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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The drastic change of weather that rolled into Lake County on Thursday – bringing with it much colder temperatures, rain and mixed snow – will remain in place Friday.
Forecasters state that today’s high temperatures will top-out in the upper-40s again and the chance for rain mixed with snow stays in the forecast.
Overnight lows will once again dip down near freezing as showers taper off.
Skies will be mostly clear for the weekend, but temperatures will remain unseasonably cool with daytime highs near 50 and overnight lows in the low- to mid- 30s both Saturday and Sunday.
Rain returns to the forecast on Monday night and continues through Wednesday.
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LUCERNE, Calif. – A 52-year-old Hopland man was injured early Thursday morning when his semi truck overturned on Highway 20.
Bobby Fackrell was injured in the wreck, which occurred at 4:25 a.m. on Highway 20 east of Rosemont Avenue in Lucerne, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Fackrell was driving a 2000 Freightliner truck tractor towing a flat bed trailer loaded with drilling equipment at an unsafe speed, attempting to negotiate a moderate right curve in the roadway, the CHP said.
Due to Fackrell's unsafe speed, the Freightliner overturned onto its left side and struck two vehicles that were legally parked on the north side of Highway 20, according to the CHP.
The truck came to rest on its left side, partially blocking the westbound lane of Highway 20, the CHP said.
Fackrell received moderate injuries. The CHP said he was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment.
The CHP said alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision.
The roadway was closed for approximately 30 minutes until one way traffic control was established, the CHP said.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Three people were hurt early Thursday morning when the vehicle they were riding in went off Highway 20 and down an embankment, with the driver later being arrested.
Ukiah residents Leona Maria Delapena, 29; Jason Steele, 21; and a 17-year-old female, whose name was not released, were injured in the single-vehicle wreck, which occurred at 1:40 a.m. Thursday on Highway 20 west of Witter Springs Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Delapena was driving eastbound in her 2008 Honda Accord when, for reasons still under investigation, she went off the south shoulder of the highway and hit a tree, the CHP reported.
The CHP report said Delapena and Steele both suffered moderate injuries while the teen had major injuries.
Alcohol appears to have been a factor in the crash, the agency said. Delapena was placed under arrest.
The teenage girl was flown by CalStar to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Delapena was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Steele went to Ukiah Valley Medical Center for treatment, the CHP said.
All three were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the CHP.
The CHP said the crash remains under investigation.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A single-vehicle crash resulted in injuries early Thursday morning.
The crash was reported shortly before 2 a.m. on Highway 20 between Witter Springs Road and Bachelor Valley Road near Upper Lake, according to radio reports.
The vehicle, described as a Honda Accord, had gone off the road and about 100 feet down an embankment, according to initial California Highway Patrol reports.
Reports from the scene indicated an injured woman crawled up to the highway and flagged down a FedEx truck.
The woman – who was having chest and stomach pains, as well as difficulty breathing – reported that two other unresponsive people were in the vehicle, the CHP said.
Northshore Fire personnel arriving at the scene reported finding a second person, but said they could not account for a third.
A CalStar air ambulance was requested and set down at a landing zone at the Pivniska Ranch at Bachelor Valley Road and Highway 20 just before 2:40 a.m., radio reports stated.
Additional ground ambulances also came from Northshore Fire and Lakeport Fire, according to radio traffic.
Firefighters did another ground search but could not locate the third subject who was reported to have been in the vehicle, scanner reports said.
CHP reports indicated that the third person may have fled the scene.
One ground ambulance from Northshore Fire reported it was transporting one patient to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
CalStar lifted off just before 2:50 a.m. en route to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with the second patient.
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NICE, Calif. – A man who was found breaking into a Nice home last Friday is facing prosecution for felony burglary as well as drug charges.
Jerome David Jones, 25, of Nice was arrested on the afternoon of Nov. 2, according to jail and case records.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said he is charging Jones with felony first-degree burglary of an inhabited residence, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison if Jones is convicted.
In addition, case records show that Jones is charged with misdemeanors including possession of burglary tools, being under the influence of methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.
At about 7 a.m. Nov. 2 a resident of Nice found Jones in his home trying to steal several items, Hinchcliff said.
The alleged victim gave a description of Jones to sheriff’s Deputy Mauricio Barreto. Hinchcliff said later that day the burglary victim saw Jones and again notified the sheriff’s office.
Barreto, who was familiar with Jones, was able to track him down and arrest him early that afternoon, Hinchcliff said.
Jones was arraigned on Tuesday, at which time his bail was set at $50,000 and Doug Rhoades was appointed his defense attorney. Hinchcliff said Jones’ next court appearance will take place Nov. 14.
Jail records showed that Jones, who works in construction, remained in custody on Thursday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mount Konocti docents are planning to lead a hike to the top of the mountain on Saturday, Nov. 24.
The guided hike will begin at 8:30 a.m. and take approximately four hours.
The hike is moderately strenuous and will cover approximately six miles roundtrip. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes appropriate for rugged terrain and to bring a lunch, a supply of water, a daypack, as well as binoculars and/or a camera.
The number of spaces for the docent-led hike is limited, and reservations are required. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Inclement weather cancels the hike.
The hike, which will be led by docents Val Nixon and Mike Riley, will include a visit to the historic Downen Cabin and the top of Wright Peak, with an optional climb to the top of the Cal Fire lookout tower.
At 4,299 feet in elevation, Wright Peak is the highest point on the mountain, and the tower, which was built in 1976 and used until recently by fire lookout crews, provides stunning 360-degree panoramas.
The climb to the top of the tower requires accompaniment by a guided docent, and it will be accessible only to those 18 years of age and older.
Tower access requires a moderately strenuous climb up several flights of exterior stairs, and thus, may not be appropriate for those prone to vertigo or with heart-related and other health conditions.
Tom Nixon, a retired State Parks Ranger and member of the Konocti Regional Trails Team (KRTT), champions the docent tour program, which includes docent-led hikes of the mountain as well as a bus tour pilot project.
The docents have been trained and are knowledgeable about a range of topics including the mountain and its geology, history, flora, fauna and even folklore.
Mount Konocti County Park is an undeveloped park with somewhat rugged terrain and gravel areas. Three waterless vault restrooms have been installed on the mountain, as well as several picnic tables and benches. Smoking is strictly prohibited.
As with other county-owned parks, glass and alcohol are prohibited. Rattlesnakes are present, and care should be taken to avoid disturbing rocks.
In its monumental 2011 acquisition, the county of Lake purchased 1,520 acres of land on top of Mount Konocti, thereby creating the new Mount Konocti County Park and placing it into public hands for perpetuity.
The county-owned land is contiguous with an existing 821 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
The reservation deadline for the guided hike is Nov. 14.
To reserve a space, contact the Lake County Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.
For information on Mount Konocti County Park, including a downloadable map, visit www.konoctitrails.com .