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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Emergency repairs are under way to replace highway equipment damaged in a wildland fire last month.
In August the Wye Fire destroyed three structures and damaged two others, scorched 7,934 acres and damaged numerous guardrails and highway signs along Highway 20 as it tore through the hills east of Clearlake Oaks.
Caltrans reported that the emergency guardrail reports are taking place from the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 53 east to New Long Valley Road on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel, with Caltrans advising that motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Teichert Construction of Davis is the contractor.
Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said the work is being done on an emergency contract.
He said $1.2 million in state funds set aside for emergency situations had been allocated for the repairs.
Teichert Corp. will continue working until all the repairs are completed or the funds run out, Frisbie said.
Frisbie said all of the work needs to be completed before the winter rains set in.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s still a busy season for kittens at the county’s animal shelter.
Several kittens and young cats are being offered for adoption this week.
Cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed and 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”).
Orange male tabby
This male orange tabby is 5 months old.
He weighs 4 pounds, has a short coat and has been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 15a, ID No. 34145.
Male orange tabby
This male orange tabby is 5 months old.
He is not yet altered, weighs 3.5 pounds and has a short coat.
He’s in cat room kennel 15b, ID No. 34146.
Domestic short hair mix
This female domestic short hair mix is of undetermined age.
She has a short coat and is not yet spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 15c, ID No. 34147.
Male gray tabby
This male gray tabby is 5 months old.
He has a short coat, weighs 3.5 pounds and has been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 15e, ID No. 34149.
Female Siamese mix
This female Siamese mix kitten is 16 weeks old.
She has blue eyes and a short coat.
She’s in cat room kennel No. 64c, ID No. 34114.
Male orange and white tabby kitten
This male orange and white tabby kitten is 5 months old.
He has a short coat, weighs 2.5 pounds and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 84a, ID No. ID: 34179.
Female orange tabby
This female orange tabby is 3 years old.
She has a short coat, weighs nearly 7 pounds and has been spayed.
She’s in cat room kennel No. 100, ID No. 34257.
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
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The inaugural “Shipwreck Day” brought pirates by the dozen to downtown Lakeport last Saturday.
The event featured a bazaar, chances to dunk local celebrities, a costume contest, music and much more.
The video above by John Jensen of Lake County News offers highlights of the day.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) announced a Department of Transportation (DOT) grant of $67,940 for the Lampson Field Airport.
This project will replace the airport’s rotating beacon which has reached the end of its useful life. It will also install a perimeter and develop design alternatives for gate placement and fence line routing.
“This grant is a win for Lakeport and Lake County,” said Thompson. “It will improve safety by helping guide planes in and out of Lampson Field, and create a more secure facility by deterring unauthorized persons and vehicles from entering onto the airfield.”
“On behalf of our local residents, business owners, and pilots, I want to express my appreciation to Congressmen Thompson for his assistance in helping us secure funding for this beacon which will enhance public safety. Despite the fact that funding is limited, Mike continues to fight for his District,” said Lake County Supervisor Anthony Farrington.
The grant is provided through the DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration.
Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A fire burning since last month in northern Mendocino County was fully contained as of Monday morning.
The North Pass Fire – which actually was two fires sparked by lightning early on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 18 – burned a total of 41,983 acres, according to the US Forest Service, which had shared unified command with Cal Fire on the incident.
The fire began near Williams Valley, 10 miles north east of Covelo, and moved to the north and east spreading into the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, officials said. Seventy-five percent of the fire was on federal lands, and 25 percent in the State Responsibility Area.
Evacuations in areas near Covelo were in place for weeks as firefighters struggled with the area’s terrain, including steep canyons and slopes, with the fire moving through closed stands of long needle pine and, on the lower elevations, oak savanna, according to the US Forest Service report.
Forest officials said 26 structures were destroyed and four sustained damage in the fire, and a total of 11 injuries were reported.
The Forest Service said the fire area remains under a forest closure area, which may remain in effect for an extended period of time.
Officials said roads near and around the fire have remained closed and will remain so until hazards are removed and crews complete fire-related repairs, including installing water bars to stop soil erosion, brush pile chipping, drainage and road repair, and removing hazardous trees. The forest also remains under fire restrictions.
While the fire is fully contained, forest officials said some burning material will remain inside the interior of the fire, and firefighters will continue patroling the area.
Resources remaining on scene Monday included 165 personnel, three engines, one dozer, three water tenders, one aircraft and one handcrew, according to the Forest Service.
All forest orders can be found on the Mendocino National Forest Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino; see “Alerts and Warnings.”
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a Clearlake Oaks man who is suspected of being involved with a nonfatal shooting that occurred last week.
Walter Frederick Wolkenhauer, 19, is being sought in connection with the incident, which happened on the night of Thursday, Sept. 13, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
At approximately 9:28 p.m. Sept. 13 deputies responded to Nylander Park, located at 12588 Acorn Lane in Clearlake Oaks, for a reported gunshot victim, Brooks said.
When deputies arrived they contacted the victim, who said that Wolkenhauer shot him with what he believed to be a shotgun, according to Brooks.
The victim said he had just exited “The Barn” when he received a telephone call from Wolkenhauer, who was calling him out to fight and threatened to shoot him. Brooks said that the victim reported that Wolkenhauer disconnected the phone immediately after threatening him.
The victim then looked across the street and noticed Wolkenhauer standing in the area of Nylander Park, Brooks said.
According to the victim’s account, Wolkenhauer appeared to be holding something close to his waist and starting running towards him. Brooks said that the victim told deputies that he started running away from Wolkenhauer towards the Tower Mart when he was shot.
Brooks said deputies canvassed the area but were unable to locate Wolkenhauer, who is believed to have fled the area.
The victim was transported to Saint Helena Clearlake Hospital for medical treatment, Brooks said.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Walter Wolkenhauer is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.