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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday a Clearlake man was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for molesting an 11-year-old girl.
Daniel Joseph Brazil, 66, of Clearlake, was sentenced to 16 years in state prison following his guilty plea to two counts of molesting the girl in 2006, according to the Lake County District Attorney's Office.
On Aug. 12, Brazil pleaded guilty to two counts of committing a lewd act on a child by force or duress, as Lake County News has reported.
On Monday afternoon, Judge Andrew Blum sentenced Brazil to the maximum term of eight years on each count, to be served consecutively, the District Attorney's Office said.
The molestation was reported to law enforcement in late 2012. The victim, who currently lives out of state, was visiting relatives in Clearlake when she disclosed to an adult relative that several years previously, she had been molested by Brazil during an overnight stay at his house, and then again approximately a week later.
That relative immediately contacted the Clearlake Police Department. Det. Ryan Petersen initiated an investigation which led to charges against Brazil being filed this past April.
Because the charges are violent felonies, or strikes, Brazil must serve 85 percent of his sentence – 13 years and seven months – before he is eligible for release, the District Attorney's Office reported. Brazil also will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Brazil was represented by defense attorney Komnith Moth. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that 94 nominations in 21 categories were received for the 16th annual Stars of Lake County Community Awards program.
The program will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, beginning with a reception at 5 p.m. in the Soper-Reese Community Theater, 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.
Bellissimo! Wine Country Catering will be serving substantial appetizers during the reception hour and chamber directors will be staffing the no host bar.
David Neft will play for the reception hour as he has for every year of Stars since 1998.
After everyone is seated at 6:15 p.m., Jackie Hansen of Lakeport Grocery Outlet will begin the evening with a song tribute to all the nominees.
U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson who sponsors the Hero of the Year Award, will also be with us for the 16th year in a row. Congressman Thompson will present every Star recipient with a special recognition certificate.
Thanks to Konocti Harbor Resort and Greg Bennett, the large lighted star that has been in place on stage each year, will be at the Soper-Reese for this 16th annual celebration of Lake County Stars.
At this time, all those nominated have been notified by personal letter of their nomination. The chamber is collecting photos of everyone and Tony Barthel, a director of the chamber and owner of Featherbed Railroad B&B, is creating the video which will be shown during the reception.
Each nominee is gifted with one free ticket for the evening and all nominees will be seated in the front sections of the theater. Barthel also supplies the music during the awards presentation, which is matched by Barthel with the nominee and or the specific award category they are in, making the experience even more meaningful.
The Stars Selection Committee is meeting on Nov. 8 to make the determinations on which nominees will be receiving the Star Awards. All Award recipients will be announced from the podium on the 16th as their letter of nomination is read by the category sponsor representative.
The Stars of Lake County is only made possible through the support of the business community. For 2013, sponsors include Lake County Record-Bee, Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka, WestAmerica Bank, Marymount California College, Mendo Mill Lumber & Home Center, Disney Trophies & Awards, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, SERVPRO, Twin Pine Casino, Savings Bank of Mendocino, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Calpine, Foods, Etc., Konocti Vista Casino, Bruno’s Shop Smart, Kathy Fowler Auto Center, U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson, John Tomkins Tax Consultant, North Lake Medical Pharmacy, Strong Financial Network and Lake Event Design.
Tickets are on sale now with all seats costing $25/person, reserved seating only. The chamber does not anticipate any seats being available on the evening of the event as there are only 300 seats in total. Tickets may be purchased only through the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd. at Vista Point. The chamber can accept credit card orders over the phone, Visa, Master Card or Discover.
All questions regarding the Stars of Lake County Community Awards Program may be addressed to the Chamber at 707-263-5092.
The full list of nominees is below.
STARS OF LAKE COUNTY NOMINEES
Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
Sponsored by Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka
- Mary Ferrara, Clearlake Oaks
- Michael Smith, Clearlake
Senior of the Year
Sponsored by Westamerica Bank
- Nelson Strasser, Lakeport
- Joe Totorica (posthumously)
- Linda Burton, Clearlake
- Ladona Hartman, Kelseyville
Volunteer of the Year
Sponsored by Marymount California University-Lakeside Campus
- Diana Dahl, Lakeport
- Michael Vandiver, Clearlake
- Mary Veeninga, Lakeport
- Anna Jones, Kelseyville
- Esther Stone, Lakeport
- Bruno Sabatier, Clearlake
- Theresa Cortez, Hidden Valley Lake
- Andrea Anderson, Lakeport
Student of the Year – Female
Sponsored by Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber
- Michelle Page, Clearlake
- Rebecca Bisaccio, Lakeport
- Joy Bennett, Kelseyville
- Amelia Fenk, Middletown
Student of the Year – Male
Sponsored by Disney’s Trophies and Awards
- Noah Lyndall, Kelseyville
- Antonio Perez, Lakeport
- Erick Pelayo-Moreno, Clearlake
- Christian Villalobos, Clearlake
- Eduardo Alatorre, Kelseyville
Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer
Sponsored by Sutter Lakeside Hospital
- Lake County As, Lake County
- Mark Cooper, DDS, Clearlake
- Roscoe Thomas, Lucerne
Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional
Sponsored by SERVPRO-Lake & Mendocino Counties
- Franklin D. Gudmundson Jr., Upper Lake
- Tim Biasotti, Clearlake
Agriculture Award
Sponsored by Twin Pine Casino & Hotel
- Patsie Pachie, Middletown
- Bella Vista Farming, Kelseyville
- Ken Fountain, (Posthumously)
- Six Sigma Ranch, Lower Lake
Organization of the Year – Nonprofit (has paid staff)
Sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino
- Lakeport Senior Center, Lakeport
- The Literacy Task Force, Lakeport
- Workforce Lake, Lakeport & Clearlake
- VA Outpatient Clinic, Clearlake
- Freedom Christian University, Kelseyville
Organization of the Year – Volunteer (all volunteer staff)
Sponsored by Mendo Lake Credit Union
- Lake County Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitative Services, Lakeport
- Hammers For Hope, All Around Lake County
- Lake List, Lower Lake
- Animal Coalition of Lake County, Clearlake
- Konocti Lioness Club, Kelseyville
- Save Our Seniors, Lakeport
- Clear Lake Horsemen’s Association, Lakeport
- South Lake Fire Sirens, Middletown
- Lakeport Women’s Civic Club, Lakeport
Environmental Award
Sponsored by Calpine Corp.
- WorldMark by Wyndham
- Greg Dills, Lakeport
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Konocti Vista Casino & Marina
- Danny’s Roadside Kitchen, Lower Lake
- The Spot Juice Bar, Middletown
- Cheese’s Main Street Pizza, Lakeport
- The Boathouse Restaurant, Nice
- McKinley Photography, Clearlake
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Food’s Etc.
- Middletown Florist, Middletown
- Mark Holt Pest Control, Cobb
- Kelseyville Appliance, Kelseyville
- Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant/Tallman Hotel, Upper Lake
- Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast, Nice
- The Art House Gallery, Clearlake
Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bruno’s Shop Smart
- Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber, Lakeport and Clearlake
- Twin Pine Casino & Hotel/Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Middletown
Best Idea of the Year
Sponsored by Kathy Fowler Auto Center
- Upper Lake Horticultural Happening-Grow With Us!, Upper Lake
- Lake County Hunger Task Force, Bountiful Gift Baskets, Kelseyville
- Memory Bear Family Keepsake, Clearlake
- The Hub, Lakeport
- Bloom Maternity Home, Hidden Valley Lake
- Flush Away Cancer!, Lakeport
Local Hero of the Year
Sponsored by US Congressman, Mike Thompson
- Casse Waldman Forczek, Lakeport
- David Estep, Clearlake
- Don Anderson, Lakeport
- Forrest Seagrave (Posthumously)
- Jacob Bogner, Clearlake Oaks
- Jon Henry, Middletown
The Arts Award of the Year – Amateur
- Joshua Dylan Blair (posthumously)
- Lacey Baumer, Clearlake
- April Hansen, Lakeport
- Elsa Meyer, Lakeport
The Arts Award of the Year – Professional
- Melinda Young, Clearlake
- Bernie Butcher, Upper Lake
- Sheila O’Hara, Lower Lake
- James Max Butler, Upper Lake
- Sherry Harris, Clearlake
- Amber Sheridan, Kelseyville
Woman of the Year
Sponsored by Northlake Medical Pharmacy
- Jennifer Strong, Lakeport
- Beverly McVey, Lakeport
- Pearlina Drummond, Lucerne
Man of the Year
Sponsored by Lake County Record-Bee
- Wally Holbrook, Lakeport
- Jonathan Crooks, Nice
- Tom Jordan, Lakeport
- Jerry Pfann, Lakeport
Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Strong Financial Network
- Dennis Rollins, Lakeport
- Gardiner “Buster” Jones, Lucerne
- Griff Ratterree, Clearlake
- Carl Stein, Clearlake
Spirit of Lake County Award, sponsored by John Tomkins, is chosen by the Selection Committee from nominations received in other categories.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will host a presentation by the Lake County Winegrape Commission president during its next regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
The committee will meet from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The meeting is open to the public.
Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, will be the featured speaker.
Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira will give an update on regional economic development, and there will be updates a Lakeport branding campaign, committee member reports and outreach efforts involving Lakeport businesses.
LEDAC's next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, will host a presentation by Jennifer Strong, ride director for the Lakeport Rotary's Konocti Challenge, which took place Oct. 5.
The committee advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Committee members include Carol Cole-Lewis, Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton, Barbara Johnson, George Linn, Nina Marino, Wilda Shock, Taira St. John and Mireya Turner, with ex-officio members includes Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira and Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A probation search conducted Saturday night has resulted in the arrest of an Upper Lake man and the seizure of methamphetamine.
Ira Jude Donelson, 36, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale and for violating the terms of his probation, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 11:50 p.m. last Saturday, patrol deputies responded to the 9600 block of Elliott Street in Upper Lake to conduct a probation search of Donelson, Brooks said.
Deputies contacted Donelson at the residence and informed him they would be conducting a probation search. Brooks said Donelson denied having anything illegal in his possession when asked by the deputies.
One of the deputies conducted a search of Donelson and located four individually wrapped clear plastic bags in his pants pocket. Brooks said the deputy noticed each bag contained a clear crystalline substance, which he recognized to be methamphetamine.
Due to the amount of methamphetamine located in Donelson’s pocket and the way it was packaged, the deputy said it was consistent with possession for sales and not personal use, Brooks said.
Donelson was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, according to Brooks.
The deputy later weighed the four bags of suspected methamphetamine, which Brooks said weighed a total of 12.5 grams and reportedly has a street value of $1,250.00.
Brooks said Donelson currently is in custody and being held without bail for violating the terms and conditions of his probation.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local biologist has been named to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Gregory Giusti of Kelseyville was appointed to the board by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Giusti, 58, has been an advisor and director of forest and wildlands ecology at the University of California Cooperative Extension since 1985, and has an in-depth knowledge of Clear Lake.
He was an agricultural biologist at the San Mateo County Department of Agriculture from 1981 to 1985 and chief biologist at the Marine Ecological Institute from 1979 to 1981.
He earned a master of arts degree in ecology and population biology from California State University, San Francisco.
This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Giusti is registered decline-to-state.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Seven cats are ready and waiting for new home this week at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
The cats range in age from 6 months to 6 years, with a variety of coat types and colors.
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
This male domestic short hair is 1 year old.
He has a black and white coat, and weighs nearly 9 pounds. He has not yet been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 9, ID No. 38209.
Male domestic long hair mix
This male domestic long hair mix is 4 years old.
He weighs 9 pounds, has a black and white coat, and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. 38326.
Dilute calico
This dilute calico is 6 years old.
She has a short coat, weighs 13 pounds and has been spayed.
She's in cat room kennel No. 32, ID No. 38256.
Female brown tabby
This female brown tabby is 1 year old.
She has green eyes and a short coat, and has not yet been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 41, ID No. 38213.
Domestic medium hair mix
This domestic medium hair mix cat is 6 months old.
She has has a black and white coat and gold eyes. Shelter staff did not report of she has been altered.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 67, ID No. 38040.
Female gray tabby
This female gray tabby is 6 months old.
She has a short coat; shelter staff did not report if she has been spayed.
She's in cat room kennel No. 98, ID No. 38287.
Dilute calico
This dilute calico is 6 months old.
She weighs 5 pounds, has a short coat and has not been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 126, ID No. 38320 .
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