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This is the second installment in Lake County News' ongoing series, Feeding Awareness: Food Insecurity in Lake County.
LAKE COUNTY – "Do you live in Lake County?" and "Are you hungry?" If the answer to both questions is yes, Rural Food Project is here to help.
"We don't put people through a lot of hoops to get food," says Hedy Montoya, who heads the program in Lake County.
Part of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Rural Food Project is a program that distributes food to the hungry throughout Lake and Sonoma counties. There are currently two sites in Lake County where food is distributed once a month.
The Rural Food Project distributes every third Wednesday of the month at St. Joseph's Church in Middletown and every fourth Monday at St. Peter's Church at Kelseyville. Both distributions are held from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and people typically begin lining up at 4 p.m.
During the distribution, volunteers hand out boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables and nonperishable foods. Each box of food lasts approximately ten days for a family of four.
The program began in Middletown in July 2002, and in September 2006, it opened in Kelseyville.
The Rural Food Project purchases food for 18 cents per pound at the Redwood Empire Bank in Santa Rosa. The approximate cost per month to feed people is $1,800, and this is slowly increasing.
According to Montoya, the food primarily goes to the working poor. She finds that around the end of the month, these people are choosing to use what's left of their money to pay bills rather than eat. The other major recipients are seniors who end up prioritizing utility bills and prescriptions over food.
The registration process is minimal and doesn't include much more than a few questions.
Since July 2006, 1,075 individuals have received donated food at least once – approximately 150 families. In Middletown in March, 89 boxes of food were given to 247 people. In Kelseyville, 55 boxes of food were given out to 239 people.
Montoya is the only paid staff member of the Rural Food Project. Everyone else who contributes is a volunteer. Montoya says there are around 20 people she knows she can always ask to volunteer. Among the many generous volunteers, a few especially stand out in her mind as they have been there to help on an ongoing basis since the program's beginning five years ago. This includes Judy Knight, Julie Sears, Bettye McKinstry, Merna Scott, Carolyn and Bill Tobin Jr., and Bill Tobin Sr., who is 99 years old this year.
In 2006, Montoya won the Stars Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian Award for her efforts in feeding the hungry. She credits the volunteers of the program: "The volunteers have made it all possible. I stand on their shoulders. They do such incredible work," she says.
Montoya doesn't want anybody getting burned out, however, so she is always looking for new volunteers to organize, pack food, distribute, and drive loads of food to and from St. Joseph's pantry.
St. Joseph's Church in Middletown is the only Rural Food Project site with a pantry, so emergency food is available. People may call (707) 987-8139 to arrange pick-up or delivery.
The biggest issue, though, explains Montoya, is trying to figure out ways to create money to feed the poor. United Way and FEMA used to provide grants to the Rural Food Project, but these are no longer a guarantee. "We're looking at any other feasible way of doing it," she says.
"Government funding is down immensely. Grants are no longer as available as they were, so we're looking to the private sector and business to help. We used to get a lot of help from the government in terms of providing food, but everything is being slashed.
"Most people don't know that we're here and we're doing this work," she adds.
The Rural Food Project is currently looking for assistance to buy a covered trailer that can haul food from Middletown to Kelseyville. Over the past couple months, it has rained on Kelseyville's distribution night and much of the food got wet in the open beds of the trucks that are currently being used.
The next Rural Food Project distribution in Middletown will be held Wednesday, April 18. The next distribution in Kelseyville will be held Monday, April 23. In May, due to Memorial Day weekend, Middletown's Kelseyville's distribution will be held on the third Monday, May 21, rather than the fourth.
Monetary donations may be mailed to the following address. All donations to this address will go toward Lake County's program:
Catholic Charities
18713 Spyglass Road
Hidden Valley Lake 95467
Memo: RFP Lake
St. Joseph's Church is located on the corners of Bush and Highway 175 in Middletown. St. Peter's Church is located on Main Street in Kelseyville. To learn more about the Rural Food Project, including information on donating or becoming a volunteer, call (707) 987-8139.
E-mail Penny Dahl at
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LAKEPORT – The ESPN Bassmasters Golden State Shootout Pro entered its third day Saturday.
The tournament, which began on Thursday with 108 anglers, was down to 50 by day three.
After the weigh-in, it was Greg Gutierrez of Red Bluff who led the field, with more 91 pounds, 14 ounces, catching bass totaling 25 pounds on Saturday, according to the ESPN Bassmasters standings.
In second place was Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., with 90 pounds, 4 ounces. On Saturday alone he caught more than 40 pounds of Clear Lake bass, standings reported.
Skeet Reese of Auburn, one of six participants from California, had a good third day, bringing in 35 pounds of bass for a three-day total of 89 pounds, 12 ounces.
Another Californian, Jared Linter from Arroyo Grande, came in at fourth place, with 28 pounds of bass caught Saturday and a three-day total of 79 pounds, 13 ounces.
The action will conclude later today.
For the full standings, visit sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/elite/news/story?page=bt_clearlake_launch_day_three-weighin.
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LAKEPORT – Officials have confirmed that two women arrested this week in connection with the death of a Nice man have been released from custody.
Sheriff Rod Mitchell said Jamie Martin, 20, of Lucerne and Terri Kenney, 48, of Nice were released from the Lake County Jail Thursday, a day after the two women were arrested for the murder of Michael Eugene Fausnaugh, 38.
Still remaining in jail is Shamus Maroney, 27, who was arrested March 23 for a felony probation violation before being booked for murder along with Martin and Kenney on Wednesday.
All three had originally been scheduled for a court appearance Thursday.
Fausnaugh's body was found dumped along the west side of Highway 29 near north Lakeport on March 22.
The day before, witnesses told Lake County Sheriff's investigators that they had seen Fausnaugh – who was suffering from a “significant” head injury – along with Martin, Kenney and Maroney at Upper Lake's Middle Creek Campground.
“The case is definitely not completed,” said Mitchell, adding that his investigators are still actively working the case, which has not been submitted to the District Attorney's Office.
On Friday, Maroney's booking sheet still listed the murder charge. However, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said Friday that no suspects have actually been formally charged in the case.
Hinchcliff said he's been in close contact with LCSO investigators but they have not yet submitted a report to his office.
“It was mutually agreed upon that the investigation should continue before anything is sent over to us to make a charging decision,” Hinchcliff added.
Mitchell wouldn't elaborate on the reasons the two women were released, nor would he speculate on other possible arrests in the case.
LCSO Lt. Cecil Brown said of the case, “We've been putting a lot of investigative hours into it.”
Those with information on the case, particularly those who were at the Middle Creek Campground March 21, are urged to contact Det. Brian Kenner at the LCSO Detective Bureau, 262-4200.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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LAKEPORT – A woman accused of what Animal Care & Control officials say is one of the worst dog neglect cases they've even seen has been sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay thousands of dollars in reimbursement for the animal's care.
Donna Mae Heath of Lakeport was sentenced Thursday on a charge of felony animal abuse in the case of her family's German shepherd, George, who later received the nickname “Hero.”
Heath pleaded no contest to the charge Feb. 2.
On Thursday Judge Richard Martin sentenced Heath to three years of formal probation, the terms of which include 180 days in county jail and 100 hours of community service, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
In addition, Martin ordered Heath to pay $1,399.84 to Lake County Animal Care & Control, and $2,653 to Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic. Martin ruled if Animal Care & Control and Wasson had already been reimbursed by donations, that the money would go to a fund set up at Animal Care & Control for the care of other abused animals.
As part of Heath's sentence, she will not be allowed to possess any animal for three years, Hinchcliff reported.
Hinchcliff said Animal Control Officer Nehemiah White and DA Investigator Von Morshed investigated the case.
White, who responded to the home to conduct a welfare check on June 21, 2006, said Hero's case was reported by a concerned neighbor.
When he asked Heath about the dog, he said she told him she had just run out of dog food, that it was her son's dog and she hadn't seen the dog for days.
Heath called to the dog, said White, which came limping up from the backyard on bleeding feet filled with foxtails. The dog was extremely thin, with his ribs and hip bones protruding, and his spine clearly visible. White said the dog also was missing patches of hair.
Heath's defense attorney, Stephen Carter, said when Heath saw the dog at that point, she was shocked, because she hadn't seen him for some time.
Carter said Heath was responsible for a household including her son and granddaughter, and that she also was suffering from a number of medical conditions, including carpal tunnel, which prevents her from lifting bags of dog food.
He said Heath had told her son that she couldn't take care of the dog any more because of her health and other responsibilities. “She was basically taking care of the whole house,” Carter said.
Carter added, “It was a very sad case all around.”
White said he immediately took the frightened dog from the home and transported him to Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic.
When Morshed later went back to Heath's home, she was unable to find any dog food or feeding bowls for food or water, Hinchcliff reported. Heath then told Morshed that she was planning on putting George down because he had stopped eating.
When Hero arrived at Wasson, he weighed 61 pounds, said White. Over the next month, through care and compassion, the dog gained weight and underwent several surgeries to remove the foxtails, White reported.
Dr. Chris Holmes of Wasson told investigators that Hero's case was one of the worst – if not the worst – cases of neglect and abuse he had ever seen. Holmes said Hero's condition could have been prevented with food and water, and basic preventative care.
Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson handled the case's sentencing phase for the DA's Office.
Carter argued against prison time, and said Martin followed the Probation report, which suggested 180 days in jail, rather than prison. Carter said Heath will actually serve four months in jail.
He said he was pleased with the sentence because Heath won't go to prison, although he would have preferred no jail time because of Heath's medical and other concerns.
Carter said he believes Heath's son was more culpable for the dog's neglect, but that Heath was charged because she was home when Animal Control arrived.
“As I argued to the judge, we were never contending that the dog had not been neglected miserably,” Carter said.
Hero, said White, “was a very good dog,” who was adopted out in early fall to a Bay Area family who had heard about his case.
The family, who has other dogs and children, have since reported that Hero is doing well, said White. The family reportedly took Hero, who now has a new name, to a dog dermatologist, who helped him grow back his hair.
Carter said Hero's recovery is the happy part of an otherwise very sad story.
White said he often sees neglect cases, but they're not usually this bad.
Animal Care & Control Director Denise Johnson agreed. “This is definitely one of the worst abuse cases we've seen in my career here as far as dog neglect,” she said.
“We've had some livestock cases that have come close,” she added, some of which are still pending in the courts.
Hinchcliff was pleased with Judge Richard Martin's ruling in the case.
The DA's Office, said Hinchcliff, is “gung ho” on animal abuse and neglect prosecutions, although they don't often get the stringent sentences they seek.
This case was different, said Hinchcliff. “It turned out real good as far as we're concerned,” he said.
Things have also apparently turned out well for the dog formerly known as Hero, with his new family and a new life.
“He's happy and healthy and very much loved,” said Johnson.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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LAKE COUNTY – Authorities were searching the area of Lake Pillsbury and Hull Mountain on Thursday on the report of a man who had died near there.
California Highway Patrol incident logs from Wednesday evening reported a possible fatality near Lake Pillsbury.
A Spanish-speaking male told authorities his son had died in the area that morning and he had been walking all day in order to reach help.
Chief Deputy Russ Perdock of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that agency was investigating the case.
“We a report there could be a person who passed away in the Hull Mountain area,”
Perdock said.
“We have been up there all day and so far have been unable to locate a person,” Perdock added.”
Perdock said LCSO was using a helicopter to search the area, which would require the search to be suspended after dark.
The investigation is scheduled to continue, he said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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