, Rick Hamilton, Pam Harpster, Christine Hutt, Chris King, George Linn, Paula Pepper-Duggan, Rebecca Southwick and Taira St. John.
City Community Development Director Kevin Ingram and City Manager Margaret Silveira serve as ex-officio committee members.
LEDAC's next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, March 11, at Lakeport City Hall.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
The state of California’s Forest Climate Action Team (FCAT) will hold a series of public meetings in late February and early March to provide the public with information on the team’s proposed work, and to invite public comment.
Established last year following recommendations made in the 2014 update to the Assembly Bill 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan, the FCAT is composed of a broad range of state and federal agencies with responsibilities for forests and related natural resources. Local governments also are represented on the FCAT.
The Forest Climate Action Team is led by Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), with support from the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency.
FCAT’s primary role is to develop a “forest carbon plan,” as called for in the scoping plan update.
The forest carbon plan will provide strategies and targets to ensure that California forests will be managed to maintain healthy forest conditions, and continue to grow and store carbon in the form of wood to offset the negative effects of climate change for future generations.
The forest carbon plan will summarize and address historical challenges associated with forest resource management, including jurisdictional boundaries, carbon baseline establishment and monitoring, costs and benefits, and financing, among other issues.
Development of the plan will give careful consideration to the entire range of environmental, economic, and social benefits provided by forests in the state.
Through the development and adoption of the plan, the aim of the FCAT is to engage resource managers, experts from multiple jurisdictions, and the public to collaborate on collective goals and reach carbon sequestration targets.
The Forest Climate Action Team looks forward to the opportunity to introduce its work to the public and to take comments and answer questions.
The schedule for the public meetings is as follows:
– Sacramento: Feb. 20, 1 p.m., auditorium, State of California Resources Building, 1416 Ninth St.
– Redding area: March 2, 1 p.m.
– Anderson: March 2, 1 p.m., Gaia Hotel, 4125 Riverside Place (tentative; check FCAT Web site for final information, http://www.fire.ca.gov/fcat/ ).
– Arcadia: March 11, 1 p.m., Training Center, Angeles National Forest Headquarters, 701 N. Santa Anita Ave.
The Feb. 20 meeting also will be Webcast, and satellite locations where the public may gather to view the Webcast and ask questions or make comments have been set for:
– Bishop: US Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management Offices, 351 Pacu Lane.
– Fresno: CAL FIRE Office, 1234 East Shaw Avenue.
– Richmond: UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station, Building 445.
– Sonora: Tuolumne County Emergency Services Center, 18440 Striker Court.
More details on the meetings, including agenda, draft documents, locations, and how to access the Webcast may be found on the FCAT Web site, http://www.fire.ca.gov/fcat/ .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has two cats in needs of loving, forever homes this week.
Claudia and Max – who shelter staff said are charming and affectionate – are waiting for their 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”).
'Max'
“Max” is a 1-year-old male domestic short hair mix with a cool tuxedo coat.
Shelter staff said Max came in injured and his owner surrendered him.
He's a big, sweet healthy boy who is affectionate and will greet you, waiting to be petted.
Max is neutered and vaccinated, so he is ready for the right person, or family, to take him to his forever home.
He's in cat room kennel No. 53, ID 1646.
'Claudia'
The lovely and sweet Claudia continues to wait at Lake County Animal Care and Control for a new home, and she needs one quickly.
She is 6 years old, and a coat with white and brown tabby markings, and is already spayed so she has a low adoption fee.
Claudia greets visitors, loving to get attention and pats. She loves to play with toys and to be cuddled.
She's in cat room kennel No. 73, ID No. 1316.
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
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee offers its first mini-Summit Seminar event, “Speed Date Your Business,” on Friday, Feb. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Marymount California University’s Lakeside campus in Lucerne.
Wine and appetizers will be served.
The “Speed Date…” event is the first in a Summit mini-seminar series that will include a hands-on how-to social media session, a financial resources seminar, and a tutorial on entrepreneurship.
The mini-Summit Seminars are a spin-off of the 2014 Lake Leadership Summit, a sold-out event that gathered local business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs for a dynamic program of speakers, break-out sessions, and film clips that encouraged attendees to expand their respective enterprises and help grow Lake County.
The “Speed Date Your Business” seminar offers participants the opportunity to connect with motivated people who crave more than conventional networking.
The event is highly-structured – just like speed dating - with the sole purpose of sparking creative collaborations between businesses.
The cost is $25 for one ticket or $40 for two.
The Summit events are created and produced by a countywide group whose members include leaders from Lakeport and Clearlake city governments, the county of Lake, representatives from a variety of community organizations, chambers of commerce, educational and health institutions, and workforce development offices.
“Speed Date Your Business” was presented as a breakout session at the 2014 Lake Leadership Summit as “Arranged Marriages: More Than a One-Night Stand.”
“When we created the Summit, we wanted to push the boundaries. What we knew then, and it’s clear from the feedback we’ve been receiving ever since, is that people are hungry for new ways to connect and develop,” said Summit co-creator, Michelle Scully, executive director of Marymount California University’s Lakeside campus.
“We were intrigued with the concept of arranged marriages and wanted to pair up two local businesses that had little in common to cross-market their products,” said Scully. “We found Mendo Lake SUP and Carve Pilates right here in Lake County – two businesses that are already practicing this concept – and were thrilled to learn that they’re thriving. We created a break-out session around their energy.”
“We know that our Lake County business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs all dream of something that will make their lives easier. Some want to expand, some want to stabilize their sales cycles, and some may want to introduce a whole new product to the world,” said Rebecca Southwick, Summit co-creator and Lake County Tourism Ambassador Manager.
“We believe strongly in the power of collaboration and we know that every single person doing business in Lake County possesses something valuable – whether it’s information, a fresh perspective, or even relationships with key people in their industry that they may be willing to share,” Southwick said. “'Speed Date…' is a quirky, entertaining way to reach out and create relationships that will result in enhanced community relationships. “
Southwick added, “The 2014 Summit participants loved this break-out session and requested that we present it as a stand-alone event. We’re delighted to continue this momentum and look forward to seeing participants from the original Summit as well as making new connections.”
The event is limited to 75 participants. Participants may register online at www.EmbracetheLake.com .
For questions, call Rebecca Southwick at 707-349-8105 or send an email to
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – For the second year in a row Clear Lake High School's Academic Decathlon team took top honors in the county's 34th annual competition, and will now head to the state championship next month.
The team topped rivals Upper Lake, which took second, and Kelseyville, which took third, in the event, which culminated on Saturday afternoon in the Super Quiz, held at Kelseyville High School.
This year's theme is “New Alternatives in Energy: Ingenuity and Innovation.”
Academic decathletes compete in 10 disciplines – arts, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, social science and speech – in addition to the Super Quiz. Locally, poetry and poster production contests have been added.
The interview and speech portions of the competition took place last weekend.
Only three teams competed this year, as longtime competitor Lower Lake High did not send a team to the take part.
Each team is comprised of three members each from three academic levels: Honors, grade point average of 3.75 to 4.00; Scholastic, 3.00 to 3.74 GPA; and Varsity, GPA of 2.99 or below.
For the Academic Decathlon's 10 core disciplines – not counting the poster and poetry contests – Chris Vincent of Clear Lake High School won the most medals, with a total of 11. Those included nine individual medals – seven gold, one silver and one bronze – and two gold medals for the first-place overall win and for the top spot in the Super Quiz.
During the Saturday afternoon awards ceremony, Vincent – whose wins included the speech category – gave his speech for the estimated 100 people in attendance.
Vincent's topic was plastic, its ubiquitousness, the importance of recycling it and the environmental challenges it poses.
Clear Lake High School Coach Jim Rogers credits his team's success to ample preparation in the form of a humanities class dedicated to the competition.
He said he loves the art and music portions of the competition, and last year he began recruiting students who also liked those subjects and who he felt would strengthen the team.
This will be Rogers' last year coaching, as he's planning to retire. He says he has someone in mind to succeed him as coach, but that hasn't been finalized yet.
“I just hope the class continues,” he said.
With the local competition over, “Now, we have to study for state,” said Rogers.
The state championship will be held March 20 and 21 in Sacramento, with the winning teams there advancing on to the national finals, which take place in April in Garden Grove.
Team rosters and full competition results are listed below.
TEAM ROSTERS
Clear Lake High School
Coach: Jim Rogers
Dakota Durbin, Cord Falkenberg, Nate Falkenberg, Julie Ann Mather, Narumi Jo Mitchell, Linda Ralosky, Savannah Rasmussen, Emily Seeley, Kennedi Syphax, Melissa Thibeau, Noelani Urquiza, Chris Vincent
Kelseyville High School
Coaches: Erick Larsen and Heather Koschik
Kristen Amendola, Montana Blocker, Madison Boyd, Ricardo Covarrubia, Noah Finch, Joseph Fletcher, Elizabeth Fricker, Garrett Grossner, Cassidy Holmes, Roberto Lozano, Mary McCallister, Cassidy McCoy, Anna Pak, Tiara Richards, Merin Rixen, Sarah Sheridan, Jared Smith, Marlin Smith, Justin Stanley, Nichole Stevens, Katie Terou, Collin Walker, Kaylie Williams, Andrew Vonwal
Upper Lake High School
Coaches: Anna Sabalone and Angel Hayenga
David Becerra-Lopez, Daniela Estrada, Katie Foster, Heather Hankins, Miranda Huntley, Anisha Kalan, Wroehnyn Milks, Kaylee O'Bryant, Travis Rife, Juan Ruiz, Crystal Smith, Edgar Valencia, Arthur Wilkie
AWARDS
Team placement
First place: Clear Lake High School
Second place: Upper Lake High School
Third place: Kelseyville High School
Super Quiz
First place: Clear Lake High School
Second place: Upper Lake High School
Third place: Kelseyville High School
Language and literature
First place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Second place: Heather Hankins, ULHS
Third place (four-way tie): Arthur Wilkie, ULHS; Katie Foster, ULHS; Travis Rife, ULHS; Nate Falkenberg, CLHS
Art
First place: Noelani Urquiza, CLHS
Second place: Melissa Thibeaux, CLHS
Third place (two-way tie): Nate Falkenberg, CLHS; Julie Ann Mather, CLHS
Social science
First place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Second place: Julie Ann Mather, CLHS
Third place: Arthur Wilkie, ULHS
Math
First place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Second place (two-way tie): Nate Falkenberg, CLHS; Roberto Lozano, KHS
Third place: Cord Falkenberg, CLHS
Music
First place: Melissa Thibeaux, CLHS
Second place (two-way tie): Noelani Urquiza, CLHS; Arthur Wilkie, ULHS
Third place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Economics
First place: Cord Falkenberg, CLHS
Second place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Third place: Melissa Thibeaux, CLHS
Science
First place (three-way tie): Nate Falkenberg, CLHS; Chris Vincent, CLHS; Cord Falkenberg, CLHS
Second place: Travis Rife, ULHS
Third place: Katie Foster, ULHS
Essay
First place: Noelani Urquiza, CLHS
Second place: Cassidy Holmes, KHS
Third place: Emily Seeley, CLHS
Interview
First place: Heather Hankins, ULHS
Second place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Third place: Jared Smith, KHS
Speech
First place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Second place: Julie Ann Mather, CLHS; Emily Seeley, CLHS
Third place: Mary McCallister, KHS
TOP FINISHERS FOR EACH ACADEMIC LEVEL
Honors category (3.75-4.00 grade point average)
First place: Chris Vincent, CLHS
Second place: Nate Falkenberg, CLHS
Third place: Julie Ann Mather, CLHS
Scholastic category (3.00-3.74 GPA)
First place: Cord Falkenberg, CLHS
Second place: Arthur Wilkie, ULHS
Third place: Melissa Thibeau, CLHS
Varsity category (2.99 GPA or below)
First place: Travis Rife, ULHS
Second place: Noah Finch, KHS
Third place: Edgar Valencia, ULHS
SECOND HIGHEST SCORING STUDENTS, PER SCHOOL
Clear Lake High: Cord Falkenberg
Kelseyville High: Cassidy Holmes
Upper Lake High School: Travis Rife
HIGHEST SCORING STUDENTS, PER SCHOOL
Clear Lake High: Chris Vincent
Kelseyville High: Noah Finch
Upper Lake High School: Arthur Wilkie
Email Elizabeth Larson at