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California is supposed to be the Golden State. Make that golden brown.
The entire West Coast of the United States is changing color as the deepest drought in more than a century unfolds.
According to the US Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, dry conditions have become extreme across more than 62 percent of California’s land area – and there is little relief in sight.
“Up and down California, from Oregon to Mexico, it's dry as a bone,” said Jet Propulsion Lab climatologst Bill Patzert. “To make matters worse, the snowpack in the water-storing Sierras is less than 20 percent of normal for this time of the year.”
The drought is so bad, NASA satellites can see it from space.
On Jan. 18 – just one day after California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency – NASA’s Terra satellite snapped a sobering picture of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Where thousands of square miles of white snowpack should have been, there was just bare dirt and rock.
At the Jet Propulsion Lab, a group of researchers led by Tom Painter are preparing to fly a Twin Otter aircraft over the Sierras to investigate the situation.
Their “Airborne Snow Observatory” is equipped with a laser radar and a spectrometer to measure the snow’s depth and reflectivity.
From these data, it is possible to calculate the water content of the Sierras within 5 percent and future snowmelt rates with similar precision.
“The Airborne Snow Observatory was designed for times like this when we really need to know the state of the snow pack,” said Painter. “Our next flight will be over the Tuolumne River Basin.”
The Tuolumne watershed and its Hetch Hetchy Reservoir are the primary water supply for 2.6 million San Francisco Bay Area residents.
The change in scenery is so striking, a group of high school science students in central California have been flying high altitude balloons to photograph it.
From the stratosphere, their home town of Bishop looks like a settlement on the planet Mars.
“The lack of snow is really striking,” said 17-year-old Amelia Koske-Phillips, president of the Earth to Sky Calculus science club.
“I've never seen a winter as brown as this,” added 16-year old Carson Reid, a member of the launch team.
Bill Patzert blames the drought, in part, on the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or “PDO,” a slowly oscillating pattern of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
At the moment, the PDO is in its negative phase – a condition historically linked to extreme high-pressure ridges that block West Coast storms and give the Midwest and East Coast punishing winters.
“I’m often asked if this is part of global warming,” said Patzert. “My answer is ‘not yet.’ What we’re experiencing now is a natural variability that we’ve seen many times in the past. Ultimately, though, climate change could make western droughts much worse.”
Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Should a beneficiary with an addiction to drugs, alcohol and/or gambling receive an outright inheritance?
In most cases the answer is clearly, “no.” Doing so would likely enable the self-destructive addiction.
Instead, holding the inheritance in further trust, managed by a responsible trustee, may prove more beneficial.
For discussion purposes, let’s consider some basic questions regarding how the trust might work.
How long is an ongoing trust?
An ongoing trust may last for years up to the entire lifetime of one or more beneficiaries. It may be terminated when the beneficiary is rehabilitated, dies or the trust is no longer feasible to maintain.
When is the trust established?
Usually the trust is established at death of a parent, spouse or other relative wishing to leave an inheritance. Alternatively, they may establish the trust during their lifetime.
The trust might then be available to receive contributions from other caring people who wish to make responsible gifts to the same beneficiary.
Would the trust distribute money to the beneficiary?
Preferably no distributions of money are made to a beneficiary while still an addict. At most a minimal cash allowance might be allowed as pocket money; even pocket money should be at the trustee’s discretion or on condition that the beneficiary not abuse the allowance.
How would the beneficiary be assisted?
Depending on the terms of the trust, the trustee might be allowed to use the assets in the following ways: (1) To help rehabilitate the beneficiary through counseling or a rehabilitation program; (2) to make direct payments to third parties in furtherance of the beneficiary’s health, education, maintenance or support; and (3) to pay for travel, recreation and entertainment.
Would there ever be any distributions to the beneficiary?
If and when the beneficiary proves to be rehabilitated for a sufficient time period, typically six consecutive months, then direct distributions to the beneficiary, including perhaps monetary distributions, could either be allowed, at the trustee’s discretion, or else required.
Otherwise, until then, only direct support payments to providers and non cash assets, like furniture and furnishings, would be allowed.
How would the trustee evaluate a beneficiary’s addiction?
The trust would require the beneficiary both to take drug and/or alcohol tests and to sign all legal waivers needed to by trustee to receive confidential information. Failure to cooperate would be a bar to receiving distributions.
Who should manage the trust distributions?
The trustee needs to be someone who can say “no” to the beneficiary and who can do what is right. Often family members either do not want to serve or are not well suited to serve. Thus, provided sufficient resources, a professional private fiduciary or a bank can be utilized.
When is this feasible?
The trust needs to have the resources to afford professional management and to assist the beneficiary. Typically this means liquid assets worth above $100.
What control does the family have when a third party acts as trustee?
The trust may allow for a family member to act either as a trust advisor or as a trust protector.
A trust advisor is someone whom the trustee either may or must consult regarding distributions. A trust protector is someone who has the power to remove and replace a trustee, often without cause.
A trust protector is not involved with daily management but oversees the trustee’s performance with regards to asset management and beneficiary distributions.
People with addictions cannot control certain impulses. For this reason it is important that any inheritance left to them be given with safeguards.
Naturally, before reaching any conclusion regarding any particular person’s own estate planning, consult with a qualified estate planning attorney.
Dennis A. Fordham, attorney (LL.M. tax studies), is a State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, California. Fordham can be reached by e-mail at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted Thursday afternoon has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of over an ounce of methamphetamine.
Michael Brandon Jaco, 24, of Kelseyville and 28-year-old Ashley Nicole Saxon of Clearlake were arrested after the stop, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 3:50 p.m. Thursday a member of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force was traveling northbound on Main Street in Lakeport when he noticed ahead of him a burgundy colored sedan which had a defective left brake and turn signal light, Brooks said.
He said the detective conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle in the area of 15th and Main streets in Lakeport.
The detective approached the vehicle on the passenger side and contacted the front passenger, who was identified as Saxon. Brooks said the detective recognized Saxon from prior contacts due to her history of using and selling methamphetamine.
Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Saxon and advised she was on searchable probation, which Saxon also confirmed, Brooks said.
Brooks said the detective noticed that Saxon was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. She admitted to smoking methamphetamine the day before at approximately 10 a.m.
The detective administered a series of tests to determine if Saxon was under the influence, which she failed, Brooks said.
Saxon was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Brooks said the narcotics detective conducted a search of Saxon and placed her in the back of a patrol vehicle.
The detective contacted the driver, Jaco, who said he was unable to provide a driver's license due to it being suspended. Brooks said Jaco also admitted to having a methamphetamine pipe concealed between his seat and the center console, which was located and seized as evidence.
Brooks said the detective noticed Jaco was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant.
Jaco admitted to smoking methamphetamine three days prior to the enforcement stop, Brooks said. The detective administered a series of tests to determine if Jaco was under the influence, which Jaco also failed.
Jaco was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and for driving with a suspended license, Brooks said.
While speaking with Jaco, narcotics detectives noticed Saxon was moving her body around excessively in the patrol vehicle, according to Brooks. When detectives looked into the vehicle they saw Saxon trying to push a plastic bag under the security cage with her feet.
Brooks said Saxon was removed from the vehicle and the plastic bag was retrieved. Inside the bag was a white crystalline substance, which was immediately recognized as being methamphetamine.
Saxon, who has a history of concealing controlled substances on or within her person, adamantly denied ownership of the methamphetamine. Brooks said detectives believe she had it concealed on her, in an area where a female deputy would be required to search.
Saxon was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and for concealing evidence, according to Brooks.
Brook said both Saxon and Jaco were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
The methamphetamine was weighed and determined to have a gross weight of 35.9 grams or 1.27 ounces. The street value of the seized methamphetamine is approximately $3,600, Brooks said.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A series of moist Pacific storm systems will bring rain and snow to Northern California through the entire weekend.
Light rain began Wednesday and became heavier Thursday as the first and coldest storm moved into the area.
The rain tapered off to showers Thursday afternoon but it will start up again on Friday.
Computer models forecast the heaviest precipitation Friday evening and Saturday evening.
However rain will fall consistently from Friday to Monday morning if the models are correct.
Expect 3 to 6 inches of total precipitation across Lake County by the time the storms end Monday morning.
Snow levels were as low as 2,000 feet in the Shasta mountains, Coastal range and in the Sierra Nevada Thursday morning.
Snow was indicated by Doppler radar Thursday morning over the mountains of northeastern Lake County with a snow level of about 2,000 feet.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect Friday afternoon to Saturday evening for northern Lake County that covers the Mendocino National Forest/Snow Mountain Wilderness areas above 4,000 feet.
The storms have enough moisture to produce three to six inches of snow with the heaviest snow expected Friday night.
The weekend storms will be relatively warm compared to Thursday’s cold air and the snow level will rise to 5,000 feet on Friday and 6,000 feet through Saturday evening.
Winds will blow from the south 10 to 20 miles per hour through the weekend with gusts up to 30 miles per hour possible.
Here are some 24-hour precipitation totals from automated reporting stations as of 10 a.m. Thursday:
- 0.96” – Whispering Pines near Middletown (2,700 feet);
- 0.73” – Konocti (2,163 feet);
- 0.60” – Lakeport (1,390 feet);
- 0.54” – Cache Creek (1,463 feet);
- 0.49” – Indian Valley Reservoir (1,502 feet);
- 0.25” – Bartlett Springs near Lucerne (2,060 feet).
Weekend temperature forecast around Clear Lake:
- Friday lows: 32-42, highs: 44-54;
- Saturday lows: 37-45, highs: 49-56;
- Sunday lows: 41-49, highs: 52-59.
Lakeport low / high / weather
Friday 33/51 / Rain
Saturday 38/54 / Rain
Sunday 41/56 / Rain
Monday 39/61 / Partly Cloudy
Tuesday 36/60 / Partly Cloudy
Wednesday 36/59 / 20% Chance
Next week temperatures look slightly warmer than the seasonal averages with lows in the middle 30s to upper 40s and highs in the middle 50s to middle 60s.
Monday afternoon and Tuesday look dry.
Expect wet weather again Wednesday morning and Thursday with Wednesday’s storm being be the wetter of the two.
Scott Mace is a meteorologist and contributor to Lake County News.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Do you want to finish your bachelor's degree? Do you need help answering financial aid questions specific to “four year” institutions? Are you a veteran and wondering what educational benefits are available to you?
Marymount California University Lakeside Campus staff will offer informational meetings to help answer those questions.
One presentation will take place in the Round Room at the Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, with a second at Lakeport library, 1425 N. High Streeet Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m..
For those who can’t attend right at 5 p.m., the presentation will be offered a second time after staff have answered attendees' questions.
Marymount California University Lakeside staff will be at both locations to answer your questions and they're looking forward to meeting community members.
The university is opening its new Lakeside Campus in the historic Lucerne Hotel.
Enrollment for the fall semester is now open.
Students may select courses leading to a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
The undergraduate programs include a bachelor of arts in business or a liberal arts bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business and psychology.
Graduate programs include a master of science in community psychology, a master of science in leadership and global development or a master of business administration.
Prospective students should plan on attending the workshops Feb. 11 or 12, or contact the university at
For more about Marymount California University, visit http://www.marymountcalifornia.edu/ .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Friday Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit will temporarily lift the burn suspension within the state responsibility area in Sonoma, Lake, Napa and portions of Colusa, Solano and Yolo counties.
The temporary lifting of the suspension also includes the unincorporated areas of Napa County protected by Cal Fire/Napa County Fire.
“The recent rainfall has increased fuel moisture conditions in our area, which supports lifting of the burn suspension,” said Unit Chief Eric Hoffman.
The burn suspension may be reinstated, if needed, due to current drought conditions, which will increase hazardous fire conditions.
Property owners interested in conducting open burning are required to check with their local fire agency and air pollution district to ensure they meet all fire and air pollution permit requirements, prior to burning.
With the cooler moist temperatures department personnel encourage property owners to continue their outdoor housekeeping of providing proper clearance – 100 feet of defensible space – around their structures.
Actions to maintain or create a defensible space include:
- Maintain 100 feet of defensible space;
- Remove all dead plants, grasses or weeds from within 30 feet of structure;
- Trim trees 6 feet from the ground;
- Remove all leaves, pine needles and debris from roofs;
- Create an evacuation plan – practice the plan with your family.
For more information about fire safety or prescribed fire and its benefits visit the Cal Fire Web site, www.fire.ca.gov , or call your local Cal Fire facility.