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LAKEPORT – This past weekend the annual Lake County Passion Play once again returned with its unique portrayal of the last days of Jesus Christ.
Hundreds of people arranged themselves in the audience area of the field with their own lawn chairs and blankets to watch the reenactment of some of the most important moments in Christian scripture.
Beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery complemented this year’s Passion Play; the weather proved perfect for an outdoor play.
“The setting makes the play,” said the play’s co-founder, Father Philip J. Ryan.
The Passion Play, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is extra special this year because Jesus began his public ministry when he was 30 years old, according to event organizers.
The play required no entrance fee but donations are always accepted. Bumper stickers, license plate covers and T-shirts were some new items offered for donations, aside from the bottled water.
Ryan said that all of the money raised always goes back into the Passion Play grounds, which are located in the north Lakeport area off of Highway 29.
In 2001 the Passion Play Board of Directors purchased the 85-acre Beltramo Ranch property that makes up the grounds for $399,500 after owners Armondo and Catherine Beltramo offered it for sale, organizers reported.
Ryan said the production usually costs somewhere around $3,000 to produce each year.
All three stages underwent renovations in the past four years and were redone with a much more durable material called Trex.
The massive production attracts people from across the nation and the globe each year. Ryan said he knew of people who came from Scotland, Australia and many other countries, just to see this play.
Many local people attended as well, as there are audience members who have been there nearly every year, he said.
Bonnie Edwards of Ukiah attended, and she was in a Passion Play production that took place in Ukiah several years ago. It was her first time attending Lake County’s.
“I was in tears,” she said. “It was so well done. This brought reality to such an incredible moment in time.”
She is excited about volunteering in the Lake County Passion Play in the future.
This year Jesus was played by Fr. John Boettcher. He has volunteered to act in that role for 13 years during the play's history.
At times he comes all the way from Rome and Jerusalem for the play. If that is not dedicated enough, he also truly carries a heavy wooden cross, weighing 120 pounds, up the hillside to the crucifixion scene.
“Every time I’ve been in the play, I’ve experienced some new insight,” said Boettcher. “It’s always something different for me.”
Nearly 150 people volunteered to act in the play, as the entire production is possible through volunteerism, Ryan said.
If anyone is interested in volunteering, please call 707-279-0349.
Visit www.lakecountypassionplay.org for more information.
E-mail Tera deVroede at
LAKE COUNTY – The State Bar of California has concluded that it will take no action on a complaint against the county's district attorney regarding an open letter to the community he released prior to a trial last summer.
District Attorney Jon Hopkins received a letter from State Bar Deputy Trial Counsel Robert Henderson dated May 13 that notified him of the decision.
“The State Bar has completed the investigation of the allegations of professional misconduct reported by Victor Haltom and determined that this matter does not warrant further action,” Henderson's letter stated. “Therefore, the matter is closed.”
Haltom is the Sacramento attorney who represented Carmichael resident Bismarck Dinius in a felony boating under the influence trial last summer.
Dinius was prosecuted in connection with a fatal April 2006 boat crash in which he was sitting at the tiller of a sailboat that was hit from behind on a dark night by an off-duty sheriff's chief deputy, Russell Perdock.
Both of Hopkins' opponents in this year's district attorney race, defense attorneys Don Anderson and Doug Rhoades, said they felt that releasing the open letter was not a good idea.
“It may not have been a technical ethical violation, it may not have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, but I thought it was improper,” Rhoades said Monday.
Anderson said he didn't think it was morally right.
On July 17, 2009, about a week and a half before the trial began, Hopkins released an open letter in which he announced he would drop a manslaughter charge against Dinius.
At that time Hopkins also addressed several key questions in the case, including whether or not the sailboat's running lights were on, when blood alcohol tests were done, the motorboat's speed, the charges and conflict of interest allegations. See the letter here: http://lakeconews.com/content/view/9563/919/.
Hopkins' letter angered Haltom and some community members because it made statements about “drunken sailors” in reference to Dinius.
“I thought the 'open letter' plainly violated governing ethical standards,” Haltom said Monday. “That is why I submitted the complaint to the State Bar. I've been practicing for nearly two decades now. This is the only complaint I have submitted to the State Bar.”
Dinius would go on to be acquitted of the felony boating under the influence causing great bodily injury charge and a misdemeanor count of boating under the influence, with the jury deadlocking on a misdemeanor count of boating with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.08, which later was dismissed, as Lake County News has reported.
Hopkins said the State Bar notified him last year that a complaint had been made against him regarding the letter by an individual named Brent Vordross.
In response, Hopkins wrote a letter explaining his decision to release the statement to the community, and pointed out that Judge J. Michael Byrne had found no ethical violation because of the letter.
Shortly before the Dinius trial started last summer, Haltom filed a motion accusing Hopkins of prosecutorial misconduct because of the letter, which Byrne heard on July 21, 2009. During the arguments on the motion, Haltom called the letter “a remarkable, unprecedented event.”
Byrne held that there was a constitutional right guaranteeing press access to court matters, but told Hopkins, “I don't think it was a good idea to issue a press release at this time.” However, Byrne added that he was satisfied that Hopkins wasn't guilty of misconduct, as Lake County News has reported.
Hopkins said the open letter was meant to combat a “barrage of defense publicity,” which he said he has a right to do under the California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 5-120.
Section C of that rule, Hopkins said, “allows me to make a statement that I would reasonably believe is required to protect my client – the people of Lake County – from substantial undue prejudicial effect of recent publicity not initiated by me.”
He added, “That's built into the Rules of Professional Conduct specifically.”
Hopkins received a letter dated Nov. 17, 2009, from Manya B. Lewis, a complaint analyst with the State Bar's Los Angeles office, who notified him that the complaint had been reviewed and evaluated.
“The determination has been made that there are insufficient grounds for disciplinary action,” Lewis wrote. “Therefore, we are closing our files at this time.”
Then, in April, Hopkins received a letter from the San Francisco State Bar office, notifying him of the second complaint, this one by Haltom, in which it was alleged Hopkins was attempting to use the open letter to taint the jury pool.
Hopkins said he responded with a three-page letter. “In this one they got an investigator and an attorney involved in reviewing it,” he said.
There was no danger of tampering the jury pool, Hopkins asserted, noting that the jury already had been admonished not to read media reports about the case. Those who did violate that admonishment during the jury selection process were excused for cause.
While Haltom was critical of Hopkins for the letter, Hopkins in turn was critical of many of Haltom's media disclosures.
In one case, on the first morning of jury selection last summer, Hopkins said he, Haltom and Byrne were still finalizing the jury questionnaire. Before they were finished that morning, he said Haltom had released the questionnaire to a Bay Area TV station, which posted it on its Web site.
Haltom told Lake County News that he also received a letter from the State Bar notifying him of its decision.
That letter, which he said was written by State Bar counsel, stated, “After review, I have concluded that there is insufficient proof to obtain a culpability finding. Therefore, I am closing this matter for lack of sufficient proof. Clearly the State Bar is concerned about the issue of pre-trial publicity in this matter. Unfortunately, it does not appear as if the matter could be proved by clear and convincing evidence.”
Haltom said he has no experience regarding State Bar prosecutions, so he doesn't know the standards the State Bar applies in such cases.
“So, I cannot intelligently comment on what exactly the State Bar would need to prove that Mr. Hopkins violated ethical standards by writing and publishing his 'open letter' during jury selection in the Dinius trial,” Haltom said.
In response to questions about whether or not either of them had ever been the subject of a complaint to the State Bar, Anderson said he once received a letter from the State Bar about an insufficient funds issue regarding a check being deposited into his trust account in a personal injury case. But no formal complaint resulted.
Rhoades said a complaint was filed against him previously, but nothing came of it.
He said complaints are made all the time, but very few are sustained.
“I think almost any attorney who has been in business for more than 10 years has had at least one,” he said.
Hopkins said he had gone 37 years as an attorney before the first complaint was lodged against him last year.
None of the three men have any public record of discipline or administrative actions against them, according to the State Bar.
Anderson, attended San Jose State University, where he received his undergraduate degree, and attended Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa. He was admitted to the State Bar on Dec. 11, 1989.
Hopkins was admitted to the State Bar on June 2, 1972. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, and studied law at California Western School of Law in San Diego.
Rhoades received his undergraduate degree from California State University, Sonoma in Rohnert Park and, like Anderson, studied for his law degree at Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa. Rhoades was admitted to the bar on Dec. 6, 1996.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
By 6 p.m. Monday, 15 quakes were recorded for the day; the largest was a 3.1-magnitude temblor which was felt by residents at 5:19 p.m. and followed by three more in less than 10 minutes, according the to U.S. Geological Survey. Two more quakes were recorded by 6:30 p.m.
The US Geological Survey reported that it received shakes reports on the 3.1-magnitude quake from San Jacinto and Middletown.
Earthquakes also continued to rumble in Southern California and Baja California, where nearly four dozen temblors occurred on Monday, primarily on the Elsinore Fault Zone, with a 3.6 magnitude at 6:13 a.m., the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
Worldwide, the U.S. Geological Survey reported there have been 282 earthquakes in the last seven days, including quakes that measure 2.5 magnitude or larger in the United States and adjacent areas, and 4.5 magnitude and larger in the rest of the world.
The USGS lists almost 100 earthquakes in The Geysers area in the last seven days, which include magnitudes less than 2.5.
A 3.5-magnitude quake was reported in The Geysers April 27, as Lake County News has reported.
E-mail Terre Logsdon at
On May 7, deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on Hearst-Willits Road regarding a residential burglary, according to a report written by Liz Evangelatos, an administrative assistant with the sheriff's office. Upon arrival it was determined that numerous handguns and rifles were taken from the residence.
A subsequent investigation determined that 19-year-old Jesse Jewel of Willits had contacted the victims' granddaughter with knowledge of the burglary, prior to the incident being publicly reported, Evangelatos said.
As the investigation continued Jewel admitted to deputies that he and one other person entered the residence on Hearst-Willits Road and took at least five handguns, 11 rifles and two shotguns. Evangelatos said that Jewel also admitted to taking the firearms to an address located on Della Avenue in Willits, and claimed to have been under the influence of methamphetamine when burglarizing the home.
Following up on investigative leads, deputies responded to a residence on Ridgewood Road where Evangelatos said they obtained more investigative leads and arrested 22-year-old Willits resident Jessica Bauer, who had five outstanding arrest warrants.
Deputies, personnel from the Willits Police Department and Mendocino County Adult Probation then responded to an address located on Alameda Street in Willits. While at that location numerous persons were contacted, and subsequently arrested, for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Evangelatos said.
She said those subjects arrested included Jerry Alvarez, 49; Susan Casey, 40; Brian Wood, 38; and Kimberly Wood, 35, all of Willits.
Also located at the residence was 43-year-old Wesley Silva, who Evangelatos said admitted that many of the stolen weapons were located at his residence.
Deputies were led to a garage on the property where they located many of the stolen firearms hidden within the walls of the garage, according to Evangelatos' report.
Evangelatos said Silva was placed under arrest for possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of firearms, being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .
Jimmy Ray Hatfield, 38, of Clearlake, was discovered by jail staff at around 6 a.m. Monday, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Lake County Jail custody staff were conducting their formal count in one of the maximum security units when they observed that one of the cells had a blanket draped from the upper bunk, concealing Hatfield, the cell’s sole occupant, Bauman said.
Bauman reported that Hatfield had last been observed acting normally in his cell about 40 minutes prior during an hourly cell check.
The housing officer directed Hatfield to show himself for the count and when he failed to respond, the officer entered the cell and discovered him unconscious and suspended by a ligature made from a bed sheet, which Bauman said was tied to the upper bunk behind the blanket.
When Hatfield was discovered additional officers and jail medical staff immediately responded for assistance while rescue personnel from the Lakeport Fire Department were dispatched to the jail, according to Bauman.
While Lakeport Fire personnel were en route, custody staff quickly released Hatfield from the upper bunk and commenced life-saving efforts, Bauman said. Rescue personnel arrived and took over attempts to save Hatfield while transporting him to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
However, shortly after his arrival at the emergency room, Hatfield was declared deceased, Bauman said.
Sheriff’s detectives were dispatched to the jail to process the apparent suicide scene and Bauman said that, pursuant to sheriff’s department policy, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office also was called in to conduct an independent investigation of the death.
Hatfield was booked at the jail last Saturday evening by the Clearlake Police Department following an incident in that city, Bauman said.
Hatfield – whose occupation on his booking sheet was listed as “student” – was awaiting arraignment on felony charges of threatening a peace officer, resisting arrest, battery on a peace officer, and two other related misdemeanor charges, Bauman said. Jail records show Hatfield was being held on a $50,000 bail.
The manner and cause of Hatfield’s death is pending further investigation and autopsy results, and Bauman declined to release any further details.
Bauman told Lake County News that the last time the jail had an incident similar to Hatfield's was July of 2008.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .
The 27th annual event – known as “the largest catfish derby west of the Mississippi” – began Friday and ended on Sunday.
“We had one heck of a derby,” said event chair Gail Jonas.
There were 518 adult fishermen – eight more than last year – and 117 children, four more than the 2009 event, event officials reported.
Over the three days of competition, event organizers said approximately 124 fish were caught with a total weight of 1,515 pounds.
Gary Moore of Clearlake won the grand prize in the adult division with a 24.55-pound catfish, according to Dennis Locke of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association. Moore won a new fishing boat, motor and trailer.
In the children's division, Christopher Lombardo of Sacramento took home the top prize with a 14.61-pound catfish, which won him a Nintendo Wii system, Locke said.
More than $3,000 in cash prizes were awarded to other adult and kid participants, said Locke, and there also were numerous raffle prizes, most donated by community merchants and residents. He said food and entertainment at derby headquarters on Saturday and Sunday topped it all off.
Casting a shadow over the fun event was a boat sinking that reportedly occurred near Clearlake early Saturday morning and claimed one life, Jonas said.
She said Search and Rescue and the Northshore Fire boat from the Clearlake Oaks station were among those responding to the incident, and the derby organizers made an announcement about the accident during the event.
It wasn't clear if the people involved were taking part in the derby, and the Lake County Sheriff's Marine Patrol, when contacted Sunday, deferred statements to the sheriff's press officer, who will not be available for comment until Monday.
Jonas called the accident “very tragic.”
Locke said that, of the 633 entries this year, more than 64 percent – or 402 – were from outside Lake County. Participants traveled from locations around California and from Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii.
“Our goal is to make our event a premier visitor experience,” Locke said.
He added, “Fishing was a little slower than normal this year, and the fish a little smaller. But we had great weather, perfect conditions on the lake, and everyone had a grand time.”
Once again this year there were many families taking part, Jonas said. “Everybody had such a good time.”
Now in its second year, the annual Catfish Cook-Off took place Saturday at the Clearlake Oaks Plaza, said organizer Ross Christensen.
Glenn Marks won first place for the second year with his catfish over pasta, Christensen reported. In addition to the trophies and cash awards a generous wine award was donated by local wineries and community members.
Miss Lake County Scholarship Program and Pageant members judged the competition, and Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley provided cooking supplies and soy-based biodegradable serving utensils, Christensen said.
Locke said that more than 50 community volunteers worked four straight days – some as long at 16 hours each day – to help make the derby a success.
The proceeds from the event go to the annual Clearlake Oaks fireworks display. Jonas said that they usually bring in about $15,000 to $16,000 with the derby, but they won't know the final tally for awhile.
Through its donations the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association also supports local schools, parks, senior and youth services, nonprofit organizations and a graduating senior scholarship program, Locke said.
The event's full rankings follow.
Catfish Derby adult rankings
1. Gary Moore, Clearlake; 24.5 pounds
2. Keith Roddy, West Hills; 24 pounds
3. Owen Sunke, Forestville; 22.6 pounds
4. Jerry Bybee, Yuba City; 21.3 pounds
5. Zachary Becker, Carmichael; 20.1 pounds
6. Dow Walton, Clearlake Oaks; 19.6 pounds
7. Harold Dodson, Live Oak; 19.5 pounds
8. David Stewart Jr., Reedsport; 19.4 pounds
9. Joe McAtee, Winters; 19.2 pounds
10. Jared Lane, Hood River, Ore.; 18.2 pounds
11. James Hale, Kelseyville; 18 pounds
12. Carissa Beauchamp, Newcastle; 17.3 pounds
13. Mark Luevano, Clearlake; 17 pounds
14. Scott Enck, Sutter; 16.8 pounds
15. John Bybee, Yuba City; 16.690 pounds
16. Brian Lucas, Clovis; 16.660 pounds
17. Herman Gold, Napa; 16 pounds
18. Justin Lane, Hood River, Ore.; 15.8 pounds
19. Tom Wheeler, Sutter; 15.8 pounds
20. Howard Watts, Vallejo; 15.575 pounds
21. Casey Spencer, Arcadia; 15.530 pounds
Catfish Derby children's rankings
1. Christopher Lombardo, Sacramento; 14.6 pounds
2. Guy Boyd Jr., Clearlake; 14.3 pounds
3. Damien Bryant, Kelseyville; 13.6 pounds
4. Noah Lane, Hood River, Ore.; 13.1 pounds
5. Kevin Freeman, Grants Pass, Ore.; 12.8 pounds
6. Ryan Martin, Modesto; 12.2 pounds
7. Spencer Parker, Napa; 12.2 pounds
8. Christopher Lane, Hood River, Ore.; 12.1 pounds
9. Dylan Sanders, Clearlake Oaks; 11.4 pounds
10. Bradley Dale, Kelseyville; 11.1 pounds
More information and pictures will be available on Monday at www.clearlakeoaks.org.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at