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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A solo-vehicle crash last week in Humboldt County claimed the life of a young Kelseyville man.
Joel Sanchez Sosa, 18, died in the wreck, which occurred at 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, south of Scotia, according to the California Highway Patrol's Humboldt Area office.
The CHP said Sosa was driving a 2007 Hummer H3 Alpha southbound on US 101, south of the Stafford Road Undercrossing, at an unknown speed.
For reasons that are still under investigation, the CHP said Sosa failed to maintain control of the vehicle, which he allowed to turn off the roadway and toward a steep embankment.
The Hummer first hit a mile post marker and then two trees, the CHP said.
The CHP said Sosa, who was properly restrained, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
His passengers – two juveniles males, ages 16 and 17, from Cloverdale – also were wearing their seat belts, the CHP said.
The 17-year-old sustained major injuries, while the 16-year-old had minor injuries, the CHP said. Both were transported by ambulance to Redwood Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The CHP, Redcrest Volunteer Fire Department, Scotia Volunteer Fire Department, Cal Fire, Humboldt County Coroner and City Ambulance responded to the scene of the wreck, which did not close the highway.
The crash, still under investigation by the CHP, was not the result of driving under the influence, the agency said.
An online memorial fund has been set up for Sosa's family at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/m836/joel-sanchez-sosa-memorial-fund .
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A fire destroyed a mobile home in the city of Clearlake on Sunday night.
The fire, first reported shortly after 8 p.m., was located on Mullen Avenue near Austin Road, according to radio reports.
Lake County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Charlie Diener said Lake County Fire, Northshore Fire and Cal Fire responded to the mobile home fire.
The mobile home was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived. Diener said it took about 30 minutes for firefighters to knock the fire down.
The structure was a complete loss, and another trailer next door also was damaged, according to Diener.
Diener said no injuries were reported.
One man who lived in the mobile home was displaced as a result of the fire, Diener said.
Mop up was expected to be wrapped up late Sunday night, he said.
Diener did not have an idea of the fire's cause.
“We're going to have investigators come and look at it tomorrow,” he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, Oct. 18, the third annual Shipwreck Day embarks on its journey from Library Park to Main Street in Lakeport.
Activities for children start at 10 a.m. and include flag painting, sailor's knot tying instruction, pirate school and “feed the kitty.”
Also starting at 10 a.m., select vendors display their treasures for public acquisition.
Throughout the day adults may sample “green season grog” at five locations; look for the green gin pennant at participating saloons and restaurants.
Try to sink the pirate ship with water balloons at noon or create your own pirate ensemble from swag offered on site, and check out the décor in our store windows.
The pirate costume parade starts at 1 p.m. at the gazebo. Led by My Divas and local troubadour and pirate ambassador, Flipper, the freebooting community can show off their finery throughout the town.
New this year, the illustrated pirate strut offers hundreds of dollars in free ink prizes for the best and worst tattoos. “Swimsuit rules” apply. If it can't be seen when you wear your swimsuit, you can't flaunt it.
This event is sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association, Hillside Honda, KXBX and Pieces Boutique and is free of charge.
For more information call 707-262-1967.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Six new cats and kittens are waiting to be adopted at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.
There are tabbies, tuxedos, a calico and an all-black cat needing new homes.
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”).
Domestic short hair
This adult male domestic short hair cat has an all-black coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 67, ID No. 894.
Male tuxedo kitten
This male kitten has a short tuxedo coat.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 95a, ID No. 918.
Female tuxedo kitten
This female kitten has a short tuxedo coat.
She's in cat room kennel No. 95c, ID No. 920.
Calico kitten
The female kitten has a short coat with calico markings.
She is in cat room kennel No. 95d, ID No. 921.
Tabby kitten
This gray tabby kitten with a short coat is of unknown gender.
The kitten is in cat room kennel No. 105a, ID No. 911.
Tabby kitten
This gray tabby kitten with a short coat is of unknown gender.
The kitten is in cat room kennel No. 105b, ID No. 912.
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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Neighbors are being credited with preventing an early Sunday morning trailer fire from getting into wildland or damaging other nearby trailers.
The fire at Le Trianon Resort near Blue Lakes was dispatched just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos.
Northshore Fire and Lakeport Fire responded, sending a total of two engines. Beristianos said Cal Fire was dispatched but later canceled because the fire didn't reach vegetation.
Beristianos said the travel trailer that burned, which he estimated was about 28 feet long, was parked at the resort in a long-term capacity.
The owners recently had been up to cover it up and winterize it, but Beristianos said no one was in the trailer at the time it caught fire.
Neighbors reported hearing a pop or explosion and then seeing fire come out of the top of the trailer, Beristianos said.
Several neighbors then took fire extinguishers and hoses and kept the blaze controlled to the trailer until firefighters arrived, when a flare up occurred, he said.
Beristianos said firefighters were able to get the fire knocked down quickly, with no damage to nearby structures.
The trailer itself was destroyed, he said.
Firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 4:40 a.m., he said.
He said the cause of fire remains under investigation. Early indications are that the refrigerator may have been the source, but investigators need more information from the trailer's owners before they can finish their work.
Beristianos credited the attentive neighbors for their quick action.
“The people around there did a great job of keeping the fire controlled until we got there, otherwise it could have been a mess,” he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office will begin processing vote-by-mail – or absentee – ballots this week.
The ballots – which were mailed out last week from Santa Ana – were expected to arrive at mailboxes within a few days of the mailing, according to Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley.
Fridley and her staff will begin processing completed ballots that have been returned to her office – located in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport – at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The processing of the vote-by-mail voter ballots will continue through Election Day as well as during the official canvass, which Fridley said begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, and will continue daily – excluding weekends and holidays – until completed.
Observers are invited to view the processing and counting of the ballots, but shall not interfere with the election process, Fridley said.
Fridley said any registered voter who would like to be issued an official vote-by-mail ballot in lieu of voting at his or her polling place may either appear in person at the Registrar of Voters Office to be issued a ballot or personally phone the office at 707-263-2372 to request an absentee ballot by mail.