How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lake County correctional officer was taken into custody last week on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
Yvette Estelle Padilla, 35, was arrested for battery on a spouse or cohabitant early on the morning of Friday, May 9, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said officers were dispatched to a 19th Street address at around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, May 8, on the report of a domestic altercation. He said two police officers and a supervisor responded to the scene.
When they arrived at the location, the officers contacted a resident in the area who said he heard the occupants of the 19th Street home yelling and what sounded like a physical altercation, Rasmussen said.
The officers contacted the home's two residents, Padilla and a 24-year-old woman who Rasmussen said eventually would be identified as the victim in the case.
Rasmussen said the alleged victim told officers that she had been in an argument with Padilla that escalated into a physical assault.
According to the alleged victim's statement to police, she and Padilla had been in an argument and Padilla became upset and walked out of the bedroom. Rasmussen said the victim told officers she had then locked the bedroom door and sat back down on the bed with a cell phone and TV remote control in her hands.
Padilla then kicked the door open – an action Rasmussen said she later admitted to police that she did – and then grabbed the other woman by the hair, dragging her off the bed and slamming her into the floor repeatedly.
Rasmussen said the alleged victim hit Padilla in the head with the TV remote in an effort to make her let go, then grabbed pepper spray and sprayed Padilla in the face with it before going into the bathroom, locking the door and waiting for police.
Lakeport Fire personnel were later called to the scene to treat Padilla for the pepper spray, Rasmussen said.
In addition to the statements from the two women and the neighbor, during the investigation officers found evidence in the home of a physical altercation. The bedroom was in disarray and appeared consistent with the alleged victim's statement that she had been pulled out of bed and assaulted, according to Rasmussen.
He said Padilla also had an injury to the back of her head – a small lump – consistent with being hit with the TV remote. Rasmussen did not know the cause of an injury to Padilla's forehead that was evident in her mugshot.
Rasmussen said officers determined that it was a domestic violence case with Padilla being the primary aggressor – or the person considered to be responsible for the violence.
The woman Padilla is alleged to have assaulted had complaints of pain, Rasmussen said.
Because of the arrest, “We did take a handgun out of the residence,” said Rasmussen.
He emphasized that the handgun was not involved in the incident. “Any time there is domestic violence we do seize weapons from the residence.”
In addition, police seized the can of pepper spray used on Padilla. Rasmussen said the pink pepper spray can did not appear to be law enforcement issued.
Rasmussen said his officers immediately notified both the sheriff's on duty watch commander and the jail of Padilla's arrest and the fact she was being transported to the jail for booking.
No emergency restraining order was issued against Padilla that night, and Rasmussen said he is not aware of one filed since.
“Our report is complete on the arrest and it’s marked as forwarded to the DA’s Office for review,” said Rasmussen.
Padilla's bail was set at $10,000. Jail records indicated she later posted the necessary portion of bail and was released.
She has a June 16 court appearance in the case, according to her booking sheet.
Editor’s note: Police have clarified that Padilla was slamming the alleged victim’s body – not necessarily her head only – onto the floor.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission this week will discuss a freestanding sign proposal and continue work on aspects of the Lakeport General Plan update.
The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On the commission's agenda is a proposal for a second freestanding, low-profile monument sign near the northeast corner of the Kathy Fowler Auto Center, located at 1175 Parallel Drive.
The commission also will continue its workshop on the focused review, update and amendment to the Lakeport General Plan.
Specifically, staff has prepared recommended revised content for the General Plan Conservation Element, with the changes incorporating new policy language which was reviewed and authorized by the Planning Commission on April 9.
Commissioners also will review the scope of work and level of completeness on the plan, and look at the proposal submitted in response to the March 26 request for proposals for preparation of the general plan update's California Environmental Quality Act documentation.
The public is encouraged to attend and weigh in on aspects of the plan document.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The service of two search warrants last week resulted in two arrests, the eradication of 3,277 marijuana plants and the seizure of two firearms.
Detectives arrested 30-year-old Nestor Alejandro Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Miguel Angel Vargas, 25, both of Lower Lake, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Last Friday, May 9, narcotics detectives secured two search warrants for neighboring properties located in the 12000 block of Riata Road in Lower Lake, serving the warrants just before 3:30 p.m. that same day, Brooks said.
Brooks said detectives entered the first property and were unable to locate anyone inside the residence or on the property itself.
During a search of the residence, detectives located 920 marijuana plants growing in one of the bedrooms, Brooks said. The bedroom had been completely transformed to house an indoor marijuana cultivation operation.
Inside a closet, detectives located 2 pounds of processed marijuana. Brooks said detectives searched the master bedroom and located a digital scale, growing supplies and a Browning 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
During a search of the property, detectives located 80 marijuana plants growing near the residence. Several of these plants were at full maturity in a light deprivation style setup. Inside a greenhouse 254 marijuana plants were located, Brooks said.
Detectives searched the property and located 1,380 marijuana plants, which were growing outside. A total of 2,634 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from the property, Brooks said. The 2 pounds of processed marijuana and the firearm were seized as evidence.
Brooks said detectives responded to the second property, located next door, and served the search warrant. On the property were two fifth wheel travel trailers and four green houses. Detectives were unable to locate anyone at the property.
During the search detectives located a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition and 129 marijuana plants in one of the trailers. Brooks said the marijuana was eradicated and the firearm and ammunition was seized as evidence.
Detectives located and eradicated 492 marijuana plants from inside the four green houses. During a search of the outside property, detectives located and eradicated an additional 22 marijuana plants. These plants were located sporadically throughout the property. A total of 643 marijuana plants were eradicated from this location, according to Brooks.
Just prior to departing the location, detectives noticed a white sedan occupied by two Hispanic male adults approaching the parcel of property. As the vehicle drove past, a detective noticed that the driver had an open beer bottle between his legs, Brooks said.
Both subjects were detained at the location. Brooks said the driver was identified as Rodriguez-Gonzalez and the passenger was identified as Miguel Angel Vargas.
Detectives located evidence which linked both Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Vargas to the grow sites. Brooks said they were both arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and for being armed in the commission of a felony.
They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Both men remained in custody on Monday. Rodriguez-Gonzalez was being held on an immigration hold and Vargas' bail was set at $15,000.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has co-authored U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-5) legislation that would transfer the management of Lake Berryessa from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management.
The bill, H.R. 4166, now has 224 co-authors, six more than is needed to pass the House.
A House Committee on Natural Resources hearing has been scheduled for late May.
“No matter what side of the aisle you’re on everyone agrees that our federal agencies need to be operating efficiently and effectively and that’s why a bipartisan majority in the House supports changing management at Lake Berryessa,” said Thompson. “The management status quo at the lake isn’t working. A new course is needed and BLM is the agency best suited to manage recreation at Lake Berryessa.”
Thompson's office said the Bureau of Reclamation has failed to provide and manage adequate concessions at Lake Berryessa in recent years.
Currently, only one of the seven concessions has a permanent operator and four are operated under interim contracts, providing only boat launching and camping without hook-ups, showers or running water, Thompson's office reported. The two remaining concession locations are closed. The lack of concessions has caused tourism to drop and has hurt the local economy.
BLM manages 264 million acres of public lands across the United States, and has extensive experience managing outdoor activities on public lands – including camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing and more.
BLM management of the Lake Berryessa Recreation area would help ensure better management and enhanced recreational opportunities for visitors to the lake, according to Thompson.
Specifically the Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act would:
- Transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Lake Berryessa Recreation Area from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management;
- Direct the Department of the Interior to develop a comprehensive management plan; and
- Allow the Bureau of Reclamation to continue to administer the Monticello Dam and other facilities related to the dam.
The Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. A hearing on the legislation will take place in late May.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
COBB, Calif. – A Cobb woman died Sunday evening following a single-vehicle crash near Loch Lomond, with the driver later taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Amber Nicole Stogner, 29, died in the crash, which occurred at approximately 7:18 p.m. Sunday, according to a Monday morning report from the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.
The driver in the crash, Douglas Lee Magruder, 29, also of Cobb, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence causing injury and vehicular manslaughter, the CHP report said.
The CHP said Stogner was traveling with Magruder in his 1986 Honda Civic on Highway 175 when the crash occurred.
Magruder was driving westbound, west of Western Pine Road in the area of Loch Lomond when, for a reason that is still undetermined, he was unable to negotiate a slight left curve in the road and struck a pine tree along the north side of the highway, the CHP said.
Stogner succumbed to her injuries at the crash scene, while Magruder suffered minor injuries – including abrasions and complaints of pain to his leg – and was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where he was treated and later released, according to the CHP.
Neither Stogner nor Magruder were wearing seat belts, the report said.
The CHP said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, and Magruder subsequently was taken into custody.
Magruder was arrested shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday and booked into the Lake County Jail early Monday morning. Jail records indicated his bail was set at $100,000.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the CHP Clear Lake Area office at 707-279-0103.
Officer Adam Garcia is leading the investigation, according to the report.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – A split between the Hidden Valley Lake Association Board of Directors and the general association membership over a community center project has taken another turn with members circulating a petition for the recall of Board President Bill Waite.
At the center of the dispute is the construction of the new Hartmann Complex/Community Center and a new clubhouse, including a restaurant, bar and golf pro shop.
Five of the seven board members seem to believe these projects – which are now estimated to cost about $5.3 million, revised from an original $7.3 million figure – can be accomplished without approval of the membership.
The member-residents contend that without a two-thirds majority of members qualified to vote the project cannot be done. They are supported in this contention by the HVLA Information Manual.
To create an action item for Waite's recall would require a petition signed by 5 percent of the HVLA membership, or about 200 people, which recall organizers believe they should reach within the next few weeks.
Lake County News is still waiting for a response from Waite regarding the recall petition.
An associate of Waite’s told this reporter that the board president asked that questions for him from Lake County News be in written form. A short series of questions for Waite were emailed to the associate on Thursday. There has not yet been a reply.
A minor complication to the signature solicitation occurred when a table set up outside Hardester's HVL market for signing purposes had to be removed when several complaints were phoned in.
This was offset by a demonstration last Tuesday afternoon by 25 members outside the HVLA administration building where some members of the board met.
The demonstrators – some carrying placards – were letting the board know how they felt about a hearing for the censure of director Steve Greenberg, one of the two board members who supports a community-wide vote and wrote a summary to the board explaining why.
As a result of Greenberg's summary document, he received a May 2 letter from the HVLA's general corporate counsel, Baydaline & Jacobsen LLP, that his fellow board members were notifying him of “actual and potential violations of your fiduciary obligations as an Association Director with respect to your unilateral and unauthorized decision to circulate your position paper (the 'Hartman Paper') to all residents at Hidden Valley Lake,” and that he should seek legal counsel at his own cost due to personal liability.
The letter also told Greenberg, “As a Director, you owe the Association and its membership a fiduciary duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of all members. This unmitigated duty of loyalty requires that you put the Associations interests ahead of your own personal interests and passions. A director's failure to adhere to their fiduciary obligations can lead to personal liability for their unauthorized actions.”
The letter from Baydaline & Jacobsen LLP also alleged that Greenberg provided “legal counsel” in his letter and made a “veiled threat” to the incoming general manager, with the letter “clearly intended to undermine and derail the success of the Project.”
Greenberg denies the allegations contained in the letter from Baydaline & Jacobsen.
The HVLA Board members apparently called off the Tuesday censure hearing and right now it is impossible to say where the issue stands due to confidentiality issues.
There was additional support shown for Greenberg at the HVLA Board's regular meeting on Thursday night. He received prolonged applause during the session by a room packed with his supporters.
“I'd like to thank everyone for showing up tonight,” he told the gathering. “I'm very grateful for their support.”
In a phone conversation with this Lake County News reporter, Greenberg said, “It was unclear how this (show of support) would evolve; there have been many people who were very instrumental in making sure there was the turnout there was on Thursday night.
“I think the people who spoke during the meeting spoke very well about the diversity of views and the concerns,” he added.
His only comment with regard to his potential censure was, “I can't say anything about what happened because it is covered by confidentiality, but I have never broken confidentiality.”
Greenberg spoke hopefully of the dispute between the board and HVLA members setting down and restoring order at HVL when newly appointed general manager Cindy Spears, who assumes her duties on Monday.
“I believe she is able to help us as a community to pass forward. It's been my mantra for a long time that we need to find a common path,” he said. “She has extraordinarily good credentials. Her reputation is at the highest level and is called a professional certified association manager ... it takes years to attain and there are only 2,000 of them.”
Greenberg added, “I think what has happened is unfortunate and I think that she may be able to help us.”
Email John Lindblom at