News

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A vehicle that was being towed along Highway 20 on Tuesday afternoon was the cause of three small spot fires.

The fires, located between Blue Lakes and the Lake and Mendocino County line, were first reported shortly after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to radio reports.

Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said a wheel fell off the car that was being towed, which sparked the fires. He said the man towing the car couldn't see the missing tire.

Cal Fire and Northshore Fire sent engines to the incident, with firefighters quickly knocking down the fires before they got far, according to radio traffic.

One of the fires was near The Lodge at Blue Lakes. Beristianos said several local people extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived.

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Cal Fire is reporting that the number of fires it's responded to so far this year across California is nearly twice the number it responded to in the same timeframe in 2011.

In the agency's latest situation report, which can be viewed above, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said winter's overall rainfall was well below average, despite a rainy March.

The dry winter is considered a factor in the increase in wildfires. Berlant said that from Jan. 1 through May 29, Cal Fire had responded to 1,375 fires, compared to approximately 700 fires for the same period in 2011.

This year's number of wildfires also is well above the five-year average, Berlant said.

Warmer temperatures are expected throughout the coming week, bringing with them increased fire danger.

Drier conditions also are expected to continue in June, and Berlant said Cal Fire already has begun transitioning its operations for fire season, which usually begins July 1.

Homeowners are urged to protect themselves and their homes by having 100 feet of defensible space around their residences.

For more information on how to be fire safe visit www.readyforwildfire.org .

SACRAMENTO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on Tuesday announced that a bill she is sponsoring to ensure that those convicted of human trafficking crimes involving minors will not be able to keep the financial benefits reaped from those crimes unanimously passed out of the state Senate.

"The trafficking of human beings is an unseen problem in California and throughout the country," said Harris. "I am proud to sponsor legislation that will undercut the trafficking of human beings throughout our state."

Senate Bill 1133, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), ensures that those convicted of human trafficking crimes involving minors will not be able to keep the financial benefits reaped from those crimes.

This bill expands on the current list of assets that the perpetrator must forfeit and provides a formula to redirect those resources to community groups that aid victims of human trafficking. It passed the Senate floor 36 to 0.

"Sex trafficking of minors is a horrendous crime that is driven by the prospect of lucrative profits," said Leno. "This legislation aims to deprive convicted criminals of the financial resources and assets that would allow them to continue luring young people into the sex trade. In turn, proceeds from those forfeitures would rightfully be used to help victims begin to repair their lives."

Human trafficking in California first became a felony in 2005 with the California Human Trafficking Victims Protection Act that Harris co-sponsored when she served as the district attorney of San Francisco.

Harris also has served on the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery Task Force and the Department of Justice is currently updating the report "Human Trafficking in California," which was released by the task force in 2007. The updated report is expected to be issued this summer.

The Attorney General is sponsoring a second human trafficking bill this session. Assembly Bill 2466 (Preservation of Assets for Victims of Human Trafficking), by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) will require that more victims of human trafficking receive restitution.

Under California law, victims are entitled to mandatory restitution; however there are no laws to help prevent human trafficking defendants from liquidating and hiding their assets before conviction.

Assembly Bill 2466 would allow a court to order the preservation of the assets and property by persons charged with human trafficking.

The bill passed the Assembly unanimously earlier this month and is pending in the Senate.

Human trafficking is estimated to be a $32 billion industry, the world's third most profitable criminal enterprise behind drugs and arms trafficking.

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, smuggling, transporting, harboring, buying, or selling of a person for purposes of exploitation, prostitution, domestic servitude, sweatshop labor, migrant work, agricultural labor, peonage, bondage, or involuntary servitude.

While human trafficking often involves the smuggling of human beings across international borders, numerous Americans are trafficked around the United States ever year.

Human trafficking strips people, especially women and children, of their freedom and violates our nation's promise that every person in the United States is guaranteed basic human rights.

For more information, go to the Attorney General's human trafficking Web site at www.oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The preliminary hearing of Robinson Rancheria’s tribal chair – alleged to have embezzled thousands of dollars from another Lake County tribe – has been set for August.

At a hearing last week, an Aug. 1 preliminary hearing date was set for 50-year-old Tracey Avila of Nice, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson, the case’s prosecutor.

Avila was arrested last September on a felony charge of grand theft for allegedly taking more than $60,000 from Elem Colony of Clearlake Oaks.

She had worked for Elem as its fiscal officer from February 2006 to September 2008, according to case documents.

Elem conducted its own investigation before contacting federal authorities to request assistance.

Case documents showed that the federal investigation ultimately led to Avila’s arrest last year.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The eighth annual Lake County Wine Adventure, a two-day passport event, will be held Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29.

The event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, is hosted by the Lake County Winery Association.

Adventurous wine enthusiasts will have an opportunity to explore the “high elevation” wine country of California’s Lake County and sample distinct, award-winning “wines with altitude.”

Throughout the weekend, wine adventurers will taste wines from five of Lake County’s six distinct viticulture areas (AVAs) as they visit participating wineries.

Adventure tickets can be purchased in advance through July 22 for $35 each at the following local wine businesses: Langtry Estate and Vineyards, Six Sigma, Laujor Estate, Steele Wines, Mt. Konocti Winery, Bell Hill Wines, Brassfield Estate and the Lake County Wine Studio.

Presale tickets are also available online at www.lakecountywineries.org .

If you miss the presale tickets, adventure passes will be available on the day of the event for $45 each and can be purchased at the wineries mentioned above and noted with a star on the Wine Adventure map.

Each ticket is good for two days of activities and entitles the holder to wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres at each winery, a logo wine glass, art exhibits, and entertainment.

“We are expecting upwards of 2000 attendees at this year’s event,” said Lake County Wine Adventure Chair Cheryl Lucido. “The wineries are excited and the community support has been outstanding.”

Event-goers will be entered into a raffle drawing when they leave their completed wine adventure tickets with the last winery they visit.

Raffle prizes include overnight lodging certificates; activities such as kayaking, guided hiking expeditions and wine tastings; fine art and jewelry; and breakfast and dinner dining selections. The grand raffle prize is a stellar cellar collection of Lake County’s finest wines.  

The Lake County Winery Association thanks all of the raffle donors for their valuable partnership in the success of the eighth annual Lake County Wine Adventure.

Event organizers promote responsible hospitality and encourage all participants to designate a driver.

Designated drivers are invited to enjoy nonalcoholic drinks, food, and entertainment free of charge at each site compliments of the Lake County Winery Association.

For more information or to order your 2012 Lake County Wine Adventure tickets, visit www.lakecountywineries.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five people were injured in a crash that occurred on Highway 20 Monday afternoon.

The collision took place on Highway 20 near the Cache Creek Recreation Area just after 1 p.m., according to a report from the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP report explained that William Warwick III, 50, of Arcadia, was stopped in the highway's eastbound lane in his 1997 Toyota 4Runner, waiting to turn into the Cache Creek Recreation Area.

Andrew Barket, 25, of Harrisburg, Penn., was driving eastbound in a 2000 Toyota 4Runner at 65 miles per hour approaching Warwick. The CHP report said Barket initially didn't see Warwick was stopped. He then turned to the right to avoid hitting him.

Barket passed Warwick's vehicle on the righthand side before he turned to the left. The CHP said Barket reentered Highway 20's eastbound lane before continuing on into the westbound lane, where he collided head-on with a 2010 Ford Expedition driven by 34-year-old Douglas Hume of Citrus Heights.

The report also indicated that Barket's vehicle hit Warwick's after the initial collision with Hume's Explorer.

David Duff, 21, of Dauphin, Penn. – riding as Barket's passenger – suffered major injuries and was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the CHP said.

Douglas Hume suffered minor injuries and was transported to UC Davis Medical Center, while his passenger, 60-year-old Joyce Hume of Elk Grove, was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the report said. Joyce Hume had minor injuries.

Another passenger in Douglas Hume's vehicle, 31-year-old Stephanie Hume, also of Citrus Heights, was taken to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for treatment of minor injuries, according to the CHP.

Barket suffered minor injuries and was not transported, and the CHP said Warwick was uninjured.

All of the drivers and passengers were wearing their seatbelts, the CHP reported.

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