How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An Arizona man was taken into custody earlier this week for an out-of-state warrant and several felonies relating to drugs and falsified documents.
Thomas Galavitz, 37, of Tempe, Ariz., was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.
On Tuesday Clearlake Police officers, investigators with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office and officers from the Lake County Probation Department served a search warrant at a residence in the 16400 block of Dam Road in Clearlake, Joseph said.
Joseph said the search warrant was obtained from information provided to Lake County officials from law enforcement officials in Arizona. The information received by Lake County officials concerned the illegal trafficking of narcotics over state lines and was linked to the Clearlake residence.
During the service of the search warrant, approximately 8 grams of concentrated cannabis was located, along with approximately 1 ounce of marijuana, scales, packaging materials, false state identification and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, Joseph said.
Investigators also seized more than $15,000 in cash and a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle, pending asset forfeiture proceedings. Joseph said three large dogs from the property were taken for safekeeping by the Clearlake Animal Control officer.
Joseph said Galavitz was located inside the home and was subsequently arrested for several misdemeanor and felony charges including a felony warrant out of Arizona, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of marijuana for sale, sales of marijuana, armed during the commission of a felony, possessing a false/forged state seal, false identification to a police officer, possession of a fictitious driver’s license and possession of more than an ounce of marijuana.
Galavitz was later booked into the Lake County Jail, where he remains on a no-bail hold.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.
USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the results of USDA’s Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report that found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010.
The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.
“This report underscores the critical role that federal nutrition assistance programs play in helping struggling American families put food on the table until they can get back on their feet,” said Concannon. “Many families receive assistance not because they want to, but because they need it as a last resort to make ends meet. As the economy continues to recover and jobs are created, we hope to see the number of families in need of nutrition assistance shrink.”
The report released today indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey.
In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need.
In an average month of fiscal year 2010 (Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provided benefits to 40.3 million people in the United States.
In fiscal year 2010, the National School Lunch Program provided meals to an average of 31.6 million children each school day.
Also in fiscal year 2010, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children served an average 9.2 million participants per month.
Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households, the report found.
Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities, according to the report.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; National School Lunch Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. U
USDA administers these programs in partnership with state and local agencies and works with faith and community-based organizations to ensure that nutrition assistance is available to those in need.
Additional information about the programs can be found at www.fns.usda.gov.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.
This unique and enduring opportunity is raising money to build new play structures for both the large school playground, as well as the kindergarten playground, with the monetary donors featured in a prominent brick display at the school.
The need for new playground structures had become increasingly apparent to both staff and parents alike.
“The Coyote Valley Elementary playground equipment gets constant use, considering we have nearly 500 students using it during recesses and after lunch each day. Natural wear and tear over a decade of use has brought us to a point where we need a long range plan for replacement,” said school Principal Tom Hoskins.
He added, “The Buy-A-Brick fundraiser will allow individuals, families and businesses to donate funds towards building a new play structure over time while providing a venue for recognizing supporters with permanent in-lay bricks.”
Says the “Buy-a-Brick” campaign manager Carol Luis, “As a parent of two children who have attended Coyote Valley Elementary, I have watched the current playground deteriorate over the years. It seems less and less of the current structures are usable and the Kindergarten playground area has never even had a proper play structure.”
Commemorative bricks can be purchased year-round by individuals, families, businesses, alumni, groups, teams, etc. and they also make a great gift.
All buyers will receive a certificate with their brick information. Costs range from $100 for a 4-inch by 8-inch brick, to $250 for an 8-inch by 8-inch brick, and up to $500 for an 8-inch by 8-inch that also includes the engraving of a company logo or graphic along with two lines of text.
This will be an ongoing fundraiser with a goal of ultimately raising $100,000. The first phase of bricks is tentatively scheduled to be laid in the gall of 2012 near the front office, in an area of high traffic and plenty of visibility for all to see and enjoy.
“We are very fortunate to have a school with wonderful teachers, a caring principal, and an extremely active and supportive PTO and community,” said Luis. “Providing our children with a fun and safe playground will only add to what is already a positive educational experience.”
To purchase your brick, or for more information, contact Carol Luis at 707-318-2661 or
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.
MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – As the search for a suspect in the murder of two North Coast men continues, authorities have announced a reward for the suspect's capture.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported Tuesday that it has been contacted by private citizens as well as the U.S. Marshals' Service and the Mendocino Land Trust to provide reward funds for
information leading to the capture and arrest of 35-year-old Aaron Bassler.
The reward amount as of Tuesday morning was $30,000, the sheriff's office reported.
Aaron Bassler is the lead suspect in the August homicides of Mendocino Land Trust employee Matthew Coleman and Fort Bragg City Councilman Jere Melo, both of whom were shot while conducting management activities on forest lands near Fort Bragg.
The sheriff's office said residents of Fort Bragg and surrounding areas should remain vigilant and conscientious of their surroundings as Bassler – who is believed to still be in the area – is considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities also warn that Bassler should not be approached. Law enforcement is looking for information, not active participation in the search.
Please notify authorities at 707-463-4086 or by emailing
any information you may think would be helpful.
Anonymous information can be sent via email to
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office thanked the many individuals and local, state and federal agencies assisting in the search and the effort to safely apprehend Bassler.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Northshore man has been arrested for the Tuesday morning shooting of an Upper Lake woman that allegedly resulted after a robbery attempt.
Daniel Ray Loyd, 50, of Nice was arrested and booked for murder, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, according to a Tuesday evening report from Michelle Gonzalez of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Loyd is alleged to have fatally shot 48-year-old Cindy Yvette Quiett of Upper Lake, according to the sheriff's office.
Also arrested was 35-year-old Angel Dusty Spring of Lakeport, who was alleged to have been with Loyd at the time of the shooting. Spring was arrested and booked for violation of probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance, Gonzalez said.
At 3:30 a.m. Tuesday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Sherwood Court and Kensington Way in Lucerne on a report that a woman had been shot in the stomach during an apparent robbery attempt, according to Gonzalez.
She said rescue personnel with the Northshore Fire Protection District were staged in the area and a patrolman with the Lakeport Police Department also responded to assist in locating the suspect’s vehicle.
When deputies arrived in the area, they located several people tending to a woman lying unconscious near the roadway on Sherwood Court, Gonzalez said.
Deputies identified the shooting victim as Quiett, who Gonzalez said had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Quiett was initially transported by medics to Lucerne Harbor Park to be flown out of county by a REACH helicopter, but due to her declining condition, she was instead rushed to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where Gonzalez said that Quiett ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
One of the people tending to Quiett when deputies arrived at the scene was 47-year-old Patrick Joseph Ryden of Lucerne. Gonzalez reported that Ryden told deputies that, prior to the shooting, he and Quiett had gotten a phone call from Spring, who said she was going to the Robinson Rancheria Casino. She told them to meet her on the corner of Sherwood Court and Country Club where she would pick them up to go along.
As Quiett and Ryden were walking to meet Spring, a van pulled up next to them and the driver, later identified as Loyd, got out, Gonzalez said.
Loyd allegedly walked up to Ryden, put a gun to Ryden’s head, and told him to “give him all of his shit.” Gonzalez said Ryden reportedly knocked the gun away from his head and as he was running away, he heard a gunshot.
When Ryden turned back to look, he saw Quiett lying on the ground and the van was speeding away, Gonzalez said.
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives were called out to conduct an investigation, which Gonzalez said continued throughout the morning.
As the investigation unfolded detectives began developing information, including that Spring was in fact with Loyd in the van during the apparent robbery attempt and shooting, Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said additional patrol deputies were called out to help detectives with the manhunt for Loyd and Spring.
By mid-morning, detectives were able to contact Loyd by telephone and arrange for both him and Spring to turn themselves in for questioning, Gonzalez said.
At approximately 10:15 a.m., Loyd and Spring were met by Lake County Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force Detectives on Reclamation Road in Upper Lake and detained. Gonzalez said a .357 magnum revolver was recovered at the scene.
After further investigation, Loyd and Spring were arrested.
Gonzalez said the investigation is continuing Tuesday evening.
Anyone with information concerning Quiett's homicide is encouraged to call Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives at 707-263-2690. Calls may be placed at any time.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.
LUCERNE, Calif. – Authorities are investigating an early morning shooting in Lucerne.
A sheriff's deputy, two crime scene investigators and a detective were at the scene, located at 4094 Sherwood Court, early Tuesday morning.
Several shots were reported to have been fired in the area at about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Minutes later sirens could be heard throughout the Northshore town.
A female victim was reported to be down, based on 911 calls.
A deputy securing the area declined to comment on any circumstances of the shooting to a Lake County News reporter, only saying that he had only recently arrived.
The crime scene was cordoned off with yellow tape. Crime scene investigators had labeled several items of evidence, including what appeared to be items of clothing left lying in the street.
There was no word on a suspect. No suspect had been shown as being booked into the Lake County Jail, according to the sheriff's Web site by 9:30 a.m.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at