News

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A young Kelseyville man was arrested Friday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Clearlake.

Alex Storkson, 19, was arrested following an investigation by the Clearlake Police Department, according to Sgt. Nick Bennett.

At 12:40 a.m. Thursday Clearlake Police officers responded to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake on the report of a sexual assault on a 13-year-old female. Bennett said Clearlake detectives were called and took over the investigation.

It was determined the assault had been perpetrated by a male friend of a family member, identified as Storkson, Bennett said.

Bennett said detectives located Storkson at his family residence in Kelseyville on Friday and took him into custody for the sexual assault.

Storkson was booked into Lake County Jail, Bennett said.

Anybody with further information on this case is encouraged to contact Det. Tomas Riley at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local band Whispering Light, featuring Native American flutes and guitars over jazz/rock fusion instrumentals, is kicking off their coast-to-coast tour promoting their new album, “One Tribe.”

Nationally acclaimed Whispering Light is the duo of Native American Music Awards nominee Kevin Village-Stone (Native American flutes, bass, keyboards) and award-winning guitarist Lindy Day (classical, acoustic, electric, saxophone, percussion).

This year, they released their new album “One Tribe” in 220 countries and 37 online retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Google, and Sony.

“The international response to our music has simply amazed us. We now have fans throughout Central Europe, Australia, Japan, the UK, and of course, the U.S. We're looking forward to overseas performances in 2015,” said Day.

Both being formally trained multi-instrumentalists, Stone and Day feature a captivating full-band sound even as a duo.

A recent review from Genwa World Wide noted, “These two musicians have gone deep within the spirit of music and produced a sound that transports the listener to musical vistas that are unique and beautiful. Lindy Day brings her guitars to life. She expands the soul of this music – a guitar magician. Whispering Light is a rare treat not to be missed.”

“We are very excited to perform across the country along with several stops in New York, Lindy's birthplace,” said Stone.

Their tour kicks off at The Fenix LIVE in San Rafael on Sunday, July 6, their official CD release party all weekend at Featherbed Railroad in Nice CA on July 12 and 13, Twin Pine Casino in Middletown for the Wine Adventure weekend July 26 and 27, then to New York.

More dates are being finalized for Chicago, Reno and Lake Tahoe.

“Check our Web site for the latest tour dates, an entire video log of our tour, free downloads and behind-the-scenes footage. We love connecting with our fans,” said Day.

For more information about Whispering Light, visit www.WhisperingLight.com .

For more information on Lindy Day, visit www.LindyDay.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of three search warrants last week led to the seizure of 265 marijuana plants, the confiscation of 61 firearms – including dozens of assault weapons – and the arrests of four people, including a man who had stored the assault weapons at his grandmother's home.

Andrew Timothy Chilton, 33, of Upper Lake; Justin Zeno Jones, 33, of Upper Lake; Nadine Louise Whitworth, 61, of Lakeport; and 64-year-old Thomas Michael Whitworth were arrested following the service of three search warrants, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 7:30 a.m. last Friday, Jun 27, the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant for three properties located in the 14000 block of Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake, Brooks said. Additionally, a residence located in the 5000 block of Eickhoff Road in Lakeport was secured under the same search warrant and searched.

Brooks said the search warrant was regarding large scale marijuana cultivation operations. All of the locations were owned or associated with Jones and his mother, Nadine Whitworth.

When the detectives arrived at the Upper Lake properties, they located and detained Jones without incident, Brooks said.

During a search of the Upper Lake locations, detectives located and eradicated a total of 122 marijuana plants. Brooks said they also located and seized numerous items of evidence, indicating illegal sales of marijuana.

Located inside a false wall detectives located and seized hundreds of illegal firearm components, which included high capacity magazines for assault weapons. Brooks said the components were purchased from out of state vendors and imported into California.

Brooks said detectives located documents in a safe showing Justin Jones is the treasurer of the Lake County Green Farmers/Lake County Farmers Association, which is known in the community to promote pro-medical marijuana laws.

During a search of the three Upper Lake properties, detectives obtained evidence that Chilton was living in one of the residences. Brooks said Chilton was reportedly renting one of the residences from Nadine Whitworth and was involved in cultivating marijuana with both Whitworth and Jones.

Upon arrival at the Eickhoff residence, detectives located and detained Nadine Whitworth and Thomas Whitworth without incident, Brooks said.

During a search of the property detectives located 95 marijuana plants which they eradicated. They also located approximately 30 pounds of processed marijuana and 11 firearms which were seized as evidence. Inside the residence, Brooks said detectives located $4,500 cash which was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.

During the course of the investigation, detectives learned of two additional addresses located in the 12000 block of Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake which were associated with Jones. Both of the properties were reported to be owned by Patricia McIvor, Jones’ grandmother, Brooks said.

At those addresses, Brooks said detectives located and eradicated an additional 48 marijuana plants. They also located a .22 caliber firearm which was seized as evidence.

The investigation led detectives to an address located in the 4000 block of Lakeshore Boulevard in Lakeport, which is occupied by McIvor. Brooks said a search warrant was obtained and served at the Lakeshore address.

Brooks said that during the search detectives located 50 assault weapons, which included four .50 caliber BMG rifles, AK-47 rifles, AR-15 type rifles and a large number of parts used for the manufacture and assembly of assault weapons.

Based on the evidence, all of the firearms located belonged to Justin Jones and were seized as evidence, Brooks said.

Justin Jones was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of high capacity magazines, armed while in the commission of a felony, possession of an assault weapon and importing / manufacturing assault weapons, according to Brooks.

Nadine and Thomas Whitworth were arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and for being armed while in the commission of a felony, Brooks said.

Brooks said Chilton was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and for being armed in the commission of a felony.

All four subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Jail records indicated bail for each of them was set at $15,000, with all four later being released after posting the required percentage of bail.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Come explore the wine region, experience the beauty and find out what's new at the 10th annual Lake County Wine Adventure.

More than 25 Lake County wineries will open their doors to welcome adventurers on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days for wine, food and fun.

New features have been added this year to mark the 10th anniversary including a best winery contest, displays by local Lake County artists and a raffle benefiting the Relay for Life-Lake County.

Ticket options include the two-day passport ticket for both days and a new one-day passport for Sunday.

Adventurers can beat the Saturday crowds at starting wineries with a special Friday concierge service to pick up Wine Adventure kits on Friday at Twin Pine Casino and Hotel in Middletown between 3 and 7 p.m. All members of the adventure party must go to Twin Pine in person for this service.

Tickets for the two-day Wine Adventure passport cost $45 and can be purchased online or at the following locations: Brassfield Estate Winery; Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill; Langtry Estate and Vineyards; Six Sigma Ranch and Vineyard; Steele Wines; Twin Pine Casino & Hotel “Off the Vine” gift shop; and Lake County Wine Studio. The new one-day passport is available online only.

Participants must be 21 or older. Designated drivers are encouraged and can attend free-of-charge.

To find out more or see what's new this year, call 707 357-5237 or visit www.lakecountywineries.org/adventure .

LCWA works to promote the wines of Lake County's high elevation region. Membership is open to wineries, winegrape growers, and individuals or businesses interested in promoting the Lake County wine industry.

For more information about upcoming events, sponsorship or membership opportunities, call 707 357-5237 or visit www.lakecountywineries.org .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Thursday, Mendocino College President Arturo Reyes received official notice of Mendocino College’s Reaffirmation of Accreditation in a letter from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a division of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

According to the letter signed by ACCJC President Dr. Barbara Beno, this process “is the most effective means of assuring institutional integrity, effectiveness, educational quality, and student success.”

This accreditation status is being reaffirmed based on a comprehensive evaluation conducted earlier this year.

“The Reaffirmation of Accreditation by the ACCJC validates Mendocino College’s commitment to academic excellence and to providing our students with high-quality educational programs and support services in an inclusive, caring and rigorous learning environment,” said Arturo Reyes, Superintendent/President of Mendocino Lake Community College District. “Our trustees, administration, faculty and staff will be so pleased and excited with this outstanding result.”

“We are excited that the evaluation process affirms district’s processes and practices that have earned the College a solid reputation among peers and recognizes the high-quality, post-secondary education offered at Mendocino. However, this reaffirmation is also a challenge to continue to improve the quality of the college’s programs and services to better serve all students.”

Mendocino was among only seven colleges awarded reaffirmation of accreditation at the June 4 to 6 meeting of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Reyes added, “This achievement would not have been possible without the many dedicated and talented people who teach, work and serve students at all the sites in the Mendocino-Lake District and all those who worked meticulously and diligently to earn this reaffirmation.”

The comprehensive evaluation process includes an Institutional Self-Evaluation Report completed by the college, a comprehensive four day visit by a 12 member review team which results in an External Evaluation Report, and the Commission’s review and final action.

Additional information about Mendocino College’s reaffirmation and accreditation is available at the college Web site, http://www.mendocino.edu/ .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Keith Larkin has been appointed to the position of Cal Fire Northern Region chief.

Larkin's appointment became effective on May 1.

With this appointment, Larkin returns to the North State where he began his fire service career as a seasonal firefighter in 1974 in Cal Fire’s Shasta-Trinity Unit.

Larkin will manage and coordinate fire protection, resource management and management services programs for Cal Fire’s Northern Region, which covers the state of California from Sacramento to the Oregon border and from the Pacific Ocean to the Nevada border.

“Chief Larkin’s four decades of experience in the California fire service will be an asset to our department’s management team as we face what has already been a very busy fire season,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director.

After starting in 1974 as a firefighter, Larkin promoted through the ranks and by 1997, he had attained the rank of battalion chief and worked in that capacity in Cal Fire’s Tehama-Glenn Unit, Madera-Mariposa Unit and the Cal Fire Academy.

In 2000 he promoted to the rank of division chief in Sacramento where he managed the Cal Fire and Office of the State Fire Marshal training programs.

In 2004, Larkin took the position of operations chief for the Tuolumne Calaveras Unit where he was responsible for the management of the Vallecito Conservation Camp, 10 Cal Fire stations, the implementation of two new fire safe councils and three Amador contracts with local fire protection districts.

He also served as the unit administrative officer managing all personnel and budgetary responsibilities.

In the fall of 2005, Larkin promoted to department training chief at the Cal Fire Academy in Ione where he served a dual role managing both the department’s Academy and the Training Program for the department’s 4,300 permanent and 2,400 seasonal employees.

In 2007, he was selected as the unit chief for Cal Fire Fresno Kings Unit and also served as the fire chief for Fresno County Fire Protection District which covered 2,600 square miles, 13 fire stations and an annual budget of over $19 million.

Cal Fire’s Northern Region responsibility includes oversight for 12 Cal Fire Units, 129 fires stations, 195 engines, 32 dozers, 102 inmate fire crews, 10 air tankers, six helicopters and more than 2,500 personnel. His office is located at the Cal Fire Northern Region Office on Airport Road in Redding.

Larkin was born and raised in Weaverville where his mother, Marlene, has lived for more than 60 years.

He has fond memories of his father serving on the volunteer fire department and responding to calls when the town horn sounded late at night.

Larkin has two daughters, Kimberly and Ashley.