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The sample was confirmed last week, officials reported. It was one of 10 such samples confirmed positive around the state.
So far this year, approximately 1,294 mosquito samples from 24 counties have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the California West Nile Virus Web site reported. That's up from the 1,051 reported at this time last year.
Other than mosquito samples, Lake has reported no other West Nile Virus-positive cases this year, with no local cases reported in humans, horses, birds, sentinel chickens or squirrels, the state reported.
The state said the number of counties impacted by West Nile Virus this year is 35, down from 42 last year.
Statewide, human cases are down – 82 this year versus 92 in 2009 – while sentinel chicken cases dropped from 422 in 2009 to 271 this year, with dead bird cases also down, from 504 to 401 over the year, according to state data.
Horse cases have gone up slightly, from 17 in 2009 to 19 this year, with the state also reporting that squirrel cases jumped from 10 last year to 21 this year.
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Nominations are now being sought for the 14th annual Stars of Lake County community recognition program.
The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino in Upper Lake.
The awards committee is actively seeking nominations from throughout Lake County in 21 categories.
The program is sponsored by more than 30 Lake County businesses, and provides recognition for the hardworking volunteers, businesses and organizations that do so much for Lake County.
“It is the only recognition program of its kind in the county,” said Lake County Chamber of Commerce President Armand Pauly.
Pauly said that without those sponsorships the program could not take place.
More than 260 Star Awards have been given in the past 13 years of this program.
It is only through the residents of Lake County that the Chamber learns of nominees. Look around at the people, businesses and organizations you deal with daily, for potential nominees. Who will your nominee be?
The nomination form for Stars of Lake County 2011 is online at www.lakecochamber.com.
For more information, contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092.
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The incident occurred late last Friday, according to Lt. Rusty Noe.
Just after 11 p.m. Oct. 23 Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a local area hospital to contact a victim of a gunshot wound.
Upon arrival deputies contacted 45-year-old Kevin Paul Allen, who reported he was inside the garage area of his residence located on DeShields Ranch Road in Potter Valley at 10 p.m. with four or five Hispanic males suddenly entered the building, according to Noe.
Allen noticed one of the men had a rifle. When Allen confronted the men about their presence in his garage the man with the rifle immediately shot him one time in the right arm, Noe said.
After being shot Allen was restrained with rope, duct tape and a pair of handcuffs. Noe said the suspects took possession of Allen’s pickup truck keys and he was physically beaten.
Sometime afterward Allen was placed inside of a shed near the residence while still wearing the restraints. Noe said Allen was able to free himself and fled his property while the males were possibly still at his residence.
Allen summoned the help of a neighbor who drove Allen to the hospital where he obtained medical treatment for his injured arm, Noe said.
Allen believed the males were at his residence to rob him of the 25 marijuana plants he was growing at the location, according to Noe.
The Hispanic males were described as being average height, having dark hair, dark eyes and a dark skin tone.
Noe said the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Detective Unit is conducting further investigations into the incident.
Anyone having information is urged to contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office tip line at 707-467-9159. Noe said information can be left anonymously.
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Lake County Sheriff's deputies, California Highway Patrol and Clearlake Police are working the incident, which led to a lockdown of four county schools, according to sheriff's Lt. Brian Martin.
Martin said two male suspects reportedly fired several shots at individuals at a location on Morgan Valley Road near Lower Lake. No one was injured in the shooting.
The motivation for the shooting is still under investigation, Martin said.
Sheriff's officials believed the two suspects were possibly on foot in the area.
The first suspect is described as a black male adult, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, who goes by “Ty” but whose real name may be “Mike.”
The man is said to have short and wavy hair, is wearing a black beanie hat and is dressed in black clothing, with several tattoos on his arms and open sores on his body.
The second suspect is a black male adult wearing a black beanie, with his hair in braids and wearing a gray sweater.
Officials said that both men are considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information about them should immediately call 911 and not attempt to apprehend them.
As a result of the shooting, Lower Lake Elementary School, Lower Lake High School, Carlé Continuation High School and Lewis Alternative School were put under lockdown after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Martin said.
He said the lockdown was lifted shortly after 11 a.m.
Sheriff's officials had tried to have a helicopter brought in from Sonoma County to aid in the search, but weather earlier in the morning kept the helicopter grounded, Martin said.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A weekend of heavy rains and wet roadways contributed to downed power lines and trees, boulders in roads and collisions throughout the weekend.
On Sunday there were reports of vehicles going off of Highway 20 and, in two cases, vehicles going into the embankment.
During Sunday afternoon, Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to a report of a vehicle in Bear Creek near Upper Lake with the occupant possibly trapped, according to reports from the scene.
Bear Creek, and its recreation area, is located about 23 miles from Upper Lake on Elk Mountain Road.
One battalion chief, one medic unit and two engines responded from Upper Lake and Nice and found a full sized, 1990s model Chevy four-wheel-drive pickup truck in Bear Creek. They did not find the driver, who had gotten out and left the scene.
Firefighters concluded that the driver had attempted to cross in approximately 4 to 5 feet of water, when he lost control and floated several hundred feet downstream before coming to rest against an outcropping of rocks in the creek, officials reported.
Campers in the area stated they witnessed a group of off-road drivers fording the creek, with several being successful, however the last driver was not, according to reports from the scene. The vehicle had been secured to some adjacent trees with ropes before the driver and his party left.
Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Ken Petz said the creek usually runs about 2 feet deep at the crossing, but this storm brought much more.
He said the creek's level should fall some this week, but another storm is expected in the area next weekend, so time is short for anyone to remove the stranded vehicle.
Northshore firefighters were once again on scene later in the day when a vehicle ended up on a dock near Clearlake Oaks after going off Highway 20.
The driver reportedly was headed eastbound shortly before 5:30 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle, spinning 180 degrees and going off the roadway backwards, landing on the dock, based on reports from the scene.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision resulted in no injuries to the driver.
Gary McAuley contributed to this report.
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The eighth annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.
Traveling to downtown Lakeport during Dickens’ Market is like traveling back through the centuries.
Costume-clad characters from the 1800s stroll along Main Street and welcome guests to browse the shops and enjoy the food and vendor booths.
Event-goers are encouraged to arrive dressed for the occasion in period costumes and enter the costume contest for a chance at cash prizes.
Restaurants in downtown Lakeport offer delicious food for sale for the occasion, and a variety of tasty treats also are available at the “King’s Food Court” on Third and Main streets.
Vendor booths along Main Street include arts and crafts, toys, and plentiful gift ideas for the holidays. Some Main Street merchants host their own booths featuring seasonal products and specialty holiday merchandise.
A full schedule of musical entertainers perform throughout the day and Christmas carolers and strolling minstrels entertain the crowds. In addition, Eleven Roses Ranch offers free “sleigh rides” through town on a seasonally adorned mule-drawn carriage.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital will sponsor Santa’s Workshop, featuring Santa Claus in Museum Park and activities and snacks for children. Santa’s Workshop hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Christmas Lighted Parade begins at 6 p.m. Anyone may register for the parade; applications are available at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
The Annual Hospice Tree Lighting will take place at Museum Park following the parade. The famous deodar cedar is decorated by the Lakeport Main Street Association.
For more information, contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 or visit www.lakecochamber.com.
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