News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Water Resources reminds all boaters to continue to support the successful Quagga Mussel Prevention Program by displaying their 2013 resident, or monthly visitor, mussel stickers on all trailered watercraft.

The agency said the program’s administrative citation process is now in operation.

The administrative citation is a method of processing violations of the Quagga Mussel Prevention Program that does not involve the court system, Water Resources reported.

An enforcement official now has the choice to issue a criminal or an administrative citation, the county said.

The fines for an administrative citation match those of criminal penalties and are paid directly to Lake County Water Resources.

The new system reduces the burden on the judicial system while providing due process for those cited, according to the county.

Fines collected as a result of the administrative citation will be used to fund the Lake County Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention Program.

A reminder for why there is a mussel prevention program:

• Trailered watercraft are the chief transportation method for mussels across country and within state.
• Boats have been found by the CDFA border station with mussels attached, destined for Lake County.
• Once in a lake, mussels change the ecosystem dramatically, all other life-forms are negatively affected.
• Beaches become littered with piles of glass-sharp mussel shells.
• Mussels foul every surface in a lake, natural (mud, rocks, plants) and man-made (boats, docks, boat engine cooling systems, water pipes).

Prevention results from education. The county asks boaters to please do their part by spreading the word about the Lake County Mussel Prevention Program so that Lake County can stay mussel-free.

Also, remember to check in with a participating screener when you return from an out-of-county trip with your boat.

Rescreening and any necessary decontamination is free.

The county thanked its 26 participating screeners who make the prevention program possible and successful.

For the latest list of screeners see www.nomussels.com or call 707-263-2344.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County's premiere family event, the Lake County Fair, opens this Thursday, Aug. 29, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 1.

The Lake County Fair is one of Lake County's favorite summertime events, and is enjoyed by nearly 40,000 people each year.

The fair features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival and livestock shows.

This year's fair theme is “Find Great Treasures!”

Special features for the 2013 Fair include the People's Choice Wine Tasting and Awards, a canned food drive, the annual Junior Livestock Auction, and thousands of exhibits entered in various competitions.

Fairgoers also can expect appearances by a variety of local musical acts and attractions on two stages, as well as clowns, magicians, and other strolling performers.

Fiesta Latina activities will take place on the Theater Main Stage area on Sunday, September 1st, and are presented by Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino.

Events in the grandstand arena include the Lake County BMX Bicycle Madness trick show and motorhome crash on Thursday, the Lakeport – Ukiah Bomber Challenge final race on Friday, the WGAS Cal State Tuff Truck Finals on Saturday, and the Masters of Destruction One Shot Truck Derby and burnout contest on Sunday, sponsored by the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium.

All grandstand shows start at 7:30 pm.

Local participants also are encouraged in the demo derby, the tuff truck races, and the burnout competition.

Live local entertainment occurs continuously on two stages. The Theater Main Stage will showcase national touring act Twice As Good on Saturday at 8pm. Other local acts, including the LC Diamonds, Snake Alley Band, the “E” Ticket Band, and the Mark Weston Band, will also play the main stage. The Mediacom Stage will host a variety of acts including Travis Rinker, Michael Barrish and the Cherry Road Gang.

A fair parade, the kick-off event for the annual Lake County Fair, takes place beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

The parade starts at Natural High in Lakeport, travels south on Main Street, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Upon arrival at the main gate, everyone who enters the parade with a float will receive free entry to the fair.

Fair buildings and grounds swell to bursting with the thousands of displays made, grown, or raised for entry by talented residents both young and young at heart. Entries for judging in the fair include most types of fine arts, home arts and crafts, photography, amateur wine and beer, many types of agriculture and floriculture, livestock, small animals, and horses.

Walk on contests this year include a hula hoop contest, a water balloon toss, an on-the-spot fruit sculpting contest and a bubble gum blowing contest. Horse and wagon rides will be provided free by Calpine Corp.

The annual Junior Livestock Auction takes place on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. in the Baldwin Pavilion. Businesses and individuals are invited to bid on the prize-winning livestock raised and exhibited by local youth.

Various livestock species are displayed throughout the fair, including swine, beef, sheep, goat and horse exhibits from local 4-H and FFA exhibitors. Small animals are represented as well, with chickens, turkeys, rabbits and cavies all residing in the barn areas.

Also in the Baldwin Pavilion, the annual Round Robin contests pit the best showmen and showwomen in each species against each other to be named the best showperson of the fair. The Round Robin takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, immediately following the Livestock Auction.

Regular admission prices for the 2013 Lake County Fair remain unchanged since 2011. Prices are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day.

Children through age 11 are admitted for $3 on Thursday, Aug. 29, only, for “Kid's Day.”

A special admission program is in place for Friday, Aug. 30. Anyone who brings four four cans of food to the gate between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. will receive free admission, with the food benefiting local food pantries through Lake County CAN.

The Lake County Fair is located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

For more information visit www.lakecountyfair.com .

After three decades of increases, adult obesity rates remained level in every state except for one, Arkansas, in the past year, according to “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2013,” a new report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Thirteen states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, 41 states have rates of at least 25 percent, and every state is above 20 percent, according to the report.

In 1980, no state was above 15 percent; in 1991, no state was above 20 percent; in 2000, no state was above 25 percent; and, in 2007, only Mississippi was above 30 percent.

The report ranked Louisiana No. 1 with the highest obesity and Colorado with the lowest. California was ranked No. 41.

Since 2005, there has been some evidence that the rate of increase has been slowing. In 2005, every state but one experienced an increase in obesity rates; in 2008, rates increased in 37 states; in 2010, rates increased in 28 states; and in 2011, rates increased in 16 states; at that time, the methodology for the report also was changed.

“While stable rates of adult obesity may signal prevention efforts are starting to yield some results, the rates remain extremely high,” said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of Trust for America's Health. “Even if the nation holds steady at the current rates, Baby Boomers-who are aging into obesity-related illnesses-and the rapidly rising numbers of extremely obese Americans are already translating into a cost crisis for the healthcare system and Medicare.”

Levi added, “In order to decrease obesity and related costs, we must ensure that policies at every level support healthy choices, and we must focus investments on prevention.”

Key findings from the 2013 F as in Fat report include:

• Rates vary by region. Of the states with the 20 highest adult obesity rates, only Pennsylvania is not in the South or Midwest. For the first time in eight years, Mississippi no longer has the highest rate-Louisiana at 34.7 percent is the highest, followed closely by Mississippi at 34.6 percent. Colorado had the lowest rate at 20.5 percent.
• Rates vary by age. Obesity rates for Baby Boomers (45-to 64-year-olds – includes most Baby Boomers, who range from 49-67 year olds) have reached 40 percent in two states (Alabama and Louisiana) and are 30 percent or higher in 41 states. By comparison, obesity rates for seniors (65+ years old) exceed 30 percent in only one state (Louisiana). Obesity rates for young adults (18-to 25-year-olds) are below 28 percent in every state.
• Rates by gender are now consistent. Ten years ago, there was nearly a 6 percentage point difference between rates for men and women (men: 27.5 percent, women: 33.4 percent), and now rates are nearly the same (men: 35.8 percent, women 35.5 percent). Men's obesity rates have been climbing faster than women's for this last decade.
• Rates of "extreme" obesity have grown dramatically. Rates of adult Americans with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher have grown in the past 30 years from 1.4 percent to 6.3 percent-a 350 percent increase. Among children and teens (2-to 19-year-olds), more than 5.1 percent of males and 4.7 percent of females are now severely obese.
• Rates vary by education. More than 35 percent of adults ages 26 and older who did not graduate high school are obese, compared with 21.3 percent of those who graduated from college or technical college.
• Rates vary by income. More than 31 percent of adults ages 18 and older who earn less than $25,000 per year were obese, compared with 25.4 percent of those who earn at least $50,000 per year.

In addition to the latest data showing a stable rate for adult obesity, a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month shows 18 states and one U.S. territory experienced a decline in obesity rates among preschool children from low-income families.

The report provides state-specific trends in obesity rates among children ages 2 to 4 who are enrolled in federal health and nutrition programs, such as the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

“After decades of unrelenting bad news, we're finally seeing signs of progress. In addition to today's news about the steady rates for adults, we've seen childhood obesity rates declining in cities and states that were among the first to adopt a comprehensive approach to obesity prevention,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation president and chief executive officer. “But no one should believe the nation's work is done. We've learned a lot in the last decade about how to prevent obesity. Now it's time to take that knowledge to scale.”

F as in Fat features a series examining high-impact policies to prevent and reduce obesity in the United States.

The series highlights significant policy accomplishments over the past decade, including: historic changes to nutrition standards for school foods; improved health screenings for children; changes to improve nutrition and health counseling in the WIC program; increased understanding about how the built environment affects our ability to eat healthy foods and be physically active; the growth of a “complete streets” movement; the launch of a Prevention and Public Health Fund and National Prevention Strategy; and a growth in community-based programs for obesity and related illnesses.

The report includes a growing set of strategies that have improved health- but stresses that they are not yet implemented or funded at a level to reduce obesity trends significantly.

Some key recommendations from the report regarding strategies that should be taken to scale include:

• All food in schools must be healthy;
• Kids and adults should have access to more opportunities to be physically active on a regular basis;
• Restaurants should post calorie information on menus;
• Food and beverage companies should market only their healthiest products to children;
• The country should invest more in preventing disease to save money on treating it;
• America's transportation plans should encourage walking and biking; and
• Everyone should be able to purchase healthy, affordable foods close to home.

The full report with state rankings in all categories and new interactive maps are available at http://www.fasinfat.org/ . TFAH and RWJF collaborated on the report, which was supported by a grant from RWJF.

2012 STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RATES

According to recently released CDC data, part of the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, adult obesity rates by state from highest to lowest were:

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity.

1. Louisiana (34.7%); 2. Mississippi (34.6%) 3. Arkansas (34.5%); 4. West Virginia (33.8%); 5. Alabama (33%); 6. Oklahoma (32.2%); 7. South Carolina (31.6%); 8. Indiana (31.4%); 9. Kentucky (31.3%); 10. (tie) Michigan and Tennessee (31.1%); 12. Iowa (30.4%); 13. Ohio (30.1%); 14. Kansas (29.9%); 15. (tie) North Dakota and Wisconsin (29.7%); 17. (tie) Missouri and North Carolina (29.6%); 19. Texas (29.2%); 20. (tie) Georgia and Pennsylvania (29.1%); 22. Nebraska (28.6%); 23. Maine (28.4%); 24. (tie) Illinois and South Dakota (28.1%); 26. Maryland (27.6%); 27. Virginia (27.4%); 28. (tie) New Hampshire and Oregon (27.3%); 30. New Mexico (27.1%); 31. Delaware (26.9%); 32. (tie) Idaho and Washington (26.8%); 34. Nevada (26.2%); 35. Arizona (26%); 36. (tie) Alaska and Minnesota and Rhode Island (25.7%); 39. Connecticut (25.6%); 40. Florida (25.2%); 41. California (25%); 42. (tie) New Jersey and Wyoming (24.6%); 44. (tie) Montana and Utah (24.3%); 46. Vermont (23.7%); 47. (tie) Hawaii and New York (23.6%); 49. Massachusetts (22.9%); 50. District of Columbia (21.9%); 51. Colorado (20.5%).

2012 STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RANKINGS FOR BABY BOOMERS

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity. Data for this analysis was obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset (publicly available on the web at www.cdc.gov/brfss).

1. (tie) Alabama and Louisiana (40.0%); 3. Arkansas (38.9%); 4. Mississippi (38.5%); 5. Tennessee (38.2%); 6. West Virginia (37.8%); 7. Indiana (37.0%); 8. Missouri (36.9%); 9. South Carolina (36.8%); 10. Oklahoma (36.7%); 11. Kentucky (36.0%); 12. Iowa (35.9%); 13. Wisconsin (35.4%); 14. North Dakota (35.0%); 15. Texas (34.9%); 16. Ohio (34.8%); 17. North Carolina (34.7%); 18. Georgia (34.6%); 19. Nebraska (34.5%); 20 (tie) Maryland and Michigan (34.4%); 22. Kansas (34.3%); 23. Virginia (34.2%); 24. Illinois (33.6%); 25. Delaware (33.5%); 26. Pennsylvania (33.2%); 27. South Dakota (32.9%); 28. Maine (32.5%); 29. Alaska (32.4%); 30. Utah (32.3%); 31. Idaho (32.1%); 32. Oregon (32.0%); 33. District of Columbia (31.9%); 34. (tie) New Hampshire and Washington (31.3%); 36. Nevada (31.1%); 37. California (31.0%); 38. Florida (30.7%); 39. (tie) New Mexico and Rhode Island (30.2%); 41. Minnesota (30.0%); 42. Wyoming (29.4%); 43. Montana (29.1%); 44. Arizona (28.9%); 45. Connecticut (28.4%); 46. New York (27.6%); 47. Massachusetts (27.5%); 48. New Jersey (27.3%); 49. Hawaii (26.8%); 50. Vermont (26.4%); 51. Colorado (24.6%).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Police officers and sheriff's deputies made several arrests over the weekend following a large fight in downtown Lakeport.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen reported that Timothy Fredrico Navarro, 30, and Jeremy Dale Treadaway, 26, both of Lakeport; Marcos Gonzalez, 25, and Jami Renee White, 29, both of Kelseyville; and James Lee Kollenborn, 56, of Redwood Valley were arrested in the case.

Rasmussen said that at 10:43 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, four Lakeport Police Department units, assisted by four Lake County Sheriff’s Office units, were dispatched to the Clearlake Club Bar in the 200 block of N. Main St. to investigate the report of 30 persons involved in a physical fight.

Upon arrival officers located subjects outside engaging and challenging each other to fight. Rasmussen said there were large crowds of people in the area who were hostile and interfering with one enforcement efforts to take control of the situation.

Three subjects – Navarro, Treadaway on Gonzales – were immediately arrested for fighting or challenging another to fight in a public place.

After the three subjects were secured in police vehicles, officers continued to remain on scene to monitor the crowd and restore order at the location, Rasmussen said.

During this time, officers again located numerous hostile persons and saw a male subject challenging others, Rasmussen said.

Officers attempted to detain the subject but he resisted arrest and continued being hostile, Rasmussen said. Additional officers assisted and the subject was taken into custody and identified as Kollenborn.

Rasmussen said Kollenborn was charged with challenging another to fight and resisting, delaying and obstructing officers in the performance of their duties.

During Kollenborn’s arrest a female subject identified White was interfering with the situation and was arrested for public intoxication, Rasmussen said.

He said persons who were continuing to loiter in the area were advised to disperse and officers remained on scene for approximately 45 minutes until the area was clear, he said.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A weekend traffic stop resulted in two arrests, and the seizure of methamphetamine, heroin in counterfeit currency by a Lake County Sheriff's deputy.

Dylan Thomas Bacon, 34, of Kelseyville, and 26-year-old Jacklyn Marie Ruth of Citrus Heights were arrested following a traffic stop, which occurred last Friday, Aug. 23, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's office.

At 10:45 p.m. last Friday, a patrol deputy was traveling westbound on Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport, directly behind a gray Ford Mustang, Brooks said.

He said the vehicle approached the intersection of Riggs Road and Scotts Valley Road and entered the left turn lane. The vehicle drove onto and crossed over the double yellow lines prior to the indicated turning area, then traveled onto Riggs Road and entered the opposite lane of traffic.

The deputy conducted an enforcement stop near the intersection of Riggs Road and Scotts Valley Road, Brooks said.

The deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Bacon, as well as Ruth, who was a passenger in the vehicle, according to Brooks.

Lake County Central Dispatch advised Bacon’s license was suspended and that he was on Post Release Community Supervision probation with a search and seizure clause. Brooks said Central Dispatch also advised that Ruth was on probation out of Sacramento County for forgery, with a search clause.

The deputy had both subjects exit the vehicle. He noticed Bacon was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. The deputy said Bacon was trembling uncontrollably and sweating profusely. The deputy administered a series of tests which Bacon failed, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and noticed two purses on the floorboard of the passenger seat. Ruth told the deputy that both of the purses belonged to her.

During a search of the purses the deputy located several glass pipes commonly used to ingest methamphetamine, 7 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a hypodermic syringe containing 11 milliliters of suspected methamphetamine, 5 grams of suspected heroin, digital gram scale, counterfeit twenty dollar bill, counterfeit ten dollar bill, counterfeit five dollar bill and 5.6 grams of marijuana, Brooks said.

The suspected methamphetamine and heroin were tested using a NIK color test kit. Brooks said the suspected methamphetamine flashed blue, indicating a presumptive positive for methamphetamine. The suspected heroin flashed purple, indicating a presumptive positive for heroin.

Bacon was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license and for violating PRCS probation according to Brooks.

Ruth was arrested for transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, transportation/sell a narcotic controlled substance, possession of a narcotic controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Brooks said.

They were both transported the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Jail records showed that both remained in custody on Monday, with Bacon being held on a no-bail hold and Ruth's bail set at $35,000.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted last Friday night by a Lake County Sheriff’s patrol deputy has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of prescription medication.

April Lynn Blakley, 46, of Ukiah was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and transportation of a controlled substance, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

On Aug. 23 at approximately 9:45 p.m. a deputy was traveling westbound on Highway 20 in Upper Lake. Brooks said the deputy was directly behind a Buick sedan when he noticed the vehicle cross over the marked double yellow lines.

The deputy conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle in the area of Highway 20 and Van Sleeper Drive, according to Brooks.

As the vehicle was pulling over and coming to a stop, the deputy noticed that the driver side brake lamp did not illuminate. Brooks said the deputy also noticed the driver lean toward the passenger side and reach downward.

The deputy contacted the driver, who was identified as 49-year-old Lynne Sisnerov of Fremont, who denied reaching down toward the passenger area when asked by the deputy, Brooks said.

The deputy also contacted Blakley, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Brooks said the deputy had both Blakley and Sisnerov exit the vehicle.

As Blakley was exiting the vehicle, she stopped, reached inside and removed her purse. Brooks said the deputy took custody of the purse and placed it on top of the vehicle. He asked her why she went back for the purse and Blakley replied that it was habit.

The deputy asked Blakley for consent to search her purse, which she provided. The deputy located 33 Hydrocodone pills and five Carisoprodol pills which were in two clear plastic bags. Blakley said she did not have a prescription for the medication and denied ownership, Brooks said.

Blakley told the deputy that the pills belonged to a friend, but refused to identify the friend. When asked why she had her friends medication, Blakley explained she was transporting them to Mendocino County, because her friend did not have a way to transport them, according to Brooks.

Blakley was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

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