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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The final list of nominees for this year's Stars of Lake County Awards was released Wednesday.
The list, provided by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, includes dozens of local people, businesses and other organizations active in the community.
The awards dinner will take place on March 5 at Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino in Nice.
The list of nominees follows.
Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
1. Carolyn Wing Greenlee, Kelseyville
2. Ben Finneston, Clearlake
3. Henry Anderson, Lakeport
Senior of the Year
1. Edward McDonald, Lakeport
2. Ginger Frank, Clearlake Oaks
3. J.J. Jackson, Lakeport
Volunteer of the Year
1. Gerald Morehouse, Lucerne
2. Bill Knoll, Lakeport
3. Dawn Smith, Lakeport
4. Lorrie Gray, Kelseyville
5. Gregory Scott, Lakeport
6. Bill Stone, Clearlake
7. Iris Hudson, Clearlake Oaks
Student of the Year – Female
1. Veronica Wilder, Lower Lake
2. Alexis Marie Valdovinos, Middletown
Student of the Year – Male
1. John-Wesley Davis, Middletown
2. Tiancheng “Harry” Zhang, Lower Lake
Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer
1. Donna Nelson, Kelseyville
2. Daniel “Boone” Bridges, Kelseyville
3. Marie Henry, Upper Lake
4. Dennis and Ruth Darling, Lakeport
Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional
1. Michelle Meese, Kelseyville
2. Connor Snyder, Kelseyville
Agriculture Award
1. Scully Packing Co., Finley
2. CA Women for Ag-Lake County Chapter AgVenture Program, Lake County
3. Lake County Horse Council, Kelseyville
Organization of the Year – Nonprofit (nonprofit has paid staff)
1. Lakeport Speedway, Lakeport
2. AmeriCorps of Lake County, Lakeport
3. Rock of Faith Cogic Community, Kelseyville
4. VFW Post 2015, Lakeport
Organization of the Year – Volunteer (all volunteer staff)
1. Delta Iota Tau, Lakeport
2. Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association, Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven
3. Kelseyville Lions Club, Kelseyville
4. Soroptimist International Of Clear Lake, Clearlake
5. Highland Springs Trails Volunteers, Kelseyville
Environmental Award
1. Terry Knight, Lakeport
2. Tom Smythe, Kelseyville
3. Sarah Ryan, Clearlake
4. Marilyn Waits, Kelseyville
New Business of the Year
1. Riviera Fitness, Kelseyville
2. Color Splash Photos, Lakeport
3. Common Grounds Coffee House, Kelseyville
4. Sweet Freedom Sensitive Bakery, Hidden Valley Lake
Small Business of the Year
1. Lannette R. Huffman, DDS, Lakeport
2. Lake County Jazzercise, Middletown
3. Airport Auto Brokers, Lakeport
4. Lucerne Pharmacy & Alpine Café, Lucerne
5. Redwood Regional Medical Oncology, Lakeport
6. RAH Outdoor Media, Lower Lake
7. Middletown Florist, Middletown
Large Business of the Year
1. Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina
Best Idea of the Year
1. Lake County Quilt Trail, All Around Lake County
2. AgVenture, All Around Lake County
Local Hero of the Year
1. Aaron Wright & Rich Swaney, Cal-Trans Workers, Clearlake Oaks
2. Frank Toney (posthumously), Clearlake Oaks
3. Scott Conrad, DJ Boyd, Wyatt Ferrell, Joanie Holt, Greg Rohner, Michael Johnson, Kelseyville Response Team, Kelseyville
The Arts Award of the Year – Amateur
1. Cobb Mountain Artists, Cobb
The Arts Award of the Year – Professional
1. Susan and Kevin Byrnes, Lower Lake
2. George Waterstraat, Kelseyville
3. Pat Skoog, Lakeport
Woman of the Year
1. Julie Kelley, Lakeport
2. Paula Bryant, Hidden Valley Lake
Man of the Year
1. Brian Grey, DDS, MDS, Lakeport
2. Mark Turrill, MD, Lakeport
3. Phil Smoley, Lakeport
4. Ron Quick, Kelseyville
Lifetime Achievement
1. Allen Gott, Clearlake
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An elderly Clearlake man reported missing early Tuesday morning was found safe following a search, but police are still looking for a handgun the man was reported to have had in his possession.
Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Celli said Tuesday that police received a report shortly before 1 a.m. that 91-year-old Russell Eckels was missing from his residence in the 16000 block of 43rd Avenue.
Celli said Eckels' wife reported him missing, telling police that she had last seen him about 8:30 p.m. Monday when she went to bed.
When the woman awoke at about 12:40 a.m. Tuesday and discovered her husband wasn't there, she called the police, according to Celli's report.
Both the Eckels' vehicles were at the residence, but Celli said it was believed that Eckels was armed with a handgun that appeared to be missing from the home. There were no indications Eckels was suicidal, although he appears to be suffering from dementia.
Celli said “be on the lookout” messages were sent out to surrounding law enforcement agencies, and Clearlake Police and Lake County Sheriff's deputies checked the Avenues area throughout the night.
Eckels was later found in the 4100 block of Eureka Avenue, according to Celli. A Google map estimate puts the distance at about a mile from Eckels' home.
Celli said Eckels was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for treatment.
Police searched the area near Eckels' home as well as the vicinity of where he was located but found no sign of the handgun. Celli said it's still not clear if Eckels actually had a handgun in his possession.
Celli said the department reminded citizens to call the police department immediately at 707-994-8251 when weapons are located.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A judge weighing whether or not to impose temporary sex offender registration requirements on an actor and model who exposed himself in public has set a Feb. 10 hearing for testimony to be submitted by a doctor who has worked with the man.
Justin Force Lazard, 44, flew out from Florida to appear in Judge Richard Martin's Department 2 courtroom on Monday morning, the same time as his trial had been set to start.
On Friday District Attorney Don Anderson and Lazard's defense attorney Paul Swanson appeared before Martin to present the outline of a plea deal they had reached in Lazard's case, which stems from a July 2006 incident in Library Park, as Lake County News has reported.
Lakeport Police officers arrested Lazard after they confronted him while he was exposing his genitals and masturbating near the children's playground in Library Park, where a juvenile and several other witnessed the incident.
That incident followed by roughly three weeks Lazard's arrest in Monterey County in which he was found by police to be exposing his genitals in the drive-through of a Soledad mall.
Regarding his Lake County case, in exchange for a guilty plea to misdemeanor lewd conduct in public, the District Attorney's Office agreed to drop two additional misdemeanor charges of annoying or molesting a child under age 18 and indecent exposure, the latter which would have required sex offender registration.
The additional terms of the deal include three years' probation, 30 days in county jail with 30 days credit for time served, 100 hours community service, three years' psychiatric counseling with quarterly updates on his progress and a $7,500 payment to Lake Family Resource Center.
When Martin arrived in court Monday and called Lazard's case, Swanson said he was waiting for Lazard to come in. When Lazard arrived, Martin scolded him for being 10 minutes late, to which Lazard responded that he had been waiting for his case to be called.
While a lewd conduct conviction does not require sex offender registration, the judge may impose it at his discretion.
At the Friday court appearance, Martin had stated that he was considering the registration requirement, which Swanson argued wasn't in the agreement. Both Swanson and Anderson argued against registration, stating that Lazard – in their view – had no proclivities toward children that would make it a necessity.
While Martin considered that Friday, on Monday he wanted to revisit the issue.
“The court's given this thought all weekend,” he said.
Based on Anderson's statements and his own training, Martin believed Lazard's cases were the result of a transitory life issue, noting there had been no recurrences in the nearly five years since the alleged incidents occurred.
However, Martin said that for the purposes of public safety he wanted to impose some form of registration, to which Lazard had a mild outburst that Swanson attempted to quiet.
Martin said he didn't want to give a lifelong registration mandate, as he didn't think that would be fair. But he felt a temporary requirement, that Lazard later could petition the court to lift, was the right thing to do.
“I'm not comfortable with where we're at right now,” Martin said.
However, Martin said that if, at the end of Lazard's three years of probation, he didn't get into any more trouble, “then I would be comfy with discharging the registration.”
While Martin said he had assurances from both the prosecution and defense about Lazard's progress, he didn't have the advantage of a psychologist or psychiatrist to give testimony to the issue.
“I don't want it on my conscience if something happens,” Martin said.
Throughout the hearing Swanson had to continue to quiet Lazard, who kept trying to interject. Swanson said Lazard had flown in from Miami with the understanding that there was going to be the plea deal.
Swanson wanted to offer up a statement from an East Coast psychiatrist which he had also provided to the District Attorney's Office. Martin said that was OK as long as the district attorney stipulated to it.
Martin added that he would be much more comfortable if the doctor appeared in court so he could look him in the eye.
Swanson looked through his papers and was unable to find the document, and said he may have to ask Anderson for his copy. He then went over to where Anderson sat at the prosecution table and began looking at his papers. Martin told them to take a short recess and when they found the document they could reconvene.
When the one-page document was located it was given to Martin in chambers so he could read it over.
About a half hour later, shortly before 9 a.m., court was back in session.
Martin, having read the letter, noted that it stated Lazard had made significant progress, “but the issues that are in here give the court further concern.”
The letter made a statement about Lazard's problems resulting from a psychotic episode due to drug use.
Martin said that opened up the possibility for a recurrence of the behavior. “I think there is a potential and even the doctor is somewhat equivocal,” he said, adding that Lazard is still dealing with those issues.
Swanson, noting he would have had an updated report if he knew there were going to be concerns, said the letter from the doctor, written in December 2008, “reflects what had gone on with Justin Lazard prior to that time,” adding that Lazard had struggled with cocaine use and, as a result, was in a state of psychosis in the summer of 2006.
However, Lazard has no proclivity for inappropriate behavior toward children, said Swanson, who talked during the break via phone to the doctor, who indicated he would fly out to give testimony.
Swanson offered to have Lazard consult with the doctor once a month for the three years of his probation in addition to the quarterly medical reports that will be required submitted to the court.
“Mr. Lazard, I feel, has made such strides,” said Swanson.
At that point Lazard broke in, asserting that he had no impulses toward children. “It is nothing I need to suppress.”
He said he doesn't want to hurt children – “as God is my witness, may he strike me dead in this court.”
Martin cautioned Lazard that what he said could be used against him.
Swanson said that as a result of the Jan. 28 hearing, at which time the court indicated being agreeable to the plea deal terms, he went to Lake Family Resource Center and presented a check for $7,500 on Lazard's behalf. He submitted a copy of the check and receipt information to the court, which made it an exhibit.
Swanson said “it does cause a bit of consternation” for Lazard to have to fly in from Miami with 72 hours' notice – and after having paid the money – to find out there may be additional terms imposed.
He said the doctor indicated he would be willing to fly out and appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 10. Martin agreed to set a hearing for that day at 3:30 p.m.
Martin said that he understood the concern about the fact that Lazard paid the money. However, he added, “I did announce my feelings about this and the concerns I had, and I gave it a lot of thought over the weekend and I just was bothered because it was more than one offense.”
He said he didn't have proof that Lazard had a “transitory problem,” and noted the concerns the letter raised for him, specifically, that Lazard remains at risk for psychosis if drug use recurs.
“The court is not trying to fashion some onerous punishment for the defendant, although punishment is part of any sentence,” Martin said.
Martin said a major factor in such cases is the protection of children. He said he would be more comfortable if there is assurance of more treatment and no more abuses by Lazard. “The court wants some evidence to do that.”
He added, “I don't feel like I'm adequately doing my job with the amount of information I have.”
Swanson argued that under Penal Code 290, the section that covers sex offender registration, those convicted of such offenses only are required to register if they're residing in California, or attending school or working in the state. He pointed out that Lazard lives in New York and his wife and child are in Florida, where the child is receiving medical treatment.
Swanson offered as an alternative that there could be an additional stipulation that if Lazard ever does reside, attend school or work in California that he would have to register at that time. He told the court that he had not, however, discussed that option with his client.
Martin asked if Lazard was living in California at the time of the Lakeport incident. Swanson said no, that Lazard was living in New York but had visited California to purchase a property in Desert Hot Springs. He said the property currently is rented.
Anderson said if there was a desire to have additional, more restrictive terms of probation like Swanson suggested, he would support it.
In looking at the case, Anderson said it was his understanding that Lazard would be living in New York and not be coming back to California. “That was part of my consideration in making this offer.”
Martin said he still wanted to hear from the doctor, and asked if Swanson was suggesting that the court didn't have jurisdiction to impose registration. Swanson said that's how it appeared from the face of the statute.
Martin said that while they've had issues with people who are convicted in other states being required to register in California, “we haven't had the reverse.”
Martin asked for both Anderson and Swanson to submit points and authorities on the matter by Monday, Feb. 7, in advance of the hearing.
“If you are correct on no registration then we have a different ball game,” Martin told Swanson.
Swanson asked if the judge required Lazard be present for the Feb. 10 hearing. Martin said yes, indicating he wanted Lazard to be present when he gave him the probation terms and had him sign and accept them.
He said he wasn't sure how the case got so old, but said it should have been handled more quickly and he didn't want to delay it any further.
Part of the delay in the case has stemmed from Lazard's own actions. In May 2009 he was scheduled for trial but failed to appear, which led to a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.
He was arrested last year while returning to the US from a trip to the Caribbean, following the Lakeport Police Department's stepped up effort to bring him back for trial, including issuing a statement identifying him as the agency's most wanted person.
While the court is set to examine whether or not it has jurisdiction to cause Lazard to register according to California laws, New York state has its own sex offender registry, which oversees registrants – including those who move into the state from other areas and those who leave New York.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lower Lake man set to go to trial next week on charges that he hit and killed a Kelseyville restaurateur may see further court proceedings put off until this spring.
James Walter Nightingale, 31, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and probation violations.
Last Sept. 24 Nightingale – driving a Chevrolet Suburban – allegedly hit and fatally injured 57-year-old Zino Mezoui, who was riding his motorcycle along Highway 29 near Siegler Canyon Road, as Lake County News has reported.
Investigators allege that Nightingale then left the scene and abandoned his vehicle not far from the crash.
Nightingale, who has remained in custody since his Sept. 29 arrest, appeared in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport late Monday afternoon along with his appointed counsel, Jacob Zamora.
Zamora filed a motion asking the court for a 60-day continuance because he said he had been unable to get expert witnesses lined up, and had to bring in a second investigator as his main investigator had a conflict on the case.
Deputy District Attorney John Langan said he didn't have an objection to Zamora's request.
Zamora said Nightingale previously had no time waiver on his case, but he was now offering a limited time waiver moving forward.
Langan asked to schedule the next appearance a few weeks after April 18, and Judge Andrew Blum suggested May 2.
Nightingale asked for time to think about it, and Blum said he could continue the hearing to give him time to make the decision.
Blum ordered Nightingale to return to court, this time Department 4 in Clearlake, first thing Tuesday morning, at which point the court will hear Nightingale's decision on the time waiver issue and if he'll be agreeable to the May appearance.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
SACRAMENTO – Warning that California will not create the jobs it needs “unless we get our financial house in order,” on Monday Gov. Jerry Brown challenged state legislators to allow people to vote on his three-part plan to solve the state’s financial crisis.
“My intention is to make California again a leader in job creation, renewable energy and state of the art efficiency, innovation of all kinds and primary and secondary education,” Brown said in his State of the State address before a joint session of the state legislature.
In response, the Republicans in the Legislature indicated their willingness to work with the governor and the Democrats to get the state back on track.
Brown said the state must ensure that public employee pensions are fair to both taxpayers and workers, and he called for elimination of unreasonable regulations that hamper investment and job creation.
“Our universities are world renowned and I intend to see that they continue to enjoy the respect of students and scholars throughout the world,” Brown said. “We also have to restructure our criminal justice system, carefully realign state and local government functions, and streamline state government. All of this can happen if we find the courage and summon the will to tackle our budget deficit head on and deal with it honestly and without purpose of evasion.”
Brown warned that this is not a time for “politics as usual.”
“Voters are clearly telling us that our state and our nation are going in the wrong direction,” he said. “Yet, our two main political parties both in Washington and in California are as far apart as I have ever seen them.”
Brown has proposed $12.5 billion in budget cuts, temporary extension of current taxes and an historical realignment of government – a program that would require a vote of the people in a special election before it could become effective.
“If you are a Democrat who doesn’t want to make budget reductions in programs you fought for and deeply believe in, I understand that,” Brown said. “If you are a Republican who has taken a stand against taxes, I understand where you are coming from. But things are different this time. In fact, the people are telling us – in their own way – that they sense that something is profoundly wrong. They see that their leaders are divided when they should be decisive and acting with clear purpose.”
Brown said “it would be unconscionable” for legislators to block a special election.
“When democratic ideals and calls for the right to vote are stirring the imagination of young people in Egypt and Tunisia and other parts of the world, we in California can’t say now is the time to block a vote of the people,” he told the legislators. “In the ordinary course of things, matters of state concern are properly handled in Sacramento. But when the elected representatives find themselves bogged down by deep differences which divide them, the only way forward is to go back to the people and seek their guidance. It is time for a legislative check-in with the people of California.”
The governor said the voters have a right to decide whether taxes should be temporarily extended or whether additional budget cuts should be enacted, including new cuts to public schools, universities, public safety and health programs.
“My plan to rebuild California requires a vote of the people, and frankly I believe it would be irresponsible for us to exclude the people from this process,” he said. “They have a right to vote on this plan. This state belongs to all of us, not just those of us in this chamber. Given the unique nature of the crisis and the serious impact our decisions will have on millions of Californians, the voters deserve to be heard.”
Brown acknowledged that his rescue plan is not universally popular.
“From the time I first proposed what I believe to be a balanced approach to our budget deficit – both cuts and a temporary extension of current taxes – dozens of groups affected by one or another of the proposed cuts have said we should cut somewhere else instead. Still others say we should not extend the current taxes but let them go away. So far, however, these same people have failed to offer even one alternative solution.”
The governor said that he sees both difficult choices and a bright future.
“When we get our budget in balance, California will be in a strong position to take advantage of its many assets and its strategic location on the Pacific Rim. As the countries of Asia and south of our border continue to thrive and expand their trade, our state will play a leading role, as it always has, and reap unimagined benefits,” he said.
“We have the inventors, the dreamers, the entrepreneurs, the venture capitalists and a vast array of physical, intellectual and political assets,” Brown continued. “We have been called the great exception because for generations Californians have defied the odds and the conventional wisdom and prospered in totally unexpected ways. People keep coming here because of the dream that is still California, and once here, their determination and boundless energy feeds that dream and makes it grow.”
Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, who gave the GOP response to Brown's speech, said the Republican Party shares Brown's goal of passing “an honest and on-time budget.”
She added, “It is our hope that Gov. Brown focuses on cutting spending and on long-term reform.”
Conway said the state needs to break away from a failed status quo, which she said includes rejecting higher taxes and attacking wasteful spending.
“The people have made it clear: they don't want to pay higher taxes,” she said. “Voters have rejected every tax increase on the last two statewide ballots. It's time for Sacramento to finally to listen to the people.”
She said California's Republicans believe the best solution to California's problems is creating private sector jobs, which she said will be done by lifting regulations and by reducing frivolous lawsuits.
“For far too long, the Legislature has strangled our economy by imposing mandates, regulations and taxes,” Conway said. “It's no wonder that companies have been leaving California for other states.”
Conway said Republicans “look forward to working across party lines to cut the deficit, encourage new hiring and end the 'tax-and-spend' mentality with true common sense.”
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrested two men over the weekend on weapons and drug charges, along with allegations that one had a warrant for his arrest and the other a parole violation.
Arrested were William Ralph Smith, 40, of Kelseyville, and Santiago Garcia, 32, of Mount Vernon, Wash., according to a report from Lt. Brian Martin.
Shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a truck driven by Smith on Lakeshore Boulevard in north Lakeport for an equipment violation, Martin said. Riding in the truck with Smith was Garcia.
Law enforcement records showed that Smith was on parole and that Garcia was a convicted felon with a warrant for his arrest out of Washington state. Martin said Garcia was arrested pursuant to the warrant, and a search of the truck was conducted.
During the search of the truck, deputies discovered a .223 caliber Sturm Ruger “Ranch Rifle” with a 30-round clip. Martin said a law enforcement records check showed that the rifle had been reported stolen to the police department in Lebanon, Ore. No ammunition for the rifle was located.
Also found during the search was approximately 20 grams of a white powdery substance in a metal baking sheet under the driver’s seat, Martin said. Field tests of the substance were inconclusive and the material was collected for further testing by the California Department of Justice Crime lab.
Martin said both Garcia and Smith were also suspected of being under the influence of methamphetamine.
Garcia was booked at the Lake County Jail for the Washington state arrest warrant, for being in possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Jail records indicated that Garcia, whose bail was listed as $10,000, remained in custody on Monday.
Smith was booked on a no-bail parole hold, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also remained in custody on Monday.
Lab test results of the white powdery substance are not yet available, Martin said.
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