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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – John Exline recently was named acting forest supervisor for the Mendocino National Forest pending the selection and arrival of a permanent forest supervisor.
Exline's temporary appointment followed the announcement in October that Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune was leaving to accept the forest supervisor position with the Allegheny National Forest in Warren, Penn, as Lake County News has reported.
Exline is the deputy forest supervisor for the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California, a position he has held since March 2013.
He has worked for the Forest Service for more than 33 years, with most of his time spent on the Sequoia and Sierra National Forests.
Exline has a background in forestry, and also has served as a district ranger and acting forest supervisor.
Most recently, he completed a four-month assignment in the Washington Office as acting assistant director of forest management.
“While I have spent time on several Northern California forests during my career – including the Lassen and Shasta-Trinity National Forests – I have only been on the Mendocino National Forest once during a fire in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness Area,” Exline said. “This is an exciting opportunity to explore the diverse resources and opportunities on the Mendocino National Forest, as well as to connect with the partners and communities invested in this great landscape.”
He is originally from Philadelphia and holds a degree in biology from Lycoming College and a master’s degree in forest resource management from Duke University.
Exline arrived on the Mendocino National Forest Dec. 1, and spent his first week settling into the position and getting acquainted with employees.
“The Mendocino has a reputation for great employees and great work. I’m looking forward to leading this unique northern California forest while a permanent supervisor is selected,” Exline said.
Exline’s wife, Sue Exline, is the district ranger for the Ojai Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. They have a daughter and son, both of whom are in college.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s time to celebrate a quagga/zebra mussel-free Lake County by purchasing 2015 Lake County resident stickers for vessels.
County officials reported that the Lake County Mussel Prevention Program is working.
Clear Lake is mussel-free because the August, 2014 water analysis by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife found no mussels.
The county of Lake is asking for the public's helping in keeping Clear Lake mussel-free.
In 2014 there has been an increase in infested counties in the state. There are now eight infested counties, including San Benito County, which has the only infestation of zebra mussels.
The state mussel sticker that residents get from the Department of Motor Vehicles when renewing their registration has nothing to do with the Lake County Mussel Prevention Program. It will not keep mussels out of Lake County, the county reported.
The Lake County mussel sticker, on the other hand, requires vessels be screened by a participating screener who determines whether vessels are at risk for transporting mussels here.
Boaters need both sets of mussel stickers – state and county – when launching in any water body in Lake County.
County officials said they don't expect area residents to keep up-to-date with which water bodies are infested, and so they offer that service.
However, the county asks that each time residents return from an out-of-county trip with their vessel that they stop by any of the participating screeners and be rescreened for free.
County residents are asked to continue their diligence and keep their boats clean, drained and dry.
For more information, visit http://www.nomussels.com/ .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Northern California bracing for a big storm set to arrive midweek, forecasters have issued flood and high wind watches for Lake County and much of the rest of Northern California.
The flood and wind watches are the result of a forecast expecting significant precipitation – rainfall in lower elevations, snow in the mountains – that will begin Wednesday night and continue through Friday.
The flood watch will be in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Friday, while the high wind watch starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The updated forecast expects between 2 inches and 5 inches of rain in Lake County as a result of the storm.
Across Northern California, snow levels are expected to fall to about 5,000 feet on Friday.
Some parts of the state affected by wildland fires earlier this year may experience significant runoff and debris buildup, which could exacerbate flooding, according to the forecast warnings.
Coupled with the rain will be high winds. The Lake County forecast anticipates wind gusts of up to 24 miles per hour on Wednesday, with south wind gusts expected to increase to 26 miles per hour that night.
Other parts of Northern California – particularly Sacramento Valley areas – could see gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Those winds could possibly lead to tree and power utility damage, and will make driving more dangerous, forecasters said.
Also on Monday, the National Weather Service issued a video, which can be seen above, about the storm outlooks and steps Northern California residents can take to prepare.
Local officials are still in cleanup mode following last weeks storms, which dumped an average of about 3 inches of rain on Lake County, according to National Weather Service precipitation records.
Lakeport Public Works Superintendent Doug Grider said the low lake level was a benefit in the current situation, as much of the rainwater was draining into the very low lake.
By Monday night, Clear Lake – which had hit a low of -0.85 feet Rumsey in mid-November, was nearly at zero Rumsey, according to the US Geological Survey.
In the city of Clearlake, cleanup for the most recent storms is keeping crews busy, according to Public Works Director Doug Herren.
“We’ve been experiencing minor flooding throughout the city due to drain inlets being covered with leaves and debris,” Herren said.
He added, “I urge property owners to clean up their leaves around the front of their properties so they don’t plug up drainage inlets.”
In light of the impending storm, the director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Mark Ghilarducci, on Monday urged Californians on be prepared.
“This storm will present a risk of flash flooding and debris slides in areas where ground conditions have not adapted to the saturation,” he said. “This year was also a significant fire season for Northern and Southern California and burned areas are especially at risk for debris slides. Even regions that don't experience regular seasonal flooding could see flash flooding during this intense storm system, which could be the largest to date of this year's rainy season.”
Ghilarducci advised state residents to educate themselves about potential risks where they live and “to take basic steps to increase their own ability to be resilient through these storms and their impacts. The public safety community will be very busy during these storms and it's important to help reduce 911 call volumes by lowering your risks of danger as much as possible.”
Among his suggestions for increasing personal emergency preparedness before an emergency:
– Establish out-of-area emergency contacts;
– Create a simple, small emergency kit that can sustain you and possibly others for 72 hours following a disaster (for tips visit http://www.caloes.ca.gov/planningandpreparedness/Pages/Planning-and-Preparedness.aspx );
– Stay away from rising waterways, such as creeks and rivers;
– Know how to evacuate quickly, should you experience rising water levels.
Storm updates will be posted on the Lake County News Web site and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=br_rs , and on the National Weather Service Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSSacramento?ref=br_tf .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Law enforcement officials are investigating a number of recent commercial burglaries, including several along the Northshore.
Five businesses have been hit since Dec. 4, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The businesses in question include the Lucerne Subway, hit on Dec. 4; Country Carpets and Double D's Coffee in Upper Lake, where burglaries were reported early on Dec. 5; St. Vincent De Paul thrift shop in Lower Lake, which also was reported to have been broken into and vandalized on Dec. 5, although there was said to be no items taken; and a storage unit at Big Valley Storage on Dec. 6, Brooks said.
Brooks said the Subway and Upper Lake burglaries are not just close in time proximity, but all involved breaking out the windows in the front doors.
Another way they're similar: “I don't think they got much money” in any of the burglaries, Brooks said.
Brooks said the Lucerne Subway's burglary also looks similar to other window smash incidents at Subway stores in Hopland and Calistoga, leading deputies to believe all of the Subway burglaries are related.
Based on Brooks' experience in working such cases over the years, they do ramp up at this time of the year.
“There is a direct correlation to that, in my mind,” he said of the increase in burglaries during the holidays.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake put on a festive face on Saturday as it once again hosted its annual Christmas parade and tree lighting.
The parade route went from Redbud Park on Lakeshore Drive to Austin Park.
Ellie Swanson, 7, was this year's Christmas princess.
This year's theme as “Jingle Bells.”
Trophies were awarded to top finishers in parade categories, and there also was the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
PEG TV8's video production of the parade can be seen above.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With a heavy storm expected to arrive in Lake County later this week – bringing with it chances of flooding – residents are being urged to prepare and have the necessary supplies on hand.
The Lake County Office of Emergency Services has provided the following list of locations where sand, bags and/or both are available should flooding occur.
Rainbow Agricultural Services
1975 Argonaut Road, Lakeport
707-279-0550
Plastic bags: $0.49 each
NO SAND
Open:
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pivniska Trucking Inc.
85 W. Highway 20, Upper Lake
707-275-3203
Sand only; no bags
Open:
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mendo Mill
2465 S. Main St., Lakeport
707-263-8400
Sand: 70 pound bags
Sandbags: $11.99 package of 25 or one for $0.67
Open:
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kelseyville Lumber & Supply Co.
3555 N. Main St., Kelseyville
707-279-4297
Bags: $.49 each (not filled)
Filled: $2.98
Open:
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday to Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Mendo Mill & Lumber Co.
5255 Old Highway 53, Clearlake
707-994-1014
Bags: $0.67 each / $11.99 for bundle of 25
50 pound bags of sand
Open:
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Yard closes at 5 p.m. during winter hours
Layne Paving & Trucking
3700 Old Highway 533, Clearlake
707-994-6324
SAND ONLY
Open:
By appointment only
Lake Builders Supply Co.
3694 E. Highway 20, Nice
707-274-6607
Bags bundle of 25: $11.99
$11.49: 100-pound bags of sand
Open:
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Clearlake Lava
14572 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks
707-998-1115
SAND ONLY
Open:
Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Four Corners Builders
14975 Old Highway 53, Clearlake
707-994-6277
Sandbags: $0.89 per bag
50 pound bags of sand
Open:
Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hardester’s Market
21088 Calistoga Road, Middletown
707-987-2325
Sandbags: $0.55 each or $12.99 for bundle of 25
60 pound paper bag: $4.32
Open:
Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
*Prices are subject to change. The county does not pay for sand or sandbags.