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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – It has been a very busy year working on Eagle service projects for the Boy Scouts of Troop 315 of Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake and Cobb.
An Eagle Project is the opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of any religious institution, school or his community. It is one of the requirements to advance to Eagle Scout, the highest rank for a Boy Scout.
The projects all involved hard physical labor well over 200 man-hours for several volunteers, and gave the scouts opportunities to “do a good turn,” as the BSA slogan goes, for their communities.
Troop 315 is a Boy Scout unit sponsored by the Hidden Valley Lake Association.
The first Eagle service project commenced in January, and received financial sponsorship by the Friends of Boggs Mountain (FOBM) for the construction of two redwood benches at Boggs Mountain State Forest.
Nathan McVay, 16, led the construction of the benches, pulling together a work crew of scouts and parents.
The late winter rains delayed progress, but eventually, man and horse were able to haul lumber, cement and power tools up and down steep trails.
One of the benches is located on Mac’s Trail, at a sharp bend on a steep switchback. The other bench is located in a shady grove near the creek on the Interpretive Trail.
Mike Kasper, FOBM board member who oversaw the project, was pleased with the outcome. “That bench on Mac’s Trail is at a great spot where you can catch your breath and enjoy views of Cobb Mountain, and the Interpretive Trail bench is a wonderful spot for quiet solitude and meditation,” he says.
Nathan was awarded his Eagle rank in May.
The second project was an even greater logistical challenge, requiring special equipment and expertise to transport and install a 40-foot flagpole at the newly-refurbished athletic field at Middletown High School.
Newly-minted Eagle Scout, Charles Hoberg, who just recently turned 18, said the the idea to build the flagpole was originally proposed by Principal Bill Roderick.
“I thought it would be a great project,” Charles recollected, “but didn’t realize just how tough it was to get funding and even looking where to get a 40-ft. flagpole. It’s not the kind of thing people buy everyday.”
Fortunately, Charles was able to obtain generous support from Calpine, who donated more than $1,500 toward the purchase of the flagpole, as well as other community businesses such as Hardester’s Markets, Minudri Insurance, Twin Pine Casino, the Lions and Rotary Clubs, and many others including friends and family.
This ambitious undertaking was successfully completed in May, and adds a finishing touch to the MHS athletic stadium.
The most recently-completed Eagle service project was the construction of raised garden boxes for the Middletown Community Garden, led by a very young Eagle candidate, 14-year-old Liam Stahl.
The idea was suggested by Lake County Hunger Task Force board member Phyllis Kelsey, who shares part of her property in Butts Canyon to cultivate produce that would be harvested and donated to local food banks such as those organized by the Middletown United Methodist Church and Catholic Charities.
The project involved building four garden boxes, a shelter for the irrigation system, and posting a large sign off Loconomi Road to indicate the location of the garden for volunteers.
Once more, Calpine and Hardester’s Markets provided financial support, as did the good folks from the Hunger Task Force. Lake County Waste Solutions provided compost free of charge and Layne Paving delivered top soil at a discount.
As of the end of July, a good variety of veggies were thriving in these boxes, including zucchini, jalapeño peppers, cucumbers and melons.
The troop offers its sincere thanks to all the youth, adults, businesses and nonprofit organizations who’ve provided their time, expertise and financial support toward these worthy causes. And most of all, many thanks to the Boy Scouts who led these projects for a job well done.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County International Charter School (LCICS) in Middletown has several exciting changes for the upcoming school year, including the reinstatement of the seventh grade, the rehiring of a beloved teacher and the continuation of the Free and Reduced Food Program in cooperation with the Middletown Unified School District (MUSD).
“Two years ago we made the decision to reduce from a K-8 to a K-6 to consolidate our classes on one site,” said LCICS Director Gwendolyn Maupin-Ahern stated. “We did this because of the state budget cuts and the need to keep our school fiscally strong, and it worked. But this spring many of our sixth grade students, several of whom started in Kindergarten in LCICS's very first year, expressed interest in remaining for an additional year. It was important to us to find a way to make that happen.”
LCICS has always had multi-age classrooms, much like St. Helena Unified’s excellent Multi-Age Program (MAP), so the solution was fairly simple.
“With the multi-age classrooms we can be flexible with our configurations. This coming year we will have a K/1, 2/3/4 and a 5/6/7,” Maupin-Ahern explained. “We will continue to have our small school environment with a maximum of 24 students per classroom, and in fact there is currently a waiting-list for the 5/6/7 class.”
With the shift, LCICS has also rehired Andrew Vance for the 5/6/7 position. Vance previously taught LCICS’s 7/8 class, and was universally loved and respected by the students, the families and the staff.
He moved to Sonoma County in 2009 to be closer to his family, but is returning to Lake County this summer. Vance brings a strong focus on emotional intelligence and peer mediation to his classroom and to the school as a whole.
“I am so excited to be a part of this vibrant learning community again,” said Vance. “LCICS incorporates a tremendous amount of positivity into their school environment. I kept hearing its beacon call all the way from Santa Rosa and just had to return.”
LCICS also will be continuing to provide a daily Free and Reduced Food Program, supplementing with vegetables from the student-grown garden whenever possible.
Based on family income, students are able to receive a hot lunch for free or a very small fee.
“We started the program this spring, and it was well received by the kids and their families,” Maupin-Ahern said. “We’re so pleased to be able to offer this to our students, and thank MUSD for helping us make it happen.”
For more information about the school or enrollment you can email
LCICS is a free, public charter school open to all K-7th students in Lake County providing students with an inquiry/project based, enriched education in a nurturing environment, and is the only site-based public charter school in Lake County. Often mistaken as private schools, charter schools are free and government-funded public options, held to the same educational standards to which all public schools are accountable, that allow parents to have a greater voice in school governance, operations and educational programs.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Three Cheers,” a quilt block pattern painted in blue, purple and white by the Lake County Quilt Trail artistic team, was installed June 22 on the north wall of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 South Main St., Lakeport.
A volunteer group of installers consisted of Shane Roberts, Mike Ewing, Dennis Rollins, Wally Fuller and Mike Adams.
Intercounty Mechanical provided the boom truck to lift the heavy quilt block and position it “on point.” GPS location is: N 38° 58´36¨ W 122° 53´40.”
Quilt block donors are Mike and Bonnie Ewing, Peggy and Dave Browning and Cindy Strong.
Wilda Shock writes, “A volunteer committee of design and palette-selectors, installers, and cheering audience on installation day were all contributors to a successful endeavor.”
Amy Chase said, “It takes a village … and we have a wonderful supportive ‘village’ community.”
In 1997, leadership within the Lake County Arts Council set out to acquire the Vincent Raney-designed Lakeport Theatre, then owned by Bob and Margaret Reese.
Local benefactors Jim and Florence Soper donated the full purchase price of $300,000 and the wonderful old building officially belonged to the community.
“Three Cheers” is the 31st quilt block to join the LCQT and the third installed on Main Street in Lakeport.
LCQT is very proud that “Three Cheers” shines beautifully on the building that has been transformed into a modern and vibrant performing arts center.
Mike Adams gives a toast, “One cheer for Jim Soper for donating funds to purchase the building and his continued support; one cheer for the federal and local government agencies for granting funds to begin the renovation; one cheer for the community support we’ve received; and cheers from the crowds for all the great performances that have been held at the Soper Reese since we opened the doors.”
For current information about performances at the theatre, go to www.soperreese.com .
Check out the Lake County Quilt Trail on Facebook or visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com for even more information.
LUCERNE, Calif. – The suspect who allegedly robbed the Lucerne Fosters Freeze at gunpoint on Saturday was arrested on Monday after he admitted to law enforcement that he had committed the robbery.
Skyler Yale Holden, 21, of Lucerne was arrested shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday afternoon Holden allegedly went into the restaurant – located at 6552 Highway 20 in Lucerne – armed with a handgun, and took more than $200, according to the sheriff’s office.
Brooks said sheriff’s deputies, who were following up on leads on the armed robbery, had received information that the person possibly responsible for the armed robbery was Holden.
Patrol deputies contacted Holden at a residence located on Seventh Avenue in Lucerne. Brooks said Holden was positively identified as the person responsible for the armed robbery.
During the interview with deputies, Holden admitted to committing the robbery, according to Brooks.
Deputy Joe Dutra arrested Holden for robbery, being armed in the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, jail records showed.
Holden’s bail was set at $500,000, according to his jail booking sheet. He’s set to appear in court for arraignment on Thursday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire that began last Saturday in Yolo County has been contained.
Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported that the Forest Fire was fully contained as of Tuesday morning.
The fire had begun Saturday morning in the area of Forest Avenue and Highway 16 at Guinda, south of Rumsey Canyon.
Cal Fire has not yet reported the cause, which remains under investigation.
The agency said mop up and patrol is continuing on Tuesday. Approximately 57 personnel, one engine, one fire crew and one helicopter remain on scene.
A total of four minor injuries have resulted from the fire, Cal Fire said.
Cooperating agencies on the fire included Cal Fire, Capay Valley Fire Protection District, Yocha Dehe Fire Department, numerous local fire departments from Yolo County, BLM, US Forest Service, Yolo County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LUCERNE, Calif. – The suspect in the weekend armed robbery of a Lucerne restaurant has been arrested.
Skyler Yale Holden, 21, of Ukiah was arrested Monday evening by Deputy Joe Dutra, according to jail booking records.
Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Holden was arrested in connection with the armed robbery, which took place last Saturday afternoon at Fosters Freeze, located at 6552 Highway 20 in Lucerne.
The suspect in the robbery took just over $200, according to the sheriff’s office.
Brooks said he would have additional details on the investigation and arrest once he’s received the case report.
Holden was booked Monday night on felony charges of first degree burglary, committing a felony while armed with a firearm and misdemeanor possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. His bail is set at $500,000.
In February, Holden was arrested for drug charges, giving law enforcement false identification and evading a peace officer, according to jail records.
Email Elizabeth Larson at