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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lake County Sheriff's deputy on Thursday arrested a Sonoma man after a traffic stop that led to the discovery of a pound of methamphetamine, which officials said resulted in the largest single seizure of the drug in the county this year.

Luis Fernando Valdivia-Castellanos, 22, was taken into custody following the stop, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

At 3:50 p.m. Thursday a patrol deputy working the Middletown area noticed a Mazda RX8 exhibiting several vehicle code violations and conducted an enforcement stop in the area of Highway 29 near Hidden Valley Road, Brooks said.

The deputy contacted the driver and solo occupant of the vehicle, who he identified as Valdivia-Castellanos. Brooks said the deputy noticed a butterfly style knife sitting on the front seat in plain view.

A sheriff’s narcotics detection K9 unit arrived on scene. Brooks said the deputy deployed his K9 partner to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle.

As the K9 approached the driver’s door of the vehicle, she produced a positive alert, indicating there was the odor of a controlled substance present. She also alerted on the trunk and passenger’s door, according to Brooks.

The deputy opened the door of the vehicle and let the K9 have access to the interior. Brooks said the dog immediately jumped in the back seat and alerted to the floor directly behind the driver’s seat.

Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and located a laptop case sitting on the floor behind the driver’s seat. Inside the case was a plastic Tupperware container, which Brooks said contained one pound of crystal methamphetamine, which was seized as evidence.

Valdivia-Castellanos also had a total of $1,041 in US currency, which was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings, Brooks said.

Valdivia-Castellanos was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale and the transportation of a controlled substance. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.

Bail was set at $35,000. Jail records indicated Valdivia-Castellanos later posted the required percentage of bail land was released.

According to the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, this was the single largest methamphetamine seizure this year.

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

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Lake County's newest stoplight is about to light up.

Caltrans said the new traffic signal at Highway 53 and Olympic Drive in Clearlake will be activated on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The stoplight is part of a larger highway project that also includes widening shoulders, adding and lengthening turn pockets at intersections, and repaving more than four miles of Highway 53 from 40th Avenue to just south of Route 20.

Due to a high collision at the intersection, Caltrans approved the stoplight project in 2010.

Caltrans anticipates the project will be completed later this fall.

The contractor on the project is Teichert Construction of Davis.

For the most current road information on all California Staate highways, please call 1-800-427-7623 (1-800-GAS-ROAD) or visit www.dot.ca.gov .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With shared missions to save lives, Donate Life California and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) have announced a special license plate to spread the life-saving message that organ and tissue donation saves lives.

The license plate features the Pink “DONOR” Dot, which also appears on driver licenses and I.D. cards across the state, along with the message “Save Lives! Be an Organ & Tissue Donor.”

Reservations are officially open for the new Pink Dot Plate. All Californians are encouraged to consider reserving one today to show support for this life-saving endeavor. As soon as 7,500 paid reservations have been obtained, production of the colorful special license plates can begin.

Proceeds from the license plates will save lives by supporting Donate Life California’s statewide outreach and education programs on organ and tissue donation.

“My husband, Kenyon, was a registered organ and tissue donor. He believed in helping people which is why he was a CHP officer. When he died and became a donor, I knew that’s what he wanted. He saved lives even at the end of his,” said Karen Youngstrom. “I will think of Kenyon every time I see a Pink Dot Plate driving down the highway. I hope it will serve as a reminder how precious life is.”

Officer Kenyon Youngstrom was shot and killed in the line of duty on Sept. 4, 2012, on Interstate 680 in Alamo, California. Through the gift of organ donation, he saved the lives of four people waiting for the gift of life.

“Because of Officer Youngstrom’s decision to register as a donor at the DMV, his wish of helping others continues even after his tragic death. The recipients of his organs have the gift of time and can lead normal lives again,” said Lisa Stocks, President of Donate Life California. “We hope our new Pink Dot Plate will inspire others to consider registering as organ and tissue donors as the special plates drive throughout California.”

“The CHP’s mission is, and always will be, to save lives,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “We are proud to remember Officer Kenyon Youngstrom as a hero in life and after his life ended. His decision to register as an organ and tissue donor will have lasting impact to those who now have a ‘tomorrow’ because of him. It is with great pride that we sponsor this life-saving initiative to support Donate Life California and to encourage Californians to sign up to be organ and tissue donors.”

Currently, more than 21,000 people need life-saving organ transplants in California. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of 50 others through tissue donation.

According to Life California, one in five on the U.S. organ transplant waiting list lives in California. Last year, nearly 1,100 people died in California waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Anyone can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor regardless of age, ethnicity or medical history.

Californians can register online at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or by checking “YES!” at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Stars of Lake County Awards program has issued its first list of nominees for this year's awards.

The 16th annual Stars of Lake County will be held Nov. 16 at the Soper-Reese Community Theater in Lakeport.

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, Oct. 28.

For more information, contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 or visit http://www.lakecochamber.com/ .

The initial list of nominees is below.

STARS OF LAKE COUNTY NOMINEES

Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
Sponsored by Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka

• Jerry Puett, Lakeport
• Mary Ferrara, Clearlake Oaks

Senior of the Year
Sponsored by Westamerica Bank

• Nelson Strasser, Lakeport
• Joe Totorica (posthumously)
• Linda Burton, Clearlake

Volunteer of the Year
Sponsored by Marymount California University-Lakeside Campus

• Diana Dahl, Lakeport
• Michael Vandiver, Clearlake
• Wilda Shock, Lakeport
• Mary Veeninga, Lakeport
• Anna Jones, Kelseyville
• Esther Stone, Lakeport

Student of the Year – Female
Sponsored by Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber

• No nominations so far.

Student of the Year – Male
Sponsored by Disney’s Trophies and Awards

• Noah Lyndall, Kelseyville

Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer
Sponsored by Sutter Lakeside Hospital

• Lake County As, Lake County
• Mark Cooper, DDS, Clearlake

Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional
Sponsored by SERVPRO-Lake & Mendocino Counties

• Franklin D. Gudmundson Jr., Upper Lake

Agriculture Award
Sponsored by Twin Pine Casino & Hotel

• Patsie Pachie, Middletown

Organization of the Year – Nonprofit (has paid staff)
Sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino

• Lakeport Senior Center, Lakeport

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

Environmental Award
Sponsored by Calpine Corp.

• WorldMark by Wyndham

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

Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Food’s Etc.

• Middletown Florist, Middletown
• Mark Holt Pest Control, Cobb
• Kelseyville Appliance, Kelseyville

Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bruno’s Shop Smart

• No nominations so far.

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

Local Hero of the Year
Sponsored by US Congressman, Mike Thompson

• Casse Waldman Forczek, Lakeport
• David Estep, Clearlake
• Don Anderson, Lakeport
• Forrest Seagrave (posthumously)

The Arts Award of the Year – Amateur

• Joshua Dylan Blair (posthumously)
• Lacey Baumer, Clearlake

The Arts Award of the Year – Professional

• Melinda Young, Clearlake
• Bernie Butcher, Upper Lake
• Sheila O’Hara, Lower Lake
• James Butler, Upper Lake

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

• No nominations so far.

Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Strong Financial Network

• Sherry Harris, Clearlake

Spirit of Lake County Award, sponsored by John Tomkins, is chosen by the Selection Committee from nominations received in other categories.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-5) bipartisan amendment requiring a federal study on impacts of invasive species passed the House Thursday.

The amendment was passed as part of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013.

Specifically, the amendment requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the impacts of aquatic invasive species on federal assets and current federal spending on aquatic invasive species prevention.

“Invasive species pose a major financial risk to our local communities, and we need to make sure we’re spending our money wisely and efficiently on prevention rather than responding to an invasion after it occurs,” said Thompson.

“The cost of dealing with invasive species after they become established in a new area is often far higher than what the cost of prevention would have been,” said Thompson. “Our amendment will help us to more efficiently address the problems posed by invasive species by proactively identifying where money needs to be spent, finding gaps in our current efforts, and helping minimize the duplication of federal and state activities.”

Thompson co-authored the amendment with his co-chair of the Congressional Invasive Species Caucus, Rep. Dan Benichek (R-MI-1), and Reps. Mike Simpson (R-ID-2), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and Dina Titus (D-NV-1).

Aquatic invasive species pose a costly challenge to water infrastructure, fisheries, and the environment in local communities across the United States.

However, this problem often only receives attention after an invasive species has become established in a new area and has begun clogging water pipes, infecting plants and animals with dangerous diseases, and outcompeting native species.

These impacts can damage fisheries, pose health hazards, irreparably damage natural environments, and take a severe toll on local, state, and federal budgets.

For example, aquatic mussels such as quagga and zebra mussels have cost U.S. communities more than $5 billion since their introduction in the 1980s.

In the 5th Congressional district, Clear Lake, Lake Sonoma and Lake Berryessa are all rated at the highest possible risk level for quagga invasion.

Currently none of these lakes has been invaded by quagga mussels. However, if quaggas invade one of these lakes, control and treatment would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and negatively impact the water supply for residents in Sonoma, Lake and Solano counties.

If quagga mussels invade the state water infrastructure it could cost millions every year to keep the pipes clear.

“Invasive species are a national problem with major local implications,” Thompson continued. “This study will help make sure we’re spending federal dollars in a way that prevents invasions before they happen so we can protect our communities from their devastating impacts.”

The amendment was passed by a bipartisan vote of 417-3. WRRDA was passed by a bipartisan vote of 417-3. The Senate passed a different WRDA bill, S. 601, on May 15 by a bipartisan vote of 83-14. The bills are now expected to go to a conference committee to resolve their differences.

Thompson represents California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has announced that the California Attorney General’s Office and the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) have jointly secured a $1 million civil settlement against two out-of-state organizations for violations of the California Political Reform Act.

According to the terms of the settlement, the Arizona-based Center to Protect Patient Rights (CPPR) and Arizona-based Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL) have admitted to making millions of dollars in unlawful intermediary contributions in connection with the November 2012 election in California and have agreed to each pay a fine of $500,000.

“This case demonstrates in clear terms that California’s campaign finance laws are in desperate need of reform,” Harris said. “California law currently contains a loophole for certain groups to evade transparency by maintaining the anonymity of their donors. I fully endorse swift legislative action to change the law.

In October 2012, $11 million was funneled to a campaign committee supporting Proposition 32 and opposing Proposition 30. A civil investigation was initiated by the FPPC, which was represented by the California Department of Justice’s Civil Law Division.

Following the election, the California Department of Justice’s Criminal Law Division opened an investigation to examine potential criminal wrongdoing.

The investigation revealed that a Virginia nonprofit, Americans for Job Security (AJS), raised approximately $28 million in 2012 for issue advocacy opposing tax increases and supporting “pro-paycheck public policy.”

Current law permits donors to remain anonymous if their contributions are used for issue advocacy. Shortly before the general election, AJS decided that were it to spend the money on issue advocacy at that time, it would trigger a California law requiring disclosure of the funds’ sources.

Instead, AJS decided to make multiple donations to another nonprofit, CPPR, which has a history of funneling millions of dollars to support conservative causes.

AJS expected and hoped that CPPR would be able to find other money to support AJS’s efforts in California.

AJS gave CPPR a donation of $4.05 million on Sept. 10, 2012, $14 million on Oct. 11, 2012 and $6.5 million on Oct. 19, 2012.

Following these donations, CPPR made two major contributions of its own. First, on September 11, 2012, CPPR donated $7 million to the Iowa-based American Future Fund (AFF).

As an intermediary, AFF then made a contribution of $4.08 million to a third entity, the California Future Fund (CFF). CFF used that money to support Proposition 32 in the California general election.

CPPR’s second contribution occurred on Oct. 12, 2012, in the form of $13 million to ARL. As an intermediary, ARL returned $11 million to California through a contribution to the Small Business Action Committee (SBAC), a campaign committee supporting Proposition 32 and opposing Proposition 30.

CPPR’s contributions were funneled back to California campaign committees through intermediaries AFF and ARL, which violated civil provisions of the California Political Reform Act of 1974.

The Department of Justice’s investigation did not reveal evidence to prove a knowing or willful violation of the Act by these parties.

As a result, the California Attorney General's Office has concluded its investigation and will not pursue criminal charges.

102413 FPPC Signed Final Stipulation.pdf