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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook has announced he will not seek a second term in office.
Holbrook took office September 2010 after serving for more than 35 years in education in positions ranging from teacher to district superintendent.
“My commitment was to bring a level of energy, integrity and passion to the superintendent position,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook confirmed to Lake County News that Brock Faulkenberg, senior director of human resources/student programs and services with the Lake County Office of Education, will run for the superintendent of schools seat this year.
No other candidates have so far come forward to seek the office.
From the beginning, Holbrook said he had only considered pursuing one term in office after having come out of retirement to run.
As for what accomplishments have made him proudest, “I think that kind of remains to be seen,” he said, pointing out he still has nearly a year in office remaining.
During his term, the Lake County Office of Education has helped districts “weather some pretty severe cuts” while, at the same time, helping them focus on education, he said.
That the focus has remained on students is “tremendous,” said Holbrook, given the 20 percent reduction in student spending that has taken place over the last several years due to budget cuts.
Holbrook has been able to engage in a number of innovative projects, including serving on the Lucerne Hotel Education Task Force, the purpose of which was “to recommend a vision for an educational component that would be incorporated into the redevelopment and operation of the Lucerne Hotel” after the county purchased the building in 2010.
Those efforts were part of the groundwork that led to the signing in 2012 of a lease between the county of Lake and Southern California-based Marymount California University that will make the historic building Marymount's third campus. A full schedule of classes is set to begin this fall.
He also worked with the Lake County Superior Court to introduce the Mock Trial Program to the county, which is about to mark its second year of competition.
This past November, Holbrook received the Stars of Lake County “Man of the Year” award.
His term runs through December 2014, and between now and then, “There's plenty to do,” Holbrook said.
Looking ahead, Holbrook said he hopes the Literacy Task Force will blossom, with plans to expand and institutionalize it.
He also plans to support the parent engagement initiative, Hope Rising, which he said has the potential to have a huge impact on the community.
Holbrook believes the same holds true about The Hub, located on the Upper Lake High School campus, which is a centralized hub providing coordinated educational, health and social supports for children and families. He wants to fully advance The Hub initiative throughout the county.
Helping programs and services like those become well-established will be his focus, Holbrook said.
Getting such programs off the ground isn't easy, and it's not often that they can be implemented, but Holbrook said what's exciting about his work is coming up with ideas and having people respond to put them into action.
Among Holbrook's other priorities will be planning and initiating a transition plan for new leadership, developing a plan and process to reduce deficit spending, and continuing to foster good communication and partnerships.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Lions Club is giving a boost to local literacy efforts.
During the month of January Lakeport Lions Club members will present approximately 40 new books to Lakeport Elementary School.
The donation of the books supports the Lake County Reads initiative through the Lake County Literacy Task Force.
Through this process, the club’s donation of $500 purchased age- and grade-appropriate children’s books for the school.
In addition, Lakeport Lions members, along with volunteer students from Clear Lake High School, will be reading the books to the students in the classroom throughout the month.
“We are so very proud to be a part of this worthwhile project. What a pleasure it is to see the excited faces of the children as you read a book to them,” said Lakeport Lion President Kandee Stolesen.
The Lakeport Lions is a community serving organization. If you would like to become a Lion or would like more information on the Lakeport Lions Club, contact Stolesen at 707-263-1352.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) has introduced legislation to help low-income Californians with their water bills.
Assembly Bill 1434 would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to extend the Low-Income Rate Assistance (LIRA) program statewide and increase the level of assistance provided to ratepayers who qualify for the LIRA program.
“In 2012, California established the right for every human being to safe, clean, affordable water,” said Yamada, whose district includes Lake County. “We need to work to ensure that what the state has acknowledged as a necessity isn’t priced as a luxury.”
Currently, LIRA programs are managed by individual water utilities at the direction of the CPUC and provide water bill discounts for low-income customers.
However, for those receiving assistance, discounts vary widely among utility service districts and are often so small as to be insignificant, according to Yamada's office.
In the town of Lucerne, where California Water Service Co. owns the water facilities, LIRA program participants currently receive only a maximum monthly benefit of $12 in a system where rates have continued to climb over the past decade.
Additionally, many smaller water companies in rural areas are exempt from providing any LIRA benefits to ratepayers, Yamada's office reported.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that hundreds of billions of dollars will be needed to invest in upgrading the nation’s crumbling and outdated water infrastructure throughout the next decade.
A large portion of the financial responsibility of paying for these upgrades will rest with the consumer in the form of increased water rates.
While the CPUC has implemented the LIRA programs in the state’s larger water utilities, rate relief is still needed for a large number of low-income Californians.
Yamada's office said this legislation will alleviate some of this burden for ratepayers.
AB 1434 is expected to be referred to a policy committee later this month.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – More new kittens have arrived and are joining older cats waiting for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
The new kittens are 15 and 16 weeks old, with the older cats 9 months old.
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.
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”).
Male domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten is 16 weeks old.
He has green eyes and a black coat, weighs 3 pounds and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 38a, ID No. 38804.
Tortie point kitten
This female tortie point kitten is 15 weeks old.
She has a short coat, green eye and has not been spayed.
She's in cat room kennel No. 38b, ID No. 38805.
Tortie point
This calico with tortie point markings is 9 months old.
She has a short coat and has not yet been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 84a, ID No. 38527.
Tortie point
This calico with tortie point markings is 9 months old.
She has a long coat and has not yet been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 85a, ID No. 38526.
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
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission will meet this week to discuss a proposed duplex project.
The commission will meet beginning at 6 p.m., Jan. 7, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the Tuesday meeting the commission will consider a resolution approving a use permit for the duplex project, which is proposed by Steve Holmstrom.
The meeting also will include a public hearing to consider the approval of a notice of determination of a mitigated negative declaration of environmental impact based on an initial study on the project.
Holmstrom wants to construct 6 duplexes – for a total of 12 residences – on six parcels at 3642 Old Highway 53; 3710 and 3720 Park Road; and 3715, 3717 and 3719 Hill Drive, according to Deputy City Clerk Julie Burrow's report to the commission.
The properties in question are located in a resource protection zone, with five parcels currently vacant and the sixth containing one single family residence that will remain, the report explained.
“The proposed project would create 12 residential units in an area which is already substantially developed with residential and commercial uses,” Burrow reported.
Burrow's report also notes that the project has been determined to be consistent with the city's zoning ordinance and general plan.
At the Tuesday meeting the commission also will receive an update on the city's draft general plan.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif -- An early morning structure fire at a Clearlake Apartment complex resulted in one fatality Sunday.
Lake County Fire Protection Chief Willie Sapeta reported that fire crews were dispatched at approximately 6:30 a.m. to a strucure fire on the 3800 block of Old Highway 53.
Fire crews arrived at 3812 Old Highway 53 to see smoke coming from the building, Sapeta said. Responding to the fire were two engines, the fire chief, a battalion chief and two medics.
Upon entry to the affected apartment fire crews discovered one person who had perished in the fire.
The identity of that individual has not been released pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
Sapeta said that an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire and whether a smoke alarm found in the building were functional at the time of the fire.
In addition to the reported fatality, six families were temporarily displaced by the fire though Sapeta said they would be able to return to their homes after cleanup. No additional injuries were reported.
The fire was knocked down within 15 minutes, according to Sapeta.
Chief Sapeta urges the public to take safety precautions against fire by checking and replacing batteries in smoke alarms, testing them and practicing evacuations.
It's "definitely a sad day in Clearlake," Sapeta said.
Email John Jensen at