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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The South Lake County Fire Protection District is welcoming 16 new volunteer firefighters into its ranks.
All of the recruits started the process to become firefighters last fall and have dedicated hundreds of hours to training.
The district reported that this was the largest academy class for South Lake County Fire in the past 10 years.
The new volunteer firefighters were officially welcomed on Aug. 21 with a badge pinning ceremony that was held at the Middletown fire station.
They received their badges from Division Chief Jim Wright, Volunteer Association President Bill Klebe and District Director Jim Abell.
The new firefighters include Pete McGee, Aodhan O’Ferrell, Todd Fenk, Nick Shandel, Corey Hense, Matt McCabe, Matt Breland, Aaron Rill, Robert Taylor, Frank Amante, Aaron Brisbi, Byran Atkins, Josh Dixon, Steve Franklin, Brandon Juntz and Erik Vogel.
All of the volunteers have jobs, families, and other responsibilities besides unselfishly serving their community day and night 365 days a year. They are a necessary and valuable part of the department.
Anyone interested in becoming a paid call firefighter may contact South Lake County Fire Protection District at 707-987-3089, Extension 5, or come into the main station located at 21095 Highway 175, Middletown.
Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) remind motorists during “Watch Out for Wildlife (WOW) Awareness Week” (Sept. 16-22) to remain alert while driving to improve safety for travelers and wildlife alike.
“Watch Out for Wildlife Awareness Week” is Sunday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Sept. 22.
“It’s important that motorists, when driving through areas frequented by deer, elk and other animals, do all they can to protect themselves as well as some of California’s greatest natural resources – our wildlife,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
In California alone, the California Highway Patrol reported more than 1,800 wildlife-vehicle collisions in 2010. Approximately $1 billion in property damage is also caused by these incidents.
The Defenders of Wildlife, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting native animals and plants, reports more than 200 people are killed in collisions with deer, elk and other wildlife each year with an estimated 1.5 million animals hit annually.
The WOW Awareness Week campaign is supported by Caltrans, DFG, the Defenders of Wildlife, and the Road Ecology Center at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). Caltrans and its partners work together to plan for the conservation of natural resources while providing safe and effective transportation.
“It’s a sad fact that, despite the collaborative effort of many organizations, we still lose quite a few animals on our roads every year,” said Craig Stowers, DFG’s Deer Program Coordinator. “Many of these incidents could be avoided by simply altering our driving behavior, and being aware of when animals will be most active and being prepared in the event one is encountered. Programs such as Caltrans’ WOW are important reminders that hopefully will decrease that loss and better protect California’s motorists from these unfortunate incidents.”
Caltrans, DFG and the Defenders of Wildlife offer a few tips for motorists:
- Be alert when driving.
- If you see an animal cross the road, know that another may be following.
- Don’t litter. It could entice animals to venture onto the road.
For more information on Watch Out for Wildlife, along with additional tips on avoiding collisions with wild animals, go to www.defenders.org .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The work of a film director with local roots will be shown in a special screening this weekend at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.
“California Indian,” written and directed by filmmaker Tim Ramos, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.
Ramos was raised at Big Valley Rancheria. The film was shot around Lake County.
This is an encore presentation to celebrate the film’s Aug. 21 DVD release by distributor Vanguard Cinema.
All seats for the showing are $10.
Visit the Soper-Reese online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local volunteers helped Lake County rejoin the annual Coastal Cleanup Day this past weekend.
The 28th annual event, the largest volunteer event in California, took place on Saturday.
It saw more than 57,000 volunteers across the state pick up 320 tons of trash from beaches and inland waterways.
After a hiatus of several years, Lake County had a presence in the effort once more last weekend.
Carolyn Ruttan, Invasive Species Program coordinator for the Lake County Department of Water Resources, was the county point person for the cleanup, which had locations in Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake.
She said on Tuesday that 26 volunteers has participated in the Saturday cleanup.
Those volunteers collected eight bags of recyclables, 32 bags of trash and 156 tires.
Ruttan said she's hoping to make next year’s event – which will take place on Sept. 21, 2013 – much bigger, with more volunteers and engagement.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last Friday morning has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of approximately 43 grams of methamphetamine.
Arrested were 49-year-old David Gene Rovetti and Selena Sylvia Jack, 38, both of Lakeport, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks.
On Monday, Sept. 10, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Rovetti's person, home and vehicle, Brooks said.
Then on Friday, Sept. 14, at approximately 7:30 a.m., detectives served the warrant at Rovetti’s home on Soda Bay Road in Lakeport, Brooks said. When narcotics detectives entered the home, Rovetti and 38-year-old Selena Sylvia Jack were detained without incident.
During a search of the home, detectives located and seized two glass “meth” pipes in Rovetti’s bedroom. Brooks said the pipes were located on a stand next to his bed.
He said detectives also noticed a black metal canister on a pile of clothes. Inside the canister, detectives located and seized approximately 43 grams of crystal ice methamphetamine and a digital gram scale lined with white residue.
Based on current street values, detectives estimated the value of the methamphetamine to be $4,300, Brooks said.
Detectives also located and seized a sap in Rovetti’s bedroom, which weighed approximately 20 ounces. Brooks explained that a sap is described as a bludgeon or blackjack used as a hand weapon.
Rovetti was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Brook said Jack was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Rovetti, whose bail was set at $70,000, remained in custody early Wednesday, according to jail records. Jack, whose bail was set at $25,000, later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It was high bidding in High Valley as the Lake County Wine Alliance held its annual charity auction Saturday, Sept. 15, at Brassfield Winery.
More than 300 local people and friends of Lake County from all over the country came to support to some of the county’s most deserving charities and organizations.
While it will be several weeks before the precise figures are known, preliminary indications are that the event will be judged a huge success.
The high bid for the evening was $4,500 for John Clarke’s painting of Brassfield, which served as this year’s poster.
Then, under the skillful guidance of auctioneers Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green, five more items sold for $4,000 or more each.
Honorary Chairman and Venue Host Jerry Brassfield welcomed the attendees with a reminder that, “If you are here tonight, you have been blessed and you can make a positive impact on this community.”
People seemed to take Brassfield’s words to heart.
A couple who traveled from Florida for the event said they did so because they liked the “low keyed country atmosphere” of Lake County. Like others who attended, visitors to the area sampled food from 25 local purveyors and wines from 25 local wineries.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the county’s five area high schools and 15 other charities and community organizations.
Representatives from the organizations will receive their checks at a special reception Dec. 3 at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville.
