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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State officials have confirmed California's first two deaths this summer due to West Nile virus infection.
The first was a senior citizen from Sacramento County and the second was an adult from Shasta County, according to Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health director and state public health officer.
“These unfortunate deaths remind us that we must protect ourselves from mosquito bites to prevent West Nile virus and other mosquito born infections,” said Chapman. “West Nile virus activity is greatest during the summertime.”
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low, Chapman reported.
However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. People 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications. Recent data also indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.
To date in 2014, West Nile virus has been detected in 36 California counties, state officials reported.
CDPH recommends that individuals prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus by practicing the “Three Ds:”
- DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.
- DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
- DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.
California’s West Nile virus Web site, http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ , includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state.
Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man arrested earlier this year for a series of thefts has been arrested again in a similar case.
Richard William O’Keefe Jr., 32, a transient whose booking sheet lists him as being from Clearlake Oaks, was arrested on Monday afternoon.
In February, the Clearlake Police Department began investigating a series of thefts involving an unidentified adult male subject who would use a ruse to gain entry into the homes of his victims and, once inside, would steal property before fleeing, as Lake County News has reported.
Sgt. Rodd Joseph said that in March the police department began receiving several crime tips identifying O'Keefe as the suspect in the thefts.
O'Keefe was arrested on March 12, but it was on charges unrelated to the February thefts, Joseph said.
Instead, the theft cases in which O’Keefe had been identified as the suspect were forwarded to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, Joseph said.
On July 28, the Clearlake Police Department began another investigation into a case in which a male suspect claiming to be “John Anderson” entered a woman’s home under a ruse, asked for a glass of ice water and stole property from the woman’s purse when she left the room to retrieve the water, Joseph said.
Joseph said Officer Travis Parson investigated the case and was able to determine that the suspect was O’Keefe, but O’Keefe could not be located due to his transient nature.
On Monday, Parson was at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport for testimony in an unrelated criminal matter when he saw O’Keefe in the courthouse and arrested him, Joseph said.
Parson transported O’Keefe to the Lake County Jail where O'Keefe was booked on a single count of burglary, with bail set at $35,000, according to jail records.
Though O’Keefe denied involvement in any of the theft cases during questioning, additional evidence was obtained linking O’Keefe to the most recent case, Joseph said.
The Clearlake Police Department reminds residents about the dangers of inviting unknown persons into their homes.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The service of a search warrant last week resulted in a Clearlake Oaks man's arrest, and the seizure of marijuana and methamphetamine.
David Wayne Christensen, 58, was taken into custody last Friday, Aug. 1, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for a residence located in the 12000 block of Widgeon Way in Clearlake Oaks on July 31, serving the warrant at 8:45 a.m. the following day.
When detectives entered the residence, they located Christensen and 61-year-old Kurt Matthew Mueller of Clearlake Oaks, Brooks said. Both men were detained without incident.
During the search detectives found 102 marijuana plants in the backyard and on the residence's roof. Brooks said the plants were eradicated.
Christensen told detectives that he was cultivating marijuana to sell, explaining that he does not smoke marijuana. However, Christensen said he was cultivating the marijuana in his backyard with the intent to sell it after harvest to make money, Brooks said.
Brooks said Christensen denied having any other narcotics or illegal items in his residence, with the exception of a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. During a search of Christensen’s bedroom, detectives located and seized two glass pipes, a digital scale and a small amount of methamphetamine.
Christensen was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, cultivating marijuana and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Brooks said Mueller was released at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – This weekend an East Bay man won a multimillion dollar jackpot at Twin Pine Casino and Hotel.
On Sunday, the man – whose name casino officials did not release – hit a jackpot of $3,060,857 on an IGT progressive “Mega Bucks” machine.
The winner and his wife, who are regular patrons of Twin Pine, had only been at the casino for a short time when he hit the jackpot.
Casino officials said the winner repeatedly asked staff, “Is all of this real?”
As for what he plans to do with his newfound fortune, the winner said, “My daughter is going to college and I will be paying her tuition.”
This latest jackpot follows a July which was Twin Pine's third-highest jackpot payout month.
It's also the second time that a Mega Bucks machine at Twin Pine has created an instant millionaire. In December 2012, a lucky guest won an $8.4 million dollar jackpot.
In the last five years alone there have been three winners of up to $8 million and three of up to $6,000 with lots of other big winners in between, casino officials reported.
Twin Pine Casino and Hotel, which is getting ready to celebrate its 20th anniversary in November, is owned and operated by the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission on Tuesday will hold a public hearing on a proposed development project and choose its new leadership.
The commission will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The Tuesday public hearing is related to Monte Vista Homes, which developers Owen O'Donnell and Ashwin Gulati propose to build at 3595 Old Highway 53.
In January 2008 the Clearlake Planning Commission approved the project's tentative map, which subdivides the parcel into 23 residential and four commercial lots, allowing for duplexes or single family homes.
O'Donnell requested in August 2013 that the tentative map be extended, at which time city staff found that the use permit had expired and that other necessary time extensions and issues needed to be handled.
The public hearing will be for the purpose of adopting a mitigated negative declaration, extending the use permit and adding or amending conditions of the project approval.
City staff have told the commission that they consider the proposed project an asset to the community.
Also on Tuesday, the commission will select its new chair and vice chair for the remainder of the calendar year.
Alvaro Valencia currently chairs the commission, with Bill Perkins serving as vice chair. Other commissioners are Al Bernal, Cheryl Hutchinson and Carl Webb.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – With almost two dozen nonprofit and government agencies available to help, more than 100 Lake County residents stopped by Congressman John Garamendi’s (D-Fairfield) Lake County Social Services and Wellness Fair to see what services may be available for them.
Vendors in attendance provided information and advice on health care, veterans services, senior services, help for lower income families, educational opportunities, job placement and more.
“Part of my job is to let you strut your stuff, to let you share what services you are offering to this community,” Congressman Garamendi told the attendees. “Lake County has demonstrated that they can effectively work collaboratively to help. Lives are being made better, because these groups are going the extra mile to make a difference.”
During Congressman Garamendi’s remarks, every vendor was given an opportunity to give a short pitch on the services they provide to residents.
Congressman Garamendi also fielded a few questions from the audience on issues ranging from the Trans Pacific Partnership to diabetes services in Medicare.
Vendors in attendance included Covered California, Lake County Veterans Services, Legal Services of Northern California, Social Security, Yuba College Clear Lake Campus and North Coast Opportunities Head Start.