News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With holiday celebrations upon us, the California Highway Patrol is preparing for this heavily traveled time of year by educating the motoring public about safety on the roadways.

As part of its upcoming maximum enforcement period, or MEP, the CHP is reminding travelers to buckle up, adhere to the posted speed limit, avoid distractions behind the wheel and always designate a sober driver.

The CHP’s Christmas MEP enforcement effort begins Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. and continues through Sunday, Dec. 28, at 11:59 p.m.

During this period, all available officers will be out on the roadways for enhanced enforcement efforts and assisting motorists wherever needed.

“Our intent with the enhanced enforcement efforts during the holiday season is simply to save lives,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “We want everyone to have a happy holiday season this year and ensure nobody is forced to deal with the loss of a loved one.”

An anti-DUI effort is aimed at eliminating drunk-driving by educating Californians about the dangers of driving after consuming alcoholic beverages.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people are killed annually in America by drunk drivers. In December 2012 alone, 830 people died as a result of a collision caused by an impaired driver.

This year, the CHP hopes to eliminate the added danger of intoxicated drivers on our roadways.

During the 30 hours of last year’s Christmas holiday MEP, five people were killed in traffic collisions. Among those killed were two pedestrians, one motorcyclist, and two vehicle occupants who were not wearing seat belts.

The CHP made 221 arrests for driving under the influence during the same 30-hour timeframe.

“Have a safe, fun, and enjoyable holiday celebration this year,” added Commissioner Farrow. “Just do it responsibly by making the right and responsible decision before you get behind the wheel and always designate a sober driver.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The median sales price for homes in Lake County rose in November, according to new sales data.

The latest report from the Lake County Association of Realtors shows that the median sales price of single family residences for Lake County rose from $162,500 in October to $187,000 for November.

The November sales price topped the previous high of $185,000 that was reported in July.

The number of units being sold continued to lag behind 2013 sales with 55 units being sold in November 2014 compared to 70 units sold in November 2013.

The pattern of increasing sales prices but lower number of sales when comparing 2014 sales to 2013 sales has been consistent throughout the year.

Inventory levels for both November and October 2014 remained steady at 6.7 months of inventory. Six months of inventory is considered “normal” in the real estate industry.

“The most activity in terms of number of units was in Hidden Valley Lake,” said newly installed 2015 LCAOR President Yvette Sloan. “There was also a fair amount of activity in the Cobb area, the Clear Lake Riviera and the city of Clearlake.”

The percentage of distressed sales – properties that were sold after foreclosure or ones that were sold for less than what was owed – was 20 percent, which was down from 22 percent in October and 26 percent in November of 2013.

Cash financing fell to 22 percent of the sales, which was down from 32 percent in October and 30 percent in November 2013.

Conventional financing accounted for 47 percent of the sales and that matched the November 2013 percentage.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

Lake County – November 2014
Median price: $187,000
Median days to sell: 111
Units Sold: 55

Lake County – October 2014
Median price: $162,500
Median days to sell: 75
Units Sold: 63

Lake County – November 2013
Median price: $143,000
Median days to sell: 99
Units Sold: 70

For more information about the Lake County Association of Realtors, visit www.lcaor.com .

California wildlife Officer David Bess has been appointed the new chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division.

Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham announced Bess' promotion to the position, which recently was vacated by the retirement of 33-year veteran wildlife officer, Chief Michael P. Carion.

“California’s fish and wildlife and the sportsmen and sportswomen of this state owe Chief Carion a debt of gratitude for 33 years of selfless service,” said Bonham. “Along with his predecessor, Chief Nancy Foley, Chief Carion worked to increase the number of wildlife officers in the state. Today, the force is at its largest since 2000. We wish Chief Carion well in his retirement and look forward to continuing that progress with Chief Bess.”

Chief Bess gained a variety of experience in the Law Enforcement Division starting as a wildlife officer in Contra Costa County and the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta.

He then joined the Special Operations Unit (SOU) of undercover wildlife officers who focus on illegal commercialization of California’s fish and wildlife. He eventually promoted to lieutenant to lead SOU.

Bess promoted to captain and then assistant chief working on a variety of administrative tasks, including managing the Professional Standards Unit and legislative and regulatory duties.

Chief Bess brings a wealth of experience from running several businesses for more than 20 years. He sold his businesses and at age 43 followed his dream of going to the warden academy and becoming a wildlife officer.

He has a forestry degree from Humboldt State University, a degree in natural sciences from Sierra College, and has a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing.

Lakeport, Calif. --The City of Lakeport has issued a road closure advisory for December 17, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. to 5 p.m..

Between 3rd street and 4th streets at Crawford, the area will be closed to through traffic.

City workers will be reapiring a water main in that area.

The City appreciates the public’s awareness and caution in the area. 

Detour routes are available.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Tuesday Lake County's new representative in the State Senate, Mike McGuire, and fellow legislators asked Gov. Jerry Brown to issue a disaster declaration for Lake, Marin and Sonoma counties due to the severe flooding in those areas.

“The flash flooding and storm damage experienced by communities in Sonoma, Lake and Marin is the worst we’ve seen in decades,” said Sen. McGuire. “We’re asking the governor to issues a disaster declaration so that residents and business owners can get the help they need as soon as possible”

McGuire’s request was joined by Lake County's new representative in the Assembly, Bill Dodd, Sen. Lois Wolk and Assembly members Jim Wood and Marc Levine, all of whom represent the impacted areas.

In their letter to the governor, the legislators highlighted the extreme weather conditions that impacted the region, including strong winds and record rainfall.

Last week’s large storm event caused tens of millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses throughout California.

Current damage estimates are more than $20 million just between the three counties, and the total figure is anticipated to grow substantially as assessments of damaged public and private property advance in the weeks to come.

“The response from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been excellent during this storm event,” said McGuire, “and now we are asking for help in getting our communities the resources and services they need to rebuild and thrive.”

McGuire’s Second Senate District runs the span of the entire North Coast and includes all of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Lake and Marin counties, and the majority of Sonoma County communities.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Federal Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, and Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Bonnie will attend a public meeting in Napa County this week to meet with local and regional officials and discuss permanent protection for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held on Friday, Dec. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Building 100 in Napa.

Legislation to protect Berryessa Snow Mountain as a National Conservation Area was introduced in 2011, but has been stuck in Congressional gridlock.

The legislation is supported by Sen. Barbara Boxer and Representatives Mike Thompson, John Garamendi and Jared Huffman.

Representative Mike Thompson has asked President Obama to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate the area as a national monument. This action would protect the same access and protections as a National Conservation Area.

“This is the right way forward for the region and our communities,” said Bill Dodd, the new Assembly member for the Fourth District, a resident and former county supervisor in Napa. “Designating the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument will preserve the land, help our local economies, and protect a wide variety of plants and animals.”

The Berryessa Snow Mountain region includes public lands that stretch one hundred mile starting in Yolo County’s wild backyard to the sub-alpine habitat of Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest to the north.

The region supports an incredible diversity of wildlife habitat and rare plants found nowhere else on earth.

More than 200 local businesses have expressed support for a national monument, and Yolo, Solano, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties have all passed resolutions of support for the designation.

“These lands deserve to be recognized not only for their natural and scenic values, but also for the recreational opportunities they provide,” said Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon. “Permanent protection of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region will benefit the land, increase the visibility of our area and promote tourism, and protect our iconic northern California wildlife.”

Outdoor recreation in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region currently supports more than 600 jobs and $55.3 million in economic benefits for local counties.

An economic report released by the city of Winters Chamber of Commerce demonstrated that a national monument would have a significant impact, generating up to $50 million for local economies over a five year period following a designation as a result of increased visibility and visitation following a national monument designation.

Visitors to the Berryessa Snow Mountain region can catch a glimpse of California’s iconic wildlife, including tule elk, river otters, and California’s second-largest population of wintering bald eagles, and enjoy numerous outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, boating and horseback riding. A national monument designation will ensure continued access for these activities.

“This area is a unique national treasure and we have a responsibility to preserve it for our kids and grandkids,” stated Dodd.